Atlanta
ART & CULTURE

3 Great Atlanta Brunch Cocktails

Mimosas, Bellinis, and Bloody Marys will always have their place on the brunch table, but restaurants are getting more creative. Today, spirits like tequila, gin, and whiskey get starring roles in drinks that are well-balanced and appropriately daytime-y—with no celery spears in sight.

To read more on where you can grab your next brunch cocktail, click here.

The Verdict on 3 New Atlanta Restaurants: Cuddlefish, Bibi, and Bomb Biscuit Co.

Serious sushi with a cute name, Persian pleasures at Ponce City Market, and some of the best buttermilk biscuits in town. Here’s the verdict on 3 new Atlanta restaurants, according to Atlanta Magazine.

To read more, click here!

24 Things To Do To Honor & Celebrate Black History Month In Atlanta

Atlanta’s getting ready for another stand-out Black History Month. There are several events happening across the metro area, so Secret Atlanta thought they’d help you out and break down BHM in the ATL.

Here are some recommendations for Black History Month this February!

Atlanta’s arts scene is unparalleled—and it’s time you started exploring it

Atlanta is in the midst of a cultural renaissance. The city’s scene has long commanded respect, but Atlanta has arrived within the last few years. This article by Atlanta Magazine explores some of Atlanta’s best artists, reviews trends, and highlights can’t-miss events this season.

To read more, click here.

The Famed Nobu Finally Opens in Buckhead…

On November 22, the modern hotspot backed by Robert de Niro launched in Buckhead on the lobby level of the 10,000-square-foot Nobu Hotel Atlanta. Nobu offers the signature seafood and sushi the restaurant has become known for, as well as select items unique to Atlanta.

New items include grilled baby gem salad with tofu hummus and baked Alaska with guava gelato, vanilla cheesecake, ginger cinnamon crumble, guava gel, meringue, and bourbon flambe.

To read more about the newly opened restaurant, click here!

You Know Where to Eat, and Where to Drink but What Can You Do in Atlanta? We Have the Answers.

Atlanta Magazine’s, best of Atlanta picks for things to do—here’s where you can play outside, take in art, nerd out, listen to music, roller skate, and more.

To read more, click here!

The 23 Most Anticipated Atlanta Restaurants of 2023

This year, the BeltLine takes center stage once again, with restaurants and bars popping up along the Eastside Trail, as well as in the West End. Popular chefs and restaurateurs like Ford Fry, Linton Hopkins, Tal Baum, and Ron Hsu are back, bringing their creative fare to new locations, while newcomers such as Anthony Spina, Jr., hit the scene.

Here are the 23 most anticipated restaurants and bars for 2023, according to Atlanta Magazine!

See the Best of Atlanta, Including What to Eat, Drink, Buy and Do

December means it’s time for the annual Best of Atlanta guide, according to Atlanta Magazine. Read about the best of the best, including where to eat, drink, buy, and just what to do when you’re in Atlanta!

To read more click here!

The 75 Best Restaurants in Atlanta to Wrap Up the Year

There is something for everyone on this, Atlanta magazine’s list of the city’s best restaurants, which begins with hearty Venezuelan arepas, ends with the vividly spiced Hyderabadi fare on the menu at Zyka, and ranges in between from reservations-required prix fixe to classic Southern barbecue to swanky date-night wine bars.

To read more, click here!

Three trips to take through Georgia’s wine country

In 2018, the Dahlonega Plateau, a 133-square-mile area in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, was designated an American Viticultural Area, giving it a sort of geographic pedigree. Here are a few of the dozen-plus wineries in North Central Georgia.

To read more on how to discover the magic behind Georgia’s wine country, click here!

Delbar is bringing its Persian flavors to Ponce City Market

There’s more to Georgia than wine and beer; now you can visit some of the newest craft distilleries in Georgia. With tasting rooms, distillery tours, and more you’ll want the chance to sip something unique, so, pick a spirit that interests you and hit the road—catch a tour, have a taste, and bring a bottle home.

To read more, click here.

Atlanta is getting its first nonalcoholic bottle shop, the Zero Co.

Atlanta’s first nonalcoholic bottle shop, the Zero Co., will open later this year in Poncey-Highland at 626 North Highland Avenue. A collaboration between Elemental Spirits Co. founders Cory and Malory Atkinson and local nonalcoholic distributor, importer, and online shop the Zero Proof, the 650-square-foot brick-and-mortar store will stock over 500 different nonalcoholic spirits, wines, beers, and ready-to-drink beverages along with glassware, barware, and other provisions.

To read more, click here!

A new all-day brunch spot launches near Atlanta

Missed brunch this weekend? Just Brunch Breakfast Bar now serves unique brunch dishes like oxtail and grits, lobster, shrimp, bacon grilled cheese, peach-glazed salmon with crab fried rice, and lighter options like acai bowls and oatmeal with fruit and granola and you can get it all six days a week. Created by owner-chef Keith Kash—founder of Who’s Got Soul Cafe in Decatur, Lawrenceville, and Duluth—Just Brunch offers a relaxing spot to enjoy breakfast and lunch fare all day long.

The Two-Week Latin American Feast Coming to Atlanta

More than 30 local restaurants are set to feature special dishes and menus showcasing a wide range of Latin American traditional cooking techniques during Latin Restaurant Weeks, running Nov. 4 – Nov. 18 all over Atlanta. “Participants will highlight menu selections that represent their fare’s authenticity and culture.”

In partnership with Grubhub and Feed the Soul Foundation, the goal of the two-week event is to “drive awareness to Atlanta-based Latin chefs, restaurant owners, caterers, and bartenders while spotlighting the diversity of Latin flavors offered throughout the city.”

To read more, click here!

Our (frequently updating) guide to Atlanta’s very best pop-ups, food trucks, and more

Some of the most exciting food in Atlanta today is served out of borrowed kitchens, at farmers’ markets, and from food trucks. From beautifully wrought cream puffs to hearty Taiwanese breakfast, here are some of Atlanta Magazine’s recent faves, and where to find them.

To read more, click here.  

The verdict on 3 new Atlanta restaurants: Xi’an Gourmet House, La Chiquiada, Flour + Time Bakery

Find hand-stretched noodles, mutton soup, and other Xi’an specialties in Midtown; a stylish Mexi-Cali cafe in Decatur; and vegan bread and pastries in Avondale Estates.

Here’s Atlanta Magazine’s take on Atlanta’s 3 newest restaurants!

15 Old-School Restaurants in Atlanta for a Classic Night Out 

The city of Atlanta is home to a few of the best restaurants in the country, and when looking for a place to eat, sometimes you need a bit more than just a great meal. The dinner can taste amazing, but if the service isn’t there, or the vibe is off, it kind of ruins the experience. If you’re a fan of swanky establishments, the 404 has plenty to offer. So, whether you’re looking for a speakeasy-style tavern for a night of with friends, an oyster bar inspired by the coast of Massachusetts, or an upscale restaurant to impress that special someone with a place that actually has some atmosphere, then look no further than these old-school Atlanta restaurants.

To read more, click here!

Join Atlanta Magazine’s 7th Annual Whiskey Festival Presented by Metro Atlanta BMW Centers

Atlanta Magazine’s 7th Annual Whiskey Festival begins on Thursday, October 6 at Guardian Works, Atlanta and this is an event you do not want to miss!

To read more about the festival and how you can purchase your tickets, click here.

58 Locations Right Outside of Atlanta You’ll Want to See This Fall

Fall is quickly approaching and there is nothing like a weekend getaway or a short museum visit to make the cool breeze feel like autumn.

The essential guide to 58 fascinating museums, historic sites, thrilling rides, lovable animals, inspiring artisans, tasty restaurants, quirky inns, and roadside curiosities!

To read more, click here.

Everything to Know About This Year’s Atlanta Food and Wine Festival…

What do you get when you combine a perfect September weekend, an impressive lineup of top chefs, tables of gourmet bites, scores of fine wine, hand-crafted cocktails, and entertainment? Easy, Atlanta Food and Wine Festival!

Happening from September 15-18, a four-day culinary experience like no other, and sure to check all your boxes for a weekend treat.

To read more and purchase your tickets, click here!

This HotSpot in Atlanta, Georgia Now Serves its Own Neapolitan Pizza

Monday Night Garage, the West End location of Monday Night Brewing, recently launched a menu of seven Neapolitan pizzas made in-house using beer yeast. Available Wednesday through Sunday each week, these wood-fired pies are the result of a pandemic project

“A lot of the time, you show up to a brewery and it’s chicken wings and fried food,” culinary director, Adi Komic says. “We believe in doing a few things really well and connecting them with the brewery’s story.”

To read more, click here!

The Restaurant to Visit this Weekend in Atlanta!

Nice weather, a beautiful skyline, and a terrace with stunning views of Atlanta’s skyline. Take the time to visit Drawbar this weekend!

To learn more about the restaurant or plan your visit, click here.

What You Need to Know About the Queen’s Ball: a Bridgerton Experience in Atlanta

Royalty is coming to Atlanta! Shondaland, events company Fever, and Netflix have partnered to bring a proper ball—like that oft-held in the show—to Atlanta. Attendees can expect an immersive experience, the Queen’s Ball is a mishmash of Instagramable photo ops, museum-style costume viewing, character parades, line dancing, and branded gift shops.

Running Wednesday to Sunday through September 18 at Pullman Yardsthe Queen’s Ball: a Bridgerton Experience is open to ages 16 and up (parental supervision required). Tickets start at $45 for general admission and $85 for V.I.P. (Prices vary based on date, time, and availability.)

To read more, click here.

5 Atlanta Events You Won’t Want to Miss: Including BeRaggae Music and Arts Festival

Much like every weekend in Atlanta, this weekend is one you do not want to miss. See Wiz Khalifa and Logic take the stage, catch an Atlanta Falcons open practice, and more, including the BeRaggae Music and Arts Festival!

To read more, click here.

Atlanta Black Restaurant Week: Now until August

Black Restaurant Week returns to Atlanta this week and into the next. Over the next several days, why not indulge in the very best black-owned food businesses in Atlanta.

Black Restaurant Week is dedicated to supporting and promoting Atlanta’s African-American owned restaurants, food businesses and farms.

To read more, click here.

New shipping container pop-ups along the BeltLine will offer vegan burgers, cake slices, cookies, and coffee

Frequenters of the Atlanta BeltLine may have noticed brightly decorated shipping containers popping up alongside both the Eastside and Westside trails. Starting in August, these containers will begin selling food and drink as part of the BeltLine MarketPlace, a six-month pilot program designed to give minority-owned small businesses a leg up in the competitive retail landscape.

Among the participating companies, Cococakes by Coco, vegan eatery Good As Burgers, and Grady Baby Co. apparel will reside under the Freedom Parkway bridge by the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark along the Eastside Trail (830 Willoughby Way Northeast). Dope Coffee Co.Not As Famous Cookie Co., and PinkPothos plants will find a home about a mile from Pittsburgh Yards, along the Westside Trail (1089 Allen Avenue Southwest).

To read more about what you can expect to eat and drink on your next BeltLine trip, click here.

5 Atlanta events you won’t want to miss: July 21–24

Five Atlanta events you don’t want to miss this weekend, including Atlanta Streetwear Market, Mean Girls at the Fox, or watch tennis at the Atlanta open, plus much more!

To read more, click here.

The Distillery of Modern Art opens in Chamblee

A 15,000-square-foot former warehouse in Chamblee, the newly opened Distillery of Modern Art (DOMA) is a unique concept: part gallery, part distillery, and part cocktail lounge. 

Founded by Seth Watson, DOMA makes and serves peach vodka, regular vodka, bourbon whiskey, and rye whiskey. Amaro and corn whiskey will launch soon, and gin will be ready in late July. These spirits are included as tastes on the distillery tour ($15 per person) or in cocktails at the bar.

Visitors can stop by the bar Thursday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m. for cocktail service. There are 15 seats at the bar, plus 40 nearby and another 35 on the covered patio. Options include the Marg (vodka, lime, green pepper, and fermented pineapple), NYC Sour (rye, lemon, almond, black pepper, and cherry), and “Beer” (rye, hops, and club soda).

To read more, click here.

The Best Veggie Dishes at Beloved Atlanta Barbecue Joints

From a distance, the sandwich they came up with (above) looks like its pulled-pork counterpart. But it’s filled with oyster mushrooms. They’re charred, sauteed in vegan barbecue sauce—no Worcestershire—and loaded onto a bun with vinegar-dressed coleslaw.

Not long ago, a meat-averse person who found themselves at a barbecue restaurant would have been relegated to a pretty short menu of side dishes: mac and cheese, potato salad, green beans that might not be flavored with bacon. But, as palates have become more plant-forward, so too have ’cue joints—where veggies are now getting almost as much respect as their low-and-slow menu mates. Take the pulled mushroom sandwich at the new Westside location of Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q

These are some of the best veggie dishes at beloved Atlanta barbecue joints!

To read more, click here.

Here’s What’s New for Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 2022

The 11th-annual Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will be held September 15-18 in the Old Fourth Ward, Westside, and restaurants around the city. That may feel like ages from now, but starting today, discounted tickets are available—for one week only. This year’s theme is “A Love Letter to the South.” Chefs, pitmasters, sommeliers, brewers, and mixologists from all 13 southern states will converge in our city to conduct demonstrations and share samples of their crafts.

New this year, is an indoor/outdoor festival kickoff party called Sliced: AF&WF’s Party by the Slice. Held September 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Guardian Works on the Westside, it will be an exclusive taste-around event with unlimited bites of pizza, chicken pot pie, quiche, brisket, and bread (among other foods), plus beer, wine, and cocktails. 

To read more, click here.

New Westside Rooftop Pool and Bar, L.O.A., offers a “Leave of Absence” without leaving the city

Twenty-two years ago, rooftop hospitality experts Mandy and Kelvin Slater (the powerhouse behind Ponce City Market’s Nine Mile Station and Skyline Park) dreamed of a resort-style pool with restaurants and bars where locals could mingle and lounge. In mid-June, their idea will become a reality with the opening of Rooftop L.O.A. (Leave of Absence) atop the Interlock on the Westside.

To read more, click here.

How to Celebrate Juneteenth in Atlanta

In Atlanta and across the country, businesses and communities honor the cultural and historical importance of Juneteenth with educational events, parades, and holidays. It is the only holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Africans throughout the United States. As the heartbeat of the civil rights movement and home of many civil rights activists including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Atlanta reflects with exciting events.

To read more, click here.

The Best Markets in Atlanta for Produce, Prepared Foods, and More…

Atlanta is a foodie dream, especially for lovers of fresh produce. The best markets in Atlanta range from neighborhood farmers’ markets to gourmet food halls featuring some of Atlanta’s best restaurants and everything in between.

Hitting up the farmers’ market is a weekend ritual in many Atlanta neighborhoods. Some might say it is worth forgoing the Atlanta breakfast and brunch scenes for some tasty morning grazing, although we’ll let you decide that for yourself. These farmers’ markets showcase the best of Georgia’s produce, from peanuts to peaches with plenty in between. Many farmers’ markets have family-friendly activities too, making them a good option for things to do with kids in the city. 

To read more, click here.

Former One Flew South Duo Return to Atlanta with a New Summerhill Restaurant

Former One Flew South chef Duane Nutter and restaurateur Reggie Washington departed the award-winning airport restaurant in 2016 after nearly 20 years. One year later, they opened Southern National in Mobile, Ala., earning Nutter a 2020 James Beard Award finalist title. This summer, the famed duo will bring Southern National to Atlanta, opening in Summerhill in July or August.

Serving lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch, the restaurant will be a “more sophisticated and cosmopolitan” version of the Mobile location, playing to Atlanta diners’ palate with dishes inspired by Nutter’s heritage and travels.

“The restaurant will play homage to my greatest hits at culinary workplaces,” Nutter says.

To read more, click here.

4 Atlanta-Based Retail Incubators You Need to Visit

There’s no denying the way we shop was throttled by the pandemic. But while online sales continue to grow, we’re not ready to give up shopping in person. “People love to touch and feel and experience things,” says Tori Frericks, founder of the Landing Lab, one of several new retail incubators in Atlanta.

Many of these incubators, like the just-opened New Black Wall Street Market in Stonecrest, make opportunities for Black- or brown-owned businesses.

And, while revenue is of course important, so are the communities built around these entrepreneurs. The pandemic taught customers not to take neighborhood vendors for granted.

Here are four markets to try. Stop by and maybe you’ll help launch a national brand.

To read more, click here.

Metro Atlanta Food and Drink Events to Check Out in May

Get a taste of seafood and Alpharetta and get your hands dirty this May in metro Atlanta.

To read the entire article, click here.

A Tranquil bar, Excuse My French, Pops Up at Citizen Supply in Ponce City Market

Aaron Mattison, CFO, and co-founder of Bar Vegan, launched a pop-up French bar at Ponce City Market last week, and it’s about as different from Bar Vegan as it could get. A “boho, feel-good” spot called Excuse My French, was inspired by Mattison’s Parisian travels when he was in business school.

“I remember the number of small, bar-style coffee shops I’d go to and study,” he says. “Citizen Supply [an artisan market where Excuse My French is located] gave me that same feeling, where you can walk around, shop, pull out your notebook, and grab a drink. It’s super relaxing.”

In contrast to Bar Vegan, also on the second floor of Ponce City Market, which defines itself “bar theater,” Excuse My French aims to provide a tranquil respite with a minimalist vibe.

To read more, click here.

Review: High praise for Le Bon Nosh, Buckhead’s all-day Parisian cafe

In France, one of the highest compliments one can pay to a dish or a meal is: “It was correct.” Having grown up in this context, where proper execution is valued and silly hyperbole frowned upon, I am delighted to say that Forough Vakili’s posh new all-day restaurant in Buckhead—a celebration of the Parisian grand cafe—is bold, elegant, but above all, correct on almost every level. 

Located in a soaring space on the ground floor of the Irby condo building, Le Bon Nosh is a big-budget production, with acres of shiny marble counters, tile insets, and buttery drapes descending from 25-foot ceilings. 

To read the entire article, click here.

15 Zero-Proof Drinks to Try in Atlanta

The craft cocktail movement and a higher demand for nonalcoholic drinks has led bartenders to take a more creative approach to nonalcoholic drinks. No longer does getting a “mocktail” mean being limited to a soda or a drink labeled virgin. Gone are the days that these drinks are called mocktails, too, with many bartenders opting for less infantilizing terminology like “zero-proof” or “spirit-free.” There are also pop-ups specializing in zero-proof drinks, like Alt, and Zilch Market which hopes to be Atlanta’s first store specializing in nonalcoholic spirits.

This article was originally published by Atlanta Magazine and can be read here.

Celebrity Chef Scott Conant to Open an Italian Steakhouse in Buckhead

Two-time James Beard Award­­–winning chef Scott Conant will open an Italian steakhouse in Buckhead in April. The Americano, will be located in the former Southern Artspace at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta and marks the Chopped judge’s first restaurant in the South. “We’ve been holding on to this news for a while now, so it’s nice to let the cat out of the bag,” says Conant, best known for his work at New York restaurants L’Impero, Alto and Scarpetta.

This article was originally published by Atlanta Magazine and can be read here.

Craft Cocktail Bar and Speakeasy, Foundation, Coming to the Works in September

Located on the Westside, the Works has a barbecue, beer, ax throwing, a food hall, and more. But it doesn’t have a dedicated cocktail bar—yet. Drew and Brittany Fancher, owners of the Aero Bar Atlanta mobile cocktail company, are opening their first brick-and-mortar bar there in September. Called Foundation, it will reside near Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Dr. Scofflaw’s and serve complex cocktails, beer, and wine, along with charcuterie and small plates. “You’re coming in for an entire experience,” Drew Fancher says. “It’s visual, olfactory, your taste buds, the way the garnishes are presented, and how the glass feels in your hands.”

To read more, click here.

It’s Almost Time to Eat, Drink and Party Poolside on the Roof of the Interlock

It appears Mediterranean resort-style pool, bar, and restaurant combo L.O.A (Leave of Absence) is scheduled to finally open atop the Interlock on Howell Mill Road in April.

Owned by Slater Hospitality, the group behind Ponce City Market rooftop amusement park Skyline Park and restaurant Nine Mile Station, expect a sprawling 300-seat restaurant serving what’s described as “coastal European” fare, a lush garden-like outdoor bar and lounge called the Grove, and a pool complete with views of the Atlanta skyline, sun loungers and private cabanas, and its own indoor bar.

As with Slater’s Ponce City Market venues, people must first check-in on the ground floor of the Interlock to gain access to the adults-only space on the rooftop.

To read more, click here.

Our (frequently updating) Guide to Atlanta’s Very Best Pop-Ups, Food Trucks, and More

Some of the most exciting food in Atlanta today is served out of borrowed kitchens, at farmers’ markets, and from food trucks. From beautifully wrought cream puffs to hearty Taiwanese breakfast, here are some of our recent faves, and where to find them. 

To read more, click here.

A New Food Hall in Dunwoody Looks to Reinvent the Concept with Full-Service Dining

Carrabba’s, Outback, Cheeseburger in Paradise—these big-box chain restaurants once anchored the Perimeter Place strip mall in Dunwoody. Now, the Super Target-adjacent shopping center is undergoing a complete redesign and rebrand as Ashford Lane—a community hub with a 70,000-square-foot central lawn, outposts of intown hotspots like Grana, Superica, and Hawkers, and popular casual eateries including Sweetgreen, Brown Bag Seafood, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The project is expected to be complete by the fall, and perhaps most unique to the area is a new food hall called the Hall at Ashford Lane.

To read more, click here.

Atlanta’s Most Exclusive Secret Bars and Speakeasies…

The secret is out! Here’s where to find Atlanta’s most under-the-radar speakeasies, lounges, and exclusive, members-only spaces.

To read more, click here.

Cake Culture Brings 20-layer Crepe Cakes to Ponce City Market

First came the 100-layer doughnuts; now, 20-layer cakes are the new Instagram-ready treat at Ponce City Market. Made from mille crepes in flavors like strawberry, matcha green tea, and signature classic (with almond and cherry notes), Cake Culture’s delicate pastries combine baking techniques from Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, with ingredients from around the world. Created by pâtissier Sujith Ratnayake, Cake Culture is now selling slices and 6-to-9-inch cakes online and in the Central Food Hall at Ponce City Market.

To read more, click here.

43 Metro Atlanta Patios Ready for Winter Dining

In previous years, Atlanta patios came alive in the spring. But after two years of enduring  the Covid-19 pandemic, restaurants are keeping patios open year-round to facilitate diners eager for fresh air. Even when the weather isn’t optimal, many metro restaurants have installed awnings, heat lamps, and other features to keep out the rain and cold. Here’s where to go to stay warm this winter. 

To read more, click here

Atrium Transforms Former Brezza Cucina Space Into a Tropical Wonderland

Ever since Jonathan Waxman’s Italian restaurant Brezza Cucina closed at Ponce City Market last year, the cold, industrial-looking space has sat vacant, like a ghost amid an otherwise vibrant food hall. Tal Baum and her Olivia Restaurant Group (Bellina AlimentariAziza, and Rina) are set to change that with the opening of Atrium Monday, January 31.

The menu includes seasonal dishes with a focus on seafood and vegetables. There will be crudo, raw seafood, and vegetarian dishes like roasted honey nut squash with curry made with carrots and coconut milk, grilled bok choy, preserved lemon, and toasted pepitas. The burger has dry-aged beef trim in it and “fancy sauce” on top. In addition to lighter items like octopus with winter squash marmalade and a yuzu tart with basil granita and honey cremeux, there will be duck and bistro steak. Lunch and dinner will share a menu with an eight-item weekend brunch offering in the works.

To read more, click here

The Most Anticipated Metro Atlanta Restaurants of 2022

Old names, new restaurants; and pop-ups going permanent—those are the major themes of 2022’s most anticipated restaurants. After two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, many restaurateurs are still struggling. But the industry is a resilient one, and others have capitalized on vacancies and industry shifts to proceed with new ideas.

From Pat Pascarella, Tal Baum, and Deborah Van Trece—who each have multiple restaurants in the works—to Mia Orino (Kamayan ATL) and Sophia Marchese (Happy Seed)—who are taking their start-up’s brick-and-mortar, here are the names—and restaurants—to watch this year. 

To read more, click here

Hugh Acheson Brings Montreal-style Steakhouse Mount Royal to Buckhead’s New Hyatt Centric Hotel…

Known for farm-fresh restaurants Empire State South and Five & Ten, chef Hugh Acheson has turned his attention to hotel restaurants in recent years, opening By George in the Candler Hotel in 2019 and now-defunct Archie’s in the Omni at the Battery in 2018. He quietly launched his first Buckhead restaurant, a Montreal-style steakhouse called Mount Royal, in the Hyatt Centric.

To read more, click here.

A Slew of Creative New Luxury Hotels Makes Atlanta Staycations Cooler Than Ever…

Boutique hotels are opening all over Atlanta. The city’s hospitality landscape, once dotted with convention-friendly high-rises and cookie-cutter chains clustered in tourist-friendly destinations like downtown and Buckhead, is rapidly diversifying, thanks to a wave of more intimate, experiential properties popping up from Alpharetta to College Park. This is good news for visitors but also locals—who have more reason than ever to stay close to home.

To read more, click here.

LA-based vegan bodega, LaRayia’s, comes to Ponce City Market

An organic, vegan grab-and-go spot is opening in Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall on December 3. LaRayia’s Bodega—a philanthropy-forward, Caribbean-inspired shop—first opened in Los Angeles in 2019. Impressed with the diversity of Atlanta, founder LaRayia Gaston decided to bring her healthy eats to Old Fourth Ward—with a few changes.

To read more, click here.

11 Magical Things to do During Christmas in Atlanta…

Christmas in Atlanta is not your typical “White Christmas.” We rarely ever get snow down here, and one year, it was 75 degrees the week of Christmas. Even without the snow, there are still plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit with different Atlanta Christmas events, shoes, and photo ops. Here is a list of our favorites.

This beloved holiday pop-up bar has multiple locations this year. The restaurant spaces are decked out in kitschy festive decor and welcome you with Christmas-themed cocktails. The Miracle is the perfect bar to escape your annoying Aunt Susan visiting from out of town.

To read more, click here.

Hidden Georgia: 58 amazing places we’ll bet you’ve never been…

Our essential guide to 58 fascinating museums, historic sites, thrilling rides, lovable animals, inspiring artisans, tasty restaurants, quirky inns, roadside curiosities, and illegal hooch.

To read more, click here.

Newly Bowed Apt 4B Brings Modern Caribbean to Atlanta

Ten thousand vintage vinyl records greet you at Apt 4B, as does a state-of-the-art McIntosh sound system, the perfect example of how the restaurant blends “the best of then and now,” says executive chef Dayana Joseph. Additional touches such as a mix of modern and vintage flatware, dining chairs, and more bring the concept full circle.

Most importantly, of course, is the food, which Joseph, a Haitian, describes as modern Caribbean. “That means a use of traditional ingredients married with modern techniques found in gastronomy and fine dining,” she says, “such as reverse spherification, dehydration, and fermentation.” A hallmark of Caribbean cuisine is the concept of cooking nose to tail: Joseph braises her oxtails for three hours with mirepoix, fresh herbs, scallion, ground round spices, and Scotch bonnet peppers. 

To read more, click here.

10 Best Things to Do After Midnight in Atlanta

It’s 1 a.m., you’ve danced all night, and you need to relax somewhere other than home. Head to Duluth and lounge in the heat at Jeju Sauna, the king of metro Atlanta’s 24-hour Korean spas. Based around traditional Korean jjimjil, the model is tried and true: Pay a $30 entrance fee, grab your uniform and wristband to charge your services, separate into gender-specific locker rooms, and reunite with your friends in the communal area (or indulge yourself with a Korean demadi, an exfoliating body shampoo). There, take your pick of several saunas ranging from the toasty (jade) to even cold (ice), body and foot massages, or enjoy a dip in the swimming pool. 

To read more, click here.

Illuminarium Experiences’ First Venue Opens on Atlanta’s BeltLine with WILD: A Safari Experience, Immersing Guests in the Splendor of Africa’s Most Exotic Animals

Today, Illuminarium Experiences, a breakthrough global experiential entertainment company created by worldwide leaders in cinematic and interactive content, architectural and theatrical design, and venue operations, opens its first Illuminarium in Atlanta, Georgia, with its debut spectacle, WILD: A Safari Experience. The immersive 26,000 square-foot entertainment complex on the Atlanta BeltLine will showcase the beauty and splendor of Africa’s most exotic animals in their natural habitats. It will also offer a first-of-its-kind nightlife experience at The Bar at Illuminarium and all-day dining at The Illuminarium Café.

Through a convergence of cutting-edge technologies from the most impressive brands in the industry, Illuminarium’s immersive venues will transport millions of visitors to places that they previously could only dream of experiencing. By enabling audiences to see, hear, feel, smell and even personally affect an experience, Illuminarium places the guest “inside” the narrative using techniques from traditional motion picture production and virtual reality combined with interactive features that facilitate the experience of the real world. In essence, Illuminarium exemplifies a “VR, without the glasses” experience.

To read more, click here.

This Hidden Cocktail Lounge in Midtown Delivers Glitzy 1970s Vibes and Crafty Cocktails

JoJo’s Beloved, a new cocktail lounge within food hall Politician Row at Colony Square, is a total vibe, allowing people to step back in time to the age of disco glam with a solid dose of 1980s futurism in its design and drinks. 

Hidden behind a door toward the back of the food hall, people travel down a red carpeted, mirrored hallway to enter JoJo’s, a cocktail lounge intentionally designed by New Orleans firm Bell Butler to shut out the world and transport patrons back to the fabled nightlife of the 1970s and early 1980s.

To read more, click here.

Tracy Murrell’s collages explore the beauty and grace of Black women around the world

Tracy Murrell’s collages explore the beauty and grace of Black women around the world

From her Westview studio, Murrell uses ink, decorative papers, tile, resin, and high-gloss enamel to render silhouettes of Black women against vibrant colors…

To read more, click here.

Celebrating Black Art in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Black art scene is one of the best in the country and visiting the galleries and museums throughout the city is a great way to get aligned with Atlanta’s creative pulse.  Here are three spots that cater exclusively to showcasing thriving talent and amplifying opportunities for new up-and-coming Black artists within Atlanta’s art scene.

To read more, click here.