Tag Archives: Must Eat Atlanta

{MUST Eat} La Tavola

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{Sigh}…where does the time go?  As I write this post about the glutenous-carb-filled-amazing meal I had at La Tavola I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since I actually ate there!?  But I digress, this isn’t about my crazy life (well it kind of is since this is my blog), but rather about the uber fabulous La Tavola.

For those of you in and around Atlanta I’m sure La Tavola has become a staple for you (if it hasn’t it should), but for me the recent Chicago transplant, La Tavola is refreshingly new, and refreshingly good!  It’s tough to compete with Chicago on an Italian-comfort food kind of way.  The city is known for it!  But La Tavola walked the perfect balance of warm and cozy Italian, with subtle twists on what one would want from classic dishes.  The flavors were bold, yet not overwhelming and the atmosphere was more NYC than Atlanta.  It also doesn’t hurt that it’s located in Virgina Highlands one of my favorite little neighborhoods.

The meal was beyond, and trust me we left no plate un-touched.  I can understand why Creative Loafing noted their tomato and basil spaghetti with veal meatballs a dish you have to eat before you die.  My husband is still talking about it!  And my tagiliolini with mushroom ragu and truffle oil was insane…so earthy and the perfect accompaniment to my red wine.  The only thing that could have made it better was if I was in front of a roaring fire with snow falling outside (since I now live in the South the chances of that happening are slim).

So I’d love to hear what your favorite dish at La Tavola, is and as always where do you think I need to eat next in Atlanta?  xoxo

P.S. Special thanks to Michael Erickson for the perfect booth on such a special night for the Mr. and I.  Such a gem you are!

P.S.S. I am by no means a professional photographer.  All pics were taken with my iPhone, which means if they look good via an iPhone imagine how fantastic they look in person!

 

The bruschetta seems like an obvious choice, but the homemade ricotta and perfectly toasted yet soft bread made it a MUST!

 

The Mr.’s spaghetti…he’s obsessed

Mushrooms and truffle oil…cold weather comfort right here

I didn’t leave one bit of these delish desserts…basically licked the plate.

{MUST Eat} Haven

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Tucked away on Dresden drive, Haven has been a Brookhaven staple since it’s opening seven years ago.   And recently I had the pleasure of finding out why.

When walking into the small, but not claustrophobic, space I found the atmosphere to be inviting and the smell from the kitchen intoxicating.  We were immediately greeted and led to a cozy booth with our waiter Steven not far behind.  Steven was fantastic!  My husband was completely enamored the minute golf and Augusta were brought up while I zoned out studying the wine list.  A bottle of wine, martinis with specially made blue cheese olives and warm bread and butter (my weakness) were quickly served and the evening was officially underway.

Below I’ve captured our meal (thanks to my iphone), and now can completely understand why Haven is a Brookhaven staple.  It is definitely a Martha MUST, and I foresee us becoming regulars.  Cheers, xoxo

 

We started with the heavenly yellow tomato gazpacho with avocado and basil oil.  I’m not one for gazpacho (cold soup…never could grasp that concept) but this my friends is the exception.  Loved it!

Next the summer corn pudding with cherry tomatoes, chanterelles and filet beans.  Summer in a bite, or two or three.  The corn pudding itself tasted like something my grandmother would make and then the chanterelles took it to another level, cozy and crisp all in one dish.

The Mr. had the red waddle pork belly on the bone with watermelon and sugar cane.  This was by far his favorite dish of the night, he could have ate at least 3 more!  Quoting the Mr. himself “I’ve never been a huge fan of pork belly because the texture has always been too fatty for me but this is so tender, flavorful and cooked to perfection.”

For our main course I dined on the swiss chard and ricotta tortellnoi (pic 2) while the Mr. enjoyed smoked chicken and shrimp gumbo (pic 1).  The tortelloni was probably my favorite dish of the evening (though hard to choose just one)!  The handmade tortellonis melted in my mouth while the accompanying zucchini, fennel, tomatoes, and basil tasted like they had just been plucked from the garden.

Dessert…old fashioned banana pudding with Nilla Wafers and…

Warm chocolate brownie with espresso sauce and caramel ice cream.  This may look like just a brownie with some ice cream BUT it is not!  I liken the brownie to more of a chocolate lava cake all warm and gooey.  Best. Brownie.Ever….Ever!

And what better way to end the evening than with an impromptu Whiskey tasting.

{MUST Eat} Alma Cocina

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During one of the torrential downpours Atlanta was having last week the Mr. and I sought refuge from the storm in Alma Cocina.  Because I had planned to do a proper dinner there we were just going to grab a marg and wait out the storm.  That was until we met Kit Lewis, Alma bartender and food extraordinaire.  Within minutes he was pouring intricate libations and had us trying ghost chile salt.  Truly an expertise of all things Alma he guided us through an amazing belly-up-to-the bar meal.

I know Alma isn’t a new Atlanta restaurant, but if you’re a regular reader of my blog then you know we just moved here from Chicago, so all of the Atlanta food scene is new to me.  Which I’m loving since so many people are always looking for the next big thing we tend to loose sight, or forget all of the amazing restaurants that have been around for awhile.  Alma Cocina is a perfect example of that.  With their contemporary take on Mexican and Latin American flavors you’ll find their dishes  to be both comforting and traditional, like their Mexican Corn, but fresh and  innovative like the fried avocado taquito.  The fried avocado taquito is a MUST!  And for all my vegetarian friends, though I didn’t get to try it I heard Alma’s vegetarian platter is one of the best items on the menu.

Normally I take my own pics, but since this was an impromptu dinner I was caught without my camera.  Thankfully Alma had my personal favs up on their website.  Side note…if you’re not already following Fifth Group (the owners of Alma Cocina, Ecco, South City Kitchen, El Taco, La Tavola, and Lure) on Twitter (@fifthgrouper) you should.  Their DOM (Director of Marketing), Michael Erickson is always tweeting up a storm and from what I can see is in constant dialogue with his followers.  He recently promised me a tiara.

So will you be dining at Alma anytime soon?  xoxo

 

My favorite dish the fried avocado taquitos….so amazing!

Because of it’s location Alma is perfect for after work drinks and appetizers!

Taquito sampling

Amazing cocktails

My second favorite item…Mexican corn!

Of course you MUST finish with some sweetness!

All images courtesy of Alma Cocina

{MUST Eat} Terra Terroir

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Last week my foodie heart (and stomach) was full!  I dined at one of my long time MUSTS, Ecco, and discovered two new MUST Eat Atlanta restaurants, Tomo and Terra Terroir.  While both Tomo and Terra Terroir made it on to our MUST Eat Atlanta List I really can’t help but write about Terra Terroir.  I actually ended up eating their twice last week because I loved it so much!

Terra Terroir is the perfect example of never judging a book by it’s cover.  First off it’s in a strip mall next to a Rite Aid.  Not exactly what I think of when I think of fine dining.  However, once you walk through the doors and on to the patio you definitely don’t get any “blue light special” vibe.  While the inside is fine, you must sit on the patio.

Secondly, and my favorite part, Terra Terroir has an amazing selection of wine.  But not only do they have an amazing selection of wine, they have even more amazing wine prices!  For example I had a lovely 2007 Merry Edwards there on Thursday.  Then on Friday, while dining at another restaurant which will remain nameless, had the same bottle of wine and it was DOUBLE the price!  DOUBLE.  And as if it could get any better it does on Mondays when all bottles $50 and under are half off!  So if you need me on Monday, you’ll know where to find me.

Lastly the food.  Fantastic.  Night one I had a delicious portabella appetizer and the seasonal vegetable plate while the Mr. had lamb and the mother in law shrimp and grits.  Satisfied customers across the board.  Night two the caprese salad was beyond and the walnut pesto pasta…ugh worth the carbs.

So my loves, if you’re in Atlanta sashay on over to Terra Terroir and enjoy the evening.  xoxo

The Patio…my favorite spot

All images courtesy of Terra Terroir