This hip new(er) spot from the [tag]U Restaurant Group[/tag] in Midtown was packed on Saturday night when we arrived with our party of 8.  The neighbors in the condos above were out on their balconies having cocktails, complaining of the building wide smoke alarm that the restaurant, [tag]Cuerno[/tag], had set off – one of many times this has happened we were told.  But for those of us crammed into this tiny restaurant, we were grateful there was no fire as we would have had a hard time getting out of our chairs.

The space is very nice – complete with an anatomically correct large metal bull  sculpture and some big-ass chandeliers.  As we looked around the place, the staff was hard at work gathering extra chairs from some undisclosed location in order to convert our 5-top into an 8-top.  Good thing we like each other and do not mind touching strangers because we were all packed in there real tight.

We ordered two pitchers of Sangria which was very tasty and the fruit in the Sangria could put you on the floor.  We got a variety of tapas items which included tuna tartar, hot peppers, potatoes, mussels, a beet salad, and an “Americana Paella.”   The best items were the tuna tartar and the beet salad -oh, and the Paella.  The rest of the food can be summed up in one word – okay.  The potatoes were yawn yourself to death boring and I know they are just potatoes, but the sauce was lame and there was nothing tasty about them.  The mussels were nice, but really just okay.  It was all just okay.

The crowd was a great eclectic mix of sexy people, tourists, and locals. The service was not bad at all considering they had to practically jump over people to get to each table and the price was very reasonable.  It was an enjoyable evening out with friends – but I can think of better places to go get tapas next time.

Frank and Ashley get close at Cuerno.

Little Girl gives it 2 and a half paws up.

So, Andrew, I did really go outside the perimeter today for a closing in Kennesaw.  On my way, I stopped at the [tag]Chick-fil-A on Barrett Parkway[/tag].  Let me just say this experience was a bit surreal.  First, I walk in and go to wash my hands in the ladies room, and there I find, not just toilets and a sink, but mouthwash, fresh plants and flowers, lotion, tampons (if needed) and air freshener.  What?  Where am I?  Am I in a 4 star restaurant?  No, I am at the friggin Chick-fil-A.

I am ordering at the counter where everyone is smiling like crazy because they seem to enjoy their job so much, and then as I get my food, a gentleman, Ralph Stephens, offers me a fork for my coleslaw, then offers to take my tray to a table outside and tries to get napkins for me. Jesus.  He and I chatted, and he indeed is the owner of this fine establishment.  This guy ain’t fooling around.  This little chain location rocks.  I did notice that for once, a Chick-fil-A was not playing contemporary Christian rock.  In fact, he was playing oldies but goodies.  I had often wondered if the franchises had to play Christian rock, but Ralph told me no.  Good to know.

Anyway, if you are ever at the [tag]Target on Barrett Parkway[/tag], stop in to visit Ralph and his fabulous restaurant – and certainly make time to wash your hands in the “powder room.”

The mouthwash (small cups are provided of course) in the ladies restroom in the Chick-fil-A.

From time to time I have to go out to OTP (oh no!) to get my wonderful Toyota Prius serviced at World Toyota along Peachtree Industrial Road.  I have often walked to the Waffle House, but it has closed down, so I finally tried Oga’s Restaurant across from World Toyota.  I was not disappointed.  This country cooking place owned not by country people, is worth a visit if you are getting your car fixed out here by one of the many dealerships.  I stopped by for breakfast and sat on a barstool at the counter.

I ordered the country ham and eggs (half portion) for $6.59, a cup of coffee and a water.  My half portion was huge and the country ham was delicious – as were the biscuits and gravy and the eggs and the hashbrowns…   I read my paper, listened to 107.5 who had Aretha Franklin on live and hung out for an hour or so until Stephen from World Toyota texted me that my car was ready.  (Ask for him if you go there.)

Anyway, I don’t know who Oga is , but I do know that the food is good. I’d like to stop by for the country lunch of “a meat and three.”    Also, if you are looking for work, they have a “Help Wanted” sign out front.

  BigBoy Brutus gives it 3 paws up.

You know you are getting old when you go to a fancy restaurant at 5pm, and they don’t open until 5:30pm.  Now, we had a good excuse.  Alison, Kristen, Michael, and I were hitting the new [tag]Comedy Show at The Vortex’s Laughing Skull Lounge[/tag] at 7pm last Sunday evening, so we wanted to have enough time to enjoy our dinner at [tag]The Spice Market[/tag].  But, it was not open.  So, we of course, sat at the bar and ordered drinks until it opened.

Located in the [tag]W Hotel/Midtown[/tag], the place is lovely and swanky and sexy and fun – all except what the poor waiters have to wear – some serious long shirt wrap around thing that goes to the knees with matching pants.  Very Indian looking, but in purple.  Not buying it.  The decor is spot on and the lamps give a nice hue over the place.

And then there is the food.  Everything we had was excellent – from the spiced chicken samosas and tuna tartar for appetizers to the cod with Malaysian chili-sauce (pictured) and the spicy Shanghai noodles for dinner.  The cocktails were yummy as well.  I had a lychee raspberry Bellini to start with and the others got a few of the ginger margaritas with fresh ginger and ginger salt.  If I liked ginger, I would have loved these.  All drinks were well made and worth the price since the ingredients were very fresh.

Had we had time, we would have stayed for dessert, but alas, we had to get to the comedy show – which by the way, is great fun.  Alison and I will certainly be back to The Spice Market.  We enjoyed walking through the W Hotel as it is sexy as well.  Thank God we actually got a little dressy to go out this night.  And I am sure the concierge and parking guys loved the red sheet for the dogs in the back seat of my Prius.  Let me just say classy came to the W!

  Little Girl gives it 4 paws up.

In case you would like to gain even more weight and decide you are done with the turkey and dressing this holiday, you can head on over to [tag]Ms. Annie Price’s Burger “Shack”[/tag] at 1615 Memorial Drive.  If you go, you must get the world famous (seriously folks-it is world famous) [tag]Ghetto Burger[/tag] – but be prepared to have two or three friends help you eat it.

Alison, Brutus, Little Girl and I hope you have a safe and wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah and look forward to writing for you in the New Year!

I haven’t been this excited about frozen yogurt since it was cool- like 1991.  But frozen yogurt is making a comeback in Atlanta through the yummy goodness of [tag]Yoforia[/tag].  Made with only organic milk and organic yogurt, this stuff is blissful.  I don’t know if “active cultures” are a good thing, but they sure as heck taste good.

This frozen goodness comes in cool flavors – the most standard is plain which is like vanilla but with a hint of lemon juice in it.  Other flavors include blueberry, green tea, and pomegranate.  You can get 3 toppings for one price (but you don’t necessarily have to get 3- you are just paying for up to 3)  and the toppings are magnificent…from fresh berries, to chocolate, to cereal!   And you get tons…

Ashley and I split a small size which quite frankly is plenty for us, but we have heard stories of small people gobbling up a large  – which is huge! Anyway, go get some Yoforia.  It is worth waiting outside (like we did) one Sunday morning until it opens!

Brutus gives it 4 big paws up…