Baxter Bark Twice

Do as I say, never as I do

Agree to Disagree: Top 20 Restaurants in ATL

Posted by AllieB on October 26, 2010

I know I write a good bit about food around Atlanta, but if there’s anyone who knows the eateries around this place – it’s Kennedy. She sent me an email yesterday complete with this list and her highly relevant and accurate commentary, and I knew it must be shared. We see eye to eye on just about everything (per usual), and we’re both concerned with the caliber of the journalism behind the composition of this list. Thank you, K, for imparting your invaluable wisdom.

The 20 restaurants in ATL, according to…

  1. Leon’s Full Service – This I can get on board with. Represents a lot of what makes Atlanta great, outside dining, fun drinks, southern but creative food etc.
  2. Ru San’s (UMMM – WTF? HAS THIS WRITER EVEN BEEN TO ATLANTA IN THE PAST DECADE OR DID THEY COPY OVER A LIST FROM THE 90s??) I shudder at the thought. This list has lost all credibility. (Allie Says: this is really very questionable. I’m with K’s all-caps horror.)
  3. Livingston Restaurant + Bar
  4. Rhodes Bakery – Given that this is Southern Living’s list, I suppose that this can slide; I feel as if they make good cakes and pies which I picture on the cover of a Southern Living.
  5. LottaFrutta – never heard of it and don’t even want to google it – shocking, I know.  At the rate this list is going, I will add to my list of places NOT to go. (Allie Says: my thoughts exactly.)
  6. Rosebud – again – where is Holeman and Finch?!
  7. Caf̩ Intermezzo РJust no. The last meal I had here was around 1 am and I still thought it was bad; this is saying something (Allie Says: indeed, this is saying something.)
  8. Flip Burger Boutique – the only thing that I can think of here is that Southern Living is based in B’ham and there’s a Flip in B’ham so maybe they think by adding it to the list it somehow makes B’ham cooler? I see through this little plot…
  9. Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
  10. Taqueria Del Sol – overrated and sort of lame. The end. I’m tempted to stop reading…(Allie Says: I like this place a lot. Should it be #10? No…but still in Top 20, IMO.)
  11. King of Pops – does this count as a restaurant? I think it’s like a cardboard stand or something?
  12. Highland Bakery
  13. The Atlanta Cupcake Factory – I suppose this is the obligatory shout out to the cupcake craze – again not sure it really fits as a “best restaurant”
  14. Antico Pizza Napoletana – Someone can’t count or rank or something because OBVIOUSLY this should be in the top 5. (Allie Says: and possibly numero uno.)
  15. Paolo’s Gelato
  16. Aria – so 2001.
  17. Souper Jenny – I love SJ so this would probably find its way to my top 20 and again goes with could be on the cover of Southern Living theme; I picture bowls of soup surrounded by cornucopias. (Allie Says: I agree, it definitely should be in Top 20. Also, I had a grilled cheese there back in August that ranks in my top 5 sandwich experiences of all time…so…just sayin‘.)
  18. Sotto Sotto – this one can stay appropriately at 18.
  19. Sweet Auburn Bread Company – again the cover theme. I had to google this one – apparently Bill Clinton went there? Sticking with the 90s theme…
  20. SweetWater Brewing Company – I was unaware they served food?

Well, there you have it. I’m with K – wtf is this list?! It makes no sense. I’m not sure the person who wrote this has been to Atlanta, like, ever – even if they spent just 20 minutes browsing YELP they would know how erroneous 3/4 of this selection is. Ru Sans?! They may as well have put Papa John’s and Applebee’s on this thing. Someone needs to write the Editor.

Also, I usually take the time to hyperlink the restaurants, but this list seemed unworthy of such an arduous task. Sorry I’m not sorry.

TO TUESDAY.

Sister: it feels like hot breath outside.

Ross: It tastes like feet!

Joey: I like it.

Ross: Are you kidding?

Joey: What’s not to like? Custard? Good. Jam? Good. Meat? Gooooood.

-The One Where Ross Got High


Posted in Food & Drink, Really? | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

I concur.

Posted by AllieB on October 22, 2010

Liz Lemon drops incredible truth bombs on a weekly basis.

As I mentioned recently, I love the elle.com horoscopes. The weekend forecast for Gemini is pretty lousy – something about hanging out with people who might not necessarily be “the cool kids” (total nonsense  – I don’t know anyone who’s not cool), but K’s was amazing and completely un-Cancer-esque, so I will share it. I think we all, regardless of astrological sign, should embrace this sage advice:

It’s time to bust out the sequins and sky-high Louboutins, and party like a rockstar once again….Raise the hemline on your costume, and drop the neckline…this is your socially-sanctioned opportunity to let your inner Snooki soar.

That’s right. Let your inner Snooki soar. I’ve got the other stuff  down pat – in fact, I recently acquired a very mini skirt (tights required) and sequined top that fit nicely within these parameters. I’m only missing the Louboutins…sigh. If I could have but one pair of shoes for the rest of my life, it would be these. TINA – still waiting on that million dollar idea.

Oh – and The Partner’s Card starts today!

Happy Weekend! XOXO – Allie Bark Twice Baxter

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Nostalgia: France

Posted by AllieB on October 20, 2010

For no other reason than that I haven’t had a new Facebook album since June, I decided to post random pictures from the Baxter Family trip to France back in August. Staying at my aunt and uncle’s home was beyond incredible, and we really did have such a good time – I am ready for a return trip!

Chateau Cerisay - clockwise from top right: front door, moat, chapel, grounds, main house. TAKE ME BACK!

Anecdote: my aunt and uncle have become friendly with the neighbors, and they were kind enough to invite us over for a cook-out. The host of the party, we’ll call him Jacques, was charming, flamboyant and an amazing cook.

I have always been of a proponent of really indulging oneself on vacation – no limits, really take advantage of the culture, cuisine, etc. This means to say: I helped myself to the food and wine. At one point he saw me taking a second chicken kabob, and he inquired, “Oh, is that for your little sister?” Embarrassed, I assured him that yes, it was (not). Shortly thereafter he came over to where Jordan and I were sitting, and the following conversation ensued:

Jacques: “Deed your seester geeve you her kabob?”

Jordan: “No.”

Jacques (to me): “Non! You ate that?! A second kabob?!”

Me (humiliated with a side of rosacea): “Um, yes…you know what they say about vacation – lots of wine and lots of food!”

Jacques: “Mais oui, to have lots of wine – that is very Franche, but to have two kabobs…that is SO not Franche.”

Oh the shame. I tried to joke with him later about the incident, saying I should probably run wind sprints home to work off the second kabob, and he responded in a decidedly non-joking manner, “But of course!! That eees a good idea!!”

Note to self re: future travels – do as the locals do, not as obese Americans do…

Posted in Arbitrary | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Meet & Greet: The Ivy

Posted by AllieB on October 19, 2010

The Ivy, owned by the same guys who own City Bar and General Beauregard in Athens,  opened a few weeks ago in North Buckhead. Finally utilizing the massive space left by Carbo’s of the early 90’s and then an event-only space that closed after a large fire, it’s a huge restaurant/bar that, I think, is here to stay.

I’ve been there several times – I have the Oderson’s to thank for that – so I feel I can legitimately critique the place. I was ready to write a rave review after our first meal, but Hilary suggested that I pump the brakes a bit and see how things panned out. Well, they’ve panned out swimmingly, IMO, and here are some points of interest:

  • Order something fried. I suggest the Tempura Portobella Mushroom Caps, but swap out whatever sauce the menu suggests for their Mojo Aioli. Actually, regardless of your order, ask for a side of the Mojo Aioli – it’s awesome. Their chicken fingers are also amazing. The “moist” and “juicy” chicken is encased in some kind of breaded, deep-fried nonsense reminiscent of funnel cakes. I know that sounds weird in theory, but in practice…oh my god.
  • Huge $4 slices of pizza. Their slices are 1/4 of a full pie, and that is not an exaggeration. I recommend “The Ivy” which has sausage and mushrooms and peppers and something else – maybe another meat? They don’t have a menu online.
  • Cecilia’s Cakes. It’s not a rumor – they serve them. Made famous by Last Resort in Athens, they are the best cakes ever, of anyplace I’ve ever been. Caramel and Red Velvet are my favorites…
  • It is very reasonably priced. Pizza for $4/slice, burgers under $10, appetizers in $5 – $8 range…and a very nice house Cabernet for $5/glass. Plus, they have prime outdoor seating and even allow dogs. Done and done.

Overall, I think The Ivy has totally nailed it. The service is decent and will only improve. Plus, I appreciate that they have stemless martini glasses, as I’ve yet to master the itty-bitty stem/wide-mouth top of the standard stemware. The Ivy = the new go-to…?

images from thrillist.com

The Ivy

3717 Roswell Rd
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-941-3081

Posted in Food & Drink | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Know Your Audience

Posted by AllieB on October 19, 2010

Starbucks is testing the new “Starbucks Bar” at their flagship store in Seattle. My first reaction was, “Great! Another place that serves wine.” However, upon further examination, I’m thinking: no. They’ve delved into coffee-flavored liquers, available at your local grocer/bottle shop, and their breakfast sandwiches are actually really awesome, but to serve beer and wine at their actual coffee shops just seems wrong to me.

I learned on the Today show this morning that Starbucks does 70% of their business  before 2pm. That’s FINE – you’re a COFFEE shop. I think to add alcohol in the mix will just confuse people. IMO, if Starbucks insists upon pedaling booze, they need to do so in a totally different capacity – perhaps even under a pseudonym – at a location entirely separate from the coffee shops.

When the always-hilarious Al Roker joked, “Sure, I’ll take a Zinfandel Frappucino!” I knew that I would never be able to get behind this idea.

thanks, but no thanks

Posted in Food & Drink, Imparting Wisdom | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

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