I meant to get these:
Instead, I just bought + finished these:
Don’t judge – but please learn from the error of my ways…
Only ever grocery shop on a full tummy! 
xx, L
You are currently browsing articles tagged comfort food.
Yeah, you heard right… I’m talking about the other white meat. A whole lot of it, too.
peace out, wilbur
DAD’S GARAGE THEATRE PRESENTS
THE 10TH ANNUAL BACONFEST
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010
The Annual Fundraiser Features Local Bands: Futureshock, Mike LaSage and the Stumbling Troubadours, The Jaguars, Nine Inch Neils, Baron Saturday of Judi Chicago DJ Set, and Performances by Dad’s Garage House Bands, The Fingering Brothers and Bases Loaded
Tickets On Sale Now + All Proceeds to Benefit Dad’s Garage Theatre Company
THE Q+DD ON BACONFEST:
The 10th Annual Dad’s Garage BaconFest, a one-day event featuring live music, improv, games, beer, bacon and more, will be held on Saturday, March 27 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company in Inman Park. A neighborhood tradition, each year BaconFest raises funds for the treasured mid-sized theatre that is devoted to elevating awareness about the arts in Atlanta.
Founded by Dad’s Garage co-founder George Faughnan in 1995, the meat-centric festival has grown to cult-like status, attracting a diverse and devoted legion of Atlantans each year. Building its following off a simple foundation of combining bacon, beer and bands, the festival also includes nonstop games. Past favorites include; Hunt an Improvisor, Guitar Hero Challenge, fortunetelling, X-rated face painting, and a malt liquor taste test challenge. Live music performances at this year’s event include local artists: Futureshock, Mike LaSage and the Stumbling Troubadours, The Jaguars, Nine Inch Neils, and a special DJ set by Judi Chicago’s Baron Saturday. Dad’s Garage’s house bands The Fingering Brothers and Bases Loaded will also make appearances.
In addition to the fun and games at BaconFest, festival goers can bid on an array of silent auction items donated by local businesses. This year’s silent auction will feature items donated by Dad’s Garage, Alternative Apparel, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Only You Tattoo, Third Half Studios, and many more.
Tickets for the 10th Annual Dad’s Garage Baconfest are sale now and are available from $15 to $45. Dad’s Garage will offer three ticket level categories: General Admission, Mid-Level and VIP. Mid-Level and VIP tickets will be available in limited quantities at $35 and $45, respectively. The VIP ticket will include a special improv performance following BaconFest at 5:00 p.m. Advanced tickets can be purchased online at the Dad’s Garage Ticket Office or at the gate the day of the event.
Visit www.dadsgarage.com for additional information, updates and directions.
ABOUT DAD’S GARAGE THEATRE:
Founded in 1995, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company has grown from a small volunteer led organization to a thriving mid-size theatre led by professional artistic and administrative staff that includes over 300 volunteers and performers. We now entertain more than 30,000 people each year at our two-theatre facility in Inman Park, public events across the state, and at improv festivals across the continent. In addition to outrageous original productions, Dad’s Garage produces improv shows 52 weeks per year, educates young improvisers in a year-round high school outreach program, and facilitates on-site classes and workshops for the general public. Dad’s Garage is committed to elevating the awareness of the arts in the Atlanta community through the production of original theatrical works, education and the creative outlets found through improvisation.
BACK TO ME…
My good buddy, Goldie, makes his famous BACON EXPLOSION on the most special of occasions. Ironically, Goldie + I are friends from Jewish sleep-away camp…
goldie + me
Although I hear about it all the time (does it reeeeeeeally exist?), I’ve not yet had the supreme honor of feasting on this artery-clogging beast.
Goldie's BACON EXPLOSION!!
not kosher
However, I am positive that BaconFest 2010 will be an absolutely excellent substitute!
Gosh, I’m the world’s worst Jewish girl… 
xx, L
Tags: camp boys, careful cowboy!, comfort food, I'm just saying..., Ridiculous., Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A, Yowza.
Hang out with the Kastorfs. It’s as simple as that…
the kastorfs
In an attempt to come to terms with my denial about their recent move from Atlanta, Slick + I visited Kurt + Anjali in the District over the weekend. When we arrived on Friday evening, we had dinner with them and Slick’s twin brother, Smooth, who lives in the city + co. at Zaytinya.
zaytinya
Zaytinya (http://www.zaytinya.com/) is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown that is star chef Jose Andres’ culinary playground. Andres is a James Beard Award winner, defeated Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America and appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef. He is often credited for bringing the small plates concept to America. Needless to say, I was very excited to eat at Zaytinya. And, it was even better than expected – I strongly recommend this restaurant.
puffed pita bread @ zaytinya - i ate a TON
We had lunch the next day at Ben’s Chili Bowl (http://www.benschilibowl.com). Ever since Obama dined there a few days before the Inaguration, I’ve been interested in trying the famous chili dogs at this historic restaurant.
ben's chili bowl
slick @ ben's
We ate absolutely wondrous things – chili dogs, chili cheese fries, etc – and we didn’t think twice about it.
chili cheese fries @ ben's
Ben’s Chili Bowl was amazing. I love its U Street location – not too far away from one of my favorite places to eat at in DC – Marvin (Marvin Gaye’s restaurant).
More on Marvin’s here: http://www.marvindc.com/.
kurt + slick eating ben's chili half-smokes
very full
Kurt + Anj + Slick cooked dinner on Saturday night. Obviously, I’m big on going out for meals (research for the blog…), but the way these three cooked – I’d be happy eating at home from here on out!
food network cameras really should have been there...
Everything was homemade from scratch. So impressive!!
Caprese Salad garnished w/ Doritos (Slick’s touch):
genius?
Vermont Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese Straws:
my favorite part of the meal
Peach Gnocchi in a Champagne and Shallot Sauce:
heavenly
(Brace yourself for this one) Maple Mascarpone Cheesecake served with Pistachio Ice Cream, Cranberries stewed in Raspberry Ginger Beer, Orange Ginger Reduction, Maple Syrup and garnished with a Walnut Tuille:
masterpiece
I ate sooooooo much, I couldn’t breathe after the meal. Seriously. That didn’t stop me, though, from finishing about three bottles of wine w/ Anj over the course of the night…
We ventured out to Co Co. Sala (http://www.cocosala.com/) for brunch on Sunday. A colleague in DC sang praises about this restaurant after she went for dinner one evening – and ever since has been telling me that I absolutely have to go there when I’m in town.
barely standing...but ready to eat!
The menu is based around chocolate and the food is creative, well-paired and incredibly artful. Although we were all pretty hungover from the prior evening, we thought brunch was delicious and satisfying. I loved the restaurant’s plush decor and appreciated how well thought out each knife, fork, dish and glass was – everything was very detailed.
beautiful entree @ co co. sala
decadent desserts @ co co. sala
We schmoozed with Co Co. Sala’s general manager after our meal and he told us that the restaurant has a pretty lively dessert + drinks scene – very loungy with house music… Personally, “house music” wasn’t the greatest selling point for me, but I would definitely go back to Co Co. Sala when I am in DC again to try more of their delicious desserts and see what the evening holds there. We left the restaurant full + with a parting gift from the GM: CHOCOLATE COVERED BACON!
it wasn't around for long...
Matchbox Vintage Pizza Bistro (http://www.matchboxdc.com/) was the last restaurant I wanted to check off of my list this trip.
get it? get it?!
Anj + Slick + I grabbed an early dinner there: the 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ gouda + onion straws and one of their signature pizzas cooked in a wood-fired masonry oven. Although I thought the pizza was fair at best, Matchbox’s onion straws were enough to bring me back to the Chinatown restaurant as soon as I am in DC again. I honestly don’t have any other way to accurately describe them than they were just, well, AWESOME!
matchbox's 3.6.9. mini-burgers w/ onion straws
We ate a lot over the three day trip. But, don’t worry about our health – we did some walking. In fact, we spent Saturday @ the Department of Justice:
i found a familiar flag!
slick gave an important speech
We saw Julia Child’s Kitchen @ the National Museum of American History:
amen!
julia's copper pots
And, we viewed the Hope Diamond + the extensive Mineral Exhibit @ the National Museum of Natural History:
the hope diamond in all its glory
want. those.
Although the trip went by in a blur, I’ll be holding onto the memories we made (ate?) for the next few weeks in my waistline. Oh well, I enjoyed every bite – and it’s not swimsuit season quite yet…
miss you guys already!!
Thanks, Anj + Kurt for such a super fun + incredibly delicious trip!
xx, L
Tags: blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol, captain kurt, clean plate club, comfort food, I'm just saying..., LMR, More culture than frozen yogurt!, pretty little anjali, slick, Table for Two, Things that are awesome..., very important people, Yowza.
I am ALL ABOUT various neighborhood restaurant weeks. It’s a combination of my favorite things: restaurants, good deals, and hype.
That said, you should know that the inaugural Buckhead Restaurant week is right around the corner! 3 courses for $25? Yes, please! 
Here are a few of my favorite participants:
Anis
Anis is such a perfect little date spot! It’s this amazing little French resto in a charming little house off Grandview. They have an outside patio (and allow pups!) as well as cozy inside seating. Love!
Aria
(Or Aria’s as my mom calls it.) If you have never been, you are seriously missing out. Aria is one of my favorite restaurants in the city – it’s romantic, the food is amazing, and it’s very glam in an understated sort of way.
Bistro Niko
You know a restaurant is cool when EZ elects to celebrate her birthday there!
In the bottom of the Soverign building, this chic little French bistro is the newest addition to the Buckhead Life restaurant group. The bar area is especially cool.
Capital Grille
Two words: Stoli Doli. 
When l lived in the Eclipse (located just behind the restaurant) this was my go-to happy hour spot. It’s a higher-end steak joint, and everything on the menu is delish, but the lobster mac + cheese will change your life and the calamari is out of this world. Their signature cocktail is the “Stoli Doli” – a martini made with pineapple infused vodka. DELISH. Plus, it has the whole country club chic thing going on and I love that.
Kyma
Another Buckhead Life participant, and Lindsay’s favorite big fat Greek restaurant. Go get your taramasalata on, yo.
Nava
I celebrated a landmark birthday here and will always have a special place in my heart for blue cornbread, prickly pear margaritas, and lobster tacos…
Other participating restaurants are Aja (it’s pronounced like Asia, FYI, not Ah-zjh-ah- I asked!), Aqua Bistro, Atlanta Fish Market, Blue Pointe, Cantina (where Lola used to be), Craftbar, Gordon Biersch, Home, Market, Paces 88, The Palm, Pricci, Prime, Ruth’s Chris, Shula’s 347, and The Grape.
You can make reservations by calling the restaurants (duh) or on Opentable.com, a sponsor of the event.
Please note that alcohol and gratuity are not included in the $25.
Happy fine dining on a dime!
xx, L
Tags: blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol, clean plate club, comfort food, DK+DK, I'm just saying..., Table for Two, Things we love!, You Can Find Me in the A
Slick got some good news over the weekend and a celebratory dinner was in order. If I’d received news worthy of celebrating, I would make a b-line for Bacchanalia faster than you can say “American Kobe Short Ribs.” However, Slick’s favorite food is BBQ – so we decided that Fat Matt’s Rib Shack would be a perfect spot to grub-it-up in his honor.
perfect-o
First, we went to Tara Cinema to see Crazy Heart. We both thought the movie was amazing, and we’ve been listening to the incredible soundtrack + Ryan Bingham downloads almost non-stop since we saw it. It’s sort of like The Wrestler, but about country music and with The Dude. Awesome. We really liked the movie’s message, too. Everyone, please see it soon!
"it's funny how fallin' feels like flyin'...for a little while"
Back to BBQ: Fat Matt’s is my personal favorite place to get BBQ in Atlanta. It’s a relatively small restaurant with lots of character. In fact, Fat Matt’s was mentioned in the movie, Up in the Air, as the main character’s favorite place to get BBQ because it happens to be the director, Jason Reitman’s, favorite BBQ joint. In return, the restaurant gave Jason a V.I.P. card entitling him to a lifetime of free ribs! So freaking cool.
Moving on…
Fat Matt's
We get to the restaurant and grab some beers while we wait for another couple to meet us. And who do we see chowing down on Fat Matt’s famous ribs?? None other than Serpas executive chef, Scott Serpas!
Scott Serpas, Serpas True Food
(Who vaguely resembles my favorite Modern Family character, Cameron… Love him!)
CAMERON!!
Obviously, we were in excellent company. Our friends arrived shortly thereafter and we ordered.
Fat Menu
Three of us selected the tasty pulled pork sandwiches on white buns – and Slick got the ribs.
Fat Kitchen
My pulled pork was predictably delicious, but I’d never had anything else at Fat Matt’s to compare it to. Slick let me try one of his ribs – and it was heavenly. I’m adverse to fat on BBQ, I’d almost rather it be tasteless than bite into fat on meat – the texture weirds me out. Thankfully, I had no reservations about Fat Matt’s ribs, which were both pretty lean and flavorful.
Fat (but not fatty) Ribs
We inhaled our BBQ and washed it down with some Sweetwater beer, all while enjoying the live blues band. Don’t forget to tip them!
Fat Music
It was a perfect celebratory dinner for Slick! (He was in hog heaven… Get it? Get it??) And today, Slick has another reason to celebrate…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Jeff + Slick
More BBQ is on tap for tonight + Oysterfest @ Steamhouse Lounge tomorrow!
Get your Oysterfest tickets here: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Venues/500.aspx
Fat Party
xx, L
Fat Matt’s Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
404.607.1622
www.fatmattsribshack.com
Tags: Beef., comfort food, I'm just saying..., Lets hear it for the boys, Table for Two, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A, Yowza.
When it comes to pizza, I’m really not kidding around.
this is my serious face
I’ve said it many times before, but I’ll say it again: For the past five years, Shorty’s has been my favorite pizza place in Atlanta. Nothing could hold a candle to it. I’d happily eat there two – maybe three – (don’t judge me) times a week. Happily.
Well, on the Fourth of July this year, I was sipping some Firefly and catching some rays beside the Post Chastain (Acapulco) pool with friends when dinner was mentioned. I suggested Shorty’s, because “it is the best pizza in town.” A friend’s fiance quickly chimed in that he considers himself to be a distinguished pizza connoisseur and that Vintage Pizzeria is, in fact, the best pizza in town. Riiiiiiight.
I wasn’t up for an argument in my tipsy + sunburned + America-loving state, but I doubted that he was anywhere remotely close to correct. His bold statement did, however, spark my interest…
It’s taken us a while, but on Sunday, Slick + some friends and I finally tried Vintage Pizzeria. (Afterwards, I made everyone see The Wolfman. I’m still really sorry, guys…)
Vintage Pizzeria
Here’s what I liked about Vintage: I thought the pizzeria’s random location nearby the Chamblee MARTA station right off from Peachtree Industrial’s sprawling car dealerships was kind of cool. I honestly didn’t know there was anything interesting in that area that would appeal to a demographic aside from sleazy car salesmen. Vintage Pizzeria sits directly across the street from railroad tracks and an adorable little dessert trailer called the Frosty Caboose that serves ice cream and a few other sweet treats.
At Vintage, we ordered Carmen’s Own + the Hawaiian pizza* (my favorite) + some wine/ beer. They pour well at Vintage – just FYI.
Vintage Pizzeria
*Note: Why is it that photos of pizza always look like the “what to watch out for” mole pictures at a dermatologists office? Always – ick.
I have to say that I wasn’t incredibly impressed with Vintage’s decor or atmosphere, but the pizza was above average. Definitely not the best in town, but possibly a nice alternative to Shorty’s. I’ll give it that – although, I never thought I needed one. That is…until I went to Antico Pizza Napoletana with close friends in from New York yesterday. (I’m so sorry, Shorty’s…)
Antico Pizza Napoletana
Antico is, hands down, the best pizza I’ve ever had in my entire life. (How’s that for a stand alone statement?!)
I’ve eaten pizza in Italy, New York, Chicago – everywhere that I would think is important, and frankly, Antico is it for me. I am well-aware that I talk up a lot of restaurants on the blog, but Antico is different. You have to try it immediately. (No exclamation point is needed. This is simply a statement of fact.) For those who don’t live in Atlanta, come into town and visit me and I’ll take you. Deal? Done.
Antico is located in a nondescript space off of Hemphill and 14th, sandwiched between Georgia Tech’s campus and Atlantic Station. When I walked in, I was greeted by an Italian employee and directed to the hanging menu above the register. My friends and I decided to share a Margarita pizza with pepperoni*. We ordered, grabbed some sodas and then seated ourselves at a communal table in the kitchen. At first, I thought it might be strange to have overflow seating in the restaurant’s kitchen, but I LOVED it! We got to watch the Antico employees (mostly Italians) kneading the dough, making the pizzas and throwing them into the brick ovens – all while loud music was bumping throughout the kitchen’s speakers.
Brick Ovens @ Antico
Our pizza was delivered to us on a cookie sheet and IT. WAS. AMAZING! Truly amazing!
Margarita Pizza @ Antico
The sauce and dough were particularly tasty, while at the same time not overpowering or too filling. The cheese tasted incredibly fresh and the pepperoni was thinly sliced and crispy. You just don’t get more authentic than this! The only problem, though, was that we completely devoured it within minutes. We immediately regretted not ordering more.
*Note: A number of people were eating the Bianca pizza (w/ ricotta + buffalo mozzarella) and it looked awesome.
Antico is open Monday – Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – Until Out of Dough. How cute is that??
I love Antico’s pizza! I really do. Shorty’s, sadly, is a thing of the past for me. (Farewell, old friend.) As far as I’m concerned, there is only one place worthy of eating pizza at in Atlanta now – and that is Antico Pizza Napoletana. I’ll see you there very soon.
xx, L
Vintage Pizzeria
5434 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA 30341
678.646.0400
www.vintagepizzeria.com
Antico Pizza Napoletana
1093 Hemphill Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.724.2333
www.anticopizza.it
Tags: benators., clean plate club, comfort food, I'm just saying..., LMR, michelle (flounder!), oh so hipster, slick, Table for Two, Things that are awesome..., Things we love!, You Can Find Me in the A
I’ve died and gone to cupcake heaven! I never thought I’d enjoy eating a cupcake as much as I love eating petit fours, but Cami Cakes has completely won me over!
Let’s take a step back, shall we?
I’ve never turned my nose up at a cupcake, but they aren’t my favorite dessert in the world. I can take ‘em or leave ‘em pretty much any day. Magnolia (NYC), Sprinkles (Dallas) and Belly General Store (Atlanta) all have excellent cupcakes, but I’m not writing home about them. Hey Cupcake (Austin) is definitely the closest I’ve come to cupcake-on-the-brain.
Hey Cupcake (Austin, TX)
Until now… A girl in my book club brought a box of Cami Cakes to a meeting last week, and well, that’s all it took. I’m officially hooked! After talking about/ thinking about Cami Cakes for what seemed like days and days and days, Slick and I popped in yesterday after a visit to the Atlanta Humane Society to get a few treats for a little dinner celebration we had last night @ Fat Matt’s (more on that later).
I’d frequently passed Cami Cakes on drives down Peachtree St. from Midtown to Buckhead, but I’d never noticed it. It’s situated in a short, kinda boring strip (dry cleaners, tax advice, etc…) nearby Varasano’s - so it’s easily overlooked. I will most certainly NOT miss it from now on!
When you walk inside Cami Cakes, you are overwhelmed with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked cupcakes. Slick’s first question to the gentleman behind the counter was, “How IN THE WORLD do you work here and you’re not 900 pounds?!” Slick has excellent people skills.
The cupcakes are artistic and creative, while at the same time flavorful and very moist. Nothing is compromised in the making of these beauties! You can choose from delicious flavors in their long glass case including – THE ELVIS: Creamy banana and peanut butter frosting topping their classic chocolate cake garnished with a hint of salt, and SWEET POTATO: Cinnamon and real sweet potato mixed into their buttery yellow cake and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Yum!
We eventually left the store with a small box of the following:
Top Left – RED VELVET: Their classic Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans. (Their best seller!)
Top Right – CHOCOLATE COCONUT PECAN: Rich and creamy caramel frosting with loads of coconut and pecans topping their classic chocolate cake. (My least favorite…)
Bottom Right – CARROT: Moist spice cake loaded with carrots and pecans beneath cream cheese frosting studded with lightly toasted pecans. (Absolutely delicious.)
Bottom Left – CLASSIC CAMI: Their signature yellow cake with classic pink buttercream frosting. (Can’t beat the classics!)
After dinner, our cupcakes were gone in a flash! SUGAR RUSH!!
Stop by Cami Cakes ASAP and you’ll see what I mean. This just may be the second happiest place on Earth (next to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, of course!)
Welcome to Cupcake HEAVEN!
xx, L
Cami Cakes
2221-B Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.748.4288
www.camicakes.com
Tags: comfort food, I'm just saying..., LMR, slick, sugar rush!, That's what she said, Things that are awesome..., Things we love!, You Can Find Me in the A
I tried boiled peanuts for the first time @ Ormsby’s last night!
(I’m still trying hard to become a fixture there.)
yum!
The texture was sorta weird, but I really liked them! How did I not know about these before?
Also, Ormsby’s is the perfect place to spend a snowy winter night! That’s all.
xx, L
Ormsby’s
1170 Howell Mill Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.968.2033
http://www.ormsbysatlanta.com/
Tags: comfort food, I'm just saying..., LMR, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A
In case you’re wondering, no one has sent me a King Cake yet – I’m trying to ignore that, I’m really trying. I look forward to them all year, people! (It’s the little things in life.)
fat free, right?
So, I’m just sittin’ here patiently waiting… In the meantime, we’ve all been invited to celebrate Mardi Gras on February 6th at Rosebud!
Rosebud is turning the afternoon of Saturday, February 6th, into a celebration of indulgence! They will have beads, masks and plenty of food + drinks! A delicious five course set menu includes turtle soup, crawfish + andouille sausage crepes, tasso scrambled egg + french fry po’ boy, buttermilk fried oysters sardou and crispy creme doughnut bread pudding. Yum! The Spencer Garn Trio, a three piece jazz funk band will be playing in the restaurant during brunch, too!
Brunch begins at 1:30 p.m. and is $29 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Reservations are required: 404.347.9747.
Just another fun reason to celebrate + overeat! (Not that I need an excuse, obviously.) Plus, purple and green are totally my colors. Now, back to that King Cake…
xx, L
Rosebud
1397 N. Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
404.347.9747
www.rosebudatlanta.com
Tags: comfort food, Festive, I'm just saying..., LMR, Table for Two, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A
Ormsby’s is Atlanta’s new hot spot.
I went on Saturday evening with some folks, and was sold after only taking approximately four steps into the door. I am already rallying troops to go back on Friday evening. Yes, I’m already making my Friday night plans at 1:30 p.m. on Monday…
Here are my Top 5 Reason’s Why Ormsby’s is My New Favorite Bar – and Will Soon Be Yours:
5- Creative Food Menu: As soon as you walk into Ormsby’s, you see people chowing down on hand-cut fries and massive ale battered onion rings. They were delicious, as were the hand-dipped corn dogs that melted in your mouth. Check out the “Bangers, Links & Wieners” section of the menu, too. I devoured Aunt Naumi’s arugula salad and The Richard, which was a very tasty classic club. The Bruno burger looked hearty and delicious, as well. Hands down, our favorite item on the menu was the house-made cheese whiz dipping sauce for the fries. Trust me on this one.
Ormsby's upstairs restaurant + bar area
4- Killer Atmosphere: As Lauren says, the crowd at Ormsby’s is very PLU: lots of “people like us.” Everyone seemed laid back, not too dressed up but still lookin’ nice, folks were friendly – apologized when they bumped into you at the bar, and – single ladies – there were a lot of lookers. The crowd seemed to be about 70% male.
Ormsby’s is located in the same building as Abattoir on the West Side of Midtown off of Howell Mill and 14th St. - which is a really cool area in my opinion. Much like Abattoir, Ormsby’s decor incorporates a lot of wood and heavy furniture. Cozy nooks around the tavern make you feel like you’ve been hanging out there for years. Free parking is just icing on the cake.
3- Indoor Bocce Ball Court: This is so amazing. Bocce ball is “so hot right now.” It works at Leon’s, but it’s outside. Ormsby’s took it a step further and designed their bocce ball court below the dining area in the tavern’s basement. There was a substantial crowd waiting in line for their shot at the court, but we had no problem finding a place to stand and watch a game. Absolutely brilliant idea. Also available at Ormsby’s, you’ll find pool, darts and backgammon.
Orsby's indoor bocce ball court
2- Impressive Craft Beer + Wine/Cocktail List: 18 creative beers on tap and nearly 40 in bottles. Everyone I was with drank something different – and they were all worthy of a taste. I think that is at least 50 good excuses for a visit to Ormsby’s. Albarino by the glass didn’t hurt my opinion of the tavern, either…(predictable, I guess.)
Beer @ Ormsby's
1- TABLETOP SHUFFLEBOARD!: This made my entire night. Tabletop shuffleboard is my favorite game ever – and (sorry Slick) my impressive shuffling skills proved dominant once again in a heated boys vs. girls tournament. The shuffleboard table is nice and too new to be warped or low on sand, which has always been my complaint about the tables at Twain’s. (Love you, Twain’s.) The line to play was shorter than expected, too.
Tabletop Shuffleboard @ Ormsby's
Ormsby’s tagline accurately sums up my experience, suggesting that it’s “a good place to be.” I’d take it a big step further, though, and say it’s the best place I’ve been in Atlanta in a long time. I know you are all going to like Ormsby’s as much as I do. See you there soon – I’ll be the one racking up points at the shuffleboard table!
not messing around...
xx, L
Ormsby’s
1170 Howell Mill Rd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
404.968.2033
http://www.ormsbysatlanta.com/
Tags: comfort food, I'm just saying..., LMR, oh so hipster, PLU, slick, Things that are awesome..., You Can Find Me in the A
I’ve been eating like a total pig lately.
oy.
It’s sexy, I know. On Friday, I had a business lunch at Park 75 at the Four Seasons Hotel with a few colleagues. Park 75’s menu, which is heavy with healthy salad options, is always an excellent choice for a Midtown business lunch. On Friday, though, I did not opt for a salad. Instead – without hesitation – I selected the Park 75 “Mac and Cheese,” which also includes plump bay shrimp and tasty jumbo lump crab meat. It was a lot of food, much heavier than I normally eat for lunch, but even two days later I am pretty sure it was the best decision I made all week. Almost everyone who joined me for lunch also ordered the M&C (peer pressure)…and we all ended up with spotlessly clean plates.
pigging out @ Park 75
I am pretty sure there were close to 10,001 calories in the Park 75 M&C, but I mean it when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed every heaping forkful – savoring that I was slowly undoing everything I’d done in the gym over the previous three days.
Park 75 sure knows what they are doing – and it’s good to know that they not only have great soup + salad + sandwich options for my business lunches, but also incredible comfort food. Don’t forget about Park 75 on the weekends! They have an excellent Saturday and Sunday brunch menu and an absolutely delightful Afternoon Tea from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Reservations required for tea.) Bon appetit!
"oink oink!" - from your favorite little piggy
xx, L
Park 75 Restaurant
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
75 14th Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.253.3840
http://www.fourseasons.com/atlanta/dining/park_75.html
Tags: clean plate club, comfort food, I'm just saying..., Ladies Who Lunch, LMR, You Can Find Me in the A, Yowza.
Over the month of December, my eating habits progressively start to resemble Chelsea Handler’s food diary from her book Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea…
(see below)
love. her.
CHELSEA’S FOOD DIARY
FRIDAY
Breakfast: Scrambled egg whites with spinach and jack cheese
Lunch: Chicken Caesar salad
Dinner: 2 crab enchiladas and 2 margaritas
SATURDAY
Breakfast: Zone bar
Lunch: Turkey sandwich with cheddar and mayo
Dinner: Filet mignon with mashed potatoes/ 3 Ketel One and cranberries
SUNDAY
@ friend’s baby shower:
17 jalapeno poppers
1 brick of cheddar cheese/ 12 whole wheat crackers
14 chicken wings/ no bleu cheese dressing
1 bagel with low-fat cream cheese
34 strawberries
8 Bloody Marys
14 pigs in blankets
(At least she opted for the whole wheat crackers?)
At holiday parties, I often find myself forgetting about my tight-fitting New Year’s Eve dress and make a B-line for the refreshment table loaded with delicious carbs and empty calories for munching on while mingling. Without fail, I’ll leave with a sugar headache and a hurt stomach.
(torture)
Although I’ve never been big on dieting, my New Year’s resolution is always to “eat smarter.” Keeping a trim waistline is important to me and this year I am going to try not to binge my way into early hibernation for the winter. So, I’ve promised myself that I will keep in mind these three points when I attend a holiday party/ function:
1- Drink much more water. (I am terrible at this.) It’s good for you and it’s filling. It will also help to keep my hands full and not mindlessly reaching for cake balls. I’m certainly not giving up wine or liquor, but I think I can start incorporating water into my glass every other drink or so. And, this will help to keep me better hydrated for the gym/ winter workouts.
2- Eat slower. This is a big problem for me. I eat WAY too fast. My buddy, T.C., started purposely eating his meals slower and he said he’s seen significant improvement around the waistline. This one is going to be hard for me to do, but I am going to really try. I don’t feel great about myself when I’m overeating at holiday parties, and I feel like it would easier to be aware of if I ate a bit slower.
3- Hold myself accountable. I have too much inherent Jewish guilt already to tag on any extra guilt for overeating every now and then. I cannot and will not keep a food diary. But, I will strive to be more cognizant of what I am eating over the holidays. For example, I don’t particularly love chocolate. So, I have no reason to be eating it at a holiday party just because my conversation has become stagnant and there is a nearby bowl of Hanukkah gelt calling my name. This is kind of ridiculous, but I am going to also try to envision what half a pizza or a large piece of apple pie (whatever food is taunting me at the moment) might look like on my thighs. I have a creative imagination. We’ll see if that works…
I think it’s all about baby steps. I’m not planning on drastically changing my eating habits or depriving myself of foods I really want (heck , I had a hamburger and french fries at Leon’s last night), I just want to start myself off on the right foot before New Year’s resolution time. Maybe this year my resolution will be about something other than food!
will be here before we know it...
Wish me luck – and feel free to comment about what has worked for you!
xx, L
Tags: comfort food, I'm just saying..., i'm on a diet., Let's get physical, LMR, sugar rush!