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An Argentinean Feast Despite the number of times I had driven past the strip mall housing Pampas Steakhouse and seen its red neon sign, I hardly took a second glance. Now, after a recent visit, I’m kicking myself for not visiting the Argentinean steakhouse sooner. This isn’t what I envisioned of a strip mall restaurant with a red neon sign. No, from the moment I walked through the heavy wooden doors, I knew I would be having a meal to remember. Entering a circular dining room of warm woods and wrought iron, intimate booths encircled a central dining area with views into the kitchen and a magnificently large and ornate yet simple wrought iron chandelier centered in between a dropped ceiling. As I took in the ambience, a friend and her husband called out to me. Seems they’ve recently discovered this gem of a six-year-old steakhouse, and they raved about the dishes my husband Unlike Brazilian steakhouses, which serve up meat on a platter after you raise cards to be brought more selections, Argentinean steakhouses are just like American steakhouses, but with different cuts of succulent beef. Here, our server brought over a platter of raw beef to show us just what each cut of meat looks like before we ordered. From the Brick fillet to the Golf Club special cut of ribeye ordered off the menu, our server explained how each cut would bring out different combinations of juice and marbling. Owning the steakhouse from which it gets its meat — they happen to supply steaks to Atlanta faves like Chops — Pampas gets the first and finest selections. I chose the Ojode Bife, a 14-ounce ribeye, to ensure I’d get more flavor from the marbling I could see on my cut of meat, adding an au poivre sauce from the choice of cooking methods, while my husband opted for the El Gaucho, a 24-ounce bone-in ribeye, simply grilled. Pampas’ unique stacked oak grilling method, which can be witnessed through a pane of glass, takes a bit longer, but with an appetizer selection such as this one, we didn’t mind a wait. With each bite — crab cakes, empanadas, fried calamari and rock shrimp in Creole sauce and fried South African lobster tail with Stilton blue cheese-dusted potato chips — my husband and I would sigh and demand the other try a bite of what we just practically inhaled. Although we knew our hunger was well satiated even before the main course, we selected a salad as well, choosing the Berros watercress salad with toasted pecans and hot bacon dressing that took us from an initial bitter taste to a sweet, delicious ending with each bite. And then the steaks arrived, larger than life. Although a South American-theme is rampant, the service is decidedly French, and appetizers and side dishes are served up family-style by the host of servers; along with our flavorful steaks we sampled creamed quinoa with Parmesan, sautéed wild mushrooms and Papas Fritas, garlic steak fries with so much garlic they would keep Dracula away (a good thing for garlic lovers like ourselves). Although we couldn’t fathom one more bite of food, our waitress convinced us to try Pampas’ signature Argentinean dessert, Panqueques Dulce de Leche. This warm crepe dessert is prepared flambéed tableside and topped with caramel and caramel ice cream. Despite our full bellies, we finished every last delicious morsel. Pampas Steakhouse was one of the best steakhouses we’ve visited in the entire Atlanta area. I’ll never again turn up my nose at a strip mall restaurant location, and I’ll most certainly return to Pampas — the large menu has too many dishes I have yet to sample. I can’t wait! — Reviewed by Lissa Poirot Photos courtesy of Rajshel Juhan Pampas Steakhouse
Global Water Cuisine Located in the Terminus building at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Piedmont Road in Buckhead, a West Coast sensation is making a huge splash in Atlanta. An evening at AquaKnox offers patrons much more than a chic dining experience — this fresh and modern atmosphere will entertain your every sense. With a water-encased walk-in wine tower, a state-of-the-art open kitchen and raw bar, the 13,000-square-foot space reflects the vibrancy of the cool ocean waters, and its award-winning menu offers creative dishes ranging from seafood and steaks to an array of appetizers and desserts. Indeed, this restaurant is a seafood enthusiast’s delight. Favorites include the signature “Shells of the Sea,” a medley of oysters on the half shell, sweet shrimp cocktail and fresh stone crab claws, as well as the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and the Sweet Shrimp and Crab Salad. Served over a bed of Asian greens, and topped with avocado and sesame citrus vinaigrette, this dish was the epitome of fresh. At the recommendation of our server, we chose two of Chef Sigley’s signature entrees. The Grilled Jumbo Gulf Coast Prawns, prepared “Indian-style” with black forbidden rice, tri-colored cauliflower, sugar snap peas, green onions and coconut mango coulis, is as colorful as it is delicious. We also selected the Seared Ahi Tuna, a beautiful fish served with eggplant caponata, olive tapenade and a celery For dessert, we couldn’t resist the warm Housemade Cookies and Ice Cream, an assortment of cookies and biscotti accompanied by pistachio, chocolate and strawberry sorbet. We also couldn’t turn down the Valrhona Chocolate Cake, a delicious flourless wonder served In addition to the fabulous global water cuisine, AquaKnox has an exceptional wine list. The circular wine tower houses more than 500 selections, 40 of which are available by the glass. The ultra-trendy lounge and bar also offers a full menu of premium liquors, import beers and top-shelf martinis. The vision of Rashid Choufani, AquaKnox is the latest in a multi-concept restaurant group with 16 locations in six states. “Atlanta was the ideal location for our AquaKnox expansion,” said the e-Brands Restaurants’ CEO. “It came down to the city’s evolvement in the hospitality industry over the last decade … the restaurant scene is huge here and with the combined factor of locals, conventions and tourist traffic, Atlanta was our overwhelming first choice.” In the end, this one-of-a-kind culinary experience is our new “first choice” as well. AquaKnox has all of the makings for a dazzling evening out. —Reviewed by Taylor Arnold Photo courtesy of the Reynolds Group AquaKnox Seafood Plateau
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