Cliche Pun on Book Title

Cakes & Ale (one of my top 5 restaurants in Atlanta) has moved. It’s still in Decatur, but now it’s directly on the square, adjacent to the MARTA station. I went in last week to check out the new spot.

They now have a bakery in addition to the restaurant. Dave Sweeney (formerly of Dynamic Dish) has taken over the operation. They offer sandwiches and salads for lunch, as well as a wide variety of pastries. The sandwiches weren’t ready yet on the day I visited, so I settled for a gougere and an iced Americano.

They even warmed up the gougere for me!

The space is gorgeous. I kept up with the renovation on the restaurant’s blog and was charmed by the story of the painting on the wall. During demolition and construction, the restaurant owners discovered that the space used to house a bakery. They restored the vintage painting on the wall.

If you’re on the Decatur square and looking for a lunch spot, I absolutely recommend Cakes & Ale (or for dinner, for that matter). I think it’s time for me to re-visit and check out the new dining room.

Posted at 10:39am and tagged with: cakes & ale, decatur, bakery,.

June 5th 2011

big tex cantina

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The two men behind Fox Brothers BBQ, the Fox Brothers themselves, have opened a new Tex-Mex restaurant in Decatur, Big Tex Cantina. I visited it this past Friday, one week after it opened. Decent wait at 8pm, but expected for a hot new restaurant. We grabbed some seats at the rich, newly varnished bar…and waited 20 minutes to get a drink. All new restaurants experience growing pains, but I would expect a little more from the Fox Bros, considering they already run one successful restaurant here in town. Big Tex needs to staff more than two bartenders on Friday nights.

Despite the wait, the bar had a pleasant atmosphere. Lots of options on draft (Allagash, Terrapin, Dos Equis, Founders, etc). I tried a watermelon margarita, a drink the Brothers have been pimping on Twitter. It was refreshing, but bore little resemblance to a margarita. We wandered into the back where they have pool tables and an area to hang out and drink. I would definitely come back for drinks and a game of pool.

We sat in the main dining room, which is decorated in a bit of a kitschy approximation of a Tex Mex joint- lots of horse hooves, stars, and other Texas errata. Alex commented that he thinks the dining room could look more elegant without the pieces of flair, but we agreed it’s probably not the look the Fox Bros are going for. It’s a restaurant where everyone can feel comfortable.

The food was good, but not amazing. I would absolutely recommend the guacamole, which had more lime than I’ve ever experienced. It was a great pop of citrus. I only had one bite of the queso, but noted it was reddish in color and packed a zing. I ordered the 2-taco basket, which comes with a side. The fried avocado taco was completely different from any taco I’ve ever had- but not necessarily in a good way. You taste the avocado and the fried coating, but it feels like the meat is missing from the taco. Far better was the Tex taco. Filled with brisket, jalapenos, onions and mustard sour cream, it was the uncontested favorite at our table.

Bottom line- give it some time. Big Tex is still working out the kinks, but it’s a great addition to the Decatur scene, and a cheap place to grab some beers and tacos with friends.

Big Tex Cantina

http://www.bigtexcantina.com/

308 W Ponce de Leon Ave

Decatur, GA

Posted at 3:00pm and tagged with: big tex cantina, decatur, restaurant,.

January 13th 2011

ale yeah!

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Ale Yeah! is a new craft beer store in Decatur. I stopped by last week to check it out, and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a small space, so they don’t have the selection or variety that Hop City provides, but I don’t have to drive across town to get great beer anymore. (Don’t worry Hop City, I still love you.)

The beer is arranged on high, narrow shelves along the sides of the store, and it’s organized by style. Ale Yeah tends to stock more 750s than 6-packs. They also have some rare stuff that I haven’t seen at other stores (see list below). The Belgian section is particularly weak however. The website promises they’ll also be selling cheeses, but the case was almost empty when I stopped by. The store also stocks supplies for homebrewing, if that’s your thing.

I met the owner, Eddie, and he was incredibly friendly. I overheard him helping out other customers and he was making some good suggestions, no judgment on people’s ignorance about beer. Definitely not snobby/pretentious, but still knowledgeable. (also- he complimented my taste in beer, and flattery will get you everywhere with me)

So, my haul:

6-pack of Victory Storm King
Trappistes Rochefort 10
Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale
Hitachino Nest Espresso Stout
Mikkeller Chipotle Porter
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast
Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch (“Weasel”)

That set me back about $70. Anyone else care to weigh in on whether that seems like a fair price? (and speaking of prices, the bottles aren’t very clearly marked- some have price stickers, others…just guess?).

Anyway, great to have a new beer store, especially so close to my house. I definitely support Atlanta’s growing craft beer community. But I still love Hop City, especially my main man Kraig who has hooked me up with some killer wine suggestions. (Ale Yeah! has no wine). Anyone else been to both, or have opinions?

Posted at 11:27am and tagged with: ale yeah, beer, decatur, hop city,.

September 13th 2010

farm burger

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Obviously, the burger trend has hit Atlanta full force. FLiP burger was first, up on Howell Mill Road, followed by Grindhouse Killer Burgers, Yeah! Burger, a huge number of others, and Farm Burger.

Farm Burger is the closest one to my house, so I imagine it will end up being the one I visit most often. I’ve already been twice, and both times I loved my burger. Both times I went with one of the recommended combinations, rather than attempting to build my own. With a good number of ingredients, I am afraid of going overboard.

(The #4- burger with feta cheese, heirloom tomato, and Ga Pecan Pesto)

The whole shtick of the restaurant is serving sustainable food. The beef is grass-fed and antibiotic-free. I think it tastes great, but I’ve heard people complain about the grassy beef. For more than you’ve ever wanted to know about why grass-fed beef is better for you, and better for the environment, check out Michael Pollan’s book The Omnivore’s Dilemma (I’m in the middle of it right now).

I’ve also sampled the fries- found the regular ones to be nearly perfect. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the sweet potato fries. They needed a little more seasoning. The drink selection is good, too. They have a nice variety of beers on tap, and for the non-drinkers, root beer on tap. I do wish they had milkshakes, however.

The only other problem with the place- it’s too popular. The restaurant is relatively small, with only a few tables. It runs on a taqueria del sol-style system: wait in line, order, then stake out a table. But while this system operates near-perfectly at TDS, with a party of 5 at Farm Burger, we were left standing around without a table after ordering.

I’ll definitely be back, but I’m going to attempt to go with smaller groups and maybe try off-hours.

Posted at 10:12pm and tagged with: farm burger, decatur, restaurant, burger, one column,.

February 13th 2010

iberian pig

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I went to the Iberian Pig on a Saturday night, and the place was slammed. I will attribute some of my issues with service and the crowds to the fact that I went with a large group.

I ordered wine, which ended up being a safe bet. Our server accidentally brought us a glass of Sangria, and let us keep it. It was *not* good. I don’t think they soaked their fruit overnight, so it just tasted like sugary wine.

I tried a bit of the charcuterie and was favorably impressed. If I ever go back, I’m sticking with that. My friend ordered a salad which sounded amazing, but was teeny tiny.

I had two different tapas dishes. One, a fried goat cheese dish, was terrible. Waaaaay over-fried and tasteless. The other- pork cheek tacos, was delightful. So, I guess it’s just a bit hit or miss at the moment.

Summary: if you’re looking for Tapas in the Decatur area, this is about the only option, and it’s not terrible. However, I’d go to Taqueria del Sol over this place any day of the week.

Posted at 4:38pm and tagged with: atlanta, decatur, iberian pig, tapas, two column,.

December 31st 2009

feast

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This is a hidden gem in Decatur. I have now been to Feast three times, and apparently never blogged about it. Rectifying that situation now. I was there last night for dinner, and it was one of the best restaurant experiences I’ve had in recent memory.

The host/bartender/manager (I’m not sure what his official title is) always greets me so warmly when I walk into this place. I love actually feeling welcomed into a restaurant. Feast is in an old brick building that was formerly an ice cream parlor and a radiator factory. The exposed brick and ceiling beams showcase the building’s history, and beautiful hanging lights and the wood-burning oven in the corner make the space feel warm and cozy.

Every time I’ve come, I’ve had excellent service. Last night was no exception. We were 15 minutes late for our 9pm reservation, and it wasn’t a problem- even though the restaurant was having a small concert that night. The concert actually added an interesting vibe to the restaurant. The owner apparently knew the band, and all of her friends came to the show. This made my mom and I feel like we had stumbled into a neighborhood bar where everyone knew each other. It was a really fun atmosphere. The owner even came over to our table and chatted with us for a few minutes.

Let me rhapsodize about their wine list- it’s suberb for a restaurant of this size. My favorite part about it- they have a whole section of wines by the glass or bottle that are $6/glass, $20/bottle and a section that is $7/glass, $25/bottle, as well as a full wine list. They also have some interesting beers on tap (Left Hand, Brooklyn, Ommegang). I can go on and on, but just check out their website.

The food is so, so good. I literally cannot express how happy my mom and I were last night. We had the crab dip appetizer (lemony and cheesy all at once); a spinach salad with baked brie, pecans, apples and a vanilla bean dressing; and a small plate (basically an entree without any side dishes) that was a trout filet stuffed with artichokes, fennel and lemon and drizzled with citrus butter.

I can’t wait until the next time I go here, and I want to take everyone here. The best part- our entire dinner, plus a bottle of wine, was less than $60, including tax and tip.

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decor- 25

service- 24

Posted at 1:40pm and tagged with: feast, restaurant, atlanta, decatur, review,.

February 22nd 2009

the grange public house

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This is officially one of my new favorite bars in Atlanta. The Grange is tucked away on the outskirts of downtown Decatur on Ponce.

It has an Irish pub atmosphere, but in a loft-ish setting. Lots of wood and exposed brick. The beer list is formidable, with lots of American craft beers and some fine Belgians as well. They even have a decent bottle selection.

I like this place because it has a similar selection to The Brick Store, but it’s not nearly as crowded. The Brick Store is awesome for a quiet afternoon, but on Thurs-Sat nights, it’s almost impossible to get to the bar, and you’re guaranteed at least a 30 minute wait for a table. Last night (Sat night) at 10:45 Elliott and I were able to walk in and grab a booth at The Grange.

This bar is definitely on my “playlist” now. Good place to go with a small group for fancy beer and stimulating conversation. I can’t wait to be on that patio when the weather gets warm.

Verdict: nice staff, good atmosphere, good music, great beer selection.

Posted at 1:47pm and tagged with: two column, the grange, decatur,.

February 4th 2009

watershed

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I cannot rave enough about my meal at Watershed last Friday. I’ve heard great things about the restaurant and its chef, Scott Peacock, for years. He’s a James Beard award winner, and known as an iconic chef in Atlanta.

Eric and I ventured in for a casual dinner. One gripe- tiny parking lot. Owning a MINI came in handy, as we created a spot between two other cars.

The service was friendly and fast. We started with bourbon-based cocktails called “The Glass Menagerie”. Cute name, ok drink.

I ordered shrimp n’ grits. Watershed is known for southern classics with a modern twist. This was a beautiful new spin on shrimp n’ grits. The grits were stone ground, coarse grits, but still creamy with the shrimp blended in instead of whole on top.

(sorry for the dim iPhone pics- I swear I will start bringing a real camera places like a responsible food blogger)

Again, one gripe- the “plank” of bread. There was no need for that giant piece of bread, it’s ridiculous. Also, as Eric noted, the decor was a little tired. The restaurant is in a converted gas station, which I’m all for, but the space felt a little empty. He also noted the silverware and plates were standard cafeteria-grade. Doesn’t convey the fine dining feel.

Eric’s dish was by far my favorite of the night, and it’s definitely the reason I’m recommending the place so highly. He had duck with figs and seasonal veggies. The duck was juicy and tender, and the fig was the perfect complement. The veggies are where I’m awarding all the points. The brussel sprouts were out of this world. (I can’t believe I just typed that sentence. Aren’t we supposed to hate brussel sprouts?).

Desserts are good. Don’t buy the hype about the chocolate cake. Skip it and order the divine pecan tart.

My consensus- good for a casual date or a night out with close friends.

food- 25

decor- 16

service- 20

Posted at 7:58pm and tagged with: decatur, watershed, restaurant, one column,.

December 2nd 2008

cakes & ale

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I’ve had my eye on Cakes & Ale since I moved back to Atlanta this summer. It was completely worth visiting. C&A is a small, cozy restaurant with spunk. It’s definitely a Decatur spot, with tons of organic and locally grown ingredients, a nice little tap list (ommegang three philosophers), and three coffee choices from south america.

For me, the devil is definitely in the details when it comes to restaurants. C&A gets it right, from a meaningful name (the shakespeare quote is on the menu), to the friendly bartender, to the botanical prints on the walls, to the homespun menu.

The food is comforting. It’s a modern, upscale twist on things your mom or grandmother might make. Gnocchi with pork sausage, broccoli and cheddar salad with pecans and bacon, phatty cakes (a much more delicious version of moonpies).

There were some minor mistakes (the place is less than a year old). The bartender made me the wrong drink. I ordered a whiskey drink, but instead she made me a pineapple juice and habanero-infused vodka one. I’m not complaining, it was delicious. Also, the hostess forgot we had a reservation and left us at the bar for a while. These were rectified when they comped our coffee and desserts. That blew me away. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a restaurant so focused on customer service. That small gesture won a ton of goodwill from me.

I’d recommend it for a date or a dinner with friends you actually want to talk to.

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decor- 25

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Posted at 1:21am and tagged with: cakes & ale, decatur, phatty cakes, restaurant, one column,.