Keeping up with the Joneses

As my friend Joanna would say, “I’m not keeping up with the Joneses. I AM the Joneses!”

Nevertheless, Felix, an old friend from my NYC days, was in town last Thursday and pointed out that ever since I left NYC for Atlanta, I feel the need to fiercely defend my city whenever possible.

Felix: “I don’t care where we go, L. It’s not like I can’t get whatever I want anytime at home. Just happy to spend time with you!”
Me: “ATLANTA HAS EVERYTHING YOU’D WANT TOO, YOU KNOW!”

Aggressive! This is why we ended up at Holeman + Finch for drinks and snacks on Thursday night. It’s always a hit. H+F is one of my favorite spots in town and rivals any of my old haunts in The City. (Of course it was Seth who brought me here for the first time shortly after the gastro pub opened last year…but I go often enough now that I feel I can claim it!)

Listen, I’m more of a party girl who likes to eat rather than a restaurant reviewer so let me just give you the Q+DD on why I adore H+F:

1. Cocktails. The cocktails are out of this world. Try something off of their clever, creative drink menu or just tell one of the adorable bartenders what you’re in the mood for. Last time I was there, I ended up with some sort of gin, ginger, basil something or other…delish.

2. Atmosphere. If you get there early enough to actually grab a seat, the bar area is absolutely phenom. It’s always buzzing – lively, happy, and very very cool. The restaurant side offers a cozier feel, the tiny tables and booths are perfect for a night with your squeeze or a girlfriend or two. I wouldn’t recommend it for a group. Too squished.

3. Food. Ok, I don’t even know where to start, so I’ll just hit some of my favorites: House-cured meats and artisan cheeses (with the perfect wine pairings of course), the carbonara makes me want to cry it’s so good, the fried oysters are beyond, even the little appetizer type items, like the pimento cheese, are amazing. I have literally never had anything here I didn’t enjoy. Now, if you’re a picky eater, be warned that they like to serve “The Whole Hog” at H+F. I mean the whole hog. Get it? Just be a little adventurous and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

4. Burger. I know this should technically go under “Food” but I think it deserves its own category. This burger has been the recipient of a lot of local, even national hype and I am here to tell you that it deserves every bit of it. They dish up about 20 burgs at 10pm nightly, they are sold out around 10:05. They announce the burgers’ arrival with a bullhorn, so it’s also kind of an event! You know how I love that kind of thing. (I hear that they have added a limited quantity of this deliciousness to the brunch menu as well, so…when are we going?)

photo credit: The Blissful Glutton (www.blissfulglutton.blogspot.com)

I heart H+F! (and even Felix was impressed.)

xx, L

Holeman and Finch
2277 Peachtree Road Suite B
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone 404.948.1175
Hours of operation:
Mon – Sat 5:00pm to 1:30am
Sun – 12:30pm to 3:00pm