TASTING INTOWN: Sun In My Belly

By Art Huckabee

I’m intrigued by restaurant names and what they say about a restaurant. Some are self-explanatory like The Atlanta Fish Market or Fox Brother’s Bar-B-Q. Some are iconic like Bone’s or Bacchanalia. Some allude to history or literature like Ink and Elm and King + Duke. Some are just whimsical like Sun In My Belly.

Located in a former hardware store in Kirkwood, Sun In My Belly is a neighborhood café that serves brunch, lunch and dinner. If you don’t live in the area it’s a little hard to find the first time as there’s minimal signage and, in typical Atlanta neighborhood fashion, there’s minimal parking.

There’s a patio for those warm weather Sunday brunches and just inside the door there’s a pastry/ coffee counter if you just happen to want a quick bite. As is this the case with many old buildings that are converted into restaurants, the seating is that European banquet style with rows of tables only separated by the slimmest of margins that turn everyone into involuntary eavesdroppers. The piercing “High C” screams of a nearby baby further reaffirm that this isn’t necessarily your date night destination.

The menu is extensive. From soups to salads, to “Lite Bites” to “Big Bites,” to even a Kid’s menu in the evening, chances are there’s something for everyone. There’s a 4-course “Supper Club” menu that’s available from Thursday through Sunday for $35. There’s a decent wine selection and they offer craft beers as well.

As an appetizer, we tried the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. The unripe tomatoes were lightly battered and fried to an al dente doneness with just the