Just after the beginning of the year I took advantage of an extended weekend to visit friends in Atlanta.  As is usually the case when I’m traveling and visiting other areas, I always like to seek out unique food vendors, kitchen and cooking retailers, as well as restaurants.  I was first introduced to Sun in My Belly Neighborhood Café on a trip to Atlanta in May 2010.   I liked the quirky casual feel and had found several items on the menu to be appealing so I decided to return and check it out again.

Situated in an old hardware store, Sun in My Belly is easy to pass by if you’re not on the lookout.  Despite a sign above the front door, it’s quite unassuming so be sure to drive slow and look for the red brick building with a patio area in front (although in winter the patio isn’t exactly hopping).  The main entrance leads into the take-out counter and looks right into the kitchen. 

Opening off of the entrance are a series of rooms each connected to one another when the walls were cut out to connect the series of multiple buildings which the restaurant occupies.  The casual homey atmosphere is perfect for a lazy weekend brunch or relaxed midweek breakfast or lunch.  Last summer they were doing a series of “Supper Club” menus featuring 4-course menus for $40 that sounded like they’d be fun to experience.

I LOVE breakfast and am always on the lookout for places that have unique offerings to start the day off right.  Even better if they serve breakfast ALL DAY which is the case with Sun in My Belly!  The breakfast menu features traditional tried & true favorites for those who “like what they like” as well as more creative offerings, including a daily quiche of the day and other rotating specials.  On my first visit I enjoyed the Honeyed Ricotta French Toast with Fresh Berries and on my most recent visit, decided to indulge myself with the ultimate egg sandwich…a BLT made with fried green tomatoes and generously spread with a thick layer of homemade pimento cheese! (Something for which I’ve gained an increasing fondness for since moving to the south.)

To quote the Campbell’s soup commercials….it was “Mmmmm, mmmmm….GOOD!”  Breakfast potatoes can so often be a big disappointment, often seeming like an afterthought thrown on the plate to take up space.  The ones at Sun in My Belly were a pleasant surprise, having been prepared from creamy red-skin potatoes and fried up with plenty of onions and seasoning.  Most important of all….they kept my coffee cup filled!

Sun in My Belly – Neighborhood Cafe
2161 College Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30317
404.370.1088 cafe

I love Asheville, NC for the variety of local independent restaurants that it boasts.  Whether casual or fine dining, breakfast or dessert, chances are that you’ll find a great unique spot boasting local flavor!

Here are a few places I visited during a recent trip and would highly recommend:

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

I accidently wandered upon the French Broad Chocolate Lounge as I was meandering downtown Asheville on a Sunday afternoon.  Amazed that it was open on a Sunday and even more so that they stayed open until 11pm I decided to make this an evening stop after dinner (not that I needed one after having previously finished a four-course meal!).

The French Broad Chocolate Lounge originated as French Broad Luscious Chocolates, an artisan chocolate company started by Jael and Dan Rattigan.  The Rattigans are self-taught chocolatiers who previously owned a chocolate and bread bakery in Costa Rica before moving to Asheville in 2006.  Originally selling their chocolates on the internet, through local stores and farmer’s markets, they opened the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in 2008.  Originally they occupied only one story of the three-story building which houses it.  However quickly running out of room they grew to occupy the upper two levels, the third housing their production kitchen.  All of the fine artisan chocolates in the case as well as the pastries and desserts that they serve are prepared in-house.  A refreshing change from so many places that serve the standard thaw-and serve items purchased from major national food suppliers.  They also source many of the ingredients (mint, honey, milk, and many others) from local growers and producers, purchasing organic products whenever possible.

Not being a huge lover of chocolate (a little bit is fine but one or two bites will do me) I decided to try their signature ‘liquid truffle’….a very thick, unctuous, rich demitasse sized cup of chocolate intensity!  Available in a variety of flavors, I chose the lavender honey liquid truffle which was every bit as rich as a truffle, creamy smooth, and full of lavender flavor and hint of sweetness. 

French Broad Chocolate Lounge’s

“Liquid Truffle”

I was probably more entranced by the display of beautiful handmade truffles which were produced in every conceivable flavor combination imaginable.   Flavors included Strawberries and balsamic vinegar, Fig & Port, Lemon and Peppercorn and many many more.  Each is enrobed in a coating of perfectly smooth chocolate and then distinguished in a distinctly different manner to indicate their specific flavor. 

Handmade Truffles by French Broad Chocolate Lounge  

French Broad Chocolate Lounge is open seven days a week and features coffee, tea, and wine as well as a variety of desserts made on premises.  They also have a tasting of local cheeses to accompany wine for those looking to have a savory sample before getting their chocolate fix.  Free Wi-Fi also makes it a great place to catch up on email and do business while treating your sweet tooth.

French Broad Chocolate Lounge

www.frenchbroadchocolates.com

10 South Lexington Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801

Get Directions

(828) 252-4181

Sunny Point Cafe

When it comes to eating out or even at home for that matter….I’m always up for breakfast!  I particularly enjoy restaurants that find it within themselves to go above and beyond the basic egg, bacon and toast offerings.  When I visit a restaurant known for their breakfast offerings, I expect and hope to find some unique dishes, flavors, and unexpected treats.  Sunny Point Cafe does just that!  Located on a busy stretch of Haywood Rd. in West Asheville, Sunny Point is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week and also offers dinner during certain times of the year.

My first visit to Sunny Point was in late 2008 and left such a great taste in my mouth I couldn’t wait to return!  In addition to their extensive menu which offers plenty of enticing offerings they typically offer a variety of chalkboard specials each day.  During this visit I selected from the chalkboard offerings and went for the Italian Hash.

A mixture of fried potatoes, Italian sausage, onions and peppers was topped with two eggs and a red pepper cream sauce.  A delicious, savory, and very filling start to the day!  I also added on one of their signature mile-high biscuits which was tender, light, just slightly sweet and oh so good when thickly layered with the local jam that graces the table.

Sunny Point Cafe

www.sunnypointcafe.com

626 Haywood Road

Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 252-0055

Get directions

West End Bakery & Cafe

Located just down Haywood Road from Sunny Point, the West End Bakery and Cafe is always a busy place.  This was the second time I stopped in to check it out and both times nearly every table was full.  I had just finished breakfast at Sunny Point so was more in search of potential for the next visit and, truth be told….any tempting baked goods that could make for good noshing on the drive back to Savannah.

Immediately upon entering I was overcome by the wonderful aromas of fresh baked goods, freshly cooked breakfast items and the rich deep flavor of that wonderful black elixir of life….COFFEE!    As luck would have it….as I approached the bakery case I was entranced by the absolute perfect vision of bakery loveliness itself….a dinner plate sized Cinnamon Roll!!!!    I knew what would inevitably happen so I tried to take a photo of them through the case but no luck.  The glass provided glare that didn’t begin to do justice.  I purchased one for the drive back and I was right….it never made it home to be photographed for this post.  I can tell you though that even if I had purchased two, I’m still not certain I would have had a photo subject by the time I arrived home.   If for no other reason, pay a visit for their cinnamon rolls…perfect for a long drive home!

(Photos from West End Bakery & Cafe website)

West End Bakery & Cafe

www.westendbakery.com

757 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806-3132
(828) 252-9378

Get directions

What do chefs like to do on their “time off”?   Enjoy great food of course!

I recently found the time to escape town and head up to Asheville, NC.  I had never visited until a couple years ago and now I find myself longing to visit anytime I possibly can.  I know I’m probably viewing it from the “grass is greener” viewpoint and as with any place you visit it’s easy to only see the good aspects, but I have to say…I LOVE Asheville! 

Nestled in the Smokey Mountains of western North Carolina, it really does bring together a unique blending of small town feel with the food, culture, and eclectic aspects of a much bigger city.  Add four seasons of natural beauty and what’s not to love?

What I really love about the town is the fact that there are so many independent restaurants that serve really great food.  My biggest frustration thus far is the fact that I’m never there long enough to try as many as I’d like.  To be quite honest, the ones that I’ve tried I have liked so much I want to just keep going back!

Table Restaurant

Table is located right in downtown on College Street.  It’s a one way street so unless you’re really watching closely it can be easy to pass by if you’re driving.  If you are, and you did, then circle around the block because it’s well worth a visit!  You’ll probably be able to find parking on Rankin street or in a parking garage off of Rankin which is the street running along the side of the restaurant.

Chef Jacob Sessoms and his wife Alicia opened the restaurant about five years ago.  Originally from the Asheville area, Jacob and Alicia moved to New York City so he could attend the French Culinary Institute.  He worked with various chefs and restaurants in NYC and then eventually returned to Asheville and opened Table.    The menu changes daily based on the local ingredients that Chef Jacob is sourcing from the myriad of farms, farmers markets, dairies, and farms in the area.    Jacob designed the restaurant so that the kitchen is up front…he gets to look out the front window of the restaurant to see the passers-by and keep tabs on the weather, while guests get to see the action of the preparation right in front of them!  There is plenty of action too, considering the kitchen is really only big enough for two to be on the line at any given time.  From a chef’s perspective, I really liked the fact that he not only wants to cook great food, but also connect directly with his guests.  The night of my visit he and his sous chef were busy, but still managed to personally welcome and thank guests as they passed by the bar that separates the kitchen from the entryway.

The menu itself is quite tempting.  I was dining on a Sunday night and had originally been enticed by the Sunday night 3 course menu for $35.  They had only one of those remaining when I arrived and I found many more items tempting me than I could possibly begin to sample so I decided to just put myself in Chef Jacob’s hands and let him choose for me.  I opted for the 4 course tasting menu (quite reasonably priced at $50).

The first course was a very interesting black rice risotto with basil-fed snails.  Chef Jacob says he gets the snails from California where they are raised (or at least finished) on a diet of basil leaves which really did seem to provide a faint flavor to the meat.  The risotto wasn’t as creamy as one made with traditional Arborio rice but every bit as delicious.  It had nice consistency and I liked the toothsome quality of the black rice.   This was one of his off-the-cuff creations which often appear on the tasting menus based on what ingredients he’s playing with each day.

Course two was barbecued local beef tongue with miso, black radish and scallion salad.  This was one of the appetizers I had found to be intriguing and was excited for a chance to try it.  The tongue was nicely tender and the fresh flavor of the salad provided a delicious contrast to play off the rich flavor of the barbecued tongue.

        BBQ’d Hickory Nut Gap beef tongue with miso, black radish, & scallion salad

The entree was a duck and white bean ragout topped with a salad of radicchio and candied walnuts.  While I certainly had no problem finishing it I think it would have benefited from a sauce or jus drizzled around the base to provide a bit of moisture.

            Duck and White Bean Ragout

I opted to add a cheese course that included a local blue cheese and French Boucherin which were accompanied by mustard & rosemary poached raisins and tea poached prunes.

The tasting menus include your choice of desserts…definitely the toughest decision of all!  I was interested in nearly all of them but particularly curious to try the Star Anise & Vanilla Panna Cotta with Jalapeno Lime Sorbet.  What intrigued me was the combination of panna cotta with a sorbet.  I typically try to contrast temperature (warm dessert/cold ice cream, etc.) but had never considered serving a sorbet with a custard style dessert.  Different, but it definitely worked!  The flavors were the key….the slight bit of heat and acidity really helped to contrast  and keep the sweetness of the panna cotta from being overwhelming.

One final bonus point for Table is that unlike a lot of other Asheville restaurants, they are open on Sundays. 

Table Restaurant

48 college st.
asheville nc 28801

ph: 828.254.8980
fx: 828.254.8983
em: jacob@tableasheville.com

lunch: 11:00-2:30*
dinner: 5:30-10:00*
brunch: Sunday 10:30-2:30

*closed
Tuesdays

The final morning of a recent trip to Atlanta I decided to try two different pastry-oriented places before hitting the road for home.  I didn’t want to be too full for the drive and thought something to munch on during the drive would also ward off the boredom that sets in between Macon and Savannah (if you’ve ever driven it…enough said, you know what I mean!  If not, make sure you’ve got satellite radio, an ipod, or favorite CD’s because the radio selection is practically non-existent)

First stop:  Bakeshop, a bakery and cafe operation located on Peachtree St. in midtown Atlanta.  It’s owned by the Concentrics restaurant group which operates a large variety of other operations including Parrish Foods & Goods which I visited on a previous trip.  Just like a kid in a candy store, I can be a bit dangerous in a bakery when left to my own devices.    I ended up settling on getting three items for the road: an almond croissant, an enormous apricot and pecan scone, and finally one of their tarts – apricot and pistachio. 

Amazingly enough I did manage to hold off until I reached home to cut into each of them.  The croissant was good but I was a bit disappointed that it was a plain croissant that appeared to have been cut in half and had the almond paste smeared inside rather than being baked inside the dough.  It was good but it didn’t live up to my longtime favorite from Some Crust Bakery in Clarement, CA  that I’ve loved since college days.  (I could sure go for one now!)  My main reason in trying the tart was to investigate the filling.  It appeared to be a mixture commonly known as frangipane which would typically be almonds, sugar, butter, and eggs that are ground into a paste-like consistency and baked in tart shells, usually topped with fruit.  In my baking classes I’ve often suggested using other nuts such as walnuts or pecans but quite honestly hadn’t really considered pistachios.  It was ok but not as flavorful as I’d like.  All was not lost though….the piece de resistance was most definitely the apricot and pecan scone!

Wow, it was good!  A dense moist scone packed with pieces of dried apricots, nice bits of pecans, and the surprise element…small chunks of white chocolate!  It was moist and dense enough that it needed no butter.  I think butter would simply cover up the delicious flavors of the slightly tart apricot, nutty pecans and perfect sweet creaminess provided by the white chocolate bits.

Second pastry stop:  Sublime Donuts, located in a strip mall on Tenth Street near the Georgia Tech campus was referred to me by a friend that had kept a magazine clipping featuring it but hadn’t yet visited it himself.  I love all manner of baked goods but my REAL weakness is for donuts!  I mean REAL donuts…yeasty fried cakes that have enough bite and pull to them without being tough or easily squashed when picked up.  Not the sickeningly sweet puffs of air made by Krispy Kreme or the lackluster things made by other chains.  Until I moved out of California I never realized what  a “donut culture” California really is!  Growing up and then living there I just always assumed that all areas of the country have plenty of independent donut shops producing great tasting donuts.  It wasn’t until I went to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island and discovered that donut chains seemed to be the norm everywhere else. 

Exterior-wise, Sublime Donuts looks like nothing more than any other donut shop.  The uniqueness lies in the variety and types of donuts that they produce.  It’s owned by Kamal Grant,  a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.  According to the bio on his site, his goal is to produce a donut so good it’s worthy of being “someone’s last meal on death row”.   No basic glazed donuts here. 

Some of the options included the Reese’s which was a raised donut with a chocolate glaze, the hole was filled with peanut butter and pieces of Reese’s peanut butter cups in the glaze on top as garnish.  Rather than sickeningly sweet gooey jam, he has opted to create a “Strawberries & Cream” donut which features a solid round yeast donut that is split is partially cut in half and filled with whipped cream and fresh strawberry slices.  Instead of a basic Boston Cream he offers up the “A-Town Donut” which is an A-shaped donut filled with whipped cream and chocolate.  My preferred of the far too many that I ate were the mocha flavored A-town (similar to above but with coffee cream filling and chocolate glaze), and the Dulce de Leche!  As one might expect for the uniqueness of the donuts and fillings, prices are a bit higher than a standard donut shop.  Most donuts seemed to be in the $1.50-$1.65 range.  But that’s the price you pay for unique individual quality items that aren’t being made for the mass market.

Addresses:

Bakeshop
903 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite C, ATL, 30308
404.892.9322

Sublime Donuts

535 10th St.

Atlanta, GA  30318

404-897-1801

The next morning I was seriously tempted to go back and try yet another item but forced myself to avoid falling into a rut.  After searching various options I decided to try Highland Bakery near the Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward area of downtown Atlanta.  Located in an old brick building it has a front counter bakery area featuring everything from individual breakfast pastries to cookies and breads.  The restaurant area is located at the opposite end from the bakery counter and serves lunch items as well as breakfast.  The seating area is simple but I enjoyed the almost “industrial” feel of it with exposed brick walls, tall ceiling, and simple light fixtures with vintage-style bulbs hanging over the concrete dining counter.  Once again, my server was quick to arrive and provided me with great attentive service and once again the most important thing…kept my coffee cup full and hot!  One of my reasons for choosing it was the interesting array of options that their menu featured.  Not as extensive as the Social House, it still had many creative items you don’t find on every breakfast menu.   Wavering between the Sweet Potato Pancakes and the Cilantro Corn Pancakes I decided to consult my server.  I was happily surprised to discover that a half order of the Sweet Potato Pancakes was also available (but not listed on the menu…ask for it!).  So I decided on a tw0-course pancake breakfast!  Cilantro Corn Pancakes for the “entree” and a single sweet potato pancake for “dessert”

Cilantro Corn Pancakes
Served over black beans and topped with 2 fried eggs, sour cream,
salsa, shredded cheese, and cilantro
$9.95

Sweet Potato Pancakes
Lightly sweet southern style pancakes served with a warm
caramelized brown sugar syrup and toasted pecans
$7.95

The corn pancakes had just enough sweetness to bring out the flavor of the savory elements without creating a battle of flavors.  The egg and beans were a nice addition too as I was in the mood for a protein element for a bit more lasting satiety.  No need to worry about that…I was stuffed for the rest of the day!  The sweet potato pancake  was WONDERFUL!  The waitress offered to bring the brown sugar syrup on the side as it could be too sweet for some people but I wanted it the way it was envisioned for the menu and found it to be perfect.  Perhaps it was because I had previously enjoyed the savory pancakes and the sweetness was a good counterpoint but I’d certainly be willing to try a full order with the syrup on them!

Highland Bakery

655 Highland Ave, #10

Atlanta, GA  30312

404-586-0772

I recently visited Atlanta for the winter wholesale gift/retail market.  As I usually do when traveling, I wanted to check out some new places to eat. 

My favorite meal of the day is would have to be breakfast.  First, because it’s the only meal that both savory and sweet play major roles  Sticky sweet pancakes and pastry are equally at home and expected as are savory omelets, eggs and meats.  Second, it’s comforting.  There’s something about breakfast that makes it a perfect “comfort food”.  Third, it’s inexpensive in relation to other meals.  Finally, it’s great anytime of the day!   (Which although I have a disdain for chain restaurants, do admit to a guilty pleasure of enjoying Sonic Drive-In.  What’s not to love about a place you can get a breakfast burrito, crispy tater tots and hot coffee anytime of the day???)

My first breakfast stop was The Social House,  a fairly new restaurant opened in 2008 by the Lorenzo Wyche group of restaurants.  It’s located on Howell Mill Road (see end of post for address/contact information), not far from I-75 in the Berkley Park area of Atlanta.  It’s easily accessible from downtown via Howell Mill Rd. without having to even get on the often stand-still interstate.  They bill themselves as a breakfast restaurant but they also serve an array of sandwiches and soup for lunch guests.  In my opinion it’s nothing terribly exciting from the exterior, it’s clean and painted darkly, sitting back from the road a  bit it would be easy to miss if it wasn’t for the sign.  Additionally a used car lot next door also acts as a bit of a distraction.  Once inside however it’s a different story.  I immediately felt “at home” with the comfortable casual vintage Americana-style decor.  The walls are painted a calming robins-egg blue and they sport vintage tole-painted trays very effectively mounted as wall art.  A vintage bicycle is suspended in the vaulted ceiling over the center tables of the main room. 

Upon being seated I was immediately greeted by my welcoming and attentive waiter who wasted no time in bringing me the most important thing of the day…my initial cup of joe!  (And thankfully kept it filled throughout my stay).  I was very pleased with the menu because what I love about breakfast is the myriad of ways in which it can be elevated from standard eggs/bacon to any number of creative dishes.  Quite honestly I could have been quite happy eating there every morning of my visit as there were so many interesting and delicious-sounding items to choose from.  I was definitely wishing I had other people to join me so that we could sample more items.  Unable to make a decision I asked the waiter of his favorites and the primary guest favorites which led me to order the Georgia Chicken and Blueberry Waffles.  My savory and sweet flavors all in one!  The chicken was a boneless breast that was breaded and fried.  It came out steaming hot and nice and juicy.  The waffle didn’t have as many blueberries as I had maybe expected but I can’t say that I was disappointed either.  Definitely a great start to a busy day! Unfortunately I didn’t have the forethought to take my camera inside to take pictures so you’ll just have to use the powers of your imagination.

Stay tuned for other breakfast places later this week!

Do any of you have favorite restaurants in Atlanta?  I get up there a few times a year and am always looking for different places to try.  If you have a favorite please share it with the rest of us!

The Social House

Phone: 404 350 1938
Fax: 404 350 1939
1663 Howell Mill Road,
Berkley Park,
Atlanta Georgia 30318

Weekdays 7am – 3pm
Weekends 8am – 4pm