Chocolate, Ice Cream and Margaritas

There are some wonderful stores and restaurants tucked away and off the beaten path in and around Atlanta. I love shopping these places. They're special gems that I like to think only I know about. 

is a candy store sitting across the street from the Chamblee (GA) Marta station. Actually, candy store does not do Maison Robert justice. It is more a confiserie-pâtisserie, an elegant old world shop offering fine hand dipped candies and beautifully decorated pastries. 

The sweet treats are all the work of a fourth generation, French trained confectioner. Choose from a case filled with perfectly luscious little bites or make a selection from their many beautifully wrapped gift box assortments.

I fell in love with the adorable marzipan critters. (Actually, anything marzipan will send me swooning.) They tasted as good as they looked. You can also find delicate pastel macaroons, fruit tarts, black and white mousse and Sachertorte. 

For those of you who want to learn the fine art of candy making, Maison Robert also offers classes.

Maison Robert Fine Chocolates 
 5256 Peachtree Road, Suite 110, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 |
(770) 454-6442 | (800) 782-3249

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When it's hot and steamy in Atlanta and I'm craving home made frozen goodness, I head for the Frosty Caboose. An old railroad caboose parked on unused track takes pride of place along Chamblee's  (GA) antique row. It also anchors a site adjacent to the summertime Saturday Farmer's Market.

The Menu:  

Floats, Malts, Shakes, Sundaes, Cups and Cones 

Frozen Doggie Treats 

Ice Cream, Sorbet, Sherbet, Frozen Yogurt, Gourmet light

The Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Green Tea,  Black Cherry, Coffee, Cookies and Cream, Pistachio, Mint Chocolate Chip, Peach, Butter Pecan, Superman, Birthday Cake, Rocky Road, Coffee Almond Fudge, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.....

The Toppings: Sprinkles, Heath Bar Pieces, Chocolate Chips, Rainbow Nerds, Chocolate Cookie Crunch, Reese's Pieces, M&M's, Peanuts, Almonds, Strawberries, Caramel, Blueberry, Marshmallow, Hot Fudge, Chocolate Syrup.....

5435 Peachtree Road ~ Chamblee, GA 30341 ~ 770-451-4556

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In my neighborhood Monterrey is the place to go when any of us need a pitcher of margaritas, good food, a relaxed atmosphere and pleasant service. If the weather's good we sit outside under colorful umbrellas. As more and more friends arrive, heeding the call for an adult beverage and a bite to eat, the tables magically expand as the accommodating, smiling staff know to add chairs, add glasses and bring more pitchers of frozen limey goodness.

The food is traditional (Americanized) Mexican. Hearty, well made, unpretentious food. Generous servings of tacos, tortillas, taquitos, chalupas, empanadas, fajitas, enchiladas come by themselves or with refried beans, rice, lettuce tomato, crema, guacamole.

They make a drop-dead-best-I've-ever-eaten  home made chicken soup that arrives in a huge steamy bowl laden with large pieces of white meat chicken, rice, cilantro, carrots, celery and lime. Don't make a face. It's delicious. The other day I had chicken taquitos. Crispy, deep fried tacos wrapped around nicely seasoned chicken. I ate four doused with a little crema. I intend to go back for more.

There are combination plates and vegetarian options. Nothing is over $15 and the margaritas, by the pitcher, frozen or straight up, rock.

Go there, Relax. Hang Out. Watch the world go by. You'll eat and drink well.  "Ve allí, Relax. Pasar el rato. Ver el mundo pasar. Que va a comer y beber bien."

Monterrey Mexican 5406 Buford Hwy
Doraville, GA 30340  770-458-1179

Tomato! Tomato! Tomato!

Every year, as tomatoes reach their summer peak of perfection, my Southern friends start talking about tomato sandwiches. The right mayonnaise, the right bread, salt or no salt and include pepper? No way!

For 16 years I've listened, smiled my amusement at what I saw as silliness, and ignored the rapturous oohing and aahing over the tomato sandwich. I deigned not to take a bite.

(I bet you know where this is going).  Bill showed up the other day with 3 gorgeous tomatoes from his enviable garden.....one of them as big as a grapefruit that he called a Cherokee red. "Eat this first," Bill instructed and I spent all of the next day mulling the use of this prized tomato. The bottom line? It had to be a tomato sandwich but a tomato sandwich on my terms.

Sorry all, no Dukes for me. I used Hellmans, skipped the salt, skipped the pepper and traded the white bread for a doughy soft burger bun. (Better to sop up those juices.)

Bill's tomatoes and my Hellmans

They were all right. The sandwich was heaven. I ate two. I was a fool to wait.

Dining on Delicious

There's something to be said for home cooking. Cooking and food that comes from a recipe handed down from Grandmother's Friend to Mother to Son. Especially when you're invited to share that food on a Sunday evening with a couple of dear friends (and the requisite bottle of wine).

That invitation came to me yesterday and the feast I enjoyed this evening will probably keep me smiling for the rest of the week.

Take some chicken thighs and chicken legs. Put them into a pot with soy sauce, vinegar, vermouth and water. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for as long as is needed. (Yes, that's the entire recipe). The chicken that came out of that deep fragrant pot was the tenderest, juiciest fowl I have enjoyed since I can not remember when.

Ladle it and it's juices over fresh garden peas and seasoned rice. Toss in some warm crusty bread and you have food fit for Gods or at least, the Very Best Eats. 

Adobo Chicken with rice and peas ala Joey and Stan. Wow. Memorable.

Review: Kitsch'n 155/THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED

We stumbled onto Kitsch'n 155 while driving from Doraville to Decatur; I was saying that I was craving burgers when it popped into view. I promised myself we'd stop on the way home and I'm glad we did.

The cutesy play on the name is perfect for this retro place. It sort of reminds me of the classic 50's soda shop all bright and shined up for the 21st century. All that's missing is the jukebox and poodle skirts.

Following my craving I ordered the 7oz Double Stack Burger. Two thinnish patties made with all natural Angus beef from Creekstone Farms. I asked if they could cook the burger medium---leaving a little pink and the very polite waitress assured me they'd try.

Less than 5 minutes later I had my burger---char grilled and still a bit pink. It was very very good. I inhaled it so quickly I forgot to take a picture so you'll have to go there and get your own.

Burger toppings---I had tomato and grilled onions---are included in the modest price. Just $5.50. And there are trays full of condiments arrayed on the counters, also included in the price.

When I go back, and I will, I want to order more and take my time eating. The malts made with Ben & Jerry's sound perfect in this heat. I might have a fresh baked cookie too. Or maybe an Ice-cream Sandwich with the Fresh Lemon Squeezer and the Grownup Grilled Cheese?  Hmm. Think I'm hungry again

1788 Clairmont Rd, Decatur Ga 30033

678-973-0606

Menu

The British Have Come

Under bright California sunshine the visiting Windsor’s---or is it the visiting Wales? I’m never quite sure---attended an exclusive reception on the bright green lawn of the British Consulate.

The Duchess Catherine was dressed to dazzle and her handsome husband the Prince, also The Duke, looked casual in his blazer and open necked shirt.

Reports are the couple mixed easily and all commented on their grace and her dimples, her legs, her great style. Whose design was she wearing, whose shoes, whose bag? While I get a kick out of following this British fashion parade, I always wonder more about what they are eating along the way.

Finally, this time, we have a menu and how adorably British it is. I can almost see how it was matched to the wholesome young couple with its bent on seasonal produce, a few local cheeses and au courant foods.

                                        Cheese, Leek & Onion Mini Quiche

Chicken & Mushroom Bouchées (tiny filled pastry shells)

Chipolata Sausages

"Devils on Horseback" (bacon wrapped prunes)

Endive with Smoked Salmon Tartare

Figs with Goat Cheese & Prosciutto

 Parmesan Scallion Crostini with Pear

Stilton Tartlets with Apricot Chutney

Welsh Rarebit

Yorkshire Puddings with Roast Beef & Horseradish Sauce

So now that I’ve got the clothes, got the jewels, the shoes and long last some of the food, there are just two more things I’d like to know...….how do you turn rarebit into a cocktail bite at a proper British stand up reception and where is the tea with the scones?

Our Old Friend Gluten

Pity our old friend gluten. The latest casualty in a long list of foods to avoid on the bumpy road to thinner.

For 1% of our population gluten is poison. Eating it can trigger pain and cause severe damage to the digestive system that in turn prevents the body from absorbing critical nutrients. People with gluten intolerance---Celiac Disease---face a lifetime of serious medical challenges. There is no treatment, other than avoiding gluten, and no cure.

For the rest of us, gluten is a harmless protein found in grains like wheat, rye and barley. The gluten in these grains give us pizza, pasta, chewy bagels and fluffy bread. But, just the same, gluten free has become a major fad as many see it as a synonym for low-carb and weight loss.

Gluten free for a healthy adult is not nutritious eating and will not help us loose weight. 

Oprah Winfrey’s Dr. Oz, Nutritionist Samantha Cassidy and Dr. Mark Hyman (Founder Of The Ultra Wellness Center) looked at dozens of supermarket foods labeled gluten free. They determined this:

1.    There are More calories in gluten free foods

2.    Gluten free foods are low in fiber

3.    There are more carbs in gluten free foods.

"It's becoming extremely fashionable to the point that it's almost alarming," says Dr. Stefano Guandalini, Founder and Director of the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago. He and other gluten gurus say most people on gluten-free diets don't actually need to be: they've either jumped on the bandwagon or misdiagnosed themselves as gluten-sensitive.

But seeing a trend and a chance to profit, food manufacturers are rushing to get a slice of the gluten free market, and a market where the Food and Drug Administration has yet to set a standard for gluten-free labeling. Nonetheless, gluten-free  has become a major selling point. Gluten-free Betty Crocker cake mix and gluten-free beer now line grocery-store shelves. There are gluten-free menus in restaurants and gluten-free lifestyle tips from celebrities who speak with little real knowledge of healthful eating or good nutrition.

Many health experts stress that gluten by itself is not a dietary evil. "Think of all the populations on the globe that have existed on wheat or other products that have gluten in them," says Barry Popkin, a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina.

"As for supposed weight-loss benefits, a gluten-free pretzel is not going to take off pounds any faster than a regular pretzel. In fact, if you avoid only gluten, rather than the carb-packed foods it's typically in, you will likely be getting more calories with fewer nutrients", says Dr. Guandalini, "because many substitutes end up being high in surrogate carbs and low in fiber. That's why celiac patients who go on prescribed gluten-free diets often see their body mass indexes increase, not decrease".

"Of course, people are free to eat what they wish, but a gluten-free diet is not necessarily a healthy diet," says Dr. Peter Green of Columbia University's Celiac Disease Center. "It's something people seem to take on without being aware of the effects."

TITANIC!

It’s almost one hundred years since Titanic struck that iceberg and sent thousands and itself to the bottom of the sea. While we may shudder recalling the icy demise of so many, I also think about the fabulous last meal they enjoyed before their end. They were certainly well fed and well wined.

Ten courses of exquisitely complicated foods (served with an equal number of paired wines) set out on fine English porcelain made just for the ship.

I stumbled across the menu a few days ago and marveled at the quantity of food consumed at one sitting....how did they possibly manage; especially the ladies in all their whale bone corsets? And that was the norm for every meal! I wondered. Could I eat that much at one sitting with a different wine for each course? Better, yet, could I reproduce that menu? Do I want to do a Julie type job on Titanic’s Last Menu? You bet I do!

 

 

I’m going to try one course at a time and my (now) unsuspecting friends are about to eat really really well.  I will not, however, do as Julie did and prepare the menu in order. I will, instead, begin with a food I adore: Salmon. It was presented with mouseline sauce and cucumber (and I hope their fish was poached, ‘cause that’s what mine is going to be).

Stay tuned….pictures, recipes, odd moments (and I'm certain a few disasters) to come.