I have had a request to incorporate some of my experiences with food into my first year of marriage... James is the best because he is always up to try anything... except soy. Apparently men are not supposed to eat this! Thanks to Uncle Scott, James now has several food phobias! So the night I tried to go vegan --- he was all worried about eating estrogen! whoops - For the most part he is very go with the flow and will eat anything! Our marriage would be really different if he were a picky eater.... how sad is that?! I might like food too much...
More to come later!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Orsay In Jacksonville.
I have been slacking on all of this blogging recently. I also realized all the typos from previous entries.... whoops.
For our main course Gail, John, and I all got the special fish - it was really good - and much healthier than most of the options on the menu! I left feeling satisfied... not to much food - just the right amount!
We went to Jacksonville to celebrate a slew of March Birthdays on Saturday night. On Friday night we went to Orsay, a restaurant I had heard great things about. I was excited to finally try the new "hot spot" in Avondale.
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| Spinach Salad - green apples, candied pecans, bacon, and blue cheese! |
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| Sea Bass - with fingerling potatoes, artichokes, and green beans! |
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| James got the Duck -- it had a bed of lentils underneath, and something like apple sauce under that! The one bite I had was very good!!! I enjoyed Orsay, and would of course recommend it for a special occasion! Like you son and daughter in law in being in town of course!! The seating can be tight, we had a table move from next to us... hopefully they just wanted more space! Otherwise I only have good things to say. The service is great, quick - and friendly... Go if you are ever in the area! |
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Pizza
What is your favorite pizza place in Atlanta? James and I just enjoyed a quick lunch at Fellines on Peachtree - and I just really enjoyed it! We decided to get a whole veggie pizza because whole pizzas just taste SO much better than if you just buy a slice! Yes - a little more expensive... BUT so much better!!! James likes to eat non breakfast items for breakfast, so I am sure he will be toasting pizza tomorrow morning... I am dreading my alarm clock going off tomorrow for the first time in over a week. I am excited about the time change though!!!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Cafe Istanbul
James and I went to dinner with Scotty and Lauren the other night at Cafe Istanbul. Cafe Istanbul is a Turkish restaurant that also has a Hookah Lounge. Scotty and Laurent were excited to have an ethnic dining experience, and we are always up for trying any cuisine! I did not realize that you literally sit on the floor at Turkish restaurants. I had never been to a restaurant like this before - but really enjoyed it!
We started the meal with some babaganush and pita bread! DELISH! this before, it was fun! We sat at low tables with big pillows. I appreciate chairs, but I was happy to try it for a meal! We also had a belly dancer that would shake herself around as we ate every few minutes!
Although I do not think you go to this place for the food - or the service! I enjoyed my food - but was not blown away.
We started the meal with some babaganush and pita bread! DELISH! this before, it was fun! We sat at low tables with big pillows. I appreciate chairs, but I was happy to try it for a meal! We also had a belly dancer that would shake herself around as we ate every few minutes!
Although I do not think you go to this place for the food - or the service! I enjoyed my food - but was not blown away.
I could not find a description of what I got!
I will say this place was interesting! A large family came in around 9:30 and they brought babies!!! and children... as a teacher I was feeling that we were out late on a school night -- -then to see little kids!!! I was annoyed.... they needed to be asleep!!!
You can find Cafe Istanbul out at 1850 Lawrenceville Highway
I imagine that this would be a HOT spot on the weekends.... I think everyone should experience this place if you are up for a cultural dining experience. James and I enjoyed dining with the Candlers and look forward to more food adventures in the future!
Veggie Land
I have gotten behind on my foodie post! The week before James and I left for vacation I went to Veggie Land with some of my favs... Susanne, CM, and Hannah.
We decided to go to dinner for small group that night - but we wanted to stay healthy and cheap... what did we settle on but Veggie Land. I was impressed with how affordable it was - How often do you leave a restaurant for under $8.00 at dinner time? I guess having no meat - and no alcohol really helps cut down the bill!
The atmosphere at Veggie Land is less than welcoming. The sign outside is halfway burned out, and it is neon green and maybe orange! You walk inside and there is a dimly lit room with tile floors and dark green table tops. The staff was very friendly, the waitress and the cook appeared to be married. Veggie Land would be a great place to run in and get take out during the week. I think a lot of their clients lean towards takeout because of the atmosphere. I plan to grab dinner here on occasion, they have a veggie burger that looks AMAZING --- I was having orders remorse for not getting it! Also the sweet potatoes looked very good as well.
I ended up getting the veggie stir fry. I added veggie chicken - and it tasted VERY healthy. I was expecting it to be covered in sauce, but all you really saw was the broccoli and other veggies! It had some seasoning on it though - I guess not covering things in sauce helps keeps a healthy dish healthy! Susanne had some tofu,black bean curry dish, which I was a little jealous of! Hannah got some pasta dish that did not appear to have much taste - but it did turn out to be tasty as well.
After eating such a healthy dinner we felt the need to get frozen yogurt. We headed for Menchies on Roswell Road. Atlanta has become saturated with fro yo places in the last year... Menchies is great though - I have not gotten a chance to try all of the fro yo establishments... but as it warms up i have a feeling i will be picking it up more and more!!
Veggie Land
211 Pharr Rd NE # B
Atlanta, GA 30305-2269(404) 231-3111
We decided to go to dinner for small group that night - but we wanted to stay healthy and cheap... what did we settle on but Veggie Land. I was impressed with how affordable it was - How often do you leave a restaurant for under $8.00 at dinner time? I guess having no meat - and no alcohol really helps cut down the bill!
The atmosphere at Veggie Land is less than welcoming. The sign outside is halfway burned out, and it is neon green and maybe orange! You walk inside and there is a dimly lit room with tile floors and dark green table tops. The staff was very friendly, the waitress and the cook appeared to be married. Veggie Land would be a great place to run in and get take out during the week. I think a lot of their clients lean towards takeout because of the atmosphere. I plan to grab dinner here on occasion, they have a veggie burger that looks AMAZING --- I was having orders remorse for not getting it! Also the sweet potatoes looked very good as well.
I ended up getting the veggie stir fry. I added veggie chicken - and it tasted VERY healthy. I was expecting it to be covered in sauce, but all you really saw was the broccoli and other veggies! It had some seasoning on it though - I guess not covering things in sauce helps keeps a healthy dish healthy! Susanne had some tofu,black bean curry dish, which I was a little jealous of! Hannah got some pasta dish that did not appear to have much taste - but it did turn out to be tasty as well.
After eating such a healthy dinner we felt the need to get frozen yogurt. We headed for Menchies on Roswell Road. Atlanta has become saturated with fro yo places in the last year... Menchies is great though - I have not gotten a chance to try all of the fro yo establishments... but as it warms up i have a feeling i will be picking it up more and more!!
Veggie Land
211 Pharr Rd NE # B
Atlanta, GA 30305-2269(404) 231-3111
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Local Three
Local Three opened in December of 2010 - and it has been a successful to the Northside Parkway - West Paces Ferry dining options. 3290 Northside Drive ( it took the place of Joel)
James and I decided to leave the comfort of groupons and scoutmob's to try this wonderful new eatery! It was WELL worth eating without a discount!!!
From Local Three's website "Our Daily Operating Philosophy is Straightforward: People Matter Most. Local Is Priority. Seasonal Makes Sense. Authenticity Rules. Quality Governs. Delicious. Trumps. Pretense Loses. Comfort Feels Good. Appreciation Tastes Better. Prudence Sustains It All."
James and I decided to leave the comfort of groupons and scoutmob's to try this wonderful new eatery! It was WELL worth eating without a discount!!!
From Local Three's website "Our Daily Operating Philosophy is Straightforward: People Matter Most. Local Is Priority. Seasonal Makes Sense. Authenticity Rules. Quality Governs. Delicious. Trumps. Pretense Loses. Comfort Feels Good. Appreciation Tastes Better. Prudence Sustains It All."
They cook what is in season - because that is what taste best! They also buy local produce and meats when possible!
James and I had a great experience at Local Three - the server we had Mary was VERY helpful and understanding... I had a hard time picking what wine I wanted to drink... she brought me several samples --- and after the 4th one we found something that I wanted to drink a whole glass of. I think they are more known for their big beer selection!
| Chicken Liver Mousse a.k.a "Meat Butter" Grilled Bread, House Made Jam ( This was very good - so random - but we decided to try it and found it very tasty) We also split a spinach salad with Butternut squash shavings and shaved Parmesan They have daily appetizers that are smaller portions sizes - I had a great rabbit appetizer that had round noodles, and it was sort of a stew. James got the "The McDowell" two patties, special sauce, on a seasame seedless bun and A LOT of homemade fries!!! $11 this is really good - I was happy to only have a bite - but would def cure any hamburger craving and it fits right in with the craze going on now for hamburgers! Local Three | $6 |
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Guest Blogger gives his 2 cents on some foodie adventures
48 Hours in Lynchburg, VA
So this week I had to fly to VA to distribute to one of my Frito-Lay accounts. I go to a lot of places all over the country but out of all the places I visit, I would say Lynchburg and one other destination are my favorites. Call me crazy but Lynchburg is one cool little town.
Three things make a good business trip.
1.) Nice People.
2.) Good Food and Beverage
3.) Pretty Scenery
Lynchburg is all those things. Nice people are pretty self explanatory. Despite the loss of some big industry Lynchburg is starting to resurrect itself as an artsy/technology driven city. And 2007 it was ranked the number 1 in the Top 10 Digital Cities.
Fodder: The food is surprisingly good,of the restaurants I have visited two top the list as being fantastic!
Waterstone Pizza: Casual dining at its finest. Waterstone fire roasted pizza is not your average pizza joint. Offering the best in fresh ingredients. Appetizers, gourmet salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizza and desserts wash down perfectly with our very own Jefferson Street Brewery draught beer or one of many one-of-a-kind martinis. Their unique atmosphere is sure to keep you coming back for more.
Their pizza is fantastic, cooked in a fire brick oven, the whole kitchen is open for patrons to view. No secrets about where their fresh ingredients come from. This trip I avoided temptation and went with a Steak House Salad.
Shoemakers American Grille: When you walk through the doors of Shoemakers American Grille, you are struck with an ambiance that just can’t be duplicated. From the exposed brick lining the interior walls, to the sleek, yet welcoming, décor, Shoemakers American Grille will quickly become your downtown favorite. Tucked away along the bank of the James River, Shoemakers offers the chic, uptown feel without leaving the Southern comfort of home. Think it just can’t get any better? Just wait until you try the food. http://www.shoemakersdining.com/
Two other spots I need to try are Robin Alexander American Bistro and Jimmy’s on the James. I hear they have very good food as well, maybe next time. “Life is too short to eat the same thing twice” MJ and James’ new Brent Family Motto. Beats the heck out of “Silentio et Diligentia” (with silence and diligence)
The Jefferson Street Brewery: Rarely am I any place that has any of the larger microbrews available. Being in a town that has its own microbrewery on tap in the restaurants is a real treat! Good American Pale Ale, not a huge fan of their wheat beer, maybe if I had warmer weather I would reconsider.
Another surprising thing about Lynchburg is its nice hotels. I don’t mean they are resorts but certainly some of the nicest ones I’ve stayed in on someone else’s tab. The Craddock Terry Hotel (have not stayed but looked around it) is located in the same building the once major American shoe manufacturer operated from. This is a small boutique hotel but don’t let the size fool you, this former factory building is full of upscale charm. http://www.craddockterryhotel.com/
5 Stars
The two I have stayed in are also mentionable. The Kirkely Hotel and the Holiday Inn Down Town are also upscale. My definition of upscale business lodging is a large flat screen TV, with large rooms, and a hot breakfast.
Both 3 Stars Respectively
by James Brent
by James Brent
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