DIne in the South

Do you remember the classic diner? I t was a place where you could go and get yourself an awesome cup of coffee, and have a satisfy meal. They served breakfast all day, but you could definitely get yourself some southern fried steak or a good piece of fried chicken. But it is so hard to find a decent Diner in the south. Your options aren’t much, you either have The Waffle House or you’ve got IHOP, and honestly neither of them speaks much about southern cooking. Fortunate for the food addicts of the south a place where great service and exceptional food does exist. Its name Is Thumbs Up. And let me tell you if you are looking for an exceptional diner experience this is the place for you.
They’ve got the friendliest wait staff in the world, it’s got a great atmosphere, and the food is phenomenal. Thumbs Up is located in east Atlanta off Edgewood Avenue not far from the historic Auburn Avenue District. It is Urban Chic dinning at its best. The crème of Metropolitan society come here to eat, converse, and even conduct business. It is definitely a favorite brunch spot on Sundays, and it stays busy. Mostly because it closes its doors at 4: oo pm every day. If you like good food it’s totally worth the wait.
From their signature dishes like Southern Fried Catfish and Eggs, The Heap (a mound of scrambled eggs, meat, potatoes, and veggies served in a cast iron skillet), the buck wheat biscuits, and Homemade jam, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Thumbs Up. They’ve got something for everyone. So if you are ever in the City of Atlanta after a long night of partying stop by Thumbs Up for a great cup of coffee and some Tastesational eats at 573 Edgewood Avenue.

A Holiday Drink

If you love sweets and you love liquor? Well I have got a recipe for you that is going to totally knock you off your feet. I mean that literally, it's going to knock you off your feet. So after you mix up this quick and simple, festive treat you might want to have a seat before indulging.
I found this recipe in an old cook book that use to belong to a friend of mines greandmother. I won't tell you what friend because they will know that I stole it. Lets just say it is totally worth the deception. It is a recipe for Rum Balls. Yes, you read correctly Rum Balls.
Rum Balls are a classic play on a traditional favorite called the the rum cake or you classic fruit cake with rum in it, and it is totally simple to make. a oh so good.I made them last year for Christmas and they were a total hit. Just make sure that you tell your friends and family what they are. Other wise they may end up like my Aunt did the morning after. With a aweful hang over head ache and no explanation why. (She ate a whole plate of rum balls by herself, because she thought they were homemade wedding cookies...lol) Hilarious!

Rum Balls

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 bag assorted cookies (store bought)
1 cup rum (I use 2 cups)
Left over cake peaces (i usually use slices of fruit cake from last year or cakes that I have made)
1/2 cup mixed raisens (optional)
1 cup light corn syrup

directions
In a mixing bowl crumple your bag assorted cookies. add chopped nuts & raisens. Mix by hand. Add rum and corn syrup and mix with hand. roll into balls and toss with powdered sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes then roll in powdered sugar again.

Wasn't that quick and easy. Trust me they are delicious and a great festive treat at your next holiday party. I am always the life of the party when I walk in with a tin full of my stolen Rum Balls...lol.
Happy Holidays

A Tastesation

What's going on my fellow food lovers. My name is Zerrick-Rafael I am a an a Georgia Grown Southerner. I love long easy going days, sweet iced tea, Georgia Peaches (if you know what I mean), and good southern cooking. Heck, who am I kidding, I just love food period.
When I was a little boy growing up in the south all I had was my grandmothers cooking to keep me satisfied. Honestly that was all I needed. The smells floating from her kitchen everyday were all I needed to know that I was home. You know the smells I am taking about. A fresh pot of neck bones and rice, southern fried chicken (fried extra crispy) with wild rice, a big pot of collard greens, some of that hot water cornbread or some of her signature buttermilk biscuits.
Yes sir, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.
As I grew up those very smells were what fueled my love for food. And it was my love for food that fueled my desire to learn to cook in my grandmothers kitchen. And yes baby, ya boy Zerrick can definitely burn in the kitchen. But it was my newly developed love for cooking and food that took me into Culinary arts.
There I learned all the skills sets, and recipes that famous chefs all around the world had learned, and I was able to cultivate my own palate and create amazing authentic dishes just like the masters.
But as much as I like cooking, I love eating more, and so that is what this blog is about sharing with you some of my favorite recipes. my favorite culinary shows, some awesome eateries, and introduce you to some culinary masters. and to confess some of my culinary secretes. let me take you on a sweet, exotic, tasty journey through the world of food. I promise you that if I love it, you will too!