Three Cheers for the Rah Bar!

Jekyll Island is a popular barrier island vacation spot off the south Georgia coast.  The island has many charms, including Victorian architecture, long beaches and a Sea Turtle rescue center.  For the hungry though, the Rah Bar, at the end of the pier, is the place to be.  

The Food

The menu is limited, which is okay, because all you really need are pounds and pounds of the peel and eat shrimp.  They are so fresh and steamed to perfection with a sprinkling of Old Bay.  They come with cocktail sauce and hot sauce for dipping.  Seafood dip, which seems to be mostly comprised of the aforementioned shrimp in chopped form with some mayo, is served with pita chips.  The steamed mussels were overcooked, and thus a bit dry. There are also steamed crawfish and a few sandwiches that no one was ordering.

The Drinks

There's a full bar and a wide selection of craft and standard beers in cans.  We had Stella Artois and an Aviator Brewing Company Madbeach wheat beer.

The Service

Our server admitted it was his first day.  He stayed on top of our drinks and multiple shrimp orders.  The staff works together well as a team.

The Atmosphere

This is classic waterside beach shack.  There are seats inside at the bar, but why would you sit there if you can be out on the pier overlooking the intracoastal waterway and the historic district.  In the summer, try to snag a seat in the covered section unless you're working on a sunburn.

Skip on Over to Skipper's Fish Camp

If you ever find yourself in Darien, GA, or even if you don’t, but happen to be traveling down I-95 on your way to Florida, get yourself over to Skipper’s Fish Camp, a family-style seafood restaurant on the banks of the Darien river.   South Georgia is home to a particular species of wild shrimp that is particularly delicious.  Skipper’s features these large, juicy crustaceans, fresh oysters and other jewels of the sea in a casual environment.  The restaurant is comprised of a main dining room which has lots of windows and lights and nautical decor.  Across the courtyard, there’s a lively oyster bar with indoor and outdoor seating that also overlooks the river and working shrimp boat.  The dress code is basically come as you are, which is just how we like it.  

Oysters

Peel and Eat Georgia Shrimp

House salad

Whole Flounder and Shrimp Combo with cole slaw

Snow Crab Legs with collard greens and mac and cheese

Crabcakes with collard greens and baked potato

The Food

All the food was very good.  The standouts were the oysters, shrimp, crab cakes and fried seafood.  The collard greens were very fresh and well-seasoned.  The house salad is fresh, but standard.

The Drinks

Beer or cocktails recommended.  The wine selection is fairly pedestrian.

The Atmosphere

Light, bright and clean.  You're not really coming here for the atmosphere.  Look out the many windows at the riverfront, dock and local fauna.  The oyster bar has outside seating overlooking the river.

The Service

Young, friendly and efficient staff.  Food comes out pretty quickly, so have your server pace the entrees if you want to relax.

Around Town

And while you’re in Darien, check out the Waterfront Wine and Gourmet.  A surprising (to us) selection of American, European and Latin American wines, cheeses and other snacks up front and a cozy wine bar with a few beers on tap with views of the waterfront.   And if you’re staying the night, check out Open Gates B&B.  Friendly owners, a refreshing pool in the garden and a top-notch breakfast in the morning.

LEKR on the Road: Atlanta

In April, the LEKR team headed down south to Atlanta to sample some of the city’s finest. Atlanta has been experiencing a culinary renaissance for the past 10 years or so. No longer just a meat-and-three or expense account fine-dining town, Atlanta has been taking on and even leading some of the national food trends, including food trucks, farm-to-table and quirky. On this trip we kept it casual albeit varied with a mix of deli, seafood, BBQ and bar food. Out of four restaurants, only one was a disappointment. And it was not bad, just unable to live up to the hype.

General Muir

The Food:

I had read about the vegetarian reuben, made with smoked beets, in Bon Appetit and was dying to try it. My companion, who hails from the NY metro area, decided on the corned beef. We shared fries and slaw as sides. Overall, everything was okay, but not exceptional. The beets kept sliding out of the sandwich, which may not seem like a big deal, but is very annoying after the third or fourth time. The fries were good. The slaw looked good, very creamy and piled high, but lacked flavor, I think that was the overwhelming feeling about the lunch. None of the flavors popped. And I don’t mean in an overseasoned, hot for hot’s sake way. Just very neutral on the palate. 

The Drinks:

Only one- Viognier Le Paradou Rhone Valley, France 2011

The Service:

Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.

The Atmosphere:

General Muir is in a new urban shopping mall/residential complex called Emory Point. I loved the look of the place, clean and bright with white tiles and a mix of booths and wooden tables. Plus, there was a covered patio for sunny days. 

The Verdict:

Jury is out. I want to love this place, so I will give it another try for the traditional “appetizing” offerings like the smoked salmon and other fish, plus the bagels.

Fox Brothers BBQ

Fox Brothers gets a lot of hype. From big-name food publications to not always reliable Yelpers. I love barbecue, and its one of the few foods that I do not cook for myself. In any event, I love to eat bbq and especially all the accompaniments. I liked the look of Fox Brothers as we drove in. It is a rangy, low-slug red wood building, with a big patio. It sits by the railroad tracks (not sure if this is the right or wrong side) in a gentrifying area on the east side of Atlanta.

The Food:



Fried pickles: strange and strangely addictive. Served piping hot and crispy.

Rib combo with baby back ribs and brisket, plus macaroni and cheese and greens 

Sloppy Bro: Brisket with bbq sauce, american cheese and onion rings 

The Drinks:

Only sweet tea this time, it was only 11 am on a Wednesday, but it was good and cold.

The Service:

Cheery and efficient. You could float away on the drink refills.

The Atmosphere:

Lively, casual and fun

The Verdict: Go here now and go here hungry. The brisket was the tastiest I’ve ever had in a restaurant. The ribs were well-seasoned with a zesty dry rub and the meat was tender and juicy. The collards rocked. The mac and cheese, was good, but not exceptional. Next time I want to try the Frito Pie.

The Optimist

Located in Atlanta’s revived Westside neighborhood, which has become a foodie paradise, The Optimist always puts a smile on my face.

The Food:

Appetizer: A dozen oysters (east and west coast) 

Dinner:

Crispy whole red snapper with garlicky ginger sauce, charred peppers, and fried shallots. 

Halibut with grilled artichoke, lemon anchovy citronette, and spicy olive relish

Basmati “fried rice”, smoked fish, curry, peanuts, and egg

Dessert:

Chocolate tart with sea salt and a toasted coconut marshmallow, plus toasted coconut sorbet  

The Drinks:

Reef Rye (High Rye Redemption, Aperol, citrus and strawberries), and Leitz Out Riesling (dry). The Reef Rye was perfect for a warm spring evening. Boozy, but refreshing thanks to the tart citrus and sweet berries.

The Service:

Friendly, but not overly familiar. Dish arrival was well-timed.

The Atmosphere:

High energy and high volume. Fun for couples or a group, but not the place for intimate conversation. 

The Verdict:

I love this restaurant. It has the right combination of good food, varied menu and energetic atmosphere that keeps me coming back.

Victory Sandwich Bar 

The Food:

The Castro-smoked pork, ham, pickle, fontina cheese and yellow mustard 

Porky’s Revenge-smoked pork, Texas bbq with bread and butter pickles with a side of Israeli couscous with confit tomatoes, cilantro, and white balsamic 

House salad with mixed lettuce, radish, parmesan and sherry vinaigrette 

The Drinks:

The Paloma-Mexican grapefruit soda with reposado tequila and lime “World Famous” Jack and coke slushy. Order it and make it the 8 ounce. 

The Service:

Order at the bar and get it delivered to your table. At a certain time of day, they shift to table service. 

The Atmosphere:

Industrial hipster, in a good way. An eclectic, friendly crowd. 

The Verdict:

Love at first sight, first bite, and first sip. I have told many Atlanta friends about this place. It is a great spot to spend an afternoon. And when the weather’s nice, you can sit on the patio.