These spicy mollusks pack a punch in Midtown
Mussels were given a bad rap in Anthony Bourdain’s behind-the-curtain memoir, “Kitchen Confidential,” in which the late chef said he would eat them only at a restaurant where he knew the chef personally and could verify safe handling of the shellfish.
That is not a concern at the Lawrence, which has a short, focused menu, and an emphasis on attention to detail.
The Lawrence’s deviled mussels are hot, spicy and ridiculously flavorful. The plump, juicy mollusks taste clean, and seem to drink up the rich broth surrounding them. The dish has a bit of Asian influence, including funky ham XO sauce and shishito peppers.
The mussels served at the Lawrence are not for the faint of heart, but, if you love these shellfish, you won’t find a more exciting or fun preparation.
The Lawrence. 905 Juniper St., Atlanta. 404-961-7178, thelawrenceatlanta.com.
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About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
