The Blind Pig Parlour Bar Transforms into Valentine’s-Themed Bar for Festive Dates and Girls’ Nights Out
The Blind Pig Parlour Bar once again transforms into The Blind Cupid now through the end of February. Guests will fall head over heels for this wildly popular pop-up experience that brings Valentine’s Day-themed sizzle with a menu of swoon-worthy drinks, decadent menu snacks and over-the-top pink and floral décor.
The Buckhead speakeasy, long known for its intimate, sophisticated vibe and The Blind Elf pop-up during the holidays, restyles its Victorian-era decor to woo hopeless romantics and the lovelorn alike. The Blind Cupid offers guests the perfect place to combat winter blues, whether they are searching for an entertaining girls’ night out, Galentine’s Day celebration or a unique date night.
The food menu boasts a variety of small plates and desserts for sharing including:
Cremini and shiitake mushroom bruschetta with Boursin cheese ($15)
Crab bites with remoulade dipping sauce ($15)
Steak and chicken skewers (three for $15 and $12, respectively)
Bacon-wrapped shrimp (four pieces for $15)
Lemon cookies ($4)
Chocolate-covered strawberries (four pieces for $8)
House-made beignets with fig and strawberry preserves ($6)
White and dark chocolate ganache board with assorted fruits and nuts ($15)
There’s a lot to love about The Blind Cupid’s cocktail menu with festive cold and hot options. Among the highlights are:
Sweet Tart with my Sweetheart shots with vodka, Aperol, Liquor 43 and lemon juice (two shots for $18)
Some Like It Hot with red jalapeño-infused Bacardi, mint, prickly pear and lemon juice ($15)
Love You a Latte mixing XXI Martini Espresso and Green Chartreuse ($15)
Say My Name with gin, lemon juice, strawberry syrup, passion fruit, soda and egg whites ($15)
Con Amor De Abuelita mixing mezcal, Abuelita hot chocolate and chocolate with a piloncillo rim ($15)
In January, The Blind Cupid will be open Wednesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. until late. In February, The Blind Cupid will be open seven days a week, including Galentine’s Day (Monday, Feb. 13) and Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, Feb. 14). Reservations are strongly recommended, and the festive venue may be reserved for small parties and special events any day of the week.
The Blind Cupid is located at 128 East Andrews Dr., NE in Atlanta. For more information, visit theblindpigparlourbar.com.
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, MediterraneanDecorRoasted Haloumi CheeseMirza GhasemiWings and OlivesHafez’s Last WordLamb Chops and Salmon KabobsLabneh with lamb
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.
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 1900Front of the hotelPeachtree Street from our bedroomKing bedroomSaltwood RestaurantSaltwood BarFrom the LobbyPerfectly Smoked ManhattanFried Chicken SandwichChocolate Chip Pancakes
Nestled in a small spot just off the Beltline, Bully Boy is hidden in the Two Urban Licks parking lot, yet when you enter it’s almost like a greenhouse oasis, low lights, large tables, and a glowing ‘oysters’ sign. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing it is a foodies dream with everything from sushi to duck spring rolls to Miso Black Cod and even a market priced A-5 wagyu dish. On top of that, they have several different sake to choose from as well as great cocktails, a large wine list, and more. Let’s find out more.
Starting with the sake and cocktails, we opted to try two different Sakes, the Koji Sake – Junmani Daiginjo ATL Edition that was our favorite, it is crisp and smooth cold sake and very sippable with any of the dishes. The other one was a rose, pink sake called Mukai Shuzo – Ine Mankai, which was still very good, floral, and fruitier than the other. For our cocktail the staff recommended the Gin #5 cocktail and we couldn’t have been happier. It is a floral gin that starts out tangy and then a smooth fruity end with cherry liquor and orange flower water and vermouth. It had a great balance.
For our shared plates, we tried a little bit of everything from crispy brussels sprouts to beef Negimaki, as well as Duck Spring Rolls, and their amazing King Kong Roll. Starting with the crispy brussels sprouts these were delicious with a sweetness and earthiness up front and then ended with a crunch and savory of the sauce. We’d never tried Negimaki before so we took a chance on it and we are glad we did! The wagyu beef was tender and meaty with a good rich flavor it surrounded crunchy and tangy cooked scallions that rounded out the bite with tang and crunch.
Something you have to try when you go to Bully Boy is their sushi! One of the rolls we tried was the King Kong Roll. Cool and tender salmon and yellowtail, sweet and spicy tuna, creamy avocado, a fantastic roll to pair with a crisp sake! The flavor was so good, no wasabi was even needed! Finally, the Duck Spring Rolls were a great twist on a classic. Crunchy and flaky outside, tender pulled duck inside that had rich flavor and the typical cabbage and carrots, but they added peppers as well for more tang. Yum.
On to our next course we pulled out all the stops and went for the pricey A-5 Wagyu and the Miso Black Cod! As for the beautiful and well-presented A-5 Wagyu it arrived in a smoke dome! It’s like meat butter surrounded by a smoky, charred skin and topped with gold flakes. It goes perfectly with the tender marinated mushroom assortment. But we must admit that the Miso Black Cod stole the show! HOLY GOD, this must try dish is sweet and tender cod paired with a rich miso sauce and pickled vegetables on the side. Put the fish, miso sauce and veggies together for an incredible sweet, earthy, rich, tangy bite. We cannot recommend any more highly!
We enjoyed the King Kong Roll so much, we also got the Ping Pong Roll. Wait, those rhyme! This is a must try with cool and tangy pineapple atop a spicy tuna roll with a balsamic glaze. It starts out with the sweet, cool pineapple and then the spiciness of the tuna and the richness of the balsamic glaze hits you on the back. Delicious! After all of that, they do offer a mochi dessert. It’s three seasonal flavors, ours turned out to be mango, matcha, and strawberry. If you are not familiar with mochi, they are chewy and fruity outside with ice cream inside and these are accompanied with fruit. We liked them all but we found you can mix and match them for best bite. I personally liked the matcha and strawberry together, almost like chocolate strawberry ice cream.
One of the best meals all year!! BRAVO!
Koji Sake A-5 Wagyu presentationMiso Black CodKing Kong RollNegimakiGin #5Ping Pong RollDuck Spring RollMukai Shuzo
Toast to 16 Years With Specialty Cocktails, Craft Beer and Wine, Pizza, a DJ, and More
Sunday, December 4, 2022 From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Since 2007, Urban Pie has been slinging hand tossed, thin crust pizzas, cold drinks, and good times in the heart of historic Kirkwood. Founded by restauranteur Lisa Curtis, the local gathering spot is hosting a lively Sweet 16 Anniversary Bash on Sunday, December 4th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. All ages and pups are welcome to attend the free celebratory event that will have live music from Juan Cervantes, better known as DJ Presyce, mouthwatering eats, speciality cocktails, freebies and more. Urban Pie is located at 2012 Hosea L Williams Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30317. For more information, visit www.urbanpieatl.com or call 404-373-2778.
Latin Restaurant Weeks (LRW) celebrates its inaugural year to drive awareness to Atlanta’s Latin chefs, restaurant owners, caterers, and bartenders while spotlighting the diversity of Latin flavors offered throughout the city. In partnership with Grubhub and Feed the Soul Foundation, local restaurants will feature special dishes and menus showcasing a wide range of Latin American/Hispanic businesses.
The “Tour de Sabor” campaign – tour of the flavors – encourages residents to expand their palate during the two-week event beginning on Friday, November 4 through Friday, November 18. LRW will bring prominence to the variety of Latin regions represented in the greater Atlanta area. Participants will highlight menu selections that represent their fare’s authenticity and culture. While each style of cooking implements unique methods with region-specific produce and spices, all Latin/Hispanic foods present bold flavors and evokes feelings of nostalgia.
Latin Restaurant Weeks encourages participants to create an experience outside of their traditional offerings – reintroduce discontinued features, prix fixe menus and/or developing meal-beverage pairings – to pique the public’s interest. This method may assist business owners and chefs with establishing new dining opportunities in an overall effort to expand their customer base. This year’s participants feature an authentic taste of Venezuelan gastronomy at Arepita Cafe or Mango Latino Grill, savory dishes from the Dominican Republic at Mamajuana Restaurant & Lounge, or robust Mexican fare at El Taco Veloz.
Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing regions for Latinx growth with over 49% of all foreign-born residents in the city identifying as Hispanic and/or Latinx – and expected to be home to over 820,000 Latines by 2040. The amount of growth within the Latinx community is due to the ever-growing business scene in the Atlanta metropolitan area. LRW partners with Hispanic entrepreneurs and professionals of the culinary industry to elevate them through the platform created for aspiring and existing Latinx hospitality professionals. Co-founded by Karinn Andréa Chavarria, the campaign originated in Houston in 2019 and was designed to highlight the contributions of Latinos in the culinary industry as an integral part of the local community.
“As we close our National Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s crucial to highlight and support Latinx businesses outside of a 30-day awareness period,” explains Chavarria. “We witnessed significant successful markers for our participants in Houston, Chicago and Miami. As a resident of Atlanta, we are especially excited to add the city to our campaign by contributing to the growth of the city’s cultural and social influences. Our platform showcases varying Latin countries in addition to the distinct regions within those territories while highlighting the complexities of their cuisine. LRW’s ‘Tour de Sabor’ provides a path for Atlantans to discover a hidden gem or visit their favorite restaurant, coffee shop, food truck, bakery, and caterer.”
LRW gives participants a voice and increased visibility. Since its first year, a majority of LRW participating restaurants reported seeing up to a 20% increase in foot traffic as well as an increase in social media engagement, along with awareness among new customers during and following the campaign.
Hosted by Renowned, James Beard Award-Winning Chef Anne Quatrano of W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, Bacchanalia, Floataway Cafe & Star Provisions
Honoring the South’s Harvest from Local Farms, Menu will Feature Dishes from Chefs Across Georgia
After a three-year hiatus, Sunday Supper South, the annual charity dinner held to raise funds for the James Beard Foundation®, will return to Atlanta on Sunday, November 6 at Ponce City Market. Created to embrace the simple cooking philosophy and inspired by the harvest of the South, Sunday Supper South is hosted by Anne Quatrano, beloved Atlanta chef and owner of Bacchanalia, Star Provisions Market & Cafe, W.H. Stiles Fish Camp and Floataway Cafe. Tickets are now available here.
The evening will kick off at 5:30pm with a cocktail reception along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail at The Shed, with drinks from Atlanta’s top beverage industry vets and passed hors d’oeuvres. Following, guests will gather around festive communal tables in Ponce City Market’s third floor Trestle to enjoy a plated dinner highlighting Georgia’s creative talents and artisan producers. The night will end with a dessert station featuring treats from some of Atlanta’s most talented pastry chefs.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the James Beard Foundation®, which celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, while pushing for new standards in the restaurant industry to create a future where all have the opportunity to thrive. Through the mantra of Good Food for Good®, the organization is committed to providing chefs and other leaders in the food community with the support, tools and resources they need to make our food culture more sustainable, equitable and delicious for everyone.
This is the sixth year that Sunday Supper South will take place at Ponce City Market. Atlanta’s historic, mixed-use community hub features a Central Food Hall, serving as home to both established chefs and emerging new talent across the country, as well as fashion and retail shops, residential lofts, offices for innovation and technology companies, and more. Ponce City Market recently broke ground on its next chapter, which is converting underutilized areas to productive economic and community use. Jamestown looks forward to adding more than 700,000 square feet of new live, work and shop space to the property. More details about the next phase is available here.
Cookbook Author Annette Joseph Joins Storico Fresco Chefs
for Four-Course Meal on Oct. 26 and 27
Storico Fresco and cookbook author, stylist, and entertaining expert Annette Joseph invite guests to an “At the Table of La Fortezza” dinner and book event on Oct. 26 and 27. Joseph’s newly released cookbook features recipes from Tuscany’s rugged Lunigiana region where she purchased and renovated a medieval fortress named La Fortezza and sought dishes from the best chefs, home cooks, and purveyors in the area.
The four-course dinner with wine pairings at Storico Fresco—Joseph’s favorite Italian restaurant in Atlanta—features recipes from the book that highlight the slow-food practices from the sustainable region. The cost is $150 per person, which includes the meal with wine pairings, a signed copy of “At the Table of La Fortezza,” tax, and service charge. Reservations can be made via OpenTable; parties of eight or more should email reservations@storicofresco.com for reservations.
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.
