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Michael Pollen to Headline at Georgia Organics Conference
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Anyone who reads the NYT or has read “Omnivore’s Dilemma” knows that Michael Pollen rocks.
The author, and Knight Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at the University of California-Berkeley, has been one of the country’s biggest proponents of the Slow Food movement and an advocate for sustainability for years. And now, he’ll be in Atlanta this spring to headline Georgia Organics 12th Annual Conference and Trade Show, which takes place March 20 and 21 at Agnes Scott College.
I heard him speak at a chefs’ conference I attended at CIA several years back. Not only is he a genius, he’s an affable and funny speaker. And he has a lot to say about what we eat: along with chef Alice Waters, he is perhaps the greatest environmental food thinker of our time. His philosophy stems around the notion that how and what we eat is our most intimate connection to the natural world. He maintains that modern agribusiness and industrial farming practices sever that connection dramatically. In short, he’s my big fat hero. I can’t gush enough.
If you’d like to attend the conference, sign up early: preference will be given to Organics’ members, and the event is likely to sell out. Go to Georgia Organics for more information.
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Lenny Robinson is BAAACCCK, plus BLT and FLIP opening dates
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MR. PERSONALITY: Chef Lenny Robinson has returned to the dining scene as exec chef for Peasant Bistro
Photo: Jessica McGowan/ Special to the AJC
I’m happy to report that chef Lenny Robinson, formerly of Les Fleur de Lis Cafe downtown, has resurfaced at Peasant Bistro in the Luckie Marietta District.
This charismatic chef has been MIA since closing FDL earlier this year, after reshaping its French concept to a more N’Awlins style menu. Honestly, he makes the best gumbo — seafood or otherwise — I have ever eaten. Such a dark roux it boggles the mind … But he always had woes, and not just because he was downtown (where there’s plenty of a lunch crowd to keep a chef busy).
His personality was as out front as his cooking — which is excellent — and it put some folks off to the point that they wouldn’t return. The problem was that Robinson, who one colleague aptly dubbed “grumpy-olicious, ” was doing all the cooking and his wait staff was, well, a little out to lunch in a non-literal way.
He’s gifted, and I’m glad to know he’s back. Now if only Joshua Perkins, formerly of the Globe, would come back, too.
And, as suspected, FLIP has moved its opening from this week to next: December 10. Laurent Tourondel’s BLT is scheduled to open January 29.
Any chefs you’d like to see back in the ATL?
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Lubi’s and Other Wonders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I spent the holiday in Jacksonville, Fla., with my new in-laws, and one of the fun things that was insisted upon that I try was a local sandwich known as a ‘Lubi’.
My husband grew up there, and the tour of where he went to school and visiting his old neighborhood was a hoot, but the Lubi really was a trip maker (along with his Dad’s sticky date pudding, which was so gooey, sweet and delicious it made my teeth hurt).
Apparently the Arabic population in Jacksonville skyrocketed in the late 50s and 60s, and sandwich shops hawking hummus and the like can still be found in abundance on the south side. ‘Camel Riders’ (now there’s a name that would never make it past the PC police these days) can be found in lots of these Arabic sandwich shops — they are basically a hero sandwich on pita bread, stuffed with cheese, mustard, mayo, tomatoes, pickles and lots of peppers.
The ‘Lubi’ —named after it’s creator, I presume, is a hot dog bun stuffed with ground beef and smothered in onions, cheese, mayonnaise, hot peppers and a few other things I’m not so sure about. Pre-rolled and ready to pop into the microwave, they’re served honorably with cherry limeade, which is like a Mister Misty on acid — a huge, sweet drink with fresh lime wedges floating in pink syrup with chipped ice.
There are apparently four locations in JAX.
What’s Atlanta’s Lubi’s? Is it the Varsity? That seems the obvious choice … or is it a BBQ sandwich .. or the banh mi thit at Lee’s Bakery? Do we have a Lubi’s?
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Goodbye to Jeremy Lieb of Trois
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE STYLISH BAR AT TROIS IN MIDTOWN: Good luck to chef Jeremy Lieb, who is leaving. Todd Ginsberg will replace him.
Photo: Joey Ivansco
Concentrics Hospitality has announced that chef Jeremy Lieb will leave his post as executive chef of Trois for personal reasons (he is moving back to Cincinnati to be closer to his family, according to the press release).
He will be replaced by TAP exec chef Todd Ginsberg, who is a CIA grad and has a strong background in modern French cooking, including stints at Alain Ducasse in NYC and at the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead under Joel Antunes and Bruno Menard. He’ll also continue to oversee the gastropub menu at TAP.
Guess I’ll need to brush off my fork and rereview Trois … and TAP, too. But not until after the holiday — see you on Monday, and Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
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Flip Set to Open
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BLAIS IS BACK: FLIP is set top open December 5.
FLIP, the boutique burger concept from chef Richard Blais and owner Barry Mills is set to open December 5, according to Blais. I’ve been pestering Blais’ PR folks for weeks about the elusive opening date.
“Top Chef” runner-up Blais and Mills have fashioned a menu that sports a variety of slider-sized burgers, from a lamb burger with green olive relish and raisin ketchup on a rosemary bun to the restaurant’s signature Flip beef burger using short ribs, hanger steak and brisket. Condiments including ketchup and mayo will all be housemade. And of course there will be a rotation of molecular milkshakes, including the promised Krispy Kreme flavor.
FLIP is located at 1537 Howell Mill Road, on Atlanta’s west side.
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Latest comments
Correct. I miss Soto very much.... read the full comment by Andy Smith | Comment on Lenny Robinson is BAAACCCK, plus BLT and FLIP opening dates Read Lenny Robinson is BAAACCCK, plus BLT and FLIP opening dates
Soto- No one else comes close.... read the full comment by Dirty | Comment on Lenny Robinson is BAAACCCK, plus BLT and FLIP opening dates Read Lenny Robinson is BAAACCCK, plus BLT and FLIP opening dates
NEWS FLASH: Shaun Doty just ordered hot dog bun’s from Alon’s. Wagu Lubi’s will be on the menu starting wed.! they will also be available in mini sizes and make the perfect wedding reception treat.... read the full comment by Mumdifficult | Comment on Lubi's and Other Wonders Read Lubi's and Other Wonders
Personally I was upset that I spent Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh and didn’t get to Primanti’s. I think at one point I would’ve said Barker’s hotdogs.... read the full comment by Mke | Comment on Lubi's and Other Wonders Read Lubi's and Other Wonders