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Downtown Restaurant Week!

08/02/2010 in Deals + Steals, Downtown, Restaurant Weeks, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Not sure how I missed this(?!?!), but it’s FINALLY been brought to my attention that it’s currently Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week! 


Many of Downtown Atlanta’s finest dining establishments were selected to take part in this fabulous food event!  There are no passes to buy, coupons to carry or cards to punch.  You simply attend the restaurant of your choice during Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week and select from a special three-course dinner menu, for $25.00 and $35.00 per person, plus tip, plus tax.  Restaurant Week runs from July 26 – August 8.  Don’t miss out!

Make a night out of it and book your VIP Hotel Package here:
http://www.atlanta.net/darw/packages.aspx

Slick + I are finally in town this coming weekend, and definitely planning to take advantage of the great deals at at least one of these restaurants:

$25 Restaurants
Avanzare (Hyatt Regency Atlanta)
No Mas! Cantina
Rise Sushi Lounge
French American Brasserie – FAB (love!!)
Paschal’s Atlanta
ROOM (Twelve Centennial Park)
Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery
Peasant Bistro
Sear (Atlanta Marriott Marquis)
Meehan’s Public House
Pittypat’s Porch
Social
Spoon
STATS
Terrace on Peachtree (The Ellis Hotel)
Thrive
Truva

$35 Restaurants
Atlanta Grill (Ritz-Carlton)
BLT Steak (W Hotel)
Durango Steak House
Glenn’s Kitchen (The Glenn Hotel)
Il Mulino
Legal Sea Foods
Ray’s in the City
Ruth Chris Steak House (August 2-8 only)
Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

Download menus here:  http://tiny.cc/mh5k9

You know us, we can’t resist a good deal on a great meal! 

clean plate club

Just LOVE Restaurant Week!  See y’all downtown!  :)

xx, L

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New(ish) and Noteworthy

08/02/2010 in Baby Chic, Cocktails, Downtown, Midtown, Westside, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 1 comment

I’ve been doing a LOT of eating out lately and not enough writing (or working out for that matter…) I’ve hit up quite a few new (or new to me) restos that are definitely worth mentioning.   In light of the fact that this is a blog and not a novel…here are 2 for now:

Of all the restaurants in Atlanta, Top Flr will always hold a special place in my heart.  I have never had a bad meal or a bad time there…and you’ve just got to love a place like that.

So, as you can imagine, I was very excited to give The Sound Table, Darren Carr’s new restaurant in the Old Fourth Ward, a try.  Bonus: (and I don’t want to name-drop…but I’m-a gonna)  Greg and I enjoyed our meal with supercute and understated-yet-ultrafabulous DanaPop.com, the Atlanta editor of Daily Candy (!!!!!) and her hilarious and adorable hubs, Dan.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Sound Table: I absolutely loved it. The concept is “street-to-table”, focusing on the exploding street food trend and like Top Flr, TST is also a small-plates restaurant.  The vibe is laid-back and trendy and the food was, in my opinion, superb.

Dan and I both started with the Pho (pho real!) which came with fun little bowls of condiments: oxtail, bean sprouts, cilantro, and shitake mushrooms (while I gingerly played with these items…Dan happily dumped them all in at once, announcing, “everybody in the pool!”)  we each followed it up with the steamed pork belly buns… both dishes were per-fection.

Other memorable dishes on the table included a citrus-y ceviche, a shrimp salad, the chorizo burger (actually, it was 2 chorizo sliders…cute AND delish!) and my favorite, the Arancini. If you’re not familiar with Arancini, they’re basically fried balls of risotto and The Sound Table’s were made with black truffle, pecorino, and roasted garlic.  YUM.

Note: The Sound Table is located on Edgewood at Boulevard and the signage is not great.  In fact, we drove right past it several times before Dan had to come out and wave us in.  FYI: this is what you’re looking for:

juuuuust a little TOO discreet, if ya ask me!

Also, parking is a little bit difficult.  You MIGHT get lucky and get a spot in the lot right next door, otherwise…don’t forget your quarters.

All in all, I give it two freshly manicured thumbs up.  Can’t wait to go back!

The Sound Table
483 Edgewood Ave. SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
www.thesoundtable.com
The Sound Table on Urbanspoon

NEXT:

Miller Union opened up late last year, so it definitely falls under the New(ish) category or just plain old New to Me; and though neither La, Dr. Amy or I had ever been, Miller Union somehow seemed like a perfect place to celebrate…and we had a LOT of celebrating to do. Dr. Amy finished residency, had an outrageously gorgeous baby girl, and returned home to Atlanta just as darling La announced her pregnancy!

The 3 of us with "our" new addition...and one on the way!

I know this is a bold statement to make about a restaurant I have merely tried once, but I think that Miller Union could easily become one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

I dig rustic-chic décor and I always love a scene-y bar (and believe me, it was scene-y.)

So immediately upon walking in the door, I had high hopes. From the time we were seated at our enormous wooden farm table, my expectations were met.  First of all, the cocktail menu is amazing.  I tried not one but TWO specialty cocktails…very unlike me as usually I tend not to stray from vodka or red wine…but they were both outstanding.  First, the Miller Thyme: miller’s gin, lemon, thyme syrup then the Gold Digger: muddled tomatoes, gin, lemon, and ginger-honey syrup

get down girl, go 'head get down

I didn’t have one BITE that wasn’t outstanding.

Every part of this meal was fresh and fabulous.  We started with the grits fritters with country ham (to DIE for) and the simple yet delicious feta snack…

Then, between the 6 of us, we had the rest of the menu pretty well covered.  My favorite dishes were probably the grouper, the NY strip, and the pork loin…

scamp grouper, summer squash, sweet corn, fennel, tomato

grilled pork loin, field peas + tomato salad

but I think the best part of the meal, for me, were the fresh vegetables.  I want a VAT of their succotash to eat at home at my leisure.  If someone could make that happen for me, I’d be forever in your debt.  The food just did me right; it actually felt good.

You guys, I LOVED Miller Union. It was a great place for a large, somewhat rowdy group such as ours, but I saw several love-birds there on romantic dates as well.

Great times, GREAT restaurant. I recommend it 100%.

Miller Union
999 Brady Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30318
www.millerunion.com
Miller Union on Urbanspoon

Ok, that’s it for now!  Stay tuned…more to come!

xx, L

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Happenings @ Atlanta Grill.

06/04/2010 in Downtown, Events!, Where we're Eating by Lindsay | No comments

Check THIS out!

 

For more information (or at least a readable version of the photo above – SORRY!):
http://alturl.com/3h3t 

Visit the link below to reserve a spot: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Atlanta/Dining/AtlantaGrill/Default.htm 

Sounds fantastic to me!  Just love, love, love Atlanta Grill… Yum!  :)

xx, L

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Atlanta Zombies Needed!

06/02/2010 in Downtown, Events!, PSAs, Random Musings by Lindsay | No comments

I kinda dig zombies.  (Yeah, you read that correctly…)

Walking dead people?  Yes sir!  In fact, I can quote both of these classics:

Weird?  Whatever…  I don’t judge you for watching Miley Cyrus movies.  (Okay, I do.) 

Anyway, there’s a point to all of this zombie nonsense.  Thanks to Kurt K., I heard about THIS awesome zombie-related opportunity:  http://alturl.com/x9go! 

AMC is filming The Walking Dead in downtown Atlanta and they need zombie extras!  You even get to attend zombie school!  So. freaking. cool.  If you are free in June to participate – DO IT.  Check out the deets in the link above!

I love this city.

xx, L

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Big News

03/12/2010 in Downtown, PSAs, Random Musings by Lauren | 8 comments

For real this time: I have a new job!

Watch out, World!

It’s totally bittersweet because while I am very excited to take the next step in my career, I’ve truly LOVED where I am now for the better part of four years and I can think about a zillion and one things I will miss. In particular:

  • Downtown Atlanta

My current, superamazing firm is located right smack dab in the middle of downtown Atlanta and my new company is up in Sandy Springs, teetering on OTP. (Teetering…but still inside.) I love my proximity to, well, everything downtown. So what if I’ve never been to the (new) World of Coke? If I wanted to go, right this very minute, it would only take me about 5 minutes on foot. And you know what, Giraffe Purse-Toting Women of America’s Mart?

I will miss you, too.

(although, I suspect there will be pleeennnty of Giraffe Purses in Sandy Springs…)

  • The Peachtree Center Ecosystem

The other night, Lindsay and I were discussing our intense desire to be “regulars” somewhere…

Norm!

…and lamenting the fact that we aren’t quiiiiiiiite there. Anywhere. (YET.)

But today, as I ordered my skim latte from the Peachtree Center Caribou, I realized…they know my name AND my order. Same goes for the adorable people at My Friends Place (who just yesterday raised an eyebrow when I ordered a turkey sandwich instead of my usual tuna salad plate.) Come to think of it, I’m a regular everywhere around here! The twin girls who run the newsstand know me by name and know what kind of protein drink I like in the morning. Pepper, our janitor, knows my birthday and asks about Olive every once in a while. In fact, just the other day – I bought a cheap pair of sunglasses from a kiosk that I’d never really noticed before, and the guy recognized me and gave me a tenant discount. I am totally a regular!

  • Business Formal

When I was a kid, I was INSANELY jealous of my neighbor, Cameron, who attended Catholic school and wore a uniform during the week. Not only did she look crisp and polished every day, but she did it WITHOUT the 20 minute daily meltdown I experienced in my closet as I chose my school outfits. PLUS with all the money and creativity she saved during the week, she could really afford to step it up on the weekend attire!

Well, that’s how I feel about my suits. I practically get dressed with my eyes closed (suit + shell + accessories + pumps = Done.) and, in my opinion, I always look neat as a pin and have the added bonus of feeling like Melanie Griffith in Working Girl:

All business, baby. "I am not steak. You cant just order me!"

I mean, in reality, I probably look more like this most of the time:

So sophisticated.

But whatevs. I love love love my suits. I do. I’ll miss them – my new office is bid’ness casual. Truthfully, I’ll bet I don’t give them up completely. I totally sympathized with Barney in the episode of How I Met Your Mother when he meets the superhot girl who wants him to give up his suits. In fact, there is an 87% chance I, too, will break into song today a la Barney in Nothing Suits me Like a Suit

  • Working with all women

My firm currently consists of 5 gorgeous women. At one point during my tenure here we were as big as 9 gorgeous women, but we’ve always been small and all female.

It often feels like going to work in a very sophisticated sorority house. The conversation is: work, work, work, fashion, boys, work, work, fashion, work.

The funniest part about it is when there is a “man on the hall.” When the distinct baritone of a male voice carries through the hallway, we are all popping out of our offices like Petticoat Junction to see who it is
I mean, it could be the dude that delivers our water or our FedEx guy, it doesn’t matter. If there is a man in the office, he will be surrounded in roughly 2.5 seconds. Fact. Another fact: I do not know one male who has visited who has not LOVED this, but I do have more than a few clients who have expressed a fear of visitation.

I love working with all women, but I think a lot of it is the particular women with whom I work. I can’t get into it without typing a novel or getting super sappy, so suffice it to say that I am so grateful and that nothing makes me happier than when I see qualities I have admired in each of them show up in myself. I am SO lucky.

Now, onwards and upwards…

xx, L

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Love at First Sight

11/17/2009 in Downtown, Entertaining, Event Space, Events!, Parties, Vendors!, Weddings by Lindsay | 7 comments

Although I am partial to Mason Murer Fine Art and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, I’ve fallen in love with new event space in Atlanta.  It is located high above downtown in the Luckie Marietta District and is appropriately named Ventanas for its remarkable floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.  I went to an industry party for the grand opening of the space last week and was absolutely blown away by it – and now I am itching to throw an event there!

Ventanas Rooftop

Ventanas Rooftop

Here is the Q+DD on Ventanas:

In late September 2009, Ventanas opened its dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows to reveal a sweeping view of Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead ranging from Stone Mountain to Kennesaw Mountain.  Perched high atop the 14th and 15th stories of the Park Pavilion building in the city’s Luckie Marietta District, Ventanas offers 9,547 square feet of indoor and outdoor rooftop space across the street from Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola.  The space is only one block from the CNN Center, Philips Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome, American Cancer Society and AmericasMart.

In addition to ample parking and numerous food and beverage options, Ventanas offers exclusive amenities like a dedicated “space shot” elevator to reach the venue from street level – and the city’s only events space helipad!  Whether your group numbers 50 or 450, this dramatic space will accommodate your event and transform it into an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.  (www.ventanasatlanta.com)

The most exciting part of the venue is definitely the helipad on the third level of the space.  Imagine being whisk away from your special event on a helicopter!  AMAZING!

Outside Ventanas

Outside Ventanas

At Ventanas, you can work with some of the best caterers around town to customize the culinary aspects of your event: Bold American Catering, Affairs to Remember, A Legendary Event, etc.  The room rental is very competitive at $4K for Friday (w/ $4K beverage min.) or Saturday (w/ $5K beverage min.) evenings. 

Contact Donald Mill, Director of Event Sales, for more information on Ventanas: sales@ventanasatlanta.com. 

Inside Ventanas

Inside Ventanas

Trust me – you have to check out this space!  For me, at least, it was love at first sight.  :)

xx, L

Ventanas
275 Baker Street
Atlanta, Georgia  30313
404-ROOFTOP
www.ventanasatlanta.com

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Killer. Burgers. (for real.)

10/14/2009 in Downtown, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 2 comments

Thank goodness I am back in Boot Camp (I love you, OBC!) because yesterday David and I went to Grindhouse Killer Burgers for lunch.

grindhouselogo_thumbOur buddy Nick has been talking about it nonstop for a month, so I’m glad I had the opportunity to pop by today.

Here’s the Q+DD on Grindhouse:

Owned and operated by Alex “Al” Brounstein, GKB is located INSIDE the Sweet Auburn Curb Market (at the corner of Jesse Hill Jr. and Edgewood)

sweetauburnOk, I have worked downtown for 3 years now and had no idea that the Sweet Auburn Curb Market even existed. Click here to see the website, but it’s just a little bustling marketplace right smack in the middle of downtown.

Apparently, Al, who is a real estate attorney and developer, was issued a community development stimulus grant to spruce up the joint! It’s really interesting inside. There’s all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetable stands, meat, cheese, and fish, vendors and all kinds of other specialty products. There’s also a number of little cafes sprinkled about. In addition to Grindhouse, Nick tells us there’s a dynamite pizza place located within as well.

Anyway.   Back to Grindhouse.

Here’s what happens: (It’s an order at the cash register then sit type of deal.)

FIRST: You figure out what kind of burg you’ll be having: Beef (certified angus), Turkey (house made patty), or Veggie (bean + quinoa)
Sidebar: slick would be psyched. Dude loves quinoa.

All the burgs come on a buttered and toasted potato bun but they’ll replace the bun with a lettuce leaf for the carb-aphobic.

THEN: you can build your own burg with a variety of different fresh toppings OR choose one of their burger “styles.” I wanted a turkey burg and Nick suggested I go with the “Apache Style” which has house roasted green chiles, grilled onions, and pepper jack cheese. The ever adventurous David opted for a beef cheeseburger with American.

Nick warned me that it would be pretty spicy and wasn’t for the faint of heart. I don’t know if it’s the Texas in me or what, but I didn’t find it to be super spicy at all. It was, however, quite delicious and had a nice little kick!

As far as “Frieds and Sides” go, David and I were both really enjoying our respective orders of crispy, perfectly seasoned crinkle cut fries when Nick brought us an order of the sweet potato kettle chips to try. Um, perfection. (Thanks, Nick!)

They also offer hand spun milkshakes and soft serve ice cream, but I don’t know who actually gets that far because I am personally never eating again.

my last meal

my last meal

Good thing Grady is right next door in case you need an impromptu triple bypass. (I kid, I kid!)grady

A word to the wise: they are only open 11-4 Mondays – Saturdays, so my advice would be to get there a little earlier or later than prime time because the line gets killer too.

Oh, and be sure and say hi to Nick and Al…

Al + Nick, in that order.

Al + Nick, in that order.

…tell ‘em the Q+DD sent ya!

xx, L

Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Www.grindhouseburgers.com
209 Edgewood Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Grindhouse Killer Burgers on Urbanspoon

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THANK. YOU.

09/16/2009 in Downtown, PSAs by Lauren | 2 comments

And now in, “ITS ABOUT DANG TIME” news:

They are finally fixing the Westin Downtown!

Even though my personal office window looks into my colleague’s office across the hall whose office window looks into the building across from ours…

This has been the view from my boss’s floor to ceiling windows for the last year:

westin

See this link from the AJC: http://blogs.ajc.com/peachbuzz/2009/09/16/time-for-window-replacement-at-the-sun-dial/

Yippeeeeeeee!

xx, L

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“WE LOVE YOU BRITNEY!”

09/05/2009 in Britney Spears, Downtown, Hotels, What we're Doing, What we're Watching by Lindsay | 1 comment

All of the sudden it was Friday – the night we’ve been waiting for was finally upon us!  L and I went to BRITNEY SPEARS last night at Philips arena and it was (wait for it – wait for it)….INCREDIBLE!  Here’s our night in pictures:

Getting ready for Brit!

Getting ready for Brit!

Let the Countdown Begin

Let the Countdown Begin...

Britney Spears Concert

We've arrived!!

Almost time!!

Almost time...

Master of Ceremonies - Perez Hilton!

Master of Ceremonies - Perez Hilton!

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

"Circus"

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

Britney Spears @ Philips Arena

"Toxic"

"Toxic"

Encore! Encore!

Encore! Encore! Encore!

Fans as excited as us!

Look - other fans as excited as us!

Concert was mostly female

Overall, Brit's concert-goers were mostly female...

...but there were a few men!

...but there were a few men!

Everyone had a great time!

Everyone had a great time...

Especially us!!

...Especially us!!

Synopsis: We had so much fun at Britney and the show was amazing!  L’s favorite part was all of the media Britney used on stage – and I liked the carnies who performed during her numerous costume changes.  The Princess of Pop lip-synced, but we didn’t feel like it compromised the show at all because the dancing was awesome and she really worked each of the four corners of the stage.  There definitely was not a bad seat in the house.  Brit’s wardrobe was very skimpy and the show was a little oversexed, but I think it’s just part of her appeal.  She’s obviously shed everything that was ever Disney about her - and now, as a mother of two, she can wear bedazzled lingerie on stage and be as fabulous as ever! 

L and I finished off the evening w/ drinks at the swanky W Downtown.  The bar area was about as bumping as the concert, if I do say so myself!

Thanks, Britney, for an awesome show! 

xx, L

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

07/29/2009 in Deals + Steals, Downtown, Where we're Eating by Lauren | 3 comments

…especially if you work/live downtown because…it’s Downtown Restaurant Week(s)!

Yes, friends, they have extended Downtown Restaurant Week another 7 days so the promotion runs from 07/27 – 08/09.


dtrestaurant
Here’s the Q+DD: All participating restaurants will be dishing up 3 course meals for a mere $25.00/per person plus tax + tip.

Downtown often gets a bad rep so I know what you’re thinking: “What’s to eat downtown?” ” I don’t go south of Ponce.” or “How many times can one go to the Hard Rock?” But listen, we’re getting some cool stuff down here (I work directly above the Hard Rock and have had no problem avoiding it for the last 3 years!) Now if someone could just do something about the shopping situation…

Click here for the entire list of participating restaurants but here are a few of my favorites:

No Mas! Cantina: I like this place. It’s not my favorite Mexican joint in town, but remember, I am snobby about my tacos. The food is solid, margaritas are delish and the vibe is cool. Plus, their little store next door is adorable. I have a set of red wine glasses that my seestah bestowed upon me for my birthday last year that I love love love.
Ray’s in the City: great sushi, fresh seafood. Love Ray’s.
Room at Twelve: I take clients here all the time, fabulous lunch spot.
Spoon: I haven’t been in a while, but it’s Thai food and you can’t really go wrong here for me. I will eat anything if it has enough curry on it. Fact.
Thrive: I always order sushi here, but their whole menu is great. The burg is delish!
Terrace on Peachtree (in the Ellis Hotel): I have to tell you, the service is pretty terrible but I always find myself there so there must be something! Plus, I love the way it looks in there, a little retro but still very modern, pretty but not too girly. I’d move in tomorrow.
FAB (French American Brasserie): Roofdeck is amazing and they serve a bowl of mussels the size of G-d. It’s my opinion that FAB is a little overpriced in general, so now is a good time to go.

Oh, and just in case anyone feels like taking me to dinner here are some I want to try:

Social
Il Mulino (I love the one in NYC, but would love to check out ours.) Please see the following piece about their lunch buffet from the Blissful Glutton: http://blissfulglutton.blogspot.com/2009/07/cheap-eats-il-mulino-lunch-buffet.html
BLT Steak

Reservations are strongly encouraged. At the restaurants and on my personal Outlook calendar, of course.

xx, L

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How About A Nice Little Cemetery Stroll?

07/16/2009 in Downtown, Grant Park, What we're Doing by Lindsay | 6 comments

Oakland Cemetery (http://www.oaklandcemetery.com/) is situated in downtown Atlanta – you can see it from Six Feet Under in Grant Park.  It’s a garden cemetery, founded in 1850, and is the final resting place of many of Atlanta’s settlers, builders and most noted citizens, such as Bobby Jones (famous golfer), Margaret Mitchell (wrote Gone with the Wind) and Maynard Jackson (first African American elected mayor in a southern city).  I found it interesting to walk through the massive headstones of families with names we see every day around town: Inman, Krog, etc. 
 
As our tour guide walked us around the cemetery grounds, he told stories about some of the historically-notable permanent residents.  The story I liked the most is that apparently when Obama was elected, the groundsmen found a number of newspapers placed across Maynard Jackson’s grave.  Another one I liked (as pictured below), is that golfers place golf balls on Bobby Jones’ grave for good luck.
IMG_4728
 
I expected to get a brief history lesson at Oakland, but I did not expect to see so much truly amazing architecture.  Some of the mausoleums incorporated Tiffany glass!  I was very surprised to find this architectural “oasis” overlooking a steel mill, local restaurants and downtown’s skyscrapers.  Most of all, I was shocked at the number of people casually strolling, picnicking and going for a morning jog around the cemetery grounds. 
IMG_4712 
Most of Oakland’s tours occur during the day, however, our guide told us that the cemetery offers an evening tour a week prior to Halloween.  I think that sounds amazing! 
IMG_4726 
Overall, I did not find Oakland Cemetery to be gloomy or mournful, but instead, a beautiful historical site worthy of an afternoon walk or picnic with out-of-towners or anyone interested in learning a bit about Atlanta’s rich history.  It’s free to visit and a totally creative, recessonista outing!  (Plus, it’s right next to some of my favorite eats: Agave (amazing margaritas), Six Feet Under (great shrimp and scallops cooked in parchment paper) and Ria’s Bluebird (delicious brunch)!
 
xx, L
 

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You May Need to Re-Evaluate If…

07/09/2009 in Downtown, Pampered Pooches by Lauren | 3 comments

Your dog takes better vacations than you. This occurred to me when I was lounging in Dana’s posh beach house, Firefly Iced Tea in hand, totally relaxed from my fabulous morning in the sun and feeling badly for my poor, poor Olive who was probably missing me terribly back in Atlanta, so I decided to call Bark ATL (again) to check in on my baby.

I get Brandi, the manager, on the phone (who is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.) and she informs me that Olive is doing great and is, at the moment, outside with her “friends” at their 4th of July Pool Party. My mind immediately jumps to a MTV Spring Break scene only instead of trashy teenagers, it’s the dogs dancing poolside, perhaps lapping up Coronas with lime. I brushed the thought out of my mind with a laugh, but two hours later, my phone buzzed with a Facebook message from Bark ATL to let me know Brandi had uploaded some snaps and as I viewed the photos, I wasn’t that far off! Witness:

Olive and Kasey just before they volleyball tourney?

Olive and Kasey just before they volleyball tourney?

I love Bark ATL. So does Olive. I board her there when I am out of town, but I also occasionally take her there for Doggy Daycare. She starts hysterically wagging the minute we pull up to the parking lot (where “Valet Barking” occurs. I have a carpool paddle with her name on it and everything. It’s very efficient…and totally hilarious.) and has a blast playing all day with her buddies. She has a boyfriend named Quincy (whose mother threw him a birthday party and called to be sure that Olive would be at daycare that day…she may need to re-evaluate also.)

Olive hearts Quincy

Olive hearts Quincy

But who am I to judge? I just threw Olive a Bark Mitzvah in Piedmont Park for her 2nd birthday…

Here’s the Q+D(D): They separate the dogs out into 3 well-equipped playrooms: “Little Pup Lane” “Mid Hound Lounge” and “Big Dog Way” (PS you can watch your pooch on a webcam. When I first started taking O there, it’s all I did.) It’s 24-hour supervision (someone is personally giving your pup love all day and night) and 100% cage free. They offer baths and little extras like doggy ice cream (lick-a-lots) and will accommodate whatever special requests you may have. The staff is unbelievable. They’re MILITANT about being sure that all the dogs are up on their vaccinations and they’re really, personally concerned with your dog’s happiness and well being. Best of all is the couple that owns the facility, Angela and Morgan. They’re absolutely precious. 2 years ago it was Angela that personally walked me around the grounds to make me comfortable and Morgan is often in the parking lot, ready to take your pooch for their day of fun.

It’s also a beautiful thing when I am going to spend the weekend in Birmingham because since I work downtown, I can just leave her there for the day, zip by and get her on my way on to I-20 and she’s passed out for the entire 2 hour drive to DK+DK’s. She’s a LUMP when I come to get her. (L + Slick can attest to this: they were the ones to kindly pick her up after my last vacay and may have felt the need to check for her pulse…)

So, I may be a crazy dog lady, but who wouldn’t want to spoil THIS muffin?:
olive2
Long story longer: if you’re looking for a great doggy daycare/boarding facility that is more like a resort for your bestie, I recommend Bark ATL 110%.
barkatl

xx, L

wwll (woof woof, lick lick), O

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