I just had to write about this little gem of a place in Florida as the owners are transplants from Italy and the food is about as authentic as one could get this side of the Mediterranean. Bob and I had concert tickets to see Diana Krall in Clearwater and stayed at the Sandpearl resort on the beach. Just a half-block from the hotel was this restaurant that I had learned of from Chowhound. It would almost be worth driving back down there just to eat here- it is that good!
The daughter came to our table and told us all of the pastas except for the penne, I believe, are made in-house. She explained that penne is generally served al dente and if fresh it would get too mushy in some of their preparations. We could hear from our table the pounding going on in the kitchen, presumably of the veal. So, hearing this, Bob had to order veal cutlets and I ordered the sauteed grouper picatta. My dish was perfectly scented with lemon and doused with capers. The pasta was incredible and I am not a huge lover of pasta, probably because I've eaten too much bad dried stuff. Had we not scheduled a taxi for the ride to the concert, I would have most certainly boxed my leftovers for the fridge in our condo at the Sandpearl. I wanted to try dessert and the daughter recommended the Torta Della Nonna, which is an authentic Italian dessert otherwise known as Grandmother's Pie. It had a shortbread crust with a baked lemon filling, topped with toasted pine nuts, all dusted with powdered sugar. Scrumpy! The recipe is online and I can't wait to make it with the Meyer lemons I bought last week. I promise to report back if I do!
Now just take me to Italy to eat....FB
Monday, February 28, 2011
Bistro Niko Atlanta, Ga
Ooh la la, so I couldn't wait until I ate here three times to post about this great new restaurant in Atlanta! Bistro Niko is operated by the son of Pano Karatassos, a longtime restaurateur in Atlanta and the expertise shows in every detail, from service to food. I only have eaten lunch there, but I suspect the dinner crowd is much like the well-dressed, chic Buckhead crowd that flocks here for lunch in a very bustling piece of Peachtree just north of the Grand Hyatt.
Bob and I were staying in hotels during both lunch visits, so we entered from the street side and you actually are walking into the bar. However, the maitre`d stand is on the back side where there is, presumably, a parking lot or valet stand. The room nearest this entrance and across from the kitchen has a very French bistro feel with its tiles, art, and light fixtures. It is bright, noisy, and has tables for diners. The other dining area has booths and is darker and cozier. The bar area also has booths lined up against the windows for a view of Peachtree. In addition, there are cafe tables on an outdoor terrace for those like me who love to dine al fresco, weather permitting. There is some awkwardness in the hostess' decision-making regarding seating, however. We asked for a quiet table but we were placed in a booth in the center of the restaurant with booths to the left and right of us. She then put a family of five, including an infant seat, in a booth across from us. To the father's credit, he asked to be moved to a banquette in a more private area where there would be less intrusion to those around them. Not to mention there was no place for the infant carrier in the booth!
I think this place is filling the gap for those Buckhead and Brookhaven residents who were used to having lunch at Brasserie Le Coze because the menus here is very similar to that of the now-defunct BLC. It is now repositioned as FAB in midtown, but that would be another blog. Oh, it may already be, I forget. The requisite skate wing is on the menu and of course some wonderful French bread and perfect butter. And the FB loves her French bread and butter! I ordered fish both times I lunched at Niko and both were perfectly prepared. Desserts were very good and rich, as one would expect in a Parisian-styled bistro.
I read that many of the accoutrements were brought in from France and the architecture, particularly the ceilings, reflect this style. We made reservations for lunch and are were glad we did. It gets packed. And if you go there in jeans or sweats, you will be very under-dressed, as this is the place to be seen in your Atlanta-chic best. And that goes for the men as well! FB
Bob and I were staying in hotels during both lunch visits, so we entered from the street side and you actually are walking into the bar. However, the maitre`d stand is on the back side where there is, presumably, a parking lot or valet stand. The room nearest this entrance and across from the kitchen has a very French bistro feel with its tiles, art, and light fixtures. It is bright, noisy, and has tables for diners. The other dining area has booths and is darker and cozier. The bar area also has booths lined up against the windows for a view of Peachtree. In addition, there are cafe tables on an outdoor terrace for those like me who love to dine al fresco, weather permitting. There is some awkwardness in the hostess' decision-making regarding seating, however. We asked for a quiet table but we were placed in a booth in the center of the restaurant with booths to the left and right of us. She then put a family of five, including an infant seat, in a booth across from us. To the father's credit, he asked to be moved to a banquette in a more private area where there would be less intrusion to those around them. Not to mention there was no place for the infant carrier in the booth!
I think this place is filling the gap for those Buckhead and Brookhaven residents who were used to having lunch at Brasserie Le Coze because the menus here is very similar to that of the now-defunct BLC. It is now repositioned as FAB in midtown, but that would be another blog. Oh, it may already be, I forget. The requisite skate wing is on the menu and of course some wonderful French bread and perfect butter. And the FB loves her French bread and butter! I ordered fish both times I lunched at Niko and both were perfectly prepared. Desserts were very good and rich, as one would expect in a Parisian-styled bistro.
I read that many of the accoutrements were brought in from France and the architecture, particularly the ceilings, reflect this style. We made reservations for lunch and are were glad we did. It gets packed. And if you go there in jeans or sweats, you will be very under-dressed, as this is the place to be seen in your Atlanta-chic best. And that goes for the men as well! FB
Zanzoni's Grill Clarkesville, Ga
Just don't go. Trying to kill some time last week, I wandered about the Old Clarkesville Mill, noticing a completely empty restaurant. Shouldn't this have told me something?? I decided to sit down, waste a bit more time (and money), and order lunch. My Caesar salad topped with chicken had an odd taste from the first bite, so I wondered if it was from the stuff that restaurants spray on lettuce to take away the brown. Having kids who worked in food service was helpful to learn these dirty little secrets. The Romaine was chopped in perfect little pieces in which every one had a rib. Now how does that happen? Where are the ends of the leaf that are darker green? The three chicken strips had fake grill marks and were obviously the frozen kind that were simply heated in the kitchen. They tasted weird and fake. Yuck. As my friend, Didi, said, "And you wondered why nobody was there?"
It would be great if someone came in there and had really great burgers with handmade milkshakes perhaps. You know.....bowling food! And, God forbid, beer perhaps?
It would be great if someone came in there and had really great burgers with handmade milkshakes perhaps. You know.....bowling food! And, God forbid, beer perhaps?
Natalie Jane's Clarkesville, Georgia
Wow, it has been a very long time since I have posted anything here, so it's time for me to get "rear in gear"! Lord knows I haven't been sitting at home twiddling my thumbs! Having recently learned that Natalie Jane's will be undergoing some exciting, new changes, Bob and I went for lunch last Saturday. Not sure about everything, but they will be turning the back room into a bar and will feature craft beers- woohoo! It is about time someone discovered this market in our sleepy, little town. I like Natalie Jane's for its quirky, slightly hip, attitude toward the food and service. She has a knack for taking ordinary menu items and creating new versions with subtle, simple changes. For example, Bob ordered the chicken salad sandwich which featured smoked chicken instead of the usual and it was a great twist on a standard. Unfortunately, the tortilla chips which accompanied were greasy and disappointing. My fries that came with my smoked turkey sandwich tasted suspiciously like tortilla strips, so we figured they came from the same tired grease. The sandwich came on wheat berry bread with a feta cheese spread and caramelized onions. Very tasty and more than I could eat.
But now for the best parts! Our server brought over the wine list which formerly was heavy on local Blackstock vineyard wines. He explained that the wine list is being revamped and current bottles had been reduced. This was music to our ears, so we ordered a very drinkable Washington State chardonnay for a mere $16 per bottle. Natalie has catered a party at my house, so I am very aware of her talents with sweets. We ordered a peanut butter gelato that had been dipped in chocolate and drizzled with caramel. Can you say OMG?? Of course, this dessert called for more wine and we settled on the Blackstock Viognier which was acceptable since it is a bit sweet. Our waiter resealed the remainder of the bottle so we could take it home. Isn't this new law great? Now if Georgia would only treat its citizens like responsible adults and allow Sunday alcohol sales....and Natalie would keep pecan pie on her dessert menu.
But now for the best parts! Our server brought over the wine list which formerly was heavy on local Blackstock vineyard wines. He explained that the wine list is being revamped and current bottles had been reduced. This was music to our ears, so we ordered a very drinkable Washington State chardonnay for a mere $16 per bottle. Natalie has catered a party at my house, so I am very aware of her talents with sweets. We ordered a peanut butter gelato that had been dipped in chocolate and drizzled with caramel. Can you say OMG?? Of course, this dessert called for more wine and we settled on the Blackstock Viognier which was acceptable since it is a bit sweet. Our waiter resealed the remainder of the bottle so we could take it home. Isn't this new law great? Now if Georgia would only treat its citizens like responsible adults and allow Sunday alcohol sales....and Natalie would keep pecan pie on her dessert menu.
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