South City Kitchen - A Near Disaster Saved

I have already told you two of the three kinds of food that I don't think should be expensive - mexican, italian, and ... wait for it... southern.

It's hard to pay $15 for a plate of fried chicken. Popeyes does it for $.99 (or something like that - I do not intend to endorse Popeyes in any way, shape, or form).

My point is simply that I require more from a fancy southern restaurant. So, I walk into South City Kitchen and speak with the hostesses. I noticed they had their patio plastic'ed in so I asked them not to seat me out there because I know I'll be cold (it is in the 30's tonight in Atlanta). They tried to argue with me - you won't be cold. Look, I know me. I've been me for 34 years. I know I'll be cold. Please do not seat me out there.

Unsurprisingly, I was sent away to wait for the rest of my party (all one of them). I stood in the bar area as every single seat was taken up with people eating. Which would be fine but for the fact that there were several open tables and a nice restaurant should really have a relaxing spot for you to wait for your party. So, I was looking around with my grumpy look on my face. Eventually my grumpy look earned me a free glass of wine from one of the maitre de's (see the upgrade when i got free stuff???) - so my pissiness disappeared.

I was seated shortly after that (though my party had not arrived yet). Amy was our waitress and she was great. They must reserve her for difficult people like myself. We started with the fried green tomatoes. I have to be honest - the batter seemed very pedestrian and bar-like. I'm not sure I'd repeat that order.

I got the fried chicken and substituted the mashed potatoes with the gouda macaroni and cheese. The fried chicken was very good - juicy, enough breading without being overwhelming. It is no better or worse than Food 101 (if you're keeping score). The gouda macaroni and cheese on the other hand - I could have (and would have) bathed in it. Fantastic.

After the entree we moved onto some sort of chocolate dessert which inevitably disappointed. I am difficult to impress when it comes to dessert. The dessert consisted of a cold chocolate cake with some whip cream and a chocolate flavor mousse. It was fine - but nothing to write home about.

At the end of the day - the hospitality was better than I thought it would be. The dessert didn't match up.

But I'll be back for the gouda macaroni and cheese