Is Atlanta on your road trip plans?
I'm often asked for restaurant recommendations, and the AJC.com did a nice piece on what I'm liking for food today.
As you know, I'm a mixologist, so I added my imbibing suggestions too. Don't forget my vegetarian preferences.
I've got a new crush on the rebranded restaurant inside the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. I initially ducked into Longleaf more for the air conditioning than the food. But it’s clean aesthetic and chef-driven menu called for me to stay and order up some vittles. For this vegetarian, no surprise that I went for the vegetable plate. That day, it included oyster mushrooms, glazed turnips and sliced okra. I suspect some of it was grown on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, in what they call the Edible Garden. Meat eaters, you have lots to choose from. My hubby loved his craft burger, and we both scarfed down their artisan cheese plate with cinnamon encrusted nuts. But could it be the view that ultimately enhances the food? Huge glass walls allow you take in the beauty of the grounds while you munch in comfort.
Longleaf, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-585-2061, atlantabg.org/visit/longleaf
(Note: Because Longleaf is on the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, admission or membership is required to dine at the restaurant. )
Favorite place for happy hour:
My hubby loves Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar’s food in East Cobb. I like testing out the joint’s mixology. Just glancing at the descriptions of the concoctions makes you feel like you’ve plopped down somewhere between a farmers market, a garden party and your dad’s cigar collection.There’s a drink that includes a sugar snap pea, another that uses a Serrano shrub, and still yet one whose ingredients render it a skinny colada! I recommend the smoked Old Fashioned for the sheer entertainment value of being served a drink in a glass topped with hickory smoke. It’s good, too, going down the hatch.
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, The Avenue at East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-635-7641, driftoysterbar.com/
Favorite place for dinner:
If I get a hankering for a nice meal after work, Seed Kitchen & Bar hits the spot. Seed strikes me as a fresh-ingredient, locally-sourced, in-season type of place where parts of the menu change depending on the time of year. I like that you can go in and order your staple, or roll the dice and order the item du jour. For example: Today I’m intrigued by the summery sounding Georgia Peach and Arugula Salad, but I’ve enjoyed their Deviled Eggs and love the sound of the Carmelized Brussel Sprouts for sharing with the table. It’s been awhile since I’ve eaten their Parmesan Garlic Fries. But oh, honey! Those could be my food vice. Mr. Cool has enjoyed the Hangar Steak Frites and the Shrimp & Grits.
Seed Kitchen & Bar, Merchant’s Walk, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. 678-214-6888, eatatseed.com/
Favorite place for late night food and drinks:
Check out Huey Luey’s Mexican Kitchen and Margarita Bar in Sandy Springs (locations in Hiram and Acworth, too) .
Tacos, enchiladas, burritos, nachos, fajitas. It has all of these, but I love the off-the-beaten-path items like the Farmer’s Kale Salad. Once their fresh guacamole hits the table, don’t even bother talking to me, I’ll be busy! But the best part, besides the fact they also have live music and a ton of places to tuck away into the corner to sip or sup: Their specialty margarita menu lists 20 seasonal, fresh-to-order flavors. (Disclaimer: They aren’t open THAT late night. But for the morning news anchor, being out past nine pm IS late night.)
Huey Luey’s, 6650 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 678-905-7241, hueylueys.com/
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