Top Places to Eat in Atlanta

by Guest Blogger on October 22, 2012

Top places to eat in Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia is home to numerous restaurants serving a diverse number of cuisines. Diners should have no difficulty finding a place to eat in the area given the numerous restaurants in the city. Residents of the city are notorious for being picky and mercurial,  taking a liking for a certain cuisine one day and then turning to another cuisine the next week. This makes the restaurant scene in Atlanta even more interesting.  Here is a rundown of some of the top places to eat in Atlanta, GA.

Restaurant Eugene
2277 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta,GA30309
(404) 355-0321
www.restauranteugene.com

Restaurant Eugene is named after the grandfather of owner Linton Hopkins, who also happens to be a chef. The restaurant showcases various local products like Georgia sturgeon caviar. The restaurant also combines vegetable dishes with meat like chicken jus and chanterelle puree.  A top choice is the seasonal vegetables featuring recently harvested produce. The desserts are also surprisingly great tasting like the mouse and apple pate with yogurt streusel. Diners will also love its wide array of wine. Diners should expect to shell out a good amount when dining in this restaurant with five courses averaging $75.

Holeman & Finch Public House
2277 Peachtree Road Northeast
Atlanta,GA30309
(404) 948-1175
http://holeman-finch.com/

Holeman & Finch Public House is regarded for its gourmet animal part dishes that are not for the faint of heart. Here, expect edible delights like marrow, seared cow heart, veal brains, lambs brains, chicken feet and sweetbreads, among others. It has won multiple awards from various bodies, like best bar for cocktails, best restaurant for burgers and for having the best new chef of 2009. All the hype surrounding this restaurant is understandable with its impressive array of dishes. Burger lovers should check out this place- and line up to become one of the few who can taste the 24 burgers prepared just for the entire night. The 24 burgers are coupled with house-made buns, hand-cut fries and specially made ketchup, pickles and mustard.

Bone’s Restaurant
3130 Piedmont Road Northeast
Atlanta,GA30305
(404) 237-2663
www.bonesrestaurant.com

Bone’s Restaurant is one of the top steakhouses inAtlanta. It boasts of a wine cellar with over 20,000 bottles and selections.  Some of the recommended choices are the Sautéed Wild Salmon with braised white beans and Edwards bacon, Mixed Grill ( Filet Mignon, Lamb and Pheasant Sausage), and Crab Stuffed Trout with haricots verts and Marcona almonds. Diners should also expect topnotch service here.

Miller Union

999 Brady AvenueNorthwest
Atlanta,GA30318
(678) 733-8550
http://www.millerunion.com

Miller Union stands out with its philosophy of farm-to-table dining. Simply put, what is harvested for the week will determine the dishes served on the table. Some of the top choices in the menu are duck leg confit, cider braised cabbage, whiskeyed apples; sauteed quail, sweet potato, farro, peppers & arugula; and seasonal vegetable plate. The wine list is also quite extensive. Miller Union is named after the stockyards that were once located in the restaurant’s present site.

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The Best Southern Recipes

by Guest Blogger on October 22, 2012

The Best Southern Recipes for Dinner

Sothern cuisine has been popular all over the US, and here we have selected two of the best southern recipes for dinner.

Fried Steak

Ingredients

Round cubed steaks – 2 pounds
All purpose flour – 2 cups
Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
Chicken broth – one can
Vegetable oil
Salt – 2 teaspoons
Pepper – two and half teaspoons

Directions for Preparation

Over the steaks, sprinkle evenly about half teaspoon of pepper and salt, and keep it aside.

In a shallow dish mix one and half cups of the all purpose flour, and one teaspoon each of pepper and salt. In a separate bowl take a cup of water and baking soda, and stir until the powder is dissolved.

Take a heavy skillet, pour about half an inch of vegetable oil, and keep it on the fire until it is adequately heated to about 360 degrees, without letting the oil smoke. Now dip a piece of steak in the water and baking soda mixture, and then dredge both sides in the mixture of flour. Place the steak in the skillet and let it fry for about four minutes on each side, until it gets a golden color. Drain excess oil by placing the fried steak on wire rack. After all steak pieces are fried keep them warm in an oven with the temperature at 225 degrees.

In the skillet drain off the oil, but let about two tablespoons remain along with small pieces of cooked meat. In this, add a quarter cup of flour, and a teaspoon of pepper, and whisk continuously for about a minute on medium heat. Now add the chicken broth and continue to whisk for about five minutes until the mixture has got the required thickened consistency.

Now, serve the fried steaks with this delicious sauce.

Grilled Chicken and Barbecue White Sauce

For the Sauce

Blend the following ingredients well together

  • Mayonnaise one and half cups
  • Horseradish two teaspoons
  • One teaspoon each of salt and sugar
  • One tablespoon each of coarsely ground pepper and spicy mustard
  • White wine vinegar, quarter cup
  • One clove of minced garlic

This sauce can be stored for over a week when you place it in an airtight container and refrigerate.

For the Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

Ten thighs of chicken
One tablespoon each of onion powder, paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano and dried thyme
Half a teaspoon each of pepper and salt

Directions

Rinse the chicken thighs and dry them by patting gently. Make a mixture of the other ingredients, and rub it on the chicken evenly. Take a zip lock bag and put the chicken in it, and place the sealed bag in the freezer for about four hours.

Take out the chicken and discard the bag. Grill the chicken on a covered grill with lid, on a medium heat of 350 degrees. Each side can be kept for about 10 minutes, however to be sure, that it is cooked insert a thermometer in the thickest portion, and it should register 180 degrees.

Serve hot with the barbeque white sauce.

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Southern California Cuisine

by Guest Blogger on October 22, 2012

The Best of Southern California Cuisine

Southern California cuisine is very much influenced by Mexico, given the proximity of the area to the country. Traditional Cal-Mex cooking is very much embedded in good ole Southern California cuisine. With the dense Mexican-American population in the state, it is not surprising that Mexican cuisine has a great influence on Southern California cooking. Fusion cuisine, or the integration of disparate cooking techniques, also traces its roots t oCalifornia. As such, dishes like California-style pizzas have become recognized globally.

Residents of South California have also a preference for vegan dishes, especially since the state is known to be a good producer of vegetables. South Californians have a preference for salads and other vegan dishes. Likewise, Asian dishes are making a mark in the region because of the growing number of Asian immigrants in the area.

Lola’s Kitchen

1244 E Main St
Barstow, CA 92311

Lola’s Kitchen is a casual dining restaurant that serves authentic Californian-Mexican dishes. Some of its recommended dishes are Gloria Special which is pork with chili verde over salad, bean tostadas, burritos, Pico de gallo and soft tacos. Diners should expect to shell out under $10 for an entrée.

George’s Pizza

116 West 5th Street
Holtville, CA

This is a local favorite in California that is known for preparing California-style pizza. Located some 250 miles southwest of Los Angeles, George’s Pizza is popular for its pizza especially its pepperoni and mushroom variety. Even actor John Travolta reportedly is a big fan of this local café.

Ocean Star Seafood

145 N. Atlantic Blvd. #201-203
Monterey Park, CA 91754

Ocean Star Seafood has set the standard in dim sum in Southern California. It serves fresh dishes like seafood fried in nori seaweed as well as the typical rolls and buns that Chinese cuisine is known for.

The Spot

110 2nd St
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

The Spot is a haven for vegetarians. Some of its popular dishes include whole wheat burritos and sandwiches, meatless meatloaf with mushrooms, brown rice, walnuts, salads and bake tofu. Italian cuisine lovers should try the restaurant’s whole wheat pastas and delicious marinara sauce.

Meanwhile, anyone can enjoy a Southern California dish at home. One of the most well-loved meals from the region is California salad bowl.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 avocado
  • 14 cups olive oil
  • 14 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 12 cups mayonnaise
  • 12 teaspoon salt
  • 59 oz green olives
  • 3 oz shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 green onions
  • 2 diced tomatoes
  • 1 romaine lettuce
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 cup corn chips

Instructions:

  1. Using a blender, mix the lemon juice, avocado, mayonnaise, garlic, hot pepper sauce, olive oil and salt. Process until the mix becomes smooth.

2. Toss the ingredients in a large bowl together with the cheddar cheese, tomatoes, green olive, green onions and corn chips. Put avocado dressing before serving.

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Southern Dinner Recipes

by Guest Blogger on October 22, 2012

A Close Look at Southern Dinner recipes

Dishes from the southern part of the United States are influenced by various cuisines like Native American, English, Irish, Scottish, German and African American.  Corn is the staple food in this side of the United States. Pork is also a fixture in southern USA dishes, with barbecued meat a centuries-long favorite by families living in the area. Vegetables like black eyed peas, okra and collard greens are also grown in the South. Desserts are also popular in this part of the country with popular dessert like chess pie, pecan pie, watermelon and sweet potato pie.

Here is a rundown of two popular staple meals in Southern USA dining.

Southern Fried Chicken

What You’ll Need:

  • Chicken pieces, about 3 pounds
  • A cup of flour
  • Half cup of mil
  • Melted vegetable shortening
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons of bacon grease
  • Cast iron skillet

How to Cook It:

  1. Rinse the chicken.
  2. Mix salt, pepper and flour in a plastic bag and shake until blended.
  3. Douse milk into a bowl.
  4. Place the cast iron skillet on a stove and set it to moderate heat.
  5. Put melted vegetable shortening on the skillet to at least half of skillet. Put the bacon grease as well.
  6. Soak several chicken pieces into the milk and place them in a separate plastic container. Shake it well.
  7. Take out the chicken pieces and place them in hot oil. Be sure the chicken pieces won’t crowd the pan.
  8. Fry the chicken pieces for 20 minutes, or until they become crisp and golden brown in color. Turn over the pieces using tongs and put the heat to lower setting. Continuing frying for the next 15 minutes.
  9. Repeat this procedure with the other chicken pieces. Add bacon grease and shortening if necessary.

Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham

What You’ll Need

  • Corned bone-in ham, about 10 pounds
  • Cabbage
  • 2 pounds of kale
  • 1 pound of onion
  • 2 tablespoons of celery seed
  • 2 tablespoons of mustard seed
  • 3 teaspoon of ground red pepper
  • 2 ½ teaspoons of salt
  • 1 teaspoonTabascosauce
  • A bunch of scallions
  • Cheesecloth

How to Cook it:

  1. Chop the onions and greens and mix seasonings.
  2. Cut the ham in 2-inch slits on 45-degree angle. Interchange 3 pockets and 2 pockets and make sure they are not alike.
  3. Put the seasoned stuffing into the slits.
  4. Place the ham in the cheesecloth and tie it to close.
  5. Put the ham in the pot and douse with water. Boil it slowly for 20 minutes, or until the temperature hits 160°.
  6. When using the precooked ham, lessen the cooking time by around 30 minutes
  7. Let the ham cool in water by letting it stand for 2 hors.
  8. Remove the ham and drain
  9. Put the ham in a refrigerator overnight and serve.

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Best Southern Restaurants

by Guest Blogger on October 22, 2012

Top restaurants in the south serve classic Southern food, along with American comfort food which has proven profitable for chains. A top draw is Pit barbecue (barbecue cooking meat, usually Beef, Goat or Pork and root vegetables in earth ovens) which is popular all over the American South; There are several individual family style restaurants based on the cuisine of the American South chains with popular as well as classic items of Southern cuisine on their menus, Like:

  • Beef Jerky:  Salted beef loin shriveled to one-tenth of its actual size. In the process the loin twig becomes the embodiment of umami.
  • Burger with Gin Sauce:  Neither too thick not too thin, swabbed with a sauce of mustard and gin.
  • Catfish of Pork:  The tenderest cut from the tenderloin of a hog  – Shoulder, belly, ham, or catfish with a sandwich.
  • Cheesy Western:  A combo of omelet, a disk of egg and peppers with a greasy, griddle-cooked burger.
  • Chicken Stew: Threads of tender chicken, speckled with black pepper, this buttery and milky concoction has few, if any, barbecue house analogues.
  • Fried Chicken: Deep-fried paprika-spiced chicken enrobed in a parchment-thin crust.
  • Hot Sausage Wrap: A little less spicy, but the grease within packs a flavor wallop.
  • Hot Tamales: Vestiges of early-twentieth-century Mexican farm worker immigration, tamales are the Delta’s fabled snack food.
  • Mutton Sandwich: From the shoulder of an older lamb, streaked with yellow fat, smoked with a swirl of sassafras and hickory.
  • Pork Chop Sandwich: Milk-battered and fried pink slips of pig before slathering the buns with mustard, slaw, and chili sauce.
  • Pork Neck Bones and Rice: Cartilaginous neck bones with a stout and soulful gravy, served over white rice or sauerkraut, sopped by buttermilk flatbread or hot-water cornbread.
  • Roast Beef Po’boy: Garlic-bobbed gravy from po’boy.
  • Scrambled Hot Dog: Oysterette crackers atop a drift of chili, puddled in a canoe-shaped bowl. Underneath, a chopped hot dog. Added to that, somewhere is a bun.

Some Top Southern Restaurants Across the USA

Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles
Los Angele’s best southern soul food. Landmark place with most of delicious southern food in the menu.
1514 N Gower St, LA
323-466-7453
http://roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/Google Map

Georgia Brown’s
The humble ingredients of the South (shrimp, cornmeal, catfish, grits and sausage) are elevated to a higher art in dishes like fried green tomatoes stuffed with herbed goat’s cheese, and fried chicken marinated in sweet tea.
950 15th St NW, Washington DC
202-393-4499
http://www.gbrowns.com/
Google Map

Army & Lou’s
A notch above similar establishments. Famed for Fried chicken, catfish, collard greens, sweet-potato pie and many other classics.
422 E 75th St, Chicago
773-483-3100
Google Map

Clark’s Fish Camp
Florida’s Southern ‘Cracker’ cuisine of gator, snake, catfish and frog’s legs while surrounded by the surreal animal menagerie of ‘America’s largest private taxidermy collection.’ This swamp shack is incredulous.
12903 Hood Landing Rd, jacksonville, FL
268-3474
http://www.clarksfishcamp.com/
Google Map

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