Where's the Beef?

This review was originally written in October of 2009. I've had so many people ask me about Holeman and Finch lately, I figured it deserved a reprint!

My roommate is a vegetarian turned recent vegan. I am the opposite of that, whatever that is. There was a point in my life that I’m fairly certain I ate a cheeseburger a day. A Wendy's No. 3 can be polished off without flinching (for those non-fast foodies, a No. 3 is a triple cheeseburger, fries and soft drink). In my eyes, the Hamburgler is a hero. So when every Atlanta publication raved about Holeman and Finch’s burgers, I knew where my next beef binge was coming from.

Obtaining a burger from Holeman and Finch Public House is a tricky feat. For starters, they aren’t even on the regular menu. They start selling them at 10 each night, but they make them in limited quantities and have been known to sell out by 10:05. Urban legend says that a lively patron once shouted, “It’s burger time!” causing a commotion amongst the crowd, which resulted in an extra round of burgers being sold.

So as not to be disappointed by a burger sell-out, I decided to give this place a try on a Sunday. Burgers are a regular item on the Sunday lunch menu, and this town knows it. The tiny space was bustling with a mixture of families, friends and a few folks who looked like they shared my hangover and need for grease.

The wait for a table was only around 20 minutes, being on a meaty mission with little patience, we sat in the bar area on too-tiny stools facing a wall. I had my official drink of Sundays, a mimosa (delightful and made with fresh-squeezed O.J.) and B.F. had a beer off of their eclectic beer list.

We didn’t need time to look over the menus, we were there with a purpose and that purpose was beef. My boyfriend and I ordered our items, simply titled The Burger. Much to our surprise, my vegetarian roommate decided to break her year-plus lifestyle of meatless-ness and go with a Fried Oyster Sandwich.

When the burgers came, I thought I might have a culinary convulsion. The two thick slices of beef were smothered in melted cheese and piled with grilled onions. Fries, ketchup and mustard were served on the side. The task that lay ahead looked daunting, but I had confidence in my ability to lick my plate clean.

The burgers definitely lived up to the hype. Juicy, flavorful and with just the right amount of grease, Holeman and Finch knows how to do a burger. Never one to stop when I’m full, I happily cleaned my plate, as did my boyfriend. The roommate, however, was slightly disappointed with her meat-cheat meal. Even after several douses of hot sauce, she wished she’d stuck to her tofu. Lesson learned.

The fries were so-so, but I’m the type of gal that can eat cardboard if it has enough ketchup on it.

Holeman and Finch rounds out the menu with a selection of meats, cheeses and parts (e.g. Slow Cooked Bershire Pork Belly, Gratin of Marrow). Desserts include Fried Apple Pie with Madagascar Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and even a Coca-Cola Float!

Prices are just right, with our burgers costing $11 and the rest of the menu ranging from $3 (Deviled Eggs Three Ways) to $15 (Plate of House Cured Meats).

The service was a little spotty, but being a table jockey myself for around 10 years, I’ll cut this place some slack. I know all too well it takes time for a restaurant to work the kinks out, service wise.

This Public House prides itself for having a friendly, come as you are atmosphere. Just make sure you come hungry.

Holeman and Finch Public House is located at 2277 Peachtree Road, next to Restaurant Eugene.

~Blair Branch
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A Dieter's Dream: Seasons 52

I’ve found my Mecca. My culinary heaven. A restaurant that combines the perfect blend of ambiance, flavor, and the real kicker….every item on the menu is fewer than 475 calories. Of course, when you order four things off the menu, that detail doesn’t really make a difference. But still! Under 500 calories for flatbreads, stuffed mushrooms and rack of lamb with potatoes? Amazing.

I know Seasons 52 isn’t new, but it’s new to me, and I can’t wait to return. It was fairly busy when the B.F. and I arrived a few Friday nights ago, but we were quickly seated in a large booth. I ordered wine from the impressive-sized list, and the B.F. had is old standby—Crown on the rocks. I quickly noticed (much to my delight) that when you order a second (or in my case third or fourth) glass of wine, the servers bring the whole bottle over to assure the customer that they are getting what they ordered. It’s little nuances like that that make me appreciate a restaurant.

The B.F and I have our ordering routine down pat at this point. We always have an app (usually some crab-cake type concoction) followed by carefully-discussed entrees—we usually have a debate about what we should get, (and if I’m torn between two dishes I always try to urge him to order the one I’m not getting) and a peek at the dessert menu to start brainstorming about what our best choice is.

This night was no different, and we started discussing which flatbread to get. With choices like Grilled Steak with Cremini Mushrooms, Garlic Chicken with balsamic onions and roasted red peppers and Spicy Chipotle Shrimp, we were torn. In the end, we tried the Spicy Chipotle Shrimp. Topped with grilled pineapple, roasted poblano peppers and feta cheese, it was sweet, spicy, and simply delicious. The flatbread is light and crispy, not greasy and filling, making these the perfect appetizer for sharing—or definitely enough for a meal for one.

Since we started with a flatbread, we decided to forego any other appetizers. But I WILL be back to try the Housemade Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli with roasted garlic and sweet basil in a light tomato broth. Yum! For my entrée, I decided to forego any of my usual suspects, though the Carmelized Sea Scallops, Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon, and Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon all sounded AMAZING. I chose the New Zealand Rack of Lamb, served with roasted potatoes and green beans. The B.F. decided to branch out as well and try the Venison Chop, served with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies.

The lamb was cooked to pink perfection, and the sides were simply prepared, yet flavorful. I can see how the dishes tally in below 475 calories. Nothing was dripping in the usual butter bath I’ve come to expect at restaurants, and I could actually taste the flavor of the meat instead of a pile of salt. There’s nothing too fancy or elaborate about this dish—just delicious food, executed perfectly. The B.F. had no complaints about his dish either, and I was lucky enough to steal a few bites of garlic mashed potatoes.

Dessert is the most important part of the meal, in my opinion. But how could any restaurant keep sinful desserts under 475 calories and maintain the taste? Seasons 52 manages this feat with portion control. Desserts (called Mini Indulgences) two-bite treats served in shot glasses. So as not to ruin our semi-healthy dinner, we chose just two desserts to try. Key Lime Pie (the B.F.’s favorite) and Mocha Macchiato. Both were downright decadent, and a perfect and light way to end our meal.

Our service was impeccable, and the manager was friendly when he stopped by to inquire about our meal. The place was crowded (it was a Friday night after all) but our server didn’t seemed rushed or annoyed when we asked him a ton of questions about the menu.

I can’t wait to go back to try more dishes, and I’m excited to see what offerings will be available in the spring, since the menu changes seasonally. I’m even more excited that they do takeout, so I can order a healthy flatbread instead of pizza on nights I don’t feel like cooking. With its healthy, and simple yet amazing food, Seasons 52 makes for the perfect spot for the calorie-conscious who refuse to sacrifice taste.


~Blair Branch

Seasons 52 is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Seasons 52 is located at 3050 Peachtree Road NW.
404.846.1552

Put a Fork in it at Home- Mac and Cheese Lite

Since the B.F. and I have been cohabitating, I have made an effort to become more domestic. So, not only do I try to make the bed each day and pick my hair out of the shower drain so he isn’t grossed out, I also make an effort to cook most nights of the week. This has been a savior to not only his wallet, but our waistlines as well. But my blog has been suffering.

We go out to eat at new restaurants much less than when we first started dating, which means I only post a new review about once a month. So I’ve decided to start documenting my catastrophes in the kitchen, to add more substance to my blog.
In my quest to become a better cook, I have tried numerous recipes that are definitely worth sharing. When telling the B.F. that I would now be posting recipes on my blog, he, in true smart ass fashion replied, “Wow, nobody has ever done that. You should try to cook the whole Julia Child cookbook in a year and blog about it.” (We recently watched Julie and Julia.)

So what follows is my first attempt to photograph and explain a recipe. A few things to note about my cooking technique: I never ever ever use full-fat cheese or milk or anything else. I try to cut calories from all my recipes in any way possible. So if you don’t like the low-fat or fat-free stuff…sorry! Also, I don’t really measure things out like you’re supposed to. My grandmother never uses measuring cups, and she’s the best cook I know. My downfall, though, is that I don’t really have any concept of how much any unit of measurement is. (The other day, I made a dish that called for 2 tsp of red pepper flakes. Since I eyeballed it, and apparently used way too much, the dish almost ended up in the garbage.) So I hope you enjoy my first recipe blog—Mac and Cheese Lite.

I ripped this recipe out of the September issue of Fitness magazine. Apparently, chef Rocco DiSpirito designed the recipe for his new book, Now Eat This!. So, armed with my phone (to take photos) and the tattered magazine page, I began my first attempt at homemade Mac and Cheese.


The ingredient list for the recipe is as follows:
(This makes 4 servings. I was only trying to make 2, so I halved all ingredients, which I know is a cardinal sin in cooking. But it turned out okay.)
-Nonstick cooking spray
-Salt
-4 oz of whole wheat macaroni (I couldn't find whole wheat macaroni, so I used whole wheat mini shells.)
-1/2 tsp of dry mustard (I could only find one brand in the grocery store, but it turned out fine.)

-Pinch of cayenne pepper (I omitted this)
-1 cup shredded cheddar (I prefer reduced-fat to fat-free...I think it melts better)
-1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

-1/4 cup whole-wheat panko bread crumbs (I didn't measure these out, just eyeballed it)
-1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Aside from these ingredients, you also need to make an onion-garlic puree to take the place of the milk and butter that is in traditional mac and cheese. To make 1/2 a cup of the puree, you need:
-1/2 a Vidalia or other sweet onion
-4-5 garlic cloves, chopped

1.To prepare the puree, combine the onion and garlic with 1/4 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl.
2.Season with salt and pepper.
3.Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 7-9 minutes.
4.Pour mixture into a blender and blend until smooth (I used my Ninja food processor...obsessed!)


Now comes the easy part:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 and mist an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cook noodles according to package instructions.


3. While noodles are cooking, bring the onion/garlic puree, mustard and cayenne pepper to a simmer in a saucepan, stirring often. Whisk in cheddar until melted.

4. Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in yogurt.
5. In a medium bowl, toss the macaroni and sauce together. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, and top with panko bread crumbs and Parmesan.




6. Bake about 10 minutes, or until Parmesan is melted and macaroni is heated throughout. Let sit for 2 minutes and enjoy! We paired our mac and cheese with some pork chops that I simply sauteed with garlic salt and pepper.


~Blair Branch

Just a forkful

I attended Friends and Family night last Tuesday at recently-opened seafood spot The Big Ketch. Don’t miss the corn and crab fritters or the grilled grouper sandwich—both delicious. The ahi tuna and the scallops are other can’t-miss dishes. Stop by and enjoy the great patio before it’s too cold outside.
3279 Roswell Road, Buckhead

I had lunch with a girlfriend last week at Brookhaven-based taqueria Verde. They have a great patio and even better frozen margaritas. You can’t go wrong with the pulled pork taco or the fried chicken taco (it’s topped with applewood smoked bacon…yum!). Or, since they’re both just $3.50, try one of each.
1426 Dresden Drive, Brookhaven

Flip Burger Boutique opened last Thursday in Buckhead. (Can anyone else believe that building used to be a Blockbuster!?) Now north-Atlantans can get their fill of gourmet burgers and Krispy Kreme milkshakes at a more convenient location. Keep an eye out for my full review of Flip, coming soon!
3655 Roswell Road, Buckhead

Halloween hooch at Whiskey Blue

I’ll admit, I’m not usually a cocktail kind of girl. I usually stick to a vodka soda or light beer, and save the calories for a sinful dessert. But a friend had been raving about the Halloween-themed cocktails at Whisky Blue in the W Buckhead, and suggested I try at least one before the end of the month.

I went last Wednesday, which basically meant my sober October lasted for all of two weeks. But it was definitely worth it. The weather has been gorgeous lately, and Whisky Blue’s rooftop patio is probably the best place in Buckhead to enjoy it. We sank into the plush outdoor sofa and started sipping away.

The first cocktail we tried was the Trick or Treat—a fruity yet strong rum concoction garnished with Gummy Worms. This drink is served in an enormous bowl, and is meant to be enjoyed by four guests. I assume that I drink enough for two people, so I didn’t think I’d have a problem with it. But honestly, I’d barely made a dent in the drink before I started to feel a buzz. The Trick or Treat was potent but sweet, and it reminded me of a Capri Sun. (And no, we didn’t finish the drink built for four.)

The second cocktail was the Cinnamon S’more—a great drink to sip in lieu of having dessert. I’m not usually into rich, sweet cocktails, but I promise you—they didn’t serve this drink at your childhood campout. Made with cinnamon whiskey, crème de cacao and milk, it’s chocolate-y, creamy and cozy—all in all, the perfect fall drink! My favorite part was the crushed graham crackers around the rim (they provided much needed sustenance after two sneakily-strong drinks!).

Both drinks, plus many more festive fall cocktails are available at both Whiskey Blue in Buckhead and Whiskey Park in Midtown. Both venues are also hosting awesome Halloween parties on Saturday October 30—the perfect place to enjoy these fabulous cocktails!

~Blair Branch

Whiskey Blue is located at 3377 Peachtree Road in Buckhead. For Terror on the Rooftop Halloween party info call 678.500.3190

Whiskey Park is located at 188 14th Street in Midtown. For Horror Hotel Halloween party info visit horrorhotelparty.com

Bistro Niko brings French fare to Buckhead

I have a confession to make. I visited Paris last summer while backpacking though Europe and did not have one morsel of delicious French food. I’m superbly ashamed to admit that, even though I spent four days in the City of Light, my diet consisted of cheap croissants from a bakery across from our hostel, Thai food, Mexican food and fast food. The reason? Paris was my next-to-the-last stop on my journey. And I was basically broke. Seventy cent croissants are a lot more economical than fresh crepes.

Luckily for me, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s Bistro Niko brings a taste of France to the heart of Buckhead. The B.F. and I went a couple of Tuesdays ago, with hopes of enjoying the last bit of gorgeous weather on Bistro Niko’s amazing patio with Peachtree views. Needless to say, we weren’t the only folks itching for patio dining.

After a confusing conversation with the hostess (quite possibly the dumbest hostess I’ve ever encountered) we settled on a table near the bar, in close proximity to the patio.

The first thing I noticed about the space was how beautiful and classic the décor was. I feel like Buckhead Life restaurants are sometimes over the top when it comes to style (like Pricci, where the late 70s-early-80s décor makes me feel like I’m in a scene from Scarface)but Bistro Niko manages to be quaint and sophisticated.

I’ll admit—I was intimidated by the menu. Though the descriptions were quite clear, I began to sweat at the thought of having to pronounce something called Truite Mi Fumee Amandine. Even though I have taken six collective years of French classes, my pronunciation sounds about how you would expect a girl from Tifton, speaking French, to sound. Thankfully, our server Rebecca was amazing and didn’t laugh at me when I insisted on pointing to, instead of pronouncing the items I wanted to try.

As an appetizer, we had the Croque Monsieur Au Samon—basically a salmon sandwich on grilled brioche. It was delicious, but I think I could have anything between buttery grilled brioche and I’d still devour it.

Our entrees were nothing short of amazing either. The B.F. had dined at Bistro Niko previously and raved about the Coquille St. Jacques Aux Sorrel—Maine scallops served with asparagus. According to him, they were delicious yet again. I was torn between several entrees, but in the end I decided on the Supreme De Volaille Farci Aux Champignons-- basically a mushroom-stuffed chicken, served with sautéed spinach and some type of buttery-delicious-fatty cream sauce. I couldn’t get enough of this meal and I managed to join the clean-plate-club by sopping up the cream sauce with the fresh bread from our third bread basket (I love my carbs).

According to me, the French are known for two things—snootiness and pastries. So you better believe I was going to try dessert at Bistro Niko. Not in the mood for the richness of chocolate or the creaminess of Crème Brulee, we settled on the puff pastry served with ice cream, drizzled in chocolate sauce and topped with slivered almonds. The light, fluffy pastry was the perfect finish to our overindulgent, heavy meal.

I will definitely be a repeat customer at Bistro Niko. The menu is filled with dishes I can’t wait to try—Skate, Boeuf Bourguignon, Tartes (French pizzas) and Steak Frites are just a few that make my mouth water. The wine list is extensive but reasonably priced, and the food prices won’t break the bank either. Our three-course meal with wine came in at around $100, with tip.

If you can, get a seat around the perimeter of the bar—it’s much more private than the bustling, and somewhat crowded dining area. If you can make it on a Sunday, stop in for the brunch—the menu looks insanely delicious. And try to make it in the next couple of weeks, before it’s too cold to enjoy the patio. I am anxiously awaiting springtime, and I can already picture myself on the patio—sipping wine and splurging on puff pastries.


~Blair Branch
Bistro Niko is located at 3344 Peachtree Road in Buckhead.
Bistro Niko is open Sunday for brunch and Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
404.261.6456

Livingston charms with southern-inspired cuisine

After what seemed like ages of being cooped up in our apartment, dining on healthy, home cooked meals, the B.F. and I were itching to try a new restaurant to celebrate our first year of dating bliss. Yep—that's right. It’s been a whole year of coupledom and since most of our dates revolve around amazing food, I was really putting the pressure on him to choose wisely. Since moving in together in late February, we’ve been trying to scale-back on our gluttonous desires, not only to save our (read, his) wallets, but our waistlines as well, so I was especially excited to see which restaurant he would choose.

After a last-minute change of heart, he decided on Livingston in the Georgian Terrace Hotel. I’ve been obsessed with the Georgian Terrace Hotel since I moved to Atlanta when I was 18 and lived in a 400-square-foot studio above Baraonda, directly across the street. I used to stroll up and down Peachtree in front of the Fox, gazing at the southern aristocrats valeting their Jags at the hotel, hoping to be one of them someday. To me, the Georgian Terrace was the epitome of class.

Though less intimidating and not quite as bustling as I remember it, the Georgian Terrace still oozes class and southern charm. Rarely at a loss for words, I was completely awe-struck upon entrance into the restaurant. It is, by far, one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever seen. The abundance of white marble, the high ceilings, the deep wooden bar, the spiral staircase, the nearly floor-to-ceiling windows with Peachtree views, not to mention the stunning chandelier in the entranceway, all made for a jaw-dropping first impression. I wondered, though, while looking around at the starkly occupied restaurant, how could this place not be absolutely packed on a Saturday at 8 p.m.?

Despite the lack of patrons, Livingston was nothing short of amazing. Maybe it was the fact that I’d saved up calories all week for this meal; maybe it was the fact that I was giddy because of our anniversary; maybe it was the fact that I was giddy from the two pinot grigios on an empty stomach…but whatever it was, the food that night was some of the best I’ve had in recent memory.

The menu is divided up into bites and entrees, with a special menu for theatre patrons. The bites consist of two, four and six bite dishes/appetizers. Though the B.F. and I weren’t really planning on a tapas-style anniversary, too many of the smaller bite dishes caught our eye, and we decided to forgo ordering traditional entrees in favor of trying a bunch of different things.

After starting with a half-bottle of wine—I love when restaurants do half bottles—we proceeded to make our selections. Basically, we read the menu aloud to each other and after every dish said, “Ooooo…that sounds good!” With so many yummy-sounding items I didn’t know where to start. Short rib sliders? Livingston cracker jax? Kobe beef tartare? I’ll take one of everything? Needless to say, it was a tough decision. We finally compromised and chose three dishes to start: crab cakes, lobster fritters and papas fritas. Welcome to deep-fried heaven.

If you’re a frequent reader of my blog, (basically just my mother and the B.F.), you’re aware of my love for all things crab-cake. It was a given that we’d be ordering the Peekytoe crab fritters from the four bites section. The fritters had plenty of crab and were served with a toasted sesame drizzle that complemented well and added a unique twist. The portion size was good for the $9 price tag, and since it was just the two of us, there were definitely more than four bites to this dish.
Our next dish was more fried seafood, in the form of Lobster fritters. The fried batter of the fritter was buttery and smooth, and there was a generous portion of lobster per bite. The accompanying sauce was a zingy remoulade that also served as a delicious dipping sauce for our other dishes.

Potatoes are a food group for me, and I love them cooked any way under the sun. Mashed, steamed, deep fried—it doesn’t matter. At Livingston, Gabby’s “papas fritas” were a truly creative take on a standard potato. The menu describes them as potato gnocchi. I describe them as creamy mashed potatoes, somehow deep fried. Whatever the description, they are amazing little nuggets.

Continuing with the fried food extravaganza, we decided on one of the server-suggested specials, the fried okra. Fried okra has been a staple in my family’s household as long as I can remember, and one of the few veggies (if you can call it a veggie) that I’d eat as a child. I’m consistently disappointed with the soggy, greasy mess I’m often faced with when ordering it in restaurants, but Livingston gets it right. Whole okra are lightly battered and fried just enough to crunch without the sogginess and dripping fat.

Though we were nearly stuffed, the Beef short rib ravioli sounded too good to miss. And it truly was the highlight of our meal. The beef inside was tender and rich, and the creamy sauce was delightfully buttery, but not overpowering. These suckers were, hands down, the best thing I’ve put in my mouth. EVER. I wanted to order a second serving of them, but I knew I had to save room for dessert.

In lieu of trying something inventive and different, (strawberry popcorn, pistachio cake and rhubarb, anyone?), I stuck to old faithful—chocolate. The dish was simply called Chocolate, but was a decadent combination of chocolate cake, panna cotta and espresso ice cream. Since we ate this, I’ve been buying coffee ice cream, trying to get a mere smidgen of the amazing taste of this dessert in my mouth.

Our server was polite and attentive, though never intrusive. The manager came by to check on us, and she even took care of our dessert since we were celebrating our anniversary. Even if the dessert wasn’t on the house, the bill would’ve been well under $100, even with tip.

The meal at Livingston was a true highlight, and I hope that the lack of patrons wasn’t indicative of things to come. The location is superb and the food is some of Atlanta’s best. All in all, a perfect, delicious anniversary!


~Blair Branch


Livingston is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Livingston is located in the Georgian Terrace Hotel, at 659 Peachtree Street in Midtown.
404.897.5000