The Crawfish Shack...and the ScoutMob Effect

Before I discuss our experience with The Crawfish Shack (where amazing fried morsels from the sea are freshly prepared and served in another what you might consider to be a Buford Highway staple), some information needs to be shared.

There happens to be a new, great phenomenon happening around Atlanta: ScoutMob. If you don't know what it is, let me briefly explain. ScoutMob scours Atlanta for new and upcoming restaurants, retail shops, etc. willing to participate in a "coupon" of sorts for 50% off your bill, purchase or whatever it is said business is willing to offer. The business, I'm sure, gives some sort of kick back to ScoutMob in turn for the crazy amount of publicity and impressions they receive via ScoutMob's vast email network and social media skills.  Either way, this drives a large amount of traffic to the business. I call this the "ScoutMob Effect".

Whether patrons are trying the new restaurant because of the great deal they receive or based on the merits of ScoutMob's... well, scouting... there's no way to know.  All I do know, is that when a new ScoutMob deal drops, you might as well leave it alone for a couple weeks. Unless of course, you like long lines, overworked wait staff, and overwhelmed kitchens that unfortunately end up producing meager representations of their true talents. People of Atlanta... wait. The deals from ScoutMob are awesome, true, but they also last for months. I know the people of ScoutMob do a great job of selling it, but stagger your visits. You'll be much happier with your experience if you do.

Ok, now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me tell you about a great ScoutMob find. The Crawfish Shack has actually been around for a couple years. Tucked away in a new development on Buford Highway, they have the freshest seafood this side of Savannah (not a factual claim, but I'd like to see someone else try and claim it). Now I'm not going to pretend that I know much about seafood, so I'll let most of the pictures do the talking. I will tell you that we had some of the most amazing po-boys I've ever tasted. Freshly prepared, made-to-order, and perfectly spiced, we tried the crawfish po-boy (below) and the soft shell crab po-boy (above).

And in my opinion, no fried seafood meal is complete without some hushpuppies (below).  There were more in there, but Malory had already grabbed a few before I could snap the shot. After an order of sweet potato fries served up with powdered sugar (interesting condiment, if you consider powdered sugar a condiment...) we decided that we definitely ordered to much food. The portions were plenty and we saved some for snacks later.

We have added this "shack" to our short list of Buford Highway delights. By now, the "ScoutMob effect" has worn off and crowds have subsided but they are still serving up some delicious cajun cooking. Just don't forget - they close at 7pm on weeknights so get there early. It's also on the pricey-er end (especially for Buford Highway). The ScoutMob deal is still in effect so if you have joined the 21st century and have the "app" on your phone, at least give it a try for a discount.

Publix- Town Brookhaven

Last Thursday, Publix opened their first hybrid grocery store in Georgia at Town Brookhaven. I must say- it's absolutely gorgeous inside! The interior is bright, cheery, and clean and it must be one of the largest Publix stores I've ever been in.  As a former Publix employee (my first job was a cashier in high school), I know how important quality and customer service is to them, and this store delivers!

This store offers the following services- some of which I've never seen in a Publix before:

• Bakery
• Deli
• Pharmacy
• Wine "Shop" (complete with a sommelier!)
• Floral
• Salad Bar & Hot Bar
• Sorbet and Gelatto Cafe (yum! See photo below)
• And of course your typical meats, produce, etc.

I had a great time wandering around this store and tasting all of the goodies. There must have been about 20 different stations with tastings and people walking around with tasting trays... so good!!

This Publix also offers curbside service- just place your order online and drop by to pick it up ($7.99 flat rate). Learn more about Curbside at publix.com/curbside. Cory and I will definitely be trying this out, as we will pass right by this store on our way home from work. What a nice service! Although stopping inside the store for ice cream wouldn't be so horrible either. 

Since April is their opening month, they had a few events going on:

• Tuesday, April 26: Mom's Morning Out at 8am
• Wednesday, April 27: Coffee & Dessert Night from 4pm-7pm
• Thursday, April 28: Taste of Publix from 4pm-7pm
• Friday, April 29: Pizza Night from 4pm-7pm
• Saturday, April 30: Publix GreenWise Market Sampling from 11am-7pm
• Sunday, May 1: GreenWise Sampling from 11am-7pm
• Saturday, May 7: Pancake Breakfast from 8am-11am
• Sunday, May 8: Publix Brand Sampling from 11am-7pm
• Wednesday, May 11: Gelatto Social from 11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm

Wow! And they have even more events going on- so pick up a calendar as you check out. 

Check out the rest of the exciting stores and shops opening up soon in Town Brookhaven. And don't miss out on Marshalls Grand Opening this Thursday, April 28!

Brookhaven Beer Fest!

You sandbaggin' son of a bitch... It's Beerfest Season!!!!! Every year during the Spring and Summer, Atlanta and it's neighborhoods host countless beer festivals and beer-related events. Usually providing a nice representaion of local and regional breweries, beer fests offer the patron a quite nice array of eloquent brews to try. Also, it's a awesome party. Well finally, Brookhaven is joining in on the fun!! We just got an email today for the inagural Brookhaven Beer Fest. The festival will be held Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m behind the Brookhaven Marta Station (on Apple Valley Road, like the Brookhaven Arts Festival). Admission includes tasting of 100's beers, two rock band shows, and a commemorative tasting glass. Let's hope this event fares better than last year's Taste of Brookhaven and those commemorative glasses...

Ticket prices are $35 in Advance and $45 at the Gate, but since you know us, we will let you in on the promo code for $5.00 off: use BAA

The Fest is also looking for volunteers to help out in the following areas:

• Check-in: assisting with tickets, wristbands and handing out commemorative glasses
• Beer Logistics: assisting with getting beer and ice to the beer stations
• Beer Pourers: one of the most important aspects of the event. You will be serving samples of over 100 beers to festival attendees. 

Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and free entrance and MUST be over 21. For more information on volunteering, please email Christy Murray.

Don't miss out on this event- Register Today! Our tickets are bought so we will see you there!

El Torero

Here's a realization that I have come to today: I don't think there has been a week in my life where I haven't had Mexican food. Maybe, if you're like me, that isn't such a crazy thought. While often times not the most healthy of choices (who are we kidding, it's never the most healthy of choices...) Mexican food has grown to be my ultimate comfort food. Growing up in Atlanta with its large Hispanic influence, Mexican restaurants are never in short supply and I have dragged Malory to some of the best, and some of the worst.  Now I know that most of the Mexican restaurants (including El Torero) would actually be considered Tex-Mex, but Tex-Mex has become synonymous with what people consider "Mexican" these days.  While we love an amazing, authentic taco joint like the best of them, sometimes it's great to sit, be promptly served endless baskets of chips and  bottomless salsa whilst sipping a quite potent margarita that won't break the bank.  After a quite arduous search, we've decided here at Brookhaven Review, that we declare El Torero at the corner of N. Druid Hills and Briarcliff the winner and go-to spot for "Mexican (or Tex-Mex)" in Brookhaven.

Quite a claim, right? Why, you may ask, is this better than (insert: El____ or Los____ or La____)?  Well it all starts with the service and after 25 years of being in Atlanta, they've gotten it right. Their restaurant is structured so you come in, sit where you please, and the waiters somehow have some secret code to determine who serves you and it seems that no waiter is assigned to one table or area.  The result? Constant attention. And when you're hungry and thirsty on a Friday after work, the last thing you want is a chip-less basket or a near empty beer.

From the refilling of whatever it is you needed, it moves to the food.  That's the most important, right? Well they do it right for the price. They have all your favorite dishes on the menu and they are always prepared exactly as you have grown to know and love. One added bonus is that the food to me is always very fresh. The vegetables are crisp, the chicken tender and the beans... well beany. Above you can see the taco salad I enjoyed with grilled vegetables. This is my staple and I've tried it at almost every Mexican joint around town. Too many times have I had brown, wilting lettuce and soggy vegetables. Being a self-proclaimed taco salad expert, I can't say that I've had much better than at El Torero.

Finally, you always pay at the front which I think is a great idea. It's always as quick as you want it to be, but can be a great spot to enjoy great food and drink for hours if you're so inclined. The only drawback to this location is the lack of an outdoor patio, but I can move past that. It's quick, it's clean, it's cheap and it's good. So next Friday night, when your sensible side says "no" but your stomach says "yes", give El Torero a try.

Brookhaven Bolt- May 14th!

Since our half marathon in March, Cory and I have been itching to run another one. Last weekend we participated in the 5k Walk MS Atlanta at Piedmont Park to support the National MS society (we had a blast! See photo below), and we have already signed up for the Warrior Dash (5k obstacle race) up in North Georgia in a few weeks. Lastly, we're looking forward to possibly participating in a sprint triathlon in July as well. Phew!

There is just something about the spring season that makes me want to get out of the house and work out (sometimes...)! Not to say that I'm any sort of crazy athlete like my sister, Erica or my friend, Stacy, but I do enjoy running, swimming, biking (occasionally...), hiking, etc.

While out running for the first time in awhile yesterday, I spotted a sign in our neighborhood for the 4th annual Brookhaven Bolt. A local 5k run/walk to support our local elementary school: Ashford Park (100% of the proceeds are donated!). The run is Saturday, May 14th and starts at 8:00am. Cory and I would love to participate, but that happens to be the same day as Warrior Dash :(. The race looks like a lot of fun, and the course actually looks very similar to a few of the runs we did for training (see Course Map below). Ashford Park is a great neighborhood to run through (a bit hilly), but beautiful unique homes to look at, and LOTS of shade.

The race starts and finishes at the Village Place development (Library Coffee, Verde, Kaleidoscope, Pour, Eggs Nest, etc.). So after you're done you can grab a coffee, taco, wine, and some baby gifts!  If you aren't a big runner, and would still like to help out this event, they need a lot of volunteer support.

If you are interested in supporting this great cause and getting a little exercise at the same time, sign up today (cost is $20 and increases to $25 after May 12th)!

The Havana Grill

Travelling the cultural mecca that is Buford Highway, you will run into many pockets of ethnicities and their respective culinary specialties.  Pockets of Vietnamese, Mexican, Chinese areas, among others are well represented and have a plethora of restaurants to choose from (and I mean... plethora).  Unfortunately, Cuban food is something that you don't get a lot of exposure to on Buford Highway or even in all of Atlanta.  One restaurant stands alone representing authentic cuban cuisine and has a reputation of being one of the best restaurants (regardless of ethnicity) on Buford Highway serving up cuban sandwiches, dishes and specials - The Havana Grill. 

Located in the Northeast Plaza Shopping Center (same as Panhar, El Mercado, and Fun Times Bowling Alley), The Havana Grill has been in business since 1976 (although it used to be at the intersection of Buford Highway and North Druid Hills).  We have been here many times, but this particular Saturday afternoon was quiet so we had a chance to really get the scoop on what's good on the menu from the staff.  The dining room is always clean and service is always sharp.  Take some time to look at the pictures of the family on the wall - it really gives you that "family owned" business vibe.  Don't be afraid to ask about the menu, they always have great suggestions and can help explain if you have never have tried Cuban before.

Malory ordered the Milanesa sandwich combo ([above] comes with rice and black bean soup).  The sandwich was grilled to perfection with fried steak, swiss cheese and onions providing a wonderful combination.  The steak is always cut thin but stays juicy.  The black bean soup has a great seasoning to it and is a nice complement to the sandwich (I love dipping the sandwich in the soup, don't judge me).

 I chose to go with the empanada plate and a native Cuban drink, Materva (above).  The Materva is like a super sweet herbal tea.  I had a beef empanada and one of the recommended specials - the chicken cheese jalapeno.  The beef empanada was well seasoned and flavorful, but a tad bit dry for my taste.  The chicken cheese jalapeno, however, was amazing.  The shredded chicken was perfectly cooked with the cheese adding a rich creaminess to each bite and of course, the jalapeno adding a well deserved kick.  I probably should have ordered 10 of these and taken them home for lunches and snacks, but I only had that thought just now, damn.  But these were very good if you're not catching my drift here.  The picture below doesn't do it justice, but you can see the filling. 

If you've never tried Cuban food before, this is your place.  They have a wide variety of native sandwiches and dishes and you're sure to find something you like.  And with a friendly staff and great food, this has turned into one of our favorite lunch spots.  With a slogan like, "A delightful Cuban experience"... I think we'd have to agree.

DeKalb County Bark for Life

Event Date: April 9, 2011
Event Location: Blackburn Park, 351 Ashford Dunwoody Road

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a fun-filled and educational event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer. A variety of activities are planned. Check out the agenda and enjoy some of the following activities:

Professionally-led group sessions:

• Vet Talk on an important canine topic
• Pet Therapy Talk
• Obedience Training outdoor class
• K-9 demonstration
• 1-1 consultations with on-site vet, pet therapist, & obedience trainer

Contests: 

• Dog Trick Showdown – show-off your dog’s best trick
• Adams Relay Dog Show – cutest, silliest looking, most royal, best-in-class small, medium, & large dogs, world’s ugliest, most scruffy, best groomed
• Easter Treat Hunt – collect as many eggs with inside treat surprises to win

Activities:

• Opening Ceremony - Adams Relay Walk for Life
• Photo Opportunity with Easter Bunny (professional photographer)
• Fitness Walk
• Vendor Displays

EVENT REGISTRATION

Pre-event registration:
$ 15 - One canine
$ 25 - Two canines
Registration includes general entry and bandana for your dog but not individual activities and group sessions

Day of event registration:
$ 25 - One canine
$ 35 - Two canines

Entry for professional sessions, contests and activities:
$ 15- On-site Event Pass good for all event offerings
Individual tickets in $ 1 denominations for only the activities you choose

So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.

Volunteer and fundraising opportunities are available. Call 404-862-5518 or email jeff@criticality.me for more information. Download the Bark For Life poster and place at your favorite canine hangout.

Town Brookhaven Updates

The Sembler development of Town Brookhaven has been gaining momentum in the past few weeks. Ever since Costco opened last year in the back of the large mixed-use development off of Peachtree Road (near Oglethorpe University), Town Brookhaven has been making way for a new Publix, LA Fitness, Movie Theater, and numerous other small retailers and restaurants.

Currently only stores open are:

• Costco
• Slacks (Philly cheese restaurant)
• Noche (Spanish tapas bar, review coming soon!)
• Moes
• Bugaloo (women's clothing, photo above) 

There seems to be good construction progress on Publix (see photo), Marshalls, CineBistro, and LA Fitness. We've heard that the Marshalls and LA Fitness will be opening in May, while the Publix has a planned opening April 21st (updated!). This Publix will be one of the first of the company's Greenwise types- a grocery store with a focus on organic/local foods and products, similar to a Whole Foods or Fresh Market. 

Other stores and restaurants that are coming soon are:

• CineBistro (Dinner & Movie Theater)
• Flying Biscuit
• Olive Bistro
• Nail Talk & Tan
• Honeybutter Boutique
• Collage (jewelry, clothing, & decor)
• The Cup (a gourmet cupcake cafe-photo below, this looks like its opening soon, they are hiring!)

We are excited about all the new places coming to Brookhaven! I hope they are all on schedule for opening- I know there is still a lot of property and empty tenant spaces here, so we will keep you posted as new things develop. If you know of anything coming to Town Brookhaven- let us know!