Rooftop LOA Brunch

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/4/22

The grove with firepits, lush seating, and beautiful trees sprawls out in front of you and on your right is the covered lounge space with firepit and view of the downtown Atlanta Skyline. To your right is a large bar serving the grove and just beyond that the wooden door to the large pool. It’s dotted with lounge chairs, umbrellas, upscale cabanas, and an indoor, outdoor bar that has retro 80’s vibes. Next to this is the beautiful restaurant with large bar and retro seating, it is reminiscent of the Golden Girls! This is Rooftop L.O.A! The views are stunning and now you can enjoy them for brunch too! Everything from delicious benedicts, burgers, egg dishes, Bostock, and even bottomless mimosas!

Up first, we selected to try the bottomless mimosas with three different flavors: orange, turmeric Passionfruit, and Watermelon Basil. You can try all three, stick with one, or mix it up. My favorite was the turmeric passion fruit that was sweet and herbaceous. To pair with our mimosas we started with the Eggs Diablo, a moat of earthy and tangy tomato with savory eggs on top that you mix in for savory. It is paired with buttery bread to dip. Plus, the off-menu traditional eggs benedict with salty ham, savory over-easy egg, and a fantastic cheese-filled bun. We asked for the caviar hollandaise that was both salty and savory, it was the perfect accoutrement.

For our main dishes, the Brunch Burger hit the spot. One part seasoned, perfectly cooked beef topped with cheese, a savory, runny egg, thick-cut bacon, and a fantastic truffle aioli. On the side, the fries were perfectly crispy and warm. With our savory burger, we opted for Bostock. They’re take on a French toast with THICK saturated bread, warm, and sweet topped with tangy grapefruit, crunchy almonds, and ginger. The juxtaposition of the ginger and the sweet bread was divine, not to mention the ginger syrup that is literally icing on the cake. Both of these were amazing.

On our way out we stopped by the pool for a cocktail, the Sherry Colada was amazing with sweetness, cinnamon, and tiki vibes. We could stay here ALL DAY. Make sure you budget a half a day to check out all the spaces and enjoy a leisurely long brunch, a walk in the grove, and a sip by the pool.

Benedict
Bostock
Bar
Mimosas
El Diablo
Restaurant

Imagine Music Festival: Show Me What You Got

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/1/22

There is something magical about Imagine Festival. Maybe it’s the perpetual thumping bass that beacons, like a pied piper drawing them in. Maybe it’s the lush pool to float and keep cool in. Maybe it’s the crowds of people all swaying I unison as the lights and lasers dance overhead. One thing is for sure, once you catch the feeling, you’re hooked.

This year, moved to Kingston Down, Imagine Fest was a sprawling display of light and sound. The stage decor was better than ever with octopus’ arms and tree forts. The pool area was reminiscent of a Miami South Beach Hotel with swanky cabanas and palm trees. The music was just as mesmerizing with tunes from Kaskade, Evaluation, Leah Culver, and more! They even had a lazy River to drift down in a tube if you so desire. So much to do and see and experience, while watching the crowds in their festival best. Let’s take a pictorial journey of our time there. 

The Candler Hotel: A Vault of History

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/30/22

Unlock a vault of history treasures at The Candler Hotel in Downtown, Atlanta! Beyond the turn-of the century pristine marble, original breathtaking chandeliers, all mixed with modern touches and a completely renovated guest space, The Candler Hotel is the place that any history or Coca-Cola buff needs to stay. Hint: there’s a secret Vault, and you can take a tour!

Does anyone know where the first Coca-Cola headquarters was located in Atlanta? Where the secret Coca-Cola recipe was stored in its early years? If you said, The Candler, you’re correct! Named after one of the most important people in Coke history, Asa Candler built The Candler as the headquarters of Coca-Cola in the early 1900s. Now, guests of the hotel and By George get a free tour (weekends only) of the history of the building AND the vault where the original Coke recipe was kept!! Monday to Thursday they’re going to hold intimate dinners in the vault with the By George chef! Sign us up!

We love the rich history, modern vibes, and white glove service the Chandler offers. When they transformed the Candler Building into the Candler Hotel, they had to literally build each room from scratch and now they are modern and spacious with a good mix of metals and soft touches. Pink marble in the bathroom and throw-back photos on the walls, all with a view of the Atlanta skyline. It’s the IT place to stay.

On top of the lush accommodation, they have QR codes around the property that give takes you to the architecture and history website of the Candler. You can learn so much about it there. Also, don’t miss one of the first American Bank deposit boxes displayed in the lobby or the building directory from the last tenants before the building morphed into a hotel.

We could go on for days.

Revs & Riffs Weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/16/22

Drivers. Start. Your. Engines. If you’ve never been to a NASCAR race there isn’t anything like it. A chorus of cars buzzing, humming, singing in harmony so loud that it drowns out every other sound around you like a sing-son of motors and tires.  The rumble as the cars whiz by, the hot, road funk that pelts the front of the bleachers. The electricity, anticipation of the green flag, cars looking antsy waiting for the pace car to move out of the way. We get the fever in person, it’s palpable in the air.  That’s what we felt at Atlanta Motor Speedway during the Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart.

Beyond the chorus of sound, the behind the scenes to any Nascar race is incredible. The well-oiled machines of the pit crews endlessly getting tires and marking them, the stream of fuel in awkward canisters retrieved from the fuel center, the hot fire suits as they change a tire. It reminded us of a riding a bike, you get on it and it’s like second nature. They have it down. Then, when the tire comes off, or the engine overheats, or the unfortunate wreck, they’re right there in perfect harmony. Then, they have these elevated seating areas for sponsors, their families, race crew, and more to watch the race above the fray of the pit, above the hustle and bustle below. This is a site to be seen!

Another cool spot are the garages before a race. The cars getting ready for their big show with their tune-ups and last-minute safety checks! We got to see cars getting their wheels replaced, people looking under the engine and revving. Then, comes the parade of cars, one by one crew roll them out and walk them through the gates toward pit road. One after another, after another, their crew pushing and pulling to get them to their destination. They must contend with the spectators too outside the garage fencing, pictures snapped, waves, fanfare.

Outside the Motor Speedway, there is a dedicated fan zone with sponsor activations, drinks, and a stage for entertainment. From the Quaker State activation with a race car, to whatever was going on with that elevated car by a firetruck, to everything in between, you could win swag or enjoy a coke out there.

This year, something fun that Atlanta Motor Speedway did for entertainment, the introduction of Revs and Riffs Race Weekend. They added a concert line-up to the draw of the races. The two acts that we saw were a 90’s band that we remember seeing on MTV (when they had music videos), Candlebox, and rapper, artist, Flo Rida. Candlebox played an acoustic out in the Fan Zone on Saturday before the Alsco Uniform 250 Xfinity Series race. They’re in the same vein as your early 90’s grunge sound with reverb guitars and loud riffs, but with the acoustic set it was a little more mellow. To end the show they played their two big hits, You, which is lead singer Martin‘s favorite song he wrote when he was 18. Then, Far Behind that Martin quipped helps pays the bills. We met him after the show as he flocked to the fans on the side of the stage and graciously chatted and talked to each one of them, signing autographs or taking pictures.

Flo Rida took to the mic on the pre-race stage prior to the main Nascar Race, the Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart.  They’re heyday was late 2000s to early 2010s with hits like Low, which was performed.  Something you have to know about their performance is that is highly intense, dancing, jumping, interacting with the crowd. Even if you don’t know one word (which you will), you’d love every minute of the performance. And watch out, you might get sprayed with Korbel champagne like we did! All over us!

What a fun way to fill a hot close-to-home weekend! We will be back for more!

Lost Art Music Festival, Foxhall Resort 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/27/22

Turning into Fox Hall Resort, carefully manicured, lush, green grass spreads out before you as the brown picked fence rolls by the car window. The sweeping Fox Hall Resort was the beautiful backdrop for this year’s Lost Art Music Festival. The festival sits on one of the many green spaces, just steps from the VIP cabin, and just down the road from the main club house with amenities like a bar, restaurant, and infinity pool that looks like it is falling into the lake behind it. Back down the road, Lost Art Music Festival’s sounds fill the air with warmth, Americana, folk, big band, rock, 90s sound, country, and everything in between. Grab a shady spot, comfy chair, and stay awhile.

The first thing we got into was The Lone Bellow BBQ and Wild Heaven Beer Pairing Inner Circle Artist Experience. This is what makes Lost Art Music Festival truly special are the up-close and personal experiences you can get with your favorite bands and brands. This one paired three Wild Heaven Beers with BBQ from Chef Mike Lasage (of Drunk & Lucky Social Club). The pairings were Euro-Style Pilsner paired with the Fresh, Herb Salad, Garden Beer Season 9 Saison paired with charred corn, and Kersenrood Barrel-aged Flanders Red Ale with Ki Ten Dang Thai Style BBQ’D Chicken Drums. They were all great, the Pilsner is dry and goes with the lemongrass in the salad, the charred corn’s earthiness goes with the mellow Saison, while the vinegary, tart Kersenrood paired with the spicy, savory of the sauce on the chicken. The chicken itself was tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked, phenomenal! The Kersenrood is a new beer by Wild Heaven not yet available in the tap room, so that was a treat. Even though it said “red ale” it drank more like a funky sour with tons of balsamic vinegar on the back of the throat. Worth mentioning is the best quote from the pairing, “Saison is the duct tape of the beer world,” Mike Lasage.

Then, The Lone Bellow came in casually and played a few songs like Georgia Wheel. They are a band out of Nashville with roots from Georgia, Zach Williams is from Acworth, Brian Elmquist is from Sanderson, GA and Kanene Pipkin is from Virginia. Their sound is truly Americana with hints of country and rock, but this was an acoustic set with heart. At the end, they stuck around to chat with experience goers, take pictures, and answer questions. They are some of the nicest, down-to-earth people!

Lost Art Music Festival also has a stellar VIP experience! We beat the heat with an air-conditioned cabin full of tables to relax and came with three drinks to enjoy during the festival. They also had indoor, air-conditioned bathrooms which were much needed on the hot day. Outside, they had a beautiful, covered porch with rocking chairs, great for sitting in the shade and listening to the music below. On the side, the cabin had a large stone deck with tables and a fireplace. Plus, down near the stage, they had a covered VIP area that was slightly raised and gave us a great view over the crowd.

We also enjoyed several acts on the main stage like Rayland Baxter, Southern Avenue, and of course our new friends, The Lone Bellow. First up was Southern Avenue, they were a large band with everything from an amazing guitar and drummer to fun singer! They were a mix of funk, jazz, rock, and all came together with all types of instruments to create a big band sound. We must give a shout out to the amazing drummer who impressed us with her skill!

Next up was The Lone Bellow. We witness their acoustic set in the artist experience but with the entire band that includes drums and plug-in acoustic guitar, they were a mix of country, rock, with lots of drum and guitar to round out the songs. All three main members of the band take turns singing and write their own music. Each of them had their own specific style and personality, which made it fun to watch. There’s something for everyone to like about them.

Finally, was Rayland Baxter. Dressed in a plain white t-shirt, he started out country, switched to rock, and back and forth. Something that we really liked about Rayland Baxter and his band was the 90s grungy reverb on some of the songs. We’re big early 90’s rock fans and enjoyed every minute of it.

As the sun went behind the trees, the stage fell into the shadow. The lights coming from the stage could be seen brighter and swirled around the ground on the people standing up front. A coolness came over the green. That’s it for this year’s Lost Art. See you next year!

Candler Park Music Festival 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/9/22

The faint sound of music in the distance moves through the air and beats in harmony with the swaying trees. You’re mesmerized. Laughter can be heard as you near the gates as throngs of people weave in-and-out of the lines to get in to see where the sound is coming. On either side of you, artists have lined up with their clothing, artwork, wares, and even vinyl to woo you into buying before the show. That’s when you come into an open clearing where you finally come face-to-face with the sound, It’s Candler Park Music Festival.

As you bob through the crowd, children play on small blankets, while there’s an older gentleman nodding his head, and to his left a beautiful woman sways to-and-fro as the beats move her. The lights from the stage create strange patterns on the ground, a dance of blue, red, and green. In the VIP area, the audience crowds the sky deck to get a view of all the fun below or sit at round, white tables in the shade. But the photo pit is the sweet spot. Sandwiched between the artist and the fan, you see the electricity, the love, the desire for both to walk away with smiles on their faces after a good show. There’s nothing like it!

Candler Music Festival has been around a while, so the ease of getting in and enjoyment is high here. While we were there, we saw two great acts, Yonder Mountain String Band and the electric Grace Potter. These acts couldn’t be more different. Yonder Mountain String Band is a country and bluegrass band that remained mostly acoustic with fiddles, bass, acoustic guitars, banjos, that harmonize so well together. They take turns singing and each member brings their own style and flair to the band.

Then there is Grace Potter. Someone we’ve never seen but heard of in the past, and we were blown away by her energy, her pizzazz for her music, and electricity around her. You could tell she loved it all! One part rock, other pop with some country mixed in, this singer songwriter has a little bit for everyone. She plays the piano, the guitar, and even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy her music or her genre, the show itself is worth the ticket. It’s high energy, fun, and keeps you dancing the entire night. We’d love to see her again just to see what she does next.

Whether you’re into rock, country, jam, Candler Park Music Festival has it all. Browse the artist market, check out the food and drink vendors, buy some vinyl or a t-shirt, hang out on the lawn, try a Scofflaw, or if you’re VIP make sure to take a trip up to the Skydeck! See you next year!

Brassica, in the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/5/22

Marble and brass extend out from the warm wood bar, dotted with happy hour patrons enjoying fancy drinks and small bites. To the side the dining room is packed with warm leather booths juxtaposed to the orange and blue ornate plates and the slats in the wall that peer into the hall next to the restaurant. On the back end, the décor changes to a modern black with white tables and dark napkins. This beautiful spot is Brassica, the opulent French-Inspired Southern fare restaurant nestled in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead. They put just the right spin on traditional French and southern dishes, while offering upscale cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Brassica does everything well, including their cocktail and wine offerings. For the cocktails we tried the fancy James Bond inspired Vesper. Shaken not stirred, botanical gin, vodka, and the right amount of lemon make for a boozy, strong, floral, smooth cocktail where the flavor profile changes as you drink. If boozy isn’t want you’re looking for, go for the Roman Punch, it’s like drinking tea on the porch! Lemony, tangy, and sweet, it’s smooth as you can get. That might be dangerous. Plus, they have a great wine list that pairs with the great French-inspired southern menu. We tried the Licia Albarino from Spain and a Cabernet that were both delicious and went so well with the dishes we got, the Trout, and the Roasted Rack of Venison.

For starters, you can never go wrong with a solid Beef Carpaccio, tender and savory with tangy olives, earthy capers, and the sharpness of the cheese and tangy onion. A great bite when you roll it all up into one. We paired that with something we don’t see every day on menus, frog legs! The Sauteed Frog Legs are deconstructed and taken off the bone, and surround a crunchy, buttery toast with roasted garlic on top. Then underneath a fantastic creamy, earthy parsley cream adds the right amount of balance to the tender frog, buttery, crunchy toast, and sharpness of the garlic. This mix and match dish is a keeper.

Of the sides, we are in love with the Butternut Squash Jambalaya. This one is an experience all on its own, served in a smoked dome and the smoke released at the table. The smokiness is prevalent in the dish and pairs with the lightly spicy Cajun spices and creamy rice then contrasts the hearty and earthy butternut squash. Beyond that we had to opt for the Mac N Cheese that is served in a pot. It is creamy brie and tender macaroni all topped with a layer of sharp cheese.

The chef surprised us with a pair of Little Gem salads that is one part crunchy with pecans and apples and one part earthy of the greens. The best part is the buttery, tangy brown butter vinaigrette. It goes so well with the overall flavor profile of the salad. This is so good you may want to lick the plate. Another fun surprise we can talk about here is the cornbread that comes before the meal. It’s thick, dense, sweet, and savory bread that’s topped with a beautiful, warm brown butter sauce that give off hints of caramel. It’s some of the best cornbread you can get in Atlanta. It almost is like a dessert!

We can’t stop thinking about this stunning Roasted Rack of Venison shared plate. Have you seen venison presented so perfectly (see article cover)? It is tender and savory with a balanced amount of seasoning. On top boozy, sweet, and tart marinated cherries marry with the meat for an explosion of flavor, then underneath creamy and smooth mashed potatoes and savory, earthy Brussels pair with a savory, meaty sauce that just knocks the flavors out of the park. This is the best Venison we’ve EVER had! Go try it! The other main that we got is the Pecan Rainbow Trout. It is tender and flaky fish with a light crunch of the fish skin on the top. The pecans dotted on top roll into the creamy corn and sauce below for a warm, crunchy, overall great bite that is popping with flavor. This is a light dish that goes so well with the heftiness of the Venison.

To finish out our meal, we had to try the Oven Roasted Georgia Apple. It’s a whole cooked apple, skin on, that’s stuffed with sweet apricots, topped with a sweet, caramel sauce, spicy cinnamon, and paired with a cool dollop of ice cream. The uniqueness of the crunchy apple skin, sweetness of the apricots and creaminess of the sauce and ice cream make for the perfect pair.

This was epic.

Lapeer

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/9/22

The beautiful white building sits next to a sprawling green that makes its large “steeple” stand out amongst the downtown space. Is that a lighthouse? Inside, warm decorative lighting descends upon the large, ornate bar. The enclosed sunroom is stunning with earthy wood tables, mixed media ceiling, and beautiful lighting. Lapeer not only is stunning in ambiance but also in their wonderful food! Like this steak, a perfectly cooked filet that literally melts in your mouth and has the right amount of seasoning. No sauce required! It’s really the PERFECT piece of meat! But, the newly rebranded steakhouse doesn’t stop there, everything from the savory steak sauces to the elevated cocktails, the amazing apps, and even some of the best chocolate cake is all top notch! This is the perfect spot for a date night!

Why not start out with a cocktail? They have some good ones like the 5pm Somewhere! This great, balanced cocktail is tart and tangy with a good bit of creaminess from the foam. They also have an extensive wine list with several varieties of wine by the glass and even more bottles!

Starting with the amazing apps, the Beef Tartare and Seafood dip, the tartare starts out with a ton of savory meat, while the onion and mustard bring out the flavor with tang! The entire bite ends up tangy, creamy, savory, and then a crunch of the buttery bread. One the other hand, the Lapeer Smoked Fish Dish has a myriad of flavors from the creaminess of the dip to the saltiness of the fish and then a smokiness on top. Whatever you do make sure to mix it with the Kraken Blood hot sauce, it gives it a kick!

We opted to share a beautiful center-cut filet mignon and got almost every side you could imagine. Of all the sides, the crave-able Creamy Potatoes Gratin is hands down the best side. It is one part rich and creamy, then on the other side sweet and savory. Icing on the cake is the crunchy cheese on top! The Broccolini is earthy and tender inside with a nice char and crisp on the outside. This delicious side has a ton of flavor! On to the Charred Cabbage, which is tender and mild then on the top a healthy char. Underneath, the moat of savory sauce blends with a perfect amount of tang and sweetness. Last but not least are the creamy, dreamy whipped mashed potatoes that definitely pairs well with any of the steak sauces. They are buttery, creamy, and just right! We recommend pairing with the amazing steak jus sauce for ultimate bite.

The star of the show, though, had to be the Center-Cut Filet. It is perfection with the right amount of seasoning outside and juicy and savory inside. As we mentioned earlier it doesn’t really need any sauces, but they have some great ones that pair well with it. On the side they have roasted garlic, so we rolled that up with the Steak Jus and this was a great combo with the steak or even those crispy fries on the side! You really can’t go wrong with any of them!

To end the night, we opted for the amazing Chocolate Cake. It’s really the perfect amount of chocolate, not over-powering or over rich. The cake itself is darker chocolate with a little more flavor and then the icing gives it depth with a milkier flavor. It’s a great combination. On top, they added chocolate crunchies that add a fun texture to the bite. The perfect way to end an incredible meal.

Bastone

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/2/22

The lure of neon red draws you in from the road, while the outside patio sits ready for hungry patrons. Inside there is a mirror wall that casts beautiful light into the dining room, while the large bar that is the length of the restaurant puts out amazing cocktails.  From the genius of Pat Pascarella, the brand spanking new Bastone is an upscale mozzarella and wine bar that doesn’t skimp on their perfect pasta dishes, carefully curated wines, amazing apps, cool cocktails, and let’s not forget the magnificent mozzarella flight! The Porchetta Group has another winner! Let’s dig in.

Starting with the sips, they have huge, carefully curated wine list that boasts one of the best crisp white wines we’ve ever had, the Cincinnato Bellone from the rare Lazio region. It’s the perfect wine to go with the creaminess of the mozzarella. Want to try Italian beer? They have a crisp and cool, Birra Lucana, that’s the right body and lightness to go with the cheese, as well. Run, don’t walk to try the Ace of Spades. It’s so cool with the ingredients themselves: gin, salted pasta water(!), tomato, and a mozzarella ball! The salted water starts salty but ends with the carbines of the pasta mixed with a piney gin then stuffed with what Pat said was a “caprese salad in a glass.” They’ll blister tomatoes, basil and olive oil and add it table-side for an exciting experience cocktail. It’s different, yet something everyone should at least experience. He’s spot on with his description. Must try.

Something that Bastone does so well is Mozzarella, and they show it off with their signature item, the Mozzarella flight. It’s the combination of Fatt Amano (favorite of the four), Burrata Siano, Stracciatella, and Burrata Di Stefano. The Fatt Amano was both of our favorites being a little more bold and saltier, while the Burrata Siano is milder with a light creaminess and tang on the end. As you go down the board, you’ll get Stracciatella that is sweet and smooth, as well as Burrata Di Stefano! We also got a hand-pulled mozzarella in house from Pat himself and it was so fresh and bright! If you want a little meat to pair with that cheese, they have meat and cheese boards. We got the Taglierino mini board that had a large array of meats for the size, mozzarella to pair, and vegetables like garlicky artichokes that round out the flavors.

We didn’t find a bad bite in their tasting plates, like the Caldi Arancini or the Freddi Lamb Tartare. Arancini is always a go-to as it’s crunchy, savory, and creamy and this one didn’t disappoint. We call them crunchy balls of goodness! They’re stuffed with savory short rib, earthy butternut squash that melts into the cheese. It’s crunchy, sweet, savory, and creamy! On the other hand, is the Lamb Tartare that’s fresh and bright with a ton of fun flavors. It starts hearty and savory with a good crunch, then a mustard-forward tang comes in on the back. Pile it all on the crunch and salty chip for the best bite.

We’re not going to lie, the pastas at Bastone are the real showstoppers. Something that Pat does so well is his fresh, homemade pastas that are perfectly cooked in salted pasta water! He always says, “Salt your pasta water!” The first one is the Orecchiette with a fun presentation: a bone sticking right out of the middle. So, with a bone marrow indulgent middle, perfectly cooked hat pasta, pancetta for salt and savor, and tangy stew, it was a well-rounded bite. The favorite bite of the night is the Cresc’ Tajat. It is stuffed with rich herbaceous sausage, fantastic creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked inside out corkscrew pasta. It went from savory up front to creamy and sweet on the back, the myriad of flavors culminates in one of the best bites you can have here.

Not only is the dessert pretty to look at, but it also tastes just as good. The Pear Lemon Torta was tangy pear enveloped in creamy meringue, mellow tart, and creamy ice cream. The lemon explodes from the middle and then mellows with the as you eat all the other ingredients. So, yes, stay for dessert.