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Trippin' to Floataway Cafe


Floataway Cafe
1123 Zonolite Road
Atlanta, GA 30306

Roasted Chicken with Bread Salad
Mr. Plow and I consider Floataway Cafe our special neighborhood restaurant, even though we don't really live in the neighborhood. It's close enough, though - and it always feels like a special occasion, even when we're just stopping by for a lovely weeknight meal. Over the years, we've enjoyed sharing Floataway with friends and family (always a hit), but our favorite evenings are when we've settled in at table #36 (our favorite) for a relaxing few hours of much-needed conversation and much-loved food.

This week - partly in honor of the start of the new school year and partly in realization that our free time is about to be extremely limited - we ventured out to Floataway on a rainy Thursday night and, as we were welcomed inside the curtained entrance portal, we instantly felt at home.

Floataway is part of the Star Provisions group, led by James Beard award-winning Atlanta chef and restaurateur Anne Quatrano. (Floataway is often referred to as the little sister of Quatrano's renowned fine dining jewel, Bachanalia, another must-visit for any Atlantan seeking a truly luxurious dining experience.) Located on secluded Zonolite Road - near Briarcliff, near Emory - among a stretch of converted warehouses, Floataway is absolutely tucked away - and that's part of the charm: first you have to find it, like a hidden treasure.

Loup de Mer
While the menu promises seasonal fare inspired by France, Italy, and the Mediterranean, there are some mainstays that are must-orders: the Gulf Blue Crab Fritter, a giant crunchy-soft orb of crab and spices; the Piccolo Fritto, a satisfying fried mound of onions, lemons, squash, and calamari; and the Casarecce, toothsome twisted pasta served with savory veal meatballs, marinara, and parmesan.

On our most recent visit, we shared two delicious starters - Crispy Squash Blossoms stuffed with ricotta and served alongside a candied tomato jam (that would also be tasty slathered on bread) and a Marinated Beet Salad with pistachios, goat cheese, avocado, and grapefruit. Both were excellent.

For the main course I did not hesitate to order one of my favorite Floataway creations - Roasted Chicken with Bread Salad. I find it stupendously delicious - the roasted chicken is placed atop a lightly dressed salad of soft lettuces and crunchy chunks of croutons, allowing the drippings to soften and enhance the greens and bread underneath. Mister Plow went for adventure and ordered the whole-roasted Loup de Mer, a hearty Mediterranean sea bass stuffed with lemons and onions and topped with bright salsa verde. Yet again, both were excellent.

Buttermilk Tart
Often we ask for one dessert with two forks, but that is never the case at Floataway Cafe because all the desserts are spectacular. Mister Plow went for his favorite, the Warm Toffee Pudding with vanilla gelato. I satisfied my sweet tooth with a wonderfully satisfying Buttermilk Tart, tangy and silky and accompanied by fresh blueberries and peaches. Guess what? Both were excellent!

If your looking for a relaxing, satisfying, and elegant night out, get out the map and navigate to Floataway Cafe. You can have the full experience with cocktails and starters and mains and wine and desserts, or you can pop in for something simple like a salad and a pizza. Either way I guarantee you'll be transported - and leave feeling revived and completely satisfied.






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