Tag Archive for: cocktails

YOUR 3RD SPOT ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 1/26/23

Dirt was everywhere, a frame of a bar extended down the far wall, a bunch of lumber was piled in the middle of the space, the ceiling wasn’t painted, and the heat inside was sweltering. This was our first look at Your 3rd spot over the summer before their big Fall grand opening where the difference was day and night between then and now. Now, a large wood door opens into a sprawling game-scape where you’re greeted with a corn hole lawn and right behind it is a sweeping bar and above a terrace with a DJ space, curling court, and a great place to people watch. On top of all of this is a whole bowling alley, VIP areas, a gaming area for games like Skee-Ball and arcade games, large outdoor patio with lawn games, and EVEN a darts area. It’s a game lovers paradise. But just when you thought Your 3rd Spot was all about the gaming experience, they WOW with fantastic food and spectacular cocktail menu to elevate the overall experience! Y3S! 

Nothing helps our Skee-Ball game like a few cocktails. Your 3rd Spot has a terrific selection of cocktails like the tiki-inspired Jungle Smoke, smoky Lord Byron Blackberry Smoked Old Fashioned, and the bright Mai Tai. Cool it all down with the Jungle Smoke cocktail that is sweet and tangy from the pineapple, then a slight smoke flavor from the mezcal, and floral notes from the Demerara syrup. Pro tip: make sure to stir up the drink! If you love it fruity, you’ll love the Mai tai, served in an epic tiki glass. This DRAFT cocktail is one part passion fruit, orange, and sweet, and then one part boozy. Sippable and fun. But if you’re looking for something a little boozier, you’re in for a treat from the Lord Byron Blackberry Smoked Old Fashioned. It’s boozy with hints of berry and cinnamon up front with a slight smoke on the end. Plus, can’t decide on what you want? You can get all the draft cocktails in a flight! It comes out in a tower of glass and greenery. It’s pretty epic.  

After a vigorous motorcycle drive around the streets of Miami, a round of delectable shared plates hit the spot. Starting with two of our favorites, the first being the Slow Smoked Short Ribs are tender and meaty with a delicate smoke on the end. Then top with tangy, crispy onions and a tangy and sweet BBQ sauce that rounds out the savory meat. OR you can just dive into the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice plate. The savory of the tuna, spiciness of the jalapeño, the richness of the soy that balances the slight smoked and rounded out with creamy mayo. It’s a well-rounded bite!  

Moving on to the M3eatballs (yes, with a 3), they were a tender mix of pork, veal, and beef paired with a tangy marinara and a creamy, dreamy, polenta underneath. A wonderful piece of charred, buttery, crispy homemade focaccia is on the side. One of the most unique bites is the amazing Potato Torpedoes that are a bed of crispy skin potatoes wedges. On top is the creamy and rich devilled egg mousse and salty caviar/fish roe! It’s salty, crispy, crunchy, rich, creamy, and then there is that inevitable pop of the roe.  

The next shared plate was another winner, the Wagyu Beef Tartare! The beef tartare itself is tender and savory meat mixed with creamy mayo, a hint of tangy onion, and then surrounded by crunchy, tart pickled carrots. On top mustard seeds are the perfect crunchy and flavorful addition to the bite. Don’t forget to dip away with the spicy, puffed sushi rice for the best bite.  

For our final bite of our epic food journey was the Seared Peking Duck Breast. It is tender and flavorful duck with a sweet and savory sherry gastrique, tangy blood orange, crunchy nuts, all a top creamy leeks. It has so many great flavors so make sure to get everything in one big bite.  

After our meal, we enjoyed unlimited games where I dominated Skee-Ball with a score of 300(!) on one round and John found his favorite driving game and drove around multiple cities on a motorcycle.  

Seared Peking Duck Breast
Jungle Smoke
Wagyu Beef Tartare
Mai Tai
Potato Torpedoes
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Lord Byron Old Fashioned

Yalda Atlanta

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

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


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


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


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


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

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


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


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


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


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


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

Salads: Shirazi, Beet, Mediterranean
Decor
Roasted Haloumi Cheese
Mirza Ghasemi
Wings and Olives
Hafez’s Last Word
Lamb Chops and Salmon Kabobs
Labneh with lamb

The Ashford

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

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


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


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


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


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

Pistachio Cake
Fall Manhattan
Bar
Salumi
Salmon Dip
Salmon
Salad
1920 Daiquiri
Outside

LOEWS ATLANTA HOTEL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brassica, in the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/5/22

Marble and brass extend out from the warm wood bar, dotted with happy hour patrons enjoying fancy drinks and small bites. To the side the dining room is packed with warm leather booths juxtaposed to the orange and blue ornate plates and the slats in the wall that peer into the hall next to the restaurant. On the back end, the décor changes to a modern black with white tables and dark napkins. This beautiful spot is Brassica, the opulent French-Inspired Southern fare restaurant nestled in the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria Buckhead. They put just the right spin on traditional French and southern dishes, while offering upscale cocktails and an extensive wine list.

Brassica does everything well, including their cocktail and wine offerings. For the cocktails we tried the fancy James Bond inspired Vesper. Shaken not stirred, botanical gin, vodka, and the right amount of lemon make for a boozy, strong, floral, smooth cocktail where the flavor profile changes as you drink. If boozy isn’t want you’re looking for, go for the Roman Punch, it’s like drinking tea on the porch! Lemony, tangy, and sweet, it’s smooth as you can get. That might be dangerous. Plus, they have a great wine list that pairs with the great French-inspired southern menu. We tried the Licia Albarino from Spain and a Cabernet that were both delicious and went so well with the dishes we got, the Trout, and the Roasted Rack of Venison.

For starters, you can never go wrong with a solid Beef Carpaccio, tender and savory with tangy olives, earthy capers, and the sharpness of the cheese and tangy onion. A great bite when you roll it all up into one. We paired that with something we don’t see every day on menus, frog legs! The Sauteed Frog Legs are deconstructed and taken off the bone, and surround a crunchy, buttery toast with roasted garlic on top. Then underneath a fantastic creamy, earthy parsley cream adds the right amount of balance to the tender frog, buttery, crunchy toast, and sharpness of the garlic. This mix and match dish is a keeper.

Of the sides, we are in love with the Butternut Squash Jambalaya. This one is an experience all on its own, served in a smoked dome and the smoke released at the table. The smokiness is prevalent in the dish and pairs with the lightly spicy Cajun spices and creamy rice then contrasts the hearty and earthy butternut squash. Beyond that we had to opt for the Mac N Cheese that is served in a pot. It is creamy brie and tender macaroni all topped with a layer of sharp cheese.

The chef surprised us with a pair of Little Gem salads that is one part crunchy with pecans and apples and one part earthy of the greens. The best part is the buttery, tangy brown butter vinaigrette. It goes so well with the overall flavor profile of the salad. This is so good you may want to lick the plate. Another fun surprise we can talk about here is the cornbread that comes before the meal. It’s thick, dense, sweet, and savory bread that’s topped with a beautiful, warm brown butter sauce that give off hints of caramel. It’s some of the best cornbread you can get in Atlanta. It almost is like a dessert!

We can’t stop thinking about this stunning Roasted Rack of Venison shared plate. Have you seen venison presented so perfectly (see article cover)? It is tender and savory with a balanced amount of seasoning. On top boozy, sweet, and tart marinated cherries marry with the meat for an explosion of flavor, then underneath creamy and smooth mashed potatoes and savory, earthy Brussels pair with a savory, meaty sauce that just knocks the flavors out of the park. This is the best Venison we’ve EVER had! Go try it! The other main that we got is the Pecan Rainbow Trout. It is tender and flaky fish with a light crunch of the fish skin on the top. The pecans dotted on top roll into the creamy corn and sauce below for a warm, crunchy, overall great bite that is popping with flavor. This is a light dish that goes so well with the heftiness of the Venison.

To finish out our meal, we had to try the Oven Roasted Georgia Apple. It’s a whole cooked apple, skin on, that’s stuffed with sweet apricots, topped with a sweet, caramel sauce, spicy cinnamon, and paired with a cool dollop of ice cream. The uniqueness of the crunchy apple skin, sweetness of the apricots and creaminess of the sauce and ice cream make for the perfect pair.

This was epic.

Lapeer

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 5/9/22

The beautiful white building sits next to a sprawling green that makes its large “steeple” stand out amongst the downtown space. Is that a lighthouse? Inside, warm decorative lighting descends upon the large, ornate bar. The enclosed sunroom is stunning with earthy wood tables, mixed media ceiling, and beautiful lighting. Lapeer not only is stunning in ambiance but also in their wonderful food! Like this steak, a perfectly cooked filet that literally melts in your mouth and has the right amount of seasoning. No sauce required! It’s really the PERFECT piece of meat! But, the newly rebranded steakhouse doesn’t stop there, everything from the savory steak sauces to the elevated cocktails, the amazing apps, and even some of the best chocolate cake is all top notch! This is the perfect spot for a date night!

Why not start out with a cocktail? They have some good ones like the 5pm Somewhere! This great, balanced cocktail is tart and tangy with a good bit of creaminess from the foam. They also have an extensive wine list with several varieties of wine by the glass and even more bottles!

Starting with the amazing apps, the Beef Tartare and Seafood dip, the tartare starts out with a ton of savory meat, while the onion and mustard bring out the flavor with tang! The entire bite ends up tangy, creamy, savory, and then a crunch of the buttery bread. One the other hand, the Lapeer Smoked Fish Dish has a myriad of flavors from the creaminess of the dip to the saltiness of the fish and then a smokiness on top. Whatever you do make sure to mix it with the Kraken Blood hot sauce, it gives it a kick!

We opted to share a beautiful center-cut filet mignon and got almost every side you could imagine. Of all the sides, the crave-able Creamy Potatoes Gratin is hands down the best side. It is one part rich and creamy, then on the other side sweet and savory. Icing on the cake is the crunchy cheese on top! The Broccolini is earthy and tender inside with a nice char and crisp on the outside. This delicious side has a ton of flavor! On to the Charred Cabbage, which is tender and mild then on the top a healthy char. Underneath, the moat of savory sauce blends with a perfect amount of tang and sweetness. Last but not least are the creamy, dreamy whipped mashed potatoes that definitely pairs well with any of the steak sauces. They are buttery, creamy, and just right! We recommend pairing with the amazing steak jus sauce for ultimate bite.

The star of the show, though, had to be the Center-Cut Filet. It is perfection with the right amount of seasoning outside and juicy and savory inside. As we mentioned earlier it doesn’t really need any sauces, but they have some great ones that pair well with it. On the side they have roasted garlic, so we rolled that up with the Steak Jus and this was a great combo with the steak or even those crispy fries on the side! You really can’t go wrong with any of them!

To end the night, we opted for the amazing Chocolate Cake. It’s really the perfect amount of chocolate, not over-powering or over rich. The cake itself is darker chocolate with a little more flavor and then the icing gives it depth with a milkier flavor. It’s a great combination. On top, they added chocolate crunchies that add a fun texture to the bite. The perfect way to end an incredible meal.

Bastone

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/2/22

The lure of neon red draws you in from the road, while the outside patio sits ready for hungry patrons. Inside there is a mirror wall that casts beautiful light into the dining room, while the large bar that is the length of the restaurant puts out amazing cocktails.  From the genius of Pat Pascarella, the brand spanking new Bastone is an upscale mozzarella and wine bar that doesn’t skimp on their perfect pasta dishes, carefully curated wines, amazing apps, cool cocktails, and let’s not forget the magnificent mozzarella flight! The Porchetta Group has another winner! Let’s dig in.

Starting with the sips, they have huge, carefully curated wine list that boasts one of the best crisp white wines we’ve ever had, the Cincinnato Bellone from the rare Lazio region. It’s the perfect wine to go with the creaminess of the mozzarella. Want to try Italian beer? They have a crisp and cool, Birra Lucana, that’s the right body and lightness to go with the cheese, as well. Run, don’t walk to try the Ace of Spades. It’s so cool with the ingredients themselves: gin, salted pasta water(!), tomato, and a mozzarella ball! The salted water starts salty but ends with the carbines of the pasta mixed with a piney gin then stuffed with what Pat said was a “caprese salad in a glass.” They’ll blister tomatoes, basil and olive oil and add it table-side for an exciting experience cocktail. It’s different, yet something everyone should at least experience. He’s spot on with his description. Must try.

Something that Bastone does so well is Mozzarella, and they show it off with their signature item, the Mozzarella flight. It’s the combination of Fatt Amano (favorite of the four), Burrata Siano, Stracciatella, and Burrata Di Stefano. The Fatt Amano was both of our favorites being a little more bold and saltier, while the Burrata Siano is milder with a light creaminess and tang on the end. As you go down the board, you’ll get Stracciatella that is sweet and smooth, as well as Burrata Di Stefano! We also got a hand-pulled mozzarella in house from Pat himself and it was so fresh and bright! If you want a little meat to pair with that cheese, they have meat and cheese boards. We got the Taglierino mini board that had a large array of meats for the size, mozzarella to pair, and vegetables like garlicky artichokes that round out the flavors.

We didn’t find a bad bite in their tasting plates, like the Caldi Arancini or the Freddi Lamb Tartare. Arancini is always a go-to as it’s crunchy, savory, and creamy and this one didn’t disappoint. We call them crunchy balls of goodness! They’re stuffed with savory short rib, earthy butternut squash that melts into the cheese. It’s crunchy, sweet, savory, and creamy! On the other hand, is the Lamb Tartare that’s fresh and bright with a ton of fun flavors. It starts hearty and savory with a good crunch, then a mustard-forward tang comes in on the back. Pile it all on the crunch and salty chip for the best bite.

We’re not going to lie, the pastas at Bastone are the real showstoppers. Something that Pat does so well is his fresh, homemade pastas that are perfectly cooked in salted pasta water! He always says, “Salt your pasta water!” The first one is the Orecchiette with a fun presentation: a bone sticking right out of the middle. So, with a bone marrow indulgent middle, perfectly cooked hat pasta, pancetta for salt and savor, and tangy stew, it was a well-rounded bite. The favorite bite of the night is the Cresc’ Tajat. It is stuffed with rich herbaceous sausage, fantastic creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked inside out corkscrew pasta. It went from savory up front to creamy and sweet on the back, the myriad of flavors culminates in one of the best bites you can have here.

Not only is the dessert pretty to look at, but it also tastes just as good. The Pear Lemon Torta was tangy pear enveloped in creamy meringue, mellow tart, and creamy ice cream. The lemon explodes from the middle and then mellows with the as you eat all the other ingredients. So, yes, stay for dessert.

ATLANTA DAIRIES ANNOUNCES RUM BAR AS NEWEST TENANT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/11/22

Memorial Drive Historic Redevelopment Project Welcomes El Malo, Set to Open Late 2022

Paces Properties is pleased to share news of the newest tenant to join its Memorial Drive Atlanta Dairies redevelopment, El Malo. Anticipated to open in Q4 of 2022, El Malo is the brainchild of restaurateur Omar Ferrer (Supremo Taco, Pollo Supremo) and beverage director Gabe Bowen (formerly of Umi Sushi and Restaurant Eugene).

“We are happy to have El Malo join the Atlanta Dairies lineup,” said David Cochran, President and CEO of Paces Properties. “The innovative concept will be unlike any other experience in Atlanta, and it will be the perfect drinks-driven, nightlife accompaniment to our growing roster of retailers, restaurants, and of course, The Eastern.”

Discover more about El Malo below.

El Malo

Concept:
The new destination for music and cocktails, El Malo is a rum bar rooted in deep reverence for the history and culture surrounding sugar cane/agave-based spirits.

Vision:
Long absent on the Memorial strip, El Malo fills the void for post-dinner drinks in a sumptuously secluded environment – a refuge for the jewels of nightlife to fluoresce.

Stats Size:
5,444 SF Bar

Location:
Set in the interior of the property and adjacent to Atlanta Dairies retail shops.

The buildout for El Malo, which translates to “The Bad Guy,” will be led by Square Feet Studio. Guests can expect a versatile and stimulating interior complimented by an “express” window on the patio that will focus on frozen and bottled options to be enjoyed in The Yard of Atlanta Dairies.

El Malo joins seven additional tenants that are already open including City Champion, Dairies Coffeehouse and Cold Brew Bar, Paradiso Plant Shop, Proper Wax, Three Taverns Imaginarium, Wonderkid, YOUNG BLOOD, and The Eastern music venue, which most recently debuted with a fall opening last year.

THE GPC CANOPY SOIRÉE RETURNS TO ZOO ATLANTA THIS MARCH

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/27/22

A Philanthropic Evening of Dinner, Cocktails, Dancing, Music, a Raffle and More Hosted by and Benefitting the Grant Park Conservancy, presented by The Rob Smith Team
Friday, March 11, 2022 From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
 The second annual Canopy Soirée hosted by the Grant Park Conservancy (GPC) returns on Friday, March 11, 2022 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Held at Zoo Atlanta in Savanna Hall overlooking the mesmerizing African Savanna exhibit, the philanthropic fête benefiting the GPC is an exciting evening featuring dinner, dessert, cocktails, a DJ, dancing, raffle prizes and much more in a beautifully decorated ballroom.
A night to remember, funds raised during this year’s event, presented by The Rob Smith Team, will be used to plant over 100 trees to enhance historic Grant Park’s tree canopy, support gazebo-rebuilding, tackle crumbling stonework on the Milledge Fountain wall, and bring the 20th installment of the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival back this August.
The Canopy Soirée is for ages 21 and up and host committee tickets, individual tickets, and tables are on sale now starting at $125 at www.gpconservancy.org/events-programs/canopy-soiree. For more information about the Grant Park Conservancy visit www.gpconservancy.org. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test required for entry.

26 Thai Kitchen and Bar Brookhaven

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/6/21

Immaculately decorated with an expansive patio, 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar’s newest location in Brookhaven is one-part delicious Thai and sushi and one-part beautiful ambiance. Yes, this location has sushi! Everything from the creative cocktails to start to the delectable Nigiri, creative ceviche, spicy tuna tartare, the stunning Ka Pow Kai roll, and sensational sushi, they have a great variety for all palates. Let’s dive in.

Sitting on the patio, there is a light breeze as the wait staff brought us a KOH Samui cocktail. This drink starts bright and citrusy up front and then ends tart on the back. As we sipped, we delighted in the Nigiri, which was absolutely amazing. The salt water and freshwater eel are both so tender and fall apart in your mouth. Of the two, the freshwater eel is divine with a slight char and full flavor. It’s some of the best eel we’ve had in a long time. Plus, don’t count out the salt water eel, which was a little bit fuller, thicker, and tons of flavor, as well. The octopus was just ok though, it needs more flavor and tenderness.

Next to pair with our Zen Sake, we opted to try some of the other raw dishes, like the Ceviche and the Tuna Tartare. First up, the ceviche is so fresh and packed with peppers and radish! It starts almost sweet up front and then as you eat, there is a myriad of spice on the back. The spiciness grows as you eat, so this ends up being a spectrum of flavors from sweet to spicy with a good crunch. Another one of the great appetizers is the Tuna Tartare. It is spicy, creamy, spicy, and a great crunch from the wonton. The best bite is to add soy sauce for an extra saltiness and richness that revs up the flavor!

One of the things that 26 Thai in Brookhaven does that the other locations don’t is sushi! Starting with the stunning Ka pow kai roll, this one is the most unique fusion roll we’ve had with crepe on the outside and rice and asparagus inside. Surrounding this is some delicious minced and slightly spicy chicken with bright, crisp, peppers. Fun tip, go ahead and add soy sauce, it actually adds a little more richness to the meat and rice. Beyond this Thai and sushi mashup’s amazing flavor is the best sushi presentation we’ve seen in a long time on a circular wood board and piled high.

Along side this, we got two more sushi rolls, the Under the Sea and the Sahara Roll. The Under the sea is surprisingly light and refreshing with tender meat and creamy avocado that can be paired with the soy and wasabi for even more flavor. The best part is this one feels healthy for those watching their weight! We also thoroughly enjoyed the Sahara Roll, as well. This roll is sweet and rich and then you get the creaminess of the avocado and the tender fish on the back. Then, there is the slight crunch of the wispy tempura flakes and if you top with soy sauce and wasabi, you’re in for a treat.

What would you try first?