dessert

Tuesday’s Treats #205

/ The WheatandTares / 19 Comments

Seasons 52

Location: Buford, Ga

Ok so, if you have followed my Tuesday’s Treats, you know that I don’t usually review franchises because these are pretty common and vary mainly depending upon the managers. However, this particular franchise is not in every season, and before this one, I had never been to once, much less heard of it very often. So, I’m going to make an exception to my “no franchise rule,” and take a moment to tell you about this place. It’s just that good! 😉

Let’s start with the atmosphere. This place is just great. It has lots of different really neat seating arrangements, and because of the various lighting options, you can choose a bright and airy table, a cozy, romantic booth, a cool round booth/table for a larger group, and even a sunny, fun patio setting. (This pic doesn’t do perfect justice, as it was a sunny day outside; so, the booths were a bit bright as well.) But the design team thought of everything, because there’s even a two seater table with “booth-type” chairs that have an armrest to one side. How wonderful is that?

Now, let’s talk about food. Oh. My! I love shrimp and grits, and although this dish has a bit more tomatoes for my liking (I hate tomatoes, just love everything they make!), the grits are deliciously creamy, and the shrimp is scrumptious!
The pepperoni flatbread is incredibly good! It’s not a huge portion; it’s made more as an appetizer, but it is oh, so tasty.

A few pics of which I didn’t get a pic are the salmon, the lobster bisque, and the naked burger. The salmon is served with sautéed green beans (a little crunchy), and marbled potatoes. The burger is served with no bun and a small salad, but we get it with a bun and ask for a side of the marbled potatoes. The lobster bisque is creamy and full of lobster and crab. All of this is SO SO good!!

The other day, I ordered the corn wheels and grits to go along with the salmon. Oh. My. Goodness! I overindulged myself, and it was AMAZING!

Okay, you’ve waited patiently; so, now we will top it of these little beauties. These are mini bites of heaven in a cup! (actually called “Mini Indulgences”…accurately named!) We splurged on this particular day and ordered 7, and we got one free!

From the top, spiraling downward, the options were key lime pie, peanut butter torte, pecan pie (x2), espresso panda cotta, Belgian Chocolate S’mores, strawberry cheesecake, and key lime pie (again). They also have a cookies n’ cream and a raspberry chocolate chip cannoli, but these all suited us just fine! Oh. My. Word!! We are prickly about key lime, but this one has the perfect mixture of tart key lime and rich graham cracker crust, and that caramelized whip cream on top is just delectable! The espresso will be a delight to coffee lovers everywhere. Our boys loved the S’mores and the strawberry cheesecake. Oh, and the pecan pie was a bit too sweet, but the pecans were so good, and the added crust was as if I’d snuck a bit of grandma’s homemade pecan pie.

We left on this particular day needing to be rolled out of the restaurant like a barrel! But we did leave full and very satisfied! 😂

Website

Tuesday’s Treats #204

/ The WheatandTares / 18 Comments

City Central Tavern

Location: Sugar Hill, Ga

*I know it’s Wednesday, but ‘better late than never,’ right? Ha!😂

This place has a great atmosphere, and you can enjoy your meal inside or outside on the patio, complete with a a cushioned couch and a beautiful working waterfall.
Yes, this is a pretzel. It’s an appetizer, and it is delicious! What a great presentation!
Southwest Chicken Skillet. Delicious!!
My son gobbled up a taco before I got the pic! 😂 He said they were very tasty!
I didn’t get a pic of all the food, as we gobbled it up when it arrived! Lol. However, I did get a pic of the menu. The choices are pretty unique to CCT, and I believe you won’t be disappointed.

We have ordered the Shrimp and Grit Bowl, the Southwest Chicken Skillet, the Classic Burger, the wings and the Chili Dog. As you can see from these choices, it’s basically a high scale sports bar menu, but they do it with style and class.

The Shrimp Bowl is delicious, although I order the chorizo on the side, simply because I think chorizo is a bit of a bully. The dish begins to taste more like chorizo than what else is in the bowl. The grits could be a bit more creamier for my liking, but this bowl is very tasty.

The wings, chili dog, burger do not disappoint. There are endless ways you can order each of these, and we’ve had several that have been wonderful.

The Southwest Chicken Skillet is bountiful enough to share for two people, maybe if you don’t have an over eager appetite. We got an appetizer, and I wasn’t able to finish my skillet with it’s piles of chicken, kale rice, jalapeños, cheese and black beans (and I don’t eat black beans).

This is a great little dive for a friendly lunch or casual date. I’m not sure I’d worry about getting too romantic here, unless sports programs and rock and roll music is your thing, but we love it. … And when my husband and I are alone together, it’s a romantic date no matter where we are!

Website

Tuesday’s Treats #203

/ The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

Well, it’s been a little while again, but let’s see if we can get this started once more…

(Have to acquire the name!)

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

I know it seems funny that I don’t have the name of this restaurant, but as you will see below, I have the picture of the name. I have to get in touch with my Ukrainian friends to get the American spelling! Lol.

This place was so intriguing. We were told it is the setting of the Soviet Union homes back before the USSR fell. I felt like I was walking into a home from the 1960s in America.

I especially loved the bakers area, where they were creating all kinds of delicious goodness! I placed that pic at the beginning because I felt it really captured the essence of this restaurant.

The food was actually similar to what you could find in some diners in America. The menu was several pages long, and the food, although delicious, was not fancy or extravagantly presented. (My apologies for no food pics! We were starving by the time it came!)

The food was really good. We had pickles and veggies as an appetizer. We had roast, chicken fillets and sour cherry dumplings and a chocolate cake for dessert. There were other items ordered in our party; however, my memory is a bit fuzzy from the January trip. *I will get an update here soon!

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. I almost felt conspicuous in the restaurant, as I was so awe struck by the decor and atmosphere.

The bakery displayed all sorts of delectable pastries and goodies!
If you can decipher Ukrainian (or maybe a bit of Russian) , you might be able to read this!
The atmosphere was actually very quaint and cozy. I felt as if I was eating in someone’s home, enjoying conversation in their living room.
This was the table in which we sat. The bench was soft and inviting. The bookcase behind simply decorated with a few plants and vases, and a warm lamp glow just beyond.
The stairs going to the downstairs of the restaurant was filled with old books I’d like to sit and read and a vintage lunchbox that made me wonder who owned it, where he has worked and if his home had been a bit like this one in years past.
The napkins and toothpicks were all neatly displayed in little red and white checked jars.

I have never appreciated Russian fare nor the Russian way of life, as I have read so much destruction and so much heartache that they have brought to their world. Yet, when eating here in this restaurant, I can see why there are some in Kyiv who almost want to believe Russia doesn’t want to bring harm but good. (Yet, watching their invasion of Crimea, I do hope they are never deceived… another story for another day… 😉)

*I will need to acquire the name and the website; so, you can visit one day while you’re in Kyiv!

Tuesday’s Treats #202

/ The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

RCB (Riverstone Corner Bistro)

Location: Canton, Ga

This place is really nice, and the food is amazing! We have eaten here several times, almost every time we’re in the area. The staff is also attentive and friendly.

The pimento cheese appetizer is amazing! Just watch out, because if you eat the whole thing, and there’s only two of you, you might not be able to finish your lunch/dinner! 😂

The shrimp and grits are definitely a winner. Let me just say, Smoke Gouda Grits! Oh my word. So good! We’ve also had the burger, too he grilled chicken and the market fish of the day. Everything is delicious! I’m wondering if they can make anything bad. Seriously.

Now, let’s talk desserts. They have several yummy options, but our favorite is the double brownie. Oh. My. Word! Ooey, gooey chocolate with a scoop of ice cream. Just the way it should be. Delicious!

Website

*Well, after a way-too-long hiatus, Tuesday’s Treats are back. Between Covid, shutdowns and our job becoming a bit busier rather than slower during all of it, I’ve not been writing very much over the last 3 months. So, I’m working back into it, and my good blogging friend, Linda, over at Walkin’, Writin’, Wit & Whimsy, reminded me how much she enjoyed these; so, here we go! (Btw, she’s got a great blog! Go take a look. I believe you’ll really enjoy it!) 😉

**…and I suppose, since it’s been so long, I couldn’t even keep up with the day this is supposed to be posted! Lol!! I am reposting this on Tuesday; since, I got ahead of myself and posted Tuesday’s Treats on Monday! 🙄🤦‍♀️😅

Friday Fun Day

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Go ahead. ➡️

Indulge a little. 😋

Why not? 🤷‍♀️

It’s 5:00 somewhere. 💁‍♀️

Oh yeah, here! 😉

It’s Friday Fun Day! 😜

Tuesday’s Treats #198

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Park Side District

Location: Lawrenceville, Ga

This place is absolute amazing! Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere is cool. The only thing I might would change is there’s not a ton of real “intimate” seating, but we went during lunch, and we had a nice seat.

The food is phenomenal. We started with the Gouda grit fritters, added a salad, salmon, shrimp and grits, brussel sprouts and dessert. I had the apple cobbler and my husband had the red velvet bread pudding. Oh. My. Word!!

Now look, my husband doesn’t even like brussel sprouts now bread pudding, and he loved both! 😂 The fritters are something special and unique; you’ve just got to try them. The shrimp and grits and the salmon is so good; I’ve been craving these since we left!

That apple cobbler is so fresh and delicious, and the bread pudding is surprisingly moist and scrumptious! You’ll want to try this place out soon!

Website

Tuesday’s Treats #196

/ The WheatandTares / 5 Comments

NY Street Pizza

Location: Lviv, Ukraine

*My apologies for the delay in this post! Had some trouble on the site and couldn’t post media. 😜 We’re back up and running smoothly, I hope! 😉

Before you read this review, you can check out the pics and my previous review here. We visited this restaurant again while in Ukraine, and it was just as amazing as the first time!

We had a few different items this time; so, I thought I’d share those as well.

The Greek salad is phenomenal, and it’s served with such class!

The apple strudel is so delicious. Last time, we had the molten chocolate cake, which is still scrumptious; however, if your wanting something a little different from chocolate, this is a must!

Tuesday’s Treats #196

/ The WheatandTares

NY Street Pizza

Location: Lviv, Ukraine

*My apologies for the delay in this post! Had some trouble on the site and couldn’t post media. 😜 We’re back up and running smoothly, I hope! 😉

Before you read this review, you can check out the pics and my previous review here. We visited this restaurant again while in Ukraine, and it was just as amazing as the first time!

We had a few different items this time; so, I thought I’d share those as well.

The Greek salad is phenomenal, and it’s served with such class!

The apple strudel is so delicious. Last time, we had the molten chocolate cake, which is still scrumptious; however, if your wanting something a little different from chocolate, this is a must!

Tuesday’s Treats #194

/ The WheatandTares / 8 Comments

The Grizzle Grist

Location: North Georgia

I know I’m a bit late on posting today, and this is usually my day to review a restaurant, but since it’s Christmas Eve, and I have a short moment here between a family lunch and our evening festivity’s, I thought I’d share a little recipe with you that a family tradition. 😊🎄

I love to bake, and I especially love to bake around the holidays. So often, the calendar is too full to do all the baking I’d like to accomplish, but I always try to get in, at least, a little. There’s one item that is almost always on the list of things I am to bring to a family function. These are called marble-top brownies, but I’m not sure you’ll find this particular recipe anywhere, as I made my own version about 20years ago, and they’ve been a family tradition ever since.

Now, I believe in EASY; so, get ready for a bit of “straight-out-of-the box” instructions, and please, don’t snub your nose if you’re more of a “straight-from-scratch” kind of gal. I’m sure you can modify this to your own desires and likings. 😉

Marble-top Brownie’s (Momma Mia Style)

1 box favorite Brownies Mic (I like Betty C’s)

Ingredients to make the brownies (this will vary – typically egg(s), oil and water)

1 pkg Cream Cheese

1/2 c. Sugar

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 egg

Bag of Coconut Flakes

Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Preheat oven to 350. Spray the bottom of a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix brownie ingredients as directed into he back of the box. Once mixed well, pour batter in bottom of pan. In medium bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add egg and mix just until blended (don’t over mix). Pour over brownie mix and spread till all brownie mix is covered. Take knife and “cut” batter and turn to make swirls of brownie and cream cheese mix. It will have a marble effect. (*Note, don’t make it “dirty;” in other words, don’t over marbleize, or the cream cheese will be more brownie mix than creamy.) Sprinkle coconut over mix, followed by chocolate chips. Bake for 28 mins or until cream cheese is almost set and edges are slightly golden.

*Once out of oven, use a plastic knife to cut into brownies. This makes cutting so much easier and less messy.

Hope you enjoy these! Merry Christmas!🎄

*Sorry for the Saran wrap pic below. They’re already readied for Christmas lunch tomorrow! 😉

Tuesday’s Treats #188

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Bare Bones Steakhouse

Location: Buford, GA

*If you’re a regular reader here on Tuesday’s Treats, you will recognize this name from a post quite a while ago, Tuesday’s Treats #28. I am reviewing this again (or maybe just adding to), because we ate here again a few days ago, and it’s worth telling. Also, sorry for the lack of pics for this Tuesday’s Treats, we were eating with friends and enjoying such great fellowship, I didn’t pull out my phone even one time! You can see a few of the pics on the TT #28. 😉

This place is still ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It is very rare that you can go to a restaurant over the course of several years, and it still be as good as the first day you walked through the door. Yet, this business is worthy of that notation.

We had quite an assortment of appetizers this time: fried green tomatoes, onion rings, fried mushrooms and cauliflower, BB shrimp and lobster rolls. A few of these items were on special; so, you may or may not find them on the current menu. Let me describe them to you anyway. The fried green tomatoes were made to perfection and topped with a homemade pimento cheese that has just a little kick which makes for a delicious combination. The onion rings are piled high and roped with Grana cheese, Georgia honey and red pepper flakes. This is a surprising blend of sweet and spicy that makes your taste buds long for more. The fried mushrooms and cauliflower are exceptionally good, and that is coming from a couple whose favorites aren’t in the mushroom or cauliflower departments. The BB shrimp are similar to a common spicy shrimp found in a nearby franchise restaurant, but in my opinion, these are a bit more crispier and tastier. The lobster rolls were a special being tested for the evening, and we were asked if they should add it to the menu. Considering, we ate six of the twelve brought to the table and consumed the last six the next day at lunch, I suppose, their answer may be found in the disappearance of those little goodies.

The entrees came next, and after all those delicious appetizers, I’m not sure how we consumed all that we did, but everything was incredible. We ordered pan seared salmon, filet mignon, NY strip and the Hawaiian ribeye. The steaks almost made you want to cry, they were so good, and the salmon was probably the best I’ve ever put in my mouth. It is made simple, pan seared with salt and pepper, but the flaky goodness of the salmon is rivaled as the best in my book of comparison. As sides, they served us fried okra, Mac and cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes and grits. There wasn’t one item that was just so-so or even below the top notch on the scale of perfection. It seems everything they do, from the greeting at the door to the goodbye is done with the utmost spirit of excellence.

Now, I cannot finish without describing the decadent desserts we had. As times before, I ordered the blackberry cobbler (in the little white crock), and I’m not sure it could have been any better. The fresh baked blackberries with the perfectly crusted topping just about sent me to heaven and back. (*Do be careful how quickly you take those first few bites. The crock definitely holds in the heat; it would be a shame to singe your tongue as you get started!) I still cannot believe I consumed almost that entire thing! My husband wanted a few bites, and honestly, I had to resist the thought of a selfish growl thrown in his direction. He ordered the special apple cobbler, also baked in those sweet little crocks, and it was just as scrumptious. It was almost a struggle for me to choose my favorite. Our boys ordered the flourless brownie and cream puffs, and let me pause right here to say, my whole brood of guys never want any kind of dessert described as “flourless” cake, believing it to not be of much tasteful worth; however, our youngest already having had this, knew what to expect. Well, let me assure you, there wasn’t a drop of chocolate left on the plate, and my husband had to instruct our youngest to slow down on his consumption. Our oldest thoroughly enjoyed the cream puffs filled with delicate, creamy, whipped chocolate.

If you haven’t been to this restaurant by now, you are surely missing out on a delectable and exquisite fare. Everything is still farm to table and a made from scratch precision. The staff is incredibly friendly; the manager, who is also the owners’ son, is engaging, helpful and enjoyably conversational, and the owners are kind and wonderful to meet, as well as, to get to know. Their business seems to be thriving, and I hope it will continue for many, many years to come.

Website

*I do not possess nor do I own this picture. This is from the website.