I am SO excited to be on camera for TBS Trends with Benefits tomorrow!

Even better, I’ll be at one of my FAVORITE places, H. Harper Station, for a segment on warm, winter cocktails!

So here’s a question for you – whats YOUR favorite winter cocktail? 

xx, L

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Here’s a bulletin from the Department of the Obvious: A great way to limit your calorie intake is to limit your alcohol intake.

Here’s a follow-up bulletin from the same department: That is a huge bummer. 

Particularly around the holiday season.

Can I get an AMEN?  

Never fear, my friends.  Check out what’s made it’s way onto my bar, into my freezer, and into my life:

Here’s the Q+DD: Voli light vodkas are, on average, between 25% and 40% lower in calories than the leading brands and come in all kinds of delish flavors (in addition to regular “lyte”).  Yep – lemon, raspberry cocoa, espresso vanilla and, my personal favorite, orange vanilla.

Now, I’m not one for flavored vodkas usually BUT- the Orange Vanilla mixed with diet ginger ale tastes just like a delicious creamsicle cocktail.   It’s like a dessert in a glass, and with fewer calories!

As Voli points out, “In a world where things add up, it’s nice to start subtracting.”

Everything in moderation!  (Even moderation?)

xx, L

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So, continuing from yesterday… Kevin + I spent Halloween weekend at the Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.

As a recap, the Ritz Lodge is located in Northern Georgia, just 75 miles east of Atlanta on the shores of Lake Oconee – Georgia’s second largest lake.  Luxury merges with quintessential Southern hospitality at the stunning 251-room resort.  Nestled in the woods, the Ritz Lodge is surrounded by water on three sides, offering commanding lake views.  Draped in beds of ivy and edged by towering pines, blooming crepe myrtles and colorful caladiums, the five-story main building fronts the glistening lake, while six separate lakeside cottages and a presidential house with four master suites overlooks the Oconee Golf Course.  Lodge guests have full access to a complete gamut of activities and amenities, including a state-of-the-art Spa, tennis, two swimming pools, two full-service marinas, hiking trails and 99 holes of championship-caliber golf.

model view of the lake oconee area

We arrived late on Friday evening, but just in time to have the most delicious dinner at Linger Longer Steakhouse.  We checked in, grabbed another drink at the Lobby Lounge bar, and then headed upstairs to check out our room. 

When we woke up in the morning, we realized that we were on Club Level (holla!).  And, we had a private terrace with an outstanding lakeside view! 

Check out THIS gorgeousness:

ritz carlton lodge

room w/ a view

We spent a significant amount of the morning sitting on our balcony staring at our breathtaking view of Lake Oconee and the Ritz Lodge grounds.  It was the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time.

When our hunger finally got the better of us, we walked over to Club to get some grub (I totally recommend staying on Club Level*) + then we went out exploring. 

*Club Level: The Ritz Carlton Club Level features both deluxe guest rooms and suites, with a spacious lounge and personal concierge and staff, as well as four complimentary food and beverage offerings daily: continental breakfast, a light snack, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails + evening cordials.  The Club Level is accessible only with a special key.

Just look at how magnificent the property is:

the set up for chiminea dining

heated infinity pool overlooking lake oconee (my favorite part of the whole property)

hot tub

We were overtaken by our beautiful surroundings + so many amazing amenities.  We walked a bit further, and then Kev dropped me off at the Ritz Lodge Spa for my Long Winter’s Nap treatment. 

The Spa is an adventure in and of itself.  An expansive 26,000 square feet, the Ritz Lodge Spa is adjacent to the hotel and features 19 private treatment rooms, one couples spa suite, four wet treatment rooms – including one hydrotherapy room – male and female relaxation areas with lockers and changing facilities, an indoor lap pool, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, a relaxation terrace, a full-service salon + a spa boutique.  Named one of America’s top resort spas by Conde Nast Traveler, this state-of-the-art sanctuary offers more than 90 health and wellness treatments, many of them utilizing ingredients indigenous to the area, such as rosemary, pine, fir and geranium, and extracts gleaned from gemstones such as smithsonite and malachite.

Here’s a peek inside:

spa lobby

spa pool

spa relaxation lounge

It was heavenly, to say the least.

My treatment, the Long Winter’s Nap, was perfect for the chilly October afternoon.  Here’s the description: A blend of essential oils add to this traditional hot stone massage to create a relaxed dream-like state, melting away stress and muscle tension.  Continue the sweet dreams with a nap that enhances the repair process.  Um, yes, I’ll take two!  (Kidding.)  It was SO enjoyable – I definitely recommend.

By the time I left the Spa it was pushing up to the Florida vs. Georgia game, so Kev + I scooted over to Gaby’s by the Lake to stake out seats. 

Gaby’s is a newly-renovated outdoor venue offering sweeping views of Lake Oconee, as well as a full menu of casual favorites and cocktails throughout the day.  Guests are seated at the water’s edge and can catch a spectacular sunset most evenings.  “Come-as-you-are” attire for lunch and dinner.

As soon as we walked in, we fell in love with Gaby’s.  It was so open and casual, and had large TV screens over the bar for us to watch the game.  I’m OBSESSED with Gaby’s chairs - incredibly comfortable and such a cool design!

We ordered beers + the housemade potato chips with bourbon BBQ, blue cheese and Vidalia onion dips.  The bartender also threw in a bowl of boiled peanuts.  We were set.

We met some friendly folks at the bar who were also rooting for the Gators + we became fast friends.  However, Kev couldn’t bear to see his Gators lose, so we eventually closed out our bill and decided to head back to Club to see what was going on in there. 

We stopped to take this picture along the way:

We ate dinner in Club, poured some wine + headed downstairs to the campfire for 8:00 p.m. S’mores!  All the kids staying at the resort (and Kevin and I, naturally) got in line to prepare our special evening snack over the campfire.  We had such a fun time doing this + pretending that we also had a kid around somewhere making s’mores…  Kids at heart?!  Yeaaaaaaa! 

We went back up to Club, poured some more wine (don’t judge), changed into our swimsuits + ran down to the hot tub to spend the next few hours hanging out outside and enjoying our last night on the property.

In the morning, we were both feeling pretty gluttonous.  So, we decided to go for a walk on the Oconee Trail after breakfast in Club. 

Our walk was eventful. 

We got about 5 miles of exercise on the winding trail…

We saw the leaves turning on the towering Georgia pine trees…

Kev whittled a walking stick (that now calls our condo balcony home)…

And, we plotted how we could stay at the Ritz Lodge F.O.R.E.V.E.R.!! 

(We couldn’t come up with a way…  We are already dying to go back.)

It was so hard to leave, but it only took us about an hour and a half to get back to Atlanta + now we have such great memories from our relaxing weekend in the Georgia woods. 

If you haven’t been to the Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation – you absolutely MUST go!  There is so much to do there; perfect for adults and kids alike.  The Ritz Lodge is a relaxing Southern paradise that makes you feel so far away from your worries and stressors, but it’s merely a 75-mile drive from Atlanta!  Visit soon! 

Oh, also, (as if there isn’t enough to do there already) the Ritz Lodge is building an ice skating rink on property for winter!  More info here: WINTER AT THE RITZ LODGE.

xx, L

Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
1 Lake Oconee Trail
Greensboro, Georgia  30642
706.467.7196
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ReynoldsPlantation/Default.htm

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Next up on The Q+DD Bartender Challenge is none other than the amazing Eric Aarons of Ecco!

Ecco is a seasonally-inspired European restaurant in Midtown that LK + I frequent.  It’s also cooked up quite a reputation recently for its celebrity customers…  The food is fantastic, the wine is out of this world – and the bar, in particular, is one of our favorite places to hang out + people watch.  So naturally, we HAD to interview Eric for The Quick + Dirty Dirty Bartender Challenge!

Eric, who is originally from DC, started working in the hotel and restaurant biz while in college.  He began bartending in 1983 + enjoyed it so much he’s stuck with it since.  Simply, bartending makes our lovely Eric happy.  He joined the Fifth Group in 2005, and he helped open Ecco with the company in 2006.  Eric is a trainer for Fifth Group, which keeps him super busy, but he makes sure to take four days off every month to travel and visit friends + family.  This month, he’s headed to Anna Maria Island off the coast of Florida for some well-deserved R&R! 

Now, if you do the math (he started bartending in 1983…), Eric’s age may suprise you.  But let us tell Y’ALL, he looks f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c.  Witness: 

So, LK + I DRILLED him for his secret to fabulousness: lots of H2O, lots of rest, a glass of wine every night, sunscreen twice a day + working out six or seven days a week.  (Eric teaches spinning at local gyms.) 

Chit-chatting with Eric is always splendid, but finally it was time to get down to business with…

THE DIRTY DIRTY DOZEN QUESTIONS

1 – Please state your name + place of employment for the record.

Eric Aarons.  Head bartender at Ecco.

2 – What’s your drink?

Most often wine.  But if I do have a cocktail, it’s a Hanger One martini – straight up, extra dry, extra cold, with a twist.

3 – What drink do you hate to be asked to make?

Any variation on one of my signature cocktails.  They are my creations.  Please don’t insult me by rewriting my recipes.

4 – What’s the best story you’ve heard in your bar?

I’ve been behind the bar for twenty-nine years.  I could write volumes.  A true professional keeps those stories confidential.

5 – Describe your clientele in three words.

Sexy.  Savvy.  Fun.

 6 – If you’re not drinking at Ecco, where are you drinking?

At home.  Sitting on my balcony.  With my dog, Buddy, in my lap.  Taking in the Midtown skyline.

buddy!

7 – If your bar was personified in a celebrity, who would it be?

George Clooney.  Sexy (again).  Stylish.  Talented.

8 – Imagine you were stranded on a desert island + wanted to start a bar from scratch.  You can bring 4 bottles and 1 type of glass.  What would they be?

Three bottles of H2O for survival.  One bottle of grain alcohol to light a fire, send smoke signals + get rescued!  You can keep the glass – I ain’t stayin’!!

9 – Currently, what is the most popular drink at your bar?

“GiGi Says…”  I just won a national contest with this cocktail: http://www.hangarone.com/blimp-tour/entry/14.  It is my spin on a ginger gimlet.

(Side note: LK + I looooove “GiGi Says…”)

10 – What is your favorite area of town?

Midtown.  It’s where I live, work + play.

11 – What is your secret weapon?

Depends on my target.  I have an arsenal…

12 – The name of the cocktail is “The Quick + Dirty Dirty.”  What’s in it?

Hanger One vodka martini with juice from San Agostino olives topped with a medley of three delicious olives all imported from Italy: San Agostino, Gaeta + Calabrese.

Thanks so much to Eric for participating in The Quick + Dirty Dirty Bartender Challenge!  Visit him soon at Ecco – and wave to us at the bar.  (Odds are LK + I will be sitting there sippin’ our “GiGi Says…”) 

WHO’S NEXT???

Do you have a recommendation for our next contender?  Are you a mixologist we need to meet? 

E-mail us at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com or tweet us up at @Lindsaywhat44 + @LaurenKAtlanta!

Maybe we’ll see YOU next on The Q+DD Bartender Challenge!

xx, L+L

Ecco
40 7th Street NE
Atlanta, GA  30308
404.347.9555
www.ecco-atlanta.com

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On Friday night, I dragged Lauren, Greg + Kevin OTP to try Double Zero Napoletana.

It seemed like such a hike to get there (it’s situated past I-285 on Roswell Road…no man’s land in my book), BUT the restaurant had had quite a stint on Urbanspoon since it opened and I was intrigued.  So, we gassed up the car + hit the road!

Here’s the Q+DD on Double Zero Napoletana:

Double Zero Napoletana (DZ) is an upscale southern Italian restaurant featuring the cuisine of the Campania region.  DZ has a strong focus on traditional Neapolitan Pizza among other southern Italian dishes.  They feature an extensive selection of Southern Italian cured meats and cheeses, Insalata (salad), Antipasti & Sfizi (small plates), fresh handmade pasta, and Secondi (Entrée) dishes.  Make no mistake, although pizza has an important place on their menu, DZ’s modern, contemporary versions of traditional Italian ingredients + specialties aim to delight Atlanta diners.

What’s In a Name?:

Double Zero refers to the type of flour used to make Neapolitan pizza.  In Italy, flour is classified either as 1, 0, or 00, and the designation refers to how finely ground the flour is and how much of the bran and germ have been removed.  Doppio Zero, the most highly refined, is talcum-powder soft.  The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which upholds the traditions and stipulations of traditional Neapolitan pizza, states that only Doppio Zero Flour, DOP San Marzano tomatoes, all natural Fior-di-Latte or Bufala fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, sea salt and yeast can be used in the making of Neapolitan Pizza.

This is serious business, obv.

Kevin and I arrived a bit earlier than Lauren and Greg, so we parked it at DZ’s bar.  Our bartender, a really friendly fellow w/ a heavy accent, cheerily greeted us.  (This was just the start to the exceptional service we had over the course of the evening.)  Kev ordered up DZ’s signature cocktail: Barrel Aged Negroni.  It tasted sort of like an Old Fashioned, but with a twist.  Gin, Campari, Carpano Antica Vermouth + a flamed orange (aged at DZ in bourbon barrels for 6 weeks).  It was an impressive drink to watch the bartender prepare:

I opted for my trusty go-to, an Aviation, which I was excited to find on the menu.  Maybe the suburbs are hipper than I think??  Shortly thereafter, Lauren + Greg arrived and we sat down for our meal.

DZ's massive menu

We ordered up + quickly devoured (too fast for me to snap a photo) the Burrata + Proscuitto: fresh burrata mozzarella, mangalista prosciutto, arugula, red onion marmalade, balsalmic caviar, saba vinegar + basil oil.  Also on our table (but not for long) was the delicious Pork Belly Risotto: crisp pork belly, sweet potato pumpkin risotto, balsalmic glaze, broccoli rapini + slow cooked poached egg.

My favorite app was the Arancini: lemon saffron risotto croquettes, peas, red pepper, scamorza cheese, roasted yellow pepper coulis + meyer lemon honey.

Each of the appetizers were exceptionally tasty and very thoughtfully plated.  I strongly recommend starting with a few before jumping to entrees. 

For dinner, we shared the Carne Pizza: braised short ribs, bludi bufala cheese, fingerling potatoes + grape tomatoes.

And, of course, the Double Zero Napoletana Pizza: olive oil, garlic, mozzarella di bufala campana DOP, fresh arugula, prosciutto di parma, pecorino gran cru + basil oil.

The pizzas arrived with scissors which we used to cut slices.  We got a serious kick out of it!

To accompany our delicious meal, we all ordered wine from DZ’s extensive Italian collection.  Although I was unfamiliar with most of the regional grapes, the menu was very user-friendly breaking out the grapes in comparison to others that are more familiar.  For example, I ordered a glass of the Planeta La Segreta Blanco because above it was a line that read “think Pinot Grigio.”  I personally appreciated the guidance… 

ITP dining OTP

I guess sometimes you really just need to listen to the hype...  DZ has been killing it on Urbanspoon for a reason, y’all!  We’ll be back very soon. 

xx, L

Double Zero Napoletana
5825 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA  30328
404.991.3666
http://www.doublezeroatl.com/home/

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