#ATLdining

[stayblackanddine]

UMI ATL: I thought they wouldn’t let me in because of how I was dressed, but they did.

Typically, I order out but I felt like popping out today! I pulled up very casually for my first time dining in — fresh silver Pegasus joints, some tiny denim shorts and a Burna Boy concert merch T-shirt. It’s actually my favorite shirt in the world at the moment, and I’ve been telling everyone with ears so congrats as it is finally your turn.

Anyway, I came to write. If you’re seeing this it means I’m still writing our comic book and so, as a boxer trains and warms up with a series of exercises to get the blood flowing, so do I. It has recently dawned on me that I warm up with this blog. I describe the tastes and the vibes of the foods and places that delight me, and… idk, it just warms me up. I’m already warmed up truth be told, but we move.

This week and day and month has been complex enough, so I opted for simplicity for my drink. I ordered a lychee martini — it’s honestly become one of my favorite drinks. First of all it’s good. What other reason do you even need?

I chose to go with different yet familiar for my starter, so I chose the scallop tiradito — a beautiful, light helping of “scallop sashimi with yuzu, cilantro and aji amarillo.” Those are Umi’s words, per the menu.

To me, it was bright and citrusy and there was sugar involved. It tasted like a sweet little perfect bite of a sweet, sliced scallop that’s been resting in citrus juice and topped with a brown sugar crumble. No joke — that is exactly what I tasted. If somebody ordered it for the table though, I’d eat it again. It was cool and it felt intentionally made.

For my entree, I ordered butter poached Maine lobster tail & diver scallops. Babe. I literally do not even know, just walk with me and let’s get into it.

Bitch I had to take a break. One because I literally wasn’t even breathing just now when I was INHALING that food, omg. I’m a geechie girl and once I tasted that mf sauce, I HAD to order me some rice lmaoooo. My trainer Josh says I’m not even supposed to HAVE rice, but baby sometimes you gotta make an exception. This was worth it.

They ain’t lie one bit about the lobster being poached. It is soft and sliced and sweet and good. The scallop is delicious also, even though I feel like they could have included one more. That would probably cost them at least $100 more per night though, right? Idk, I been watching The Bear so I think I know stuff.

Anyway, I am not the same now. All this time, Nobu has been fulfilling my needs and she is still that girl but Umi is special. I also love the bathrooms in here — it’s black as night over there but the toilet seats are heated, lol. Gotta love that.

If you’re wondering if I’ll get dessert, absolutely will not. The rice and the cocktails were literally the dessert for all week lol. But I have no regrets! Who wants to come back with me?

[wikkedscorpion]

#Repost @sweetauburnseafood (with @report.for.insta) ... The best crab legs in the city! Get them TONIGHT! ONLY $10! 🦀 • • Sounds provided by @dj_dmark ! • • #crabnight #sweetauburnseafood #dininginatlanta #atldining #weloveatl https://www.instagram.com/p/BvxMEXbAV9f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jkihpo8t34r0

[wichitabyeb]

Stop me if you’ve heard this joke but a Falafel, Duck and Ribeye walk into a bar........ . . . #WichitaByEB #atldining #foodies #foodporn #foodpics #yummy #foodie #foodstagram #foodiegram #food #foodphoto #foodblogger #atlanta #instafoodie #foodielife #love #hungry #ff #instafollow #goodeats #tacos #duck #falafel #ribeye #bartacolife (at Bartaco)

[diningoutatl]

Celebrate #TacoTuesday at @localunarest! 🌮 Enjoy 2-for-1 entrees restaurants  with the 2018 DiningOut Atlanta Passbook. Get yours today for only $39 using code ATLpre2018 at link in bio. - - #atlantarestaurants #atlantafood #atlhotspots #ATL #Atlanta #tacos #tapas #tapastuesday #atlantaeats #diningoutatl #atldining #food #foodporn #foodstagram

[ajcdining]

Hungry? The Monster Soup Dumpling from China Kitchen in Chamblee should fill up even the most famished customer. Equivalent in size to six regular dumplings, this one takes up the whole bowl. Read more at ajc.com (🔗 in bio) 📸: Allison Gordon #chinakitchen #atlfood #atlfoodie #atldining #atlantafood #weloveatl #chamblee #soupdumplings #chinesefood #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2vjVBwV

[stayblackanddine]

Two Urban Licks in ATL

So tonight, I’m having dinner at Two Urban Licks. It’s a gorgeous June evening, a quarter to 8pm and I’m sitting at a familiar table. I recall sitting at this very table a few years ago, albeit in the center seat, on a date with a man I wouldn’t have minded marrying. I wasn’t necessarily seeking that particular destiny, but I would not have minded at all.

Anyway, the food is just as I remember. I started out with the Kentucky fried cauliflower. They are golden fried — they remind me of my godmommy’s codfish cakes by the way they look. Each one is coated in this honey glaze and there’s this bright cucumber relish sprinkled on top. They taste delicious, and there are a lot of them — I ate all but one. I had da munchies (said like Soulja Boy), sorry.

Service is always pleasant here. The host even recognized I was unable to decide between an inside or outside table, so he accommodated me! He agreed to seat me at the table outside, and if I didn’t like it, he agreed to move me — all his idea! He meant what he said, too. Two minutes after I sat down, he came to ask me if I liked the seat or wanted him to move me inside. I love that for me.

Back to the food: I ordered the scallops for dinner. Washing it down with something they call the Spring Fling; it’s got gin, rosemary, strawberry, elderflower, contratto apertif, simple syrup, citrus & soda.

The drink is fine, but I don’t particularly need it. I actually shouldn’t be having it at all, but the waiter was so good I just… I dropped all my defenses, y’all. I’m such a sucker for a good waiter and a well-written menu, I gave in so fast! It’s like I didn’t even try! Sometimes I just do it for the plot, you know? You never know where a cocktail might take you… even if you don’t drink it all!

Now, before I wrap this up I wanna say the scallops were bomb AF. They’re listed as Diver Scallops on the menu, and they’re buttery and sweet and plump and resting on a bed of corn, sliced peaches, juicy heirlooms, herbs — all of which are also resting on a corn jalapeño emulsion. The emulsion is simply a wonderfully flavored purée at the bottom of the plate. It’s corn-y, kinda jalapeño-y, and really freaking good. I’m not a huge tomato fan, but these heirlooms are juicy and the color is so rich I just had to try. The peaches added a pleasant touch that I was not expecting (omg, I love when that happens), and kinda cools down the jalapeño after-effects. It’s light and delicious. I give this entree a smooth 8.8/10.

Cute place along the belt line to pull up and enjoy. Take a walk afterward or hit up the brewery next door.

Bottom line: 

Would I go back? Yes, I’ve already been here a few times and it’s always a vibe. Recommend you go, and try the salmon chips but don’t be afraid to get something else!

Were the drinks good? It was fine. I wasn’t really in the mood for a drink, and I have minimal recollection of what the drinks were like last time I went.

Food: 8.5/10

Drinks: 7/10

Vibes: 8/10

Service: 9.5/10

So here’s what I wanna know: when you have the choice at a restaurant, do y’all usually sit inside or outside?

[caramelcutie]

Ted's bacon cheeseburger with a root beer float. Bison sliders on buttermilk biscuits with a huckleberry margarita. Damn good eating! #atldining #atlanta #foodporn (at Ted's Montana Grill)

[diningoutatl]

Finish all of your holiday shopping 🛍 while getting the lowest price on the new 2018 Atlanta DiningOut Passbook! Get 2-for-1 entrees at 90+ restaurants! Use code ATLPRE18 at the link in bio to get your passbook for only $39! That’s 60% off. 💰#atlantarestaurants #atlantafood #atlhotspots #ATL #Atlanta #atlantaeats #diningoutatlpassbook #foodporn #food #atldining #diningout #blackfriday #discount #holiday #Christmas #Hanukkah #gift #shopping #presents

[ajcdining]

These gelato roses are almost too pretty to eat! 😋🍦🌹 @amorinogelato is coming to @shopbuckheadatl this fall read more about the new gelato spot on AJC.com (🔗 in bio). #gelato #amorinogelato #atlanta #weloveatl #atlantafood #atlantadining #atlantafoodie #instafood #foodporn #atldining #atlfood #atlrestaurants #atlfoodie #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2tbm3GN

[stayblackanddine]

Yebo in ATL

Finally made it to Yebo. 

Had mushroom burrata to start. Pleased, but not overwhelmed. Presentation could have been better – mushrooms were everywhere, but the flavor was good.

First cocktail is quite refreshing: something called a Haus Cooler. It’s good, but I’m ready to be wowed. The vibes are right though. I’m the only one with an iPad out at the table, but I have a perfect seat along the back wall where I can see everything. There is one guy at the bar with his laptop out as well 😂 I suppose the work is not gona do itself.

Mixed crowd, very into their own little bubbles — I like it here.

Fast forward to dinner – I ordered the halibut and it was fine. 7.5 out of 10. Whoever made it could obviously cook, but it lacked depth of flavor by a mile. There was a light cream underneath to wet the palate – that was pretty good. The broccolini just absorbed it like a little bath. That was pleasant, but overall I needed some salt. 

For my dessert, I can’t remember what it was called but I do remember getting the vibe that it had been sitting in the refrigerator just waiting for me to order it. It was very cold. Like, not refrigerat-ed cold but refrigerat-OR cold, and I just don’t like that. I know restaurants have processes and operational efficiency to consider, and I do appreciate the speed of the service in light of this. However, there’s a fine line between being so fast that it gives buffet at the all-inclusive resort with the desserts that they’ve been refrigerating and serving all week. Freshness might be an illusion, but it’s important to do your best there — that’s all I’m saying.

I also ordered the frozen espresso martini, since the waiter told me it was like a dessert. I imagined it to be a boozy version of the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity – maybe that was my bad. The glass had clearly been in the refrigerator, and it was a nice touch. But there was nothing frozen or even frothy about the martini. When I asked my waiter why, she told me ‘sometimes their blender doesn’t work.’ It was giving McDonald’s, and I hate that for them and I hated it for me even more. Maybe it was the iPad I brought with me, but I felt like a food critic with nothing nice to say. Ugh.

Bottom line:

Would I go back? Yes, the vibes were good, the prices were not outrageous and there was something charming about it that I just… liked. Maybe it was the people. I’d go back again, but I wouldn’t go back starving.

Were the drinks good? Yes, they were. The frozen espresso martini — albeit, not frozen — was very strong, punched me right in the chest LOL.

Food: 7.5/10

Drinks: 8.5/10

Vibes: 8.8/10

Service: 8/10

[caramelcutie]

They love their bison in this joint. It's on the menu and the walls. #atlanta #atldining #bison #foodie (at Ted's Montana Grill)

[ajcdining]

It's the height of lavender season. We explore the culinary uses for this herb in food and beverages with the help of area chefs/bartenders and even check in with some Georgia lavender farms to understand more about this beautiful herb. Read more about lavender and how to use it in 3 different recipes on myAJC.com (🔗 in bio). 📸 @wendelldavidbrock #lavender #lavenderrecipes #weloveatl #atlanta #atlantafood #atlantadining #cookingwithlavender #instafood #foodporn #atlfood #atldining #atlfoodie #atlantafoodie #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2sLOxqd

[ajcdining]

This week we are welcoming @wendelldavidbrock to the AJC's restaurant review team. Wendell is a longtime AJC contributor and winner of a James Beard Award for journalism. Check out his review of @mussandturners East Cobb on myAJC.com (🔗in bio) #weloveatl #atlanta #atlantarestaurants #atlantadining #atlantafood #atlantafoodie #instafood #foodporn #ajcrestaurantreviews #atlrestaurants #atldining #atlfood #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2sTXZti

[ajcdining]

Grilled Faroe Island salmon over a spinach salad at @Volare_bistro in Hapeville. Discover all of the dining options that Hapeville has to offer on myAJC.com (🔗 in bio). 📸 @ligayafigueras #hapevillegeorgia #hapeville #atlanta #weloveatl #atlantafood #atlantadining #atlantarestaurants #instafood #foodporn #atldining #atlfoodie #atlantafood #atlrestaurants #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2sGCQTv

[ajcdining]

The Atlanta Braves give Jen Hidinger of Staplehouse and The Giving Kitchen a Community Hero Award. Read more about Hidinger on myAJC.com (🔗 in bio) 📸 Curtis Compton #atlanta #StaplehouseRestaurant #weloveatl #atlantadining #atlantafood #atlantarestaurants #instafood #atlantafoodie #atlfoodie #atldining #atlfood #atlrestaurants #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2sPL3XC

[ajcdining]

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there -- especially those who work in the restaurant industry. We chatted with @lliinton (left) about lessons from his dad, @chefhopkins. Find 🔗to story in bio. #happyfathersday #fathersday #likefatherlikeson #lifelessons #atldining #atlfoodie #atlantafood #ajcdining http://ift.tt/2sF75Mk