La Dolce Vita (the cafe and the experience) can be found at 484 Cherry Street in downtown Macon, adding yet another delightful eatery to the Hobbit's Shire. With its coffee bar/patisserie atmosphere, the environment is relaxed and the staff friendly and attentive. Unlike most other Macon restaurants, La Dolce Vita offers something of a light Tapas-style menu of classic and intriguing Italian-inspired dishes priced from $3.00 - $5.00. The menu boasts a number of soups, features some excellent salads, and offers a variety of sandwich/roll-up/pastry items.
The Hobbit and fellow travelers each tackled a couple of dishes apiece, making for a satisfying light dinner all round. Items selected and enjoyed by the group included an avocado and crab salad, spinach and bacon quiche, smoked salmon spread with onions and red peppers on black Russian bread and Gazpacho soup. Although every item on the menu was not available, including the highly recommended chilled almond soup, all were impressed by the quality of the food chosen. Hungry Hobbits might need to consider three dishes.
Tempting desserts were on display, but the Hobbit settled for an espresso doppio to round off the evening. La Dolce Vita is well worth visiting for a workday lunch, an afternoon coffee break, or a light dinner.
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Spaghetti Alley - Gone!
The Hobbit was sad to learn that downtown Macon's Spaghetti Alley has closed its doors. However, a new restaurant, Macon Pizza in the Alley, will open there imminently. This pleases the Hobbit, who will find his way to their table soon.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Luigi's Bistro
This Sunday evening, for a treat before heading to the Grand Opera House to watch Sweeney Todd, we stopped for dinner at Luigi's Bistro, 401 Cherry Street, Macon. Luigi's is definitely another one of Macon's dining gems - a modern Italian restaurant serving high quality authentic Italian food in a relaxed atmosphere with friendly, attentive service.
The menu boasted quality and variety, while not overwhelming the reader with a plethora of choices. Even so, I had great difficulty narrowing it down to just one entree! We started our meal with an appetizer of Pita Chips, dusted in parmigiano and Italian herbs and served with a Marinara dipping sauce. If I were a piece of pita bread and faced imminent death by being eaten, given the choice this is the way I would depart! The pita chips were slightly crispy with a little softness in the centers. They did not last long despite being a generous portion!
For entrees, we chose the Frutti di Mare Ravioli with Salmon and an 8oz New York Strip with Portobellos and Marsala Sauce. The ravioli was exceptional with beautiful fresh-tasting meats and a creamy sauce with just the right balance of lemon and seasoning which brought a lightness to the dish. The New York Strip was cooked just as I requested and tasted wonderful. The Marsala dressing was no stranger to the inside of a Marsala bottle and, paired with the portobellos, accompanied the steak with gusto. The mashed potatoes and broccoli with accompanying salad were fresh and tasty.
Luigi's boasts a sizable wine cellar. We chose a French Chardonnay and a Chianti. They did not disappoint. The dessert menu was concise. We tried the special - a cheesecake creme brulee and a piece of chocolate cake. Both were outstanding and the slice of chocolate cake was huge!
Complimenting the food was efficient and personable service and a relaxed ambiance. This made for a very enjoyable experience. Luigi's is one of the more expensive restaurants that I've tried recently, but definitely appropriately priced for the experience. In other words, "Totally worth it!" This is a place to which I'll return for a special occasion rather than a mid-week pit stop, but I do look forward to going back there sometime soon.
The menu boasted quality and variety, while not overwhelming the reader with a plethora of choices. Even so, I had great difficulty narrowing it down to just one entree! We started our meal with an appetizer of Pita Chips, dusted in parmigiano and Italian herbs and served with a Marinara dipping sauce. If I were a piece of pita bread and faced imminent death by being eaten, given the choice this is the way I would depart! The pita chips were slightly crispy with a little softness in the centers. They did not last long despite being a generous portion!
For entrees, we chose the Frutti di Mare Ravioli with Salmon and an 8oz New York Strip with Portobellos and Marsala Sauce. The ravioli was exceptional with beautiful fresh-tasting meats and a creamy sauce with just the right balance of lemon and seasoning which brought a lightness to the dish. The New York Strip was cooked just as I requested and tasted wonderful. The Marsala dressing was no stranger to the inside of a Marsala bottle and, paired with the portobellos, accompanied the steak with gusto. The mashed potatoes and broccoli with accompanying salad were fresh and tasty.
Luigi's boasts a sizable wine cellar. We chose a French Chardonnay and a Chianti. They did not disappoint. The dessert menu was concise. We tried the special - a cheesecake creme brulee and a piece of chocolate cake. Both were outstanding and the slice of chocolate cake was huge!
Complimenting the food was efficient and personable service and a relaxed ambiance. This made for a very enjoyable experience. Luigi's is one of the more expensive restaurants that I've tried recently, but definitely appropriately priced for the experience. In other words, "Totally worth it!" This is a place to which I'll return for a special occasion rather than a mid-week pit stop, but I do look forward to going back there sometime soon.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Adriana's
Adriana's Italian Cafe, located at 359 3rd Street, is undoubtedly my favorite weekday lunchtime eatery. It's a favorite of many others too. Yesterday I wondered if we'd even find a seat at 1:15pm, but we did!
Yesterday's eye-catcher for me was the Manicotti; broad pasta tubes filled with Ricotta cheese and dressed in an authentic Italian tomato sauce. As is my habit, I accompanied this with a Greek Salad. I declare that the Greek Salad at Adriana's is the best I've ever had outside of Greece. I'll bet it knocks the socks off many Greek Salads inside of Greece too! The Manicotti were very tasty and the naturally complimentary flavors of cheese and tomato were enhanced by popular Italian herbs.
Repeat visits are testimony to the quality of a restaurant. You'll see that there are already several postings on this blog about Adriana's. It's not complicated: Go, eat, enjoy, ...repeat! That's what I always do! Don't forget to look at the dessert bar by the entrance. There are some exceedingly good-looking desserts in there and they taste the part too. This is quality, authentic Italian food served in a casual cafe atmosphere. Don't settle for less when you're thinking Italian.
Yesterday's eye-catcher for me was the Manicotti; broad pasta tubes filled with Ricotta cheese and dressed in an authentic Italian tomato sauce. As is my habit, I accompanied this with a Greek Salad. I declare that the Greek Salad at Adriana's is the best I've ever had outside of Greece. I'll bet it knocks the socks off many Greek Salads inside of Greece too! The Manicotti were very tasty and the naturally complimentary flavors of cheese and tomato were enhanced by popular Italian herbs.
Repeat visits are testimony to the quality of a restaurant. You'll see that there are already several postings on this blog about Adriana's. It's not complicated: Go, eat, enjoy, ...repeat! That's what I always do! Don't forget to look at the dessert bar by the entrance. There are some exceedingly good-looking desserts in there and they taste the part too. This is quality, authentic Italian food served in a casual cafe atmosphere. Don't settle for less when you're thinking Italian.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Adriana's
Adriana's Cafe in downtown Macon (359 3rd St), served up a delightful Italian-style Beef Stroganoff recently. I was ready for a hearty meal one lunchtime and this Farfalle pasta-based dish with ground beef and mushrooms certainly fit the bill. The Stroganoff is best accompanied with a light salad, such as the House or Greek salad, to balance its textures and flavors. As always, the food was delicious and my appetite was satisfied well into the evening - an important consideration for a Hobbit.
I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again. For me a great dining experience, especially at lunchtime on a work day, is one in which the food is memorable and the atmosphere helps to take my mind away from the busyness of the day's activities. Adriana's provides the hustle and bustle, as well as the solace, of a table at a city-center bistro where one can watch the world go by while relaxing with a friend or simply with one's own inner thoughts. I'll be back soon!
Viva Adriana's!
I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again. For me a great dining experience, especially at lunchtime on a work day, is one in which the food is memorable and the atmosphere helps to take my mind away from the busyness of the day's activities. Adriana's provides the hustle and bustle, as well as the solace, of a table at a city-center bistro where one can watch the world go by while relaxing with a friend or simply with one's own inner thoughts. I'll be back soon!
Viva Adriana's!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Ingleside Village Pizza
Mercer University faculty, staff, and students rejoiced when Ingleside Village Pizza (IVP) graced their neck of the woods with its second location (1635 Montpelier Avenue, Macon). Just a stone's throw away from the heart of Mercer's Macon campus, IVP's concise menu hits the spot when it's time to fuel up at lunch. Specializing in pizza (obviously), IVP also offers salads and subs at reasonable prices. They must have consulted a hobbit before designing the menu because a grand selection of domestic and international bottled beers is available to help wash the pizza down to its destination.
IVP's uncomplicated pizza menu is a fine example of less is more. Three diverse pizza compilations are listed, but a long list of toppings allow pizza lovers to create their own edible artistry according to their whims and desires. I wasn't feeling artistic today, so I went for one of the ready-designed pizzas. The White Pizza boasts a topping of Ricotta cheese, spinach, mushrooms, garlic, and extra cheese. This concoction is a delicious medley of robust flavors that work together beautifully.
The IVP experience is relaxed and uncomplicated. Yep, we need more of that in life. When the semester is in full swing, be prepared for lines or get there early. IVP is the place to be!
IVP's uncomplicated pizza menu is a fine example of less is more. Three diverse pizza compilations are listed, but a long list of toppings allow pizza lovers to create their own edible artistry according to their whims and desires. I wasn't feeling artistic today, so I went for one of the ready-designed pizzas. The White Pizza boasts a topping of Ricotta cheese, spinach, mushrooms, garlic, and extra cheese. This concoction is a delicious medley of robust flavors that work together beautifully.
The IVP experience is relaxed and uncomplicated. Yep, we need more of that in life. When the semester is in full swing, be prepared for lines or get there early. IVP is the place to be!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Spaghetti Alley
I was glad to make a swift return to Spaghetti Alley for lunch in downtown Macon (575 Mulberry Street Lane) this week. I'm nearly always impressed with a place that has a concise menu with enough variety that I have trouble choosing which of the delectable delights to order. Such was the case, once again, and by a rigorous process of elimination I made the excellent decision to try Fettuccini Franco. The combination of fettuccini, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and Alfredo sauce made for a super combination of flavors. I added the grilled shrimp which rounded the dish off very nicely. The quantity satisfied this happy hobbit who told at least ten people about his lunch! The service was of great quality once again.
Spaghetti Alley's bread and dip, a standard prerequisite to all meals, is worth a mention. The bread is fresh and tasty and the olive oil dip with a well-chosen blend of Mediterranean herbs is very moreish.
I highly recommend making your way to Spaghetti Alley for a meal. I have every intention of working my way right through the menu. Not in one sitting, though.
Spaghetti Alley's bread and dip, a standard prerequisite to all meals, is worth a mention. The bread is fresh and tasty and the olive oil dip with a well-chosen blend of Mediterranean herbs is very moreish.
I highly recommend making your way to Spaghetti Alley for a meal. I have every intention of working my way right through the menu. Not in one sitting, though.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Adriana's
It's always a delight to return to Adriana's Cafe in downtown Macon (359 3rd St), but especially so when I get to try something new there. This Tuesday lunchtime I had the opportunity to try their Turkey, Mushroom, and Cheddar Quiche which also boasted sun dried tomatoes. Now I've eaten some quiche in my time, but this was one of the most memorable. A sight that any hobbit likes to behold, this slice of quiche was most certainly a two-storey quiche. Not only was it impressive in its elevation, but it was presented with a lavish, light, flaky crust of substantial proportion.
A quiche of this thickness always runs the risk of being undercooked in the middle, especially when the pastry crust is present. Not a problem at Adriana's - The quiche was consistently light and fluffy all the way through and the pastry was cooked to perfection. The flavors were well balanced and complimentary. I accompanied the quiche with my usual Greek Salad and the combination was a very, very satisfying lunch.
We arrived and were seated just in time because the lunchtime rush, testimony to the popularity of this fine eatery, commenced in full flow. Despite the bustle of this cafe, however, it's always a refreshing change of pace from the busyness of the work day. How fortunate we are to have Adriana's!
A quiche of this thickness always runs the risk of being undercooked in the middle, especially when the pastry crust is present. Not a problem at Adriana's - The quiche was consistently light and fluffy all the way through and the pastry was cooked to perfection. The flavors were well balanced and complimentary. I accompanied the quiche with my usual Greek Salad and the combination was a very, very satisfying lunch.
We arrived and were seated just in time because the lunchtime rush, testimony to the popularity of this fine eatery, commenced in full flow. Despite the bustle of this cafe, however, it's always a refreshing change of pace from the busyness of the work day. How fortunate we are to have Adriana's!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Spaghetti Alley
A working lunch this week saw me dining at Spaghetti Alley in downtown Macon. Spaghetti Alley, as its name suggests, is tucked away in an alley off the main thoroughfares. Located in one of Macon's older buildings at 575 Mulberry Street Lane, this casual Italian restaurant's web site is quick to point out that they're, "...more than just pasta." Spaghetti Alley's menu certainly features pasta, but also offers a handful of subs, salads, and some classic Italian entrées.
I decided to try the Ravioli Rosati, "...a three cheese ravioli served in a vodka-tomato cream sauce with fresh basil." The attraction wasn't so much the vodka in the sauce, as the fact that I'd just had a go at making home-made ravioli the previous weekend and wanted to see how I measured up. I was a little concerned, as a hobbit naturally should be, when the plate arrived with only about six pieces of ravioli on it. For a lunch time pasta dish, however, the quantity was appropriate, although I could have quite happily put away a bit more. The ample-sized ravioli along with the rich accompanying sauce were delicious and had a nice balance of flavor and texture.
The service was attentive and efficient and the prices quite reasonable. It's worth noting that Spaghetti Alley also offers a variety of takeout platters for six people (or three hobbits) if you want to impress without making the effort in the kitchen!
This will definitely be a place to which I return in the future. Oh, and I may be biased, but I think my homemade ravioli wasn't at all shoddy in comparison to that made by the pros!
I decided to try the Ravioli Rosati, "...a three cheese ravioli served in a vodka-tomato cream sauce with fresh basil." The attraction wasn't so much the vodka in the sauce, as the fact that I'd just had a go at making home-made ravioli the previous weekend and wanted to see how I measured up. I was a little concerned, as a hobbit naturally should be, when the plate arrived with only about six pieces of ravioli on it. For a lunch time pasta dish, however, the quantity was appropriate, although I could have quite happily put away a bit more. The ample-sized ravioli along with the rich accompanying sauce were delicious and had a nice balance of flavor and texture.
The service was attentive and efficient and the prices quite reasonable. It's worth noting that Spaghetti Alley also offers a variety of takeout platters for six people (or three hobbits) if you want to impress without making the effort in the kitchen!
This will definitely be a place to which I return in the future. Oh, and I may be biased, but I think my homemade ravioli wasn't at all shoddy in comparison to that made by the pros!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Adriana's
It is only fitting that my first post about a great dining experience be about my all-time favorite lunchtime eatery. Adriana's Cafe in downtown Macon (359 3rd St) is a delightful Italian cafe with a bustling atmosphere. It's really popular so I've learned to try to get there before the lunchtime rush. That said, it's always been worth the wait!
On Friday last, I enjoyed their salmon pasta with a Greek salad for lunch. It was flavorful, light, and satisfying. Their Greek salad really rocks. It is laced with garlic and filled with Mediterranean flavor. They also feature a sun-dried tomato soup with walnuts which is rich, tasty, and downright moreish. The spell-checker doesn't recognize the important culinary term "moreish." It's not rocket science - it means one bowl is never enough!
I've often gazed longingly at the delicious-looking cakes that they display in the dessert bar. I'll be sure to let you know when I try one. I'll pair it with a good espresso or cappuccino.
On Friday last, I enjoyed their salmon pasta with a Greek salad for lunch. It was flavorful, light, and satisfying. Their Greek salad really rocks. It is laced with garlic and filled with Mediterranean flavor. They also feature a sun-dried tomato soup with walnuts which is rich, tasty, and downright moreish. The spell-checker doesn't recognize the important culinary term "moreish." It's not rocket science - it means one bowl is never enough!
I've often gazed longingly at the delicious-looking cakes that they display in the dessert bar. I'll be sure to let you know when I try one. I'll pair it with a good espresso or cappuccino.
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