1/7/11

Sal Grosso Review









My husband and I went to Sal Grosso on New Year's Eve for my birthday dinner.






What did you order? How was your food?

Sal Grosso is a churrascaria with a prix fixe menu, including salad bar. If you have never been to a churrascaria, they are a fun experience. “Gauchos” in Brazilian dress circulate with a variety of meats, and you get a card with a red side and a green side to signal when you would like more meat - “green light” or when you don’t – “red light.” A server comes around with sides as well, including Cheese-stuffed rolls, fried yucca, and fried bananas.

We have been to two other churrascarias – Fogo de Chao and Fire of Brazil. Sal Grosso measured up well to our favorite one, Fogo de Chao. Sal Grosso’s salad bar has delicious salads and antipasto, but is not quite as visually stunning or well-stocked as Fogo. It was fresh and nice, though.

The meats were on par with Fogo. They were scrumptious! Our favorite was the house specialty, the Picanha, or “rump cover.” The Picanha is sometimes thought to be better than filet mignon. Other meats include leg of lamb, filet mignon, garlic beef, bacon-wrapped beef and chicken, swordfish, pork ribs, pork loin, and chicken sausages. The sides were also as good as at Fogo. We were very pleased overall with the food at Sal Grosso.


Describe your impressions of the service. Was anything exceptionally good (or bad) about the quality of service you received?

Service was friendly and adequate, although not outstanding. Two servers took care of us, with one much more attentive than the other. We had to wait a little bit for drinks at one point, but there were no major problems. It was also my birthday, and the server remembered, sending over the whole crew to sing “Parabéns pra você” to me, which is the “Happy Birthday” song in Brazilian Portuguese. They also brought us a free chocolate cheesecake slice with a candle, which was rich and wonderful.


What do you think of the décor and atmosphere?

Décor at Sal Grosso is very nice, with sumptuous dark wood and large, leather chairs. The walls are white, and it wasn’t quite as romantic as Fogo de Chao, but it did have an atmosphere of quality and comfort, and makes you feel as if you are in Brazil. There is some sort of animal hide on the floor when you walk in. There are candles at the tables, so it was somewhat romantic.


Do you consider this a good value for the money you spent? If no, why not?

Yes, it was cheaper than Fogo de Chao, and it is also closer to us, since it is on Powers Ferry near Windy Hill. This is a fantastic choice for those of us who live on the north side of town outside of the perimeter. It was much easier than driving to Buckhead from Cobb County.

Any other thoughts or comments?

I am really glad we went to Sal Grosso for my birthday. It was nice to try a new churrascaria.


On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best), how would you rate this restaurant compared to the other restaurants you visit on a regular basis.

I would give Sal Grosso 4/5 peaches. It was a very enjoyable evening. Service wasn’t perfect, and I still like the salad bar and décor at Fogo better, but otherwise I think Sal Grosso really came through on our expectations.






This restaurant is best for (Choose all that apply)

• Good food • Quick bite • Family-friendly
• Outdoor • Romantic • Special occasion



Sal Grosso on Urbanspoon

12/26/10

New Year's Eve 2010 in Atlanta




Here are some New Year's Eve suggestions for all of us in Atlanta! Happy New Year, everyone! I'm not sure where I'll be, but it's my birthday, so I know I will be somewhere fun!


Ring in the New Year with Park 75 Restaurant and The Garrison Elliot Band with special guest Mocha.
December 31, 2010
A La Carte Menu or special Prix Fixe Menu Available
For Reservations: 404-253-3840
http://www.opentable.com/
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

New Year's Eve at Ray's on the River
Friday, Dec 31 11:00a
at Ray's on the River, Sandy Springs, GA
Ray’s on the River will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve (with the bar open until 1 a.m.). In addition to appetizers and shareable sides, the restaurant is offering a selection of special prix fixe menus priced from $55 to $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling the restaurants. http://www.raysrestaurants.com/index.php?page=ray-s-on-the-river


SOHO
2011 is knocking! If you are planning to welcome in the new year by dining out, you're invited to SOHO.
In addition to the restaurant’s regular menu, SOHO will offer a special New Year's Eve menu. The holiday menu will feature three savory appetizers and three exceptional entrees. SOHO's delectable New Year's dessert is a flourless chocolate torte. http://www.sohoatlanta.com/Event.aspx

Fado Irish Pub New Years Eve Bash
Friday, Dec 31 7:00p
at Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant, Atlanta, GA
Party kicks off with a Toast to the Irish New Year at 7pm. In before 9pm & skip the cover. DJ Counterstrike at 10pm, Complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight. Don't feel like the DJ thing, no bother! Find a spot at the bar & kick back with your mates. Session on! At Fado your Irish, everywhere else you're just another drunk. http://www.fadoirishpub.com/atlanta/new-years-eve-2010


Click on this link for a complete list of New Year's Eve celebrations at restaurants around Atlanta. Stay safe!

12/11/10

Tin Can Fish House in Sandy Springs



Tin Can Fish House
http://www.tincanfishhouse.com/


My dad and I went to the Tin Can Fish House in Sandy Springs recently, and had a great time!

The Tin Can Fish House has a beachy ambience that is very laidback and cool any time of year. Add a large selection of local beers, and killer seafood, and I am thinking that I have to add this one to my favorites list.




















Our appetizer consisted of Conch Fritters, Calamari, and Bang Bang Shrimp. All of these were delicious, but I liked the Conch Fritters best. The hush puppies were awesome, too! They have some really delectable sauces.

For our entrees, Dad got an Oyster Combo Meal, and I got Blackened Grouper. We loved every bit of it!




I had the Terrapin IPA Hopsecutioner beer, and it was perfect with my Grouper. We had Key Lime Pie for dessert. The Key Lime Pie was the rich, creamy kind that is obviously made from real Key Lime juice and racks up 1,000 calories or so. Tin Can was wonderful, and I will definitely be back. I want my mom to try it, too!








Tin Can Fish House and Oyster Bar on Urbanspoon

11/15/10

Harry & David "Pop-Up Orchards"



I recently went to a launch party at the Harry & David store in Lenox Square Mall. I love Lenox, and it’s one of our family traditions to go there with my mom (Pattie), cousins, and aunts. I remember when my Aunt Sandra bought me a beautiful, red, antique copy of The Arabian Nights at a rare books store there. Lenox has the best stores – Neiman Marcus, where I love to have lunch with my mom, Betsy Johnson, Louis Vuitton, and a whole lot more. Now I have found a new store to love, which is perfect for the holidays – Harry & David.







The launch party I attended with mom was an event to celebrate the opening of something special in the Harry & David stores, the “Pop-Up Orchards.” We had such a great time! There were trays of delectable items like turkey and ham sandwiches with fine cheeses on english muffins, juicy slices of Harry & David’s signature pears, and chips with spinach & artichoke dip. And of course, there were wonderful wines – they even sell Châteauneuf-du-Pape, my engagement wine.








Here are some new features in Harry & David stores that I thought were really neat – There’s a really cute photo-op sign where you can put your head in the picture and take your photo as a giant pear, there are the "Create Your Own" Bento Boxes – an awesome idea since I love anything Japanese, and every flavor of chocolate dipped cherries, candies, and Moose Munch snacks. Mom and I really loved the “Three Snow Friends” Santa, penguin, and snowman boxed trio here -
Three Snow Friends Harry & David is a great choice for holiday gifts, or gifts year-round, as well as just for treating yourself!


Visit Harry & David at
http://www.harryanddavid.com

10/10/10

Free Olive Garden Wine Tasting Events at Holcomb Bridge!




This is a nice freebie - dine at Olive Garden and try some of their wines! I especially liked the Moscato. It was fizzy and sweet - delicious! :)

The Olive Garden at 905 Holcomb Bridge Rd in Roswell is hosting complimentary wine tasting events for guests on 10/12 and 10/13 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in honor of the Italian farmhouse-inspired interior design refresh.

Led by Olive Garden’s Wine Specialists, these events will further educate guests on Italian wines including their origin, body style, aroma, flavor/finish and food pairings. The wines featured are from around Italy and will be paired with some of Olive Garden’s delicious food.

A Tuscan-Inspired Design Change:
During the wine tasting events, guests will get a chance to experience the restaurant’s interior design refresh, inspired by the timeless warmth of farmhouses in Tuscany, Italy. Although design changes differ from restaurant-to-restaurant, some interior updates include new décor, tables, chairs and booths that emanate the warm, rustic tones of a Tuscan Farmhouse.

Another update includes a refreshed bar area that reflects a true, Tuscan-inspired space, with a more modern and sophisticated feel.



- Becca

Olive Garden on Urbanspoon

8/31/10

Foodies News - September 1st



Events

Midtown Restaurant Week at Park 75 at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Join Park 75 (among other participating restaurants) for the fifth annual Midtown Restaurant Week - Saturday, September 4 to Sunday, September 12. Enjoy a $25 Three Course Menu, with previews beginning August 31. More Participating Restaurants on Open Table

Whole Foods in Sandy Springs

My husband's country club uses White Oak Pastures beef for their burgers and chop steaks. You can buy this outstanding, local, grass-fed beef, too. Whole Foods is featuring White Oak Pastures for only a buck a burger, this Friday ONLY -- September 3rd! They are also grilling out that afternoon and selling cooked burgers for a $1! Yum!

There is a terrific video of Chef Kevin Gillespie on a recent visit to White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA on their website. The video, tons of recipes (Bahn Mi or apple cheddar burgers, anyone?) and cooking tips, plus the scoop on why grass-fed is so great, are all available here: Grass-fed Beef. And remember - please, don’t over-cook the beef!


Contests

Foodbuzz Buitoni Contest

Foodbuzz is a fun foodie site. Try it out with this contest. Good luck!

Suggest your own vegetable side dish recipe to pair with a Buitoni Riserva pasta or Buitoni Frozen meal and you could win a Calphalon 13-piece cookware set!
Buitoni Contest

The Great Food Truck Race Contest

With every vote you cast, get a chance to win a trip to Food Network’s Food and Wine Festival in New York City! Wow - That would be fun!
Food Trucks Contest

- Becca

8/19/10

Taste of Chamblee This Weekend! Aug. 21 11:30 AM - 8 PM




Taste of Chamblee is this weekend on Saturday, August 21st from 11:30 AM to 8 PM.

Admission is free, and the festival will include these events -

Over 30 restaurants will offer food samples for $1 - $4

Artwalk - More than 40 regional artists will offer photography, pottery, sculpture, and more

Live Music - Regional bands will play on the main stage

Kids Zone - Kids can play at the interactive zone with rock climbing, inflatables, and crafts

Beverage Garden and Wine Tasting - Buy beers in the Beer Garden, or buy a wine bracelet to taste wine samples




Sounds like fun!

- Becca