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| Midtown’s Fresh New Restaurant by Jennifer Grzeskowiak Before patrons even make it through the doors of the newly unveiled MetroFresh, the patio full of simple, grasshopper green chairs marks the restaurant as a refreshing dining spot near Midtown’s Piedmont Park. Inside, the bright green color flourishes in bud vases, wall art, flowers and a large, oval ceiling adornment. (One of my favorite touches are two clear panels hanging on a window, with thin material that resembles wheat stalks running through the center.) The spa-like décor -- mostly white and green aside from red roses and a few other accents -- sets the stage for MetroFresh’s light, health-conscious fare. The cozy, order-at-the-counter restaurant is the creation of Mitchell Anderson, who tapped into his skills as a chef only a few years ago. After 20 years of acting credits, including Doogie Houser, M.D., Party of Five and Jaws, the Revenge (in which he was served as dinner to a hungry shark), Anderson decided to pursue the also notoriously risky business of running his own restaurant. Before jumping into the venture, he helped run the kitchen at Souper Jenny in Buckhead for two years under the guidance of his mentor and now-good-friend Jennifer Levinson. Like Levinson, Anderson primarily employs actors, who he says naturally have quite a bit of energy and personality. The dishes at MetroFresh are somewhat similar to those found at the counters of eatZi’s or Whole Foods but with a less mass-produced feel. While Anderson changes the menu daily, for lunch he always serves several soups (the turkey chili is a permanent staple), sides ranging from chicken salad to vegetables, two sandwiches (one veggie, one meat), and an antipasto plate. Most of the lunch offerings are carried over to dinner, with the addition of a vegetarian and a meat entrée. Not limited to a particular cuisine, Anderson’s dinner menu may include Mediterranean-style chicken or eggplant one night and a leg of lamb the next. To perpetuate the laid back atmosphere, beer and wine are available for patrons to enjoy as well. The day I stopped in for a late lunch, Anderson put together a quick meal of Thai coconut soup and grilled eggplant roulade. Wild mushroom and chicken stew, white bean tomato soup, chopped Greek salad and a half tomato stuffed with egg salad were a few of the day’s other offerings. As a testament to the restaurant’s focus on healthier options, the potato cheese soup that a fellow customer ordered didn’t glop into the bowl the way thicker versions tend to do. The homemade-style Thai soup I tried consisted of a clear, light broth chock full of tender veggies, fragrant spices and baby shrimp. Nothing to feel guilty about there. For my side dish, the thin slices of eggplant wrapped with goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes also were flavorful, and not overly filling. While I sat at a cushioned booth enjoying my meal and the atmosphere, the friendly women behind the counter greeted new guests and gladly made recommendations about the soups and sides. Done with my lunch and thinking ahead to dinner, I also picked up a veggie wrap with a salmon and goat cheese spread for later. Even after a while in my fridge, the tortilla tasted as if it were just made in the restaurant (I can’t vouch for its origins) and its softness went well with the crunchy carrot slivers and other vegetables. The salmon, meanwhile, was mild enough not to overpower the rest of the ingredients. At the end of the day, I didn’t feel too guilty about not making it to the gym. With Piedmont Park almost right around the corner, MetroFresh seems like the perfect place to pick up sandwiches or some chicken salad before an afternoon of sunshine and fresh air. Ideally, Anderson is hoping that people come to think of MetroFresh as a reliable lunch spot as well as a place to stop for dinner on the way home. Between the atmosphere, food and Anderson’s charm, the restaurant will likely develop a sizeable fan club before too long. MetroFresh is another spot that proves Midtown has a number of great, out-of-the-way restaurants, as long as you know where to look. If you can’t at first spot it, just remember to look for the chairs. You’ll see what I mean. MetroFresh is located at 931 Monroe Drive in Midtown Promenade, near the corner of Monroe and 8th Street. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (404) 724-0155 or visit www.metrofreshatl.com. A full catering menu also is available, and the restaurant will deliver and set up meals for parties of 10 or more. |
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| Above: Chef/Owner Mitchell Anderson and various items from MetroFresh. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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