Our first step whenever deciding which hot spots to review is always to find worthwhile entertainment, then scout the area for a great nearby restaurant.
City Winery had what seemed like an energetic Irish band, called Gaelic Storm, playing traditional Irish and Scottish music. What’s better than a lively band, an energized audience and a pint? Well, in this case a great glass of wine. Entertainment: check!
Next it was time to find fantastic food. City Winery has a great full menu, which encompasses an array of appetizers to entrees, but we wanted to get the full Ponce City Market experience of strolling through the trendy shops and diverse Food Hall options. To our pleasure, we stumbled upon a seafood restaurant gem. W.H. Stiles Fish Camp is a casual joint serving a decadent menu.
Chef Faye Poone greeted us and was excited to feed us. She prepared her signature dishes for us to taste, including one that was about to be introduced to the menu. Being one of the few places at Ponce City Market that sells food and wine, we bellied up to the bar and ordered a glass of Simple Life pinot noir, served chilled, and a glass of the Gotham Project rosé. We started with their incredibly tasty Crispy “Today’s Catch” Sandwich. The catch was cod that night and was served with an apple cider vinegar remoulade, pickles and onions on a roll. You can also have the catch served on a bed of lettuce. Chef then brought out the Steelhead Trout Poke bowl made with sticky rice, teriyaki, sesame, onions, cilantro and ginger scallion relish. We were told that because of the way the trout is raised and treated, it tastes a lot like salmon. It did, and it was divine! 
The menu is loaded with an array of creative and unique takes on delicious seafood favorites at surprisingly affordable prices, with the fresh catch averaging $12 to $13.
All of the food was served in cheerfully colored camping metal dishes, which was a fun presentation. We indulged in everything they were nice enough to present us with. 
Afterwards, we walked through Ponce City Market and headed to City Winery. If you haven’t been to City Winery, you should really check it out. It’s a great music venue featuring a variety of entertainment, from local performers to internationally recognized names and a diverse genres. It’s also a posh restaurant featuring a unique and exclusive wine selection and full menu. There is intimate event space available and a great patio. The music venue on the lower level is available for large private events.
We were excited to experience Gaelic Storm’s music. Think Celtic punk meets country/folk with a bit of bluegrass and storytelling rolled up in to one. They were a fun band and got the audience to participate by standing up, sitting down, dancing, singing and drinking. A true pub band vibe. The dedication to their live shows dates all the way back to the mid-1990s, when Gaelic Storm kicked off as a pub band in Santa Monica, Calif. They have topped the Billboard world chart six times and did the score for the movie “Titanic.” 
Their instruments included the accordion, spoons, guitars, mandolin, harmonica, djembe, cajon, ukulele, Highland bagpipes, other various pipes and even a whistle! And they recently added a fiddle player. Whew! They really cover the gamut and make it all look effortless.
We had an incredible night that began with nothing. That’s what we love about Atlanta. There is so much going on that is lively and fun. Thank you, W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, for an unforgettable dinner. We will surely be back to enjoy your creative menu. ■
To review their menu go to www.starprovisions.com/whstilesfish-camp. Thank you, City Winery, for great entertainment that we have come to expect from your venue. To see upcoming shows at City Winery or review their menu options go to https://citywinery.com/atlanta/
To have us review your event or restaurant, contact us at 404-883-2130, jen@atljewishtimes.com, or michal@atljewishtimes.com.
Lilli Jennison
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