Toscano & Sons

Crema di Marroni, Chocolate Fig Jam, & Roasted Fava Beans

Roasted fava beans, you could say they’re a slightly nuttier, tastier big brother to the soy nut.  These were roasted nicely and seasoned appropriately with salt.  We’d definitely buy them again.

The fate of these two jars of chestnut cream and chocolate fig jam is sealed.

A tasty Saturday brunch is in our not too distant future.

Toscano and Sons
Suite 106
1000 Marietta Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
404 815 8383

Big Tex Cantina

Carnitas

“I could eat this every day of my life.”

That’s a direct quote.

Carnitas, Beef Brisket Chili & Roasted Corn

It’s all good.

(Or, more accurately, it’s dangerously too good and far too close to home.)

Fried Chicken, Collard Greens & More Roasted Cream Corn

That was one of the biggest chicken breasts we’ve ever seen in a restaurant.  And, it was everything we could want it to be.  Crisp, delicate flakes encased that lusciously tender meat that was so full of flavor.  It sure wasn’t trying to be the flashiest, fanciest or trendiest fried chicken in town.

It’s much better than that.  It is what it is.  Good old-fashioned Southern fried chicken.

Period.

Ace “Perry” Cider

The scent of sweet pear with the first sip was something to remember.

Tequila!

Big Tex Cantina
308 West Ponce de Leon Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
404 377 3939

Cafe Restaurant Dominicano

Cafe Dominican’s Filete al Coco

Now, don’t confuse the Cafe Dominican Restaurant with another one of our favorites… Versase Dominican Restaurant  (Check out Versase Dominican Restaurant and Bakery herehere, or here.  Hmm, after taking a look at those incredibly delicious bites we’ll probably be paying them another visit in the very near future.)

This nicely pan-fried filet of mild white fish was moist, tender and flaky.  Swimming in a delicate coconut sauce and topped with a light sprinkling of cheese, this was a meal we’d happily return to try again.  But, we’d probably enjoy it a bit more without the cheese.

Here is Cafe Dominican’s tribute to Colombian cuisine.

The Bandeja Paisa

Plantains, Beans, and Tender Garlic Marinated Steak

Oven Baked Pork Ribs And Crisp Bites Of Sausage

Finish that off with a couple fried eggs, rice and avocado slices.  This was an incredibly delicious version.  We fought over those oven baked pork ribs.  And, we’d do it again, too!

Mofongo

Sancocho

We’re not huge soup fans.  But, the Sancocho was good… really good.  The rich broth was hiding a multitude of carrots, potatoes, and corn still on the cob.

The mofongo (above) was served as a side dish.  But, don’t be fooled.  Their order of mofongo was big enough to be a very generous meal.

And, a little Passionfruit Juice for dessert.

Choices…

Choices…

And, More Choices

Add to that a small buffet of daily specials.  And, there’s a little something for everyone.

Thanks to John Kessler for this amazing find.

Cafe Dominican Restaurant or Cafe Restaurant Dominicano… it’s great by any name.

Cafe Restaurant Dominicano
4650 Jimmy Carter Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30093
770 723 3784

Sangria’s

Sangria’s Sangria

Camarones

Chips & Salsa

Mild Salsa & A Spicier Chipotle Salsa

Asada Burrito

Shrimp with mushrooms, jalapeños, onions, and tomatoes

Sangria’s
4369 Hugh Howell Road
Tucker, GA 30084
770 270 1777

Tempo Doeloe

Si-U-Wi
(Nasi Uduk Betawi)

To-Go

Coconut Rice, Javanese Fried Chicken Leg, Beef, Pickled Vegetables and Shrimp Crackers

And, A Close-Up

Ayam Penyet

Marinated Javanese fried chicken served with sambal, cucumber slices, a cabbage wedge, and…

Vegetable Sour Soup

Nasi Goreng Gila

This overflowing to-go box of Indonesian fried rice topped with fried garlic slices was chock-full of chicken, scallion, assorted vegetables, diced meatball, hotdog slices, and scrambled egg.  Loved it!  This was easily one of the better fried rice dishes we’ve ever had the good fortune to eat in Atlanta.

Sambals & Pickled Vegetables

This fabulous little Indonesian restaurant is at its best close to peak dining hours.

We want more.  Soon.

Tempo Doeloe
5090 Buford Highway
Suite 110
Doraville, GA 30340
770 455 4077

Hours:

Mon-Tue-Wed-Fri-Sat-Sun — 11:00am to 10:00pm

Closed Thursday

Hot Potatoes

Hot Potatoes
(Spicy Bloody Mary Mix Potato Chips)

These hard, crisp crunch (like thin kettle chips) chips were mildly spiced with a touch of hot sauce mingling with their tomato flavor.  They’re similar to a barbecued potato chip… but, tomato-y-er.

Beer Chips

World Market

Grand Champion BBQ

The Sampler at Grand Champion BBQ

More of the Sampler

Yes, this was just as delicious as it looks.

And, MORE of the Sampler

We take one look at chopped smoked chicken and we simultaneously whisper, “uh oh”.  But, this chicken was so richly full of flavor, juicy and perfectly tender.  We fought over each and every bite.  Then, we proceeded to fight over those big chunks of melt-in-your-mouth tender pulled pork.

As a matter of fact, there was only one item that was a very slight disappointment.  The beef brisket.  It was rich, smoky, beefy and delicious.  Sadly, it was a bit dry.  But, that won’t stop us from ordering it again.  It had such an incredible flavor that we’ll be back to try it again.  We’ll just hope for better luck next time.

Wow, these were too good for words.

Smoky, tender and mildly spiced, but, the spice rub was made even more interesting by the time spent in the smoker.

Brunswick Stew & Collard Greens

Our sides rivaled the barbecue for attention…. from the mac & cheese to the Brunswick stew to the two orders of collards.

It’s all good …Really, REALLY good.

Two Sauces

Both were tasty, but, barely a drop was needed.

The Menu

Smokin’ Hot And Delicious?  Check.

And, it was well-worth every minute of the drive out there.

Grand Champion BBQ
(Suite 168)
4401 Shallowford Road
Roswell, GA 30075
770 587 4227

Don Pedro

Torta al Pastor

Tender seasoned pork, avocado, pico de gallo, and lettuce fill this tasty torta.

Chilaquiles with Steak & Eggs

The steak can be hit or miss… great one day and a bit tough on the next.  But, for a certain someone, this was the only meal needed for the day.

Some Of The Choices

A La Carta

Don Pedro

Boylan Bridge Brewpub

Burger & Sweet Potato Fries

Good burger, decent fries… But, this meal falls into the “fine” category.

Boylan Bridge Brewpub
201 South Boylan Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27603
919 803 8927

Raleigh — Glenwood Grill

Saucy Shrimp & Pepper Jack Grits

This rich saucy version of shrimp & grits with chunks of red pepper, andouille sausage, cremini mushrooms and good-sized shrimp in a lobster jus was made even richer (in a good way) by the creamy pepper jack grits.  On a ridiculously long and busy day, this was Southern comfort food at its best.  It soothed, sedated and satisfied a weary body.

Glenwood Grill
2603 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina 27608
919 782 3102