Miso Izakaya - Better than Ever

Bun selection - crispy duck and pork belly - these alone are reason enough to visit Miso Izakaya - but many more delicious options are available as well.

Black Edamame.

Back in early June I was invited for a sampling of Miso Izakaya's new menu. I'd dined at Miso about a year ago with a review here, but things have changed for the better since my earlier review. The sushi is now outstanding and the buns are drool-worthy - the pork belly and crispy duck buns disappeared from our table in no time at all. We tremendously enjoyed just about everything we tried and plan to go back very soon. I love that Edgewood Ave. continues to improve its dining scene. Miso Izakaya is definitely worth checking out.

Delicious drinks - selections change seasonally but definitely enjoyed the creative cocktail list and extensive beer list.

Tuna Tartare - spicy with a quail egg on top - yum!

Pressed sushi in the Osaka style - delicious and no seaweed.

Baked mussels - one of the only disappointments; I think the mussels were a bit overcooked.

Spicy glazed Eggplant.

Kyoto Lamb Chop: madras curry with infused lemongrass marinade - another great option.

Tuna roll and salmon sashimi. The sashimi = awesome and salmon is my favorite. Calvin is not usually blown away by sushi but he was amazed by this salmon also.

Seared scallops with sweet creamed corn - one of my favorite dishes.

Lovely Exterior.

Excellent Green Tea Creme Brulee.

Cafe at Pharr Update - Still Delicious and a Lunch Favorite

Trio of chicken salads. I like it when I can share the curry and walnut.

I was invited by fellow blogger Malika to sample the delicious and healthy lunch options from Cafe at Pharr with her a few weeks ago at the original location on Pharr Road - see Malika's post here. I've posted about this place before here and it is still as good as ever! We spoke with owner, Johnny, about the cafe's growth and including additional locations in Buckhead and Brookhaven.

The croissant is heavenly! And those yogurt rolls still hit the spot - just the right touch of sweetness to finish off the meal. everything here is so fresh - that's why I love it! The chocolate chip cookies are great, too.

Curry chicken salad sandwich on fresh bread.

Sheik Burritos n Kabobs

Camelback on Persian flatbread and shrimp tacos.

Sheik Burritos n Kabobs is a relatively new and very unique dining establishment on Piedmont, not far from the Cheshire Bridge split. The concept combines Southwest with Middle Eastern, an interesting combination to say the least! What I like: owner Jahan Ostad's laid back, jovial personality, the feast-n-june sauce - composed of slightly sweet pomegranate and ground walnuts with julienned carrots, the Chic eggplant dip and the use of organic and local meat. I also really loved the Persian flat bread on my first visit, but the second time around it tasted too chewy and not so fresh. I am also not really digging the chips with hummus and would prefer something more like pita bread be served with the dips. Still, this place is definitely worth checking out; I understand they do a steady lunch and takeout business as well. Catering is also available.

Hummus & chips.

High Cotton Bakery

Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Chip Cookie and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie from High Cotton Bakery.

Recently entrepreneur Virginia Abell, operator of High Cotton Bakery, invited me to try her home baked goodies, currently being sold at the Irwin Street Market. I arrived on a Sunday morning, hungry for something to go with my morning coffee. The blueberry muffin is truly outstanding - very moist, with just the right amount of texture on the top and juicy blueberries throughout. It didn't hurt that is came out of the oven minutes earlier. I also enjoyed the cookies, especially the chocolate chip. If you're a raisin lover you'll love Virginia's oatmeal cookies, too. High Cotton Bakery is currently interested in selling baked goods to businesses and at other retail locations, including a Muffin Luvin' combo, including a muffin, fruit or yogurt delivered to your office. If you are interested please contact Virginia at virginia.abell@gmail.com, visit the Muffin Luvin' blog or look for her on Twitter as HighCotton_ATL.

Canada O' Canada - May Toronto Trip

Pure bliss - a Toronto Hot Dog from the cart - with fries.

Back in May Calvin and I traveled to Toronto for a wonderful extended weekend for a family wedding. We stayed at the awesome Fairmont Royal York Hotel, which reminded me of what I think it would have been like to stay on The Titanic. The wedding was held at the hotel and was gorgeous. See below for a photo-log.

Shabbat Dinner at our cousin's house.



St. Lawrence Market goodness: St. Urbain Bagel. These bagels are nothing like what we get in the south: warm, chewy, with a very unique taste - there's really nothing like it!

Indian Buffet in India town.





Delicious Naan.

Greek dips at the night-before-the-wedding dinner.





Greek Salad.



Chicken kabob.

Restaurant atop the famous CN Tower.

Frittata.



Quiche with salad and sweet potato fries.



Fish from the lake!



Salmon - not from the lake!



Chocolate mousse.



The family at brunch, high up in the sky.

Fabulous dessert at the wedding dinner.



Famous ice cream shop.



We tried roasted marshmallow, sweet cream, cardamom and lemon merigue.

BEFORE



AFTER

Salt and Pepper Calamari.

Crepe and croissant-wich at a cute place near our hotel - can't remember the name!

Omelet and toast with fruit.