The Blissful Glutton

And the bride wore Chucks...

2009-11-24T03:07:00.002-05:00

(Photo courtesy of Senor Juan Kessler)

What's baking at Antico Pizzeria in Atlanta?

2009-11-24T03:02:00.002-05:00

Video Courtesy of Creative Loafing. Read Besha Rodell's review HERE.

Reader mail: A not so happy visit to Varasano's

2009-11-17T15:51:00.004-05:00

I received mixed feedback when I posted my rant on Varasano's some time ago. I still stick to my statement and haven't been back since that visit. Well, it seems I'm not the only customer who is less than satisfied with the service.I was copied on an email to Jeff Varasano by BG reader Matthew F. about his less than positive experience. Here's what he wrote (reprinted with his permission of

Mouthful: Cannoli

2009-11-16T06:50:00.003-05:00

ALPINE BAKERY & PIZZERIA: Long Island native Bill Clementi and his partners, Stephen Bishop and Anthony DeTommaso, have the north side market cornered on Italian sweets. Their cannoli stand tall among the bakery’s offerings. The shells are freshly made and stuffed with a mixture of premium ricotta impastata, sugar, vanilla and a few secret ingredients. The filling is then studded with tiny

More Texican fusion weirdness courtesy of the Sheik

2009-11-11T22:31:00.009-05:00

I guess fusion burritos and tacos are the next food trend to hit our city. First, Hankook Taqueria opened. Now, Sheik Burritos & Kabob (1877 Piedmont Avenue, 30324. 404-815-0227. http://sheikburritos.com) has taken over the old Da' Chicago Dogs space on Piedmont Avenue near Cheshire Bridge Road.The place has only been open a few days and bills itself as Persian and Southwestern fusion--think

Upcoming food events: an afternoon in the country and chili galore

2009-11-06T07:22:00.005-05:00

More details HERE.The 8th annual Afternoon in the Country at SerenbeSunday, November 8th from 1 to 4 PMMore than 35 chefs from Atlanta’s best restaurants and select retailers will be set up in a tasting format alongside 15 fine wine and premium micro-brews under festive big-top tents. 2008 chef and restaurant participants include Aria, Canoe, City Grill & Dailey's, CRAFT, Ecco, Five Seasons

Cheap Eats: Grindhouse Killer Burgers

2009-11-04T11:29:00.004-05:00

To most people, a burger is just a burger — a timeless American treat worth the occasional caloric splurge. Playful flavor combinations and fancy deconstructions are exciting, but there’s something to be said about a spot, such as Grindhouse Killer Burgers (209 Edgewood Ave., 404-522-3444, www.grindhouseburgers.com), that skips the pretense and gets straight to the beef.Owner Alex Brounstein (a

Mouthful: Ethnic soups

2009-10-31T06:53:00.000-04:00

RINCON LATINO: Latinos consider chicken soup to be a complete meal. Every country and region has its own version. At Rincon, the caldo de pollo has more of an El Salvadorian slant. A large bowl of clear chicken broth studded with submerged pieces of tender bone-in chicken comes with a bowl of white rice, oversized El Salvadorian corn tortillas, minced cilantro, chopped onion and jalapeño. You can

Big trouble in little Havana: Will the real phoenix please stand up?

2009-10-30T09:38:00.008-04:00

There have been conflicting reports of where and when Havana will resurface. Apparently, two restaurants named Havana are slated to open on Buford Highway in the near future. And two different people—Debbie Benedit and William Benedit—claim they are resurrecting the original "Havana."Mrs. Benedit (pictured above in the black shirt) has given me her side of the story. However, I have been unable

I fell in love with a burger (at Bocado)

2009-10-29T09:00:00.004-04:00

My dearest readers,By now, you are well aware of my burger obsession. I can't explain it, but I just love me some burgers. And there is little else--except fantabulous Chinese noodles--that can get me as hot and bothered as a good burger. I'm not big on filler (cheese and beef only please), which is why I got so giddy over Holeman's burger when they opened. I went to lunch with my good friend,

Havana Sandwich Shop reopens on November 3rd!

2009-10-28T22:17:00.013-04:00

Despite conflicting reports on opening dates (and locations), I received confirmation today from Havana's co-founder, Debbie Benedit, that she'll reopen next week at 3979 Buford Highway in the Crossroads Village Shopping Center (Buford HIghway and Clairmont) 404-633-7549. Debbie writes in her sweet note:I am Debbie Benedit, one of the co-founders along with my late husband, Eddie and his dad,

Cheap Eats: Sawadee

2009-10-27T15:35:00.004-04:00

There are two types of diners: Those who don’t mind brash service, long waits or odd locales as long as the food is good, and those who prefer a more polished dining experience to feel at ease. If you find yourself in the former group and also happen to love Thai cuisine, you’ve most likely braved the odd yet delicious Panita Thai Kitchen in Virginia-Highland. However, Panita isn’t as odd as you

Mouthful: Butter

2009-10-26T12:52:00.002-04:00

Because there are so many fancy butters on the market, deciding which brand to splurge on is incredibly difficult — and costly. I assembled five tasters, including myself, for a blind taste test. The butters were chosen randomly based on availability from local stores such as Publix, Fresh Market, Whole Foods and Star Provisions. All butters were served at room temperature. We started with rolls

Creative Loafing Food Issue 2009: 10 ethnic dishes to eat before you die

2009-10-21T16:59:00.001-04:00

Beef short ribs (Kalbi) at Chosun Ok: For Korean barbecue, there are three criteria that separate the men from the boys: The restaurant must use charcoal instead of gas or electric grills; the marinade has to be balanced; and the panchan (side items) should be plentiful and fresh. This quirky restaurant gets all three right every time. 5865 Buford Highway, Doraville. 770-452-1821.Gordita at

Creative Loafing Food Issue 2009: A guide to late-night eating in Atlanta by Besha Rodell and Jennifer Zyman

2009-10-21T16:56:00.002-04:00

We all know the feeling: that hunger, rearing its head deep in the night. When a belly full of booze after a long night out demands nutrition of the non-liquid variety. Or perhaps, after your shift, cooking or serving others all night long, you want a meal in a decent setting that you don't have to make yourself.Traditionally, Atlanta has not been a city of late-night dining, at least not beyond

Korean tacos finally hit Atlanta

2009-10-16T15:41:00.009-04:00

Seemingly banking on the Kogi Taco Truck phenomenon in LA, Hankook Taqueria (1341 Collier Road. 404-352-8881) serves a handful of tacos--fried fish, fried tofu, beef, etc.--made with flour tortillas and a handful of side dishes like fried dumplings. The spartan restaurant has been open for a few days. And it is only open during lunch for the time being. Take a gander at their menu (courtesy of

Antico now officially open for lunch...with extra seating too

2009-10-16T11:41:00.003-04:00

From the owner:In order to further enhance the on premise experience at Antico we have added 20 seats in our now famous “Dough Room Communal table” and our Window counter seating areas. Also, As of Today we are now officially open for lunch, so our hours are now 11:30 til the dough runs out 6 days , closed Sunday. FYI.. the dough production has been expanded to meet demand, we

Ciao, Elisa

2009-10-07T23:46:00.009-04:00

It's been a sad week. First, Gourmet Magazine announces it will cease publication. And now Elisa Gambino has decided to close her pasta shop, Via Elisa. Here is what she announced (via John Kessler's piece for the AJC) in her latest newsletter:Via Elisa’s store – but not our sauces — will end what has been a glorious seven-year run in Atlanta at the close of business on Saturday, October 17, the

K & K Soul Food: Westside

2009-10-06T10:56:00.003-04:00

New restaurants open every day, but no amount of meticulous design can replicate the charm and character acquired with age. Walking into K&K Soul Food (881 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, 404-685-1073) feels like you've traveled back in time to a different era in Atlanta’s culinary history. Crudely handwritten signs advertise specials such as pigs feet. The cafeteria-style steam table is filled

Mouthful: Bún

2009-10-04T09:15:00.002-04:00

Dua Vietnamese Noodle Soup: Owners Mylinh Cao and her mother, Tham Mai, strive to bring a taste of Vietnam to downtown, and standard Vietnamese dishes — such as phở and cơm — abound. The bún dishes provide a refreshing spin on the average lunchtime salad. Chilled rice vermicelli noodles are loaded with your choice of meat (or tofu), shallots, ground peanuts, crunchy shreds of lettuce, fresh herbs

In the news: Antico Pizza Napoletana now offering standing only dining

2009-10-02T15:46:00.004-04:00

I just got the following from Antico. Seems they are listening to their customers; a good sign indeed.Due to the seemingly insatiable demand to eat our pizza straight from our blistering oven , Antico is now offering a standing room only dining. Experience your oven fresh pizza at our ancient wood communal table. Your experience is complete with a station in the center of the table to

Alton Brown tells it like it is on Mara Davis' show

2009-10-02T09:09:00.002-04:00

(Thanks to my gal http://writenovel-buyeggs.blogspot.com for sending this over)

Steals and deals: 68-Cent Cheesesteaks tomorrow at Philly Cheesesteak Connection

2009-09-30T17:15:00.005-04:00

Want a taste?You can get in on the action at the Philly Connection located in the Cumberland Festival Shopping Center (2980 Cobb Parkway South, 30339. 770-955 0086. www.phillyconnection.com).There is a limit of two per customer.

Mouthful: Frozen yogurt

2009-09-29T10:09:00.003-04:00

The mango frozen yogurt at YoforiaJujubee's: Jujubee’s keeps it simple by offering a few flavors of itsItalian-style frozen yogurt along with all the usual toppings. Thepomegranate, a usual suspect at modern frozen yogurtestablishments, is tart and tasty. But the chocolate is so full-flavored and rich, you may forget you're eating something low-fat. Instead of contending with rogue sprinkles and

Cheap Eats: Ming's Bar B Q Duluth

2009-09-29T10:05:00.005-04:00

The dry-fried chow funMing’s Bar B Q holds a special place in the hearts and stomachs of many Cantonese barbecue-loving Atlantans. The cooking is consistent and the menu is rife with virtually every Cantonese dish imaginable. The Buford Highway location has little ambiance, however, which makes it a hard sell for less adventurous diners.This past spring, a new location opened in the emerging