Noodle Blog Post #2

Noodle. It is a food that is used in many cultures to provide nourishment in a variety of ways. Italy uses the noodle to create exciting pastas. Asian cultures use it to produce colorful dishes of unique taste. It has been made for hundreds of years, and although it is a simple food, it has been used in countless exotic and unique culinary creations. Noodle. It’s cheap. It’s tasty. And it’s the name of a restaurant located in midtown Atlanta.

I first heard of Noodle from a friend. She had eaten there numerous times and had always left satisfied. After looking it up on the internet and noticing how close it was to Georgia Tech’s campus, I realized that it would be the perfect place to review. I was looking for a place that would be easy for a Tech student to access, yet different from the everyday eateries. I also wanted it to be a place capable of meeting the needs of anyone in the general public who wanted a nice dinner in the city that is easily affordable. I believe that Noodle meets all of these requirements with ease, and my experiences there support this statement.

Located off northeast Peachtree and Eighth Street, Noodle is hidden away between Little Azio’s and a T-Moblie store and is a little difficult to find from the street. A fountain and table filled courtyard outside its front door demands my attention with its beauty. Unfortunately, they belong to the neighboring restaurant. The natural flow of the area wants to lead me to Little Azio’s front door, and the fountain blocked my view of Noodle’s small entrance. However, after fighting to ignore the numerous distractions and navigating the crowded courtyard, I found Noodle.

Once inside, I noticed that the restaurant was elaborately decorated with Asian influences. Two entire walls were covered with a mural of dancing flutists, painted mainly in red, black, and gold. The room was dimly light with small chandeliers. Wood paneling and black tables added to the dark atmosphere. Each table was illuminated by flickering candles which caused small flecks in its finish to sparkle. The restaurant is small and quite, giving the place a mysterious feeling. I also noted that it was nearly empty. This was odd because it was six in the evening on a Saturday night. Was the food bad? Was the place just too well hidden? I was determined to find the answers to these questions with the help of a few of my friends and a hungry stomach.

After seating ourselves, a waiter immediately appeared to present us our menus. He was polite, informative, and entertaining which immediately created a positive ambiance. The menu was diverse collection of many Asian cultures, and as one would expect, there was an entire section devoted to noodles. The prices were equitable. On average, it would cost less than fifteen dollars per person for a full meal with drinks but without appetizers. After much deliberation, we decided on appetizers and five entrees that would give us a taste of all Noodle had to offer.

We did not have to wait long for our food. Our waiter returned with our appetizers within minutes, and effortlessly placed a large platter of spring rolls, eggrolls, and dumplings accompanied with multiple dipping sauces in front of us. Thankfully there were five of us, to eat the vast assortment of hors d’oeuvres. The soft dumplings and the crunchy eggrolls provided varying textures, while the peanut sauce proved capable of enhancing any flavor. The ingredients were fresh and well paired, causing me to set a high standard for our actual meal.

Our entrees appeared just as we were finishing the appetizers. As they approached the table, their aromas wafted our direction instantly causing our mouths to water. First to grace the table was a dish called Spicy Basil Noodles. It was quickly followed by Beef Lo Mein, Thai Peanut Noodle, Spicy Eggplant and Tofu, and last, but not least, Crunch Grouper. Our table was now covered by a diverse selection of intriguing edibles. After double checking that all was well, our waiter swiftly disappeared, leaving us with our highly anticipated cuisines.

Given the name of the establishment, we were immediately drawn to the noodle dishes. The Spicy Basil Noodles was served with chicken, and was indeed spicy. The sauce brought fire to my mouth, but the noodles seemed dull its intensity and replace it with their own flavor, overall creating a battle for my taste buds. The Beef Lo Mein was average. It was salty, beefy, and had a sweet aftertaste, but in general it tasted like it was doused in a store bought sauce. The Thai Peanut Noodle was a lively experience. Although the essence of the dish was peanut, it had many concealed flavors, such as lime, that emerged only after a bit of chewing. Its textures were just as varying as it skipped from soft to hard and crunchy to chewy. Out of the three noodle dishes, I was thoroughly impressed by two of them, successfully justifying the name of the restaurant. Noodle enthusiasts, this place is sure to meet your noodle standards.

Next up was the Spicy Eggplant and Tofu. This dish was a maelstrom of flavors. Spicy, sweet, tangy, all were accounted for among the tofu, but the biggest surprise was the eggplant. It seemed to absorb all of its surrounding flavors until it was packed with culinary potential energy, and as you bite into its soft body, the flavors instantly explode out with the juices it once contained. This is a great dish for those who love vegetables and don’t care for meat.

The Crunch Grouper was uniquely refreshing compared to the other dishes. The fish was sweet, juicy, and light. It was complimented by spicy seasonings and lemon and was by far my favorite dish of the night. Its flavor was distinct and easy to commit to memory. If you like fish, then this is a sure win for your palate.

After our meal was finished, our plates removed, and our bills paid, I returned to my dorm to reflect on the dinner I had recently devoured. I made a basic list of what I thought Noodle performed well in, as well as the areas in which I didn’t. Here’s the basic rundown of the experience. On the plus side, Noodle has capable and well organized service, elaborate and interesting décor, the prices are economical, and most importantly, really good, sophisticated food. Alternatively, if you’re the type of person that likes crowds and loud, lively atmospheres when you go out, Noodle might not be for you. Also, its location is slightly annoying because of its illusiveness.

Noodle offered more than adequate meal for a Saturday night out in the city. Although it is a little tricky to find, once there, a fantastic dining experience awaits. The service is fast, efficient, and friendly. The décor was outstanding, and it created a one of a kind eating atmosphere. As a whole, the food was excellent, and with entrees averaging ten dollars, the price was quite reasonable. Taking all of this into account, I rank give Noodle four stars out of five.