Eric "WeirdGuy" B.'s Profile

If you're ever in the greater Cincinnati area, on the Kentucky side of the river in Fort Mitchell, you have to try the Grandview Tavern & Grille. Managed by Matthew Haws, the Grandview has recently acquired Executive Chef, Mike Nelsen. All I can say is, "Good job!" Mike has revamped the menu and brought new life and new flavors to the establishment.

On this particular evening I was there for dinner with some good friends. When we looked at the menu we saw the selections of salads, entrees, and desserts were creative and would satisfy the most discriminating palette.

The Food
I started with the Salmon Salad although the Warm Goat Cheese Salad did catch my eye also. The Salmon Salad included peaches, candied pecans, tomato, gorgonzola cheese, and Italian vinaigrette. The blend of flavors was very well balanced. Personally, I would have preferred a little more salmon but the melody of taste would have been unbalanced. Overall, a very good salad that I would recommend. Other salads to choose from are: Caesar, Nicoise, Cobb, and Black & Bleu.

Dinner entrees at the Grandview Tavern range from Tavern Meatloaf to Pasta Diavolo and for fish lovers from Pistachio Crusted Tilapia to Shrimp and Scallop Scampi. I had the Pasta Diavolo. It consisted of blackened shrimp and steamed mussels in a spicy tomato sauce over roasted red pepper papardelle pasta with spinach, and served with a parmesan toast point. At this point, I was slightly surprised. The dish was not as flavorful as I had expected. I expected the blackened shrimp to add a spicy "bite" to the dish. Instead it was all rather bland. Whereas with the salad I could taste the various ingredients, this pasta dish had no variety.

"What about the grille," you may ask? For those of you craving meat from the grille, Grandview offers the standard fare: Ribeye, New York Strip, and Filet Mignon.

The Atmosphere
If you visit the Web site you will see that the interior of the Grandview is warm and inviting. The ambient lighting is just right. Believe me, I have been in some establishments where it seems the light is turned low because they do not want you to see what you're eating.

During warmer seasons the Grandview sports a patio that they open to patrons. Recently refurbished, the patio is spacious and relatively quiet allowing you to enjoy the company you're dining with.

Overall
In spite of some of my disappointments, I would still recommend the Grandview. With the many menu items you are bound to find a favorite that will keep you coming back for more. For those of you who like trying something new, the menu offers the variety you will crave. The pricing is about what you'd expect -- salads around $11, entrees around $25, and grille items around $28. The service is friendly and timely and Matthew Haws will listen to your thoughts and comments regarding any of the dishes. With the new management and Chef, I feel the Grandview can only get better and better.

Enjoy!

Tucked away in the 2nd floor corner of Buckhead's Andres Square Shopping Center is Stout Irish Sports Pub - a great little pub with a lot to offer.

I first learned of Stout while on Facebook. You see, I had been looking for more authentic pub-type establishments as a result of my regular work-related visits to Covington, KY. Lots of great establishments there (see Cock & Bull, The Pub, and Molly Malones) but nothing quite like it in the ATL, until now. The ad beckoned me to register for a FREE pint and lunch entrée. How could I resist? I called a business friend, told him about the offer, suggested he register too, and meet me there to talk about work opportunities.

The lunch crowd was pretty sparse on this particular day, yet that allowed me see the layout. Wooden floors, high-boy tables, and booths adorn much of Stout. The atmosphere calls, "come in, sit down, relax with some friends and have a pint!" Of course, the "sports" aspect is there as well with flat-screen monitors running the latest from ESPN and other sports channels.

Beers
The L-shaped bar has a good selection of Irish and English beers on draft, such as:

   * Guinness Stout
   * Beamish Irish Stout
   * Bass Pale Ale
   * Boddingtons Pub Ale
   * Harp Lager
   * Newcastle Brown Ale
   * Smithwicks Ale
   * Strongbow Cider

A large assortment of bottled beers will appease those with other fancies. Beers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico and more average $3-$5 a bottle. Also, if you're willing to write a big check, you can join the Stout Beer Club. $120 gets you a personalized mug and a free beer for the entire year.

   Addition: I forgot to mention, Stout now offers Yuengling. The Lager and Black & Tan are my favorites. Straight from America's oldest brewery.

Pub Fare
The food is about what you'd expect from a pub. Sausages, potatoes, fish, and chips are easily available. Stout also offers a few other morsels like:

   * Irish Whiskey Wings
   * Stout Burger
   * Rueben
   * Chicken Salad Sandwich

Most everything on the menu is $6. Not a bad price at all.

I had the Bangers & Mash and a pint of Smithwicks. My friend had Bangers & Mash and a Guinness. Our hostess was accommodating and friendly. Overall, we had a great time!

So, bottom line, would I recommend Stout Irish Sports Pub? By all means yes. Good service, good food, even pricing, and fun atmosphere make return trips a must. Oh, and did I mention, $1 drafts always!

My only question: is it an Irish Sports Pub or an Irish Sports Pub?

Hope to see you there.

Want a quickie? That was the feeling I got after recently visiting Happy Sumo for my birthday. It must have been the feeling a lot of other people had too, because many were outside afterward smoking a cigarette. Although, it could have been to get the bad taste out of their mouth's.

But, I regress. Let me start from the beginning. I have been to Japan, studied Japanese, and know the difference between Americanized-Japanese food and the real thing. I know this is not Japan but I appreciate finding good food for a good price in a good atmosphere with good service. Happy Sumo did not come through.

The interior/exterior is about what you'd expect of a typical U.S. Japanese Steak House. Decor and music try to create a pseudo-oriental ambiance. Tables, tatami rooms, and hibachi grills packed with people.

So we go in and get seated at a hibachi grill. Swish-swish-clank, swish-swish-clank, swish-swish-clank come the sounds of the server whisking around the table and dropping off the warm towelettes. No sooner had we wiped our hands than a second round of swish-swish-pock, swish-swish-pock, as the towelettes were gathered up and a cup of Miso soup plopped down in front of everyone.

Shortly after that our orders were taken followed by a scurrying of wheels as the chef rolled up to the table for tonights entertainment. Ting-tah-tingtingting followed by a whoosh of flame and then more ting-tinging. Everything about the meal was hurried and rushed. The kids loved it -- they have very short attention spans. The adults, however, never really got a chance to enjoy the evening. No sooner had the chef wheeled away to his next table than the owner (?) came by and asked if there would be anything else. We said, "no thank you" as myself and friends were finishing up dinner and preparing to visit and open some unexpected cards and gifts. Suddenly, the owner (?) came back to the table with the check and asked us to leave the table so others could sit down.

That was a first!

I do not think I have EVER been to a restaurant in any country where I was asked to get moving because there was a line outside. If the establishment is good, a customer is willing to wait -- thus the concept of a "wait time."

This told me a lot about the priorities of Happy Sumo. It was not for the benefit of the waiting customers, because I am sure they were hurried through their meal experience as well. This was more about the money and turning tables, which frankly left a bad taste in mouth. As a result, I will not be back or recommend this restaurant.

Happy Sumo -- I think not.

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

I just got back this evening from a networking event at Eclipse di Luna, the Tapas Bar in the Dunwoody area of Atlanta. I must say I am definitely a fan of the food.

Tapas are snacks, canapés or finger foods. Tapas can be anything from a chunk of tuna, cocktail onion, and an olive skewered on a long toothpick to meat with sauce served piping hot. They are served day in and day out in every bar and café in Spain. So much a part of the culture and social scene that the Spanish people invented the verb "tapear" which means, "to go and eat tapas!" (From http://spanishfood.abo...)

The service at Eclipse was good for the type of event I attended. The wait staff was accommodating and quick to assist with any needs. The side room we gathered in was spacious and would suit any large group or event of 20-30 people.

But is it the variety of foods that was most enjoyable. I personally like having numerous items to choose from and then having the ability to come back for the dishes I like or have not tried. The portions are a little larger than bite-size so you will not fill up quickly.

Most everything on the menu is in the $3-5 price range. The prices are low enough to allow you and a friend or spouse to buy three or four items. I recommend:
Pan Catalan
Toasted Ciabatta Bread Toppedwith Tomato, Garlic, & Thyme Purée
Costillas Espanolas
Spanish-style Ribs in Aged Balsamic Vinegar
Pollo con
Spicy Pressed Chicken Thighs with Almond Gazpacho
Queso Frito con Miel
Fried Goat Cheese with Caramelized Onions & Honey
Menestra
Mixed Roasted Vegtables with Olives & Spinach
As for the wine list - you will not be disappointed. Eclipse di Luna has a decent offering of wines that go well with the variety of tapas.

My only disappointment was the design of the restaurant. The high ceiling and tile floor make Eclipse di Luna extremely noisy. It was very hard to have a conversation without screaming. Also, the fact that music was blaring only hindered any decent attempts at meaningful communication. There was a patio outside that buffered the noisy inside, but most people retreated out there to smoke.

Overall, if you're interested in relaxing to music and having a variety of foods to nibble on, Eclipse di Luna Tapas Bar in Dunwoody is for you.

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

Dying for garlic rolls and salad? You will be if you ever get to Scalini's in Marietta, Georgia. A branch of the Provino's Restaurant family, Scalini's dimly lit, dark wood, and dark carpet atmosphere lend itself to a candlelit dinner for you and a special guest. The food is moderately priced and the "bottomless" garlic rolls and salad bowls make up for any portion issues you might have.

The calamari and the artichoke hearts appetizers are two of my favorites, while the Chicken Francese is an excellent addition as an entree. The chicken has a lemon butter and white wine sauce that immediately gets your mouth watering. It is lightly breaded so it does not sit heavy on the stomach. Also, all entrees come with an additional plate of pasta. If you have room for dessert, the Torta Cioccolatto (dense Chocolate Cake) will appease the chocolate-lover within you.

Next time you're visiting Atlanta, let me know. That will give me an excuse to meet you at Scalini's. They can handle moderate and large groups-just call ahead if you have 8 or more. My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner there years ago and Scalini's did a fabulous job.

Homer Simpson might say, "Mmm, fried dough", but I'd say, "Mmm, garlic rolls!"

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog (http://weirdblog.wordp...).

NOTE- Provino's is a sister restaurant to Scalini's. As best as I can tell, the menus are practically the same.

Dying for garlic rolls and salad? You will be if you ever get to Scalini's in Marietta, Georgia. A branch of the Provino's Restaurant family, Scalini's dimly lit, dark wood, and dark carpet atmosphere lend itself to a candlelit dinner for you and a special guest. The food is moderately priced and the "bottomless" garlic rolls and salad bowls make up for any portion issues you might have.

The calamari and the artichoke hearts appetizers are two of my favorites, while the Chicken Francese is an excellent addition as an entree. The chicken has a lemon butter and white wine sauce that immediately gets your mouth watering. It is lightly breaded so it does not sit heavy on the stomach. Also, all entrees come with an additional plate of pasta. If you have room for dessert, the Torta Cioccolatto (dense Chocolate Cake) will appease the chocolate-lover within you.

Next time you're visiting Atlanta, let me know. That will give me an excuse to meet you at Scalini's. They can handle moderate and large groups-just call ahead if you have 8 or more. My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner there years ago and Scalini's did a fabulous job.

Homer Simpson might say, "Mmm, fried dough", but I'd say, "Mmm, garlic rolls!"

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog (http://weirdblog.wordp...).

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

Dailey's holds a soft place in my heart for several reasons. 1) It is the place I celebrated my true loves birthday before we were engaged. 2) The management goes out of their way to make sure your experience is special, and 3) The food is excellent!

Opening their doors in 1981, Dailey's was converted from an old warehouse and it has been a dining hot spot ever since. Located in downtown Atlanta, the restaurant is within walking distance of several hotels.

The Upstairs:
The atmosphere is typical of a converted warehouse -- open and spacious, yet the decor and furnishings are comfortable and close. You'll have no problem focusing on your companion for the meal, and going with someone is a must. When eating with two or more you can try many dishes and tastes. You'll be hard pressed to find a bad item on the menu.

For appetizers I recommend Dailey's Escargot and the California Strudel. The strudel is unique-a blend of cheeses, spinach, and ham baked in a phyllo dough.

For dinner I like the Seared Ahi Tuna and the Grilled Pork Chop. Although, the Pepper Crusted Swordfish is also hard to beat. All of these will keep your mouth watering for more. But, don't fill up too much because you have to leave room for dessert!

One of the more famous aspects of Dailey's is their Dessert Bar. The sweets I have enjoyed are listed:

Gran Marnier Cheesecake- New York style cheesecake flavored with Gran Marnier, topped with homemade whipped cream and served with fresh fruit.

Black & White Cake- Three layer chocolate cake layered with whipped cream and chocolate mousse filling, wrapped with a semi-sweet chocolate shell.

Hummingbird Cake- Three-layer southern spice cake with bananas and pineapples frosted with a cream cheese frosting and chunks of pecans.

So, next time you're in town for a meeting or conference or just looking for a special place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary you have to go to Dailey's. Their service is "second mile" even into the night.

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog (http://weirdblog.wordp...)

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

The Buckhead Life Restaurants are amongst the best in Atlanta. One of the more hip, cool, "d.i.n.k." and "swingle" places to go is Blue Pointe -- a fusion of East meets West. Located in first floor of the Pinnacle Building in Buckhead, Blue Pointe is a happening place for lunch or dinner. It is also a fun place to go out for those special occasions with someone you love.

If you're a people watcher you'll enjoy the dinner scene. The decor of the restaurant is very modern with hints of the Orient. People come to see and be seen but that ambiance does not take away from the meal. Chef Doug Turbush has done an exquisite job of preparing a "feast for the eyes" before it hits the mouth -- very Asian in presentation. And why shouldn't it be? Chef Doug spent time in Thailand pruning his culinary skills.

For dinner I had the Garlic Crab Spring rolls as an appetizer. The entree was the Wok Charred Rare Tuna Steak on a crispy Somen Noodle Cake and it was out of this world!

Amer-Asian FusionDownside: The restaurant is not exactly family-friendly and things can quickly get pricey depending on what you order. All that said, I still highly recommend eating here if you are new to the Atlanta area, on business, or just passing through.

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

Another of the fine Buckhead restaurants is Nava. With the weather getting warmer, Nava is a great place to go by yourself or with friends. Hang out or relax at the fountain-side patio and don't think about the worries of work.

You'll definitely want to check out the interior of Nava. The design is open and inviting Southwestern. The faux pueblo look with wood columns and ceiling add a rustic feel.

The menu is what you would expect with all the Latin fair. However, there are some unique flavorful twists within the menu if you're adventurous and open to new dishes such as:

Starters
The Barbecued Rabbit Tostada
The Masa Crusted Oyster Chalupas

Main Courses
The Mustard Mojo Rubbed Duck Breast
Or the Suncorn Crusted Georges Bank Merluzza

But, do not worry if these sound too exciting for your tastes. Nava offers other chicken, steak, and salmon dishes as well.

Whatever your dinner choice, be sure to leave room for dessert. I love bananas, so my fave is the Roasted Banana Enchilada. Chocolate lovers will want the dark chocolate B&B Cube. If you like something light with citrus, try the Rasberry Creme Brulee or Sorbet sampler.

Nava -- another one of Atlanta's eating treats. Check it out.

NOTE- Whenever I eat at an establishment I look at the following factors: quality of service, quality of food, price of meal, portion sizes, and the restaurant ambiance.

Next time you're in Destin, Florida you have to make sure and visit a local favorite, The Donut Hole. With two locations, one in Santa Rosa Beach and the other right outside Destin. All the donuts are made in-house and we're not talking the fluffy puffy "fresh hot now" full-of-air variety -- we're talking about donuts with substance. The Donut Hole specializes in the delicious rich cakey donuts in many flavors, colors, and coverings. You name it -- chocolate glazed, chocolate covered, sour cream, buttermilk, plain glazed, key lime, plain, creme filled, jelly filled...they aim to please. Yum!

But, don't stop with only the donuts. The Donut Hole is more than a sweet treat. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If breakfast fare is your preference, the Egg Sandwich is one of my choices. For those of you who love fish, the Seafood Omelet is out of this world. None of those float your boat? Try the raisin-walnut French Toast.

If breakfast is not your meal, be sure to try swinging by for lunch or dinner. There are a variety of items to choose from for even the most versatile eaters in your family or group.

Be informed, the prices are a little higher than your average restaurant but the portions are plentiful. I have never come out feeling hungry.

The Donut Hole.Whether tourist or local, The Donut Hole is a must stop next time your in sunny Destin. Oh yes, be sure to come early or you may find yourself waiting in line. (*You may wait 15 minutes - the line moves pretty fast)