The Grape (Atlantic Station) - 264 19th Street , Atlanta GA

Saturday I met up with some friends to indulge in some wine tasting, which is a very atypical event for us.  What a great time!  The Grape has 3 locations in the metro Atlanta area and we gathered at the Atlantic Station locale.  Now those of you that are familiar with Atlantic Station know that any given sunny Saturday at Atlantic Station offers a great opportunity for people watching...and this past Saturday was no exception. 

As I was the first to arrive, I was quickly seated at my reserved table.  Within 5 minutes, the waitress came over and introduced herself...LaToya.  Prior to offering me a sample tasting of the Tohu Pinot Grigio, LaToya asked to see my I.D...'Girl I would never have guessed that' (she's referring to my age)!  I see we're going to get along splendidly.  LaToya returns to the table with my sample...thoughts...nice.  She asks if I would like to start with a glass of the Pinot Grigio but, I was already prepared to try the 'Flight' (per the recommendation of another Foodie that had gone to the Vinings location the previous weekend).  Wonderful choice I'm told by LaToya...she's so personable! As well, I ordered the Grilled Tuscan Focaccia...delish!!  By now, others in my party start to arrive and the games can begin.  Game one: per the reference to people watching at Atlantic Station - a lady passes by the table on her way out...lawd where do I begin...breasts like torpedoes on top of a huge gut...scan down to the poom-poom shorts, it's difficult to watch...she's built like Johnny Bravo!  But she thought she was the isht ~ needless to say my mouth fell open in pure shock & awe...another waiter caught the look on my face, proceeded to crack the hell up and ask really?!

I digress, the flight featured 3 wines from New Zealand: Tohu, Pinot Grigio; Craggy Range 'Kidnappers Vineyards' Chardonnay; and Wild Rock 'Cupids Arrow' Pinot Noir.  Have to say the Pinot Noir was my favorite of the three.  The great feature of The Grape is that they offer a tasting of any of the wine offerings prior to you having to fully commit.  As far as food, everything ordered at the table was really, really good.  The Mezze Platter is fabulous...it includes: roasted garlic hummus, house marinated olives, cashew & goat cheese stuffed peppadews and warm pita bread.  Other options ordered: Chipotle Shrimp Flatbread and Smoked Salmon Flatbread...all great choices.  What I especially enjoyed was not feeling rushed.  We had great service and the staff was very helpful.

So after 4 glasses of wine, great food, and a wonderful time with friends I headed home looking forward to hitting up The Grape again in the very near future.  Matter of fact, think I'll be returning at least once per month in order to take part in 'The Flight'...can't beat it! Plus, this will allow me to step my wine game up.
I recommend for everyone venture out to either the Vinings, Atlantic Station or Phipps Plaza locations and partake in a lil' wine (not lil' wayne...teehee), good food and a leisurely afternoon or evening.

Atkins Park Tavern - 2840 Atlanta Road, Smyrna GA

Mother's Day 2010, I had reservations for brunch at Atkins Park Tavern.  Really didn't know what to expect, but received a good word from some co-workers that had patronized the Vinings location.  Really hoped they were right, cause it's a long way to Smyrna from Dacula!

We arrived about 20 minutes early...really cute community...townhouses, condos, various restaurants and retail stores all encased in a little village-like master community...so far so good.  It's a good thing I made reservations and even better that we arrived early.  Had a 12:45pm reservation, arrived and checked in at 12:20pm, seated at 1:00pm...everyone loves their mother on Mother's Day (even if they didn't think of plans for her until 10am). Oooh goodie, we get to sit on the covered patio, that's exactly where I wanted to be seated, as the weather Sunday was beautiful and perfect for al fresco dining.  Upon being seated we are handed the Brunch menu.  My grandmother is trying to figure out what to order...this is significant because she likes food, but has the appetite of a bird. I will have to say, there was a nice, but selective variety.  What to order...Appetizers: torn between the Lobster Quesadilla, Voodoo Who Dat Fries, or the jalapeno & roasted  red pepper hummus....hummus it is for me...very good!  My grandmother ordered the Maryland She Crab soup...smelled fabulous, however way toooooo salty.  Now main course: torn between Grand Marnier French Toast, Banana Nut Pancakes, Crab Cake Benedict, and Salmon Croquette...aha, Crab Cake Benedict (I bet you thought I picked Grand Marnier French Toast...y'all know I love my liquers)! 

While waiting for our food, the waitress approaches the table bearing two pink/white roses.  This was the restaurants way of honoring mothers for the day...nice touch. Entrees arrive...kids get the typical...daughter gets Southern Fried Chicken and son gets the Park Burger (both looks good, but I'm so not interested in trying).  My plate smells amazing and looks very appetizing...my grandmother's Crispy Southern Catfish looked so good!! I know it was mother's day and I should have let her enjoy her plate, but what the hell, she wasn't going to eat it all in during this dining session...teehee!  Mind you, I haven't tasted my Crab Cake Benedict yet...lol...so here we go...first bite...delightful...eggs perfectly poached, crab cake is all crab, little breading, and hollandaise is light, creamy and buttery w/a hint of lemon...grits, just the right consistency...I'm good. I finally can't resist tasting my grandmother's catfish...really nicely done...golden brown, moist and flavorful.  My grandmother really enjoyed her plate and was especially happy with the fried okra (that's an ick for me)...but the fact that she was pleased was the most important thing.

Definitely looking forward to hitting up Atkins Park again, maybe test out the Vinings locale for the next go around.  Seems like it would be a great spot to hang out with friends on a Friday or Saturday night.  If you're in the area of either location, check it out and keep me posted on your thoughts and dining experience.