Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges has accomplished something few of his contemporaries in music have: He’s a successful restaurateur, with an upscale eatery in Midtown. Serving Singaporean cuisine with must-have menu items like the Kung Pao chicken lollipops, Straits will celebrate its first-year anniversary in style this Friday, when the Grammy award-winning rapper will honor actress Jane Fonda and mayor Shirley Franklin at an open-to-the public gala.

Sure, Kanye has his burgers, and Jermaine has had a go with his Buckhead soul joint.

But Straits has actually caught the eye (and tastebuds) of the foodie cognoscenti. I gave the spot three stars in a review last year, citing certain tableside desserts as the only real problematic part of the experience. And Food & Wine magazine just unleashed a ten-page high glossy spread about Straits, including recipes from chef Chris Yeo, who Bridges met “though a friend” at a charity event.

Today, I sat down with the 31-year-old guy …

Continue reading Ludacris Raps on Straits »

Drum roll, please, with brass, horns and a little Elvis ummph on the side: that’s the RA viva Las Vegas roll to your left, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. Thank you  very much (insert Elvis snarl here).

RA, the Scottsdale, Arizona, chain that has branched into markets from California to Florida, is scheduled to open in Atlanta this June at 1080 Peachtree Street, in the newly developed 1010 Building.

Expect a lot of pomp — not sure about circumstance, since I’ve never eaten at one of these casual spots that highlight scene as much as they do raw fish. If you like a traditional sushi experience, RA is probably not the place to find one.

But if you’re into Philly rolls and sake cocktails, then the 7,800 square-foot space, replete with sushi barrels hanging from the ceiling and a 20-foot pagoda, will sound like a barrel of fun. Look for RA at 1080 Peachtree Street, Suite 8, 404-267-0114.

Continue reading Sexy RA Sushi Opens in Midtown »

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges may have pimped all over the world, but Friday, May 22, he’ll be high stylin’ it with Jane Fonda and mayor Shirley Franklin at the first-year anniversary of Straits Restaurant, the rap raconteur’s first foray as a restaurateur.

The evening includes a four-course, pre fixe dinner with Fonda and Franklin in tow — both are expected to attend via red carpet, with the rapper giving a nod to actress and mayor in an intimate award ceremony.

The restaurant was recently featured in a 10-page glossy spread in Food & Wine magazine, and has fostered a rep as a solid place for Singaporean cuisine — I rewarded it 3 stars in last year’s review.

The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. that evening, but tickets ($50 per person) and reservations are required. Call Straits, 793 Juniper Street, NE, 404-877-1283 to attend or for more info.

Continue reading Ludacris to host Jane Fonda & Shirley Franklin at Straits Restaurant »

This just in: Gawker is reporting that Frank Bruni, the intrepid restaurant critic for the NYT, is leaving his post for a more laid-back position with the newspaper’s Sunday magazine.

The reason, given in a memo posted on the website from Times editor Bill Keller, states “In his spare time, between aerobic eating and the requisite gym time to burn it all off, he has managed to produce a memoir of his lifelong, complicated relationship with food. Recognizing that the book is certain to seriously compromise his ability to be a spy in the land of food, Frank picked this as a natural time to move on. He will be turning in his restaurant-critic credentials when his memoir, “Born Round: the Secret
History of a Full-Time Eater,” is published in late August.”

Bruni’s appointment to the role of critic was met with skepticism in 2004 since he was well-known in the world of journalism, including photos (critics for major newspapers try to dine anonymously). He also had little – if any — …

Continue reading Frank Bruni Leaves the Role of Critic Behind »

Recent visits to Nikolai’s Roof (look for the review of this landmark in next week’s Go Guide and online at accessAtlanta) and Rande Gerber’s Whiskey Blue atop the W Buckhead have my head reeling – literally.

The elevator to Nikolai’s is really more of an action ride than a means of transportation to the top of the Hilton, though it accomplishes both.  My ears actually popped. And what a view of the city once you arrive. Sitting at a table overlooking the skyline sipping one of the restaurant’s old-fashioned flavored vodkas (caramel over ice is the way to go — trust me), the world looks busy, yet peaceful. The whole experience can be likened to a short trip to the spa, minus the robes and rubdown.

Uptown in Buckhead, the view at Whiskey Blue, from one of two patio perches, is the first to really focus on uptown looking downtown, instead of the other way around. The drinks are a bit pricey, but the sleek look of the lounge and champagne by the glass make the experience a fun …

Continue reading Cocktails with a View? »

Okay Atlanta: I know you can’t get enough barbecue. A couple of upcoming events are going to help you get your pig on.

First up: Whole Hawg Happenin’ BBQ and Music Festival, where local chefs and legendary “pit masters” will conduct cooking demonstrations, including cooking a whole hog. If beer and BBQ are your ‘thang,’ head to the beer garden sponsored by Budweiser, plus food from local restaurants and a moonwalk for the kids. Or you, depending on how much beer and BBQ you consume. Who’ll be there?

Otis Nixon, former Atlanta Brave and official Boys and Girls Club representative
Ed Mitchell, a pit master formerly featured in Gourmet Magazine
Sam Huff, renowned BBQ chef and owner of Sam & Dave’s BBQ1 in Marietta, and teacher at Pork University
Former Home Plate and Spice chef Marvin Woods
Blues man Hurricane Wilson

The event, which benefits the Cobb County Boys and Girls Clubs, is this Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm. at  Six Flags White Water (250 Cobb …

Continue reading Battlin’ BBQ in Georgia »

Drink for a  good cause (other than your usual reasons): SweetWater Brewery will sponsor its annual “Save the ‘Hooch” campaign between Memorial Day and July 4th weekend. A metro-wide effort to protect the river that runs through the city and state, the kick-off event is May 14 at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park and will include performances by local musicians, food, live and silent auctions and beer. It’s $40 at the door, and includes a one-year membership to the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

To participate in the fundraiser, buy paper fish or t-shirts from participating restaurants. Last year’s efforts raised over $63,000 — enough cash to fund the UCR’s river patrol and water-monitoring programs for a year.

Continue reading Beer Benefits Water Efforts »

I’m shocked — shocked — to learn from a recent news release from Technomic, a food-consulting and food industry research firm in Chicago, that a recent survey placed fried foods among the top contenders for what Americans find “craveable,” as well as “value-driven.”

This clearly explains why I “needed” a serving of Church’s fried okra Sunday night. I hate Church’s fried chicken, preferring KFC’s original recipe to any other fast food fryers, but their fried okra rocks — and no one else serves it anyway.

The survey found that impulse is a major driver of fried fast food sales. These guys needed a survey to tell them this? Haven’t they ever been sitting on the sofa watching 24 and suddenly “needed” a large fries from McDonald’s?

The other reason that chicken nugget is so popular, apparently, is because no one makes this sort of food at home. Well duh. Why would I want to fry my own French fries? What a mess. I’d much rather go to Wendy’s and order one of those new shake …

Continue reading Fried Foods Rate Tops in “Craveability” »

Food & Wine Cocktails 2009, an annual concoction produced by the folks at Food & Wine magazine, is available at bookstores now, and has a list of their picks for the 100 best bars in the country.

What two made the cut from the ATL? Holeman & Finch Public House and Trois.

And East Cobb will have a new place to gather on Saturdays — the Paper Mill Farmers’ Market, a part of Paper Mill Village (177 Village Parkway in Marietta) kicks off a grand opening on Friday, May 15 at 10 am to 6 p.m. and continues through Sunday beginning at 11 am to 5 p.m. Then beginning in June, the market will be held weekly. A $3 admission fee benefits Camp Sunshine.

Antique dealers, local art and artistry and locally grown fruits and veggies will be on display, as well as breads and goodies from Artisan Foods in Roswell, all part of a display of over 100 vendors.

Continue reading More Kudos for Atlanta’s Cocktails »

We had a discussion in my crossfit class yesterday after working out. Well, it was really more of a confession than a discussion for most of us: We judge what other people buy at the grocery store.

None of us were trying to come at this from a snobby standpoint, we were just amazed that we all do it. I mean, when the guy in front of me in line at the Crazy Kroger places KK doughnuts, ice cream, a bag of popcorn, Pop Tarts and toothpaste on the conveyor belt, I can’t help but wonder what’s for lunch.

Are we alone? Or do you find yourself looking away in the checkout line so you won’t judge?

Continue reading Do You Judge Your Neighbor’s Groceries? »