Omnivore - New burger joint opening, Canoe is gardening, etc.

Grind House Killer Burgers opens at Sweet Auburn Curb Market

Check out Mark Petko’s new photo food  blog, Spoonfed Atlanta. His first entry documents a meal at 4th and Swift. He also operates a food blog in Raleigh, N.C., Spoonfed Raleigh. On his general site, you’ll also find a photo of a pig carcass in a restaurant kitchen. I have a lot of mixed feelings when I see a picture like this. But this one made me laugh. ...

Canoe is now doing some extensive gardening on the premises and Chef Carvel Grant Gould  is planning an Edible Garden Dining Series where she will cook for guests at a table in the garden:

The first Edible Garden Dinner Series will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24,  and costs $125 per person. Dinner includes wine pairings by California’s elite Chalk Hill Winery. Thursday, Oct. 8,  brings the second dinner in the edible garden and will be paired with Cliff Lede Winery’s wines out of Napa, California.  Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call  770-436-9292. ...

I seem to be hearing more and more complaints from restaurateurs about declining business. I’m not sure if things are actually getting worse or restaurateurs are becoming more open about their drop in sales. Still, new venues keep opening and, outside hotel restaurants, most seem to be targeting the low-to- mid-price range.

One of the newest, opening today at latest report, is Grind House Killer Burgers at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market. It’s open for lunch only, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Satuday. You get your choice of (inexpensive) beef, turkey or veggie burgers. My favorite name is the “Hypocrite Style” burger featuring a veggie patty with beef chili, chipotle-ranch dressing and pepper-jack cheese. ...

A few years ago, I was stopped in my car by police because they saw me drinking from a brown bottle they presumed was beer. Actually, it was ginger beer — one of my addictions, but hard to satisfy unless I can find the Stewart brand that isn’t sickeningly sweet. Now there’s a new one, principally designed as a mixer, from Fever-Tree. It’s not in a brown bottle and it’s some strong stuff.