Greece vs. Italy Five-course Wine Dinner at Kyma

The folks at Buckhead Life Restaurant Group are hosting a 5 course dinner Wednesday August 24th:

 

Happy Hour Specials at Saltyard in Buckhead

Saltyard is offering now $1 oysters, $3 local brews and $5 wines Monday through Friday from 5-7

• 1820 Peachtree Rd NW
• Buckhead  (404) 382-8088
•  saltyardatlanta.com

Zagat's 8 Totally Unique Bars in Atlanta

As a follow up to yesterday's Unique Zagat restaurants in Atlanta, we wanted to present this bar list.  Agree with it?  Have more to add?  Let us know!  

When you've been to one bar, you've been to them all, right? Not the case in Atlanta, where a number of nightlife spots don't focus their creativity on just the cocktails, but on the surroundings as well. These bars are curious, unique and sometimes just plain weird, but all worth a visit when you're looking for an interesting night out.

• Photo by: Kurz Creative

  
  
  
  
  Battle & Brew
  
  
  This Sandy Springs pub brings new life to the concept of bar entertainment, making itself a mecca for gamers with video stations where guests battle it out on the latest computer and console video games. The bar and food programs are just as playful, mashing up nerd culture with foodie fantasies, and keeping plenty of craft brews and creative cocktails on hand whenever a player needs a power up.
  
  
  What to Order: Go fully nerdy and order a glass of Pie ($7), an apple-juice-and-cider cocktail inspired by a cult drink found at the annual Dragon*Con convention.
  
  
  5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs; 678-560-1500
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Czar Ice Bar
  
  
  At $400, the most city's most expensive cocktail (you get to keep the Swarovski crystal martini glass) can be found at this Buckhead oddity. While those looking for a bar built fully out of ice may be disappointed — try Vegas or Sweden for that — you'll still get the best you're likely to do in Georgia. Czar's 27-ft. bar is topped with a four-inch-thick slab of ice.
  
  
  What to Order: The Sweet Georgia Peach ($12) combines both vodka and whiskey flavored with peach with OJ and cherry liqueur.
  
  
  56 E. Andrews Dr. NW; 678-244-3610
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sarah Dodge
  
  
  
  
  
  Little Trouble
  
  
  The cocktail pedigree of this Westside bar is impeccable (it's from the same team behind Victory Sandwich Bar and Paper Plane), as is its aesthetic vision. Nowhere else in town will you find a spot that dives so fully into its atmosphere — in this case, a neon-and-concrete lair reminiscent of futuristic neo-noir films like Blade Runner and Brazil.
  
  
  What to Order: The Found Art ($12) made with rye, mezcal, Zucca rhubarb liqueur, mole bitters.
  
  
  1170 Howell Mill Rd.; 404-500-4737
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Studio No. 7
  
  
  Along the western edge of Downtown where the Marietta Street corridor crosses Ivan Allen you'll find this spot that's unassuming on the outside but bustling with creativity within. The bar's somewhere between a globally inspired tapas bar, an art gallery, an event space and a general cool-kid hangout. Drinks and food change according to season and according to whatever art show's up in the space.
  
  
  What to Order: My Other Studio is in Paris ($9), combining gin, honey syrup, lemon juice and sparkling wine
  
  
  393 Marietta St.; 404-549-9839
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sister Louisa's
  
  
  
  
  
  Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping-Pong Emporium
  
  
  Locals "praise the Lord" for this "unique" Sweet Auburn bar known just as Church that's loaded with with choir robes for wearing, church-organ karaoke and some of the city's most renowned Ping-Pong tables; "down-home hospitality," "drinks you can afford" and "kitschy" religious decor complete the picture.
  
  
  What to Order: Mixed drinks and beers are the standard here, though pitchers of strong sangria sometimes surface.
  
  
  466 Edgewood Ave. SE; 404-522-8275
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  El Bar
  
  
  Fans of this "underground basement" club in Poncey-Highland say "shhhhh, don't let the yuppies find out" about the "wild, sweaty dance parties" going down beneath the Mexican restaurant El Ponce; sure, it may be a "cave" that's "about as big as your closet", but the DJs (mostly club and hip-hop) are "awesome", the drinks are "inexpensive" and it's got an "after-hours" "NYC feel"; P.S. open Thursday–Saturday.
  
  
  What to Order: This isn't a craft cocktail kinda place — find your favorite beer and stick with it.
  
  
  939 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE; 404-881-6040
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Eleanor's
  
  
  This speakeasy-style bar is located in Smyrna restaurant Muss & Turner's. Can't find it? Ask a member of the staff, or just head toward the back of the restaurant, to the right of the main counter, and open what looks like a giant walk-in refrigerator door. The exclusive feeling remains thanks to moody lighting and tucked-away nooks where guests dig into New American cuisine or just spend time over drinks.
  
  
  What to Order: The bar specializes in featuring Georgia beers, and has a killer wine selection too.
  
  
  1675 Cumberland Pkwy. SE, Smyrna; 770-434-1114
  
  
  
  Photo by: Sundial
  
  
  
  
  
  The Sun Dial
  
  
  The iconic and recently renovated restaurant at the Downtown Westin rotates more than 70 stories above Atlanta. Elevated above the main dining area you'll find the bar — there's live jazz several nights a week — where you can sit, sip and take in the famous sights. A limited bar menu offers snacks and small plates.
  
  
  What to Order: The Tallulah ($11), one of several champagne cocktails named after famous Georgia women, combines bubbly, limoncello and fresh raspberries.
  
  
  210 Peachtree St. NE; 404-589-7506

Buckhead steakhouse fails health inspection, report says

This popular Buckhead Steakhouse had some explaining to do.  Apparently there were flies and slime in the ice machine!  

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/well-known-buckhead-steakhouse-fails-health-inspec/nqgkJ/

Cup of Tea and Astrology Reading

Saw this on Scoutmob and it looks like a pretty cool idea!  $45 gets you an astrology reading and a hot pot of coffee or tea.

Your Spring Awakening: An Astrology Reading at Magical Muses

Trust us, nothing beats a morning or afternoon cozied away with a hot cup of tea while letting Sheila work her magic. You’ve got a lot to look forward to… in the year ahead, that is.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• A half-hour long Astrology session with Atlanta’s famous intuitive Astrologer, Sheila Polstein
• A piping hot cup of coffee or herbal tea to warm you as you look at the year ahead and have a Spring Awakening in 2016

SCOUT NOTES

We’ve all pondered the big questions: Why are we here? What’s my purpose? What does the future hold for me? And we could wrestle with those questions forever, but thankfully we don’t have to. This is where intuitive Astrology comes in, and we’re feeling pretty happy to know a professional Astrologer personally. Yes, Scouts, you get to spend the afternoon with Sheila at the Magical Muses Metaphysical Center and gain insight on the inner workings of your mind and spirit. Now, take all of your preconceived notions of what an intuitive Astrologist would be and leave them at the door – Sheila is the real deal. In fact, Sheila learned the science of Astrology for the most practical of reasons: farming. She grew up on a farm where her grandfather would use the Farmer’s Almanac and Astrology to determine how he nurtured his crops, and taught Sheila in the process. It was years before she started applying her gifts to the future of people, and in turn discovered she had quite a gift for it. Over her years operating the Magical Attic at Café Jonah, and now in her own space, Sheila has garnered quite a following and fan base – from regulars, to consulting gigs with some pretty highfalutin' companies and organizations. (You know who you are.)

And now you’ll get a taste of all the enchantment the Magical Muse houses. After calling Sheila to schedule your appointment, she will get to work assembling your own personal Astrological chart, using only your name, birth date, place and time. Then, on the day of your appointment, you’ll be greeted with your choice of either a piping hot cup of coffee or an herbal tea to warm you as you get ready to be enlightened about your soul's true purpose. Once you settle in, Sheila will work her magic – using her practical knowledge of the stars in the sky to forecast the year ahead, along with some mystical intuition. Sounds like a pretty dreamy way to spend a day, if you ask us. 

THE NITTY GRITTY

• Offer expires 90 days from date of purchase
• Each individual purchase covers a single person
• No walk-ins, must call the Magical Muses to schedule appointment at 404-538-1414
• Limit one per person, may purchase up to three as gifts

BUCKHEAD

110 East Andrews Dr. Suite 201,

 Atlanta, GA 30305

Purchase here

It’s 20 for $20 time!

From Watershed:

Come celebrate with us for our monthly 20 for $20 wine tasting on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Grab your friends and head to Watershed to try 20 tastes of various wines for only $20 (plus tax + gratuity) along with delicious passed bites from Chef Zeb Stevenson. Don’t forgot to RSVP for your spot today!

Season's 52 Cocktails

If you haven't been yet to the Season's 52 chain locations in Atlanta, you are missing out!  Their menu contains a low of fresh, low caloric meals.  The Buckhead one has a piano player but is usually empty.  The Dunwoody spot is always slammed and has a great fireplace.  I just saw this post for a yummy cocktail and had to share.  I love any cocktail with St. Germaine:

MENU GROUP DINING RESERVATIONS

WARM UP WITH OUR BOURBON BERRY BRAMBLE Some say there's no better way to warm up a cold winter night than with a glass of bourbon – we couldn’t agree more. Here for just a short while longer, our Bourbon Berry Bramble is made with Maker's Mark Bourbon, St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, fresh berries and lime. Discover this guest favorite before it’s gone. View Cocktail menu here

Happenings at Eclipse Di Luna

We popped by the Miami Circle in Buckhead location this weekend for lunch and learned a few great things:  1)  They allow dogs on the patio 2) They have painting classes on Sundays from 6-8 pm for $25 and 3) They have 1/2 off Tapas and Well Drinks Mondays-Thursdays from 4-6 pm.  I highly recommend these dishes we had for lunch:

• Estofado de col Rizada: Braised Kale with Sundried Tomatoes, White Beans, Manchego Cheese and Crispy Potato Shavings
• Ceviche de Pescado Blanco: Gulf Coast White Fish Ceviche in a Habañero and Orange Marinade with Cilantro and Avocado 
• Salmón a la Parrilla: Grilled Salmon with a Smoked Paprika Piquillo Pepper Relish and Kalamata Tapanade  

View menu here:  www.eclipsediluna.net

Wine Tasting in South Buckhead at Watershed

This could be fun for you wine lovers!  Watershed is doing a 20 for $20 Wine Tasting on on Tuesday, December 8.  For $20 you can try 20 tastes of various wines for only $20 (plus tax + gratuity) along with small bites from Executive Chef Zeb Stevenson. Be sure to RSVP for your spot:  rsvp@watershedrestaurant.com.

Yummy Indian Food at Bhojanic

This Northern Indian restaurant has 2 locations-one in Decatur (the original) and a relatively new one at the shops around Lenox.  The Lenox location is more sleek and modern.  Decatur (more like Emory area) has patio seating as well.  What I like about Bhojanic is that they have these great things called "thali's" which is a combo platter of sorts.  Indian food lovers know that you usually have to order everything usually a la carte which can be pricey and leave with you with a ton of leftovers.  I am a big fan of the samosas and all the veggie thali's.  Tip:  Monday's are 1/2 off bottles of wine and Wednesday's they have a jazz band at the Decatur location.  They once played jazzy Radiohead and I loved it!

More info:  http://www.bhojanic.com/

Here to Serve is Closing Shop

Restaurants owned by the Here to Serve group have suddenly ceased operations.  All of these include:   Coast Seafood and Raw Bar, Noche, Prime, Shucks, Smash, Strip, and Twist. The company previously closed Shout, Goldfish, and Aja in the last year.  This is apparently related to rental disputes with Phipps and Lenox.  Unfortunately hundreds are without jobs suddenly.  Restaurants around Atlanta are opening their doors to potential employees from Here to Serve. Many jobs are being posted on Twitter with the hashtag #H2S2WORK.

*Update 10/9/15 Former employees file lawsuit and get partial paycheck

Umi

Excellent!  Finally I found a crispy rice with tuna dish in Atlanta!  Have not been able to find this since I lived in Southern California.  The salmon sashimi melted in my mouth.  Very fresh, very tasty.  Good people watching. Not stuffy like a lot of other Buckhead places either. Good service.  I will definitely be back!

Yebo Review

This is the best food at Phipps I decided.  Ate here last night and we loved everything that we had!  Highly recommend the fried chicken, Georgia Shrimp, Ostrich Sliders, Roasted Vegetable Bunny Chow (spicy), Mac n Cheese and The Soaked Martini to wash it down.  They are considered small plates but aren't too small, which is nice.  Great ambiance (not "mall-like" at all!) and they had a guy singing and playing guitar which was nice but not too loud.  Have heard a great DJ here on Friday nights as well.  Will definitely be back.  

I recommend making a reservation because it can be unpredictable to get a spot with the movie theaters there.

Seven Lamps Review

Awesome spot,  Nice atmosphere.  Located in the Shops Around Lenox.  I had the Maine Mussels w/ smoked andouille, white wine, charred jalapeño, fennel butter, grilled baguette and beet salad which was yummy.  (This was for brunch and that paired with white wine made it the breakfast of champions!) They have crafted cocktails as well.  Perfect brunch with the gals.  Our server was very friendly and patient with our questions. Apparently they allow dogs on the patio too.

Website: http://sevenlampsatl.com/