Grilled Cheese, Please

By Isadora Pennington

If I was on my deathbed and I had to pick my last meal, it might be a grilled cheese. That might sound a little dramatic, but it’s true. I freaking love grilled cheese sandwiches. I mean, it’s right there in the name. Grilled. Cheese. Sandwich. Hot, melty cheese between buttery, fried bread?! You just really can’t go wrong with a combination like that. Considering how humble your standard grilled cheese sammie (only the cool kids call it a ‘sammie’) can be, with just three simple ingredients, there is a lot of variety and room for innovation. But sometimes a classic, something not-so-complicated, is just what I’m looking for.

Grilled cheese sandwiches, to me, represent a kind of innocence. They remind me of home, of my family and of being a kid who was a seriously picky eater. You may also recall a story I once told about almost accidentally burning down my grandparents’ house with one of these bad boys. Yes, indeed, the grilled cheese was one of young chef Isadora’s earliest attempts at feeding herself.

For me, it’s mostly in these colder months that all I want is comfort food. Give me a grilled cheese and some tomato soup on a cold winter’s day and I’m a happy camper. Below are a list of some of my favorites, ranging from the standard combinations to more decadent takes on the concept. Stay cheesy, friends!

FOLK ART RESTAURANT ▼

465 N. Highland Ave. NE folkartrestaurant.com or (404) 537-4493

Craft “5” Grilled Cheese — cheddar, provolone, gruyere, Swiss and creme brie, served with tomato soup, $9.50

Quick Bites

MIDWAY PUB ►

552 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, themidwaypub.com or (404) 584-0335

Grilled Cheese — Swiss and cheddar cheese, tomatoes, basil, balsamic reduction on French sourdough, $7

MAJESTIC DINER

◄RIGHTEOUS ROOM

1051 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, stayrighteous.com or (404) 874-0939

Fatty Grilled Cheese — white cheddar, tomatoes and sunflower sprouts on Texas toast, served with a cup of soup, $9

The 2nd annual Atlanta Winter Wine Fest will be held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at City Winery in Old Fourth Ward. Due to overwhelming popularity last year, there will be two sessions: noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. There will be more than 50 wines, a selection of beer , live music and a DJ, and food will be available for purchase. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 after Jan. 11 at atlantawinefestivals.com.

The 8th annual Atlanta Winter Beer Fest will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the event space behind Atlantic Station. There will be more than150 beers as well as a selection of wine and cider to choose from. There will also be live music, fun and games, and food will be available for purchase. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 after Jan. 18 and $55 the day of the event. For tickets and information, visit atlantawinterbeerfest.com.

After nearly a decade away, McCray’s Tavern has reopened in the high-

1031 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, majesticdiner.com or (404) 875-0276 rise apartment community Atlantic House at the corner of 13th and West Peachtree streets. Scott McCray opened the original McCray’s Tavern on Peachtree Street in 2004. After two successful years, Novare Group purchased the property for a future development. With the proceeds from the sale, McCray opened a new McCray’s Tavern in Smyrna, and added a second location in 2007 in Lawrenceville. For more information, visit mccraystavern. com.

Grilled cheese with American cheese, served with a side of French fries, $7.49.

Red Brick Brewing Co. is marking its 25th anniversary in Atlanta with the release of new crafts beers, including the Hype Whale Imperial Stout and Sea Otter Stout and Journey Without Maps DIPA. For more about Red Brick, visit redbrickbrewing.com.