Enjoying a bite at BOCADO!

Last Friday, following a Lacrosse game at Georgia Tech, my brother (who was visiting from Orlando) wanted to take us out to dinner.  So, a group of ten of us headed over to Bocado for dinner.  I had read good things about this restaurant, and it's location made it perfect for that night.

Photo Credit: Bocado

The restaurant has gotten great reviews for the owner, Brian Lewis, and Executive Chef Todd Ginsburg, prepares simple foods with flair. Their website states that they focus on original gourmet sandwiches and savory small plates.  Looking at other reviews, the dishes are varied and change often, so you might not find your favorite dish upon a second visit.

BOCADO

887 Howell Mill Road

Atlanta, GA 30318

(404) 815-1399

http://www.BOCADOatlanta.com

http://www.twitter.com/BOCADOAtlanta

The restaurant has an industrial look on the outside and inside, with utilitarian tables and chairs.  Each table has a vase with fresh herbs.

Photo Credit: Yelp

We started with some appetizers and drinks while we waited for my nephews, one who is a freshman Lacrosse player at GT, and the other from Orlando, to arrive.

The menu is very small, as it changes daily.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Bocado has a great wine and beer selection as well as (my favorite) unique cocktails that change with the season.

This drink was by far the favorite of the group!  It was a version of (my new love) a Moscow Mule, but it was made with tequila.  It was called a SMOKED MULE - el espolon reposado, lime, ginger, mezcal, grapefruit bitters, and house-made ginger beer.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Then we went with the following appetizers:

Deviled eggs topped with Edwards country ham, Devil relish

Fried Oysters, Napa cabbage kimchee, nori and srirachi mayo

Fried Avocado quinoa, cilantro, cucumbers, radishes, lime cream 

The deviled eggs won the crowd over so much that we started with 2 orders, and then we had to get another order to satisfy our craving!  That addition of country ham is killer!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

The fried oysters were delicious.  We plowed into them before I could snap a good photo, but I'd definitely order them again - very yummy indeed!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

The fried avocado was something I HAD to order, as I had read great reviews about them, and I adore avocados. Unfortunately, they were my least favorite appetizer. The quinoa and cucumbers that surrounded them were great, but, alas, the avocado was very bland.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We ordered entrees next, and they only have around 6 to choose from. Fortunately all we sampled were delish!

Several of us went with the Burger Stack. It's 2 patties topped with American cheese and house-made pickles on really good bread. But what is TO DIE FOR is the fries. They are tossed with herbs and parmesan cheese and served with a Buttermilk Ranch dressing with dill. So good.

My photo of the burger stack really wasn't very appetizing, but this picture does it justice.

Photo Credit: Yelp

Photo Credit: Serious Eats

I do need to note one thing about my burger however. About half way through the dinner, I bit into something very hard that I couldn't chew that was about a half an inch long. Yuck. At that point I was squeamish and unable to eat any more of the meat, so I simply scarfed down the amazing fries. The burger was tasty, but sadly I wouldn't order it again.

Another entree that was terrific was the French prepared Sole.

It's served over succotash with a garlic, thyme and lemon vinaigrette.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

My mother and her husband ordered the pasta and raved about it. It's freshly made strigoli pasta with clams, peppers, tomatoes and shallots.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Both of my nephews ordered the flat iron steak dinner. From the looks of their plates afterward, the dish was a success.

It's served with potatoes, marinated zucchini, heirloom tomatoes and a horseradish cream sauce.

Photo Credit: Examiner.com

So our dining experience was a success at Bocado!  And our server was out of this world.  We had a large group, and 2 of the group arrived long after the first 8, so we were ordering in shifts.  She couldn't have been more pleasant and helpful with navagating the menu.  We'll be back...

*One other note - they only have one bathroom for women and one bathroom for men, and there was a line to get in it seemed most of the time. So, every time someone in our party left, they were gone for what seemed like an eternity. Not the end of the world, but I felt like it should be mentioned.