Tequilas and Ceviches in Roswell

I am a big fan of ceviches, the tangy Latin American marinated seafood dish. When in Cozumel earlier this year, we made a specific trip to the east side of the island where beach bars without electricity serve up ceviches and cold margaritas. When I heard about a restaurant in Roswell with the same name, you could imagine how excited I was.

Lady Steakhead and I kicked off the holiday weekend with a much anticipated visit to Ceviche last night. Located in historic Roswell on Canton Rd., Ceviche seems to be quite the popular place these days. By a little after 6, all the inside tables were full, and by 6:30 the few outside tables on the sidewalk were occupied as well. The place feels very Mexican beach authentic in terms of the lack of decor. A ratty tapestry nailed into a barely-painted white cinderblock wall constitutes the only "art" in the place. Dont worry about getting too comfy in the plastic chairs. And as for worrying about Little Steakhead making too much noise? No worries about that either since its so loud that no one would ever hear her.

In looking at the menu, a part of me felt this place was misnamed. There are only 3 cevishes on the menu, but there is a completely seperate menu with 15 or so different tequilas. But maybe the name "Tequila" would frighten off the family-friendly crowd they have definitely attracted, so scratch that. My first order was for a Patron Silver 'rita on the rocks with the shrimp ceviche. Being the beginning of the holiday weekend, I felt compelled to go pseudo- top shelf with the liqour, though at a price of $12, I wasn't counting on too many of them. And unfortunately, its not like some big Lulu's fish bowl of a glass, only a medium size lowball glass. Probably good for the crowd, but at $12, I should have gone house brand for $5.

The ceviche was not quite what I expected either. It was served in the same lowball glass as the margarita, and served with a red tomato juice that completely overpowered the conventional tastes of lime and peppers. And, while I can't verify this, but the shrimp had the taste and texture of being cooked and chilled, as opposed to being marinated. Probably wouldn't order this again.

For a main course, I went with the steak tacos, which were served with corn tortillas. Man I love corn tortillas, so much better than their flour siblings. This was decent, and about what you would expect.

In the end, I enjoyed several elements of our trip to Ceviche. Not an expensive meal, good margaritas, and a real hole in the wall ambiance. I lalso love the fact that it is a family run business (the family actually has two other restaurants on the same block). But will it stand out from the run-of-the-mill fare at El Azteca? Work on the ceviche offerings (since that is your name), and absolutely.

What's Mother's Day Without Fried Goat Cheese?

Mother's Day is one of those holidays that turn places into true family-friendly restaurants that might not normally be that way. Take Ecco in Midtown, for example. I called ahead of time to see if kids would be welcome for their special Mother's Day brunch, and if they had high chairs. After hearing they would, I booked my reservation through Open Table (wanted my 100 points, you know). I later learned they don't normally carry any high chairs. They had planned to rent them for the day, but their supplier fell through. Ecco was really on the ball, and called us to let us know and to advise us to bring our own booster chair. They must have had a lot of calls to make, as most tables had small children, and many of those folks got the advanced word and brought their own boosters as well.

As soon as I told Lady Steakhead about our reservations at Ecco, she began salivating over the Fried Goat Cheese. And for good reason as I love the way the taste of the cheese mixes with the honey and peppercorns. We also sampled some of their cured meats and salamis. This was definitely the highlight of our brunch. I ordered the pizza as it was something that could be easily shared with Little Steakhead. Good, but not as good as the fried cheese. Lady Steakhead had something that resembled a quiche. It didn't live up to the fried cheese either. That's the downfall of having one of the best appetizers in Atlanta...the main courses may not live up in comparison.

The staff was great, and our waiter made sure that our Mother's Day brunch was the special occasion we were looking for. We'll definitely be back, even if its just for the fried cheese. It's that good.

Mother's Day Dining Options

The calendar is full of days where we honor great heroes in the human history. Leaders like MLK, George Washington, even JC. But this Sunday is the day we honor perhaps the most important figure in our lives, Mom! Whether it's your mother, an in-law, or the mother of your kids, these great women deserve some attention, and the great restaurants of Atlanta are happy to oblige.

Thanks to my good friends at Melissa Libby & Associates, here is a list of some specials that can be found this Sunday. Also, check out my post from last year's brunch at Pastis in Roswell. I am heading to Ecco and will provide a report next week.


Aqua Blue will offer a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Buffet offerings include a wide variety of items from strip steak and carved turkey to chicken rotini primavera in cream sauce to eggs Benedict and breakfast pastries. Cost is $29.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 12 to four and free for children under four. The restaurant will serve its regular dinner menu from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886. http://www.aquablueatl.com/

Canoe creates a commemorative meal for moms with a side of riverside scenery. The restaurant, situated on the Chattahoochee River, will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch menu from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The restaurant’s regular menu will be available for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Located at 4199 Paces Ferry Road; 770-432-2663. http://www.canoeatl.com/.

Ecco will open for brunch on Mother’s Day with a special menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant will also be open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Located at 40 7th Street at Cypress in Midtown; 404-347-9555. http://www.fifthgroup.com/.

Fogo de Chão salutes moms with savory slow-roasted meats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day for the price of $38.50. The Brazilian churrascaria will be serving dinner that night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the cost of $46.50. 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988. http://www.fogodechao.com/.

Food Studio merges culinary art with celebratory cuisine on Mother’s Day. The restaurant will open for a special buffet brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $39.95 per person. The brunch will also feature a children’s menu for $10 per child (12 and under). The restaurant will also be open for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. 887 West Marietta Street in the King Plow Arts Center; 404-815-6677. http://www.fifthgroup.com/.

The GLOBE will open for Mother’s Day brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and serve the regular brunch menu. Located at 75 Fifth Street NW in Technology Square; 404-541-1487. http://www.globeatlanta.com/

La Tavola Trattoria offers a taste of Italy in Virginia-Highland on Mother’s Day. The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a limited brunch menu and will serve the regular dinner menu from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 992 Virginia Avenue NE; 404-873-5430. http://www.fifthgroup.com/.

All locations of Marlow’s Tavern (Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Midtown and Vinings) will be serving the regular brunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. In Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW,
770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; and Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526. http://www.marlowstavern.com/.

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown will serve a special prix fixe menu on Mother’s Day for $59 per person. Menu includes choice of salad; choice of one entrée from a selection of filets, fish and chicken dishes, choice of one side dish; and a dessert. The Buckhead location is open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is located in the Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. The Downtown location is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is located in the SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366. http://www.mortons.com/.

South City Kitchen brings contemporary Southern dishes to the table, giving mothers a break from home cookin’ on their special day. Bring the family to the Midtown location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a limited brunch menu, or for the regular dinner menu from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1144 Crescent Avenue;
404-873-7358. The Vinings location will offer a limited brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700. http://www.fifthgroup.com/.