Behind The Scenes
Behind The Scenes
Food Critic's Groupie, Surf Hound, Georgia Nibbles
Giggles: Food Critic’s Groupie
“Food Critic, How’s about a photo and autograph for TG?”
In our 12th cartoon of That Guy series, he finally “bumps into” Food Critic. Having read her reviews for many years, he feels like he knows her. His obnoxious rep preceded him, and she successfully avoided him until now… Determined to impress her with his charm and charisma, That Guy crashes her dinner with the bump of a knee, sending her Leica camera up and the glass shelves down. Her husband hides behind his menu in horror. Chef comes running… His hope for a good review is now shattered along with his crystal wine stems and his pricey vintage wines. And as usual, Deary is left to clean up his mess.
Gab: Shh! Surf Hound
Abh Sainju's third restaurant, Surf Hound Club and Restaurant will open soon!
Surf Hound will be located downstairs from Abhi Restaurant and Bar in Mountain Brook Village, at 2721 Cahaba Road. The last thing he needs is for That Guy to show up opening night. So, let’s not tell him.
Surf Hound will have a casual beach bar theme and serve coastal style, beachy fare, such as burgers, wings, fresh fish, and signature Abhi dishes, along with frozen drinks. "The burgers are going to be different with spices that I make at home, bison burgers, Wagyu burgers, turkey burgers, and smash burgers. Just the meat and the bun works out very well without any toppings or sauces, but there will definitely be some of those," Abhi says.
Abhi is excited to open his first non Asian concept. "I’m including the dishes I regularly eat at home with my wife, simple homemade dishes with a twist." And Abhi is hopeful that Surf Hound will be open in time for football season. This is going to be so much fun!
Goods: Food Critic Recommends!
I have found the best butter and crackers in the world! And they are both made in Georgia.
Georgia Sourdough Co
On a search for crackers without seed oils, I discovered Georgia Sourdough Co. Sea Salt Crackers. Although I have found a few others without seed oils, this is the best of the best. The crackers are made using the same starter that has been used from the beginning. Handmade from scratch the crackers are rolled, baked and sliced into crackers each shaped as unique as the next. They are not too thick, not too thin, and boast beautiful aromas and fulfilling flavors of sourdough.
Founder and Baker, Tracy Gribbon has 25 years of restaurant experience and understands the importance of clean healthy food. And her organic crackers’ ingredients include grass fed butter. In addition to the Sea Salt crackers, other varieties include Cheese, Everything, and Rosemary and Olive Oil. Wholesale opportunities are also available.
Banner Butter
As a child I helped my grandmother milk the cows and churn butter. It spoiled me. And since that time I have never had butter like hers… until now.
Unlike industrial-scale butters that are made with unripe cream and include “natural” flavoring, Banner Butter is a small-batch butter. It is made patiently with cultured cream from hormone-free, local, Georgia grass-fed cows, and no added flavoring. Banner Butters butter have a higher proportion of butterfat than other butters. Before churning, they let the cream ripen for many hours, allowing good bacteria to form, which gives butter its complex buttery undertones. After the cream ripens, it is slowly churned into small batches. This process results in a better-tasting product because depending on the season, the consistency, and the taste of the cream, can make small adjustments throughout churning. And it is packaged by hand.
In 2012, Founders, Drew and Elizabeth McBath started Banner Butter with a few 19th Century dairy journals and a small mixer. They began selling tiny runs of Banner Butter at Atlanta farmers markets. Today they offer salted and unsalted butter and a variety of compound butters. I am anxious to try the lemon curd and dark chocolate!
In addition to retail, Banner Butter also offers wholesale to restaurants and retailers. Available formats include butter pats, chef rolls, food service tubs, butter whey, retail ready, wrapped 5-ounce rounds, wrapped 1-ounce mini-serve for grab and go, meal kits. Custom flavors and labeling are optional.