Kimball House- Decatur, GA

Warning:  The following may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13 and those unfamiliar with Bo Kimble.  Okay maybe not.  I'm probably one of 10 people that remember the Bo Kimble/ Hank Gathers incredible journey in March of 1990.  Click here to read more.

The old Decatur Train Depot has been converted to a total kickass restaurant with an unbelievable bar to boot.  The Kimble House is a unique blend of old and new traditions. They pull it off in with a great ambiance and great bartenders.  The dining room was smaller than I had expected and they do not take reservations, so the bar better be good!  Their cocktails and scenery make it an easy wait.

My MVD (most valuable dish) of the night was the Brown Butter Sole.  But let's be honest, it's two of my favorite things combined.  The sole was cooked to perfection with a touch of sweetness that made me want to order another one.

Brown Butter Sole, much better than this crappy pic

The runner up MVP had to be the sauce for their Oysters.  Their mignonette sauce came in an old school eye drop bottle.  I felt like I was administering meds to one of my two year olds, but with shallot-infused vinegar.

They run a great Happy Hour Oyster Extravaganza at a discounted rate until 7p.

See the medicine dropper?

In fact the sauce may be too good.  I'm not sure if I would pass a drug test after this one.

I bought the whole, "the balls are juiced" theory.  I must have misunderstood which balls they were referring too. 

The Beef Tartare was incredible with their homemade steak sauce and olives.  The beef was the highest of quality.  The mushroom shaped brioche was a perfect compliment. I am a sucker for anything Tartare.  If you put a dead deer in front of me and gave it a fake fancy name like "vie la venison tartare," I would probably eat it and write about it.  If I survived of course.

Other highlights included the Spicy Fennel Sausage and the Shaved Brussell Sprouts with mushrooms.

Spicy Fennel Sausage in a crappy picture

It may be presented like Spam, but trust me, it's delicious.

I've never understood Spam.  Do people eat this?  How can you justify eating a meat product with the shelf live of Ric Flair's wrestling career?  When the world ends, what's left?  Cockroaches, Spam and Keith Richards, right?  Do you want to put that into your body?

"Hey assholes, while you were doing yoga and eating gluten free tofu, I was shooting up heroin and drinking fifths of jack for breakfast.  If I could control my bladder, I would piss on your grave."

And the seafood chowder was delicious too!  Better than Peter Griffin's anyway.

The Seared Sablefish was the only dissapointment.  I think that is because the Brown Butter Sole was just too damn good.  I thought the dish was a little bland.

Their drink selection is one of their signatures.  It's a throwback menu with original concoctions.  And the wine menu wasn't deep, but it receives high marks for quality.

Congrats to Leslie on her retirement from media!

Overall, this was an INCREDIBLE meal.  One of our bests.  I would put the Sole and Beef Tartar up against most any dish.

I would say this meal is right up there with Empire State South, Miller Union and Gunshow with a much better bar.  The service was as good as Bones or Buckhead Life as well.

I would say ask for our waiter, but I can't remember his name.  It was a bit porn-ish sounding.  Maybe Lance?

And he may or may not have looked a little like Zach Galisnufalufagus.  And the women in our group may or may not have had a crush on him and called his hair "fun."  I have no idea what this means, nor do I want to.

Separated at Birth?

We give the Kimball House the absolute highest of recommendations.  So go enjoy one of their signature beverages and some oysters and make it a night!

One last note.  I wasn't crazy about their desserts.  Full disclosure I'm not a huge dessert guy and in fairness, Leslie loved their offerings.  I thought they were a little bland.

Today's Footnote:  Instead of watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, I watched Captain Phillips.  I don't think I could have made a better choice.  It's an astonishing movie by Paul Greengrass.

The Red Eyed Mule, Marietta: Atlanta's Best Burger?

Warning:  The following may be inappropriate for children under the age of 13 and those who refuse to dine OTP

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It only took me a year, but I finally made it to the Red Eyed Mule for their famed Jakes Sloppy Slaw Burger.  This of course was made famous by the Food Networks Alton Brown in "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."  

This week was a historical week in Atlanta.  We were brought to our knee's by what is now being called "Snowpocalypse."  Atlanta hasn't been this hurt since someone by the name of Sherman came through the town in 1865.  It was as if the "Walking Dead" came to fruition.

Jon Stewart did a great bit on it:

So five days after the event and my wife having the flu all week, I wanted to "get away."  I know Marietta isn't exactly a road trip, buy in my myopic view of Atlanta, it kind of is.  So I packed up my daughter and away we went!

Back to the Jakes Sloppy Slaw Burger.  It had two things I don't like on burgers, coleslaw and Texas Toast.  Oh, and it was messy, really messy.  But guess what, I LOVED IT.  The burger falls apart because it's ridiculously juicy and the meat almost melts in your mouth.  Kind of like (yep I'm going to say it) Holeman & Finch.  And the Sloppy Jimmy Sauce gives it a tiny kick and incredible flavor.  It's the best sauce I've ever had on ground beef.

Sloppy Heaven.

I would also recommend the onion rings as well.

Aesthetically it has the feel of an old burger joint, but it's only been around since 2010.

The inside has minimal seating and a bar overlooking the kitchen.

And the service was great. Meaning it was both attentive and personal.  You can tell they take pride in what they do, which is 50% of the battle.

Even though they are going for the "old school" look, you have to appreciate their "twists" on traditional American.  They are definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I will definitely be back sooner than later.  And I will check out their breakfast as well.  Their smoked sausage and cheese biscuit like it could clog my arteries faster than 2 inches of snow on the 75/ 285 interchange!  Too soon?

The Dry Rub will leave you with this thought.  If we did the burger tournament again, this burger may have changed the outcome.  I think that says it all.  But don't worry, the price is right.  For what you get, it's an incredible deal.

Today's Footnote:  This one is easy.  Take the Seahawks +3.  You're welcome.

Footnote #2:  If you were in Atlanta in 1996 this is a must see ESPN 30 for 30.  You can view it here:

http://grantland.com/features/30-for-30-shorts-judging-jewell/