Writing and Photography
There is a restaurant on Marietta Square that stands out thanks to a rather poetic name from an old nursery rhyme. The Butcher the Baker’s name also is notable for the lack of the ampersand or plus sign that has become an Atlanta restaurant cliche.
Continue reading “Head to Marietta Square for this gem of a sandwich”
Milkshakes are delicious, refreshing and fun to drink — a perfect summertime diversion. Take a look at menus around Atlanta, and you’ll find that the soda fountain classic never seems far from the minds of locals. From towering architectural marvels to simple, hand-spun treats, milkshakes are popular at a wide variety of restaurants around town.
Continue reading “Cool down this summer in Atlanta, a melting pot for milkshakes”
Dish of the Week: Shrimp Roll at Watchman’s Seafood and Spirits
In the world of seafood, the lobster roll is like a gifted athlete — it’s so naturally good that it doesn’t have to try hard to beat most competitors. The humble shrimp roll, by comparison, isn’t perceived as a high-flyer.
Continue reading “This Krog Street Market seafood gem is a winner”
“Every culture has its own version of soul food.” Chef Deborah VanTrece learned this lesson first-hand in her global travels and made it part of her own cooking philosophy. VanTrece says she believes that soul food, wherever it’s from, is really about welcoming visitors to the table. Continue reading “Twisted Soul chef Deborah VanTrece takes global approach to soul food”
How an Atlantan photographer, Angie Mosier, wants to reshape our perceptions of Southern cuisine. Continue reading “Changing the way we see food”
You’ve seen these ice cream trucks in Atlanta — old, beat-up vans covered haphazardly in stickers that bear warning signs like “WATCH FOR CHILDREN” and “PURCHASE FROM CURB SIDE ONLY.” They often play the kiddie song “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” It’s a tune that might be associated more closely these days with “Chain Hang Low,” the 2006 ringtone sensation by one-hit-wonder rapper Jibbs.
You may have driven by the intersection of Howell Mill Road and Defoor Avenue in west Midtown, where some of those ice cream trucks are based. If you were shocked to see all those shabby vans lined up in neat rows, you’re not alone. The first time I saw the distribution hub, I thought, “Wait, there’s more than one of those ice cream trucks?”
In fact, there are dozens of those ice cream trucks in town, about 50 of which are owned by Frosty Treats Inc. Technically operating as a distributor, its ice cream truck empire stretches from Georgia to Texas, and as far north as Iowa. The company, which has been in business for more than 20 years, does have some competition in Atlanta. Another company called Atlanta Ice Cream Trucks has a fleet of similar, if slightly newer-looking, trucks that cover the metro area as well.
More feature writing:
Secret no more: An insider’s guide to hidden menus in metro Atlanta
Food Tour: Peachtree Pavilion Shopping Center
Global flavors rise and shine on breakfast menus around town
Dish of the Week: Boerewors sandwich at the Whelan
Continue reading “South African flavors will make you a regular at this neighborhood Atlanta pub”
Dish of the Week: L’Inimitabile Gelato at Amorino
Continue reading “Cool off with richly flavored gelato at this Buckhead shop”
The secret menu item is irresistible to diners, restaurateurs and journalists alike. It takes a variety of forms, such as the off-menu Meat Stick at One Eared Stag, an open secret for years now. Sometimes it’s offered in limited quantities, like the original burger at Holeman & Finch, where tightly controlled supply drove demand to unusually frenzied heights. In other restaurants, it’s an unlisted mashup of items already found on the menu. This system was made famous by In-N-Out Burger but can be found locally at the Vortex. Continue reading “Secret no more: An insider’s guide to hidden menus in metro Atlanta”
Dish of the Week: Baltimore pit beef sandwich at the Brake Pad Continue reading “This College Park restaurant serves a Baltimore specialty that isn’t crab cakes”