Gravity Pub (Atlanta Georgia) - Dive Bar

Gravity Pub
Dive Bar
East Atlanta
1257 Glenwood Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30316-1964
(404) 627-5555
http://www.gravitypub.com/

DARIO THE AVERAGE MAN WRITES:

The Foodie has been telling about Gravity Pub since last year. She raves about how it is such a great place and how she  loves to hang out there and play the jukebox. To be honest, I never really thought that I would like Gravity Pub. I went in fully expecting some weird hippy bar but wait.........................It was a weird hippy bar but it actually did have a unique vibe.

It was not crowded at all which I really like and it had a very homely feeling even though it was my first time there. Have you ever been somewhere and enjoyed yourself and then when someone asks you why, you don't have an answer. Well, that is how Gravity Pub was for me. We sat in a booth with wooden seats and the only entertainment was a jukebox and an interesting battle of the minds of the sexes. Why do women not want certain men yet they want that guy to want them? Hmmmmmm... Think about that ladies and get back to me so I can write a book and make a million dollars. Anyhow, I guess I should say something about the food. I orderd some hot wings. Excuse Me....... SOME HOT AS HELL WINGS!!!!!!!!!!

Oops, did I put that picture up? Sorry, I meant HOT AS HELL WINGS!!!!! Aaah, that's better.

They were very hot and I can't remember up to this very moment why garlic flavored wings tasted like drummettes dipped in Cayenne Pepper. Aside from having swollen lips everytime I took a bite, the wings were actually a lot tastier than I thought they would be. Nonetheless, I experienced first hand that Gravity Pub is definitely not about the food, music or much of anything but again somehow, I will go back. Crazy huh? Don't ask me.......I guess it is just one of those things. It is kind of like when people use "THUNK". It makes no sense at all but you still say it. I said it yesterday.

( B-) - Good Homely Atmosphere To Hang Out With Friends

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

The Vortex Bar & Grill (Atlanta, Georgia) - American (Traditional)

The Vortex Bar & Grill
American (Traditional)
(404) 688 1828
Little 5 Points
438 Morehead Avenue
Atlanta Georgia, 30307
http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/


BIG FAT CHILI DOG
Cover out big weenie with one of three styles of homemade chilis, shredded jack & cheddar cheeses and diced red onions. It's big, fat and messy.                                                                                         6.50

The Porter Beer Bar (Atlanta,Georgia) - American, Bar Food

The Porter Beer Bar
American, Bar Food
Lower Five Points
1156 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA
(404) 223-0393 ‎
theporterbeerbar.com


DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" WRITES:

 
The Foodie and I really did plan to leave the house a lot earlier than we did. We were scheduled to go to the Little Five Points Halloween Parade at 4:00 pm so the plan was to sit down and get some food at about 2:00 pm. So, at 3:00pm, we finally arrived at The Porter. Wow, I wonder if we are both turning into complete and utterly ridicolous procrastinators.
 

Anyhow, we did get there and there were two things that were really good about this place. Firstly, even though there were tons of people there, we got seated really fast. That was refreshing. The second thing was that they served brunch until 4 pm on Saturday. Initially, I was not in the mood for brunch but after scanning their menu, nothing really reached out and grabbed me. At that point, the Foodie informed me that The Porter served brunch. I scanned through the brunch menu and quickly decided on this:

Stu’s Biscuits n’ Gravy* 9.75

chicken sausage gravy, scrambled eggs
Items with a * Get a choice of potatoes resole or southern style cheese grits

I got the southern style cheese grits for my other item and I have to say that the food was amazing. I really liked the country gravy prepared over the eggs and the biscuits. I was actually searching for my eggs when my food initially arrived to my table but after I cut into the dish, I realized my eggs were just underneath the gravy. The gravy had a really zesty, slightly spicy flavor and that did the trick for me. The Foodie did not like it but I really did. She ordered the Shrimp and Grits dish but I did not taste it this time because I had my own side of cheese grits. I just realized that we really eat a HELL OF A LOT of grits. Wow, before I started visiting Atlanta frequently, I characterized grits as a cheap meal along the lines of syrup sandwiches, butter sandwiches, grilled cheese and ketchup packets. I don't feel bad now because just about every restaurant in Atlanta serves grits and that makes it seem much more than an aboriginal American corn-based food common in the Southern United States consisting of coarsely ground corn. Can you tell I copied that definition from Wikipedia? I must tell you that the wikipedia definition and adding shrimp to the dish makes it SUPER classy. I use the word super way too much by the way.

Wow...... It actually does look better it that picture. I feel really really classy now. I better stop watching VH1 reality TV now. I mean.......I better stop mistakenly watching VH1 reality TV. Anyhow, the shrimp and grits served in Atlanta is slowly erasing my asscociation of grits as the porridge that the Bears were eating in the Goldilocks fairy tale.:

Anyhow, everything turned out really well and we finished our food in nick of time. We got to the parade at 3:55 and enjoyed ourselves. My grade of The Porter is:

A - Good Food and Fairly Quick Service

Happy Eating
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Tijuana Flats (Altamonte Springs,FL) -Mexican

Tijuana Flats
Mexican
(407) 478-5974
2401 W State Road 434
Longwood, FL 32779-3694
(407) 478-5974
www.tijuanaflats.com

Ah, Tijuana Flats.  Not sure I understand the appeal, but maybe it was a case of just ordering the wrong thing.  It's no secret that I'm a die-hard fan on Chipotle - from the soft taco's bread to the white cheese to the awesomely seasoned steak - and it's hard to find a good steak taco to top that.

However, I found my steak taco at Tijuana Flats to be extremely disappointing.  The steak was too salty, the taco was nothing special and the cheese was average.  I did enjoy the restaurant's original concept of a try-any-hot-sauce-you-like bar, which I think is an obvious big-hit with the hot-sauce lovers.



I do love my steak tacos...a lot - and I recommend, if you're in the Atlanta area, you stop by Tin Lizzy's for some of the amazing and affordable variety.  And if you're anywhere in the U.S. near at Chipotle, then you already know what the deal is. :)



Always hungry,

Angela "The Foodie"

Cuba Libre Restaurant-Rum Bar (Orlando,Florida)- Cuban

Cuba Libre Restaurant-Rum Bar
Cuban Cuisine
(407) 226-1600
9101 International Dr
Orlando, FL 32819-8124
http://www.cubalibrerestaurant.com/



Papas Rellenas
Roasted garlic potato croquettes filled with beef picadillo. Sweet and spicy guajillo pepper sauce, crispy onions and Manchego crema

Tres Amigos
Trio of empanadas on tomatillo relish: Beef picadillo, olives and raisinsChicken, corn and Jack cheesePulled pork, roasted poblano and charred tomatoes.Baby spinach salad, goat cheese ranch dressing


Camarones con Cana
Pan seared sugarcane skewered jumbo shrimp, mango BBQ glaze. Crispy Anaheim pepper stuffed with creamy quinoa, sweet potato and cheese. Roasted Cubanelle crema. Guacamole Cubano.



Paella Nueva
A paella of pan roasted Mahi-Mahi, shrimp, clams, mussels, squid and black rice. "Mojito" salsa verde and chipotle allioli.

Lil Dizzy's Cafe(New Orleans, Louisiana)- Cajun, Creole

Lil Dizzy's Cafe
Cajun/Creole/Louisiana, Coffeehouse/Cafe
(504) 569-8997
1500 Esplanade Ave
New Orleans, LA 70116-1805

DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" WRITES:

"How yall doing?"

"If you ain't got your name on the list, please see my right now"

"I don't want to hear that bullshit."

"Tell him to get me a bus pan....... Right now!!!!!! "

"If I was not here, this place will be outta control"

Those were the many sounds uttered out of the Creole-Cajun owner of Lil Dizzy's Cafe. I want to be clear when I say that Lil Dizzy's is small, cluttered, noisy and the service was not the greatest. Really, this place was almost like waiting in line at your favorite club.

The most surprising thing about my experience at Lil Dizzy's is that everything that would typically make a  restaurant experience horrible actually contributed to the uniqueness of this place. The crowded, cluttered feel with the unedited dialect actually made it feel like I was eating at a family member's house for Thanksgiving or some other holiday. Strangely, I enjoyed that type of environment because it put me in a state of relaxation and comfortablity. With all the forgetting to bring silverware and the owner using foul language to get his crew running right came the best and most unique brunch that any place in the world can offer in my opinion. It can only be done like this in New Orleans. Here is what the buffet consisted off:

Macaroni & Cheese, Gumbo, Ribs, Fried Chicken, Hot Sausage, Eggs, Grits, Creole Potatoes, Red Beans

Yes!!!!!! I actually ate Ribs, Grits, Hot Sausage, Eggs and Red Beans all in the same meal. Wow, doesn't that sound like the most diverse meal you can ever have? The diversity of the Brunch Menu was almost like watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Anyway, THE FOOD WAS ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, AMAZINGLY PERFECT. That is what I call an overuse of adverbs......... or adjectives.......How about just an overuse of words? Anyhow, a restaurant in New Orleans rarely ever fails to deliver in  unique cuisine flavor and Lil Dizzy's definitely followed that trend.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!!!!

Laissez les bons temps rouler is a commonly used phrase in New Orleans. It is one of those weird sayings that you will know if you are from the "Big Easy". This phrase often comes up during Mardi Gras season on local T.V. and radio. It is said to be some sort of  French phrase that means "let the good times roll". I read that it was originally attributed to the Cajuns whose French ancestors came to live in Lousiana in the pre-colonial days.

Lil Dizzy's delivered tremendously and good times were rolling baby. In fact, the good times were rolling up until the point when I got home. I realized that I went to a buffet and messed around and gouged myself.

A - Great Food with a Homely Feeling

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Smitty's Seafood (Kenner, Louisiana)- New Orleans Style Seafood

Smitty's Seafood
New Orleans Style
(504) 468-1647
2000 W Esplanade Ave
Kenner, LA 70065

Catering, Fresh & Boiled Seafood, Hot Lunches, Shrimp, Seafood Boils & Fish Frys, Seafood Boats, Platters, Oysters, Overstuffed Po-Boys, Etoufee, Fish Fry's, Gumbo, Jambalaya, On Your Site Seafood Boils


Good Service
Went Twice
Shrimp - overcooked
Hot Sausage - not great

Quartermaster Store (New Orleans,La) - Deli & Po-Boys

Quartermaster Store
Deli & Po-Boys
(504) 529-1416
1100 Bourbon St
New Orleans, LA 70116-2710

DARIO " THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY WROTE 9-17-2009:


In 24 years living in New Orleans, this was my first time going to Quartermaster's. I must say it looks like a dump, smells like a dump but it delivers like the Taj Mahal.

One of the things that I always look forward to when I visit New Orleans is getting an Authentic New Orleans Hot Sausage Sandwich with fresh french bread. The Hot Sausage has a very unique, spicy flavorful sandwich yet it is not too "HOT". It is vital to get some fresh french bread that is not too soft and still has that element of crispiness that really makes the sandwich great. I attempted to get a hot sausage sandwich at another seafood place but the taste was not even close to Quartermaster's. On top of that, the cooks were extremely nice as they showed the true meaning of Southern Hospitality.



Quartermaster is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with free delivery. Quartermaster's was awesome but too bad it really looks like this:































B- Good Hot Sausage, Nice Cooks But is a Dump. LOL!!!!!

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Rise Sushi Lounge (Atlanta,GA) - Sushi Bar,Asian Fusion,Tapas Bar

Rise Sushi Lounge
Sushi Bar, Asian Fusion,Tapas Bar
Neighborhood: Downtown
300 Marietta St
Atlanta, GA 30313

(404) 477-0947

www.risesushilounge.com

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

Rise is a fairly new restaurant in Atlanta, and one of many that seem to have opened on Marietta Street over the last two years. I've passed it several times (since it's near work) but had never been interested in stopping to check it out. Not that it's not a decent-looking restaurant from the outside; it's just not that interesting looking, and comes across like many of the new sushi-serving restaurants that are popping up all over the city.

But Atlanta Restaurant Week always gives you a reason to stop into new places. If you're unfamiliar with the week, it's when several local restaurants offer three-courses-for-$25 menus. After checking out the special menus at the participating restaurants, "Average Man" chose Rise.

Once we entered, we noticed the lack of people in the nice, clean-looking interior that came across a little too cold for my taste. However, the staff was all very friendly and warm. After finding out they were out of plum wine (darn!) our waitress advised me to try a certain dessert wine because it tasted like Sprite. Curious as to how any wine could taste like Sprite yet cost that much, I took her recommendation. It, of course, did not taste like Sprite but was brilliant nonetheless. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the wine, but I'm sure this same waitress will be there to advise you.

I started off with some shrimp dumplings that were tasty and satisfying followed by the chef's recommended sushi platter. I definitely have no complaints about the food - I enjoyed both dishes - but neither was salivating-worthy enough for me to crave returning to Rise.

However, after seeing the variety and creativity of the restaurant's small plates, my arm could probably easily be twisted to return and test out a few.

Always hungry,

Angela

SteamHouse Lounge (Atlanta,GA)-Seafood, Dive Bar

Steamhouse Lounge
Seafood, Dive Bar
Neighborhood: Midtown
(404) 233-7980
1051 W Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 8-24-2009:

One of the most important things that I am learning from "The Foodie" is the power of the patio. She has a patio at her house and she hangs out on her patio like it is a world famous beach at least twice a week. In the beginning, I never got the loveliness of the patio but I am starting to get it. I am starting to understand. I am starting to become a believer in the power of the patio. I feel more and more relaxed as I continue to eat outside at restaurants. The reason I was not a huge fan of it before is because when I was growing up in the deep south of New Orleans, we never got excited to hang outside because it was always extremely hot and we were always was outside. Unlike northern states or colder climates in the world, it was just a normal thing so it never presented something different. I have officially overcome the curse of the New Orleans heat and humidity though. I am really warming up to THE POWER OF THE PATIO at restaurants. The major appeal of the The Steamhouse Lounge is not from a food standpoint. The appeal of The Steamhouse Lounge stretches way past food. In addition to the patio, the servers were really nice and attentive and that was the icing on the cake that made the atmosphere cozy enough to take that deep breath and proclaim, "Wow, this place is sort of nice". Also, I did not feel like the other customers were really close to me. Have you ever been somewhere where the tables were too close and you can kick the leg of a person at the table next to you? I hate that!!! The Steamhouse seating arrangement is definitely not cluttered like that and I tend to like that. The only issue with the patio was that it started raining. However, before that, "The Foodie" and I were kicking out our legs and drinking like tourists from another country. It was really cool. We even invited some of our friends the second night and they seemed to absorb the vibe like we did. My friend actually called me a few days later to ask me the name of the place we went to. It is something about the Steamhouse Lounge that draws people in. Anyhow, here is a picture of the patio:

Again, the food was not great but I do recommend the Broiled Oyster Sampler. I am from New Orleans so I know how great oysters are suppose to taste and I fully support the spice and flavor of the Oyster Sampler at The Steamhouse Lounge. Also, if you are a mixed drink type of person, I think the Rum Punch and the Gombay Smash is right up your alley. You ABSOLUTELY know that I had to taste both and I was not disappointed. Here is what we had to eat and drink in two visits to The Steamhouse Lounge:


BROILED OYSTER SAMPLER (2) - 10.00 (2nd time without Garlic Parmesan)

2 Rockefeller, 2 Monterey & 2 Garlic Parmesan

FRIED SHRIMP 10.00
served with french fries, hushpuppies, tartar or cocktail sauce

SHRIMP & SCALLOP QUESADILLA- 8.75
Shrimp, scallops & Monterey Jack in flour tortillas with a side of salsa

FROGMORE SKILLET "Best Single Dish Skillet"- Atlanta Magazine"- 12.50
"BEST SINGLE SKILLET DISH"- Atlanta Magazine Oysters, shrimp, corn, potatoes, & sausage in a spicy butter sauce

BARBADOS RUM PUNCH-7.00
Mount Gay, tropical juice and spices

GOOMBAY SMASH - 7.00

Cruzan coconut rum mixed with orange, pineapple, & lime juices topped with dark rum

B- Good Atmosphere and Nice Servers

Happy Eating,

Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Noche ( NE Atlanta, GA) - Tapas Bar

Noche
Tapas Bar
(404) 815-9155
Virgina Highlands
1000 Virgina Ave
NE Atlanta, GA 30306-3669
http://www.heretoserverestaurants.com/


Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley 9-13-2009:

Noche was an interesting place to eat. I had never heard of the Tapas concept so when The Foodie suggested it to me, I was thinking, "Hmmm, do I want to eat here?"For those of you who don't know,Tapas is the name of a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as puntillitas, which are battered, fried baby squid) We had to wait a while to be seated because it was $10 Tapas Monday. That place was crowded like a welfare line so that was not too much fun either.


















When we finally got our named called, they were throwing food at us like beads at Mardi Gras.














The small portions of food came out every 10 minutes or so. It was actually a lot better than I thought because I got to taste a lot of different things. After they brought all the portions out the first time, we got to choose which ones we wanted extra off. Here are the Tapas that were served:

Mushroom Risoto
Empanadas
Casear Salad
Three Breads With Different Spreads (Salmon, etc...)
Chicken and Rice
Spanish Fried Potatoes With Roasted Red Pepper Dipping Sauce
Grilled BBQ Salmon with Jicama Slaw

I really enjoyed the concept and the food was pretty good and it was a great price. I liked the Mushroom Risoto and the Empanadas the best. If you are ever in Atlanta, go and visit Noche in the cool Virginia Highlands neighborhood and I guarantee you will have a great time. Trust me.....I write a food blog read by.......ah.......I don't know who actually reads it but it is still cool to say I write a food blog. lol!!!!! Anyhow, my grade for Noche is below:

B - Good Fun and Great Concept

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Bauern-Stube (Orlando,FL) - Authentic German

Bauern-Stube
Authentic German
(407) 857-8404
8015 S Orange Ave
Orlando, FL 32809
http://www.bauern-stube.com/

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

Living in a city as big as Atlanta, I'm amazed at the lack of German restaurants. Although I haven't ventured out to Kurt's and Vreny's in Duluth yet, I did go to the Village Corner German restaurant in Stone Mountain and it was not thrilled. Not only was the brotchen (German rolls) unlike any I had ever had in the country, the schnitzel with spätzle wasn't either. Not that the food was bad - it just didn't taste like what I had growing up in Germany.

When I went to see "Average Man," we decided to go to Bauern Stube, and I was a happy camper, to put it tamely. The food was great - definitely not high-end cuisine, but quality, authentic, German food at a reasonable price. I had spätzle with cheese as an appetizer and a wienerschnitzel with a potato dumpling for an entree. Although we sat outside, I loved the glimpse I got of the homey inside with long wooden tables and an accordion player.

The restaurant is small and on the outskirts of the city. It's definitely a place I imagine not many of the Orlando tourists happen upon, and it closes quite early.

But just like I fell in love with Baraonda in Atlanta because it was the first pizza I found in the U.S. that tasted like the ones I've had in NE Italy, I have the same feelings about Bauern Stube.

And sometimes food isn't about how amazing the chef is and the creativity behind it, but the memories attached to those foods. It's comfort food.

Just as I remember the great Italian pizzas I had almost every summer in Italy and the tasty meat and potato-based meals I've had in Germany for most of my life, being able to experience them again always takes me to my "happy place."

Kartoffelpfannkuchen Potato Pancake $2.25
Apple Sauce and Sour Cream

Kase Spatzle mit Butter & Gebratenen Zwiebeln $3.25
Cheese Spatzle with Butter and Browned Onions

Zigeunerschnitzel mit Paprika and Zwiebel Sosse (gut gewurtzt) $16.95
Gipsy Cutler with Paprika and Onion Gravy (spicy)

Sides Dumpling & Red Cabbage

Wienerschnitzel $14.95
Vienna Cutlet

Beer - Paulaner
Pepsi

Il Mulino Restaurant ( NE Altanta, GA) - Italian

Il Mulino Restaurant
Italian Cuisine
(404) 524-5702
Dowtown Atlanta
191 Peachtree St NE # 3
Atlanta, GA 30303-1740
http://www.ilmulino.com/

DARIO " THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 7-6-2009:

Man, I really felt under dressed for this place when I first arrived to the door. It was a very fancy place that had the attitude of essence and elegance. When we were pulling up in my 2002 Ford Explorer, there was an older guy and his wife getting out of a Jaguar giving me that snot nose treatment.(That did not happen. I made that up.) lol!!! However, when we walked inside, there were only two other people there so we barely escaped the embarrassment that we would have faced from the paparazzi had we been spotted at a place with so few people.

We NARROWLY Escaped The Paparazzi !!!

This restaurant was interesting for many reasons. It really was one of those places that stressed service. We literally had three different waiters helping us. There was the normal waiter, the captain waiter and the wine expert. It was confusing because at one point, I thought our original waiter had just left or been fired because he seemed to disappear for a long period of time.

Anyhow, they started us out with an array of breads and appetizers. Keep in mind that these appetizers are the ones that we did not order. One second we were sitting there with just water and napkins and the next second our table was full like the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Indians. It was actually kind of funny. Additionally, in about 15 minutes or so, they cleared all of the "pre"-appetizers off of the table.

After that, "The Foodie" ordered a glass of wine and I ordered a Grey Goose and Cranberry. If you are looking for a cheap date like Thurgood (Dave Chappelle) had with Mary Jane (Rachel True) on the Movie "Half-Baked", this is not the place. My cocktail was $13.00 !!!! WOW!!!!!!

Anyhow, here is what we had for dinner:

Scampi Oreganata

Jumbo Shrimp with bread crumb sauce sauteed with white wine, lemon and garlic served with escarole

Pappardelle with Sausage

Fresh Pappardelle pasta and sausage served in a tomato-basil sauce with wild mushrooms and onions

Tortellinni alla Panna

Meat Tortellini with Cream Sauce and Sweet Peas with a touch of black truffle sauce

The food was good and it was reasonable. We ended up with a $120.00 total bill. However, in hindsight, I felt like I was being a cheap ass and a little bit conservative. There were some items on the menu that was priced as high as $55.00 dollars. Also, I felt that there were a lot of other interesting appetizers that I would have normally tried. The point is not to try something extremely expensive though. For me, if I see something that sounds interesting, I should try it without hesitation. Who am I anyway? I am not the guy who only goes to Applebee's when the appetizers are two for one and order the chicken quesidilla EVERY TIME. I am not referring to anyone in particular but I have seen those type of guys in action and it is pretty funny. (I AM TALKING ABOUT ROY I PIERCE FROM MARSHALL, MICHIGAN. ROY I PEIRCE, ROY I PIERCE, ROY I PIERCE, ROY I PIERCE !!!) What does the "I" stand for? I could never figure that out. Anyway, like I said, I was not referring to anyone that I personally know or worked with and lived with in Jackson, Michigan but I just have the broad mental picture of how I expect that person to look and I can't resist sharing this image with you:

ROY I. PIERCE & DARIO MOBLEY IN AUGUSTA MAINE. ROY HAS THE RED HAT ON AND HE IS THE WHITE GUY!!!!!!!

Yeah, this is not the real Roy Pierce. I honestly just grabbed a random picture off of the internet and really painted a mental picture of what I thought he would look like. Again, This is not really Roy I Pierce. ( Alert: Yes it is. Roy Pierce has the red beard and white shirt and has two fingers off.)

Consequently, I think I need to have another visit to this restaurant and spend about $250.00 bucks and get all the things that I really wanted. I will go back as soon as I get a chance but until then, all I have for you is that Il Mulino's is a very fancy place with good food and amazing service. The food was not mind blowing but it did the trick. My grade is:

B- Amazing Service with Good Food but Not a Place to Hangout and Drink

Happy Eating,

Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

I have a serious problem with laughing, and tend to do it at inappropriate times - especially at restaurants. I tried to muffle by chuckles at Vita when Average Man and I first met our flamboyant waiter, and I did the same when the "show" started at Il Mulino.

First off, I consider myself well versed in the proper way to eat things at restaurants, but I was totally baffled when a slew of wait staff came over to drop off a boatload of food that was meant to be the equivalent of bread/butter at other restaurants. First came the zuccini; then one of the many servers came over with a block of parmesan the size of my head and put thin shavings on our bread plates; then came fourr small circles (each as big as my toe) of some sort of salami; and then several types of bread. I giggled to myself as all the various plates made their way to our table at once from several different servers. It seemed quite theatrical to me (hence my nervous laughter). Then I leaned over and told "Average Man," I didn't know if the non-bread items were meant to go on the bread because some of the bread pieces already had toppings...I still don't know, but it was tasty!

We ordered our food, and - just like Average Man - I felt kind of bad for ordering one of the cheaper things on the menu. We were getting first-class service, Average Man's water was refilled every time he took a sip and we just had a boatload of free, unrequested food brought out to us. However, I came to eat tortellini alla panna (a favorite dish of mine growing up) so that's what I got.

The shrimp oreganata appetizer was delicious and I'd definitely have it again. The tortellini alla panna was good, but nowhere near the best I've had.

All in all, I enjoyed myself, but was happy when we got out of there and went to Hand in Hand to sit outside on plastic chairs and enjoy cheap drinks. After leaving Il Mulino, I felt like I had just been in a stuffy museum and wanted to "let my hair down." Great service, good food, but not really a scene I could regularly get into.

Always hungry,

Angela "The Foodie"

Restaurant Eugene ( Atlanta, GA) - American

Restaurant Eugene
American Cuisine
(404) 355-0321
Buckhead
2277 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30309
http://restauranteugene.com/index.html


DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 7-2-2009:


Have you ever been in an intense debate and realized that the person you are arguing with is making very valid points also? After the exchange is over, you go home, let everything sink in and then state to yourself in the confines of your home,"Wow, that guy had some good points." This is always one of those eye or ear opening experiences for you because you realize that even though you are passionately pleading for your cause, sometimes things are just not set in stone so both views can be simultaneously right. I know you have done or witnessed this before. Come on, you have definitely seen this happen before. Okay, do you remember this?













"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."











That was his side of the argument. I know you guys remember this:



"We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons -- the very weapons the dictator tells us he does not have."



That was his side of the argument. A debate in which both parties may be right is so common that both of these presidents got into an argument that had "more than strong counter arguments" against them. Consequently, I have devised a little list for you that can never be debated against. It is 100% factual and you will never go home with that bewildered feeling of "debate failure" ever again.


1) Titanic is the highest grossing film ever:


http://www.imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross?region=world-wide












2) Bill Gates is still the richest man in the world:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/11/worlds-richest-people-billionaires-2009-billionaires_land.html











3) Halle Berry is the most beautiful 42 year old that you will ever see










See, these facts are NON-DEBATABLE!!!!! They are undeniable!!!! If you engage in an argument about any of these topics, you will simply not lose. This is what I consider the Veal Sweetbread at Restaurant Eugene's to be. It is an absolute, undeniable fact that this is the best single item that I have had at any of the restaurants I have been to so far.

"The Foodie" and I went to Restaurant Eugene and the food simply blew us away. Restaurant Eugene is an upscale, expensive place but it delivers in every way. The setting was gorgeous and we were seated in a high booth that was very comfortable and unique. The waiter was excellent, super informative and the food was out of this world. Here is what we had:


veal sweetbreads, duck egg, bottarga and green garlic


Georgia Shrimp
Georgia Corn, Torpedo Onions, Hakurei, Bok Choi, and Ham Broth


levain crusted snapper, white shrimp, soft grits, scallion


Actually, now that I think about, Restaurant Eugene was not that expensive because I had the Sunday Super which includes an appetizer, entree and a desert for $29.95. I actually forgot what desert I had but I know it was good. They usually give you two appetizers and two entrees to choose out of. It is actually a pretty good deal. The food was SUPERB and I am definitely going to go back very soon. Their is something called the Chef's choice for $65 and $85 dollars and it is a sample of what the chef wants to serve you. I think it contains an appetizer, 3 small entrees and a desert. I can't wait to do that. When I do that, I will be sure to write a follow up review. My grade for Restaurant Eugene is:


A- GREAT SETTING, AMAZING FOOD AND GOOD PRICES


Happy Eating,
Dario"The Average Man" Mobley

Canoe (NW Atlanta, GA) - New American

Canoe
New American Cuisine
(770) 432-2663
Vinings Neighborhood
4199 Paces Ferry Road
NW Atlanta, Georgia 30339
http://canoeatl.com/


DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 7-1-2009:

So, from what " The Foodie" and I gathered, their were some pretty famous people at Canoe when we were there. The first person was Katherine Heigel. She is the girl from "Grey's Anatomy". Ah, she is the girl from "Roswell". Okay, are you still not sure who I am referring too? Does the movie "27 Dresses" ring a bell? Hmmmm.... Still nothing huh. What about the movie "Knocked Up"? Ah, the ultimate identification for her has struck again. It seemed like whenever The Foodie said 'Knocked Up" while trying to identify Katherine Heigel to her friends, everyone suddenly knew who she was talking about. Is "Knocked Up" her crowning achievement? To be honest, I did not know who the hell she was either. I saw a girl with a long hot pink dress with huge sunglasses that I thought was semi-good looking but felt like she was one of those wannabe celebrities. Ha!!! It turned out to be Katherine Heigel. Here is a picture of her:





















Still don't know her? Forget about it. Additionally, their were two more celebrities who some refer to as a power couple. This couple consists of G.I. Jane and the Punk'D guy. For the record, I actually thought the show Punk'D was very funny. If you are not sure who I am talking about, you must live under a rock. A picture of them is below:



























We did not actually see them but the waiter made it a point to tell us that they were sitting in the booth next to us. Is it possible that he was lying? I don't know. Who cares? Apparently, Ashton and Katherine Heigel are shooting a movie in Atlanta so that is why they were there. Anyhow, maybe I should get to the point. Canoe is a very beautiful place. We went there for brunch.(What a surprise?) It is tucked away along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River, yet conveniently located in the Atlanta community of Vinings. ( I got that last sentence from their website) Anyhow, we were sitting in a booth that overlooked the river. There is some kind of garden in front of the river. I am not a scenery guy but it was absolutely amazing view that contributed to the consistent excellence of the ambiance. The menu was pretty interesting that was followed up with good food. The food was not super awesome but it was good enough to not detract from the restaurant. Here is what we had:


"Pheasant & Eggs"
two sunny side up eggs, toasted sage biscuit, pheasant ragout 15.95

Grilled Atlantic Salmon
basil whipped potatoes, citrus caper vinaigrette 15.95

Toasted Georgia Pecan & Walnut Pie
spiced forelle pear sorbet, black pepper syrup 8


The Grilled Salmon was actually pretty good aside from the fact that it was more lunch than breakfast and I was kind of in the mood for breakfast. The Pheasant & Eggs was okay too. It was an interesting blend of meat, biscuits and potatoes. The highlight was actually the desert. When I ordered it, I was thinking that it was just a normal slice of pecan pie but it turned out to be ice cream like(sorbet) on top of the pecan, walnut pie on top of a flaky bread like bottom. As weird as it may sound, it actually went together well and "The Foodie" and I devoured it up like there was no tomorrow. The prices were good and the food was good. I will definitely recommend this place to anyone for the beautiful setup alone. My grade for Canoe is:


B- Amazing Dining Setup Overlooking the River With Good Food

Happy Eating,
Dario"THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Chipotle (Atlanta,GA) - Fast Casual Mexican

Chipotle
Fast Casual Mexican
(404) 869-7921
Buckhead North
3424 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
http://www.chipotle.com/


ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

All I can say is BEST STEAK TACOS EVER! I've spoken with people who say Willy's or Moe's is better, but I can only assume it's because they haven't tried the steak tacos.

They're so good, I reward myself by going to Chipotle. Having a bad day? I tell myself to go to Chipotle. And without one near my house, I try and stop at one every time I'm within a five-mile radius.

What makes it so great? The steak is amazing, not like the crappy steak you get at most taco places (I love red meat more than most). Plus, the soft-shell tacos aren't rubbery or hard...it's really soft-taco perfection. And the cheese is to die for! I wish I could find one similar at Publix.

The icing on the cake: Chipotle actually has a conscience and uses naturally-raised pork, chicken AND beef. Talk about setting a great example for the casual food industry.

You also get to watch as your food is made, which is great for me since my orders tend to be on the pickier side: I get steak tacos with light sour cream and extra cheese with nothing else. I'm a meat and cheese kind of gal.

Dario's first experience as Chipotle wasn't as enlightening as mine, but I feel I'm partially to blame because I had talked it up so much, I'm sure he thought it would be the holy grail of tacos.

All this typing has made me want Chipotle...

Always Hungry,

Angela

DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" SAYS:

Yes, it is true that my first experience at Chipotle was not like sex like "THE FOODIE" had made it sound. It is similar to the first time you may watch a movie that someone pushes so hard that you are kind of expecting for it to not live up to expectations. It is kind of like the movie Step Brothers. All of my friends were so in awe of Step Brothers that the first time I saw it, it came off to me as, "Ummmm, it was good but it is definitely no WHAT ABOUT BOB?". What about Bob is the funniest movie ever by the way. Anyhow, let me get back to Step Brothers. The more I watched it, the funnier it became so I purchased it and it is really hilarious. Note to people: If you see a movie first, don't build it up as if it should automatically qualify for the "GREATEST MOVIE AWARD". Let your friend or family decide for themselves and if it is a really good movie, it will speak for itself. My typical response is, "I won't say anything about it. Just go and see it". If they go and see it and they still don't like it........... well, maybe they are just stupid. lol!! Move on and let them soak in a poor state of bad movie judgement. Damn, that joke was corny as hell. Anyhow, that is how Chipotle is. It gets better and better every time you eat there and one day you are going to find yourself going (watching) to Chipotle (Step Brothers) once or twice a week until you get fat from the lack of exercise. My grade is below:

A - STEP BROTHERS IS GOOD AND SO IS CHIPOTLE !!!!!!

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Waitiki Retro Tiki Lounge (Orlando, FL) - Island-Inspired Delicacies of Waitiki

Waitiki
Island-Inspired Delicacies of Waitiki
(407) 481-1199
Downtown
26 Wall St.
Orlando, FL 32801
http://www.wallstplaza.net/

DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" SAYS:

"THE AHI TUNA JOURNEY"

Ahi !!! Ahi!!!! Ahi!!!! All I will say is please ask for the Ahi Tuna. This is a marvelous appetizer people. You have to understand that I am not a "CRAZED" sushi lover like other people and up until this point, I had never had any kind of raw fish. Why would I? I am from New Orleans. I was still trying to catch up with the many ways that "The Big Easy" prepares seafood. Anyhow, also, it has a very nice atmosphere. It is decorated like a small island and it has cozy booths that you and sit at. Additionally, at about 9 or so, there is a bar upstairs. It is called the Monkey Bar. It is a really nice setting. It has couches and has a view of Wall Street on the patio. I love it!!! It is very good for all ages if you want to just chill and hangout. Sometimes the music gets too loud but other than that, it is cool. Anyway, the tuna has some kind of peppery seasoning that sets it apart from any kind of Seared Tuna that I have had. I enjoyed this so much that I have tried tto get this dish at 3 different restaurants and none of them prepared it like this. I even brought my friend truck (not his real name) there and he thoroughly enjoyed. I will tell you another time how he got the name truck. Anyhow, if you are downtown hanging out, I would go there, have a few drinks and get tha AHI TUNA. The actual dish name is:

PACIFIC TERRIFIC
sushi-grade tuna seared, sliced and placed next to wasabi and soy ginger sauce

My rating for Waitiki Retro Tiki Lounge is below:

A - THE GRADE IS FOR THE AHI, AHI!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Imperial Dynasty- (Orlando,FL) -Chinese

Imperial Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
Chinese Cuisine
(407) 786-2266
Longwood
2045 W State Road 434
Longwood, FL 32779
http://www.imperialdynasty.com/


DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" 6-30-2009:

Asian restaurants are always very interesting to me because it seems like the ones I go to are buffet style and a lot of the owners speak broken English and it sometimes came across as poor service because of the language barrier. Imperial Dynasty made me realize that it was not the language barrier that made the service poor at the other Chinese Restaurants. It was just the fact that the people there were just rude as hell. Some people are just plain rude and that is that. It feels like they are upset that we are customers and we want service. Have you ever been to a place like this:

However, this was NOT one of those places. "The Foodie" and I were in the mood for sushi after the whole "AHI TUNA JOURNEY" (see Waitiki review). Consequently, we asked the waitress, who doubled as the owner, to suggest something that contains all of the different sushi items. She was very nice and she obliged. Also, we asked her to suggest some Sake and she proceeded to bring us three different types of Sake to taste. They all had a very unique flavor. I can't remember exactly what she brought us but I promise I will go back to Imperial Dynasty and get the exact names for you guys. Anyhow, I checked the menu and now realize that they made a special plate of sushi for us too. I can't say that any of the Sushi blew me away but it was extremely fun for me to try it because this was my first time trying anything other than the rolls. I had all the straight raw stuff over rice. I did not have many of the rolls. The waitress seemed to be just as excited as I was about trying the Sake and Sushi and I enjoyed the participation and the enthusiasm that she displayed. It seemed genuine and not fake at all like a used car salesman:

Anyhow, I don't think I am in the position to give you an accurate assessment of Sushi since this was my first time so I will leave that to "The Foodie" so please check her review. However, the service was really good and the food was well-priced. If I forced to grade the quality of the food, I would say it was decent. It was not great but it did the job. My grade for Imperial Dynasty is:

B- Great Service With Okay Sushi (This was my first real sushi experience though)

Happy Eating,

Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

Let me just start by clearing up a few things from Average Man's post.  What we ate wasn't made special for us - I chose a platter so we could sample a bunch of different things.  We ordered the Sushi and Sashimi sample platter, and it was decent but did not taste fresh.  However, the service was fantastic.  We went there on a Sunday, and must've had about five different servers stop by the table.  All were warm, friendly and made you feel happy to be at their restaurant.  Plus, I learned a lot about sake from one of the ladies.

Is the sushi great?  No.  Is the set-up nice?  Not really. But it's an affordable place to have some sake, some okay sushi and be around some extremely nice people.  

Always hungry,

Angela

First Watch - (Orlando,FL) - Breakfast,Brunch, Lunch

First Watch
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
(407) 682-2315
Altamonte Springs - Ethan Allen Plaza
249 W. State Road 436
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

DARIO " THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 6-24-2209:

Well, I actually had two visits to First Watch. Intially, "The Foodie" and I visited First Watch and I think my expectations were a little too high. It is set up like a Denny's or IHOP with a very generic lobby, pay at the register and an open kitchen. I did not like that and felt that if they designed the lobby again, they could give it the look of place that is more unique and stylistic which would compliment there food which is really good. Anyhow, here is what I had on my two visits:

Healthy Turkey
Egg white omelette with diced turkey, spinach, feta cheese, diced onions and tomatoes. Served with fresh tomato slices and a dry English Muffin

Power Wrap
Fluffy egg whites, smoked turkey, spinach and mushrooms wrapped tightly in a sundried tomato basil tortilla with Swiss cheese. Served with fresh fruit and freshly made salsa

Chickichanga
Whipped eggs with spicy chicken, homemade chorizo sausage, green chilies, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, onion and avocado rolled in a crispy flour tortilla and topped with Vera Cruz sauce and sour cream. Served with First Watch Potatoes

Burrito Vera Cruz
Scrambled eggs, chorizo sausage, green chilies, onions, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses fill a flour tortilla. Topped with our special Vera Cruz sauce, served with sour cream. Muy bueno!

I also had one Blueberry pancake on both visits and I must admit that the pancakes are the BIGGEST I have ever seen. Anyhow, everything I have eaten of the menu has been really good. The Power Wrap and the Healthy Turkey, which are two items that they feature on their Healthy Menu, was extremely good. That works really well for me because I like to workout and even though it was healthy food, I did not sacrifice any taste. If you are looking for an upscale Brunch place like you may see in Atlanta, this is not the place. However, if you are looking for a place with great prices, good food but with the look of an IHOP, this place is perfect for you. Also, I will say that the food is better than IHOP or Denny's. Anyhow, my grade is below:

B- NOT VERY FANCY BUT GOOD PRICES AND GOOD FOOD MAKE UP FOR IT

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:  

It's always fun to think you might have uncovered a great local breakfast place, only to realize what you've discovered is one restaurant that's part of massive chain just like IHOP.  However, I appreciate IHOP, even though the lighting, seating and atmosphere are horrible (designed to make sure you don't lounge around after eating, I'm sure), you can get some tasty food for dirt cheap.

Well, First Watch is just like IHOP in all the above ways, with slightly more creative menu options.  I enjoyed my Chickichanga very much, partly because of the name (I love puns more than the average person).  And I enjoyed seeing lots of old people, which you see a lot more in Florida.  

So the food was simple yet tasty and the atmosphere made me want to eat and be on my merry way.  If you're a fan of IHOP, then you'll love First Watch.  

Always hungry,

Angela

Chez Vincent (Orlando,FL) - French

Chez Vincent
Traditional French Cuisine
(407) 599-2929
Winter Park
533 W. New England Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789
mail@chezvincent.com

DARIO " THE AVERAGE MAN"MOBLEY 6-23-2009:


Chez Vincent's really gave me the feeling of something special. It had a very different feel from Le Cog Au Vin. The waiter was French, the menu was in french and it just gave me a great unique French feeling as oppose to Le Coq Au Vin just being a French Restaurant being offered by Americans. Firstly, we had the snails for an appetizer people. Yes, I ate snails!!!!!! Snails!!!!!! I ATE SNAILS!!!!!! It actually did not have much of a taste. It was just kind of slimy on the outside. It was not a shock either way. The name of this appetizer was:

Feuillette d'escargots
Sauteed snails in a puff pastry with a Port wine sauce

Have you ever seen the movie Talladega Nights? Well, if you did, I am sure you remember the part where Sasha Baren Cohen broke Will Ferrell's arm. Anyhow, he broke his arm because he did not want to say the word "Crepe". Baren Cohen was suppose to be French and he was talking about an authentic french "Small Pancake" like Will Ferrell so elegantly explained it. Well, that is what "The Foodie" and I had at this restaurant. This is how it read on the menu:

Crepe bourguignone
Sauteed beef tenderloin tips and mushrooms in a burgundy sauce $12.00


Crepe du pecheur
Medley of fresh fish and seafood in a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce $15.00

My Beef Crepe was really good and The Foodie's Seafood Crepe was good also because you know I had to taste it. I wonder if the staff in all of these restaurants wonder if we are weird because we seem "really" excited to taste the other's food. Well, they have to understand that we just like food and we are not trying to be able to eat two different dishes in one outing. Well, maybe we are trying to do that. lol!! Anyhow, like I said, this restaurant had a really nice authentic unique feeling for me and the prices were reasonable and the food was good. I would say that this was a "Toot Toot" experience. That is me tooting my horn for having been there. I will give this restaurant a grade of a A for elegance, authenticity, good food and reasonable prices.

A- Good Food, Good French Feel and Good Crepes

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

Let me first say how much I love the part of town where Chez Vincent is located.  It's a great area to walk around with fun small storefronts and seems to be a cool local area to get away from the hoards of tourists.

When we first walked into Chez Vincent, its white table cloths and penguin-dressed wait staff didn't match up with my chipped plate and homey food presentation.  But I liked that about the restaurant's personality; they obviously cared a lot about certain things but not so much about others.

Firstly, the snails were...snails.  Drowned in garlic like every escargot I've had, they were tasty, but tasted like...well, garlic.

As for the seafood crepe I had as an entree, it was very tasty and I have had cravings for it since.  In fact, it was my first savory crepe ever, and I tried to find as good a savory crepe in Paris recently - but had no luck.

Our waiter, who had an off-putting snooty air about him and seemed to mock our lack of knowledge about French cuisine, was - on the flip side - extremely attentive and humorous with personality for days.

I would absolutely go again, it's a one-of-a-kind place with personality to spare and great food.  As they say in France, fantastique!

Always hungry,

Angela 

Cafe Istanbul (Decatur,GA) - Turkish

Cafe Istanbul
Turkish Cuisine
(404) 320-0054
1707 Church St
Decatur, GA 30033
www.cafeistanbulatlanta.com

DARIO" THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 6-24-2009:

Well, the first thing I think about with this restaurant is "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" because this place serves Hummus as an appetizer. That is the sauce substance that Adam Sandler joked about throughout the movie. However, I did not taste the Hummus because they made it sound pretty gross in the movie. Anyhow, it is hard to remember what appetizers I had because "The Foodie" ordered them for me but I do remember that I did not like any of them.....Let me think......I think we had these:

Borek
Phyllo dough filled with feta cheese, herbs and spinach

Sarma
Grape leaves stuffed with rice, scallions and lemon zest

I want to say that I had this for an entree:

Lahmajune
Lavash bread topped with ground beef, green peppers, onions, and lemon juice. Served with onions and parsley

I am not sure though. Maybe 'The Foodie" can remember what I had. Anyhow, the food was not really impressive to me. I am not sure if it is the fact that I am not a Turkey Food Guy or the food was just not good. I have to stick with my model of "Good Food is Good Food" and just say that the food was not tasty. However, the atmosphere in Cafe Istanbul is great. It is dimly lit, small table arrangement where you sit on the floor on a load of pillows with a candle on your table. That seating arrangement gave Cafe Istanbul a feeling of authenticity for me. They will also provide a Hookah, which is a single or multi-stemmed pipe for smoking, for about 12- 15 dollars. Don't quote me on that but I think it is in that price range. Originally from India, Hookah has gained immense popularity, especially in the Middle East and is gaining popularity in the USA. I am not into smoking a Hookah but if you are into that kind of thing, it is there. I got that hookah explanation from wikipedia by the way. lol!!!!!!! Here is a website that sells them just in case you want to know more about them:

http://www.hookahcompany.com/all_hookahs_37_ctg.htm

Anyhow, it is a very romantic setting. The service was pretty slow though to be honest with you. "The Foodie" was kind of disturbed by these high school kids complaining about the speed of the service. Speaking of high school kids, it must have been "Cool Go To A Turkish Restaurant Day" because it was filled with a lot of them when we were there. If I would go back, it would be for the romantic dark atmosphere where you can hang out with your lady and sip some cocktails. Yes, we had some drinks. I actually just had a simple grey goose and cranberry. Wow, I go to a Turkish Restaurant and have a vodka and cranberry. I am a thug and a bad ass!! lol!!!!!! Anyway (I am starting to say anyway too much), 'The Foodie" tells me that they feature belly dancers there sometimes so I want to go back to see the Belly's!!!! If you want something different, it is a nice place to take your lady on a Friday night. Don't expect great food or really fast service though. My grade is:

(B-) - Average Food But Romantic and Unique Setting With Belly Dancers and The Hookah

Happy Eating,
Dario" THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

ANGELA "THE FOODIE" SAYS:

I don't know why eating while sitting on the ground is so much fun, but it really is great.  

I first went to Cafe Istanbul on my 30th birthday.  Even though I made reservations, I stood by the door for a good 15 minutes trying to get one of the staff to seat me.  After being brushed off by the servers repeatedly, I attempted to seat myself, only to be told that the table I was trying to sit at was reserved.  WTF?   My party was then seated at two unjoined tables in a corner. 

Lesson here:  If no one is helping you, seat yourself.  If you go to the wrong table, at least they'll be forced to pay attention to you and move you.

Fast forward to when "Average Man" and I went.  We walked in, sat ourselves (I learned my lesson), and waited a good 15 minutes to be served.  While some bratty, spoiled teenager complained about the wait at the table next to us, I enjoyed the slower pace of the restaurant, which reminded me very much of Europe, where you take your time at a restaurant and service is slower.   

I had read before ever going to Cafe Istanbul that the servers will ignore rude or disrespectful patrons, and I like this quality in a restaurant.  I always feel for the servers who management requires to smile at all customers, no matter how unpleasant they're being.

I enjoyed the Borek and Sarma appetizers along with popular Turkish beer, Efes, and the food was tasty, but not mind blowing.

"Average Man" was right about the restaurant being "the place" for teenagers to hang out, I'm guessing because they're able to smoke a hookah.  I'll admit, they did distract from my experience because they were loud and acted like...well, teenagers.

I LOVE Cafe Istanbul though.  Even though the food isn't the best and the service is super slow, there are several pluses.  The food is cheap, the ambiance is amazing and sometimes I just need to feel like I'm not in Atlanta.  Cafe Istanbul is one of those restaurants you can go to escape and feel like your elsewhere, especially on weekends when the place is filled with an international crowd with blaring international music.

I don't love Cafe Istanbul for one particular reason, but all the qualities of this dark restaurant located in a small, unassuming shopping center come together to make one of my favorite places. 

Always hungry,

Angela

Strait's Restaurant - (NE Atlanta, GA) - Singapore (Indonesian,Chinese, Indian & Nonya)

Strait's Restaurant Atlanta
Singapore (Indonesian,Chinese, Indian & Nonya) Cuisine
(404) 877-1283
793 Juniper St
NE Atlanta, GA 30308-1326
http://www.straitsrestaurants.com/

DARIO "THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 6-23-2009:

Ah Ha, the Ludacris Restaurant. Well, I have to start with the fact that they did not have free valet parking as compared to a lot of other restaurants that I have been to in Atlanta. Also, one other thing that bothered me was that at the end of the night, the valet service was gone and we had to find our own keys and our cars across the street. However, the restaurant layout was pretty good and it was a good romantic setting that did have very good service. I had this for an entree:

Origami Seabass
Baked en Papilotte, Ginger, Longan, Shiitake Mushrooms, Rice Wine

I also remember that "The Foodie" had this for an appetizer:

Singapore Satay Sticks
Grilled Skewers of Chicken or "Painted Hills" Tri-Tip, Spicy Peanut Sauce

I visited this restaurant with my friend "Party" from Houston and it was okay. The Seabass was presented in a little box like a birthday present which was cool but it did not blow me away and it was a small portion. It did have a very good flavor to it but it was not Halle Berry great. Wow, by the way, she looked very good kissing Jaime Foxx.

The Foodie: What was that?
Average Man : Ah, nothing, I said hurry up so I can help you with this Boxx.
The Foodie: Hmmmm...Okay
Average Man: That was close
The Foodie: What was that?
Average Man: I said let's make a toast.

Okay, let's get back to my review. In my esteemed opinion, Strait's Atlanta seemed to be a little over priced considering the quality of the food but I am interested in going back and trying some other things on the menu. The food was not awesome but it was good and it came in a great little birthday present sort of thing. Also, the waiter put us in a table where we could watch the Denver/LA basketball game which LA won by the way so my grade for Strait's is:

(B-) - Good But Not Great

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Maggiano's Little Italy (Atlanta,GA) - Italian

Maggiano's Little Italy
Italian Cuisine
(404) 816-9650
Buckhead
3368 Peachtree Rd
Atlanta, GA, 30326-1009
http://www.maggianos.com/

DARIO" THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 7-1-2009:

Let's make one thing very clear: I am sure that I will visit this place again. "The Foodie" and I went to Maggiano's but we kind of ran into a stumbling block while we were there. The waiter came out and announced, "We have two huge servings of any pasta for $12.95". Now, you can't deny that this is a marvelous deal but as I was ordering my food in slow motion like Neo from the Matrix, my mind visualized some old guy with no teeth in the kitchen scooping orders onto the plate for everyone taking advantage of the special. You have to believe that everyone was ordering the special. Wait, I am not suppose to order the special. I am a "Foodie In Training". I am a blog writer. Hell, I am cool!!! Well, maybe my imagination was running a little wild with the whole old guy thing:



























Even with that ugly visual in my head, who could pass up a deal like that? I mean even if I am not in a recession, the rest of the world is currently in a recession so spending frivolously is not always the correct path to take. Right? Wrong? Anybody? Anything? When am I going to realize that I am talking to myself? lol!!!! Nonetheless, the pasta that we ordered was not all bad. They were not lick my fingers good but they were not bad either. I will declare that this place was "pretty damn good" but I am confident enough to say, "pretty good minus the damn". Here is what we had:

Rigatoni "D"
Rigatoni pasta, herb roasted boneless chicken, mushrooms and onions, tossed in a light Marsala cream sauce

Baked Ziti & Sausage
Italian Sausage, Pomodoro Sauce and Ziti Topped with a Layer of Melted Provolone & Parmesan Cheeses

Chicken Pesto Linguine
Linguine pasta tossed with roasted chicken, pesto, and pine nuts in a parmesan broth with a hint of lemon.

I actually felt kind of lame for ordering the special but it happened so I have one strike on my belt. Hopefully, you can forgive me and we can move on from this debacle. Like I said though, the food was actually good and the service was good too. I am just upset at myself for not scanning the menu thoroughly and easily going for the first cheap thing that was announced. However, I can't blame Maggiano's for that. Actually, I should probably give them some credit because I actually ended up eating the leftover pasta for a few days. "The Foodie" would have no part of that because that may have jeopardized her "Foodie" status. That just left more pasta for me. My grade for Maggiano's is:

B- Good Food and GREAT PRICE!!!!!

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

Einstein's (NE Altanta, GA) - New American, Breafast & Brunch

Einstein's
New American Cuisine plus Breakfast & Brunch
(404) 876-7925
Midtown
1077 Juniper St
NE Atlanta,GA 30309
http://www.einsteinsatlanta.com/

DARIO "THE AVERAGE" MAN 6-25-2009:

"The Foodie" and I went to Einstein's for brunch. I would say it is a typical, fancy Atlanta brunch place. It had a real unique personal arrangement with their lobby and the menu was interesting to the point where I scanned it 5 of 6 times before deciding on what I was going to eat. Before I got involved in "Atlanta's Secret Brunch Subculture", I had never thought to put certain foods together like salmon and bagels, eggs and sour cream and shrimp and grits. However, now that I have eaten at enough of these brunch places, I welcome the eclectic menu's and high prices if the food is good. The food here was pretty good. Here is what I had:

SMOKED SALMON OMELETTE
Cream cheese, caviar, chives, creme fraiche, choice of side

I had the cheddar grits as a side and that worked for me. I can't remember what "The Foodie" had but this was the exact time that I believe 'The Foodie" started to take notice of my weird habit of "Semi-Good Ordering" on interesting menus. "The Foodie" seemed very interested to taste my dish and the dish was seemed to deliver for her. I found it very interesting in how they put it together with the cream cheese, caviar and chives. It was a strange blend of taste but it worked for me. The only issue was that the caviar did not add anything to it except extravagant presentation. Other than that, it was good. My grade for Einstein's is:

B - Good Food, Interesting Menu & Good Setting

Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley

TOP FLR (Atlanta, GA)-Mediterannean

Top Flr
Mediterannean Cuisine
(404) 685-3110
Midtown
674 Myrtle St.
Atlanta, GA 30308
http://www.topflr.com/

DARIO " THE AVERAGE MAN" MOBLEY 6-29-2009:

Well, The Top Floor was okay to me. The first thing I noticed about the Top Floor was the type of building it was in and the inability to find parking. We had to park pretty far away to get to this place. However, I must say this is a very unique looking restaurant from the outside. It almost looks like a double apartment with two floors. It is kind of hard to explain but here is a picture below:

I know it looks kind of run down in the picture but it is really unique inside. We sat upstairs and it was very intimate and different with a dark setting and the tables. It sort of had the feel for me of my own personal dining area. However, our table was pretty wobbly so that kind of ticked me off. Anyhow, I was not impressed by the food. Here is what I had:

Entrees:

PIZZA - Chorizo, Roasted Onions, Oaxca Cheese, Tomatillo Cilantro Relish ….. 12

Hangar Steak, Lavender, Brandy Green Peppercorn Demi ….. 13

Appetizers:

Lamb Skewers, Daikon Taziki, Cauliflower Couscous ….. 8

The pizza tasted like it was frozen. It was not very good at all. The Lamb Skewer appetizer was so uninspiring that I had to ask 'The Foodie" what we had for an appetizer. However, Top Flr is a place that can suck you in and makee you want to stay for a while because it is so secluded and intimate. However, the food was real good. When I go to eat, I am looking for food that will make me want to slap someone. This was not that kind of place.




The food DID NOT make me want to slap someone.




My grade for Top Flr is:

(C) - Average Food With Unique Restaurant Setting


Happy Eating,
Dario "THE AVERAGE MAN" Mobley