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

Grilling

The weather this past weekend was perfect for grilling out. It was little hot, but when you grow up in Nashville, you're used to hot summers. On both Saturday and Sunday, my boyfriend Jaren and I took advantage of the weather and did some serious grilling. After a late night out on Friday, all we wanted to do on Saturday was relax at home and eat some good food, so that's just what we did. Following our long and expensive trip to Whole Foods on Saturday, we were ready to get the grill going. I bought lots of veggies to throw on and Jaren got a grass-fed sirloin for himself. I have to say the highlight of the meal was my grilled green cabbage, inspired by chef Guerry's cabbage I had at The Yellow Porch last weekend. It is so simple and so yummy.

Guerry's Grilled Green Cabbage

Half and then quarter one head of green cabbage (I used half of the head for the two of us)

Cut the quarters into two wedges

Rub butter on all sides of the cabbage wedges, then season with salt and cracked black pepper

Wrap the cabbage in aluminum foil and throw on the grill! (The wedges should become slightly mushy to the touch and begin to look transparent in color, about 15 minutes)

Saturday's meal: Grilled cabbage, corn, homemade sweet potato fries, and our first tomato of the summer!

On Sunday our friend Glenn invited us over to his house to grill out again. He had already prepared some chicken and fish so we brought squash and zucchini to grill and I made a potato salad which was quite good if I do say so! I always change up my potato salad recipes depending on the season so yesterday I opted for a lighter more pared down version.

Summer Potato Salad

What you'll need: Baby red potatoes, mayonnaise or veginase, dijon mustard, 4-5 stalks celery (chopped), 1/2 red onion (chopped), large bunch chopped dill, juice of 1/2 lemon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper

Directions: Boil potatoes for about 7 minutes or until soft (but not mushy)

Drain the potatoes and let cool (place in fridge if you are in a rush)

After potatoes are cool, mix in mayonnaise/veginase, dijon, celery, onion, dill, lemon and spices

Refrigerate and enjoy!

Dill (from my mom's herb garden), celery, red onion for potato salad

Summer potato salad!

When we got to Glenn's he was grilling up a storm and as usual, there was too much food. Not a bad problem to have! He grilled some of his famous chicken, this time in a Mexican inspired marinade, as well as some Haddock spiced with smoked paprika, parsley, and dill. There was also a delicious fruit salad, caprese stacks, and our grilled veggies. We had a serious summer feast!

Glenn's grilled Haddock

Fruit salad: Mango, strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honeydew, and fresh basil. How gorgeous?

Glenn's plate. See, too much food!

Hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and ate as much food as I did!

Happy Eating,

Evyn