What were you doing the last weekend of September? If your plans didn't include attending the 14th annual Taste of Atlanta (ToA) event in the heart of Midtown's Tech Square, then you most certainly missed out on of the largest, funnest and liveliest food-filled events in Atlanta. Unlike other food festivals and events that take place throughout the year, Taste of Atlanta is one of the ONLY, if not the only event, in Atlanta where you can try the fare from over 90+ of Atlanta's best restaurants all at one place. Additionally, it's incredibly affordable (especially with all of the deals and promos they've got going on leading up to the event), family-friendly and great for both pickiest eaters and fanatic foodies in your household. Plus, where else do you get the chance to mingle with and watch cooking demonstrations of some of Atlanta's best chefs, as well as meet other food-loving attendees like yourself? Oh and did I forget mention the FOOD? From BBQ (Jim 'N Nicks) to ice cream (Morelli's) to pork belly buns (Makan) and just about everything you could possibly fathom in-between, dishes ranged between $1-3, which is a steal considering these fine establishments are crankin' out some of their most popular bites for you to 'TASTE' before you decide to make a trip to their actual storefront! Now, just so you're aware, you aren't going to be getting a full-sized portion like you would if you dined at that restaurant, but you'll be pretty darn surprised at how full you get with only a few bites here. Taste of Atlanta is all about getting a "taste" to see what you may or may not like and to try something new, something that may even be out of your comfort zone. It's about discovering the amazing restaurants that Atlanta has to offer, as well as sharing the love of food with everyone around you, which is why this event is so dear to me as an Atlanta food blogger. One thing to also note is that this event is rain or shine, so make sure to dress appropriately! Despite the rainy weather the Saturday attendees endured, everyone still had a fabulous time from what I could tell and didn't let the rain ruin their day of eating ahead! And unlike past ToA's, this year was the first year they began utilizing Intellitix's RFID-technology wristbands, which means no more are the days of having to carry cash around as these wristbands double as your admission and tasting tickets all-in-one, which I found super easy and convenient to use! So with my an empty stomach, media wristband in-play and an umbrella in-hand, I was ready to tackle yet another Taste of Atlanta! Before I fully get into my recap though, I wanted to thank the ladies at Brave PR for giving me the opportunity to cover this event and for checking me in (Hi Shannon!)-I had such a splendid time, as always!
Check out my past Taste of Atlanta recaps here:
Taste of Atlanta 2012 Pt.1
Taste of Atlanta 2012 Pt.2
Taste of Atlanta Tips and Tricks
Taste of Atlanta 2013
Let's get started:
☆Look at those shiny wristbands!
☆Crowds battling the rain
☆HOLY PORK! Jim 'N Nicks brought their smoker trailer!
☆Jim 'N Nicks Pulled Pork Slider (3 tickets): As you can probably tell, Jim 'N Nicks really brought their A-game to ToA. I mean, just look at that traveling smoker! With a smell like that, it's no wonder why I had to get their signature pulled pork sandwich the moment I entered into Tech Square. The pulled pork was chewy and tender, while the crunchy pickles, white and BBQ sauces and the sweet rolls brought this to the next level, as did their delicious seasoned kettle chips.
☆Coca-Cola Tent
☆Coca-Cola Marquee
☆Carnival's Kids Corner
☆Your Pie's Peach Prosciutto Pizza (1 ticket): I've loved Your Pie ever since my undergrad days at UGA-Athens. Not only were they my go-to spot because they were inexpensive and tasty, but they were always opened late and feeding the hungry college students at 2 in the morning when downtown "closed" down. So when I saw the peach prosciutto pizza as one of their options at ToA, I knew I just had to have a piece since peaches are one of my favorite fruits and prosciutto is just so darn good! The crust was perfectly golden and had a nice crunch The sweetness of the sliced peaches balanced out well with the slightly salty prosciutto and the addition of the basil and balsamic helped to balance out the overall taste of it, which I particularly enjoyed.
☆Whole Foods Mobile Kitchen
☆Whole Foods Roast Pork Flatbread (Complimentary for all attendees): The complexity of this flatbread was undeniably intriguing. The rosemary and garlic pulled pork, along with the tangy pickled onions, crunchy apple slaw and soft flatbread was an amazing combination of various flavors and textures! I've got to get my hands on this recipe, that's for sure!
☆Alexia Truck
☆The Chef's Table Tent
☆The Chef's Table Tent
☆Twisted Soul's Fried Chicken Salad Wontons (2 tickets): ToA is a GREAT event for discovering new restaurants. For me, it was Twisted Soul, a fun Southern eatery located in Decatur, GA. As I was making my way through the Coca-Cola tents, I stumbled upon a tent serving up these wontons and immediately knew that I had to get some for myself. And boy, am I SO glad that I did! The wontons had a wonderful crispy and crunchy texture to them, while the chicken salad was chocked full of fresh veggies, raisins and seasonings. I'm usually more of a tuna salad gal, but man, their chicken salad has made me a believer & I can't wait to try the actual restaurant some day soon!
☆Love Article 14 & Twin Smokers BBQ Tent Decor
☆Bellwood's Social House Gangsta Fries-Bleu Cheese Dressing, Chili Oil, Chives & Bacon (3 tickets): The line for these fries was sooooooo long, but it was definitely worth standing in. Upon first bite, you may even think that it was best decision you've made all day. Crispy, hand-cut fries smothered in a dangerously addicting bleu cheese dressing and topped with crumbled bacon, chives and more? What could be better than that? These also had a kick of heat to them from the chili oil, but nothing that even a kid wouldn't be able to tolerate.
☆The Melting Pot's Chocolate Fondue Sticks (1 ticket): Since I was down to my last ticket for the day, I had to seek out some 1-ticket stalls and The Melting Pot just happened to answer the call. Just when I thought about giving up, I noticed TMP right by the gate that I came through and saw a huge line of people waiting for their chocolate fondue sticks. Being an avid MP fan and diner, this was just the sweet treat that I needed to call it a day. Fresh strawberries, poundcake and brownie drizzled with just the right amount of chocolate, it was great!
☆VIP Grand Tasting Experience Entrance
☆Gambling, good eats & more inside the VIP tents
☆Common Quarter's Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Tarts: These little tartlets were mouth-in-your-mouth delicious! They had a soft, buttery crust with a smooth peanut butter mousse filling, topped with chocolate ganache. Silky and decadent, I contemplated standing in the line again for more!
☆Close-up
☆4th and Swift's Chicken Cotechino with Charred Mushrooms and Horseradish & Noble Fin's Clam and Rock Shrimp Chowder: Both of these items were delicious, especially the clam and shrimp chowder, which was so rich and creamy, I loved every drop of it!
☆Polaris's Signature Blue Chocolate Dome-absolutely stunning!
☆Polaris's Juniper Berry Scented Wild Boar Tenderloin with Hazelnuts and Champagne Vinaigrette: This was undoubtedly one of my favorite bites from the entire event! I'd never had boar before and wasn't too sure of what to expect, but Polaris definitely changed that! The boar itself was incredibly moist and tender, almost like a delicate balance of pork and beef. The sweetened vinaigrette and salad underneath downplayed the slightly, almost completely unnoticeably gamey taste, which I appreciated. Plus, their presentation game was on point-so here's a big round of applause to them because they hit it out of the park with their offerings!
☆Polaris's Yellow Watermelon & Cucumber Gazpacho with Opal Basil Brussel Sprout Salad: I wish I could recall this dish, but the moment after this picture was taken, a fellow attendee accidentally ran into me, causing this to spill all over the table.
☆Polaris's Signature Blue Chocolate Dome: This blue chocolate dome was everything! From the shade of blue the dome is to the white chocolate slab with the Polaris logo and backdrop/dome, these little cakes were not only gorgeous, but mouthwatering as well! Filled with a creamy chocolate mousse cake along with a surprise center of gooey caramel, it just doesn't get any better than that! Plus, I thought it was so unique and fun of Polaris to incorporate their signature dessert to share with all of the VIP ToA attendees!
☆American Food and Beverage's Short Rib Grilled Cheese: I've never had a grilled cheese with short rib in it before, but I'm glad to say that I now have thanks to American Food and Beverage! The bread was perfectly buttered and crisp, while the short rib inside along with the melted cheese was beyond flavorful and tender. This was something that I could definitely get used to!
☆Thirteen Pies Grassfed Beef Meatballs with Parmesan Reggiano: Juicy, flavorful meatball with homemade marinara sauce and freshly grated parmesan cheese-such a classic dish, yum!
☆Close-up
☆Chef Zeb Stevenson doin' his thing!
☆Watershed's Coffee Spiced Pork with Tomato Jelly: You wouldn't think coffee works with pork, but it does! It brings out a smoky flavor that's toned down with a refreshing tomato jelly.
☆Pretzel Crisps Tent
☆Oak Steakhouse's Maine Lobster Roll with Old Bay Chips: I pretty much go weak in the knees when it comes to lobster rolls & these mini ones from Oak's were NO exception! The brioche buns were dipped in butter and delicately cooked on both sides, the lobster was incredibly fresh and succulent and the amount of mayonnaise and seasonings used didn't overpower the lobster, which is crucial when it comes to perfecting a lobster roll. Each bite was just as good, if not better, than the last. And the old bay seasoned chips were a great side item as well.
☆Oak Steakhouse's Beef Carpaccio with Arugula, Whole Grain Aioli, Crostini, Local Herb Goat Cheese: A perfect all-in-one bite, the toasted crostini paired beautifully with the mellow goat cheese, tangy whole grain mustard aioli and smooth beef carpaccio-talk about a party in your mouth!
☆Colletta's Smoked Short Rib Agnolotti with Salsa Verde, Pickled Shallots and Pecorino Romano: Little pasta pockets of heavenly goodness! I remember these from the Atlanta Food and Wine Fest back in May and they were delicious! The short rib filling along with the salsa verde, cheese and garlicky flavor, yes please!
☆Mercury's Shrimp Remoulade: Succulent large shrimp tossed in a flavorful, yet complex remoulade sauce-it's the perfect blend of fresh meets savory!
☆Close-up
☆The Sundial's Southeast Family Farms Flank Steak with Warm Potato Salad and Lemon-Sage Hollandaise: While the flank steak was soft and chewy, the potato salad with the lemon-sage hollandaise really brought it to the next level for me! Creamy, lemony and with hints of sage mixed throughout, the flavors melded well with the seasoned slice of flank.
☆Bites & Bevs Stage
Once again, I'd like to give a HUGE thank you to the lovely crew at Brave PR for giving me the opportunity to cover one of my favorite events of the year! As always, I had an absolute blast chatting with chefs, meeting new people, sampling new foods & growing an even deeper appreciation of all of the wonderful talents and individuals that we're spoiled with here in Atlanta. From the PR team to the volunteers to all of the restaurants, chefs, sponsors and organizers who planned yet another applause-worthy and successful event despite the rain, none of this would've been possible without you all--so thank you x infinity! And as if you couldn't tell, I'm already so pumped for next year's event! So much so, that I already know to prep my stomach and skip dinner the night before the event so that there's plenty of room to gobble down these incredible eats! I can't wait to hear the lineup for the 15th annual event!
Here's a detailed "Tips and Tricks" section to tackling Taste of Atlanta & making the best of the event: Taste of Atlanta Tips and Tricks. However, here are some changes to note from this year:
Here's a detailed "Tips and Tricks" section to tackling Taste of Atlanta & making the best of the event: Taste of Atlanta Tips and Tricks. However, here are some changes to note from this year:
- Parking: Expect to pay $20-25 for parking
- Paying: With the new RFID system that ToA utilized starting this year, you NO longer have to pay for taste tickets or carry around cash (so AWESOME & nifty!)
- Weather: If it's gonna rain on the day you're attending the event, make sure to bring a poncho. Umbrellas are a hassle-they easily get tangled up with other people's umbrellas & they have to be carried, which doesn't allow you to fully maximize the use of both hands, which you certainly want to do at an event like this!
- Be Nice/Patient: I can't tell you how many people I saw being rude to volunteers/restaurants for their food taking "so long." Don't be a jerk, plain and simple. There are thousands upon thousands of people at this event, I'm pretty sure they're going as fast as possibly they can without rude people breathing down their necks. Please leave that attitude at home, nobody deserves it.
If you have any questions about Taste of Atlanta, please feel free to ask me! I'll do my best to answer them as precisely as I can! I can't wait to see you all next year-it's going to be a BLAST! :)
-Sandy
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 {com}-Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment