Sunday, May 03, 2009
Food, "Dish", Atlanta

Shine on

SP visits P’cheen, plus, why the swine flu shouldn’t deter you from bringing out your inner Mexican this Cinco de Mayo and a tasty charity event

Courtesy of P’cheen
Sweet and spicy Thai grilled chicken wings at P’cheen

By Kirsten Ott

Last week, Maria and I visited P’cheen for dinner in the Old Fourth Ward. The casual neighborhood restaurant has been open since November 2005, but this was our first visit. Owners Keiran Neely and Alex Friedman met at Anis and decided to combine their shared love of comfortable dining with savvy business smarts. Friedman, who is classically trained in French cuisine, serves as the executive chef, and brings a truly international appeal to the varied menu. Over a glass (OK, three) of Red Dust Australian shiraz (a blissful coconut finish), we explored the menu by tasting several dishes. Our amuse bouche was the decidedly Southern warm house-smoked trout dip, accompanied by toasted pita points. We shared a few appetizers: the very flavorful sweet and spicy Thai grilled chicken wings (my fave); the ceviche mixto with Thai basil, Kaffir lime and green chili; and spanakopita, which is basted in roasted garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil. As we were grazing, we met Keiran and his wife, Daphne, who’s responsible for the top-notch wine selection. I asked Keiran a bit about the restaurant and its name. P’cheen is an old Gaelic word for moonshine. The Liverpool native has an Irish grandmother who was fond of the term. Keiran also told us that everything is made from scratch in the P’cheen kitchen—or smoked in the huge new smoker on the sidewalk, which we passed on our way in. Our entrees were perfect—I had the creamy (and very filling) risotto with crab and artichokes, topped with seared Atlantic salmon filet, and Maria fulfilled her red-meat craving with the grilled 10-ounce New York strip served with beer-battered asparagus and gorgonzola mashed potatoes. We wrapped it up with a taste of Florida in a shared slice of Key lime pie. Next time, we’ll go earlier for the new budget menu, which is offered daily from 5 to 7 p.m. and includes half-price appetizers and $10 entrees, and indulge in the impressive list of high-gravity beers. P’cheen is located at 701 Highland Ave. For more information, call 404-529-8800 or visit www.pcheen.com.

CINCO DE MAYO

As you celebrate the Mexican army taking down the French forces in the Battle of Puebla 147 years ago on May 5 (what, you didn’t know?), endless options abound to imbibe tequila, sing your best rendition of “La Cucaracha,” dig into some guac and wave your green, white and red flag. El Taco in Virginia Highland is offering buckets of Dos Equis (five for $15) and the “El-a Tasty,” the bartender’s special margarita of the day, combining Sauza Blanco Tequila, strawberry flavor and house-made sour mix for $7.25. El Taco is located at 1186 North Highland Ave. NE. For more information, call 404-873-4656 or visit www.fifthgroup.com.

Looking for a slightly more laid-back vibe? Head to the Old Fourth Ward’s Across the Street, a Mexican restaurant with Old-World flair. Expect live music, delicious eats, a fun patio and plenty of tequila. Across the Street is located at 668 Highland Ave. NE. For more information, call 404-781-0931 or visit www.across-the-street.com.

FEED OUR CHILDREN

The perfect cure for your margarita hangover is food, and lots of it. On Wednesday, May 6, head to the Georgia Aquarium for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation Atlanta, where more than 50 top chefs from beloved restaurants like La Grotta, Woodfire Grill, Canoe and many more prepare drool-worthy food samplings—all to end childhood hunger in America. Wine and liquor are free-flowing (if you can handle it after your Cinco de Mayo party last night), and live and silent auctions will give you a chance to give even more of your moolah to the kids. Tickets for Taste of the Nation Atlanta cost $250 per person for general admission and $350 per person for VIP admission. A VIP reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with general admission to the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.atlantataste.org or by calling 770-436-5151. SP


Kirsten Ott is the Life, Food & Style Editor of The Sunday Paper. Get in touch at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com. For quick food and social news bytes, follow her at Twitter at www.twitter.com/kirstenott.