LATEST CULINARY ADVENTURES

It has been quite some time since my last post. I’ve been a bit of a slacker and work has been crazy, but I’m feeling a need to get back in the saddle. I thought it appropriate to do a quick round up of a few of my latest adventures. So here goes…

PushStart Kitchen

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE Pushstart and the creative genius behind it, Zach and Cristina Meloy. And Atlanta now knows what I those of us in the know have known for over a year … this is the BEST SUPPER CLUB in the city (as recently designated by Creative Loafing). I’ve been quite a few times since my last post, but here are just a few of my recent favorites (T to B):

horchata-parfait-pickled-summer-berries-milk-crumb-blueberry-gel.

Steamed Avocado Custard with Smoked Bacon Rice Crispy Treat Cactus Pear Sorbet Citrus Syrup

low-cooked-pork-loin-crispy-pig-ears-blistered-tomatillo-puree-green-chile-corn-pudding-pineapple

griddled-pork-belly-roasted-garlic-omelette-heirloom-tomato-cucumber-pico-de-gallo-red-onion-caramel

Horchata parfait, pickled summer berries, milk crumb, blueberry gelSteamed avocado custard, Smoked Bacon rice crispy treat, cactus pear sorbet, citrus syrupSlow cooked Pork Loin + crispy Pig Ears, blistered tomatillo puree, green chile corn pudding, pineappleGriddled Pork Belly, roasted garlic omelette, heirloom tomato + cucumber pico de gallo, red onion caramel

You just have to love this place!

The Optimist

My most recent adventure was to one of Atlanta’s newest  hotspots: The Optimist. The buzz about this new Westside restaurant has reached deafening levels, so I joined a group of fellow Foodies for a Foodspotting Eat-up. I have to say the experience had a high note and two misses, but the one high note was high enough to lead me to give another chance (going back in a few weeks, so stay tuned). By far, the Frothy She-Crab Soup with Shrimp Toast  was a winner. It was so rich, I almost turned away my entree! And the Shrimp Toast … I could have eaten a LOAF! My entree (Grilled Halibut with Bacon Mayonnaise) was both a saltlick and so peppery that I couldn’t finish it. Such a shame given the beautiful fish. My side (Basmati “fried rice,” smoked fish, curry, crushed peanuts, egg) had WAY too much curry…rendering it inedible. I took two bites and decided to abandon the mission. Kudos to the restaurant for taking it off my bill without my asking.

She Crab Soup

basmati-fried rice--smoked-fish-curry-crushed-peanuts-egg

alaskan-halibut-garlic-cream-celery-calabrese-peppers

R Rice Sushi Wok Grill

I was recently introduced to R Rice by a fellow foodie, Emily Robinson. I love it because it is near my office and is the perfect diversion from my very long evening commute. The R-Special Rolls are my favorite and I am slowly working my way through the list. Here are two of my favorites:

L to R:  Godzilla Roll (Fried Roll with Spicy Tuna, Kani and Avacado, and House Sauce) and Green Devil Roll (Spicy Salmon, Crunchy, Avocado Inside, Topped with Yellowtail, Jalapeno and Wasabi Ketchup). A must try …

So I’m back and ready to embark on new adventures. I hope I can inspire you to do the same!

As always…I am the Tasteless Gourmand….