AJC | Comforting dish to try this January
AJC | January 2026 | “4 comforting dishes to try this January”
To eat the North Georgia trout dish at Joey D’s Oak Room is to experience the power of restraint. There is no need for sauces, foams or even garnish. Instead, the focus is on the trout’s own quiet virtues — the pristine, flaky white flesh and the skin seared to a delicate crackle. It is grilled simply, so its natural oils baste the fish from the inside out. The skin releases a toasted nuttiness that complements the faint sweetness of the tender flesh, which breaks into small, moist flakes. Along with the smoky char, it tastes clean, like wet stones after a rain. The parchment-like crisp skin is the best part. A squeeze of grilled lemon adds acidity, cutting any richness and emphasizing the incredibly fresh flavor. A heap of simply dressed peppery arugula is a perfect match to the hot, bright and savory fish.