Tag: Atlanta

Celebrate the 4th with Lenox Fireworks

This is the 51st year of the magnificent fireworks display at Lenox Square.

“That’s Grown-up Lemonade,” we were told every year of my childhood when we attended the annual 4th of July party at the Kelly’s house and saw the adults heading for the special punch bowl. After our annual bike parade around the neighborhood, we’d gather there for some great all-American fun.

We always wondered what was in that special lemonade that made the adults laugh so loud and not care at all how many hot dogs we had or whether Johnny had squirted mustard all over his little brother’s brand-new shoes.

The day ended as it always would – by groups of us piling into cars to go  see the fireworks at Lenox Square, a short drive from our Brookhaven cul de sac. Back in those days, we’d easily make our way down Peachtree, park and walk a few feet to a grassy hill to sit and watch the patriotic display.

Fast forward several decades, and the fireworks at Lenox, now in their 51st year, are a Big Deal. Now you can find a Kid Zone, live entertainment, food concessions and more people than the entire population of Atlanta back in the old days.

The stores at Lenox are open Sunday from noon to six, with the Kids Zone opening at noon as well.The music starts at 6 with City Heat, a cover band that will get you dancin’ with hits from Motown. After that Party on the Moon takes the stage at 7:30. Those of you who attended Donald Trump’s New Year’s Eve Party will recognize them from there. Fireworks began at around 9:40 p.m.

There are alcohol vendors as well, although no one sells the Grown-up Lemonade made famous by the Kelly’s 4th of July party. That recipe remains a secret, although I believe massive amounts of bourbon were definitely involved.

For more details visit www.lenoxsquare.com. And have a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

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No Comments by admin on June 30, 2010
filed in Atlanta Events
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Malted Milk Balls, Talking Trees and a Monkey: Growing Up with Lenox Square

Lenox Square as an open-air mall.

Lenox Square as an open-air mall.

This morning I attended an anniversary celebration. For a mall. But this isn’t just any mall – this is Lenox Square and it opened 50 years ago today.

At the celebration I ran into the charming Mr. Feiman, the dad of one of my high school boyfriends. He came because he had owned a popular men’s shop called Hirsch’s, and had a found a copy of his original lease with Lenox from 1959.

His rent back then? $14,887 a year, for 2600 square feet and a 2200-square-foot basement. Less than $6 a square foot. These days merchants pay around $65, and there is a waiting list for new tenants.

I went because I grew up with Lenox. Being roughly the same age, and growing up just a few miles away, I spent many, many hours there, including having two jobs, adding tens of dollars to my own bottom line.

Here’s just a few of my many memories from Lenox Square: Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on August 3, 2009
filed in Atlanta, Uncategorized
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Tales of a Tomato Tracker: How to Find A Farmers Market Near You

 

The home of the best blueberry pies on the planet.

The home of the best blueberry pies on the planet.

I knew it was going to be my kind of trip when I realized that our days’ agenda was built around the acquisition of freshly baked blueberry pies from the local farmers market.

We were visiting friends in Cashiers, North Carolina, who informed us shortly after our arrival that the best blueberry pie on the planet was made at the local farmers market but they ran out fast so getting there when the market opened was imperative. After just one bite of the pie after dinner that night, I agreed and was on board for Operation Piecrust, set to begin at 0900.

Read the full post »

3 Comments by admin on June 23, 2009
filed in Atlanta, Farmers Markets, St. Simons Island, Travel
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Oh, What a Night with the Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys are charming audiences at the Fox this summer in Atlanta.

Jersey Boys are charming audiences at the Fox this summer in Atlanta.

Being more of a Bruce Springsteen/RollingStones/Rod Stewart kind of girl in my younger years, the softer tones of Frankie Valli pretty much escaped my notice. Add to that the fact that one of my daughter’s college professors once stated, “‘Jersey Boys’ is everything that is wrong with American theater,” and you get the picture – the dancing/singing quartet wasn’t at the top of our list.

But hey, you don’t win Tony Awards for nothing, and it’s playing at my beloved Fox Theatre, so my daughter and I went to see “Jersey Boys” last week. Oh, what a night. Read the full post »

No Comments by admin on June 1, 2009
filed in Atlanta, Atlanta Theater
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Take a Seat at 30 Tables

The interior of 30 Tables, where windows face Peachtree and Spring streets.

The interior of 30 Tables, where windows face Peachtree and Spring streets.

I’d bet a box of moon pies that only in the South would the discussion at dinner at an elegant restaurant turn to the topic of mayonnaise. But that it did at my dinner at the newly opened 30 Tables last night.

And I’m glad it did. Not because I’m a huge fan of the creamy condiment although it does have a place in my heart and my fridge, but because it meant this restaurant space is finally where it needs to be – in the hands of people who know what Atlantans want.
Read the full post »

No Comments by admin on May 21, 2009
filed in Atlanta, Atlanta Dining
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Up on the Roof

My husband and I on the Glenn Hotel rooftop during the travelgirl anniversary party.

My husband and I on the Glenn Hotel rooftop during the travelgirl anniversary party.

(How can I resist that headline?)
Savoring a glass of wine on a rooftop on a warm, glorious day ranks right up there with lounging in a beachside hammock in my happiness file. I’ve been lucky enough to look down on my scenic hometown of Atlanta twice in the past week from lovely rooftop lounges above the city – one brand-new and one just renamed.

Last week I visited Glenn Hotel, right in downtown Atlanta, where Bob Amick of Concentrics is opening a new restaurant. 30 Tables will go in the thus-far-doomed space where BED and Maxim Prime made short-lived efforts to win over dubious concepts in the Atlanta market.

If anyone knows what Atlantans like to eat and what concepts will appeal to them, it’s Bob, so here’s hoping him much success with his new venture. I’m dining there next week – so will report more on the restaurant then.

They have renamed the beautiful Glenn Hotel rooftop 11 Stories. I’ve been up here a few times, most recently for a travelgirl anniversary party, and love the atmosphere up there. Somehow the proximity of office buildings and the CNN Center just heightens the enjoyment – it just feels more decadent when you’re surrounded by people still tied to the office.

A few weeks ago we got a sneak peek at AltoRex Rooftop Lounge on top of Pacci Ristorante in Midtown. Read the full post »

1 Comment by admin on May 12, 2009
filed in Atlanta Hotels, Best Rooftop Lounges
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St. Regis a Welcome Addition to Buckhead

My fantasy summer includes afternoons lounging around this pool at the St. Regis, followed by a glass of pinot noir in their gorgeous wine bar.

My fantasy summer includes afternoons lounging around this pool at the St. Regis, followed by a glass of pinot noir in their gorgeous wine bar.

I’ve found my new fantasy home for the summer – poolside at the new St. Regis in Atlanta. We had breakfast there and took a tour this morning and as soon as I stepped onto the terrace, I already pictured myself lounging with a cool beverage in one hand, and a trashy magazine in the other, with an attentive cabana boy nearby should I need someone to turn the page or fluff my towel. Read the full post »

No Comments by admin on April 28, 2009
filed in Atlanta, Atlanta Hotels
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Best Chocolate in the World

As a child it was Russell Stovers all the way, my mom’s candy of choice, and a box of assorted chocolates was part of every holiday of my childhood. It was also the catalyst of the vanilla cream wars, as my brothers and I fought over our favorites. (Yes, I confess, I was the one that would take a small nibble out of the bottom of a likely candidate for the luscious vanilla, and upon discovery of the dreaded coconut instead, would sneak it back into the box.)

A phone booth made of chocolate at a factory in Belgium

A phone booth made of chocolate at a factory in Belgium

In the years since I’ve gobbled Godiva, lingered over Lindt and inhaled my share of Hershey’s. I’ve visited chocolate factories in France, Belgium and Switzerland and was in awe of the technique and care devoted to my favorite food group. In Belgium, a skilled chocolatier even sculpted it into shapes for display such as phone booths and even a car, which met an unfortunate demise when the ants found it. Read the full post »

No Comments by admin on February 24, 2009
filed in Belgium
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New Year’s Eve – Atlanta Style

Now that I think about it, I’ve spent just about every New Year’s Eve of my life in Atlanta. These ranged from excellent – a night of dancing, drinking and merry-making at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta to downright dismal – hanging out with six wayward guys who had no other plans, one of which kept declaring all night, “I won!” about his girlfriend because he hadn’t asked her out for New Year’s. I seriously questioned his definition of winning that including hanging out with us and eating celebratory gyros and drinking flat champagne.

Anyway, this fate doesn’t have to befall you. There are so many options for New Year’s Eve in Atlanta. Here are just a few at some of our best restaurants:

Dine at Fifth Group Restaurant, where there are plenty of specials to choose from. MF Buckhead is offering a five-course menu in the early evening for $100 per person and a seven-course menu with complimentary champagne for $175 if you arrive at 9 PM or later, and music by DJ Rodney all evening. Feast on lobster and filet at Fleming’s Steakhouse with their special menu.

One of my favorite restaurants is JCT Kitchen, and they are offering a four-course meal for $55, followed by libations, live music and a midnight toast upstairs. Belly up to Imperial Fez, which is offering a five-course dinner with champagne, 

Need a last-minute gift? Get a gift card for Concentrics Restaurants until January 31 for $100 and they will add $20. Throw on that cumberbund for the bash at 103 West where you can enjoy dinner, dancing, cocktails and champagne for $175. A five-course fixed menu is $75 at Aquaknox; Bluepointe has a four-course menu for $79; add $24 for wine pairings. 

In Midtown, Eno has a four-course dinner for $65 with a champagne toast and party favors at midnight. Oceanaire Seafood Room, home of the world’s most awesome crabcakes, has a four-course menu and Rosa Mexicano in Atlantic Station has a four-course menu for $45, a DJ and party favors. Shaun’s in Inman Park has menus available for $45 and $65 a person. If stir-fry is your thing, check out The Real Chow Baby where you can get unlimited stir fry, chocolate midnight torte and a bottle of sparkling wine for $25.

To celebrate my recent completion of a year-long book project, my husband and I chose to dine at Rathbun’s last weekend, where I’m never had a dish that wasn’t outstanding. We had a chat with General Manager and Partner Cliff Bramble, who reported that so far, business remains strong for the three-restaurant Rathbun’s empire. Head there New Year’s Eve and you’ll dine on a five-course meal for $85.

Whatever you do, enjoy a safe and happy New Year’s. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want to toast to the end of 2008. Here’s to better days ahead.

No Comments by admin on December 23, 2008
filed in Atlanta
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