SIX FEET UNDER (Grant Park)

She says:
When I think of Atlanta, Six Feet Under absolutely matches my image of this city (or at least one distinct corner of it). The menu is packed with Southern specialties, from hush puppies to fried okra, and is known and loved for its excellent catfish. And unlike Mary Mac’s and other similarly staid restaurants, Six Feet Under has a gritty character that attracts hillbillies and hipsters alike. Waiting for a table outside with us were parties of various ages, sizes, colors, and tattooedness.

A seat on the patio of the original Grant Park location, which overlooks the Oakland Cemetery, is a coveted spot on a warm Atlanta evening. Unluckily for us, the night we visited was downright chilly, and we were forced to zip up our sweatshirts and huddle over our citronella candle just to stay warm. The service was quick and friendly though, making up for the 45 minute wait and less-than-friendly hostess.

We started out with fried green tomatoes, lump crab cakes, and alligator bites (because where else will you ever get to order alligator bites?). The tomatoes were lightly fried and not too oily, and came with a zingy horseradish sauce. The crab cakes didn’t hold together, crumbling at the touch of a fork, but I attributed this to a lot of crab meat and not much filler, as attested to by the vivid crab flavor. And the alligator bites? Tastes like chicken. (Chicken nuggets, to be exact.)

He says:
According to the menu, the Georgia Fried Catfish I ordered was “cornmeal breaded & fried to perfection.” You know what? It’s right on. The catfish was the best item of the night. Incredibly fresh, the silky texture of the catfish fillet came through with every bite, contrasting beautifully with the definitive crunch of the fried exterior. The side of corn on the cob isn’t anything special though, and the hush puppies are downright lousy, so my recommendation is to load up on the fried green tomatoes and alligator bites beforehand.

She says:
DB, you should have said something earlier, because I would have eaten your entire ear of sweet corn, rather than just stealing bites when you weren’t looking!

I went for the shrimp and grits. The dish wasn’t bad… the grits were creamy, the blackened shrimp large and juicy and not overly seasoned… It was just one of those meals where after a few bites, I was tired of eating. The dish would have benefited from more of the asparagus, red pepper, and fried leeks and onions to enhance its complexity.

We say:
Six Feet Under is a great spot to bring out-of-towners to enjoy some real Southern cooking. But line up early and order carefully – the menu is definitely hit or miss.




Six Feet Under (Grant Park)
415 Memorial Drive S.E., Atlanta, GA 30312
http://www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com

TAMARIND SEED

He says:
Tamarind Seed (formerly known as Tamarind) has been making waves in Atlanta ever since it re-opened in Colony Square earlier this year. Creative Loafing called it a “transcendent food experience.” The editors at Citysearch have named it the best Thai in town. So have several of our friends. And you know what? They’re right. After just one visit, Uptown Girl and I are in full agreement that Tamarind Seed sets the standard for Thai cuisine in Atlanta.

Tamarind Seed eschews the hokey bamboo cottage chic of other Thai eateries and instead embraces the sleek glossiness of its Midtown neighbors. Subtle arrangements of flowers and spice jars are recessed into the otherwise spartan walls. A humongous flat screen TV hovers over the bar and plays ESPN highlights. Let’s just say the décor is more Crescent Street than Patpong Road.

She says:
We started out with spring rolls for appetizers. The old standard didn’t disappoint. The rolls were crispy and not too oily, and the dipping sauce drizzled over the plate added a welcome tanginess to the veggie-filled rolls.

I ordered the Siam Chicken as my entrée mostly because it comes in a hollowed-out pineapple shell, but I was pleasantly surprised by the deliciousness of the dish. The pieces of chicken were slightly breaded and crispy on the outside, but tender and meaty inside. It came together very well with the sweet and spicy sauce, which was embellished with cashews, mushrooms, and pineapple chunks.

He says:
Likewise, the grouper in green curry was a wonderful dish. The fish had been seared just long enough to give the edges a pleasant crunch and yet short enough to maintain the interior’s incredible tenderness. The green curry had greater complexity than what you’d find at Surin or MaLi; the coconut and curry accents had a greater clarity and lighter touch than the sauces at those establishments. Tamarind Seed’s dedication to fresh, high-quality ingredients truly comes through in a dish like this.

The Pad Kee Mao was another well-executed dish, with the noodles tender and springy for the perfect mouth-feel. In my experience, if a Thai restaurant can deliver a simple noodle dish like Pad Thai or Pad Kee Mao with excellent results, it will deliver on pretty much everything else as well.

She says:
Out of the desserts we ordered, the fried bananas stole the show. The banana chunks were deep-fried in spring roll wrappers and served piping hot with a heaping scoop of sweet coconut ice cream on the side. Delish.

He says:
I agree, the fried bananas were dynamite. The other two desserts we ordered, the chocolate mousse cake and mango cheesecake, were serviceable but struck me as odd since they’re not really Thai desserts. I hope that Tamarind Seed will round out its menu in the future by adding a few more traditional desserts like shaved ice or sticky rice in coconut milk. After all, an authentic meal deserves an authentic finish.

We say:
Until further notice, Tamarind Seed is Atlanta’s Thai restaurant to beat.



Tamarind Seed
1175 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30361
(404) 873-4888