Trippin' with the RealTimShady

Annisa 13 Barrow St New York, NY 10014 Sad news today in the restaurant world: Annisa, chef Anita Lo's intimate, gorgeous restaurant in the West Village will close in May. I had the pleasure of dining at Annisa twice - once alone (I don't remember why I went alone, but I did) and once with Mr. Plow (on a whimsical, impromptu trip to the city). On my first visit, I literally had the dining room to myself. I booked a table for 5:30 and proceeded to luxuriate in 90 minutes of attentive deliciousness. I remember two dishes distinctly: the seared foie gras with dumplings - so rich and decadent - and the unique mille-feuille with strawberries and pink peppercorns. In 2010, while on a Thanksgiving trip to Vermont, Mr. Plow and I made an unplanned road trip to New York. Though it was a last-minute decision during a holiday week, we managed both to find a room at the wonderful Hotel Giraffe and to get a table at Annisa. Once inside the warm, comforting dining room, we decide...

UPDATED: July 2, 2018 Here's a page to bookmark : my list of personal favorites from throughout Metro Atlanta. I've arranged them in three categories: Special Occasions  - for celebrating something special and money is no option Dependably Delicious  - for a comfortable and satisfying escape from a hectic week Casual Comfort  - for consistent, delicious fare that won't break the bank The list below has links to each restaurant's website. Click here to read short descriptions of why and what I love at each spot. This will be a permanent page with a link ( EAT in ATL ) in the column to the right - visit often for updates! Special Occasions Aria Bacchanalia Bones Dependably Declicious Floataway Cafe The Iberian Pig The General Muir La Tavola Miller Union The Optimist Revival Casual Comfort Bocado Food Terminal La Parrilla Leon's Full Service Magnolia Room Pea Ridge Ponko Chicken Shorty's Taqueria del Sol

Bacchanalia 1198 Howell Mill Rd Atlanta, GA 30318 After starting the evening with our favorite gin cocktails (gin and tonic for Mr. Plow, gin gimlet for me), we were treated to not one but two amuses-bouches -- a bite-sized puff pastry filled with cheese and a small sipping cup of cold potato soup topped with pickled onion.  Then the fun really began! For starters, I selected the trochon of foie gras, a sinfully creamy disc of liver served with what appeared to be chunks of - I kid you not - peanut brittle. The buttery warmth of the foie gras in combination with the crunchy sweetness of the brittle was an unexpected delight. Mr. Plow started with a heaping bowl of pan fried sweetbreads that had been stewed in a luscious brown sauce with potatoes and onions. Who knew pancreas could be so delicious? Seriously, that bowl of "sweetbreads stew" could make for some mighty expensive comfort food! For the main course, Mr. Plow selected the deliciously savory gril...