Tin Drum

Tin Drum Lindbergh
Sydney Marcus
3/5 Rating

Went to Tin Drum for lunch today. It was a standard, counter-order but table-served lunch. It's a simple place to go when it's convenient and no one wants to make any decisions.

Phili had the Pad-Woon-Sen and I had the Katsu Curry. I have had better Katsu Curry (at Japanese restaurants - one in particular that I worked at - Koi). Omigosh,Katsu Curry for makenai (meal after or before working) is so yummy. Anyway, the meal for two was around 18 - 21 after tip. So, a meal with a drink is between 8-10/person + tip (if you choose).

I got a Thai Tea, and he got a water. Normally, we'll just share the drinks - more cost effective since we usually enjoy the same type of drinks.

During this occasion (I have been to Tin Drum a number of times), we dined at the Lindbergh location (http://www.tindrumcafe.net/menu.html). I have been to Tin Drum Dunwoody, Lindbergh, & Atl Station. I think Dunwoody is the best.

Only true disappointment was a hair found in Phili's Pad-Woon-Sen. Though, all of the cooks appeared to be wearing hats (it's an open kitchen). One guy had a pretty bushy mustache though. The manager was notified. We got a manager-written coupon for one free meal upon the next visit to that location.

Anyway, I give this place a 3/5 rating.

Pad-Woon-Sen

+ the hair

Katsu Curry 

oh Sriracha, you are amazing (in bed - har har).

... end. til our next adventure, food-loving friends ^^

... i don't always go out to eat

On Tuesday afternoon, for lunch, I made a sandwich and had a small bowl (rice-bowl) 1/3rd filled of blueberries and a banana.

... it was yummy. and healthy.

Nakato Japanese Restaurant

Nakato Japanese Restaurant is by far my favorite for Japanese cuisine in Atlanta, GA. It is a must try if you have never been. I actually live just down the road from here. I give them a 5/5 rating. I have frequented this restaurant many times and I have never been disappointed. Though, it is on the pricey side - it's a great place to go to for authenticity and fun. Dine on the traditional/washoku side for some creatively authentic Japanese food or on the hibachi side for an exciting show with a meal that will treat your palate. 

The pictures will walk you through our Valentine's dinner tonight at Nakato.

1776 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

From their ever-changing specials menu - veggie fries! 

One of my very favorites - Soba Salad with Quail egg.

hmmm this sashimi was melt-in-your mouth delicious!

Chu-toro: Medium-fatty Tuna

my favorite! - Sake - Fresh Salmon

White Tuna

 

Special entree - Sea & Land - Seabass & Filet Mignon

with a few other extra goodies - Croquettes, Veggies, Spaghetti.

 

(: happy endings :)

Thank you for wonderful Valentine dinner, Nakato 

 

This is the Washoku side. We are sitting at the sushi bar. 

Featured chef here is Kaki-san.

... all in all, Phili and I were again very satisfied for dinner. Nakato is and has never been a disappointment.

Happy Valentine's Day to all and to all a goodnight!

happy valentine's day

Today is St. Valentine's Day. What does that mean? People are going to go out and spend a lot of money; people, mostly men, who are trying to spend enough money to stay out of the doghouse or off of the couch tonight. Others are trying to muster up enough creativity to do something other than the usual roses and candy. My roommate, with the help of her two best friends, is cooking dinner for them. That's cute.

Today, I'm not feeling well. Otherwise, I would be desiring to cook something different or eat something new. Im finding it hard enough to think about food right now.

At least, he's sitting right next to me while I'm getting through it.

Anyway, eat something good tonight! All I want is dessert for some reason.

Strawberry Mousse, 4/5 rating
White Windmill
5881 Buford Hwy NW
Doraville, GA 30340

Strawberry Tart, 5/5 rating
Champagne Bakery
Los Angeles, CA on Sunset Blvd

Red Velvet, Lemon, Boston Cream, & Carrot Cake
Cupcakes!
3/5 rating
Highland Bakery, Midtown

end.

12/13 Sunday, adventures to Purple Rain

googled this image. i give this restaurant a 2/5 rating.

with Phili, capturing the bamboo roof. it's about the only thing i liked about it.

Though, the ambience was very nice, incredible lighting. I'm sure it would be a hot spot for lounging and night life, if you want an overpriced and overhyped night on the town in good ol' Gwinnett County's city of Duluth. In fact, I'm not even sure it's a well-hyped place. Phili and I have heard stories of a not-so-bright future for this place. We wanted to try it before it failed.  It sits in the old location of The Pool Room, across the street from the Olive Garden and Barnacles. Also in the area of Wild Bill's, Hooters, and 24-H Jeju Sauna.

If it wasn't for its presentation of food, and ambience, I would have given it a 1/5 rating. We went for brunch. I ordered the Lobster Benedict (i was thinking $10 for a lobster tail???) and a side of Stone-ground Grits. He ordered Steak & Eggs. Initially the waitress told us that the kitchen was out of steak for the steak and eggs, so he had to go with his second choice, Vegetable Omelet. However, when the food came out, the waitress brought him steak and eggs. She told him, "oh! we had one more steak left." Okay, but... you failed to tell us that you changed the order. He had his mind made up about the omelet, but you brought out the steak and eggs, which was a fail because it was barely a 3oz NY strip with an egg (that was ordered sunny-side up, but came over-medium), sitting on a measly piece of toasted, overly buttered quarter inch slice of baguette. Funny fact, the couple behind us ordered the steak and eggs as well, but left due to the lack of steak. They paid for their drinks and left with disappointed looks on their faces.

Oh, so while we were waiting for our food, Phili noticed a strand of very long hair somehow tied into the cloth napkin. He pulled the hair out of the napkin, it appeared to be at least 2feet worth of hair. FAIL.

My lobster benedict was TINY. The lobster tail was as long as my middle finger (i have small hands). I rec'd half an english muffin. It was yummy, I'll give it that, but I was not full after I finished. I will say that the side of simple stone-ground grits were fine. Just fine. Nothing extraordinary. 

The final fail was my order of Vietnamese ICED coffee. The coffee came out, UN-ICED. I asked about that, and the waitress said, "oh, we serve our coffee like this... (in a tea/coffee cup)". granted, the coffee was strong like that of Vietnamese coffee, there was condensed milk, but I was still expecting ICED coffee. I even pointed at the menu upon ordering and I stated, ICED coffee. Please explain to me why you let me expect ICED coffee, and you served me UN-ICED lukewarm coffee. AND it was supposed to be french-pressed (as stated on the menu). 

SO DISAPPOINTED.

steak and eggs

Lobster Benedict... rip-off

nice ambiance 

we weren't even full... this is uberly overpriced.

face of disappointment and indifference

clearly disappointed

 *pictures taken with a 3.2mp camera phone, Blackberry Bold.


Final notes: not worth going to unless you want to be ripped off and leave hungry. Or if you just want to impress a girl with fancy ambience.

Saturday 02/12 - Shoya Izakaya & The Frosty Caboose

4/5 rating for Shoya Izakaya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izakaya) and Sushi Bar

On Saturday, 02/12, for dinner, Phili and I made it out to Shoya (http://www.shoyaatlanta.com/) in Dekalb County. Location is in a very bare, dying plaza containing few notable stores. The most notable stores are H-mart and Brandsmart, then nestled somewhere in between those two large corporates is Shoya - a very traditional Japanese restaurant. It was his second time, and my fourth time to this restaurant. We had a pleasant time. I like to order a la carte (single orders of small plates). The menu at this restaurant is styled a la carte anyway. The service was okay, but it was also a busy night. I called around 4p to find out if it was going to be busy (since it's Valentine weekend). A woman, speaking broken English, answered the phone and told me that reservations after 7pm were going to keep the restaurant busy, so I should show up between 6 and 7p. So, we did. The only seating that was available were sushi bar or outdoor insulated patio (temperature was in the high 30s this night). We sat at the sushi bar. Our o-cha (hot tea) was only refilled twice within the one hour that we were sitting and eating.

We ordered the beef yanagawa plate (i failed to get a picture because i was hungry and i jumped at eating). It was a dish of sukiyaki (sweet sauce) beef, mushrooms, onions, and egg stir-fried in a "special" sauce. I'd give it a 3/5 rating as far as palate goes, and 3/5 rating as far as presentation goes. Average for the usual Japanese food I order.

this is a sample picture of the Beef Yanagawa that I googled

Other food we ate - dynamite oyster, umaki egg, spicy scallop R, green dynamite R. Pictures as follows:

Dynamite Oysters, 4/5 rating

had to google this too because i forgot to nab a picture of Shoya's Umaki egg (eel in an egg omelet), 3/5 rating

Green Dynamite R, 3/5 rating

Spicy Scallop R, 3/5 rating

 If you've never been to Shoya, try it at least once. The menu is extensive and there's so much more to order. Some of my favorite items, from any Japanese restaurant, are the Hamachi Kama, Ika Maruyaki, the Kushiyaki Sampler, and wasabi Shumai. Googled images below.

Hamachi Kama (grilled Yellowtail Cheek)

Ika Maruyaki (grilled squid with special sauce)

Kushiyaki Sampler (skewers of seafood/meat in teriyaki sauce)

Wasabi Shumai (wasabi flavored pork dumplings)

Afterward, we went about 1.5mi down Peachtree Rd to The Frosty Caboose (http://www.frostycaboose.com/). Mostly serves ice cream of the Greenwood brand (http://greenwoodicecream.com/), which is my favorite corporate/restaurant brand of ice cream. I always get one scoop of green tea ice cream in a waffle cone. It gets a 5/5 rating as far as ice cream goes. 3/5 for ambiance -you have to eat the ice cream in your car in the winter because it's an outdoor-styled venue - no indoor seating available! But it's cute because it's a little red caboose that has a window that you order from. Located in Old Downtown Chamblee, just down the road from a district of antique shops. This is a very park and walk area for a nice sunny early spring/late winter day in Metro-Atlanta. This place has been open since May 2009, but I just discovered it sometime in November 2010. Incredible...

yummy green tea

been meaning to start a food blog

... so, here i am.

will keep you updated on my food adventures. i promise.

@ Pinkberry in Marietta for the first time. It was a fail, even though I really enjoyed the Pinkberry in Los Angeles.