Dine With Dani

AJA…Asian Fusion in Buckhead

May 17

Posted by Danielle Styles in Restaurant Review | No Comments

I don’t spend a lot of time dining in Buckhead, but AJA is almost always an option when I get hungry while shopping. Located across from Phipps Plaza on Lenox Road, this Asian fusion spot serves all of my favorite Asian dishes and few extras. Part of the Here To Serve restaurant group, I am HAPPY to collect my Friends of Tom points when dining here.

The low lighting, loft-like space, modern Oriental decor, house music blaring through the speakers along with the varied menu secures this spot’s reputation as the go-to for modern Asian cuisine in Atlanta.

Aja has more than one dollar signs to represent the price point, but there are some great bargains on the menu. The $5 noodle bowl is a great way to dine on the cheap. A small order of chicken fried rice to-go may or may not have saved my life when i was in a pinch last year. And the Vietnamese summer roll can hit the spot for a midday nosh as well.

But never forget that you are in Buckhead, so ordering more than one thing can definitely add up. Especially when you throw in cocktails. The drink menu doesn’t excite me, but the bartenders are pretty good. So a cocktail is usually in order when i dine there.

A reservation is likely only needed for dinner during peak hours. But the bar area is much bigger than most places, so you can easily relax there while you wait. I hope to see you there soon. Let me know what you loved.

Tags: Asian, Buckhead, friends of tom, here to serve, phipps plaza

P’Cheen…. Hit or Miss

May 17

Posted by Danielle Styles in Best in Atlanta, Restaurant Review | No Comments

Crab Macaroni and collards

I’ve been here a several times. In each visit, I’ve had something good and something bad. So I guess that’s what has shaped my opinion of P’Cheen: Hit or Miss. There are some AMAZING dishes, but there are some that I was angry for trying.

There are two things that P’Cheen offers that must be tried: (1) The moonshine. I’m a southern girl, so moonshine was a fairly frequent topic amongst certain family members. I tried a homemade batch many moons ago and nearly cried. But today, they are smoother with the same strength and better flavors. The Apple Pie does not disappoint. (2) The crab mac n cheese. Yup, if you read this blog, you already know how serious I am about my macaroni! And here, P’cheen’s Chef Alex Friedman delivers.

Just as a side note: the specials can be a bit sketchy or maybe they are just never my thing. So I stick with what I believe in now: The wings, macaroni, brussel sprouts and moonshine.

The spot is pretty small so make a reservation for Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as for Sunday brunch. I’ve never checked out the lounge evenings with the DJ or live music, but I imagine its pretty cool. I enjoy the atmosphere. So even if you aren’t there for a meal, you can enjoy yourself.

Tags: Alex Friedman, macaroni, moonshine, old fourth ward, p'cheen

Legal Seafood… Classic Seafood in Downtown Atlanta

May 10

Posted by Danielle Styles in Restaurant Review | Comments off

BF made a valentine’s day reservation at Legal Seafood. A spot that boasts classic seafood dishes at a moderate price. That was my most recent visit. I’ve been there three times and I’ve never found anything particularly spectacular on the menu. I’ve never felt cheated by portion or bad preparation. But I’ve never been blown away. I’m not crazy about this place, but I would never say skip it if you want to try it. So to those who want to taste legendary dishes like the clam chowder, I say knock yourself out! You’ll likely be pleased with it, but I don’t want anyone to make the mistake of thinking this is the best seafood restaurant in Atlanta. Its just… okay…. That’s all. Enjoy.

Tags: clam chowder, downtown, lobster thermidor, Seafood, valentine's day

Pollo Tropical… South Florida in the ATL

Apr 26

Posted by Danielle Styles in Restaurant Review | Comments off

BF once lived in South Florida and his favorite eatery was a fast food chicken joint called Pollo Tropical. And upon learning that one had opened in Atlanta, he decided to introduce me. Uh… LOVE.

I know you think I love everything (and in truth I probably do love a lot of restaurants). So, okay, maybe I really like Pollo Tropical. Grilled chicken, black beans, rice and plantains…Who’s not down for that? This caribbean-latin spot has some popular caribbean dishes and a few originals like the “tropi-chop”, a bowl of rice, beans, meat, tomatoes and more.

If you’re ever in the cumberland mall area and looking for something fast, tasty and inexpensive, stop by the Pollo. You might be pleasantly surprised by fast food. They also cater!

Tags: caribbean, cumberland, latin, Latin American Cuisine, Vinings

The Iberian Pig… a small bit of Spain in the Decatur Square

Apr 19

Posted by Danielle Styles in Best in Atlanta, Restaurant Review | Comments off

For my last birthday, my friends got dressed up to meet me for dinner before we hit the club. This year I chose my favorite Spanish Tapas restaurant, a little spot nestled in the Decatur Square: The Iberian Pig.

For years, I’d passed this place until a fellow lusophone asked me to meet her there for lunch, mad men style. After tasting my first Iberian Old Fashioned, I was intrigued. And then I discovered the best charcuterie in Atlanta, hooked. Spanish potatoes, pork cheek, calamari, scallops, etc. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Minha Tia Rosana tells me that all the meat, cheese and wine will make me “a gordinha“, but it doesn’t cross my mind in the moment. It all tastes so good.

Of everything I’ve eaten there, my favorite things would have to be the lamb ribs and the churros. The lamb ribs have a sticky, sweet and savory sauce that has me scraping the plate and licking my fingers on the sly. No matter what I start with, the ribs call my name! DINEWITHDANI SAYS they are the BEST LAMB RIBS IN ATLANTA. And the churros are so light and sweet, they melt in your mouth! They are the perfect way to end a meal.

Be sure to make a reservation if you’re going during peak hours. Thursday through Saturday dinner hours are crazy. Without one you could be in for an hour plus wait. The bar area is teeny tiny so you shouldn’t expect to hang out there during that time. During warm weather, there is limited outdoor seating.

I heart Iberian Pig. I hope you will too. I’m there probably every two months at least. I like to mix it up!

Tags: Best of Atlanta, Decatur, Spanish Tapas

South City Kitchen… Urban Southern Cuisine

Jan 18

Posted by Danielle Styles in Best in Atlanta, Restaurant Review | Comments off

BF’s first fried green tomato!

I have been to South City Kitchen more times than I can count, but I hadn’t thought to blog about it until I realized how many people I know had NOT been. South City Kitchen is exactly what the name implies. You can expect southern dishes with an urban edge. Nothing is exactly the way your grandmother makes it: the fried green tomatoes are stuffed with goat cheese and the crab cakes are served with a blood orange cream.

Entrees start at $17 and are usually worth it. I don’t mean to imply that the portions are huge, only that the food is good.

My most recent visit was for bff’s birthday. The food was fantastic, but the drinks were super small. We had a few chuckles about the half-empty martini glasses. Other than than, we spent the entire meal tasting each other’s food. On one visit, I was particularly jealous of my friend’s scallops. This time I didn’t make the mistake of not ordering them. My scallop dish was modified for the winter with seasonal ingredients, but it was JUST as good as the summer version. I also ordered the crab and mushroom macaroni and cheese as well– YUMMY.

The menu is usually updated with seasonal ingredients– so the chef’s special is usually a good look. But there are a few regular dishes that I recommend.

She-Crab Soup– its a great way to start any meal at South City Kitchen (PS– DineWithDani declares it the BEST SHE-CRAB SOUP in Atlanta),
Fried Green Tomatoes– this a great starter to share with a party,
Buttermilk Fried Chicken– you’ll see why it is their most popular dish,
Shrimp & Grits– a tasty southern classic that not everyone gets right– they do(!),
Veg-o-Matic (sauteed collards, crab macaroni, baby yams)– you can’t go wrong!

Check-in on foursquare or mention them on Twitter and you’ll likely get a shout out from @Fifthgrouper

Tags: collard greens, Low Country, Midtown, she crab soup, Southern Cuisine, Vinings

Coffee… What I Drink Until I Can Have Wine

Jan 17

Posted by Danielle Styles in Restaurant Review, Special Ingredient | Comments off

At any moment before lunch, I can be seen with a cup of coffee in hand. I don’t stick to a specific espresso drink, but just about any coffee-centric beverage will do. And if you follow me on Twitter or Foursquare, you know my regular haunts! When I’m in Decatur, I love to stop by Dancing Goats! They brew Batdorf & Bronson coffee.

Whatever your reason for hanging out in a coffee shop, Dancing Goats Decatur can accommodate. With comfy sofas at the front for relaxation and reading (great natural light), large tables at the back for working and meeting (free wi-fi), and even outdoor seating for quick stops when walking the kids and dog (there’s a water bowl).

I not only love the environment, but of course the java! I had the pleasure of visiting their roastery in West Midtown off Chattahoochee Ave. I could pretend to be an expert on coffee roasting now, but instead I’ll just tell you that flavor comes from roasting. And this spot gets it right. Of course you can buy the beans and the grinds at the coffee shop. (PS- the decaf is created through the Swiss Water Process).

Anything you can get at your local starbucks (who i also adore and where I hold a gold card membership) can be made at Dancing Goats and most of them are better (sorry starbucks). My favorites include:

Evergreen Orange– espresso infused with orange, rosemary and thyme (BEYOND YUMMY),
Iced Hazelnut Latte– iced lattes come in one size
cafe au lait– i don’t know what they do differently, but it tastes AMAZING!

There are other locations (mostly in Washington), which I intend to visit. Check out which ever is closest to you!

Tags: Coffee, coffee bar, coffee beans, starbucks

This is Why I DON’T Pretend to Be a Wine Expert!

Dec 4

Posted by Danielle Styles in Happy Hour, Repost, Video | Comments off

My apologies for the previous auto start, fixed it!!

Time to Vote Again… With Your Fork

Dec 1

Posted by Danielle Styles in Call To Action, Repost, Shopping | Comments off

We’ve just gotten through the Presidential Election, but we’re not done yet. In fact, we’ll never be done because we vote every day of our lives… with our forks.

What does that mean? When we buy less than healthy foods, we tell the government and retailers that it is okay to provide us with pesticide laden fruits and vegetables, meats raised on hormones and antibiotics and packaged foods full of preservatives. These foods that fill our local grocery stores aren’t our only option. They may seem more time and cost effective now, but there are unforeseen consequences for eating this way.

I’m not looking to put Kroger and Publix out of business. I simply want them to stock their shelves with healthier options. How do we make that happen? By buying local and natural products when available. Doesn’t that cost more? Yes, for now. But think about supply and demand. If the demand for better foods goes up, farmers and manufacturers will produce more, causing the price to go down. Grocery stores will buy more at a better price and we’ll see the savings as they become more common.

It’s not likely that I will give up this cause. I see the people I love struggle with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, crohns and other ailments that can be caused, triggered or aggravated by diet choices. And I want to do more to prevent others from going through the same things. Electing government officials is our civic duty, but we can’t let election day be the only time our voices are heard.

Voting doesn’t only take place in a election booth. And here are “10 Ways to Vote with Your Fork” courtesy of Georgia Organics.

1. Eat low on the food and marketing chain by buying direct from farmers. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Diet, Farm to Table, Farmers Market, Georgia Organics, Sustainable

Macaroni… Easy-Peesy and Cheesy

Nov 21

Posted by Danielle Styles in Holiday Dinner, Recipe, Repost, Special Ingredient | Comments off

from www.FoodNetwork.com

One of my favorite dishes to eat ever is a good macaroni and cheese. I like it creamy and full of flavor. My personal recipe (not shared) is inspired by Chef Delilah Winder’s 7-cheese macaroni (which Oprah dubbed the Best Macaroni & Cheese in the WORLD). When I met Chef Delilah and tried this dish– I had to agree.

The woman knows what she’s doing. And she has no problems sharing how it is done. I swear it is easy-peesy! You basically dump the ingredients into a large mixing bowl (with the exception of the eggs) and mix is as best you can. Chef Delilah puts on gloves and mixes it by hand– she doesn’t believe that a spoon can do it justice.

Anyway, I’ve shared her recipe below. But just know that you can substitute these for your faves and even use less options. I only use 3 to five cheeses when I make it, and I add a little ground mustard seed. Once I perfect a written recipe (with measurements I mean), I’ll post it as a Part II (Maybe for Christmas). And once you get it all down, you’ll be able to add ingredients like sausage, crab, lobster, etc.

Click below for Chef Delilah Winder’s Macaroni recipe courtesy of the food network.