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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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As I hobble through life with a Droid as my sole camera, it’s time for another one of my first impressions that really isn’t a first impression.  Falafel King sits on the Emory campus just off the junction of Oxford and N. Decatur.  Though it’s purveyors are of Korean lineage, this shack sized, spit using restaurant actually sells the oddly married cuisines of Japan (in this case sushi) and the Mediterranean.  This odd mish mash of grub, combined with a distinct facade (displayed at right by babythekitten) and pocket book friendly prices, helps to draw customers from areas well beyond Emory.

In many circles, the King is treated as royalty.  The reality is closer to something more understated; however, for a place that freshly pats down their chickpea mixture, they do just fine.

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I feel like I should preemptively duck for this one.  Community Q, a Decatur meat emporium, is the result of a Triforcean partnership between David Roberts, Jim Laber, and Stuart Baesel.  Backed by Roberts’ foundation at Sam and Dave’s, the trio has set out to save Atlanta from the clutches of the evil Ganon and his barbecue minions.

Not surprisingly, the amount of love doled out on Community Q has been nothing short of intense and swift.  The Geek chimed in (several times in fact), Top Chef did it, and the carnivorously anxious gang at Creative Loafing also made a trip out.  Speckled in between these notations were riblets from the young, the restless, and the truly irascible.  In between all this hustle and bustle, I, joined by a duo of foodies, managed to sneak my way in to dine on some swine.

After seeing what S&D has put out for the past few years, I’d say CQ is playing in that pigpen.  Though people often dismiss me as a curmudgeon, I wasn’t the only one at the table to walk away less than blown away.  This was advertised as something transcendent … alas, it was not.  While one of the better barbecues in Atlanta, there is still a long way to go.  Though I will most certainly be back, this meal did little to make me feel like a drive beyond Daddy D’s or Fox Bros is necessary.

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If you don’t live in Decatur, there is a good chance that Mezcalito’s Cantina is one of those restaurants you can go a lifetime without trying.  In fact, I have driven by this Oakhurst restaurant more times than I can remember; yet, I have never entered its glass doors.  Though it doesn’t get a lot of attention outside 30030, the restaurant has had its share of media coups and remains a popular destination for nearby chicas y hombres craving some Mexican food.

In its previous life, Mezcalito’s operated under the name Billy Goat’s Cantina.  Having never visited before the other night, I don’t have any good information on the background of the restaurant or the name change. Whatever the case, Mezcalito’s finds itself near the restaurant-centric intersection of East Lake Dr. and Oakview road (aka Oakhurst Square).  Inside that two to three block area, Universal Joint and Saba seem to get the most attention.  However, all the restaurants there seem to draw a crowd and you’ll even find a Tex-Mex alternative to Mezcalito’s in the nearby Matador Cantina.

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The Cook’s Warehouse, that one stop shop for the home cook in you, is headed to Ansley Mall.  Taking over the space formerly occupied by Piccadilly Cafeteria, the store is in its final stages.  This is the new location for their Midtown location, which was located on Amsterdam Ave.  Don’t fret if you can’t get down there, the chain still maintains stores in Decatur and Brookhaven. To celebrate, TCW Ansley is having a little shindig on Friday, November 13th.  As the pictures below will show you, they still have a little left to do before they open up shop.  If you haven’t heard of or been to one of the CW stores, take a hop skip and a jump over to their website.

The Cook’s Warehouse Ansley Mall
1544 Piedmont Road, Suite 403-R, Atlanta, GA 30324 // 404.815.4993 // Cook’s Warehouse Website

Part hookah bar/part Turkish food center/part good-time emporium, Café Istanbul has remained a centerpiece of Atlanta’s Mediterranean culinary community for some time.  With my close proximity to Imperial Fez/Ibiza and Divan, and my own stash of shisha, I’ve never had much of a reason to head on up Hwy 78.  Motivation factors aside, a visit was in order this past week as a group of friends were hitting the town.

Located at the outskirts of Decatur on the part of 78 identified as Lawrenceville Hwy, Café Istanbul sits somewhat unassumingly near the intersection with DeKalb Industrial.  Its main competition in the vibe department is the aforementioned Imperial Fez, a Moroccan joint in Peachtree Hills.  On the other hand, their food is most similar to the personal love buddy that is Café Agora.  It bares mentioning that the Turkish selections at Istanbul are more diverse than they are at CA as the latter incorporates several supplemental Mediterranean fares.

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Tucked away in the depths of Decatur’s town square, a new food-stop has emerged to beckon the foodies, the adventurous eaters, and the hip.  Backed by a wealth of internet buzz (here, here, & here – just to name a few), The Iberian Pig supposedly opened this past evening.  Truth be told, the restaurant found themselves accepting business over the weekend; hence the inclusion of the word “supposedly” in the previous sentence.

While people have shuttered at the meat-centric name bestowed on that relatively new joint over on the Westside, the reference to Iberian pigs has seemingly drawn a great deal of praise.  The truth behind the name is that Iberian pigs are the source of Iberico ham, aka pata negra, aka jamón ibérico.  As the restaurant has made it a point to include the delicacy on the menu, the name seems apropos.  Why the French word for slaughterhouse caused such a ruckus, whereas the reference to a slaughtered piece of pork brought praise, is an unsolved mystery.

But we digress.  Back on point, good press will only get you so far.  For a restaurant to succeed, they need to deliver.  Like the clockwork that is my life, the Ambiguously Foodie Duo (one part me, one part this guy) set out last night to see how things were starting off.

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I think it would be presumptuous of me to assume that the majority of the people who happen upon this little love of mine have no idea about Taquería Del Sol.  In that spirit, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this little chain of taco bars (aka taquerías) is the darling of Atlanta’s Mexican restaurant scene.  For better or worse, TdS seems to roll off a number of tongues when the conversation turns to “What Mexican restaurant do we want to eat at?”

With four locations locations, a strong following, and more visits under my belt than I could possibly remember, it was only a matter of time before I felt the need to drop some lyrics on my fellow foodie groupies.  However, given the circumstances, most notably my lack of free time right now, I thought it might be nice to just hit ya’ll with some pretty little pictures and a few notes.

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The title says it all.  It appears that Ron Jeremy, or a person closely resembling the dude, showed up at the widely popular Brick Store Pub. Earlier today, Lee Dickson posted the following tweet:

http://twitpic.com/b7zy6 – Is that Ron Jeremy at the Brick Store Pub? www.brickstorepub.com

The picture, seen at left, lends me to believe that the gentleman in the center is indeed the “First Man Of Porn.”  If that is the case, the Decatur pub easily wins the title of most lascivious celebrity sighting.  And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

April showers bring May restaurant openings?  Sure … sounds good to me.  Remember to check the May Dirty List for the most up to date information.

Village Cafe In Smyrna
So this one is confusing … word from various internet posts is that Village Cafe is scheduled to open in Smyrna.  The address is listed as 2860 Atlanta Road, Smyrna, GA 30080.  However, there is already a Village Cafe right around the corner.  What gives?  For now, I’ll leave this off the map until I straighten it out.

Emerald Coast Coffee
A self-proclaimed “next generation coffee house/fast casual restaurant,” each location of this chain boasts its own roasting facility.  Their menu of beverages is extensive and there are a reasonable number of international cafe style food options.  Though a hard date seems elusive, end of May is a good guess at this point.  The shop will be in the Terminus Complex in the heart of Buckhead.
Address & Information: 3225 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305) // Emerald Coast Coffee Website

Bistro In A Box
Bistro In A Box, scheduled to open May 9th, is a new “concept” from Horn Of Plenty catering.  From what I can tell – the place is basically a take out joint for group meals.  Their website says that the ideal serving size is four to six people.  However, they also offer full off premise catering. BinB is located in the Trackside building down in Decatur.  Address & Information: 307 East College Ave, Decatur, GA, 30030 // P: 404.941.7799 // Bistro In A Box Website // Bistro In A Box Menus