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)

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

Les Fromages- Chef's Daily Cheese Selection

Amuse! Restaurant

560 Dutch Valley Rd.

Atlanta, GA

404.888.1890

www.amuseatlanta.com (link)

As the afternoon warmed on a cloud sparse day, I exited my car and began unloading equipment from the trunk in preparation to begin yet another mid-week Spoonfed shoot.  As I stacked some gear upon my multi-cart I noticed a convertible Alpha Romeo, top down, cornering into the lot and backing into an empty space.  Blue-sky filled days like this seem as though they were created on purpose for the enjoyment of such a machine.  I quickly recognized the driver as Arnaud Michel, part owner of Amuse! Restaurant.  I had met Arnaud a few weeks ago while shooting at another of his creations, Anis Cafe and Bistro.  He stepped from his car and greeted me with a handshake, hair wind blown and smiling as if he had just come off a ride at an amusement park, his voice toned with enjoyment, probably from the ride over.  He proceeded to lead me into Amuse! and took me on an impromptu tour of the space he had helped in designing.  He points out the details that help to elicit the whimsical, Bohemian feel of this casual French Bistro, such as the custom bar tables, made with industrial metal framing and others with wood tops fastened with railroad ties.  The walls are lined with various artwork and random brick-a-brac like bicycle wheels and vintage belts alongside an assortment of styled-seating, allowing the space a relaxed aura.  The dining room has other similar nuances like custom light fixtures and various chalk boards to show certain specials, easily read by all.  We discuss how to proceed with the shoot as he leads me to the kitchen to meet Chef de Cuisine, Noelle Thomas, who will be preparing the day’s subjects of photography.  She smiled brightly and asked me about the food that we were about to shoot…I think…It was all in French and I’m sure the typical ‘blank American stare’ and verbal ‘uhhhhhhh’ she received was enough indication to my ignorance.  Arnaud politely took the lead and translated some details.  Hearing them talk back and forth helps me to build anticipation for an upcoming trip to Paris that my wife and I have planned.  I mention the trip to them, maybe to diminish my American Ignorance Guilt, maybe in hopes that one of them has a Parisian apartment they are willing to offer on the cheap, or maybe just to bridge a gap and quell the usual nerves of meeting new people.  Once I am at ease, Noelle proceeds to provide me with dish after dish, showcasing Amuse’s French cuisine and continuing with the excitement building for my upcoming journey.

Amuse! Restaurant is a joint venture by Arnaud Michel (Anis Bistro) and Andy Alibaksh (Apres Diem, Carpe Diem, Carroll Street Cafe and Village Pizza) serving a French-inspired menu.  Open Tuesday-Sunday and serving brunch on the weekends.

See their website for further details or to make reservations.

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

House Made Pâté

Steamed PEI Mussels Poulette-White Wine, Shallots, Parsley, Garlic, Cream

Goat Cheese on Bed of Tomatoes w/Basil, Arugula, Pesto Dressing and Saba Sauce

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

Seafood Ravioli-House Made filled w/ Lobster, Scallops & Shrimp in Lobster Sauce

Cassoulet (Thursday Special)

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

OOPS!!!

Due to repeated unauthorized use by Tantra Restaurant of the images previously posted, I have decided to remove them from this post.

ALL CONTENT ©MARK PETKO PHOTOGRAPHY (CLICK HERE FOR PERMISSION)

Tantra Restaurant & Lounge

2285 Peachtree Rd. Suite 100

Atlanta, GA 30309

In keeping with similar, Eastern philosophically remnant themes of my last post and as the seasonal pink and red frill alert us to the looming holiday (Holiday? Really? Valentines?), we delve into new territory.  A conceptual restaurant called Tantra which may be the perfect location for those seeking something with slightly more wallop than a heart shaped box of chocolates or fuzzy bear.  Be it a far cry from decorating shoe boxes with cut-out construction paper hearts and penning mass produced Snoopy valentines cards to pass unto those sweethearts that tingled our tiny, 3rd grade loins, Tantra derives its theme from a more mature approach.  Now ‘mature’ may not be a great description if one immediately draws upon only thoughts of creative sex when hearing the word ‘Tantra’, but conditioned?  We are.  You may want to explore the background a bit as I’m sure that the sex part is but a cog in the wheel of the philosophy as a whole and Tantra, although nibbling on the play of ‘sex’, is a bit more intricate.  They seem to be selling the complete ‘sensual experience’ of the Tantric mindset to their customers.  They try to accomplish this by surrounding those that enter in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes that will hopefully elicit some form of …eh-hem…reaction?  Playing to the senses with decor, music, and flavors, Tantra draws upon influences from ‘the Silk Road’ regions of Asia, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and Spain.  At first the atmosphere may seem over the top but if you consider that the purpose is to thoroughly transform you to a different mindset then the elaborations seem fitting, down to the S-shaped Tantric chair that awaits curious customers as they enter.  How is it used?  Indeed…just imagine.  If one gives in and allows ‘what will?’, and after some playful libations then you are left to the mercy of Chef Terry Dwyer to present his dishes to continue the exploration of sensual satisfaction, again utilizing some of the flavors found around ‘the Silk Road’.  Chef Terry is also in charge of the menu provided by Tantra’s sister restaurant ‘Divan’.

Check out Bostock’s review for some food details.

ALL CONTENT ©MARK PETKO PHOTOGRAPHY (CLICK HERE FOR PERMISSION)

ALL CONTENT ©MARK PETKO PHOTOGRAPHY (CLICK HERE FOR PERMISSION)