Organic Airport Tapas
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Cuisine Style: New American
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 2/5
Dined in October 2017
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Executive Chef:
Catherine Ann "Cat" Cora is a very recognizable name especially after her time on Iron Chef America so it would make sense to open up a brand of restaurants based on the name, then put them in some extremely busy airports across the United States. Previously she had already opened several high profile restaurants including Ocean by Cat Cora located at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and now came Cat Cora’s Kitchen starting in the Houston, then expanding to Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and San Francisco Airports.
The Bar at Cat Cora's Kitchen |
Cat Cora is a sophisticated culinarian raised in Mississippi with roots from Greece, and her focus is on using fresh and organic ingredients. Cat Cora’s Kitchen selection of innovative tapas and cocktails embodies her focus. The restaurants have a strong emphasis on using locally-sourced ingredients wherever possible, especially fresh local seafood within the raw bars. When local ingredients are unavailable, the best organic, natural or artisan quality ingredients are used. The restaurant concept is partnered with Hojeij Branded Foods which operates out of several busy airports across the United States and Canada. The HBF portfolio consists of Local, Regional, National and International Brands under its wing.
Menu:
- Starters
- Entrees
- Sides
- Desserts
My wife and I had a layover in Atlanta Hartsfield Airport on our way to Portland for a holiday, and while waiting in the terminal noticed Cat Cora’s Kitchen. It was a small airport style restaurant with a bar that sat about 20 and a few tables. We waited a few moments for two bar seats to open, and ordered a few cocktails and beers while we looked over the menu. Some of the featured cocktails took on the names from the city such as the “night on Ponce,” and the “love and Haight.”
We decided on two starter dishes to hold us over starting with my wife's choice of a salt roasted beet salad with goat cheese crostini and a tangerine vinaigrette. The dish came with arugula lettuce and sliced onion. The dish tasted good, my wife mentioned that it was not the best quality of beet she has had.
Salt Roasted beet salad |
I decided on the sesame lamb meatballs, four to the order sitting on top a spicy red yogurt sauce. The menu mentioned that they were skewered, but if they were cooked that way, then it was removed before serving.
Lamb Meatballs |
Cat Cora’s concepts are to have healthier options on her menu’s while at the same time enjoying the classics and comfort foods that American’s are used to. For example, another item on her starter menu is jalapeno poppers filled with a creamy feta cheese but instead of being fried, it is baked, so a little less fat.
The entree selections at the Atlanta location include flank steak tacos, oven roasted fish sandwich, and grilled Angus strip with lobster mac and cheese just to name a few. You can also finish out your entree with sweet potato fries and sea salt or sautéed spinach as side items.
Dessert:
We did not have dessert but on the menu, there was a warm chocolate cake and salted caramel sauce topped with a vanilla honey whipped cream and selected cheese with seasonal fruits.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy New American Articles & Restaurants:
Alinea Highly creative new American molecular gastronomy tasting menus in Chicago, Illinois
Bridge Street Bistro Third Floor terrace Seafood Centric New American dining, Bradenton Beach, Florida
Chill Restaurant & Bar New American Cuisine, tapas, and exotic cocktails in St. Pete Beach
Harvest Moon Café Farm-to-Fork Daily changing new American fare menu in Sonoma, California
Moshulu New American dining on a restored ship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Samantha’s Restaurant Mellow new American fare in North Canton, Ohio
The Mad Hatter Waterfront upscale new American cuisine on Sanibel Island, Florida
The Mill Restaurant New American fare with a southern spin in St. Petersburg, Florida
Z Grille Colorfully inspired twists on American Classics in St. Petersburg, Florida
Zinc Bistro and Bar Southwestern-inspired new American fare in San Antonio, Texas
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Atlanta restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
Upmarket Brazilian chain Churrasco Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
|
Sci-Fi Convention Event at the Hyatt, Downtown Atlanta
|
Seasonally inspired continental European fare
Downtown Atlanta and Airport
|
Swanky French-American Steakhouse chain, reviewed in Atlanta, GA.
New York, New York, USA
|
Hip burger chain with space-age decor
Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
|
Boutique bistro, new American, & Southern favorites
Atlantic Station, Georgia, USA
|
A Few Georgia Favorites:
A Southern 24/7 breakfast chain
Norcross, Georgia, USA
|
Eclectic tavern for Surf 'n' Turf
Griffin, Georgia, USA
|
Farm-to-Table Southern bites spot Sandy Springs, USA
|
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
Overall from this experience, and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Cat Cora's Kitchen a 2 out of 5 stars, meaning that they are far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
|
Max Points Possible:
|
Total Points Awarded:
|
Total Points deducted:
|
Ambiance
|
10
|
8
|
2
|
Food quality
|
10
|
7
|
3
|
Plate presentation
|
8
|
8
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0
|
Customer service
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
Alcohol and other beverages
|
10
|
6
|
4
|
Total regular points awarded
|
45
|
33
|
12
|
Total percentage — less the Bonus
|
0.733333333333333
|
||
“Wow” factor BONUS
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
Total bonus percentage
|
0
|
||
Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
|
0.733333333333333
|
||
Stars Awarded (see chart below)
|
0 - 5
|
2
|
**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**
***
Overall Star Rating:
|
2 of 5 Stars:
73% Rating with a 0 point “wow” bonus
Far Above the Average Dining Experience
|
Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine Style:
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American, Spanish, Tapas
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Gluten Free, Local, Non-GMO, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian Options
|
Reservations:
|
Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
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Dress code:
|
Casual attire
|
Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.
If not then:
Hire a Babysitter!
|
Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Contemporary, Modern, Trendy, and a Neighborhood Gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Private lot
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
|
Noise level:
|
Loud
|
Smoking:
|
Nonsmoking restaurant
|
Patio or terrace:
|
No
|
Food Prices
(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricy)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**
Currency:
|
Price
|
United States Dollar (USD)
|
$
|
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
|
£
|
Canadian Dollar (CAN)
|
$$
|
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
|
¥¥¥
|
European Union (EUR)
|
€
|
Alcohol prices:
$22 USD
Cat Cora's Kitchen:
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
|
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
|
Mon-Sun
61:00 am - 10:00 pm
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
High Rise Fine Global Dining, Highest Restaurant In The World
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
|
Elegant Modern Australian with Molecular Gastronomic dining
Melbourne, Australia
|
Haute French Restaurant
Paris, France
|
Other Pictures:
Who is John Galt?
TTFN