Kevin + I didn’t dress up this year for Halloween.  We didn’t go to the Florida vs. Georgia game, either.  This year, we spent the last weekend of October at the gorgeous Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation.

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.  A decidedly Southern retreat, the resort is situated in Reynolds Plantation, a 10,000-acre golf and lakefront community.

happy halloween weekend to us!

There are so many incredible things I want to tell you about the resort, but I could never fit them all into one post…  Soooooo, you’ll just have to wait for more! 

It was our very first time visiting the gorgeous property + we had the most amazing weekend!

the ritz carlton lodge

This post will focus on our f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s. dinner at the Ritz’s Linger Longer Steakhouse.

linger longer exterior

Kev + I had 9 p.m. reservations at Linger Longer, so we zipped from Atlanta to the Ritz, dropped off our car + bags at the hotel and hitched a ride to the restaurant from a super friendly Ritz Lodge driver who saved us from having to walk over in the brisk cold.  (Thanks, super friendly driver!)  When we arrived and walked into the door, I immediately felt warm.  Linger Longer’s interior is cozy-elegant and exceptionally welcoming.  It was pretty much like the warmest hug EVER.

linger longer bar

linger longer dining room

linger longer dining room

The newly rebuilt (it burned down a few years ago…) Linger Longer Steakhouse is located in the Oconee Golf Course Clubhouse adjacent to the Ritz Lodge.  Known for creating simple yet flavorful fare, Executive Chef David White has created a comforting contemporary menu of American steakhouse classics.  All seafood is overnighted directly from Boston, and meats are premium cut.  In addition, more than 20 herb varieties are grown in the resort’s on-site herb garden.  Linger Longer’s extensive wine list emphasizes reds from around the world, as well as varietals from Georgia’s own Persimmon Creek Vineyards, with more than 40 wines by the glass.  Visit Linger Longer’s menu here. 

We were impressed from the moment we walked in.  But, even more impressed with the exceptional service.  The food, oh the food!, simply sealed the deal!

It had been a long week for us both, so Kev + I started off the meal with a round of cocktails.  I’m not exaggerating when I say that it was the single most delicious Gimlet I’ve ever ordered!  I’m not going to tell you how many more I had over the course of the night.  I just won’t.

Shortly thereafter, we ordered up the Tuna Tartare to share.  Perfection.  Very similar to Steel’s famous Tuna Tower, Linger Longer’s tuna tartare was also best knocked over and mixed around on the plate.  The fresh tuna was accompanied by crushed avocado, soy-lime dressing and a crispy won ton.

We devoured it and quickly moved on to the Linger Longer Loaded Wedge Salad: bacon, tomato + maytag blue cheese.  It was also very tasty.

Entree time!  Kev and I both ordered 9 Ounce Filet Mignon Oscars.  The Oscar add-on tops off the filet with crab fondue, asparagus + bearnaise sauce.  I selected Potatoes Lyonnaise as my side.

Kev opted for the Garlic Steak Fries.  (Gotta love him!) 

Both of our filets were totally OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Kev said that his was “the best steak he’s had in Georgia,” and I kinda have to agree with him.  They were delicious!  And, the Oscar add-on is absolutely the way to go.

For dessert, we ordered the White Chocolate Souffle.  It was spectacular.  That’s all I can say.  I don’t care how full you are; you have got to order it! 

Everything was so fantastic – we really didn’t want the meal to end.  And, it didn’t!  Our server brought over Peach Cotton Candy on a Stick as a final special treat.  What a whimsical way to finish off such an exquisite dinner!  We really enjoyed that special touch.

We went into dinner knowing that the meal would be good – heck it’s the Ritz - but we had no idea HOW good.  Kev and I were floored – and we agreed that we would surely make the drive in from Atlanta to eat there again! 

Close to midnight, we had the friendly driver scoop us from the restaurant and bring us back to the hotel so that we could officially check in for the weekend.  When we finally made it into our room, we were greeted with a few thoughtful surprises from our beloved Gorms!  (Thanks, Gorms!)

By this point, we weren’t sure how the weekend could get much better than the incredible meal we just ate, but the truth is that dinner was merely the tip of the iceberg! 

More to come, more to come… 

xx, L

Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation
Linger Longer Steakhouse
1 Lake Oconee Trail
Greensboro, Georgia  30642
706.467.7196
http://ow.ly/7osh7

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I was just in DC this weekend visiting one of my b.r.i.d.e.s.m.a.i.d.s.! and I just feel very compelled to tell you about three things I fell in love with up there:

 1. Cava Mezze Grill

 Fast food…Mediterranean style.  (read: not pumped full of chemicals or sitting around all day.)  In fact, their philosophy is as follows:

 We believe in big flavor with a small footprint. Our food is made from delicious, simple, authentic Greek and fresh local ingredients. All our meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free. All our dips and spreads are all-natural. Our bowls, drink cups, cutlery, napkins, and paper bags are compostable, and we recycle our glass and plastic.

 Love. 

I would eat here EVERY. DAY.  I LOVE Mediterranean food and this was a dream.  You go to the counter, choose a salad, a pita, 3 mini pitas or a bowl.  Then you choose all kinds of delicious Greek dips and sauces and a meat or falafel and voila – you have pretty darn amazing salad in MINUTES.  (Bonus: Their website has a nutritional information counter associated with it, how cool is THAT?)

Their website also let me know that while they just have the one location in Bethesda for now, there will be more opening in the future.  May I suggest…Atlanta? 

Cava Mezze Grill
(301) 656-1772
4832 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

 2. Mussel Bar

As you might remember, mussels are only some of my FAVORITE things in the world (right up there next to muscles. Please see L+L’s political platform HERE for more information)  They have other stuff on the menu, too, but check out the mussel selection (all mussels come with fries- duh!):

Classic, Roasted Garlic, Shallots, Cream and Sauvignon Blanc
Spicy Thai, Green Curry
Provencal, Tomato, Capers, Basil
Stout, Old Bay, Shallots, Garlic, Bacon, Cream
Red Indonesian Curry, Peanut Essence 
Wild Shroom, Pancetta, Parmesan, Truffle Cream
Tikka Masala, Chicken, Bell Peppers, Indian Spices 
Grilled Pineapple, Sweet Chili Garlic

It was also a pretty cool scene.  We made our way to Mussel Bar at 10pm and while they were still dishing up mollusks, plenty of pretty people were simply drinking cocktails at the bar too.

Mussel Bar
(301) 215-7817
7262 Woodmont Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

3. Bikram Yoga

Ok, so I KNOW we have places here in town, but I just haven’t gone yet…now I definitely plan on it.  I think I could get into 90 minutes of piping hot yoga!  Plus, my friend who I went to see had just completed a 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge and homegirl looked seriously amazing.

We actually got our class comped because apparently, the more experienced Yogis did not feel the room had reached optimal temps…but for a newbie, I thought it was pretty hot in there and definitely added another layer of difficulty to my “practice.”  (PS you should know my “practice” is pretty out of practice.  I was just grateful I didn’t pass out in there.)  

26 Poses to Gorgeousness and Calmness?

If anyone has any suggestions on Bikram Yoga studios in town, I am all ears.  I wants on this bandwagon and I wants on it NOW.

And that…is that.  I’m just glad all 3 things didn’t have to do with food!   

 xx, L

P.S. My computer is still in the shop….please send good thoughts towards the lovely people at Apple who are rehabilitating it as I type…

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I was just in DC this weekend visiting one of my b.r.i.d.e.s.m.a.i.d.s.! and I just feel very compelled to tell you about three things I fell in love with up there:

 1. Cava Mezze Grill

 Fast food…Mediterranean style.  (read: not pumped full of chemicals or sitting around all day.)  In fact, their philosophy is as follows:

 We believe in big flavor with a small footprint. Our food is made from delicious, simple, authentic Greek and fresh local ingredients. All our meats are hormone- and antibiotic-free. All our dips and spreads are all-natural. Our bowls, drink cups, cutlery, napkins, and paper bags are compostable, and we recycle our glass and plastic.

 Love. 

I would eat here EVERY. DAY.  I LOVE Mediterranean food and this was a dream.  You go to the counter, choose a salad, a pita, 3 mini pitas or a bowl.  Then you choose all kinds of delicious Greek dips and sauces and a meat or falafel and voila – you have pretty darn amazing salad in MINUTES.  (Bonus: Their website has a nutritional information counter associated with it, how cool is THAT?)

Their website also let me know that while they just have the one location in Bethesda for now, there will be more opening in the future.  May I suggest…Atlanta? 

Cava Mezze Grill
(301) 656-1772
4832 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

 2. Mussel Bar

As you might remember, mussels are only some of my FAVORITE things in the world (right up there next to muscles. Please see L+L’s political platform HERE for more information)  They have other stuff on the menu, too, but check out the mussel selection (all mussels come with fries- duh!):

Classic, Roasted Garlic, Shallots, Cream and Sauvignon Blanc
Spicy Thai, Green Curry
Provencal, Tomato, Capers, Basil
Stout, Old Bay, Shallots, Garlic, Bacon, Cream
Red Indonesian Curry, Peanut Essence 
Wild Shroom, Pancetta, Parmesan, Truffle Cream
Tikka Masala, Chicken, Bell Peppers, Indian Spices 
Grilled Pineapple, Sweet Chili Garlic

It was also a pretty cool scene.  We made our way to Mussel Bar at 10pm and while they were still dishing up mollusks, plenty of pretty people were simply drinking cocktails at the bar too.

Mussel Bar
(301) 215-7817
7262 Woodmont Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

3. Bikram Yoga

Ok, so I KNOW we have places here in town, but I just haven’t gone yet…now I definitely plan on it.  I think I could get into 90 minutes of piping hot yoga!  Plus, my friend who I went to see had just completed a 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge and homegirl looked seriously amazing.

We actually got our class comped because apparently, the more experienced Yogis did not feel the room had reached optimal temps…but for a newbie, I thought it was pretty hot in there and definitely added another layer of difficulty to my “practice.”  (PS you should know my “practice” is pretty out of practice.  I was just grateful I didn’t pass out in there.)  

26 Poses to Gorgeousness and Calmness?

If anyone has any suggestions on Bikram Yoga studios in town, I am all ears.  I wants on this bandwagon and I wants on it NOW.

And that…is that.  I’m just glad all 3 things didn’t have to do with food!   

 xx, L

P.S. My computer is still in the shop….please send good thoughts towards the lovely people at Apple who are rehabilitating it as I type…

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Adios, amigos!  I am heading to DC today for a LONG weekend.

I am really looking forward to some serious girl time with these lovely ladies + blog regulars:

pretty little anjali

ENB

dana dana dana

And, I can’t wait to meet THIS handsome man!! 

sir soren!

I hope everyone has a great weekend + gets to enjoy the gorgeous Atlanta weather!  See y’all on the flip!

xx, L

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I am BACK!

You guys, it was an incredible trip and I have SO MUCH to share with y’all – but alas, I am at the mercy of the people who snapped pictures and I am happy to report that I was too busy taking in the gorgeous scenery, stunning Italian culture and architecture and amazing fashion to be one of them.  

I was also very busy taking in wayyyy too much of this:

And this:

And this:

What I need now is to see a lot of this:

And a gym.  STAT.

Even though all I want to do right now is pour over wedding blogs and obsess over color combinations, I need to find myself at my trainer (I love you, Lloyd!) and definitely at Zumba (which I just discovered and LOVE!  Ridiculous dance party as a workout?  Yes, please.) and hopefully some good old fashioned running now that the weather is a little cooler.  

But to keep my eye on the prize, I found a bunch of motivating images on Pinterest that I thought I’d share with you… in case you needed a little extra kick in the rear this week, too.  

(KIDDING!!!!)

Enjoy!

xx, L

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