Eat here, leave your camera at home
Monday, October 13th, 2008
I lunched Friday with my usual date, Brad, and another friend, Brian. We visited Savor Specialty Foods at Peachtree Battle Shopping Center (2355 Peachtree Rd., 404-869-0070).
The shop offers an impressive selection of gourmet sandwiches, all but one of them under $8, like my “Toscano” (right) with fennel-seed salami, olive chutney, Provolone, mayo and local greens. I had it made on ciabatta. I also ordered a cup of my childhood favorite, split-pea soup, that was first-rate. Brad and Brian both ordered lobster bisque with their sandwiches.
I did have one of my rare camera conflicts here. The kitchen staff, whose images I’ve blurred to protect them from paparazzi, told me that taking photographs inside the store is forbidden. The reason? Because spies from other shops would love to duplicate Savor’s look and inventory, apparently. “We’ve seen them photograph every shelf.”
“Well,” I asked, “what is the difference in photographing the place and simply coming in and taking a look?”
“I’m sorry, but photographs are not allowed!” she repeated.
Soon afterward, someone I assumed was the store owner appeared and asked us, “Are you in the business.”
“No.”
“Do you work for Publix?”
“No.”
In fairness, I went through the same thing at Star Provisions some months ago. Other than that, I’ve only had the experience in restaurants that employ foreign workers.
Lunch was really good.
(Photos by Cliff Bostock)
