Showing posts with label atlanta restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label atlanta restaurants. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

IL LOCALINO

A close friend of mine raved about this restaurant about a year ago, so I just HAD to try it out for myself.  On a rare night with no plans, my husband and I braved Atlanta traffic and headed to Virginia Highlands to visit:


467 N Highland Ave NE 

Atlanta, Georgia 30307 

(404) 222-0650


When you enter Il Localino you are immediately struck by the decor - think kitschy cheesy Italian decor: paper lanterns adorn the ceilings, Frank Sinatra playing, not a space that isn't taken.

We were greeted warmly and quickly and escorted to our seats with menus.  We were in the mood for wine and found this gem on the menu - SO good:


 Next we chose an appetizer, and we were glad we chose the one we did -
Reggiano Parmigiano, Pesto & Olives

They bring this appetizer on a cart to the table and the server carefully slices fresh Parmesan for your table.  That is served with a bowl of great olives and pesto sauce.  Not sure about the pesto though?  It was good, but it was sort of an odd accompaniment to me.  But they bring you fabulous bread, so I slathered some bread with it, and it was delicious.  Lovely way to start the evening.

Wall decor:
 We then split a salad going with:
ORGANIC MIXED GREEN SALAD
The salad fit the bill - nicely coated with a vinaigrette. Very tasty without being too filling.
 After the salad course the server brought out some lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser - nice touch.
 Entree time!

My husband chose the Lasagne - absolutely fabulous!!!
 I went with the veal parmigiana (which I haven't had in years), and it was fantastic.  Absolutely loved it.  We were both fighting over which meal was tastier!
 And we begged off dessert, but we were surprised by bring brought a sampler of items as a gift.  Well who are we to NOT sample free dessert?  Chocolates, raspberry schmear and cheesecake. Very yummy.

All in all it was a very fun night!  If you can get past the crazy decor, the food at Il Localino is very good.  The service was also very very good - they treat you well and don't let you want for anything. If you're in the mood for some comfort food Italian, Il Localino is the place to go!

MENU FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

  • $15.00
Reggiano Parmigiano, Pesto & Olives
  • $11.95
Zuppa di Mussels
  • $15.00
Italy's Finest Imported Cold Cuts
  • $14.95
Domestic Fried Calamari with Marinara
  • $14.95
Maine Lobster Bisque
  • $15.00
Prosciutto Melon
  • $9.50
Organic Mixed Green Salad
  • $11.00
Classical Caesar Salad
  • $11.95
Mozzarella Caprese
  • $15.50
Organic Farm to Table Arugula Salad with the Finest Burrata
  • $21.95
Pappardelle Sinatra
  • $21.95
Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • $21.95
Fettuccine Alfredo
  • $21.95
Gnocchi alla Vodka
  • $21.95
Cheese Ravioli Marinara alla Donna Carmela
  • $21.95
Rigatoni Bolognese
  • $21.95
Linguine Alla Don Michaele with Fresh Chopped Tomatoes, Basil, Garlic & EVOO
  • $23.95
Linguine with White Clam Sauce
  • $22.95
Eggplant Parmigiana
  • $24.95
Boneless Breast of Chicken in Madeira Sauce with Mushrooms
  • $24.95
Chicken Parmigiana
  • $26.95
Jumbo Shrimp Marinara or Fra Diavolo
  • $29.95
Wild Filet of Sole Piccata with White Wine, Lemon & Capers
  • $29.95
Veal Parmigiana
  • $34.95
Sliced Medallions of Filet Mignon in Vecchia Romagna Brandy with Mushrooms
  • $39.95
World Famous Cioppino Seafood Feast
  • $39.95
Lamb Osso Bucco
  • $75.00
Alaskan King Crab sautéed in Olive Oil, Garlic, Butter, White Wine & Fresh Herbs
  • $22.95
Arugula Salad with Poached Salmon, Finocchio and Dill Vinaigrette
  • $34.95
Scallopini of Veal in Champagne Sauce with Mushrooms Dolce Latte
  • $8.50
Spinach Monachina Sautéed in Olive Oil & Garlic
  • $8.50
Broccoli Sautéed in Olive Oil & Garlic
  • $9.50
Asparagus Gratinati
  • $8.50
Grilled Shrimp
  • $8.50
Grilled Chicken
  • $8.50
Meatballs
  • $8.50
Pasta Marinara

Monday, May 28, 2018

NOONA STEAKHOUSE AND OYSTER BAR

I met some girlfriends in Duluth, GA recently and found out that there are numerous restaurants there that I haven't tried.  Here's a pic of us celebrating our friend Denise's birthday:



My husband and I went back that evening and sampled a few items from Noona - a steak and seafood restaurant with a Korean flair.


3550 W Lawrenceville St suite 310, Duluth, GA 30096
678-404-5001

A view of the exterior of Noona:


When you enter the restaurant, you are struck by the open casual feel of the place.  You can see the kitchen and bar area, and it's filled with funky light fixtures.

Photo of Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar - Duluth, GA, United States
yelp images
We perused the cocktail list and began deciding on our choices for the evening. 

The yummy cocktail list:

Sample menu from their website:
Menu — Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar

 I decided to go with a SHSO LIME RICKEY (but substituted vodka for the gin).

Fabulous drink!

My husband's drink - just a vodka and club soda - but they prepared it like he likes it.


And then we started off with a selection of raw oysters.  These are flown in daily so change often.  We went with 3 northeastern US samples that were on the smallish side.  All divine!

Sample oyster menu (potentially changes daily):
Photo of Noona Steakhouse & Oyster Bar - Duluth, GA, United States. Happy Hour oyster! Fresh clean look like I'm in midtown Atlanta but downtown Duluth! Surprise
yelp images



A pic of the goldfish they serve with their raw oysters.  Love the fun and the crunchiness accompaniment!


Crackers, lemon, cocktail sauce and horserashish:


And, they serve their mignonette in a glass bottle with a dropper, so you're not pouring it all over your plate each time you want some.  Brilliant idea!


Yum!
Very good bread and butter:
 For our entrees, I went with seafood.  Their fish is flown in fresh from Florida, and today's choice was tilefish.  It was beautifully prepared with a fennel and citrus picked side.  So delicious!


 My husband went with a filet and was very glad he did - it was fork tender, juicy and prepared exactly as ordered.  It was topped with a Korean Gochujang (Korean chili paste)  butter which was fabulous!  All meats are purchased from Meats by Linz in Chicago.

Their meats are extremely high quality (not inexpensive), and there were some delectable choices, but my husband went with the filet.


There was only one thing on the menu that we didn't care for and that was the broccoli.  It was prepared with sesame oil (which I love) and lightly cooked, but the flavor reminded both of us like we were eating a cigarette!  It was THAT offensive.  But, when our server Jean (who was great!) came by and asked about how we liked our meal, we said just that - "the entrees were really great, but that we didn't care for the broccoli."  We didn't complain per se, but we let her know that was why we weren't eating the side dish.

Within minutes the owner came by and apologized for the dish and asked if we would please allow him to bring us a Kimchi collard greens dish instead.  We acquiesced and let me tell you, THAT dish was to die for.  I've never had collard greens taste that way - tangy, and spicy and oh so good!  And later, when we were presented with the bill, they had taken off the broccoli and treated us to the collard greens dish.  Very classy way to handle the situation.




 The photo doesn't do this dish justice! Kimchi Collard Greens:


This hidden gem in Duluth is worth the drive!  The service was outstanding and the food wonderful.  It's a casual fun atmosphere in hot Duluth, Georgia.  We'll be back!