Farm-to-Table Southern Bistro
Sandy Springs, Georgia, USA
Virginia Highlands, Atlanta, Georgia
Cuisine Style: Southern American
Average Price: $$
Overall Rating: 3/5
Dined: 2006-2008
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:
Ryan Smith
Restaurant Owners:
The name southern bistro is redefined with Food 101, a fine dining restaurant owned by the 101 Concepts Group, which from 2006 to 2008 when I visited multiple times had two locations, Sandy Springs on the Northeast side of Atlanta, and the second in the Virginia Highlands, a suburb section of southern Atlanta near the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Emory University. Their diverse selection of comfort foods and southern selections have made them a household name in Atlanta, and a destination to stop.
Menu:
- For the Table
- From the Garden
- For Grazing
- Entrees
- Sides
- Desserts
As a disclaimer, my many dining experiences at Food 101 which began in 2006 was the result of working with the restaurant group. I worked at both the Sandy Springs and the Virginia Highlands location near Morningside which the “Angry Chef” Ron Eyester ran under Food 101, then bought out and renamed Rosebud. This name has a very interesting urban dictionary definition, and even funnier is, after you read what the urban slang for rosebud is - match that with the fact that it is also the name of a 1970s Islamic terrorist group. The restaurant is in the Virginia Highlands is now called Morningside Kitchen owned by the famous Murphy’s Restaurant, a classic staple neighborhood restaurant.
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| Pimento Cheese Sliders |
When I worked at the Sandy Springs location the chef was Justin Keith, who collaborated with Ron Eyester to create the long standing of menu favorites which Chef Ryan Smith continued to enhance and expand upon. While there, some of the favorites were the fried chicken dish with mashed potatoes, volute, and jicama slaw, the meatloaf composed of ground beef, pork, and bison making for an excellent flavor. The tuna tostadas appetizer is a lite bite with excellent profiles and contrasts in taste, the fried chicken and waffles, and the pimento cheese round up the favorites. The pimento cheese recipe was so good, I ask Ron for the recipe and still, use from time to time to this very day.
Other restaurants owned by the 101 Concepts group include Meehan's Public House (several locations from Vining's near where I used to live, Atlantic Station, and Sandy Springs), and Cibo e Beve an Italian restaurant that Chef Linda Harrell turned into one of their best concept restaurants, challenging fine dining Italian restaurants to up their game. She was a guest chef at Food 101 before the opening of Cibo e Beve and we all got to try her gnocchi dish which is now a staple classic at that restaurant. Newer restaurant concepts which I have not tried include Restaurant Paradis in Rosemary Beach, Florida near Panama City, 101 Steak, and Smoke Ring. In 2006, they had a restaurant on Saint Simons Island which is now closed and Soho Atlanta which used to be part of their group is now on its own.
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| Southern Fried Chicken |
Dessert:
The cast iron apple crisp and the warm chocolate bread pudding is where I say no more. Though there are several other selections, these two items are the ones that you must try when you visit Food 101. Both are topped with a vanilla ice cream and taste like heaven on Earth.
Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.
Other Noteworthy Southern American Articles and Restaurants:
Commander’s Palace Refined and elegant creole fare since 1880 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Hank’s Seafood A classy southern seafood eatery house in Charleston, South Carolina
Hyman’s Seafood Enduring southern seafood eatery in Charleston, South Carolina
Magnolia’s A refined upscale take on traditional southern cooking in Charleston, South Carolina
McCrady’s Tavern Acclaimed high-concept inspired Farm to Table tavern in Charleston, South Carolina
Stella’s Restaurant Southern-inspired comfort eats and diner in Gulfport, Florida
The Floridian Restaurant Modern and locally sourced café for southern grub in St. Augustine, Florida
The Gumbo Shop Acclaimed gumbo and crCreoletaples in the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Mill Restaurant New American fare with a southern spin in St. Petersburg, Florida
Willie Mae's Scotch House Acclaimed soul food spot for fried chicken in New Orleans, Louisiana
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
Other Atlanta restaurants and articles on Wine Dine and Play:
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Upmarket Brazilian chain Churrasco Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
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Sci-Fi Convention Event at the Hyatt, Downtown Atlanta
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Seasonally inspired continental European fare
Downtown Atlanta and Airport
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A Few Georgia Favorites:
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A taste of the Georgia Coast
Atlanta Airport, Terminal F
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Hip burger chain with space-age decor
Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Iconic drive-in, dogs, & American classics,
Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA
|
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Modern and contemporary American cuisine
Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA
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A Southern 24/7 breakfast chain
Norcross, Georgia, USA
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Modern Gastro Whole Animal Cookery
Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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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 Food 101 a 3 out of 5 stars, meaning that they exceeded my expectations and were far above the average dining experience of most restaurants.
Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:
Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings
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Max Points Possible:
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Total Points Awarded:
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Total Points deducted:
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Ambiance
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10
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9
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1
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Food quality
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9.5
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7
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2.5
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Plate presentation
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9
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7.5
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1.5
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Customer service
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9.5
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7.5
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2
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Alcohol and other beverages
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10
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8.5
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0
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Total regular points awarded
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48
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39.5
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7
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Total percentage — less the Bonus
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0.822916666666667
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“Wow” factor BONUS
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5
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1
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0
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Total bonus percentage
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0.0208333333333333
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Total percentage and bonus for a final star rating
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0.84375
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Stars Awarded (see chart below)
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0 - 5
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3
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**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:
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3 of 5 Stars:
84% Rating with a 1 point “wow” bonus
Exceeded my Expectations in a Dining Experience
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Wine List:
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Wine rating:
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7 of 10
Old World selections:
France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal,
New World selections:
New Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington State, New Zealand, Argentina
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge
$25.00 per bottle
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Restaurant style:
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Casual dining
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Cuisine Style:
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American, Southern American
Allergen or dietary accommodations:
Farm to Fork, Local, Low Carb, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegetarian
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted, but not guaranteed
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Dress code:
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Smart to Casual attire
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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!
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Experiences:
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Place for foodies, Trendy, Lounge, Business parties, Hotspot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Great brunch, 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.
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Noise level:
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Medium
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
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Patio or terrace:
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Yes
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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:
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Price
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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Food 101:
4969 Roswell Road
# 200
Atlanta, Georgia
30342
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 404-497-9700
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Online reservations
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Website Contact:
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Lunch: Mon-Sun
11:30 am - 3:00 pm
Brunch: Sat-Sun
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dinner: Mon-Sun
5:30 pm - 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…
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High-end steakhouse chain with aged prime cuts
Akron, Ohio, USA
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Colorfully inspired twists on American Classics
St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
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Upscale Pan Asian Fare w/sushi
Orlando, Florida, USA
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Other Pictures:
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| Dining room |
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| The "Angry" Chef |
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| Food 101 Restaurant |
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
