Spoonfed (Atlanta)

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

These images were created at the request of the owners of the Sound Table.  They are celebrating their one year anniversary this week so be sure to stop by and help them celebrate.

Congratulations to Jeff, Darren, Karl, Shane and all the others involved in creating the Sound Table!!!

the Sound Table

483 Edgewood Avenue (+BLVD)

Atlanta, GA 30312

404.835.2534

www.thesoundtable.com (link)

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

All content ©Mark Petko Photography (click here for permission)

repast

620 Glen Iris Drive NE

Atlanta, GA 30308

404.870.8707

www.repastrestaurant.com (link)

before/after: Chorizo crusted Berkshire Pork Chop, Sweet Potato Turnip Gratin, Sherry Vinegar Gastrique

What can one say about a man that holds his own when going tête-à-tête with Martha Stewart.  What limited experience I have watching Martha is enough to know that on her show…she rules the roost.  With an uncanny knack for cutting people short or ignoring shared screen commentary, Martha can sometimes push a guest to seem, to me, not entirely welcome, but just this side of ‘worthy enough’ to breathe the same air.  Maybe this is a defense mechanism learned during recess in the yards of incarceration or maybe it is a trait possessed by many successful corporate kingpins.  What is for sure is that when chef Joe Truex of repast restaurant was honored with a spot on Martha’s show, he seemed to stay just enough ahead of Martha as to not befall the same fate as those before and that many more to come will know.  Check the video. Oh, and Martha, please disregard this post if you happen to stumble across this blog looking to hire a photographer for some work…you’re the cat’s pajamas, f’shizzle. (even though I giggle when I imagine you getting a ‘tear drop’ prison-tattoo next to your eye).

After spending some hours shooting at repast it became obvious to me that there is a passionate force on which this restaurant is built.  There is pride behind the words when Truex talks about the in house made stock, the beauty of a cut of pork, the color in a sweet potato turnip gratin and also in his golf swing.  He is obviously content with the home that he and his chef wife Mihoko Obunai have made here in Atlanta.  It seems that a large part of chef Turex’s passionate exploitations revolves around his love of wine and his ability to stock the perfect compliments to his food.  To support this I asked that he recommend some pairings for the dishes photographed (his comments are displayed with the images).  repast is self described at “Asian influenced new American cuisine with metropolitan flair”.  In addition to their regular menu, repast chef Obunai has been certified in macrobiotic cuisine from Kushi Institute of Japan and can accommodate those following a macrobiotic diet at the restaurant or with private cooking services.   repast also offers a desirable private dining room that would be an excellent location for a corporate or personal function.

…on with the goods:

Japanese Octopus Carpaccio, Shaved Fennel & Onion Salad

Truex pairing:  ”Domaine de la Tourmaline, Muscadet Sevre et Maine” 2007…”Historic & quality producer of Muscadet from Robert Chadderdon.  This is Muscadet and seafood at it’s most sublime pairing”

Pork Belly "grattons", fortified mustard, local radish salad

Truex pairing:  ”Dios Baco, Olorosso Sherry”…”The nutty sweetness is a rich and interesting counterpoint to the crispy fatty quality of the belly”

Porcini Crusted Filet Mignon, Wild Mushroom Fricassee, Black Truffle Angolotti, Port Wine Foie Gras Mousse

Truex pairing:  ”Arceno, Prima Voce, Super Tuscan” 2005…”Lush, rich, sexy, delecious, all the way around.”

go try some of chef Truex’s pairings and tell him you got ‘spoonfed’!

All images and word © 2009 Mark Petko Photography

Be a part of Spoonfed!!! (here)

WWMT (What would Martha think?)

Serpas True Food

(@ Studioplex)

659 Auburn Ave. #501

Atlanta, GA 30312

404.688.0040

www.serpasrestaurant.com (link)

Playing an active role in the revitalization of the historic Old 4th Ward district is important to Serpas True Food according to Dawn Serpas, wife of Chef Serpas and designing influence to elements of this restaurant.  She explains as she cuts fresh flowers to arrange in display, later seen at the reception station, ready to greet the evening’s diners at the front door.  She is witness (and participant) to the transformation that has occurred to the area and remembers balking when asked by her father “if the area is safe?”, hearkening back to the days of ol’, way before my time here in Atlanta.  Being ten months into its virgin year, Serpas True Food has been a noticeable asset to the growth of its community.  Occupying this former 1900′s cotton storage facility and acting as a cornerstone business to the Pavillion at Studioplex, Serpas True Food melds the original essence of the space with its own design homages to both the history of the space and to the basis of its culinary foundation. Serpas True Food does this in the forms of a cotton blossom mural and repeated cotton plant-like patterns on the bench seating, and also with the oyster inlaid counter tops, reminding the diner of Chef/Owner Scott Serpas’ New Orleans upbringing.  He claims to be the only one in his family to have “flown the coop” away from the bayou, and what a flight it has been. Serpas’ culinary trajectory has taken him from NOLA, to Dallas, to Atlanta working around town and finally ending up as the big bird at Two Urban Licks accepting many accolades during his tenure.  He has since started his first independent venture, Serpas True Food, featuring “approachable dishes true to their Louisiana, Asian and Southwestern influences…comfort cuisine that encompasses fresh, hand crafted ingredients perfectly complemented by global wines and cocktails.”  Serpas True Food offers a Sunday Brunch along with their regular weekly dinner services, full bar, and plenty of atmosphere to enjoy your next meal.

Andouille Veal Meatballs

Oyster Rockefellar with Fennel Bacon Relish

Grilled Veal Chop, Blue Cheese Orzo, Buttered Corn w/ Chanterelles

Beignets and Hot Chocolate

True dat…go get some True Food…tell’em you got “spoonfed”…

All images and words ©2009 Mark Petko Photography

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Another “hearkening to days of ol’ “