Around Town Restaurant Notes: Reports From A Chef

So a former restaurateur that I recently reconnected with (via family) sent me her thoughts on some places around town.   She briefly recapped her feelings on Craft, Spice Market, Ray’s on the River, and Neo at the Mansion.  Names have been changed to protect the innocent! 🙂

J. Christopher’s Restaurant Review – Midtown, Atlanta, GA

Overall:[rating:0] It’s early AND it’s Saturday AND it’s Valentine’s Day … thus, I’ll be brief.  This morning, I was in midtown, I was hungry, and the nearest thing that wasn’t fast food was J. Christopher’s … ACK!!!!!  I have stopped in at one of their various locations several times over the years; my excuse for …

Required Eating: La Pietra Cucina Next Week

Okay, so here I am … all cool and down with the latest and greatest news around Atlanta.  So sure, I should be working right now…and sure … everyone knows about the James Beard Awards; but, surely … nobody would have a bead on my cool tip for the week.  Well damn Cliff Bostock and …

New Tavern Set To Open Near Piedmont Park

While I have been unable to confirm the name, a new restaurant is scheduled to open in the upcoming weeks in the space formerly occupied by the Prince of Wales.  Early reports are that the tavern will be named Lift.  However, that is unconfirmed.  In addition, I am still trying to get an idea for …

Rare Soul Tapas Preparing To Reopen

Rare, the “soul tapas” restaurant in midtown, is preparing to reopen inside the next sixty-days.  Though you would never know it by their website, Rare closed down in 2008 due to a fire.  To be honest, this is somewhat of a surprise.  While I always thought the concept was interesting, the location for this place …

Man v. Food Visits Atlanta, GA: Vortex, Gladys Knight’s Chicken And Waffles, Big Pie in the Sky

In case you missed it, the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food debuted their Atlanta Episode on January 7th.  If you were unable to catch it, fear not!  The show will be rebroadcast this Sunday at 8pm (that’s Sunday January 25, 2009 on the Travel Channel).  Details after the jump.

Après Diem Restaurant Review – Midtown Atlanta, GA

Overall:[rating:1] For an extended period of time, visitors to the Après Diem website were treated to one of those nasty Go Daddy landing pages.  On a whim, I decided to re-visit the page.  To my surprise, that Go Daddy sprawl has been replaced with a fully functional website.  This rejuvenated effort prompted me to pen …

First Impressions: The Book House Pub – Poncey-Highlands, Atlanta, GA

-“Leslie is out of town, want to go get buck crazy?” -“For realz, let’s do it!” Okay, so maybe that isn’t exactly how things transpired; and no, we did not hit the bottle hardcore on a Wednesday night.  Instead, Chris and I took advantage of his temporary freedom and journeyed over to The Book House …

Woody’s Famous Philadelphia Cheesesteaks Restaurant Review – Midtown, Atlanta, GA

Overall: [rating:2] Philadelphia is the self-proclaimed Cheesesteak Capital.  I’ve traveled to the most well-known spots (Pat’s King of Cheesesteaks and Geno’s Steaks) and I’ve been to each several times over.  Trust me when I say that they are essentially crap on a bun.  You go to those tourist traps for the “experience;” there are better …

First Impressions: Joli Kobe Bakery & Bistro – Midtown, Atlanta, GA

Today, Adam, one of the FB guest bloggers, and I dropped in on Joli Kobe Midtown for a late lunch. It is unfortunately located in the Invesco building on Peachtree. Being a Saturday, parking was not an issue; however, people who dine here during the week often complain of a lack of available spaces. I …