Preppin’ for that mid day plane to Jauw-juh
The area code: 404
The place: Holeman and Finch Public House
When you first pull open the door, the place feels inviting. Air-dried meat hangs in a glass display case by the bar, giving the joint a European market feel, albeit modified with an American pane of glass to section the flesh off from the vegans. Polished steel stools lift us our thirsty bodies into the aroma of joy juice which hovers over the dark cherry counter.
The snack:
Whole roasted garlic, chevre, lemon and crostini
The garlic poured out onto the plate in a wave of warm zesty goodness as my butter knife pressed down on a clove. I spread it onto a crostini which was slightly chewy in the center with a golden crispy crust as easily as spreading heated Nutella on a bagel. The textures perfectly complemented each other, and the flavors were divine. I highly recommend having a Duvel with this snack.
If you’re into more carnal southern comforts,
they have plenty here for meat eaters: 
The drinks:
The bartender’s tattoo contracted on his arm as he squeezed a fresh lemon rind on the rim of the glass, modifying the timeless recipe with a bit of tang. Touted as the world’s first cocktail, the deep cherry color of the Sazerac has the power to seduce even the non whiskey drinkers in the room. “It’s like taking a sip out of American history: sweet, strong, to the point, decadent. Most of all, genuine,” Nicholas Adelung, fellow H&F Public House explorer, said when asked to describe the beverage that made me gag.
The Re Animator
I decided that beer before liquor would not make me sicker. Slightly intimidated by the drink’s ingredients: absinthe, gin, and Cointreau, my last hour in the A-T-L deserved this experiment. Easy on the tongue, it felt like running your thumb lightly in a circle onto the tips of your index and middle finger while nodding your head. The drink was surprisingly smooth, considering the alcohol content,and tasted exactly like black citrus licorice.
Approximate time to render animation: 24 minutes
The verdict:
Holeman and Finch Public House is where you’ll find me blissfully embracing the A-T-L next time I visit. This spot was clean, had decent prices, adept servers, a casual atmosphere despite the upscale kitchen, and divine drinks.
Overall: 4.5 stars
