ECCO! (September 2017)

On a rare Friday that my husband and I were free, we decided to go to Ecco!  We have been to their satellite restaurant in the International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (and loved it), but we hadn't been to their main location in Midtown.

Ecco is part of the Fifth Group of restaurants which includes well-known Atlanta staple restaurants South City Kitchen and El Taco.

It's a very eclectic vibe as you enter the restaurant from the street.

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Photo Credit: Yelp

We got their early, as we had a very early commitment the next day, so there were very few patrons dining. We had a view of the open kitchen.

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The menu changes often, but there are some dishes that remain regulars, and they have a fun cocktail list and great wine menu as well.

 My Tito's, St Germaine and grapefruit:

 Fabulous bread and butter were served quickly:

And the bread was a great accompaniment to our charcuterie platter:

 We shared their mixed green salad (which also was delicious):

And then we decided to go with an Italian red wine to go with our next courses:

 Piquillo Peppers stuffed with braised beef were out of this world:

 And we split a wood fired flatbread with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella - SO GOOD!

The meats and cheeses ready for charcuterie platters:

 Shaved meats were outstanding:

 It was a fabulous dinner!  Our server was great - attentive but not obtrusive, and the atmosphere and food were memorable.  We basically shared everything, but you can opt to go with larger meals and not share.  It was a very fun night out, and we hope to return!

SAMPLE MENU FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

Cured Meats Prosciutto di San Daniele: aged ham Speck: smoked prosciutto Coppa: cured pork shoulder Finocchiona: pork salami with fennel seed Mortadella: fine-ground pork and pistachio Toscano: house cured, beef & pork salami with black pepper Bresaola: house cured beef eye round Soppresatta: spicy pork salami Cheese in descending order from mild to pungent Garrotxa: Spain; raw goat’s milk; soft Caña de Oveja: Spain; sheep’s milk; soft Pecorino Toscano: Italy; sheep’s milk; firm Idiazabal: Spain; raw sheep’s milk; firm Gouda: Netherlands; cow’s milk; hard Tomme: France; raw cow’s milk; semi-firm Fontina val d’aosta: Italy; cow’s milk; soft Gorgonzola dolce: Italy; cow’s milk; soft Mitibleu: Spain; sheep’s milk; soft Taste & Share Mixed olives 6 Fried goat cheese, honey, black pepper 7 Piquillo peppers stuffed with braised beef 7 Wood roasted clams, spring onions, lemon, grana broth 13 Beef carpaccio, artichoke chips, green garlic aioli 12 Mussels, smoked paprika, basil, crème fraiche 10 Appetizers Mixed lettuces, radish, almonds, tarragon-mustard vinaigrette 9 Grilled red romaine, smoked trout, buttermilk, pickled beets 14 Smoked haddock chowder, English peas 9 Bay scallop pintxo, tangerine, pink peppercorns, frisee 7 Wood-Fired Pizzas San Marzano tomatoes, housemade mozzarella, basil 13 Grilled treviso, spring onions, house fromage blanc, aged balsamic 14 Spicy soppresatta, sweet peppers, mozzarella 14 Guanciale, ricotta, grana padano, mint 15 Pastas  Pappardelle with braised pork, peppadew peppers, garlic 16 Spaghetti, preserved tomatoes, calamari, chilies, mint, bottarga 21 Tagliatelle, rutabagas, escarole, capers 19 Mains Butcher steak, heirloom carrots, Fresno chili-sherry reduction, arugula 26 Roasted speckled trout, braised spring vegetables, smoked hock, tomato-almond sauce 26 Rabbit leg braised in cider, loin wrapped in speck, pea puree and tendrils 28 Arctic char, celery root, watercress, house tangerine oil, salmon roe 25 Sides Roasted potatoes, rosemary, roof top salsa verde 5 Corona beans, preserved lemon, mint, argula 6 Pommes frites, mayonnaise 4 Grilled spring onion, bravas sauce 6 Grilled asparagus, black truffle aioli 6 Dessert Champagne truffles 5 Crema catalan with almond cookies 8 Chocolate torte, spiced cherries in red wine, almond crisp, cream 8 Sticky toffee pudding, doppelbock ice cream 8 Ricotta fritters, seasonal fruit conserva 7 Ice cream and sorbet please ask for today's selection 6

SIGNATURE COCKTAILS La Bella Amante A sophisticated fling, a sweet passing moment, all without consequence….maybe.  Strega, Aperol and hopped grapefruit bitters blending into a twisty fresh little secret. 10 Jack Lalanne = Mr. Organic Juiced is not even the word. Carrot cubes swimming in organic coconut water and Crusoe Organic Rum.  Drinking with a clear conscience and sense of accomplishment . 11 Pachamama The Peruvian goddess of plenty delivers us fruit and we have thanked her  by fermenting it. Delicate Pisco Porton, spicy habanero, juicy papaya and fresh  citrus. Mom would be proud. 12 Refreshed & Sustained Sweet pink peppercorns, thyme, lemon and vodka color your chakra. Keep nimble and level with this uber-fresh concoction. 9 Zion vs. Babylon Teach I and I Love and loyalty on earth as it is in Zion. Endow us with Thy wisemind. Fight the ginnygog as Jamdown does. 151 Lemon Hart rum, house made sarsaparilla and emalaluke bitters. 9 Long Live the Queen Bombay Sapphire gin with hints of elderflowers, lemon, peach and mint—served up. It’s like a walk in the garden with Elizabeth. 12 GiGi Says “OK, OK, I’m listening. Tell me again.” Alright, it’s Hangar One vodka, fresh ginger and a squeeze of lime—served short on the rocks. 12 Castro Monk Enjoy crossing the Golden Gate Bridge with a purpose. A happy, but unlikely, marriage of sweet High West Rye whiskey blended with ecclesiastical Bénédictine. 12 Sticky Sweet Backstage/Rockstar lifestyle for the everyday human being, sparkling wine, blackberry whiskey and velvet falernum. For those times when your hot...sticky (and) sweet.  12