Sweet Honey Pig

On Thursday morning, Bubba said that he wanted to go somewhere different, exotic and unusual for dinner. After much debate we settled on Korean BBQ, and I knew just the spot, Honey Pig. It's well worth the 20 minute drive up the interstate to the suburb of Duluth. Knowing the sheer amount of food we would be consuming that evening, I fasted the whole day. For the uninitiated, Korean BBQ is a unique, hands-on dining experience and always delicious. After sitting down at a table with a built-in cooking service, it is time to choose your choice of meat to be grilled at the table. We picked pork belly and bulgogi (marinated beef). The waiter then brings a smorgasbord of sauces, pickled condiments, a seaweed salad, bean sprouts, a trio of "wraps" (lettuce leaves, rice paper rolls, and radish slices) and the ubiquitous kimchee. Kimchee, a fermented cabbage concoction, is to Korean cuisine what ketchup is to America cuisine. It's a condiment that is eaten with EVERYTHING.

 

The meal starts with a cold, cabbage soup that is sweet and sour and serves as a palette cleanser between bites. Once the grill (at Honey Pig it is a domed cast iron skillet) is heated to a smoky hot temperature, the waiter bring out the cuts of meat and begins the cooking process. At most Korean BBQ spots you can cook your own meat, but here they do it for you. I definitely like that better because I can give my full attention to the main event...eating. After the meat is cooked, you make your own "rolls" by placing a piece of the grilled meat in the wrap of your choice and add condiments to taste...a little kimchee, a few threads of crispy bean spouts and a dip through the sesame oil. DELICIOUS!!! All this is washed down with the requisite Shoju, a clear potent alcohol, that goes down smooth, but can jump up and bite you like a mad dog if you're not careful. Learning this lesson from previous visits, I timidly sipped at my thimble sized cup.

 

The best part of the meal comes at the end when the waiter concocts the Korean version of fried rice by mixing the remaining bits of meat, kimchee, and sprouts that were left on the grill and tosses in a large bowl of seasoned rice. He flips and dices this mixture until it's well combined and then spreads it out thin like a pancake to cook on the grill. Anyone familiar with Korean BBQ knows NOT to dig in immediately but to let the rice toast and burn a little on the bottom...those crispy bits of rice are the piece de resistance of the entire meal.

 

All this great food and fun and the bill was only around $46.00. Honey Pig is such a fun place for a date night, but even better when enjoyed with a big group of friends. And seriously, I think Honey Pig is the best name for a restaurant EVER!!!!

After heading back to Atlanta, I begged Bubba to drive me by the most over-the-top decorated house in the city to see what new blow-up displays and lights they have added this year. Many people hear blow-up yard art and think tacky, but you would be so wrong. This house is located in a very exclusive area of Buckhead (right off Peachtree-Dunwoody Road for those in the area) and is surrounded by million dollar homes.

 

When we arrived I was in awe to say the least. I have passed by this house a zillion times, but never took the time to park the car and take a closer look. I sure am glad I did, and I was not the only one with this idea. There were tons of families, kids and teenagers piled in the road to gawk at this incredible display. Seriously, this is so amazing and certainly would bring a smile to even the most miserly scrooge. I just know the December electricity bill for this jolly house must be exorbitant, but the people of Atlanta thank you:)