Blair's Best of 2009

Every legit publication in town has a best-of list, so I decided to compile a not-so-legit listing of my favorite food spots in town. Read, enjoy and please leave your comments and thoughts.

Best Burger- 2009 was the year of the burger for Atlantans, and while many tried to compete, none held a candle to the greasy simplicity of the beef at Holeman and Finch. Set a date to try this delectable dish, they only serve it after 10 pm and during Sunday brunch.

Best Pizza- Baraonda in Midtown has been my go-to spot for slices since I rented an apartment above the restaurant in 2003. Thin and crispy Italian-style slices rule here, and the patio overlooking 3rd Street makes for great dining during the summer.

Best Steak- Trendy steak joints may come and go, but my love of Hal’s is forever. This Buckhead establishment serves up the best slabs of meat in town, with a touch of that men’s-club style charm.

Best New Restaurant- 2009 was a year of trendy and pricey restaurant openings, from The W Downtown’s BLT Steak to Buckhead Life’s Bistro Niko. But few new restaurants boasted the delicious food, impressive wine list and dirt-cheap prices like Cellar 56. This place is here to stay, and thank goodness, since the mac ‘n cheese has become a diet staple of mine.

Best Tapas- My perennial fave, Noche, now with two locations, serves up Spanish-style small plates with flair. Cheap margaritas and beer, paired with delicious dishes like Lobster Tacos and Grilled Skirt Steak provide the perfect combo for a night of dish sharing.

Best Place for a Girls’ Night Out- Margaritas, mojitos, delicious tapas and loud music make Eclipse di Luna a go-to spot for a Friday night gal-fest. Expect to wait, even with a reservation—this place gets packed.

Best Place for a Guys’ Night Out- Beer, plasmas, bar-grub and a bustling weekend bar-scene make Hudson Grill a great spot to catch a game, chug a brew and chow on a burger.

Best First Date Place- I may be biased because this was the first restaurant the B.F. took me to (not-counting a hungover lunch at Fellini’s the Sunday before) but South City Kitchen’s cozy space and southern-inspired entrees are sure to please. This spot doesn’t try to hard, and the casual restaurant—with locations in Midtown and Vinings, make for a perfect place to get to know each other.

Best Lunch Spot- Located in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center, Zoe’s Kitchen serves up fresh sandwiches and salads and healthy sides like fruit and mayo-free potato salad in a timely manner and friendly atmosphere.



~Blair Branch

Gastro Pub Grub at TAP

I will start by saying that TAP’s 14th Street location, while convenient for foot-traffic diners, is a nightmare to get to by car, especially with Atlanta’s notorious traffic.

Looking for a Midtown-located restaurant to grab an early and quick bite before a trip to Whole World Theatre, the B.F. and I chose TAP over the pseudo-glitziness of its across-the-street-neighbor, Shout.

Like most Atlantans, I’ve driven by TAP numerous times and always desired to try it out, especially during the summer. What better way to entertain myself than to sit on TAP’s patio, mere feet away from Peachtree, during Friday afternoon rush-hour, watching ornery drivers tail-end each other, sipping a foreign beer I can’t pronounce?

It was a blistering-cold night when we dined at TAP, so the patio would have to wait. We were seated immediately at a tiny two-top, which was fine since the restaurant was sparsely-filled for our 6:30 pm dinner, except for a few…ahem…old people.

The interior of TAP is interesting, if floor to ceiling offensive red paint is your style. Frankly, it freaked me out a little to see a life-sized plastic deer in the corner, seemingly dipped in red paint. The bells hanging from his collar did add a seasonal, festive touch though.

I’m no beer connoisseur, so I told the server I liked everything and asked for his suggestions. He brought me and the B.F. some type of Belgian Ale, which was good and paired well with our dinner selections.

To be honest, the menu is confusing, and there is no real sense of cohesion. On the dinner menu, diners can choose from Shares (TAP’s version of apps), including items like Hot Boiled Peanuts, Fried Pickles and Pickled Cauliflower and Carrots. We opted out of trying any of these Shares, seeing as I prefer to get my hot-boiled peanuts from a man in a pick-up truck parked on the side of I-75 in South Georgia, thank you very much.

The Plates, which apparently are for sharing also, were uninspiring as well. The Chorizo Scotch Egg (a Chorizo-wrapped egg served with mustard aioli and pickled mushrooms) or Crawfish and Portabello Ravioli just weren’t going to hit the spot.

I played it safe with this at-times-eclectic menu. I ordered the Pub Burger. Greasy and delicious and simply served with just a slice of cheese and pickles on an English muffin. In an attempt to lighten up the meal, I opted for the side of mixed greens, which were served with a light and refreshing vinaigrette. Much to my surprise and delight, my burger was also served with a tiny shot glass filled with a Chocolate Milkshake, which had a Frosty-like consistency and flavor.

The B.F. tried a couple of tacos (yes, along with Chorizo-wrapped eggs, TAP also serves a small selection of tacos). The Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Yucatan BBQ Pork and Shrimp A La Diabla were all good, but less than memorable.

Though the Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar and Chocolate Stout Ice Cream Sandwich were calling my name, we decided against dessert. Maybe next time.

The prices are reasonable, with the Shares and Plates ranging from $3-$17, and the sandwiches around $12. Supper dishes will set you back about $16, and all desserts are $6. The real treat here, is obviously the extensive beer selection.

Though the menu seemed to be all over the place, I would visit TAP again, if only to order the burger. And though the summer might be months away, TAP is still a decent watering hole to sip foreign beers I can’t pronounce.

~Blair Branch

TAP is located at 1180 Peachtree Street in Midtown.
TAP is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Aria proves why it's one of Atlanta's best

Consistently selected as one of Atlanta’s best and most romantic restaurants, Aria has long been at the top of my wish-list of restaurants to try. Given my budgetary restraints, and my almost-compulsive shopping habit, I had never been able to make the splurge on my own. Luckily, some friends of the B.F. wanted to take us out for a nice dinner recently, and Aria was the spot they chose.

We dined in the wine cellar, an intimate and interesting experience that I recommend—just make your reservation in advance; we had to eat 6:00 in the evening because the later times were already booked.

The menu is simple and changes nightly, and is comprised of starters and entrees ranging from Foie Gras to Swordfish Steak. For our starter, the B.F. and I split the Warm Lobster Cocktail. Served in a martini glass with pureed broccoli and black truffle potatoes, this dish made me not want to share a bite. Reluctantly, I did, but the buttery pieces of lobster and the truffle potatoes made me want to order seven and just eat this as my meal.

Thankfully, I was advised against this because my entrée was a treat. Often when I’m dining at a place I’ve never been, I will trust the server and let them choose my dish for me. I gave our server a choice between the Pan Roasted Duck Breast, the Roasted Rack and Shoulder of Lamb or the Angus Beef Filet Mignon. Normally, I would’ve simply chosen the Filet, but I was in the mood for something new.

I was surprised and delighted when I was served the Roasted Rack and Shoulder of Lamb. Having only tried lamb a handful of other times in my life, it was a welcomed flavor change from the usual beef or chicken. The rack was tender and flavorful, while the shoulder was served crisped but still equally delicious. For once, I don’t remember what sides I had. I don’t even remember what everyone else at the table ordered, though I tried a bite of everything. I can only think that this appetite amnesia is a result of how crazy-good my meal was.

I never pass up dessert, as evidenced by my ever-expanding jean size. We ordered two desserts for the table, both upon the recommendation of our server. The B.F. and I shared the Warm Chocolate Cheesecake. It was creamy and rich and the walnut crust proved to be a nice winter-y touch. The other couple ordered the Varlhona Chocolate Cream Pie, and while I never met a chocolate dish I didn’t like, this pie wasn’t a standout like the rest of the meal. The combination of the rich chocolate pudding-esque center of the pie with the bittersweet chocolate ice cream was just too rich for my blood.

The service at Aria is top-notch, but in a friendly, non-pretentious way. I love going to a fine-dining spot where the server is knowledgeable yet laid-back enough to help me feel comfortable and not intimidated by a menu full of things I’ve never heard of. I am usually a gal that loves a dining deal, but since I didn’t even get to glance at the bill, I have no idea how much the total was. But given the caliber of the food, combined with copious amounts of wine, I’m guessing this place is a little out of my usual price-range.

I would love to try Aria again, since the menu changes often. Next time I’d like to dine in the bright and airy dining area, as opposed to the depths of the wine cellar. It’s a great special-occasion date place (I asked if they were already booked for Valentine’s Day, and apparently they’re almost full) and well worth the price. Perennially voted one of Atlanta’s best restaurants, Aria continues to set the standard for fine dining.

~Blair Branch

Aria is located at 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead.
Aria is open Monday-Saturday from 6:00pm-10:00pm.

Comfort Food with Comfortable Prices at Lenox Square Grill

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Cellar 56 is Delicious and Friendly on the Wallet

Located in the heart of Buckhead in the space formerly occupied by the Café at East Andrews, Cellar 56 has been serving up delectable small plates since their January of 2009 opening.

After several recommendations from friends, the B.F. and I decided we had to hear what all the fuss was about.

The restaurant was surprisingly empty when we arrived on a Thursday night for dinner. We hoped that this sparseness wasn’t indicative of the quality of the restaurant and were pleased to find out it wasn’t. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, the food was delicious and the prices were beyond reasonable.

Cellar 56 gets its name from the 56 wine options diners have to choose from, but aside from bottles, half and full glasses are also available for a wallet-friendly $3 and $6. The small-plates menu is divided into Garden, Land, Sea, House and Sweets and none of the plates are over $6.

From Garden, the B.F. and I sampled the Sautee of Wild Mushrooms with Locatelli Polenta. The mushrooms were sautéed wonderfully and complemented the polenta well. The polenta was deliciously crisp on the outside and grainy and crumbly on the inside, if a bit messy.

From Land we tried three different dishes, and at only $5.50 a plate, we could afford to splurge. We had the Herb Roasted Prestige Farms Chicken with Caramelized Shallot Butter, the Chipotle Pork with Corn Relish and Arbol Vinaigrette and the Green Chile and Prosciutto Mac and Cheese. The chicken was succulent, tender and flavorful, and a perfect portion for sharing. The real treat was the modern take on mac and cheese. I had heard from numerous friends that this was the dish I had to order from Cellar 56, and it didn’t disappoint. I was originally worried about the unique combo of chilies, prosciutto and mac and cheese, but my worries were quelled after the first bite. The chile adds a tolerable spice, and the bits of prosciutto add a smoky flavor to the creamy mac and cheese. I would return to Cellar 56 on a cold night just for a glass of wine and a skillet of the mac and cheese.

From Sea we tried the Seared New Bedford Scallop with Sweet Corn and Applewood Bacon. The portion size was disappointing (one average-sized scallop) but it was cooked wonderfully and the bacon added a nice flavor. The standout of this dish was the sweet corn—a tastier version of creamed corn.

Since the portions were one or two bites, even after our four dishes we were still hungry for more. We sampled the Guinness Braised Short Rib with an Unnatural Reduction. Neither I nor Wikipedia know what unnatural reduction is, but whatever it was, it was tasty. The short rib was tender and juicy, and literally fell of the bone, and at a mere $6, it was a steal.

Never ones to pass on the sweet stuff, the B.F. and I chose the Pot of Chocolate, a chocolate fondue platter served with pound cake, marshmallows, strawberries, pineapples and sugar cookies. We cleaned the plate (and I think I attempted to lick the chocolate bowl) and were pleasantly surprised that it (along with all the desserts) were only $3.50.

Cellar 56 is probably the best bang for your buck in usually-expensive Buckhead. After a few (several) glasses of wine, five dishes plus dessert, our bill rang in around $80. Given the primo location, friendly service and recession-friendly menu, Cellar 56 is set to be a new hot-spot and dining-out destination for Buckhead.

~Blair Branch

Cellar 56 is open Monday-Saturday from 5pm to 11pm
Cellar 56 is located at 56 East Andrews Drive in Buckhead

Skip the Trip to Buckhead Bar and Grill

Someone recently asked me if I ever write a bad review. I responded that I indeed do write bad reviews sometimes, but lately the culinary gods have blessed me with delicious food while dining out. And let’s face it, I love anything fatty, buttery, creamy and all around not good for me, so it doesn’t take much to please me. Just fry some grease and add some cheese and I have a complete meal.

But despite the greasy bar food menu, I have yet to be pleased with the offerings at Buckhead Bar and Grill. Maybe I’m bitter because this establishment now occupies the space that once housed my beloved Loco’s.

Nowhere in Buckhead was there a better place to watch a Georgia game then sitting in a booth at Loco’s with grown-up frat boys and pearl clad sorority chicks. Maybe I’m biased because the management of Loco’s gave me my first job when I moved to the big city over six years ago. But I loved the burgers, the appetizers and I even threw a salad in there every now and then.

I have visited Buckhead Bar and Grill four times now, simply expecting a decent meal at a reasonable price, but have had a lackluster experience each time. Being a stickler for service, it cannot go without mentioning that theirs is awful. Servers have forgotten to ring in my drink order, messed up my food and taken over 30 minutes to bring me my bill after I requested it.

While I do prefer the sleek, classier décor of Buckhead Bar and Grill as opposed to the lime green paint and drunken photos (I was probably in some) that filled the walls of Loco’s, the food isn’t worth a visit.

The menu is comprised of typical bar fare—wings, potato skins, sandwiches, burgers and salads. They also serve chili, and at one point offered hot dogs, which appear to have been nixed.

For my first visit I chose the Classic Cheese Burger, which was decent but undercooked to my specifications. On another trip I chose the Chicken Caesar Wrap, which I thought would be pretty difficult to mess up. But alas, I was wrong. Disgustingly dry strips of “grilled” chicken were stuffed into a wrap with romaine, soggy tomatoes, parmesan and hours-old bacon crumbles. The caesar dressing accompanying the dish tasted as if had been in the cooler for days.

Even after these two disappointing trips, I gave Buckhead Bar and Grill a third and fourth chance. I tried the burger, yet again, and found it quite tastier than before, and well worth the $7.99 price tag. The fourth trip was basically a culinary disaster though.

I tried the Turkey Bacon Cheddar melt, a rip-off of my favorite Loco’s dish, The Gobbler. I found Buckhead Bar and Grill’s version to be seriously lacking. The turkey was dry and flavorless, the bacon was standard Buckhead Bar and Girll bacon— chewy and probably prepared eight hours earlier—and the sauce that they claim is barbecue sauce is blasphemy to southern barbecue lovers everywhere. It was runny and bland and didn’t add anything to the already-awful sandwich. I’ve never been one to not clean my plate, but even after dipping the sandwich in barbecue sauce, ketchup and casesar dressing, there was just no saving it.

With such a prime location and built-in clientele, Buckhead Bar and Grill has all the potential to become a go-to spot for a football game or dinner before a night out. But if the food and service don’t improve drastically, the future of this place is as ill-fated as its predecessor’s.

~Blair Branch

Buckhead Bar and Grill is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Buckhead Bar and Grill is located at 3167 Peachtree Road in Buckhead.

Meat with the Fockers

Being a former-fatty, I love nothing more than talking about food. I salivate while describing my favorite menu items. I make wild, embarrassing hand gestures while recounting my best and worst dining experiences. I light up when people ask me for restaurant recommendations. And anytime I’m asked for the perfect spot to take clients, out-of-towners or a significant other’s parents, I turn into the unofficial spokesperson for Hal’s on Old Ivy Road.

Meeting the parents is a time to charm, impress and schmooze their pants off. And Buckhead mainstay Hal’s on Old Ivy is the perfect place to do so. I’ve long searched for Atlanta’s best steak, and while Bone’s and Chops are both top notch spots to grab a slab of meat, Hal’s stands above the competition.

When the B.F.’s parents decided they’d make a trip from the ‘burbs to Buckhead, there was no question that we’d be introducing them to Hal’s. This being only my second meeting with them, I was hoping the wine would loosen me up enough to be my most witty and charming version of myself.

B.F.’s Dad was thrilled to discover that Hal’s carried one of his favorite whiskeys, Crown Royal Cask 16. B.F.'s Mom and I each had a glass of wine from the extensive wine list.

I usually start my meal at Hal’s with an order of the Calamari, and was pleased to find it as crispy and delicious as ever. My favorite server, seasoned Hal’s vet Bobby, rattled off the specials to B.F.’s Mom and Dad without directing his attention towards me—he already knew my order.

B.F.’s Dad chose the Bone-in Ribeye, B.F. ordered the French Cut Ribeye (a featured special) and B.F.’s Mom followed my lead and went with the Filet. Sides are ordered separately, and everyone got the creamed spinach except for me, of course. I’m a meat and potatoes girl through and through and their garlic mashed potatoes are downright sinful.

I tasted a bite of everyone’s steak at the table and while B.F.’s Dad and B.F.’s orders were nothing to scoff at, there is just no comparison to the Filet at Hal’s. It is cooked to perfection and drizzled with drawn butter right before serving, making it melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Doctors say it takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that your stomach is full. The Filet didn’t even stay on my plate long enough for this to occur, and I stuffed myself way past satiation. Not to worry though, per usual, I saved room for dessert. I’ve had far better Cheesecake then the slice of New York Style I ordered here. The piece still had ice crystals on it. If I order dessert again, I’ll go with the Bread Pudding. Though I’m not a huge fan of bread pudding, Hal’s does a decent job with theirs.

The décor and ambiance is reminiscent of a 1930’s men’s club. 50-somethings sip red wine and smoke cigars at the bar. Tables are literally packed in back to back, and a pianist plays your parent’s favorite songs.

While long thought of as a pre-gaming spot for that older crowd that frequents Johnny’s Hideaway, what Hal’s lacks in trendiness, it makes up for with a simple, straightforward menu. For non-carnivores, the menu offers pastas, but for the cow loving family, Hal’s will hit the spot. Finish all of your steak, but skip the ho-hum desserts. Be sure to make a reservation, this place will be packed.

Hal's is open Monday-Saturday for dinner.
Hal's is located at 30 Old Ivy Road in Buckhead
For reservations call 404.261.0025