The Unofficial Foodie Review: September 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

FoxSports Grill (Atlanta, Georgia) - Sports Bar

Fox Sports Grill
Categories: Sports Bars, American (Traditional)
261 19th St
Atlantic Station
Atlanta, GA 30363
Neighborhood: Atlantic Station
(404) 207-1369
www.foxsportsgrill.com/atlanta

Monday, September 20, 2010

Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant (Kennesaw, Georgia) - Mexican

Los Reyes Mexican Restaurant
Category: Mexican
777 Townpark Ln NW
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 420-9181
http://www.losreyesrestaurant.com/

Every once in a while, you may stumble into a place where your expectations are low but then after you leave, you are more than pleasantly surprised. It's kind of the same feeling I had when I saw Batman Begins. I was all "Batmaned" out from the ridiculous sequels after the first Batman with Jack Nicholson. I was very close to being done with Batman all together. The only reason I went to see this new Batman was because I am kind of a nerd for comic book movies.

Well, on today, I am a nerd for Los Reyes!!!!!!

(THAT'S NOT ME BY THE WAY!!!!)

The first thing that turned me into a Los Reyes Nerd was the Margaritas. They were exceptionally well made and trust me, I know what a good margarita tastes like considering I get one almost everywhere I go. Secondly, I had the sizzling fajitas for dinner and they were several notches above what you may get at a Chili's or your normal chain Mexican Restaurant like On the Border. Matter of fact, that was the best sizzling fajitas I have EVER had!!! (Disclaimer: I do not go to a lot of Mexican Restaurants but I will start to in an effort to give you better insight) In addition to that, I recommend this amazing white cheese that we got on the side for the fajitas that was extra soft and tasted a lot different than the processed cheese you may get at another place. Similarly, the onions, red and green peppers were different as well as they seemed unusually, unbelievably fresh. Thirdly, they had a Mexican Band that I never thought I would see other than on Heartbreak Kid or The Three Amigos.

Los Reyes took "The Foodie" and I by storm and we went two times in two weeks only to drink two pitchers of margaritas in two weeks......... Oh, and to eat. lol!!!!! Both times were great and I have no complaints.

(A) - Good Margaritas and Good Soft White Cheese

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Eleven at Loews Atlanta (Atlanta, Georgia) - Contemporary American, Mediterranean

Eleven at Loews Atlanta
Category: Contemporary American, Mediterranean
Neighborhood: Midtown
1065 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia, 30309
(404) 745-5745
http://loewshotels.com/

I am always kind of leery of restaurants that are a part of a hotel because for some reason, my mind leads me to believe that the restaurant is not trying to function in and of itself but just trying to play second fiddle to an extravagant hotel. The Foodie, The Foodie's Mother and I had reservations at 8:00 at this restaurant. Of course I was early and The Foodie and here mom was late because they had trouble finding the place. Even though I did not drink before they arrived, I was fairly impressed with the lobby bar. Here is a picture below:

The Foodie and her mom arrived a little after 8. It happened to be Midtown Restaurant Week in Atlanta................. Okay, I knew it was and that is one of the reasons we picked this place. Okay, we are cheap but I have to get some discounts every now and then considering that I have been to 145 different restaurants or bars since June 2009. Give me a break!!!! Anyhow, they had a pre-fixed $25.00 dollar menu. The Foodie and I got the exact same thing which was the Georgia Banks Pan Seared Scallops with Smoked Gouda Cream Corn as a first course, Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Sweet Potato Mash as my second course and The Warm Chocolate Gateau with hazelnut ice cream and griottine confit as my third course. I must admit that I have had better Duck Breast. It wasn't bad but it just did not want to make me want to slap somoene.

Anyhow, even though The Duck Breast was not Great, The Scallops with Gouda Cream Corn was amazing!!!!!!!! The corn and scallops blended well together and the corn was definitely a unique taste. It is hard for me to explain what it tasted like so just go and taste it for yourself. I loved it and so did the Foodie and if The Foodie loved it, it had to be good. With the Scallops saving the entire meal, I would give the food a (B-). The atmsosphere was very quiet, not too crowded, dark, romantic and personal just like I like it so I give Eleven an A for the ambiance. All in all, here is my grade:

B - Great Quiet Atmosphere and Great Pan Seared Scallops and Creamed Corn as a First Course

Happy Eating,

Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Friday, September 10, 2010

Tin Lizzy's(Atlanta,Georgia) - Mexican ,Caterers

Tin Lizzy's
Categories: Mexican, Caterers
415 Memorial Dr
Atlanta, GA 30312
Neighborhood: Grant Park
(404) 554-8220
www.tinlizzyscantina.com/grantpark/

Peachtree Tavern(Atlanta, Georgia) - Bars

Peachtree Tavern
Category: Bars
3179 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
Neighborhood: Buckhead
(404) 842-1700

Hole in the Wall (Atlanta, Georgia)- Dance Clubs

Hole in the Wall
Category: Dance Clubs
3177 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30305
Neighborhood: Buckhead
(404) 233-9801
http://www.holeinthewallatlanta.com/

This place has absolutely nothing to do with food but "The Foodie" and I have been to this place twice now and we have found it to be a lot more interesting then we initially thought. The top task to do in this place is definitely "people watching." The two times we went to this place we saw this strange white guy who wears a long sleeved button down shirt who just dances wrecklessly with as about as much rhythm as an elephant. Still, it has to be some sort of a moral victory for the guy to go out on the dance floor and humilate himself week after week.

Secondly, we see the professional black dancer guys who stand on the stage, wear weird outfits and do weird seemingly choreographed dances together like they are on "So You Think You Can Dance".

The first time we went those weird dressed, stage dancing guys were really into one of their routines. As they were dancing, this weird short guy who was about 5'3 wearing penny loafers just stared at them with a divine focus that you only see in lying lawyers or PETA workers. He also had a weird pony tail haircut that was bald in the front. If I did not know any better, I swear that he was about to clear the floor and start breakdancing.

However, he just stood in a gaze and calmly walked away. Finally, we saw the "Pretty Ricky's" who seem to admire themselves more than they admire women. All in all, if you add in the people watching with the drinks and the homely atmosphere, it is actually an okay place to go and dance to hip hop/top 40 music if you are bored on a weekend in Atlanta and you don't want to pay an expensive cover charge.

(B) - Good Music and Good People Watching

Friday, September 3, 2010

Mike's Sports Page (Charlotte, Michigan) - Bars

Mike's Sports Page
Categories: Bars
107 S Cochran Ave
Charlotte, MI 48813
(517) 543-9849

Livingston Restaurant & Bar (Atlanta, Georgia) - American (Traditional)

Livingston Restaurant & Bar
Category: American (Traditional)
659 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Neighborhood: Midtown
(404) 897-5000
http://www.livingstonatlanta.com/

I think I might have talked about this in one of my previous reviews but I can't remember so I will mention it again. Last month The Foodie and I were on our " Hotel Restaurant Tour." Yes, I did talk about this. I remember now. I mentioned that I am a little leery of hotel restaurants because in my mind, they are only an addition to a hotel as oppose to vice versa. Well, Livingston's is a hotel restaurant. The first thing that pops in my mind about Livingston's is where we sat. It was about 7:00 pm and it was a beautiful day so The Foodie and I decided to sit outside. When I first met The Foodie, I used to wonder why she wanted to sit outside. Livingston's is the reason why. Sitting at Livingston's ,which is almost directly across the street from the Fox Theater, truly gave me a feeling of a fabulous dinner. If I am not mistaken, it was Dragon Con. Dragon Con is a North America multigenre convention, held annually in Atlanta, Georgia. The 40,000-plus-member convention encompasses five hotels in downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park, and is hosted by a 1500-member volunteer staff. Dragon Con was launched in 1987, as a project of a local science fiction and gaming group, the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR), founded by Ed Kramer. Basically, if you need some clarification on what Dragon Con is, it is a comic book nerd festival. Maybe that is why I felt extra cool at Livingston's. I guess anyone can feel cool when you are looking at a 45 year old man walking down Peachtree Street in a Predator outift.

Anyhow, aside from the "Cool" view, there was nothing extremely exciting about Livingston's Restaurant. I was in one of my "What is that, let me try it modes" so I decided to get the following:

Braised Rabbit 22.

orecchiette / kale / olives / crispy garlic

It was okay. It was kind of like beef stew but instead of beef, it was rabbit. It sounded a lot better when the waiter was explaining it. He sure did a good job of hyping that up but it was cool. I had fun people watching and the food was decent.

(B) Okay View and Sit Outside Please

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley

Craft Atlanta (Atlanta,Georgia) - American (New)

Craft Atlanta
Category: American (New)
3376 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
Neighborhood: Buckhead
(404) 995-7500
http://www.craftrestaurant.com/

"Buckhead Restaurants are overpriced and the food is overrated." That is the constant theme I hear from The Foodie whenever we attempt to go to a Buckhead Restaurant to dine out. Well, you have to know that I do not believe anything unless I see, hear or taste it for myself so recently, I have become more curious in trying Buckhead Restaurants. On this fine day that we visited Craft Atlanta, we had an Open Table Spotlight deal for $25 dollars off of our meal. That was a pretty decent deal. Now listen carefully to me in my next statement: Although the restaurant was expensive, the food did not disappoint at all!!!!!! I always tell people that as long as the food is good, I have no problem paying the dollar, dollar bill yall.

My reason is because I consider myself a food guy and not a " price to food ratio guy, if ratio is too high, I don't like the restaurant". Wow, I wish I know the meaning of what I just said. Who cares? Anyhow, as I was saying, if the food is good, my mind does not let my heart deny it. Period!!!! In addition to the good food, the layout, scenery and the ambiance of this place was absolutely sensational. It was an upscale place with a great wait staff and the place really gave me a royal feeling. For dinner, The Foodie and I had the following menu items:

Muscovy Duck Breast & Confit Leg 37

Berkshire Pork Rib Chop 34.*

We also had about 2 drinks each.......... OH SHIT (sorry for cussing), I almost forgot that along with my food obsession, I also consider myself a random specialty drink connoisseur. The Americano Specialty Cocktail on the Craft Atlanta menu is THE WORST SPECIALTY DRINK I HAVE EVER HAD!!! Craft, if you are listening, please take that SHIT (not sorry for cussing) off of the menu!!!!

Okay, let me get back to my regularly scheduled program. The food was actually WELL ABOVE AVERAGE. The food delivered for me and what I especially liked was the Berkshire Pork Rib Chop. It was very tender and not dry like a normal pork chop dish usually is.That was undoubtedly the best dish of that kind I have ever had. The Foodie agrees with me there. My Duck Breast was also good but that was not the best I have ever had. I am a HARSH DUCK BREAST CRITIC FOLKS!!!!!

Lastly, you are probably wondering what we ended up paying for this lovely meal. With my $25 dollar Open Table Spotlight deal, the total for this meal came to $92.00. So that is a total of $117. Was it worth it? I will answer that in my most straight, direct, absolute unwavering tone of voice: Yes and No.

(B-) FOOD WAS GREAT but the Americano Cocktail SUCKED!!!!

Happy Eating,
Dario " The Average Man" Mobley

The Original Chocolate Bar (Decatur, Georgia) - Desserts, Chocolatiers and Shops, Bars

The Original Chocolate Bar
Categories: Desserts, Chocolatiers and Shops, Bars
201 W Ponce De Leon Ave
Ste C
Decatur, GA 30030
Neighborhood: Decatur
(404) 378-0630
www.thechocolatebardecatur.com

Diego's Mexican Village (Detroit, Michigan) - Mexican

Diego's Mexican Village
Category: Mexican
1 Detroit Metro Airport
Romulus, MI 48174
(734) 941-4065

Eaton's Place (Charlotte, Michigan) - Restaurants

Eaton's Place
Category: Restaurants
218 S Cochran Ave
Charlotte, MI 48813
(517) 543-6630

Crawfish Shack Seafood (Atlanta,GA) - Seafood ,Cajun/Creole

Crawfish Shack Seafood
Categories: Seafood, Cajun/Creole
4337 Buford Hwy
Ste 170
Atlanta, GA 30341
(404) 929-6789

A close friend of mine that lives in Atlanta invited me to this place recently. I had not seen him in about a month so we were looking to get together, have a few drinks, eat some good food and catch up. As I have said on many occasions, I am originally from New Orleans so when it comes to someone copying The New Orleans cuisine, I think I approach the situation with a slight brick wall.

If I remember correctly, we met on like a Tuesday. I drove down to Atlanta to meet him at his house. We jumped in one car and headed to Crawfish Shack Seafood. We were not sure if they were still selling crawfish because of the time but luckily, they were. Of course, I did not order crawfish. I ordered a shrimp po-boy. After that, my mind begin to interpret the coming events as strange or as I like to call them, "Twilight Zone Events". My friend went up to order and he ordered 4 pounds of crawfish. Almost as soon as he finished his last syllable, I responded with a surprised and bewildered, "Damn, your getting 4 pounds!!!!!"

He responded with a calm, "Yes Man." This is his normal reaction in most situations but in my mind, he said it with a more assured tone of voice. We both waited for our food and it took less than 10 minutes to come out. My shrimp po-boy came out first. It looked normal I guess. However, as I bit into it, there was one problem. The problem was that the bread was extra crispy which I do not like. It was crispy to the point of almost stale. Still, the shrimp were good though and I continued to eat it. About a few seconds later, a 4 pound bowl of crawfish came out.

I have to admit when I saw the amount of crawfish in the bowl, I was more than intrigued but I had to stick to my guns with my shrimp sandwich so when he initially offered me some crawfish, I responded, "Nah, I'm good." So as I was finishing my stale ass sandwich up, I realized that my friend still had almost 2 pounds of crawfish left. Not only that but I noticed that he was sniffling, had crawfish residue all over and he had one eye slightly close as he devoured his meal. If you have ever eaten crawfish, you know that these reactions are a signal that the crawfish is "off the chains".

Anyhow, it was right about this time that I begin to tremble because I felt at that point that my decision of a shrimp po-boy was deeply flawed. I wanted to be the guy with the one eye closed. I wanted to be the guy with his lips swollen and his hands needing a thorough washing afterward. He just kept chomping away and I sat their in utter torture as the healthy, meaty crawfish rapidly turned into empty heads and tails. The funny part was at one point when he looked down at his phone, I actually "snuck" a peak:

When he looked up, I just acted like I was getting a text from my phone when in reality, I had not receive a text in over two hours so all I really was doing was looking at my menu screen.

The crawfish was dwindling fast and I was getting desperate. I wanted some of those crawfish....No, I needed some of those crawfish. I had just finishing eating but the smell and the thought of the crawfish juice in my mouth had me thinking I was one of those skinny kids that can be fed for one dollar a day.

At that point, I made up my mind that I would say forget it, swallow my pride and just ask for some. How can it hurt? All he could say was no. So as I was about to open my mouth to admit that I had underestimated Trey Songz who is an underrated R&B musician and Kyle Orton who is an underrated NFL quarterback that my friend likes and who had become analogous to the Crawfish he was eating, I got the best statement I had heard in a while, "Man, you sure you don't want some. I can't eat all this shit".

He came through again.

(A) - Crawfish was on point!!

Happy Eating,
Dario "The Average Man" Mobley