HOLEMAN AND FINCH TIME!

HOLEMAN & FINCH

2277 Peachtree Rd., NE

Atlanta, GA  30309

404/948-1175

I have been wanting to try Linton Hopkins' Holeman and Finch for ages, and finally committed to making a reservation (weeks in advance) and going with friends recently.

Holeman and Finch describes itself as a "Gastropub" which is a fancy way of saying that it's a pub/bar atmosphere dedicated to serving quality food.  So the idea here is small plates to share - not that you HAVE to share, but that's how the menu is designed.

But let me back up a bit - when you drive into the front of the restaurant, you see Restaurant Eugene on your left, and Holeman and Finch is on the right.  It's valet parking only, and they were prompt and whisked the car away quickly.

Upon entering the "pub" we were greeted immediately and briskly seated by the hostess.  It's loud and bustling with patrons in the bar as well as in the main restaurant.  We were seated in a booth, and it needs to be noted that seating is a bit cramped in the place.  I'm only 5'5" but my husband is almost 6'5" and was pretty miserable feeling throughout the meal.  Not sure there was another spot in the place that would have worked for him though - it definitely wasn't designed with tall people in mind.

Anyway, our waiter arrived, and we eventually were asked our drink orders, and we begin our dining experience.

The menu changes often, and it's stamped with the date at the top. The food is most definitely fresh and all farm to table. Having never been here before, our waiter was helpful is describing the menu and offering up some of his favorites.

 We decided to "start" with one cold dish and one hot - we chose 2 orders of their deviled eggs and 1 order of their shrimp toast.  Both were outstanding.

 So, it's not THE greatest photograph here, but the 3 deviled eggs were (from left to right) a dill pickle, a cayenne and a country ham one.  We all favored the country ham one - I could've eaten a dozen I think!

 My Moscow Mule - very good.

 A couple of pics of the Shrimp Toast - we all plowed into the dish before I remembered to snap a pic!  But this dish was perfectly prepared - the toast was delicious to sop up all the "sauce" and the shrimp cooked to perfection. Loved!

 Another oops!  My "main" dish choice was the Pate Melt.  I went with our server's recommendation. It's pate that's served on toast with melted cheese and a smoked onion jam.  It was rich but outstanding.

 The creme de la creme at Holeman and Finch - the cheeseburger.  And it lived up to the hype!  It's juicy and greasy and decadent - everything a great burger should be. This burger used to only be served to the lucky few that happened to be there at 10PM each night, but they changed their policy and now all patrons can order this delicacy any time.  Really stupendous burger!

 My friend Lori got the short ribs with fingerling sweet potatoes. It doesn't photograph well of course, but it was a great short rib dish.

 And my husband ordered the "Crunchy Lady." Not sure why they call it that?  But, it was great!  It's their version of a Croque Madame and was so so good.  We were all vying for a bite!

And even though we were totally stuffed, I had heard great things about their Sticky Toffee Bread Pudding.  It was good, but not great. 4th and Swift has one that is "moan worthy," and King + Duke's is to die for, alas, this one was not. But it was a fine dessert to share between the 4 of us to end our meal, and it was tasty, just not memorable.

catebogue

Had a fabulous time with our friends at Holeman and Finch!  A few things do need to be noted however.  The place (as I mentioned above) is very LOUD.  At the end of the evening I felt my throat straining to talk across the small booth.

Also, the service was extremely slow.  Drinks didn't come out together, so that was awkward for 1-2 of us to have our beverages to enjoy while the others didn't.  And we ordered 2 orders of deviled eggs, and they brought out only 1 order.  When we brought it to our server's attention, he immediately said that he knew that and the other one was coming out.  But very odd to serve them 5 minutes apart!  And I watched other patrons being served and having issues - it wasn't just our table.  They do not seem to be dedicated to seeing to their customers' every need - it's sort of an attitude of "we've got a great thing going here and you're lucky to be here." Not rude per se, and he WAS knowledgeable, but he was not welcoming or warm either.

But, the food is the star here. Everything we had was wonderful.  It's not for those on a diet, but that's not why we chose to go there.  I'm still talking about that burger...

ANTEBELLUM: a period before a war especially the American Civil War

After hearing good things about this restaurant, my husband and I decided to check it out this past Saturday night.  Boy, are we glad we did...

Antebellum

5510 Church Street

Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542

770-965-8100

www.antebellumrestaurant.com

Their website states that Chef Nicholas St. Clair, a high honors graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California, brings his passion for Southern cuisine and more than 14 years experience in the restaurant business.  The idea is "contemporary Southern" cuisine, and the restaurant is located in a charming historic old house right off the square in Flowery Branch.  He along with his wife, Alison, opened the restaurant this past year.

Photo Credit: Antebellum

We heard about the restaurant, as one of their sous chef's, Chad, is my husband's Go Performance  instructor at Gold's Gym.  So, we made the drive north to check it out...

The interior is warm and inviting with hardwood floors, black tablecloths and napkins (love that). 

Photo Credit: Antebellum

As you enter, you immediately see the open bar area.  When we arrived at 6:45PM it was bustling.

Photo Credit: Antebellum

When we entered Antebellum, we were quickly greeted and seated with menus.  The dinner menu is enticing.  They also have a Sunday Brunch I'd love to try out that looks very good.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Here's a more legible version from their website:

Appetizers

Sweet potato soup with apple cider cream and fried collard greens

Wild salmon chowder with cornbread and buttermilk snow

Fried green tomatoes with bacon jam, brioche, fried egg, hot sauce and mimosa ice

Grilled Louisiana andouille sausage with fried chicken, Cajun remoulade, chow-chow peanuts and celery

Wild mushrooms and toast, with Benton’s country ham, truffle cream, celery and a merlot poached farm egg

Salads

Finch Creek Farms arugula with Benton’s country ham, poached pears, brie, pecans and black truffle vinaigrette

Butter crunch and red leaf lettuce with red delicious apples, goat cheese, red onions, pistachios and lemon honey vinaigrette

Finch Creek Farm lettuces with Cass’s pickled radishes, cucumbers, sieved egg yolk, buttermilk dressing and GA blue cheese

Classic Caesar salad with house made croutons and shaved parmesan

Entrees

*Grilled wild salmon with crispy cheddar grit cake, smoked tomato vinaigrette, jalapeño jam country ham chip and local greens

Grilled Georgia quail with pumpkin pirloo, wild mushrooms, Finch Creek Farms arugula and port poached figs

*Grilled, high choice flat iron with rosemary roasted potatoes, creamed Finch Creek Farms kale Pickled radishes and GA blue cheese

Pan seared scallops with wild mushrooms, Benton’s country ham, grits, celery red wine jus and black truffle oil

*Rye and mustard crusted, 8 oz Niman Ranch pork chop with “beer cheese soup”, mustard greens, bacon, boiled red potatoes and north GA apple relish

Root beer braised bone in short rib with fried pumpkin, corn bread puree and cranberry relish

Wild shrimp with Logan Turnpike cheese grits, country ham, peppers, onions and lemon butter sauce

*8 oz high choice burger with pimento cheese, bacon, Texas toast, horseradish and sweet potato wedges

Sides-

Pumpkin Pirloo Logan Turnpike cheese grits Sweet potato wedges Collard Greens Creamed Kale Wild Mushrooms

We support these local farms

Chestnut Mountain Egg Farm Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms

Circle A Farms Finch Creek Farms

Love the ice water served in Mason jars!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

They have a nice wine and beer list as well as a good number of specialty cocktails.  

Handcrafted Cocktails

Southern Martini

“Peppar” Vodka and Dry Vermouth with a Splash of Olive Juice

Hard Apple Cider

Journeyman Rum, Apple Cider, Sweetened Lemon Juice with a dash of cinnamon

Blueberry Citrus Martini

Blueberry Vodka, 360 Lemon Vodka and Sweetened Lemon Juice Garnished with Blueberries

Maple Twist

Uncle Val’s Gin, Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice with a dash of cinnamon

Cucumber Lemon Drop

Cucumber Infused Vodka with Sweetened Lemon Juice

Velvet Jack

Jack Daniels, Chambord Liquor and Sour Mix

Pomegranate Martini

Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec, and Fresh Squeezed Lemon Sweetened with Pomegranate Juice

New Fashioned

Makers Mark Whisky and Amaretto with a Dash of Bitters and Lightly Sweetened

French Martini

Chambord Vodka and Chambord Liquor with a splash of Pineapple Juice

Vodka with house stuffed blue cheese olives made my husband happy, and I went with their fabulous version of a Lemontini but with the addition of cucumber, it was not too sweet - just devine!

Cucumber Lemon Drop

Cucumber Infused Vodka with Sweetened Lemon Juice

Then, fresh, warm cornbread sliced was delivered along with marmalade - well done!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We decided to start with an appetizer to share that sounded just amazing.

Fried green tomatoes with bacon jam, brioche, fried egg, hot sauce and mimosa ice

This appetizer was stupendous!  It was beautifully presented, and we were practically moaning over every bite! And the champagne ice was so nice to have as a palate cleanser between bites.  The combination of the creamy egg, the tart green tomato, salty sweet bacon jam along with a bit of hot sauce - OMG!  Loved!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Butter crunch and red leaf lettuce with red delicious apples, goat cheese, red onions, pistachios and lemon honey vinaigrette

I went with the leaf lettuce salad. The dressing was to die for! I'm a big goat cheese fan, and that, along with the superbly fresh ingredients, hit the spot!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Finch Creek Farm lettuces with Cass’s pickled radishes, cucumbers, sieved egg yolk, buttermilk dressing and GA blue cheese

My husband went with the salad with blue cheese, and he loved it.  The fresh radishes were a nice touch and brought me back to my childhood.

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Grilled wild salmon with crispy cheddar grit cake, smoked tomato vinaigrette, jalapeño jam country ham chip and local greens

I ordered the grilled salmon, and am I glad I did. Sitting atop a cheddar grit cake, and swimming in a smoked tomato vinaigrette, it was fantastic!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue 

Root beer braised bone in short rib with fried pumpkin, corn bread puree and cranberry relish

My husband ordered the meal of the night - the beef short ribs. We were fighting over the last few bites of this delicious dish (which had been highly recommended by Chad). Again, I feel like I'm repeating myself, but I just love how they marry the flavors. Never had short ribs with cranberries. One word: AH-MAZ-ING!!!

We were too stuffed to order dessert, but with the bill 2 cinnamon shortbread cookies were presented.  Lovely touch!

So happy to have this restaurant in our backyard (sort of) in the suburbs of Atlanta!  It truly is a Southern gem, and I cannot wait to go back and bring friends.  So so so good!

*And a note on the service - our server (Charis) was very good.  She was attentive without being overbearing, and she was right on the money with her recommendations.  Dishes were brought out in a timely manner without feeling rushed.  The kitchen feels well-run for sure.

FOLLOW UP VISIT:
I returned to Antebellum last night and another A+ meal was enjoyed.  The restaurant was packed on a Saturday night at 6:45PM.  Reservations are a must on the weekends.

We started with the Wild mushrooms and toast, with Benton’s country ham, truffle cream, celery and a merlot poached farm egg and it was devine!  I love country ham, and this one was so good.  Not too salty and just amazing with the mushrooms.  Next up we shared a bowl of Sweet potato soup with apple cider cream and fried collard greens.  It was very rich, and I was glad that we shared it.  But it too was delicious - although I'd prefer it a bit less sweet.

For entrees this visit we went with the Grilled, high choice flat iron with rosemary roasted potatoes, creamed Finch Creek Farms kale Pickled radishes and GA blue cheese and the 8 oz high choice burger with pimento cheese, bacon, Texas toast, horseradish and sweet potato wedges. Both were good, but the burger (which Charis recommended highly) needs to have a gold star by it on the menu.  OMG!  It was fabulous, and there wasn't a crumb remaining of that dish.

So excited to have this gem nearby!

NEXT UP:

Cakes & Ale
Holeman and Finch Public House
Tomo
Empire State South
Ecco
And I'm dying to try El Taco Veloz!

Saw this saying and had to share:

ARIA: Definitely the highlight of our evening!

On an unusually cool(ish) night in August in Atlanta, we headed to Aria for a dinner on the eve of taking our daughter back to college.  Aria's Chef/Owner is Gerry Klaskala.

Aria is located in Buckhead at:

490 East Paces Ferry
Atlanta, GA  30305
404-233-7673
www.aria-atl.com

We pulled in and were immediately greeted by a friendly valet and escorted inside.

Photo Credit: Aria

Upon entering at 6:45PM, it was a bit alarming, as it was bright and sunny outside and extremely dark inside.  It definitely takes a few moments to adjust (and we saw one person after another struggle and stumble in as they entered).  But we were warmly greeted by the hostess and gave our information.

We decided to have a drink in their lounge area prior to dinner. The lounge is just beyond the hostess stand separated by silver handing beads.  It's very dark with black walls and red sofas and ottomans.

The Snooty Duchess was a deliciously refreshing drink by the way...

drinks

sparkling (Cherry Sgroppino) Sarrazin Brut Cherry Vodka

aperitif (The Snooty Duchess) Cocchi Americano Licor 43 Soda

Lime-Ginger Puree

Fresh Lemon Juice

white port (Afternoon in the Duoro) Warre’s White Port Domaine de Canton Fresh Mint and Basil Lemon Syrup

gin (White Lady) Junipero Dry Cointreau Egg White Fresh Lemon Juice

rye whiskey (Drunken Monk) Rittenhouse 100 Blueberry Shrub

brandy (St. Charles Punch) Camus VS Cognac Orange Liqueur Simple Syrup Fresh Lemon Juice

aperitifs

Benedictine Fortified Shiraz

Cocchi Americano, Asti, Italy Carpano's Antica Formula, Piedmont, Italy Campari, Lombardy, Italy Aperol, Veneto, Italy Daniel Bouju, Pineau des Charentes, France Lillet Rouge, Bordeaux, France

bottled beer

Reissdorf, Kölsch, Cologne, Germany

Sweetwater, Ipa, Atlanta, GA

Brewery Ommegang, Witte, Cooperstown, NY Estrella Damm, Inedit, Barcelona, Spain (24 Oz) Leipziger Gose, Leipzig, Germany (20 Oz) Duchesse de Bourgogne, Flanders Red Ale, Vichte, Belgium Unibroue, La Fin Du Monde, Tripel Ale, Quebec, Canada North Coast, Old Rasputin, Russian Imp. Stout, Ft. Bragg, CA

Amaro, Quintessentia, Nonino, Friuli

Fernet, Branca, Fratelli Branca, Lombardia

grappa

Moscato, Jacopo Poli, Veneto

Brunelo Di Montalcino, Marolo Tuscany

calvados/apple brandy

Laird’s, Bottled In Bond, Apple Brandy

Chauffe-cœur, Hors D'age, Calvados

cognac

Martel VS Remy Martin VSOP Kelt VSOP Martel Noblige Pierre Ferrand Sélection Anges Camus XO Remy Martin Extra Delamain, Tres Venerable

other eau-de-vie

William Pear, Trimbach Grande Réserve, Alsace

whiskey

scotch

Johnnie Walker Blue

japan

Hibiki 12yr

canadian whisky

Crown Royal, Special Reserve

bourbon

Black Maple Hill Maker's 46 Blantons Knob Creek Woodford Reserve Basil Hayden 8yr Pappy Van Winkle’s 15yr Pappy Van Winkle's 20yr Pappy Van Winkle's 23yr

tennessee

Jack Daniel’s Honey Gentleman Jack Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel

rye

Rittenhouse Sazerac 6yr Russell's Reserve 6yr Old Potrero, 18th Century Style High West, 21yr

single malts

california

St George

japan

Yamazaki 12yr

ireland

Bushmills, Malt 16

islay

Laphroaig 10yr Lagavulin 16yr Bowmore 25yr

speyside

Macallan 12yr Aberlour 16yr Glenfiddich 12yr The Glenlivet 18yr Macallan 18yr Macallan 25yr Macallan 30yr

highlands

Glenmorangie 10yr Glenmorangie, Sauternes Cask Oban 14yr Dalwhinnie 15yr

rum

Cockspur, Barbados Clément VSOP, Martinique El Dorado 21, Guyana Clément XO, Martinique

tequila & mezcal

Tequila, Casa Dragones, Joven Tequila, Don Diego Santa, Reposado Tequila, Herradura, Añejo Tequila, Don Julio, Añejo, Claro Tequila, Reserva de la Familia

Cuervo, Extra Añejo Mezcal, Ilegal, Añejo

Photo Credit: Aria

Their website describes the bar area as, "comfortably chic," and it does have a cool vibe, however, my 6'5" husband in no way could have sat on their teeny tiny ottomans (about 6" off the floor).  We all sat on a cushiony bench and were fine, other than it being very very dark, but you adjust. 

Around 7:00PM, we moved on to the main dining room to enjoy our dinner. The dining room is one square room, and it's very bright and light with limited seating.

Photo Credit: Aria

Inside Aria's main dining room:

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We were greeted by our waiter quickly.  He was fantastic - very knowledgeable and friendly.  The menu was enticing.  Here's a sample menu:

starters

Twelve Hour Roasted Vidalia Onion Soup

white truffle oil

Thin Sliced Smoked Atlantic Salmon

red onion capers creme fraiche crispy potatoes

Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras

georgia strawberries black pepper gastrique

Pan Seared New Bedford Jumbo Sea Scallops

baby spinach slow roasted roma tomato madras curry cilantro and lime

Potato and Goat Cheese Ravioli

wild ramps asparagus sugar snap peas toasted breadcrumbs reggiano parmigiano

Crisped Stuffed Zucchini Blossom

fresh ricotta and mint field peas pickled shallots

Flash Fried Beau Soleil Oysters (five)

whole grain mustard remoulade spicy pickled shallots

Arugula and Endive Salad

great hills blue lemon vinaigrette

Warm Lobster Cocktail

butter braised maine lobster broccoli black truffle potatoes

Crisped Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

green apple walnut napa salad asian mustard sauce

Ruby Red & Golden Beets

sweetgrass dairy goat cheese oranges spiced walnuts

Hammock Hollow Farm Salad Greens

balsamic shallot vinaigrette w/ thyme roasted goat cheese

dining room & wine director ANDRES LOAIZA pastries KATHRYN KING cuisine GERRY KLASKALA

entrees

Slow Braised Niman Ranch Berkshire Pork Shoulder

lacinato kale red pepper & white corn succotash crisp vidalia onions

Pan Seared New Bedford Jumbo Sea Scallops

white corn bacon & parmesan risotto

Center Cut Corn Fed Angus Beef Filet Mignon

fingerlings romano beans shiitakes pear tomatoes tarragon shallot sauce

Painted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Rib

cipollini shiitake tender carrots truffle whipped potatoes

USDA Prime Steak au Poivre

sixteen ounce prime beef eye of the ribeye cognac green peppercorn sauce steak fried potatoes

Fillet of Line Caught Grouper

roasted cauliflower crispy potatoes fiddlehead ferns hedgehog mushrooms lemon caper brown butter

Pan Roasted Breast of Farm Raised Duck

savoy cabbage carrots fuji apple bacon ginger lemongrass jus

Blue Ridge Mountain Trout

lobster smashed potatoes young squash romanesco pea puree shiitake mushrooms

Herb Crusted Fillet of Florida Red Snapper

white corn lady peas butter beans fingerling potatoes applewood smoked bacon pickled shallots

Slow Braised Colorado Lamb Shank

soft parmesan polenta fava beans roasted vidalia onions ramp chimichurri

Valrhona Chocolate Cream Pie

chocolate sauce soft whipped cream

Vanilla Panna Cotta

peach sorbet almond shortbread

Warm Lemon Mascarpone Cheesecake

georgia strawberries whipped cream

Chocolate Almond Brioche Pudding

valencia orange ice cream

Blueberry Creme Fraiche Cake

lemon custard buttermilk ice cream

Fresh Sorbets

(one of each, served with meringue) pineapple strawberry lemon peach blueberry

Sweets and Confections

a daily selection

artisan cheese tasting

a daily selection of three

The foccacia bread was very good:

We opted to start with a couple of appetizers - the Flash Fried Beau Soleil Oysters and the Crisp Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms.  Both were delicious!

Photo Credit:  Cate Bogue

Photo Credit:  Cate Bogue

The oysters were just the right size with a mustard remoulade topped with jalapeno peppers - perfect!  






And the ricotta stuffed zucchini blossoms were creamy and yummy atop a bed of wonderful heirloom tomatoes and field peas.  So good! 






An image of the menu when we were there:

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Our entree choices were Veal Schnitzel (a new menu item-breaded veal cutlet with heirloom tomatoes and an arugula salad with shaved parmesan):

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

The veal was good and had a nice flavor, but I've had better.  The breading was a bit heavy for me, and the veal was slightly chewy.  But I loved the tomatoes and salad accompanying the veal.








Short Ribs 

Painted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Ribcipollini shiitake tender carrots truffle whipped potatoesPainted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Rib

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

The short ribs were my husband's choice for dinner, and we were fighting him for a bite.  Every bite was a taste explosion, and the short ribs were tender and not fatty at all.  Loved!

And the filet (Center Cut Corn Fed Angus Beef Filet Mignon
fingerlings romano beans shiitakes pear tomatoes tarragon shallot sauce):

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

My filet was cooked exactly as ordered (medium), and the tarragon shallot sauce was rich and delicious.  I didn't care for the barely cooked red and yellow peppers atop, however the yellow squash was wonderful.

We also enjoyed a bottle of my favorite Malbec (Susanna Balbo) with our dinner:

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

We decided we HAD to try the Valrhona Chocolate dessert, and it did not disappoint!  Valrhona is a French luxury chocolate from Lyon, France, and it is spectacular.

Valrhona Chocolate Cream Pie

chocolate sauce soft whipped cream

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

I had to show both sides of the dessert, as the three chocolate puddles were the best part! 









All in all it was a great dining experience.  It is definitely pricey, but for a special occasion (such as seeing our daughter off for her Senior year at college), I'd recommend it highly.  The food and service are outstanding!



Enjoying drinks in Aria's lounge before dinner:

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue

Next up:  Antica Posta