Salt Factory

Salt Factory Restaurant Review:

Salt Factory is a gastropub that embraces a wide variety of culinary traditions. The name references the expensive pink Himalayan salt. The Roswell location, the original, fills a historic space, bringing the texture of old brick to bear on the interior, trimmed out in dark woods. One might start with a rich, spicy she-crab soup, a dish straight from the Carolina/Georgia/north Florida low country. Shepherd's pie is properly prepared with lamb. New Orleans barbecued shrimp is paired with local grits. Longtime sausage maker Patak Meats Products in Austell provides a couple of the choices on the cured-meats platter, such as a compelling smoked liverwurst and the Hungarian sausage. Pizza is a strong suit, with crisp crusts and inventive toppings. A raft of burgers, including one based on quinoa, is offered. For dessert, apple crisp and a brownie are always available, but other choices will vary from day to day. The fairly lengthy wine list is serviceable and includes some unusual selections. The array of small-batch bourbon and single-malt Scotch is quite thought-provoking. Also located at 102 S. Main St., Alpharetta, 770-752-1888; and 8690 Main St., Woodstock, 678-903-6225.