Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

Murphy’s – Atlanta, GA

Located in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta is Murphy’s, a restaurant that had been feeding residents and visitors for 35 years. They were packed inside so it was a good thing I had a reservation.

To start off the wonderful evening with friends, I ordered a Sangria. It was full of fresh fruit and had the right amount of sweetness.

The artisan cheese plate was the perfect appetizer to share with the table. They served as assortment of cheeses, including warm ficelle. On the side they served fresh strawberry jam. It paired perfectly with the ficelle. I ate it on top of the crispy, warm buttery bread. It was almost like having jam and cream cheese for breakfast.

For my starter I ordered the Mexico City Tortilla soup. The broth was very savory and loaded with fresh chicken breast pieces. Mixed throughout were tomatoes and creamy avocado. They crush corn tortilla chips on top for a little crunch.

For my main dish I got the grilled Atlantic Salmon. The salmon was flakey and cooked to a perfect medium. They put a sweet bourbon maple glaze on the outside. I could taste the maple and it surprisingly went well with the taste of salmon. They also served a warm lentil salad underneath the salmon. It helped soak up the extra maple glaze and it tasted great.

Now the main part of my meal was delicious but I could not wait to dig into all the desserts we ordered. The first one I tried was the Key Lime Pie. The crust was a combination of coconut and graham crackers. The filling was tart and creamy. They topped it off with a fresh sweet cream and toasted coconut. The flavor was perfect and you would think it came from Key West.

The second dessert was the Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake. The cheesecake was sweet, soft, and creamy; exactly how cheesecake is supposed to be. They covered the cheesecake in a bourbon based caramel sauce. It added richness to the cake.

The Apple Bread Pudding was a nice subtle dessert. They used pieces of fresh apple mixed between the bread. When it baked together the apples and bread became one. They drizzled a crème anglaise all over the pudding. They also served it with homemade vanilla ice cream. The ice cream was creamy and full of vanilla essence.

The last dessert was the richest – the Mocha Cake. This was a flourless chocolate cake. In between the layers of cake was an espresso mousse. Now if that was not enough rich flavor, they covered the top with a layer of chocolate glaze. There was no way that one person could eat this whole slice of cake. It was just so rich and heavy. The combination of chocolate and espresso paired perfectly on my taste buds.

The food and desserts at Murphy’s were fantastic. I would recommend that everyone visiting Atlanta to check them out. www.murphysvh.com

Enjoy!

T

Bartaco – Atlanta, GA

There is a really cute restaurant in Atlanta that I had dinner at with friends – Bartaco. It is located in a cute area with lots of trendy restaurants and shops. The best part is our Uber driver actually suggested it to us.

This was not a typical Mexican restaurant. It was a fusion of Mexican and a hint of Japanese influence. Everything came in small dishes or bites so you could order a lot to share.

Since we were there to have a fun time, we all got a cocktail. I went with the red sangria. It was slightly sweet and had a slight taste of allspice. It was loaded with chopped up apples and peaches. I just wish it did not have so much ice.

The table started off with the guac+roja+verde. The guacamole was really fresh. There were nice chunks of avocado throughout. The roja salsa had a major kick of heat. I was not expecting that. The verde salsa had a fresh feeling that was full of flavor, no heat with this one. They served full size round tortilla chips. They were like flat taco shells.

I ordered their chicken soup. This was not a chicken tortilla soup. This was a classic, hearty chicken soup. The broth had a wonderful savory flavor. It was loaded with shredded chicken, pieces of potato, and fresh corn, right off the cob.

I did order a taco (which they have several options). I went for the Baja fish. It was the perfect size for a few bites. The fresh fish was cut into strips and lightly breaded. They fired it up until crispy. On top of the fish they served a cole slaw that added a super crunch. There was also a slight sour taste to the slaw that complemented the sweetness of the fish and the tortilla shell.

I was so excited to order a side of the grilled corn. Two cobs came out and were covered in cayenne pepper and cotija cheese. The corn itself was super sweet. The cayenne did not really add any heat. The cotija cheese added a lot of tanginess, which paired perfectly with the sweetness from the corn.

We could not pass up dessert. We shared a few around the table. The churros were amazing. These were fresh made and were piping hot when they came to the table. They were covered in sugar. The first bite was like WOW! I could have eaten a dozen of these. The cinnamon and sugar encompassed every inch of the churro. They were also accompanied by a chocolate sauce. I tried it with the churro and it was good, however, this churro was perfect just with the sugar and cinnamon.

The second dessert was the key lime pie. They served this in a jar which was a unique presentation. I really liked seeing the layers of the pie with the graham cracker crust at the bottom. The key lime filled most of the jar. It was extremely smooth and creamy with the best tart, tangy flavor. They topped off the pie with fresh whipped cream that was light and fluffy.

The last dessert out was the horchata. This is like custard. It was really creamy and sweet. It was topped with a salted caramel sauce. The first taste of the sauce was bitter. But once I went back for a second taste that bitterness went away.

Bartaco was amazing. I am so glad that our Uber driver suggested it and that we listened to him. I would recommend everyone check them out. One side note is they are a cashless restaurant so make sure you take a credit or debit card.

Check out all their wonderful food options at www.bartaco.com

Enjoy!

T

Trattoria Nonna – Boca Raton, FL

I was so excited to be celebrating my grandmother’s 92 birthday. We took her out to a really nice dinner at one of her favorite Italian restaurants – Trattoria Nonna.

Trattoria Nonna is a local, family owned restaurant where they make so many things fresh. It is so warm and inviting when you walk in. It is decorated beautifully.

Our waiter was wonderful and really knew how to handle a large party. He made sure to bring us plenty of fresh bread right away. They offer two kinds – fresh made Italian white bread that is crispy on the outside and soft inside and homemade garlic bread that is crispy and full of flavor.

We ordered a few appetizers for everyone to enjoy. The calamari fritti was perfect for everyone. The calamari was tender and was fried to a perfect crisp. They also fried up some cherry peppers which was a nice addition. These were served with a spicy marinara sauce for dipping.

They had a really special dish I have never seen on a menu but see on cooking shows all the time – zucchini flower blossoms. They stuffed the delicate blossoms with Ricotta cheese and pesto. These were extremely rich. The cheese was so creamy and the pesto added all the flavor. The zucchini blossom actually did not have much taste.

For my dinner I ordered the Tortelloni Piemontese. These were jumbo size tortelloni that were completely hand made. They were stuffed with generous amounts of Asiago cheese. They were very rich and creamy. The pasta was sauteed with fresh sliced mushrooms, pancetta, and peas. The peas added a slight sweetness, while the pancetta added saltiness. The mushrooms added soft texture that paired perfectly with the cheese.

There was a singer going around the restaurant playing an accordion. I was able to get him to sing happy birthday to my grandmother, which she got a kick out of.

The restaurant also brought out a huge slice of tiramisu to enjoy. They make their desserts fresh everyday and I could tell as soon as I took a taste how fresh it was. The cake was soaked in espresso which was amazing. The cream that was placed in between the cake was so creamy. It helped cut down on the flavor of the espresso. The dusting of cinnamon on top added just a hint of spice.

The food at Trattoria Nonna was amazing. Everything was so fresh it made eating each bite so enjoyable. I cannot wait to go back. Check the out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Italian-Restaurant/Trattoria-Nonna-175664596312233/

Enjoy!

T

Whiskey Joe’s – Tampa, FL

What better way to watch the sunset over the water than at a beach bar. Whiskey Joe’s offers this. You can choose to sit on the sandy beach with your toes in the water or on the deck at their Tiki Bar.

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I chose the Tiki Bar. I honestly felt this was the best seat in the house. The sunset was breathtaking. Completely calming and allows all your troubles to melt away.

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To enjoy the sunset I ordered a “Gator Juice” cocktail. Being a Gator myself I felt it was appropriate. This drink was a blend of three different rums along with orange and pineapple juices as a splash of grenadine.

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Their menu is extensive with many different seafood options. Their “Island Firecracker Shrimp” caught my attention. These were fried shrimp that are tossed in their “Joe’s Island Glaze”, which is essentially a sweet Thai chili sauce. It’s served on top of fried wonton noodles. The breading on the shrimp was crispy even as it soaked up the sauce. The flavor was both sweet and a little spicy. I really enjoyed snacking on the fried wontons once the shrimp were all gone.

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If you want to enjoy a Florida sunset while eating and drinking something fun and tropical, then Whiskey Joe’s is where you have to go. Check out their full menu at www.whiskeyjoestampa.com

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Enjoy!

T

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West Caribbean Cuban Restaurant – Lakeland, FL

This restaurant is a little off the beaten path in Lakeland, but their Cuban food is worth the drive. I love Cuban food and it is not something you can find regularly outside of Florida. So when I visit it is a must have on my list.

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To start lunch off, I got two appetizers for the table. The first being fried ripe sweet plantains. These are my absolute favorite dish. I can tell that the plantain was perfect because it will be soft and sweet. When it is hard and bland then the plantain is not ripe enough. The best way to cook these is simply sautéing them in some butter and they are ready to go.

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The ham croquettes were also great to share. The ham was chopped up very fine. It was fried to crispy perfection. When I bit in I could taste the smoky flavor of the ham.

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I ordered their Lechon Asado – which is the traditional shredded pork. Cuban shredded pork is my second favorite dish (remember the fried plantains are my first). There is something special about how the pork is prepared and seasoned that I cannot replicate at home. The dish also came with a side of black beans and rice and more fried sweet plantains.

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The pork was amazing. It was juicy and the salty seasonings could be tasted throughout the meat, not just on the surface. There were also a few crispy edges which added a little crunch.

The black beans and rice they served were delicious and different from others I have had. Instead of serving white rice with a bowl of black beans in a sauce on the side, they actually combined them both and cooked it that way. I liked this style because it allowed the sauce and beans to coat all of the rice.

For authentic Cuban food, please visit West Caribbean Cuban Restaurant. They give you huge portions so plan on having a to go box.

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Check out their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/westcaribbeancubanrestaurant/

Enjoy!

T

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Frescos – Lakeland, FL

I have written about Frescos in Lakeland, Florida before. I went back recently for brunch again. I had such a great experience I thought I would write about them again.

I started off with the deviled eggs. They are perfect for sharing. These had a beautiful sweetness to them. They also had crunchy bacon accents that added a very slight touch of saltiness.

For my meal I ordered the spicy chicken and waffles with chorizo gravy. After I ordered it my waiter said this was his favorite dish. When I here this from someone who works at the restaurant I knew I made the right selection.

This was a unique take on chicken and waffles. They used roasted chicken thigh meat. It was off the bone so it was easier to eat. The gravy had all the spice because of the chorizo they used. The chicken was covered in it. The waffle was extremely sweet. It created a perfect enhancement to the heat from the gravy. The dish was pretty big in size so it could easily be shared.

Now my favorite thing about Frescos brunch is their bottomless mimosas. However, there is more to it then just being bottomless. They offer several different flavors. So each time you order you can try something new. They had several flavors on the menu that were not available the last visit. They had Prickly Pear listed but when I went to order it my waiter said they had run out. I was lucky the last time I visited I got to try it. Clearly this is a popular flavor, so add that to your must try list.

I started off with the Pineapple. That’s my favorite juice so it is always a must for me.

The Raspberry version had great tartness to it.

The White Peach was light. There was a subtle peach taste, nothing overpowering.

My last mimosa I went for something fun. They were offering a Sex on the Beach mimosa. It was made perfectly with the right amount of grenadine. This was the sweetest of all the mimosas I tried.

Just like my first visit, this visit was fantastic. My waiter was fun and engaging. The food was great and the mimosas were wonderful. Make sure you add them to your brunch list.

www.frescoslakeland.com

Enjoy!

T

 

Vinnie Van GoGo – Savannah, GA

Located right across the street in City Market from Belford’s is an extremely busy pizza shop called Vinnie Van GoGo. As soon as I walked by the door I could smell the pizza ovens. It smelt so good it was drawing me inside.

They were a very busy place. They were small inside so there were two options for me and my friend. We could get a seat inside or get a slice to go. Since we were not in a hurry we took a seat at their bar.

We could order a slice or a whole pie. Their pizza’s were huge and there was no way we could eat a whole pizza. We went for slices. I made sure to get pepperoni on mine.

Even the slice was big. The dough was cooked perfectly with a little crunch. They put on a ton of cheese and pepperoni. I had to fold the slice in half in order to take a bite. It reminded me of the slices I had gotten at the Jersey Shore.

Vinnie’s was a happening place. As I sat there I watched as dozens of people kept coming and going. It seemed that everyone was coming in for a slice and then eating it as they walked around the market.

This was a great spot for a bite to eat. It’s popular with everyone, from locals to visitors. Just make sure you bring cash because that is all they accept.

http://www.vinnievangogo.com/

Enjoy!

T

Belford’s – Savannah, GA

For years I have wanted to visit Savannah, Georgia. From the beaches to the history, I knew it would be a perfect weekend getaway. The history of Savannah starts in 1733 when settlers landed along the Savannah River. To this day visitors can walk along the river to enjoy shopping and food. Or you can stay at one of the many hotels over looking the water.

While walking around several of Savannah’s squares, I came to City Market. This is where I saw a sign for Belford’s. I glanced over the menu they had posted and saw several items that would make a perfect lunch.

While looking over the menu, I learned a little about the history of the building. It was built in 1902 and was owned by a Hebrew congregation until 1923. That is when it was sold to the Belford family. The building was used to run their wholesale food business. There are wonderful pictures of this history decorating the walls of the restaurant.

  

It appears that the restaurant did not appear until 1996. What was great about the look of the inside, it a lot of the history was kept.

  

As with most of my meals, I like to order a creative and unique cocktail off the menu. I went for the Dixie Lemonade. This was no ordinary lemonade, this was special. They used General Beauregard’s Black Pepper vodka, crop cucumber vodka, muddled fresh cucumbers, and fresh squeezed lemonade.

This drink was not sweet at all. It was slightly tangy from the lemonade. The pepper accents from the vodka shined through. The cucumber however mellowed everything out and turned the drink into a refreshing taste.

An appetizer for the table that is always a hit is fried calamari. It was pretty standard in taste and texture. It came with a Thai chili dipping sauce. I liked the calamari best with the sauce.

I was excited to see She Crab soup on the menu. It combines two of my favorite things, soup and crab. It was a pretty large bowl of soup. They placed a nice swirl of Sherry along the top of the soup.

The broth of the soup was extremely creamy with a nice herb accent. There was loads of crab meat in the soup itself. You could actually use a fork to get the crab out.

Since the soup was somewhat filling, I was glad I ordered the watermelon salad for lunch. This salad was arugula, feta cheese, grilled Vidalia onions, olive oil, and chopped up pieces of watermelon.

The arugula added spice to this salad. The feta cheese tamed that spicy note. As a side note the feta cheese came from Capra Gia Cheese Company located in Carrollton, Georgia (capragia.net). It was nice to see the restaurant keeping their ingredients local.

The grilled Vidalia onions (another Georgia crop) added a savory sweetness to the salad. It also paired well with the feta cheese. The watermelon added the juiciness and sweet sugar flavor. it balanced out the salty and spicy notes from the other ingredients. I only wish they added a little more watermelon. that was my favorite part.

I had a lovely lunch at Belford’s. I just had a sampling of what they had to offer. Their menu is filled with many other dishes that sounded wonderful. Check them out when you are in Savannah.

http://www.belfordssavannah.com/

Enjoy!

T

 

 

Happy Easter 2019

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter.

Enjoy!

T

Delicious Orchards – Colts Neck, NJ

Normally I would never write about a grocery store or market. However, I changed my mind once I visited Delicious Orchards. I was blown away when I walked in and saw everything they had to offer.

The first thing I saw was all their fresh made desserts. They had apple cinnamon donuts, pastries, and so many different types of pies. I grabbed a cherry pie to take back with me.  The crust was flakey and had a sweet taste. It complemented the tartness of the fresh cherry filling. It was one of the best pies I have ever eaten.

There were rows of fresh apples. I was so surprised how many different varieties there are.

Near the apples was some fresh apple butter. It tasted sweet and was awesome on a cracker.

They also had some of their fresh apple cider to sample. It was warm and full of cinnamon flavor. It really felt like the holidays in a cup. After tasting it I made sure  to buy a hot cup outside at the cider stand.

Also outside they were making fresh made apple fritters. The batter was loaded with chunks of fresh apples. Then they spooned it into the sizzling oil until it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They covered the fritter in powdered sugar. This little treat was amazing, especially with it still being so hot. They gave me three big fritters so you definitely need to share them.

For a little market I had a fun time visiting. The fresh apple items were delicious. And their pies are to die for! Check them out at www.deliciousorchardsnj.com

Enjoy!

T