A Brand New Best Dish List
Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!! This was a big week for the food adventurer in me because Creative Loafing announced their bi-annual 100 Best Dish List. The printed issue will be around for a week or so if you're in the area, or you can find it here.
As you know, I love this little treasure hunt and have tracked down 80+ dishes each time the list is published. Of course, I intend to do the same this time.
Why the madness?
Let me explain.
Like anyone, I can be a creature of habit. When I find a great dish with a wonderful taste, I want to order it repeatedly. If you've ever been with me to Houston's, you know I will order the veggie burger because - - well, I mean, have you HAD the Houston's veggie burger? (Oh my! You need to get one! SERIOUSLY the best. But I digress...) However, I also like adventures, challenges, and scavenger hunts, so why NOT throw an arbitrary assortment of pre-screened dishes into the eating rotation?
And so, here we go again!
But first I thought it would be helpful to let you know what I've already reviewed in case you want to begin with an accurate starting point or read my earlier reviews.
Breakfast & Brunch - these are all new categories for me, though I've sampled their items from Revolution Doughnuts and Little Tart Bake Shop. I enjoyed both of them, but the croissant at Little Tart was especially memorable.
Desserts & Sweets - There's only two new locations for me in the new list (Cookie Studio & LottaFrutta), but all of the actual dishes are otherwise new. I'm most excited about trying Trio at Jenni's Ice Cream since I welcome any excuse to drop by!
Ethnic Eats - This is the strangest bucket for me because the options in ethnic dishes from previous lists were more robust. Plus, one item on the list is chicken nuggets at Quickly Bubble Tea. Hmmm. This seems odd, but I'm going to keep an open mind. There's also an item in this section from a spot where I got a terrible case of food poisoning (I will skip that list item!). We'll see...
Meat Entrees - While I was sad the fried chicken from The Bishop wasn't on the new list (still my favorite), at least they have the pork ribs from Fox Bros. Otherwise the options are wide open for me. Yay!
Meatless Entrees - I understand why Houston's veggie burger doesn't qualify, since it's a chain, but since the Study in Vegetable at Cockentrice is included, I won't quibble; that veggie plate is absolutely exceptional! I'm also excited about the inclusion of Bocado's Grilled Cheese, which I've been tempted to order but never have.
Pasta, Pizza, and Noodles - I'm already a third of the way through these items since I love me some carbs. Woot!! Still, I was shocked that I hadn't heard about the Drunken Noodles at Little Bangkok. I am a LB regular, but clearly the creature of habit thing reared its ugly head!! Next week I'll describe one dish in detail, but I couldn't agree more with their selection of Holeman and Finch Carbonara and the 20-yolk tagliatelle at BoccaLupo.
Salads - there are only four salad items on the list which is sad, sad, sad. Atlanta may have fabulous restaurants, but it's no salad town. Still, I haven't had any of them, so there's nothing but upside in this section.
Sandwiches, Burger, and Buns - 11 items on the list and all are new for me. I'm not sure how a taco (or two?) falls into this category, but I'll go with it.
Seafood - The folks at The Optimist have to be feeling a little snubbed for having zero entrants this year, but since the oysters at Kimball House are included, all is well in the world.
Small Plates & Sides - This category is one of my favorites and almost everything is new. They have a catch-all for "sides" at Wrecking Bar Brewpub, which makes sense - the sides are universally scrumptious.
Soups - Only three soup items this year and one of them is the Pho at Pho Dai Loi 2 which is absolutely list worthy. Also excited about a visit to Haru Ichiban and Rincon Latino, always solid eats.
I can hardly wait.
To all of my Atlanta eating buddies, both virtual and live, loosen those belts because it's about to get fun!