How many times have you thought that Atlanta would be even
more of an amazing city to live in if it were near the ocean? I know I
have. To help ease this wish, ai3
and Peace Design joined forces with the Fifth Group to create a seaside
experience in the space that once housed Vickery’s on Crescent Avenue
transforming it into an up-scale yet casual seafood dining spot called Lure.
The coastal aura of Lure helps relieve that urban edginess and gives
our land-locked city the feel of being near the beach especially when sitting
on the comfy patio, and who doesn’t love that feeling? At the helm of this eatery’s galley is
Executive Chef David Bradley who has worked his way through the various other
Fifth Group endeavors and has learned to cast his lines in the right spots to
pull in the freshest seafood available. But what makes this seafood so good is
that Chef Bradley has a knack for preparing his catch in a way that it never
loses the delicate nuances of the sea.
In addition to the fabulous seafood, Lure has a beverage
program like none other. The mastermind
behind the extensive and mind-boggling offerings is Sommelier Vajra Stratigos, who is the Fifth Group’s beverage
director. Whether it’s a classy
cocktail, a glass of spectacular wine, thirst quenching housemade shrubs, or an
exotic drink made with shōchū no matter your
desire there is enough playfulness with any of the choices to set the stage for
a most relaxing evening. The
drinks I was most fascinated with were the ones made with shōchū - first it is not offered often, but more importantly it has such clean
lush flavors making it one super-smooth sipper. Using yeast isolated from dianthus flowers, the distilled barley Shōchū Nadeshiko is known for its rich fragrance and elegant taste, but Vajra
amped it up by adding fresh tarragon and licorice root. The other that beckons some delicacies
from the raw bar is the Sudachi Shōchū that’s
distilled molasses infused with sudachi juice– a Japanese fruit similar to a
lime - as a nice twist, citrus oil and skins are added to this award honored
liqueur giving is a seductive liveliness that is so easy to enjoy.
At Lure, the main attraction is the best
seafood in ATL, and its freshness makes such a difference in mouth feel giving
it that just off the boat taste. The raw shellfish offering typically consists of
magnificent East Coast oysters - which are known for their salinity and opulent
flavors, plump quahog clams, and just maybe the sweet yet succulent highly rich
in omega-3 Taylor Bay Scallops from Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts; have fun
exploring the uniqueness’s of these luscious morsels by choosing some of
whatever’s available. If raw is not your thing, Lure has some amazing fruits of
the sea appetizers to tease and please the appetite. The Smoked Scallop Crudo are thinly sliced scallops from
Georges Bank that are briefly cold smoked with olive wood which adds depth to
the rich buttery flavors of these delectable delights. The other smoked
offering is the Seafood Platter whose presentation is somewhat like a
charcuterie but instead a potpourri of Neptune’s delights with Atlantic salmon,
bluefish, and rainbow trout pâté that beckons a glass of William Fevre Espino with its rich citrusy fruit and
palate coating creaminess – this makes for one awesome insatiable pairing.
The small plates are meant for sharing,
but after the first bite you might not be in the mood to share. The boquerones are slivers of marinated
Spanish anchovies that are served on manchego toast points with a dab of
sautéed sweet onions- it’s a yum. If
fried is your thing both the Rhode Island Calamari and the Ipswich Clam Bellies
will satisfy any New Englanders craving for a taste of home, these crispy tender
delights are full of ''le goût de la mer''- the taste
of the sea. There’s the “make it
yourself “ wrap of grilled octopus and pulled pork that’s been marinated in a
housemade Vietnamese fish sauce, mixed Asian herbs, and is served with a spicy
nuoc cham sauce that you fold into bibb lettuce leaves making each bite a
hands-on thrilling adventure. The dish not to be missed is the grilled whole
rainbow trout from the Bramlett’s fish farm in North Georgia. The way this pristine fish is prepared
is what dreams are made. The head
on trout is stuffed with fresh thyme, tarragon, and lemon then grilled
perfectly giving it a nice char finish and topped with a sweet and tangy
muscadine butter – picture perfect presentation with the flavors are simply
unforgettable.
When you think its time to pull in your line, leave room for that one
last bite, as the desserts are as satisfying as the other menu catches. The delectable guava and coconut bread
pudding that’s topped with roasted hazelnuts and a creamy vanilla custard- like
crème anglaise will surely help reset your sweet dream button. Lure with its top-notch
wait staff is ready to assist anytime to cast your line to hook up with the
freshest seafood in Atlanta.
Enjoy…
LGTG FRIENDLY *****
FOOD *****
FOOD *****
PRICE *****
AMBIENCE *****
DRINKS *****


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