ADVYS 2019: ADVENTURES IN ATLANTA AWARDS 2019

Welcome to our inaugural Adventures in Atlanta Awards 2019: ADVys for short. This is where we pick our favorite events, adult beverages, photos, meals, and everything in between. Let’s dive in.

Best Events 2019

Afternoon in the Country, Best Overall Event 2019

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

The Juice Strikes Back – Best Beer Fest 2019

Jeffrey Fashion Cares – Best Fashion/Charity Event 2019

Southern Wing Showdown

Rhythm and Brews

DINES

Roswell Food and Beverage Festival

Taste of Atlanta

Dragon Con

Other Best Events 2019

Best Pub Crawl 2019 – Pub Crawl on the Beltline Winter Edition

Best Beer-Centric Event 2019 – Oktoberfest Atlanta

Best Wine Festival 2019 – Atlanta Mimosa Festival

Best Adult Beverages 2019

Bulla Gastrobar’s Sangria Blanca, Best Year-Round

Miracle on Monroe’s Gingerbread Flip, Best Holiday/Festive

Rock N Taco’s The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Most Unique

From the Earth Brewing’s Kentucky Cosmonaut, Best Stout 2020

Firepit Pizza & Tavern’s My Little Pony Punch

Hawkers Atlanta’s Jingle Juice

Nikolai’s Roof Apple Strudel Cocktail

Lakeside Lemonade

Pontoon Brewing’s Gravity Glaze

City Tap House Atlanta’s Red Sangria

Best Drink Presentation Holiday – Smores Drink @ Tiki Tango

Best Drink Presentation and Menu – The Sugar Factory

Best Dishes 2019

Beef Medallions Serpas True Food

Pork Shank Der Biergarten

Firepit Pizza & Tavern Meat Pizza

Ocean & Acre Pork Chop (add polenta)

Two Urban Licks Ribeye with Truffle Cream during OneDe50 Dinner

Pour Brookhaven Ahi Tuna Poke 

Nikolai’s Roof Lamb Chop

Hoyles’ Kitchen & Bar Tempura Cauliflower

CMX Cinebistro Halcyon Short Rib Poutine on Tater Tots

Mission & Market Wagyu Steak

Best Food Adventures 2019

From the food, to the staff, to the atmosphere, to chefs that we love, these were our overall favorite meals of 2019 and we’d argue these were are favorite restaurants of the year, as well. Keep it up!

Polenta Party The White Bull – Best Food Adventure 2019. 

We had the most unexpected, wonderful evening at The White Bull for their Polenta Party. No plates, all fresh ingredients. John said that was the freshest, best chicken he’s ever had and Liz loved the combo of the veggies and polenta. 

Christmas To Go Serpas True Food 

Scott Serpas is a meat master. Whether it’s here at Serpas with steak or lamb or over at Dixie Q in Brookhaven, you can’t go wrong. This meal would make anyone’s Christmas! We also got to attend their 10th anniversary and had some awesome light bites and THOSE beignets. 

South by North Sunday Supper w/ Chef Bruce Moffett – Best Collaborative Meal 2019

With some of the best pasta in the city, delicious bites and sips, sneak peek in the kitchen of The White Bull, and some quality time with the chefs, one of the best all-around experience of the year.

Ocean & Acre

This was just impeccable food all around, inventive cocktails, and a wonderful staff. We were treated like family and that made a huge difference.

Hoyles’ Kitchen and Bar

We got to coordinate a few foodies to go out to a personal friend’s restaurant where she is the AGM. The food blew all of us away, and really was one of the best restaurant experiences we had all year. They painstakingly paired each dish with a cocktail, beer, or wine. It’s a hidden gem, I’d tell anyone to get out to TODAY. They also had our best appetizer of the year, Tempura Cauliflower!

Spring Tasting Mission & Market

Everything was delicious and boasts of  John’s favorite dish of 2019: Waygu Steak! He asked if we could go back soon.

Haven Brookhaven

Beyond the great brunch food, we really enjoyed the staff and how they made us feel at home. Chef Macy talked to us for a very long time, the manager was a delight, and our waiter was top notch. 

Hawkers

We went to Hawker’s Atlanta twice this year and really enjoy the vibe and atmosphere, along with the fun cocktails, and sharable food. We got anything we wanted pre-opening, and enjoyed a fun cocktail making class in December where we learned all about their fall and holiday cocktails. Plus, we were really impressed with our waitress from our initial visit. 

Firepit Pizza & Tavern 

What impressed us here is the range of food: pizza, wings, good sandwiches, and brussel sprouts as good as a fine dining restaurant in the city. They have some of the best pizza all year and we loved hanging out with the chef. 

Best Nachos 2019  – Nacho Daddy Duluth

Best Taco 2019

Best Sushi Roll 2019

Best Salad 2019

Best Deviled Eggs 2019 (we’re on a mission: find the best)

Best Wings 2019

Best Photos 2019 – People’s Choice

Atlanta Food & Wine Festivals “Oysters” – WINNER

Rhythm and Brews Up-Close with Jeff Schell of Chicago

Moxy Chattanooga Got Moxy Cocktail in front of the fire

Nikolai’s Roof Magnum Wine Dinner Photo

Oktoberfest Preview Party Featuring Atlanta Sports and Social and Sausage

The crowd dances at Imagine Festival – 3RD PLACE

Tin Drum Magazine Cover (we kid) – 2ND PLACE

Good Omens Cosplay at DragonCon

Jeffrey Fashion Cares Runway

Amour Vert Flowers and Mannequin

THE CATHEDRAL ANTIQUES SHOW 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/12/19

January 22 – 26 @ The Cathedral of St. Philip

Metamorphosis…Change is in the Air

Atlanta’s favorite festival of antiques and decorative arts returns for its 49th year!

Tickets and more information at www.cathedralantiques.org

Celebrity Speakers and Event Highlights:

  • Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia from Bravo TV’s breakout show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and their current hit “Get a Room with Carson and Thom” team up to bring their unique brand of hilarity and considerable design talents to headline our Lecture Series. In two highly entertaining talk sessions, Carson and Thom offer their keen insights and advice on current design and lifestyle trends.
  • Putnam & Putnam are NYC’s preeminent floral designers for every occasion, from weddings to fashion presentations, and more. Darroch and Michael Putnam’s arrangements are sought for publication in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Veranda, Dior, Cartier, and many other high-profile editorials. In addition, they offer flower workshops for savvy arrangers, their own product line, and retail sales at their recently-opened establishment in NYC’s Moxy Hotel, and have published their first book, Flower Color Guide, which they will be signing at the Show.
  • Bronson van Wyck is an international event designer and producer with a diverse and enviable client list. From Presidents Bush, Clinton, and Obama, celebrities Beyonce, Katy Perry and Uma Thurman, famous fashion designers and royalty, to the venerable brands of Hermes, Bulgari, Chanel, and several high-profile non-profits, Bronson is the go-to for the world’s most discerning patrons. Southern-raised and Yale educated, Bronson focuses on the age-old notions of hospitality, graciousness and generosity. He will be discussing and signing his new book, Born to Party, Forced to Work: 21st Century Hospitality.
  • Joseph P. Brady is a noted Atlanta silver historian, lecturer, author, and professional appraiser and consultant. He will present From Shop to Manufactory: American Silver and the Industrial Revolution.
  • Our wildly popular Iron Floral Competition returns as savvy arrangers go head-to-head to impress judges Putnam & Putnam in this annual feature of our Flower Festival.
  • Acclaimed architect Stan Dixon and renowned designer Jackye Lanham present their collaboration on her magnificent Kiawah Island home in their “Story of a House”

Parties:

  • Preview Party Exclusive first access to the Show. Enjoy entertainment, food, and wine with your friends at this gala party while you shop and browse all the dealers, flower displays, and designer vignettes on Wednesday evening.
  • Speakers’ Cocktail Party An intimate up-close meet and greet with our celebrity speakers on Thursday evening.
  • Young Collectors Party. After-hours access to the Show with food and cocktails for the under-40 crowd on Friday evening.

Home Tours:

  • Young Collectors Home Tour showcases bold design in intimate spaces featuring 3 homes in the Haynes Manor neighborhood of Buckhead, decorated by some of Atlanta’s best and brightest young interior designers and architects. Saturday
  • Cathedral Tour of Homes opens the doors to some of Atlanta’s most extraordinary private homes that showcase the finest in architecture, interior design, and timeless style. 5 exceptional homes throughout Buckhead and North Atlanta will be featured. Sunday

Main Floor and Flower Festival:

  • 28 Curated Antiques Dealers in furniture, art, jewelry, porcelain, silver, lighting, and rugs, including a select collection of Mid-Century Modern items
  • The Flower Festival displays innovative and exuberant floral masterpieces designed by area garden clubs and church flower guilds throughout the Main Floor and sacred spaces of the Cathedral
  • Vignettes by acclaimed Atlanta designers demonstrate their professional takes on integrating antiques with today’s latest home trends
  • Luncheon available for purchase each day, and enjoy Tea Service with our compliments on Thursday and Friday

The Cathedral Antiques Show has raised more than $5 million for Atlanta-area nonprofits since its inception in 1969. An annual community outreach project sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women of the Cathedral of St. Philip, 100% of the net proceeds go to a different human services-based beneficiary each year.

The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW www.cathedralantiques.org

Our 2020 beneficiary is Moving in the Spirit, an award-winning creative youth development program that uses dance to teach young people the social, emotional and cognitive skills they need to thrive. Through programs that integrate high-quality dance instruction with performance, leadership and mentor opportunities, Moving in the Spirit helps children and teens to overcome the obstacles they face each day and realize their highest potential. www.movinginthespirit.org

ADAC WINTER PRODUCT LAUNCH SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS NEW INDUSTRY TRENDS IN 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/11/19

Top Designers Share Their Picks for the New Season with ADAC
January 13th to 17th at ADAC

ADAC’s bi-annual Product Launch Showcase returns next month for its winter edition from January 13-17, 2020. From furniture and fabrics, to accessories and beyond, the Center offers a carefully curated selection of the season’s most noteworthy looks. See inspiring new collections from your favorite showrooms and explore exceptional and potentially untapped resources designed to provide you with exciting directions for your future projects. Participating showrooms include Century Furniture, Habachy Designs + Atelier, Made Goods, Theodore Alexander, and more. The full roster of participating showrooms can be found here.

New this year, ADAC has collaborated with four of the industry’s top names for a special digital initiative. Beginning on Monday, January 13th, follow along on ADAC’s Instagram to view the full Look Book of products to expect. Then, each day throughout the remainder of the week, ADAC will feature favorite picks and design advice from one of the selected designers. Carefully curated mood boards provide an inspirational view into how these designers would incorporate the newest offerings at ADAC into their future projects. Listen in as these designers share Q&A-style videos covering everything from what they find most exciting in the world of design, to their favorite design secrets and sources of inspiration.

Learn more about the designers involved below:

Erika Ward
Erika Ward is an award-winning, published interior designer whose commitment to timeless interiors, lifestyle, and wellness has positioned her to be sought after by both brands and consumers. With her strong foundation in business finance and over a decade of design experience as the owner and principal designer of Erika Ward Interiors in Atlanta, Georgia, Erika has combined both to properly educate the consumer on the benefits, both financial and intrinsic, of a well-designed home.

Chad James
Chad James is the founder and principal of the award-winning design firm Chad James Group based in Nashville, Tennessee. With a rich portfolio, Chad James Group works to create custom residential and commercial construction, including bespoke boutique hotels, refined restaurants, and perfectly appointed homes.

Dana Wolter
Dana Wolter Interiors, LLC, is a luxury, boutique interior design firm based in the Mountain Brook suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. Named a 2014 Traditional Home New Trad and a 2017, 2018, and 2019 Finalist in the ADAC and Veranda‘s Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards, Dana and her team create timeless, well-edited homes across the country that are customized around each client’s personal definition of living well in their home.

Whitney Ray
Whitney Ray, an Atlanta, Georgia native, brings a polished sensibility and unique design vision to partnerships with her clients. Her thoughtful instincts paired with custom creations consistently results in rooms that are elegant and unexpected. She graduated with BA degrees in Art History and Interior Design before co-founding Wyeth Ray Interiors in 2017.

14TH ANNUAL CHILI FOR CHILDREN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/10/19

Chili for the Children’s 14th Annual Event Cooks-Off January 27 and Makes Wishes Come True

2020 Competition Supports Make-A-Wish Georgia

and Grants Local Family’s Wish During Event

 103 West

Monday, January 27th @ 5 pm

Bring Your Game Face! Chili for the Children Charity Cook-Off is back for its 14th year! Hosted at 103 West on Monday, January 27 from 5 – 7 p.m., the event’s proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish Georgia. Make-A-Wish made over 400 dreams come true for Georgia children facing critical illness in 2019. With the chance to make an even bigger difference in the lives of area children, the night will consist not only of delicious chili, but a silent auction to help make more wishes come true! In addition, one local family will have its Wish granted during the evening’s festivities. Event is only $25 and more information can be found here.

Atlas Guest Chef Dinner Event Jan 2020

Date: Thursday, January 9th to Saturday, January 11th

Time: 5:30 pm

About: Known for its unparalleled experiences, Atlas, one of the Southeast’s premiere dining destinations located in the St. Regis Atlanta is starting off the new year with an exclusive Guest Chef Dinner Event. Renowned Michelin 3-Star Executive Chef Jean-Phillipe Blondet of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London will join forces with the chefs of Atlas to create an unforgettable culinary journey offered over six evenings. Epicures are invited to celebrate the new year during an exclusive evening boasting a dynamic culinary crossover on January 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th and 11th.  Guests will enjoy an innovative tasting menu, showcasing Chef Jean-Phillipe Blondet and the chefs of Atlas unique talents and passions.  A fine wine pairing enhancement, as well as the option to experience Chef Jean-Phillipe Blondet’s culinary genius will be available in a la carte format. A unique and intimate experience that is not to be missed, this event will take place in the elegant Atlas dining room. Limited seating is available. This is $195 per person.

More Information:

https://www.bigtickets.com/events/electric-avenue/nye-2020-in-the-park

Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting 2020

Date: Saturday, January 11th

Time: 2:30 pm

About: Being held on Saturday, January 11th at Bold Monk Brewing, Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting offers sample 55+ rare, exclusive, cask-conditioned ales, lagers, ciders and meads, as well as expect wild ales, hazy IPAs, fruit beers, wood-aged brews, pastry stouts, sour ales, special dry-hops, and exceptional classic styles! In the ticket price get a souvenir glass and all of these tastings. Beyond this vote for People’s Choice award, get 10% off food, and see who the beer judges will award medals to the top cask ales. Tickets are $43.50 plus taxes and fees.

More Information:

https://www.classiccitybrew.com/