Odds are that you’ve already heard the shaved ice scoop about the fancy summer snow cones at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (Downtown) from Atlanta Magazine and Daily Candy, but the Q+DD would also like to jump on that train…

Every day from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Atlanta Grill or Lumen lobby bar at the Ritz Downtown, chef Brian Jones is offering boozy snow cone cocktails for $12!   These sweet summer treats are made with locally sourced fruit purees.  And, here’s what you can expect to see on the menu:

Watermelon with Lime + Anejo Tequila
Passion Fruit with Lemon + Bourbon
Blackberry with Honey + Moonshine  (yep, you read that right!)

Dang, Ritz-Carlton, you sure are sexy this summer!  I CAN’T WAIT to try these!! 

xx, L

Ritz-Carlton Atlanta (Downtown)
181 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA  30303
404.659.0400
http://www.ritzcarlton.com

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Thanks so much to everyone who joined us last night at Pura Vida to celebrate the Q+DD 2 Year Blog-iversary!  We had so much fun with y’all!

And, we seriously heart Pura Vida.  It was our favorite Q+DD happy hour yet!!

We’d like to extend a very special thanks to Hector + Leslie Santiago for embracing all the Q+DD excitement and allowing us to invade their incredible restaurant for the evening!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Q+DD + the Santiagos

An excellent time was had by all.

Slick + Greg…

…and lots of our amazing friends + readers!  Thank you all so much for your support!

Another big THANK YOU to Pura Vida bartender extraordinaire, Paul Calvert, who did a phenomenal job taking care of our thirsty Q+DD happy hour-ers!  You rock, Paul.  We loved the shout out on the cocktail menu, too!  The best.

Finally…DID YOU GET ONE OR WHAT?!

the Q+DD has koozie FEVER!

They’re the hottest summer fashion accessory for your beverages.  Just look:

Drinks just don’t get sexier than that… 

Thanks again for celebrating with us last night + toasting to many more Q+DD-filled years to come! 

xx, L

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Today is Slick + my two year anniversary.  (Goooooo us!) 

A little over two years ago, we had our very first date at JCT Bar.  The wine flowed, choirs sang, doves flew…eh, well…not really, but it was a pretty darn awesome date. 

Pictured below are my gorgeous A-Day flowers from Twelve in Midtown.  So pretty!

If you have a hot date and are looking for a cool spot, Slick + I would both suggest JCT Bar.  If you don’t have a hot date but still want to check it out – here’s your excuse:

Wiener Wednesdays at JCT Bar!
West Midtown Salutes Sausage on Hump Day

Starting April 1, JCT Bar will begin serving three different preparations of wieners with various toppings for a mere $3 each on Wednesday evenings.  (Otherwise sold Tuesday – Saturday for $4.50 each.) 

The wiener selections will change, but include super fun options such as the following: Smoked Coca-Cola BBQ wiener with Vidalia onion relish; Cider-braised fennel + onion wiener with Sweet Grass Dairy Asher Bleu cheese; Chicken liver wiener with apple butter, house mustard + tiny pickles; and the “Corn Dog” wiener with hush puppy crispies, green tomato relish + remoulade.

The rooftop JCT Bar located above JCT Kitchen in Atlanta’s Westside Urban Market accommodates 60 people inside and 100 on the 2,000 square foot skyline terrace that overlooks the neighboring historic + functioning railway.  JCT Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Just when I thought that Wednesdays couldn’t get any better…

xx, L

JCT Bar
1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18
Atlanta, GA  30318
404.355.2252
www.jctkitchen.com

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On Sunday night, Slick + I met the Barocai, Rosh + Z and Gorms at Kaleidoscope Bistro + Pub located in Village Place Brookhaven for an early dinner and drinks.  The restaurant choice was based on Gorms’ glowing recommendation – which I will always trust without question.  She really knows her stuff.  Other than Haven and Valenza, I haven’t eaten at too many restaurants in Brookhaven, but I continue to be pleased with what that neighborhood has to offer.  Kaleidoscope totally hit the spot.

kaleidoscope bistro + pub - brookhaven

Here’s the Q+DD on Kaleidoscope:  Recently opened by a few former Buckhead Diner folks, including executive chef Joey Riley, the idea behind the name is that every time you look into a kaleidoscope you see something colorful and different.  That concept is applied to their own menu.  They call their cuisine “global comfort food,” as both the food + drinks are ever changing.  The restaurant features seasonal items and daily specials.

kaleidoscope interior

Upon arrival, we sat down at a large, wooden community table + had no trouble selecting a few delicious (and gorgeous, I might add) appetizers to start us off:

Ahi Tuna Tartare: avocado, tomato, coriander, feta, yuzu.

Thai Style Beef Jerky: bird’s eye chilis, lime, roasted rice.  (My fav!)

Springer Mountain Chicken Wings: kaleidoscope sauce, bleu cheese.

For entrees, we took the owner’s expert recommendations:

Slick selected the Mahi Tostado: green chili grits, guajillo charred tomato sauce, tomato/ feta and avocado salad.

Z got the Sage Roasted Pork Porterhouse: brussels, fingerlings, mustard, pancetta.

Rosh opted for Azalea’s Famous Whole Sizzling Catfish: chinese black bean sauce, pickled ginger, lime.  She won the prize for the most creatively plated dish!

The rest of us went with the Award Winning Kaleidoscope Burger: pimento cheese, slaw, green tomato chow chow, bread and butter pickles.  How could we not?  This burg was awarded the Judges’ Choice for “Best (Meat) Burger” in July’s Battle of the Burgers in the Virginia Highlands!  It was SO great + well-complimented by the tasty Pub Fries cooked in duck fat.  (Don’t judge…)

So, next time you’re in the mood for comfort food + boutique wines or fine craft beers from around the world, give Kaleidoscope a try.  Not only is the food stellar + the staff friendly, but it’s also a pretty solid hangout.  Get there early, though, it was packed on a Sunday night + they don’t accept reservations.  I’ll certainly be back!

I’ve gotta say – Brookhaven is kinda bumpin’… 

xx, L

Kaleidoscope Bistro + Pub
Village Place – Brookhaven
1410 Dresden Drive, Ste. 100
Atlanta, GA  30319
404.555.1212
www.k-pub.com

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Thanks so much to everyone who joined us on Friday at Whisky Blue @ the W Buckhead for our first Q+DD Happy Hour!

(this one is my personal favorite)

We’ll definitely keep everyone posted on the next one!

xx, L+L

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