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 cafe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cafe. Show all posts
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jeneane's Cafe
Eating lunch at Jeneane's Cafe, located at 524 Mulberry Street, Macon, is a step back in time and out of the fast pace of the work week. This causal homey cafe serves up good ole' country food in a really relaxed environment. Friendly staff and local people make lunch at Jeneane's a pleasant experience. One of the Hobbit's favorites is baked chicken with turnip greens, corn bread, and whatever other vegetable takes his fancy. They bake some tasty pies too! Swing by Jeneane's for some country soul food!
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!
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!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Emilio's Cuban Cafe
Things were swingin' at Emilio's Cuban Cafe in Bonaire Saturday night. Located in the strip mall at 402 GA Highway 247, Suite 300, this welcoming Cuban cafe-restaurant is well worth a visit if you're in the area. When we arrived just after 7pm, the live music was cranked up and the atmosphere was buzzing. The main dining area was full and people were enjoying the entertainment. We were seated in a booth in the bar area and our server took time to explain some of the less-familiar items on the menu.
Emilio's menu offers a variety of authentic Cuban dishes ranging from sandwiches to full entrées. We chose the Lechon Asado (Mojo marinated roast pork) and the Ropa Vieja (slow-cooked shredded beef in a creole sauce). The entrées include sides with a choice of red or black beans; white or yellow rice; sweet or green plantains; and fried or boiled yuca.
Other than being a tad salty, the meats were delicious and the sides added a great variety of flavors and textures to the meal. The food arrived quickly and the portions were generous. We were well satisfied. Emilio's is a place to enjoy good food and hospitality, which are closely related in Cuban culture. Combining the food and the atmosphere, I felt in no hurry to eat and run. This was my first time eating Cuban cuisine and I'm definitely ready to try more. I noted that Emilio's is also open for breakfast, so maybe I'll stop by there one morning.
Emilio's menu offers a variety of authentic Cuban dishes ranging from sandwiches to full entrées. We chose the Lechon Asado (Mojo marinated roast pork) and the Ropa Vieja (slow-cooked shredded beef in a creole sauce). The entrées include sides with a choice of red or black beans; white or yellow rice; sweet or green plantains; and fried or boiled yuca.
Other than being a tad salty, the meats were delicious and the sides added a great variety of flavors and textures to the meal. The food arrived quickly and the portions were generous. We were well satisfied. Emilio's is a place to enjoy good food and hospitality, which are closely related in Cuban culture. Combining the food and the atmosphere, I felt in no hurry to eat and run. This was my first time eating Cuban cuisine and I'm definitely ready to try more. I noted that Emilio's is also open for breakfast, so maybe I'll stop by there one morning.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Between the Bread Cafe
Between the Bread Cafe, located at 588 Mulberry St., Macon, is an intimate downtown dining location in an historic building. Good service and atmosphere make the experience enjoyable before the food even hits the table. The menu offers a nice variety of light to medium lunches to suit many tastes. Pastas, salads, sandwiches, hobbit-worthy loaded potatoes, and interesting specials are sure to delight.
This Friday lunch I eventually managed to decide on a slice of quiche from the Specials board with a side of fresh fruit salad. Wow, it's been a while since I had quiche, but this was one of the best I ever remember eating. The fruit salad was so fresh, I could smell it as it arrived at the table. The loaded potatoes looked really good too. I would have eaten one of those as well, but I had to go back to work and remain awake and productive for the afternoon, so I refrained.
An interesting concept, Between the Bread Cafe becomes Michaels on Mulberry for the dinner service. I'll check it out one evening before a show at The Grand Opera House.
This Friday lunch I eventually managed to decide on a slice of quiche from the Specials board with a side of fresh fruit salad. Wow, it's been a while since I had quiche, but this was one of the best I ever remember eating. The fruit salad was so fresh, I could smell it as it arrived at the table. The loaded potatoes looked really good too. I would have eaten one of those as well, but I had to go back to work and remain awake and productive for the afternoon, so I refrained.
An interesting concept, Between the Bread Cafe becomes Michaels on Mulberry for the dinner service. I'll check it out one evening before a show at The Grand Opera House.
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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