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Week: Thur. March 24th and 31st (Happy Spring Break!)
What happens when two chefs leap into the gourmet deli, wine and cheese business? Well, it appears they (chefs Muss and Turner) have taken the basic idea then morphed it into a gastronomic playground pleasing all walks of foodies, from the casually food passionate to the most fastidious of food snobs.
Worldly meats and decadent cheeses will keep Smrynites from having to make the trek to Star Provisions, but it’s M & T’s sandwiches that will attract patrons from all over the city. Maybe even that in-town creature Cliff Bostock will make an atypical OTP appearance.
My absolute favorite of the sandwiches is the Macedonia Lama Jama ($9.99) – ground Heritage lamb slathered with a delightful feta mint spread then topped with roasted pimentos and spicy greens. Others offer their high praises to the Gobbler ($8.50), sliced all natural turkey breast topped with tasty Ritz cracker stuffing, cranberry coulis and thyme aioli.
You won’t be disappointed by Swifty’s Dream ($7.50), a heaping portion of slightly tangy pulled pork wearing spicy horseradish pepper slaw and apple wood smoked bacon, as if it needed anymore product of the pig.
And the Reason to Reuben ($9.99), stacked with a generous portion of lean house made corned beef on marble rye, is plenty worthy by this city’s standards.
But you’ll find your own favorites amongst a menu lined with quirky names such as the Insult to Philly, Viva La Cuba! and Are You Kidding Me?.
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Type of Cuisine: Gourmet Deli - Wine & Cheese Shop
Address/Tel: 1675 Cumberland Pkwy Ste 309, Smryna Tel: 770-434-1114
Recommended Dishes: Macedonia Lama Jama, Gobbler, Reason to Reuben, Swifty's Dream, White Chocolate Lavender Mousse (M&T's Signature Dessert)
Pricing: $$
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 11am - 8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am - 6pm
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Don’t exit before checking out pastry chef David Sturgis’ dessert display – a sinful window brimming with mammoth chocolate chip cookies, glossy miniature apple pies and sublime white chocolate lavender mousse polenta cakes ($6.99).
The polenta cakes have quickly become M & T’s signature dessert, and that’s no surprise to me. At first glance they appear to be nothing more than overpriced cupcakes – but at first bite – you’ll encounter layers of brandy soaked polenta cake straddled by coconut shavings and a seductively creamy white chocolate lavender mousse that will leave you and your date with a wild urge to tear off each other clothes and smear it all over...well, you know.
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Week: Thur. March 17th
Off the beaten track grubbing gems play a big role in Atlanta’s dining scene; the hunt for them is what gets us foodies out of bed each and every morning. The search for these hidden gastronomic jewels finds us twisting through old warehouses and meandering about in less than desirable neighborhoods.
Cantina La Casita has the potential to be such a place. It’s nestled deep into the East Atlanta Village, off a side road behind Grant Central Pizza. A modest building that doesn’t give off even the slightest hint of pretentiousness. You enter onto creaky boards through a room that manages to do without built in air conditioning or a heating system.
And it manages to pack the house every single night with prices so low Chipotle will never consider setting foot in this neighborhood. Tamales ($2.50) are generously stuffed with juicy roasted pork and chicken enchiladas ($2.95) are proudly dressed in a killer mole.
You’ll find most patrons feasting on tacos ($1.95): pan fried fish, citrus-y roasted pork and spicy carne asada being the best of the bunch. Grandma Nana’s flan ($2.85) is made in house with a judicious amount of cream cheese added for texture and flavor.
La Casita has comfortably slipped right into the neighborhood, and as I glance around the dining room, I realize what an oddly interesting hood it truly is.
?I wonder how many of these people are high right now?? Asks Melanie.
Type of Cuisine: Mexican
Address/Tel: 560 Gresham Ave, East Atlanta Village Tel: 404-622-8081
Recommended Dishes: Tacos (Puerco, Pescado and Carne Asada), Tamales, Enchiladas and Flan
Pricing: $
Hours:
Mon - Sun: 11am - 11pm
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Week: Thur. March 10th
A dedicated AC follower who goes by the name of Jen recently shot me an email asking if I’d found any new worthy Vietnamese restaurants. And as fate would have it, I have found a new spot that I’ve taken a liking.
Jen, my answer is: Pho Dai Loi on Jonesboro Rd on the south side of town, with a second location on Buford Hwy where the Vietnam House (whose closing was a devastating blow) once resided. The food is consistently equal at both locales; however, the Buford Hwy spot is a bit more polished and less chaotic.
Like Pho Tan Tan, Dai Loi’s spring rolls have a distinct presence. The pho isn’t quite as good as Pho Tan Tan's but is superior to those tired renditions you’ll find at places such as Saigon Café or Pho Bac. Beef stew, though not nearly as robust as the one being served by Kevin at RiceSticks, is a solid choice and I actually prefer it to the pho, many days.
All vermicelli and rice dishes I’ve tasted have been top notch, with pork vermicelli being the best of the bunch.
I know this week’s Pick is out late, but cut me some slack – my ass cheeks began this week blistering on a sandy beach under the intense Florida sun.
Type of Cuisine: Vietnamese
Address/Tel: 4061 Jonesboro Rd, Forest Park Tel: 404-363-2423 and 4168 Buford Hwy, Atlanta Tel: 404-633-2111
Recommended Dishes: Pho, Beef Stew, Egg Rolls, Grilled Pork Vermicelli
Pricing: $
Hours:
Mon - Sun: 10am - 10pm
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Week: Thur. March 3rd
There are plenty of Lebanese restaurants in this town, but none better than Mezza in Decatur. When people ask me what separates Mezza from the rest, I smile and tell them the hummus. It's as smooth as a baby's bottom
They also do Baba Ganoush extremely well, I could sit there and swipe pita points through hummus and baba ganoush all day long and never tire of it. Especially the Hummus Deluxe that comes complete with Lebanese spiced ground beef.
And how could I forget about Lamb Kabobs that are tender and juicy, not overcooked and stringy like the lesser versions offered around town.
Aside from well-executed dishes, Mezza is a charming inexpensive neighborhood eatery, the type place you want to visit more than once a week, and can afford to.
Type of Cuisine: Lebanese
Address/Tel: 2751 Lavista Rd, Atlanta Tel: 404-633-8833
Recommended Dishes: Hummus is the best in town, Baba Ganoush, Hummus Deluxe, Lamb Kabobs
Pricing: $$
Hours:
Mon - Fri: 11am - 2:30pm and 5pm - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 5pm - 11pm
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