The Blissful Glutton

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
A friend of mine invited me to Dolce a while back. I was curious to see what this place was all about. I had heard that they made their own burrata and I was intrigued-I adore burrata. We each ordered wine from the meager wine list. I got a prosecco that was enjoyable. We ordered the burrata and proscuitto, the chopped salad, the risotto with porcini mushrooms, and the osso bucco. Our appetizers came out and we instantly noticed that both the avocado and the dressing were missing. The waiter remedied the situation , but my dining partner had already lost interest in the salad. The burrata platter arrived and it did not look like any burrata I had ever met. It was way too creamy and lacked flavor. The skin was almost too tough to cut with a knife. To make matters worse, the kitchen had drenched the entire platter in balsamic vinegar. We did not finish it. Our mains came out and they were immense. My risotto had more balsamic vinegar drizzled all over it. Maybe to mask the fact that the "porcinis" were out of season and tasteless. The risotto was just average-it needed more of something and the balsamic just ruined it for me. The osso bucco was actually very tender and well seasoned. The risotto Milanese could have benefited from a bit more salt though. No gremolata to be found, which normally provided the brightness this heavy dish requires. We sat waiting for our dessert menus, but they never came. Our waiter just forgot about us. 20 minutes later (yeah, we were letting it go to see how long we could sit there before anyone notices our necks craning for server attention), we flagged someone down and asked for our bill. Seems our server thought our bar bill was our dinner bill.

Verdict: Sexy space. Mediocre food. Seems many of the clientele were there in hopes of seeing Ashton Kutcher--bridge and tunnel baby (or as I like to call it, highway and access road). Should you go? Stay far, far away.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 261 19th St
Phone: (404) 872-3902
Website

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
I am a sucker for a good Pizza Margherita. My friend E. recommended I try the pizza at Fritti. I am rarely in Inman Park but drove down there for lunch last week. I took a seat on the patio even though it was quite a hot day. I was surprised how pleasant and cool it was out there. I ordered the Regina Margherita (pictured above) and the funghi fritti. The funghi fritti (pictured below) was well seasoned and drizzled with truffle oil. The truffle oil really made the flavors pop. I loved it. Meaty mushrooms and very crisp.
My pizza was really very good. It was crisp and not soggy in the middle which seems to be symptomatic of many Italian pizza places in Atlanta. The Cheese and sauce were very good as well. I asked for them to put some arugula on top of my pizza and they did so for no charge. It was very fresh and a perfect compliment to the flavors.

Verdict: This place is definitely going into my rotation. Great menu and pizza. Nice atmosphere. Good service. Will be back.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 311 N Highland Ave NE
Phone: (404) 880-9559
Map: Fritti
Website: Fritti
Cuisine: Italian

An oldie but a goodie...
Only $17.95
5:30-6:30 pm, Monday - Saturday
Make your reservations now: 770-395-9925
La Grotta

Well, I finally got in to actually do some shopping. Cute setting...samples galore...knowledgeable staff. The store has been open for about 3 months but the concept is very strong and I can see it staying in VaHi for a while. I picked up some blood orange marmalade, Meyer lemon spread and a beautiful bucatini pasta. The prices are a bit high but a nice place for the occasional item or gift.
Website: Bella Cucina

Seems that Bella Cucina has a new store in the Highlands. They have many delish products to choose from and the store looks adorable. I love their Meyer Lemon spread. Photo from Bella Cucina's web site

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
My Sis and I were on our way back from downtown on Friday and needed a quick bite. We stopped into Da Chicago Dog for some grub. I was tempted to get the hot dog but got the Italian Beef instead. My Sis got the sausage and pepper sandwich (pictured). My sandwich was good...spicy peppers, mustard and onions. The beef was a bit underseasoned but good quality. The sausage and peppers were better. I will be returning to try one of those famous Chicago dogs. They have many other options including burgers, fruit salad and baked goods (I overheard some folks in line talking about how good they were).
RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 1877 Piedmont Rd
Phone: (404) 815-8135
Cuisine: Sandwiches

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Stopped by La Tavola last night because we were driving by and needed somewhere quick before a performance at Emory. We got a table easily around 6:30. I ordered the Arugula and Pear Salad with frisee lettuce, an almond vinaigrette and Grana Padano cheese and the Pappardelle Bolognese of beef, veal, pancetta and tomato. I also had a nice glass of Valipocella. The name of the producer is eluding me. My dining companion had the Orecchiette with Sausage broccoli rabe, garlic, chili flake and Pecorino Romano and the Classic Caesar salad. I have to say I was really happy with my meal. The service was great, the bread fresh and hot...everything was delicious. La Tavola is a solid neighborhood Italian that actually prepares their food well and lets the ingredients shine.I will be returning and suggest you go if you have not already.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 992 Virginia Ave
Phone: 404.873.5430
Website: La Tavola Trattoria
Cuisine: Italian

La Grotta has some amazing truffles right now. They are very strong and amazingly delicious. You can add them to any dish for a supplement of $17.50. I had it with a simple tagliatelle. I am thinking of spoiling myself again.

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
Went to Misto for dinner tonight. Wanted something simple and casual. The service was horrible. Asked for fresh pepper for my salad and they brought me a shaker. They forgot our bread. Waited forever to take our order. It was just ridiculously bad service. I did eat well though and for not too much money. Had a simple salad and pasta with meatballs (it was a comfort food night). Saw they had burrata (a rarity) on the menu. The bread was hot and tasted fresh. I will go back and pray for a different server. Just a decent neighborhood Italian when you want a bowl of pasta minus the pretense. Deserves another shot.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 1950 Howell Mill Road
Phone: (404) 425-0030
Website: Misto
Cuisine: Italian

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
I had lunch at Osteria 832 yesterday. I'd eaten dinner there numerous times with no complaints. However, yesterday's experience left much to be desired. The setup is a bit different at lunch. You place your order at the counter and then they bring your food out to you. I ordered the Pizza Margherita and the Insalata Mista. My friend had the Caprese sandwich and the Arugula salad. I've had their pizzas many times before and loved every bite of 'em. But, this one was cold, gummy, and bland. My salad was over-dressed and full of slimy pieces of lettuce that was way past its prime. The bread on the sandwich was cold but the rest seemed up to snuff. The arugula was crisp and properly dressed. My friend had no complaints but I was not satisfied with the food or service. The place is normally good so I will go back. I just hope they step it up a bit. Lunch is no reason to slack off.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 832 North Highland Avenue
Phone: (404) 897-1414
Hours: Mon 5pm-10pm; Tue-Thu 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm;Sun 11:30am-10pm
URL: http://www.osteria832.com/index.php
Cuisine: Italian

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
Atlanta's pizza options are seriously lacking. I am not talking about your standard Fellini's fare but a nice wood-fired pizza Margherita. I've tried everywhere...Baraonda, Brio, Osteria 832, Fritti and Woodfire Grill. Pricci's version is still one of my favorites. Yeah, I know the place is swarming with pocket-square wearing waspy types looking to feel hip. But you can get it to go which is what I always do. For $9, you can get a perfectly crisp and flavorful pizza. I always get mine with an arugula salad which is lightly dressed with lemon, olive oil, and shaved parmesan ($7). They'll also throw in a basket of bread with a goat cheese and marina dip for free if you ask for it.

RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Location: 500 Pharr Rd. at Maple Drive
Phone: (404) 237-2941
Website: Pricci
Cuisine: Italian