Atlanta-Cafe 101

I had to drive to Atlanta by myself on last Sunday. Non of the people that promised could make it. My husband has to go to Albany to pick up his trailer. My friend Joan
cancelled the day before as she has to go to Montgomery to celebrate her ex-father in law's birthday and Elizabeth who worked at the Circle has to do overtime till noon.So I had to go myself as I promised to meet my son there.
It was a nice sunny day and traffic was smooth. I had no problem driving on that busy I85 North, till my son gave me some instruction to go on Exit 95 instead of Exit 94 which I normally used to go to Buford Highway, through Chamblee.
I was driving through some neighbourhood which I was not familiar for about 45 minutes, till I finally found my destination.
My son met me at Cafe 101 where he wanted to go for lunch. Cafe 101 had been there for a couple of years, but has been changing ownerships often. Before it was the 99 cents Chinese Restaurant. Well, I expect this restaurant to serve some speciality, maybe some good original Chinese Cuisine. But, instead the menu is the same with all those American Chinese Fast Food Restaurant. The usual General Tso's Chicken, Sesame Chicken and Mongolian Beef.
I asked for Fried Ho Fun, but the did not offer that. So we opt for Hot and Spicy Shrimp, Fried Egg Plant with Black Bean Sauce and Claypot Seafood Stew.
Our Hot Tea came but it was just warm. The white rice came in a cute covered pot.
Came the Hot and spicy Shrimp. It was just sweet, neither hot nor spicy. They supposed to fry the shrimp with light cornstarch batter, but just boiled shrimp.
The Eggplant looked good but when I tasted it, again not spicy and very bland, no salt at all.
Lastly came the Claypot Seafood. I expected to savor some good seafood with vegetables and fried tofu in a gravy base, but it was just some Seafood of 2 shrimp, a few scallops and slices of cuttlefish on some soup base with a few nappa and some taro. What ? Taro in soup? Looks like Foochow cuisine. Well , I wanted some Cantonese style cooking from Chinatown's restaurant. Again, very bland, the soup is tasteless.
However, The service was excellent . We had a few waitresses kept checking on us. I guess they were not too busy. We could not finish all the food,so I had to take the shrimp and Eggplant in a togo box.Rating for Food=Poor, Service=Good, Price-Medium.

After that went to Hong Kong Bakery to get some Buns and Egg Custard Pies.And to Ming's to get some Soy Chicken and Roast Pork.
And went to Old China Town area to get a hair cut.Left Atlanta about 4.15pm and drove back to Columbus at 5.45 pm.
I still had to go to work but I went in at 7.00 pm .

Lunch At Taj Mahal Restaurant

Instead of having Korean Food for Lunch at the Mandarin house with my new friend, Elizabeth, we decided to go for Indian food at the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is the one and only Indian restaurant serving real Indian Cuisine in Columbus ,Georgia.
It is locate at 2009,Auburn Avenue,Columbus,Ga 31906. Tel: 706-568-9992.
Go on Macon Road, pass K-Mart, and turn right on Auburn Avenue. Located on a plaza, across from Freds.
Taj Mahal is closed on Monday, open everyday for Lunch from 11.30 am till 2.30pm and Dinner 5.30 pm till 10.00 pm.
They serve a Lunch Buffet with a small buffet line consist of White Rice,Briyani Rice,Chicken Masala,Aloo Mattar,Curry Beef, Chutney,Salad and some kind of Sweet Cheese Ball with Syrup.Also Chana Masala ,and Onion Bhajia.
And the waiter brings you a big pitcher of water and some Chappati Bread.

As you entered you will be wondering whether this is An Indian Restaurant or Chinese Restaurant.Despite the color combination of Indian Flavor, this restaurant is decorated with Chinese Decor, Chinese Ceiling , Chinese Lanterns and Painting. You see the story behind this, is this was a Chinese Restaurant before. The Famous China Star which was famous in Columbus many years ago. The new Indian Restaurant Owner decided to keep it as it was.

The food is not bad. I loved the Curry,Briyani Rice and the Roti but one bite on the Chutney turned Sour. It was so Sour,Spicy and Salty. I guess you have to mixed just a little with your rice or roti to eat it. Another thing is the CheesseBall, it was way too sweet. My sugar just ran high with one bite.

I understood that lunch buffet was $6.99 per person, but we did not ask how our che ck came up to $23.12 for 2 person. Something is missing here.

Beside Buffet, Taj Mahal also serve a variety of Indian Cuisine.

Briyani- Basmati rice cooked with your choice of shrimp, chicken or lamb.
Chappati- Thin Whole Wheat Rosted Bread.
Chutney- Pickle Vegetables, Sour, Salty and Spicy
Chicken Masala-Boneles Chicken cooked in Special Masala Sauce.
Chicken Kurma- Boneless Chicken with Yogurt,Nuts And Spices
Onion Bhajia- Onion Fritters served with Chutney
Vegetable Samosa- Crispy Turnover,deliciously filled with Mildly spiced ootatoes and green peas.

If you loved Spicy food, I recommend the Taj Mahal.