my new favorite atlanta restaurant – lunacy black market

I’ll admit it. Nowadays when I hear of a new Atlanta restaurant that all the foodies are raving over, I scoff. Yeah, I said it. I scoff.  I’ve become jaded, you see. Time and time again, I’ve fallen victim to the buzz surrounding a hot new restaurant in Atlanta. First, the in-the-know insiders and foodies start circling stories of a concept, a location, an opening date. Soon the chorus of foodie-faithfuls grows. Comments of, “I knew Chef so-and-so when he/she was just a paduan,” and , “Have you had his whatzadoozit-with-mystery-sauce? It’s to die for!” start appearing all over the interwebs. Then the opening happens, a flurry of food scenesters, bloggers, media and critics flock to the place, each waxing poetic about the ambiance, the décor, the innovativeness or simplicity of the menu. After the dust from the initial hoopla finally settles and I get the chance to visit the restaurant once, twice, or three times, an unsettling reality sets in. The food… ain’t shit. Either the quality and consistency has deteriorated over time, or it was really never that good to begin with.

It’s this prejudice that was a large factor in keeping me away from Lunacy Black Market until last Friday, when a neighbor arranged for a group of folks to head over for a visit. I’d been hearing positive rumbles and awestruck whispers of the place since it opened last year, but was reluctant to believe any of it. Within minutes of arriving, I was completely disarmed. To call Lunacy Black Market a restaurant is correct only in the most literal of senses. Food is served for a price, so, yes, it’s a restaurant. But it would be more accurate to describe the place as a communal parlor – a space where conversation is encouraged as much as consumption. Our party of three arrived and was greeted cordially by our waitress, who suggested we claim a collection of comfy-looking, well worn couches near the front of the restaurant as our seats for dinner. A few moments later, the waitress returned with menus – hand printed in black Sharpie on cardboard box panels. We peered and pondered for several minutes, marveling at both how tasty the dishes sounded and how affordable the prices seemed. Wine
selections were decided upon (also at very wallet-friendly prices), and we settled back into our couches to chat for a while before ordering our first samples of food.

Like Chef Paul Luna’s prior restaurant ventures, Eclipse di Luna and Loca Luna, the menu at Lunacy Black Market is all tapas. In my opinion, Lunacy measures higher on the authenticity scale than the other two, and though the selections are more limited, the flavors are infinitely more soulful. We ordered almost everything on that night’s menu, including:

Antipasto platter – A perfect starter. Salami, roasted peppers, olives, and house-made mozzarella

Bread with olive oil and balsamic – A must-have to sop up all of the delectable sauces on the other dishes ordered. The bread is perfectly toasted – crispy outside, pillowy inside

Garbanzo beans – In a rich, savory curry sauce that was so good it caused one of my cohorts to moan inappropriately

Sauteed shrimp – My favorite dish of the evening. Swimming in an olive oil and garlic sauce that begs to be licked from your fingers

Roasted mushrooms – Charred nicely, accompanied by yet another tasty sauce. This time, a smoothly tangy crushed tomato sauce

Asian style ribs – Tender as love. Braised in ginger, soy and sesame. Simply sumptuous.

Green and purple cabbage salad – tossed with gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and a touch of fresh mint. At first taste, I was underwhelmed by the delicate flavors. But enjoyed it more as I paired it with sips of red wine

Dishes arrived at the table in no particular order. We intermittently noshed, lounged, and strolled about the restaurant taking in the art on the walls, tickled by the eclectic mish-mash of second hand furnishings in the space. Other neighbors joined later in the evening, and we floated back and forth between our two tables with ease. Chef Paul eventually emerged from the kitchen, and stopped by for a chat, during which he shared a bit of the inspiration behind Lunacy Black Market.

When he and his partner Cynthia were living in Spain, there was a small neighborhood restaurant that they’d often walk to. The restaurant’s owner would encourage them to stay as long as they wanted during their visits; to take their time and enjoy themselves, instead of feeling the hurry-up-and-get-outta-here vibe encountered in many restaurants. When Luna and Cynthia (the name Lunacy is a cheeky combination of their names) were conceiving the restaurant, they wanted it to be much like that restaurant in Spain – a place where patrons felt like guests and were welcome to stay as long as they liked.

Indeed, we did stay as long as we liked, and ended up being the last people to leave that evening after having spent a leisurely and enjoyable FOUR HOURS at the restaurant. Lunacy more than lived up to the hype surrounding it, and delivered everything I want in a restaurant experience: a variety of well-executed small plates to suit both my indecisive palate and the desire to feel full but not stuffed; an amazingly reasonable price point; easy accessibility – being only a stone’s throw from home and with free parking; and an environment so comfortable as to make me feel like I’d never left my living room. The fact that it took me so long to get there was, well… lunacy.

Watch Chef Paul Luna – the mad scientist behind Lunacy Black Market – at work.

cheers,

k

 

Lunacy Black Market

231 Mitchell St. SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

404.736.6164

http://www.lunacyblackmarket.com/

Photos courtesy of: dahon and Lunacy Black Market

the sound table – casual sophistication descends on atlanta’s edgewood district

Remember that trip you took to New York back in your mid-twenties? You were feeling young, sexy and sure of yourself. The friends that you came to visit in the bustling city introduced you to their group of friends, and you all met up for an evening out at a cool, but unpretentious lounge in lower Manhattan. The DJ there played an intriguing and unintrusive medley of urban underground funkiness, the drinks from the bar were prepared just right, the food: filling, flavorful, and just light enough to keep you feeling flirty. At one point in the evening, you thought to yourself, “why isn’t there a place like this back home in Atlanta?”
If you’ve never had that particular New York experience, it’s ok. You can still create a similar memory right here in the A, at The Sound Table.

Open for only a few months now, The Sound Table is the second restaurant / lounge venture for Jeff Myers, who also owns the equally hip resto-lounge Top Flr. All the elements that succeed at Top Flr – small plates, expertly prepared classic cocktails with modern updates, laid-back but attentive service staff, and mood-altering décor – are in place at The Sound Table. The decor is perhaps the most marked difference between the two. Whereas Top Flr is more vampire-chic with its monochrome baroque appointments, The Sound Table is more urban lodge with simple clean lines, exposed ductwork, expansive ceilings and warm wood accents. As a result, the overall feel of The Sound Table is more casual, but you can still put on your cute go-out gear if you want.

The Sound Table is certainly a welcome addition to the Edgewood corridor. The other bar / restaurant establishments on the strip either tend toward a slightly grungier, more hipster vibe (a la Noni’s Bar and Deli, and Edgewood Corner Tavern) or can be off-puttingly upscale (a la Café Circa) for a casual evening out. The Sound Table fills that in-between space that the now-closed Harlem Bar used to, but thankfully, there’s more square footage to enjoy yourself in. The only not-so-stellar thing is the parking situation. The adjacent lot is super tiny, and street parking can be a bit of a challenge (and a trifle scary, given the neighborhood night walkers) on busy weekend evenings.

That minor nuisance aside, The Sound Table has quickly become one of my favorite places to hang, and is tops on the list of places I recommend to people who are looking for a true taste of Atlanta’s nightlife and dining scene.

Here’s a quick sampling of some of the standouts from Executive Chef Shane Devereux’s menu:

• Chinese Pork Ribs – My absolute favorite on the menu. Tender, fall of the bone ribs with an Asian glaze of soy and red chili.
• Vietnamese Pho – not an authentic pho, but a respectable approximation of the Vietnamese noodle soup. The Sound Table’s version comes with tender bits of shredded oxtail and a flavorful broth with all the expected accompaniments – hoisin, fresh cilantro and bean sprouts, lime, and pepper sauce. Comforting and refreshing even in the dead of summer.
• Cece Frito – A delightful appetizer of fried chickpeas and capers dusted in a curry salt. Caution: these things are highly addictive!
• Spatchcock Grilled Chicken – A testament to the fact that simple cooking can be the most exciting. Cuts of bone-in chicken cooked over open flame with simple flavoring of lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a hint of herbs. The first time I tried this, I enjoyed it so much that I was compelled to replicate the dish at home (recipe soon come!).
• Chocolate Truffle w/ Salted Caramel Ice Cream – I usually don’t ever go for dessert. But this one is totally worth the extra calories. A chocolate molten cake that’s light yet decadent with a perfectly contrasting dollop of salted caramel ice cream. I was beside myself.

Food prices are slightly higher than what you’d find at a traditional bar / lounge. But they’re in line with the quality of the dishes and overall experience.

The cocktails at The Sound Table almost deserve a review unto themselves. Classic adult beverages are reincarnated with names like “Summer Home in Milledgeville” – featuring St. Germain elderflower, absinthe, and green chartreuse – “Small Axe” with tamarind-infused rum and grapefruit Ting, and my personal favorite, “The Gemini Handshake” – a mix of cachaca, lime, and locally made pineapple-habanero jelly. The bartenders are clearly master-level mixologists, and the showmanship that comes along with the drink making is well worth the price of admission.

Oh, and let’s not forget the most important element – the music. The Sound Table is a joint venture among 3 DJ-preneurs (yeah, I said it) whose aural palates are as global as the joint’s menu. Resident and guest DJs drop in often and spin an eclectic mishmash of future funk, electro soul, trip hop, dubstep and everything in between.

New York – eat your heart out.

cheers,
k

Spatchcock Chicken photo courtesy of Leon Dale

Sound Table Cocktails photo courtesy of Carlos Bell

The Sound Table
483 Edgewood Avenue (at Boulevard)
Atlanta, GA 30312
www.thesoundtable.com

sweetwater 420 beer dinner at south city kitchen vinings

Calling all brewheads!

On Thursday, August 19, South City Kitchen Vinings will host a unique, four-course prix fixe dinner featuring the distinctive beers of Atlanta’s own Sweetwater Brewery.

The cost is $50/person (including tax and gratuity) and reservations are available by phone only at 770.435.0700.

Check out the menu below:

 

 

Passed Hors d’Oeuvres

Housemade corndogs with orange-coriander “honey mustard”

Chilled white shrimp with seasonal heirloom tomato-horseradish jam

Paired with Sweetwater Sch’wheat—a refreshing, unfiltered American

wheat ale full of delicate rays of citrus hop overtones

Appetizer

“Hot wings-style” ale-brined, grilled Carolina quail with buttermilk blue cheese,

celery puree, herb salad and Texas Pete butter sauce

Paired with Sweetwater IPA—a big, bold Indian pale ale

loaded with intense hop character and natural, unfiltered flavors

Entree

BBQ-braised beef brisket with smashed lady peas and fried coleslaw

Paired with Sweetwater Motorboat—a silver medal-winning,

extra-special bitter (ESB) full of sweet caramel and wheat flavors

Dessert

Bacon-wrapped “banana split” with chocolate stout ice cream,

honey, chocolate and roasted peanuts

Paired with Sweetwater Georgia Brown—an especially drinkable

ale that’s smooth, subtle and a little bit nutty

 

For directions to South City Kitchen Vinings visit: www.fifthgroup.com/directions. For more information about Sweetwater Brewery, please visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com.

cheers,

k

atlanta’s national black arts festival kicks off next week

Only a few more days before the 22nd National Black Arts Festival begins! Well, technically, the festival never ends since it’s a year-round celebration of arts and culture across the African Diaspora. But from July 14-18, we’ll be treated to a concentrated dose of all that the NBAF has to offer.

The NBAF is always a highlight of Atlanta’s summer festival season with a myriad of music and theater performances, workshops, films, and educational programs that allow Atlantans and visitors from all around the globe to see, taste, hear, and feel the work of artists and artisans that have shaped and continue to influence Black culture.

Centennial Olympic Park will once again be the summer festival’s home base of operations, with Main Stage performances by Afro-Brazilian percussion group, Olodum,  Atlanta’s own DJ Kemit, and Roy Ayers with the Common Ground Collective. Several other events – film screenings, dance and theater performances, visual arts displays, and more - will occur at locations around the city. Many of the events are absolutely free to the public, while others offer some very affordable options if you’re looking for things to do on a sweltering Atlanta weekend.

Visit the NBAF’s website for a complete schedule of events or download this handy Excel schedule of 2010 NBAF events that you can sort by date, event type, and price (alternate link for those without Excel).

see you at the festival,

k

cool it now: pinkberry opens in atlanta

It’s hot as Satan’s underpants outside. And humid as hell to boot. But just around the corner from Cumberland Mall, the temperature is getting ready to drop a few degrees.

Pinkberry – the gourmet frozen yogurt chain  – opens tomorrow in Atlanta in the Akers Mill Shopping Center. Now some of you might be thinking, “Frozen yogurt? That’s so late 80s!” But the California-based chain has taken the concept of frozen yogurt to modern new heights with its use of hormone-free dairy, fresh high-quality fruit toppings like blackberries, mango and kiwi, and store designs that make you feel cool just for being there.

I got my first taste of Pinkberry when I visited L.A. last fall, and fell in love instantly! I’m even more thrilled now that I no longer have to travel across country to taste it again. I highly recommend the passionfruit yogurt with some fresh blackberry and kiwi… I’m drooling just thinking about it.

stay cool kids,
k

Pinkberry Atlanta
2937 Cobb Parkway
Akers Mill Shopping Center
770-661-2995
Twitter: @pinkberryswirl

royal china – an oasis in atlanta’s chinese food desert

Since Dinho (and its lackluster sequel, Frank Ma South) have both gone the way of the dragon, there’s been a serious void in my Chinese dining excursions of late. I’ve had to rely on more cookie-cutter Chinese restaurants in the Atlanta area, since there are no authentic, casual Chinese restaurants to speak of anywhere near my ‘hood. The ones that are close by generally get referred to by me as ‘gravy chino’ – due to their tendency to smother almost every dish on the menu in a ubiquitous brown gravy.

Thankfully, it seems like I’ve been delivered from the barren desert of order-by-number Chinese food establishments by one Royal China near Doraville. Since my first visit a few weeks ago, I’ve become a loyal fan… I’m already averaging a once a week Royal China habit. But I don’t give my affections easily, so you can be sure that there are really some solid reasons for my instant fanaticism, namely:

The diners are almost all Chinese
Every time I’ve visited, I think we were the only table in the place where there wasn’t a single Asian person present. The best way to tell if you’re getting good ethnic food is to see if your fellow diners look like they might have grown up on the stuff.

The Lobster and Mussels Specials
Two dishes that seem to be regulars on Royal China specials board could easily be called their signature offerings. The first is mussels in black bean sauce. For an appetizer, it’s a surprisingly large serving of plump mussels bathed in a luscious, slightly briny black bean sauce (no not those black beans, these black beans). The other special, 2 whole lobsters covered in either a ginger scallion sauce or some other sauce (I can’t remember since I’m so hooked on the ginger scallion), is an amazing deal at $18. The lobsters come chopped into manageable bite-sized pieces with the shell still on, so you still get the rewarding tactile experience of wrestling sweet lobster meat from its confines.

Dim Sum
Royal China offers dim sum every day from 10am – 3pm. For those who aren’t familiar, dim sum is the Chinese equivalent of tapas. But instead of ordering from a menu, a variety of small plates – dumplings, pot stickers, rice dishes, and more exotic selections like chicken feet – are wheeled around on carts. You simply point and choose which tasty temptations interest you. A heads-up: the one time I did go for dim sum, I found there were a lot of shrimp items offered, which is fine by me, but might limit your options if you’re not a shellfish fan.

5% Cash Discount
Holster the plastic and bring out the greenbacks and you can save a few bucks. And as we all know, savings make the perfect dessert for any meal.
While Royal China is a bit of a drive for those of us who tend to get stuck eating intown only, I’d happily drive past all the gravy oases in Atlanta to quench my thirst for authentic Chinese.
cheers,
k

Royal China Restaurant
3295 Chamblee Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
770.216.9933

drink for a good cause – 2 reasons to raise your glass

I say, if you must drink, drink for a good cause.

Examples of good causes include:

• ’cause it’s Wednesday
• ’cause I feel like it, and
• ’cause somebody else is buying

But if you’re searching for an even better cause to drink for, there are a couple of great ones happening this week.

Cause #1: Celebrity Cocktail Nights at Park 75 Lounge

This Thursday, the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta continues its weekly Celebrity Cocktail Nights. Every Thursday through June 24th, Park 75 Lounge at the Four Seasons will feature a different local celebrity bartender serving up his/her favorite cocktail recipe for attendees. This week’s celebrity drink peddler is Vern Yip – the charming and talented host of HGTV shows like Design Star and Deserving Design.

Why it’s a Good Cause: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Ulman Cancer Fund, which provides specialized support for young adults affected by cancer.

Cocktails are $10 each, and complimentary valet is available. Event goes from 6-9pm.

 

Cause #2: Atlanta Classics Bar Tour in Virginia Highlands
On Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 1- 6pm, experience drinks and food at some of the most historic bars and restaurants in Atlanta. $10 (advance price) covers your admission, a Classic Bar Tour mug, a t-shirt and discounted drinks at the participating pubs. Featured bars include: Atkins Park Tavern, George’s Restaurant and Bar, Limerick Junction Irish Pub, Manuel’s Tavern and Moe’s & Joe’s Tavern. Participating bars will also offer food specials at 1960s prices. Groovy!

Why it’s a Good Cause: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check out www.atlantaclassicsbartour.com for tickets and more info.

purpose-driven cheers,

k

atlanta auction gallery – vintage deals for next to nothing

If you’ve ever ridden Marta southbound into the West End station, you might have noticed the backside of a huge billboard that faces east towards downtown. The front of the billboard changes regularly, but the rear consistently bears the large and highly recognizable glyph of the ubiquitous grafitti artist, DOSE. For months, that billboard was the signal that I’d reached the end of my daily work commute from Alpharetta. Every day, I’d marvel at the sheer size of the thing and the ballsiness it must have taken to climb that high and labor for hours (probably in the dark) to get the tag just right.

But, billboards and graffiti aren’t the point of this story. Well… not really.

If you were to let your eyes trail all the way down to the base of that huge billboard, you might notice a large warehouse-looking building with an array of vintage signs and large antique fixtures out in front.  None of those signs will give you a clue as to what the building is, or what goes on inside of it, however. For that, you’ll have to show up on the 2nd Friday of the month – the same Friday of the monthly Scott’s Antique show. Before you hit the door, you’ll be greeted by the smell of barbecue coming from the huge grill out front. Make your way inside, and you’ll find a wide-open space filled to the brim with dusty, but well-worn vintage furniture and antique pieces. Huge chiffarobes, marble-top tables, decorative glassware, handcrafted knick knacks and curiosities are literally stacked up to the ceiling. The other people there with you will more than likely be antiques dealers from all over the Southeast who come to the once-a-month auction held here for the free barbecue, the unlimited supply of free beer and wine served in red plastic cups, and the most ridculously cheap deals on vintage and antique furniture I’ve ever seen.

Around 6:30 or 7, the auction begins. The selection changes every month, based on what Mike, the kind-faced middle-aged guy who runs the place, has been able to get his hands on since the last auction. For first-timers, it’s best to sit back and watch the action unfold for a bit. Though a belly full of free barbecue and booze might make you want to jump head first in to the bidding, you’d be better of taking a couple of cues from the pros in the joint. Watching the crowd interact with the barking auctioneers is enough entertainment in itself, but the prices that some of the items go for will have you absolutely amazed; especially if you’ve ever paid for vintage or antique stuff at some of the retail establishments around town. They even take plastic, and give you a couple of days to arrange for transportation if you succesfully bid on one of the larger items up for sale.

In the year or so since I’ve been frequenting the monthly auction, the word seems to be getting out more about the place. This month, Mike’s even having an additional auction – on a Saturday – to give folks another opportunity to score some serious deals. Even if you don’t find anything worth buying, who can argue with free food and drink?

I would point you to some other online resource for all the details, but (fortunately) there’s no website to find them on, no ads in the paper. Just look for the billboard near the West End Marta station, and follow your way to the ‘pot of gold’ underneath.

cheers,

k

NEXT AUCTION: Saturday, April 24 5pm-until
Atlanta Auction Gallery
556 Tift Street
Atlanta, GA 30310

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