Ria's Bluebird

The Best Pancakes in the World–NY Times

www.riasbluebird.com

Yeah Right...or so I thought. To claim to have the "Best in the World" of anything sets the bar pretty high with me. Since seeing a spotlight on this place on Good Day Atlanta, I'd been wanting to try these "World's Best" pancakes.

This Sunday after a wonderful worship experience at church, I decided to take my fiance out for breakfast. This was my opportunity to try Ria's.

The place was quaint with additional seating on the outside patio area. We order the pancakes with the bananas and the caramel sauce and also the Early Bird (2 eggs with meat, sides, and a biscuit). This was a good choice b/c we both barely finished both meals.

Now to the "Best pancakes in the world"... Those were some REALLY GOOD pancakes. As we were eating, we agreed that the pancakes were good and we debated the "World's Best" title that they have received. We have had some really good pancakes, but could not think of anyplace that we had been that the pancakes were as good or better than Ria's. Pancake based restaurants will give you more options as far as style of pancakes and toppings, but you will be hard pressed to find some better. I am excited that they are building a new restaurant SAUCED in the inman park area and I can hardly wait to try it out.

Taqueria Del Sol

Taqueria Del Sol is easily on my top two Mexican restaurants in Atlanta...Pure is the other. They way you can tell a restaurant is good is by looking at the lines. It is best to get there ASAP because the lines get long very quickly.

This is not your "traditional" mexican fair, but very good Tex Mex. The menu is uncomplicated and just about everything on the menu is a staple. They do have new "special" tacos that are always a good option to try.
Angela keeps it rather consistent: 2 or 3 fried chicken tacos with a side of rice and the salsa trio.


The rice is always good and the charro beans are a must have...even if you are not a bean eater. The salsa trio are three types of salsa 1. regular, salsa verde (green salsa), and what I surmised to be chipotle salsa...all are very good.

I, on the other hand, normally try what ever the special taco is for the week(today it was buffalo shrimp), and two others from my list of favorites: the memphis (pulled pork and bbq sauce), fish tacos (YUM), the brisket, or the pork tacos.

Today I was hungry, so I opted for the (from left to right) brisket, buffalo shrimp, fish taco, and the memphis. Along with my Dos Equis...I was in heaven. This is a MUST TRY in the ATL!

Kaminsky's

KAMINSKY'S

I even love the sound of the name!!! This place is a Charleston, SC staple when I go home. Kaminsky's is basically a coffee shop/bar with some of the BEST deserts you will find. We normally limit our fare to some pie and maybe the occasional coffee or Chai latte. Today we splurged a bit more.

Angela started out with the Caramel Macchiato

I had the toasted Almond: Irish cream and caramel

The Toll House Pie is a MUST HAVE! For all of you from KY it is very similar to Derby Pie.

Just like the homemade cookies, a gooey goodness of chocolate chips and pecans baked in a flaky pie shell and topped with chocolate sauce and pecans served with vanilla bean ice cream.

I had the praline cake. White cake filled with pralines served on top of caramel sauce.

FULL and HAPPY!! I think next time I will try the milkshake with some "love" mixed in. ;-)

Kevin Rathburn's

I believe that this has got to be in my top 3 dining experiences in Atlanta. What can one say about Kevin Rathburn's restaurants? I first learned of Kevin Rathburn on an episode of iron Chef America. he and his brother challenged Bobby Flay to an Elk battle...and won!

He is located in the Inman park area of Atlanta. There is Kevin Rathburn's, The KROG Bar, and Kevin Rathburn's Steak. My first dining experience was at Kevin Rathburn's for a pharmaceutical sales diner.

The decor is very rustic but fitting, and the outside patio area was strangely intimate considering that there were at least 30 or so of us there, but our private event felt private.

I had the 20oz Cowboy Ribeye...Wow! It is incredibly rare to find a cut of steak that thick but that well cooked.

Angela and I decided that the Crew HAD to go to Rathburn Steak...one block to the right.
Unfortunately, Dave and Donna had to miss this outing, but Porter and Sharon are always good company.


The dining experience was incredible and well worthy of An Iron Chef battle. It is a rarity where you can taste the quality of the food and the different care in preparation of each food item making it distinctly different from each other. Arguably, these restaurants will put you in the realm of one of the best dining experiences of your lives.

Pros: The food is incredible and the service is impeccable. Last meal on earth worthy.

Cons: Pack the plastic, but it is well worth it.

A taste of Ghana, West Africa!

I had a chance to experience the beauty of Ghana, West Africa. From the people, to the food and scenery in nature...it was all beautiful! I captured some of the wonderful dining experiences that I had while there.

The dish below is fresh Tilapia fish, Jollof Rice and a green salad. The fish was so fresh(caught that day) and the Jollof Rice quickly became a favorite part of my dining while there. Everything was so fresh and extremely tasty!

The dish below has fried plantains (which I ate almost daily there), Sword fish, fried chicken (some of the best I'd ever eaten), Jollof rice, a vegetable medley of carrots, cabbage and onion, and mashed yams (white looking patty with parsley flakes). Every day was something new and delectable to eat! This is a typical breakfast. Fresh fruit (pineapple and watermelon), vegetable omelet, fresh baked croissants and cheese. I looked forward to eating healthy and tasty things like this daily. The pineapple were the sweetest, most fresh, best tasting pineapple that I have ever eaten. How I wish that we had the same fresh fruit here! Yet another wonderful dinner. This plate consists of grilled chicken kabob, vegetable medley and large fried plantains. Yes, it tasted as good as it looks!This was breakfast one day. It consisted on an egg white omelet, wheat toast, sauteed vegetables (yes, for breakfast) and my oatmeal and blend of Nescafe' and Milo. Yum! Africa was not only a blessing to my mind and soul but also to my body. I was nourished every day with food that you see above. It was all fresh and organic and was simply amazing, for a lack of better word. I would encourage anyone who travels to at least try the food where they go. I did not have one burger or American type dish while there. No pizza, sandwiches or anything. I was never hungry due to not wanting to eat or lack of tasty food!

Good eats, Angela