Carne Carne Carne!

Best Drinks in the World at 41°, Barcelona

Courtesy of Albert and Ferran Adria (of the former El Bulli).  The bartenders there are called cocteleras, which literally translates into "shaker."  And if you happen to find yourself at this little dream of a bar on a Saturday night in Barcelona, make sure you ask Miguel, coctelera extrordinario (see 2nd photo below), to shake you a few or more... 

A Series of Happy Events in Barcelona

all involving jamon iberico de bellota, por supuesto!

One Eared Stag

Wholesome locally-sourced goodness, courtesy of the people who brought you Holy Taco.  One Eared Stag in Inman Park was a lovely spot for Sunday brunch.  They had fresh and delicious East Coast (Canadian) oysters served with a light green apple vinaigrette.  Can't wait to try it for dinner!

Heirloom BBQ

Atlanta has Korean BBQ, and Atlanta has Southern BBQ.  But the two grilled meat cultures rarely mix... until Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee met and decided to open up their own Korean-influenced Southern BBQ joint, Heirloom BBQ and Market, out on Akers Mill road.  This was definitely worth trying out - especially the tender brisket and hearty ribs paired with sides of kimchee and sweet potatoe chips.  A refreshing break from the usual BBQ. 

Iggy's Doughboys and Chowder House

My first stuffed quahog (pronounce KO-HOG) ever and it was sublime. The quahog is a thick-shelled large edible clam about 5 to 6 inches in diameter, celebrated throughout Cape Cod and nearby islands.  There is even a Cape Cod Quahog Day in which Doug the Quahog, his interpreter Johnny Quahog and the Quahog Security Team predict the number of beach weather days for the summer.  Iggy's in Warwick serves up a lovely rendition of quahog stuffed and baked - perfect for washing down with a little bit of Iggy's own Root Bear and/or local Rhode Island strawberry juice.  YUM! 

Caracas, Rockaway

Beachside happiness now available at Caracas, Rockaway at Rockaway Beach Boardwalk at 106th St.  Take the A train out here and get your summer on!!!

Minetta Tavern

Finally had a chance to try the famous Black Label burger ($26) at Minetta Tavern with its carefully designed burger meat supplied by Pat La Frieda.  And it was ALL THAT and more.  The burger was so perfect, the meat so juicy and tender that no sauces or condiments were needed to supplement this perfect little combo of pampered beef & custom brioche bun.  Making of the beef patty is a closely guarded secret, a unique combination of dry aged ribeye + skirt steak + brisket from prime beef sourced from Creekstone Farms, Kentucky.  However, Serious Eats has a great blog entry explaining the creation of the best burger in the world. We also had the dry aged cote de boeuf with finger-lickin' good roasted marrow bones. Like liquid umami... Mmmm.  I have never been so happy to be a carnivore.  Dinner ended with the best chocolate souffle i have ever had in my life - all lightness, air, and rich chocolate.

Hong Kong BBQ

Woot woot! There is decent Cantonese comfort food available in Atlanta!  For a good salty Canto fix, go to 5385 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341, look for the Chinese strip mall and the food court inside.  You'll know you're in the right place if you see old Chinese men playing chinese chess at the tables.  For the South, this place was passably authentic, and probably the best available here in Atlanta. 

Holy Taco

Holy moly, Holy Taco!  Credit for finding this gem of a tacqueria with locally-sourced fresh ingredients goes to my friend Brian Baker. This past weekend, I came back for brunch with Andrew, and again it was sublime.  We had corn three ways - on the cob with queso fresco & spiced mayo, creamed with lardo (lardo! woot woot!) & cayenne pepper (did I mention lardo?), and ground into fluffy light arepas with syrup and cotija cheese.  The pan-fried quail eggs was a nice brunch selection, and we stuffed ourselves silly with the beef-tongue taco and grass-fed beef brisket taco.  All this washed down with a yummy cool red sangria made for a perfect outdoors Sunday brunch. 

No. 246

Happy weekend wanderings around in Decatur led us to the new restaurant, No. 246 for brunch.  This Italian-cuisine inspired locally-sourced restaurant is named after the original name of the plot of land on which the restaurant is built, and features a spacious bar with generous sky-lights, bistro-style dining area with a wood-fire brick oven in the open kitchen.  Four days after its initial opening, we spotted co-owner Ford Fry (also of JCT kitchen & bar) hanging out at No. 246 by the bar in his chef whites, and chef and co-owner Drew Belline (formerly of Floataway Cafe) working his magic by the open kitchen. 

We were off to a good start when Andrew's ice tea arrived with a side of sugar syrup (instead of sugar which never fully dissolves in ice tea).  The wood oven roasted eggplant spread with toast was delicious with a cool kick from chilies & mint.  And the coppa was impeccable, pork shoulder cured meat laced with luscious lard, just the way it should be.  I had the perfectly roasted trout, with crispy skin on the outside and moist flaky meat on the inside, while Andrew had the sweet corn agnolotti.  We ended the perfect summer brunch with a natural mint gelato and watermelon sorbet.  

Garlic Scapes Season

is here!  My friend Christine pointed out these edible and savory flower stalks of hardneck garlic plants for sale at the Union Square Farmer's Market.  I pan-fryed them with pasta shells, olive oil, and salt & pepper to taste.

Blue Sky Cafe

Gratuitous photos of stir-fried Chinese vegetables. Just because.  The Blue Sky Cafe serves up really good and fresh Cantonese food for a very very cheap price.  Go to 1625 El Camino Real, Ste 9, in Belmont, CA 94002.

More Sushi Porn from Sushi Azabu

Sushi Azabu

Haven of sushi delights

and sake-soaked nights

Home Grillin', Atlanta

I am not a vegetarian.  Nope, definitely not.

Lobster Alive

yet another heavenly beachside lobster shack. This time with live jazz courtesy of Lord Jenkins (seriously!  he plays the trombone), Roger Gittens (piano), Elvis Edwards (Bass), and the smokin' Vere Gibson (drums). Oh, and the conch chowder and grilled Caribbean spiny lobster were BEYOND.

Conch chowder

Caribbean spiny lobster - grilled to perfection

The detritus