Two Thursday evenings ago, my guest & I were invited to dine at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern located in the heart of Midtown at the corner of Monroe & Piedmont, across the street from Ansley Mall (a HUGE thank you & shout out to Morgan & ML+A and HOBNOB teams). For those of you that may be unfamiliar with the Atlanta restaurant scene, HOBNOB is one of three restaurants under Communitas Hospitality, alongside G's (formerly known as Gilbert's) and 10th & Piedmont. The brothers behind this successful restaurant group, Sean and Gilbert Yeremyan, have certainly made a name for themselves and their three wildly popular, well-established Midtown restaurants that first began when the pair opened Gilbert's back in 2000, HOBNOB in 2010 and 10th & Piedmont in 2012. Having had a great passion for food and the hospitality industry at a young age, the Yeremyan brothers both studied hospitality and business management from coast-to-coast, specifically Turkey, Brussels and then finally at Mercer University in Atlanta, officially making it their home in 1997. While each establishment is distinct in the type of atmosphere and cuisine it offers, what remains the same across the board is the fact that all three restaurants aim to serve high quality, chef-driven cuisine at unbelievably reasonable prices & entertaining environments. To be quite frank, the vibes you get here is unlike one you'll find anywhere else-it's simply contagious! Anytime you step into any one of the Yeremyan's restaurants, every customer, server and bartender has the jolliest, most welcoming and uplifting attitude that just puts the biggest smile on your face and pretty much guarantees that you're about to have an unforgettable experience with them. Back when I attended a progressive dinner at Gilbert's and 10th & Piedmont in 2013, I had the pleasure of meeting Gilbert, who like his brother, Sean, was incredibly down-to-earth and had one of the most genuine personalities I've ever come across amongst restaurant owners. So, when I was invited to try HOBNOB and take on their new fall menu, not only was I looking forward to finally completing the Communitas trifecta, but I also wanted to see just how comparable this friendly neighborhood tavern stacked up amongst its sister restaurants. With a name that implies "to drink sociably" or "to toast one another," both my guest & I were ready to have ourselves a splendid evening with the vivacious Midtown residents at this local favorite.
Let's get started:
☆Exterior
☆Exterior
☆Dining Room
☆Fall Menu
☆Tavern Sampler (Beer Battered Chicken Tenders, Soft Pretzels, Beer Cheese Dip, Southern Spring Rolls): What better way to start a meal than with a sampler featuring some of HOBNOB's most popular appetizers? Starting with the pretzels and beer cheese dip, we loved that the pretzels were served warm and buttery, which made soaking up the hot cheese dip that much easier. The cheese dip had a nice hint of beer, but it wasn't at all overpowering, which my guest and I truly appreciated. Next came the southern spring rolls, which consisted of smoky pulled pork and collard greens. You all know that I love both pulled pork and collards, so it was no surprise that I'd love these, especially in their crispy wrapper and dipped in a combination of their house-made sauces (yes, you heard me correctly! Made-in-house!). And last came the beer battered chicken finger-white meat tenders dipped in a hearty batter and deep fried to a golden brown, these paired wonderfully with the sweet and zesty honey mustard sauce-yum!
☆Tomato & Burrata Salad (Burrata, tomatoes, baby arugula, pickled shallots, basil pesto, EVOO, balsamic): HOBNOB's take on a classic Italian caprese salad is one that'll make even the most traditional Italian granny proud! Rather than using basil and sliced mozzarella, the use of arugula and burrata are used in this dish. The burrata, which is essentially a pouch consisting of mozzarella and cream, was absolutely divine and mouthwatering in that it tasted very fresh, creamy and silky! Paired with the nutty arugula, sweet balsamic glaze and fresh tomatoes, I actually had to remind myself that I wasn't in Italy.
☆Pot Pie (Smoked chicken, peas, potatoes, carrots, smoked bacon): Similar to mac 'n cheese, homemade chicken pot pie is one of my favorite and ultimate comfort foods. There's just something so heavenly about the combination of a flaky crust & hearty chicken stew that makes me feel as if all is good in the world. The crust was just out of this world-golden brown, flaky and buttery-just how it should be! Once you break through the crust, you'll immediately see and get a whiff of that aromatic, bubbling hot stew underneath full of tender white meat chicken, veggies and bacon bits in a creamy, yet smoky broth that's reminiscent of Cajun spices and seasonings. Such a fun & unique twist on a classic "feel-good" dish is what tavern fare should be about & HOBNOB nailed it on the head. It's no wonder why this dish was in such HIGH demand that customers repeatedly requested that it be added back to the menu a few weeks earlier!
☆Chicken Pot Pie Anatomy
☆Veggie Pesto Pizza (Basil pesto, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic glaze): Although we had originally wanted to try their new pork belly & arugula pizza, we decided to go with one that was slightly different since we'd already ordered a pork belly dish. The one that caught our attention was the veggie pesto pizza full of tantalizing ingredients that we knew we just couldn't pass up. HOBNOB's pizzas are NOT to be missed! Made fresh-to-order and with high quality ingredients, these pizzas are generously topped to the brim, have a beautifully golden crust and base, as well as a nice, firm crunch-everything you could possibly want in a 'Za!
☆Charleston Style Open Face Pork Belly Sandwich (Braised pork belly, peach jam, HOBNOB sauce, sunny side egg, country loaf, house cut fries): Stop what you're doing & take a few seconds to read through the different ingredients in this dish. Finished yet? If you're like me and have an obsession with all things pork belly, then you probably stopped reading after the 1st ingredient! As one of the many newest additions to their fall menu, this open face pork belly sandwich will make you appreciate the love that Southerners have for all things pork. The pork belly was insanely good, literally to the point where it just melts on your tongue and goes down like an incredibly smooth vodka. Paired with the tangy HOBNOB sauce, sweet peach jam, crunchy toast and runny yolk-it's like a porky party in your mouth! There's a harmonious balance of not only sweet and savory, but also of varying textures, which really takes this dish to the next level. Oh and those hand-cut fries? They were delicious-crispy, crunchy and perfectly fried and seasoned! You'd be surprised at how many restaurants fail to make them properly!
☆HOBNOB Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream: Last but not least, we'd been told that HOBNOB's cobbler was NOT to be missed, which is why we knew we had to order it to complete our meal. And boy, are we SO glad we did! Each cobbler is made fresh to order and comes in its own adorable ramekin. While the buttery and soft cobbler crust is always my favorite part of any cobbler, the bubbling sweet peaches underneath were plentiful & had just the right amount of sweetness without being overly sweet. Topped with a perfect scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and whipped cream to help balance out the warmth and to add a hint of creaminess, this dessert was gone in the blink of an eye!
As you can probably tell, both my sister and I had an extraordinary dining experience at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and left stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey from their amazing tavern fare. From the moment we stepped through the doors to the very moment we left, the HOBNOB team went above and beyond to ensure that my guest & I had the best Thursday night we'd had in a really long while and I can confidently confirm that they did just that! Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by Paul, the general manager, and seated in their cozy and comfortable dining room. Within a few minutes of being seated, our server, Grace, stopped by the table to introduce herself and take our drink orders before returning to guide us through the menu. When she returned, she walked us through the new fall menu items, as well as made some recommendations from each section of the menu, which included the tavern sampler, pot pie and pork belly sandwich, all of which we ended up adding to our order since they all seemed like fantastic options to go with. Throughout our dinner, she was incredibly attentive, helpful and sweet. We never once felt rushed, which we appreciated, especially with the huge dinner crowd wave rushing in. Our drinks were never more than half empty before she'd stop by with additional refills and she also seemed genuinely interested to hear what we had to say when she asked us how everything was. Lucky for us, we arrived before the dinner rush and didn't have to wait long for our order, which was great since the traffic we sat in earlier made us hungry. Everything we ordered was so downright delicious, it should've been a sin. From the tavern sampler to the tasty peach cobbler, there's nothing we wouldn't recommend here! And while the food here was by far the true highlight of our experience, the part of our meal when owner Sean Yeremyan visited our table and welcomed us to HOBNOB with open arms was a very close runner up. It was such a humbling, yet rewarding experience getting to chat with a successful Atlanta restauranteur about his restaurants, the type of cuisine they offer and how many of the dishes featured at their establishments incorporates personal family recipes and cooking styles, which is one of the many reasons why I love supporting local Atlanta businesses. Throughout our meal, my sister and I would notice Sean moving all over the place-from the kitchen to the patio to the bar and vice versa, he'd stop by each and every single table to check on his customers and ask how everything was and treated everyone as if they were his own family. I don't know about ya'll, but when owners like Sean go out of their way to ensure that their customers are satisfied with the quality of food and level of service being provided, it clearly shows just how passionate, committed and dedicated they are to providing the best of the best. It's no wonder why the whole restaurant was rockin' (especially the bar and outdoor patio) and jam-packed by 7 PM-it's a local neighborhood favorite, a place where you can go, eat, relax & just know that you'll have a fabulous time, which HOBNOB has certainly done over the past five years. Although we had initially wanted to sit on their gorgeous patio, we opted to sit indoors instead since the sun was already beginning to set and we didn't want terribly-lit photos. Still, it's a great option to have, especially with the lower temperatures and cool breeze. In contrast, the interior has a playful, yet rustic and eclectic design with its use of reclaimed wooden furnishings, retro tin signs, dangling light fixtures and fully-stocked bar. Despite common myth that taverns are only for adults, HOBNOB is a very family-friendly environment, making it the perfect place to bring the kids, or to grab some of your closest friends and co-workers for a night out. So whether you're looking for a change of pace from barhopping and want to actually sit down, unwind and dig into some terrific fare (+ an incredible selection of brews & more!), HOBNOB is definitely your answer & you'll most certainly get the best bang for your buck here! Don't you think it's time to erase those pre-conceived notions you've had or heard about taverns and the quality of food/alcohol they serve? Because I'm almost 100% certain that unless you've been here, those notions will leave you with plenty of regrets both in the present and in the future! Just one last note before wrapping it up, I want to thank Morgan & the ML+A and HOBNOB teams, especially Sean, Grace and Paul for a wonderful & much needed night out! I can't wait to come back soon and try everything else I had my eyes set on & of course more chicken pot pie!
As you can probably tell, both my sister and I had an extraordinary dining experience at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and left stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey from their amazing tavern fare. From the moment we stepped through the doors to the very moment we left, the HOBNOB team went above and beyond to ensure that my guest & I had the best Thursday night we'd had in a really long while and I can confidently confirm that they did just that! Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by Paul, the general manager, and seated in their cozy and comfortable dining room. Within a few minutes of being seated, our server, Grace, stopped by the table to introduce herself and take our drink orders before returning to guide us through the menu. When she returned, she walked us through the new fall menu items, as well as made some recommendations from each section of the menu, which included the tavern sampler, pot pie and pork belly sandwich, all of which we ended up adding to our order since they all seemed like fantastic options to go with. Throughout our dinner, she was incredibly attentive, helpful and sweet. We never once felt rushed, which we appreciated, especially with the huge dinner crowd wave rushing in. Our drinks were never more than half empty before she'd stop by with additional refills and she also seemed genuinely interested to hear what we had to say when she asked us how everything was. Lucky for us, we arrived before the dinner rush and didn't have to wait long for our order, which was great since the traffic we sat in earlier made us hungry. Everything we ordered was so downright delicious, it should've been a sin. From the tavern sampler to the tasty peach cobbler, there's nothing we wouldn't recommend here! And while the food here was by far the true highlight of our experience, the part of our meal when owner Sean Yeremyan visited our table and welcomed us to HOBNOB with open arms was a very close runner up. It was such a humbling, yet rewarding experience getting to chat with a successful Atlanta restauranteur about his restaurants, the type of cuisine they offer and how many of the dishes featured at their establishments incorporates personal family recipes and cooking styles, which is one of the many reasons why I love supporting local Atlanta businesses. Throughout our meal, my sister and I would notice Sean moving all over the place-from the kitchen to the patio to the bar and vice versa, he'd stop by each and every single table to check on his customers and ask how everything was and treated everyone as if they were his own family. I don't know about ya'll, but when owners like Sean go out of their way to ensure that their customers are satisfied with the quality of food and level of service being provided, it clearly shows just how passionate, committed and dedicated they are to providing the best of the best. It's no wonder why the whole restaurant was rockin' (especially the bar and outdoor patio) and jam-packed by 7 PM-it's a local neighborhood favorite, a place where you can go, eat, relax & just know that you'll have a fabulous time, which HOBNOB has certainly done over the past five years. Although we had initially wanted to sit on their gorgeous patio, we opted to sit indoors instead since the sun was already beginning to set and we didn't want terribly-lit photos. Still, it's a great option to have, especially with the lower temperatures and cool breeze. In contrast, the interior has a playful, yet rustic and eclectic design with its use of reclaimed wooden furnishings, retro tin signs, dangling light fixtures and fully-stocked bar. Despite common myth that taverns are only for adults, HOBNOB is a very family-friendly environment, making it the perfect place to bring the kids, or to grab some of your closest friends and co-workers for a night out. So whether you're looking for a change of pace from barhopping and want to actually sit down, unwind and dig into some terrific fare (+ an incredible selection of brews & more!), HOBNOB is definitely your answer & you'll most certainly get the best bang for your buck here! Don't you think it's time to erase those pre-conceived notions you've had or heard about taverns and the quality of food/alcohol they serve? Because I'm almost 100% certain that unless you've been here, those notions will leave you with plenty of regrets both in the present and in the future! Just one last note before wrapping it up, I want to thank Morgan & the ML+A and HOBNOB teams, especially Sean, Grace and Paul for a wonderful & much needed night out! I can't wait to come back soon and try everything else I had my eyes set on & of course more chicken pot pie!
Have a sweet day,
-Sandy
FTC: Although this was a media event and my meal was comped, I will always provide an honest review & experience of the restaurant.
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 {at} gmail {dot} com-Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment