10 things to eat in Atlanta before you die (or leave)
February 17th, 2009 by Besha Rodell in RestaurantsOur frequent commenter Kali asked us a few weeks back to come up with a list for her of 10 things she should eat in Atlanta before she deserts us for the Great North. She wrote:
Besha and Cliff,
I am sure I have hinted, if not outright said (and I know I have!), that I am leaving my beloved Atlanta for Canadian climes in 8 weeks now. Please give me a list of 10 tastes I should have before I go. Atlanta is a city of foods, cuisines, and delicacies I am glad to know are out there. It makes me proud. My only caveat is this: I don’t eat beef. It’s something weird with me I am sure. Pork is fine, lamb is so-so, fish is ace, and there you go. But please: I would like recommendations.
So here we go – Cliff and I came up with five each. Cliff’s list first:
These are dishes I crave. They have nothing to do with celebrity, restaurant ambiance or complexity. They are dishes I eat over and over.
La lot leaves at Com
The grape-leaf rolls (la lot) at Com Vietnamese Grill. I like them filled with lamb, but the duck and beef are good too. Even the tofu is good.
The yogurt dessert at Kyma. It’s a thick Greek-style yogurt submerged in honey and garnished with candied walnuts.
The linguine with clam sauce at La Pietra Cucina. Chef Bruce Logue makes many fancier dishes but this is by far the best version of a popular dish that is hard to find well-made in Atlanta. Wear a bib.
The toffee-coffee-arctic swirl at Zesto. Yes, it’s pure junk food, but I’ve been addicted to this concoction for years. It’s soft-serve vanilla ice cream blended with Heath Bars.
Hot braised chicken at Pung Mie. I’ve been craving and eating this for two decades, I think. It’s actually fried chicken pieces in a somewhat spicy, light sauce. I always add rice vinegar and red chili to the mix. Both are always on the table.
And now my picks:
Squash casserole at Son’s Place. Son’s fried chicken was the first true Southern meal I had in Atlanta, and I remain loyal. We can bicker about the fried chicken — who’s is best — but no other restaurant can touch the squash casserole here. For a last hurrah of Southern food, (and hospitality) this is the place.
Any soup at Dynamic Dish. David Sweeny makes the most flavorful, amazing soups around. Cliff gives a shout out to the pizzas (available only on Saturday night) as well.
Monkfish liver at Sushi House Hayakawa
Monkfish liver at Sushi House Hayakawa. There’s so much fantastic Japanese food to be had at this Buford Highway sushi house, but it lives in my heart as the place that officially converted my squeamish younger sister into a monkfish liver enthusiast. And for good reason.
Almond croissant at Parish. Some mornings I find myself driving towards Highland Avenue without even realizing it. The buttery crust, the nutty interior, it calls with its almondy siren song.
Burger at Holeman and Finch. Sorry Kali, I know you said no beef … but I can’t leave this off the list. The fast-food style burger shoulders its way up above all others for its purity of intention (to be a greasy burger) and components (house-made buns, pickles and ketchup, high-quality beef, etc.). The fact that it’s only available after 10 p.m. makes it even more alluring.
(photos by James Camp)
February 17th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Chocolate desert with chocolate ice cream at Aria.
I saw heaven.
February 17th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Kali, when you go to Son’s Place, grab a piece of Chess pie! They sure won’t have that in the great, white North.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Thank you so much, Miz Rodell and Mister Bostock!
I will eat at every single before I depart this lovely city on March 25th.
And I will pass judgment on my website before then.
The Loverly Blissful Glutton also gave her own choices too, so they are also on the list!
Dang. I got a lot of eatin’ to do.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:50 am
This is certainly not upscale and i almost hate to give it away but everyone at some point must try the veggie chili at the Rightous Room. I have never had chili with meat that i liked better.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
your starting to sound like me kali
February 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Great post.
I’ve just moved back to Atlanta and your suggestions are just as useful as I try to re-orient myself to the culinary scene.
Thanks guys.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Kali, if you can help it, don’t skip the lobster tacos at Nuevo Laredo. They’re messy but divine, and can be ordered a la carte. I’m also obsessed with Sotto Sotto’s seafood risotto. Taka’s tuna tartar roll, with pine nuts and white seaweed, is pretty awesome. And Cliff isn’t joking about those grape-leaf rolls at Com. Swoon.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Kali,
Speaking of seeing heaven, while you are at La Pietra, you must order the toffee hazelnut gelato. Also, order a sandwich at Dynamic Dish… truly craveable pestos and beautiful bread. Lastly, the vegetable tasting at Eugene is the BEST way to experience Atlanta produce before you head north. The tartare with genius shoyu jellies would be a great start to that meal.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:57 am
So..much…food. So documenting of eating said food to do so. But I’ll start on these suggestions this week.
Question: La Pietra Cucina is open for lunch, yes? I’m trying to find their hours online and it is amazingly hard.
February 19th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
La Pietra is open from 11-3 for lunch on weekedays, and 5:30-10 for dinner every day but Sunday.
February 21st, 2009 at 9:28 pm
I concur with Mara’s choice of the rhyming risotto at Sotto Sotto. I almost put it on my list.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:23 am
I gotta tell you, Cliff, that the first time I had the Montecato risotto at Sotto Sotto, I damn near cried.
I know it sounds trite and lame, but that dish was one of the few that made me rethink food.
I could eat that dish every day.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:55 am
i concur kali
May 8th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I have been eating the Heath swirl from Zestos for years–authentic fast food trash at its finest. My summers are not without them ever.
K.Neely, P’cheen