6FootBombshell

Although I’ve moved away from home and do not miss Boston at all (except for the friends and family) one thing that I absolutely love about that city is the diversity.  With diversity comes all kinds of good eats!

I went home recently and finally went to a restaurant that has been 5 blocks away from me my entire life that I always walked by.  Merengue Restaurant located at 156-160 Blue Hill Avenue, brings Dominican Republic cuisine to the heart of Roxbury.  With dishes like Langosta al Gusto* (Lobster in Garlic, Vinaigrette, Creole or Coconut Sauce) and Combinacion de Mariscos al Gusto* (Seafood Combination with Lobster, Shrimps, Calamari, Octopus & Mussels) you will enjoy something on the menu.  When you walk in all your senses are greeted with something Dominican.  The aroma, the sounds and the authentic Dominican decor gives the feeling that you are on their island enjoying their food.

Unfortunately, my first experience wasn’t great.  We waited 35 minutes for salmon, salad and rice and beans.  The waiter did not come over one time to apologize for the delay or just give us an update on our food.  When the food finally arrived my salmon was as hard as an over cooked piece of steak and my beans were cold.  I was completely thrown off by this because I’ve heard nothing but great reviews.  Will I go back?  I’m thinking about it because everyone’s food looked and smelled really good.  Luckily I’m in the mood of giving second chances.

If you’re ever in Boston go check them out.  I think they just had an off day.

www.merenguerestaurant.com

EVOS Prado – 5590 Roswell Road, Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30308

When thinking about fast food most people think of fatty burgers and fries topped off with an even fattier milkshake.  When thinking about healthy, organic or even vegetarian/vegan foods, people’s mind tend to think bran and bland.  Well Evos gives you the best of the fast food world without the hormones and dirty brown grease. 

At Evos you can get a Freerange Steakburger, a vegan soy burger, and airbaked fries and chicken strips.  They also have wraps and fresh salad made with organic greens.   The airbaked fries are light, clean and crisp and the “EVOS Ketchup Karma” station which features Original Americana, Garlic Gravity, Cayenne Firewalker and Mesquite Magic promise to satisfy anyone’s palate.  My little cocoa chickadee proclaimed their chicken strips the best she had ever tasted.

The staff is patient and helpful in selecting the delicious eats.  So great food, great service and did I mention free wi-fi, how much does all of this cost.  With a kids eat free special our Veggie Garden Grill, Kids Airbaked Chicken Strips, 2 small drinks and large Airfries came to less than $10.00, which I could easily spend more when visiting the arches or his royal highness.

With the promise that there will be no guilt associated with the consumption of any of the menus’ earthly delights who can resist.  Visit www.evos.com for menu and locations. 

***Atlanta mid and downtowners will be happy to know that another location is soon opening at Viewpoint (855 Peachtree St.), and a little birdie told me this location may also serve adult libations.***

Tired of the regular pizza shop?

The Blackwood Pizza Bar located at 3560 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, GA 30344, is a pizzeria touched with a little soul.  Along with the regular tables you see in restaurants, they also have sofas and other big comfy chairs for you to fall into as you listen to a live band.  Staff has been friendly, which is always a plus.  Topping the soul, the customer focused staff and decor is the food.  The pizza is GREAT and moderately priced!

Cocoa Chicks will definitely be there again!

Sidenote to the owner:  You should really get your website finished.  Your online presence should be just as fresh and intriguing as your real life presence .  Keep up the good work!

If you love Thai food, we have a spot for you!

Treat your taste buds and your wallet to Erawan Organic Thai Restaurant located in Sandy Springs, GA.  The food is fresh, organic, and vegetarian-friendly.  It also won’t take you to the bank.  My favorite dish is the organic chicken panang with brown rice. 

Erawan Organic Thai Restaurant – 7855 Roswell Road – Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Looking for a GREAT breakfast spot?  Take yourself to the historic Old Fourth Ward district and walk into Thumbs Up.  Located at 573 Edgewood Ave, Thumbs Up diner has the formula to breakfast.  With a pretty much friendly staff and items on the menu such as Yukon Omelette (Smoked Salmon, fresh spinach and cream cheese); buckwheat pecan pancakes and The Heap (seasoned spuds topped with cheddar/jack cheese, two eggs any style and a choice of chopped turkey bacon, chopped country sausage, chopped veggie sausage and much more).  The best part is the price and the amount of food they give you.  I have not been able to finish a plate yet.

Pros:  Portland Scramble Omelette, Multi-grain biscuit, pecan pancakes, price and great food!

Cons:  If you go on a weekend anytime after 10 am you will wait a very long time. 

Enjoy!

When my little cocoa chick and I entered this establishment we were greeted by two smiling faces and a warm home like feel. One of the owners allowed the young teen, who I assume was his son welcome us and take the lead. He give us a rundown of the menu which consist of burger subs, with turkey and vegetarian options, chicken strip subs, barbeque chicken quarters, and barbeque pork ribs. The sides include French fries, cheese fries, onion rings, sweet baked beans and potato salad (with has a nice Cajun kick).

I ordered a veggie burger sub meal with onion rings and all of the fixins on my sub and my little one ordered barbeque chicken quarters, also with onion rings. While we waited we were given a small scoop of ice cream to tide us over. Not sure if the ice cream was home made but the vanilla scoop I had was sweet and buttery and a good indication of the quality of food we were about to receive. As we sat on the comfy sofa, I looked at a couple of magazines from the coffee table and took in the ambiance. Free laptop usage at an internet station, an eclectic mixture of photographs and pictures that include family photos, Dizzy Gillespie and Run DMC wearing their signature Adidas and Kangol hats. Before I could say anything my daughter swaying her head to the jazz playing in the background said “I like this place, I know the food is going to be good,” and boy was that an understatement. It was so good that I must admit my daughter went to school the next day proclaiming Poppa G’s king, so much so that we were walking back through the doors less that one week later.

Again we were greeted by the warm faces of the owners and fell deeper in love with this South Fulton eatery. So if you are looking for great food and service make your way down to Poppa G’s.

Visit www.cheeseburgersub.com

One thing I love is a great restaurant and Puerto Rico has lots of those.  You can stand in the middle of Old San Juan, close your eyes, spin around and where ever your eyes land there will be a good place to eat.  There are just to many to name so I’ll tell you about 2.

Do not, I repeat, do not go to Puerto Rico and eat somewhere you can eat in the states.  On the way back from The Yunque Rainforest tour, a passenger asked our tour guide where the closest McDonald’s was.  Everyone turned to her and said ‘McDonald’s?’  So after we laughed the amateur off the bus, we proceeded to Cafe Del Angel located on Ashford Ave in San Juan for some authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.  I don’t know what I ordered because the menu was in Spanish so I told our server to bring me anything without pork or red meat in it.  It was sooooooo good!  I ate myself into a coma.

A little bit of Italy nestled in Puerto Rico!

If you have grown tired of Puerto Rican cuisine during your stay and want something that reminds you of home, there’s nothing better than pizza and pasta.  On our last day in Puerto Rico, we came across Sofia Italian Kitchen & Bar located at 355 San Francisco Street, Old San Juan.  Beautifully arranged with pictures of Sofia Loren throughout the restaurant, this Italian Kitchen and Bar was a pleasant surprise.  We were greeted and served by Mireya Aragon who was professional and friendly from the minute we walked in the door.  Although we kept it very simple by ordering salad and pizza, this was by far the best pizza I’ve had.  That’s HUGE since I grew up on Boston and New York style pizza and you know Boston and New York thinks they have the best pizza on the planet.  NOT!  So if you’re in Puerto Rico and want a little taste of ‘home’ go to Sofia Italian Kitchen & Bar.  You will not be disappointed.