Ayelene's Profile
Short Notice Atlanta Trip!!!
Thanks for the heads up. On the Iberian Pig and The Vortex. While she looks older than she is, my daughter would definitely not pass for over 18. ;)
You said the magic word - my husband is a HUGE fan of Indian food and Chicken 65 in particular.
We were reading about the Thumbs Up Diner and it sounds great. I was poking around Citysearch and read about a bodega called Cabbagetown, I think, where they serve banh mi, which we love, so we might check that out as well.
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Thumbs Up Diner
826 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
The Iberian Pig
121 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Short Notice Atlanta Trip!!!
Thank you so much for your suggestions. We are pretty unfamiliar with Atlanta and don't have a lot of time to do much research.
The Iberian Pig sounds fantastic!
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The Iberian Pig
121 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Short Notice Atlanta Trip!!!
We'll be in Atlanta Friday. Yes, two days from now (we will be attending a family function nearby and just found out we will have an extra day "to ourselves"). So...
Our two children, ages 21 and 13 will be with us, and we plan on spending most of our time in the Little Five Points area. We are open to suggestions anywhere in Atlanta if the trip is worth it. (we'll have our car and the 13 year old would love to take a ride on MARTA ;))
I've looked around a bit before posting and couldn't find much about this area, but it seems like Flying Biscuit would be a good choice for breakfast and the Porter Beer Bar for maybe lunch or a snack in the afternoon; we are open to suggestion on that front as well.
Our children will eat just about anything. All cuisines appreciated, but we do have access to outstanding barbecue where we live (FL). Korean? Soul Food? Doesn't have to be specific to Atlanta, just good eats. :)
We're travelling on a budget and wouldn't want to exceed $20 an entree for dinner.
We greatly appreciate any suggestions with this short notice.
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Flying Biscuit Cafe
1655 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Can this soup be saved?
Mmm, that's what I figured. To make matters worse, a ham bone was involved. Thanks for confirming what I felt in my gut. We tossed it.
Can this soup be saved?
I made (very delicious) pea soup on Sunday and had it in the refrigerator, planning on serving it tonight. Unfortunately, someone removed it and inadvertently left it out overnight. It was around 65F in the house.
I'm figuring I should throw it out, but my son boiled it for several minutes and thinks it will be OK. I seem to recall reading that killing the bacteria by boiling it wouldn't be enough, though...
Anyone have the facts on this?
TIA!
Pigs in a blanket - what sauce or dip?
Various mustards -- honey, dijon, grainy.
Another to consider is Vivi's Carnival Sauce. It's kind of like a spicy salsa/mustard mixture (the classic flavor). So addictive. :)
Crab Cakes- What do you serve with them?
All of the prior suggestions are great (especially the aparagus and home-made french fries, which are favorites of mine).
If you're thinking of something else, how about a cucumber or fruit salad, sauteed or fried zucchini, fried okra...
Maybe some risotto or hush puppies. Biscuits or cornbread...
If you have access to good tomatoes, how about a caprese salad? That always says "summer" to me, but it's so delicious and would go nicely, I think .
Mmm, now I'm thinking about crab cakes :)
Nice places in Lakeland?
Terrace Grille is a fine choice, but I've found the service to be spotty at times.
I enthusiastically suggest Zohra's Lakeside or Chef T's Garden Grill. They are also independently owned, offer excellent food, inviting dining areas, and the service is friendly and top-notch. Both offer a romantic dining experience. (interestingly, both used to be tea rooms.)
Chef T's is in what was once a historic home, built in the 1920s and is decorated in keeping with that time. It offers several dining rooms on two stories. In the back are deck and garden areas that are very nice as well - prettily lit at night.
Zohra's is across from Lake Mirror - If you sit on the porch, you will have a view of the lake and downtown. The food at Zohra's is beautifully presented and delicious.
Antiquarian (downtown) has had its ups and downs and we were disappointed the last time we went, but I heard it's undergone some changes and is good again (we haven't made it back, so I can't attest to that).
Since you mentioned that it would be a romantic weekend, you might want to check out Munn Park, Lake Mirror & Lake Morton, which are festively decorated for the holidays. Very pretty, especially at night.
I hope this helps - have a fun weekend!
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Chef T's Garden Grill
1525 E Gary Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801
Zohra's Lakeside Restaurant
101 Lake Wire Dr, Lakeland, FL 33815
Does your local Target carry Groceries?
We don't have a Super Target (I suspect the recent conversion of our Wal-Mart to a Super one might change that), but it does offer a few frozen, refrigerated and dry goods. I don't usually buy there (right next to Publix), but (with exception to the previously mentioned Archer Farms items) I haven't noticed anything special - selection or pricewise.
However, it is the only store in my area that offers Popchips (which I LOVE). They run about $2.40 for a 3 oz bag, and I've seen $1 off coupons for them, but just in Weight Watchers magazine. I guess chips and stuff would count as groceries, right? :)
Sorry I can't offer an opinion about the produce, etc. -- there is one near my son's school, but I haven't been able to really check it out (everyone is always rushing me out of there!). What I've seen looked to be fresh and in good shape, though.
Irish Restaurant in/near Arlington (that serves black pudding?)
Just thought I'd give an update -- we decided to go with Four Courts (which was what my brother had in mind, he just got the name mixed up - go figure!)
They have black pudding on the breakfast/brunch menu, and they will work with us on the menu so it is included. They also have a private room, so it won't be as busy or loud as it would be in the main pub area. Although I don't foresee too boisterous of a crowd on a Friday afternoon. ;)
Thanks for the suggestions!
Best Pizza in Lakeland?
A new restaurant called The Chop Shop opened in downtown Lakeland about 2 - 2 1/2 years ago. I recently discovered that they have terrific pizza, so I thought I'd mention it in case anyone stops by this thread...
It's a casual place that serves "American Food" like burgers, sandwiches, ridiculously huge hot dogs (two can share one quite easily), and pizza. I would never have thought to order pizza here, but I kept hearing how delicious it was, so I finally tried it. It's one of the best pizzas I've ever had. Not what I would call "authentic NY pizza", but it has a nice, crisp crust and a terrific flavor -- hard to describe, it's just a little different.
http://www.myspace.com/burgersthatrock
It's a fun atmosphere (but extremely casual) with a rockabilly theme. Everyone (especially the owners, Ty & Abby) are very friendly and seem to have a genuine interest in making sure their customers are happy. Oh, and they serve beer, too. :)
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Chop Shop
126 S Kentucky Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801
Irish Restaurant in/near Arlington (that serves black pudding?)
When we were talking the other day, I explained that the "no pub" restriction could prove to be problematic... ;) She was pretty adamant then -- today, it's another story. Go figure....
Irish Restaurant in/near Arlington (that serves black pudding?)
Thank you. :)
I sent her the link so we could check out the website while on the phone, and she liked it. I don't know what was up with the "no pub" thing, they're pretty popular with our family - especially my dad!
Anyway, I made a quick call to the GM who said he'd love to work with us on the menu, etc., and he told me that they host events from Arlington frequently.
Thanks again for the suggestion. My brother had one other suggestion -- The Four Provinces (?), so I guess it's between those two places at this point.
Irish Restaurant in/near Arlington (that serves black pudding?)
Thanks - I'll pass it along. It looks great - I'll see if my mom, aunts, uncles, etc. would want to travel (I know it's not that far, but they really want a place nearby).
Thanks again - I appreciate your taking the time to reply. :)
(If we don't go there after the interment, maybe my husband & I will check out while we're in town. I love DC and haven't been there since I moved away from the Northeast.)
Irish Restaurant in/near Arlington (that serves black pudding?)
Hi --
My father's ashes are being interred at Arlington, and 25 - 30 members of my family will be attending. We would like to visit a restaurant afterward, and my mother has one very specific request -- she wants a place that serves black pudding (aka black sausage, blood pudding/ sausage). It also needs to be Irish. I guess that makes two very specific requests ;).
She's eaten at a restaurant that serves it before but can't remember the name. I found one thread here that mentioned Commonwealth and I called them, but they are having supplier issues right now - I think it's not in the right area as well. (besides, it's a British Pub, and my mom does not want a pub, and *really* doesn't want someplace British. ;) Nothing against Brits or their food really! - She's just quirky about this one event.)
This is taking place on a Friday in early May. We will be arriving at the restaurant at around 2:30 - 3:00, and we'd like to keep the cost under $30 per person. People of all ages will be attending, but there will be several who are in their 70s/80s.
So, to sum up... We are looking for:
An Irish restaurant (not a pub)
Near Arlington
Serves black pudding
Can accommodate a party of 25 - 30
Open at 2:30 PM on a weekday (Friday)
Cost under $30 per person
Any suggestions are appreciated!
TIA :)
Are there any destination-worthy restaurants in Lakeland?
While I wouldn't call any of these "destination-worthy", here a few that might meet your needs :)
Breakfast
Doña Julias (South Lakeland) is a small Mom & Pop, diner type establishment - nothing fancy ;). They offer a few Mexican dishes, like Eggs & Chorizo or a Mexican Omelet, that are very good. These come with beans & tortillas or potatoes (home fries or hash browns - both tasty). They also have big, fluffy pancakes that are delicious (a distinct vanilla-y flavor).
Lunch:
Again, nothing spectacular, but Lemongrass (on Memorial) and Spice (Merchants Walk, where Crispers used to be) offer good Thai food (both family owned). Both make stellar curries. (Lemongrass is a little more friendly, but they sometimes forget to bring the soup and/or egg roll.)
Tapatios (on Memorial) is a family-owned Mexican restaurant. Definitely not fancy - it's in a former Burger King - but they've been there for years, and the food is very good & inexpensive. Service is fast & friendly.
Cafe Roti - (Parkview - just north and across from the hospital). Indian food here. They offer a small buffet at lunch, but get there before 12:30 if you want that.
Dinner
Texas Cattle Company (Next to Lake Mirror) - excellent steak, waaay "rustic" atmosphere (you can take a peek here http://www.texascattlecompany.net/)
Other than that, the places I mentioned for lunch are acceptable for dinner as well. The last couple times we visited Antiquarian (lunch) it was fine, but others have had bad experiences there lately - service and food related - so I can't recommend them right now.
Oh, and if a sandwich shop is OK, Purple Onion (downtown on Kentucky) would be a good choice. (they close at 2:30)
Speaking of ultra casual... Mister Fish (across from Lake Morton) is a small takeout only place that offers fish and chips, fish sandwiches, hush puppies, corn fritters, etc. If it's a nice day, picnic at Lake Morton right across the street, with several benches and a small picnic shelter (along with the swans, ducks & other assorted waterfowl - the pelicans are still in town this time of year).
Hope this helps you!
Best Pizza in Lakeland?
Palace Pizza used to be our favorite - I'm originally from NY/NJ and felt like I was home the first time I tried it -- but we think it's gotten spotty. The crust would be nice and crisp one time then soggy/floppy the next - we haven't eaten there in about a year. Valdiano's in Lakeside Village is where we end up going these days. I'm pretty sure it's a chain but the pizza is tasty w/a thin, crispy crust, and service is friendly and fast. My preference is plain (cheese), my daughter likes pepperoni, and we both need to blot before eating. The same was true for Palace Pizza, btw. A lot of people say Westshore is good - I don't care for it, but my husband likes it.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice - Orlando/Maitland
We came *this* close to eating at the Jamaican place but ended up at Fusion. The service was painfully slow, but the tempura was decent. What we fell in love with were the house rolls. Our waitress said they were California rolls, but she didn't tell us they were prepared like tempura. Oh man, they were soooo good. :)
Anyway, Jeremiah's is a tiny walk-up place. It was very quiet when we were there, but that was on a weekday afternoon. My son assured me that it gets crazy busy in the evenings, as I expected -- great ices, great prices, and next to Lazy Moon (another favorite college student spot.) We'll be up there again next weekend - I'll have to try to work in a visit so my hubby & daughter can try it, too.
Jeremiah's Italian Ice - Orlando/Maitland
Hi -- I'm fairly new here (my first post), but I thought I'd chime in... My son goes to UCF, and he suggested Jeremiah's after lunch when I was there about 2 weeks ago. He said that he really liked the gelati, so I gave it a try. He ordered a P-nutty -- said it was very good but prefers cookies and cream. I wasn't really paying attention to what a gelati was, so I was surprised by the soft serve layers. Next time I'll probably go for the straight up italian ice, but the parfait version was so different, and so good. The soft serve is so creamy.....
