 Crispy Skin Mountain Trout with apricot vinaigrette
Trout makes the perfect vehicle for showcasing crisp skin. Delicate and thin, the trout’s skin browns nicely and adds another element of texture. The tasty golden bits are perfectly matched with roasted cashews and apricot. This was our favorite dish of the night.
Veggie Loaf with quinoa and pecan romesco on a bed of roasted cauliflower, sun-dried tomatoes and shitake mushrooms
While this might not be the prettiest dish, it is incredibly rich and satisfying. The serving is extremely generous bordering on ginormous. And, Leon’s pecan romesco turns this roasted cauliflower into a vegetable that I’d happily eat every day.
Golden Brown Halibut with shaved zucchini and summer squash
Rich with butter, thyme and lemon, the slight bitterness of the zucchini was a pleasant distraction that held its own next to the halibut.
Pig Smorgas with pineapple, cherry jam and gruyere
While the flavors of sweet cherry jam, tart pineapple, salty ham and gruyere pleased us. This dish could have benefited from another minute or so under the broiler.
Leon’s Full Service
131 E Ponce De Leon Ave
Decatur, GA 30030
404 687 0500
Buffalo Grouper Sandwich
The breading of this fried grouper filet, doused in Buffalo hot sauce, remained crisp for the duration. Cooked to perfection with a super crispy exterior, yet, the interior was perfectly moist and flaky. The picture above doesn’t do justice to the size of this sandwich.
Blackened Grouper Sandwich
Pan fried to golden brown perfection, this sandwich was equally gigantic and yummy. Spices were applied wisely. They accented the flavor of the fish to perfection without dominating it.
Sauteed Veggie Side Dish — buttery
The Derby’s menu can easily be described as vintage bar food. I find it comforting to know that these bar food classics are still around. And, in the right hands, they can still shine.
The Derby
Hammond Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30328
770 396 8808
Badminton Cup
Gin, cucumber, mint, & a splash of soda… delicate & fresh
Crabcake, fried egg, asparagus salad with orange, grapefruit & citrus dressing
The crabcake was perfectly light & crisp. A hint of lemon within the crabcake tied the crabcake & salad together brilliantly.
Fried Mahi Sandwich with spicy cucumber salad
Crispy breading & the fish was cooked properly. The cucumber salad brought a little of everything… sweet, spicy, salty, sour. But, the cucumbers had been marinating in the dressing for some time. This took away a bit of the refreshing bite that we love in a cucumber salad.
Other diners (at our table) enjoyed:
Fried Pickles — Generously portioned, super crisp & cooked at the proper temperature to minimize greasiness.
Boiled Peanuts — Tossed with herbs & spices and very well-drained (almost dry)
Cheeseburger on English Muffin served with a mini milkshake — The only complaint we heard? The shot-sized milkshake was too small… they wanted more. It was a bit of a tease.
The Verdict:
We’ll be back… sooner or later
Tap
1180 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404 347 2220
St Germain — Elderflower Liqueur
St Germain Liqueur has a sweet lemony citrus essence with delicate floral notes accenting the flavor in an incredibly unique… and delicious way.
The St Germain Cocktail
1 1/2 ounces (1 shot) St Germain
brut sparkling wine or champagne
lemon twist OR 1 small strawberry
Pour 1 1/2 ounces St Germain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne or sparkling wine. For a traditional garnish, serve with a lemon twist. ( But, I prefer to drop one small strawberry into the champagne flute. )
Buford Highway Farmers Market
5600 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA 30340
770 455 0770
Perfect little pea-sized (and smaller) champagne grapes from… Kroger! I’m usually not a fan of Kroger’s produce. But, these lovely little grapes were a pleasant surprise. These little beauties dress up any cheese platter. Syrupy sweet innards with tart skins, they’re fun to nibble. The ratio of skin to flesh prevent the super-sweet interior from overwhelming.
August 15, 2009 — 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Harmony Park in Oakhurst — south of downtown Decatur
The Food: Five Star Barbecue — pulled pork and chicken
O.B.’s — ribs and sweet tea
Black Tie Barbecue is serving up even more bbq
The Beer: Peroni, Sierra Nevada, and Miller Lite
Entry Fee:
21 and Older – $10
10 to 20 – $5
Children under 10 admitted FREE!
Sorry, No Coolers Allowed!
For More Information and Music Schedule: DecaturBBQFestival
Folk Fest 2009
August 14 – 16, 2009
Friday, August 14 –• 5pm-10pm • $15 (includes Meet-the-Artists & readmission)
Meet-The-Artists Party & Show Opening
Saturday, August 15 — 10am-7pm • $7
Sunday, August 16 — 10am-5pm • $7
Children 16 and under are FREE
North Atlanta Trade Center
1700 Jeurgens Court
Norcross, Georgia 30093
I-85 & Indian Trail Road, Exit 101
Yellow Grape
Yellow Grape & Sweet 100
Sweet 100’s are divine. It’s no wonder the French Laundry chose this tomato for one of its offerings. Fresh from the vine and still warm from the sun, it is the essence of summer as this delicate skinned tomato bursts in your mouth. The yellow grapes are beautiful and provide lovely contrast to the sweet 100 with its own tarty tang.
|
|
