Category Archives: Food

Posts about Atlanta area restaurants and food offerings. Occasionally other food, drink, and dining information from other sources

Helix Stirs It Up

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In recognition of XLR8R’s coverage of Helix in their Bubblin Up article today, I felt it only proper to share a video.

Enjoy this equally food-related clip of one icnt.mx’s favorites in his short cameo appearance on Man vs. Food‘s Savannah episode, highlighting his brilliant dance prowess to those who have not had the fortunately opportunity to witness Helix live.

Also be sure to check out one of the first Helix DJ mixes widely circulated posted here in 2010 as a part of the HeatATL Podcast Series, as well as a more recent performance at the monthly event HUNGER in Atlanta

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Dining Out: Omakase @ Taka

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Many have requested a return to food related posts, so here we go. I have the pleasure of sharing with you the ten-course omakase tasting served at Taka Sushi and Passion in Atlanta, GA on March 30, 2012.

View the entire ten course meal here [via Evernote Food]

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Return To Vermont

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Phish Vermont Flood Benefit PosterIt has been since Coventry in 2004 since I was last in Vermont but this week, in addition to another return visit to Rochester, NY that I was able to make my way back to Vermont again. Appropriately, the return visit was to see Phish playing a post-hurricane flood benefit at the Champlain Valley Expo.

The show took place at a small (by Phish show standards) 10,000 person venue, quite a bit different from the near 100,000 in attendance at Coventry, and thankfully the shows were a lot more enjoyable not just for the fact that it was 1/10th the size but also the band sounding better than they did four years earlier.

…and as expected on any trip of my there food involved.

To make a financial contribution to Phish’s Mockingbird Foundation to help raise awareness and bring help to the residents of Vermont please click here to donate [via PayPal]

View the Trip Photo Album Here [via Flickr]

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The Dangers of Patent Law

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Intellectual Ventures owns a huge portfolio of patents. Quite possibly they also have some sort of patent that covers streaming music over the internet. Intellectual Ventures makes money through a sort of protection racket that helps Spotify defend themselves against companies like PacketVideo. For a considerable fee, a company can access Intellectual Venture’s storehouse of patents and use them defensively against companies claiming patent infringement. [Source]

An interesting read in the online version of The Economist regarding the hazards of patent law and it’s effect of stifling economic growth in the United States. Patents make sense to cover actually concrete concepts, and while I am for intellectual property rights for artists, IP law is getting out of hand. “Patents Against Prosperity” [via The Economist]

Much more information, and an intriguing video from Haiti regarding a similar issue available beneath the fold.

-Editor’s Note-
I have also decided to share a new article via eWeek citing similar issues beginning to affect the mobile phone industry showing similar issues affecting that sector’s development as well.

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Dining Out: Tex’s Tacos

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It is probably not much of a secret anymore; I have a favorite food truck, and judging by the lines whenever I am there to get my fix, I am not alone.

Tex’s Tacos has quickly come on the Atlanta Food Truck scene separating itself from Yumbii by offering more traditional southwestern offerings including a wonderful pastor taco and what is the most memorable carne asada I’ve had in years. Special mention also to their ‘lime fries’ unfortunately not pictured here – Tex’s specialty item

The truck is staffed by Mac and Harrison, who describe themselves on their website as “two compadres passionate about this food, and set on bringing the best of our favorite Tex-Mex fare from deep in the heart of the Lone Star State to you” and it is apparent in the rich flavors of their food.

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Tex's Tacos : Carne Asada

My personal favorite menu item is the carne asada taco, hands down. The flavor of the beef balances well with creamy cheese and guacamole, admittedly the meat is hard to see in the above photo but trust it is excellent. Also, as evident by the photo above, the crew at Tex’s does not skimp on filling, food trucks are never an expensive endeavour typically but these guys always make sure you get your money’s worth.

Recently, they have started offering soft-corn tortillas in addition to the flour based ones – something I was hoping would happen. The flavor is rich, and anybody who has started eating their tacos with soft corn tortillas likely will never switch back – this isn’t something that is featured on the menu but they have assured me it is available by request.

Tex’s also offers a shredded BBQ taco, and understanding the strict loyalties southerners have to where their BBQ comes from, the truck is proud to serve Atlanta’s own Lowcountry Barbecue. Personally, for me, if you come here for the pork and you don’t have the pastor – you are cheating yourself.

Tex's Tacos Pastor on Corn Tortilla

Tex's Tacos : Pastor De Puerco on corn

Tex’s is a mainstay at most metro-Atlanta area food truck gatherings including the Howell Mill Food Park (Tuesday evenings), Stove Works (Wednesday lunch), and Atlantic Station’s Food Truck Fridays (Friday lunch)

Check Tex’s website or Twitter for their weekly schedule as well as a complete menu

Tex’s Tacos ( blog | website | twitter | facebook )

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Howell Mill Food Park Opening

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Excitement today for Atlanta’s food-truck fans as this evening brings the opening of the newly formed Howell Mill Food Park.

Located at the 1927 Emery Street (behind Willy’s near the Howell Mill / Collier Rd intersection). the park plans to offer space for diners to sample offerings from up to ten different food trucks. This is a change of pace from the situation a year ago when the City of Atlanta was a lot more litigious towards food trucks. Additionally, it is good to see some attention being paid to offering food truck gatherings outside of corporate business lunch hours. As someone who works ‘OTP’ in Atlanta I unfortunately miss the lunch gatherings many food trucks regularly make at Stove Works and Atlantic Station.

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USDA – Culinary Spin Doctors

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Dairy Management spent millions of dollars on research to support a national advertising campaign promoting the notion that people could lose weight by consuming more dairy products, records and interviews show. The campaign went on for four years, ending in 2007, even though other researchers — one paid by Dairy Management itself — found no such weight-loss benefits.

An interesting article today from the NY Times, reporting on how the same government agencies than warn us about the dangers of saturated fats and cheese consumption are using government money to develop and market products for such purveyors of healthy foods as Domino’s Pizza and Taco Bell. I love cheese, and, yes I am aware that there are more pressing political issues than the aforementioned however – I love food and politics so, this one seemed worth sharing

The USDA’s conflict of interest problem in a nutshell [via NY Times]

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Dining Out: Chung Dam

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I don’t know why I waited so long to try Korean BBQ, and yes I know it’s but a small subset of Korean cuisine, but there is something primal for me about cooking meat over fire and putting it directly into your mouth. There is definitely no shortage of Korean BBQ options in Atlanta, and fortunately they all seem to retain a good level of uniqueness between them – and all are memorable for one reason or another.

My favorite destination of late has been Chung Dam, located in the ginormous Super H Mart shopping center on Pleasant Hill Road. Yes, I agree with a lot of people in that Tohdamgol is delicious and unique, despite it’s exceptionally ‘authentic’ decor, Immediately walking into Chung Dam, the sheer cleanliness and organization of the restaurant sets it apart from many other destinations in town. This same mentality is carried over into their food; their meats and banchan are always exceptionally fresh. Tohdamgol definitely has more memorable and unique banchan, but the flavors at Chung Dam are that much more pronounced, making a much more enjoyable dining experience. The meat is definitely higher quality than Iron Age, the bulgolgi I was served at Chung Dam on my most recent visit was nearly melting in my mouth, and the meat is never fatty nor prone to random pieces of connective tissue. Chung Dam also features excellent seafood BBQ options, the shrimp + mushrooms is a regular order for me, and most recently I tried their lobster tail and was admittedly surprised with how good it was. Chung Dam also features a sushi menu, which I have yet to try but those who I have been with who have tried it assured me the quality matches the expectations set through my descriptions above

Each visit there I have receive some form of dessert, even if it is just in the form of fresh fruit, it’s an excellent gesture at the end of the meal. Granted, it’s not as exciting as a self-serve softserve ice cream machine a la Iron Age but honestly after most visits to eat Korean BBQ I’m lucky to be able to walk to my car let alone consider the possibility of continuing to eat food. If you are looking for something a little more tasteful, both in terms of flavor and appearance in the realm of Korean BBQ, definitely make Chung Dam a future destination. For the quality of the food it is reasonably priced compared to other Korean BBQ establishments, besides – Korean BBQ is all about getting a group of friends together, and gorging as a group and typically ends by ‘going Dutch.’

Chung Dam Restaurant
550 Pleasant Hill Rd # 401
Duluth, GA 30096-9263
(770) 623-0311

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Dining Out: Anis Cafe & Bistro

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This is a review I probably should have done long ago, and for no real good reason I have not been eating here as much as I used to however… I digress. Let us talk a moment about an under-hyped Buckhead mainstay. Located behind Pharr Road on quiet Grandview Ave. Located in a small house with an extensive covered porch, Anis is a quaint location that serves lunch and dinner from a small neighborhood location. Even when busy, it never seems to loud providing a wonderful outdoor dining experience, weather permitting. As with any place. Anis does not have the city’s most diverse and deep menu however I often find this is the trademark of any serious kitchen. Do a handful of dishes and do them extremely well.

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The Resurgence of PBR

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I am not much of an alcohol drinker, but interesting behaviors always get my attention… specifically why PBR is so popular. It’s not even really that good, honestly, I don’t drink a lot so if I can drink a lot of something with no adverse or enjoyable effects it must not be all that great. Apparently I am not the only one suffering from this conundrum, as The Society Pages has a write up on The Resurgence of PBR – even giving a nod to Atlanta’s own ‘Sloppy Seconds‘ parties, which like a number of events in Atlanta, proudly sports sponsorship from the brew. It is definitely a pervasive brand at a number of the events I attend around town, especially at and around the area of MJQ Concourse – home of ‘Sloppy.’ Moreover, I would be lying if I claimed I had not drank my fair share as well. Personally, when it comes to watered down flavorless American beers, I’m a sticker for good ole Budweiser, but as I’m sure most people who know me can attest — it’s pretty rare to catch me drinking at all.

PBR capitalizes on the perceptions of the brand while engaging in or working companies who engage in many of the practices that those who repopularized it were rejecting when they switched to PBR in the first place.

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