FoodieBuddha.com

                                                                                                                    (the dining room at Abattoir)

In today’s edition of the NYT, Shaila Dewan decided to talk up the burgeoning art scene on the west side of Atlanta.  Despite a few journalistic faux pas, it’s a nice summary piece on the neighborhood.  What’s especially neat for us foodies is that Dewan took the time to point out some of the ‘hoods culinary adventures that have garnered so much attention locally.

In the spirit of the article, I must say that if forced to identify the in-town neighborhood with the most action, it would undoubtedly be the Westside.  Centered around the intersection of 14th street and Howell Mill, you’ll find casual eateries, upscale dining options, and several of Atlanta’s hottest new restaurants.  The article draws special attention to Octane, Flip Burger Boutique, Abattoir, Hop City Beer, and Sublime Doughnuts (with a nice quote from owner Kamal Grant).

The article is really just the tip of the iceberg.  If you intend to spend anytime over in that neck of the woods, then you’ll also find the highly regarded Antico Pizza, sandwich shop Tiny Bistro, and popular breakfast spots like The West Egg and The Silver Skillet.   And that list is far from exhaustive.

So if you’re a bit of a homebody and looking for something new … take some of your free time and donate it to the Westside.

This is a first impression if there ever was one. Thursday, May 21, 2009: the laptop closed, the door slammed, and I bustled my hustle over to Abattoir Chophouse just as soon as I could wrap up my 9-5.  I’m such a restaurant whore!  Thankfully, I had a little detour on the way over to the Westside of Midtown … I had to grab my dinner buds!

Abattoir is yet another in a long line of highly anticipated Atlanta restaurants looking to buck the economic trend.  A down economy?  Apparently, not here and not now.  Abattoir, which derives from Francais, means Slaughterhouse.  Sounds a lot more appealing, does it not?

The restaurant is backed by Anne Quatrano and the family that brought us Bacchanalia, Star Provisions, and Floataway Cafe.  It seems to follow logic that the restaurant will be under the watchful eye of Atlanta gastronomes early and often.  So, my little trio set off down the road, curious for what the night had in store.  BTW, that horrendously obtrusive picture over yonder is a shot of the POS screen at the restaurant. It caught my attention from our table and I had to get a picture!

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Oh Atlanta S&S Tour, how I have missed you!  Travel, temporary sandwich burn out, and life in general caused me to miss a few weeks.  What better way to get back in the saddle than with a trip to Star Provisions.  In the realm of high-end gourmet shops, SP seems to garner a near godlike appreciation amongst Atlanta socialites.  I myself am a big fan; over the years I have enjoyed everything from their wine and cheeses, to their sandwiches, to their eating accessories.  But alas, this is the sandwich tour … so with my blinders firmly in place, my camera in hand (UGGHGHGHGHGH), and some help … off to the principal’s office we go! [Sorry – my childhood rears it’s ugly head!]

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It’s Monday morning, we haven’t even hit the witching hour, and already I fell swamped with work.  So it might be late this evening before I get my first “good” post up for today.  That said, I wanted to give ya’ll a little sneak peek of what to expect…

• As soon as I hit publish on this post, I’m hitting the showers and getting all spiffed up … lunch today is at Paces 88, the freshly minted restaurant at the St Regis in Buckhead.  I can’t wait to see what Jonathan Jerusalmy is all about. Expect my notes on that manana.
• Last week, I dropped in over at Star Provisions for the latest Atlanta Sub & Sandwich Tour meal.  I’ll work on that post this evening.
• I still have two posts two finish up from my vacation.  Though neither of those meals was as good as my trip to the Swiss Hot Dog Company … Terra Bistro and Pepi’s were still notable meals.  One of them … for all the wrong reasons.
• Expect at least one more sub tour stop!

Buddha … out!