Changes are a brewing at The Loaf. For the past 24-years, food writer Cliff Bostock has written a weekly column for the paper/blog entitled Grazing. A little while back, Bostock mentioned that Grazing was transitioning to a monthly project. Today, Bostock’s last weekly grazing article went live.
This is not a "best of" list. All but one of these are inexpensive-to-moderate restaurants that are mainly convenient to my home in Grant Park. So don’t berate me because they’re not the best in town. These are not rated in any particular order except for No. 1.
Anyone who reads Cliff’s posts knows that Bruce Logue’s La Pietra Cucina serves up Cliff’s favorite grub in town. I love that stuff myself – witness that bad boy calamari pictured above.
For those unfamiliar with said event, here’s the lowdown. Basically, a bunch of chefs, farmers, and mixologists get together and put out their best tomato inspired food and drink. Think of it as the most kid appropriate orgy you will find.
It’s a get it while you can type of event, so I suggest you arrive early and buy your tickets even earlier. Tickets currently stand at $60 for non-members of GO and $55 for those that do subscribe. After July 1st, all tickets are $70.
Though prices have gone up since last year, this festival, in my humble and honest opinion, is the best festival in town, bar none. If that isn’t enough to wet your whistle, check out my recap of last year’s event and/or the Flickr set!
Chef Bruce Logue, the esteemed champion of La Pietra Cucina, is moving on to bigger and better things. After spending the last couple of years trying to make it work in the location that just won’t go away, Logue is scheduled to cut ties with that albatross of a location sometime after January. My understanding is that he’s looking at Grant Park, but that’s 100% rumor at this juncture. The Atlanta native, who has spent time at the famed Babbo, may just be ATL’s best chef. He’s certainly one of them. I am not exactly sure what the exit strategy is for LPC … I don’t know if they are closing, keeping Logue on for an extended time, or what … but I’m sure that info will all come out in the not too distant future.
My understanding now is that this has been put off indefinitely.
Answer: Jay Swift, Anne Quatrano, Hugh Acheson, Chris Hastings, Kevin Gillespie, Bruce Logue. Question: Who are just a few of the awesome chef’s showing up at this years Attack of The Killer Tomato Festival?
Yes ladies and gents … it is that time again. Thanks to the good folks over at Georgia Organics, the Killer Tomatoes are back. Just like last year, the event will land at the Westside Urban Market, home to places like JCT Kitchen and Star Provisions. From 1pm – 5pm on Sunday August 8th, you’ll be able to indulge yourself in a sea of all things red.
To further wet your whistle, check out Savory Exposure’s recap of last years event. When you’re done with that, go check out Running With Tweezers flickr set. Tickets are $45 for Georgia Organics members and $50 for those of you who are not. However, prices go up this Saturday (to $65)… so I suggest you buy them now! Full details just after the jump!
Today is a busy day for me, so I don’t have time to pen a review. However, that doesn’t mean I’m completely disconnected from what’s going down in the 404 (or 770 … or even the 678). Here is a snap shot of some stuff that I’m checking out.
30 Restaurants In 30 Days: Much to the delight of foodies around the city, John Kessler is pumping out some new content. The AJC’s food blogger extraordinaire is currently hitting 30 restaurants in 30 days. He’s already dropped in on La Pietra Cucina, Mary Mac’s Tea Room, and a few other places. You can follow the action over on the Food & More blog.
Martha Stewart Charity Dinner: I may be the only person in this world that doesn’t have a soft-spot for Martha Stewart. That said, this is pretty cool. You can bid on the Martha Stewart Dinner Party (currently just shy of 3k). It includes a gourmet dinner for six at Cantitoe Farm prepared by Pierre Schaedelin, chef at famed Benoit and one of Martha’s favorites.
A little busy/tired today – so here’s a sneak peek of some notations I’ll be making in the next few days.
Early this week, I made it over to La Pietra Cucina for the first time in a month or so. After hitting it up nearly 2x a week for a few months, it was a much needed fix. Chef Bruce Logue is still putting out some of the best food in the city, while the service and decor are still not up to snuff.
Hankook Taqueria has gotten some good attention and several people have already chatted this place up. After learning about it yesterday, Sparkplug and I decided to forgo our lunch date at Abattoir and hit up this new Korean taqueria.
Speaking of Abattoir, I hit that up again last night. After another mediocre experience at Bocado, we elected to go grab some drinks and snacks at the slaughterhouse. The chicharones where massive and delicious … the confit of mushrooms was a straightforward and simple delivery. The red wine reduction was top notch and the Star Provisions sourced bread was freakin’ sweet!
Yeah, after several meals at Bocado, I’m just not impressed. There’s potential, no doubt, but as it stands … this is a ho-hum, nice addition to the area. I’ll drop in over the weekend for a few quick hits/updates on the places.
Hope ya’ll had a pleasant weekend. I know I did. As you might expect, the past few days have left me worn down and fried. So, rather than pen a full review, first impression, or the like, I have decided to hit ya’ll up with some quick notes about some recent goings-on in the ATL.
Midtown’s La Pietra Cucina recently underwent a major renovation. The restaurant has expanded its seating, closed off the kitchen, and finally posted a website, albeit just a landing page. While I’m not going to talk too much about the changes, one thing has DEFINITELY bummed me out. Apparently, they no longer offer their seasonal risotto during lunch … what the hey? If you have an inkling to try it out, you can now make online reservations. For those of you wondering what the interior of LPC looks like … here ya go (more pics after the jump):
I love La Pietra Cucina … there I said it. They closed on May 3rd with plans to open this past Monday. As shocking as it may be to those who follow restaurants … they actually reopened on schedule. The space is totally different but the food is much the same. I didn’t have my camera with me, but I’ll be back in the next few to grab some more grub and some shots.
Yesterday, Papa Buddha and I hit up Bruce Logue’sLa Pietra Cucina, our go to lunch destination. Since it opened, people have lambasted the establishment for its “decor.” Well, all that’s about to change as the main dining area has been sealed off and the windows have been filled with the following sign:
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I’m curious to see what changes May will bring. I find myself squarely in the minority on this one. I really liked the size of the place and can only hope the intimacy of the experience is not lost. I don’t want hustle and bustle with my Cucina; rather, I want slow and smooth. Anyway, it is what it is.
As always, the food kicks some major butt! Everything was top notch and the Buddha boys left with full bellies and nothing but naps in our future! Here are a few snapshots to wet your whistle… but you can also check out the Flickr Set if you want some more shots.
