Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Melting Pouch

My pouch is like Ellis Island. It's the gateway for all edible walks of life that enter through the pearly gates of my bowels... 2, 4, even 3 legged creastures have entered my heavenly sanctuary up to 5 times a day or more. The volume that goes through the melting pouch is immeasurable. Hartsfield Airport ain't got shit on him. Let's profile what's coming and going up in this piece... Ok, maybe not the goings. Unless, it was real shitty (All pun intended)...

1 Kept.
Foie Two Ways. I inhaled this within 58.4 seconds. Move along, there's nothing to see or eat here anymore.

Wrecking Bar.
Rabbits Wings. I didn't know rabbits had wings but I don't really give a shit, I would eat the wings on a hamster if they had them. It's a cute idea, but it was mostly breading (it was nice and crispy, though) and semi-chewy bone-in rabbit meat which wasn't all that much fun to eat. It was worth a try.

Wreck Burger. A very decent burger, so decent that I would order it again. Spot on medium-rare temp and the flavors worked well together. The fries were kinda limp and a tad over salted but totally passable. Their Russian Imperial Stout is no joke, friggin dericious... As with their other specialty brews, especially the stouts. The menu is pretty decent unlike the Porter which I was at earlier and nothing on the menu there looked good. But their beer selection is what you go to the Porter for, then come here to eat. Do it, do it.

China Kitchen.
Xiao Long Bao. Pouch lurvs him some steaming hot soupy dumps... Who doesn't like a steaming hot soupy dump in their mouth, I know a couple of girls with a cup that do. Be careful of the squirts, I got a facial with one. Just missed my eyeball by that much, thank goodness.

Chong Qing Hot Pot.
Spicy Szechuan Fish. Giant spicy bowl full of fish chunks and napa cabbage for under $10. You can't go wrong with this, unlike my life. It's never as spicy as it looks (read: not spicy at all, color is all for show), so soak it up with the AYCE rice.

Spicy Tofu with Beef. Barely on the Scoville Unit scale, I mean like near zero. It was more peppery than spicy. Still a tasty dish.

Spicy Tofu with Fish. They screwed up and sent out the wrong dish but I got a taste of it before I took it back. Shit, maybe I shoulda have kept it, it was purdy tasty.

Pan American Bakery.
Cubano. Mejor en el mundo. Lo mejor, Geraldo. Lo mejor. 

Kimball House.
I could go on and on about how great the oysters are but bottomline: still the best oyster selection in all of Atlanta. Plain, simple and fresh. A couple of squirts from the eyedropper is all you need. I have eaten every single one of their oysters at least 4 times over, still not tired of them. Slurp.

I'm fat. So, I needed another tray of them mollusca baby gravy. So G U U D. Burp.

Highlander.
Hot Chicken. Still a great deal for the amount of grub but the pigeon was no hot chicken this time around. It was more like a baked leg quarter brushed with regular old hot sauce. The ones in the beginning were really decent with a nice dark semi-spicy coating. Bring that shit back. Don't die on me!

La Costilla Grill.
This chips and salsa looked fucking insane on the first impression. It's not your standard garbage tomato juice you find at El Azteca or whereever the fuck you hipsters nosh on authentic Mexican't grub these days, don't fucking say Uncle Julio's or else I will shit in your sombrero and jerk off in your Swirl, right now. C'mon, this place gives you four goddamn different salsas. Although, they are not the best salsas I have ever had, but for the effort... I am in, puta madres. Gringos will not be disappointed with this pregame filler.

Why do gringos come here and order fucking tacos? There's only one thing to order here and that is the Parrillada Regia... It's pretty tasty and they give you a shitload of grub on the cheap. Meat, guac, meat, tortillas, bacon, meat, soup, sausage, meat and meat. And this is for 2 personas? Fuck yeah, ese. Dame.

Bone Lick.
Rib Tips. Don't ask, don't tell. Just look at it. Consume if you dare. Tis was ok. Chewy comes to mind. Once is enough for a lifetime. Still in my pouch weeks later.

La Parilla.
I know, y'all are scratching your heads while I'm scratching my balls... How the fuck did I end up in here? Why would the pouch nosh here? Sometimes, I have to go ghetto Mexican't... But seriously, they had me on this giant 64 OZ'er beer special on Wednesdays and the clueless chicks that trough here are hot as fuck up in this piece. This was the brisket taco, chicken burrito and a beef chili relleno, numero something 69 or other. As you guessed it, it all tasted the same. I mean they should just serve everything in a bowl with tortillas on the side, what's the difference.

Now, I know how pigs in a slaughter house feels. Oink. I don't even know what this was... Even if I did, would it matter? Just put it in a bowl and flush. Ok, why is this place so goddamn popular on Howell Mill? Just look around and you'll know why... I guess I just answered my own question. Would I come back here? Possibly, if there's the promise of free cerveza and chocha.


Next stop, NYC for some good Eyetalian grub... No wonder there are so many paisanos named Tony, when they got on the boat, they were given a tag that said "To: NY". Boomcha.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Popeyes



We clucked, we battered, our thighs in flour
We golden fried, never asking why
We kissed, I fell under your spell
A love no marsupial could deny

Don't you ever say I just walked away
I will always want to eat you
I can't live a lie, running for my pouch
I will always want to eat you

It came in like a Butterball
I never bit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break down your doors
All I ever did was crave you
Yeah you, you wreck me with those spicy thighs

I put your thighs up to my snout
And now, you're going down
I slowly turned, your legs around
And now, there's bones on the ground

Don't you ever say I just drove away
I will always want to eat you
I can't live a lie, running for my pouch
I will always want to eat you

It came in like a Butterball
Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swallow
Left me comatose satiated and bloated
All I ever did was crave you
Yeah you, you wreck me with those spicy thighs

I never meant to start a shortage
I just wanted you to let me in
And instead of using force to break the doors
I guess you should've let me in
I never meant to start a famine
I just wanted you to let me in
I guess you should've let me in

Yeah Pops, you wreck me with the Cajun Sparkle

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Don Antonio by Starita... And Bocado.

So, STG sells itself off to a 'ZA joint from NYC, dumps the entire staff, Don Antonio by Starita turnkeys it around in no time, reveals that the STG/Bocado owners is now also in cahoots with the Don and it's open for business with none of the old staff. Baffling and insulting at the same time? Who knows, but who am I judge their family business practices... I'm here for one thing and one thing only, the fucking 'ZA. Because, frankly, I really don't want to sleep with the fishes... I prefer to eat them, sashimi style, just like how Don Gato likes it on a high red roof. Meow, meow, meow.

Let's take a first look at the Don. Will it be the same as STG or will it be something better or worse just with a name change... So, at the last minute I snuck in around 10pm to do some light recon.

Fritattine and Arancini. Fritattine is a fried bucatini cake with ham and smoked buffala mozza. Arancini is a fried risotto ball with ham. Both looked decent enough.

Innards. They both tasted and kinda looked the same on the inside except for the different carbs... Which I mentioned to the server, whom replied that the noodle ball has Béchamel sauce in it. What? It's Fronch now? There is no way there was B-sauce in it. But she kept on insisting... Just bring me some friggin red sauce instead. All of the sudden she didn't speak a lick of Engrish and now, I'm stuck with a fake Béchamel ball in my mouth.

Margherita. Looked pretty promising... Well, so did Obamacare, not. First thing's first, there was no pooling of liquid in the center, a plus. The cheese melted like it should with a quality mozza. The sauce was vibrant and held together decently. The basil missed the cross hair, shooting a little high and to the left. The pizzaiolo is obviously not the muscle of this family. Only gripe is that the basil needs to be placed on top after it comes out of the oven. But overall, it was acceptable.

Mast'nicola, pecorino romano, basil, lardo. Don't strain yourself with the volume of toppings on there. It was 99.2% dough, .5% basil, .2% lardo and .1% pecorino romano. It was basically a goddamn $9 piece of dry naan bread that would make Rachael Rey cry because there was not a drop of EVOO on it. As with the Margherita, the basil goes on the pie AFTER it comes out of the oven. There must be an ADHD problem up in this piece.

Lift the skirt and all I saw was this giant gash... The holiest of holy this is not. Dude, no one wants to see a hatchet wound that wide and jagged. Reminds me of that dentata flick, Teeth. This creasture didn't give me a blood flow, nor did it excited me enough to produce any baby gravy from my loins... Which this dried out specimen sorely needed. Do not American Pie this bitch, there are much more deserving pie in this town for that precious baby gravy.

STG was pretty decent, it wasn't a destination spot for me but it was pretty decent overall... Don Antonio by Starita (I like saying the entire name, it's fun!) is on the right track but it needs more work, experience and tweaking to be consistent and consistently good. They got the tools and ingredients, just need the talent behind it to produce and execute... Because I really want to try the pizze fritte and paninis. The gluten free pizza, not so much. Get to work people, don't embarrass your NYC and Napoli roots.

Give me an offer I can't refuse next time.. or a couple of orange slices so I can retire peacefully.

102 West Paces Ferry Road NW
(404) 844-2879
donantoniopizza.com

Monday, January 6, 2014

Asian Pouchsuasion

What'll we get for ten dollars?
Everything you want
Everything?
Everything... No substitutions.

Oh, me so hungry. Me no eat you long time.
I'm just like that man they call, Georgie Pouchie Puddin' and Pie
I eat all the Popeyes and I make 'em cry
I'm like a marsupial in heat, a pouch without warnin'
I have an appetite for grub, 'cause me so hungry.


Ssam Burger.
Kimcheese Burger. Nice bun, toppings, flavors and a spot on medium rare burger. Am I dweaming here? This was actually pretty decent and edible. None of it went into the trash. That's a good sign.

Lemongrass Burger Patty Rice Box and Salad. A very decent tasting crap in a box grub. The lemongrass patty was pretty flavorful and it contained lemongrass bits. The sunnyside up egg was not too shabby. The ruffage were dressed nicely and pretty tasty. I can't believe I was somewhat impressed me from this visit. They should be proud... Except for the very weak and watery Miso Soup. The instant ones in the packets found at the Asian markets with dehydrated tofu bits are worlds away better. But overall, not bad at all.


Umi.
Avocado Salad w/ Wasabi Vinaigrette. This was like something my 3 year old nephew would make. It was so pedestrian, it left me scratching my head from this not cheap to eat joint.

Madai Carpaccio. The fish is always the star of the show here and this didn't disappoint.

Spicy Tuna Box Roll. The difference with this box roll is that the rice has be fried with a crispy edge all around. It's definitely an interesting take but not really my style. Some bites were hard to chew because it was too hard, it hurt my dentatas.

Nigiri. You got salmon, yellowtail and otoro... But I'm still suspect that it was otoro by the color, texture and the lack of fat. Not that I'm complaining about still a great piece of tuna.

Crunch Lobster Box Roll. Lobster and individual flavors kinda got lost underneath all that stuff. But it's a big seller with the gaijins, imagine that. Baffles the mind.

Black Cod Misoyaki. This dish will always be one of their best, not that it hasn't been done at every single sushi joint.. But when it's good, it's good. Can't dispute that.

Don't ask me what this was but it had something to do with seafood underneath all that mess. It may have been the Tempura Baked Lobster according to inside sources. Still kinda haunts me to this day.

Green Tea Souffle. Still a great idea and kinda tasty but it needs a couple more minzies in the oven because it was all liquid in the center. I wanted to take it home and violate this muff in unspeakable ways... Look at it, it's a perfect fit for some nubbin luvin. Squirt.


Shoya.
Uni Yamakake. Most people think the mountain potato root taste like snot but fuck that noise, add a little soy sauce, mix in that wasabi and uni and it's a killer dish.

Beef Tongue. Thinly sliced and broiled. Tender as hell and don't forget to squirt that lemon juice all over. Chicks dig it.

Sashimi. Whether it's the regular or deluxe, the sashimi is always top notch. I get it every time, it's that good.

Broiled Conch w/ assorted Mushrooms. Oh, it's good, get it... Buttery, tender, earthy, it's like a gangbang in my mouth. No, not the McGangbang because that would be indecent. I'm an innocent school girl.


Sobban.
Spicy Mussels. Me rikey some spicy sea gash.

Grilled Smelt. Great snack, eat them like friggin chips, just can't eat one.

KFC Wangz. My favorite wangz in ATL. A lil spicy, super crispy and juicy inside. The crust is the best part. Must have them on every visit.

Bulgogi. Simple comfort food with nice flavors. This a just a classic rice plate. It's just good.


Amura.
Pimm's Cup and Penicillin. Cocktails were well made, nice and strong. Tasty.

 Soft Shell Crab Roll. I see it, I order it. Boom. It was decent but not crave-worthy status.

This is their version of tapas. Yeah, that's what I said, tapas, imagine that, pseudo-Spanish cuisine here. Salmon tataki, tuna tataki, spicy tuna box roll and maguro sashimi. Nothing special in flavors but totally acceptable, if you were starving or eating sooshie for the first time.

The protein tapas sampler thinger. Filet tataki with enoki, meat flaps wrapped with asparagus, meat chunks on bamboo sticks and something or other in the lower fourth quadrant. Like with the fish plate, the meats were ok. It's no culinary bombshell but I didn't expect much from this place either after the demise of MF Sushi.


Ming's.
Nothing is better for a hangover than two bowls and a cup of tea. I swear, you won't shit your pants and no one will make you eat it out of a cup. HK style wonton noodle soup and congee with thousand year old egg and pork. Heaven, it's heaven.

Rice plate with meats... Roast pork and BBQ pork that will put you in a food coma within minutes. That's all she wrote and the fat lady just sung. I'm done, son. Snooze.


Oriental Pearl.
Their Dim Sum is still the most consistent in town. The gwailos can have that dump Golden House. Shumai, sticky rice and tripe... They ran out of har gow, can you believe that shit? Nope, I don't believe it either but whatever, there's still other tasty tidbits to be had to stuff your fat face.

Cheung Fun, shrimp and BBQ pork. Some of the best in town, the thin translucent rice flour skin is all you need to know about this classic dish.

Baby Squid. This shit came out steaming hot like a freshly laid dog poop. The smell, the texture, the sauce and the flavors would make me eat my dog's brown logs if it tasted as good as this dish.

Wu Gok. Fried taro dumpling. Not many places make it well, if you could even find it... But today's version was decent. It needed to be fluffier but the innards were spot on, though.

Whole Peking Duck. It came with the pancakes and all the trimmings to make the Chino fajitas. Don't ask for pics because my greasy fat fingaz were busy stuffing my fat face. Yeah, it was that good. Quack.

 Dry Fried Lobster. Lay off me, I'm starving! Go away, the pouch is at work. Pouch need lobsta brainz.

This looks like monkey brains but keep your up-chucks down because this was lightly fried tofu stuffed with shrimp bathe in a mushroom packed sauce. Total comfort food. Scoop a shitload in a bowl of rice and you're ready to rest in peace. Sign me up.


Hong Kong Harbor.
Sour Mustard Greens with Fried Tofu. A veggie dish that most people don't know about but it's the bomb. It's usually paired with shredded pork or beef but tofu is an option. I say stick with the proteins.

Beef Belly Wonton Noodle Soup and Salt & Pepper Shrimp. One of the best secret dishes that no one orders. Even with me exposing it to the public, no one gets it still. Awesome, more for me! Suckaz. The S&P shrimp is good as usual. Eat the heads motherfuckers, stop being a fruit basket tucking pussy. Requests for reach arounds denied.

I can't get enough of the beef belly wonton noodle soup... As you can see. Twice in 3 days.

Beef Chowfun... Still the best anywhere in town because none can be had in town! Get you some now.


The pouch is tapped out and tysies... Hope it doesn't get hibernation sickness from the self induced food coma. "I can't eat. Your appetite will return with time. Where am I? Jade Palace. Who are you? Someone who loves to feed you. Chowfun!"
Mebbe I need to just relax for a moment. But let's make sure you got a big bowl of pasta carbonite when I wake up just in case. Thanks in advance. XOXO  ...And that's the dry scallop sauce just in case you didn't know.