#Stayblackanddine

[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?

[stayblackanddine]

Me thinking at 4:43pm. June 6th.

It wasn’t like any other day, it was a different kind. A July afternoon inspired by color and light and good memories. One that evoked comfort, like the smell of fried chicken and cherry ice in the summertime. I walked aimlessly, looking for a clue, listening for the signs and watching for the feeling. When would it come? 

In the column I turned in earlier that day, I only hinted at my desire to taste something delicious – my words were a puzzle even to myself. What was this thing I was hungry for? Surely, I found many things to be remarkably tasty: chocolate cake, chamomile tea, coconut shrimp. But I also found herb to be just as good on my tongue, and joy, and love, and sex, too. Of course each of those things had been so delicious in their own right. How could I choose? If there was a decision for me to make, I found it quite difficult to decide that, too.

And absolutely, an appetite was existent. I could always eat. There was always room, until there wasn’t. But when it’s delicious, more space can always be made, right? I can’t lie – the thought of sushi initially seemed to do the trick. I pranced hopefully into the swanky, dimly lit Japanese bar, determined to get something delicious in my belly. I was desperate. 

The first bite tried. It really did, but it gave a strong maybe. The second bite just flat out said no. That wasn’t it.

(Song plays in background)

It’s not the feel good track 

It’s the feel good back 

Got my whole life back 

Ya girl back on track

The lyrics felt strange and ironic and weak and out of place in this restaurant. I barely finished my food, and watched the ice in my water melt just like my patience. I imagined it was the boredom that sent the ice into some type of advanced melt; it seemed like it melted in record time. I was melting, too. The longing would not go away. 

I paid the tab and kept it moving as if I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Truth is: I couldn’t. Truth is: I became an expert in eliminating the things that didn’t tickle my fancy. I’d spent an untold amount of time becoming vehemently loyal to myself – a journey that, somehow, brought me here, unable to pinpoint what I needed next, but hella sure of what I didn’t need. How did I get here? Maybe I needed dessert. 

[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