7/7/2009

3/5 stars

Oops. I was just reminded that the Whole Foods in CA stopped carrying that many bulk items right before we moved (year ago or so). I can't bring myself to go to four stars just out of spite about that change.

But it's still a reliable place for *good* meat, produce, and cheese.

7/2/2009

0/5 stars

This is the first Whole Foods I've been in since California, so I may be a bit behind the times… The bulk selection is microscopic. Bulk herbs? Teas? Nope.

Naturally, the cheeses and wines rock. I was going to give two stars (I have experienced much better even from Whole Paycheck), but they highlight local produce, beers, and wines. That's a quick +1 from me.

Yelp tags: Grocery Delis

7/9/2009

4/5 stars

Now *this* is a burger. They offer a human size (5oz), well-seasoned (lemon pepper in my case), well-cooked (ok, medium-rare), and with excellent fries. They also have mongo burgers, extravagant flavors, etc. for people who swing thatta way. But mine tasted like meat. Good meat. And the fries tasted like fries, not fried fish or other dishes. Don't expect shocking, new flavors. Expect good, craving-satisfying food.

Yelp tags: Burgers

7/10/2009

4/5 stars

Glad I stopped here for a rest. Smooth caps, flavor-bomb cupcake/brownie/cheesecakes… And so comfortable you end up running late and have to cut your review sho

Yelp tags: Coffee & Tea

7/13/2009

3/5 stars

Good food in a comfortable place. The deck is great, and I love the basil plants. My shrimp & grits were flavorful, stopping just at the lower border of rich, but the texture was spot-on. The service was excellent: attentive and prompt even when increasingly busy. The servings are generous; my shrimp & grits made two meals. (As a warning, there is a sharing fee.) The only drawback is that they feel a tad pricey. That's why I'm rounding a 3.5 down to 3… Well, that and the bizarre restriction against selling beer on Sunday.

I hate to admit that I didn't even notice the theme. Maybe it was the long drive, or maybe it's because I'm a Florida native. There definitely is a beach house theme, but I'm not sure I'd call it a Key West-specific theme.

Yelp tags: American (New) Caribbean

7/13/2009

4/5 stars

Coffee. That is why this place exists. Well, and art. Both run strongly here. It's Counter Culture coffee, but that's nearly a local roaster in NC. I'm slightly flooded by Counter Culture coffee in Atlanta, so I do wish there were more shops supporting very local roasters, but that is the *only* negative I have on Izzy's.

I've only been here a few times, and I always see the same friendly guy behind the counter. Seriously, he's nothing but smiles and help. The place has been completely clean. The decor is concrete and exposed piping, so dingy describes the decor and not the cleaning state. Perhaps I've just had magic timing, but I'm certainly going to keep going back to check.

Yelp tags: Coffee & Tea

7/15/2009

5/5 stars

Ok, so I've only been here twice. Once was to drop my bike off for a tune-up, the second was to pick it up and get a few other supplies.

The quick point: There was ZERO pressure. No upsell, no added gizmos, no judgmental attitude. And this is a bike shop?

My el-cheapo bike had been in storage more than a year. Now it rides better than when I first bought it. Yeah, the full tune-up feels a bit pricey and requires a wait, but my bike feels better than new. They have a range of helmets, all of which are safe. They don't have a ridiculously confusing collection of lights, baskets, etc. They do have a few of each across a reasonable price range.

If only they could tune up my legs for that damned hill. Oh well. Can't have everything easy.

Yelp tags: Bikes

7/19/2009

5/5 stars

art + city = this tunnel

Some is good, some is lousy, some is great, and all of it was poured out and sprayed out and plastered out from the mind of whomever cared enough to paint for you to see.

Quite a few large cities have no open graffiti areas left, but Atlanta apparently does. I have no idea what the history is, but the present is great. I'll have to come through more often to see the future.

Yelp tags: Local Flavor

7/25/2009

4/5 stars

Now *that's* more like it. This is a market where you can get food. Fruits, veggies, eggs, beef, pork… Good variety and good prices. Not large by any stretch, but the variety and size work well together. Don't expect too many exotics; these are local farms.

Picked up a wonderfully fragrant cantaloupe, purple bell peppers, thick juicy tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots this week. Be sure to make a full tour before deciding. I'm kicking myself because I missed the purple carrots, although those didn't have the greens attached.

Even if I turn to CSAs for weekly produce, I'll likely stop here for extras and to try the meat. Yeah, meat at a farmer's market is pricey, but you'll find you need to eat about half as much to feel happy and satisfied. Seriously, real meat is that much better. I didn't see chicken, alas, and only one stall carries meat that I saw, but they're wearing shirts extolling the joy of pig. What possibly could go bad starting from there? Will definitely work some into my menu next week, and get here earlier.

Yelp tags: Farmers Market

7/25/2009

5/5 stars

Babarella learning the savage forms of Twisted Love as David Lynch plumbs the depths with his bobless line.

"An angel has no memory, " but the waitress knew good beer from bad. Fantastic.

Yelp tags: Pubs

7/25/2009

3/5 stars

Ok, I tend to hide behind my laptop screen, so I understand when others do. But this place's patrons made *me* wince. Every seating surface. One screen, one person (um, including me).

Watch your step. There are power outlets in the floor, and cords are running every which way. Navigating the black snakes with a full cup of coffee is a tad tricky.

But, the coffee is good. And they have Jake's ice cream on days and at times when other places are closed. This is in no way a bad place. It's just kinda off somehow.

Yelp tags: Coffee & Tea

7/25/2009

4/5 stars

California peaches in Georgia feels wrong. But being inland and having the fishies cast their dead stare back mostly through crystal clear eyes rocks. And whole shrimp, heads and all. Oh my. And trimmings. Oooh. Stock time.

This place carries most things you want, but not everything (no little red beans). The meat has grass-fed options but otherwise is typical large producer stuff (but buffalo! they had buffalo! woo-hoo!). Produce is from all over; at least there's an organic option to many items.

Given the happily low prices, I don't think local farmers could do better here than going direct through CSAs or at least other, higher-margin markets. I wouldn't expect a local emphasis. The DeKalb market is definitely a step up from grocery stores in selection and price.

Yelp tags: Farmers Market

7/26/2009

5/5 stars

Fresh boiled crawfish. Cleaned all pretty-like? Nope. De-veined? Nope. Little beady-eyed heads chopped off? Nope. Utensils? Hell, naw, here's a damp rang. Hey, Yelp, where's the sixth star?!?

Expect slurping, splattering, cracking, and all around happiness.

If Bourdain ever has the guts to do a show in Atlanta, I'd bet this is the joint he and the chefs from some hoity-toity place abscond for serious enjoyment of the ingredients themselves. Only not great part is the choice of music, but hey, that's forgivable.

Oh, and check out Ben's photos. His photo from the street really helps. And he's not joking about being in the right lane and going slowly to catch the right.

Yelp tags: Seafood Cajun/Creole