Abattoir

www.starprovisions.com
1170 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30318

Meaning Slaughterhouse, Abattoir is sheltered in West Midtown with the rest of Star Provisions' award-winning restaurants and is associated with using the whole animal in their dishes.  Trying to find a different, cheaper restaurant, we landed on Abattoir since it had been on our list for a while and was a bit less than one of Quatrano's other restaurants, Bacchanalia.  The substantial bar up front is ideal for cocktails while waiting to be seated, whereas the rustic Edison light bulbs and open warehouse-feel to the restaurant make for an old butcher shop presence.

The food was just as great as the surroundings and after seeing the enormous pig portrait on the wall, my gut told me to order pork.  To start, we had the black-eyed pea hummus and although it looked simply like a puree served with flatbread and vegetables, it was delicate and flavorful.  Katy's special of fish and turnips among others was pleasing but my trio of pork took home the awards!  There was a hunk of ham surrounded by even more impressive brethren pork sausage and sauteed greens with bits of pork belly, which of course makes EVERYTHING better.

Ultimately, my favorite part of the meal were the two slow cooked pork shoulder fritters on the side of my dish.  They were the most pleasant make-your-eyes-widen-when-you-take-the-first-bite surprise.  These pork filled 'hushpuppies' tasted as if I were a kid waking up unexpectedly to Christmas morning with tons of presents!

With the ever changing menu and offerings such as beef tongue, tripe, and sweetbreads, Abattoir is for those who enjoy a twist from the normal steakhouse.  I feel they are trying to create a new restaurant on an old town idea while making dishes delightful and memorable...and they're succeeding tremendously.