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!

Today's gloomy weather seems quite appropriate for this morning's sad news.  Another celebrity-owned restaurant in Atlanta bites the dust.  Right in the middle of ATL Bite Life's Soul Food Month, popular Buckhead eatery Justin's has decided to close its' doors permanently.  It was pretty obvious to anyone who was ever halfway a regular here that the clientele had began to wane over the years.  However, it seemed, at least to me, that Justin's would always find a way to be one of the few urban mainstays within the upscale Buckhead district.

Honestly, I hate to see it go.  Justin's is one of the last remnants of an era where Atlanta truly earned its' "Black Hollywood" moniker.  Yes, many folks will only remember hit or miss soul food dishes and the infamous stories of Bobby Brown's nephew being stabbed by Baby Bleu back in '05 or when Tony Austin got shot in the parking lot during BET Weekend in 2010.  But, to only tell that side does Justin's AND Atlanta a disservice.

I remember when Sunday brunch at Justin's was poppin!  I remember doing some of the best networking of my life at Justin's on Mondays.  I remember not recognizing Kim Porter (Diddy's baby mama) and carrying on a long conversation with her at one of the 3BG parties.  I remember Core DJ Weekend in 2009 when Diddy's Bad Boy label came down and bought food and drinks for all the DJs while Akon, Cassie, and Red Cafe hit the stage and my man DJ Quote rocked it.  I remember a couple of Young Jeezy's private birthday parties.  I mean, I really had some good times at this place!!!  I guess I'll have to drown my sorrow in a bottle of Ciroc.

So, today, spare me your stories of how your mac & cheese came out cold or how your service was slow.  What was your BEST memory of Justin's??  I'd love to hear it.  Leave your comments below or hit us on Facebook and tell us what you'll always remember about this place.

You can also bid your farewell to Justin's either on Twitter - @justinsatl - or on the Justin's Facebook page.

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

Name: Bankhead Fish & Soul 
Cuisine: Seafood / Soul Food
Neighborhood: Westside
Address: 1651 Donald Lee Hollowell NW Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone Number: (404) 794-6904
Website: N/A 

Located on the world famous Bankhead Highway (now known as Donald Lee Hollowell), Bankhead Fish & Soul aka Bankhead Seafood is a hood landmark.  I first heard about this place back in the late 90's in Goodie Mob's southern classic - "Soul Food" 

This takeout restaurant is only open on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  And, on those days, it's only open for four hours (11am-3pm).  If you ever happen to ride past this place, you're very likely to see a line wrapped around the building.  It's nothing for customers to wait upwards of an HOUR to get their food.  And what are they waiting for??  More than likely, it's their famous $5 Fish & Pups Meal. 

For a measly five bucks,you get a takeout container with so much fish in it that they can barely close the top.  That fish is accompanied by 2 rather large hush puppies.  Everything is deep fried and delivered to you hot and fresh.  Sounds good, right??  Well, not so fast.

The fish really ain't that great.  It's not horrible.  BUT, it's not great.  I've read all the Citysearch and Yelp reviews and I'm kinda astonished by the overwhelming praise that Bankhead Seafood gets.  There are a number of places in ATL where you can get better fish.  Merkerson's, Yasin's, and even Supreme Fish Delight come to mind immediately.   I just don't get it.  I mean, the seasoning isn't particularly great, the place is located in the middle of the hood and is kinda run down (reminiscent of Ann's Snack Bar - home of the world famous Ghetto Burger), and, on top of all that, you have to pay for EVERYTHING else separately (including ketchup and tartar sauce).  Am I tripping??

The only reason I can think that people regularly line up at this place is for the VALUE.  Without exaggeration, there's got to be at least 10-12 pieces of fish in those $5 containers.  You could easily feed 2 maybe even 3 or 4 people out of that box.  Add a large side of fries and some cole slaw and you could damn near feed a family for around $12-15.  Not bad at all.  But, if you're gonna tell me that they have the "best fish in Atlanta", I'm not buying it.  #imjustsayin

I'd love to hear you guys thoughts on this place.  Stop by there today and tell me if I'm tripping.  If you've already been to Bankhead Seafood, leave your comments about it below.

Til we eat again!


Ideal For: Budget Eaters

Over the weekend, I had the great privilege of judging food submissions for the Atlanta Nosh.  For those of you not familiar with it, it's like an underground food event.  The lady who's organizing it also does the Atlanta Underground Market - a monthly members-only foodie gathering.  If you enjoy food, it's a very cool idea.  Anyway, I had a ball!!!  I also ate waaaaaaay too much food.  Shouts out to my new foodie friends - Nik, Lilly, Harvey, and Lyn. 

While there, I had the opportunity to try kale for the first time.  In fact, I tried like 3 different kinds of kale.  Honestly, it wasn't the greatest thing I've ever tasted.  But, my foodie comrades above assured me that there was still some great kale out there to be had.  So, I'm willing to try it again.

Now, the interesting thing about this kale is that I'd just seen an interview in this month's Bon Appetit Magazine with our hometown Hip Hop hero (and Top 5 Dead or Alive) - OutKast's own Andre 3000.  According to the article, he's now taken to eating kale over the every popular Southern comfort dish (and one of my favorite veggies) collard greens.  This amazed me!!!  First, it made me feel totally out of the loop as a budding foodie.  Second, I really wanted to know what I was missing out on.  I'm positive that this was why I was so eager to try the kale at the auditions.

Click here to see what 3 Stacks had to say about the nutritious greenery and check out his recipe below.  Also, if any of you are familiar with kale and can educate me a little bit more or put me on as to where to find the good stuff, leave a comment.

Til we eat again (s/o to @nscheftiff)