Funny

ONE. midtown kitchen

Date: 1/23/2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Review: If there's one word to describe ONE (midtown kitchen), it would be "hip." From the outside, ONE midtown kitchen looks like a hip converted-warehouse-looking club off the beaten path. Inside, through the stark purple entrance, as you pass through a plush red entrance-way, you are invited into a hip converted-warehouse-looking restaurant with a very trendy and cool bar featuring a surprisingy wide variety of Scotch/Whiskey as well as other spirits for such a hip venue. ONE features a fresh daily menu at surprisingly reasonable prices -- the wine list features a broad selection (albeit not at the same "reasonable" prices as the food but adequate nonetheless) that appears to pair well with any of the intriguing menu items. The menu features an interesting selection of Japanese and seafood-influenced items including a toro small plate (which I did not happen to sample on this visit).

ONE makes a tasty humous that pairs with its house bread selection for the table. Within ordering my entree, the food arrived promptly and was prepared precisely as ordered. I had a delicate yellowfin tuna entree that was seared rare paired with wild mushrooms and a light whipped potato side. Beware that this is certainly not the restaurant to visit if you are coming with a large appetite. The portions are very modest but are crafted with care.

During my next visit, I would like to take advantage of the bottomless wine selection paired with a very hip and tasty meal.

Rating: 7.9

Ginger
Date: 1/21/2006
Location: Edina, MN (Minneapolis suburb)

Review: Nestled in the heart of 50th and France area of Edina, Ginger fits in well from the outside as an old house converted into a restaurant. What surprises the average passerbyer is that this is not your old-fashioned restaurant -- instead, it is an Asian bistro (actually, it's a Cantonese-styled restaurant with a facelift). The range of the menu is a bit less than a typical Cantonese (Chinese) restaurant, but it is much clearer and easier to understand (particularly helpful for those who cannot read Chinese or decipher typically cryptic and broken English). The atmosphere is pleasant and calming with no more than a few tables located next to each other on the small entrance level and a similar cozy feeling upstairs. Credit is due for attempting to add an Asian charm to the decor, but it lacks complete attention to detail to truly recreate an Asian feel.

But to the main draw: the food. I had the great fortune of being offered the list of specials including Chilean Seabass (a personal favorite of mine). Served Cantonese-style: steamed with ginger, green onions, a light rice wine, vinegar, light (colored) soy sauce, and perhaps a hint of sugar, the seabass was steamed to near-perfection. Nearly each bite was pleasantly soft and nearly melt-in-your-mouth good. Complemented with the sauce, the experience is truly delectable. The prices are quite reasonable considering the superb quality of the ingredients and taste. The service is good but could be slightly more attentive to ensure our teapot and other beverages were adequately full. In all, the experience is quite charming and peaceful and very pleasant for any fan of Chinese food.

Rating: 7.6

OK Cafe
Date: 1/18/2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Review: It's more than "OK." Oddly, since the subtitle on the sign says "No worries ... everything's OK," I thought this was an Australian establishment. Sure enough, I come up with some pretty goofy ideas and this is actually a Southern restaurants. The cornbread was quite moist inside, yet had a nice crispy text on top that wasn't burnt. My colleagues and I ordered a tasty appetizer of Fried Cheese Grits which could be best described as a lightly breaded croquet. Having grown up in the "north" most of my life, I hadn't tried much Southern food nor truly understood the concept of "comfort food" until dining at OK Cafe. After finishing my order of Crab and Crawfish Cakes with tasty sides of broccoli (probably cooked or soaked in butter: tasty but not the least bit healthy) and Triple Cheese Macaroni had my stomach help me understand that I had experienced Southern comfort food. Word on the street is this is a favorite spot for the movers and shakers of ATL to strategize. The prices are a moderately higher than I would have expected and the wait for this seems-like-it's-always-packed local favorite is somewhat long for a party of four, though it's worth at least one experience. Located on the prestigious Paces Ferry Road yet nestled next to I-75, this restaurant serves a plateful of Southern comfort food that will fill you up and then some.
Rating: 6.1

Muss & Turner's
Date: 1/18/2006
Location: Smyrna, GA (Atlanta suburb)
Review: Located in a Southern-colonial townhouse/storefront, Muss & Turners serves up a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches, entrees, and salads -- though I have yet to try them all. I frequent M&T for lunch -- an incredible place that serves phenomenal sandwiches including two of my favorites: Tuscan Raider and the SBLT (Salmon, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato). I recently tried M&T's dinner entrees and was, again, more than satisfied. On a previous occasion, I had a divine dining experience tasting Atlantic Salmon served over a miso-infused broth with fresh mixed Asian vegetables -- all for less than $12 which is unheard of given the freshness of ingredients and impressive taste. I also highly recommend a new item I had not previously tried called Do You Have Tilapia Today? which was a geneours filet of lightly battered and fried tilapia served within a warm hoagie bun garnished with arugula, red onions, and remoulade (which was a tasty alternative to the typical tartar sauce). The staff, chef, and owners are friendly and will make excellent recommendations for a first timer or a frequent diner. Be prepared to be impressed and not have to pay very much.
Rating: 8.7

Welcome to 1toGood

My dining and entertainment experiences are rated on an open 1 to Good scale based on the following criteria:

• Taste, texture, and smell
• Presentation
• Price/value
• Service and style
• Overall Experience (including the uniqueness of the experience)

Ratings of 1 up to but not including 5 are dining/entertainment experiences that I will never venture to again. If an experience receives a rating at or slighty above 5, this means I would be unlikely to revisit the given establishment unless a friend or colleague had a strong desire to frequent the establishment. Ratings of 6 or higher are places I would visit on my own without a need of someone to encourage me to attend. Ratings of 9 or higher are phenomenal gastronomic experiences that warrant high regard and recommendation. If an experience achieves the pinnacle of all five dimensions, it has achieved the "Good" rating.