Small Plates...GENIUS!

A RESTAURANT REVIEW

7:30pm, Reservation for 4, a great meal, a great Saturday night...

It was the weekend after Valentine's Day and after 15 phone calls and signifcant web hunting, this was one the only restaurant that could seat us before 9:3opm...it was a risk since none of us had ever heard of the place. We were looking for something different, something special...we found it.

Two steps into VIII fifty on Holcomb Bridge Rd and I knew. We are not in East Cobb anymore! Situated in yet another strip shopping center eatery that Atlanta suburbs are known for, we could have easily been dining in New York, Las Vegas or Miami. This former Rio Bravo has been transformed into a stylish, modern "hot spot." The space is wide open, and the best part, it's not too loud...loved that! Guess I am showing my age.

I fell in love with the concept of Small Plates or "Tapas" several years ago while working in Miami. First, at a downtown Spanish Cafe that has been around for ages, the at TuTu Tango in Coconut Grove as well as Buckhead. The Chinese have been dishing up their small tastes during "Dim Sum" for ages. This is a great way to eat because you get to try all kinds of food, share with others and eat to your heart's content. Everyone's happy!

While "Tapas" are usually Spanish or have a Latin flavor, many chefs have incorporated or fused international dishes into all sorts of unique tastes and plated them in small portions to be mixed and matched and ordered throughout the meal. At VIII fifty this is the way to go. They do have a section dedicated to some great looking entrees but we could not get past the top half of the menu.

My first plate, a salad, was Brussel Spouts. I NEVER eat Brussel Spouts...NEVER! I did during this outing and they were something else. Roasted with bacon and apples, dressed with onion vinaigrette...who knew!? I will try them again.

Another feature was they did not clutter our table with tons of little plates. In addition to the salads, we ordered another 5 dishes and they brought them on a long, skinny platter that went down the middle of our booth so that we all had access and did not have to shuffle and pass dishes all evening...cool!

Round 1: A table-top buffet of Scallops, Duck, Kobe Beef Sliders (aka mini burgers), and Lobster Corn Salad. All very tasty and easy to share. The Ceviche came in a Martini glass and was chock full of seafood, but not one of my favorites. (Sauce was a little too think and had a overly sweet, catsup-like taste). For something different we had the New Orleans Crawfish Cheescake and the Maytag Strudel...the later being the group favorite and the star of the evening!

Round 2: We ordered the Roasted Chicken Pot Pie and the Singapore Street Noodles...WOW...not Small Plates but Big Bowls! We could not finish them between the 4 of us. The Pot Pie was very Southern, very Homemade and a meal in itself. The Noodles were in a spicy, green curry. I loved the heat, but you should know, these Thai style noodles have quite a kick. Save them for last so you can enjoy the full range of sweet, savory, fresh and hearty dishes.
After all this, there are still at least 10 "Small Plates" that need to be tasted and the next time I am saving room for desserts (plural). Thanks VIII fifty for a nice dinner. We will be back...soon!

EVER NOTICE?

Ever notice that when your car is stuck in the mud, the faster you make the wheels spin, the deeper they go?

Ever notice when you force the automatic revolving door at the airport to move faster, it stops and alarms go off?

Ever notice when your fingers are stuck in one of the Chinese Finger Traps--the harder you pull the tighter the straw draws around your fingers?

Ever notice when you try to stubbornly force your opinions onto your children, they cling stubbornly onto theirs?

Ever notice in Tug of War, the harder you pull the harder your opponent pulls?

Ever notice when you pray for patience, the longer it seems to get an answer?

Ever notice the more you focus on losing weight, the more you think about food?

Ever notice when you nag or try to change a loved one, they dig their heels in even deeper?

In physics as in life...force = friction.

Sometimes we just need to allow things to work out on their own, in their own time, as they were created.

From today's reading:

"It does not help the locomotive for its axles to become hot; their heat is only a hindrance. The axles become heated due to unnecessary friction. Dry surfaces are grinding against each other instead of working in smooth cooperation...The words FRET and FRICTION are very similar. Friction caused by fretting is an indication of the absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God. When we worry, a little bit of sand gets into the bearings. It may be some slight disappointment, ungratefulness, or discourtesy we have experienced--suddenly our life is no longer running smoothly. Friction leads to heat, and heat can lead to very dangerous conditions." from The Silver Lining

Dear restless heart, be still; don't fret and worry so;
God has a thousand ways His love and help to show;
Just trust, and trust, and trust, until His will you know.

Dear restless heart, be still! Don't struggle to be free;
God's life is in your life, from Him you may not flee;
Just pray, and pray, and pray, till you have faith to see.
Edith Willis Linn


Good Stuff...enjoy!

Day Two--DISCLAIMER!

On more than one occasion, my mom said to me in exasperation... "Please think before you say something like that again..."! This lesson would be in the same vein as "Look before you leap," or "Stop, Look and Listen." I know this is wise counsel, but you should know that I am still a work in progress when it comes to this type of forethought and restraint...

That being said, I am going to post this "DISCLAIMER" as a notice to all readers that the primary goal for this blog is to simply share my thoughts, experiences, and observations...

My family gave me a T-shirt a few years ago printed with the words: "I MAKE UP STUFF" and I wear it proudly! Now you know what to expect here.

While my plan is to be brutally honest and share from my heart, I understand that some experiences may take a spin and fall into a tall tale of sorts. This writing style would be for added effect and for your enjoyment only. I think that is called-- writer's priviledge or poetic justice or something like that...anyway, just a head's up on that point.

Also, some of you might get a mention or two from time to time. You should know that I do NOT plan to change names to protect the innocent. I am saving that for the TV, Screenplays, and Hollywood genre and I have not decided to go in that direction at this time. I will, however, give full credit where credit is due! In some instances, I may resort to some type of code that is intended to provide some cover but communicate as needed.

The intentions for my bloggery are for pure, clean fun! Apologies all around for any future remarks or comments that may be TMI and have been included for shock value or are just darn true! If I step on a toe or two...oops, my bad, no harm intended and I am sorry. Just shake your head and Bless My Heart!

Now, I will move on with the assurance that you have been duly informed and I have taken the necessary steps to communicate the intended use of this material.

Nuf said!

(Effective today's date: February 14, 2008...how appropriate!)

My First Time!

NOW WHAT?
I have a blog spot, a blog site, I own and operate a blog...now what?
I am now a "blogger"? What does that mean? I thought this would be an easy, fun new project...now what?

All those words and ideas that I had in my head were destined for this exciting new site to be forever logged and an inspiration or entertainment for all!...Now WHAT?

I have to really do this all myself? What was I expecting? Why is this so hard? What am I afraid of? What do I do now?? NOW WHAT?

Oh well, here goes alot of nothin...enjoy...

As parents, Kim and I have spent the last 21+ years nurturing, teaching, molding, guiding, mentoring, and nagging our children. Add in alot of prayer, hope and trust that they will turn out to be decent, loving and most of all independent members of society. As the father of 2 amazing daughters, Lindsay, a 22 year old college senior and Madison, a 16 year old high school junior I am overwhelmed and inspired almost daily by these young women and the insights and lessons they now have for me!

Lindsay has a blog http://www.lindsaylamphere.blogspot.com/ that makes me laugh and cry each time I read it. So proud yet so awestruck that she has grown up to become this beautiful young lady with her own, independent thoughts and ideas! And the confidence to share them with the world...Wow! How did this happen so quickly?

Madison is behind her in age only! She too seems to know and understand so much. Her strong grasp of what is right and good...she is very organized and so responsible for a sweet girl of only sixteen. She is strong in spirit and in faith...Wow! What did we do to deserve these blessings! Thank God for Kim!!!!

Anyway, Lindsay says that I should have a blog...some professor in one of her PR or Communication classes says they are essential to success in this techno age.

So with Lindsay's sage advice and direction, a blogging we will go...

It's my first time, so be gentle :)

Enjoy!