Bhojanic
1363 Clairmont Road
Decatur,GA 30033
404.633.9233
http://www.bhojanic.com/
Every month we get a new Savvy Shopper magazine, see a coupon for Bhojanic and say, "We need to go there." Well, "Taste of Asia" week meant a prix fixe menu for $25 a person so we used this as a good excuse.
Billed as "Fusion, Homestyle Indian, Tapas", we decided to stick to the three-course menu.
Appetizer
Vegetable Samosas - Potato and peas with mint leaves and an authentic blend of spices stuffed into a triangular pastry.
Two large Samosas per person. Despite the mostly-potato filling, it was not too starchy. Obviously fried, but not oily at all. In fact, it was quite light. I alternated between the mint (hot) and tamarind (sweet) chutneys. Not sure which I liked better.
Entrees
Tilapia Curry - with garlic, tomato and cilantro
Lamb Curry - Boneless lamb in a tangy yogurt based sauce
Both entrees were served Rice Pullao, Raita (cucumber yogurt sauce), Papadam (crispy lentil cracker), and Indian pickle. The pickle was strong-flavored, maybe even bitter. Luckily our waiter told us to take it easy on those before we dove in. I used it more as a palate cleanser, but could do without it next time. I did enjoy dipping pieces of the Papadam into the Tamarind Chutney.
The lamb was tender without much of that gamey taste you occasionally get with lamb. The sauce was thick but not spicy. The tilipia was soft, not flakey or dry. The sauce had just a hint of spice (although I loved being able to eat the whole pepper that made it onto the plate). I could have eaten the sauce and rice by itself.
Dessert
Saffron-Cardamom Cheesecake - with pistachios and mango sauce
We each got a piece of cheesecake, but ended up wrapping up one for home. One piece was more than enough for both of us. Loved the flavor of the mango sauce on the cheesecake. With the color, you think it's a caramel sauce, but then you taste the mango and it's refreshing. I thought the pistachios could have been chopped smaller as there were some times I would get only pistachios in my bite. However, I will say I thought the pistachios were essential to the dessert. On the occasion I got a bite without any pistachios, I missed the texture and flavor.
We were a bit skeptical at the cost at first, but we got value for our money as we will be having a second dinner at home with our two boxes of leftovers. We'll definitely be going back, perhaps to try the tapas but more likely to eat the homestyle dishes again.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
8/7/2009 - Lumière
Lumière
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta
1927 Lakeside ParkwayTucker, GA 30084
770.723.3507
http://www.lumiereatlanta.com/
This session of the BTSC was attended by eight people. We went to Lumière, the restaurant attached to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Culinary students get to practice their classroom skills and diners get to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost (we estimate that our $50 worth of food should have been well over $100).
Appetizers
- Fresh Mozzarella, Summer Tomato and Pesto Pizza
- Roasted Chicken, Red Onion Confit, Spinach, Garlic Cream Sauce and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza
- Seared Crab Cake with Corn & Pepper Succotash and Creole Mustard Aioli
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Toasted Pecans and Buttermilk-Herb Aioli
- Crispy Fried Oysters served with Remoulade, Cucumber & Baby Tomato Salad
- She-Crab Soup served with a Soda Cracker, Drizzle of Sherry Vinaigrette
The bread of the two pizzas was slightly undercooked. However, the toppings were quite good. My favorite of the bunch was the Red Onion Confit - slightly sweet and still crunchy. I thought the Fried Green Tomatoes were odd. The breading and the pecans obliterated the flavor of the tomatoes. Can't really speak to the Crab Cake, Oysters or Soup. I'll let others comment as I don't remember anything specific about them.
Entrees
- Seared Sea Scallops, Leeks and Fennel, White Cheddar Grits, Shellfish Broth
- Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Corn Bread Dressing, Summer Melon Salad, Pork Jus
- Grilled Lamb Chops, Creamy Orzo, Roasted Peppers & Green Beans, Sauce Provencal
- Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Zucchini-Tomato Tian, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Steak Sauce
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta
1927 Lakeside ParkwayTucker, GA 30084
770.723.3507
http://www.lumiereatlanta.com/
This session of the BTSC was attended by eight people. We went to Lumière, the restaurant attached to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Culinary students get to practice their classroom skills and diners get to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost (we estimate that our $50 worth of food should have been well over $100).
Appetizers
- Fresh Mozzarella, Summer Tomato and Pesto Pizza
- Roasted Chicken, Red Onion Confit, Spinach, Garlic Cream Sauce and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza
- Seared Crab Cake with Corn & Pepper Succotash and Creole Mustard Aioli
- Fried Green Tomatoes with Toasted Pecans and Buttermilk-Herb Aioli
- Crispy Fried Oysters served with Remoulade, Cucumber & Baby Tomato Salad
- She-Crab Soup served with a Soda Cracker, Drizzle of Sherry Vinaigrette
The bread of the two pizzas was slightly undercooked. However, the toppings were quite good. My favorite of the bunch was the Red Onion Confit - slightly sweet and still crunchy. I thought the Fried Green Tomatoes were odd. The breading and the pecans obliterated the flavor of the tomatoes. Can't really speak to the Crab Cake, Oysters or Soup. I'll let others comment as I don't remember anything specific about them.
Entrees
- Seared Sea Scallops, Leeks and Fennel, White Cheddar Grits, Shellfish Broth
- Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Corn Bread Dressing, Summer Melon Salad, Pork Jus
- Grilled Lamb Chops, Creamy Orzo, Roasted Peppers & Green Beans, Sauce Provencal
- Grilled Flat Iron Steak, Zucchini-Tomato Tian, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Steak Sauce
My bite of the Sea Scallops was good, but not great. I'm used to a more buttery texture from scallops. These were a bit firm and I wonder if they weren't slightly overcooked.
The Pork Shoulder was tender, fatty and flavorful. The corn bread dressing was rather plain. Not sure the melon salad went with the whole flavor profile.
The Lamb Chops were cut a bit inconsistently. The chops were of varying thicknesses which led to some pieces being burned, some just slightly undercooked. However, the flavor was still good, even if the orzo was lacking.
The Flat Iron Steak was definitely the winner of the entrees. Mine was medium rare. Again, I think thinner slices of the steak would have been better, as some pieces were difficult to chew. The Zucchini-Tomato Tian added a nice acidity to the dish.
Desserts
- Coconut Crème Brulée
- Chocolate Dome, Coffee Mousse, Hazelnut Crème Anglaise
- Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake, Honey-Balsamic Reduction, Macerated Strawberries
Really, you can't go wrong with Crème Brulée. I did not order this because I'm not a huge fan of coconut, but I had a bite of someone else's. Not too sweet, not too overpowering on the coconut side. The giant blackberries remained untouched.
The Chocolate Dome was very good, although the dome (chocolate crust) could have been a little thinner. It made breaking into the dome to get to the center a bit difficult. The Coffee Mousse was a nice bitter counterpoint to the chocolate.
The Cheesecake was wonderful. A hint of lemon in the cheesecake, the Reduction gave it a little sweetness and the strawberrys a slight tart flavor. I could eat this dessert over and over again.
Off the menu, we also had an Amuse Bouche of Salmon Mousse on Celery Root Cracker (salmon flavor was overpowering, the cracker was oily) and an after-dessert Chocolate Truffle (dark chocolate, bitter and palate cleansing).
I got the sense that we may have arrived on the first night of the session. The service seemed overly nervous and had some difficulty with splitting our bill. The kitchen had a "sitation with the lamb" so the timing of the service was off. I liked the concept of their dishes, if not the execution. With the exception of the Cheesecake, I would say every dish had much room for improvement.
However, I would definitely go back again when the menu changes (about once every 6 months) and further into their semester so they had more time to perfect their techniques.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
2/7/2009 - Spice Market Atlanta
Spice Market Atlanta
188 14th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30361
404.549.5450
http://www.spicemarketatlanta.com/
Our post-High Museum dinner was attended by five of the BTSC members. We considered doing the "Spice Market Menu" (5 courses of 10 flavors), but ended up having our meal family-style, sharing every dish. We came out ahead, $31 per person our way versus $48 per person with the tasting menu.
The concept of the restaurant is Southeast Asian Street Market. That meant foods with contrasting tastes. For example sweet, spicy (black pepper shrimp) and sour (sun-dried pineapple). I was raised on this type of cooking so I thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
And special thanks to our outstanding waiter Steven. He was extremely patient and helped us make our food decisions wisely. Hopefully we weren't too obnoxious.
Appetizers and Salad
Black Pepper Shrimp, Sun-Dried Pineapple
Charred Chili Rubbed Beef Skewers, Thai Basil Dipping Sauce
Avocado and Radish Salad, Chinese Mustard, Tempura Onions
The Black Pepper Shrimp (billed as a house favorite) was definitely the best of this bunch. The shrimp had a thick, sweet and slightly pepper-y sauce. Eating it with the pineapple cut the heat and also prevented the sauce from being too overpowering. I'm glad we got two orders of this appetizer for the table.
The Beef Skewers looked like corndogs to be dipped into a light green dipping sauce. The skewers tasted slightly of lamb mixed with beef, which was a little disconcerting, but the meat was tender and flavorful. The sauce was almost too mild. I could take it or leave it.
The Salad was more artwork than food. An avocado provided the base of the structure, increasing-in-size tempura onion rings created a bowl and the avocado and radish salad sat inside the bowl. Pretty to look at, but not tremendous in flavor. I would pass on this next time.
Vegetables
Snap Peas, Shitake and Water Chestnut
Baby Corn and Broccoli, Lemongrass and Chili
Entrees
Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs, Egg Noodles and Pea Shoots
Pork Vindaloo
The vegetable dishes were nice, but nothing special. Our attempt at rounding out the meal into a healthy one.
The Short Ribs were okay. I think they could have been cooked a little more tender. I found it difficult to eat (a little stringy at times) and the flavors did not pop out at me. The homemade egg noodles and pea shoots were good, but perhaps would have been better served dry (instead of in the slight broth). The best part of the Short Ribs was apparently the caramelized onions, but of course I did not have any.
The winner of the night was the Pork Vindaloo. Billed as the spiciest thing on the menu, it really wasn't all that bad. When eaten with a slice of fingerling pepper, it provided a nice but not overpowering kick. The flavor was tremendous. I found myself scooping up all the remaining sauce and eating it with rice. I would definitely order this again.
Desserts
Pecan Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream
Pumpkin Brulee with Garam Masala Cookies
Ovaltine Kulfi, Caramelised Banana, Spice Milk Chocolate Sauce
Exotic Fruit with Spiced Lime Salt
Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream
I only tasted the Pumpkin Brulee and the Exotic Fruit. The Pumpkin Brulee was creamy but not overly pumpkin-y. It had a slighty burned crust which could have been too much, but with the darker coloring and flavor of the dessert was fine. The Garam Masala cookie tasted like a soft ginger snap cookie.
The exotic fruit reminded me of visiting Thailand. There, a common dessert or snack in homes is fruit dipped in a sugar, salt and pepper mixture. The seasonal fruit were mango, kiwi, pineapple, asian pear, and orange. A nice, light end to the meal, one I thoroughly enjoyed.
188 14th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30361
404.549.5450
http://www.spicemarketatlanta.com/
Our post-High Museum dinner was attended by five of the BTSC members. We considered doing the "Spice Market Menu" (5 courses of 10 flavors), but ended up having our meal family-style, sharing every dish. We came out ahead, $31 per person our way versus $48 per person with the tasting menu.
The concept of the restaurant is Southeast Asian Street Market. That meant foods with contrasting tastes. For example sweet, spicy (black pepper shrimp) and sour (sun-dried pineapple). I was raised on this type of cooking so I thoroughly enjoyed the meal.
And special thanks to our outstanding waiter Steven. He was extremely patient and helped us make our food decisions wisely. Hopefully we weren't too obnoxious.
Appetizers and Salad
Black Pepper Shrimp, Sun-Dried Pineapple
Charred Chili Rubbed Beef Skewers, Thai Basil Dipping Sauce
Avocado and Radish Salad, Chinese Mustard, Tempura Onions
The Black Pepper Shrimp (billed as a house favorite) was definitely the best of this bunch. The shrimp had a thick, sweet and slightly pepper-y sauce. Eating it with the pineapple cut the heat and also prevented the sauce from being too overpowering. I'm glad we got two orders of this appetizer for the table.
The Beef Skewers looked like corndogs to be dipped into a light green dipping sauce. The skewers tasted slightly of lamb mixed with beef, which was a little disconcerting, but the meat was tender and flavorful. The sauce was almost too mild. I could take it or leave it.
The Salad was more artwork than food. An avocado provided the base of the structure, increasing-in-size tempura onion rings created a bowl and the avocado and radish salad sat inside the bowl. Pretty to look at, but not tremendous in flavor. I would pass on this next time.
Vegetables
Snap Peas, Shitake and Water Chestnut
Baby Corn and Broccoli, Lemongrass and Chili
Entrees
Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs, Egg Noodles and Pea Shoots
Pork Vindaloo
The vegetable dishes were nice, but nothing special. Our attempt at rounding out the meal into a healthy one.
The Short Ribs were okay. I think they could have been cooked a little more tender. I found it difficult to eat (a little stringy at times) and the flavors did not pop out at me. The homemade egg noodles and pea shoots were good, but perhaps would have been better served dry (instead of in the slight broth). The best part of the Short Ribs was apparently the caramelized onions, but of course I did not have any.
The winner of the night was the Pork Vindaloo. Billed as the spiciest thing on the menu, it really wasn't all that bad. When eaten with a slice of fingerling pepper, it provided a nice but not overpowering kick. The flavor was tremendous. I found myself scooping up all the remaining sauce and eating it with rice. I would definitely order this again.
Desserts
Pecan Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream
Pumpkin Brulee with Garam Masala Cookies
Ovaltine Kulfi, Caramelised Banana, Spice Milk Chocolate Sauce
Exotic Fruit with Spiced Lime Salt
Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream
I only tasted the Pumpkin Brulee and the Exotic Fruit. The Pumpkin Brulee was creamy but not overly pumpkin-y. It had a slighty burned crust which could have been too much, but with the darker coloring and flavor of the dessert was fine. The Garam Masala cookie tasted like a soft ginger snap cookie.
The exotic fruit reminded me of visiting Thailand. There, a common dessert or snack in homes is fruit dipped in a sugar, salt and pepper mixture. The seasonal fruit were mango, kiwi, pineapple, asian pear, and orange. A nice, light end to the meal, one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1/17/2009 - Primanti Bros. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Primanti Bros. - Robinson Township
"Almost Famous - Since 1933"
4501 Steubenville Pike
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412.921.6677
A special review of Primanti Bros. restaurant from our trip to Pittsburgh this past weekend.
A sports bar atmosphere, like a more casual Taco Mac. We sat at a table near the door, with views of the many flat screen TVs around the bar and on the walls of the restaurant. We were surrounded by Steelers hats, shirts, jackets, jerseys and the like. There was even a "mixed marriage" who came in later - the guy in Ravens gear and the woman wearing Steelers stuff. And for some reason, another guy came in wearing his Green Bay Packers jacket. Not sure what that was about.
In any case, very busy. A Saturday afternoon filled with replays of previous Steelers/Ravens games, plus college basketball. Our waitress (Donel) seemed busy, but still managed to take very good care of us. After asking if we'd ever been to the restaurant before, she followed with, "You're not Ravens fans, are you?" We assured her we were not and she lamented that with all the out-of-towners, she was not looking forward to having to serve opposing fans.
For an appetizer, I ordered the Big Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel. It's exactly what it sounds like. You could see the green tint of the jalapenos through the "skin" of the pretzel. A little kick, but no burn. The cheese was not too heavy (unlike those scary stuffed crust pizzas I see advertised on TV). I would most definitely order this again. (As an aside, I've discovered an apparent weakness for soft pretzels and cheese. This is not good for my waistline or my arteries).
For the meal, we both ordered The Pitts-Burger Cheese Steak (#2 Best Seller). I'm not sure what their #1 Best Seller is. I've read their menu several times and they don't seem to list it. Described as "the original Almost Famous sirloin beef patty sandwich that feeds the spirited fans of Pittsburgh," it was served on fresh Italian bread with fresh-cut fries, cole slaw (not mayo-based, but vinegar-based), tomatoes and provolone cheese, onions by request.
Personally, I thought the fries were extraneous, but the cole slaw was great. It gave the sandwich a nice sweet and sour feel. I was hoping less for the hamburger patty and more of the traditional loose meat of a cheese steak, but apparently that's the draw of this particular sandwich - that it doesn't fall apart when you eat it. I'm not sure I can eat another one for about 3 years, but when in Rome, you must eat as the locals do.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
10/25/2008 - TWO Urban Licks
TWO Urban Licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.522.4622
http://www.twourbanlicks.com/index-home.htm
After an attempted September meeting, the BTSC is back again for October. Our venue was TWO Urban Licks, part of the Concentric family of restaurants.
We had 7 people in attendance for our Saturday night meeting, so there was much sharing of food. A couple of BTSC members knew the bartender, so we had an "in" for what items were most popular with patrons and staff alike.
Appetizers
- Thai Tuna Tartare
- Empanadas
- Lamb Lollipops
- Fried Green Tomato Salad
- Mini Corn Dogs
Originally, we were going to have the top four on this list, but upon the recommendation of our waitress (a very patient girl from Washington state named Vanessa) we added the Corn Dogs.
The tuna tartare was quite nice. Wonderful texture with only a hint of spice from the Sriracha aioli. The wonton chip looked more like a chip from a Mexican restaurant. Mango and avocado made for a good palate cleanser.
The short rib empanadas were the best appetizer of the bunch. The meat was tender and flavorful. The empanadas themselves were huge - easily dividing up for the whole table.
Lamb lollipops were disappointing. Very small and little on the dry side. I must have missed the grape chili jam and goat cheese.
The fried green tomato salad was recommended by several staff members and did not disappoint. Tomatoes were light and slightly tangy, with the goat cheese adding to the effect. The herb vinaigrette was strong but not overpowering. I'd consider getting a plate of that by itself.
The mini corn dogs looks delicious, but I did not like the taste as much as I had hoped. They seemed rather average to me.
Main Course
- Bronzed Scallops (Gouda grits, smoke tomato broth)
- American Shrimp (Low Country style, Andouille sausage, corn, potatoes, okra, toasted ciabatta)
- Tuna (seared, avocado-edamame salad, spicy sesame dressing)
- Pork (braised, NY backed cheddar macaroni, pork jus)
- Tanglewood Farm Duck Breast (Italian sausage stuffed, Cayenne sweet potato puree, ancho BBQ jus)
Sampled only a piece of the ciabatta dipped in the Low Country boil stock of the American Shrimp dish. Nice flavor, but seemed to be a lot of work to eat.
The duck breast and sweet potato puree, each by themselves, were wonderful. The duck and potato together made for an odd combination of flavors I'm not sure really went together. I couldn't reconcile the tastes and I have to say would probably not order this again.
The tuna was very well prepared. It definitely needed the sesame dressing (which was special ordered on the side). The edamame salad was a nice change from the typical vegetable medley.
The braised pork was so tender, you didn't need a knife. Fall off the (non-) bone good. Flavorful and a good match with the mac-n-cheese, but you can't go wrong with mac-n-cheese.
If the two BTSC meetings are any indication, the rule of the day should be "always get the scallops". Huge scallops, cooked so well. So buttery and tender and a perfect match with the grits. Not sure I could have eaten a whole plate of this, but definitely my favorite combination of the night.
After Fun with the bill (computers were down, then "I'll pay for 2/35 of the Empanadas, please."), we went to Spoon for dessert. I won't comment on that for now as I know at some point we will go back there and I will write a full review.
820 Ralph McGill Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.522.4622
http://www.twourbanlicks.com/index-home.htm
After an attempted September meeting, the BTSC is back again for October. Our venue was TWO Urban Licks, part of the Concentric family of restaurants.
We had 7 people in attendance for our Saturday night meeting, so there was much sharing of food. A couple of BTSC members knew the bartender, so we had an "in" for what items were most popular with patrons and staff alike.
Appetizers
- Thai Tuna Tartare
- Empanadas
- Lamb Lollipops
- Fried Green Tomato Salad
- Mini Corn Dogs
Originally, we were going to have the top four on this list, but upon the recommendation of our waitress (a very patient girl from Washington state named Vanessa) we added the Corn Dogs.
The tuna tartare was quite nice. Wonderful texture with only a hint of spice from the Sriracha aioli. The wonton chip looked more like a chip from a Mexican restaurant. Mango and avocado made for a good palate cleanser.
The short rib empanadas were the best appetizer of the bunch. The meat was tender and flavorful. The empanadas themselves were huge - easily dividing up for the whole table.
Lamb lollipops were disappointing. Very small and little on the dry side. I must have missed the grape chili jam and goat cheese.
The fried green tomato salad was recommended by several staff members and did not disappoint. Tomatoes were light and slightly tangy, with the goat cheese adding to the effect. The herb vinaigrette was strong but not overpowering. I'd consider getting a plate of that by itself.
The mini corn dogs looks delicious, but I did not like the taste as much as I had hoped. They seemed rather average to me.
Main Course
- Bronzed Scallops (Gouda grits, smoke tomato broth)
- American Shrimp (Low Country style, Andouille sausage, corn, potatoes, okra, toasted ciabatta)
- Tuna (seared, avocado-edamame salad, spicy sesame dressing)
- Pork (braised, NY backed cheddar macaroni, pork jus)
- Tanglewood Farm Duck Breast (Italian sausage stuffed, Cayenne sweet potato puree, ancho BBQ jus)
Sampled only a piece of the ciabatta dipped in the Low Country boil stock of the American Shrimp dish. Nice flavor, but seemed to be a lot of work to eat.
The duck breast and sweet potato puree, each by themselves, were wonderful. The duck and potato together made for an odd combination of flavors I'm not sure really went together. I couldn't reconcile the tastes and I have to say would probably not order this again.
The tuna was very well prepared. It definitely needed the sesame dressing (which was special ordered on the side). The edamame salad was a nice change from the typical vegetable medley.
The braised pork was so tender, you didn't need a knife. Fall off the (non-) bone good. Flavorful and a good match with the mac-n-cheese, but you can't go wrong with mac-n-cheese.
If the two BTSC meetings are any indication, the rule of the day should be "always get the scallops". Huge scallops, cooked so well. So buttery and tender and a perfect match with the grits. Not sure I could have eaten a whole plate of this, but definitely my favorite combination of the night.
After Fun with the bill (computers were down, then "I'll pay for 2/35 of the Empanadas, please."), we went to Spoon for dessert. I won't comment on that for now as I know at some point we will go back there and I will write a full review.
Friday, August 15, 2008
8/14/2008 - Eurasia Bistro
Eurasia Bistro
129 E Ponce De Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
404.687.8822
http://www.northlakethai.com/
The first meeting of the "Black Thai Supper Club". We decided to go to Eurasia Bistro in Decatur after reading their special menu for Taste of Asia Week. Two courses for $28, but when you see rack of lamb on the menu, you go for it.
Appetizer was the Black Plate - a sampling of three different appetizers:
- Crab Spring Roll w/Lettuce Wrap and Tamarind Dipping Sauce
- Grilled Bamboo Skewered Chicken Satay
- Stuffed Shrimp w/Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom
The spring roll was average - good but not tremendous. The satay was surprisingly tender and the carrot and cucumber sauce in lieu of peanut sauce was a nice change. But the stuffed shrimp was the winner of the plate. Crisp, flavorful and served on a mini-salad with a wonderful plum sauce dressing. I'd definitely order the shrimp again.
On to the Main Course! The four of us got the three different choices:
- Roast Boneless Cornish Hen Marinated in Five Spices w/Baby Corn and Asparagus
- Char-broiled Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb w/Thai Basil Aioli
- Sea Scallops in Rice Batter with Broccoli
The cornish hen was good, but not excellent. As with most small birds, there were pieces that were cooked to overly dry. The meaty parts were nice and the skin had good flavor. The baby corn and sauce were nice, but the asparagus tended towards bitter.
Cooked to medium rare the large portions lamb did not disappoint. Mushrooms, onions and rice soaked up the aioli nicely.
The winner of the main course fare was definitely the sea scallops. Tender with a light crunchiness from the batter, fresh and flavorful. I would certainly return to eat a plate of that again.
Even though dessert was not part of the fixed menu, we decided to indulge. We got four desserts that were from Alon's:
- Green Tea Cake
- Tiramisu
- Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake
- White Chocolate Mango Cake
The green tea cake was a nice idea, but poor execution. The mint garnish was overpowering and the cake seemed at times bitter. The tiramisu was nice, but not the best I've ever had. The chocolate raspberry mousse cake was sweet almost to overpowering, but still worth the money. But the surprise dessert was the white chocolate mango cake. Sweet but not too sweet, good flavor, quite refreshing. A nice finish to our meal.
All in all, a successful first outing of the Club. I'll post as we continue our Page-by-Page Culinary Tour of Atlanta.
129 E Ponce De Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
404.687.8822
http://www.northlakethai.com/
The first meeting of the "Black Thai Supper Club". We decided to go to Eurasia Bistro in Decatur after reading their special menu for Taste of Asia Week. Two courses for $28, but when you see rack of lamb on the menu, you go for it.
Appetizer was the Black Plate - a sampling of three different appetizers:
- Crab Spring Roll w/Lettuce Wrap and Tamarind Dipping Sauce
- Grilled Bamboo Skewered Chicken Satay
- Stuffed Shrimp w/Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom
The spring roll was average - good but not tremendous. The satay was surprisingly tender and the carrot and cucumber sauce in lieu of peanut sauce was a nice change. But the stuffed shrimp was the winner of the plate. Crisp, flavorful and served on a mini-salad with a wonderful plum sauce dressing. I'd definitely order the shrimp again.
On to the Main Course! The four of us got the three different choices:
- Roast Boneless Cornish Hen Marinated in Five Spices w/Baby Corn and Asparagus
- Char-broiled Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb w/Thai Basil Aioli
- Sea Scallops in Rice Batter with Broccoli
The cornish hen was good, but not excellent. As with most small birds, there were pieces that were cooked to overly dry. The meaty parts were nice and the skin had good flavor. The baby corn and sauce were nice, but the asparagus tended towards bitter.
Cooked to medium rare the large portions lamb did not disappoint. Mushrooms, onions and rice soaked up the aioli nicely.
The winner of the main course fare was definitely the sea scallops. Tender with a light crunchiness from the batter, fresh and flavorful. I would certainly return to eat a plate of that again.
Even though dessert was not part of the fixed menu, we decided to indulge. We got four desserts that were from Alon's:
- Green Tea Cake
- Tiramisu
- Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake
- White Chocolate Mango Cake
The green tea cake was a nice idea, but poor execution. The mint garnish was overpowering and the cake seemed at times bitter. The tiramisu was nice, but not the best I've ever had. The chocolate raspberry mousse cake was sweet almost to overpowering, but still worth the money. But the surprise dessert was the white chocolate mango cake. Sweet but not too sweet, good flavor, quite refreshing. A nice finish to our meal.
All in all, a successful first outing of the Club. I'll post as we continue our Page-by-Page Culinary Tour of Atlanta.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
