Detours Archives | Adventures in Atlanta

Boone’s Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/6/23

Lush greens spread out in every direction from the elevated patio with golfers spread out over the serene landscape. Inside the circular bar jets out into the dining area that is dotted by tables and a handful of patrons enjoying glasses of wine and small plates. Open to the public, Boone’s on Bobby Jones Golf course in Buckhead is nestled in the clubhouse next to the pro shop, so from the front you’ll never know your walking into an elevated culinary and cocktail experience. There is nothing ordinary about Boone’s from the delicious starters like the Spanish octopus to the house pimento cheese fritters to the shishito peppers, as well as dynamic, bold plates like their herb crusted rack of lamb or roasted pork tenderloin, all washed down by a wonderful cocktail menu stuffed with goodies like the Plant One on me, the Spicy Gentleman or the Bobby Jones. Who’s excited to explore?

We started out the night with a trio of cocktails, the first being The Spicy Gentleman cocktail that’s a take on an old fashioned. It starts with a kick from the spicy jalapeno and then sweet and balanced from the grenadine and Grand Marnier. With our main meal, we decided to try the Bobby Jones Cocktail since Boone’s is on the Bobby Jones Golf Course. It really is unique with a ton of peach flavor, and not being a huge peach cocktail fan, I was skeptical. But, with notes of cinnamon, and the bourbon, lemon, and peach combination was a stunner. It is sippable and balanced!

We loved both, but our favorite of the night is Plant One on Me. This cocktail is unforgettable with herbaceous and sweet notes with bright and tangy citrus that culminate in a balance that’s further elevated by the mint oil floater! A beer drinker? They have a Boone’s Lager, that’ll keep you cool and refreshed! It’s tasty.

The cocktails wowed us and so did the shared plates we got! One of the best of the night is the house pimento cheese fritters. The bite starts out super crispy and the pimento cheese inside gushes out sharp, tangy, and warm. Then, underneath the sweet and spicy sauce is delectable on its own but when paired with the fritters, it is a match made in heaven. Or on the golf course! Beyond this, we got the Spanish Octopus, Shishito Peppers, and Fried Brussel Sprouts. Starting with the Octopus, this one is charred yet tender and cut into pieces and paired with earthy fava beans and savory, meaty ham chunks. The right amount of seasoning and pistachio crumble seriously elevates the dish and all the flavors work so well together. Yum.

One of the surprises of the night turned out to be the earthy Shishito peppers. They’re soft, charred and sweet with savory Asian inspired sauce and topped with peanuts. Let’s not forget to mention that the sauce and flavors are bold and really pair well with the earthiness (and spicy if you find it) of the peppers. You can’t go wrong with Brussel sprouts that are tender and well cooked, charred, and then tangy yet creamy with apples and a savory sauce. Then, they topped it with blue cheese for tang that finishes out the bite.

Now, moving on to the main event with two beautiful dishes, the herb crusted rack of lamb and roasted pork tenderloin. The roasted pork tenderloin is tender, yet juicy with an earthy rub. On the side, it is paired with an earthy acorn squash that is sweet, buttery, earthy with a hint of cinnamon, plus a creamy celery puree to round out the dynamic balance of flavors. The most stunning dish of the night had to be the sexy herb crusted rack of lamb. It’s just as tasty! It is succulent and tender with a copious amount of seasoning and smothered in tangy and bright chimichurri, the right flavor profile with the meat. Underneath pink lady peas and a creamy onion purée smack you with a creamy earthy southern twist, while the sweet potatoes dial up some sweetness to juxtapose all the other flavors.

What an amazing meal!

Alici Oyster Bar Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/20/23

The newest edition to Chef Pat Pascarella’s collection of sensational restaurants, Alici, whisks you away to the Amalfi Italian coast with pastel blue and yellow ornate floor tile, sprawling oyster bar, and stone worked wall. It all gives off a coastal, beachside vibe. This pairs well with the vibrant seafood dishes and sensational breezy cocktails that fills out the Alici menu. Everything from fresh raw crudos or sensational succos to easy drinking cocktails to crisp salads to mix and match fish and sauces and even a whole menu of fresh oysters. It’s just like spending a dinner on Italy’s coast. Let’s talk more about the menu.

Sipping our way around the cocktail menu, we found that we’re in love with it! One of the GM, Ashley’s favorite is a beautiful and bright The Spiteful Monk. It’s citrusy, bubbly, and a great balance of tart and tangy, not too sweet. It’s drinkable, breezy, and reminds you of a sunny beach day. But whatever you do, make sure to try the Midtown Daquiri, one of the best daiquiris we’ve ever had! It started sweet yet smooth, rich, creamy, then the booze hits you on the back! It is balanced out by the tiki bitters and a good sweetness. BLOWN AWAY.

To start, we opted for three very different seafood inspired dishes: the Polpo Socco, Grilled Baby Gem, and Tuna ‘Ndjua. the Polpo Socco is unforgettable with tender, charred, and smoky octopus, creamy, herbaceous caper-tarragon, earthy olives, and tangy red onions all on top of a savory, grilled pancake! On the flip side, the raw minced, savory Tuna ‘Ndjua, is a light, fresh fish dish! This is paired with delightful citrusy blood orange and an earthy, salted salad that adds extra flavor to the bite. Finally, we’re all in with warm, grilled salads right now and the Grilled Baby Gem didn’t disappoint. This is charred baby gem lettuce that’s smoky and earthy then topped with amazing, salty whole anchovies! Then, adding in bright lemon, a huge amount of cheese, and surrounded with a lemon aioli that add in a tang for a great bite.

For our main dishes, we had to at least try one of the house-made pasta dishes, so we got the Occhi with smoked fish. They also have a pick your fish and pick your sauce mix and match, so since we’d never had tilefish, we went for this fish with their bright salsa verde. The pasta was perfectly cooked ravioli style pasta stuffed with smoky fish and a mild cheese. Outside it is tender with a slight spice of jalapeno that juxtaposes with mild fish and pasta, bright crispy onions, and earthy olives. It’s doused in lemon sauce that’s rich with citrus notes, this goes well with the other flavors.

Now, on to our favorite dish of the meal, the tilefish! Hefty, mild, salty, crunchy skinned tilefish dressed up with a bright, earthy, herbaceous salsa verde that combines the richness of the fish with the tang of the herbs. We cannot get over the oil and herb sauce! Divine. To go with the fish, we tried their brand new cauliflower side. This is a good mix of tender yet crunchy that are both toasty and citrusy.

We need to go back to try more pastas, fish, and sauces!

Enzo Italian Steakhouse

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/6/23

Just outside Atlanta, on the corner of the new Town at Trilith is a swanky recently opened Italian Steakhouse, Enzo Italian! Inside, a circular bar is all decked out in blue, with ornate floor tile, velvet blue seating and bar stools, all juxtaposing the blue square accent wall. The dining space is also dotted with blue velvet booths, warm wood tables, and circular lighting, all flowing into the open-air kitchen. Beyond the beautiful décor, the food and cocktails are worth the short drive with the perfect selection of premium steaks with sauces and toppings, eye-popping seafood dishes, luscious meats, tasty pastas, tantalizing starters, salads, and top-notch cocktails. Enzo Italian Steakhouse is a must try! Let’s see why.

Upon arriving, we quickly opted for the Tacco A Spillo cocktail. It is refreshing, tangy, and sweet that morphs in a mellow cucumber and spice flavor on the back. While sipping we received our Goat Cheese and Crispy Olives. The Goat Cheese are balls of warm, tangy, sharp goat cheese wrapped up in a crispy dough and fried, then drenched in sweet, gooey honey, and then spicy of the black pepper. Yum. Not being a huge olive fan, these are THE way to enjoy olives if you don’t like them plain. Earthy and bitter olives surrounded by a crunchy outside that is stuffed with savory veal that mellows the olives and leaves an array of fun flavors that mix well.

Turning to appetizers, two stuck out to us, the Hamachi Crudo and the Wood Fired Caesar. Still thinking about the Caesar with its warm, charred romaine put on the grill then topped with earthy, crispy capers, creamy, house-made dressing, and sharp cheese all culminate in one epic salad. We want to have this again, right now. On the other side of the rich Caesar, is the fresh Hamachi Crudo. The fish is tender and savory paired with tangy grapefruit, creamy avocado, cool cucumber water, and earthy oil create a refreshing bite. There are so many flavors in this one.

Before moving on to pastas and main dishes, we took a break to enjoy the amazing Amaro Old Fashioned. Sweet and brown-sugar amaro paired with boozy bourbon is the best combination. That we enjoyed with a dynamic Dry-Aged Delmonaco Steak with sauteed mushroom and confit garlic horseradish, as well as succulent Rack of Lamb. Starting with our favorite dish at Enzo, it’s the Rack of Lamb. If you looked up “succulent” in the dictionary this dish would come up. It’s that’s good. Tender, savory meat with tons of flavor and spices perfectly placed on top of earthy eggplant and root vegetables that are both tangy and bright to juxtapose the meat.

Also, not to be missed is the Dry-Aged Delmonaco Steak cooked medium, well-seasoned, juicy, and tender meat. You can choose from several delicious toppings and sauces and we went for the sautéed mushroom and confit garlic horseradish. The sautéed mushrooms were earthy and rich, tender and gave the meat an elevated flavor. Then, when you add the horseradish, it peppers in a spicy, garlicky, creamy dreamy tang that melds well with both the meat and the mushrooms. WOW!

Now, let’s talk about Chef Amontobbio’s most show shopping dish, the Linguine & Lobster. Whole lobster stuffed with tender linguine and topped with lobster, bisque, roasted tomatoes and chives! It is too beautiful to describe! On the other hand, we got the Pappardelle Genovese that is rich and meaty short rib up front with divine cocoa infused pasta that’s more earthy and bitter, topped with a delightful creaminess from the cheese dollop.

Pro tip: Stay. For. Dessert. We fell in love with the Lemon & Olive Oil Cake! This moist cake starts creamy with hints of lemon and goes bold with nutty pistachio and an amazing pistachio spread that adds so much depth to the overall flavor. Divine. The manager paired two limoncello aperitif drinks with it, and it really brings out the lemon of the dessert. If you love sweet and lemon, you’d love this after dinner drink.

Yalda Atlanta

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/14/23

Inside the new Aria development in Sandy Springs, Yalda is a top notch Middle Eastern spot with a spacious dining room, open kitchen, sprawling bar, and expansive patio to welcome you! Beyond the décor, on the menu, everything from spectacular hummus and Labneh with amazing toppings, delicious dips, fresh salads, gorgeous grilled meats, sensational small plates, decadent desserts, as well as cool cocktails. This is not one to miss.

When we arrived, the bar manager put together an amazing coursed meal for us and we had a little bit of everything on the menu and it’s pretty epic. Let’s start with their cocktail menu. They have a great wine and beer list, but the cocktail we got was a treat. The Hafez’s Last Word is a mix of a tangy, tiki-inspired mai tai with a creamy, NY sour. It does start out sour with a red wine topper, but ends up sweet from the mai tai. It’s both beach and city! Yes, please.

Our first course started with the spreads like the Za’atar Labneh, Hummus, and Mirza Ghasemi. Starting with the Hummus that is earthy and creamy on it’s own and you can flavor it up with either pickled mushroom mixed with carrot or lamb shawarma. We opted to top it with the pickled mushroom that added a tang and crunch that comes through on the end. We’ve not experienced this combo of flavors before, but glad we have now! It is all together earthy with white truffle, well seasoned, tangy, crunchy.

Our favorite, surprisingly was the Za’atar Labneh, but this time with lamb shawarma. The lamb is tender and well seasoned a top a sour yet creamy labneh yogurt. We’ve tried this before at various restaurants and it was lack-luster. Yalda does a good job with a delicious mix of creamy, savory, and seasoning. We’re all-in. Finally, the Mirza Ghasemi is not to be missed either with smoky, smashed earthy eggplant mixed with tangy tomato, flavorful spices, and earthy garlic. You can eat it alone or as a dip with the pita bread they bring for snack!

The second course they put together for us was Mezze with the Roasted Haloumi Cheese, wings, and Zeytoun Parvardeh (olives). Starting with the meaty, smoked wings, they’re perfectly charred and tender inside. A great wing paired with a creamy, spicy harissa that goes so well with the char of the wings. Something we didn’t expect to like was the Zeytoun Parvardeh. Not being big on green olives, this dish also boasts ground walnuts and pomegranate seeds. That takes the olives bitterness and tang down a notch with the earthy of the walnut and fruitiness and burst of tang from the pomegranate. Wow!

Our favorite of the mezze was the Roast Haloumi Cheese. Spongy, springy cheese with a sharp rich flavor then perfectly charred and roasted outside that changes the texture. It comes atop the pickled mushrooms to give it tangy, earthy, crunchy flavor in addition of the delightful roasted cheese.

The third course was the healthiest of the night with the salads! Don’t miss out on these, there is a lot of delicious options on this menu, but save room for a salad, you’ll be happy you did! First, a staple on any middle eastern menu is the Mediterranean Salad. Mixed green that starts crunchy and a good helping of earthy feta, as well as a fantastic wine vinaigrette. Another staple, the Shirazi Salad is the freshest and healthiest, but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Crisp and clean cucumbers paired with tomatoes, tangy onion, and earthy parsley then doused in a bright lemon dressing.

Our favorite of the salads was the Beet salad. Think a bed of spring mix surrounded by sweet pickled beets, crunchy and nutty walnuts, tangy onion, a sprinkling of cheese, all slathered in a tangy bright and sweet pomegranate dressing. It’s actually sweet and rich, a must try.

The final course we got was an epic grilled meat duo of Salmon Kabobs and Lamb Chops paired with crispy, Tahdig rice. The rice itself is cooked on the grill to add a crunchiness and you can chose between Lentil and Raisin or Fava Bean and Dill. Between the two the fava is more earthy with a flavorful dill mixture, while the Lentil and Raisin is sweeter with raisings and crispy, crunchy onions, with was our favorite.

As far as the Salmon Kabobs, they’re tender and flaky fish with a ton of flavorful seasonings and charred crispy skin for that added je ne said quoi. If you get one meat, it would be the Lamb Chops. Succulent, meaty, large chops that are fall apart tender, perfectly seasoned, and a good lemon flavor on the back end. That pairs so well with the sweetness of the Lentil and Raisin rice. Along with your meat, they have a large list of sauces to try. We imagine any of the creamy offerings would be delicious with the lamb.

We passed on dessert because we were so full. This meal was very well put together and Yalda is well run for it being so new, we went in the second week. We were astounded by how well it was run.

The Ashford

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/6/23

A small, unassuming spot on Dresden Drive in Brookhaven, Ga, The Ashford, is a revamped, upscale dining gem without all the pretentiousness that brings something fresh to the area. We’re so glad to have this in our hood with a stellar list of delicious bites, upscale cocktails, and of course the best wine list. Like their fall menu features, the delicious pork chop and savory salmon, or menu staples like the salmon dip and salumi, and a sweet and tangy salad or spectacular 1920 daquiri and Fall Manhattan cocktails, no matter what you choose you’re in for a treat.

Starting with their great cocktail program that includes the 1902 Daquiri cockail is sassy sweet then tangy in the end. It is tiki heaven! The other one we tried was the Fall Manhattan cocktail. It is warm and sweet up front and then tangy and boozy on the back with an array of subtle fall spices. Either of these we’d get again.

On to the tasty sharable plates and starting with the Salad that is amazing with earthy greens. On top of that there are tart cranberries, tangy cheese, persimmon, crunchy, sweet candies pecans, and a fantastic cranberry vinaigrette. It is an all-around delicious bite. The next thing we got was Salumi. Always a good choice with a great variety of meats and accoutrement that includes a savory, sweet, and spicy jam that we would love to take home with us! The best appetizer we’ve had there is Salmon dip, and it is to die for! It’s lightly smoked salmon in a light creamy dill sauce with crunchy cabbage on the side. It’s light, creamy, crunchy, and the cracker brings it all together. This is a must try!

For our mains, we opted for a flaky, well, seasoned and perfectly cooked Salmon. Paired with hearty saffron, sticky, rice and a fall stew that’s packed with Brazilian spiced sweet potato, plantain, and yucca. It’s an amazing flavor journey. Then, we also enjoyed the savory, thick, tender pork chop. A fantastic smoked cherry chutney adorned the top to give it a sweetness, spicy, and smokiness. On the side the squash and potatoes are doused in the sauce. We loved all of it.

To top off our food journey, we opted for the Pistachio cake. The cake itself is warm and moist dotted with earthy pistachios (not crunchy) but just for flavor. The cream and powdered sugar adds creaminess but you almost don’t need it!! Delicious.

Bully Boy

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/12/22

Nestled in a small spot just off the Beltline, Bully Boy is hidden in the Two Urban Licks parking lot, yet when you enter it’s almost like a greenhouse oasis, low lights, large tables, and a glowing ‘oysters’ sign. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing it is a foodies dream with everything from sushi to duck spring rolls to Miso Black Cod and even a market priced A-5 wagyu dish. On top of that, they have several different sake to choose from as well as great cocktails, a large wine list, and more. Let’s find out more.

Starting with the sake and cocktails, we opted to try two different Sakes, the Koji Sake – Junmani Daiginjo ATL Edition that was our favorite, it is crisp and smooth cold sake and very sippable with any of the dishes. The other one was a rose, pink sake called Mukai Shuzo – Ine Mankai, which was still very good, floral, and fruitier than the other. For our cocktail the staff recommended the Gin #5 cocktail and we couldn’t have been happier. It is a floral gin that starts out tangy and then a smooth fruity end with cherry liquor and orange flower water and vermouth. It had a great balance.

For our shared plates, we tried a little bit of everything from crispy brussels sprouts to beef Negimaki, as well as Duck Spring Rolls, and their amazing King Kong Roll. Starting with the crispy brussels sprouts these were delicious with a sweetness and earthiness up front and then ended with a crunch and savory of the sauce. We’d never tried Negimaki before so we took a chance on it and we are glad we did! The wagyu beef was tender and meaty with a good rich flavor it surrounded crunchy and tangy cooked scallions that rounded out the bite with tang and crunch.

Something you have to try when you go to Bully Boy is their sushi! One of the rolls we tried was the King Kong Roll. Cool and tender salmon and yellowtail, sweet and spicy tuna, creamy avocado, a fantastic roll to pair with a crisp sake! The flavor was so good, no wasabi was even needed! Finally, the Duck Spring Rolls were a great twist on a classic. Crunchy and flaky outside, tender pulled duck inside that had rich flavor and the typical cabbage and carrots, but they added peppers as well for more tang. Yum.

On to our next course we pulled out all the stops and went for the pricey A-5 Wagyu and the Miso Black Cod! As for the beautiful and well-presented A-5 Wagyu it arrived in a smoke dome! It’s like meat butter surrounded by a smoky, charred skin and topped with gold flakes. It goes perfectly with the tender marinated mushroom assortment. But we must admit that the Miso Black Cod stole the show! HOLY GOD, this must try dish is sweet and tender cod paired with a rich miso sauce and pickled vegetables on the side. Put the fish, miso sauce and veggies together for an incredible sweet, earthy, rich, tangy bite. We cannot recommend any more highly!

We enjoyed the King Kong Roll so much, we also got the Ping Pong Roll. Wait, those rhyme! This is a must try with cool and tangy pineapple atop a spicy tuna roll with a balsamic glaze. It starts out with the sweet, cool pineapple and then the spiciness of the tuna and the richness of the balsamic glaze hits you on the back. Delicious! After all of that, they do offer a mochi dessert. It’s three seasonal flavors, ours turned out to be mango, matcha, and strawberry. If you are not familiar with mochi, they are chewy and fruity outside with ice cream inside and these are accompanied with fruit. We liked them all but we found you can mix and match them for best bite. I personally liked the matcha and strawberry together, almost like chocolate strawberry ice cream.

One of the best meals all year!! BRAVO!

Perry Street Chophouse

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/20/22

Perry Street Chophouse is nestled on Perry Street in downtown Lawrenceville! This brand-new steak house invites guests to cozy up in one of their large, blue velvet booths, or warm up to the large bar. While there, peruse the wide variety of small plates like this pork belly, to salads and soups, as well as large plates like venison or seafood, and of course, steak with sides and toppings. Let’s eat!

We started with one of our favorite bites, the Crispy Braised Pork Belly. The pork is warm and fatty with a ton of flavor and creaminess. It is atop a sweet potato bed that’s earthy and sweet, plus crumbled nuts for crunch. Must try. To juxtapose the meatiness of the pork, we went with the Kale Chopped Salad. It is a bed of kale and other leafy greens that’s earthy and crunchy. Dotted with funky feta cheese, crunchy pepitas, and root veggies, it’s an all-around great bite. The vinaigrette is icing on the cake, just the right amount that mild and adds tang!

For our dinner we opted for the fantastic Filet Mignon steak. It is perfectly seasoned outside and tender and juicy medium inside. It’s hearty, meaty, and tangy when you add the garlic from the side. Can we PLEASE talk a about the Brunt Brussels? We LOVED the brussel sprouts with it’s earthy and tender sprout base then topped with a dousing of cream, tons of savory flavor from the bacon and tang of the shallots. One of the best brussels we’ve had all year.

The other dinner plate we enjoyed was the Broken Arrow Ranch Venison Loin. It is served medium with a fantastic peppery crust outside. The moat of sauce is divine, savory, tangy, buttery and creamy! On the side, the mashed potatoes are creamy and garlicky, perfectly seasoned, you won’t want to share.

They also have a great wine selection, cocktails, and beer.

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.

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.