Tag: #iloveatlanta

Eat, Sweat, Love Atlanta Part 2

Eat, Sweat, Love Atlanta Part 2

Despite what it may look like, we did more than eat our way through Atlanta. Not to say we didn’t try but Atlanta has much more to offer than just good eats. Like many of the cities in the South, Atlanta played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s and continues to influence the psyche of our nation-who we are as a country. In all honesty if not for my kids going to college in the South I’m not sure I would ever have travelled and explored this part of our country. For my own selfish reasons I am glad they did.

First stop the Jimmy Carter Library.  Amazingly, this is the first Presidential Library we have ever visited.  The grounds are peaceful and of course the center itself is a highlight reel for President Carter, yes, a one term president, but there is no denying he tried to govern with compassion, humility and thoughtfulness.  He continues to this day to champion human rights and peace.

Our history lesson continued with visits to The Martin Luther King Museum and The 16th Ebenezer Baptist Church.  I was too young to understand what was going on. Living in California, we were removed from the epicenter of the movement. Buffered by distance.

Next stop Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium (#1 aquarium in the US, according to them), World of Coca Cola and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  All within walking distance.

Where else can you revel in Olympic history

try EVERY FLAVOR OF COKE in the world

and imagine what it was like to sit at a diner counter 60 years ago as a black man-traumatizing and so powerful.

Visit Atlanta…OMG this is going to be a three parter..more on this amazing city to come.

 

 

Eat, Sweat, Love Atlanta Part 1

Eat, Sweat, Love Atlanta Part 1

Jamie is working in Atlanta for the summer so we packed our bags and headed out to see her and visit yet another great city in the South. We booked an AirBnB in downtown Atlanta, 6 eagerly anticipated vacation days…that is until we glanced at Weather.com, 90 degree heat and 90 percent humidity. Ugh.  When we arrived, we walked out of the Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport and BAM! my glasses fogged up immediately and I almost walked into a pole. Saved only by Wes.

We rented a car and headed into downtown.  Sitting in traffic it feels like I never left California.  We get to town and realize it’s almost time to meet Jamie for dinner.  She has picked an Italian restaurant BoccaLupo. Wes looks at a map and says words he will later regret, “It doesn’t look very far, we could probably walk there.”

Forty five minutes later, dripping with sweat and my hundredth time whining “Are we there yet?”  we see Jamie standing in front of the restaurant, for a minute I think its a mirage.  The food was innovative, pretty and delicious as were the cocktails. Despite my complaining, the walk down Edgewood Ave was worth it.  Restaurants, quirky shops, bars are adding color and life to this street.  Chainstores are nowhere to be found…for now.  We ended up spending quite a bit of time cruising up and down Edgewood during our stay.

My pick for the Edgewood Ave. experience was a hip joint called the Staplehouse.  Definitely the hot ticket. Profits from Staplehouse go to the Giving Kitchen a charity organization started by Ryan and Jen, creators of Staplehouse, after Ryan was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  The restaurant community rallied around them and now the Giving Kitchen supports restaurant workers in need.  Staplehouse is his legacy.  Farm to table experience highlighting local growers.  Delicious, beautifully presented food in a hip, modern comfortable space.

Roasted wild mushrooms and farro

 

Duck Rilettes

We decided we needed to de-hipster ourselves so we took a trip to the donut shop! Sublime Donuts

 

Don’t let them tell you Atlanta is a sleepy southern town..it’s quite the place to visit and I would love to go back with the intention of also going to Selma, Birmingham, Huntsville..so much history.

More deliciousness….

Cacao Cafe ABSOLUTELY THE CUTEST CHOCOLATE SHOP EVER

While Wes was checking out a very cool woodworking store across the street I enjoyed some chocolates at Cacao Cafe

 

We celebrated Father’s Day with Sunday Supper at JCT. Kitchen and Bar.  Some mighty fine biscuits and eats.

I’m not done…Atlanta Part 2 more food but also what to do besides eat!