There can be no dissension that the utmost restaurant trend of the last 15 years has been rapid elimination of the ostentatious dress codes. Gone are the days of tailoring ourselves to look like a pallbearer to gnaw on goose liver or regale on Pittsburgh rare cow flesh while ensconced among the Buckhead Betties.
Many a gastronome would profess long-gone Iris in East Atlanta Village was the founding father of fine dining in an unpretentious atmosphere. Their chef and co-owner Nicolas Bour has gone on to great acclaim in Miami and San Diego, but local foodies have been left with a void.
Then along came Foundation Social Eatery in Roswell, inhabiting the space best known as previously occupied by the admirable Dick and Harry’s and the uninspiring shipwreck Twisted Taco.
It came as no shock to me that FSE’s chef/owner Mel Toledo is a long-time admirer of Bour. The ambiance of Foundation Social Eatery is a bit more chic than Iris, the modish aura rivaled in the area only by Kozmo’s.
Great googly moogly. Enough about the collateral components — let’s saunter to the succulence and substance of the sustenance. Where to start? To quote a line from the finest movie of all time: “It’s always best to start at the beginning,” or in this case, the “beginnings.”
Though Toledo revises his menu seasonally, his vision is authenticated by the fact the appetizers have two permanent staples that should never be considered for sabbatical: the crisp Spanish octopus and mushroom ravioli.
It’s noteworthy to point out the latter endorsement is from a card-carrying carnivore who believes that vegetables’ raison d’être is as a pizza or cheeseburger topping. And believe you me, FSE’s mushroom ravioli qualifies as vegetarian crack.
Other recommended dishes? It’s no cop-out to say there really aren’t any duds on the menu. The house-made pastas are top-of-the-line. Currently, options include hand-cut linguini replete with shellfish as well as chicken bolognaise fettuccini. A sterling pork belly banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) anchors the lunch list.
Selections have multiplied on the newest menu of the year-plus-old burgeoning destination-worthy dining Mecca. Fortunately, the quality has not suffered while the quantity has evolved. (Follow their Facebook page for the latest menu updates!)
The vanilla pot de crème is virtually unthinkable to bypass on the dessert menu. On the other hand, the FSE “Twix” does seem to be calling my name…
Do not walk, but RUN to this place. And you can, because running shoes are permitted.
When the author, Joe Duffy is not eating (which is rare), he is CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com, which gives free sports picks and previews from a sports handicapping standpoint. Joe is also the author of several Fork & Spoon Scoop reviews including Best Burgers OTP, Best Food Trucks OTP, Best Pizza OTP, Best BBQ OTP, and Best Sandwiches OTP.
Foundation Social Eatery is located at 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.
Note: This meal was comped by Foundation Social Eatery.
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