Oyster Happy Hours In Atlanta

                                   

Oysters are best in the "er" months so September, October, November and December are prime time oyster eating season.  This usually means they are bigger and more "juicy".  Some places like The Kimball House and One Eared Stag do not have saltines to go with them and prefer mignette sauce.  I guess saltines are passe' but I still find it much easier to load up my cocktail sauce and horseradish.   I am always a fan of a good deal so why not hit up an oyster happy hour around town.  Some of my favorites:

• One Eared Stag $1 oysters Monday-Friday 5-7 pm 
• The Pig and The Pearl $1 oysters 4-6 pm everyday!
• Steamhouse Lounge $7 for a dozen Wednesdays
• Fontaine's Oyster House $7 for a dozen on Tuesdays

Can you think of any others that we missed?  Let me know and I will add them!

Filed Under: Good Deal at One Eared Stag

The One Eared Stag is a favorite.  The menu is always changing and it's just a cute neighborhoody spot.  Saw this deal on Scout Mob and it sounds like a good one:

From the Sea or Sky: One Eared Stag's Exclusive Fall Dinner for Two ($75) :  This Inman Park eatery is a place where experimentation is encouraged, where elegance is mandatory, and where the curiosities are endless. And we’ve got an exclusive dinner for two showcasing the best of Chef Phalen’s local, seasonal fare.  Whether you take a seat belly up at the bar, or dine at a table facing the ever-humming kitchen, there’s not a bad seat in the house at this Inman Park eatery. The whitewashed, pristine interior, bedecked with bona fide taxidermy (from the noble Eastern Grey Squirrel to a giant boar head to – of course – the one eared stag himself) and vintage finds is certainly not lacking in charm. It’s a primo place to catch up with your favorite dining companion, hobnob with some friends, or really impress that special someone. (Works like a charm.)

WHAT TO EXPECT

·         Dinner for two from Chef Robert Phalen’s exclusive prixe fixe menu

·         A glass of wine or draft beer each

·         A specially-created appetizer to share

·         Choice of chicken or fish entree, created with local, seasonal ingredients and accompaniments

·          

THE NITTY GRITTY

Dine-in only. (Not valid for take out)

Valid on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only

Reservations recommended. Please call 404-525-4479 to make a reservation

Purchase here:  http://handpicked.scoutmob.com/atlanta/hand-picked/one-eared-stag-atlanta

Their website:  http://www.oneearedstagatl.com/

Best Pork Chop in Atlanta

I would venture to say the best Pork Chop in Atlanta is At Sun in my Belly in Kirkwood.  If you haven't yet checked out this eclectic spot it is great for brunch, lunch or dinner.  My friend had them cater her backyard party.  Occasionally they also have someone playing guitar and/or singing.  For the people who prefer veggies, they have an excellent kale salad and other options too. The Pork Chop is Brown Sugar & Chile Brined  ~ with diced sweet potato + honey-glazed bacon hash + citrus spinach saute  for $16.95 (very reasonable).  Check it out!

p.s. Has a small parking lot and they are not open Monday nights.

More info:  http://www.suninmybelly.com

Weekend Getaway: New York City Edition

We escaped the rainy Atlanta weekend for a quick NYC getaway and had some excellent dining adventures to share.  Check out these spots next time you are in The Big Apple:

The Whitney Museum:  Checked out the Frank Stella exhibit. and had a bite at the top floor restaurant.  They had a lot of toasts on the menu.  We loved the hummus and falafel toast with pickeled carrots

Balthazar:  This place in NoLita rocks.  We couldn't get reservations for lunch or dinner so stopped in there on a Friday around 3 pm.  They had a 1.5 hour wait!  That is how popular it is!  We were able to grab a spot at the bar.  I did notice a lot of places with a wait require you to check in with bartenders for a bar spot.  We lucked out.  We had the mussels frittes, ceviche and field greens salad.  Polished it off with a glass of Sancerre.  Excellent!

Cull & Pistol:  This is a place inside of Chelsea Market.  It reminds me of Ponce City Market and I believe the designer is one in the same.  Loved the decor (exposed brick wall, reclaimed wood booths, subway tile walls with beige grout).  We had AWESOME shrimp cocktail and some oysters. Great seafood.

The Standard Hotel:  This was a great spot on the bottom floor outside to have a drink, app and people watch.  We had wine and tuna tartar.  Highly recommend.  It is right on the HighLine in the Meatpacking District.

Freeman's:  This is a favorite spot in Bowery area.  Imagine dark, old timey, minimal taxidermy tucked away in an alleyway without a sign.  They do not take reservations but we were able to grab a a table.  We enjoyed the spicy sweet potato and pork belly appetizer and sea bass dinner special.

These were some of our favorites.  Next on the list in NYC and highly recommended:  Shuko, Carbone, ZZ Clam and Cosme.  Hope any of these rec's work out for you!

Freeman's

Atlanta Fun Events Happening This Weekend

Some great events In Town if the weather holds up!

Flux Night:  Formerly in Castleberry Hill, now in Old 4th Ward.  Saturday 7 pm-12 am.  "Atlanta’s largest outdoor public art gallery"

Chomp & Stomp:  Saturday 11 am.  Our Lucky 13th Year of Chili, Bluegrass, and Beer! All proceeds go to maintain our Cabbagetown parks and community center. Y'all come!

chompandstomp.com

Crafts & Drafts:  Sunday Candler Park 1 pm.  FREE! Creative Loafing's inaugural Crafts & Drafts is a curated exhibition and sale of local handmade arts and crafts. In addition to y'all's fancy crafts, the fest will also showcase a tasty selection of local craft beers. Oh yeah, and it's free. Oh yeah, and it's all ages, so bring the kids! We're also planning on having the Falcons' game on so you can't use that as an excuse not to make it out! http://clatl.com/craftsanddrafts

This year's fest features 50 local craft makers - from crayon art to doggie bowties - and 5 local breweries: Red Brick Brewing, Orpheus Brewing, Dry County Brewing Company, Reformation Brewery, and Second Self Beer Company. 16 oz of cold local brew means you'll need food, so we've gotJust Loaf'n Poboys & Snoballs Truck, Chill Factory, and Meatballerz for your sustenence needs. Bring the dogs, bring the kids!

***If it rains go to The High Museum then hit up the Lowe's salad bar at Saltwood.  Current exhibit:  Be among the first to see Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion—the High's first fashion exhibition and the first major U.S. exhibition of work by visionary Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen

What to order at Sweet Auburn BBQ in VA HI /Poncey Hi

This off shoot of Sweet Auburn Curb Market is located on Highland Avenue in the Virginia Highlands area.  I highly recommend their "Award Winning" wings.  We split the naked smoked wings as well as the buffalo and they were amazing.  I also like that they have bbq tacos on the menu. Great little bar.  Unfortunately parking is hard to find and hopefully that will be solved now that Cafe 640 has closed.  Would be nice for them to be able to use their old lot right there.

More info:  http://sweetauburnbbq.com/

Food and Technology: No Wait

No rez restaurants are feasible with "NoWait".  Text your name to the list and then show up when your table is ready.  They update you on the line and your progress.  You can also view the wait line from home.  Free for Android and iPhone users:  nowaitapp.com/dining