Taste the Umami at Nexto

A couple of weeks ago, February didn’t get the memo about being cold and left March to pick up the slack. Ringing in Soup Season 2.0, I decided to step out of my kitchen in search of something hot, savory, and familiar-- RAMEN. Not the ramens of yore once picked up at Kroger and eaten while crying into styrofoam 3 minutes later in your dorm room. I searched for genuinely crafted, immortalized in Japanese culture ramen. A trip to Buford Highway was too long for me to wait out hangry feelings, so … [Read more...]

The Scoop on A Mano: A New Restaurant for Old 4th Ward

There’s a new restaurant coming to BeltLandia! Midtown resident George Demeglio is currently building a mano, an intimate eatery serving traditional Italian inspired dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Burke and I were lucky enough to grab lunch with him not too long ago to interview him and get the scoop on his new project! *************************** You had never been in the restaurant business before, right? I’m an engineer. I’ve been in  manufacturing, telecommunications, … [Read more...]

Farmers’ Market Fridays: Pork Chops and Kholrabi

One of my most recent experiences at the Freedom Farmers' Market is a testament to getting there as early as possible. I had a few things to do that morning and I finally left the house by 11:30. I had only one hour left to look through the market.  If you decide to go to the farmers' market around closing time, your produce options will be very limited. However, you may encounter a vendor looking to make a deal with you so he can unload some more product quickly. This past Saturday, I came … [Read more...]

Farmers’ Market Fridays: Rise ‘N Shine with Sweet Potatoes

The Freedom Farmers’ Market has often been an enjoyable and overwhelming experience for me. I love leisurely strolling through the booths, eyeing produce and flowers, petting friendly dogs and nibbling on samples of meats and cheeses. However, there comes a time at the market when I have to stop and assess what I came in for, what vegetables do I want to buy. And, of course, if I buy something unconventional, what am I going to do with it besides marvel at it in curiosity? This past Saturday, … [Read more...]

Coffee, Crandwiches, and Croquet! Oh My!

Happy Autumn, Beltlandia! As the weather improves drastically from the endless heat of summer, my leisurely sojourns through the city have experienced an uptick. And what better way to celebrate Fall than to try out Cafe + Velo, Atlanta’s latest coffee shop off Edgewood Avenue! Cafe + Velo is geared towards cycle enthusiasts, a refreshingly new focus for Atlanta coffeehouses. A bike rack sits just outside the cafe, ready to accommodate about ten bikes comfortably. I mostly travel by car or … [Read more...]

Flavorful Coffee for Fall at Octane

Octane Coffee Bar is one of Atlanta's mostly highly celebrated coffee institutions. Starting on the West Side in 2003, they have steadily expanded their business to several locations around town. In 2011, they opened their Grant Park location across the street from Oakland Cemetery and a stone’s throw from the BeltLine. They've joined up with The Little Tart, an outstanding local bakery. I decided to go around 11am on a Wednesday and it was pleasantly bustling. Their tall ceilings and large … [Read more...]

BeltLandia Weekender: October 14th – 16th, 2016

Since when did mid-October roll around? We're already halfway done with Georgia's short fall season and there are many more fall festivals to be had! While the month is clearly flashing before our eyes, take some time to slow its roll by enjoying a few of the events around BeltLandia and get in the Halloween spirit during the Little Five Points Festival and Parade!  All events are sure to provide a fun time – enjoy!  Friday, October 14th   Atlanta Clips Beer and Film Tour @ … [Read more...]

BeltLandia Weekender: October 7th – 9th, 2016

For some of us, our homes are a little fuller this weekend with friends and family seeking refuge from Hurricane Matthew. While we may feel little of the effects from the hurricane here in BeltLandia, keep those affected in your thoughts. If you are hosting friends or family at your home, treat them to an event around the Beltline to help keep their minds from focusing on the worst case scenarios. We are hoping that our coastal friends can enjoy their weekends despite the circumstances.  The … [Read more...]

BeltLandia Weekender: September 9th – 11th, 2016

Finally the weekend has arrived to recover from Labor Day Weekend. This week could not have felt any longer to have been a short week. Thankfully we can kick back, enjoy some college football games and ease into the simplicity of fall. Of course the weather will not warrant big comfy sweaters just yet, but tailgates and pumpkin spice lattes are on their way!  Take the opportunity to relax this weekend with a few of our hand-picked events. Enjoy! Friday, … [Read more...]

Craft Cold Brew at Chrome Yellow

It was a lovely overcast Saturday in Atlanta, punctuating what I would say was the nicest week we’ve had this summer. When it’s 75 outside, it makes it really easy to leave the house on a whim, so I moseyed on over Chrome Yellow Trading Co. for my morning cup. If you couldn’t tell by now, I really enjoy getting to places right when they open because it’s not terribly crowded and I can feel a lot more present in my day. So the parking lot was bereft of cars, as was the coffee shop. Just me, two … [Read more...]