Local Food

Uncle Jack’s Meat House – Peachtree Corners

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 1 Comment

In a year where we’re continually hearing news of businesses closing, it’s quite exciting to celebrate an opening! 

New York restaurateur, William Degel is opening the doors to his third metro-Atlanta eatery, tonight in the rapidly growing community of Peachtree Corners.  It’s taken three years to make this day happen, but it’s definitely worth the wait for the newest addition to the Uncle Jack’s family!

Last week Audley and I were invited out for the soft opening where we were delighted with a fantastic taste of what’s in store for diners.  Executive chef, Dylan Temple, has helped create a menu that will leave you salivating for more! 

Uncle Jack’s uses a farm to table mentality and employs local ingredients whenever and where ever possible.  I don’t know where to really begin, but definitely start your evening off with the tender and flavorful lamb lollipops coated in Dijon mustard and panko, or the crispy pork belly “chicharrons” that will give your taste buds a kick!  If you prefer something a little “less”, try the Swedish meatballs that combines, ground quality pork, beef, and veal in a house created pan gravy for a savory bite to wet your appetite for more.  If prefer seafood, the Maine lobster and avocado mini tacos are  the northeast meets the south with this delectable meshing of flavor.  Of course no meal is off to the right start without an order of Uncle Jack’s signature Applewood smoked bacon with a chipotle maple glaze served with housemade peanut butter.  Trust me, you have to give these a try!

After waking your taste buds, head on over to the main menu to find a dish that will satisfy even the pickiest of palettes.  Keep things simple by trying the Peachtree Burger, also known as the Duke (influenced by Paul Duke, who has had a huge impact on the growth of Peachtree Corners).  This top quality beef burger is topped with fresh Georgia peach jam, housemade peanut butter, and maple bacon and served on a brioche bun.  Oh y’all, this often carb skipping foodie absolutely loved it!  Its perfect for a midday lunch and will keep you satisfied for hours.  

If it’s steak you are wanting, Uncle Jack’s all natural aged cuts of beef will having you returning time and again for a tender and savory bite.  The 35 Day dry-aged “Fred Flintstone” Longbone is Audley’s absolute favorite, but I really enjoyed the tender and juicy cut of the NY Strip.  There are sauces you can top these with, but I savor the flavor of a good steak; no sauce needed.

If you have room (and I suggest you try), you must indulge in dessert.  From the simple ‘Baking Bad’ cookie trio consisting of a Peanut Butter Maple Bacon Cookie, Lemon Marshmallow Cookie, AND Nutella Stuffed Chocolate Cookie to the Fudge Brownie Soufflé, you cannot go wrong.  

The Uncle Jack’s experience is as much about the decor as it is the food, which create the perfect atmosphere for an upscale yet casual night out. 

“Uncle Jack’s has the look and feel of a 1900s building in New York’s Meatpacking District, complete with aged cement, raw vintage steel, subway tile, meat hooks, custom wallpaper featuring archival butcher photos, and flying pigs and steer heads mounted on the walls. The tufted and red vinyl seating, marble bar tops with old school bar styling mixed in and outdoor fire pit lounge areas provide a pop of sophistication while also reinforcing the vintage theme.”  The Peachtree location also has a 16-person suite you can reserve for private parties that was named after former wrestling icon, Ric Flair.

Uncle Jack’s Meat House Peachtree Corners is accepting limited reservations through their website or by calling 470-532-1010

Check it out and let me know what you think!  

Uncle Jack’s Meat ‘House – Peachtree Corners

5222 Peachtree Pkwy. Ste 920 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092

(470) 532-1010

 

McCray’s Tavern East Cobb; A Review

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / Leave a comment

Last weekend Tammie and I enjoyed a fabulous dinner out in Marietta at McCray’s Tavern and Pour House. Since moving to the northwest-side of Atlanta over the summer I’ve not been out much to see what all the area has to offer, so I was excited to go to dinner… and who doesn’t love a girlfriend’s night out?!

This was not my first visit to McCray’s; they have four locations throughout metro Atlanta and I have eaten (and thoroughly enjoyed my visit) at the location in Lawrenceville. McCray’s East Cobb is brand new, braving the coronapocalypse to open this year!

With a new chef on board, McCray’s is showcasing a modern twist on old tavern fare with a new menu, exciting original cocktails and local craft beers. McCray’s has also reached out to local sources for beef, chicken and even bringing in seafood from the Gulf for the freshest and tastiest of menus.

McCray’s East Cobb creates a modern but inviting atmosphere and is family friendly. If you want to catch the latest televised sporting event, McCray’s has you covered with flat screen tv’s conveniently placed where everyone can watch! Our server was delightful and the food was absolutely delicious!

For appetizers Tammie enjoyed a grilled shrimp salad while I savored the tuna tartare.

For our entrees Tammie tackled the double cut pork chop with mashed potatoes and green beans.

I went with traditional tavern fare and enjoyed the “Tavern Dip” (prime rib, horseradish cream, caramelized onions and au jus) and fries.

We were so satisfied … ok, we were stuffed … with just dinner, but enjoyed dessert anyway; splitting the Creme Brûlée with berries.

McCray’s East Cobb will definitely be a restaurant I’ll return to in the future, and soon, as they are hosting Sips & Stogies on October 22!  Audley says make reservations, so I’m looking forward to date night as well! You can make your own reservation for Sips & Stogies by clicking here.

If you’re on the northwest side of Atlanta, or just passing through looking for good food in a welcoming environment, definitely visit McCray’s!

Make a reservation at 404-800-3553 and check out McCray’s today!

4880 Lower Roswell Road, Ste 850

Marietta, Georgia 30968

Get Your Foodie Fix on Route 66

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / 1 Comment

Happy Foodie Friday y’all!

A few weeks back as we traveled out to Missouri to see Bradley, we left plenty of time in our schedule for dawdling and meandering the back roads. Now traveling through the Ozark Mountains was beautiful, but as soon as it was possible we hopped over to travel the historic Route 66 for a little time travel.

We passed old signage and motels and roadside parks; remnants of an era that has been pushed aside in the name of progress, but we also passed trough towns where folks are trying to preserve this historic highway.

The FourWay Cuba Missouri / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

Family owned and operated The FourWay is a former filling station on the Mother Road that has been turned into a local and absolutely delightful diner.

The FourWay Rote 66 / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

I’ll get to the food in a minute, but we must talk history first!

Historic Route 66 Marker / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

First built in 1932, the Phillips 66 station owned by Paul T Carr was in the ideal location right on Route 66 as people traveled from Chicago towards Cali. It would have been a full-service station back in the day where attendants would pump your gas, wash the windows and even grab you a map if you asked.

Via Google Images

A whole different experience than we have now.

After Mr Carr passed in the mid-1960’s, the station was bought by the Wallis family and turned into a Mobil gas station and the offices for their new oil company venture. The Wallis family outgrew the little filling station and it sat empty for a while after a brief stint as a bakery. In 2005 with the help of a preservation grant for Route 66 history and using resources from the archives of Phillips 66 oil company, the outside of the building was restored to its original cottage appearance. Despite the renovation It sat empty until 2015, when an interior restoration was started. This time the historic gas station became the home of The FourWay Restaurant; a Mediterranean themed restaurant with a Missouri twist owned by restaurant veteran, Joanie Weir.

The FourWay Mural / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

The FourWay Dining Room / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

We arrived to this cozy spot for a late lunch and a quiet restaurant, which is perfect when you’re wanting to pull your camera out at lunch and don’t want to feel judged. It was a weekday and 2:00 pm, so I didn’t expect a crowd. Our waitress was sweet as could be and seated us by the window where we could enjoy the gorgeous day while we dined.

The FourWay Menu / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

We started off our meal with the FourWay Fries… steak fries topped with feta, tzatziki and a house made hot sauce. Sounds weird, but it was just delicious!

FourWay Fries / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

Since it was just lunchtime, and we still had traveling to do, we didn’t get too crazy with ordering.

Madeline and Audley both chose the Leroy burger, adding cheese and bacon, while I had a fantastic BLT sandwich.

The FourWay Leroy Burger / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

The FourWay Burger / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

The FourWay BLT / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

BLT / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

All of the ingredients are fresh and local when possible. BTW… the house pickles are fantastic!! We were so full from lunch we couldn’t order dessert. It was so hard to say no.

I loved the eclectic decor of the FourWay; the food pairs with it perfectly. A simple menu; a simply decorated restaurant. A meal that reminds you of home; cozy decor that doesn’t make you feel out of touch.

The FourWay Decor / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

 

Window Views from the FourWay / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

The FourWay / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

If you’re traveling through Missouri, venture off the interstate into Cuba and check out the FourWay. You’ll love the glimpse of history in this progressive world.

The FourWay

102 W. Washington Ave.

Cuba, Missouri

 

A Haute Cookie in Historic Grant Park

/ Fiddle Dee Dee / Leave a comment

There are two things I simply adore and seek out when it comes to places we have lived over the years: a community that is restoring and rebuilding, and a great local food scene.

The latter is my favorite.

The Grant Park area of Atlanta (named for the city’s oldest park) is a community that has worked hard to revitalize itself after years of neglect. I remember as a little girl this wasn’t a place we visited at all, but oh how times have changed!

The Beacon at Grant Park / Oh FIddle Dee Dee

Yesterday I had the opportunity to venture out to the Grant Park neighborhood to check out a delicious “new venture”, A Haute Cookie — A Luxury Cookie Boutique, as it celebrated its grand opening.

A Haute Cookie / oh Fiddle Dee Dee

Old neighborhood full of Victorian architecture

+ local food

= the perfect afternoon out!

A Haute Cookie Luxury Cookie Boutique / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

I say A Haute Cookie is “new”, but in reality it’s the continuation of a journey from owner Shiana White who has combined her love of fashion and homemade cookies to create a beautiful business! The idea for this grand venture began in her kitchen while having milk and cookies with her kids after a horrible breakup.

Sometimes kids inspire us with the best ideas!

From her kitchen to food truck where Shiana baked cookies and prepared ice cream sandwiches onboard, the opening of A Haute Cookie as a brick and mortar shop at the Beacon in Grant Park is the culmination of a dream come true.

Shiana White - A Haute Cookie / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

A Haute Cookie Preview / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

So what did I try?

More than I should have (thank goodness for a gym sesh with my trainer shortly after), but I had no regrets.

Red Velvet Oreo- Strawberry-Chocolate Chunk / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

The first bite of cookie I tasted was the strawberry cookie. It was moist, flavorful and gone so fast that I had to get a second opinion!

Y’all strawberries were harmed in the making of this cookie and it was so good.

Strawberry Cookie - a Haute Cookie / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

A Haute Cookie Display

So were the chocolate chunk, red velvet Oreo, simple sugar, toffee and peanut butter cookies.

Ice Cream Sandwich - A Haute Cookie / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

As if I wasn’t on a sugar high, I indulged in an ice cream sandwich with rich vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two of Shiana’s chocolate chunk cookies.

A Haute Cookie treats / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

I washed it down with a cookie milkshake.

Shiana utilizes the freshest quality and organic ingredients to make her creations in-house. Besides cookies you can taste frozen treats, brownie pie, and edible cookie dough in an assortment of flavors, including the delicious white chocolate, cranberry, with orange zest dough.

Edible Cookie Dough / Oh Fiddle Dee Dee

A Haute Cookie also offers vegan and gluten-free varieties as well.

You can also have A Haute Cookie host your birthday party, a girl’s night out and classes in their private kitchen. Each participant leaves class with a box of cookies and a spatula.

Shiana plans to continue running her food truck for festivals, parties and weddings, but head out to her new shop and show some love!

You can find A Haute Cookie at

The Beacon Atlanta; 1039 Grant Street, Suite B17.

Parking is free.

A Haute Cookie