On a whim – while driving on Highland, the completely re-developed strip in Inman Park – Ashley and I decided to drop in to one of the new [tag]Atlanta restaurants[/tag] on that road – [tag]Parish Foods and Goods[/tag]. Not Perish – as in death, but Parish – as in the geographic boundaries used in Louisiana that most states call “counties.” It took me a few minutes to put this together, despite being a native Louisianian….here’s the story and review.

I had not heard of this place so I walked in without any expectations. The interior is great – a brick office building from the early 1900s with exposed brick walls, open spaces, and great old tin roof tiles. Downstairs is the gourmet store/deli/coffee shop with fresh pastries (pistachio crème brulee anyone?), meats, snotty bottled drinks and fresh sandwiches and salads. The downstairs area is open all day. Oh – and the pastries are half price after 6pm – according to the bartender.

Ok – back to dinner. We sat upstairs in the main restaurant at the bar. It was there that I finally realized this was a restaurant shooting for the Louisiana vibe – they have an excellent selection of [tag]Abita beer on draft[/tag]. If you have not had beer on draft – it is a great microbrewery from Abita Springs, Louisiana that uses fresh spring water and it is some of the best beer in America. If you like wheat beer – the Purple Haze is a flavorful burst of raspberry and wheat. If you prefer a more stout-like feel, go for the Turbo Dog – light but dark. High gravity? AndyGator. Lager – go with Abita Amber – smooth and tasty. Non-alcoholic? Abita Root Beer on draft is one of the best things you will ever drink. Parish offers an Abita Root Beer Float that sounds superb. Maybe next time.

This time we went with signature cocktails followed by an Abita Amber. Oh – and to eat – the Chef’s seafood sampler and shrimp burger. The sampler was a nice mix of crawfish empanadas, some oyster thingy, a nice broiled fish, and other stuff. The shrimp burger was tasty and delicious – small and on French bread with a side of home-made potato chips and a homemade pickle. The chips were skip-able, the pickle was grand.

As the bartender pointed out – Parish isn’t trying to be some “Cajun” joint – they are going for a more upscale “Creole” feel. In other words more uptown New Orleans than downtown Lafayette. But don’t go searching for some Creole owner whose Momma still speaks French. This fancy joint is just another exquisite space with pretty good food by your friends at Concentrics Restaurants who have brought us One Midtown Kitchen, Two Urban Licks, and Trois. We found the service – great, the food – yummy, the specialty cocktails tasty (and affordable), and the drink list on a brown paper bag appropriately snotty-cheap.

Brutus gives it 3 paws up!