When David and I go for runs we talk about anything to keep us from thinking about the fact that we’re running. To quote David, “the best part about running is being done.” (Usually I let David talk and I nod my head, conserving as much energy as possible.)

On Sunday morning we went for a run and in the midst of our huffing and puffing, we created our “Top 5” Atlanta restaurant list.  When making the list, we had nice venues in mind.  Think entrees over $20.  Notice that I didn’t call this the Top 5 Gluten-Free Restaurant List…all of these make great gluten-free food because all of their food is lovely, quality and creative.

Here’s what we came up with:

1. Bacchanalia (Westside): Favorite dishes: anything and everything.
2. Empire State South (Midtown): We went here for the first time last weekend and loved it!  Our wonderful dining experience prompted our “Top 5 Discussion.”  Will post more details soon.
3. Iberian Pig (Decatur): Favorite dishes are “BWDs” and lamb ribs
4. Rosebud (Virginia Highlands): Favorite dish: scallops with pineapple smoked bacon, caroline rice, and sorghum mustard peppercorn honey
5. Wisteria (Inman Park): Favorite dish: rack of lamb and mashed potatoes

What are some of your ATL favorites?  What do you like to order?  David and I are always looking for new places to try!

Still to come: Top 5 Atlanta casual spots…list to be determined during our next run.

This weekend, David and I enjoyed the most amazing meal at Bacchanalia, with two of our friends, who are a big part of the reason we fell in love with Atlanta.  It was a perfect way to celebrate their friendship, and the fact that we are in ATL for good, as well as an excuse to spend an evening together.

I didn’t take any pictures of the meal because well, it just didn’t seem like the right place to be snapping photos, but I really wish I had.  Every dish was so beautiful you don’t want to eat it, yet so delicious that you savor every last bite.

For those of you that don’t know, Bacchanalia is owned by Anne Quatrano, who also owns Floataway Café, Abbattoir, and Star Provisions.  This restaurant is a special occasion splurge, a very special treat.  For $75,  you get a beautiful 4-course dinner, with multiple special treats between courses.  While $75 is a lot of money, for us DC folks, it’s a steal!

Many people have written about Bacchanalia, and we all agree that the food is divine.  I could talk your ear off about my grilled octopus with green curry appetizer or my lamb with spring pesto, followed by a cheese course with plum preserves, or the peanut butter ice cream with caramelized bananas, but I would just make you jealous…really jealous

I will tell you about how Bacchanalia created an especially wonderful for me.  When I made the reservations, they carefully noted that I have celiac and can’t eat gluten.  Normally, even when you tell a restaurant, you still need to remind them when you arrive.  At Bacchanalia, I literally didn’t have to ask a single question the entire meal.  I think every person employed by Bacchanalia knew about my dietary restrictions.  Upon being seated, they removed my bread plate and took care of me every step of the three hour meal.  Since I couldn’t enjoy the cheese biscuits with my dinner companions, the chef gave me a beet salad with micro greens amuse bouche, which was a perfectly refreshing way to start the meal.  (Who needs cheese biscuits anyway?)

One of my favorite treats of the evening was the pre-dessert Panna cotta.  Everyone else’s came with granola on top, but for mine they garnished it with puffed rice.  Pretty awesome.  I had no idea I was a fan of panna cotta but it was delicious, creamy and sweet.

At the end of this amazing meal, even though I’d been eating for the last three hours, I felt completely refreshed, free of bloating, stomach pain or any signs of contamination.  With a 4-course meal and added surprises along the way, there are many variables and chances for a mess up, but not a single mistake was made at Bacchanalia.  I confidently slurped every soup, ate every bite, and devoured each course, without any concern.  (When the server put the peanut butter ice cream and caramelized bananas in front of me, I momentarily panicked at the graham cracker looking, crumbly bits on the plate.  He quickly, and very pleasantly, assured me that it was just crumbled peanuts.)

If you’re looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, Bacchanalia is the place.  Particularly for those of us with special dietary needs, the chefs and servers will make sure that you have just as wonderful of a dining experience as your gluten-eating, dairy-loving, date.  When you make your reservations, let them know your needs, and they will be happy to serve you.

Have you ever dined at Bacchanalia?  What was your favorite part of the meal?  Highlights?

This weekend I got to check out Floataway Café with our friends John and Lisa, a restaurant that I’ve been eager to try for the awhile. Owned by Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, the people that also own Bacchanalia, Floataway Café offers delicious food at a more affordable price and more casual atmosphere.  You definitely wouldn’t describe Floataway as ‘centrally located’ to anything really, but it is near Emory University, on Zonolite Road, off of Briarcliff. While we had a bit of difficulty finding this restaurant, located in a restored warehouse, once we were inside, we had a wonderful dining experience, ranking Floataway as one of my top meals in Atlanta thus far.  Not only was the food delicious but they get five stars in the ‘gluten-free friendly’ category.

Fortunately we made reservations in advance because Floataway turned out to be very busy when we arrived.  We waited for about ten minutes in the bar area for our table but the chairs were comfy so I didn’t really notice the wait.  (So much better than standing in a hallway to wait for a table like a lot of restaurants!)  The décor in Floataway reminded me of Bacchanalia, with tall ceilings and drapery.  Quatrano can amazingly transform a warehouse into a beautiful dining room.  Our table was tucked in the back in its own little area surrounded by curtains.  I’m usually distracted by other diners but we were secluded, yet could still feel the bustle of the restaurant.  It seems that the management realized early on that noise would be an issue because of the space, so much of the decoration was put into place to combat the noise.  I didn’t find sound to be an issue at all so problem solved.

The menu at Floataway is only one page but I did not feel limited in my options.  Our wonderful waitress was very knowledgeable and particularly conscientious about relaying information between the kitchen and me.  She even asked me if I could have specific vinegars and served nuts on the side of my salad because they used corn starch and just wanted to be careful.  It amazed me that the chef was so attentive to my dietary needs, particularly on such a busy night.  Sometimes at nice restaurants, the chef thinks he/she knows everything about food and doesn’t ask any questions because the chef thinks he knows all of the answers.  I felt very confident in the food that I was served, even on a busy Saturday night.

Every aspect of my meal at Floataway was delicious, filling and fresh.  The menu changes every day so they make the most of local and seasonal ingredients.  David and I split the ‘Elijay apple salad with arugula and cheddar.’  The dressing went perfectly with the flavor combinations and the salad wasn’t overdressed and soggy either.  For the main course, David and I each ordered gluten-free dinners that we shared.  I love getting to share with others, which is often a rarity for me when dining out.  I chose the quail with wood oven roasted Bartlett pears and balsamic.  This was my first experience trying quail (with the encouragement of our waitress) and it was so good.  I don’t think I will ever prepare quail in my own kitchen, so this was a great opportunity to try it.  I love combining the flavors of pears and balsamic too which went well with the smoky flavor of the quail.  I enjoyed every bite of my portion.

David ordered the oven roasted Springer Mountain chicken for his entrée.  Normally this dish comes with a warm bread salad (obviously full of gluten), but for us they substituted roasted vegetables.  Normally I don’t order chicken at a restaurant but we had eyed this plate on someone else’s table and it looked incredible.  (It tasted as good as it looked.)  I take pride in my own roasted vegetables but these were strong competition.  The cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and carrots that accompanied our chicken were perfectly cooked and seasoned.  They were tender and seemed to melt into the rest of the meal while maintaining their own distinct color and flavor.  Of course David let me eat more than my share of the veggies.

After such an extravagant meal, I usually abstain from dessert, especially since I usually am limited to a scoop of ice cream or a creme brulee.  (I’m sorry but I just have trouble getting excited about crème brule.)  The waitress told us that the gateau victoire with chantilly cream is entirely gluten-free.  She even double checked with the pastry chef because at Star Provisions, they dust it with flour, but at Floataway, no flour is used.  I ordered the cake with a cup of coffee and what a great decision.  Part of why I loved this cake so much was because it didn’t taste as dense as your typical ‘flourless chocolate cake.’  It actually tasted more like cake than a huge hunk of chocolate.  I highly recommend saving room for this tasty treat when you check out Floataway.  If only Star Provisions could make their gateau totally gluten-free!

Overall, a successful evening with delicious food.  We had a great time with friends and did not feel rushed through our meal at all, even though the restaurant was busy.  You should definitely visit Floataway Café, even if you’re not planning on being in the neighborhood!

Floataway Cafe – 1123 Zonolite Rd. NE – Atlanta, GA 30306 – 404.892.1414