When it comes to dining out, Atlanta can certainly hold its own with other great food cities. With dozens of award-winning restaurants, multiple James Beard award winners, eating out has certainly become an elevated experience in the city. This elevated experience is at the core of Eat Out Atlanta, a new members-only dining club for those passionate about food and who enjoy superior dining experiences. Members of Eat Out Atlanta receive access to off-menu dishes, wine and cocktail pairings, special seating, member-only events and secret menus. To showcase the type of exclusive experience that can be expected by EOA members, we were invited to a progressive dinner at two of Atlanta’s hot new restaurants: The Southern Gentleman and Gypsy Kitchen.
We started at the latter with bacon-caramel popcorn and deconstructed deviled eggs with battered-fried egg yolks atop cooked and cubed egg white, served with two of the gastropub’s signature cocktails: the East of the Hudson made with Four Roses bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters; and, a smoked cherry; and, the Scarlet Belle made with strawberry-infused vodka, and lime juice topped off with prosecco. We then walked along the balcony to our second destination, Gypsy Kitchen where a giant metal sculpture of a bull greeted us as we entered. Gypsy Kitchen takes the influences of Spain, Morocco and India and fuses them together to create an ambitious and creative menu.
Once seated the plates started coming and didn’t stop until we were all stuffed to capacity. We sampled the Spice Trader cocktail made with bourbon, honey and cayenne, apricot liqueur, lime and house-made ginger beer alongside a Gypsy Salad of shaved vegetables, gypsy peppers, dried apricots, with a cumin-lemon yogurt vinaigrette; Charred Leeks with Salbitxada sauce; and, Spanish-inspired “toast” topped with Marcona almond "nutella" and shaved chorizo.
Chicken Croquetas which were crispy on the outside and creamy inside, reminded me of a twist on chicken pot pie, while the Garlic Shrimp with heads still intact had a nice spicy kick. Next came fried rice “paella” with shrimp, chorizo, and peas topped with a fried egg, which was an interesting variation from traditional paella with a unique texture and flavor.
Another signature cocktail was served; this one called The Seville Rose made with Vodka, Egg White, Lemon, Soda and topped with beautiful dried rose petals. And, the dishes just kept coming… Lamb Tangine with tomato and Moroccan spices; Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with roasted Brussel sprouts; and, Marcona Almond-Tikka Masala Chicken with cauliflower ”cous-cous;” all taste sensations. And just as we thought our stomachs might burst, came the last plates with churros topped with finely grated Manchego and served with chocolate dipping sauce and almond-orange cake topped with Seville oranges.
If this amazing evening is indicative of the type of experience that EOA members can expect each time they dine using the card, it is difficult to understand how anyone could ever survive without one. For more information on how to become an Eat Out Atlanta member, please visit their website. Annual memberships are currently $97 which includes a swanky anodized aluminum membership card which allows access to member’s only benefits or you can unlock your privileges via an interactive app available to download for Apple devices.
While the food and beverage items we sampled were complimentary, I received no additional remuneration. The opinions included herein are honest and unsolicited.
Once seated the plates started coming and didn’t stop until we were all stuffed to capacity. We sampled the Spice Trader cocktail made with bourbon, honey and cayenne, apricot liqueur, lime and house-made ginger beer alongside a Gypsy Salad of shaved vegetables, gypsy peppers, dried apricots, with a cumin-lemon yogurt vinaigrette; Charred Leeks with Salbitxada sauce; and, Spanish-inspired “toast” topped with Marcona almond "nutella" and shaved chorizo.
Chicken Croquetas which were crispy on the outside and creamy inside, reminded me of a twist on chicken pot pie, while the Garlic Shrimp with heads still intact had a nice spicy kick. Next came fried rice “paella” with shrimp, chorizo, and peas topped with a fried egg, which was an interesting variation from traditional paella with a unique texture and flavor.
Another signature cocktail was served; this one called The Seville Rose made with Vodka, Egg White, Lemon, Soda and topped with beautiful dried rose petals. And, the dishes just kept coming… Lamb Tangine with tomato and Moroccan spices; Pan Roasted Pork Tenderloin with roasted Brussel sprouts; and, Marcona Almond-Tikka Masala Chicken with cauliflower ”cous-cous;” all taste sensations. And just as we thought our stomachs might burst, came the last plates with churros topped with finely grated Manchego and served with chocolate dipping sauce and almond-orange cake topped with Seville oranges.If this amazing evening is indicative of the type of experience that EOA members can expect each time they dine using the card, it is difficult to understand how anyone could ever survive without one. For more information on how to become an Eat Out Atlanta member, please visit their website. Annual memberships are currently $97 which includes a swanky anodized aluminum membership card which allows access to member’s only benefits or you can unlock your privileges via an interactive app available to download for Apple devices.
While the food and beverage items we sampled were complimentary, I received no additional remuneration. The opinions included herein are honest and unsolicited.