Canoe, Where Have You Been All Our Lives?

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/31/20

The second you drive up to Canoe, romance is in the air. The quiet river flows by, the covered patio keeps you cool from the late Spring sun, winding walkways meander around the lawn sending you down hidden paths, can you see it? The popular brunch spot is the perfect place to sit in an Adirondack chair by the Chattahoochee holding your honey’s hand. During our intimate Sunday Brunch, we sipped on a Sparkling Mule, dipped a scone in the homemade preserves, crunched into their smoked salmon starter, relaxed with a glass or wine or Aperol spritz, and even enjoyed a hearty half chicken with silky grits. We swear you can hear Frank Sinatra in the background. Canoe, where have you been all our lives?

We’re always on the hunt for the best patio drinks and we may have found our new favorite: Sparkling Mule. One-part sparkling wine, one-part Moscow mule with ginger, vodka, and soda, it’s as refreshing as you can get. From the crispness of the sparkling wine to the coolness of the ginger and that perfect hint of lime. From there, we sipped on an Aperol Spritz that was refreshing, as well, with the tartness of the Aperol adorned with a ton of bubbles. And what’s better than that crisp glass of white wine while you watch the river roll by?

Listen up. Let’s get real about the scones. From savory to sweet to spicy to nutty, these scones were the perfect addition to our meal. The favorite was the plain scone, which the staff calls “fairy dust.” It was a magical mix of flaky biscuit with a hint of sugar and cinnamon. The rest of them were unbelievably tasty too, one was the prefect mix of cheddar and jalapeno, one had a hint of chocolate, and the last one was nutty and rich with almonds. A great mix of flavors dipped in homemade preserves, jams, and honey butter. Dessert first should be our new thing.

If you know us, you know that we love anything that resembles a lox bagel. What’s not to love about some tender salmon, crisp bagel, creamy cheese, and sharp onion? Canoe has a delightful starter, the House Smoked Salmon, that was every bit of this but elevated with a crispy potato cake, the salmon was absolute perfection slow smoked and tender, and the mix of cream cheese and goat cheese was the icing on the cake! Let’s dot it with some spicy onion and scallions and it’s one of the best little bites! Still can’t get over that crunch. We ended up eating the entire thing. Lick the plate? It’s a possibility.

When you think brunch, you think pancakes, French toast, hash, eggs, but what if we told you that we got a beautiful half chicken nestled on a bed of cheddar grits? Imagine chicken that falls off the bone tender, plus, perfectly cooked, seasoned, and beautifully presented. That’s what you get, with the Oak Roasted Springer Mountain Chicken, a mouthwatering, juicy chicken dish with deep and rich grits with the light crunch of the green beans drenched in au jus and perfectly seasoned skin. Could not get over the flavor of the au jus and skin. Our tip: take the au jus mix it in with the grits, beans, and some of the chicken, top with the saltiness of the skin and it’s such a memorable dish. Dreamy!

Come with us down the path that leads to the chairs by the river, relax in the shade with your favorite wine. That’s the feeling you get at Canoe. We could sit here a while. Join us?

Ray’s on the River: Ultimate Lawn Party

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/27/20

On a sunny day in late May, there was a light breeze over the Chattahoochee River and the intermittent clouds cooled down the late afternoon heat. Next to the river sits a beautifully landscaped lawn dotted with large patio umbrellas and a collection of tables, patio furniture, and a serene walkway with purple, red, and pink flowers. Ray’s on the River is the ultimate lawn party that reminds us of an all-day Kentucky Derby soiree with pretty dresses, upscale, sippable cocktails, and on-point tasty bites. They wooed us with their impeccable cocktail menu and service, plus you absolutely can’t. beat. That. View. Being from Atlanta, why hadn’t we visited this wonderful, magical happy place before? Are you ready to go down by the river for a culinary adventure? Make sure to grab your Derby Hat, you’ll need it.

You can’t beat Ray’s on the River’s cocktail menu, there’s a little bit of everything. Fig Old Fashioned, Gimlet, Vitamin Sea tiki drink, and an array of sangrias. Of the ones we sampled, the Vitamin Sea was the hands down favorite and an unexpected treat from a high-end restaurant. When you think of Ray’s the Old Fashioned cocktail does come to mind, even a Gimlet, but not a refreshing, pineapple-forward tiki drink that’s both creamy and foamy. It’s all the flavors of the islands in a glass. Like a beautiful beach day where the sand is lined with palm trees and you sit in the shade with a rum drink in your hand. Don’t forget the little umbrella! Another one that we enjoyed was the Cucumber Mint Gimlet, which was a mixture of earthy, minty, boozy up front and cooling cucumber on the back of the throat. Perfect pair with the patio. Throw up that pinky because you’ll feel high end. Their most popular drink on the menus is the Fig Old Fashioned, which was smooth and boozy with a sweet of the fig, nuttiness of the bitters, and warming of the bourbon. It’s an all-around balanced concoction!

Ray’s on the River has so many light bites you can share like the seafood tower with lobster, crab, and oysters, but our favorite of the appetizer was the Ahi Tuna Poke. Perfectly marinated and perched atop creamy avocado in a moat of citrus ponzu and crowned with crunchy macadamia nuts, it was a magnificent bite. Do we need to go on? Beyond that, the Goat Cheese Pimento Fritters, were the right amount of crunch, sharp cheddar cheese, and sweet honey. The bar manager called it fire, and we must agree, this dish IS fire. Our tip is to take that little, cheese ball and roll it in the honey. It’s amazing. Isn’t it the truth that when calamari is done RIGHT, it’s really good. Ray’s version is done right with tender squid perfectly seasoned, breaded, and crunchy then mixed with red and banana peppers. The crunch of the breading and the spiciness of the peppers were a great bite together. But the best part? The addition of the sauces! Slather on some marinara and cheese or load up on the spicy aioli, both take this dish up a level and add a level of earthiness or creaminess! Now, don’t forget the loaded Statesboro Blue Cheese Chips because they were the right amount of blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes and onion. Plus, the manager mentioned a menu hack and we have to share it with you! Get the chips and the poke together and use the chips with the poke instead of a fork. It’s the ultimate appetizer!

From there we tried a new menu item called the Horseradish Black Grouper. Let us tell you, this is one of the best fish dishes we’ve ever had with crunchy horseradish cracker crust, flaky and mild fish on a bed of shaved brussels sprouts doused in dijonaise. The tart of the horseradish, crunch of the crust, to the flaky and meatiness of the fish to the earthiness of the sprouts and finished off with the kick of Dijon and mayonnaise, we’re still thinking about this dish. Tip, if you mix the fish, crust, and all the other elements together, it’s a one of the best dishes to date. You may want to pace yourself.

We can’t say enough about the view at Ray’s on the River. The river backdrop and serenity of the water, to the manicured lawn and everything in between, it’s easily one of the best patio experiences in Atlanta for any occasion. We can’t wait to go back and relax.

GETTABITE FOOD DISCOVERY APP LAUNCHES AMID TOUGH RESTAURANT LANDSCAPE, END UP HELPING THE INDUSTRY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/25/20

Relevant for today’s times, GettaBite app came roaring into the market with over 5k downloads in the first three months of 2020 after an early 2020 launch. They also garnered 300,000+ total deal views every month with 1,000+ restaurant deals featured weekly. People loved it and it quickly became their go-to app! So, going gangbusters would be a good term to describe the success of GettaBite. Then the pandemic hit. But, the founders Evan and Rain of GettaBite didn’t let that stop them from getting deals to it’s rabid fanbase and they pivoted to to-go deals, while offering restaurants free exposure during the tough time. Yes, FREE! GettaBite To-Go was born. Here’s how it worked:

“Restaurants can email GettaBite at contact@gettabiteapp.com or send in their pick-up/delivery offering through the app itself and GettaBite will post the offerings on the app for hungry Atlantans to see at no charge to the restaurant,” according to the Press Release from PR Firm, Via Failla.

Here’s what Co-Founder Rain Li said about this, “Around mid-March, Georgia had just started to close dining rooms due to coronavirus. It was like the whole restaurant industry went belly up overnight. That was particularly difficult for local businesses when they don’t have the resources like the chain restaurants do to cope with the lockdown. We were brainstorming that week as soon as we found out about the closures, trying to think of ways we can help the industry in the next 24 hours. Within a few days, the Gettabite To-go feature went live, free of charge for restaurants. We’ve dedicated a special section in our app showcasing, in real-time, restaurants that are open for takeouts and delivery or featuring deals on gift cards. The turn around time from the moment a restaurant contacts us to the app showing their deals can be as quick as in less than 30 mins. The following weeks we saw so many restaurants reaching out to be featured on our app and our users continuing to use our app even though they can’t dine in or do happy hours anymore. That was kind of light in the darkness moment because we saw a surge of people getting takeout/deliveries just so they can keep their local restaurants in business. There will always be crises in the world, it’s comforting to know your community will have your back no matter what. GettaBite has always been about connecting people and it was a validating moment for us as a company and members of our community.” This has become one of their most memorable experience to date from development to implementation with the app. We love that they did this so quickly to help the restaurant industry in their time of need!

So what exactly IS GettaBite? Are you looking for something new place for dinner or even a special deal on some tacos? You know we are! Enter: GettaBite. It’s the Atlanta based to-go and food deal app that’s made you’re next food adventure easier! From the brains of co-founders Evan Walker and Rain Li, who came up with the idea in college, it navigates all those food deals for you, so you don’t have to do it yourself! When you open up the GettaBite app it becomes readily apparent that you can find every type of food, deal, happy hour, discount available in your area. What’s amazing is as you move new deals will pop-up. Plus, something that Co-Founder Evan Walker said in the interview we conducted stuck with us, he said, “GettaBite is for people who want to get the most out of life without life getting the most out of their bank account. It’s free food discovery and we’ve done the hard and tedious work for you. Discover away.” If you know us, you know we’re all about the adventure, whatever that adventure may be. Food adventures shouldn’t have to stop right now OR break the bank. You could use it every day, especially those days where you turn to your partner, friend, or family member and say, “what do you feel like today?” This solves the ho-hum, cumbersome conversation that just ends up with you at the Mexican restaurant AGAIN. So, how does it work, and does it really work, you may ask?

Based on personal experience, it’s as simple as two words: download and open. We’re not kidding! We downloaded the app, opened it, and started finding deals near our house in minutes. That day we were looking for a good deal on our anniversary dinner, and wouldn’t you know it Bulla Gastrobar in Midtown was offering 35% off all their menu items and we wouldn’t have known without the app. Plus the cherry on top was the $25 pitcher of their white sangria! We also saw that a place we wanted to try in Chamblee, LaGarde Eatery was offering 10% off take-out. On another occasion, we found a great happy hour deal! It’s easy to navigate, just type in a key word or scroll around, you’ll find it. Co-founder Evan Walker had this to say about what he wants you to know about the app, it’s also happens to be one of his biggest accomplishments, “With respect to our users, it’s giving people access to information they didn’t previously have access to. Most restaurant specials are sitting on a chalkboard inside the restaurant. We’ve made that information accessible in an instant from any smartphone.”

Now, that we’ve enticed you this far wouldn’t you love to know more? We talked recently to the team at GettaBite and had an interesting conversation about everything from how they started, their favorite thing about the app, their most memorable moments, and the future of Gettabite. Let’s see what they had to say, shall we?

Adventures in Atlanta: How Did you get the idea for GettaBite?

Evan Walker: The idea for GettaBite struck me when I was in college. While eating at a restaurant with a friend, I was surprised to see how expensive my bill was when it came. My burger, fries, and a drink totaled $16 without a tip. As a broke college student, I knew eating out like that wouldn’t be sustainable or practical. But to me and my friends, eating out was an opportunity to wind down, laugh, talk about life, and enjoy one another’s company away from other distractions like TV, games, and the like. Who doesn’t love getting a bite with their best friends? A few weeks after my expensive burger incident, I found myself at another restaurant ordering another burger. This time was different, however. When the bill came, it was $6 total. It turned out this restaurant had a special that night for half off burgers and fries, so my buddies and I walked away with happy stomachs and happy wallets. Once I got home that night, I started researching all the other weekly specials in town and compiled a list. I began asking friends if they knew any of these specials by heart. No one did. I realized right then and there something was missing in the marketplace. That something is GettaBite.

Adventures in Atlanta: What’s your favorite thing to share with users about GettaBite?

Evan Walker: You know that moment when you first start feeling hungry, but don’t know what you want? That’s the moment we want to capture. True food discovery that doesn’t cost you anything. These aren’t coupons you buy for a later date. These are real time deals and specials that anyone can participate in at no additional cost. It’s information that makes deciding where to eat better and easier for everyone involved. Instead of searching the whole web or scanning your phone’s GPS for nearby food, GettaBite has already done all that work for you and presents you with a food discovery tool loaded with deals that are rewarding in both a gustatory and financial sense. AND it’s free.

Adventures in Atlanta: What have been your most memorable experiences throughout the development and implementation of GettaBite?

Evan Walker: I have been extremely fortunate to work together with wonderful and talented people. From brainstorming with our PR/Marketing team to designing GettaBite with my Co-founder and CTO Rain, I’m lucky to be constantly learning from (and surrounded by) passionate and intelligent people. Probably the most rewarding experiences to date are implementing new features and strategies together with our team and seeing the results roll in. Banal as it may be, the people are what make it worthwhile to me. Virtually everyone I’ve worked with to date on GettaBite, I would consider to be a good friend of mine.

Rain Li: Around mid-March, Georgia had just started to close dining rooms due to coronavirus. It was like the whole restaurant industry went belly up overnight. That was particularly difficult for local businesses when they don’t have the resources like the chain restaurants do to cope with the lockdown. We were brainstorming that week as soon as we found out about the closures, trying to think of ways we can help the industry in the next 24 hours. Within a few days, the Gettabite To-go feature went live, free of charge for restaurants. We’ve dedicated a special section in our app showcasing, in real-time, restaurants that are open for takeouts and delivery or featuring deals on gift cards. The turn around time from the moment a restaurant contacts us to the app showing their deals can be as quick as in less than 30 mins. The following weeks we saw so many restaurants reaching out to be featured on our app and our users continuing to use our app even though they can’t dine in or do happy hours anymore. That was kind of light in the darkness moment because we saw a surge of people getting takeout/deliveries just so they can keep their local restaurants in business. There will always be crises in the world, it’s comforting to know your community will have your back no matter what. GettaBite has always been about connecting people and it was a validating moment for us as a company and members of our community.

Adventures in Atlanta: What’s the one thing you’d like everyone to know about GettaBite?

Evan Walker: GettaBite is for people who want to get the most out of life without life getting the most out of their bank account. It’s free food discovery and we’ve done the hard and tedious work for you. Discover away.

Adventures in Atlanta: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment with GettaBite?

Evan Walker: It’s two-fold. With respect to our users, it’s giving people access to information they didn’t previously have access to. Most restaurant specials are sitting on a chalkboard inside the restaurant. We’ve made that information accessible in an instant from any smartphone. On the restaurant side, the sense of accomplishment is knowing that people are going to a specific restaurant because of a deal they saw on GettaBite. That’s a very real and tangible thing, especially amid the global pandemic we are facing. It feels good to know we are helping businesses in an industry that took a huge hit.

Adventures in Atlanta: Will you continue to have the to-go offers featured or will you change that out as the market changes?

Evan Walker: Only time will tell how the market will adapt and recover from this global pandemic, however GettaBite’s mission has always been to bring people together at restaurants in order to enjoy great food at a great price. There is something essential and human about gathering together over food. We hope to get back to that essential way of life as the situation improves. Until then, we will continue to do what we can to provide our users with to-go offers.

Rain Li: That depends on how the market changes. We would like to think that once the virus is over things will go back to normal, but that probably won’t be the case. Whatever it is, we will continue to be agile and adapt fast in the direction that benefits our users and restaurants.

Adventures in Atlanta: What future goals do you have for GettaBite? 

Evan Walker: We believe people in every major city should be able to discover food deals, happy hours, and specials in their respective cities at the touch of a button. We are entering another wave of technological achievements that are unprecedented. Some companies are looking to colonize Mars, some to prevent aging, some to create Artificial Intelligence, and yet happy hours are still only on available on chalkboards. GettaBite’s goal is to change that and to upgrade the way we discover food.

Rain Li: Some of our future goals involve releasing new features that will help users get the information they need quickly as well as enhancing the locality aspect of our app. We are constantly seeking feedback from our users and adjusting our product to better address people’s needs. Our vision is to create a platform that enhances the communities and cultures that already exist surrounding food, it’s all about connecting people.

Gettabite coming to your city? The possibilities are endless. Download the app here or from the app store/google play.

Dantanna’s: It’s the Patio Lifestyle

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/20/20

Across from Atlanta’s landmark Lenox Mall in the North Buckhead is Dantanna’s. They’re one-part sports bar and corporate happy hour spot and one-part steak and seafood house. Everything from savory apps, to refreshing cocktails, to staple steakhouse entrée favorites, they have a something for the big game or the corporate dinner. On our patio adventure, we sampled chicken egg rolls, wings, salmon, and a refreshing mojito, while we enjoyed a warm, spring day in the shade of one of their large umbrellas. It’s the patio lifestyle, let’s jump in.

You know what screams patio drink? MOJITO! A bit of bubbles, lots of citrus up front and then comes the mint and tart on the back to finish it off. With a balance between all of these, it was one of those easy, breezy sips you could enjoy all day. It was perfect for our outdoor, patio experience.

Of the appetizers, our hands down favorite was the Cajun Chicken Egg Rolls. If you close your eyes and take a bite, it’s the perfect mix of crispy outside, gooey and soft chicken mixture inside. From the savory of the chicken and beans, crunchy onion, to the crispy outer shell, it’s an overall balanced and delicious dish. The cherry on top is the cajun mustard dipping sauce. With a dollop, dip, or maybe even a little slathering, the sauce is a hearty spicy mustard with cajun spices and something creamy! It elevates the egg rolls and makes it a spicy, savory, crunchy, creamy, tart bite that even re-heated the next day was amazing. Make sure you get all the ingredients, pico on the side, and the sauce into one bite. Insert love emoji.

With fried and rich covered, we opted for something a little lighter with the salmon entrée joined by broccoli and asparagus. First off, the vegetables are signature steakhouse prepared with butter, oil, garlic, and the right amount of salt and pepper. The salmon was freshly pan-seared and cooked medium and came to the table flaky and warm. With a little bit of crunch, it was well-cooked and savory main dish. Don’t get us started on the luscious shitake-brandy-cream sauce because it was “melt in your mouth” delicious. The mushrooms were perfectly sliced, cooked, and marinated in brandy just the right amount of time and combined with a little bit of dairy. It was drizzled over the salmon and gave it a richer, heartier weight that was oh-so good. Altogether, salmon should always come with this sauce. Recipe please?

While you’re at Dantanna’s, sit on the patio, at the bar, or dine on the floor, you’ll never miss a minute of the vibrant people watching, the game, or even a pooch on the patio. Next time, we’re in for a steak. Can we add the shitake-brandy-cream sauce?

ATLANTA BEER AND WINE FESTIVALS INTRODUCE SAVE NOW DRINK LATER GIFTCARDS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/20/20

Save Now, Drink Later Gift Card

Can be used on any Atlanta Wine Festivals or Atlanta Beer Festivals events through 2022
Gift Cards will go on sale Wednesday, June 3 at 10am

Ticket link here.

Get tickets to 4 future events for just $119 and the first 250 sold will be just $99!
Good for 4 regular advance tickets to future events through Dec. 31, 2022. Tickets valid for Bottomless Drinks, General Admission or Advance Ticket types. For the following events a $35 credit will be applied to the ticket price: Atlanta Bourbon Festival, New Year’s Events, and Early Entry tickets to Atlanta Brunch Festival. Purchaser will be responsible to pay the balance due. (Any new events with an intro price higher than $35 will fall into this category as well.) Tickets must be redeemed online before each event; can not be used at the gate/door. Limit of 2 per person.

BONUS: Everyone who buys a Gift Card will be entered into a raffle for a weekend trip for 4 to Charleston that includes 2 rooms for 2 nights at a Hilton property (exact hotel based on availability) and 4 tickets to a Charleston Wine Festivals event. Can be used in 2020 or 2021.

Tickets here.

Sales tax and ticket fees will be added.

Yumbii: Food Truck Royalty Turned Taco Shop

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/17/20

Heading into South Buckhead on Peachtree, we pulled up to a bright, striking blue storefront that’s brimming with bubble-gum whimsy. Enter Yumbii Taco Shop, originally a food truck of food truck royalty status now has a fun store front where you can get your favorite tacos, wings, bowls, and even a margarita or canned wine. That being said, if you know us, we could eat tacos and wings every day of the week without discrimination. With the perfect blend of Asian and Mexican flavors, Yumbii is the haven for that to-go fix. An array of delectably different tacos, mix and match bowls or salads, tasty wings, Asian nachos, and signature sesame fries, it’s one of those places you can’t help but get a little bit of anything and everything. Can someone please get these guys a crown or even a scepter? Cue the parade, we’ve got food truck royalty coming through. Let’s get this to-go adventure rolling.

One of the best bites you can get from Yumbii is definitely their famous sesame fries. They’re simple yet unique, crispy yet tender, Asian-inspired, yet a little bit sweet. Just imagine a crispy, crunchy, heavily battered set of fries fresh from the oven topped with sesame and a soy-based glaze that if you get a little on your fingers, you must lick it off. Insert heart eye emoji here. You almost can’t describe what these fries taste like, you’ll just have to go and try them for yourself. Please? You WILL thank us.

Yumbii Wings are another of the best things we sampled, but what makes a good wing? Crispy skin, meaty and tender chicken, the right amount of sauce or rub that brings the flavor. These tasty numbers are all of this with the right amount of meaty chicken, crispy skin, and we’re in love with the honey and spicy sriracha sauce. It’s a good and even bite with the right amount of spice and sweetness. Now, if you’re looking for something a little healthier, we’d recommend the rice or salad bowl without the dairy. Choose from either salad or rice and add protein, it is jammed full of flavor from the spicy sauce, beans, and corn. We went with the spicy pulled pork and rice base and mixed it up well with the Korean chili and soy-sesame vinaigrette, and it was a great myriad of flavors and textures. If you do go for the dairy, the cheese brings a nice creaminess that goes well with the protein. We also have to say they have hefty portions, so you won’t end up hungry.

You can’t go to Yumbii and not try a ton of tacos. I mean, it IS a taco shop. It’s just not possible. Of the tacos, the one we loved the most was the fried chicken, from the crispy and tender chicken to the phenomenal chipotle aioli to the spice of the pickled jalapenos, it’s an all-around delicious bite. Make sure you get all the ingredients in one bite, it is freaking fantastic. We also really enjoyed the Asian rib-eye beef, which the meat was so tender and perfectly marinated. Don’t be fooled by it’s delicate start because it turns slightly spicy on you then couple that with the crunch of the lettuce from the soy-sesame vinaigrette salad. The taco up being a great journey through the entire bite. The fried fish was crunchy, flaky, and we loved the hoisin-tartar sauce mixed with the Korean chili sauce. What a dynamic burst of flavors that reminded us of a Friday night fish fry complete with tartar sauce. All the other tacos like the spicy-pulled pork and Korean bbq style chicken were good with the right amount of tender meat and Korean chili sauce. Beyond what we tried they had a vegetable-based taco, fried tofu, and shrimp. If you could have one of these tacos, which would it be?

Whether you get take-out from the truck or from their Taco Shop, Yumbii will leave you wanting more. Like, we’ve been eyeing those taco combos or Yumbii Nachos for our next trip. Is it Taco Tuesday yet?

ATLANTA RESTAURANTS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENHANCE SAFETY MEASURES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/17/20

Safety and Wellbeing of Staff and Guests Remain Top Priority as Dining Rooms Reopen

The restaurant industry has been devastated by COVID-19, causing closures and service industry employees to lose their jobs. Many establishments have turned to takeout and delivery to stay afloat while others remained completely closed. As the stay-at-home order has been lifted by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, restaurants are preparing to reopen, and some are going above and beyond required measures to ensure the safety of staff and guests.

Johnny’s Hideaway, the iconic Atlanta nightclub, has partnered with CleanWell, the exclusive certified applicator of Monofoil in the Southeast. Johnny’s is the first nightclub to use this nanotechnology-based cleaner that sticks to surfaces and provides protection for 30-60 days. It molecularly bonds to any surface and provides ongoing efficacy in physically killing pathogens that can carry viruses. CleanWell will come to Johnny’s every 45-60 days to reapply the cleaner.

Marlow’s Tavern has installed an upgraded Reme Halo air filtration system that kills 99% of all germs and viruses. They are temporarily installing plexiglass dividers between booths and sanitation stations throughout the taverns. Single-use paper menus and QR code menus will be available for guests to read on their phones. Marlow’s Tavern also will be controlling the number of guests entering the building.

Following the trend, Murphy’s owner Tom Murphy is taking proactive measures to implement new safety protocols and improve the air quality at his iconic Virginia-Highland restaurant with the installation of Synexis, a biodefense technology to reduce the opportunity for infectious microorganisms. Murphy’s is the first independent casual dining restaurant in Atlanta with this state-of-the-art microbial reduction system. Synexis is the same advanced technology used to continuously reduce bioburden in sectors such as schools and hospitals and is effective against airborne and surface viruses, bacteria and fungi.

Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek are also implementing increased precautions to ensure a healthy, safe environment for all guests and employees. Added precautions include installing UV lights by Global Plasma System to combat dangerous pathogens and viruses that may be in the air, single-use menus, contactless pay options, plexiglass booth dividers and more.

Rock ‘N’ Taco, Roswell’s late-night, gourmet taqueria spot, has taken several steps to ensure a safe reopening. While the eatery was closed, the team renovated, updated décor and strategized on how to serve their guests safely. All employees are now required to wear masks and practice extensive hygiene protocols. They have a handsfree, virtual menu so that guests do not have to unnecessarily touch anything. Rock ‘N’ Taco is opening its six, large garage doors to encourage patrons to eat on the patio so that everyone is getting fresh, clean air. Additionally, the restaurant has made more room on the patio by roping off some of its large parking lot for extra, spaced-out seating.

Taco Mac is following strict sanitation guidelines upon reopening and implementing several additional safety recommendations from the local, state and federal governments, as well as the CDC. Staff performs a thorough cleaning and sanitation of the entire restaurant before opening a dining room, utilizing ready-to-use peroxide disinfectant to regularly spray all contact surfaces. All employees are required to wear masks while in the building. Taco Mac has installed sanitation stations throughout the restaurant and removed all caddies and condiments from tables. Team members will bring out sanitized salt and pepper shakers as well as single-use condiments upon request. Dining areas have been rearranged for intentional social distancing through limited seating as well as planned traffic flow and taped six-foot markings in key areas to show guests where to stand when waiting. Taco Mac is continuously monitoring the situation and applying additional measures as needed. View detailed guidelines and safety measures here.

It is important for people’s livelihoods that these restaurants reopen, and guests need to know that their health and safety is of the upmost importance to the owners of these establishments. As patrons return to their favorite local restaurants, they can take comfort knowing restaurants have gone above and beyond to enhance protocols for their wellbeing.

GEORGIA MUSIC PARTNERS AND GENER8TOR ANNOUNCE COVID-19 RESPONSE PROGRAM

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/11/20

Free Webinar Series Serving Georgia Music Industry Will Run Daily, on Weekdays, May 11-15 at Noon
Georgia Music Partners (GMP), the state’s premier music business advocacy group, in partnership with gener8tor, a startup and artist accelerator program, announced today a new initiative supporting Georgia artists and music businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the Georgia Emergency Response Program, participants will have access to a free webinar series designed to identify and leverage critical resources in order to weather this ongoing public crisis.

As a part of the program, participants will be invited to lunchtime webinars presented by experts who will cover a variety of actionable topics designed to help participants both financially and emotionally, irrespective of one’ career stage. In addition, several Listening Sessions with A&R reps and artists will be available for musicians to get feedback on their music and make connections with industry professionals. Current webinar schedule is below:

  • Monday, May 11
    • 12PM ET: “Federal Loan Resources and Forgiveness: What You Need To Know” ft. Roshanda Naulls (Aprio) & Tate Henshaw (Polay Clark & Co)
    • 1PM ET: Listening Session with Delante Murphy, A&R Manager, EMPIRE
  • Tuesday, May 12
    • 12PM ET: “Growing Your Audience and Making Money Online: How to Use Twitch to Bolster Your Career During Lockdown” ft. Karen Allen, Author, Twitch for Musicians
    • 1PM ET: Listening Session with Brian Johnston, Senior Director of A&R, Atlantic Records
  • Wednesday, May 13
    • 12PM ET: “How to Build and Leverage Your Digital Presence During COVID-19” ft. Jay Gilbert, Co-Founder, Digital Strategy, Label Logic
    • 1PM ET: Listening Session with Country & pop with Brandon Bush, Sugarland
  • Thursday, May 14
    • 12PM ET: “Multi-Platinum Case Studies on How to Grow Your Brand Via Instagram and TikTok” ft. Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, Attorney, B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, PC
    • 1PM ET: “Personal and Business Finance Best Practices During COVID-19” ft. Chris Benner & DiAndira Green, Bennett Thrasher
  • Friday, May 15
    • 12PM ET: “Mental Health and Wellness from Musicians and Business Owners” ft. Ami Bedi, MA LPC NCC, Riverwalk Psychotherapy Associates

GMP and gener8tor will also host one-on-one consultations with participants in order to answer questions and walk through resources available to musicians and businesses at this time.

“The music industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak, especially due to the suspension of all live touring activity,” said Shachar Oren, GMP’s President. “We are thankful for gener8tor’s partnership in producing this wonderful program gratis for our creative music community and music businesses, many of which are small businesses. We are dedicated to doing all we can to sustain our music business community through this crisis so that we can emerge strong on the other side of it, and we hope that our community will take advantage of this offering and find it useful and actionable.”

“We have seen firsthand the impact that the music industry has on a community, and we hope to call on our network of mentors, industry professionals and partners to support artists and businesses at this time,” said Joe Kirgues, gener8tor co-founder. “Our goal is for everyone to come out on the other end of this crisis as strong as possible to ensure a continued thriving music scene in Georgia.”

Registration for the program is free. Interested artists, musicians, and creatives may visit www.gener8tor.com/emergency-response-program/georgia to register. The program will kick off on Monday, May 11 and run through Friday, May 15. All Georgia-based musicians and music industry businesses are welcome to apply.

About Georgia Music Partners: Georgia Music Partners is a not-for-profit organization founded with the mission to help Georgia’s music industry grow to promote job growth and culture in the state of Georgia. Georgia Music Partners managed to pass the Georgia Music Investment Act in 2017, which then went into effect in January 2018 and creates a new tax incentive for music production in Georgia. GMP is currently working to pass a fix bill to further this overall mission. Visit www.georgiamusicpartners.org to learn more about GMP and our advocacy work.

About gener8tor: gener8tor’s turnkey platform for the creative economy connects startup founders, musicians, artists, investors, universities and corporations. The gener8tor platform includes pre-accelerators, accelerators, corporate programming, conferences and fellowships. Visit https://www.gener8tor.com to learn more.

OLIVA RESTAURANTS RETURNS TO SERVICE MONDAY, MAY 18

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/11/20

OLIVA RESTAURANTS RETURNS TO SERVICE MONDAY, MAY 18
All Four Sister Concepts Will Offer Curbside Pickup &
Take-Out Featuring Special To-Go Menus

Oliva Restaurants is thrilled to announce the reopening of all four of its Atlanta concepts next Monday, May 18. After closing Aziza, Bellina Alimentari, Falafel Nation, and Rina on March 16, each restaurant will begin offering limited menus featuring many local favorites along with a few surprises for curbside pickup and take-out.

“We made the extremely hard decision to remain closed for the last two months to help support the global efforts combatting the pandemic. It is an incredible feeling to reopen our doors to the Atlanta community and have our Oliva family in the restaurants again,” said Tal Baum, proprietor of Oliva Restaurants. “We carefully planned our reopening to ensure a safe environment for team members and customers alike. Our industry is all about creating memorable moments and connecting people. We see the current circumstances as an opportunity to reinvent what we do and engage with our guests on a different level, even from a distance.”

Aziza returns to showcasing the best of Israel by offering both modern and comforting Middle Eastern dishes, as well as a number of multi-course options. The menu will change daily and highlight produce from local farm friends. The popular Full Experience menu will be offered as a multi-course dinner and will include salatim, a family-style entrée, two sides, and dessert. Weekly Shabbat Dinner will be available for preorder for Friday pick up. There are a few other exciting surprises that are in the works and will be announced on social media. Aziza’s full wine list and special to-go cocktails, a delectable pastry basket with Aziza’s famous breads and pastries, as well as several a la carte options, are all at diners fingertips.

Hours of Operation: 3 PM – 8:30 PM | White Provisions – 1170 Howell Mill Road NW | 404-968-9437 | aziza-restaurant.com

Bellina Alimentari brings Italian comfort to quarantine with family-sized dishes including lasagna, pomodoro, ragù, meatballs, and a salad; the Bellina Family Meal with polpette and pane, a family-sized pasta, salad, chocolate truffles, and a bottle of wine; the Salumeria Antipasti Box with half of a schiacciata, three types of charcuterie, three types of cheese, marinated olives, marinated artichokes, a family-sized salad, and a bottle of wine; fresh pasta kits; as well as Aperol Spritz and Negroni cocktail kits. They will also be serving a menu of Salumeria and Alimentari goods such as fresh pasta, pasta sauces, olive oils, and schiacciata (by the pound) from the Bellina in-house Italian market, antipasti, pasta dishes, panini, sides, dessert, and a selection of natural wines from the Wine Bar.

Hours of Operation: 12 PM – 8 PM  | Ponce City Market – 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE | 404-330-9933 | bellina-alimentari.com

Falafel Nation is set to serve the Falafel Nation meal for two featuring a selection of two pita or chopped salad, two orders of fries, two cookies, and two sodas; and the Falafel Nation Deluxe meal with a selection of eight falafel or Sabich pita, a side of hummus, a side of tahini, a sauce trio, Israeli salad, Israeli slaw, fries, two pitas, two cookies, and two sodas. A la carte options are also available and patio seating will be open.

Hours of Operation: 12 PM – 8 PM | White Provisions – 1170 Howell Mill Road NW | 470-355-9951 | falafelnation.com


Rina is cooking up a family meal featuring a main course, a choice of three mezze, a side of rice pilaf, two pita, hummus, tahini, a sauce trio, and dessert; and regular menu items including mezze options, a selection of hummus, Amba Chicken, Beef Kababs, Falafel Salad, Halloumi with charred vegetables, Chicken Shawarma, Arayas, and more will be available. Perfect for Spring, Rina’s Backyard Grilling kit with skewers, salads, and sides are sure to be a hit. Add on to-go cocktails and boozy milkshakes and guests will feel like they are carried to a faraway land. The patio and to-go window on the Atlanta Beltline will be open for orders.
Hours of Operation: 12 PM – 8 PM | Ford Factory Lofts – 699 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE | 404-343-0362 | rinakitchen.com

To order, view the full menus online and place an order through each restaurant website or call the restaurant directly.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, Oliva Restaurants remains committed to putting the health and well-being of our team members and guests first. Each restaurant will be following all CDC guidelines and taking the necessary steps to ensure safety. All staff will be practicing social distancing and have been provided guidelines to return to work. They will also be required to take their temperature before their shift. Oliva Restaurants will be providing PPE for all staff and plans to increase an already rigorous standard of cleanliness

MURPHY’S PROACTIVELY INSTALLING NEW SYNEXIS MICROBIAL REDUCTION SYSTEM

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/11/20

Iconic Virginia-Highland Eatery is the First Independent Casual Dining Restaurant in Atlanta with this State-of-the-Art Air & Surface Technology

During this pandemic, restaurants and other non-essential businesses were forced to close their doors to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. While Georgia governor Brian Kemp gave restaurants the go-ahead to reopen on April 27, 2020, many are postponing reopening as they work to develop and implement safety measures to protect employees, guests and the community.

As the world debates a reopening timeline, Murphy’s owner Tom Murphy is taking proactive measures to implement new safety protocols and improve the air quality at his iconic Virginia-Highland restaurant with the installation of Synexis, a biodefense technology to reduce the opportunity for infectious microorganisms.

Murphy’s is the first independent casual dining restaurant in Atlanta with this state-of-the-art microbial reduction system. Synexis is the same advanced technology used to continuously reduce bioburden in sectors such as schools and hospitals and is effective against airborne and surface viruses, bacteria and fungi.

“The well-being of our employees and guests has always been our top priority,” says Murphy. “This new Synexis system allows us to go above and beyond our traditional cleaning and safety measures to ensure that our restaurant is as safe as it can be when we reopen our dining room.”

About Synexis

Synexis is the sole provider of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide technology (DHP). The patented process essentially creates an immune system for a controlled environment to reduce airborne and surface microbes. The process generates low concentrations of Dry Hydrogen Peroxide in a pure gas form that is safe for occupied spaces. The system utilizes the ambient air and humidity already in the environment, rips it apart and puts it back together at 5-25 parts per billion. Wherever air goes, the Synexis technology goes to decontaminate 24/7/365 days out of the year.

According to Synexis vice president Russ Stephens, “DHP is unique because it has powerful antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. DHP becomes part of the environment and starts to combat the pathogens as soon as they enter the building. We even impact contaminants found in out-of-reach areas. It is a simple process, with big output. We are a safe, green technology that provides a continuous solution to an environmental strategy.”

About Murphy’s

Murphy’s is located at 997 Virginia Ave., NE in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. Executive chef Andy Tran and his team at Murphy’s have created several menus to satisfy the need for delicious meals to enjoy from the comfort of home. Guests can place orders for takeout and curbside pickup online or by calling 404-872-0904. Offerings are also available for delivery via Zifty.com and DoorDash. Additionally, Murphy’s Wine Shop is available daily from 9 am to 9 pm. For more information, visit www.murphysatlanta.com.