Craving great food in a cozy, comfortable setting? It’s time to FEAST. The restaurant’s immediate feel is as if you are in Teri Rogers’ home with some of her best friends for a fun-filled evening. Teri digs into her experiences with the Peasant Restaurant Group, Darkhorse Tavern, and the infamous Pearl’s Café in the mountains of Tennessee to bring us FEAST. An extensive list of martinis reflects current events, like the Obama-tini and the Palin-tini. But I decided to go healthy with the Pomegranate Martini—it made me feel really good. Greg, our waiter, recommended the 2006 Doña Paula Malbec from the well-crafted wine list to escort our palate through the creations of Chef Melissa Fedorko (Grove Park Inn, La Tavola, PieBar). Its silky texture made its raspberry/ black cherry with a hint of violets beckon food. Chef Melissa’s approach is simple yet fun, sourcing most of her goods from local community farmers. Earthy Crimini, Portobello and Shitake Mushroom Chips with a savory Gorgonzola Sour Cream sauce and a hint of white pepper got things going. After getting the dipping thing down, things got out of control with the delicate flavors of the Oven Roasted Lump Blue Crab & Artichoke Dip served with warm pita. All three salads are unique and worth trying. Romaine lettuce and marinated red onions tossed in tangy Mediterranean-style kalamata olive vinaigrette with a touch of feta cheese had zing in every bite. The Feast Salad of mixed field greens with gorgonzola, sweet pecans, juicy Bosc pear slices, and balsamic infused vinaigrette explodes with flavors. My favorite was the Baby Arugula tossed in walnut oil and lemon juice with butternut squash, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and Manchego cheese from La Mancha. Melissa somehow made the bitterness of Arugula disappear. Don Quixote would be proud. The feast really embarked when Greg delivered the entrees. Delicate Nantucket Bay Sea Scallops were garnished with exotic black truffle butter, a heavenly contrast. A juicy, melt-in-your-mouth Grilled White Marble Farms Berkshire Pork Chop was de-constructed off the bone in demi-glace. Chinese five-spice rubbed Duck Breast was an explosion of mind-blowing flavors ranging from cinnamon to ginger. I wondered if Sichuan pepper would arrive; it did. Chopped Brussels sprouts with applewood bacon, sweet potato fries, and oven-roasted asparagus with shaved Parmesan cheese were outstanding pairings with these entrees. Teri insisted we try Melissa’s desserts; glad we did. Piggly Wiggly White Chocolate Bread Pudding was outrageous (ask Teri about its origins), tropical Key Lime Pound Cake was quite summery, and the Chocolate Nutella Mousse peeped up with a shot of espresso aroused chocolate fantasies. This quaint haven is preparing outstanding food at reasonable prices. We are fortunate Teri migrated to delightful Decatur to live her dream. FEAST 314 East Howard Avenue Decatur, Georgia 30030 (404) 377-2000

This is a great neighborhood restaurant, offering a nice selection of menu items, whether you are in the mood for a small plate, or something bigger, they have a ton of great choices. They offer an interesting wine list and the service is always great here. We often go sit at the bar, where you can order the full menu, and enjoy the conversation, atmosphere and cooking happening. We love having Feast in the neighborhood!