Recently, I had a lovely girl date with the gorgeous Mandy Nuwar of Premier PR and fabulous fashion/beauty/lifestyles writer Laura Carson Miller at Purple Rain in Duluth.  (Sidebar: On repeat in my head for the entire drive up there?   My man, The Artist Formerly Known As Prince. of course!)

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Aaaaanyway… the Q+DD on Purple Rain is that it’s a bar, a restaurant, a lounge, and a late-night hangout all in one.  It’s mission is to bring a first-class dining/playing experience to the area and serve creative fare in the form of small plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

When Mandy told me about Purple Rain, she described it as “a restaurant suited for Vegas…but in Gwinett” and she was right.   When I rolled up to the 9,000 square foot space and viewed the glossy, uber sexy interior filled with pretty people, I immediately wished I were wearing something a little slinkier than a sensible skirt suit from work.

I found Mandy and Laura gabbing away at a buttery booth in the back of the spacious main dining area sipping on Lychee Sparklers which looked DELISH:

Grey Goose, blended with lychee with syrup and topped with champagne

The super attentive wait staff made sure I didn’t experience cocktail envy for very long and within minutes, I had a Cloud 9 – their version of a white sangria – in my hot little hands.

White wine blends, tangerines, lychees, pineapples strawberries, and ginger ale.

For dinner, we tried all kinds of deliciousness starting with the Risotto Fritti (risotto croquettes, buffalo mozzarella, and romesco sauce, the New England Lobster Roll (butter poached lobster, lemon and saffron aioli), and the Moroccan Yucca Fries (spiced yucca, roasted garlic, parsley and lemon essence)

Then moved on to the Duxelle Stuffed Artichoke (roasted artichoke, wild mushrooms, red peppers, gruyere cheese, and lemon beurre blanc)  
For dinner, I chose the appetizer plate Beef Negimaki (beef rolled with enoki mushrooms, scallions, and oyster sauce) and polished it off before I could snap a photo!

For dessert…we couldn’t resist the “Tempura Goodness” – which is basically whatever goodies the chef happens to have on hand, tempura fried, served with salted caramel.    As luck would have it, they just happened to have Swiss Cake Rolls and Twinkies back there….check it out:
I had a fantastic time there…if you’re in the area, I’d recommend you check it out for yourself.  With both and enormous space and menu, there’s truly something for everyone!

Personally, I’d like to meet the person who orders the “Purple Rainmaker.” At $1000, this dessert consists of a Criollo Chocolate Soufflé, a chocolate truffle,  and gold nugget streusel  dressed with a genuine amethyst necklace on a spun sugar sculpture.  Check it:

Need something a leeeeeeetle more reasonably priced this Valentine’s Day?  Enjoy a prix-fixe 3 course menu and live music by Stephan Lee for $60.

“Let me guide you to the Purple Rain.  Purple Rain….Purple Raiiiiiinnnnn…”

xx, L

Purple Rain Restaurant & Lounge
(770) 418-9086
3550 Mall Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
www.purplerainatl.com

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