Tuesday’s Treats #188

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.

Tuesday’s Treats #164

Local Republic

Location: Lawrenceville, Ga

This is a really cool little joint in downtown Lawrenceville. The menu and the atmosphere is urban eclectic and the staff is friendly. It’s a bit of a small restaurant, by they do have an upstairs; so, if you walk in, and it appears packed downstairs, just check upstairs as well.

The pimento cheese bites are an A. M. A. Z. I. N. G. appetizer! It starts with a few crostini, topped with a scoop of pimento cheese, topped with a piece of bacon and a spicy jalapeño and sprinkled with smoked paprika. Wow! (and yes, I said spicy jalapeño, because these are full of seeds and pack a little punch!)

My husband ordered the fresh salmon on pimento cheese grits. Oh. My. He said it was one of the best he’s ever eaten. I ordered the Chicken and Cheese sandwich (much like a chicken philly), and as you can see from the pic, that thing is huge! I got mine with a side of grits as well. Everything was delicious, and almost everything they serve is farm to table fresh! They even have a listing of the local farms they use, as well as a daily special and a highlighted farm partner.

This was our first visit, and we will definitely be back! There are so many more menu items to try! Yum!!

Here is the website for you to find meal choices and location.

Tuesday’s Treats #132

Bistro Off Broad

Location: Winder, Ga

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and amazing food. This place is a hidden gem. We were told about it several months ago, and today was the first time I got to try it out.

My apologies for this not being the best picture, but I forgot to get a pic of the appetizer when it came out before we gobbled it down; however, you can slightly see it in the background here. These were fiery buffalo mozzarella bites with a tomato jam. They were extraordinary! Little bite size mozzarella balls with jalapeño “coins” that bring an amazing heat, and the “jam” is a sweet combination to cool it all down a bit.

I had, also, ordered a Caesar salad, which was amazing, and I thought I had snapped a pic, but evidently, I did not. The dressing was perfect, not too soupy, not too thick, just light enough to bring flavor to the fresh romaine and crunchy croutons. Oh, and the baked Parmesan piece as a “garnish” was the perfect touch. You can add grilled shrimp, roast chicken or steak to this to make a full meal. This is what my friend had as her meal, and she said the chicken was absolutely delicious.

Yes, I have posted a close-up of the French Dip; so, hopefully, you can see the slight softness of the fresh bread and the piles of shaved Prime Rib on this sandwich! It was scrumptious!! Everything was fresh, farm to table goodness. Even the fries were irresistible with just a slight bit of saltiness and no greasy after taste.

Please note, due to their farm to table dedication, some of their items are seasonal and not always available. However, even though their menus is a bit limited, they seem to do what they do with extreme excellence! I look forward to eating here again soon!

Here is the website to find location and menu option.

Tuesday’s Treats #71

Fortify Kitchen

Location: Clayton, GA


Fortify Kitchen is AMAZING! People drive from all over to eat here, and often, you will be greeted at the door as a friend. It has a wonderful atmosphere, and the food is to die for!

Some of our favorites are the fried green tomatoes with blackened shrimp, the shrimp and grits and the steak. Oh. My. Goodness. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! You can tell by the pics above that it LOOKS good. However, Fortify doesn’t deliver only on presentation, the taste is almost breath taking! From the bread, homemade hummus and maple butter to the homemade desserts, everything is farm to table and absolutely fabulous! 

They also have a sister restaurant right next door, Fortify Pi. More casual atmosphere, same delicious food in homemade pizzas and the sort. 

Hope you will check them out and make a trip soon! They will not disappoint! 

Website for more information.