Perfect Patios for Fall

This is an announcement, just in case someone other than my mother reads this blog (hi mom!). I have really been slacking lately on updating, mainly because I'm lazy, and partly because I recently got engaged (see below) so all of my focus has been directed towards stationary and whether to have bubbles or rose petals thrown at us (any thoughts on this?)




I have eaten on some great patios lately and I want to spread the word!

D.B.A. Barbecue in Virginia Higlands has been on our list of places to try for a while. The B.F. (now fiance!)purchased a coupon from one of those deal sites, and since we rarely venture outside of Buckhead for dinner, we thought it'd be worth the trip for discounted food. Parking kind of sucks here, but probably just because it was pretty packed the night we went. The weather was gorgeous, and they have a great patio to take full advantage of that. We started with some adult bevs, Firefly and Lemonade for me, beer for the F.H. (future hubby). For an app we had the Warm White Cheese and Corn Muffins with Honey Butter and they were amazing!




The menu is pretty large for a basic BBQ joint, and though the Beef Brisket was tempting me, I couldn't resist the Pulled Pork Sammy with Sweet Potato tots. They have an assortment of sauces, ranging from spicy to sweet, but if you're like me, mix a little of both.




Yummy! As a side note, the F.H. got the same sandwich, but with Mac and Cheese. The Mac and Cheese was good, but my tots were better. I win! I'd definitely recommend D.B.A. to anyone in need of a BBQ fix.


Keeping with the theme of patio-dining, we also went to Einstein's in Midtown recently. Just to clarify (because for some reason, people often get confused about this place...) I am not referring to the bagel place. I am referring to the awesome restaurant off of Juniper. Anyway-- Einstein's has some great drink specials for the thrifty-- like $5 martinis-- along with a creative menu.

I began my meal with Creamed Corn Hush Puppies, which I tried not to share, but the F.H. got his paws on one. Also, I ate most of them before I remembered to take a photo. Oops.



Next I had the Pot Roast Raviolis. These were hands down one of the best things I've eaten in a while. The meat was so tender and velvety, and the sauce was so rich-- perfect comfort food!



A regular person would've stopped eating at this point but I pushed the limits of stretchy pants and kept going. I tried the Crab Cake-- pretty basic but good.



I also took a few bites of the F.H.'s Shrimp and Grits:



and got to try my friend Ashley's Angus Steak Taco that she raves about:



Everything at Einsten's consistently tastes great and the prices are a steal for the quality of food. Also, the patio is one of the best for people-watching.

It's officially fall now, which means Atlanta's best weather is happening now. Park it on a patio now and enjoy it while you can!

~Blair Branch

D.B.A. Barbecue is located at 1190 N. Highland Avenue in Virginia Highlands.
404.249.500

Einstein's is located at 1077 Juniper Street in Midtown.
404.876.7925

Traveling Forks: Tastes From the South

I think my love of all things food-related comes from where I was born and raised-- Tifton, GA. I look forward to going out to eat each time I take a trip down south, because it never ceases to amaze me the quality, creativity (a fried ham and cheese sandwich? Yes please!) and copious amounts of food these southern cooks create, all at a reasonable price point. Atlanta restaurants could learn a thing or two from these home-grown joints. Below are a few highlights from my recent trips.

First stop, George and Louie's in Thomasville, GA. My dad and stepmother live in Thomasville, and I used to eat at this locally-owned and operated joint all the time when I visited as a child. Though known for their fresh seafood, locals around town flock to George and Louie's for their amazing burgers. On a recent trip, I tried the fried green tomatoes with my burger, and they were perfection! Fresh tomatoes with just enough crispy batter, served with a side of ranch. They don't make them like this in any restaurant in Atlanta.



On another trip, we visited my brother and sister-in-law in Moultrie, GA. With all of the wonderful food Atlanta has to offer, I never thought I'd be raving about the culinary masterpieces of a restaurant in Moultrie, but my meal at Tarragon Grill was one of my best ever. Maybe it was because of the company I was with (my whole family was together for birthdays) or maybe it was because of the reasonable prices (I must remind myself, just because a glass of pinot grigio only costs $4 doesn't mean I have to drink twelve of them...). Or maybe it was because they serve the most decadent sandwich I've ever tasted. The Monte Cristo-- a hot ham and cheese sandwich, battered in funnel cake batter (weird-sounding, but delicious) and deep fried, served with a side of ranch. I should mention, I didn't order it myself (my brother said I had to try the lasagna, plus I was too worried about looking like a fat-ass, so I peer-pressured the B.F. into ordering it). The Monte Cristo is everything that's wrong and unhealthy with American food, and that makes it so right. It's cheesy and gooey on the inside, and doughy, sweet, and lightly fried on the outside. It's even dusted with powdered sugar, just like a funnel cake. And the portion size is simply ridiculous. Behold, the Monte Cristo:



And my lasagna:



And no southern meal would be complete without some fried-green tomatoes on the side:



On our most recent trip, we had some of the best BBQ I've ever had at Smok'n Pig in Valdosta. In true southern fashion, the portions were massive. I had the pulled pork plate with green beans and mac and cheese. And this mac and cheese was the real deal-- the B.F. pointed out that you could tell it was homemade because you could taste the roux (apparently he made mac and cheese in home ec). See below:



Know of any great south-Georgia restos? Let me know and I'll check them out next time I'm visiting!


~Blair Branch

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered the Ghetto Burger (sort of)

I’ve lived in Atlanta nearly eight years, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to have a Ghetto Burger at Ann’s Snack Bar. Ann’s is a perennial favorite on every local "Best Of" list, and has developed a sort of cult following. Heck, the little burger stand even has its own page on Wikipedia. Rumors that the joint is closing have been circulating for years, so, being the procrastinator that I am, I waited eight years to try the infamous Ghetto Burger.

I can't really take the credit for finally making the trek to Kirkwood. It was my adventurous foodie-friend Allie who made the plans. I was just along for the ride.

First thing you should know about Miss Ann’s— even using a GPS, you still might get lost. If you get lost, just drive down Memorial Drive until you see a shack in a parking lot. That's when you know you're at Miss Ann's.

Second thing you should know about Miss Ann’s— this isn't fast food. Expect to wait awhile. Not only will you most likely have to wait for a seat, but also for her to take your order, and to cook your food.

The third thing you should know about Miss Ann's— the rules. Posted above the counter for all to see, the rules are for real, and Miss Ann will enforce them. Included in the rules are "Don't allow babies to sit or stand on counter" and "Do not curse." Easy enough to follow, in my opinion (except maybe the cursing one).

Upon entrance to Miss Ann's, we were asked (rather impolitely) to wait outside. We snickered and said, "This is awesome! We haven't been here five minutes and we're already getting in trouble!" Ann's Snack Bar consists of an eight-seat counter and a few tables on the patio, and they don't want patrons clogging up the doorway. So we waited outside, for 30+ minutes (in January!) for a piece of meat. Two seats at the counter finally opened up, and we waited (and waited) for our turn to order. Miss Ann's system consists of taking four orders at a time (each side of the counter) and then beginning to cook those orders. When the first four orders are almost completed, she takes the other four orders. I think we came in when she was just taking the other side of the counter's orders.

I debated on whether to order the regular cheeseburger or go with the world-famous Ghetto Burger (SERIOUSLY? Why was I even debating this!). In the end, I chose the Ghetto Burger. But choosing was just the beginning. I was utterly frightened to place my order. Miss Ann is quite intimidating for a 70-something year-old lady, and I was freaked she was going to snap at me for ordering my burger sans mayo. But I made sure I was extra polite and said "ma'am", and she was equally polite to me. She even told Allie that she had a pretty name.

After taking our order, Miss Ann rolled out a log of ground beef, hand-pattied our burgers, and placed them on the flat-top. She really is a one-woman show.

When the Ghetto Burger arrived in front of me, I could hardly believe my eyes. Two cooked-to-order patties were smothered in cheese, bacon, grilled onions and topped with homemade chili on a sesame seed bun. This was the biggest damn burger I've ever seen. And at $10, it was worth every penny. The meat is lightly seasoned, all the ingredients are fresh, and though the burger is greasy and sloppy, it doesn't feel like you're going to have a heart-attack after consuming it. To be honest, I don't remember the fries. How could I?

Though I'm often a member of the clean-plate club, I could only finish half the burger. The other half came home for the B.F., and he insists that it was the best burger he's had, even re-heated.

Many people visit Ann's for the experience. Yes, it's funny to see her yell at customers. And yes, it's fun to meet the eclectic mix of folks that travel to ghetto to dine on the Ghetto burger (when we went, there were a few businessmen in suits driving BMWs, a kid on a bike grabbing take-out, and some adventurous people like us, just taking it all in). But the burgers here are good enough to back up all the hype.

Though I am not a local Atlantan, Atlanta is home to me. And now that the rumors that Ms. Ann is selling her namesake spot are whirling around again, I'm glad I got to experience this local gem before she's gone. I recommend you experience it too, just make sure to use your manners.


~Blair Branch

Ann's Snack Bar is located at 1615 Memorial Drive in Kirkwood.
Ann's does not take credit cards.

Kitchen Experiments: A Photo Montage

The B.F. and I have been co-habitating for a year now, and in that time, I've made an effort to become more domestic. He's been a good sport, and put on a brave face with every plate I placed in front of him. And he was always oh-so tactful with his reviews of my food. The harshest comment I ever received was, "It wasn't my favorite."

Enjoy the photos of my kitchen experiments below, complete with riveting comments from the B.F. For any recipe requests, just shoot me an email at blairbranch@gmail.com

Steak and Potatoes
The B.F. says: "Even though she didn't like the steak, I thought it was well prepared and a nice old-fashioned meal. The sauteed mushrooms and steak went together great."





Lower-Cal Turkey Lasagna
The B.F. says: "The best part was that she made enough for me to have leftovers for lunch."



Lower-Cal Veggie Pizza
The B.F. says: "The pizza was delicious and crispy. We didn't miss the meat at all. And we got to make it together."




Steak, Green Bean and Arugula Salad
The B.F. says: "You wouldn't think you would get too excited about a salad for dinner, but this was good and had different ingredients than what I would usually have in a salad. The steak made it filling, too."



Mac and Cheese Light, served with Maple Dijon Pork Chops
The B.F. says: "The pork chops were good, but not my favorite. But the mac and cheese was awesome, in an unconventional way."













Balsamic Steak au Poivre with Arugula Salad and Homemade Vinaigrette Dressing (from my Cooking Light cookbook I got for Christmas. Thanks Nate and Jess!)
The B.F. says: "I'm a traditional steak guy, but the sauce on this was a welcomed touch. Arugula tastes funny to me, but Blair likes it so we have it."

Just a Forkful

I have to apologize. I’ve been so busy real estate-ing that I haven’t been blogging as much. Don’t worry though! I have reviews of two amazing places coming in the near future, plus a few tidbits about some delicious meals I’ve recently had.

I went to Davio’s Italian Steakhouse with some friends several weeks ago, and it is such a hidden gem! Though I was feeling deathly ill (seriously…I was so sick I couldn’t taste anything and I had completely lost my voice. I don’t think the B.F. minded the latter too much) I am so glad I forced myself out to go to this place. Don’t let its mall location throw you off—this is some delicious Italian food. The complimentary bread basket is served with a creamy goat cheese spread, house marinated olives and eggplant and tomato camponata. We ordered the Sampler of Spring Rolls for an app. The Shrimp Cotija roll was amazing, as was the Philly Cheese Steak spring roll. I could've devoured more of these as my meal. Since I was so stuffy I could hardly taste anything, the waiter suggested I try the Spaghettini with shrimp, bacon, asparagus and olive oil. It was super spicy, but seriously delicious. Sides are served family style, and with choices like lobster mac and cheese and Gorgonzola mashed potatoes, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. No cold is going to keep my from my dessert, so split the tiramisu. As expected, it was yummy. The food is a bit pricey here, but well worth it. It’s decorated beautifully on the inside—I guarantee you won’t even know you’re in the spot Nike Town used to occupy. Definitely worth a trip to the mall. Thanks Beth and Jeff! See my Spaghettini below.



And my tiramisu:



Also, since my first trip on Friends and Family night, I've been to The Big Ketch about five more times. I am a creature of habit, and the Grilled Grouper Sandwich is seriously habit-forming. My insider tip: ask the server to 86 the tartar and get a side of the Creamy Soy Chili sauce. Dip and smile. Actually, get several sides of the Creamy Soy Chili. Dip your hush puppies, corn and crab fritters, and even potato chips in it. This stuff is addictive. I also love the crab and lobster dip. It's creamy and buttery, and full of chunky bits of crab and lobster. The corn on the cob is worth a try too. It's smothered in butter and Parmesan cheese. Warning though-- nobody looks graceful eating corn on the cob. Don't order it if you're on a date. See my Grouper sammy on a whole wheat bun below.



And the crab and lobster dip, before I destroyed it:



And finally, I think I have found by far the best deal on sushi in Atlanta. Okay, so it isn't really a secret, but I didn't know about it until my partner in crime and fellow Tiftonite (or is it Tiftonian?) Ashley introduced me to it. Sushi Kiku is hidden in a shopping center of Lenox, next to the Roasters and across from my all time favorite Atlanta boutique, Market. This place does half off sushi rolls EVERY Tuesday through Saturday! Does it get any more affordable than that? And their sushi is so much better than any other casual sushi place I've tried. With geographically-inspired names like the Buckhead Roll and the Lenox roll, and the intriguing-sounding Viagra roll, Sushi Kiku's menu has something for everyone. My personal favorites are the Rainbow roll and the Red Dragon roll. Service can be slow, but at least they don't laugh at me when I ask for a fork. A little birdie named Shelbi just told me that they do karaoke on Saturday nights. Sushi and karaoke-- both wonderful contributions the Japanese brought to America. See my sushi that I forgot to photograph until I was halfway done with it, below:



Check back soon for pics of some of my home-cooking kitchen disasters!

~Blair Branch

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
.

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