PLANES, CHAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

OK, so you’re on a vacation or a business trip, and it’s time to eat out, but you know absolutely ZERO about the city you’re in, much less what restaurants are the “perceived” crème de la crème and which ones are actually good. Now, if you’re like me, you’re surfing on line and seeing what restaurants get the best publicity, and then you make a decision.

However, if you’re on a business trip with multiple people, invariably there’s usually some unadventurous person in your group, who will only want to eat at recognizable chains. So what do you do if it’s a chain someone craves, but you don’t want to wind up at a fast food joint?

This review’s got you covered! From high end dining to some hearty well-known staples, you should be able to get through your business trip with good eating, as well as meet the demands of that aforementioned stick in the mud who won’t try anything outside the norm. BORING!

Let’s start with mid-level chain dining and work our way up, shall we? So someone in your group wants steak but they want “won’t break your budget” type stuff. Perennial favorites Outback and Longhorn offer USDA Choice cuts of beef. This type of beef, while not as high quality as USDA Prime, still has sufficient marbling for taste and tenderness. It’s also less expensive than Prime. These chains also come with salads and choice of potato, and since most entrees are about $15-$20, you can get filled without breaking the bank or the company’s money. One note about Longhorn---they have excellent salmon!! Believe it or not, it’s some of the best I’ve ever tasted as they prepare it in a special Bourbon marinade that is outstanding. So if you’re not necessarily in the mood for a steak like the rest of your business compadres, this is an estimable choice.

If the call is for Mexican food, check and see if there is an On The Border in the area. That’s usually a safe choice. If you have business folks in Atlanta from out of town who desire cheap Mexican, a local chain, La Parrilla, would be my choice. Lots of great choices for just about everybody, including an excellent chicken dish with bell peppers and onions that is served on a sizzling skillet. Not only is it a great value for the frugal at $11 and change, but they might have to roll you out of there if you eat it all. I can by the way! As I mentioned, prices at La Parrilla are surprisingly low so you can eat a lot and still have money left over for some of those margaritas!

Let’s say your group doesn’t want steak or Mexican, and they eschew the Atkins Diet by desiring Italian. If the city you’re in has a Maggiano’s, I can’t think of a more popular choice. Even dining snobs, who might note that Maggiano’s isn’t a TRUE Italian restaurant, will still find it marginally acceptable to go there. And again, if you’re with business associates, getting the family style dinner for about $20 is a great value. Multiple choices for appetizers, salads, pastas, other chicken/fish entrees, and a dessert for the cost of one President Andrew Jackson is a “solid cost reduction strategy” for your company outings. Maggiano’s is a top-notch “value add proposition”!!!!

A little less expensive but tasty as well, would be Carrabbas. It’s under the Outback umbrella, and while it may feel a little less authentic than even Maggiano’s, it’s one of my favorite chains. The Pollo Rosa Maria---grilled chicken stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto and topped with mushrooms in a basil lemon butter sauce—is quite yummy and one of my favorites. The Chicken Bryan---grilled chicken breast with goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes also in a lemon butter sauce---is a saporous gut filler.


Other mid-level dining possibilities include the seafood chain, McCormick and Schmick’s. I actually took my parents there on Christmas day, because it was one of the few places in metro Atlanta that was open, and they loved it. Oysters, shrimp, a plethora of fish options prepared just about any way you’d like under the sun, and even steak and chicken options as well, make this place a good choice for on the road dining. Ditto for Landry’s Seafood House, another meritorious selection, whose menu is also laden with a cornucopia of all sorts of exceptional seafood platters.


OK, so either the boss is feeling generous on this business trip, or better yet, the boss isn’t with you, and since you just brought on an additional $800K in revenue growth from your client, you know the hefty dinner charges on your expense report this go round will be overlooked. Where do you go? Remember, you’ve still got that one party pooper, who wants to go the safe route.

For USDA Prime, see if you can find a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Fleming’s. Folks, one time I actually had someone tell me they liked Outback better than Ruth’s Chris and noted, “The steak is better at Outback.” If someone ever tells you that, smack them, and you get my permission (though I’m not normally a fan of this) to act like a haughty ass. Plain and simple, that’s just wrong. Outback’s steaks, as I alluded to earlier, are USDA Choice. Ruth’s Chris serves only USDA Prime, which is a grade designation of only about 3% of the beef in this country. Thus, it’s the best of the best, and that’s also why you’re paying over $30 just for the steak by itself. Unless the chef at Ruth’s Chris was on crystal meth that night when he cooked your steak, it’s DEFINITELY not going to taste inferior to an Outback or Longhorn variety.

Speaking of Ruth’s Chris, anything served in sizzling butter can’t be all bad, can it? That’s just how the filet I ordered recently arrives at your table. My favorite part of the dish arriving is when the server acts like he or she is making a salient point by saying, “This plate is very hot.” Really? And here I thought maybe that sizzling on the plate was really just Rice Krispies crackling at me in cold milk. In all seriousness, this steak is divine. It’s some of the best I’ve ever had, and if you’ve read my previous blogs, you know that, while I’m not a connoisseur of many things, I definitely am when it comes to steak. Trust me!

If someone in your group doesn’t want steak, the stuffed chicken at Ruth’s Chris is a hearty, palate-pleasing entrée that will leave you as stuffed as the chicken! And save some room from dessert, folks, because the apple tart (a luscious soft tart baked w/ apples and drizzled w/ caramel sauce and adorned with a dollop of vanilla ice cream) is my favorite dessert in all of the world. No joke!

If steak is the call and no Ruth’s Chris, I mentioned Fleming’s. I’ve heard several naysayers on this place, but I quite enjoyed my visit there. USDA Prime is the name of the game, like Ruth’s Chris, but sans the sizzling butter. Copious sides, enough for sharing, come as well, including the creamed spinach, which is my favorite. Price wise, you’ll be teetering in the neighborhood of over $30 just for the steak, as you would at Ruth’s Chris.

For ambience, you really can’t go wrong with either of those steakhouses. They give you enough space to have a cozy dinner without everyone listening in on your conversation.

This should get you started with chain dining anyway. Obviously, what’s the fun in going to a new city if you can’t dine at a place unique to the town? But if you have that pesky fuddy-duddy in your group who simply won’t budge from a chain, this review should give you some options. Bon appetite!

Pricci

Italian restaurants can be found in just about every nook and cranny of Atlanta. Decent Italian restaurants are almost as numerous. But exceptional ones? In my mind, those are few and far between.

Pricci is one such restaurant. This Buckhead Life Restaurant Group stalwart is one of my favorites in all of Atlanta. If we could relocate it out of Buckhead, I’d like it even better!

As you step into the dining room, you know you’re in for a special evening. This place would be an excellent choice for a romantic dinner with that special someone. The tables are close, but not right on top of each other, which is my biggest gripe with restaurants these days. If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you know I severely downgrade restaurants that have seating on top of each other and where the person next to you can hear you breathe. Not good. However, there’s enough space at Pricci to have a private conversation, or, for more privacy, you can opt for a booth, as I requested on this evening.

The evening begins with three types of bread being delivered to your table, accompanied by a marinara sauce with a dab of goat cheese in the middle. Folks, this is like having a free appetizer. And it’s quite tasty!

I start out my meal with a splendid Caesar salad. The key with any Caesar salad is the dressing. This one wasn’t overpowering but was also zesty with just the right spice that this type of salad must have. It’s one of the better ones, and came highly recommended by our waitress.

Speaking of her, she was reserved but friendly---clearly someone who had to feel out if we were the typical, stodgy, ostentatious Buckhead clientele who frequent Pricci. (See my second paragraph above about my preference on the restaurant’s locale for a refresher.) Her recommendations on this evening were impeccable.

For one of the specials, she recommended the ravioli stuffed with salmon and cheese in a tomato composta sauce drizzled in parmesan cheese. Simply scrumptious! There are not enough superlatives for this dish. Not only was there enough of it portions wise, but it was incredibly ambrosial and quickly filling.

My friend selected the lighter dish of Mediterranean sea bass with Roma tomato and fingerling potatoes. Not bad, but this would not have been my top selection. Sea bass, in my opinion, is not a fish brimming with flavor anyway so I’m not sure there was much that could be done to enhance the piquancy in this situation.

Dessert was the apple tart. This by far was the only disappointing aspect of the whole evening. The tart was bland and somewhat doughy in taste. I was hoping for more full-flavored caramel apple goodness, but instead was left disenchanted to an otherwise fantastic meal.

For my true Vegetarian friends, options include gnocchi and tortelli pasta, as well as several pizza varieties.

Lactose intolerant options encompass a chicken dish, lamb chops, veal, and a ribeye steak choice.

Overall, Pricci is an outstanding selection for a romantic evening of superb Italian food, comfortable ambience, and unobtrusive, courteous service.

Food: A-
Service: A
Portions: B+
Ambience/Comfort: A
Diversity Of Dining Patrons: Needs improvement
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Options For Lactose Intolerant: Yes
OVERALL GRADE: A-
FINAL COMMENT: One of the very best in the arsenal of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group!

South City Kitchen

Dining in Midtown has evolved throughout the years with the number of new restaurants increasing exponentially, it seems, as condo development flourishes. The trendy restaurants seem to change about every six months in that area these days, and often overshadow traditional Midtown favorites.

Perhaps this would explain why I have lived in Atlanta (mostly in Midtown) for 10 years but have never dined at South City Kitchen, branded as one of the “Distinguished Restaurants Of North America.”

This restaurant’s specialty is contemporary Southern cuisine and is located on Crescent Avenue in a revamped 1920’s bungalow. (There's a newer second location in Vinings as well.) It’s obviously a favorite, but judging from the clientele, it’s apparently not the local residents that helped build its reputation. In fact, as I entered the restaurant on a bustling Saturday night (and this place was packed even at 6:40PM, I might add), I was feeling like I was in my 20’s again by comparison. (And I said goodbye to my 20’s almost 6 years ago!)

On this night, two friends and I are eager to check out the place, namely because I had a gift card I had to utilize. As the hostess led us upstairs to our table on the second level, I immediately unveiled my first criticism to my friends. “Look at how crammed the tables are,” I noted. Ours, in fact, was only inches away from two women in their 50’s, who clearly had ventured into town from the ‘burbs and would likely be departing hastily before the habitual partiers emerged in Midtown later that evening.

OK, so comfort was going to be graded down a bit already, but the ambience, overall, was inviting in this charming little re-done house.

One of South City’s more popular dishes, the waiter tells me, is the sautéed shrimp and scallops over grits and garlic gravy. This sounds luscious to me, and I order it with a side of the macaroni and Gouda cheese, which I’m also told is a house favorite.

Before the entrees arrive, this is, of course, a Southern style restaurant, so biscuits and cornbread are necessities. I’m liking the buttermilk biscuits but am a tad surprised in the cornbread being only marginally tasty.

No appetizers are ordered on this evening because I already see some dessert I want to try and want to make sure I have plenty of room.

The shrimp and scallops are good. Portions wise, it was fine except I would have preferred more shrimp and scallops and less grits and gravy. The grits were a tad clumpy, but you get no beef from me on the flavorsome shrimp and scallops. I guess I was hoping for a tad more salinity overall to the taste, but for the most part, this was a sound selection.

A friend of mine gets the same thing, even though I tried to guilt him into getting something else so I had more selections to sample. However, my other friend went with the chicken and dumplings, touted as another favorite by our server. I should point out this is not your typical chicken and dumplings, folks. It comes as a chicken breast basted with a mustard sauce topping with a few dumplings underneath and Tasso gravy. The mustard is overwhelming to the taste buds, but the chicken is juicy. However, I just can’t get past the overpowering mustard marinade.

The macaroni and Gouda cheese is serviceable, but I wouldn’t align it with my favorite variety that I get at Two Urban Licks (but that restaurant is for another blog!). However, I wasn’t disappointed that I had ordered it.

For dessert, I had my eyes planted on the banana pudding. I was hoping it would put the dinner over the top but instead gave me a feeling of a cop movie where the bad guy, who’s killed half the town, isn’t mowed down by the protagonist with a bevy of bullets or a machete but is instead just anti-climactically taken into custody. Boring! Essentially vapid, this dessert couldn’t belly up with a place that I rank as one of my favorites for banana pudding---Sonny’s. Did I just lose all credibility on this blog? To use a common “Grey’s Anatomy” quote, “SERIOUSLY!” No, I’m serious. Sonny’s has some great banana pudding, which is head and shoulders better than anything else they serve there. Anyway, I’m digressing. South City’s version of banana pudding needed some sweeter nilla wafers to enhance the overall unremarkable taste. Did I miss the line on the menu that said “Sugar Free Banana Pudding”??

An abundance of options for lactose intolerant folks exist in the form of salmon, duck breast, pork chops, and jambalaya. You could also opt for the fried chicken, which the waiter also gushed about, without the mashed potatoes.

Speaking of the waiter, he was certainly friendly enough, but he disappeared at various points in time to the point where some other server or hostess (one or the other, couldn’t tell) noticed I had no Coca Cola left and re-filled it for me.

Vegetarian options include a vegetable plate, several salads, or you could make a meal with the sides of collard grains, mac and Gouda cheese, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

Diversity? As I noted earlier, we were venturing into AARP territory with many of the dining patrons, but just as I was ready to slap the “Needs Improvement” moniker in my review, alas, as I left, I saw some Amish folks! Now how more diverse is that? I also found some African Americans closer to my age, so the diversity ranking improved.

Overall, I did expect more of South City Kitchen, and, while I wouldn’t rush back, I’d likely go another time to try some of the fried chicken. It’s a respectable option if you’re heading down to the Fox Theater but don’t want to blow your budget.

Food: B
Service: B-
Portions: B+
Ambience/Comfort: B
Diversity Of Dining Patrons: Decent
Vegetarian Options: Some
Options For Lactose Intolerant: Yes
OVERALL GRADE: B
FINAL COMMENT: Worthy of a visit if you’re in the area, but make sure you go early or have reservations!

HOLIDAY DINING TOUR: Fire Of Brazil/Rosa Mexicano/Buckhead Diner

First of all, let me take an opportunity to wish all of you a Happy New Year!

If you’re like me, you probably gained about 4-5 pounds but enjoyed every minute of it. This was accomplished, in no small part, to three more restaurants for your consideration: Fire Of Brazil, Rosa Mexicano, and The Buckhead Diner.

One of the restaurants that facilitated the packing on of the poundage was Fire Of Brazil, a Brazilian churrascaria, with multiple locations in metro Atlanta.

I’ve dined at other Brazilian steakhouses---most notably Fogo De Chao (not reviewed on my blog as of yet), so I was anxious to see if there were any discernable differences in this type of dining experience.

In case you are unfamiliar with churrascarias, the concept is simple enough---servers, called Gauchos, sashay through the dining area with skewers of a plethora of beef, poultry, lamb, sausages, and pork. As long as your dining card is turned upward to the color of green, these Gauchos will keep cutting you the various cuts you desire.

In theory that is.

After being seated at Fire Of Brazil, the downtown location I might add, my parents and I waited for way too long for the first Gauchos to arrive. When they finally did make an appearance, our plates were finally fully loaded. However, after that first wave was over, I found myself looking around to signal their attention but had difficulties even finding them in the vicinity. This should not happen and, in my experience, usually doesn’t at other Brazilian steakhouses.

The best cut, by far, is the filet mignon. Tender, juicy, and sumptuous to be sure. I wouldn’t have needed anything else honestly as far as the meat goes.

Second best was the Frango, i.e. chicken wrapped in bacon. The bacon really enhances the flavor of the chicken and made this selection worthy of seconds.

If you’re a fan of cheese, the pork with parmesan, called Lombo, is a salient choice. It is bursting with flavor as well.

Some of the other selections, from the sirloin to the garlic rumpsteak, though decent, were not my favorites.

I abstained from the sausages, lamb, and pork ribs. Not my cup of tea on this evening, but if that’s your thing, they did look appetizing. In truth, I’m not a big fan of lamb anyway.

I declined dessert, which I usually do with this type of dining. I usually can’t justify ordering one for myself as I feel like an insatiable glutton anyway when I feast at Brazilian steakhouses.

The price tag that comes with pleasing voracious carnivores at this restaurant is about $39, which is cheaper than some of the other Brazilian steakhouses in the area. However, I also have never found myself waiting for long at those other places either so the superfluous expense may be well worth it actually.

Overall, I enjoyed my dinner at Fire Of Brazil, but Gauchos should be like umpires in baseball. They shouldn’t be noteworthy unless something is wrong. The seemingly brief siesta between servings stuck in my mind almost as much as the food so they were, in fact, noteworthy.

Vegetarian options? You’re in the wrong place by the sheer nature of the restaurant.

Lactose intolerant folks will not have any difficulties, however.

Food: B+
Service: C
Portions: A+
Ambience/Comfort: B+
Diversity Of Dining Patrons: Good
Vegetarian Options: No
Options For Lactose Intolerant: Yes
OVERALL GRADE: B
FINAL COMMENT: Improvements to the sirloin and service would tip the scales to an A.

Less than a week later, I found myself at Rosa Mexicano. I should probably point out to our readers that when my parents visit from Indiana, it turns into a first class “Eat-A-Thon.” It’s virtually an all out assault on restaurants in metro Atlanta.

Rosa touts itself as “upscale, authentic Mexican cuisine”, and for my money, it’s the best Mexican food in Atlanta. I assert this with the caveat that I’ve not dined at Nueva Laredo Cantina, for which a few of my friends spout off effusive praise. However, we are talking about a different, more formalized, dining experience at Rosa Mexicano.

Don’t have a heart attack when you see the $12 guacamole appetizer. Just order it and spend the money. You’ll be glad you did. They make it right at your table---with your choice of mild, medium, or hot. I invariably opt for the medium, as there are several accompanying cups of various types of salsas with the guacamole appetizer which would help you further deplete Lake Allatoona. Yes, folks, some of it is that hot so have the pitcher of water and some tissues readily available!

At any rate, this guacamole is terrific---as tasty as you any you’ll find anywhere.

There are many viable dinner options at this fantastic restaurant. The Suizas---two tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and topped with a tomatillo sauce and queso fresco---are an excellent choice. The Budin de Pollo—tortillas with pulled chicken, Chihuahua cheese, roasted Mexican peppers, and served in a poblano cream sauce---is superior.

On this night, I ordered the Chamorro---pork shank served with mushroom-chipotle creamed spinach and red bean-chorizo chili. The operative word was “shank”, which I obviously ignored, and was somewhat surprised when a huge “turkey leg” looking dish arrived. Despite my initial shock, the pork was tender and fell off the bone quite easily. This would not be a dish I’d go for again, but for tonight, I did enjoy it, and was told by our friendly waitress that it was a popular dish.

Sadly, I had no room whatsoever to sample any of the desserts, which, by description alone, sounded awesome. The cheesecake, filled with baked apple cajeta sauce, would surely have been the landslide choice. However, there’s actually a dessert that’s $18 and serves 2-4 people, and it involves 8 scoops of ice cream, brownies, and a whole bunch of other belt-busting stuff that certainly was intriguing…but not on this night.

Service at Rosa Mexicano is lively and warm. Our waitress, whose name I wish I could remember, was enthusiastic and overflowing with personality.

Vegetarian options include a specialty salad, the aforementioned guacamole, ranchera enchiladas, and the ancho chiles with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese.

Lactose intolerant options, as you might imagine at a Mexican restaurant, are limited, but I’m sure the friendly folks at Rosa would gladly omit cheese from a few of the dishes if requested.

Whether it’s a special occasion or just that guacamole craving, Rosa Mexicano is your best option in Atlantic Station.


Food: A+
Service: A+
Portions: A-
Ambience/Comfort: A
Diversity Of Dining Patrons: Good
Vegetarian Options: Some
Options For Lactose Intolerant: Limited
OVERALL GRADE: A
FINAL COMMENT: Don’t be scared off by the higher than usual prices that you’d typically find at a Mexican restaurant because the quality is unsurpassed.


If it’s good enough for Captain Fantastic, it should be good enough for you, right?

The Buckhead Diner has long been an Atlanta institution, patronized by such renowned celebrities as part-time Atlantan Sir Elton John.

The term “diner” is a gigantic misnomer. The swank dining room, filled with many of the pretentious Buckhead elite, belies the diner moniker. You won’t find Mel Sharples, Alice Hiatt, or Florence Jean Castleberry at this place. (I’m dating myself here, and if you got that TV reference, you’re old, too!) And certainly the prices don’t reflect a greasy spoon either!

The menu is comprised of a unique meshing of seafood, steaks, and comfort food. You can find meatloaf and sea bass juxtaposed harmoniously, which might explain why this place has captured Atlanta’s dining foodies for decades.

If you’re hungry, one of my personal faves is the Ashley Farms chicken with mashed potatoes and onion strings. Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of “meat on the bone” type entrees, but in this case, I’ll gladly make an exception. This dish is top-notch, and the chicken is some of the tastiest I’ve consumed anywhere. On this night, my father raves glowingly, once again, about the dish. He tried it this past summer when visiting and now won’t order anything else.

My mother opts for the sautéed Georgia white shrimp, and beams equally. Somehow, I neglected to sample this before she managed to make it disappear.

I went with the rare seared tuna on this night. If you’re not exceptionally hungry, this is the dish for you. Delectable and seasoned to palatable perfection, this entrée was an excellent selection….with one warning. As I said, don’t get this if you’re hungry because it is not an overly filling meal.

The Buckhead Diner’s dessert menu is ladened with all sorts of favorites. From their famous white chocolate banana cream pie to chocolate cake sundae to key lime pie, there really is something for everyone. I will say this---despite the hype of the banana cream pie, it was not as flavorful as I thought it might be. Not banal by any stretch, but not overflowing in sapidity either. Just my two cents. Hey, if you’re tooting your own horn about being famous, you better come with it!!

True vegetarians will have some difficulties here, as almost all of the dishes involve some sort of meat or fish. With the exception of the signature appetizer of potato chips with Maytag blue cheese and a Caesar salad, there’s not a multiplicity of options.

Conversely, lactose intolerant diners will not lack for options at this place.

Service, on this night, was terrific. I’ve been to the Buckhead Diner when it’s been a little too apathetic and stodgy, but it was exceptional on this evening. Since I can’t forget previous dining experiences, I’ll have to downgrade the overall ranking in this category.

If you’ve lived in Atlanta for more than a year and have not visited The Buckhead Diner, you can’t call yourself a true Atlantan. Take your appetite and credit card. It’s not cheap, but you know what---you might see The Rocket Man!


Food: A
Service: B+
Portions: B+
Ambience/Comfort: B+
Diversity Of Dining Patrons: It’s Buckhead. What do you think? Needs improvement
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Options For Lactose Intolerant: Yes
OVERALL GRADE: A-
FINAL COMMENT: As established as this place is, it should take reservations. However, they only offer call ahead seating. Get there early and enjoy!