Rise-n-Dine

Vegetarian roll-up sandwich with side salad. The roti bread used for the roll-up was delicious and flaky.

I recently met a friend for lunch at Rise-n-Dine at Emory Village. On weekends when I drive past this place it is always packed with a crowed waiting to get in. Even for this weekday lunch we waited about 10 minutes. Now I know why so many people are waiting. The food is simply good, with some innovative twists to keep it interesting. Breakfast is served all day and there is a short lunch menu as well. Everything we tried really hit the spot, especially the light, warm roti used to roll up a vegetarian sandwich and the delicious apple butter made in house and served with the restaurant's toast and biscuits. I look forward to visiting again soon to try the tasty looking pancakes and French toast as well as some of the other sandwiches.

Smoked salmon scramble with toast and homemade jam and apple butter. The apple butter is worth buying in bulk!

Pie Shop

Coconut Cream Pie = heavenly.

I was invited to try the fabulous Pie Shop back in July. This recent addition to Buckhead puts out pies, tarts, custards, tassies and more, including both sweet and savory items. In addition to what is pictured here, I've also tried their Savory Custard with Okra and Mushrooms, Vegetable Pot Pie, Cherry Pie, Chocolate Pie and Lavender Honey Pie. A unique feature: the shop stays open until 1 AM on weekends to accommodate dessert-seekers and bar hoppers in the neighborhood. Their communal tables allow for lunch, dessert or a snack (or dinner on the weekends!) to be eaten in; or you can take a whole pie to go. The selection changes weekly - click here for the current menu - and you can join the shop's email list to have the weekly selection emailed to you on Monday. The combinations range from classic to inventive - definitely a place worth seeking out.

Entrance to Pie Shop. You drive around back to reach the entrance. Look carefully for the Pie Shop sign on Roswell Road as it is easy to miss.



Pie on display.



Strawberry-topped Cheesecake bites with gingersnap crust, Caramel-Banana Tassies with Pecan-Shortbread Crust, and Peanut Butter Cream Tassies with Chocolate-dipped Cookie Crust.



Three Grape Pie - unique and tasty.



Strawberry & Candied Lemon Peel Pie - my second favorite after Coconut Cream.



Wall of pie poetry - a really neat idea!



North Georgia Fried Apple Pie.



Butterscotch Meringue Pie.



Owner Mims Bledsoe with the pie boxes used for takeout. Tell her Amy on Food sent you!

Cafe at Pharr Update - Still Delicious and a Lunch Favorite

Trio of chicken salads. I like it when I can share the curry and walnut.

I was invited by fellow blogger Malika to sample the delicious and healthy lunch options from Cafe at Pharr with her a few weeks ago at the original location on Pharr Road - see Malika's post here. I've posted about this place before here and it is still as good as ever! We spoke with owner, Johnny, about the cafe's growth and including additional locations in Buckhead and Brookhaven.

The croissant is heavenly! And those yogurt rolls still hit the spot - just the right touch of sweetness to finish off the meal. everything here is so fresh - that's why I love it! The chocolate chip cookies are great, too.

Curry chicken salad sandwich on fresh bread.

Rosebud

Buttermilk Fried Springer Mountain Chicken.

I am very pleased with Rosebud's transformation since it changed from Food 101. While some of the same dishes remain, the menu is revamped and in my opinion, offers much more than before. I've been for brunch and lunch now, and both meals were pleasing. The folks in my office celebrated at Rosebud for lunch when I took these photos. I definitely plan on returning soon for another meal. I also like that they have floats and Mexican Coke - a real treat!

Blue Plate Special: Slow Roasted Chicken with green beans and mac and cheese with dried cranberries - sounds odd but was very tasty.



Soups, from left: New England Clam Chowder, Butternut Squash Soup and Sweet Potato Soup (actually not sure which is which, but both were delicious).



Fried Egg Sandwich with good Fries.



Seared Scallop and Local Arugula Salad - yum, and glad they are concentrating on the "local".



Drunken Cherry Bread Pudding - look at the cute milk pitcher!



Mexican Coca-Cola Cake - delicious.

Bocado in West Midtown

Roasted cauliflower, Chinese & Thai eggplant sandwich - awesome!

After lunching twice at Bocado, once with a friend and another time in celebration of a birthday, I recommend this West Midtown newcomer. I really like the space, which is very open, with clean lines and a neat bar. Outside you'll recognize the place from the bamboo surrounding the building.

On my first visit a friend and I started with the wonderful tomato bisque and tried the deliciously simple young lettuce salad with cranberries and goat cheese. Then we split two sandwiches - the roasted cauliflower - which I adore and the pimento cheese fried green tomato sandwich without the bacon (my dining companion that day being vegetarian). Even without the bacon this is a rich, delicious sandwich. For dessert we tried the often mentioned chocolate pudding (photo below). The term "chocolate pudding" doesn't do enough to describe it in my book - just try it!

Rich tomato bisque with parmesan frico and young lettuce salad with cranberries and goat cheese.



Garlic herb fries.



Apple raisin walnut salad, young lettuce salad (again) and baby beet salad.

On my second visit I dined with my work family for our paralegal's birthday. Everyone enjoyed the experience and had a fun celebratory lunch. We tried two more of the sides/salads (above) & I was disappointed with their small size for the price and lack of big flavor - especially the apple salad. In fact, I think the price point here is a bit high in general. It would be really nice if the sandwiches came with fries or another side dish, but I like the food enough to come back again soon anyhow - still, I would come back more if it was a little more budget-friendly! West Midtown is really flourishing, so if you haven't been you should check out Bocado and some of the other recently opened establishments.

Portabello goat cheese panini. Very tasty - I stole a bite!



Bocado version of banh mi - Vietnamese pork sandwich. Pretty good but not worth the high price - you can get a great one on Buford Highway for $2.50 from Lee's Bakery!



Roasted turkey breast and ham sandwich with gruyere and arugula.



The famous burger. The two people who ordered it did not share. I take that to mean it was really good!



Yours truly with executive chef Todd Ginsberg. The chef as well as owner Brian Lewis were both extremely hospitable and personable on both my visits. I like when a chef isn't scared to come out of the kitchen!



The chocolate pudding - a must-try.



Lemon dessert with homemade nougat - also very tasty but not as conducive to sharing.



Dark chocolate tart with root beer ganache - so fun and yummy!

Rain on Cheshire Bridge

Super Rain Roll - shrimp tempura with avocado and smoked salmon on top - sushi for those who don't eat raw fish!

To celebrate several events including a very late birthday for one of the law partners in my office and my two year anniversary with the firm, we visited Rain, located in the Tara theater shopping plaza at the corner of Cheshire Bridge and LaVista. This is a nice place for a celebration lunch as the atmosphere is calm, quiet and soothing and the prices are not too high.

We all enjoyed the Super Rain roll and the tempura appetizer. I ordered the sashimi and tempura combination lunch, which also includes choice of soup or salad, several pieces of California roll and cucumber salad. The salmon sashimi (my fave) stood out. The tempura was excellent also.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their dishes, although I did not try anything other than the vegetarian curry, which was appropriately spiced and tasty. For dessert they brought out a complimentary ice cream/sticky rice platter with candle - nice touch! I love sticky rice so this was right up my alley.

Tempura appetizer.



Sashimi/Tempura lunch box - delicious salmon, my favorite!



Curried vegetables - nice and spicy.



Teriyaki Chicken.



Cashew Chicken.



Sushi/Pad Thai lunch box.



Sticky rice with coconut and green tea ice creams and chocolate sauce. Yum!

Cafe Intermezzo

Banana chocolate chip cake.

Last week I had a business lunch at Cafe Intermezzo near Perimeter Mall. There is also a location in Buckhead. They have a wide-ranging menu including savory crepes, salads, sandwiches and entrees. Inside there are display cases with cakes galore! I did not sample the crepe or the Waldorf salad, pictured below, but both of my dining companions enjoyed their meals. The turkey sandwich was tasty; I liked the addition of granny smith apple slices. The banana chocolate chip cake was quite sweet and had good flavor, although not any better than my chocolate chip banana bread! The atmosphere inside is nice, and there is a patio also. It has a real European feel, which is complemented by the foreign languages they play in the restrooms! Next time I will have to try one of the crepes.

Waldorf chicken salad sandwich.

Turkey DeLuxe sandwich with swiss and apple on croissant.

Chicken Duxelle Crepe.

Spinach side salad.