Even those rainy nights in
Georgia can’t dampen the thrill of dining at Wahoo Grill, in fact it adds to the ambience that Pam Ledbetter has
created in her Decatur eatery. As
an early visionary in helping to shape Decatur into a fine dining mecca, Pam
transformed a dilapidated space on West College Avenue back in 2004 into a
welcoming neighborhood bistro that’s unpretentious and quite laid back. The best part of walking into Pam’s
“dreams do come true” gathering spot, besides the hearty foods, dazzling
drinks, and ultra-friendly staff is how she designed Wahoo’s patio. This glassed-in room overlooks a cozy
courtyard that’s full of lush greenery and immediately gives the feel that you
are no longer in Decatur, but could be sitting with friends at some mountain
resort in the Highlands. Not many
places in ATL can create such an illusion of being at one place with the feel
of being somewhere totally different; this makes for one memorable dining experience.
This whimsical feeling can be
really amped up with one of the stellar cocktails that Pam, her husband Ski,
and the team of talented bartenders have concocted. The Drunken Gardener is pure pleasure and will smooth out
any rough edges from the day – made with Crop Organic Cucumber Vodka, freshly
muddled basil from Wahoo’s garden, and a housemade simple syrup. These crisp
flavors taste like a farmer’s market in a glass, but with a pleasing
punch. The Garden Party is another
great sipper guaranteed to brighten the smile. But if you need a jolt of fire
to ignite the soul, ask for the Sergeant Pepper – jalapeño-infused Don Diego
Blanco tequila, crushed mint leaves, with a splash of agave nectar, grapefruit
juice, and sour mix; after a couple of these you will surely sing out of
tune. In addition to these
hypnotic potions, there is a well thought out beer and wine list – be sure the
check out the midweek wine special, it’s an awesome way to explore the fruit of
the vine.
The one thing that is noticeable
about the food offerings is that they are not over-the-top nor taken to
extremes- they are what they are and what they are is really exceptional. The flash fried Polenta with local
mushrooms and a roasted red pepper coulis is amazing. The goat cheese and chive polenta is fried to the point
where the outside is crisp but the inside is warm and velvety – a nice yin and
yang effect. The Fried Calamari is
plentiful and should be shared if you are willing. The lightly battered tender squid with fried sweet banana
peppers is tossed in a spicy hoisin and sweet, yet tart, mayhaw-citrus sauce -
so many intriguing flavors. The
not to be missed appetizer is the Crab Bisque; this is ecstasy in a bowl. Fresh lump crabmeat is blended into a
light cream broth with a perfect touch of sherry making for a rich yet soothing
mouth feel. This “good to the last drop” soup deserves a glass of the zesty
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.
The menu at Wahoo focuses on
fresh seafood, but there is an assortment of delicacies for land-lovers like
Southern Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. The succulent Charleston Shrimp and
Grits is a wonderful representation of this classic recipe. The plump white shrimp are sautéed than
simmered in a spicy tomato cream sauce that’s served over South Carolina’s
Adluh stone ground white grits that are given a lift with a touch of cheddar
cheese. Before the bowl
disappears, ask for some grilled Holeman & Finch baguette slices for
dipping in this sassy sauce; it’s a yum.
The fresh Georgia Trout is another must. The perfectly sautéed filet is topped with a pesto butter
and glazed pecans making the mild tasting fish quite heavenly. The Georgia Peach Salad screams good
old southern living. Over a bed of
crispy baby leaf spinach are slices of juicy yellow peaches, grilled shrimp,
cherry tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, glazed pecans that’s drizzled with a
lively brown sugar- cider vinaigrette.
If this dish doesn’t get out at least one “Wahoo” I don’t know what
will.
Realizing that you have been swept into Wahoo’s comforting excitement, why not take the feeling to a new edge with any of the sinful yet yummy desserts like the Bread Pudding, Bliss Cake, or even an old-fashioned Root Beer Float. The Bread Pudding comes in two sizes- choose wisely. These warm slices of nirvana are glazed with Kentucky bourbon giving it a rich smoky, earthy character. After that last bite and contentment settles in, and you realize you just found a new hangout to be shared and enjoyed with friends.
LGTG FRIENDLY *****
FOOD ****
AMBIENCE *****
PRICE *****
DRINKS ****
WHERE WOMEN COME OUT |
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