Food for Thought

I'm one of thos people who love eating ! ..Pls dont judge me for saying this ...but food for thought is something I take very very seriously ...as seriously as reading everything from newspapers to cereal boxes . I also suffer form another food junkie syndrome ...that once I go to one place and love it ..I keep going back over and over again ..and invariable order the same thing .
I know that some of you'll are laughing out there ..having seen me order in several restaurants without even looking at the menu .
At other times when I am enjoying a simple meal at home ..I think about all the great places I've been to eat at here in Atlanta and honestly ..I've concluded that in every case the company was what made most of these so special and memorable .

So in no specific order ..Here are my favourite restaurants in Hotlanta .
Please call for diretions :)

1.Bhojanic : www.bhojanic.com
This trendy Indo-Fusion restaurant is tucked away in a quiet neighbourhod in Decatur on Clairmont road . From an amazing selection of tapas and main courses , it houses some really nice wines . On Fridays has live jazz music and Unlimited all you can eat tapas on Thursdays .
Best on grey /rainy days - this warm vibrant yellow and orange hued restaurant will add so much color to your day .
Try the Paneer Kathi roll , Baingan Bharta or Thalis
For desert - the mini mango mousse cake or the saffron cheesecake does the trick !

2.Surins (North Highland Avenue )
I think the nest part about eating at Surins is the search for parking on the ever so hustling North Hgland Av . Its funny - how I'm complaining about having to park so far away ..but everything about the walk down to Surins ..streets with quaint houses and tall trees ..boutiques and the ever enticing Atlanta Book Exchange ( which FYI is the oldest bookstore in ATL )is so enjoyable ..that it always seems to end so quickly .
I think the lighting in the restaurant is fabulous ! and ofcourse its true that a restaurant is only half as good as the lighting .
The bar is actually not super rushed and if you are lucky you can get one of the few booths .
Try the Masaman Curry , Basil Spring Rolls and I will buy you dinner if you disagree ...but you cannot get better Creme Brule in the city that at Surins .
ps : weekends are crowded . call for reservations !

3. Vatica
One if the things I love about America is that in a 5 sq mile radius ..you can find a choice of 10 different cuisines in all different price ranges to suit the amiable ...So it should be of no surprise that the 3rd choice on this list ..which took a long time in making is a Gujrati Thali Joint . Yes !
Jis Desh mein Ganga Behti hai ..Kem Cho and Phir bhi dil hai hindustani !
I love this restaurant . There is no menu . All you can eat thali with rotis , dal , vegetables , rice . Service is quick . Often on weeknights I frequent Vatica ..armed with a book ..usually Harry Potter ( JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter for weeknight reading ! ). The owner is very nice and friendly . Shares details on all the single men who frequent the place :) ..now thats jackpot isnt it ?!..and it feels like home away from home .

4.Doc Che's
The USP of this fabulous fabulous fusion chinese joint is "Peace Love and Noodles" ..and who doesnt need that !
Pls go to the one in Decatur .
Its got a really big softboard ..and while you wait on the food ..you can look to see what all events are happening in town ..from local theatre troups ..poetry reading ..pottery making ..garage sales and personals !
I recommend the Doc Che's lettuce wrap with Tofu and Marco Polo with shrimp or eggplant .The Thai Iced Tes is nice and The Banana Filled Dumplings in Chocolate Sauce will make you beg for mercy :)
They have the best fortune cookies ..I believe in the fortune cookies from this place ..so only the brave hearted need apply .

To add to this already awesome experience - its on a one lane street bang opposite a starbucks ..and on a really really luck summer night ..as you step out of Doc's while crossing over to grap a macchiato ...You can see the moon looking down on you between the buildings . .
I always thought that I am in my own version of a moving Van Gogh painting and when I am at Doc Che's ..voila ..its Night Cafe .

5.Cafe Intermezzo by Perimeter
If you are reading this ..its for a reason ...everything happens for a reason .
One day ..life with bring you to this side of the world and destiny will hand you a card .Play it well ..and make sure you go to Cafe Intermezzo .
Friday nights , Close Friends , Coffee ,candlelight and Conversation .
Playing an amazing house mix ranging from Nusrat ..to Didi ..to Egyptian music ..Buddha Bar ,Beethoven and what not .
Ornate mirrors , flowing tapestry , torches and candles . This is where Sex and the City meets Friends in Atlanta ..where east meets west ..where the conventional and contemporary fuse to produce an amazing ambience and experience of a lifetime !
From over a hundred selections of coffees , teas , wines and desserts ...everyone will find something here. The cake bar is awesome and you are given a personal guide to tell you what each different desert is . They have a special house desert - thats has blueberries , rasberries in a pie with pudding on it . Try it .Its flown in from Italy supposedly and I believe it ..anything that magical would have to have a bit of
Venice in it wouldnt it ?
I recommend the Peach Tea , Banana and Choc Chip Cheese cake , Cafe l'amour and the Rosemount Riesling .
A Dekkho is a must !


..TO be Continued