Bites Nearby: Best Choices From Festival

Overview: The 18th Annual Taste of Marietta this past Sunday was a culinary explosion of delectable foods, aromas, sights and sounds.  With almost 80 restaurants to choose from, I knew I would need a strategy to enjoy this food festival. 

After working up an appetite for almost an hour, I feasted on some delicious choices: filet mignon, white chocolate covered strawberries, rum cake and freshly squeezed lemonade. I left feeling satisfied, not gorged and want to share with you a few of the restaurants I think are worth trying again.

Sal Grosso Brazilian Steakhouse – I was served 3 large filet mignon medallions wrapped in bacon for $4. The beef was seasoned with coarse salt and grilled to perfection; my plastic knife cut through it like butter. If you are a meat lover and have never eaten at a Brazilian steakhouse, try Sal Grosso’s.  Following the traditions of Churrasco - grilling a variety of meats on skewers over a flaming open pit- Sal Grosso’s beef was as good (or better) than Buckehead’s Fogo de Chao. Closer to East Cobb than Atlanta (the zip code is 30339), Sal Grosso’s normally offers complete Rodizio (tableside service) for lunch @ $19.95 per person and complete Rodizio dinner @ $39.95 per person. 1927 Powers Ferry Road near Windy Hill Rd. Hours: Lunch: 11:30 a. m.  – 2 p.m. Mon - Fri, 12 – 3 p.m. Sat – Sun. Dinner: 5 – 9 p.m. Sun - Thu, 5 – 10 p.m. Fri - Sat  (770) 850-1540 http://www.salgrosso.com

 Miss Scarlet’s Chocolate Emporium - I had the hand-dipped strawberries on a skewer for $3. The huge fresh, red strawberries covered in a delicious white chocolate were scrumptious, sweet, light and fruity. Miss Scarlet’s chocolate is hand made on the premises and can be ordered by the box by phone or online. Based in Acworth, this unique company also offers gourmet cupcakes and pastries, soups, sandwiches, catering services, aromatherapy, specialty coffees, teas and gifts.  By appointment only.  (888) 886-5959  www. missscarlets.com

Jamaicas Blue Mountain Coffee, based in West Cobb, served up heavenly slices of rum cake for $2. Rich and moist, this cake is a perfect compliment to the company’s famous, full bodied specialty coffees . Coffees, private labeling and a variety of gift packages may be ordered by going to www.jamaicasbluemountaincoffee.com.

NOTE: You can find Jamaicas Blue Mountain Coffees at Cool Beans Coffee Roasters on the Square.  (770) 422-9866 Hours: 7- 9 p.m. Mon - Thu, 7 a.m. –11 p.m. Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m. – 7 p. m.  Sun.  31 Mill St  (770) 422-9866  http://coolbeanscoffeeroasters.com

The Lemonade: Many vendors served fresh lemonade – I just chose the huge yellow booth whose sign read “Fresh Squeezed Lemonade. There wasn’t a restaurant name attached to it that I could see. I have included a picture of this booth in the article and would gladly give credit to  them- their lemonade was a perfect sweet and tart combination.

 Honorable Mentions: There were a few items on my “must have” list that looked awfully good but I could eat no more.

Come-N-Get-It. An interesting combination of Southern and Greek, this restaurant had at least 4 booths and boasted a mind boggling array of appetizing dishes ranging from corn dogs to baklava. Located off the Square near Wellstar-Kennestone Hospital, this restaurant is popular with the locals for their All You Can Eat Breakfast @ $5.99. Hours: 6 a.m. - 8 pm  Mon - Thu, 6 a.m.  - 9 p.m.  Fri, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.  Sat, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun.  1409-E Church St Ext NW (770) 423-0010   www.yallcomengetit.com

 Harry’s Farmer’s Market – I saw many people enjoying fresh, perfectly rounded slices of ice cold watermelon. On this hot humid day they looked wonderful! Hours: 9 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Mon – Sat, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.  Sun.  70 Powers Ferry Rd SE  (770) 578-4400  http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/cobb/