Never having been in the Prado, I was intrigued by its quiet seclusion even though the location is right off a major highway.  A friend of mine and I, not knowing what to expect, entered Fuego Mundo Wood-Fire Grill from the back parking deck.  We were graciously greeted by Todd, ushered to the initial seating area, and happily enjoyed the entire evening.  The first business in Georgia to get a loan from the SB administration as part of the Recovery Act, Marsha Hershkovitz (owner) has already proved the money went to good use.  The interior is lovely, open, and easy to navigate, the staff confident and friendly, and the food?  In a word?  Exceptional!

We were able to choose one entree (fifteen to choose from) or any number of tapas. Tania chose the Fuego Filet with Plantains, Rice, and Beans, while I went with three tapa, the Beef Empanadas, Yucca Fries, and Quinoa Salad. Like many restaurant, we were given a table marker for servers to know where to bring the food.  Our marker was Nicaragua. From what we could tell from the tables around us, each card represented a South American country and offered detailed information about the respective country. An educator by day, this naturally made me happy, as the information presented a wonder learning opportunity. Plus, it was entertaining when the servers were trying to locate customers (since we all moved from our original areas) and heard, “Uruguay?  Is Uruguay out here?”

Once our food arrived, Tania and I ooh’d and ahh’d after every bite.  Her Fuego Filet was so tender it melted in our mouths.  The Yucca fries were perfectly fried, without being greasy, and the garlic sauce it came with that was to die for.  Tania also enjoyed the sauce on the meat, which was the trade off for her dislike of the quinoa.  She did not enjoy its texture or the flavor.  On the contrary, loving quinoa and making it often for myself, I adored the salad with arugula, roasted red peppers, tahini dressing, and pine nuts.  Lastly? The empanadas.  Oh the empanadas.  Baked, not fried, they were possibly the best empanadas I have had while here in Atlanta.  I preferred them with out the oniony vinegary salsa-sauce with which they were paired.

Overall? The Fuego Mundo portions were plentiful.  Each food item was paired well. The seasonings apparent, but not over powering. And the prices, while not relevant for us that evening, were extremely reasonable.

If your in the area, Fuego Mundo is really worth trying.  I think that once you get over there, you’ll be hooked.  I know I was.  But, in case your not convinced, check out the story WSB did on the restaurant, or other blogger posts about the opening: Fuego Mundo (fabulous phorography) or A Quick Review: Fuego Mundo.

Fuego Mundo @ The PRADO
5590 Roswell Road, Suite 120
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
404-256-4330

A friend lives in the building directly behind the small neighborhood tavern, and it was extremely relaxing and pleasant joining him for drinks and appetizers right off of Piedmont Park. Now, there is opportunity to miss it when driving there because it is night on the one way Piedmont road immediately before getting to  14th street.  But, go slow!  Then quickly turn left into the parking lot.

The dining room/bar was not crowded, so service could’ve gone either direction…too absent or too pushy.  Happily, I found the wait staff extremely affable and our bartender was attentive without being pushy.  The menu is a mish mosh of miscellaneous eats, which was fine this time because it offered enough for choice, but not too much to overwhelm. I went with the beef sliders, which were okay.  I will remember to mention how I want them cooked next time because I think mine were still mooing, and the slice of Brie was teenie.  But, I will just try something else next time.  My companion chose the  Creole totchos.  Yes, totchos.  Loaded tater tots.  There are five different Totcho choices, from Veggie (grilled vegetables), to Creole (shrimp, andouille sausage, onion, peppers, etc), Nacho(with pico de gallo) to Redneck (mesquite smoked pork & BBQ sauce). I bet school children everywhere wish their school cafeteria would offer loaded tater tots!

The Nook  is still a newbie restaurant, but with the woodsy-lodge feel both inside and out, it has a lot of potential. I look forward to going back and trying some of their other menu items while relaxing on the patio.

Thai Diner in Vinings is the best kept secret outside Atlanta proper.  Nestled in a Kroger shopping center, the lovely interior emits a simple elegance that makes the restaurant a wonderful date spot.  I have been several times since my boyfriend took me on one of our first dates, and I have not been disappointed.  The staff has always been friendly, the atmosphere tranquil, and food fresh and decently priced. Eating in or taking out, it’s a must try.

Thai Diner at Vinings
3280 Cobb Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30339-3896
Phone: (770) 859-9898

Personally, the Banana Bread French Toast calls my name, but then again, there are the pimiento cheese grits. Or is it the Eggs Sardou, named after French playwright Victorien Sardou. Whatever taste you’re fiending for, the West Egg Café should have it.  Don’t believe me?  Check out their menu.

West Egg Cafe
1168-A Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.872.3973

Then, my guy-friend/male-friend/not-yet-boyfriend chose OK Café as one of our weekly dinner outings.  He was really very cute about it, trying to pick a place he though I would be able to find something on the menu, since I am “counting” points.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him southern comfort food is not ideal for dieters.  For those no-holes barred eating folks? The menu is good for the hungry calorie seeking tummy. For us?  I ended up with a veggie burger, while he ordered the pot roast.

The food was decent food, not extravagant or overly expensive.  It’s not mama’s cooking, but I found the staff really pleasant and service oriented, portions above average in size, and the interior decor retro and clean.

Because I am not a regular consumer of fried, heavy foods, I don’t know if I would go back again unless I was looking for a helping a southern cooking fix. But, that’s just me and my palate.  The atmosphere is welcoming and makes a for a nice relaxed evening, so its worth the effort if you’ve never been.

OK Cafe

1284 W Paces Ferry Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30327
(404) 233-2888

The event will include chocolate tastings from the city’s leading pastry chefs. “Experience martini tastings, a full dinner buffet, chocolate beer and a chocolate espresso cart.” The list of tasting sponsors and participating restaurants is phenomenal, and the ticket price seems unreal for an evening like this. When I saw the tempting silent auction items, I wondered what bill I could forgo this month.  Virginia Willis in my home, cooking?  Ooohwee!

All you can eat chocolate bar, top of the line auction items, social networking, whatever the reason, attend and support a wonderful cause.

*logo from the CFF site

According to the K/BIS website, K/BIS is the premiere industry event to showcase the products that change the kitchen and bath through their innovation and ability to meet the needs of the marketplace. At K/BIS, you’ll have the opportunity to visit with the top manufacturers, attend informative conference sessions that provide valuable insight on today’s design trends, and network with other industry professionals to share and learn new design strategies and concepts. That being said,  I admittedly didn’t know what to expect.  I am just lil’ ol me, the home cook who loves to blog.  When I entered the World Congress Center and saw the vendor booths as far as my eye could see, I think my jaw dropped.  I laughed at the time I was intimidated by my home builder’s small decorating center.  Ha!  That center was the size of one of these vendor areas.  How to begin…press credentials first, them attack the conference head on…

The specific vendors noted below caught my interest.  I will post more about them, and others, later on other Well Fed sites.  There were simply too many cover here, but it was evident that everyone had a mission and vision.  The A and C sections of the Center consisted of kitchen and bath, as well as a lot of fixtures and accessories.  The second floor, Section B, was mostly kitchen.

Of course, being from Well Fed, I headed toward anything kitchen.  While it was evident all the booths were geared for the home shopper, but geared for the contractors, etc.  Therefore, I tried to talk to representatives I thought would provide the most useful, new, and innovative products.  I also looked for Green options as well. Some of my stops?

Sea Stones.  Bringing mother nature in homes, the New Hampshire based company presents a unique and beautiful look to hooks, knobs, and even wine classes.

Kohler wowed attendees with their enormous square footage, their raised stage, and projection televisions airing their presentations.  I felt as though I was in the audience of a food TV show with the three chefs, their commentary, product knowledge, and humor.  It helped that they were passing out the items being cooked/prepared on site, including cocktails!  (A little early for me, but many people around me proceeded with the thought that, regardless of the 11:30 AM time, it was 5 p.m. somewhere!)

The rep from Artisan Manusfacturing was actually the first person to (a) come up to me and (b) speak with me (not to me) with the understanding that I was not a contractor, but a potential customer nonetheless.

Bosch was a little different in their marketing, as their reps handed out USB drives with detailed information about their products.  What a great way to save some trees!  They also had a chef working within their booth at one of their stoves, one I would love in my kitchen!  If not for anything else, each burner had its own timer.  That’s love!

Kenyon Appliances’ chef was cooking on their cook tops with their cookware.

I am really excited I went and now have my dream kitchen in my brain, ready to go, when my secret benefactor, mysteriously bestows kitchen fabulousness upon me.  Until then, I will look forward to next year’s show, April 2010, happening in Chicago.

Georgia Renaissance Festival: (Now through 6/7) According to the website, the “multi-acre kingdom is a re-creation of a 16th-Century European Country Faire where you can shop, eat and revel with a cast of nearly 1,000 colorfully costumed characters . Ten stages of music and comedy shows are set against a permanent backdrop of Tudor homes and enchanting cottages! Cheer your champion knight at the Royal Equestrian Joust Arena. Feast like a King on the hearty food and drink of the period, shop for fine handcrafted treasures and watch demonstrations of the time-honored arts of weaving, coin minting, spinning, sculpting, glass blowing, and leather crafting and enjoy games and rides for all ages.” 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn, GA, 30213, 770-964-8575

Strawberry Stroll: (Sat 5/23 ) The Stroll celebrates locally grown fresh strawberries with the sale of jams, jellies, and honey. Local proprietors join in the festivities as well. Downtown Norcross, 56 S. Peachtree St., Norcross, GA, 30017
770-448-2122 

Annual Pig-Out 2009: (Sat 5/23) Join the Sautee Nacoochee volunteer firefighters as that join in and celebrate the Pig-Out’s 20th anniversary.  Food, fun and festival with pork, chicken, Brunswick stew, firehouse beans and slaw. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255 N., Sautee Nacoochee, GA, 30571, 706-878-1001 or 706-878-9349

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival: (Sat, 5/23 11AM-10PM)
The two day festival brings together Carnival with foods, tutorials on such talents as the steel drum and costumes.

Brenau Barbecue & Banjos: (Sat, 5/30 11:00 am - 6:00 pm) Love a good competition?  How about the Memphis Barbecue Network-sanctioned barbecue cooking competition which has professionals competing for the title of  Memphis in May national championship.  There will also be a cook-off for backyard grillers and all proceeds help Brenau University scholarship winners.

A Taste of Underground Atlanta: (Thu, 6/4 11:30 am - 1:30 pm) $3 or 5 canned goods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank will get you in to enjoy delicious eats from Underground-area restaurants.  There will also be live music and giveaways.

Grillin’ in the Village BBQ Festival 2009:  (6/20) Another Memphis BBQ Network-sanctioned contest!

The class will take place at The International Culinary Center on Thursday, May 14 – Saturday, May 16, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Tuition is $1,125 and includes uniform and materials fee. Tools and equipment will be provided for in-class use. Click here for more info.

*picture from weddingpodcastnetwork.libsyn.com

Pleasantly greeted by a polite and friendly hostess, a second friendly woman led us past the framed autographed photos of celebrities and notable politicians that lined the walls and seated us in a nice table for two.

My companion was familiar with the routine and told me about having to write our own meal ticket for the southern home-style food before we were asked for our drink order.  Our waiter was a little slow, but professional, familiar with the menu, and did finally bring is a bread basket with some amazing cinnamon rolls, corn bread, and yeast rolls.  I ordered the roasted turkey, gravy, dressing, and cranberry sauce with fried green tomatoes and squash casserole, while he ordered sautéed chicken livers, rice, and tomato/okra. We both agreed that, for the most part, there was a lot of food for the price.  The sides needed some help, but the main dishes were okay. 

The dining room in which we ate was filled, but not loud.  That made it possible to have good conversation.  Nonetheless, I was a bit nosey and tried to see what others were ordering. There seemed to be a good mix dishes coming out of the kitchen, like meatloaf, fried chicken, mac-n-cheese and sweet potato casserole. Personally, I liked that the menu had a decent variety and there was a mix of fried and roasted entrées. We didn’t save room for dessert, but there were the classics like pecan pie, banana pudding or strawberry shortcake available.

I don’t know how many times I will return, but if and when I do, I will wait until the cooler months.  The meals are a little too heavy for my taste for spring/summer time. However, it was an overall, nice dining experience and, as an Atlanta tradition, I am glad we went.