The Dinner Net

I should have greased up my hair, ripped my sleeves off a T-Shirt, and went to a tanning bed before coming to this shit hole. You would think that being located in the heart of Atlanta would constitute the restaurants surrounding it would represent the class and upscale dining of the area.

For Dantanna’s that’s just not the case. Upon entering, the lighting was so low that I couldn’t tell how many drunks were staring at me from their glazed over eyes nor the host standing right beside us to sit us. Instead of attempting to talk over the speakers blaring terrible rap music or Tom Petty, we resorted to sign language in order to get a table. Fortunately we got seated outside, that way I could see everyone, but couldn’t hear over the 10 LCD TV’s they had blaring different sports channels. We gave up on sign language and resorted to texting each other in order to have any resemblance of a conversation.

Waiter screwed up 2 of our 4 orders, and the drinks were priced to where getting drunk enough to not care wasn’t an option. The food was mediocre, service wasn’t that great, and prices weren’t good either.

TL;DR Won’t be going back.

There are a gaggle of G restaurants in Atlanta, but not too many struck our fancy. Most were of the Grand variety (Grand China, Grand Buffett, Grand Panda, etc…) which are fabulous and really useful when I get that hankering for a good round of gut busting Chinese food. Buuutt not so helpful on our tour, which we like to consider a tad….hmmm, should I say, distinguished. *pinky to side of mouth*

So, we huffed, puffed, kicked at the dirt, and chose Gladys’ Chicken and Waffles. Then we got off the interstate and the smells kicked in: golden fried chicken with a hint of something sweet. “OK,” I thought. “This could be not so terrible.” As we were waiting for our table, the curiosity kicked in. “Hmmm, this place is hopin. Can’t be awful. And WOA! a tray full of sweet tea! Nice.” Did I mention we were waiting outside? ;]

They screeched our name, we took our seats, and cracked the menu. We had just enough time to ouuu at the selections and proudly announce our choices to the group, when our lively waiter bebopped over to take our orders sans notebook. 

We speculated on how he was going to remember our orders, noted Nick’s ability to morph into the person he is speaking to, blinked, and then our food floated down. And baby that Midnight Train was lookin good! The real deal: four hearty chicken wings fried to perfection beside a malt waffle. The twinge of uncertainty melted with that first buttery sweet bite. 

Topped it off with a peach cobbler drowning in vanilla ice cream. Mmm mm good!

Lin’s Rating: 22 Such a pleasant surprise! But had I known it was going to be good, I probably would have been let down. Know wadda meen?

FarmBurger, oh FarmBurger. How I love thee, let me count the ways.

You are part farm; where you raise healthy grassfed cows, pigs, and veggies. 

Part world-class old-fashioned butcher; humanely preparing the finest bacon and burgers in town.

Part down-home good-ol-boy geet-yet yon-to restaurant, complete with an old soda pop fountain bar to order at, mix matched wooden tables and old school wire frame chairs, mason jars for cokes, and food served in a basket.  

And part inspired and supremely talented chef. 

The general tempo of a DinnerNet outing is to portion off a forkful of your order for each friend while making general comments about the atmosphere, quality of the food, service, and menu diversity. Not the way things went down at FarmBurger. No one shared a morsel, and no words were spoken. Nothing needed to be said. The pure bliss and complete happiness was evident. We had found burger heaven. 

If you have never had a grassfed burger, it is impossible to imagine the flavor. And impossible to believe that cheese and FarmBurger sauce was all this hunk of beef needed. So perfect. 

We also had stone ground grits with cheese and chunks of their farm cured bacon, fresh cut french fries, beer battered onion rings, and a Miller Genuine Draft (ok I know…but it was so perfect together!)

Lin’s Rating: 25 I know I know! 2 perfect scores, I’m a terrible reviewer. You go there and tell me it’s not incredible. Fair warning to the crew of the Mystery Bus - you will be dining here when you roll through town. :]  

The main appeal to Elevation Chophouse and Skybar, other than its menu created by Richard Blais, is its location at McCollum Airport in Kennesaw. It boasts panoramic views of Kennesaw Mountain (who knew that existed?). Unfortunately, the wide open windows translated into baking in the southern spring sun. 

I believe our main problem with Elevation, was that we went on Mother’s Day. Something we never considered to be an issue. 

Crowding was not a problem, in fact it seemed like we had our dining area all to ourselves. But then we got the menu: a limited, no-substitutions-allowed three course selection for all the Momma’s out there. Not exactly what we had in mind. Not to mention, an 8 year old could have designed a better menu in Word. 

As usual, we started with drinks. Nick and I had $14 liquid nitrogen margaritas, guaranteed to knock us on our asses. An awkward bus boy came to the table, mixed our elixirs in front of us, and piled the margarita 3 scoops high in a martini glass (hard to imagine…I know). It was like an adult lemon-lime snow biz….minus the adult. Maybe the liquid nitrogen froze the affects of the tequila?? Absolutely no buzz, and therefore absolutely not worth $14. 

I begrudgingly selected the lobster bisque, fried lobster tail with green beans and potatoes, and a fudge brownie. The bisque was begging for some bread to sop it up with, the potatoes must have been Hungry Jack just-add-water instant potatoes, and the green beans were made of wax. I enjoyed the yummy lobster tail, and devoured the brownie. 

Lin’s Rating: 15 This would probably be different on a non-holiday, but you will never get me to step foot inside this place again.