But, to be fair, that's only "most." Once in a while I'll stumble on someplace that doesn't suck. In fact, sometimes that place is quite good. Even excellent. And when that happens, I suppose I should put aside the curmudgeon and let you all know.
So we went to Eros World Tapas Bar last night. The event was my youngest daughter's 21st birthday. It was critical that she find just the perfect place to celebrate. She is, like her mother and all of her siblings, vegetarian. We wanted to go someplace new where the food was a little special, they would have plenty to choose from, and she could have her first chocolate martini. Add to that the facts that we live in Atlanta, which is not exactly the cultural center of the world whatever locals may believe, and it was a daunting task. Tapas seemed like a good choice, but where? After poring over a multitude of websites, the birthday girl picked out Eros.
The restaurant is located on Monroe Drive near Piedmont under I85. It's an area of the city I've never really been to before. I found out why as we approached - the neighboring businesses all seem to be strip clubs, adult bookstores and peep shows. Even Mrs. Winners' billboard is advertising legs and thighs. The building looks like a spaceport from the first season of Star Trek - it's easy to imagine Captain Kirk and Spock walking up the pathway to meet with the Tirolian Warlord Council inside. Actually, I think it was once a bank that was trying to be far too hip and collapsed in on itself. Being Monday night, it was fairly deserted. We wondered whether we'd made the right choice.
It was a little chilly inside. There was only one other group of diners. We were greeted and seated quickly - too quickly to change our minds and go someplace safe and familiar - maybe Applebees in Roswell, or O'Charlies in Sandy Plains. Here we were, Inside the Perimeter, the suburban mom and dad and their little girl (and her boyfriend) at a place called "Eros" in the heart of the stripper district. The BF noticed that the large greyscale prints decorating the interior were closeup sections of a naked woman's body (though tastefully done, like an Oil of Olay ad campaign.) Were we out of our league?No, we were not. We were home.
Our server was a pleasant, cheerful, friendly, efficient young woman. The birthday martini was not chocolate, but I understand that it was delicious. Our server made a big hit (and earned a big tip) by bringing a lit birthday candle out with the drink and holding it for the b-day girl to make a wish. My two dirty martinis were excellent - also, quite generous and powerful. Three would have been too many. And then there was the food.
The problem with being vegetarian in Atlanta is that it usually means ordering a bean burger or a pasta primevera. There are exceptions of course - Waffle House will hold the bacon, and if one doesn't mind paying a premium for rice wrapped in a little kelp there are a few sushi places. But Atlanta, and the south in general, are not Meccas to non-carnivores.
At least half of the menu items at Eros seemed to be vegetarian. And interesting. And (I can say this because we ordered most of them) delicious. The spicy potatoes were exceptionally good. The Green Bean Tempura was a favorite. Then of course there were the non-veg plates. I would have been happy eating nothing but the prawns - perfectly spiced, tender and lovely with crunchy little legs (sorry, veggers - but they are.) But then I would have missed the Calamari. Have you ever ordered calamari and ended up with a pile of deep fried rubber gaskets? I have. Not this time. It fairly melted in ones mouth. And finally (Molly Ivors and Thers, this is for you) the Chorizo Lollipops = chorizo, blue cheese stuffed figs, wrapped in bacon on a stick. If it had stopped my heart, it would have been worth it.
These were real tapas, not a bunch of appetizers disguised as tapas. Everything was fresh and tasty. Our orders came promptly and correctly. And as many dishes as we ordered and passed around, there are plenty more we didn't get to for next time.
So yeah, the world generally sucks. But once in a great while, with the right occasion, the right companions, the right place, and a couple of very strong martinis, it can be not too bad after all.
