Name: Southern Art & Bourbon Bar

Menu: http://www.southernart.com/southern_art_dinner_menu2.html

As part of ATL Bite Life's Soul Food Month, I've been on a quest to discover some of the hidden soul food gems in the city.  Funny thing about looking for "hidden" restaurants though.  They're never actually hidden.  You just don't know about them.  Case and point, Southern Art & Bourbon Bar.

Interestingly enough, I'd been meaning to stop by this place for quite some time.  I've actually mentioned Southern Art on this site a couple times.  Once during Hotel Restaurant Week (it's attached to the Intercontinental Hotel) and once again back in February while it was one of the featured restaurants during Buckhead Restaurant Week.  It was really just a matter of time before we stopped in.  But then the perfect storm happened.  Soul Food Month met a 50% off deal from Scoutmob.  Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!  And chicken is exactly what I had. 

Southern Art's main dining room

Let's take it from the top.  After parking in the main hotel deck and walking thru the gorgeous hotel lobby, I found my way over to the main entrance of the restaurant.  Situated approximately 10 feet from a seemingly out of place ham counter (yes, a deli counter with pig carcasses hanging from the ceiling) was a pleasant hostess waiting to seat me.  She pulled the curtain back to reveal a sprawling dining room and then guided me to my seat.

These paintings were hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant

The first thing that caught my eye was the kinda anitquey yet contemporary vibe of the restaurant.  It was an understated fancy if that makes any sense.  It wasn't overly impressed but it had an expensive "feel" that made me take notice.  Also, there were these huge, colorful paintings hanging from the ceiling.  There was one beautiful portrait of the Fox Theater that really caught my eye (see above).

Cheddar biscuits with pickled vegetables

But, I didn't come to see no art.  I came to eat.  Much to my surprise, my table was greeted with some hot cheddar biscuits.  My first thought - this is very Red Lobster-ish.  Lol.  However, the pickled vegetables in a jar that came with the biscuits fancied it right up.  Have you ever had cauliflower and carrots preserved in a jar of vinegar??  Yeah, me either.  It tasted exactly like you'd think.  Pass.  But, those biscuits were INCREDIBLE!!!

Buttermilk Fried Chicken over mashed potatoes - $22

Then came the main entrees.  First up - the Buttermilk Fried Chicken (half a chicken - a thigh, breast, and a wing).  It was served over mashed potatoes with green beans and a few other veggies mixed in.  Delicious!!!  Very well seasoned, very juicy, very sizable portion.  My African-American side came out as I attempted to ask my server for a breast and two wings like I was at Popeyes but I dialed it back to in accordance with where I was.  Lol.  This was extremely tasty though.  I even had some left over for the next day.  Super win!!!

Cornmeal Dusted Catfish - $21

Entree #2 - the Cornmeal Dusted Catfish.  Let me admit, first, I'm not a huge catfish eater.  I like it but it's rarely my first choice on a given day.  I got it purely to keep within our Soul Food theme.  But, I will say this - the Catfish was really good!!!  It was draped over a very similar mix of potatoes and veggies and topped with bacon.  Not bad at all.  I guess my only negative would be that it was only ONE piece of fish.  It wasn't filling to me but maybe, perhaps for a female, it would hit the spot.  I did like it though.

Overall, I really enjoyed Southern Art and I think you will too.  The food was good, the portions were decent, and the ambiance was perfect for date night.   The only downside that I see, in particular for my urban audience, is the price and the portions.  We all know that we could go get chicken and fish and vegetables from any soul food spot in the hood for $7 or $8.  And, while Southern Art does not promote itself as a "soul food" restaurant, the touting of its' southern cuisine makes the comparisons a little easier to make.

Either way, I say grab your girl and head on over and check it out.  If it's good enough for Oprah, it's probably good enough for you.

Til we eat again!

Name: Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint

Website: http://www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com/

Menu: http://www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com/food-and-drink.html

Ever since we put out the season finale of The ATL Bite Life Show with Travis Porter, so many of you have been asking me, "where was that place??".  Well, that place is Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint and it's AMAZING!!!


Located at the corner of Peachtree St and Ellis St in what used to be the big downtown Macy's building, SGJJ is exactly what the city needed.  It's an upscale eatery offering a nice twist on southern cuisine and nightly live entertainment.  Yes, there have been similar concepts that did it with a certain grace before.  Dante's Down The Hatch (when it was at Underground Atlanta) and even Hairston's to a certain degree.  But, these days, NO ONE in the city is doing it like THIS!!!

Juke Joint Wings - $10

On my first official visit after the show taping, I took a few guests with me and told them I was footing the bill.  They took full advantage.  Smh.  We dove right into the menu head first.  Appetizer - Juke Joint Wings.  Personally, I've never been a big fan of grilled wings (at home or at restaurants).  I prefer mine slightly more American Deli-ized.  Alone, these wings were okay.  But, when you smother them in that Juke Joint BBQ sauce, WHOA!!!  Not bad at all.

Shrimp & Grits - $16

Catfish & Grits - $16

Peach Glazed Alaskan Salmon & Garlic Mashed Potatoes - $16

A few of my guests opted to go the seafood route.  So, next to the table came Shrimp & Grits, Catfish & Grits, and a Peach Glazed Salmon with Mashed Potatoes.  Rave reviews all around!!!  You know how when good food hits the table and everyone goes quiet??  That's what happened.  Everyone dug in.  Of course, I took bites off of everyone's plate.  DELICIOUS!!!  Side story: I used to love catfish but once I got into the music industry, everyone was so health conscious that they kinda shamed me away from eating "bottom feeder" fish.  WHATEVER!!!  I'm baik at it (JW voice).  Lol.  That catfish was too good!!! And, that salmon was great too.  That glaze wasn't too sweet or too bland.  It was just right!!!

I think my only complaint would've been that there weren't enough shrimp in the Shrimp & Grits.  However, I notice that that seems to be the thing at most restaurants when it comes to that dish (which is why I don't order it).  Big bowl of grits, 4 or 5 shrimp??  That ain't for me.

Juke Joint Fried Chicken w/ Mac & Cheese + Collard Greens - $17

Then, MY food came.  The Juke Joint Fried Chicken with Mac & Cheese and Collard Greens.  Of course, my food was the best!!!  Once I bit into the Fried Chicken, I realized 2 things.  One, pretty much anything they FRY is gonna be good.  I don't know what kind of flour, batter, seasoning, whatever that they're using but they got something special.  Both the fish and chicken were light and crispy without being greasy.  The second thing is, I think they used some of that Peach glaze or something on that chicken.  It had a sweetness to it that complimented it so well that it was almost unbelievable.  This is a must order for everyone coming in!!!

Moonshine w/ Pineapple Juice

If you're wondering how we washed all this food down.  Don't.  You know how we do.  We went straight to Foursquare for our answer.  Based on a tip we found, we went for Juke Joint's in-house specialty - The Moonshine.  Be careful though.  They offer the Moonshine as a shot and as a cocktail.  GET THE COCKTAIL!!!  Nothing against the shot but the scene can get kinda loud (you'll find out why below) and if you don't specify CLEARLY, you could end up with a very strong shot on your table like I did.  I cleared it up and they brought me out a Moonshine with Pineapple Juice.  Very good!!!  And, the best part - it came in a mason jar!!!  Love that!!!  Way to stick with the theme, Juke Joint. 

Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding - $7

We capped off our meal with dessert. All I'm saying is - Get the Cinnamon Apple Bread Pudding!!!  Fantastic!!!  I may have had more than one.  That's all you need to know.  Light, sweet, moist, tasty!!!  When those four words are used to describe anything, could it ever be bad??

Gritz & Jelly Butter performing live

Last but not least, in a neck and neck competition with the food was the entertainment - Gritz & Jelly Butter.  They performed for a little over an hour and ROCKED IT!!!  They played everything from the O'Jays to Ol' Dirty Bastard.  INCREDIBLE!!!  When making your reservation, you may wanna find out if/when these guys are hitting the stage.  I mean, honestly, the combination of the food and the show was like no other dining experience I've EVER had before.

2 things, you definitely want to keep in mind though.  First, this place gets PACKED on Friday and Saturday nights.  Making reservations is a MUST!!!  I actually had to make reservations for a MONTH out.  No exaggeration.  But, when I got there, the best hostess in the world - Theresa - put me in the best seat in the house.  Ask for her when you get there.  She'll take care of you.  And, make sure you tip her well.  If you're gonna be bout that BITE Life, you need to be bout that TIP Live too.  S/O to all the waiters and bartenders.

Second, there is an Entertainment Fee.  They charge $5 person to every bill for the privilege of watching the show.  When I first heard about this, I have to admit, it kinda rubbed me the wrong way.  I had never heard of that.  But, then again, I'd never been to a spot like this.  However, Gritz & Jelly Butter (and Jimi Cravity who was on when we first walked in) was WELL WORTH IT!!!

No matter what, I highly recommend this spot.  The food was good, the service was great, and the entertainment was just the icing on the cake.  I know that most of our readers are in the 25-35 year old range so be warned - the crowd there can be a little older (those 40 year old's get it in).  But, you won't feel out of place or uncomfortable.  The vibe is so vibrant and the ambiance is so contemporary that you won't even notice.  It's perfect for date night, anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

So, pick up the phone and make your reservation today.  Ask Theresa to put my table next to yours.  Lol

Til we eat again!

Ideal For: Date Night, Special Occasion Dining

So, on Friday, the good people over at Philips Arena invited ATL Bite Life to a sneak preview of the all new RED Restaurant which was unveiled to the public over the weekend.  This approximately 10,000 sq ft space that seats about 250 people sits between the 203 and 205 section of arena and is probably the sexiest sports lounge you've ever been to.  Not only does it boast a full bar sponsored by Ciroc (with bottle service), a reasonably priced premium menu, and group seating that mirrors the sections you'd find at one of Alex Gidewon's clubs, the view of the court (or whatever event is going on at the time) is still prime. 

As soon as I walk in, I position myself at the bar right in front of the big Ciroc bubble wall.  Yes, I said Ciroc bubble wall.  I'm sure that's not the proper term for it but if you look at the picture above, what else would you call it??  On this particular evening, they were offering three (3) special opening night cocktails.  I chose to rock with the Coco Court (they all had basketball themed names).  I'm sure I had at least 4 of those.  Which explains why many of food pics came out kinda fuzzy.  Lol

About a half an hour later, everyone was escorted to their tables.  I actually ended up sitting with the spouses of two of the Hawks owners.  Right before I was about to launch into an angry rant about the questionable front office moves of my hometown NBA team, they were escorted away to the table they were REALLY supposed to be at.  Should've known they wouldn't be sat next to the kid from Decatur on purpose.  Lol.  Just kidding.  They were cool though.  Hi, Penelope (call me if you're reading this).  The young ladies from Insight Magazine who replaced them were just as cool so I was still in good spirits.  S/O to Brittany!!!

Overall though, it was more than cool.  I definitely will be returning during the playoffs  #GoHawks  And, I suggest that you do too.  Those of you who follow me personally on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram know how I was raving about this place all weekend long.  I'm already predicting that this will be the spot for the rollers in the city to hang out during the games.  It's an ideal spot for a fly date night in the city but also a nice "put on" spot for the socialites that wanna pop bottles and ignore the main event going on (Atlanta is FULL of those!!!).  

Right now, RED is only operating before, during, and shortly after ticketed events.  However, I have it on good authority that they will be opening in the not too distant future just like any other full service restaurant for lunch and dinner on non-event days.  Not sure how that will work though.  I don't know how many people will just want to grab food at Philips Arena on the average day.  But, hey, I was wrong once before.

Happy Eating!