Just a fair warning, I'll be throwing around some nautical terms today while I bring to you all today's review. Recently, Scoutmob (my handy sidekick) introduced a deal around the Duluth/Johns Creek area where I'm from. #1-THANK GOODNESS :). Why do you ask that? Because I don't live in the Atlanta area for one, and secondly, I don't have to travel a million miles away just to get a great deal on a meal. I'm glad that they've been branching out to places nearby to me, because I've found some new favorite lunch and dinner spots of mine. This brings me to today's review of The Nautical Nest (or NN), a deli cafe & catering company located in the heart of Duluth that opened in late 2011. It's located in the Kroger shopping center at the intersection of States Bridge Road and Peachtree Industrial Blvd, behind the McDonald's/Baskin Robbins. You won't miss it for sure-unlike those flashy, unattractive restaurant lights, NN's sign resembles that of a billboard, which I personally think is a unique touch. In addition, you won't be able to miss the cute patio setting out front, and the hanging flower bouquets above you.
Let's get started:
♥Exterior of The Nautical Nest
♥The handwritten menu on blackboards. Not only is it gorgeously written, but it's also colorful, vintage, and a standard that all delis should take their time to lovingly write it out like they've done here
♥Interior (front) of The Nautical Nest
♥Sailor's Special ($7.49): Oven Roasted Turkey and Smoked Ham with Gouda Cheese, avocado, lettuce, and tomato served with honey mustard dressing on hoagie roll and a pickle spear. Also, all specials come with a drink & side (potato salad, pasta salad or kettle cooked chips-your choice!)
♥Iced Pecan Brownie ($1.95)
FOOD (5/5): The Sailor's Special sandwich was a perfect choice for me! I love turkey and I love ham-it was the perfect combination. What really MADE the sandwich had to hands down be the fresh slices of the ripest avocado and tomato I think I've ever eaten. Mind you, this wasn't some flimsy veggies or avocado spread inside of a sandwich, these were HUGE slices stuffed inside-I got a good bite each time I bit through the sandwich. In addition, the gouda cheese was fresh and delicious, and the hoagie roll was soft, moist and extremely flavorful. Best part-there's a good spoonful of honey mustard on each half of the sandwich-I'm just a tad bit obsessed with my honey mustard. Have you started drooling yet? I know I have even though I just had this for lunch and I'm gazing at these pictures as I'm writing this. I don't know if there's anyone out there that does this, since I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I love putting chips inside my sandwiches-especially kettle cooked chips. Gives it that super crispy/crunchy bite, in addition to all those meats, cheese and veggies. So while the pasta salad sounded equally amazing of the sides I could choose, you can bet I chose the kettle cooked chips and did what I just mentioned. *Crunch-chew-crunch-chew-swallow-digest* YES-it was perfection. Lastly, to top off my dinner, I ordered an iced brownie. Loaded with pecans and chocolate-y+caramel goodness, the brownie itself was rich, full of flavor, and hit my tummy in all the right places. There were plenty of other desserts too (actually, a whole refrigerated display of them) from cannolis, cupcakes and more. While I didn't get to try those this time around, I know I'll be back for more of their delicious sandwiches & baked goods many more times in the future.
SERVICE (5/5): If it were possible to give them a higher rating than a 5, you better bet I would in an absolute heartbeat! I came in around 7PM on a Friday night. While I was an hour away from closing time, I was immediately greeted upon entering by a really kind gentleman. When it's my first time at a new place, it's always a good sign when someone is willing to navigate you through their menu, their specials, recommendations and more. Well, here, that was no exception. I felt as if I was being given the VIP tour of their menu-everything was so calmly explained, recommendations were being given, and much more. When I finally made my decision and placed my order at the counter, I was given a drink cup (unlimited refills) and about five or so minutes later, my sandwich was brought out to me, in addition to my brownie. As I was enjoying my meal, the gentleman, whom I later found out his name was Christopher introduced himself and his wife, Charlotte, as the owners of The Nautical Nest. They were extremely friendly, personable, and actually took the time out to engage in conversation with me. If that right there doesn't show you how passionate they are about their business, their food and their customers, then I don't know what they could possibly do to show it even more.
DECOR (5/5): I'm an absolute beach/nautical-theme fanatic. In fact, I have so many jewelry pieces with an anchor, aquatic creatures, ship's wheel and dresses with blue and white stripes. But that's besides the point. The decor here is adorable and has a theme unlike any delis, especially not in this area that I've seen before. Like I mentioned earlier, the outside of the restaurant is like a pretty garden scene. Nice black patio seating, with hanging flowers above your head and flower vases/pots. As you enter through the door, there's a large rug with the NN logo and wheel and plenty of seating inside the restaurant, followed by the sandwich bar/baked goods display case towards the left. Around the entire restaurant, there are plenty of nautical-themed decorations, from a large ship's wheel, to one of those bells (when the captain yells "ALL HANDS ON DECK), and much more. In addition, there's nice music playing in the background while you're enjoying your meal. Honestly, what more could you want?
Overall, I absolutely LOVED my visit to The Nautical Nest, it's unlike any other deli I've seen in the Duluth/Johns Creek area by a LONG stretch. Franchised restaurants are overrated, and if you've been to my blog before, you know it's and I'm ALL about supporting local businesses. Just in case my review didn't persuade you enough, use that 50% Scoutmob coupon to push you off your ship and to get here NOW. From the decadent handcrafted sandwiches and desserts, to the amiable owners of the place, to the perfect atmosphere to bring friends, family members, colleagues and co-workers, it's definitely a place for everyone and anyone who enjoys good food at great prices. Lunch or dinner, this place deserves TWO thumbs up! Thanks to Scoutmob, I've found one of my new favorite lunch/dinner spots ONLY 2.5 miles away from me-now that's the REAL treasure right there. What are you waiting for? Obey the Captain's order & go full speed ahead to The Nautical Nest-I know I can't wait to go back :).
Here's the physical address: 3455 Peachtree Industrial Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
Phone: (678) 957-8600
Anchors away with love,
-Sandy
FTC: I was not paid or compensated for this review, all reviews and opinions are my own.
If you'd like to invite Bella Vivere to cover & share your restaurant's media events, tastings or parties, feel free to shoot me an email at bellavivere@gmail.com-Thanks!
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