Knowing that the food and drink in Atlanta would be incredible, I was careful with caloric intake before I left Virginia, and I exercised every day during my trip.  That turned out to be a good decision, as Atlanta cuisine did not disappoint!  The only difficult part of the visit was choosing where to go and what to eat.  So many choices, and chain restaurants were not part of the equation!

** Disclosure: I am not a food critic nor food blogger. I’m just offering some suggestions should you get to Atlanta anytime soon. **

My first meal was at Leon’s Full Service.

Housed in a former gas station, the owners “long for a time when you pulled up to a gas station and immediately about 4 people would descend upon your vehicle with smiles”.  Their philosophy is to provide the restaurant version of Full Service.

My Trout Po Boy with house remoulade, b&b pickles, tomato,
baby iceberg on toasted ciabatta was so flavorful, and my cocktail, the Corpse Revivier No. 2
with ethereal gin, cointreau, lemon, cocchi americano, and la muse verte absinthe was divinely refreshing.

The appetizer? Goat Cheese stuffed Peppadews.

I love that the bartender dressed as if working at a Full Service Gas Station.

My second meal, at 4th and Swift also featured trout, a main dish frequently found on Atlanta menus.  Evidently there are some wonderful trout farms in Atlanta.  Pre-dinner cocktails were as creative at 4th & Swift as at every other place that I visited, and my Green With Envy cocktail (Clement “Canne Bleue” Rhum Blanc, Cucumber & Basil Syrup, Fresh Lime, Cucumber & Basil Cube) was the perfect summer drink, and incredibly refreshing.

(Photo Credit: 4th &  Swift)

I have no photos from this meal, but my Bramlett Farms Trout La Plancha (Sauteed Green Tomatoes, Red Spring Onions, Smoked Shitake, Miso, Sunflower Seeds) was fresh and delicious.  A dessert of Stickey Toffee Pudding (vanilla ice cream, candied pecans, toffee sauce) was the perfect birthday dessert for Andrew.

Saturday morning began at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit. Originally started in Charleston, SC, the Atlanta restaurant opened late in 2015.  Each biscuit is made by hand, baked while you wait, using simple, fresh ingredients including White Lily flour, buttermilk, butter and cream cheese.  No calories here!  The biscuits are insanely good!

Amidst all the eating and drinking, we visited Krog Street Market, a “destination for Atlanta’s intown culture; those who are always searching for unique, specialty creations. It’s designed to be as authentic as the 1920’s warehouse it’s built into”.  You walk in, order your beer, and shop!

The Ponce City Market “breathes new life into the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co. building in Atlanta. The classic structure, which is the area’s largest adaptive reuse project, has been reinvented as a vibrant community hub housing the Central Food Hall, various shops, flats and offices, all while pointing back to the roots of its inception”.

The Beltline runs right next to Ponce City Market, and cyclists are able to leave their bikes with the bike valet, and step inside for lunch, a cold beer, and some shopping.  The place was buzzing with energy, the smell of delicious food, and a diverse crowd of people.  So fun!

Before heading home for the day, we stopped into the Brick Store Pub, “a neighborhood pub where conversation dominates, pints are served properly and in the appropriate glassware, service is friendly and knowledgeable and the food is made from scratch every day, all accented by a beautiful historic building located on a bustling town square”.

Almost done, I promise! Before leaving town on Sunday, we visted Rreal Taco, a casual Mexican taqueria.  The chef owner wanted to create authentic Mexican flavors —all natural, local, and organic whenever possible”.

The food was so yummy that I didn’t even stop to take a picture 🙂 Photo Credit: Rreal Taco

Phew! You made it to the end.  Are you hungry now?

Next Post: Green Atlanta