Omnivore Atlanta

YOU'RE TOAST: Rosebud's chicken liver spread appetizer

It’s the dream of so many young chefs: a neighborhood sidewalk, a random weeknight — Wednesday perhaps — warm light spilling from large restaurant windows, the sound of people laughing. A full bar, the game playing silently on the TVs above. The dining room beyond bustling. A 20-minute wait for a table at 8:30 p.m.

Brick walls. Specials and cocktails written stylishly on chalkboards. An atmosphere that feels neighborly and personal.

But what to call such a restaurant? Something comforting but evocative of individuality. Something that speaks to the young chef’s other loves, possibly something that nods to his taste in music.

Such is the dream-turned-reality of Rosebud, owned by chef Ron Eyester and named after Jerry Garcia’s guitar.

Continue Reading “Review: Rosebud”

(Photo by James Camp)

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This, from Meryl Arnett at Rosebud, sounds like fun, although the idea of 160 people in tie-dye is kinda frightening.

Rosebud (formerly Food 101 Morningside) is once again bringing together delicious food and great music, two things Chef and Owner Ron Eyester feels very passionate about, with the third annual Jerry Garcia Tribute Dinner.  Due to its tremendous popularity, Rosebud is hosting a two-night run on both August 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. to accommodate the demand.  The restaurant will only be seating reservations for the tribute dinner on these two nights.

The dinner was first held in 2006 and brought in more than 160 people to the restaurant (maximum capacity).   The success of this dinner encouraged Chef Ron to continue finding ways to combine his two passions with additional tribute dinners for artists, such as Johnny Cash and James Brown.  Each dinner takes a relaxed approach to pairing food with music.  “I try to be playful about the food.  I think some people take it all too seriously.  Now, I take the ingredients seriously, but it’s got to be fun” says Ron.

This year’s five-course pre-fixe menu will feature a selection of dishes inspired by the lyrics of Chef Ron’s favorite Grateful Dead songs.  Each dish will focus on utilizing fresh, local foods to compliment Garcia’s creative tunes.  The dinner will also continue its tradition of offering live music during and after the meal.  This year, however, Chef Ron is taking his local mantra a step further by featuring two bands local to the Morningside community.  Webster Humpage is playing on August 5 and Parker Smith on August 6.

Guests are encouraged to dress for the show in their best tie-dye; Birkenstocks are optional.  Although a different band plays each night, the same menu will be offered on both August 5 and 6.  Showtime is at 7 p.m.  The five course menu is $49 per person plus tax and gratuity (alcohol not included).  This dinner has sold out each year so reservations are required and can be made by calling 404-347-9747.

(Photo courtesy of ehow.com)

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TOAST OF THE TOWN: Chicken liver on toast at Rosebud

Rosebud (1397 N. Highland Ave., 404-347-9747) is the new name of Food 101 in Morningside. Executive chef Ron Eyester bought out the co-owners recently and rechristened the restaurant. The name derives from one of the guitars played by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead.

Ordinarily, any reference to the Grateful Dead is immediately alienating to me. I used to write an annual column in which I invited people to send me their tie-dyed clothing to destroy in a ritual bonfire. I usually got far more angry e-mails than clothing.

There is nothing very Deadhead about Eyester’s restaurant. A few cosmetic changes, including fresh paint and refinished tables, have been made, but the effect remains elegantly cozy, a feeling that is reinforced by an unusually good staff of friendly servers who can talk articulately about the menu. Lizzie is server of the week.

Continue reading “Grazing: Food 101 becomes Rosebud; Arizona Pub opens”

(Photo by James Camp)

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Monday night was the official opening of Rosebud (1397 N. Highland Ave., 404-347-9747). The restaurant was formerly Food 101 but Executive Chef Ron Eyester bought the owners out and changed the name.

The restaurant retains most of the former menu with ingredients changed here and there. Some appetizers have been added, including my favorite taste last night — this “chicken liver toast,” topped with a relish of chopped bread-and-butter pickles and crunchy bits of smoked bacon.

The restaurant is also retaining its novel “Monday Night Brunch” — a menu of dishes like fried chicken and waffles, country ham and French toast and sausage and egg sliders. We ordered from the brunch menu and had a fun meal.

The dining room has been spruced up and is cozier than ever. More in Grazing later this week.

(Photos by Cliff Bostock)

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I stopped in the relatively new Chocolate Coffee (1159 LaVista Rd., 404-327-6060) today. Actually, I have no idea if it’s actually spelled Chocolate Coffee, ChocoLaté Coffee or Chocolatte Coffee. Literally all three spellings are used on the shop’s website. (This is a local chain of three cafes.)

In any case, I skipped the numerous chocolate-and-coffee concoctions and had a good espresso macchiato. Pastries looked better than average.

One sort-of complaint: The shop offers free Wi-Fi and in fact is an advocate of free wireless everywhere for everyone, according to its website. Why, then, are you limited to an hour of service at the shop and why do you have to enter a code to log on? It took me some time to get my iTouch to work and the barista told me she had given up on getting her own iPhone to work there.

This isn’t unique to Chocolate Coffee. It costs practically nothing for businesses to provide free Wi-Fi. Why the time limits, the codes and the log-on pages full of advertising?. …

We ate at — you know where — the Shed on Glenwood Wednesday night, having become totally addicted to the $3 sliders. Last night’s delicious newbie was one of ratatouille topped with goat cheese. We also ordered this plate of onion rings. The damn things were as big as the sliders, tasted sweet and almost tempura-crispy.

The Shed began a Thursday-night special this week too — a plate of four fresh vegetables for $10. This week’s choices were sunchokes, organic tomatoes, Swiss chard, arugula and sweet corn. I hope to get there next week. …

We indulged our addiction to Spoon in East Atlanta Thursday night. The restaurant now has its pouring license, so you can dull the fiery curries by numbing your entire head with liquor. As usual, I trotted across the parking lot to Morelli’s for ice cream — one scoop of ginger-lavender and one of goat cheese swirled with figs.

Morelli’s is featured in the current issue of the Porch Press, by the way. That’s the monthly newspaper for Grant Park and East Atlanta Village. The article’s not online — none of the paper is, incredibly — so you’ll have to find a copy to read it. Writer Darin Glass reports that business has been crazy at the shop since Bon Appetit cited it as one of America’s top 10 ice cream shops. …

Name Change: Food 101 Morningside becomes Rosebud on July 6. This follows purchase of the restaurant by Executive Chef Ron Eyester, who has been with the restaurant as a co-owner and chef since it opened. So, there won’t be any significant changes in the menu. A press release explains the new name:

So, why Rosebud? Well, as any “regular” will tell you, Chef Eyester’s second love (aside from food) is music. An avid fan of bands such as The Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, and The Allman Brothers, Eyester has built a reputation for offering unique music tribute dinners throughout the year. Fittingly, Rosebud is the name of one of Jerry Garcia’s custom made guitars.

Newbies on my list: RA Sushi, Evos, Nonna Mia, Midtown Mediterranean Diner, Teela Taqueria, Nectar, Noon Midtown and Bistro in a Box. I also hear stuff’s happening at Saba. Any reports on any of these?

(Photos by Cliff Bostock)

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