THIS WEEK AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR

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

Week of 4/8-4/15

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

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

https://www.sobatl.com/

Tuesday, April 9 – Atlanta Room – Sid Jerr-Dan / Justin Bloss / Jeremy Haysman

Genre: Alt-Country / Americana

Sid Jerr-Dan is a multi-instrumentalist and alternative country western artist hailing from Atlanta, GA.

Justin Bloss, a twenty-seven-year-old Singer/Songwriter based out of Tulsa, OK. Emotionally driven blend of Folk, Americana, and Country.

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

Thursday, April 11 – Music Room – SOBATL Presents Tyler Halverson with support from Garrett Wheeler

Genre: Country

Born and raised in Canton, SD (pop. 3054), Tyler Halverson isn’t just any cowboy. He’s got the hat and the boots, but he also plays a mean guitar and writes an even meaner tune. He has no problem bouncing around the country chasing adventure and is telling his different kind of cowboy tale with his self-described “Amerijuana Music” bridging honest storytelling with songcraft inspired by country powerhouses Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Hayes Carll as much as Boyz II Men, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used.

Stuck somewhere between alt country, punk, and americana, Garrett Wheeler’s music has something for just about everyone. Since becoming musically active and gigging heavily at age 15, Garrett has played countless shows across Georgia, Florida, and the southeast. Playing anywhere from acclaimed music venues and listening rooms, to dive bars where you’re afraid to touch the door handles.

Garrett’s newest release, Nobody’s Singing Along, released in October of 2021. The four song EP showcases Garrett’s evolution, manifesting into a sound that, while not dated, still wouldn’t sound out of place on a 90’s college radio station with an affinity for Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, and the Old 97s.

Doors: 7PM / $15 adv / $20 day of

Friday, April 12 – Atlanta Room – Predawn Pours / Crooked Roots / Graham and the Band Upstairs

Genre: Roots / Rock

Predawn Pours, a group of four playing original tunes that would be at home alongside anything from alt-country and roots rock to heavier indie … with the occasional cover of the likes of Mt. Joy, Gillian Welch, REM, etc. Their live sets are tight but raw with vocals that cover universal themes with real emotional resonance. Expect some high energy, head nodding tunes with equal measures of driving, room filling tracks with guitar solos to match, and a little brooding here and there. But only a little. Odds are good you will find them playing festivals, beer gardens, breweries, and clubs in SE Atlanta (and maybe just a bit beyond).

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

Friday, April 12 – Music Room – SOBATL Presents The Grammy Award-winning Rebirth Brass Band / Wasted Potential Brass Band

Genre: New Orleans Funk and Brass

For almost 4 decades, the Grammy winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans with a fiery live show and a rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while weaving a tapestry that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and the sounds from the streets they grew up on. From their legendary 25+ year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world, Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador.

The band’s unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maceo Parker, Green Day, U2, James Brown, 311, G-Love, MuteMath, Juvenile, Train, Big Freedia, Ani Difranco, Galactic, Allen Touisant, Neville Brothers, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty.

Wasted Potential Brass Band is Atlanta’s pop up party starter. Powered by tuba goodness, this brass band got their start playing on the streets of Decatur, GA. WPBB just dropped an EP titled “Room to Grow.” WPBB features a second line street beat, southern horn section, blues vocals and sousaphone as bass. Find them in Atlanta, GA playing festivals and bars. They’re what fun sounds like. 

Doors: 7PM / $30 adv / $35 day of

Friday, April 12 – Music Room – Late Night DJ Set

Genre: EDM / House

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

Saturday, April 13 – Atlanta Room – Battle of Heart & Mind / V3RN / MENU

Genre: Alternative Rock

Where contemplative lyricism and chaotic energy collide, Atlanta-based alternative rock band Battle of Heart and Mind attempts to oscillate between nostalgic moodiness and a bombastic assault on the senses. It’s a unique take on southern fried rock and roll that separates the band from their contemporaries. The 4-piece outfit achieves a sound channeling the likes of Refused, Boys Night Out and Thrice while maintaining the attitude of bands like The Black Keys and The Dead Weather.

V3RN is an alternative rock band based in Nashville, TN. The group has made waves in Nashville’s alternative community through their intense, high-energy performances, and welcoming attitude to anyone who comes to listen. Their debut EP, girls r scary portrays a misfit’s coming of age.

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

Saturday, April 13 – Music Room – Late Night DJ Set

Genre: EDM / House

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

Sunday, April 14 – Atlanta Room – Hope’s Anchor / Cure My Enemy / Secret Weapon

Genre: Christian Rock

Reaching those who are disconnected, or distant from God has always been the aim of Hope’s Anchor.  Based out of Atlanta, Georgia, Hope’s Anchor has focused on writing music straight from the heart that chronicles our collective walk with God.  We hope that our music allows the listener to know that God will meet you “right where you are” and that His Grace provides “Freedom”.  Seeing God reach people’s hearts through music, gifted to and delivered by a band of broken sinners, is beyond our comprehension.

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

New On-Sales:

April 25 – Solemn Shapes / R_Garcia / Tricil / Chiasm

April 28 – A Celebration of Life Concert for Christopher C. Lodge with The Alter Ego

May 1 – Maximus Wrex / Over Anna / Trashclub

May 23 – Jordan Allen & the Bellwethers / Highway Natives / Dune Lane

May 24 – Lost Mountain / Sister Ray / Hego Crazyboy / Think Sanity

June 6 – SOBATL Presents Matt Mason

June 22 – Jess Goggans Band / Sauce Pocket

June 27 – Counterfeit Crows: A Counting Crows Experience

June 28 – SOBATL Presents Blue Dogs

October 16 – Zero Mile Presents: Myles Smith – The Slightly Less Lonely North American Tour 2024

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)

 

THE FABULOUS FOX THEATRE: ONE SINGULAR SENSATION

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/10/21

The glow of the sign can be seen down Peachtree Street for as far as the eye can see, while the marquee rolls with show titles and draws your eye into its beautiful dance of light. The Fox Theatre has been a staple in Atlanta since 1929, bringing joy and song to the city for decades with everything from musicals, to plays, to dance, and bands. Its stage holds a childhood full of unforgettable memories for Atlantans like me mesmerized by its grand foyer, memorable Turkish-Egyptian over-the-top décor, and that overall Fabulous Fox Theatre mood. One of the most beautiful places you can find here, they’ve actually made it even more beautiful and ornate during the pandemic, while upkeep on this place is daunting, they do it impeccably. Seeing the theater’s beauty from every angle really was a treat, from the top of the balcony to standing on the stage looking out, seeing the fly system, backstage, and where the organ comes up into the orchestra cannot be any more surreal. To say this made my year would be an understatement, so let’s go through the entire journey from start to finish.

Story time: The Fox Theatre is where I was mesmerized by Phantom, felt the joy of dance, and sang along to some of my favorite bands! Every year since I was young my mom would take my sister and I, and now my niece to see a play or a musical, so I grew up on Phantom, Les Mis, Cats, and all the greats of Broadway. So, to stand in the spot that these actors stood, or music legends Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan, and Chris Cornell sang their greatest hits was an experience to say the least. Standing on that stage and taking in the majesty and beauty from that angle, you see just how lucky we are to have such a gem in our city. But enough about my experiences, let’s see everything they’ve done during the pandemic to enhance your experience.

Starting with the moment you enter the doors, the fountains were meticulously cleaned, and they found more blues in the design, as well as the glass above it was red but masked by years of dirt. It’s now a beautiful piece of artwork! Once you enter, the whole foyer area has more color and vibrancy as they’ve cleaned the walls and enhanced the lighting. Then, on the second floor, the mural that stands above the orchestra middle entrances and is better seen from the Mezzanine, they’ve cleaned it up and it has more blues and pops as a piece of art. Did you know that most of the furniture that peppers the floors and restrooms are original pieces from the 1920s and are rotated to get restored as needed? No wonder those pieces are so beautiful!

If you’re a balcony lover like me, I believe the front row of the balcony has the best views, that’s where I sat to see Les Miserables in high school with my French class. You could watch as Jean Val Jean rotated on the circular floor so well! They’ve done some major clean-up work on the awning and tent-like structure above the top of the balcony. Original to the theater, the tent mimics a cloth structure, but is actually hard plaster. They have cleaned it and added a varnish so that you can see the red and yellows for years to come. It’s so much more noticeable! Plus, fun fact they found a coke bottle up there that they think could be from when it was constructed because it was left on the small ledge that exists up there and no one had been up there in years.

Another addition is the restoration and resurgence of their acclaimed organ, Mighty Mo. And I got to see and hear it IN PERSON! The day we were touring, they were tuning it, note upon note. Organist Ken Double was there and you could here him working with someone below. This 100-year old Moller Organ is a pride and joy of The Fox Theatre and they’ve restored it to match the original 1929 look, repainted, stained, colored, repatterned all to match the original 1929 design. Plus, internally, it got a full rehabilitation so that it can play on into the next decade and beyond. When we were listening to them tune and go note for note, you could tell how much love went into getting this gem back into the theater, as well as how beautiful it could play. We can’t wait to see it again, maybe in a concert sometime in the future!

From the stage, that’s the best place in the theater. If you look to your right when looking out into the audience, you’ll see the most intricate panel of nobs and pulls that STILL WORK. It looks like something out of a 1940’s science fiction movie and operates the fly system. The fly system itself is a sight to behold in its raw ingenuity and complex assortment of pullies and ropes that soar to the scaffolding and catwalk above. Whoever wields that power is a true magician. Exiting the stage door by the fly system and looking back, above the door reads, “Play it Pretty for Atlanta” this was not always in neon, it was originally a stencil put there in the 70’s. Turning back around you come to the Stage Manager, Fly Captain and all the main stage personnel offices where they spend many a night there during a busy run of shows. Descending into the basement, I got to see the organist office, as well as where the actors from a musical or musicians would gather in a green room or in the main “cafeteria looking” room lined with mirrors where wigs, costumes, and make-up are administered. Surreal. When I was in high school I was thisclose to dancing in International Ballet Rotaru’s Nutcracker. I was going to be a soldier. They replaced us with professionals a few weeks prior, but to have seen this in action would have been a delight, but also electric with nerves and furry.

Isn’t The Fox Theatre fabulous? The history, the beauty, the memories that it brings, are the reason it’s treasured among Atlantans and possibly even the county. We’re blessed to have something so majestic and rare in our fair city. I can’t wait to get back to seeing a musical every year with my family. I wonder which one it will be.

BIG NIGHT OUT ATLANTA

Posted by Liz Attaway, 11/4/20

There is a buzz that lifts through the air as the lights dim on stage, you hear several voices raise in excitement, several clap with enthusiasm, while others stand quietly in anticipation. A small group shuffles through the dark to their instruments as the lights go up and blaze into a prism of blues, greens, and reds. The crowd cannot contain itself and erupts in applause, singing, and joy. The future of live music hangs in the balance on this weekend of performances, because if done right, this could be the norm until we “get back to normal.” And Big Night Out is the path forward. With acts like Moon Taxi, Big Boi and his friends, as well as Futurebirds, and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, we can proudly announce that live music is back AND SAFE.

Everything was done to ensure the best concert experience, while keeping the attendees safe. Starting with the mask requirement for public spaces and to maintain a 6-foot distance was key. You can say that they’re required all day long, but without constant reinforcement, some people will have a few drinks and forget. We literally saw a group of people employed to tell people to put their masks back on in public spaces. Second key is the way they handle the crowd. With pods that separated the crowd into 2, 3, 4, and 6 into groups that were socially distanced 6 feet, this is how you keep people safe, yet can enjoy a great show. We wouldn’t be surprised if these “rage cages” caught on and started a trend. Yes, rage cage, write it down, it’s the future of enjoying music safely! Every time I heard this term, Smashing Pumpkins Bullet With Butterfly Wings lyrics pop into my head, “Despite all my rage, I’m still just a rat in a cage.” Insert rage in front of cage! Genius. But, back to pods themselves, this was a great experience in tandem with the mask requirements! We were VERY pleased with the whole experience. Good job, Big Night Out!

On Friday, we saw two fun bands perform, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Moon Taxi. Here’s a little bit about them and some photos!

Reminiscent of semi-local greats like Here Come the Mummies, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong kicked-off Big Night Out Atlanta. From the funky beats, to 70s grooves, to big band tunes, they’re a high-energy band that loves what they do! Maybe it’s the lack of live shows they get to do, but the enthusiasm permeates all their music and gets the audience excited. It culminates in long guitar solos, jams to island sounds, and fun sing-alongs like the Lion King Cover.

What struck us about Moon Taxi is that this is the product of all those years of rock-n-roll rolled up into one good band! The sounds of the 80s, electronica, indie rock, fast/slow rock of the early aughts, 90s reverb all permeate each song. This well-produced, smooth sounding, indie/alt rock group, has a great guitarist, fantastic singer, and a ton of energy. They mentioned that they hadn’t toured in 240+ days and you could feel every minute of the happiness of both the crowd and the band. Turn it up to 11!

Saturday night was delayed due to a huge rainstorm that dumped a boatload of water on the audience. Here’s some photos from that night, courtesy of Drew Dinwiddie.

Futurebirds are touted as an indie rock band with country rock elements, Wiki calls it, ‘Psychedelic Country.” Also according to Wiki, they have toured with Drivin’ & Cryin’, Grace Potter, and performed at big music festivals, like Bonoroo.

The Marcus King Band is a southern rock band out of South Carolina that mixes its sound with blues and big band.

Sunday night was all-in for the local former-Outkast great, Big Boi and boy, did he bring the crew to play!

Mixing in DJs, rock-rap of Kneel’n Rey, Killer Mike, Goodie Mob with CeeLo Green, Sleepy Brown, it was an all-out bass fest.  You could feel it right in the chest, and it was GLORIOUS. Performing OutKast favorites like Rosa Parks, Bombs over Baghdad, to Goodie Mob’s Cell Therapy, there wasn’t a lack of grooving and singing along. Big Boi and his pose always bring so much energy to their performances and this one was the same! I am a little partial to OutKast as they were popular when I was in college back in the day, and I love how much they mix sounds of the late 90s and early aughts with up tempo samples and maybe even a little hint of cotton-eyed Joe mixed in for fun. It was a fun time dancing, singing, and feeling the energy from each performance.

Did we mention we love the term rage cage? That’s really want the pods are and we hope to see more concerts and big festivals go this way. Getting live music back will help our souls and if it’s done this way, we’ll all feel safer for it. Welcome, back live music!

Photo Gallery:

TOP ATLANTA OTP AND HIDDEN GEM PATIOS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/9/20

One thing that Atl-iens can all agree on is that Atlanta is an exceptionally large city, there’s so much to get into and do here, plus the patio scene has exploded beyond the ones we’ve highlighted in the city. So, we went on another Adventures in Patio, this time to highlight Hidden Gems and OTP patios in areas around Atlanta so no matter what neighborhood you live in, there’s one near you to try. Are you ready to take a tour of our fair city?

Chiringa

Happiness is a day at the beach, and we all need a little beach right now. That’s what you’ll get at Chiringa in Alpharetta; it’s like walking into a surfside bar with a beautiful expansive patio! From the sweetness of perfect plantains, to healthy blackened fish tacos, to meaty wings, flavorful bowls, and the perfect beach drink, Chiringa has serious eats, warm beach vibes, and breezy cocktails. Can you smell the salt in the air and a warm ocean breeze? We can too.

When you get to you the fly up window, we’d recommend their Froze, which is one of the best in the city. Plus, if you’re hungry, you should stop by on Wednesday for 75 cent wings, which are Caribbean inspired with spicy jerk and sweet on the back, you won’t forget these! And please don’t forget to order a side of plantains. They’re sweet, crisp on the outside in spots, and have the perfect salt and pepper dusting. Finally, meal-wise their Core 57 bowl is healthy and hearty decked out in avocado, beans, rice, and plantains. Pro tip: douse it in the cilantro sauce and mix away.

Chiringa is located in Alpharetta City Center, 34 South Main St. Alpharetta, GA 30009. http://chiringa.com/

Jekyll Brewing City Center

Through the thick forest of palm trees, you come upon a tree that’s been uprooted and the limbs are twisted into the soft sand below your feet. There are small black bugs scurrying along the waterline where the gentle waves are afraid to come up any further. When you look down the surf line, you notice that there are at least 50 other trees in contorted formations, one reaches to the sky like a skyscraper, the other one next to it fans out into what almost looks like a peacock. Have you been transported to a Martian moonscape? You’d think so, but, no, you’re in the most beautifully unique place on earth, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island on the Georgia coastline.  This is the beach vibe that you get when you go to Jekyll Brewing in Alpharetta City Center. The rooftop deck and bar is one-of-a-kind with an airstream in the middle! Up there you can grab a drink right from the window or sit along it’s side.

Our two-part experience brought us unique food and beer options inspired by the island with an array of tasty treats. We’d recommend of the bites: fresh fried pork rinds that literally come still popping to the table with homemade hot sauce, their Mike’s wings which were so much chicken, plus they have a fun take on a charcuterie plate! Meal wise, go light with their Lite bowl topped with salmon and loaded with sweet potato and avocado! Yum! Jekyll has a ton of beer options; John loves the Southern Juice and I’d recommend the Redneck Christmas Stout. Not a beer drinker? Opt for the Hardly Seltzer in multiple flavors, which is perfect for hanging out at the airstream!

Jekyll Brewing City Center is Jekyll Brewing’s second location, 15 Academy Street, Ste. 1E Alpharetta, GA 30000. https://www.jekyllbrewing.com/

Live! At the Battery and Sports and Social

The pitcher comes up to the mound and the crowd grows silent in anticipation. Here’s the pitch! The ball sails through the air and with the crack of the bat, the ball is going, going, GONE. Next to Truist Park, Home of the Braves, Live! At The Battery knocks it out of the park with margarita pitcher specials, fun cocktails, and an array of bites for any sports or social occasion. Really, the minute you walk up to the Battery, you feel the electricity that the stadium brings and being literally a stone’s throw from Truist Park, it’s one amazing patio and sports enthusiast space. One of the best patios outside the perimeter, it is huge and has everything from game watching, live music, DJs, brunch, and everything in between. It’s a happening, fun place.

Go for the game, a night out, or brunch. We’d highly recommend the brunch with boozy cereal that’s a mix of kahlua, almond milk, and cereal! Make sure to grab their simple, yet amazing avocado toast called The Basic B*tch, which is just avocado, egg, bread, and pico, but perfectly seasoned. If you opt for game night or a quick bite with your honey, make sure to load up on delicious meatballs and crispy fried wings, then sip on one of their amazing margarita pitcher specials. Make a whole day of it!

Live! At the Battery complex is located literally across from Truist Park, 825 Battery Ave SE. Suite 600. Atlanta, GA 30339. https://liveatthebatteryatlanta.com/

Ph’East

Being a hot day in Summer, we opted for the little bit of shade on a patio around the corner from Truist Park. Far to our right, there’s a guy with his guitar singing the greatest 80s and 90s rock and pop hits. As he sings, people tap their toes, sip on bowls, dig into poke, and try new beers and cocktails at the recently opened Ph’East. Just outside Atlanta in the Battery complex, Ph’East has several hawker stalls that includes our new friends at Poke Burri and Lifting Noodles Ramen, as well as the Tap at Ph’East. We sipped, slurped, and noshed our way to an international journey outside American, right from Atlanta. These days, we could all use a little vacation, so join us on a little trip to Asian flavor and tiki islands. Do you have your passport?

Upon arrival, stop by Taps at Ph’East to sample their large array of craft beer from IPA to Stout, our recommendation would be the Scorpion Cocktail, which is a bright and balanced tiki-inspired cocktail. They have tiki cocktail specials every Tuesday for Tiki Tuesday! Then, head over to Poke Burri for their fantastic Spicy Tuna Nachos, spicy, crunchy, and sweet or the unique sushi donut. It’s a fun way to eat your sushi with salmon, avocado and sriracha on the side for a little heat. Save room for Lifting Noodles Ramen and build your own ramen bowl with earthy kale noodles and an amazing pork broth. It’s delectable! Talk about a Ph’East.

Ph’East is located in The Battery Atlanta at 925 Battery Avenue, Suite 1100. Atlanta, GA. https://pheastatl.com/

Cru Food & Wine Bar

On a busy corner at The Battery Atlanta, there’s a wine oasis dotted with purple umbrellas, marble tabletops, warm vibes, and surrounded by several colors of delicate flowers and greenery. Cru Food & Wine Bar at the Battery Atlanta has mastered the art of superb wine procurement from magnificent champagne and Smell the Roses flights to a wide variety of dishes that complement the wine on their menu. We can’t think of anything better to pair your favorite vino with than a solid charcuterie or small plate, and even a succulent filet mignon. Wine not?

Start your wine journey with one of their many flights and pair it with one of their many shareable plates. We’d recommend the Smell the Rose flight with the Charcuterie board: Premiere Cru that has tons of meats and go well with the crispness of the wine. Of the small plates, we enjoyed the goat cheese beignets the most because they were a surprising sweet treat to go with a perfectly paired Cuvee Brut Champagne. Let’s not forget the meatballs or better yet, the delicious steak that you can pair with your favorite vino. Wine Oasis is right.

Cru Food & Wine Bar is located at 915 Battery Ave, Atlanta, GA. https://cruwinebar.com/locations/atlanta-georgia-the-battery/

Ocean & Acre

Land and Sea come together in perfect harmony up at Ocean & Acre in the Halcyon Forsyth complex! The second you step onto their patio, you find you’re transported to a seaside village by the ocean, with tropical beach vibes, and even a fireplace made of shells to warm you up on the cool Spring or Fall nights. Paired with the ocean vibes, Ocean & Acre has an enormous seafood, oyster, and shellfish menu that screams salty air and rolling waves. Plus, we find that what really sets them apart is the innovative and truly unique menu offerings like wagyu beef carpaccio, savory pork chops, tartar, hush puppies, and more. Like we said, perfect harmony!

Nothing says patio like tuna tartare with crisp nachos; it’s the perfect combo of avocado and tuna, plus the garlic aioli really elevated the bite. You won’t want to share. We know you’re feeling thirsty sitting outside so we’d recommend the Night Herder. It may be a bourbon cocktail, but it drinks light, fresh, and lemony. It’s perfect with the lightness of the tuna and refreshing in the heat. You can also get an order of hush puppies to share, but these aren’t just fried balls of dough, no! They’re light and crisp with a fantastic sauce that has a great balance of flavors: earthy, slightly spicy, creamy, and peppery. Thinking about going during brunch? They have a fantastic dutch pancake, breakfast polenta bowl, and even a solid steak and eggs. Staying for dinner? Why not try the wagyu beef carpaccio or the stellar pork chop.  You could stay all day on that patio!

Ocean & Acre is located in the Halcyon Forsyth complex, 6290 Halcyon Way, Suite 620, Alpharetta, Ga  30005. https://oceanandacre.com/

Barleygarden Kitchen & Craft Beer

So Beervana, DOES exist. Located on the end of the Avalon complex, with a large patio and rooftop bar, Barleygarden Kitchen and Bar has a legitimate stake in Beervana, but we hope you stay for the food because you’ll be in for a real treat. Once you’re at Barleygarden, sit yourself upstairs in the shade, watch the bustle of the people below and passersby, while sipping on a wide beer variety or a specialty cocktail. Stay hungry for a light bite or sandwich. This one was a heady adventure on a fun OTP patio. Grab a drink and stay a while.

We’d recommend checking out their extensive local, regional, and national beer menu where you can get everything from sours to stouts. They’re owned by Hop City, so they KNOW their beer and will even suggest a beer pairing with your food if you ask nicely. Plus, they have a fun cocktail menu with our favorite cocktail we tried: Never Say Die. On top of that, you can’t really go wrong with Barleygarden’s eats either, we’d recommendation the fried cauliflower, which was like having cheesy, fried goodness. If you’re looking for something lighter go with the brussels sprouts. A good, nutty, earthy, and cheesy little bite! If sandwiches are your thing, please get the Butcher’s Bun. It’s cheesy, creamy, garlicy, meaty perfection on a bun.  Pair with your favorite craft beer!

Barleygarden is located in the Avalon complex, 900 Avalon Blvd, Alpharetta, GA 30009. https://www.barleygardenkitchen.com/avalon

Varuni Napoli

Tucked behind Varuni Napoli’s dining room sits a hidden garden patio with a leafy tree canopy, tons of shade, comfy couches, and a Koi pond. It’s a small oasis in the heart of the busy city that’s perfect for a date night or even after dinner drinks and dessert. Sitting on the patio, we sipped on a white sangria while dining on delicious pizza and being pampered with the delightful desserts. It was the perfect early Saturday dinner. We didn’t even know they had a patio, so this was a delightful surprise to sit back there and just enjoy a peaceful spot.  Just imagine the twinkle lights come on and you’re enjoying some vino with your honey. That’s the feeling you get from this hidden gem.

When you go to Varuni Napoli you have to opt for a pizza and we’d recommend the amazing Bastardo Pizza! What makes this pizza is the Nduja sauce, a spicy blend of Calabrian chili, oil, and mixed with group up pepperoni, sausage, pancetta, and dolloped on. It’s spicy, meaty, and perfection in sauce form. Ask for a white sangria to beat the heat both in the Bastardo’s sauce and sitting on the canopied patio. Save room for dessert because they have a dynamite tiramisu. Rich and boozy with fluffly lady fingers and the bitterness of the dark chocolate. Delicimo. We did learn recently how much thought that Luca puts into his ingredients and his knowledge of Italian specialty and premium items like tomatoes, his procured dough items, and even timing of the pizza oven are down to a science. We wanted to send him a shout out how impressed we are with his love of making the perfect pizza! Brava!

Varuni Napoli is located in Midtown, 1540 Monroe Drive, NE, Atlanta, Ga 30324. https://www.varuni.us/midtown/

Slow Pour Brewing

Upon entering Slow Pour Brewing in the quaint downtown Lawrenceville, you immediately are transported to a slower time where rocking chairs and lazy rivers were all the rage. It reminded us of sitting in a garden near my grandmother’s house in rural Nashville. You’ve got your vegetable and herb garden to the right and the twinkle lights hang above, lush landscaping, tons of patio furniture that expands for what seems for days. Expansive and beautiful, we wish we had this patio closer to home. It’s one of the best brewery patios in Atlanta. Pro tip: Stay for the sunset, it’s spectacular with the twinkle lights! With the sun setting on us, we soaked in the last moments of the light.

Of the beer, we really enjoyed the Spirit of the Moment Stout, that was deep and rich, slightly boozy 12.8% with chocolate notes. This was Liz’s favorite. John’s favorite was the Nostalgia IPA because he loved the balance of drinkability and slight hop. We also enjoyed the lighter lager and all-day drinker, Commodore James. Plus, the Reap and Sow Saison was more on the sour side, but the right amount of spice. You can’t go wrong with any of their beers or their ambiance. Cheers.

Slow Pour is located near downtown Lawrenceville, 407 N Clayton St. Lawrenceville, GA 30046. https://slowpourbrewing.com/

The Mill Kitchen and Bar

With views of the Roswell Town Square, The Mill Kitchen & Bar has a wraparound patio with rustic drop lights, bright patio umbrellas, and the fireplace centerpiece. The moment you arrive and greeted with beautiful stonework, rustic touches, and colorful flowers; you know you’re going to enjoy hanging out on this patio. From southern staples to steak to expansive light bite menu, there’s a hint of something for everyone. They’re right it’s really southern fare with a upscale twist. You know how they say the bread indicates the caliber of the meal? The patio here is just a precursor to amazing food.

We’d recommend everything here, you heard us, everything. We were particularly impressed with the pimento cheese fritters, which were crunchy, creamy, and the bacon jam really made it. Have you ever had a charcuterie plate with smoke salmon or Banh Mi ingredients? They have it! You can mix and match so many flavors, one of the best charcuterie boards we’ve ever had. Plus, the Tuna Tataki was fresh and light with a sweet watermelon pico, that ended spicy. On top of that the grilled lamb lion was fantastic with perfectly cooked and season lamb and some of the best tzatziki ever. EVER. Want something light and refreshing to wash it down? Try the Pineapple Dreams. Pineapple on top, sweet cherry on the bottom. Stir. Tiki dreams is more like it.

The Mill Kitchen and Bar is located at 590 Mimosa Blvd, Roswell, GA 30075. https://www.themillkitchenandbar.com/