My brother has been hanging with me here in Atlanta for the past 6 months, and sadly today he's leaving to go back to Ohio:( We decided before he left we would go on a tour of some fabulous spots here in Atlanta, and well -- here's the result.
Mind you - we did 2 shuffles, this is just the first. We didn't eat everywhere we went, but we did have some apps and of course some cocktails. Imagine that. :)
Last Saturday we decided to start out at Two Urban Licks, probably one of my favorite Atlanta spots. This restaurant is modern and trendy, but has that laid back atmosphere that I like so much about Atlanta restaurants. You just feel incredibly hip when you go to this place and the food is pretty great to boot. Two Urban Licks is tucked away in an old warehouse area of Atlanta and quite honestly you'd never find it if it were not for the signs. As you wind behind this warehouse the instinct is to immediately lock the doors and go "Where the ____"....but alas, complimentary valet parking makes it much easier. Seriously people, Atlanta has spoiled me on valet. Pretty sure life would suck without it here in the city. Once inside, the wall of gas lamps, awesome view, cool tunes and vats of wine ---- ahhhh I am cool indeed! The restaurant was bustling with the urban dwellers of the city and you just feel well......cool:) I ended up with some calamari which is soooo good and some wine before we started off to the next stop.
Before we left however, one final observation....the bathroom! My mother used to tease me as a child saying I had to inspect the bathrooms of every restaurant we went to.....well times have not changed:) Interesting concept with Concentrics....unisex bathrooms...sort of. At Two there's a series of doors....pick one and go. Each is a like a little bathroom. Takes you a little off guard the first time but you get used to it.
Next, we decided we might as well give Concentrics Hospitality our money for the night....so it was One Midtown Kitchen. One, again in a warehouse facing Piedmont Park is another cool-vibe kinda place. This night, surprisingly it was pretty slow, so we just had some cocktails and off we went. Bathroom update -- another unisex bathroom -- but much cooler than at Two. It's actually includes a lounge with couches and TV:) Love that! I have to mention our bartender here --- wonderful guy. He suggested a wine and then found out he only had about a 1/2 glass, so he gave it to me for free. Bonus!! I love him now:) I did find out something I didn't previously know about One was they have a bottomless glass of wine. SWEET. The rule is you have to buy an entree and the price is per person. So if you're not a wine person, it certainly wouldn't be worth it; but in my case and if you ARE a wine person. Can't beat it starting at $22pp.
Next we hopped across the street to a new restaurant called Amuse! We arrived a little too late for any food, but we did have a seat at the bar and chatted up with the bartender. Amuse has only been open about 2 months and is a french inspired restaurant and lounge with a very welcoming atmosphere. I stopped in for lunch a few days later and quite honestly wasn't all that impressed with the food. However, a great little spot for a cocktail.
Our final stop was Apres Diem, another favorite spot of mine for just about anything. Cocktails, Food, Dessert, Coffee....they got it all. Live music, patio and a very laid back atmosphere is a great way to close out the evening. I had a portobello sandwich that was REALLY yummy.
So - four stops in one night....I think we did pretty good:) And you know, it really was fun...plus great brother/sister bonding time!
Stay tuned for part 2!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
BAD JOJO....
Happy Saturday!
Clearly, I have neglected this blog! To say November was a busy month for me, is truly an understatement. I was given a big project at the "day job" and for two solid weeks it was 12+ hours a day on that and come 10p each night, I was BEAT. Then it was off to WV/Ohio for a client visit combined with a few quality days with the parental units....back to Atlanta and as fortune would have it, my favorite pal Bronchitis came for a visit.:) However, short of having a voice that would fit in with any respectable 900-operator I'm good to go:)
Anyhooze - with all of the aforementioned activities, I haven't been able to spend much time cooking or going out lately. But I did have a few glorious moments which I will try and recount here. (Yes, that's sarcasm)
Thanksgiving Week
First it's important to understand unlike most people, I have spent the last 10 Thanksgiving alone for the most part. Save the "AWWWW's" -- it's by choice:) Because my entire family is in Ohio and Christmas is so close to Thanksgiving, I just always end up staying home and as a result, have come up with my own little ritual. I make my turkey, dressing the works; I watch the parade; I put up my tree, watch Christmas movies, play Christmas music --- all of which I love. It's my day:) Well - this year my tradition went on as per usual with one little difference...my brother was here and I had the trip I mentioned above! I returned from my client visit on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, late flight in --- but I made it! I promptly got to the apartment and crashed.
I woke Thursday morning to me flying out of bed realizing I didn't thaw the turkey. Fabulous. I now have a rock-solid frozen 10lb bird sitting in the freezer on Thanksgiving day. Sighhhhhh. OH well ---- so like every good "I gotta figure this out dinner disaster" physician I started the hot 4-hour sink bath for the bird. Gheese - what a nightmare.
But alas -- I kept the faith:) I put on my parade and started the other cooking. For the most all went well -- mind you it took my over 6 hours to put together our dinner, which I always find shocking. The thing about me and cooking is this: I love to cook, I love to eat -- but that's probably where all similarities end to any kind of real chef. How in God's name they can keep their cooking space clean while accomplishing their culinary masterpieces is beyond me. When all is said an done - my kitchen is a disaster. Kids, when I say disaster - I mean DISASTER. Food on the ceiling , food on the floor, flour-soaked hair disaster! It's actually quite comical. Had I only thought to take a picture!!
Well in the end, we had a great meal. Turkey, (slightly under-cooked mind you:), dressing,
mashed potatoes, peas with mint and asparagus and a yummy pumpkin dessert. My favorite part this year was the dressing! I used cranberries and figs and it was just great. But the BEST part was a couple days after thanksgiving where I used all my leftovers for the best soup ever......including the dressing! You have to check this recipe out. You make dumplings out of the dressing!
Well - I'm off to enjoy my Saturday and promises to be better about the blog!
Clearly, I have neglected this blog! To say November was a busy month for me, is truly an understatement. I was given a big project at the "day job" and for two solid weeks it was 12+ hours a day on that and come 10p each night, I was BEAT. Then it was off to WV/Ohio for a client visit combined with a few quality days with the parental units....back to Atlanta and as fortune would have it, my favorite pal Bronchitis came for a visit.:) However, short of having a voice that would fit in with any respectable 900-operator I'm good to go:)
Anyhooze - with all of the aforementioned activities, I haven't been able to spend much time cooking or going out lately. But I did have a few glorious moments which I will try and recount here. (Yes, that's sarcasm)
Thanksgiving Week
First it's important to understand unlike most people, I have spent the last 10 Thanksgiving alone for the most part. Save the "AWWWW's" -- it's by choice:) Because my entire family is in Ohio and Christmas is so close to Thanksgiving, I just always end up staying home and as a result, have come up with my own little ritual. I make my turkey, dressing the works; I watch the parade; I put up my tree, watch Christmas movies, play Christmas music --- all of which I love. It's my day:) Well - this year my tradition went on as per usual with one little difference...my brother was here and I had the trip I mentioned above! I returned from my client visit on Wednesday before Thanksgiving, late flight in --- but I made it! I promptly got to the apartment and crashed.
I woke Thursday morning to me flying out of bed realizing I didn't thaw the turkey. Fabulous. I now have a rock-solid frozen 10lb bird sitting in the freezer on Thanksgiving day. Sighhhhhh. OH well ---- so like every good "I gotta figure this out dinner disaster" physician I started the hot 4-hour sink bath for the bird. Gheese - what a nightmare.
But alas -- I kept the faith:) I put on my parade and started the other cooking. For the most all went well -- mind you it took my over 6 hours to put together our dinner, which I always find shocking. The thing about me and cooking is this: I love to cook, I love to eat -- but that's probably where all similarities end to any kind of real chef. How in God's name they can keep their cooking space clean while accomplishing their culinary masterpieces is beyond me. When all is said an done - my kitchen is a disaster. Kids, when I say disaster - I mean DISASTER. Food on the ceiling , food on the floor, flour-soaked hair disaster! It's actually quite comical. Had I only thought to take a picture!!
Well in the end, we had a great meal. Turkey, (slightly under-cooked mind you:), dressing,
mashed potatoes, peas with mint and asparagus and a yummy pumpkin dessert. My favorite part this year was the dressing! I used cranberries and figs and it was just great. But the BEST part was a couple days after thanksgiving where I used all my leftovers for the best soup ever......including the dressing! You have to check this recipe out. You make dumplings out of the dressing!Well - I'm off to enjoy my Saturday and promises to be better about the blog!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)