DeeCee's Profile
Cooking for the Week
I have found that I really like cooking during the week, as long as I do simple and easy meals. It's a nice stress reliever after a day at the office. The key is to plan the meals out and do the shopping over the weekend, and most importantly, to have someone else willing to do the dishes!
That said, it's always nice to have something already prepared in the fridge for one or two meals. I like to make pulled chicken in the crockpot on Sunday afternoons (throw boneless skinless chicken breasts, a cup of bbq sauce, and a bottle of beer in the crockpot, cook on high 4 to 5 hours or low 7 to 8, then shred with forks when done) to eat later in the week. You can use it for bbq sandwiches, taco filling, quesadillas, etc.
Need a reliable rec for early Friday night dinner Downtown
I'd third that. Granted, I've only had dinner at theTerrace once, but the service was not exactly efficient and the food was good but not outstanding. Alma Cocina is a little more inspired. If you google it, you'll see most of the local dining critics have been pretty postive about it.
What's a great cookbook to cook through?
Every year Cook's Illustrated publishes a special newstand issue with their collected "Light" recipies from the year. Some are just regular recipies that happen to be fairly healthy to begin with, and others are lightened versions of regular recipies. I picked up this year's version at my local Whole Foods.
I think they also have a "Best LIght Recipie cookbook too.
What's The Oldest Thing You Cook In/With?
My grandmother gave me the red, blue and green bowls that she got from her mom. My sweet boyfriend got me the yellow bowl from eBay for Christmas. They are my favorite kitchen items!
For 2012 I Hereby Resolved to...
*Eat a healthy breakfast at home, rather than buying coffee and a pastry.
*Eat more fruit and veggies
*Continue the neverending search for healthy and quick weeknight recipes that my picky eaters will enjoy.
Holiday Gift Baskets -- It Must Be the Thought That Counts, 'Cause It Sure Ain't the Food
My boss gave me a chocolates/cookies gift basket for Christmas. There was no way i could take all that stuff home- we still have halloween candy!- and of course I couldnt dump it in our break room. I donated all of the contents to the staff at the bar & grill in the lobby of our office building. The bartender told me there were lots of hungry college students working there, so I am glad it found a good home.
Transportable dishes for Thanksgiving potluck
What about a shaved brussel sprouts salad? It could be served at room temperature, so you wouldn't need to worry about reheating at all.
Top Chef Texas - Season 9 - debuts on Wed., November 2nd!
Thanks everybody. This is the only show I miss watching "live."
Top Chef Texas - Season 9 - debuts on Wed., November 2nd!
Does anyone have suggestions about the best way to watch Top Chef without cable? We gave it up earlier this year and now rely on a Roku box and a Hulu subscription, but apparantly Top Chef is not on Hulu (boo). I can't tell from the Bravo site if they post full episodes online. I guess I will have to buy the episodes from Amazon or iTunes?
Low to mid price birthday for foodie?
Lunacy does a fixed menu for large groups- $27 per person.
A New Beans Thread
Homemade refried beans are great! They are great in quesadillas too, or just as a side.
vegetarian crock pot recipes?
I really like this variation of a Cooking Light black bean soup- http://mariannika.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/slow-cooked-black-bean-soup/
It has a nice heat to it, but you can cut down on the chipotle if you don't like spicy. It's pretty thick, so I like to add a bit more water.
Mexican Cooking
I love Bayless' Mexican Everyday. It's geared towards a home cook who might not have tons of special equipment, and he also provides a lot of work-arounds. It's also got a good glossary of Mexican ingredients.
Places to take Out of Town Company - Atlanta & Decatur
Six Feet Under on Memorial, followed by a stroll around Oakland Cemetary, is always fun to do with out of towners.
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Six Feet Under
437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Lunacy Black Market
I met a couple of girlfriends there for dinner after work this summer, and we all really liked it. All of the plates we tried were very tasty, including some really good shrimp and a nice cabbage salad, and they have a very reasonably priced wine list. If I recall correctly, we had our fill of small plates and shared a bottle of wine for about $20 per person. I would definitely go back.
Chef Luna came out to chat with us while we were eating, and told us all about returning to Atlanta from L.A. via a cross-country bike ride. It is nice to see a chef who is willing to support downtown.
FWIW, there seemed to be plenty of metered parking on the street in front, and I didn't feel uncomfortable in the neighborhood, although I wouldn't suggest walking there from a hotel late at night.
Where do you buy your coffee beans in Atlanta?
Rev Coffee in Smyrna also sells Dancing Goats beans, if you are on the northside.
BBQ catering
For my last birthday, we got bbq for about 20 from Sam's BBQ1 in East Cobb. They have a bulk menu, but I'm not sure if they deliver. We got pulled pork, chicken, collards, and mac 'n cheese. It was excellent!
Ed Debevic's type Restaurant
OK Cafe on Paces Ferry has the 50s diner decor, but they will probably call you Sweetie.
Recommendations sought for professional dinner for 8 in NW Atlanta
How far are you willing to travel? You're about 10 minutes from Vinings, which has both Canoe and South City Kitchen. There are better choices if you're willing to travel farther intown, but either would be better than a repeat visit to Maggiano's.
inexpensive, good, and unique to Atlanta places?
Meehans on Peachtree (just south of international) has very good pub food and an awesome beer and wine selection. I 2nd Social and the Six Feet Under location on Memorial. Six Feet Under isn't too far by cab, and it's right across the street from Oakland Cemetary, which is uniquely Atlanta and a neat place to walk around.
I haven't checked out Der Biergarten yet, but it's on my list.
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Six Feet Under
437 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Favorite Atlanta Spot that is Never Mentioned
Tacqueria Los Hermanaos in Tucker- excellent Mexican food, and the tres leches cake is to die for.
MetroFresh in Midtown- tasty, health soups and sandwiches.
Hsu's Chinese and Asian Rim Pacific Bistro- both are gems in the otherwise bleak downtown dining scene.
And my local Thai favorite- L'Thai in the west village shopping center in Smyrna. Great Thai food and extensive wine list.
Who's got the best burger in Atlanta?
It was ok, but not great. There were some interesting combinations, but the burgers and shakes at Flip are much tastier.
Restaurant Week in ATL- recs for LA hound
Social Resto, one of my favorite places to eat, is on the list. I don't know that restaurant week is the best time to go though- they are not serving their regular menu, only the $25 and $35 three-course options. The bf and I ate there last night, and while we both liked what we had, we both agreed we enjoy doing a selection of the small plates more. The better RW bargains would probably be Il Mulino or BLT Steak, which are normally much more expensive.
Bar suggestions for Downtown Atlanta?
Meehan's is across the street from the Ritz in the old Macy's building. Could be too noisy for your group- it's definitely a pub atmosphere. Ray's in the City, on Peachtree, is also within walking distance. As a restaurant, it's just ok for the price, but the bar area is not bad.
I haven't been there, but there is a bar in the Ellis Hotel (also across from the Ritz) that looks like it would be quiet and more conducive to conversation.
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Peachtree Cafe
99 Jeff Davis Rd, Thomaston, GA 30286
Ray's in the City
240 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303
Best in Atlanta (Midtown emphasis for dinner ) anything goes for other
There is a Cook's Warehouse in Decatur that offers cooking classes. I've never taken any, so I can't vouch for the classes, but the store has a very nice looking demonstration kitchen and a good wine selection. Decatur is very pedestrian oriented and has lots of fun shops to explore, so you could make an afternoon or a day of it, depending on how long the class was. It's on the MARTA rail line.
Family friendly dining in downtown Atlanta
Tacqueria del Sol doesn't have high chairs or a kids menu either. But, I had lunch last Saturday at the Howell Mill location, and it was full of families.
Recommendation for solo dining near the W Downtown?
Social Resto (http://www.socialintown.com/) is right around the corner from the W and has excellent French food and cozy atmosphere. Great wine list too.
Le Petit Moulinsart--any good?
Over the weekend I stayed at a hotel just down the street from Le Petit Moulinsart. I didn't eat there, but I went into a gallary on the street that had a lot of Tintin memoribilia. I am sorry that I can't remember the name of it, but it may have been across the street from Olive + Gourmando. Which to keep this on a food-related topic, has an excellent lunch menu and fantastic coffee and pastry!
