Loaded with flaky fish, nearly melt-in-your-mouth tender calamari, and grilled shrimp… this burrito with creamy poblano sauce is stuffed with fish (and, covered in even more fish) was a real winner.  Even though we’ve eaten this before, it was better than we remembered it to be.

Nibbling [...]]]>
Burrito Acapulquenos

Loaded with flaky fish, nearly melt-in-your-mouth tender calamari, and grilled shrimp… this burrito with creamy poblano sauce is stuffed with fish (and, covered in even more fish) was a real winner.  Even though we’ve eaten this before, it was better than we remembered it to be.

Nibbling on tortilla chips with our meal, the bright flavors of cilantro-rich salsa helped to lighten up the rich and creamy poblano pepper sauce. (above)

Enchiladas de Mole

Rich in flavor, but, little heat… this was a lovely deep dark mole with a sweet, smoky background of chocolate.  Each enchilada is generously filled with sliced chicken.  The green beans might’ve been a tad over-cooked.  But, the fact that they were fresh green beans made up for that little error.

The specials list on that day

How long have we been eating at Taqueria Los Hermanos?  too many years to count

Have we ever had a bad meal?  No, but, we do miss their original guacamole.

Taqueria Los Hermanos location of choice?  Tucker

Taqueria Los Hermanos
4418 Hugh Howell Road
Tucker, GA 30084
678 937 0660

(AKA Sweet Vanilla Haystack)

Did you ever dip french fries in a vanilla milkshake in high school?  This is better.  The sweet potato fries were perfectly crisp and drizzled with caramel sauce.  We both simultaneously commented that we would have been happy [...]]]>
Sweet Potato Fries, Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce

(AKA Sweet Vanilla Haystack)

Did you ever dip french fries in a vanilla milkshake in high school?  This is better.  The sweet potato fries were perfectly crisp and drizzled with caramel sauce.  We both simultaneously commented that we would have been happy with the caramel drizzled sweet potato fries.  The ice cream was an added indulgence.  Trashy bar food?  Yes, but, sometimes we’re in the mood for something a little trashy.

Fried Scallops, Shrimp, Clam Strips, Fish Fingers, & Hush Puppies

This was a solid plate of fried bar food for the price… even if the scallops were a bit overcooked.

Fish & Chips

Another plate of fried fish… also, nicely done.  We don’t even feel guilty.  After  spending nine hours in the blistering heat, we eagerly gobbled up almost every bite.

Miller’s Ale House
10750 Davis Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30004
678 277 2581

Normally, we pride ourselves on our ability to focus on the positive.  We’re two “glass half full” types.  (most of the time)  Why focus on the negative when there is so much good food to be eaten?  Well, this meal was so ridiculously bad that we [...]]]>
Fried Honey Chicken on Brown Rice

Normally, we pride ourselves on our ability to focus on the positive.  We’re two “glass half full” types.  (most of the time)  Why focus on the negative when there is so much good food to be eaten?  Well, this meal was so ridiculously bad that we never want to forget it… or accidently order it again.  Ever.

This “lunch” was approximately $9.  We received 6 small nuggets of chicken coated in excessively heavy breading… and a bowl of flavorless brown rice.  There was no sauce for this unseasoned rice… and, not so much as a single floret of broccoli or sprig of parsley to garnish the plate.

Where did we stumble upon this remarkably bad meal?  Well, the restaurant’s name starts with a P. & an F.

We’re huge fans of Gokul Sweet’s vada pav.  So, when two of these club sandwiches appeared in error, we didn’t mind at all.  As a matter of fact, we were happily surprised.  At first glance, this might appear to be an odd interpretation of a club sandwich.  But, [...]]]>
Gokul’s Vada Club Sandwich

We’re huge fans of Gokul Sweet’s vada pav.  So, when two of these club sandwiches appeared in error, we didn’t mind at all.  As a matter of fact, we were happily surprised.  At first glance, this might appear to be an odd interpretation of a club sandwich.  But, it all works together quite nicely.  Ordinary white toast becomes something quite special filled with one big ball of spiced potato fritter.  Two chutneys, thin slices of onion, tomato, cucumber and American cheese only work to make it better.

The one truly odd touch is the slice of American cheese.  At first, we thought of discarding it.  Instead, we just went with it.  We’re glad we did.  This sandwich is a great summer meal.  The veggies add an amazing touch of lightness and freshness to this carb-heavy sandwich.  With a little sweetness from the tamarind chutney and a burst of fresh green goodness from the cilantro chutney, this sandwich is a real winner.  We both love it.

Pav Bhaji Dosa

Perfect, once again…  Richly spiced vegetables and fresh cilantro fill this gorgeous dosa with crispy, crumbly edges.  And, a bit of sweetness from the coconut rounds out the spice.

Yum!

Chandrakala & Khajur Roll

We couldn’t leave without adding to the list of pastries that we’ve sampled at Gokul Sweets.  Both of these were great.  Seeing fresh, vibrant green pieces of pistachio peeking out of the khajur roll, they were destined to come home with us.  But, we both fell in love with…

These are absolutely and utterly divine.  They’re like India’s answer to baklava.  Pastries doused in syrup and filled with nuts, these are dangerously addictive.  I want more… now!

Gokul Sweets
763 Dekalb Industrial Way
Decatur, GA 30033
404 299 2062

]]> http://www.reviewatlanta.com/2010/07/20/gokuls-vada-club/feed/ 0 http://www.reviewatlanta.com/2010/07/16/south-city-kitchen/ http://www.reviewatlanta.com/2010/07/16/south-city-kitchen/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:43:38 +0000 michele http://www.reviewatlanta.com/?p=1675 Gouda Fritters

…Or, deep-fried gouda balls

The outside is crispy and crunchy.  The inside is filled with warm and gooey gouda begging to be devoured.  They’re easy to love.

The Bread Basket

Warm barely sweet corn muffins & tender baby biscuits… Both were tasty.  But, when the second half [...]]]>
Gouda Fritters

…Or, deep-fried gouda balls

The outside is crispy and crunchy.  The inside is filled with warm and gooey gouda begging to be devoured.  They’re easy to love.

The Bread Basket

Warm barely sweet corn muffins & tender baby biscuits… Both were tasty.  But, when the second half of my corn muffin lingered briefly on my plate, it was snatched at light speed.

Friday Night Fish Fry

I wish could say this was a perfect dish.  But, I can’t.  The catfish and shrimp were just about perfect.  Both had perfectly crunchy cornmeal coatings with tender properly cooked interiors.  Unfortunately, the crab ball was quite greasy (bordering on soggy from oil).  And, the hush puppy was incredibly bland.

We’ve had many (many) great meals at South City Kitchen’s midtown location in the past.  This was our first meal at the Vinings location.

Fried Catfish Reuben

This sandwich was fine.  But, the coleslaw was incredibly wet and drippy.  Meanwhile, the fries were room temperature and getting soggier by the second from the coleslaw’s drippings.

Hopefully, our next visit will be better.

South City Kitchen
1675 Cumberland Parkway
Smyrna, GA 30080
770 435 0700

Simply Delicious…  The Lobster Roll

One whole lobster (shelled, obviously) is tossed in a simple dressing and heaped into one little toasty Holeman & Finch bun.  The lobster was so tender it was a pleasure to eat.  Apple slaw on the side was a lovely balance of crisp apple and [...]]]>

Simply Delicious…  The Lobster Roll

One whole lobster (shelled, obviously) is tossed in a simple dressing and heaped into one little toasty Holeman & Finch bun.  The lobster was so tender it was a pleasure to eat.  Apple slaw on the side was a lovely balance of crisp apple and fresh green cabbage sliced into the finest shreds.  As if that weren’t enough, the towering mound of fries were impossible to finish.  This is one great sandwich.

Shrimp & Oyster Po’ boy

The combination of fried shrimp and oysters add even more interest to this already outstanding sandwich.  The roll is fabulous, the greens are lightly dressed for a hint of vinegary bite and the bun has a nice swipe of creamy remoulade.  Every element highlights the perfectly fried shrimp and oysters.  The breading was simultaneously light and crisp without a hint of oil.  And, both shrimp & oysters were tender and full of flavor.  It’s hard to believe.  But, this sandwich might even be better than the lobster roll.

We already want another one.  But, the question is… which one?

JCT Kitchen & Bar
Suite 18
1198 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA  30318
404 355 2252

Sushi Yoko is an old standby that we’ve been visiting for too many years to count.  The presentation is simple.  But, the fish is always fresh.

Oshinko

Pickled vegetables

Kaibashira Fry

Served piping hot and super crispy, we really enjoyed this dish.  The [...]]]>
Hotate, Ikura, Uni & Unagi

Sushi Yoko is an old standby that we’ve been visiting for too many years to count.  The presentation is simple.  But, the fish is always fresh.

Oshinko

Pickled vegetables

Kaibashira Fry

Served piping hot and super crispy, we really enjoyed this dish.  The scallops were sweet, fresh and tender.

And, one more bite of uni ends the meal.  Rich, yet delicate… like buttery essence of crab that melts away to nothing in your mouth.  It really is shockingly delightful.

Sushi Yoko
7124 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30071
770 903 9348

Buckhead Bread Company and Alon’s are our go-to spots for bread.  But, we were happily surprised by this French style loaf from White Windmill Bakery.  The crust was still crisp when we arrived home.  But, by dinner time it lost its crunch.  Luckily, we were using this loaf as the bread [...]]]>

Buckhead Bread Company and Alon’s are our go-to spots for bread.  But, we were happily surprised by this French style loaf from White Windmill Bakery.  The crust was still crisp when we arrived home.  But, by dinner time it lost its crunch.  Luckily, we were using this loaf as the bread for our grilled hamburgers.  Toasted on the grill, this loaf was great.  The smoke added amazing flavor, while the high heat gave the thin crust the perfect crunch.  The outermost layer of the crust flaked off in thin, delicate sheets with every bite.  We might just use this bread every time we make burgers on the grill.

These were the best home-made burgers of the year. ( …so far)

White Windmill Bakery
5881 Buford Highway
Doraville, Ga 30340
678 887 5200

As you can see, the plantains are cooked to perfection.  And, that’s no exaggeration.  (My pictures were better last time.)  The blend of crispy bits, caramelization, and creamy mashed plantain work in delicious harmony.  The crispy crumbs of deep fried pork in the center are an added bonus. [...]]]>
Mofongo with Spicy Shrimp

As you can see, the plantains are cooked to perfection.  And, that’s no exaggeration.  (My pictures were better last time.)  The blend of crispy bits, caramelization, and creamy mashed plantain work in delicious harmony.  The crispy crumbs of deep fried pork in the center are an added bonus.  Served with close to a dozen large shrimp, this meal could easily feed two people.  We’re in love with this dish.

Chicken, Yellow Rice and Plantain Mash

Diced skinless chicken breasts, yellow rice and a mashed combination of plantain & root vegetable offer a slightly healthier alternative.  But, the serving size is equally giant-sized.  Be prepared to take a mountain of leftovers home with you.  Or, you might fall into a carb-induced coma.

Versase Dominican Restaurant and Bakery
510 Pleasant Hill Road
Lilburn, GA 30047
770 931 8412

When visiting Colorado, we don’t always have time to seek out the best restaurants.  Sometimes, we’re forced to rely on easily accessible food.  Spicy Pickle makes a great sandwich.  And, we don’t want to forget about them… or their pickles.  (picture “borrowed” from Spicy Pickle’s website)

Spicy Pickle