5Church's New Menu...and More!

When I tell my friends that I'm going to dinner, their automatic response is, "Are you going to 5Church?" It's a legitimate question, because oftentimes I am indeed heading to 5Church Atlanta!

Chef Scotley Innis has been with 5Church Atlanta for only a little more than eight months and, proven by his omnipresence at a bazillion Atlanta culinary events, he's totally a celebrity chef! He's one of the most personable executive chefs you'll meet; he was brilliant on 5Church Atlanta's television debut on Late Nite Eats on the Cooking Channel; and he's developed a new menu that leaves even the most seasoned foodie totally starstruck!

Holy Water | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

5Church Atlanta's specialty cocktails take 'craft cocktails' to a whole new level, in my humble opinion. For instance, the Holy Water cocktail is composed of Four Roses bourbon, sweet tea, lemon juice, blue agave, mint and blackberries! 

THIS cocktail is as beautiful as it is delicious! That blackberries happen to be my favorite food has nothing to do with my thoughts on this one. Well, maybe not nothing.

Fried Green Tomatoes | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Chef Scotley is proud of his Fried Green Tomatoes, and rightly so! I would be too, if I had come up with the idea to slather the tomatoes with house-made pimento cheese before breading and frying them. They're accompanied with some salsa verde and a generous drizzle of smoked paprika oil.

I wish they'd jar that smoked paprika oil...I'd put it on everything! I've enjoyed these a number of times and always suggest them when friends ask for a restaurant recommendations.

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

When you order the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, as soon as it comes to the table go ahead and ask for more bread. That way you don't embarrass yourself licking the bowl in a public place. Seriously, it's that good! Once you've soaked up all this New Orleans flavor, you'll be ready to, "Laissez les bon temps roulez!"

This eat-with-your-hands dish is treated with rosemary and thyme butter. They have a little heat, as you would expect from a New Orleans-style dish of this nature, but it's more spicy flavor-wise than heat-wise.

Duck Confit Flatbread | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

At a dinner with my friend John, I had the awesome opportunity to try one of Chef Scotley's new menu items before it was available to the public. We had the Duck Confit Flatbread. Let me tell you, the foodie gods were with me that evening. 

This 'First Course' dish is easy to share, but there will be a battle between your mother's voice in your head telling you to share and the other voice in your head saying, "This is too damn good to share! Let them order their own!" 

I've been back to the restaurant for this dish time and again, so that makes sharing easier, knowing that I can always come back for more. Mother would be proud, right?

Short Rib Pappardelle | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

If you get to 5Church Atlanta and you're in a pasta mood, fortune will shine upon you in the form of Chef Scotley's new Short Rib Pappardelle. 

You will be feasting on brussells sprouts, carrots, cipollini, smoked parmesan, and beef jus. This dish is definitely comfort food elevated!

Ayman Kamel, owner of 5Church Atlanta and an immediate friend after my first visit, treated a group of bloggers—mostly food bloggers, but I was invited as a super-fan—to a tasting of Chef Scotley's new menu a few months ago. Some of the dishes I'd already had the great privilege of dining on, but this feast was magnificent! My friend Sue, of Field Trips with Sue/365 Atlanta Family joined me and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.   

Lamb Porterhouse | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Lamb Porterhouse. Need I say more? 

Okay, a little more...

This is a personal favorite on Chef Scotley's new menu...it immediately takes you to your happy place. I love lamb—ate a lot of it when I lived in Greece, and a lot more since—but to call this amazing comfort food would be insulting. This is fine dining...elevated! 

The super-thick-cut lamb comes with root vegetables, carrot puree, confit, cherry tomato, and rainbow swiss chard...it's an amalgamation of all that's delicious! Don't let this photo fool you...that plate is massive, the Lamb Porterhouse is a satisfying generous cut.

Rabbit Pot Pie | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

When Nikki and I recently went to dinner with Patti and Eric, he had the Rabbit Pot Pie. Eric has a talent for ordering the best dishes. He's often the envy of his fellow dining companions. This dish was no exception. Although quite happy with the dishes we'd each ordered, when Eric offered a bite of his Rabbit Pot Pie, not a single one of us said no and not a single one of us were without "This is so delicious!" smiles.

Verde | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Nikki and I discovered the specialty cocktail Verde on one of our earliest visits to 5Church Atlanta, and have revisited this amazing libation a few times. She loved it not only because it's made with gin, but also because it's a cocktail that departs from the overly sweet specialty cocktail that's probably been a little overdone over recent decades.

The Verde is composed of Hendrick's gin, cilantro, lime, fresno, and chillies!

5Church Atlanta's beverage menu is extensive. Dining with a group of folks who all have different favorite drinks? 5Church has you covered!

Halibut | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

As much as I love fish, it's not something I usually prepare at home, so I'm grateful for chefs who are brilliant with these treasures from the seas (and rivers, too). 5Church's Halibut dish is treated with an Asian flare, built with gingered bok choy and shiitake mushrooms in a sesame shoyu broth.

Grilled Salmon | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Salmon is a personal favorite, but when I heard "citrus beurre blanc", I was in love! 

Chef Scotley's Grilled Salmon comes with potato gnocchi, grilled asparagus, and a lovely citrus beurre blanc. I say "lovely" because many others, as I did, will fall in love with this dish. 

Whole Fish | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

You know my friend Patti, one of the founders of Atlanta Movie Tours, right? Nikki and I went to dinner with Patti and her husband Eric one evening not too long ago—they'd never been to 5Church for dinner—and every dish we tried was perfection!

I'd been wanting to try the Whole Fish at 5Church for some time and finally placed the order. I'd only had a whole fish at a restaurant once before, in 2004 when in Moscow on a business trip. This fish was magnificent...I really have to ask Chef Scotley for the recipe. It was buttery, silky, and full of flavor yet delicate. I'd definitely order this again!

Eugene, our server, is a fountain of knowledge and he's very attentive and polite, which is so appreciated.

5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I have an insatiable sweet tooth! On the occasion that I have room for dessert when dining at 5Church, I've never, ever been disappointed! 

The 'Chocolate Candy Bar' dessert is a chocolate lover's dream come true! It'made with chocolate, chocolate mousse, chocolate, Dutch chocolate brownie, chocolate, peanuts and almonds, chocolate, whipped cream, and chocolate!  

A single bite will satisfy any chocolate craving, but I just don't have the will power to stop at one bite of this deliciousness. 

5Church Bloody Mary | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

My dear friend Jay was visiting from California recently—we were best friends when we both lived in Washington, DC, and will be always. With precious little time to share, dining had to be special, while also contending with one of Atlanta's recent snow storms. 

Without a second thought, it had to be brunch at 5Church Atlanta. Jay loved the whole experience! Yay! I knew he would, but you totally want your best friends to love your favorite restaurant as much as you do. 

We started with a Bloody Mary, seasoned perfectly, and then... 

Salmon Croquette Biscuit | 5Church Atlanta | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I had the Salmon Croquette Biscuit (pictured above). Served on an open-faced buttermilk biscuit—one of the best I've ever had (So sorry, mother!). This dish is built with perfectly poached eggs, peppers, onions, and seafood imperial sauce. Jay had the Crab Cakes & Poached Eggs and loved them! A crab aficionado, his total enjoyment was high praise.

My friend Jeffrey is a huge fan of 5Church Atlanta's brunch. I believe 95% of his 5Church experiences have been brunch. If you're ever with a group of friends undecided on a brunch destination, insist on 5Church Atlanta...you'll be the superstar! 

Nikki and I went to 5Church Atlanta for the first time last May and it has since become one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. If you're looking for a dining destination for a special occasion, a regular happy hour meeting place, or simply a delicious meal, 5Church is the dining destination!

Top 10 Atlanta Restaurants "By the Numbers" - Nine Mile Station

This month Nikki and I visited Nine Mile Station on the rooftop of Ponce City Market. I'd been before, but it was Nikki's first time—to Nine Mile Station, not Ponce City Market—and Nikki's husband Dan joined us. It was a gorgeous day with a splendid breeze...perfect for a rooftop brunch!

Welcome back to our Top 10 Atlanta Restaurants "By the Numbers", a monthly series by wanderlust ATLANTA and super-popular food Instagramer atlantafoodie! Our ninth stop on this 10 restaurant tour was Nine Mile Station. 

What we believe is a unique spin on 'Top 10' lists, we're not counting down, but instead, we're showcasing some of Atlanta's restaurants with numbers in their names! Some we've been to before and others will be a first-time experience. We're going to make all of them FUN!

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Let's get right to the delicious food! 

We knew without even saying that the three of us would have different entrees so that we'd have more photographs, but we verbalized that we were willing to share. I had the Eggs Benedict—two poached eggs, an incredible pretzel croissant, Benton's bacon, spinach, and hollandaise! This hollandaise is creamy, smooth...absolutely sublime!

I offered to share a bite before I dug in...and secretly rejoiced a little bit when the others said, "No, thanks." I'd had this dish before and had been looking forward to enjoying it again. Eggs Benedict is my go-to brunch dish, and now, especially at Nine Mile Station! 

The sauce, the combination of flavors, the pretzel bagel...simply said, it's flavor combination perfection.

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: atlantafoodie

Nikki said, eyes wide, that the gravy  is the star in the Egg-in-a-Hole dish, made with brioche and truffle oil. The chunks of sausage are huge and Nikki says the truffle was excellent. She ate all of it. Actually, we all demolished our main dishes!

Dan had a small bite of the accompanying shoestring potatoes and went back for another bite (or two)...they must have been really good! If you like your eggs sunny side up, this is the dish for you.

Our server, Iesha, was excellent! She's charming, funny, attentive, kept a close eye on our table and made sure our every need and desire was met. 

Iesha has been with Nine Mile Station since it opened 10 months ago. When I asked her why she's stayed so long—relatively uncommon in the restaurant industry—she said, without hesitation, "The views!"

The views are indeed spectacular! From Nine Mile Station and Skyline Park you practically have a 360° vista of the Atlanta horizon.

Skyline Park is a nod to the early 1900s Ponce de Leon Amusement Park—dubbed "the Coney Island of Atlanta"—and features mini-golf, carnival games, and Skyline Slide!  

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: atlantafoodie

Dan had the Merguez Sausage Hash, with crispy potatoes, caramelized onions, and harissa agrodolche. He gave it high marks, and I agree—I'd had this dish before, too. Nikki gave it a third "thumbs up", particularly noting the amazing flavor of sausage.

The poached eggs temper the richness of this totally satisfying dish, especially when they're perfectly poached!

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

I had the Banana-Stuffed French Toast, with Grand Marnier syrup and candied pecans, on a previous visit. We didn't have it this time—just not enough room in our already topped off bellies—but I wanted to share it in this post because it's so remarkable.

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Some of the dishes are served on their own, and are plenty for most appetites, and some come with sides. I, going for a full-on brunch experience, ordered a side of the House Potatoes. Wow! I could make an entree of these potatoes! They're a potato-lover's dream-come-true and will make converts of anyone on the fence about potatoes!

Ask your server if the dish you want to order comes with a side and decide if you'd like one, or another one, from there. I do highly recommend the House Potatoes! 

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: atlantafoodie

Nine Mile Station endeavors to give its diners a unique experience, and their menus—food and drink—reflect that. They do not serve iced tea—you can get that anywhere, right?—but they do have LOTS of other amazing beverage options.

Nikki had the Sunday Smash, made with a choice of gin, vodka, tequila, rum or bourbon—Nikki had gin—and lemon, jalapeno maple, and seasonal fruit, in this case a plump blackberry. Nikki said it has a nice, light spicy aftertaste. Blackberries are my favorite food, so I was oggling the garnish the whole time.

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Dan mentioned that he's not a fan of tomato juice and I'm right there with him, BUT I do love a good Bloody Mary.

The 9 Mile Bloody Mary isn't good...it's fantastic! Its house-made mix is generous on spice and flavor and the garnish is over the top...literally! I've had this classic brunch cocktail at Nine Mile Station before and it's still just as amazing as the first time. 

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

Nine Mile Station is dubbed, "An Elevated Beer Garden"...it's that and more!

There are many other dining options on the first two floors of Ponce City Market, some wonderful dining destinations, and most of their beverage menus are generously peppered with local beers—which is awesome—so, to distinguish itself, Nine Mile Station offers a few local beers, but goes mostly out-of-town/state/country for the majority of its brews.

Rob Merrick, one of the Managers, is a beer aficionado. Nikki and I typically begin our "By the Numbers" outings with a cocktail and then I'll often switch to wine. But, when Rob told us about his beer expertise, we all three went the beer route.

I was still working on my Eggs Benedict, so Rob made a few beer pairing recommendations for that dish, and while I typically would have gone for the sour, I went for the perfectly light Bavik Super Pils. 

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

So, to get to Nine Mile Station you take a dedicated elevator. You have two options. (1) Make a reservation at Nine Mile Station—your $20 per/diner deposit goes toward your tab, which can't be applied toward tax or gratuity (please tip based on your full tab, including the credited deposit amount), and it's non-refundable. (2) Walk-in from Skyline Park and be seated based on availability. There is an admission fee for Skyline Park.

Either option you choose, I think you're going to have an awesome time!

On your ride up, you'll be given a very brief history lesson about Ponce City Market and some of the inspiration for the rooftop experiences. Our "guide" spoke incredibly fast—it's a short ride—so listen closely!

By the Numbers | Nine Mile Station | Photo: Travis S. Taylor

When you get to the top, you're on top of the city! Well, you're at the peak of, and the intersection of the four Atlanta neighborhoods of Old Fourth Ward, Midtown, Virginia-Highland, and Poncey-Highland, with many other neighborhoods within spectacular view.

Do plan some extra time to play in Skyline Park! There's putt-putt, skee-ball, food and drink, Heege Tower—it's a "ride" with a view—and be sure to climb to the top of the Skyline Slide and grab a slide blanket before going up if you want to ride back down! When you're up there, you're exactly behind the huge PONCE CITY MARKET letters on the North Avenue side.

THINGS TO KNOW before going to Nine Mile Station:

• You need to make a reservation. A popular destination for tourists and locals, tables are in high demand. Reservations require a $20 deposit per diner, but that amount goes toward your dining tab. Walk-ins are permitted from Skyline Park when seats are available.
• There's seating indoors, covered outdoors, outdoors (with some umbrella shade), and there are a few seats at the bar. Every seat is an excellent seat.
• The food menu is relatively limited, but its flavors are expansive. The beverage menu offers a considerable number of options, though, and includes specialty cocktails, wines, and beer.
• If you're a history buff, check out the history of Ponce City Market dating back to the 1860s! As a fellow history enthusiast, I think it'll enrich your visit.
• Immediately behind Ponce City Market is Historic Fourth Ward Park. You can't see it from ground level, but it's definitely worth a walk across the street to check it out!
• Nine MIle Station and Skyline Park are 21+ after 5:00 p.m.
• Parking at Ponce City Market is easy and relatively inexpensive. If using one of the pay-on-foot stations, know your license plate before you get there (I usually make a photo of it before I leave the car), or, even better, use the Parkmobile app.

OF NOTE: In early 2014, Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked Ponce City Market, which includes Nine Mile Station, as one of the 25 in its list of "The World's Coolest New Tourist Attractions." 

Here's our visited and planned Top 10 Atlanta Restaurants "By the Numbers", one per month in 2017:

ONE midtown kitchen
599 Dutch Valley Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

TWO urban licks
820 Ralph McGill Boulevard, NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

Local Three Kitchen & Bar
3290 Northside Parkway, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

Bar Margot at Four Seasons
75 14th Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

5Church Atlanta
1197 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30361

Six Feet Under Pub & Fish House
437 Memorial Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Seven Lamps
3400 Around Lenox Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

Eight Sushi Lounge
930 Howell Mill Road, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318

Nine Mile Station
675 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

10th & Piedmont
991 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Disclaimer: If you live in Atlanta or visit on a regular basis, you know how quickly the Atlanta restaurant scene can change. Our lineup is subject to change based on the Atlanta restaurant landscape over the first 10 months of 2017. Also, all opinions are our own and not at all influenced by the restaurant owners, staff or PR firms, whether we treated ourselves or were hosted by the said restaurant.

If you're enjoying this series, please follow:

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Thank you for coming along on what we think will be a FUN food journey over 10 months in 2017. Our selection of restaurants is a subjective choice of what we think will be an exciting new way to experience Atlanta restaurants: "By the Numbers". Please, tell your friends and family what we're doing and invite them to also come along for the taste tour!