My job requires me to travel a lot, and one of the best perks of traveling is definitely the ability to explore new restaurants. I've been in Atlanta this week for FEMA training and I managed to squeeze in a culinary tour of the area (especially around the FEMA office).
For great barbecue, you've gotta "put some South in your mouth" and try Old Hickory House. I had the barbecue pork platter, which is served with sauce on the side (thank goodness!)and had a rich smokey flavor. The platter came with your choice of sides. The fried okra was crispy and fresh and the broccoli casserole is a blend of creamy rice, broccoli, and cheese. The peach cobbler is also a great treat.
For lunch one day, some colleagues and I went to Northlake Thai Cuisine in Tucker. When you walk in... wow!!! There were collective "oohhh!!!" and "awwwhhhh" as we walked into the beautifully decorated restaurant. It certainly wasn't what we expected in a restaurant tucked in a strip mall behind the Kroger's. Among the dishes ordered by our table: the Poached Chilean Sea Bass, the Mango Chicken, and my own order-- the Masaman Curry with Beef. The service and presentation was top notch and formal, yet the price was very reasonable. Oh, and I can't forget the Thai tea... what a refreshing treat on a hot day. The serene and calm environment was a pleasant change from the sterile classroom room we sat in all day.
Another lunch was spent at Little Cuba Restaurant in Chamblee. They have lunch specials that are named after "I Love Lucy" show characters. I had the Vaca Frita lunch special of shredded beef and served with a heaping helpin' of white rice, black beans, and plantain chips. Yummy!
I can't write about my trip without mentioning the great hot dogs I had at the Braves v. Giants game. You can't go to a baseball game and not have a hot dog! The food was a real treat... the bonus was watching Barry Bonds hit a home run. His 759th, I think.
My final night in Atlanta was spent at the French-American Brasserie, or the FAB, located downtown. They serve classic French cuisine along with many cuts of steaks and a variethy of seafood. I decided to go the classic French route, starting with a the soup du jour, a creamy rich broth with mussels and herbs. I should've started and stopped right there. Expecting a cup of soup, I was pleasantly surprised to get this more-than-bowl-size tureen of tasty liquid gold. The soup, coupled with the fresh crispy French rolls, would've been enough for me. However, I had ordered the coq au vin, the classic French dish of chicken cooked in wine, served with mushrooms, chunks of bacon, and a side of egg noodles. I also ordered a side of ratatouille, a hearty stew of vegetables. It hard to imagine going to a French restaurant and passing on dessert, but I had no choice. I had no room. I even had to take my leftovers home, and I confess that I enjoyed coq au vin for breakfast.
My last culinary treats were at the airport... Paschal's in Concourse C had great fried chicken, and because I had a few hours before my flight, I burned off excess calories roaming different councourses and stopped for a pick-me-up at Caribou Coffee in Concourse E.
Now that I'm back in Tally, I have one thing to focus on... lose the weight I gained in Atlanta.
