Emily....what did you have at your dinner??

[kwormann]

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim

[emilycat]

How cool that you thought to ask! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
We had such a great time -- the restaurant has a very cool, bustling atmosphere, and the wine list made me swoon.
We started out with a bottle of Rosso di Montalcino, and they brought out some wheat olive bread and foccacia with a plate of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
For appetizers, I ordered grilled baby octopus on arugula with balsamic onions and honey dijon vinaigrette, and DB (hee hee) had a Caesar salad.
We both had pasta for our main courses; mine was a penne with artichokes, ricotta salata and red pepper, which was fabulous, and he ordered Goat cheese ravioli in a basil-tomato sauce, which was also delicious.

Funny story about the wine. The first two I picked out (both Montepulciano D'Abruzzo) were unavailable, so I asked to see the menu again. Rather than wade through it forever again, (because I'm so very indecisive, you see), I decided to just order glasses of wine, since I would be drinking most of the bottle anyway (one of us had to drive home). Well, waiter dude apparently misunderstood me, and brought out the entire bottle. I'm thinking, Good God, he's being awfully friendly -- did I just order a $100 bottle of wine?? (because I'd only looked at the by-the-glass price.) Anyway, I ended up going up to the hostess to ask to look at the wine menu because I was freaking out and wanted to make sure I hadn't done something asinine -- I think I would have died if I'd ordered something ridiculously expensive, but I didn't so that was okay http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
Anyway, we had so much fun -- thanks again for asking, Kim!

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 05-23-2001).]

[KLynn]

Your meal sounds amazing! And Happy Birthday, by the way. I might have to convince DH to take me to VVV next time we are in Atlanta...

[aggie94]

No dessert? I'm disappointed. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[SusieO]

Green tea ice cream is the perfect dessert for sushi, as is ginger ice cream. I recently had red bean ice cream at a sushi restaurant in Tampa that was out of this world.

[Sara Emily]

Emily, your meal review is a DELIGHT!! Thanks for sharing!

My DH and I used to LOVE to go to the Abbey (on Ponce de Leon) as our favorite, pricey, extravagant anniversary treat when we were in Atlanta. It was always a BLISSFUL experience. Last year, when we went back, we were so disappointed by all the changes that we vowed "never again!" The service had deteriorated and ... GASP! ... the head chef had changed! They used to have a German chef who was classically French trained, and who was extraordinary. Now, the chef has an Arab sounding name and tries to make up for lack of creative skill by serving things that are more outlandish, but no longer prepared with that heavenly touch.

Reading your review, we are wondering if we might try out VVV as a candidate for our new very "special place." The other candidates currently under consideration are Aria and Philippe's (Belgian Bistro). Have you experienced either of those two restaurants or heard positive reviews from people you know and trust???

By the way, we DID make it up to Harry's (Gwinette) during our all too short weekend up there. I fell in love and did my best to buy them out, while also making mental notes of things I want to purchase and try next time! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Thank you dearly for steering me to their website.

And ..... a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[emilycat]

Sara Emily,

You are so very sweet -- thank you for your birthday wishes! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
I actually haven't experienced either Aria or Philippe's, and although no one I know has, I've read several very good reviews of Aria -- I just haven't read much on the latter.
May I suggest another? Di Paolo Cucina, in Alpharetta, has excellent cuisine and wonderful service, and the atmosphere is lovely. It may be one of my favorite Italian places in the city. Also, you might think of La Grotta -- I've been to the one at the Ravinia, and it's amazing, as well. I also must put in a plug for Tamarind, the most exquisitely elegant and delicious Thai restaurant I've ever been to. I'm definitely going back to that one. Depending on your preferences, I think any one of these could qualify as a "special" restaurant.

I'm so glad you had a great time at Harry's -- isn't it great? Let us know the next time you decide to come to visit -- I'll be interested to hear about your excursions http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 05-23-2001).]

[kwormann]

Glad your dinner was great! We have an ice cream place called Amys that has ice cream like you had....such as earl grey ice cream etc http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

KIm

[BlueMoose]

All of you are making me feel VERY unsophisticated! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[crazycook]

Belated Happy Birthday wishes Emily. I'm happy to hear you had a memorable time. Many happy returns of the day. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Anna

[emilycat]

But only because I had green tea ice cream when I went out for sushi for lunch http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[pmmahan]

Emily- YUM! I think I need to make a trip to Atlanta!
Green tea ice cream? I am intrigued.....

[aggie94]

pmmahan - I tried green tea ice cream for the first time a few weeks ago at my favorite local ice cream parlor (where my regular has always been peppermint) in Eugene, OR. It was delicious! I was put off by the sound of it at first, but it really was yummy and refreshing!

[Susann]

Emily-your dinner sounds yummy. I am curious-what does baby octopus taste like (and don't say that it tastes like grown up octopus!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif)?

[emilycat]

It was kind of like squid, but the little sucker things made it a the tiniest bit crunchy -- very mild, and almost sweet.(sounds gross, doesn't it?) I thought they were really yummy, though http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 05-24-2001).]

[SandyM]

Originally posted by emilycat:
but the little sucker things made it a the tiniest bit crunchy

Did anyone else feel the shudder coming from my body??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Sara Emily]

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I'm smiling from ear to ear reading your recommendations!! Obviously, short, once a quarter trips up to Atlanta are not NEARLY enough to check out even the smallest fraction of the incredible dining places I want to investigate! I have made a list of the places you suggested and your comments and will keep you posted.

BTW, I, too, am a calamri (sounds nicer than "squid," which is an unpleasant, strange sounding word!) fan, and one of escargot and octopus as well! In fact, in reading what you had at VVV, I laughed and thought that is what I would have chosen also! .... EXCEPT ... There is no way that I would go to a very special rest., where you can respect their fine treatment of food, and NOT have dessert! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[aggie94]

Sara Emily -

Me too! I cannot go to a restaurant and pass on dessert, no matter how stuffed I am. If I have to, I'll take it to go! (how sad is that?)

And I also LOVE calamari, especially with a nice aioli for dipping. Yummmm!