It’s that time of year when every little hamlet on Earth has a festival. It may be the same carnival rides from the same company every single time, the food changes. I’ve had some poor corndogs so I thought I’d try something else at the Crystal Lake Gala.

What I found was these delicious waffle fries from Fire Bar and Grill, located in Crystal Lake. I’ve heard a lot about the place, so I thought I’d grab a bite at their stand at the Gala.

I got some chicken strips because I was in a bit of a rush and I wanted to go for a cheaper option. At $5, the chicken strips and fries were a gem. The waffle fries were crisp but not overcooked and just the right amount of saltiness. The chicken strips were also well-seasoned and crunchy on the exterior without being dry.

My only complaint — the honey mustard. It was a bit watery and had no spunk.

Oh well, they were just chicken strips. I’m going to have to stop by their Angela Lane location to try out their three-appetizer plate or grilled-steak panini. Mmmm.

What restaurants are listed? Check out the list below, along with the other recognitions the establishments received.  But, be sure to check out the magazine online, or pick one up if you’re in the Atlanta area, for other wonderful articles include Southern Revival: Southern Cuisine is Back at Center Stage on Menus across the City and interview with Arthur Blank in which he speaks about the Atlanta Falcon’s owner speaks about the organizations recent challenges.

Best New Restaurants: Atlanta
Allegro (Favorite pasta dishes)
Café 101(Hottest food)
Cakes & Ale (Best use of the chef’s backyard garden – The Dandelion Salad)
The Chocolate Bar (Best Bar Snack, best itsy bitsy desserts)
C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar (Best business lunch)
Cuerno (Best Mascot - Scrap Metal Bull)
Dynamic Dish (Farmer’s Best Friend) – no website, but I bet they will remedy that after this issue!
The Glenwood (Best young chef under the radar – Ryan Stewart)
Kevin Rathbun Steak (Best place to spend your gov’t incentive check)
Lola (Best for your waistline – Lolitas) – reviews on WFOTT here!
Parish Foods & Goods (Best reason to get out of bed – for their almond coissants)
The Social House (Favorite comfort food – chicken and waffles)
Sushi House Hayakawa (Best raw deal, Best alternative to pricey vodka – Pricey shochu)
Top Flr (Friendliest Bar)
Holeman & Finch Public House (Restaurant of the Year, Best Cocktails, Best midnight snack – Pancetta carbonara)

And, outside the perimter….

The Hil - outside Atlanta (Best reason to get out of town)

Lest you thought Oakland was merely San Francisco’s little step-sister, here’s a brief update on good eats across the bay.

Water

A new restaurant called Water Lounge + Raw Bar has replaced the recently closed Pearl Oyster Bar and Restaurant. Externally, nothing seems to have changed save for the name of the restaurant. The menu posted outside looks fairly similar to Pearl’s menu, focusing on the fruits of the sea. Only Pearl’s oyster selection is missing. I rather liked Pearl before it shut down, and was mystified by the negative reviews that preceded its demise. Will Water live up to its predecessor?

Water
5634 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 654-5426

OB’s Coffee Café
In my never-ending search for the perfect fried chicken, I checked out OB’s Coffee Café. The fried chicken is indeed very good, and very crisp. OB’s serves up breakfast and lunch. The menu includes classics such as grits, hash browns, smothered potatoes, sausages, bacon and eggs and good, strong coffee. The food is straight-forward and honestly prepared, and the whole place is a remarkable one-man operation with the tiniest professional kitchen you ever saw. Been here once, definitely plan to go back.

OB’s Coffee Café
729 Washington St
Oakland, CA 94620
(510) 268-9696

Green Papaya Deli
This little neighborhood eatery is a gem. Green Papaya specializes in regional Lao cuisine, and has recently expanded its menu to include classic Thai dishes. Every dish I’ve eaten here has been carefully executed of fresh ingredients, creating a true delight for the senses. My current favorites include Sai Oaw, a salty, spicy, earthy sausage served with cucumber slices or cabbage; the tangy, spicy, garlicky Lao chicken soup with cherry tomatoes and lemongrass; the cilantro-laden Larb Gai (chicken salad); Som Moo, a tasty pickled pork sausage which would likely go very well with beer; and the spicy, creamy heaven that is Kao Poont (Lao chicken curry with noodles). Dining companion extraordinaire, A., has stated unequivocally that Green Papaya’s Pad Thai is the best he’s ever eaten. The service at this family-run establishment is friendly and efficient. For unbeatable Lao food, Green Papaya is well worth a trip to the East Lake neighborhood.

Green Papaya Deli
207 International Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 836-5337

Onto the restaurant…

I have been to MFSushiBar a few times, but this time I found myself settling a lost bet when I was beaten miserably in bowling. Because of my loss, I had to treat my date to a sushi dinner.  Of the places I suggested after he told me he was a lover sushi, I chose the one I thought he’d never been and that would be enjoyable. MFSushiBar is a small, but chic sushi restaurant on the prime corner of Ponce De Leon Ave and Penn Ave. presents sushi as it should be.  Owned by brothers Alex and Chris “Magic Fingers” Kinjo, the hospitable air and sleek décor is elevated by the eye opening freshness of the sushi and sashimi.

Don’t let the slightly pricey menu scare you away. The menu that is almost all sushi and sashimi, is filled with flavorful choices.  But, whether tuna, yellowtail, mackerel, or eel, the extensive saki collection is sure to rev up any palate.  There is table seating or a sushi bar with which you can see the masters at work, creating their elegant rolls of excellence.
We started off with Ozeki Sake, a first for me.  While I preferred my non-alcoholic drink, my date was pleased to finish off the bottle.  Following the sake, the Ika Salad (squid salad) started our meal. Then, for sushi we ordered Sake (salmon) Sashimi, Special Crunchy Roll (tempura, crab, and mayo topped w/smoke salmon), Spider Roll (fried soft shell crab, lettuce, carrots, radish sprouts) and a Hurricane Roll Salmon (masago roll topped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon & snapper). All was spot on and delicious.

Not a sushi connoisseur? The attentive and knowledgeable staff can surely steer you in a tasty direction. This was evident after we had a chat with one of the servers.  Why?  Well, during our dinner, my date and I chatted about me being a bit of a Foodie.  He asked if I could roll sushi at home.  While I have not, rolling sushi is always something I have wanted to try and have several bookmarked blogs on this topic. “Where would you get the fish?  The grocery store?  We’re inland.”  Good question.  Atlanta is a bit land-locked.  That’s when we brought over the server.

Abbreviating a good 10-minute conversation, the server told us that they cut their fish fresh everyday, some of which is flown in. But, buying fish market where they can filet the first would be preferable.  Of course, a home sushi roller wants to make sure the fish is fresh and free of preservatives.

The end-of-evening verdict from my date?  He loved it and said it was the best sushi he’d ever have.  (Woohoo! MFSushiBar gets an A for guaranteeing me another date…heee!)

Address: 265 Ponce De Leon Ave : Unit B : Atlanta GA 30308 (404) 815-8844
Free valet parking on Penn Ave. or street parking.
Monday – Thursday: Lunch  11:30-2:30, Dinner  5:30-10:30
Friday: Lunch  11:30-2:30, Dinner  5:30-11:30
Saturday: Dinner  5:30-11:30
Sunday: Dinner  6:00-10:00

I am certain the air conditioning had a little something to do with it, but the cool blue surroundings, complete with interesting art and tropical fish, certainly set the right mood to feel cool and relaxed. Having just come from Malaga Wine & Tapas Bar, Saba’s next door neighbor, my lovely dinner partner and I decided to skip straight to the dinner menu, well, once we had cocktails in hand of course.

My Classico Mojito was served Havana styled and made with a classic golden age tine of Matusalem rum. Meanwhile, this being my dinner partners first trip to Austin, she enjoyed a local favorite, a martini made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. For those unfamiliar with Tito’s, this Texas made Vodka earned the Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. One reviewer once said of Tito’s, “We can’t think of any reason, barring two broken legs and a restraining order from the liquor store, why we won’t always have a bottle of Tito’s in our cabinet.”

Drinks in hand, but hunger on our minds we turned to food. Specifically to seafood, the specialty of the house at Saba, and no dish features it quite so spectacularly as their Paella.

Mussels, steamed perfectly, provide the trim on this golden, red saffron laced rice creation rich with Scallops, Shrimp, Calamari and Mahi.The saffron broth, nearly completely absorbed by the rice, makes for a consistency just a bit lighter than what you would find in a risotto, which is to say, perfect.

Each bite carries the hint of spice and an abundance of flavor, rich with the broth of the shellfish and mahi and again, that undescribable something extra from the saffron.

Each of the mussels, still in the shell as shown, tends to fill up with a bit of the rice, absorbing the liquor from the mussels and making for an adventure as you plunge in with your fork in an effort to get the perfect bite of rice, sauce and shellfish.

My dinner partner meanwhile enjoyed the U-10 Scallops, perfectly seared and buttery soft, served on a bed of baby greens with just a hint of aged balsamic vinaigrette. The center of the plate was decoratively dominated by a cylindrical towering creation of Goat Cheese Polenta, creamy, tangy and dense while still managing to carry a light enough flavor and texture to compliment the scallops.

To those who aren’t “in the know” a dish called U-10 Scallops may seem somewhat strange. However, the U-10 refers to the fact that these truly jumbo sea scallops are “under 10 per pound.” So, 10 of these monsters will have a pre-cooked weight of more than a pound. That’s close to an ounce and a half each and they are absolutely worth the price you pay for these big guys.

In the end, we both enjoyed our trip to Austin and specifically enjoyed our culinary adventures at Saba Blue Water Cafe. Not every trendy restaurant can live up to the reputation created by its own popularity, but this is one Austin hotspot that can walk the walk.

Photo courtesy of the Saba Blue Water Cafe website.

Saba Blue Water Cafe
208 W 4th St.
Austin, TX 78701
www.sabacafe.com

Apre Diem has my heart.

A stones throw from Atlanta’s Piedmont Park and next to the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, Apre Diem is a restaurant I have frequented since it opened, after its predecessor (Café Diem) left its Highlands location. While Apre Diem has its skeptics, and it is true that the service leaves something to be desired, and there have been times when friends have not been pleased with their food, I find myself relaxed and at ease each and every time I enter. Its vibe is chill, there is indoor/outdoor seating, and the clientele represents all walks of life, from all over the globe. And, part of its coffeehouse charm is that you can hang around, virtually uninterrupted outdoors on the patio.

Open seven days a week, patrons can hang out with friend, sit quietly and read a book, and/or take advantage of the free WiFi. The kitchen serves for lunch, dinner, or a late cap, as Friday and Saturdays are Apre Diem’s 2AM late nights. Check with them about specialty nights, like Salsa on the second Tuesday of the month or Jazz Wednesdays.

As far as the food, I have always enjoyed the eats at Apre Diem. There have been times I decided on just appetizers, and times when the entree had been the main event. Its actually one of the few places that I have not just “stuck” with a favorite. In fact, I have tried many entrée specials and many menu items, never having a bad dish: the Baba Ghanouj, Calamari, the Roasted Portobello, the Salmon Farfalle, and most recently, the Fattoush Salad (shown here).

There is one word of caution I must let you know, however, since it is a hot button for many. Patrons are able to smoke on both the outdoor patio and inside the restaurant. This can be a bit irritating for those of us who choose not to inhale cancer-causing toxins.

Après Diem
931 Monroe Drive
Suite C-103
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
404.872.3333
www.apresdiem.com
email: info@apresdiem.com

As we heard the grumblings of our tummies, I turned left into one area where we came across Il Bacio Pizzeria & Trattoria. What a wonderfully casual and delightfully delicious experience! After being greeted upon entering, we sat ourselves, and immediately had our drink orders taken from a very polite young man. Mom and I ogled at the menu, unable to decide what to try. Panini’s, pastas, pizzas, what decisions! Since it was a typical Atlanta summer day – hazy, hot, and humid - I almost went for the light Bacio ($10.95), a salad of Baby Spinach, Haas Avocado, Shrimp, Asparagus, Roasted Almonds, and Raspberry Vinaigrette. Instead, we both decided on a focaccia sandwich; mom the Manhattan ($6.95) - Grilled Eggplant, Grilled Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella (very apropos) and I ordered the Foresta ($6.95) - Grilled Portobello, Roasted Peppers, and Goat Cheese.

Being that it was mid-afternoon, the eatery was not very busy. However, I am sure the cheerful staff, delicious, made to order dishes, and pleasant atmosphere is the way I will always find it. I am bound to find out, since I fully intend to go back again, and again, and again. There is a whole menu to try!

Il Bacio Pizzeria & Trattoria, 2571 Piedmont Rd. Suite 120, Atlanta GA 30324 (404)467-0333

Indeed, India Garden does not disappoint. While you will find the obligatory Mint Chutney, Naan, Basmati Rice and the like. You will also find items like Paneer Saag, Goat Curry, Crab Masala and more. This willingness to step a bit astray from typical Indian buffet offerings and embrace less commonly seen cultural favorites, sets them apart.

Drawing from the cookings of both North and South India, their authenticity speaks volumes about their dedication to great food. Weekdays (except Monday, when they are closed) they set a 21 course Lunch Buffet, which swells to 35 courses on the weekends. However, they also offer a full menu of Northern and Southern favorites.

One more thing that they do at India Garden to earn my respect is vary their buffet offerings day in and day out. While this means that you can’t be guaranteed to find that favorite item on the buffet any given day. It means you do get a nice variety. Additionally, while mantaining this variety, they are sure to offer a few different kinds of meats (chicken, lamb, seafood) and a few very well prepared vegetarian dishes.

On my recent visit, I had an outstanding chicken makhani. Chunks of chicken floating in a thin, red cream sauce. Crab masala, with large pieces of crab and fish were great and the lamb curry, as always was aromatic, spicy and very well prepared. Dessert was a mango custard, that was probably 80% pureed mango, with bits of fruit in it. Watermelon slices accompanied it on the side and together they made a cool, sweet ending to a great meal.

If for no other reason than to see what they offer next time, I will surely be returning to India Garden soon.

India Garden
2819 S 125th Ave
Omaha, NE 68144
(402) 697-0101

According to the website, Fresh to Order started like this . . . two chefs literally born into the restaurant business decide to take on the task of creating fine dining American fusion food, fast and for under $10 in their restaurants…They decide to prepare everything fresh each day and spend hours getting everything perfect, so your order is ready in minutes…It’s that kind of attention-to-detail that sets F20 apart. We only serve a few things, so we can concentrate on doing them very well. And we use only the best ingredients. But they’re simple. And that idea, taking something simple and elevating it to something special is what we are all about…Tasting is believing.

Immediately upon entry, patrons are greeted with a tall stand-alone menu with individual cards to read, as well.  Then, the pathway up to the register is filled with an array of culinary items, such as from Bodum pots, unique (to me) chocolate bars, cookies, and specialty sodas, to a variety of wines and beers. 

Like other establishments in which I have eaten, a table number allows runner to bring the meal to you after ordering and paying for the meal . Tasting is believing is right! The first time I went, I had the I had the Spinach and Peach Salad with peaches, spinach, strawberries, Gorgonzola, golden raisins, almonds, and raspberry vinaigrette, while my friend ate a chicken sandwich sweetly fastened together my a toothpick and a lollipop.  I was sold instantly.  The vinaigrette wasn’t too sweet and went beautifully with the spinach.  The second time I ate at Fresh to Order, I tried the Mediterranean Salad with Oriental Apricot Dressing, a salad of mixed greens, feta cheese, tomatoes, Kalamata tapenade, grilled onions, toasted almonds, fresh herbs, red grapes. The Oriental Apricot Dressing dressing?  Matched up with the tapenade and other flavors?  Heaven! The, as if the flavors weren’t enough, all the salads plates was garnished with a fresh-baked, lightly sweetened croissant. Both salads were fantastic.  And, of course, I love that the dishes gave me inspiration to try similar types at home.  Nonethless,  my goal for the rest of my summer vacation is to work my way through the salad menu.  I am thinking the panini will work well in the fall.

When diners are finished with the meal, items are to be left on the table for bussers to clean the table area for the next guests.  I found, on both occasions, the runners and bussers to be very pleasant and polite in their interactions and when answering questions.  I point this out since (I find) the state of customer service now-a-days is to be desired.  My ears and eyebrows perk up when I experience agreeable interactions on more than one occasion.

Do you have a Fresh to Order nearby?  The location section of the website only has in metro Atlanta and Chattanooga.  Hopefully, if there isn’t one already, Fresh to Order will open soon in your area.  If not, there are franchise opportunities available.

I thought my date was joking when he told me going to 300 Atlanta is more like heading to a club than a bowling alley; he kept claiming 300 was more an experience rather than a simple bowling outing. He wasn’t kidding and I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t gone.  The website’s question is spot on… Is it a trendy club? A hot new bistro? Or an upscale sports bar?

Because I was on a date, we went later in the evening.  Fortunately, we arrived before the evening cover charge.  Yes, a cover, complete with security guards at the entrance. How much, you ask?  On Fridays, the cover is different for women and men, $5 and $10 respectively.  Sundays cover is $10 for women and $20 for men. Regardless of cover, an electric buzz is evident the minute you walk inside, bar tables to the right, ball rental to the immediate right, and lanes to the front.  Numerous giant projection screens face patrons at the head of each lane, alternating programs. The evening I went, choices included golf and music television, then the DJ’s spins took over the background sounds.

Each pair of lanes comes with an assigned server for drinks, food, or questions. A little different from other bowling alley fast/carnival-type food, 300 Atlanta offers a variety of culinary choices.  While there is no shortage of drink choices at the bar with their array of wines, cocktails, and beers, the executive chef has put together an extensive menu.  We started the Grilled Chicken Quesadillas and Classic French Fries appetizers, then our fullness stopped us from proceeded further. But, should one choose to go with a main meal, the menu has something for everyone, from salads to char-grilled steak burgers, specialty sandwiches and pizza, and desserts.

The DJ, pool tables, mixing and mingling made 300 Atlanta a fun experience.  I can’t wait to go back so I can (a) play better so I don’t bet my butt whooped again and (b) try some more of their food.  If you every get to Atlanta, 300 Atlanta may be a place you want to try in the Ashford-Dunwoody area.  For those of you who are planners and budget your money accordingly (as we all should), the prices are per game:

Monday – Friday, before 5:  $5.00
Saturday - Sunday & Holidays, before 5:  $6.00
Evenings, after 5 pm
Sunday – Thursday: $6.00
Friday – Saturday: $8.00
Shoe Rentals for Adults, Children & Seniors: $5.00

300 Atlanta
2175 Savoy Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30341
(770) 451-8605