Miller Union, Atlanta

Last weekend my mom and I took a weekend trip down to Atlanta, Georgia. We had a family reunion to attend on Saturday but decided to go down a day early and check out a cool dinner spot. If you've read my bio at all you know that I get my obsession with food, drink, and dining out from my mom, so when the two of us get together, it can be trouble.

After researching some local Atlanta blogs and magazines and asking some of my foodie friends, I was led to Miller Union. A fairly new restaurant, opened in November of 2009, Miller Union is a simple, classic, yet modern take on upscale southern fare. As often as possible, Miller Union uses organic, local and sustainable ingredients; a huge plus for me (and something Nashville needs more of in my opinion).

Located in a refurbished warehouse in Atlanta's old stockyard district, Miller Union's rustic wood interior and pantry-formed walls full of cookbooks and other "homey" details is just the type of place you'd expect to eat farm-to-table southern food. As usual, my mom and I arrived early for our reservation so that we could have a drink or two at the bar. Let me tell you, if you like vodka, even at all, Miller Union has one of the best vodka cocktails I've ever had! The "Strega Nona" is basil infused vodka, Strega (an Italian herbal liqueur), bitter lemon soda, and lime. Seriously, insane.

After our drinks, My mom and I were seated in a cozy little nook right next to the main dining room. We started out with a great bottle of Gruner Veltliner and the "feta snack," something I'd been eyeing since I checked out the menu a week prior. A perfect summer dip made of creamy feta, olive oil, and cracked pepper served with fresh cucumbers, carrots, and watermelon radishes, the "feta snack" was simple and delicious.

Our wonderful bottle of white

After some serious thought since everything looked so amazing, I decided on the Triggerfish entree; a lightly fried, mild white fish served over roasted spaghetti squash and topped with a delicious sweet and sour vinegar sauce with red peppers and basil. My mom got the vegetable plate which was a gorgeous plate full of summer veggies: fresh sliced tomatoes, green beans with basil, roasted yellow squash, a warm field pea and sweet corn succotash, and finally, some of the best fried okra I've ever tasted.

Summer vegetable plate

Triggerfish entree

We finished our meal with an amazing chocolate cake filled with bing cherries and served with house-made earl grey and dark chocolate ice creams. A perfect ending to a perfect meal. After typing this and looking at the photos, I almost want to drive back to Atlanta again this weekend. So, check out Miller Union next time you're in Atlanta. So good... seriously.

Oh, P.S. - I almost forgot to mention that they had the best sourdough bread I've ever had. It was so fresh and served with really creamy, REAL butter. How could I have forgotten that??

Miller Union

999 Brady Avenue

Atlanta, GA

www.millerunion.com

Park Cafe

After a recent date night at the Frist Center for the Andy Warhol exhibit, my boyfriend and I ended our night at one of my favorite restaurnats in Nashville, Park Cafe. Located in Sylvan Park, Park Cafe is a cozy neighborhood place complete with dim lighting, funky art, and a cool space split into seven small dining rooms. There's also a covered patio in the back. When my boyfriend and I eat at Park Cafe, we usually find ourselves nestled at one of the tall tables in the bar.

Park Cafe not only has some of the best food in town, but I am in love with their drinks. My current obsession is their cucumber martini. On this dining trip, the menu had changed a bit, but definitely for the better. Being a vegetarian (sometimes I eat fish), there were some new options for me, including the most amazing vegetable plate I have ever had, seriously. Veggie plates are hard to make exciting, but Park Cafe nailed it. It consisted of a frisée salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil, baby patty pan squash, roasted baby carrots, grilled asparagus, a lady pea and onion salad, their famous szechuan green beans, and a delicious corn pudding!

Seriously, how awesome does that look?

The other entree we ordered was the sous vide chicken. It came with a seasonal panzanella salad with micro greens, cucumber, roasted corn, tomatoes, huge chunks of local feta, and homemade bread all dressed in delicious olive oil and tangy vinegar, drizzled with basil oil. My boyfriend said the chicken was tender and amazing.

And of course, if you eat at Park Cafe you have to get the green chili mac and cheese, even if you're not hungry! It is definitely the best mac and cheese I've ever had. Individually baked with parmesan and pepper jack, green chiles, and topped with breadcrumbs. Just amazing! This stuff saves exceptionally well and is really delicious the next day, or if you're me, is a great midnight snack when you get home from dinner.

If you live in Nashville and haven't been to Park Cafe, or just haven't been in awhile, go check out the new and improved menu. If you are from out of town and visiting soon, definitely hit this place for dinner one night. And maybe get a mac and cheese or two for the road.

Happy Eating,
Evyn

Park Cafe
4403 Murphy Road
615.383.4409

The Yellow Porch

For my first entry I wanted to write about one of my favorite restaurants in Nashville, The Yellow Porch. Last weekend, my parents and I were lucky enough to snag a table at this quaint little spot. As long as The Yellow Porch has been open, they have never advertised and it is always packed! "The Porch," as regulars like me call it, has an intimate and cozy dining room decorated with beautiful local art, as well as the best patio in town. The ambiance alone is enough to bring you back. Add to that the to-die-for food (lots of which comes from the small garden out front), amazing waitstaff, and expansive wine list, and you have a spot that can not be missed.


On any given night, The Porch is filled with a variety of people; a young rock band stopping in for dinner after a recording session at the famous Blackbird Studios down the street, a group of girls out on the town, suited-up businessmen, or a couple celebrating an anniversary. The night we decided to dine was as eclectic and busy as ever. 


We had to forego the awesome patio due to the heat and humidity so we sat inside. We started, as usual, with the best appetizer in Nashville: the "Sweetwater Tennessee Cheddar Fritters." If the words warm, cheesy, gooey, crispy, and spicy appeal to you, then you need these now. They are served with a spicy aioli and a delicious locally made chow chow. I can't go to The Porch without these and once you have them you won't be able to either.

Cheese Fritters with spicy aioli and chow chow

Every night, The Porch has at least 2 specials, usually fresh fish, in addition to the regular menu. Chef Guerry McComas creates some of the most inventive and delicious fish dishes I've ever had. I especially love all of the veggies and sides he pairs with the fish. That night, I chose the Corvina special. It was served over a local hash made with potatoes, beets, zucchini, and other seasonal veggies all tossed in an herbed brown butter sauce. I paired it with a glass of rosé and it was delicious! 

The Corvina special from The Yellow Porch

My mom chose the Alaskan Halibut special which was served over local smashed potatoes, grilled green cabbage, and a smoked yellow tomato sauce. Also absolutely incredible! I think I ended up eating as much of hers as I did my own dish. My dad, as always, got the filet. I personally do not eat red meat, but according to my dad, who is a filet aficionado, The Yellow Porch has the best filet he has ever had. If the potato and mushroom gratin that it is served with it is any indication of how good the filet itself is, then I know he is right.

Filet over potato-mushroom gratin and asparagus

After some amazing food and a great bottle of rosé, we were too stuffed to get their famous flourless chocolate torte or the bananas foster bread pudding. Next time, which won't be too long from now, I'll dive into dessert and tell you all about it.


As soon as possible, go visit chef Guerry and the incredible staff at this hip little neighborhood joint. You won't be sorry!


Happy Eating,
Evyn