Tag Archive for: brunch

Rooftop LOA Brunch

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/4/22

The grove with firepits, lush seating, and beautiful trees sprawls out in front of you and on your right is the covered lounge space with firepit and view of the downtown Atlanta Skyline. To your right is a large bar serving the grove and just beyond that the wooden door to the large pool. It’s dotted with lounge chairs, umbrellas, upscale cabanas, and an indoor, outdoor bar that has retro 80’s vibes. Next to this is the beautiful restaurant with large bar and retro seating, it is reminiscent of the Golden Girls! This is Rooftop L.O.A! The views are stunning and now you can enjoy them for brunch too! Everything from delicious benedicts, burgers, egg dishes, Bostock, and even bottomless mimosas!

Up first, we selected to try the bottomless mimosas with three different flavors: orange, turmeric Passionfruit, and Watermelon Basil. You can try all three, stick with one, or mix it up. My favorite was the turmeric passion fruit that was sweet and herbaceous. To pair with our mimosas we started with the Eggs Diablo, a moat of earthy and tangy tomato with savory eggs on top that you mix in for savory. It is paired with buttery bread to dip. Plus, the off-menu traditional eggs benedict with salty ham, savory over-easy egg, and a fantastic cheese-filled bun. We asked for the caviar hollandaise that was both salty and savory, it was the perfect accoutrement.

For our main dishes, the Brunch Burger hit the spot. One part seasoned, perfectly cooked beef topped with cheese, a savory, runny egg, thick-cut bacon, and a fantastic truffle aioli. On the side, the fries were perfectly crispy and warm. With our savory burger, we opted for Bostock. They’re take on a French toast with THICK saturated bread, warm, and sweet topped with tangy grapefruit, crunchy almonds, and ginger. The juxtaposition of the ginger and the sweet bread was divine, not to mention the ginger syrup that is literally icing on the cake. Both of these were amazing.

On our way out we stopped by the pool for a cocktail, the Sherry Colada was amazing with sweetness, cinnamon, and tiki vibes. We could stay here ALL DAY. Make sure you budget a half a day to check out all the spaces and enjoy a leisurely long brunch, a walk in the grove, and a sip by the pool.

Benedict
Bostock
Bar
Mimosas
El Diablo
Restaurant

HOBNOB NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERN AMPS UP THE FUN WITH WEEKLY SPECIALS AND EVENTS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/7/22

Neighborhood Gathering Spot Entices Guests

with Food and Drink Deals and Interactive Events Seven Days a Week

 HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, the neighborly gathering spot with locations in Brookhaven, Perimeter, Atlantic Station, and Halcyon, invites guests for delicious tavern fare, sports viewing, and a full roster of food and drink specials, and fun events every day of the week.

Weekly specials and events include:

    • Monday: $10 burger and select beers at all locations
    • Tuesday: Trivia at 7:30 p.m. with weekly cash prizes and a $6,000 grand prize at all locations
    • Wednesday: Whiskey Wednesdays with specials and whiskey flights from the expansive whiskey menu at all locations. The Halcyon location hosts Bourbon Club on the first Wednesday of every month; Atlantic Station and Halcyon host rooftop karaoke starting at 7:30 p.m.
    • Thursday: $5 champagne, $6 mules, and $6 wine after 5 p.m. at all locations.
    • Friday: Live music at 8 p.m.-close at Brookhaven and Dunwoody. DJ music from 8 p.m.-close at Atlantic Station and Halcyon.
    • Saturday and Sunday: Brunch goes from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at all locations. $17 bottomless mimosas at Brookhaven and Dunwoody; $17 mimosa pitchers at Atlantic Station and Halcyon.
    • Sunday to Thursday: Kids eat free from 5-7 p.m. at all locations

5CHURCH MIDTOWN’S SUNDAY SERVICE IS BACK!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/7/22

On Sunday, March 20, 5Church Midtown kicks off spring with Sunday Service, the restaurant’s monthly brunch party from 1-6 p.m. at its Virtue Rooftop cocktail club. Famous for its “Stay Sexy Atlanta” neon sign and incredible skyline views, Virtue Rooftop welcomes guests to soak in the sun at Sunday Service with a buffet of light brunch bites, a rotating lineup of live musicians and DJs, and cocktail features.

“Virtue Rooftop was made for Atlanta’s amazing spring weather,” says Ayman Kamel, principal of 5Church Midtown. “Our lively Sunday Service is a fun opportunity for guests to gather with friends to experience the hottest rooftop brunch party our city has to offer.”

Sunday Service is held one Sunday each month, and guests 21 and over are invited to arrive dressed to impress for the red-carpet entrance and event photographer. Offering an upbeat atmosphere perfect for celebrating any day of the week, Virtue Rooftop is enclosed and temperature-controlled with patio access overlooking bustling Peachtree Street in Midtown. View dress code online.

Tickets to Sunday Service are $25 per person and can be purchased at the door (no presales). Tickets include a buffet of light brunch bites and entertainment. Drinks from Virtue Rooftop’s full cocktail menu—including the popular Holy Water made with Four Roses bourbon, sweet tea, lemon juice, blackberries, mint, and blue agave—may be purchased separately. Check 5Church Midtown’s website for future Sunday Service dates.

ATLANTA BRUNCH FESTIVAL 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/20/22

Atlanta Brunch Festival
Atlantic Station
Saturday, March 5, 2022 – 12pm-4pm, Early Entry 11am
Celebrating brunch with brunch bites from great Atlanta restaurants, mimosas, bloody marys, Brunch Punch, beer, and wine. Live Music with Davis and the Love and DJ Qtip.
Tickets:
Bottomless Drinks Tickets (includes all drinks 12pm-3:45pm, Food costs extra)
$45 Advance, $50 after Feb. 25, $60 day of event
Early Entry Tickets (includes unlimited drinks, early entry at 11am, 4 food tickets for any restaurant tent)
$65 advance, $70 after Feb. 25, $80 day of event
Get more information and tickets here.

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

CELEBRATE FALL DURING SUNDAY FUNDAY AT TWO URBAN LICKS

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 9/29/21

End the Week With Ranch Rider Cocktails, TWO’s Fiery American Cuisine, Live Music, and More
Sunday, October 3, 2021 Beginning at 12 p.m.

Celebrate Sunday Funday the right way with live music, cocktails, and a bit of fall fun at TWO urban licks. Located on the Atlanta BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward, guests can embrace the start of the new season by enjoying a combination of refreshing Ranch Rider’s Spirits and Executive Chef Matt Weinstein’s fiery American cuisine.  The expansive and dog-friendly patio is an ideal location to grab a bite, people watch and enjoy cocktails, wine, craft brews and more.  Based out of Austin, Texas, their craft cocktails are void of preservatives and additives and served in 12-ounce cans.  The tradecraft of co-founders Quentin Cantu and Brian Murphy, revelers are invited to try two of Ranch Rider’s signature tequila cocktails:  Ranch Water and Tequila Paloma. Taste the mix of lime and Reposado with Ranch Water or experience the citrus with fresh grapefruit, lime, and orange in the Tequila Paloma. Vodka-lovers can sip on “The Buck”, a mix of vodka, lime, ginger, and sparkling water.  Call 404.522.5622 to make a reservation. TWO Urban Licks is located at 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. Atlanta, GA, 30306. Visit twourbanlicks.com for more information.

ATLANTA BRUNCH FESTIVAL 2021

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

Atlanta Wine Festivals and Atlanta Beer Festivals hosts
Atlanta Brunch Festival at Atlantic Station
Saturday, October 23, 2021 – 12pm-4pm, Early Entry 11am
Celebrating brunch with brunch bites from great Atlanta restaurants, mimosas, bloody marys, Brunch Punch, Seltzer, beer, and wine. Live Music and DJ Qtip. Brunch samples will cost $3 paid directly to each restaurant vendor.
Tickets:
Bottomless Drinks Tickets (includes all drinks 12pm-3:45pm, Food costs extra)
$45 Advance, $50 after Oct. 14 , $60 day of event

Early Entry Tickets (includes unlimited drinks, early entry at 11am, 4 food tickets for any restaurant tent)
$65 advance, $70 after Oct. 14, $80 day of event

Info: 21 and up event, no kids, no babies, no pets. Chairs, blankets, and small bags are okay. No outside food or beverage. Rain or shine event, no refunds. We will not have Designated Driver Tickets. Free bottled water available. Alcohol will be cut off at 3:45pm. Four Early Entry food tickets must be used between 11am and 1pm.

Good Word Brewing: Brunch Edition

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/30/21

Crossing over a pair of tracks into a quaint, charming downtown, is an area where local bars, retail, and restaurants dot the shady, tree-lined street. On the corner, Good Word Brewing is a downtown Duluth local gem that prides themselves on unforgettable frosty brews, delectable brunch, and a stellar all-day menu, all in a beautiful OTP downtown. It’s definite, the word is out that Good Word Brewing has a fantastic brunch that should go on your brunch list! With items like this spicy number, gooey cinnamon roll, sensational sausage platter, amazing avocado toast, stellar seasonal hash, beer, brunch cocktails, and even slushies, we were in brunch heaven. Let’s dig in.

Something Good Word is definitely known for is their brews, so we tried a flight with 4 great options. We got Hollow Moon Stout, Are You Living in a Computer Simulation Helles Lager, The Quantum Immortality English Porter, and Face for Radio Pale.  The Hollow Moon Stout that’s roasty and toasty yet mellows on the back was Liz’s favorite, while Are You Living In a Computer Simulation is a Helles Lager that’s smooth and drinkable, great for patio sips and the second favorite. The Quantum Immortality English Porter was malty but light and refreshing with a hint of bitterness. John’s favorite was the Face for Radio that he said was well balanced hops and refreshing. Beyond the brews, they have fun brunch cocktails and slushies! They were out of the slushie, but we tried the South 75. It is botanical gin mixed with bright lemon that starts out tart and almost has a grapefruit end, finished with a splash of bubbly. Who doesn’t love a little bubbly with brunch?

Of the sharable brunch dishes, we opted for the Cinnamon Roll, Sausage Board, and Avocado Toast. Up first is the Cinnamon Roll that’s warm, gooey, sticky sweet and rich! After the sweet hits you, the spiciness of the cinnamon comes in and balances this roll out. The best part is the sticky, sweet middle on the bottom, so start there and work your way up and out. You’ll thank us! Moving from sweet to savory, the sausage board is out of this world! We were most impressed by the presentation and flavors of this board!  Starting with the homemade sausage that’s on one hand spicy, the Marita, and then the other hand bright, Ginger Basil, both pop with flavor. Pair either with pickled vegetables, toast, or mustard, you can’t go wrong. Don’t sleep on the deli sliced sausage with pistachios either; it will melt in your mouth! Finally, we simply had to try the essential Avocado Toast.  It’s creamy and light with the richness of soft-boiled eggs, tangy onion and micro greens. The sesame seasoning and toast give it a crunch and a good dusting of flavor, but not too overpowering. It’s a great overall complete dish with creamy, rich, tangy, and earthy.

Spicy and hearty are two good words to describe our main entrees, Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit and the Seasonal Hash. Our favorite dish of the day, the Nashville Hot Chicken Biscuit, has it all! This spicy bite starts crunchy, tender, and sweet then the kick on the back of the throat is JUST RIGHT. It’s the perfect flavor combination from the warm and sweet honey to the crispy and hearty biscuit, then the crunchy and spicy chicken. The best bite is as you let the biscuit sit in the honey, it becomes a little soft and sucks in all the flavors: spicy, sweet, sassy! Divine. On the other hand, the Seasonal Hash is a staple dish for a hearty appetite. Bright sauce topped with tender, crisp fingerling potatoes that pop in your mouth. Then, tangy onions, peppers round out the hash and topped with a rich, hearty, runny egg. Let the egg run out and mix with the mixture below, that’s the ticket!

After our brunch, we strolled through the rest of the downtown area, with green space, and shops that we thoroughly enjoyed as well. What do you want to try at Good Word Brewing?

Apron and Ladle

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/3/21

Nestled in a spot in Sandy Springs near the hustle and bustle of Roswell Road, Apron and Ladle is a brunch gem! From the Spicy Fried Chicken Benedict to the flavorful Avocado, Bacon and Fried Green Tomato Biscuit to the sweet Biscuit French Toast and even the Thick Chicken and Waffles, they have a stout brunch line-up. Let’s brunch.

Starting with the biscuits, they’re made from scratch daily and it shows. Deliciously flaky, fluffy, buttery, and with a light crunch on the outside and soft on the inside, you could eat one plain! But Apron and Ladle take this basic biscuit and spice it up with several ways to enjoy it in tandem with unique and fun flavors! One of our favorites is the Avocado, Bacon, Fried Green Tomato Biscuit. It has that flaky, fluffy, crumbly and buttery biscuit to start! They nailed this combo as it’s THE flavor combo with creamy avocado, crunchy and tart tomato, and savory, salty bacon. The gamut of flavors will welcome you to Flavortown.

Moving on to the Fried Chicken Benedict, which is a large portion of spicy chicken that’s tender inside and crunchy outside. It is surrounded by a poached egg, bacon, hollandaise all atop a fluffy, crunchy biscuit. All the ingredients mix together for a savory, salty, creamy, spicy, crunch bite! On the flip side of spicy is sweet and if you get anything, the Biscuit French Toast is a must try. 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 is the hands down favorite by John and I both.

Switching gears, Apron and Ladle have much more than biscuit centric dishes like sandwiches, egg dishes, and salads, but they also have a stellar Chicken and Waffles. These are thick, sweet yet crunchy waffles with a warm and sweet syrup! It is paired with tender and crunchy dark meat chicken that goes so well with the sweetness of the waffle. Yum.

Now that we’ve shared our experience. We’d like to know what you would try at Apron and Ladle?

Two Urban Licks: Brunch Edition

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/14/21

Right off the beltline in between Inman Park and Ponce City Market, Two Urban Licks is perched on a small hill with an inviting patio, amazing outdoor space, and even warmer interior. Just imagine the warm sun above and the clatter of patio diners enjoying a meal near you, then the smell of fresh food wafting from the kitchen where a wood burning oven’s fire glows ever so slightly. It’s also the perfect place to sit and watch people walk, run, or scoot on the beltline while sipping on a mimosa and feasting on everything from salmon chips to confit turkey wings, as well as brunch items like amazing brisket and eggs, a phenomenal biscuits and gravy, and flaky catfish and grits. Bring your brunch bae along for a sensational brunch adventure.

Being a destination patio on the beltline, we started out with Cool It Ginger cocktail that was served frozen with a perfect mix of pineapple and ginger for a savory, spicy balance, then finishing with booze on the back of the throat. This is an amazing patio sipper that will get you through the summer. On the other hand, we’re suckers for a good old fashioned and opted for the Up In Smoke! With a ton of citrus up front and the booze on the back of the palate, this one is a solid smoky old fashioned cocktail. Your father would approve. If cocktails aren’t your thing, they have a fantastic assortment of Mimosa flavors from traditional orange to blood orange to grapefruit. You can’t go wrong on a beautiful Sunday sitting on the patio with one of these babies.

Before we arrived, rumor had it that Two Urban Licks does some fantastic Salmon Chips. Rumor confirmed! We got the Salmon Chips and they’re so beautifully presented, almost too pretty to eat. From the crunch of the seasoned hearty potato chip to the flaky and cool salmon, the spice of the chipotle cream to the earthiness of the capers and onions, that’s one completely satisfying bite. It really has the gamut of flavors, meaty, crispy, tangy, earthy. More please. To go with our Salmon Chips, we got the spectacular Confit Turkey Wings. The second you bite into one of these you know it’s going to be special with the tender, smoky, and crunchy turkey! Then, amazing flavor explodes from the lemon pepper rub as it mixes with the creamy blue cheese sauce. This ends up being lemony, creamy, savory, and crunchy all in one bite. I didn’t share.

Moving onto the brunch dishes, we got three very different bites, but we’d highly recommend each! Starting with the Catfish and Grits, the catfish itself was perfection with the three ways it should always be served, crispy, flaky, and tender. The fish was perched on top of a concoction of creamy grits and creole seasoning that was reminiscent of N’awlins. Our pro tip is to use the lemon squeeze they give you because it elevates the flavor of the entire dish! Going from creole to barbeque with the Brisket and Eggs. This was John’s favorite bite with the rich, deep, juicy, brisket seasoned with a plethora of flavors. It is paired with a savory jus and a couple of savory runny eggs that when mixed with the brisket balanced some of the richness with some brightness and savory. Finally, my favorite dish was the Biscuits and Gravy. Imagine a large, flaky, crumbly, and buttery biscuit piled high with crispy and crunch chicken that’s tender and juicy inside. You got that picture, now introduce some eggs and top it with creamy, savory, and rich sausage gravy with hearty chunks of sausage. This is what dreams are made of with all the complexity of all the ingredients coming together. Our tip is to make sure to get every ingredient in one bite including the well-seasoned and crispy potatoes on the side. Drool.

Whatever you do, PLEASE stay for dessert because they have this Peanut Butter Pie that literally have people falling all over it to try. It’s creamy, peanut butter forward, but ends smooth on the palate. The best part is they top it with jam so you have a peanut butter and jelly vibe and these charred marshmallows that add to the sweetness! It’s so good you will want to put this on your must try list. If you don’t get ANYTHING ELSE at Two. Get this.

Next time you’re on the beltline stop by for a cool cocktail and Peanut Butter Pie at Two Urban Licks and get in a reservation for brunch. You won’t regret one bite of it.