LOEWS ATLANTA HOTEL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/21/22

Spectacular views, warm and inviting, immaculate, opulent, all standing tall in Midtown, The Loews Atlanta Hotel is the IT hotel to explore Atlanta for a staycation or vacation. The moment you arrive you’re greeted with doormen, bellhops, and valet to usher you into the lobby. Inside the hotel, the marble leads you to the reception desk where you’re greeted with a big smile. Something you notice while checking in is the hustle and bustle of the other guests lounging in the beautiful seating area or gathered around the sweeping lobby bar, which almost jets up to the ceiling. You take a short elevator ride up to a top floor and when you open the door to your Loews Atlanta Hotel room, you are STUNNED, amazed with the grandeur of the space. We’re tourists in our own city. Are you ready to explore the Loew’s with us? 

Sometimes that one hotel room comes along that ruins other hotel rooms for you, this one is it! We were on the 19th floor with a corner King suite and opulent doesn’t begin to describe it. With 180 views from the spectacular floor to ceiling windows, the luxurious touches, and spacious bathroom with soaker tub, everything was to the nines! The living room itself was large with multiple sitting areas, cozy couch, a dinner table, and work nook with a view. From every vantage point, you could sit and gaze out the large windows. In the bedroom, the king bed was comfy and inviting and there was enough closet space to live in there full time! The view from our bedroom had a perfect view of Peachtree Street meandering its way up to 12th street! Across the hall in the large bathroom was a sitting bench next to a spacious soaker tub. The shower was large and double sinks for both John and I to have our own. Perfection all the way around. We want to go back again just for this room alone! 

Outside the breathtaking room, the lobby is warm and inviting with crisp marble, lounging area and the bar is beautiful with bottles almost to the ceiling. It feels like a library with library tables and lamps good for small groups where people can gather. The first night, we perused the food and cocktail menu at Saltwater bar. They have an array of shareable apps, delicious plates, and stellar cocktails. Some of our favorites were the Fried Chicken Sandwich with crunchy, juicy chicken and the perfect crunch outside, but they spiced it up with thick, hearty, candied bacon, cool and sweet peach jam, and tangy pickled onions for an explosion of flavors. Paired with crispy, truffle, Parmesan fries is icing on the cake. Also enjoyed the crunchy Fried Green Tomatoes paired with creamy burrata or the wonderful Cauliflower bites with a fantastic spicy aioli, loaded Charcuterie plate with all the bells and whistles, as well as the rich, sweet, and tender pork chop, or even a warm, earthy, fall spiced Butternut Squash Soup. For the cocktail the Perfectly Smoked Manhattan was divine, smoky on the nose but the sip is sweet with vermouth and a warming kick on the end from the bourbon. Smoked at your table! They also brought us the sweet and creamy Velvet Versace to try that will be on the winter menu, and the Espresso Martini that’s like a coffee dessert in a glass. 

They also have a restaurant, Saltwood, nestled in the corner beyond the bar. Our time in the Saltwood was for a quick breakfast one of the mornings before a busy day out on the town. We enjoyed amazing, fluffy, and sweet chocolate chip pancakes. We also loved the delicious and rich eggs Benedict paired with plump potatoes, as well as a hearty American breakfast with fruit and bacon. 

We can’t go without mentioning the care and dedication of the staff that is top notch and the impeccable service. You’re treated like royalty for your entire stay. It’s also worth noting they also have a beautiful spa with an array of options for a relaxing retreat from your hectic life. 

Now that you’re sold, when are you making a reservation?

View from 1900
Front of the hotel
Peachtree Street from our bedroom
King bedroom
Saltwood Restaurant
Saltwood Bar
From the Lobby
Perfectly Smoked Manhattan
Fried Chicken Sandwich
Chocolate Chip Pancakes

BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC: BEST LITTLE BEER TOWN

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/9/22

The majestic mountains roll up and down in front of us with a checkered pattern of red, orange, and green. As we move north, they grow larger and more vibrant.  The roads wind, twisting and turning towards the sky. As we round the corner, a cozy, small town with small shops and eateries line streets, while music can be heard from the brewery down the street. This is Black Mountain, NC. The Best Little Beer Town stuffed with live music, friendly locals, stellar restaurants, and of course, beer! Let’s explore.

Stay: Monte Vista Hotel:

Near the town square, the red brick historic Monte Vista hotel’s large lobby warms your cold hands as the crackling fire illuminates the entire room with warmth and light. Relax on the cozy couches or check out the elbow room art gallery filled with local art. Tables from Southern Proper Hospitality’s Milton’s dots the lobby and adjacent rooms, and a large bar opens to the beautiful outdoor patio with a lounge and fireplace area! Upstairs, the beautiful hardwoods stretch into each room. Inside the room, beautiful wood pieces, original hardwood floors, and comfy bed invites you to stay the night. The beautifully renovated bathroom is bright and light! 

This historic hotel dates back to 1917 when a school was converted into the hotel with 33 rooms. In 1937 the building added the brick, while in 1950 a new wing was added. As a staple of the community, it has been renovated over the years, but the touches and charm are still there to see! The most striking of the 1917 originals are the beautiful, original hardwood floors. Then, in 1975 a new building was built. So, the Monte Vista with its crackling fire and beauty has been housing and holding people since 1917! That’s over 100 years!

Best Little Beer Town:

From breweries to ale houses to garden parties to ale trails, this town is all about the beer! Starting with the Black Mountain Ale Trail, where you can explore three local breweries with tastings at each. It is a great way to explore the area and the local beer. Our first stop is at Black Mountain Brewing for a fantastic boozy Two-Way Mirror Bourbon Barrel Oktoberfest and their regular tasty Oktoberfest Marzen. Both are outstanding and paired well with the fall foliage and weather! We learned some fun facts about the brewery like it was an old wash building that was only open until 1963 and had been empty until they moved in. They also have a beautiful mural of Roberta Flack. She lived in Black Mountain until the age of 7 before she moved to Virginia Beach. If you don’t know who she is, this singer is one of the only people to have back-to-back record of the year.

The second stop is Lookout Brewing where we went hoppy with the Mountain Hopshine IPA, that John really liked and a crisp Schatz Lager that was refreshing. The final stop down the mountain in Old Fort, is Hillman Beer. There we got a boozy Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout that was Liz’s favorite of the day and two other great beers, the Old Fort Original Lager and a malty Festbier. Their space is pretty amazing, it is along the river and is bright and light with patio seating. Inside is a beautiful taproom that even serves food. For this sleepy town, we were impressed.

Back in Black Mountain, there are other spots you can grab a cold one, like The Lowdown. We stopped by around sunset, and we’re greeted by a garden of flower and plants with a cute little outdoor courtyard. The courtyard was filled with plants in the middle, tables dotted the perimeter, and a STUNNING view of the mountains is to the left. We grabbed a few local brews from the GROW building and relaxed out in the courtyard. While listening to Dirty Dog, a Grateful Dead tribute, we sipped on the hoppy Dissolvr Bones and Waves, a dry-hopped IPA, the malty Darwin’s Forehead Salty Brown Porter from Fona Flora Brew in Nebo, NC that was Liz’s favorite. After that, we tried the crisp Shadowclock Pilsner from Burial Beer that was John’s favorite and the lip puckering Tart Berry Berliner Weiss with blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry from Green Man Brewery.

Another spot is the Black Mountain Kitchen and Ale House, which we will talk about more later, but has a great selection of Black Mountain Brewery and other local brews from around the region. Liz’s favorite was the IFFY Pumpkin Ale from Hillman Old Fort. Plus, we stumbled upon their Oktoberfest so we got to enjoy live Polka band and stein holding competition! It was a nailbiter.

Note, North Carolina Beer Month is October!

Places to Eat:

Go wild and make sure to put Bush Farmhouse on your Black Mountain, NC Journey. Little did we know we would be enjoying a South African restaurant when we started our trip, but here we were with an incredible meal stuffed with African-inspired plates and cocktails. Tempting dishes like the sensational rack of lamb that is fall off the bone tender with the best seasonings paired with earthy and hearty UMNGQHUSHU or the fantastic peri peri spiced chicken wings that were tender and juicy. A good selection of beef jerky and Droerwors to start and a tender, seasoned, perfectly cooked grilled octopus. If you’re looking for curries or meatloaf, they have that too! Wash that down with a Bushveld Porch gin drink that’s easy drinking or go Durban Poison that’s smoky! On top of the food, they have a large patio and bar area, then beyond are the farm animals like chickens, goats, and pigs!

The spot for brunch in Black Mountain, NC is this brunch heaven called Open Oven Café. The two-story spot with plenty of outdoor seating has a little bit of everything from an amazing chicken and waffles that’s sweet, nutty and savory to omelets, avocado toast, sandwiches, and more. Benedicts your thing? The Hog Heaven Benedict is a bacon fat drenched biscuit with a gooey egg and thick cut bacon on top. It really is hog heaven. The locals tell us this is THE brunch spot for the town; we agree.

This is the spot for you to unwind with a beer, watch a little football, or catch live music is at Black Mountain Kitchen & Ale House! Beyond the local and regional beers, the food is outstanding like their tender, crispy, and juicy fried chicken sandwich enveloped in creamy mayo and crunchy pickles. They also have a selection of burgers and appetizers like the tender and delicious chicken wings, as well as sides like crunchy tots. We watched Tennessee beat Alabama here and listened to a singer song-writer after.

The Town & Lake Tomahawk

The cozy little town is bright with outdoor and scenic activities. Being near the mountains, it is definitely a spot to check out the fall foliage, take a hike, sit by the lake, or stroll around the small shops in town. Strolling the streets of Black Mountain, there are several small shops with everything you can imagine from souvenirs to hiking gear to hardware to coffee. And only minutes from the Appalachian Trail and down the road from Asheville, it is a destination! One of the highlights of the town is Lake Tomahawk. An easy stroll around the lake while taking in the changing leaves was breathtaking. On the other side of town is the town green where they have a beautiful clock and views of the mountains! You really can’t get away from the mountain views here!

We really enjoyed our time in Black Mountain, NC.

DRAGONCON 2022: RIBBONS & T-REXES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/14/22

Every year, DragonCon takes on a life of its own. This year was no different with fun new trends like The Loyal Order of the Ribbon, cults going strong, or massive groups like the T-Rex Horde. That’s all on top of the fantastic cosplay, Mardi Gras atmosphere, star-studded panels, meet and greets with celebrities, and nighttime parties and live performances!

The Loyal Order of the Ribbon 

A fascination for some, a necessity for others, the Loyal order of the Ribbon has taken the badge ribbon trend to a whole new level. Found in the DragonCon app, meet ups to swap ribbons happens daily, where you can find your new favorite. We found that there are a few reasons that people create ribbons like the love of a show, fandom, or favorite quotes, books, or simply to share information on a brand! At DragonCon you can grow your badge ribbons as long as you want or just wear your favorites. We saw several people roll theirs up because they would hit the floor or stand on the second floor of the Hilton and drop the ribbons into the lobby. Yes, they’re that long! Our favorite ribbons were the classic Marriott Carpet and 24601 from Les Mis. We even made a ribbon for our Instagram page so people could watch our Danny goes to DragonCon stories. What ribbon would you want if you could have anything?

T-Rex Horde

Speaking of Danny, another trend in the DragonCon universe is the blow-up T-Rex horde. There has to be at least 100 or more people that gather almost every night to go through each hotel as a T-Rex Horde! T-Rexes from the Marriott Carpetasaur, Darth Vader, Velociraptors, Unicorns all joined in on the fun. The best part is John and I both have blow-up outfits and this year we featured on our stories, Danny, a dinosaur that goes to DragonCon for the first time. He went to a panel (and the actors waved at him), the parade, met his Idol, the Marriott Carpetasaur, got a bucket of rum, went to Trader Vics, got his first Monks Mead, and so many other firsts. Then, on Sunday, we did the T-Rex running and it was a blast. You get to see the joy on people’s faces to watch a parade of T-Rexes and they take photos and videos of the entire thing!

The Cult of Jon

Don’t be fooled, the Cult of Jon is going strong since 2019. Started out as a humble FedEx cut-out, DragonCon fans adorned him with stickers and put candles around him to transform him into a cult-like leader everyone could enjoy. It is all in good fun, as this year, the Scofflaw Beer folks stationed their own cut outs around and people too out google eyes on them and stickers, some even blasted them as “false prophets.” It’s pretty entertaining to watch. What will be the next cult?

Eddie Munson

The “new Deadpool” was Eddie Munson, the loveable Hellfire Club leader from Stranger Things latest season. There were men, women and mash-ups of Eddie all over the place and they even had a huge photo meet up. There HAD to be 30,000 of them! Our favorite Eddies were the two that had a guitar and amps and we watched them have a “Master of Puppets” guitar off. It was funny. What will be the next most popular costume?

Panels

We went to two panels, Gotham with Ben McKenzie and then a Walking Dead Panel with several actors including Chandler Riggs. The highlights from Gotham included learning that Ben (Gordon) didn’t even have to audition as he was approached by the show runner, how him and Monica Baccarin (Leslie) met on the set and eventually got married, and how he never wanted to wear the Gordon mustache! Then, the highlights from The Walking Dead panel were learning how much Riggs (Carl) loved growing up on the set of the Walking Dead and how it shaped him, listening to fun blooper moments, hearing which death was the hardest, and how Katelyn (Enid) loves potatoes. You always find something fun in these panels. I will never forget the Smallville one last year where they sang their theme song.

Cosplay You have to check out our photo journal of all our favorite cosplays, bots, costumes, and moments!

THIS WEEK AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/19/22

Week of 9/13-9/16

Calendar view: https://www.freshtix.com/organizations/smiths-olde-bar

Weekly Events: https://www.sobatl.com/weekly-events

https://www.sobatl.com/

Wednesday, September 13 – Music Room – Chris Stills & David Ryan Harris with special guests Nelson Nolen, Will Haraway, and Jon Harris

Genre: Rock

Chris Stills infuses his multicultural influences into his work as a singer-songwriter. Since his debut album 100 Year Thing for Atlantic Records produced by Ethan Johns, Chris has toured the world performing and recording with a variety of brilliant artists including, Don Was, Leanne Rimes, Ryan Adams, Government Mule, Smashing Pumpkins, Richard Ashcroft, Lucinda Williams, Paul Weller, Ricky Lee Jones, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash, Veronique Sanson, Neil Young, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlyle, Beck, Rufus Wainwright and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real amongst others. 

You’ve either got soul or you don’t. David Ryan Harris most definitely does. The singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has built an impressive catalog of soulful stories that instantly captivate. “Soulfulness comes from telling stories in in the most honest and direct way that you can,” he says. “People relate to what you’re saying when you sing from the heart.”

Doors: 7PM / Show: 7:30PM / $20 general admission

Thursday, September 14 – Atlanta Room – Devon Worley Band / Dave Franklin with Nelson Nolen / Sweet Young Twang

Genre: Country / Rock

Call them a country-rock band or a rock band that plays country with hard rock roots. Either way… pay attention to the Devon Worley Band. The country music world is changing. The current country fan is ready for something more aggressive, soulful, and edgy. Meet the band that defines that movement.

Doors: 7PM / $12 adv / $15 day of

Thursday, September 14 – Music Room – The Ocho / Wild Love / Easily Amused

Genre: Alternative / Rock

The Ocho is a band out of Athens, GA who got their start playing gigs throughout the city. They have performed at some of the biggest venues in the area including several shows at The 40 Watt Club and the Georgia Theatre. Recently the group has taken up writing and recording original songs.

Doors: 7PM / $15 adv / $18 day of

Friday, September 15 – Atlanta Room – Nix the Scientist / Swear Jar / Glassdroid

Genre: Rock

Nix the Scientist is a progressive rock band from Athens, Georgia. Each member of the trio has more than a decade of stage experience, having performed in groups including ZALE, Venice Overdrive, and alongside figures like Wesley Cook, Moses Mo of Mother’s Finest, and Hannah Thomas. Based in Atlanta, by way of Athens, the group is distinguished by their meticulous attention to textural sonic detail, inventive use of guitar effects and signal processing, and the overall expansive sound design.

Doors: 7PM / $12 adv / $15 day of

Friday, September 15 – Music Room – Late Night DJ Set

Genre: EDM / House

Doors: 11:30PM / Tickets $10 / 21 and Up

Saturday, September 16 – Atlanta Room – Moredopemusic and Madison Records Presents Live From SOBATL with Reasonable Doubt / Trvy & the Enemy / Kenzie Katlyn

Genre: Alternative / Indie

Live from SOBATL presented by Moredopemusic, features some of the most promising acts in the southeast and beyond. From trendy bands to soulful singers, captivating indie electronic acts to dynamic hip-hop artists, this regional concert series delivers an electrifying experience for live music enthusiasts.

Doors: 7PM / $12 adv / $15 day of

Saturday, September 16 – Music Room – Zero Mile Presents BabyJake w/ Hotel Fiction, Connor Kelley and the Time Warp

Genre: Rock

BabyJake is bringing the glamour of the 70’s to modern day. He broke through to listeners in 2019, when his “Cigarettes on Patios” went gold with a millions of streams, gaining much notoriety. Creating a unique mix of influences to develop an entrancing sound, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter’s loudest influence is his own personality. After a his debut album in 2021 (SB Projects / Republic Records) he created sounds you can’t expect to hear from anyone but him. Along the way, his evocative flare and raspy voice was brought to collaborations with everyone from 24kgoldn, Dillon Francis, Zhu, Lizzy McAlpine and more. Now BabyJake brings to the table a true rock album from an iconic cover of “Best of Burden” to an original freedom anthem “We Got To Get Together To Be Free.”

Saturday, September 16 – Music Room – Late Night DJ Set

Genre: EDM / House

Doors: 11:30PM / Tickets $10 / 21 and Up

Sunday, September 17 – Atlanta Room – SOBATL Presents The Baron’s / Penelope Road

Genre: Alternative / Pop / Rock

The Barons are a US band from Charlottesville, VA intertwining a wide array of genres and time signatures into their alternative pop music.

Doors: 7PM / $12 adv / $15 day of

New On-Sales:

September 23 – Naomi. / Rogerego / NERD / Ogechi

September 28 – Bad Mint / Big Toe and the Jams / Angie Spilled Champagne

October 1 – Damien Clai / Olijade / Jadoni / Laelanonymous

October 23 – Gabaghouls

October 25 – Jordan Foley & The Wheelhouse / Joelton Mayfield / J.R. Rund

November 30 – The Afternooners / Dune Lane / Easily Amused

December 7 – Christmas with the Dryes Tour!

THE CANDLER HOTEL, ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/1/22

The opulent, white marble ascends into the Atlanta skyline and stands in juxtaposition from the beautiful blue of the daytime sky. There’s a quintessential permanent red carpet with the nicest doorman that opens the heavy, brass doors into the striking lobby. Straight ahead is a bank of brass, original elevators that have a sign above them that says, “next car.” You can lounge on the circular sofa and watch the people come and go from the elevators or stare in awe at the large, sweeping marble staircase where you’re greeted with a marble lion and paired with one of the most beautiful chandeliers in all of Atlanta. Welcome to the beautiful, Candler Hotel.

On the other hand, where you go to check in is modern and warm with blues, purples, and huge, round lights that protrude from the ceiling. It almost has an art deco feel to it. Then, nestled on the end of the lobby in the corner, is their amazing in-house restaurant by George. From the mind of Hugh Acheson, it’s a spot to relax for a drink at the large bar or to grab some dinner or brunch in the stunning dining room with juxtaposing wood, white, tables, and soft textured seating in green and a variety of colors that add warmth to the cool marble pillars.

Heading up the elevator, we stayed in a King room on the 14th floor. Upon entering the room, to the left was a posh seating area with a black leather chair and gorgeous green velvet couch. On the other side of the room a large window with floral curtains, let’s in light from the large, sweeping window with some stunning Atlanta Skyline views. And let’s not forget the lush, King bed that’s just as beautiful as it is comfortable and adorned with the Candler Hotel logo. Rounding the corner is a sprawling bathroom that’s almost all marble and right above the toilet is a picture of the Candler Hotel when it was the Coca-Cola building.

Beyond the beauty of the hotel is the history! It was built by Asa Griggs Candler in 1906 and became the Coca-Cola headquarters soon after. So, beginning as a historic building for one of the biggest brands in the world, for years it was offices for Coca-Cola and morphed into offices for many others. This is where my story comes in. I worked for an advertising company called Galaxy Advertising from 2000-2002. It was located in this very building, The Candler Building. For years, I rode up and down the elevators that look the exact same, and I love they left the old building registry. The company went out of business, so it isn’t on the current registry, but having so much history with the building, being there for 2 years and getting my feet wet in advertising makes this building extra special for me. Plus, to see it transformed it to such a beautiful hotel makes my heart happy.

Something that floored me about The Chandler Hotel was the impeccable service. If you want to be waited on hand and foot and treated like royalty, this is where you go. The doorman is always friendly and anticipate getting your car from the valet without even asking. The concierge is the nicest person, he gets you whatever you need to make your stay as wonderful as possible. The front desk crew are overly accommodating and helpful at every turn. We can’t say enough about the treatment at this amazing hotel.

Last but certainly not least, when you come to the Candler Hotel make sure to make a reservation for dinner at by George. As we mentioned, it is a beautiful restaurant, but what we’d like to rave about is the food! We got the Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop and the Lamb Chops. First, the pork chop is thick cut, tender, and bone-in with a sweet peach barbecue glaze with a bed of bright and earthy Brussels sprouts. Then, they have a to-die-for lamb chop that’s fall off the bone tender, with a tangy and tempting horseradish infused mashed potatoes and tender asparagus. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

We also had bread service with some amazing, cheesy, grilled cornbread. The chef surprised us with a complimentary charcuterie board with meats and cheeses. To accompany the food we got a fantastic cocktail, the Inside Kick. It’s floral up front with a boozy, cardamom kick on the end. The cognac and cardamom are great compliments. They also have a great wine selection, and we tried the Pinot Grigio. To end the meal, we enjoyed a pair of cakes, chocolate and red velvet (off-menu)! Tasty red velvet with juxtaposing layers of cream cheese icing and chocolate cake. Then, chocolate cake with a chocolate glaze, creamy, cool ice cream and a lot of glorious ganache.

If you stay for brunch, by George also has some great options to get your day starting off right. They have staples like Chicken and Waffles that were savory and crispy diced chicken up front and sweet and buttery waffle on the end. A great flavor combo with the salt and savory of bacon, as well as the silky smooth maple syrup! Then some new favorites, like the Eggs in a Nest. It’s savory eggs your way with an earthy, crunchy, buttery vegetable hash and tasty vegan sausage. We got our eggs over medium! A good option for vegetarians/vegans.

Whether you are looking for a Staycation to explore your city within steps of popular attractions like The Aquarium, The World of Coca-Cola (fitting right?), Centennial Olympic Park, and more. Or if you’re coming from out of town to explore Atlanta, this is the spot to stay. It’s perfect location to everything and even off property, you can find great food and drink options just down the street. Enjoy your stay.

NORTH GEORGIA DAY TRIP: JASPER, TALKING ROCK, FAINTING GOATS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/2/22

Join us for our North Georgia day trip to Jasper, Talking Rock, and Fainting Goats.

In front of you, the golden mountains point to the bright blue sky that’s dotted with puffy white clouds. As you weave through the hills, mountain streams bob and weave, cutting through the green grass and creating a beautiful, relaxing view from the road. Close to the mountain majesty, there’s a cozy downtown filled with warm red brick buildings that line the quaint two-lane street. Jasper has come into its own with cute shops, coffee houses, several good restaurants, and even a brewery. It is quickly becoming a hot day trip for Atlantans that want to get away for a day. Being only about an hour, we ventured up to Jasper to try Old Mulehouse for brunch, then meandered our way through the beautiful mountains to Talking Rock and Talking Rock Brewery, and our final destination at North Georgia winery, Fainting Goats.

On the corner heading into Jasper is Old Mulehouse, with a tea-light patio, and beautiful, old brick building that’s breathtaking inside! Rustic, yet industrial, the Old Mulehouse is a spacious, open-air restaurant with exposed brick and a sprawling bar area. They had transformed into The Old Yulehouse with stockings hung with care, multiple Christmas trees, and a gorgeous lounge area behind a pair barn doors. Outside, the patio is large, dotted with patio furniture and covered in case of rain. We sat near the end of the patio where you can sit and stare at the mountain views all day. There, we tried several brunch items like the salmon hash, the brunch burger, and the steak and eggs. We also opted for some unique items, the Greek hush puppies and egg nog cheesecake, as well as some of their featured Christmas cocktails.

Kicking off our brunch with a Christmas cocktail of the day, the Peppermint Martini. The one has a bit of everything from creaminess to minty to sweetness from the sugar rim and then a good hint of booze on the back. It’s definitely a cool Christmas cocktail! The other cocktail we tried is the Hayman’s Law, which is their take on a slow gin fizz, but with elderflower! It comes off refreshing, light, tangy, and a good sippable brunch drink. We know why it’s a customer favorite.

Our brunch meal was a mix of seriously good salmon hash, a hearty brunch burger, festively seasoned fries, and a savory steak and eggs. Starting with the Salmon Hash, which combined smoky, salty, tender salmon perfectly paired with earthy cooked spinach, crunchy potatoes, and a fantastic bright lime hollandaise on top. It was a spectrum of flavors that came together well. Beyond the hash, we also opted for the Brunch burger that is well-seasoned and perfectly cooked. On top, hearty pork belly adds a ton of savor, as well as sharp cheddar cheese on some nicely buttered buns. This beautiful burger came with the best seasoned fries! The seasoning is phenomenal and a good mix of crunch and potato. John loves a good steak, so he picked the steak and eggs. Now that’s one perfectly cooked and seasoned steak! It is paired with fluffy eggs and the same amazing fries.

Not only is the brunch fantastic, so are some unique apps and desserts they offer. Starting with the Greek Hush Puppies, these little numbers are house-made falafel that’s grainy and earthy just like you’d expect it with mellow chickpeas. Whatever you do, you must eat it with the sauce! It is spicy and creamy at the same time! Then, the best surprise of the whole meal was the Egg Nog Cheesecake! They have a new pastry chef, and her cheesecake of the day was this one, which was simply stellar! Creamy and thick with a mellow, sweet, and savory egg nog juxtaposing the delicate cheesecake for a fantastic flavor. The best part though must be the ooey, gooey sweet sugar cookie crust that melted in your mouth and was the icing on the cake for this dessert.

After our big meal, we took the mountainous road up to Talking Rock, GA, a quaint little town with only about 6 buildings downtown. Then, right on the railroad tracks, the main attraction, Talking Rock Brewery. Nestled in a train car, Talking Rock Brewery is not only cute and eclectic, but its beer also brings people together in this small town to watch the game or just to play some cornhole. We pretty much tried all of their beers, so here’s our take on them.

They have a little bit of everything for everyone, like the Caboose Georgia red that’s mellow up front with a good hoppy bit on the back, yet smooth. My favorite is the Pumpkin Express Pumpkin ale that’s soft, mellow with a hint of pumpkin but not overbearing. Another good option is the Pullman Pub Ale that is a little thicker with a creamy head and mellow malt balancing the hop on the back. If you like dry Irish Stouts, you’ll enjoy the Dart that had a range of toasty, smoky, and a slight back of the throat bitterness. John’s favorite is the Party Like It’s 95 Blonde Ale that is very drinkable, light, and refreshing. He also really enjoyed the Just the Ticket Pilsner that is also light, but with slightly more flavor on the back. If you like IPAs you can’t go wrong with either the Run 8 IPA or the Polar Express Double IPA, both hoppy, while the Double IPA is hazy and juicy.

The flight empty, we headed to our final destination even further up in the mountains, Fainting Goat Winery. The second you arrive, the vineyard sprawls in front of a large chateau perched high on a hill. Below, there is a pin with several goats that are as friendly as you can imagine coming up to the gates and smiling. The day was warmer than usual, so we sat on the lawn, tasting in hand, overlooking the gorgeous view of the vineyard, watched the goats play, and enjoyed the best mountain views! The best spot is on the porch above the lawn where you can watch the sunset! This winery has been on our list for a long time! This day we both got a wine tasting, John got The White Album and I got the Crowd Pleaser. Here are our thoughts! Pro tip: get the Wednesday Night Sauvignon Blanc! We know why it’s award winning.

Of the crowd pleaser tasting, I substituted the Revere Blanc du Bois for the Sauvignon Blanc. This one is floral and hearty, a sweetness up front that finishes dry. The second was a rose called the Summer Quartz. It tastes like roses, a slight sweet peach, and finishes dry. It’s mellow and great for sipping! For the red wine, Harvesting Homes Malbec smells like plum and tastes like a light red wine with a little bit of sweetness of that plum and a little bit of chocolate. Of the White Album tasting, the Amber Fields Chardonnay is very good, smooth and buttery with a good sweetness that comes out near the end. Didn’t get any oak on this one, even though it is oak barreled. The favorite was the Wednesday Night Sauvignon Blanc. It wasn’t what we expected; it’s lemony, citrusy and dry. I typically stay away from these as I don’t like grapefruit in my wine and this one didn’t have that at all! All around a great selection of wines and a beautiful view.

We round through the mountain roads back towards Jasper and the orange, blue, and purple sun set over the cozy little downtown. A beautiful day filled with great memories.

Photo Gallery

Hogansville: Relax in Luxury at The Grand Hotel

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/14/21

Only about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta, there’s a cute, small town that boasts a gorgeous Grand Hotel downtown opposite from some small shops, a hometown pub with food and beer, a pizza joint with slices and wings, a market, coffee shop, and a cool little driving range and bar, a short walk away. Hogansville is a small town has all the small town feels and the most charming people you’ll ever meet. We didn’t meet a stranger the entire night! It’s where stories from veterans, movie industry people, factory workers, and farmers all intermingled to create a patchwork of small-town American Life. Phones don’t work very well here, so it was refreshing to get out and actually engage people and learn more about this town and their way of life.

Back at our hotel, stepping into the Grand Hotel, your immediately greeted with a beautiful blue couch with an original, ornate chandelier hanging in the middle of the warm, wood room. The fireplace and mantle sprawl on the opposite wall as the paneling leads into the hallway and the rich, wood stairs lead up to a common room upstairs surrounded by guest rooms. Couches, tables, lamps, inhabit the common room, a spot to relax and chat with your neighbors if you will. This hotel only has about 9 rooms, and is very affordable for a weekend getaway out of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Entering room 2 with an actual key, it’s like staying in another era, a quieter, simpler time where people sat and chatted in their seating area, warmed by the fire, and turned in when the sun went down. This is how The Grand Hotel feels. In our room, you’re immediately in a sitting room with a small desk and decorative couch. To the left is the gas fireplace that emits a warm glow that you can see through the opulent stained-glass window. On the other side of the wall is the bedroom with it’s own fireplace, a large, comfortable king bed, and it’s private door to the wrap around balcony outside.

Coming back down the maze of stairs, you can either go straight into the chess room or travel to the bottom and turn left you’ll immediately move into the 1890 Room. An evening cocktail spot adorned with a beautiful fireplace, it’s very own stained-glass window, and a large piano in the corner. The bar turns out classic cocktails that fit into the hotel’s 1900s feel, like Call Me Old Fashioned with it’s bourbon and booziness, or the 1890 Sour that’s sweet and creamy, to The HVLLE, a classic Tiki cocktail with tons of coconut. If you’re hungry, they have tapas like an amazing charcuterie board stuffed with 4 meats, three cheese, and all the essential accoutrements! They also have fresh empanadas brought in from Atlanta. Even if you just want to grab a beer, that’s on the menu! The bartenders are friendly and enjoy telling stories!

Down the street from the hotel, is Drive Bar. Owned by James, a Navy Vet, is THE spot to try the latest, local craft beer, and hang out in the bays and hit some golf balls. Almost like a small-town top golf, golf aficionados or friends that just like some friendly competition gather to enjoy the company, the beer, and play one of the many games they have online. They use top golf technology for smaller markets and driving ranges so you can see how far your ball goes and can compete with others on a myriad of games like who can drive it the farthest or hit a target. They are by the hour, affordable fun with a great selection of beers from everyone like Line Creek to Wild Leap and food trucks at night for hungry customers.

Other things to do in Hogansville is the Pub for a burger and a wide selection of drinks, there is also Karvela’s pizza where you can grab a slice for lunch or wings, Brett from Drive Bar said, “you can’t do Hogansville without going to Karvela’s.” After a fun night listening to stories, sipping on cocktails, and eating wonderful food, we headed back to the traffic and busyness of the city. We won’t forget Hogansville, though. It’s a great little town to get away from it all.

DRAGON CON 2021

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/26/21

The moment you look up the elevators have contorted creating a horror sci-fi scape looming down. Below beings have morphed into a range of monsters, aliens, prehistoric creatures, all caught in a sea of cosplay. Dragon Con can be whatever you make it, from Sci-fi horror scape to herds of bubbly t-rexes to living as a fairytale princess. The best part is you decide. What would you be?

 

One thing we focused on this year were the panels and getting to engrain ourselves in a fantasy world of vampires, superheroes, and zombies to escape for a little while. First, we attended the What We Do in the Shadows with Harvey Guillen who is just as funny and pleasant as his Guillermo counterpart. He mentioned he is very pleased with the trajectory of his character in What We Do in the Shadows, it’s more unexpected for sure! He really loves working on the show that’s 50/50 improv and scripted. We think laughing all day and enjoying going on set says everything. Plus, did you now he does 99% of his own stunts? He’s really fun to listen to talk about his journey as an actor. Some of the highlights were that he loves vampire movies like Interview with the Vampire and is a huge Buffy fan. Plus, he shared the story about how we got the part. Guillermo is supposed to be 20 years older than him, but when they found him he didn’t even have to do a read with the cast, they called him and told him he got the part when he was on the way to the mall with his sister. He said there was a lot of happy screaming. Can you be our friend, Harvey?

 

Another panel that was probably MY favorite of all time was the Smallville Reunion with Tom Welling, Sam Witwer, Michael Rosenbaum, and Laura Vandervoort. Don’t know if this is the case, but we could have sworn they were tipsy during this panel as we’ve never seen a cast of a TV show have so much fun on a panel! First, it is readily apparent that Tom and Michael and the entire cast are very good friends. They have a unique banter, and we could have watched the panel ALL DAY. The absolute highlight of Dragon Con for me was the Smallville Theme Song Sing-Along. Michael Rosenbaum started playing it and the entire cast asked us to stand and sing along to it! The sound of the actors and the crowd gave us goosebumps. Sam stood on his chair and turned around like they did in the opening credits, it was hilarious. We also enjoyed hearing about how Tom Welling was the force against Superman putting on the Superman suit. He said if they did that, it was basically the end of the show, because it was about a small-town guy becoming Superman and not ABOUT Superman. We totally agree with him and loved they waited until the very end. It really was the right decision. Some of the fun tidbits on this panel were Michael Rosenbaum wants to be a stand-up comedian, you can tell because he moderated the forum himself and brough a Golden Girls towel to the panel with him. Did you know Michael and Tom have a buddy comedy coming up? We don’t know if that was a joke or not, but we’re sold. Plus, Sam Witwer is a master face actor and does a mean Tom Cruise. We left the panel with a huge smile on our faces.

 

We also attended a Walking Dead panel, and with the final season in full stride, we enjoyed hearing what Ross Marquand (Aaron) and Gabriel Stokes (Father Gabriel) had to say about some of their favorite moments, grossest moments, and challenges of the Walking Dead set. They mentioned that some of the most challenging parts of the show are the working outside in all of the elements. We also got to hear Ross’ funniest moment was that he couldn’t throw a fake rock at a walker. It was too light and everyone made fun of him and they all laughed for hours. Gabriel said his grossest moments is when he and Negan had to dig into the guts of a zombie and spread it on them. It was sticky and gross. Ross mentioned his grossest moment was to watch his arm come off! It must have been surreal and odd.

 

Beyond the panels, this year was definitely a different year with less attendees, but with all that time to think about cosplays, the costumes were bigger and better than ever. We enjoyed the lighter crowds, it was easier to move around, get your favorite costume photos, and enjoy panels. But don’t forget the FUN. From the stunning Beauty and the Beast duo to the flood of hilarious and genius Loki Variants, to the never-ending heard of T-Rex herds, it really was a spectacle to behold. We’ve put up a photo gallery of some of our favorite costumes, cosplays, and snaps! You can go through and see some of the best! Enjoy!

ACTIVITIES ABOUND AT SANDESTIN, FL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/6/21

Activities Abound at Sandestin, FL

As the sunsets over the luxurious rooftop bar, the rays hit the beautiful bay water throwing up shades of purple, orange and pink, enveloping all spectators in the final moments of the day’s light. Down below a large stream interconnects with lakes, rivers, and eventually into the ocean where sunbathers sip cocktails under branded umbrellas. There’s also a walkway covered in palms and other lush trees where a couple walk hand-in-hand pass a treehouse and a large bridge with marina views. The rows of boats bob up and down in the water as the blue and purple of the evening sky meet at the horizon. Did you feel that? That’s Sandestin.

Grounds

The gates opened to the Bayside of Sandestin, and we drove around the first traffic circle and exited to the first right. Just to the right is one of our favorite spots on all the grounds, what we call the long walkway! The entrance to the wooden walkway and pier is wrapped in palms and other greenery and as you pass through, the long walkway opens into a breathtaking view of the bay dotted with grasses and lone trees. Go to the end and take in the beauty of the entire space. When you’re done there, keep going toward the Lakeside area, you’ll notice that it’s lined with a canopy of arching trees that create a beautiful dance of contrasting light and dark. It’s worth just driving through it to enjoy the natural beauty. Beyond that, the golf grounds are pristine and lush, the beach is gorgeous, and everything is freshly landscaped. There is not a lack of beautiful spots in Sandestin, so find your favorite locale.

Osprey Pointe – Accommodations

Near the Marina and Baytowne Wharf, the luxurious Osprey Pointe has 2, 3, and 4-bedroom condos that are great for couples, groups, and families. The second you enter the spacious condo, you feel right at home. With all the bells and whistles, the impeccably decorated kitchen has a full group of appliances and everything you’d need to make a meal! The kitchen is open to the living space and looks out onto the beautifully landscaped bay nearby. Out on the patio, you could sit all day and gaze at the bay view! This 2-bedroom has 2 bathrooms, and the master is spacious and has a huge, sparkling master bath with two showers! Beyond the beautiful condo, Osprey Pointe boasts a beautiful pool with a ton of seating, tables, and shade! So, take a dip in the pool, then take a bike ride or walk down to the Marina and Baytowne Wharf. It’s just minutes away. Even if Osprey Pointe isn’t for you, they have so many accommodation options from beachfront to bayfront.

Beach

Speaking of Beachfront, the wooden walkway maneuvers gracefully through the large sandy dunes and opens onto a spectacularly white and pristine beach. Dotted with blue, branded chairs, people lounge in the shade, build sandcastles, and play in the clear, blue-green water. Beyond relaxing and gazing at the beautiful water, there’s so much to do at Sandestin Beachside! You can grab a drink at the beach bar on the beach, lounge in a beach chair and umbrella with a good book, stay for lunch at The Beach House, get a sandcastle building lesson, or even take a ride on a jet ski or kayak.  We’d recommend a key lime daiquiri from The Beach House, then opt for a pair of chairs and an umbrella to enjoy the natural beauty of the beach!

Marina

Rows and rows of all types of boats bob up and down as the water ebbs and flows in the beautiful bay. Diners at the Marina Bar and Grill sip on cocktails and bite into tasty tacos, as they watch the sun set over the boats and disappears into the horizon. The Marina Bar and Grill is a chill little outdoor spot on the Marina with some serious eats like the grouper sandwich and fried fish tacos! Wash it down with a cocktail! Plus, they have a spot that you can bring your own fish, clean it, and they will cook it for you right there!! On one side of the restaurant is the resident Macaw, Mary Ann. She is out during the day when the Marina Bar and Grill is open and is a great photo op for you to catch. She was born in 2010, and did you know Macaws can live 50 years?

Next to the restaurant and set back from the water is the bike rental where a row of bikes are available for Sandestin guests and owners to use at their leisure. It’s so easy to bike around Sandestin, and beyond the golf cart parade we witnessed daily, is the preferred way to get around. On the other side of the lot is where you can rent kayaks and water toys to explore the bay even more.

Our favorite spot at the bay, is the wooden path between the Marina and Baytowne Wharf. Entering next to the Marina Bar and Grill, the thick trees feel like a jungle on one side with beautiful Marina and water views on the other. As you walk, the wooden path winds through the trees and views of the Marina and the boats are stunning. Stop off at the treehouse for the best top views of the entire area! As you find your way around from there, you’ll come upon a long wooden bridge where the marshy grounds turn into a beautiful stream and empties into the bay. It’s gorgeous. You’re reward is at the end with Baytowne Wharf upon you.

Baytowne Wharf

THE spot to shop, dine, and drink IS Baytowne Wharf. Taking a tour in a circle, your greeted with the sound of children laughing on the brightly lit carousel. Beyond that everything a child could want waits for them with an arcade, sweet shops, games, and a ton of activities! If you follow the circle around from there is where the dining and drinking options start. If you like bull riding or country music is your thing, they have it. If you want to sit with the view of the bay while you sip and nosh, they have that too at Hammerheads and Village Door. Village Door has a large 40 oz cocktail with a souvenir cup so you can remember your time there, plus they also have a great spot to eat on the bay. Hammerheads has a fantastic happy hour daily from 4 to 6 pm. We’d suggest grabbing a seat right at 4 pm on the water!

Sandestin doesn’t have a lack of places to see the sunset, so you should stay for the sunset here and walk out to the Wharf Pier and watch the sun disappear into the watery horizon. For the kiddos, they have fish food you can purchase and feed the fish below.

Continuing the circle, there’s a street that mimics New Orleans! That’s our favorite spot in Baytowne Wharf with several food and drink spots like Hartell’s Diner and Fat Tuesday, as well as a row of cute shops! Fat Tuesdays has great deals on daiquiris for $8 bucks and a shot for $1 extra. We’d recommend the Miami Vice or 44 Magnum. Plus if you’re looking for a fun evening out? Start at Fat Tuesday, then head over to Rum Runners for a dueling piano experience. You can pick your favorite songs for the piano players to sing, take a seat, and sing along!

Our favorite restaurant in the Wharf has to be The Marlin Grill. We stopped by there for dinner our first night and we fell in love with the Roasted Duck and the Scottish Salmon appetizer. Please make sure to make a reservation because they’re always busy or cross your fingers for a spot at the bar.

Hotel Effie

Only steps from Baytowne Wharf, Upscale, modern, yet, inviting, Hotel Effie is THE SPOT to stay in Sandestin. She is adorned with Ara Rooftop Bar where a luxurious rooftop pool meets the sky, cabanas, and a stunning almost 360 view of the entire Sandestin grounds. Stop by for a fantastic Toasted Coconut daiquiri and catch the sunset from multiple views! Downstairs, you should also visit the newest and hands-down best restaurant in Sandestin, Ovide. From Atlanta Chef, Hugh Acheson, this lavish dining spot has wonderfully crafted cocktails like the grapefruit forward Sun Kissed or our favorite cocktail, Shore Leave. They have fantastic dishes like the stellar filet mignon, flavorful blackened mahi mahi, uniquely good farm egg, rich prime beef tartare. We’d recommend anything on this menu, it’s that good.

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As the gates closed on our time at Sandestin, we reminisced about our favorite memories and thought about all the wonderful food, drinks, and sunsets we got to witness. We felt we actually needed more time to explore even more that Sandestin had to offer. We’d recommend at least 4 nights to get the full experience. What would you like to experience most?

Sandestin, FL is located in Miramar Beach, FL in between Destin and Santa Rosa Beach on the Emerald Coast.

Website: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort | Your Place in the Sun

TOP ATLANTA BRUNCH SPOTS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/3/21

ATLANTA’S TOP BRUNCH SPOTS 2021

A pile of chicken sits perfectly atop a stack of warm waffles just waiting for a bit of maple syrup on top, beside it sits two beautiful poached eggs just waiting to run down the side of a smoked salmon benedict. And just like that, we are hooked on the savory, sweet, smoky, earthy flavors of brunch. We poured, dripped, sipped our way around Atlanta finding all the best brunch spots and came upon a good list of favorites. These top spots each have something unique and special that we want to share with you, so grab your stretchy pants and get ready to eat.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE! APRON AND LADLE – BISCUIT FRENCH TOAST 

Brunch Goal: Biscuit French Toast. Nestled in a spot in Sandy Springs near the hustle and bustle of Roswell Road, Apron and Ladle is a brunch gem!  Hiding behind a strip mall store front, the cozy cafe-style restaurant, has a laid-back patio space where we enjoyed our Biscuit French Toast! It was brought as a surprise by our server, and we cannot thank her enough! It starts out sweet with heavy cinnamon notes, then bright and tangy fruit on top of the ooey, gooey goodness. It was hands down favorite by John and I both. On top of this delicious find, we also enjoyed the Spicy Fried Chicken Benedict to the flavorful Avocado, Bacon and Fried Green Tomato Biscuit, as well as the Thick Chicken and Waffles, they have a stout brunch line-up. 

Apron and Ladle is located at 227 Sandy Springs Pl in Sandy Springs.

Website: apron and ladle – apron and ladle

BISTRO NIKO – PORK BELLY

Brunch Goal: Pork Belly!  If you haven’t had Bistro Niko’s Chef’s Mustard Crusted Pork Belly you’re missing out! It’s easily our thing on the Bistro Niko menu. In love with the entirety of this dish, boasting bold mustard and red wine sauce drizzled over a juicy and tender pork belly. The crust is perfectly crunchy and paired with a runny egg for a bit of creaminess. Overall, it starts crunchy and savory and ends with a mustard and wine rich kick. We will be back for this one! If you’re looking for traditional or untraditional brunch fare, you can’t go wrong here, they have belgian waffles, brioche french toast, as well as a stellar steak tartare and champagne cocktails.

Bistro Niko is located in Buckhead at 3344 Peachtree Rd Ne.

Website: Bistro Niko | Buckhead Life Restaurant Group (buckheadrestaurants.com)

BUTTERMILK KITCHEN – CHICKEN BISCUIT

Brunch Goal: Chicken Biscuit! The Chicken Biscuit has the perfect harmony of crispy and juicy chicken, buttery and fluffy biscuit, and tangy and slightly spicy jam.  It starts out crispy and savory with hints of butter juxtaposed to the spicy and sweet of the jam that kicks up the flavor. This was Liz’s favorite with all that sassy flavor! Our pro tip is to take some of the pickles they put on the side and add them to the sandwich. It adds some salt and tang! We also loved the Ray’s Waffle Burger, boozy chicken and waffles, savory grits bowl, and the tasty cornbread loaf.

Buttermilk Kitchen is located in Buckhead at 4225 Roswell Rd Ne.

Website: Buttermilk Kitchen

CANOE – SMOKED SALMON

Brunch Goal: Smoked Salmon. 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. We also enjoyed cocktails, amazing scones, and a fantastic half chicken on a bed of cheddar grits.

Canoe is located on the Chattahoochee River at 4199 Paces Ferry Rd SE

Website: CANOE ATLANTA – Tucked Away, Not Far Away.

CARSON KITCHEN – SPAM BENEDICT

Brunch Goal: Spam Benedict! With the perfectly cooked and meaty spam, topped with a savory egg and the right amount of cheese, it was an amazing bite. But you know what was the showstopper? The fried green tomato. It was perfectly crisp and ripe and instead of bread held the entire dish together. Just imagine a crispy, crunchy, and earthy tomato topped with pork spam perfectly pan fried and topped with sauce and a gooey, runny egg. Cut up all the ingredients and mix it up, bite. Heavenly. We also got a creamy avocado toast, savory oxtail hash, divine cocktails, and the chicken and waffles.

Carson Kitchen is located in Alpharetta at 4 S Main St.

Website: Carson Kitchen | Atlanta

THE CIGAR CELLAR – STEAK AND EGGS

Brunch goal: Steak and Eggs! This brunch staple was Liz’s favorite thing here because the steak was tender and perfectly cooked atop some sweet and spicy grits and potatoes for crunch. Off to the side the eggs were so well seasoned and savory. Pro tip: make sure to eat all ingredients in one bite: savory, spicy, sweet, crunchy. Beyond the steak and eggs, you can grab a cigar, an amazing Cellar Signature Smoked Old Fashioned, as well as tasty French toast, wonderful potatoes, and a delicious breakfast burger.

The Cigar Cellar is located in Kennesaw at 2500 Cobb Pkwy NW Suite B3.

Website: Cigar Bar | The Cigar Cellar | United States

CORNER CAFÉ – SMOKED SALMON BENEDICT

Brunch goal: Smoked Salmon Benedict! THIS is how you benny. Boasting smoked salmon atop a potato cake and smothered in egg and sauce, it almost like a lox bagel and Benedict combined into one dish! With the salty and savory salmon pairing with the savory egg, onion of the hollandaise, and the creaminess of the potato it was one tasty number. A must try when you go to Corner Café. Plus, they have a dynamic chicken and waffles as well as warm and sweet Bananas Fosters Pancakes, and a Prosecco Sunrise to wash it all down.

Corner Café is located in Buckhead at 3070 Piedmont Rd Ne.

Website: Corner Cafe | Buckhead Life Restaurant Group (buckheadrestaurants.com)

GRANA ATL – EGGS IN PURGATORY

Brunch Goal: Eggs in Purgatory! They’re two perfectly over-medium eggs in a pool of hearty and chunky marinara, chocked full of onions, salty anchovies, sharp Parmesan and chili for a little kick at the end. It was the culmination of a variety of perfectly paired flavors that explode with each bite. Get everything on top of the crispy toast for the best bite. Must try. Pat also has a delicious cornmeal-ricotta pancakes and a stellar cocktail list beyond the Eggs in Purgatory. Plus, you HAVE to get the meatball flight. It’s a must.

Grana is located at 1835 Piedmont Ave Ne.

Website: Grana (granaatl.com)

JOY CAFÉ – SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE FRENCH TOAST

Brunch Goal: Sour Cream Pound Cake French Toast! Joy Café in midtown puts the joy in brunch, that’s for sure! The second the French toast beautify arrives at the table you’re in love, gorgeous outside, while simply divine inside! It’s dessert for breakfast! Sweet and very thick pound cake-like toast with a good amount of crunch on the edges. Topped with cool and fluffy whipped cream and berries for an essential tang to round out the bite. Love the raspberry and chocolate sauces that sit around the bottom. Make sure to get all the berries, cake and sauce in one big bite. Divine. Best French toast so far! They also have a tasty chilaquiles, amazing chicken and waffles, and a huge breakfast biscuit! Everything they have is delicious!

Joy Café is located in Midtown at 1100 Peachtree Street Ne. Ste. 110

Website: Joy Cafe | Southern Fare with a Creative Twist (joycafeatl.com)

LIVE AT THE BATTERY, SPORTS AND SOCIAL – AVOCADO TOAST with side of BOOZY CEREAL

Brunch goal: Avocado Toast! This fresh avocado toast starts out creamy and smooth then comes in the crunch of the toast and the perfect seasoning balances all the ingredients. It’s just avocado toast perfection. We also can’t say enough about how fun their Boozy Cereal where you pick your cereal and booze. It’s so unique. Think of this more as a cocktail! We also enjoyed the chicken and waffles and country poutine.  

Live at the Batter is located next to the Brave’s Stadium at 825 Battery Ave Se. #600

Website:  Live! at the Battery Atlanta – Battery Atlanta

MAC’S CHOP HOUSE –LAZY SUSAN & CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

Brunch Goal: Lazy Susan & Chicken and Waffles! It was a hodgepodge of delicious brunch items like a salmon bagel, creamy and cheesy grits, all the brunch meats you can imagine, a slice of dreamy crème brulee French Toast, a waffle, crispy potatoes, and scrambled eggs. It doesn’t get any more complete than this really as you get a good bit of everything on the menu. The favorites from the sampler had to be the amazing cheesy, tart, and creamy grits, along with the perfectly cooked and thick crème brulee French toast slathered in maple syrup, and the little salmon bagel.  Remember to bring your appetite, you’ll need it for this one. We had to include the chicken and waffles because they were John’s favorite. Crispy and tender chicken topped with candied bacon, and atop a crispy and warm waffle. Drizzle maple syrup in for the best bite. All the flavors! We also tried a savory pork belly appetizer, tasty eggs benedict, and the wonderful Thai Affair cocktail.

Mac’s Chop House is located on the Marietta Square at 19 N Park Sq NE

Website: Marietta Steakhouse | Your Marietta Square Restaurant | Mac’s Chophouse

MCRAYS TAVERN SMYRNA – SOUTHERN BENEDICT

Brunch goal: Southern Benedict. It’s a brunch favorite with a southern flare! Poached eggs perched atop a bed of perfectly smoked and meaty pulled pork and topped with a barbecue-forward sauce. On it’s own it’s delicious, but put some of the well-seasoned potatoes and vibrant salad and you’ve got something special. They also have a great French toast and delicious chicken and waffles.

McCray’s Tavern Smyrna is located at 4500 W Village Pl SE

Website: McCray’s Tavern

MILKDROP BISCUITS – GOLDEN ARCHES

Brunch Goal: Golden Arches!  This one has this crazy good, smoky bacon that pairs PERFECTLY with the soft and buttery biscuit, sharp cheese, and creamy egg. It’s smoky with hints of butter, sharpness, and savory egg and Chef Vizethann told us that bacon fat is on the biscuit. Must try. AND we got two of them!!! We also got the savory Not Your Momma’s Sausage and spicy Hot’Lanta Biscuit.

Milkdrop Biscuits is a pop-up located at 4209 Roswell Rd.

Website: Milkdrop Biscuits

OCEAN AND ACRE –BREAKFAST POLENTA BOWL

Brunch Goal: Breakfast Polenta Bowl. It is like a grits bowl, only more like mashed potatoes texture filled with bacon, ragu (tomatoes and mushrooms), and two poached eggs. Think a mixed-up, eggs, bacon, and grits dish but ELEVATED with polenta and the tart of the ragu. And here’s our tip: play with your food! The bacon is on the top and you can use it as a scoop to get all the polenta, egg, and ragu into one bite. The bacon adds a salt element to the creamy and savory of the other ingredients. What something even more playful? Eat the polenta with the steak and eggs. Wowza! We also enjoyed the steak and eggs, divine dutch pancake, and sipped on some cocktails.

Ocean and Acre is located in Halcyon at 6290 Halcyon Way #620

Website: Ocean & Acre | Alpharetta Seafood Restaurant | Book Reservation Today (oceanandacre.com)

STK – TRUFFLE STEAK AND EGGS

Brunch Goal: Truffle Steak and Eggs! Brunching around Atlanta has taught us to ALWAYS save room for steak! STK Atlanta has just the dish to hit that spot, Truffle Steak and Eggs. The phenomenal wagyu flatiron has the right balance of juicy tender steak and earthy, rustic truffle. Whatever temperature you like this will turn out JUST right. It was paired with a poached egg in a hole, which was buttery and savory, and crispy and hearty potato straws that gave the whole dish a well-rounded crunch. Delicious! We also got the BEST tuna tartare, we’ve ever had, tasty Pork Belly Benedict, and savory Hot Chicken and Waffles.

STK is located in Midtown at 1075 Peachtree St. NE

Website: STK Atlanta | Steakhouse, Seafood, & Drinks (stksteakhouse.com)

TWO URBAN LICKS – BISCUITS AND GRAVY

Brunch Goal: Biscuits and Gravy. Take us back to TWO for these! All the ingredients are piled high on a huge biscuit, the crispy and crunchy chicken is so tender, while the sausage gravy is rich, creamy, and savory. This great bite is best enjoyed with all the ingredients in one bite. Don’t forget the well-seasoned and crisp potatoes! We also got a stellar brisket and eggs, crunchy catfish and grits, their staple salmon chips, tasty turkey wings, great cocktails, and THE BEST peanut butter pie ever.

TWO Urban Licks is located on the Beltline at 820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE

Website: https://www.twourbanlicks.com/

THE WHISKEY PROJECT – MAPLE BACON OLD FASHIONED

Brunch goal: Maple Bacon Old Fashioned! When we think of Old Fashioned, it’s just a bourbon staple drink that some of our other guy friends or their father’s drink. This will make you rethink the assumption, the Maple Bacon Old Fashioned is a miracle cocktail marring bourbon, maple, lemon, and candied bacon on top. They take a drink torch and char the bacon in front of you. But you have to eat the bacon first and sip the cocktail at the same time, so the bacon grease doesn’t set into the drink itself. Insert fire emoji here. It was EN FUEGO with sweet and light char up front with a savory, maple, and boozy bourbon back end. Love, true love. We also enjoyed the tasty tartine, savory kalettes, sweet French toast, and loaded bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit.

The Whiskey Project is located near downtown Roswell at 45 Oak St.

Website: The Whiskey Project Restaurant & Bar (twpatl.com)

THE WHITE BULL – COLD CHICKEN SANDWICH

Brunch Goal: Cold Chicken Sandwich. The waitress told us that her favorite menu item was the Cold Chicken Sandwich, and after her ooh and ahh-ing we were sold. It has to be good if she loves it that much? She was spot on, this practically perfect chicken sandwich in every way, has it all. The crisp of the fried chicken hits you on the front of the palate then the flavor changes and you get the creaminess of the mayo, the crunchy pickles, and the savory of the hearty bacon jam slathered on top. The flavor is so rich, deep, and complex that you don’t know what ingredient you like more. The combination of flavors is striking, and you will NOT be able to stop eating it! Needless to say, put this on your list too! They also have a stellar half chicken, a brunchy poutine, and tasty smoked trout, as well as burrata and beets.

The White Bull is located on the Decatur Square at 123 E Court Sq.

Website: The White Bull – Decatur, GA (whitebullatl.com)

WOODWARD & PARK –CROQUE MADAME

Brunch Goals: Croque Madame Burger! Starting with tender and rich meat in the middle and expanding into crunchy and crusty toast and surrounded by tons of cheese and runny egg, this burger wasn’t much to look at really. One bite and you’re in love with the meatiness, richness of the bone marrow, creamy of the cheeses, and savory gooeyness of the egg. It begins with a crunch and ends with so much savor. Our tip is to get the egg all runny and let it sink in a little to the bread. Cannot stop thinking about it! We also got the savory Shakshuka and grits, handmade-in house English muffin with choice of meat (fried chicken), and an array of brunch cocktails!  

Woodward & Park is located in Grant Park at 519 Memorial Dr Se, Unit 2B

Website: Woodward and Park | Atlanta, Restaurant and Patio (woodwardparkatl.com)