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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/

TOP ATLANTA PATIOS 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/3/20

Umbrellas are blossoming all over town so spring must have sprung! As you can imagine, here in Atlanta we have warm Spring weather and one way to truly enjoy the city is to take it all in on a Patio! Especially, this year being outside has been a game changer to the restaurant experience. We thought intently about our favorite spaces, patios, and outdoor dining destinations and came up with a carefully curated list of our top patios. We considered everything from type and range of views, bites, sips, and the little things in between. Are you ready for the patio lifestyle? Who do you want to see on the list? These are in no particular order.

Ray’s on the River’s Luxurious Lawn Party

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

There isn’t a bad bite on this menu, but if we had to chose a recommendation we’d say the Ahi Tuna Poke would be our choice of appetizer because it’s so dynamic, and the Horseradish Black Grouper because it has it ALL. Plus, we mentioned their cocktail menu is perfection, can we recommend them all? If we MUST choose, we’ll go with the Vitamin Sea that reminds us of the beach, and the Fig Old Fashioned because being their most popular drink on the menu, we know why, it’s one of the best Old Fashioned we’ve ever sipped.

Ray’s on the River is located at 6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30339 and more information can be found at here.

Brews and Views a top New Realm Brewery’s Rooftop Patio

Directly off the Atlanta Beltline, New Realm Brewery is a beer and food lovers paradise with expansive patio, large beer list, and serious bar eats. Whether you settle yourself on the Beltline side patio, beer garden, or rooftop bar, you’ll have midtown Atlanta skyscraper views, an amazing amount of people watching, and a killer sunset views over the Atlanta Skyline. Beyond the view, you can relax with the New Realm Brewery’s latest and greatest brew and a hearty set of wings or a meaty pizza. Beer not your thing? They’ve introduced a line of fun seltzers like Cherry Cola and even distill their own liquor from vodka to bourbon!

Our recommendation is to at least try one of their beers, like Lime of the Party, and either the Cherry Cola Seltzer or cocktail. They have so many beer varieties and depending on your taste, they pretty much have something for everyone. Don’t forget the food here either. If you’re looking for bar food go with the Asian Loaded Fries or the Meathead Pizza. If you want something southern inspired, go for the Spanish Style Meatballs and the Beer Can Chicken. Really, you can’t go wrong with anything!

New Realm Brewery is located at 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Unit 101, Atlanta, GA 30306 and more information can be found here.

Riverside Relaxation and Romance at Canoe

Take a stroll with us through the grounds at Canoe. The quiet river flows by as the covered patio keeps you cool from the late Spring sun and the winding walkways meander around the lawn sending you down hidden paths, can you see it? Good. Located right on the Chattahoochee river near Vinings, Canoe is the perfect escape with a mix of gardens, patio space, ambiance, as well as top notch food and drinks. From the moment you enter Canoe, the staff and servers are there for you and make you feel right at home. Canoe, where have you been all our lives?

While you’re there, we’d recommend starting with the scones that are flaky and wonderful, while washing it down with our new favorite thing, a Sparkling Mule. You also must try the Smoke Salmon starter and the Smoked Chicken on a bed of silky grits. We’ve also heard that they make a mean Duck burger for brunch. Next time?

Canoe is located at 4199 Paces Ferry Rd, SE Atlanta, Ga 30339 and more information can be found here.

Camp Yourself at Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall

Located in Atlanta’s historic Old Fourth Ward district, Ladybird is the first outdoor-oriented restaurant and bar to open along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail. The restaurant’s pet-friendly “Grove” space is a go-to for outdoor revelry and includes an outdoor bar in a vintage, painted camper, relaxed seating, communal, beer garden-style tables, string lights and more. Ladybird’s full-service menu of elevated campfire cuisine and beverage program of craft cocktails, wine and local beer can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio overlooking the Grove. Michael Lennox, Founder of Electric Hospitality, is behind the restaurant and its sister spots Golden Eagle and Muchacho in Atlanta’s Reynoldstown neighborhood.

Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall is located at 684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave, Atlanta, GA 30312 and more information can be found here.

Photo c/o Blue Hominy PR and photographer Andrew Thomas Lee.

Beer Heaven at Wild Heaven West End’s Patio

Quickly you realize you have arrived at Beer Heaven when you step off the West-Side Beltline and are greeted with Wild Heaven West End Brewery and Gardens extensive patio. With tons of space, they have several places to sit and relax all along the lawn and the space even extends up to Boxcar ATL, ASW Exchange, and up into Monday Night Garage, who has some fun spaces of their own. So, you can stop by for a tasty brew, hard seltzer, wine, cocktail, and even a Whiskey Slushie and just relax after a long beltline walk or ride. We’d recommend grabbing a brew from Wild Heaven like one of the Happiest Hour Exploration Project Series that brought you Fauci Spring or our favorite, Zoom Fatigue Porter. Please don’t forget to pick up a snack, like our favorite taco in Atlanta, Walking Taco from their on-site Fina Fine Foods. Then, stay a while for a Whiskey Slushie like the strawberry lemonade from ASW Exchange or try one of Monday Night’s new Narwhal hard seltzers. Monday Night Garage also does a tasty stout if that’s your thing. HINT: It’s ours. If you’re feeling even more adventurous head over to Best End, they’re building a tiki bar on the beltline!!

Wild Heaven West End and Gardens is located at 1010 White St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310 and more can be found here.

9 Mile Station’s Sweeping Skyline Views on Ponce City’s Roof

You’re in for a treat up a-top Ponce City’s Roof from the moment you enter the elevator hearing about the rich past of the Ponce City Market’s history and then walk out onto the game-centric boardwalk. If you delve a little bit deeper, 9 Mile Station just beyond the boardwalk is the destination for spectacular skyline views of downtown and midtown Atlanta. Whether you sit on the covered patio, around the fire pit, or on the ledge seating, you can’t help but marvel at the stellar view. Being one of the IT spots to spend a sunset, let’s not forget the bites and sips that will compliment any occasion. We’d recommend you sip on one of their cocktails, like the One Way Ticket to Mars that was whiskey and wine (what!) to the Rose All Day 2.0 which was bubbly and refreshing or opt for a wide variety of beer and wine. Plus, their light bites are the perfect pairing to relax and watch the sunset, be it the delectable lemon pepper chicken wings to the beautifully plated, earthy, and crunchy smoked trout croquettes.

9 Mile Station is located on top of Ponce City Roof at 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308 and you can find out more information here.

Show me the Cocktails at the Fox Theatre’s Marquee Club

The Marquee Club Presented by Lexus is the Fox Theatre’s premium membership club, recognized by Venues Now magazine as 2019’s “Best New/Refurbished Space in Food and Drink.” The Moroccan and Middle Eastern-style club is 10,000 square feet of interior and exterior space with five stationary. Open only during public events at the Fox Theatre, the Marquee Club offers a preeminent pre-show through post-show experience for club guests with amenities, including priority pre-sale ticketing notifications, access to private restrooms, concierge guest services and self-parking access to an adjacent lot for some membership levels. Visit FoxTheatre.org/MarqueeClub for limited, single-event access passes.

The rooftop terrace at Marquee Club presented by Lexus overlooks the famed Peachtree Street, offering public access to the Fox Theatre rooftop for the first time in decades. Club guests can get up close and personal with the iconic marquee sign while also enjoying pre-show through post-show amenities. The perfect blend of outside and in, there are three rooftop environments including the climate-controlled Conservatory, patio covered Arcade Terrace and the outdoor Rooftop Terrace with access to private bars and restrooms.

From the grand atmosphere to seasonal bites, the Marquee Club was intentionally designed to enhance your night beyond the performance. Start your night at the Fox Theatre with a warm welcome, then enjoy delicious, locally sourced foods; hand-crafted drinks; and vibrant company before and after the show. At the Marquee Club, you get the time you want to enjoy and savor each performance.

Photo c/o Brave PR.

Park it at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park

Several groups of people dot the lawn outside Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, one group is enjoying a picnic, the other are stretching for a long run, while the third are laughing as their dog jumps, this is the scene at Piedmont Park almost every day. Next to it, situated on the corner of 10^th and Monroe is Park Tavern, THE go-to hang out for Piedmont Park lovers. Beyond the beauty of the park and magnificent midtown views, Park Tavern also invites you to enjoy a cocktail, some upscale bar food, or maybe some sushi. If we had to recommend a bar bite, we’d suggest the super plump and juicy Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich or when sushi returns, that’s a must. Park Tavern brews their own beer, so grab a crisp and cold pint, or even some of their refreshing sangria, as well as a ton of fun options like High Noon canned cocktail.

Park Tavern is located at 500 10^th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 on the edge of Piedmont Park. More information here.

Meatballs are a Must at Grana

On the busy corner near Rock Springs on piedmont, Grana’s newly erected rooftop bar and patio, as well as impressively upscale dining room pay homage to the Chef’s Italian heritage. It’s stunning. The second you enter the patio, you’re greeted with the neon sign that reminds you that this place will be known for it’s balls, meatballs that is. As you come around the corner from there, you immediately get a beach vibe with beautiful outside bar adorned with blue tile, lounge furniture, and partial cover to keep you out of the sun. Plus, we’re being told that they have spectacular sunset views. On top of the ambiance, they have stellar bites and sips. We’d recommend the best meatball ever, their Crispy Veal Meatball or one of their array of pizzas like the Roni that boasts of pepperoni and honey. Of the sips, let us recommend the Frozen Aperol Spritz. They sometimes will have Froze instead, but frozen sips are all the rage right now, so get this while you can.

Grana is located at 1835 Piedmont Ave Atlanta, GA and more information/reservations can be found here.

All the Possibilities at “Patio Row” on the Beltline

For as a long time, Krog Street Market and Auburn was about the end of the Beltline, but then along came our friends at Hawkers, Nina and Rafi, Guac Y Margys, Pour, and more in a conglomerate of wonderful patio space, what we call Beltline Patio Row. What’s amazing about this little spot is the unlimited possibilities you can get by just hanging out here for an afternoon. You can start with some tacos and margaritas at Guac Y Margys to a good stout down at Pour Taproom to our favorite lettuce wraps at Hawkers to some delectable pizza at Nina and Rafi. It’s a smorgasbord of tastiness.

We reached out to Nina and Rafi since their one of the main go-to destinations the Beltine Patio Row and they wanted you to know, “Named one of Bon Appétit’s 50 Nominees List for Hot 10: America’s Best New Restaurants in 2019, Nina & Rafi is an Italian-American restaurant and bar from restaurateur and bar aficionado Billy Streck of Hampton + Hudson and Anthony Spina of O4W Pizza. Located in Old Fourth Ward on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail, the restaurant features expansive steel-frame garage doors to offer patio seating on warm days. Nina & Rafi’s menu of Italian-American comfort food includes famed pizzas from Spina’s nationally renowned O4W Pizza, Italian snacks to start, salads, parmesan heroes, and Italian specialties – chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan – available after 5pm. The “Meat Me in Detroit” pizza, a favorite among diners, was a “Best Dish” finalist in the 2019 Eater Awards. Curated by Beverage Director Corey Phillips, the bar offers craft and Italian beers on draft and in cans and bottles, as well as a selection of Italian wines – red, white, sparkling, orange, and rosé. A tight cocktail list rotates regularly, and the full bar features a very large selection of Amara and Italian spirits.”

On top of that, we love Hawkers and when you to see them on Patio Row, you should grab a lettuce wrap and definitely get one of their adult capri suns called, That’s My Bag Baby. You heard us, stick a straw in it and enjoy. Plus, we know John who owns Pour Taproom, and we love that you can get lost for hours in the beer offerings that the pour-your-own-beer store has, as well as wines and cocktails. It’s amazing how many stouts we’ve discovered there, from Monday Night down the street to IPAs from across the country.

This row is located off the Beltline at 661 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, Ga 30312.

Nina and Rafi photo by Bart Sasso provided by Blue Hominy PR.

ADVYS 2019: ADVENTURES IN ATLANTA AWARDS 2019

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

Best Events 2019

Afternoon in the Country, Best Overall Event 2019

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

The Juice Strikes Back – Best Beer Fest 2019

Jeffrey Fashion Cares – Best Fashion/Charity Event 2019

Southern Wing Showdown

Rhythm and Brews

DINES

Roswell Food and Beverage Festival

Taste of Atlanta

Dragon Con

Other Best Events 2019

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

Best Beer-Centric Event 2019 – Oktoberfest Atlanta

Best Wine Festival 2019 – Atlanta Mimosa Festival

Best Adult Beverages 2019

Bulla Gastrobar’s Sangria Blanca, Best Year-Round

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

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

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

Firepit Pizza & Tavern’s My Little Pony Punch

Hawkers Atlanta’s Jingle Juice

Nikolai’s Roof Apple Strudel Cocktail

Lakeside Lemonade

Pontoon Brewing’s Gravity Glaze

City Tap House Atlanta’s Red Sangria

Best Drink Presentation Holiday – Smores Drink @ Tiki Tango

Best Drink Presentation and Menu – The Sugar Factory

Best Dishes 2019

Beef Medallions Serpas True Food

Pork Shank Der Biergarten

Firepit Pizza & Tavern Meat Pizza

Ocean & Acre Pork Chop (add polenta)

Two Urban Licks Ribeye with Truffle Cream during OneDe50 Dinner

Pour Brookhaven Ahi Tuna Poke

Nikolai’s Roof Lamb Chop

Hoyles’ Kitchen & Bar Tempura Cauliflower

CMX Cinebistro Halcyon Short Rib Poutine on Tater Tots

Mission & Market Wagyu Steak

Best Food Adventures 2019

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

Polenta Party The White Bull – Best Food Adventure 2019.

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

Christmas To Go Serpas True Food

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

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

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

Ocean & Acre

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

Hoyles’ Kitchen and Bar

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

Spring Tasting Mission & Market

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

Haven Brookhaven

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

Hawkers

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

Firepit Pizza & Tavern

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

Best Nachos 2019 – Nacho Daddy Duluth