I love my job, Lord knows I do! I think though I will have to try a new restaurant review maybe once a month because the pounds are going to pack on if I keep it up lol. I received a great press release a couple of days ago and in it I saw a wonderful new fresh market,cafe style place by lil five points in Atlanta,Ga called,”The Mercantile“. I said,”oh my thats a cute name let me check this place out”. I went to the website and I was like ok this is really a cool place. I called and set it all up and I made my way down there this afternoon.
It was a rainy day and I wanted to get out of the house. I called my fellow Diva friend, Jayda Boo and asked her to meet me for lunch. We always have great converstations and brainstorm on great ideas and events we can put together. I arrived at The Mercantile and opened the door and was like this is fun! One more great kept secret in Atlanta for sure! I was greeted by a very warm hello by the co- owner named, Janea Boyles. She was tall and very pretty with a bright smile. That’s what you want to see when you enter a business, smiles on faces! I couldnt do anything but return one back at her, she was so friendly.
The fresh produce market/cafe reminds me of something out of the fifties. They had formica tables and worn chairs,actually the dinette sets they had through out the store reminded me of my grannys kitchen,her dinette set was red. I was like wow this brings back memories. Ms.Janea told me the place had been opened for only five short months. I was very impressed with the work that they had put into it. Janae’s partner is the Exec Chef Samantha Enzmann. She was a cutey too with a great spirit, you can tell they work well together. They immediately started offering me samples of some of their freshly stocked items,like their artichoke dip(which was very tasty) and some imported foods.
I sat down with Janae and she told me they loved the community,lived in the area and wanted to focus on the local food movement. They like to promote food grown locally and in the surrounding states like, their goat cheese from South Ga,rice from South Carolina,mustard from North Carolina,eggs from a local farmer and ofcourse Coca-Cola from Atlanta. The cafe/market has an European influence because Chef Samantha was classically trained in the culinary arts. The place was designed by aj3. Through out the store you see alot of custom aprons on display that Janae’s mom,Ms.Rita handmakes, which adds such a special touch. 
After a tour of the place, my friend JaydaBoo arrived and we ordered our meals.
I’m a big chicken and hate to try things I cant pronounce, so I got fried chicken,green beans and mac and cheese.I was very happy with my choice! I know I have to broaden my mind, but it was rainy out and I wanted comfort food today lol. Jayda is from New Orleans, so she’s a lil more adventurous than me. She got “The Rome” sandwich.They have a great sandwich menu. It was a festive blend of lean roasted chicken,melted provolone,lettuce and tomato with zesty tapenade mayo on toasted classic white,yum! She also tried the Oyster Soup which she said was very good. Afterwards they brought out some slamming chocolate cake! I almost peed my pants because I’m a sucker for sweets. It was so light and tasty,I was a happy camper! One more thing that I really liked about the place is that they use biodegradable utensils and plates which are very important for the environment. They also use a compost system too.The store hours are M-Sat 10-8pm and Sun 11-7pm.
They will be having two events coming up which are the, Tea Tasting on March 22nd and on May 9th “What A Mother” for moms day, how fun! There will be a book signing,sampling of foods,and Janea’s mom Ms.Rita will be in the house to sell her custom style aprons! Try to stop by! Customer Kim Bell really enjoyed her first lunch meeting there. She told me to try the soup,” it was the bomb”,while Lynne and Faith enjoyed their Kirkwood salads. If your in the area or want to try a cozy fun place by five points/kirkwood area, you have to stop in and say hello and try this wonderful place, tell em Tami sent yah!
www.themercantileatl.com
