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The James Beard Awards are the United States’ version of the food Oscars.  Today, the JB Foundation announced their semifinalists for this years awards.

The neat thing about the awards is that have nationwide categories as well as regional categories.  Much like last year, Atlanta area chefs has a handful of entrants. Pano Karatassos, Scott Peacock, and Kevin Gillespie got some national attention … as did Miller Union.  In the Southeast region, locals Linton Hopkins and Billy Allin are in contention … so too is the soon to be local Hugh Acheson.

The winners will be announced in May, so for now all we can do is wait.  You can find the full list on the JB website (warning: that’s a pdf).  However, we’ll highlight the Atlanta standouts right after the jump!

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According to a report published in Reuters, Atlanta is home to the most expensive entrées in the country (at least amongst chains). The article states:

Other findings show that among chains surveyed, Atlanta boasts the most
expensive dinner entrees, averaging $14.75, outpacing the New York, Chicago, and
Los Angeles metro areas.

That’s pretty damn shocking.  Even though it seems you can prove just about anything with a study, to see us outpace true culinary Meccas isn’t a good thing.  While this bit of news is a few months old, I’m really surprised that this didn’t seem to get a mention anywhere around town.

[via Reuters]

So I had a handful of meals out and about this past week.  Most of them took place in Vail … the latest took place at the Airport!  Anyway … I’ve got a lot of writing to catch up on and a lot of uploads to push out to my Flickr account!.  In the meantime, here are some pictures for ya’ll!  All of these reviews will be up soon, I promise!

Ah… only in the south!

Q: What do you get when you take 80,000 lbs of waffles, a big rig, and and a cruel sense of humor?

A: A really bad traffic jam.

According to the AJC, a trucker crashed his rig around 11:30 on Saturday morning.  Though the contents remained inside the truck, traffic on I-20 and I-285 was some kind of funkalicious for a long… long… long time.  Better hurry to your nearest Waffle House in case there is a waffle famine around the city!

A little over a week ago, I was under the impression that The Nook was scheduled to open on the 23rd.  I drove by today on my way to the office and saw a new vinyl sign hanging from the patio rafters.  According to that sign, the Nook will open on Friday, March 20th at 5pm.  It’s so close to me that I will definitely swing buy for a meal this weekend and let ya’ll know what is what.   The restaurant is located at 1144 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 in the old Prince of Wales spot.

I talked with some people and am pleased to hear that the space has been revamped and now offers power outlets at most every table.  I am told that the beer list will come in at just under 30 flavors.  I know a few people who are going to be disappointed that it is not larger.  Though I’m not a beer drinker, I think that sounds like an awful lot!

Just in case you are trekking over there for the first time … be aware that Piedmont is a north bound one way.  You have to hook up with Piedmont at 13th or lower.  The building does have a small parking adjacent to the restaurant.

The Nook Restaurant Address & Information:
1144 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 // P: 404.745.9222 // The Nook Website

By now, many of us have heard about the upcoming FLIP Burger Boutique locations. According to Richard Blais (internal), there has been a modification in their expansion plans.  A second Atlanta location is still on the road map (at a location TBD); however, the third edition will apparently land in Nashville, TN.

After many trips to Flip, I love the bartenders, like the shakes, and think the food needs some serious upgrading.  And for all of you Blaisians, check out his latest Knife’s Edge over at Omnivore.

UPDATE 03.18.09 – Check It Out Here

Thanks to some dedicated readers and a little research on my own, I have ascertained the name for the restaurant going in the old Prince of Wales spot.  The new joint will in fact be called the Nook and the address is 1144 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.  According to my research, they are tentatively scheduled to open on March 23rd.  Consequently, I have added the joint to March Dirty List.

A friend of mine was asking me for advice on where to go for her birthday.  I realized by the time we were done … that was good fodder for a post. This is by no means an attempt to offer up a “definitive” list of party grub in the Dirty.  Rather, here are just a few spots that seem to work well for when you want to hang with your crew.  The focus here isn’t as much on the food as it is on the experience.  That said, *most* of these offer up serviceable grub.  The list after the jump!

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So a former restaurateur that I recently reconnected with (via family) sent me her thoughts on some places around town.   She briefly recapped her feelings on Craft, Spice Market, Ray’s on the River, and Neo at the Mansion.  Names have been changed to protect the innocent!

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While I have been unable to confirm the name, a new restaurant is scheduled to open in the upcoming weeks in the space formerly occupied by the Prince of Wales.  Early reports are that the tavern will be named Lift.  However, that is unconfirmed.  In addition, I am still trying to get an idea for what the menu will look like.

In the meantime, it looks like the place will be open as soon as the 15th of February.  A lot of work has been completed since POW went splitsville.  Hopefully, I’ll get a little more info soon so I can add it to the February Dirty List.  The address is 1144 Piedmont Ave Atlanta, GA 30309.  I live in close proximity, so I’ll be sure to stay on top of this.