The internet age has changed a lot of things about the restaurant industry, like the immediate public feedback from crowdsourced review sites like Yelp, to online ordering, the rise of food bloggers…ahem… and the connection restaurant owners can make with patrons through social media like Twitter and Facebook. And another information-age invention is continuing to change the game for hopeful restaurant owners as well.

The days of having to win Top Chef to fund the opening of your dream restaurant are over. All you need now is an internet connection, a good idea, and a whole lot of friends.

For those not familiar, crowdfunding is the practice of fielding small donations from the public through a website like Kickstarter for whatever project you need money for. This can include anything, from raising capital to record an album, develop a video game, or launch a fashion line. Rather than receiving a monetary return on your pledged funds, a variety of gifts for the carrying …

Continue reading Crowdfunding catches on in Atlanta Restaurants »

A neighborhood pub in Atlanta’s Inman Park recently learned the high price of repeat health code violations.

They cost double points the second time around.

The Albert, 918 Austin Avenue, failed a second routine inspection by tripping up on some of the same code violations as before.

“There were a few little things that we also got wrong the last time, so we had double points taken off. It wasn’t anything major. We corrected them on site,” said Manager Heath Horan.

The restaurant scored a 51/U, and had a 55/U in August. Points were taken off on both routine inspections for having food debris on the equipment, mold inside the ice machine and a few unwanted items were lying around the kitchen.

The inspector recommended a thorough detailed cleaning of the facility.

The grill, cook-line and fryer doors all needed cleaning. Cutting boards had debris build-up and were no longer cleanable. Shelves used to store clean utensils and equipment were dirty with food debris. All the …

Continue reading Restaurant inspections, The Albert »

Ford Fry was chosen by Food and Wine magazine as one of the restaurant “Empire Builders 2012,” with his Southern-tinged, JCT Kitchen, Italian-American, No. 246, and fish camp-meets-seafood palace, The Optimist, which he opened to major fanfare last year.

Now Fry is set to open King + Duke in the former Nava space in Buckhead, with a bold new concept focused on wood-fired cooking on a 24-ft open hearth filled with hot coals.

“We’ve already started training,” Fry said during a conversation yesterday. “We’ve got the CO and health permit, so we’re doing friends and family on the 10th and 11th, Friday and Saturday, with mock dinner services, going quiet on Sunday, and opening the doors on Monday, the 13th, for lunch and dinner.”

Fry and his King + Duke team, executive chef Joe Schafer and chef Kevin Maxey, have been previewing some smaller menu items at charity events around town — including the recent Hambidge Art Auction at the Goat Farm Arts Center, where …

Continue reading Ford Fry Talks King + Duke »

Last Saturday at the Morningside Farmers Market, farmer Nicolas Donck of Crystal Organics handed me a bumpy pod that tapered down to a point. It looked a little like something that might have come out of Shrek’s nose. Donck explained it was a daikon seed pod, and he had just discovered it was edible.

More than edible, it was radically delicious — sweet and spicy like the best radish, but with the juicy crunch of a sugar snap. I bought two bunches, brought them home, and they were gone in an hour.

I’ve since noticed daikon pods showing up on restaurant menus. At Empire State South, they arrived lightly cooked and scattered over a scored whole grilled pompano along with a healthy toss of popcorn for added textural intrigue. At The Iberian Pig, they joined fiddleheads and other seasonal spring vegetables atop a grouper fillet special.

Have you seed these tasty pods anywhere else? I’m mildly obsessed….

- by John Kessler for the Food & More blog

Continue reading Edible radish pods showing up around town »

"Sam Can" on the left

Samuel Adams Boston Lager “Sam Can”
Boston Beer Co., Boston, Mass.
$14.99-$17.99/ 12-pack at metro package and grocery stores.

Profile: Sooner or later it had to happen. The biggest U.S. craft brewery finally put its ubiquitous flagship beer in a can. But it took two years of research and testing to come up with a design that would create an experience a bit closer to drinking from a glass, and satisfy Boston Beer Co. founder/brewer, Jim Koch.

The “Sam Can” features an hourglass lip, similar to the Samuel Adams “Perfect Pint” glass, made to push more flavor out of the beer, and a larger, wider lid to allow more air flow and help accentuate hop aromas.

A taste test kit sent out by Boston Beer Co. includes a standard can and a Sam Can, each filled with Boston Lager.

Comparing them in a side-by-side sipping session last night, I did enjoy drinking from Sam over standard. The lip, lid and general design of the Sam Can doesn’t make you feel …

Continue reading A Sneak Taste Test of the New “Sam Can” »

Not so long ago, having food trucks travel outside the perimeter was a novelty. Now, it’s commonplace. Here are a few spots to find those street eats in the ‘burbs on a regular basis.

Alpharetta:

You’ll find Alpharetta’s Food Truck Alley in full swing every Thursday evening. Look for 6-8 trucks each week. Bring your picnic blanket and folding chairs to munch while you listen to live music. 5-9 p.m. Thursdays. Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta.

Kennesaw:

Every Monday starting this month through the fall, food trucks can be found in downtown Kennesaw’s Dinner at the Depot event. Vendors include Buen Provecho, Happy Belly, Honeysuckle Gelato and Champion Cheesesteaks. 5-8 p.m. Mondays. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw

Marietta:

Now taking place at the Harry’s Farmers Market on Powers Ferry, the Marietta Food Truck Rally resumed for the season this week. The new location offers parking solutions and seating options. 5-9 p.m. Mondays. Harry’s Farmers Market 70 Powers Ferry …

Continue reading Where to find food trucks OTP »

Here are some Cinco de Mayo festivities happening around town. These celebrations have only the most tangential relationship to the Battle of Puebla, which occurred on May 5, 1862 and during which the Mexican army vanquished French forces.

No, they are actually excuses to drink margaritas and eat chips and cheese dip in defiance of your diet. Bottoms up!

5 Seasons Brewing Westside is offering half priced beers all day, and $5 food specials, which include antelope taquitos with prickly pear foam and rabbit enchiladas.

El Taco in Virginia-Highland is packing up “Cinco to Go” food and drink packages for your home parties. There are two options called the “Frida” and the “Diego.” ¡Viva la revolución!

Teela Taqueria in Sandy Springs will be hosting a block party. There will be piñatas.

10th & Piedmont will be serving $3 fish tacos and $5 margaritas all day.

No Mas! Cantina in Castleberry Hill will host an all-day party with live salsa music and “Cuervo Girls.” We hope the salt …

Continue reading Cinco de Mayo events around town »

AJC Staff

We are approaching one of my favorite weekends of the spring…not only will the city be overrun with Cinco de Mayo parties, but this Saturday, May 4th is the 139th running of the only horse race most of us ever pay attention to – The Kentucky Derby.

And another Atlanta tradition, Derby Day, is celebrating its 31st year this weekend. Hosted by the Shepherd Center’s Junior Committee, the event regularly draws over 1,000 big-hat and pastel wearing participants, and takes over the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers this Saturday.

The proceeds from the event benefit the Shepherd Center and will go to fund medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injuries. Guests will be bussed into the event from Buckhead starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Once there, a ticket ($60 advanced, $70 at the door) buys you a food, drinks(think – mint juleps as far as the eye can see), casino games, drawings, a live and a silent auction, …

Continue reading Kentucky Derby celebrations May 4th »

The Third Space (credit: Asha Gomez)

Asha Gomez recently opened The Third Space — a place for chef dinners, cooking demonstrations and general culinary merriment. It brings Atlanta something the city has long needed: a dedicated gourmet dining counter. You can read some thoughts on the trend that is remaking high-end dining in the country right here.

– by John Kessler for the Food & More blog

Continue reading Sunday Column: Dining at Counters »

courtesy of West & Mill

It’s sneaking up on us. Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Have you made plans for mom? Here are a few suggestions to get you planning. We won’t tell her that you needed a little nudge!

Tea

Roswell Teahouse: Tea will include a choice of soup like the signature cold cherry soup, light sandwiches, blueberry scones with lemon curd and desserts including the apple strudel. Mom will also choose a bottomless pot of tea to accompany her delectables. Seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 108 Magnolia St., Roswell. 770-643-5813. $26 adults, $15 children under 11.

West & Mill: Tea time will include a three-tier tray of sandwiches, petit fours and scones. In addition to tea service, tea-based cocktails will also be featured on Mother’s Day. 2-5 p.m. 1000 Marietta Street, Atlanta. 678-974-8953.

Brunch

103 West: This Buckhead Life Restaurant will once again serve it’s annual mother’s day brunch buffet complete with piano entertainment. The buffet …

Continue reading Make a plan for Mother’s Day at one of these spots »