He arranged for a number of excellent meals over the weekend, but my favorite thing we did was have a little stay-cation at The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast in Grant Park.

Here’s the Q+DD on The Social Goat:

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast is located in downtown Atlanta, and is in the community surrounding the oldest city park, Grant Park.  The park was established in 1882 when Lemuel P. Grant gave the city of Atlanta 100 acres and the city acquired an additional 44 acres to create a park for its citizens, eventually developing Atlanta’s largest historic neighborhood.  A failed circus traveling through town in 1889 was purchased and animals were placed in what is now Zoo Atlanta for spectators.  In 1892, the circular painting of the Battle of Atlanta was exhibited in the park and is now housed in the Atlanta Cyclorama.  Just one block from the park, guest can enjoy all the attractions and much more while the stay at The Social Goat.

the social goat exterior

The Social Goat was originally built in 1900 as a Queen Anne Victorian to accommodate 13 children.  Once a working farm and homestead, the house was located on a large piece of property that eventually was sold to make way for suburban building.  This property is now 3/4 of an acre and once again has a miniature barnyard.  Residents include two nigerian dwarf goats named “Sherman” and “Tallulah”, three cats named “Monkey, Leon, Tanuki”, three black spanish turkeys, 12 chickens, and plenty of goldfish and koi that inhabit the pond.  The Social Goat welcomes you with southern hospitality, and invites you to stay and relax on their little city farm.

Prior to our stay at The Social Goat, I hadn’t heard about this bed + breakfast before, so I was super impressed that Kevin had booked our stay at such a unique place!  When we arrived, we took a brief tour of the house – which was beautiful. 

Here’s a peek:

barcelona wine bar

The next morning, Kristy (The Social Goat owner + innkeeper) made us breakfast in the dining room.  She borrowed eggs from the chickens on her farm behind the house.  The breakfast was DE-licious.  A true feast.

Finally, it was time to meet the animals!  This was the biggest highlight for me!  We hung out with the most friendly, dog-like, dwarf goats named Sherman + Tallulah. 

I. fell. in. LOVE!! 

They, however, were slightly less interested in us, and way more interested in my bright purple jacket.  Oh well.  Still soooooooo unbelievably cute!

Then, we met the roosters who had woken us up in the morning.  This one is named Fabio. 

Kevin and I did not make friends with the turkeys.  They were jerks.

We really could have played with the animals all day…

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast truly deserves the positive reviews and praise it’s received on Yelp!  I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a little getaway within the city.  It was such a unique experience – one that I know I will never forget.  I just loved!

More info on The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast here: Gobble til ya Wobble!

Miss you, Sherman + Tallulah…

xx, L

The Social Goat Bed + Breakfast
548 Robinson Ave.
Atlanta, Georgia  30315
404.626.4830
http://www.thesocialgoatbandb.com/

Inhabiting the space where Zaya used to be in Inman Park, it’s (you guessed it) a Spanish tapas joint and it is AMAZING.    The space is absolutely gorgeous, all wood-plank walls, warm and cozy and outrageously lively and fun.

(Photo credit and more pix click HERE – Squarefeetstudio.com)

It was PACKED the night my girl Brooke and our G’s (George + Greg.  Duh.) went – which was a Wednesday if memory serves.  Word on the street is that it stays pretty busy…

I’ll be completely honest, I don’t remember exactly what I ate.  The menu is a huge list of tapas and we tried a TON.

Luckily I snapped some pix:

Roasted chickpea puree with house made pita chips

Ham and cheese croquetas

Albondigas. (meatballs, and sorry for the gross picture. They were delicious, actually.)

Empenadas!

I suggest bringing a fun couple. B+G will do nicely...

Love my Brooke!

Everything was delicious and I can’t wait to go back again!   Apparently, it’s part of a chain up in New England, but I didn’t feel like I was in a chain restaurant at all.

It’s perfect for just about every kind of dining experience: girls’ night, date night, etc. – but I think it would be a perfect first date spot.  It’s got that perfect blend of low key and fun!

Anyway – go, enjoy.  But make a rezzie.  That place is CROWDED.

xx, L

Barcelona Wine Bar
(404) 589-1010
240 N. Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307

Attention: It’s my new favorite Atlanta restaurant.  #1!  You guys, it’s AMAZING.

Chef Robert Phalen + the folks behind Holy Taco in East Atlanta Village opened One Eared Stag in the old Shaun’s space.  The restaurant still looks a lot like Shaun’s, as you’ll see below, but now it’s covered with somehow hipster-y animal heads mounted on the wall.  Lindsay likes.  Witness:

We were seated next to this guy.  Hello!

When we sat down and were handed the drink menu, I was stoked to see that they offered a Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger beer + lime) on their cocktail menu. It’s one of my new fav. go-to cocktails. The bartender made an excellent one, too.

my moscow mule

Our meal, the service and the overall experience were insanely good + I seriously can’t wait to go back to One Eared Stag.  Their menu changes daily and features lots of local and seasonal items in small plates, big plates + sides.  Here’s what we ate…

Fancy mozzarella + pesto small plate.

Mouthwateringly delicious muscles.  Some of the best I’ve had in a long time.

OMG!  Pig ears w/ a fried egg.  I ate that!  And, it was g.o.o.d.

For my entree, I had the seafood stew.  I really, really enjoyed it and strongly recommend.

Jess had the pasta dish w/ bacon.  Everyone ate off of her plate because it was so tasty.

Slick is on a chicken kick for some reason, so he ordered…chicken.  I didn’t taste it, but he said it was “the bomb” at least three times.  Trust Slick.

Sam ordered chicken liver.  I DO NOT like chicken liver AT ALL.  But, he said that it was some of the best he’d ever had.  Gross, but cool – I guess.

Jess + I probably had more than a few drinks…

And then it was dessert time!

As I remember it, the dessert that Sam + Jess shared was grilled french bread covered in Nutella w/ whipped cream + strawberries.  It was pretty simple, but truly divine.  DIVINE.

Slick + I opted for the panna cotta.

They were both good, but Jess + Sam’s was better.

We were STUFFED + we all agreed that it was an absolutely fantastic meal. 

When we left, Slick met this guy outside of the restaurant: a 187 lb. Great Dane named Simon.  He was enormo! 

Welcome OES to my new #1 spot!  I’ll be back very soon!

xx, L

One Eared Stag
1029 Edgewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA  30307
404.230.6177
www.oneearedstag.com

1 – New Orleans Beignets dusted with confectioners sugar.  JUST the right amount, too.

2 – Pigs in a Blanket with housemade andouille sausage, puff pastry + creole mustard.  Divine, divine!

These are just two of my favorite brunch items to share at Serpas – we aren’t even getting into the entrees themselves at this point…  Serpas’ brunch is absolutely stellar!  Out of this world, even.  AND, get ready for this one, they have the best coffee mugs around town.  Fact.

Def. make a reservation for Serpas’ Sunday brunch this weekend! 

xx, L

Serpas True Food
659 Auburn Ave. NE #501
Atlanta, GA  30312
404.688.0040
www.serpasrestaurant.com

1 – Dad’s Garage is a non-profit.
2 – Sauced is a kick-butt local restaurant + lounge that has a crush on Dad’s Garage.

Which leads to:

Dine Out For Dad’s at Sauced on Thursday, June 23rd!

Join the fun at Sauced on Thursday, June 23rd from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. + they’ll donate the proceeds to good ol’ Dad’s Garage.  AND, if that’s not awesome enough, they’ll staple a coupon for half-off a Dad’s Garage show that evening right to your bill.  How’s that for a fun night out?!

Dad’s Garage shows on Thursday, June 23rd:

8:00 p.m. – sLaughter Camp
10:30 p.m. – Uncomfortably Up Close + Personal

Be sure to make a rezzie at Sauced: 404.688.6554.  If you’d like to also make a reservation at Dad’s, purchase a ticket for that evening at the student price.  As mentioned, you’ll receive a coupon with your bill at Sauced that Dad’s will verify at the door.

Need more convincing?  Check out the Dine Out For Dad’s event page on Facebook riiiiiiiiiiiight HERE!

xx, L

Sauced
753 Edgewood Ave.
Atlanta, GA  30307
404.688.6554
www.saucedatlanta.com

I didn’t post for an entire week + now I feel like there’s almost too much to update you all on and it’s not exactly stringing together clearly…  So bear with me, folks.  I’m just going to lay it all out there + make of it what you will. 

The weather is getting gorgeous, the hemlines are getting shorter + there are more and more reasons to play outside, try new restaurants + spring into summer!  (I feel like I just wrote an Old Navy commercial.)

Ready or not – here I go!  Wheeeee…..

Ms. Reynolds, Sayako + I recently recruiter summit-ed at Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park, which has been all over Urban Spoon, etc., and we really enjoyed it!

Pictured below are our sandwiches, all of which are meant to be eaten in multiples (i.e. you don’t order just one sandwich – they are small-ish) at only $4.00 a piece.

We tried the New Bomb Turkey: turkey, arugula, avocado spread + baconaisse; The Hambo: prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, apple + reduced balsamic; and the Castro: slow-roasted pork, ham, fontina cheese + yellow mustard. 

I love this place for a casual lunch and strongly recommend trying it out!

Victory Sandwich Bar
280 Elizabeth Street
Atlanta, GA  30307
770.676.7287
http://www.vicsandwich.com/
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Next up, Bloomingdale’s just started showing some gorgeous turquoise-y blue stone necklaces.  So cute for summer!  Here’s a shot of the one I bought on Monday.  It’s my new favorite accessory.

Moving right along…

On my Palm Springs/ L.A. flights, I started reading John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.”  I will admit that I fall in love with most books I read + can’t put them down until they’re finished, and that remains the case with this Pulitzer Prize winner.  It’s so thoughtfully written and a great (albeit very wordy) read.  The story of how the book came to fruition after JKT’s suicide is super interesting, as well. 

Let’s talk food trucks.

Slick + I got tacos at Tex’s Tacos recently, the new food truck in Buckhead, which urbandaddy.com dubbed the “Antonio Banderas” of food trucks.  Cute.

Tex’s is a fully-equipped kitchen + restaurant on wheels serving up an array of “Nueva Texicana” eats w/ “style + grace.”

While I’ll admit that they weren’t the best tacos I’ve ever eaten, they did the job.  Tex’s will be a goldmine for late night Buckhead frat boys who need to cut through the alcohol a bit before stumbling into bed.  And it’s not just stationed in Buckhead, which is why food truckin’ is so exciting.  Check out Tex’s schedule here: http://www.texstacos.com/

Speaking of food trucks…  When I was in Palm Springs, the Nom Nom truck drove up from L.A. and I got to try it!  Not familiar w/ the famous Nom Nom truck?

It’s a L.A.-based mobile food truck specializing in Vietnamese food, especially banh mi.  Nom Nom was the runner-up in season one of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.

Their food is RIDIC. 

On Easter Sunday, Slick + I had a date night at Ecco, one of my favorite Midtown restaurants to order up a load of small plates + drinks.  (Also, to potentially spot the Vampire Diaries cast…)

As usual, our meal was predictably delicious.  To accompany it, I ordered a glass of pinot gris.  Slick, however, ordered one of the most interesting cocktails I’ve ever seen.  Here’s the description of it from the menu:

ZAFARAN: Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, housemade Shindeldecker tonic + a custom icy hot cube will remind you that, while temptation is a reality, there are repercussions in all things we do.

It was so different and had a very special, unique flavor.  You guys have to try it!

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.  I’m obsessed with mochi ice cream.  Recently, I’ve been satisfying my sweet tooth with an all natural strawberry flavor found at Trader Joe’s.  Um, yum!

Y’all, today is Thursday which means…

So, back to food trucks + street food.  Can we?  Thanks. 

My favorite Midtown Street Food Thursday vendor is definitely The King of Pops!

I get so excited when I see the Pops cart!  And you know who else does…

slick: king of the mountain (stone mountain, that is)

He LOVES KoPs!  Our favorite flavors are: Mexican Chocolate, Banana Pudding, Sea Salt Chocolate + Pineapple Ginger.  You must, must try a pop!

It really is perfect popsicle weather, too.  Speaking of perfect weather, I had it in California.  The entire week was truly gorgeous!  Although the main purpose of my trip was to meet Mrs. Wolkove’s adorable new addition to her family, I did have time to enjoy the outdoors when I went on a hike at Fryman Canyon Park located in the Santa Monica Mountains with Mrs. W’s madre.  The views were amazing + the workout was seriously intense.  I work out quite a bit in Atlanta, but I almost never go hiking.  I have to say that my legs were throbbing the morning after our hike.  If anyone knows of good hiking spots in Atlanta, please let me know. 

Even while hiking in the heat, my hair looked pretty perfect.  (OMG, what a bragger!)  But, I have to credit that to Daniel Carter at Mint Salon who does my 2-day keratin treatments.  (LK goes to Mint, too, for hers.)  Daniel is a fantastic stylists who has also started to do my cuts + color.  If you happen to be looking for a new stylist, I highly recommend Daniel!  Tell him you heard about him on the Q+DD!

Mint Salon
Stylist: Daniel Carter
404.724.9669
www.mintsalon.net

Since we’re focusing now on “maintenance,” I’m really looking forward to my spray tan today at RAW Organic Bronzing Studio.  (LK is a fan, too!)  I adore the owner, Tiffany Terranova, and have been very pleased with my tans!  They are made from 100% organic ingredients that are actually beneficial to the skin.  Read more about RAW Organic Bronzing Studio here: LK’s post about RAW.

And, RAW is conveniently located right next door to Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park!  Bringing it all together. 

Skipping around skipping around…

I’m in the market for a french press.  I drank french pressed coffee several times during my L.A. trip + don’t think I can go back to my Keurig any more.  It’s like two entirely different planets of coffee!  This Bodum one is pretty cute.  (Hint, hint.)

OH!  And isn’t this the most precious picture you’ve ever seen or what?!  Mrs. Wolkove, her one week old (who obv. cannot fit into those yet) + I all rock the glitter TOMS!  Love.

We’ll focus on this much more as it draws closer, but who’s pumped for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?! 

THIS event is going to be nothing short of incredible.  Can’t wait! 

More info here: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

And finally (have I worn you out yet?), the Q+DD has some very special news to share!  One of our best readers, Jessica Gorman: Concierge at the Ritz Carlton – Buckhead, was featured in the newest edition of The Atlantan Magazine!

Click here to see the article mentioning Jess on page 36 of the new issue today!  (Reading Instructions for the Online Version: Click on the link mentioned in the previous sentence.  Type in page 36.  Full screen view + click magnifying glass to zoom in.  Silly technology…)  We are very proud of you, Jess!

So…did you get all that?!  It was pretty beastly.  (TWHS? Sorry, mom…)

There WILL be a quiz later.  It’s great to be back! 

xx, L

As you know, Camp Dance is this weekend + I’m sure you’re all super pumped for it!  If you are looking for plans during the weekend days, I strongly recommend that you check out these two exciting festivals!

1 – Smyrna’s Spring Jonquil Festival
(April 30 & May 1, 2011)

The Jonquil Festival is located on the beautiful Village Green in downtown Smyrna.  It will showcase arts + crafts by more than 150 artists/ crafters from across the country.  The event also offers fun for the entire family to enjoy with continuous entertainment, a children’s section + a wide selection of festival foods.  The show will draw a crowd of around 15,000 people.  Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday + admission is FREE!

More information + directions to Smyrna’s Spring Jonquil Festival here: Spring HAS Sprung!

And (THIS IS EXCITING NEWS), just guess who will have a tent at the Festival….

J. Rishel Woodworks!  You will not want to miss his tent!  Justin is an amazing woodworker – so be sure to look out for him!

my j. rishel woodworks cutting board

Read more about J. Rishel Woodworks here: Got Wood? (Ahh, couldn’t resist.)
J. Rishel Woodworks’ Etsy Page here: Buy Some Wood! (Not nearly as funny…)

2 – Inman Park Spring Festival
(Also, April 30 & May 1, 2011)

Inman Park Spring Festival takes place in one of Atlanta’s oldest + most scenic neighborhoods.  First developed in the late 1800s, Inman Park is home to many historic homes + parks.  The Festival began in the early 1970s as a means to attract attention to gentrification efforts that sought to revitalize the community.  Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the festival offers something for everybody.  Music, kids activities, a Tour of Homes, a marvelous street parade, an artists’ market + some of the city’s best people-watching. 

inman park festival parade

I’m a serious fan of this Festival + blogged about my love affair w/ it last year…please review here: I Heart the Inman Park Spring Festival.

More information + directions to the Inman Park Spring Festival here: Inman Info!

This is going to be SUCH a great weekend.  Enjoy the festivals, festival-goers! 

xx, L

Here’s the Q+DD:
From March 28 – April 3, savor historic Inman Park with three-course dinners from select local restaurants.  Inman Park Restaurant Week is a splendid opportunity to experience your favorite chef or restaurant.  (I want to hug the word “splendid.”)

Located just two miles east of downtown Atlanta, Inman Park is not only the home of gracious Victorian mansions + contemporary new lofts, but also a major culinary destination.  Restaurant-rich, the area has more than 12 restaurant and pubs offering everything from American, Southern, European + ethnic cuisine to your favorite pub dishes.  No wonder Inman Park has become an area with an increasingly sophisticated palate!  Shucks.

This year’s restaurant week will benefit Atlanta’s own Open Hand. 

More info on the charity here: EAT WELL + DO GOOD

Participating Restaurants:

$15 Price
Fritti
Pure Taqueria
The Albert
North Highland Pub
Victory Sandwich Bar

$25 Price
Wisteria
Parish Food & Goods
Park’s Edge
Rathbun’s
Sauced
Sotto Sotto

$35 Price
Kevin Rathbun Steak

Lindsay’s Recommendations:
All of the participating restaurants + pubs are winners, but my personal IPRW picks are…(drum roll por favor)…

And, I’m dying to try Victory Sandwich Bar.

More Info on Inman Park Restaurant Week here: FEED ME, SEYMOUR!

Make your reservations today + enjoy the week! 

xx, L

Becoming the Caseys, Rosh + Z and Slick + I decided to use the Scoutmob for Fritti in Inman Park on Sunday night.  And, we were so glad we did.

I hadn’t been to Fritti in almost exactly a year (went for a holiday party last Dec.), and it was really bumping.  I was impressed.  Thanks to Scoutmob, they were on an hour wait when we arrived.  Lucky for us, though, S. Casey thought ahead + made a reservation, so we were seated right away on their heated patio! 

sam's supa-smart.

I was s.t.a.r.v.i.n.g, so I tried to encourage the group to make decisions pretty quickly so we could get some food on the table.  Everyone ordered drinks + we requested a few appetizers to share:

Bruschetta: Slow roasted + marinated tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, basil.
Bresaola di Tonno: Cured sashimi grade tuna, arugula, radish, lemon.
Antipasto Misto: Assorted Italian meats + cheeses, olives, marinated mushrooms.
(We also wanted the Calamari Fritti, but they were out…) 

There wasn’t any time to take pictures b/c my ravenous mood quickly spread + as soon as our appetizers were delivered, we demolished them.  Shortly thereafter, our pizzas arrived:

Salame Piccante: Spicy salame + black olives.

Crudo e Rucola: San Daniele prosciutto + arugula.  (My fav.)

Pancetta e Cipolla: Caramelized onion, pancetta + hot pepper.

Toscana: Bufala, peppered salame, cherry tomatoes + rosemary.

Four hearty pizzas may seem ambitious for six people, but don’t you worry – we ate every last bite.  A little over half of our dinner companions had not been to Fritti before, and they walked away very satisfied.  The Scoutmob discount was significant, too, and just another nice touch to an already enjoyable meal.  Fritti might not be a restaurant that I frequent more than once a year, but it sure hits the spot.  (And, I’d never turn my nose up at pizza…)  I definitely recommend using the Scoutmob for it – and bringing along a posse to help you devour their delicious pizzas.  Or not. 

Fritti’s Menu Here:  http://www.urestaurants.net/_uploads/Fritti_dinner_menu.pdf

And, don’t forget to make a reservation!!

Unrelated:  I’m headed to Dallas for the rest of the week to celebrate the holidays Texas-style.

And so, I want to wish you all a very Merry Chrismukkah (if you’re down w/ the hybrid holiday thing like my family) or whatever it is you’re celebrating!  Have the happiest of holidays! 

(Just some Yids celebrating X-mas…)

family secret santa

xx, L

Fritti
309 N. Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA  30307
404.880.9559
www.urestaurants.net

CK is a super foodie friend of mine, who I’ve been dearly missing throughout my culinary expeditions around Atlanta since she recently moved away.  Everyone + their mothers have been talking about Hector Santiago’s newish Latino sandwich shop, Super Pan, so it sounded like a perfect lunch location for us to check out. 

Super Pan is located around the corner from Pura Vida (in its old event space), one of my top five favorite restaurants in Atlanta, and is also run by the brilliant, Mr. Santiago.  It’s been written up everywhere – food blogs, Atlanta Magazine, Creative Loafing, etc. – and consistently receives rave reviews.  Because of all of the hype, Christine + I were not surprised to see how packed the restaurant was with hungry business folks + locals eagerly waiting at their tables for the delivery of their tasty sandwiches.

We quickly got in line + ordered at the upstairs counter, then rushed downstairs to stake our claim on a table.  Since we knew it might take a while for our sandwiches to make it to us, we ordered Hector’s special appetizer Empanadas to tie us over.  Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of empanadas.  However, THESE were incredible!  CK and I couldn’t stop talking about how delicious they were!

For my sandwich, I selected the Coca de Jamon y Queso: jamon serrano, machego cheese, date marcona almond butter, arugula, piquillo peppr agrildulce on “spanish foccacia.”  The lady who took my order told me that it was her favorite sandwich – and she has fantastic taste b/c it was incredibly delicious!

CK got the special of the day: an authentic Cuban Sandwich.  She’s a big fan of these sandwiches, and reported that it was seriously hardcore.  She was really impressed.

Had I been hungover or needed some seriously fattening Friday fare, I would have opted for the Pork Belly Buns (a bigger version of one of my favorite tapas at Pura Vida): smoked pilon sugar berkshire pork belly, shaved cabbage, cilantro, tamarind sauce + aji coban “sambal” on a steamed coconut bun.  It looked so freaking good!  My mouth was watering when it was delivered to the gentleman at the table next to us…

The dining space is very small, but appropriate for encouraging people to order quickly, eat + leave to make room for more customers.  I’m always a fan of the brick wall look, too.

Super Pan is the real deal.  It doesn’t have to be a special treat, either, since you can easily  get there from Midtown (taking North Ave. to North Highland to Blue Ridge Ave.) to grab one of Hector’s hype-worthy sandwiches during a quick workday lunch. 

Frankly, I can’t think of another place I’d rather grab lunch.  Super Pan – you’re doing a SUPER job!  Keep it up + I’ll see you again v. soon!

xx, L

Super Pan
1057 Blue Ridge Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA  30306
404.477.0379
http://www.superpanlatinosandwichshop.com/