My First Look: Tin Can Fish House and Oyster Bar

When a restaurant publicist invites a host of bloggers to a social media/journalist preview night, it's a gamble.

On one hand, the restaurant is inviting a host of influencers into the building and footing the bill, which may lead to good reviews (hobby bloggers like free food!). On the flip side, a bad night of service could mean botched reviews all over the interwebs (comped meal or not).

Somewhat luckily, my experience landed somewhere in the middle.

First impressions:

• The slightly off-the-beaten path location (City Walk in Sandy Springs) may deter street traffic
• Friendly service (it was clear our waitress was out to impress)
• Casual interior that doesn't over-do the seafood house theme (read: I didn't feel like I was in Joe's Crab Shack)
• According to my date, the funky, modern features give the place a touch of class
• Music was right on (just the right level to provide good ambiance)

But Tin Can... points off for the comic sans. I mean, it is a polarizing font!

First we ordered drinks. I decided to check out the beer menu (Abita Amber to start) where my foxy date took a chance and ordered a bloody mary (good test of bar staff). My date reported the bloody mary was satisfactory (complete with a thumbs up). Not your run-of-the-mill tomato juice with vodka, this thing packed heat, horseradish, Worcestershire and all the goodies. I tasted and approved.

Pretty sure I had the cutest date in the bar — enter friend Maria, a fellow food and drink enjoyer.

As far as the beer menu goes, you've got a pretty good selection with really reasonable prices. $2.50 each "Trailer Trash Brews:" Coors Original, Miller High Life, PBR, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee. "Blue Collar Beer" ($3.75): Michelob Ultra, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Bud, Rolling Rock, Yuengling. $4.50 "Georgia Crafts:" Sweet Water 420, Sweet Water Sch'wheat, Sweet Water Georgia Brown, Terrapin Rye, Terrapin Golden, Terrapin IPA Hopsecutioner, Red Brick Pale Ale, Peachtree Pale Ale, Laughing Skull. Lastly, the "White Collar Craft Beer" offerings ($5) each: Abita Amber, Session Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Blue Moon, Shiner Bock, South Hampton Double White, Fat Tire, Leinenkugel October Fest, Sam Adams, Rogue Mocha Dark Ale, Guinness.

In part to my brother Ben, I've become mildly beer snobby. I would recommend Tin Can put a few more interesting beers on its premium craft beer list. Craft beer is so big lately that Abita and Guinness are a far cry from the Ommegangs, Bell's, Dales, Smuttynoses, etc. that Atlantans have been so spoiled with.

We were excited to order appetizers. After long days at our respective offices, oysters were sounding pretty dandy. Not to mention we had to order oysters if we were at a freaking oyster house.

Oysters Rockafella and raw oysters on the half shell were just what the doctor ordered. Spinachy, salty and laced with garlic, cracker crumbs and a little heat, these baked oysters were mighty fine. In fact, due to their spinachy-ness, these suckers were among Maria's favorite dishes for the evening. (6 good-sized oysters for $9)

To be honest, I usually eat raw oysters because other people are doing it. I can't say I crave the slippery mollusk, but I do feel cooler or tougher after I eat one. The (homemade?) cocktail sauce was fine but I prefer hot sauce — and a cracker — with mine. Like with the Rockafellas, these oysters were decently sized (and $4.5 for 6 - really reasonable).

I was really torn when it came to ordering my entree. The Thai mussels (cilantro, mint, curry, coconut milk, cream, lemons, ginger, chili paste) were really calling my name — but I eventually settled on a platter (my choice of 3 starters).

Pictured here: Ahi Tuna Ceviche, Conch Fritters, Crawfish Tails and Grits.

Tuna tasted fresh but was slightly overpowered by the jalepenos in the ceviche. Simpler would be better so the tuna could be the star of the show. The crawfish tails were salty but enjoyable — and I could have used a healthy sprinkling of chili flakes and sharp white cheddar in the grits (blame that on me not being born southern; plain grits just aren't enough for me — load 'em up!). The conch fritters were my favorite part of the platter. Light, fluffy, savory and sweet, the spheres of battered goodness are reminiscent of the Porter Beer Bar hushpuppies I like so much. I tasted hints of cinnamon and cumin. Yum chipotle mayo dipping sauce as well.

Points for the faux newspaper tissue in the fish baskets — cute!

Maria opted for a "catch of the day" entree (fish + two sides): mahi mahi with a sweet chili sauce glaze. The chili glaze came on the side versus on the fish but that was cool, too. The fish was as a whole tender and flaky. The okra was not unlike your standard meat-and-three-okra: breaded, a little gooey and a little mealy. The side salad was not your standard iceberg. "The bleu cheese, pecans and field greens were a good surprise," Maria said.

(Other entrees not mentioned: soups, entree-sized salads, stews, po-boys, peel-and-eat shrimp, fish baskets, paella, BBQ and chicken sandwiches.)

We considered walking down the row to the nearby Baskin Robbins for a cone but couldn't resist a thick slice of key lime pie. Despite being stuffed to the max, I happily made room for this creamy, tart slice of deliciousness. 4/5 stars on the dessert. Good cap on the meal. (Note: there's also a Good Humor ice cream cooler in the dining room to select from.)

Our total bill would have been about $60 for two starters, two entrees, three drinks total (Maria's bloody mary and my two beers) and a dessert. That is damn reasonable for fresh seafood and a good, laid-back atmosphere. I also appreciate the wide and varied menu — something for everybody.

I think Tin Can is going to be alright. And for its first week, the place seemed to be cranking food out pretty well. There may be some flavor/seasoning things to work through, but a reasonably priced (and varied) menu will keep a steady flow of customers. I will be back, likely for a happy hour where I can enjoy affordable oyster appetizers, cold beers and maybe some more of those conch fritters.

Tin Can Fish House and Oyster Bar

(404) 497-9997

Sandy Springs
227 Sandy Springs Pl NE, Ste 502
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
www.tincanfishhouse.com

A Good Lunch is Hard to Find (Sandy Springs/Dunwoody Edition)

EL TACO VELOZ (Roswell Rd. location)

Someone created a Yammer network for my employer recently (it's a social network that connects you to other people within your company). It has functionality for status updates, sharing links, creating a profile, etc., etc., similar to Facebook.

Since I'm almost always thinking about food, I publicly posted the question, "Does anyone have any good food recommendations around here?" I got several good leads.

The first place I wanted to check out was El Taco Veloz on Roswell Road. The taqueria came highly recommended by a colleague of Hispanic descent, so I had a better feeling about it compared to your run-of-the-mill taco stand. I believe he described the joint as "authentic and cheap." Where do I sign up?

I'm pretty sure Taco Veloz was a Pizza Hut, Long John Silver or KFC 25 years ago, with the signage and booths painted over 14 years ago when Taco Veloz took over the space.

We approached the counter and Chad expressed his excitement that they had beef tongue on the menu. I was feeling a little less adventurous (but still open to a bite of Chad's) so I went with the carne asada (steak) burrito counterpart to his beef tongue.

I dug into the salsa bar (think like Willies') and also snagged a side of sour cream to slather on my handheld lunch. We apparently arrived just in time. As we were biting into our comida, the lines grew long with Taco Veloz believers. My steak had good flavor but was a teeny bit on the chewy side. My tortilla was also a little dry (I feared picking it up would = burrito juice on my dress) but all in all, the burrito was tasty and not too filling. The beans were actually really tasty — creamy and cheesy. (Gah, my sleepiness is inhibiting my ability to describe food very well tonight...). Chad reported that the beef tongue was very tender and well-seasoned, which was a pleasant surprise considering it's often overcooked.

The total for two burritos, two sides of beans and a coke? About $15. Score!

I enjoyed the meal and didn't mind the atmosphere, but I can't say Taco Veloz totally swept me off my feat on this first jaunt. Regardless, for the price and the interesting menu options, I'll be back to give this place another chance.

See what others are saying about Taco Veloz on Yelp!

Is Chad saying that Taco Veloz is number 1?

5670 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342-1158(404) 252-5100 ‎

SUSHI HUKU

A few weeks ago, I was struggling to find a convenient location to meet a professional contact for lunch. She works off Delk Road in Marietta; I'm basically at 285 and 400 (Perimeter). When I landed on information for Sushi Huku off Powers Ferry, I thought I'd found something promising.

My fellow diner and I both chose bento boxes. We had a long list of combinations we could customize our bento boxes with. I chose veggie tempura and spicy tuna as my two "mains" and elected to have a side salad over soup. The box also came with sticky rice and a few french fries (?).

I don't want to spend a tremendous amount of time on this post, so I'll just say that the meal was very enjoyable and fresh-tasting. (1 bento box - $13). If you're a fan of Nakato but don't mind no-frills dining rooms, you ought to check out Sushi Huku. Or if you have a colleague or friend that loves Asian food but hasn't ventured far from home, knowing about this little gem may help you earn some points. I'd like to come back some night after work for sake and a variety of sushi.

I wouldn't know for sure, but I would think that having a Japanese language menu option gives them some points for authenticity.

See what [good things] people are saying about Sushi Huku on CitySearch.com.

6300 Powers Ferry Rd NW # 800
Atlanta, GA 30339-2961
(770) 956-9559

Wednesday night I will be checking out the Tin Can Fish House and Oyster Bar with my lovely lady friend Maria.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream: Kilwin's

I love ice cream. It's my number one dessert vice, even if it's 10 degrees outside. I don't discriminate when it comes to flavors — and I very rarely can stick to one serving. I can't keep the stuff in the house because I soooo lack self control.

I do not share the same love for Atlantic Station. I've been wary of the midtown Atlanta development ever since it was built. I can't put my finger on it — but it's always given me this it-will-be-rundown-in-less-than-10-years vibe. I wish it to be successful but I have my doubts. And I absolutely don't love the parking situation (large, underground parking deck where it takes you forever to find your car after you finish shopping).

When my brother called to let me know he found blue moon ice cream here in Georgia* at Atlantic Station of all places, I made sure I could go eat some as soon as possible. The destination? Kilwin's Ice Cream. (Thanks for the tip, BJ!)

It may not look delicious, but it so is!

I mostly agree with the Yelpers who have reviewed Kilwin's. The experience is great, the shop is fun and old fashioned and the options are plenty. The prices, however, are a little steep, but I think the ice cream flavors are worth the splurge (rich, flavorful and choices for all taste buds). I can see myself at Kilwin's with the hubs some Sunday afternoon in the near future, enjoying our ice cream flavors on the curbside bench.

Dammit, now I want some ice cream!

Kilwin's Ice Cream

1380 Atlantic Drive
Atlantic Station
Atlanta, GA 30363

(404) 817-7500

www.kilwins.com

*Blue moon is a mysterious ice cream flavor, native to Upper Michigan. The bright blue ice cream is common up in the UP — but almost nonexistent down here. You would think it's sickly sweet, like cotton candy or bubble gum or something, but that's not the case. It's a smooth, rich, almost deeply vanilla-y flavor. My brother Ben speculates that the interesting and surprising flavor comes from almond extract.

Traditional French Brunch... at C'om Vietnamese Grill?

Went by the Dunwoody location of C'om today to grab some takeout, and I spotted this 'lil chalkboard sign.

Innnnteresting.

I wonder how well a Vietnamese place does traditonal French. Their CitySearch reviews DO say they have a bit of French flair... I'm intrigued!

C'om Vietnamese Grill

5486 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody, GA 30338

Update 7/12: Apparently I need to brush up on my world history! Two comments to this post tell me that Vietnam was occupied by the French. So the brunch isn't so far out afterall! (And the fact that my part Vietnamese friend Tina speaks French fluently makes more sense now!)

Sweet Auburn Curb Market

(Wish these weren't on Fridays. I work OTP!)

The Atlanta Street Food Coalition Presents The Urban Picnic 

 

Atlanta’s Aspiring Gourmet Street Food Cart Vendors will be Open for Business during Lunch Hour at Sweet Auburn Curb Market

 

What: The Urban Picnic, presented by the Atlanta Street Food Coalition, will return to the Sweet Auburn Curb Market this week. The monthly event is held on the last Friday of every month and gives citizens of Atlanta a rare opportunity to sample and experience street food from over a dozen of Atlanta’s aspiring gourmet street food cart vendors including, Burro-Pollo Chicken Burrito Stand, Good Food Truck, King of Pops, The Pickle, Souper Jenny, Yumbii and more.

.

 

The coalition hosts monthly events to help foster a strong street food culture in the city of Atlanta and to bring attention to the need for food trucks throughout the city. The Atlanta Street Food Coalition’s ultimate goal is to lobby for and see implemented a regulatory system that encourages food trucks and street vendors who will bring healthy food options to areas of the city that are dominated by convenience stores. It is the Coalition’s belief that this movement will create new and exciting businesses in previously undeveloped and underserviced areas.

 

 

Where: The Urban Picnic by the Atlanta Street Food Coalition at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market

209 Edgewood Ave SE
Atlanta, GA  30303

 

When: June 25, 2010

11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m.

 

Contact:         Scott Smallwood                     

Atlanta Street Food Coalition                 

404-495-4508 office                           

770-598-0111 mobile                        

scott.smallwood@atlantastreetfood.com

 

About the Atlanta Food Coalition

A not-for-profit organization with one mission: Bringing Atlanta's thriving restaurant community into the streets via food carts and trucks.

 

About the Sweet Auburn Market

The Sweet Auburn Curb Market, located at 209 Edgewood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, hosts merchants selling fresh vegetables, meats, prepared foods, and other dry goods six days a week, year-round. Cafes and a fair-trade coffee shop make the Market a regular daytime destination. www.sweetauburncurbmarket.com, or 404.659.1665.

 

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Ladies Night at Leon's Full Service

Tuesday night I got together with a couple of neighborhood ladies. 

I'd never met Traci before — but I'd wanted to because she's an avid commenter on my blogs. She's also finishing a STUNNING renovation on her Emory-area home that I knew would be fun to talk about. 

The other two ladies were Vica and Naomi. They're both expecting, both owners of older homes they're updating, both Decaturites as well. So I knew we were in for some fun discussion.

This was maybe my fourth or fifth time to Leon's Full Service (Church Street at West Ponce in Decatur). It's fun, it's lively, the food is always good and the beer offerings are always interesting. So the downtown Decatur locale is easily one of our go-to spots in the 'hood. Leon's is also great about splitting entrees with no upcharge. Naomi is a regular, Traci had been a few times — and Vica had it on her short list of new places to try.

After an especially busy day at work, I knew exactly what beverage I wanted: Allagash White. It's Allagash's take on a traditional Belgian — and I think it makes for a great, light summer beer. Mmm.  ($4.50 per glass)

The other ladies took advantage of Leon's highly acclaimed mixologist on duty. 'Twas the $9 Peruvian Punch for Traci (she was assured by the waitress that the drink wasn't too sweet, like what you think of when you hear tropical punch). Naomi ordered a ginger soda concoction ($5) she's asked the bartender to make before — and Vica quickly followed with, "I'll take one of those, too!" No reason a pregnant girl can't get a fancy drink from the bar!

Food-wise, of course we had to start out with the pub frites ($6). None of us gals are picky, so we had trouble deciding which of the 8 - 10 delicious sauces to choose from. I suggested the massaman curry as a good choice — and Naomi chimed in that the goat cheese fondue is one of her faves. The waitress was nice enough to bring us a third dipping sauce (smoked tomato mayonnaise) gratis. Thank you, waitress! And I swear that the silver cup of fancy french fries gets bigger every time I go to Leon's! This time we four gals struggled to finish the whole pile but somehow prevailed. Mmmm. Perfectly golden, salted just enough — and even more divine when plunged into the tasty sauces.

We also split the bacon in a glass with a side of fresh peanut butter. I had been wanting to try this appetizer but for some reason always felt too goofy to order it. Naomi told our group it was a must! The bacon was cut thick and fried just short of break-apart-crispy. The peanut butter accoutrement wasn't your run of the mill Jiff or Peter Pan; it's a gritty, all-natural peanut butter with very little sweetness. The bacon and peanut butter work very well together. ($5 for the bacon in a glass, plus $.50 for the p-butter supplement)

Traci decided to try to the crispy skin trout over a bed of coleslaw, radicchio and endive ($14). Her verdict: very tasty and light. Even though Traci's not usually a fan of coleslaw, she enjoyed this particular variety because of a flavorful asian dressing.

Naomi went for the bone-in pork chop ($17). Does that look delish or what? The waitress warned the pork chop's sauce was a little spicy — but Naomi didn't let that scare her. While it was indeed spicy, Naomi enjoyed the green curry sauce the pork chop laid in. She wasn't crazy about the grit cake or its texture. The verdict: rather good, but probably wouldn't order again because of that pesky grit cake.

Vica has been on a veggie sandwich kick for the last several months (pregnant women are not supposed to eat deli meat because of possible listeria in it). Even though the meat sandwiches at Leon's (open-faced BBQ, shrimp gryo, etc.) aren't deli meat ones, Vica was feeling this roasted fresh veggie hero. The verdict: thumbs up, especially on the orzo side dish.

As much as I tried to talk myself out of it all day leading up to dinner, I still ended up ordering the veggie loaf (a veggie take on a meatloaf). It's so freaking good! Sundried tomatoes, cauliflower, several types of mushrooms, grains... I have a not-so-secret love affair with this freaking dish! ($14) And I had enough to bring home half to Dan (he thoroughly enjoyed).

The total damage for me: $28 plus tip (for a quarter of the pub frites, a quarter of the bacon, two beers and an entree). 

Leon's, you have my heart!

Cashing in my Christmas coupon: TopFlr

My equally food obsessed brother Ben gave me the best Christmas present: a dinner out at a place of my choosing — on him. And that's on a college student's budget (Ben's getting his doctorate in mechanical engineering)!

I cashed in my coupon last Monday to coincide with my first day at a new job. My choice was TopFlr (674 Myrtle Street; Atlanta).

Ben picked me up at 7:30 (what a gentleman) and we headed over to midtown. Parking lot spot - score! The space is quaint and modern, though not as high-end looking as I pictured in my head.

We wondered if TopFlr was still running its $15 four-course prix fix menu — and they were. We listed with all ears. First-course: spring salad. Second course: choice of pork belly and pork loin over cheddar grits with porcini mushrooms or four jumbo shrimp on a skewer over a spring salad. Third course: choice of dessert.

We opted to share three things off the menu (an appetizer - tuna tartare, an entree - hanger steak, and a side - creamed brussels sprouts) plus one of the prix fix menus (the pork/grits one, as a salad appetizer followed by a salad entree wasn't enticing). See the regular menu here. I would have been happy with about anything from this menu. I had a tasty malbec who's name I forgot to note.

The spring salad and tartare came out first. The spring salad was straightforward, tossed in a simple vinaigrette. The tartare was served atop crispy flat bread and featured just enough acidity, oil and spices (their own blend of thai pesto). Ben and I were both impressed by the size (and quality of the tuna) in this $13 appetizer.

If the $13 hanger steak and pork belly/pork loin/grits entrees were competing, it would be difficult to name a clear winner. The hanger steak, served sliced and medium rare, tasted more like filet — and the ginger sauce was a benefit, not a distraction. One word to describe the pork entree: yummmm. The mushrooms were just tender enough, the grits creamy and thick without being too thick. And cheese. Mmm. My one complaint is that after a bite of salty and tender pork belly, the bites of pork tenderloin felt dry in comparison.

Oddly enough, Ben and I agreed that the $4 brussels sprouts were likely the best part of the meal. Damn good. "They taste like candy," Ben said at some point. Made with heavy cream, fennel, shallots and bacon, they were possibly less healthy than candy. What the hell — nothing to feel guilty about during this special occasion meal.

Dessert was a no brainer: tiramisu. Ben pointed out that he was relieved to find more coffee flavor compared to tiramisu he's had recently. Then he added, "I better not tell [my girlfriend] that I ate tiramisu because she'll be so jealous!" I found the tiramisu to be moist and not overly sweet (a problem I often have with tiramisu).

I didn't see (or try and calculate in my head) the final bill — but Ben told me it was reasonable considering the amount of food (plus a drink each) we enjoyed. I'd recommend you kick the tires on TopFlr on a Monday night when you can get special pricing on some (or all) of your meal. If not, you may lay down some coin on the a la carte entrees and sides.

Overall experience: A

Service: A

Interesting menu: B

Average price entree and side: $18

Thanks for the awesome meal and the brother/sister time, Benjamin!

Takeout Adventures: Peruvian Chicken

If you were to evaluate what I've been eating over the past few days, you'd think I was covering a beat on City of Decatur takeout options. Saturday was Subway for lunch then Publix sushi for dinner. Sunday lunch was delicious panini sandwiches and three-cabbage coleslaw from Java Monkey, followed by Noodle peanut noodle dinner bowls for dinner.

Nope. The exorbitant amounts of takeout is due to us moving from our seedy Virginia-Highland apartment into our new casa in Decatur. Since we've been busy moving and I am not being paid to review restaurants, we've been exploring new, affordable takeout options in our new 'hood.

For dinner tonight, I did an imaginary drive-through of downtown Decatur, trying to brainstorm spots we haven't yet explored. Then it came to me.

Las Brasas!

Every time we've been to Feast, we've curiously peered over at the Peruvian rotisserie chicken place next door. I had a good feeling about the place. A quick Urban Spoon search validated my quest for tasty chicken at Las Brasas: a mere seven reviews but all incredibly positive. I read things like "best chicken in ATL" and "I am constantly recommending this place to people." Jennifer Zyman had good things to say in her 2008 Creative Loafing review. Okay, the stage was set.

I dialed up Las Brasas (310 East Howard Avenue; Decatur, GA; (404) 377-9121), where a nice gentleman answered the phone and did not bark at me to "hold please." I said I wanted to make a takeout order, but that I did not actually know what I wanted. I asked for his recommendation.

He proceeded to patiently tell me that the rotisserie chicken is most popular — and that Las Brasas runs a $6.95 special that includes a quarter chicken, one side and a drink. Side options included pinto beans, rice, sweet potato fries, steamed veggies or sauteed veggies. I wish I could have ordered the whole menu! I went with the chicken special (with sweet potato fries) for Dan — and a rotisserie chicken salad for myself. The order taker recommended the balsamic vinaigrette. I was also tempted to order the special potato salad this man recommended, as layers of potatoes with a creamy cheesy sauce and Peruvian spices sounded pretty damn good.

When I arrived at the humble, painted red cinderblock restaurant ten minutes later, I noted a nice little patio that would be great for casual, summer dining. I was greeted by a friendly man named John (likely the proprietor). John was cheerful, gracious and happy to see a new customer. As he finished packing my food and printing my receipt, John asked, "Kathryn, do you like hot sauce?" I said, "sure." So he grabbed a second dressing/sauce from the back and threw it into my bag.

Dan's hearty-sized chicken breast was juicy, tender and flavorful. The sweet potato fries, while not likely fresh to order, were still tasty. My salad was comprised of simple-but-delicious romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, perfect avocados and sliced chicken. The vinaigrette was good but the creamy/spicy/avocado-y second dressing was even better. We both finished the meal very satisfied. Two meals and a drink: $15.

Las Brasas is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. They also provide complimentary delivery for orders $15 and up in a limited area. http://lasbrasasdecatur.com. See the menu here. Because Las Brasas doesn't have a liquor license, they allow BYOB for patio dining.

If you check out Las Brasas this summer, you may find us on the patio with pinot grigio in tow.

Antico Birthday Party + a Lil Pizza Drama

Dan and I planned a little friend/family gathering at Antico to celebrate my 2?th birthday.

Overall*, the night was really enjoyable. I couldn't ask for better pizza -- or better friends, for that matter. It was some friends' first trip to the Naples-style pizza mecca.

Here are some photos from the evening.

A birthday gift to myself: a box of wine wrapped like a present. (Antico is BYOB)

Mega tasty cake from the Antico bakery (delicious, spongy layers of yellow cake -- with a touch of lemon flavor -- amidst layers of a tasty creamy/whipped frosting). This dessert was reminiscent of the "Tres Leces" cake from one of our favorite restaurants (Tierra). Mmmm. Cake was $32, I believe.

*The pizza drama:

About three weeks prior to my birthday, I called Antico to reserve the larger, wooden table back in the kitchen.

Flash forward to my birthday (Tuesday). The kitchen (where most of the seating is and where most of the eating takes place) was relatively quiet. Our party rolled in from about 7:15 to 7:45, until we eventually had about 22 people hanging around our table. After a few minutes of noshing on tasty margherita pies, an employee approached us to tell us that Giovanni di Palma (the owner) wanted to charge us a $50 upcharge for violating the "10 people maximum" rule. She went on to ask if we wanted to discuss it with Giovanni himself.

Seeing in that we hadn't heard previously that only 10 people were allowed to come with our party, we did want to speak with the owner. Neither of us was looking to cause trouble; we merely wanted to sort through the miscommunication.

The same friendly employee came back a few minutes later, saying that Giovanni was sticking to his policy: he wanted to charge us a corking fee because he doesn't accept private parties larger than 10 people.

A few minutes later, we found an audience with Mr. di Palma. He seemed a little agitated with us. I told him that when I called, the person on the phone did mention that the table seated 1o - but I said to that person on the phone something along the lines of "that's fine. Our party will be bigger than that, but we don't mind taking turns eating and standing." (Also considering people are always standing around the tables in the crowded "dining room" - AND that my friends would all be ordering pizza, I hadn't worried about the size of our group. Not to mention, it was a week night).

We went on to say that the corking fee wasn't too much ($3 to $4/person to BYOB isn't a bad deal) - it was the fact that this fee and the group size limitations hadn't been previously disclosed to us that was the problem. Giovanni then told us that it's his fiance who's the business manager, and that she ALWAYS tells people very directly and clearly that the table seating is limited.

Giovanni was firm in his belief that we had been explicity told that we could have 10 people max. I responded saying, "I know you don't know me, but it is not in my nature to take what someone tells me and totally disrespect and ignore it. If I would have been told that it was important to have only 10 people, we would have only brought 10 people."

If you're curious about his reasoning (maybe you're asking why he would turn down big private parties), it's because Giovanni wants the kitchen dining room to be an experience for all who enter. If someone drives from Flowery Branch or LaGrange for an Antico pizza, they would be smothered by a private party such as ours. Like we told him that night, that's all fine and well - but we hadn't been told that previously. Giovanni said he turns down large private parties all the time in lieu of letting people have a nice, intimate dining experience. He said it's not about making money.

We later heard that this isn't the first time this very same misunderstanding has occurred. Also, we heard that he had never before instituted a corking fee on a week night.

In the end, we chalked it up to a miscommunication and called a truce. He didn't make us pay the fee (not that it mattered). Our only wish is that others don't encounter this same miscommunication. After the 15 minutes of slight drama subsided, it still end up being a great night with much fun had by all. I'm curious though; if we had not made a reservation and just rolled in there 22-large, would we have been kicked out?