Category Archives: Atlanta Restaurants

Pre-Holiday Blogger Bash

Posted on November 18, 2011 by inmytummy| 27 Comments

Last night, I attended a pre-holiday blogger dinner at Tuk Tuk. There are lots of bloggers in the Atlanta area and last night, eleven of them (plus me) showed up.

#alttext#

Stacy, Tracy and Laura.

#alttext#

Traci, Carol and Heather.

#alttext#

Tina and Kristy.

#alttext#

Alayna, Brooke and Heather.

#alttext#

And Kristy and Me. (Linking to all those blogs took forever!)

We started out sitting at the bar for an hour, trying out some of the appetizers. I only ended up getting a decent picture of one of them – the Mieng Kum which was a spinach wrap with lime, ginger, onions, roasted peanuts and coconut with a caramelized palm sugar. I also tried the Thai samosa and the Roti Ke-Yow Whan which was crispy roti with a spicy green curry dipping sauce. I could have eaten that sauce with a spoon, but I refrained.

#alttext#

I actually sort of liked being at the bar because I was able to walk around and talk to everyone. However, after a while, we all got hungry and were sat at a table. I wasn’t starving and honestly, I felt a little guilty for spending money on drinks, so I got a smaller dinner – the Tom Yum Koong – shrimp in a lemongrass broth. The waitress suggested that I get a bowl of rice with the soup if I wanted to have it as an entree, so that’s what I did.

#alttext#

For dessert, we were given a huge Bangkok snow cone to share. And for some reason, I didn’t try it. Blasphemy!

#alttext#

Looks good though. All in all, a fun night with fun friends.

→ 27 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Blogger Meetup

Healthy Bar Food

Posted on October 28, 2011 by inmytummy| 17 Comments

Sometimes Jason and I talk about moving to another city. We’re not really serious about it, we own a house here for one thing. But we both feel sick of Atlanta at times and do want to get away. However, more often than not, I find myself enjoying aspects of this city that I tend to take for granted and would certainly miss if we ever did leave. Healthy food in bars is one of those things.

I don’t go to bars that often. I used to, but not anymore. Not for any particular reason, I guess, just going to a restaurant rather than a bar seems more appealing now. However, that’s not to say that I never meet friends for after work drinks and food at bars.

When I’ve gone out in other cities, it seems the bar food is well that – bar food. Nachos, chicken wings, burgers, not much vegetarian stuff. We have that too, of course, but what I like so much about the bar scene in Atlanta is that it is possible to get a healthy meal. Healthy bar food is not an oxymoron here. I know that some people have the mindset that if they’re going to go to a bar, they’re going to eat chicken wings and drink beer. I don’t share that mindset. While I’m down with the beer drinking (though I prefer wine), I genuinely like healthy food and it makes me feel better about the drinks that I’m about to have!

My friend Jamie and I went to The Earl tonight. We hadn’t been in a long time and going out seemed like a good diversion from a crappy week. The Earl is a total dive/punk/kind of hipster bar in East Atlanta.

#alttext#

You’d never know it from the outside, but they have some really good food,

#alttext#

including my favorite, the veggie tofu pita.

#alttext#

I think this pita might be reason enough to stay in Atlanta forever.

→ 17 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Healthy Choices at Restaurants, Vegetarian

Peachtree City Classic 15K

Posted on October 15, 2011 by inmytummy| 22 Comments

This morning, I got up at 5:50 am to drive an hour to Peachtree City to run one of my favorite races, the Peachtree City Classic 15K, with one of my favorite bloggers, Tina!

I have run this race the past two years and I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a very unique race; the first three miles are just on the street, but then the course veers off onto these wooded, paved golf course paths for the remainder of the race.

Even though the race didn’t start until 8:50 (the 5K started at 8:30), Tina and I decided to meet at 7:30 to get good parking spots. I was fortunate enough to get one of the last spots in the lot right next to the number pickup. I got my number, found a bathroom and found Tina. We hung out and talked for a little bit while we waited for the race to start.

#alttext#

Finally 8:50 came along and we were on our way. I had a bit of an issue with my Garmin. I don’t always use it when I run, but this time I did. However, I hadn’t uploaded the data to my computer from when I last used it. Normally, when I do that, it will reset, but I realized that if I don’t upload the data, I don’t know how to manually reset it, although I’m sure there is a way. I tried to fix it for a few minutes but eventually just gave up. It was previously on 10 miles, so I just subtracted ten from the mileage that it was showing.

I was easily maintaining a 9:30 pace for the first three miles. I started to think this was going to be my race and that I was going to shatter my previous PR. I guess I got a little bit cocky because around Mile 4, I started to seriously lose steam. So much so that I found myself taking walking breaks here and there.

I had some small bursts of energy, but for whatever reason, my legs just weren’t feeling it and I kept letting myself take walk breaks. Around Mile 6 or 7, I realized that a PR was not going to happen and, in fact, this might be a PW instead.

#alttext#

(Pictures courtesy of Tina)

I crossed the finish line in 1:42 something which was seven minutes slower than my time last year and four minutes slower than my time in 2009. But here’s the thing – I’ve run a lot of races. 30 since 2008 and several more before I started blogging, to be specific. You can’t win them all. I mean, against yourself. Obviously I’m not actually winning any races. As good as it feels to PR, not every race is going to be one and I’m okay with that. While this was the worst time that I’ve had for a 15K, I also had my best time for a 5K back in September. Yes, it’s a little bit disappointing to not finish in what you deem a good time, but it’s bound to happen.

My half-marathon is next weekend. I’m not going to lie and say that a little part of me isn’t worried that I’ll have a bad run then too. But, you know what? So what if I do? It’s not the end of the world and it’s probably not my last half-marathon either.

I got out there, I ran, I walked and I finished. And then I ate pumpkin pancakes.

#alttext#

(Pancakes courtesy of J. Christopher’s)

→ 22 Comments

Posted in Atlanta Restaurants, Races, Running

Haute Doggery

Posted on October 12, 2011 by inmytummy| 21 Comments

I had plans to go to the gym tonight. I didn’t especially want to. I was still sort of worn out from my 12-mile run on Sunday, but there were 5 miles on my training plan, so I packed up my gym back so I could go after work.

But then I was playing Words with Friends with my friend Brian and he mentioned that he and Emily were going to dinner at Richard Blais’ new restaurant Haute Doggery (or HD1, I’m not exactly sure what it’s called!) and asked if Jason and I wanted to go.

There was no need to twist my arm, especially after I realized that you could substitute a Smartdog (or some sort of glazed carrots) for any of the hot dogs.

#alttext#

The restaurant was located in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. Parking was easy, which is always much appreciated. There was a big hand-written menu at the front and you ordered at the counter.

#alttext#

I ended up ordering the Classic Hot Dog (with a Smartdog) and we got some communal sides – boiled peanuts, half-sour pickles and waffle fries.

#alttext#

The smartdog was good, fresh on a buttery bun. I wasn’t a big fan of the side items though. I actually really like boiled peanuts (I’d never had them until I moved to Atlanta) but these were a little too salty. The pickles were a little too sweet. The fries were good though, with an unexpected Asian flavor to them. We asked the waiter what they were seasoned with and he said maple syrup, soy sauce, chili peppers and fish sauce (vegetarians take note).

I was pretty full but noticed that they had PB&J soft serve for only $2. Obviously, I had to try it!

#alttext#

A little on the sweet side (I couldn’t eat it all) but good.

All in all, a decent new concept from Richard Blais. I’ll go to the gym tomorrow!

→ 21 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Vegetarian

The Local No. 7

Posted on September 20, 2011 by inmytummy| 19 Comments

While I talk about living in Atlanta, technically, I live in a suburb called Tucker. Tucker is literally 3 miles from the Atlanta border, but it feels like a small town in some ways. We moved here because we could get a larger house for a more affordable price. I’d love to one day move back into the city, but for now we’re in Tucker and have been for over a year.

We always say that Tucker is a great place for living and not such a great place for anything else. We have some chain restaurants nearby (Applebee’s, Mellow Mushroom, Panera, Starbucks, Jason’s Deli), but it’s not exactly a foodie haven. Downtown Tucker, if you could call it that, consists of a Main Street and some little side streets. I’ve always thought it had the potential to be cute.

#alttext#

I mean, it looks a little run down, but couldn’t you see this area with some nice stores and a coffee shop and some restaurants? I could. The problem, at least with the restaurants, is that there is (or was, I’m not sure) some law that says you can’t serve alcohol within a certain number of feet from a church. You can’t see from this picture, but there is a big church on the corner. There was a BYOB cajun restaurant that used to be here, but it didn’t do well and closed.

However, something new opened. Far enough away from the church that they could have a liquor license.

#alttext#

A restaurant/pub called The Local No. 7 just opened last week. It’s owned by the same guys that own Mexican Matador Cantina in Oakhurst. This is about a mile from our house, so we decided to check it out last night. The place was small, with a patio but it was busy.

The menu was typical pub fare. I was pleased to see that they not only had a black bean burger, but also a veggie sandwich. Two vegetarian options is a major plus in my book. We started off with some hummus. I’m kind of on a quest to find the best hummus in Atlanta and this was actually really, really good.

#alttext#

I wish it came with more vegetables and less bread though. For my entree, I got the Garden Veggie Sandwich. It was on the same pita that the hummus was served with, which was a little bit of overkill but my fault for ordering them both. I had it with a salad.

#alttext#

I ended up taking the veggies out of the sandwich and putting them on the salad because I was starting to go into a pita coma! The food was good. The service was good. Our server chatted with us for a bit and the owner came over and introduced himself. The only negative was that they were out of a lot of beers. I guess they were busier than they thought over the weekend and pretty much only had one beer on tap (out of 6 or 7) but I’m thinking that can be overlooked as long as it doesn’t happen regularly. The other thing is that they don’t seem to have a website yet. (Do you need someone to manage your social media, Local 7? Because I’m kind of good at that.)

We’re happy that a new place came into our area and hopefully it will start to revitalize Main Street.

→ 19 Comments

Posted in Atlanta Restaurants, Healthy Choices at Restaurants, Vegetarian

Drinks in Decatur

Posted on September 18, 2011 by inmytummy| 27 Comments

Yesterday, I had an appointment to get my hair cut in downtown Decatur.

#alttext#

It was a beautiful day out so I called my friend Joan and asked her if she wanted to meet me afterward for a drink. Despite the fact that I had my hairdresser straighten my hair, it took less time than I thought, so I walked around for a while before meeting Joan.

#alttext#

I’m not sure what’s up with my jazz hand.

Decatur is so cute. When Jason and I were first looking at houses, we wanted to move here, but we couldn’t find anything that we liked in our price range. The only negative to the area, aside from high taxes, is that it’s not particularly close to the interstate. But it’s really cute.

#alttext#

And there are pirates. Don’t ask. I have no idea.

#alttext#

Joan and I met at Leon’s which I chose primarily for their patio. Also my grandpa’s name was Leon.

#alttext#

I’m not usually a big beer drinker (I prefer wine), but sometimes after running a long distance, a beer really hits the spot. I went with an ayinger brau weisse. I mostly only order wheat beers if I’m drinking beer.

#alttext#

We got a little hungry, so we ordered some hummus. Beet hummus to be exact. Even though the menu said beets, it didn’t expect it to be so beety.

#alttext#

That’s the thing about Leon’s. I really like the atmosphere there, but I just am not in love with the food. I’ve been there maybe 3-4 times and every time, I think the food is not so great. Other people love it, so maybe it’s just me. We also had some unpictured mussels. And more beer. And then frozen yogurt. Because that goes well with beer, right?

→ 27 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Beer

Sunday Runday Funday

Posted on August 21, 2011 by inmytummy| 19 Comments

When my alarm went off at 7am this morning, I actually thought I had to go to work. It took me a minute to realize that I had to run 7 miles instead. I’m not sure which was a worse thought! I drank some coffee and had a slice of bread with some almond butter and made it out of the house by quarter til 8.

#alttext#

If you read my 6-mile post last Sunday, you’ll see that my times were much faster today. I attribute this to a bunch of things. (Laps 1 and 4 included some walking.)

1. I put some new music on my ipod. I got a new ipod maybe a year or so ago and for some reason, never put more than 200 songs on it. With all the running I do, I quickly got sick of those 200 songs and found myself constantly skipping songs. I went to my old computer, one that I barely use but houses a ton of my music, and put a bunch of old favorites back on my ipod.

2. I liked the route better. My route last week was an out and back along a boring, main road. My route this week was a loop that went through a neighborhood and was a prettier run.

3. I ate a GU halfway through. I normally will fuel (GU is my fuel of choice – only the chocolate or the chocolate mint flavor though.) if I do 7 miles or more. Maybe it helped, maybe it didn’t, but I think it might have.

4. I pushed myself a little bit. While last week’s run was all about running comfortably, today I decided to run a little bit faster but at a pace that I could still sustain for 7 miles. Sure, by the end, I was tired, but I didn’t feel any more tired than when I was running 12 minute miles like I did last weekend.

After showering and doing some things around the house, I met my friend Jaime, her friend Ann Marie and Ann Marie’s friend (who’s name I forgot) at Eclipse di Sol which is now called Cafe 640, but I still like to call it Eclipse di Sol. I didn’t take any pictures because I don’t really know Ann Marie and I’d never met her friend and don’t feel comfortable taking food pictures in front of people that I don’t know. I had a veggie omelette sans cheese with a side of breakfast potatoes. I’m not normally a big breakfast fan, I prefer lunch, but there is something about eating a big, filling breakfast after a long run that’s really satisfying.

After we ate, we walked over to King of Pops. I know I’ve talked about this before, but KOP is this popsicle stand that’s all over the city on different street corners and at all the festivals and farmers markets. At first I think it was one or two people, but now there are lots of them all around. I had a flavor that I hadn’t had before – Sweet Potato!

#alttext#

I know it sounds weird, but it was so good. It tasted like sweet potato pie and had pieces of nuts and marshmallows in it. Sweet potatoes with marshallow topping is one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides. After I spilled half my popsicle on myself, picked up some groceries at Publix and drove home, a nap was in order. I let myself sleep for an hour and a half. I don’t know how some people run before work. I was wiped by 4pm.

→ 19 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Running

Blogger Lunch at R. Thomas

Posted on August 1, 2011 by inmytummy| 16 Comments

After the race on Saturday, the four of us met up with a bunch of other local bloggers at R. Thomas, a restaurant in Midtown right near Piedmont Park.

#alttext#

R. Thomas is a really eclectic restaurant that’s open 24 hours. While it’s not vegetarian, they have a ton of vegetarian entrees and looking at the menu is almost overwhelming because there are so many good looking things. They don’t take reservations, but luckily they were able to pull together some tables quickly for our group of 12.

#alttext#

In attendance were (from left to right): Lauren, Carol, Alayna, Me, Katy, Lindsay, Laura, Laura (a reader), Tina, Kristy, Katie and Brooke.

I don’t think any of us realized just how many Atlanta bloggers there are. There were also a host of people that couldn’t make it. As always, the conversation flowed freely and everyone was super nice. It’s funny how we all just click. I mean, I guess we have a common interest in a healthy lifestyle but we don’t even talk about that sort of thing when we’re together, really.

Instead, we take pictures of our food.

#alttext#

And good food it was. I got the Portobello Mushroom saute.

#alttext#

While the food was good, my only issue with R. Thomas in general is that it’s on the pricey side. I don’t mind going to expensive restaurants but this is hardly a nice place and that dish was $15. I hate to complain because it tasted really good, but I just can’t help it.

It was really fun to see everyone although since I was sitting at one end of the table, there were a bunch of people that I didn’t really get a chance to talk to. Next time, my friends.

(Several pictures taken from Kristy and Brooke)

→ 16 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Blogger Meetup, Healthy Choices at Restaurants, Vegetarian

Which Wich – Subway on Steroids

Posted on July 16, 2011 by inmytummy| 17 Comments

During lunch yesterday, my co-worker and I decided to drive down to Atlantic Station to check out this boutique warehouse sale. It was a big room filled with clothing from a lot of local boutiques at deep discounts.

#alttext#

I tried on some dresses and some designer jeans but didn’t really see anything that I was in love with so I left empty handed. I’m definitely not a fashionista, that’s for sure. Most of my clothes are from Target and Old Navy. True story.

After the sale, we decided to grab some lunch to take back to the office at Which Wich. The best way I can explain Which Wich, if you’ve never been there, is it’s like Subway on steroids. Jason and I recently had a conversation about sub shops. I’ll eat at Subway every now and again, but the other ones like Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mike’s and Quizno’s, well, they just don’t have a lot of options if you don’t want meat and especially if you don’t want meat or cheese. Which Wich, on the other hand, does.

#alttext#

I ended up getting a salad instead of a sandwich and it was exactly the type of salad that I would make for myself at home – black bean patty, hummus, avocado, salsa, black olives and various other veggies.

#alttext#

The black bean patty wasn’t stellar, but I wanted some sort of protein. Their website says that my combination only has 300 calories, but I think they might have grossly underestimated the amount of hummus and avocado that they put on there. I will choose to believe the website though.

Unfortunately, I’ve come down with a little cold. I very rarely get sick so I’m a total baby when I do. Don’t be surprised if you see me whining on twitter or facebook later. And, I’m glad you all (not y’all, I don’t say y’all, I’ll always be a Yankee at heart. Although using the term Yankee is a very Southern thing to do.) like my blog even though I’m not the greatest of cooks. I’m good at eating, at least.

→ 17 Comments

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Restaurants, Healthy Choices at Restaurants

Kombucha Masquerading as Beer

Posted on July 2, 2011 by inmytummy| 17 Comments

I’m a big fan of decompressing on the weekends. To me, decompressing is a little different than relaxing. It means cleaning up the house some, doing some laundry, getting food for the upcoming week and yes, taking naps. I feel slightly unsettled if I don’t do all of those things. That’s why coming home from a vacation at 10pm on a Monday night and jumping back into the work week was difficult. I know, you’re probably rolling your eyes at that statement. I did get a week off, but I had to go through the remainder of the week without having the chance to decompress. Roll your eyes some more. I would too if I was reading this!

So I was really looking forward to another long weekend. The work week crept by. I feel like I’m becoming a little disenchanted at work and it’s affecting my performance which is something that I really need to work on, especially since I’m almost at my 1-year point at my company. At least I can acknowledge my faults, right? I have the type of job that literally requires me to stare at my computer screen all day and sometimes I just get distracted and have trouble focusing.

Maybe a weekend of house cleaning and laundry will allow me to regain my concentration. Who knows? In any event, it was much anticipated. Jason and I both felt like going on a date, so we looked at Scoutmob for some restaurant ideas and came up with the Bookhouse Pub.

I started out with an Allagash White. I swear it’s not as big as it looks. In fact, it was probably smaller than a pint of beer.

#alttext#

For my entree, I had the veggie burger and a side salad.

#alttext#

We hung out for a while before deciding to head home and watch a movie. But in order to watch a movie, some more drinks were necessary. It’s not what you think.

#alttext#

Kombucha masquerading as beer! A perfect dvd watching drink if you ask me. Buchi is from Asheville, NC and sold at one of the Whole Foods in Atlanta, the one that happens to be next door to the Bookhouse.

#alttext#

This fire flavor has a KICK to it! I’ve had it once before but drank it out of the bottle so when I poured some into a glass, I was sort of surprised at the color. Not sure why, I guess I was expecting it to look like beer since the bottle did.

#alttext#