So, as you know, this weekend Lindsay went to DC.

As expected she saw lots of DC friends including

Anjali and Dana

and Sir Soren

PRESH!

What she didn’t know she’d be seeing was:

A ’62 Bentley

Kevin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND he put a ring on it!  The proposal happened at the Senate Reflecting Pool

To drinks at Poste Brasserie

To dinner and dessert at Central Michel Richard

It was a picture-perfect night!

Best wishes for an amazing, wonderful, magical, laughter-filled life, Lindsay and Kevin!

I could NOT BE HAPPIER!  You’re perfect and I just love you both.

xx, L

P.S. I am SURE special thanks go to DC residents and extra special friends Anjali and Captain Kurt!

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

flip cup champion (what, what!)

Well then, you may be v. interested to hear about THIS:

On Sunday, May 15, Atkins Park Tavern in the Virginia Highlands will host a cornhole tournament from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the back parking lot of the restaurant to benefit the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training.

The event will also feature live music from Homefront, cold beer from Sweetwater Brewery, lunch + dinner specials cooked in the Big Green Egg + a raffle.  (Oh, how I love a raffle!) 

Registration fees cost $25 per person for a single entry or $50 for a team of two + 100% of the participants’ registration fees will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Participants will receive one complimentary Sweetwater beer with registration.  Raffle items + team prizes include a hot air balloon ride, restaurant + bar gift certificates, a Sweetwater cornhole set, Sweetwater brewery tour passes and more.

yeaaaaaaaaah!

Participants must compete in teams of two + those who are interested can call 404.876.7249 or stop by the restaurant to pre-register with the manager on duty.  All singles will be placed with another single to make a team.  Pre-registration is strongly encouraged; however, teams who wish to register the day of the event need to arrive by 1:30 p.m. to be placed in the brackets.  Play begins at 2:00 p.m. for all teams + a prize will be awarded to the winning team!

I do enjoy a good cornhole touney – especially when the proceeds go to such a worthy cause!

Come join the competition at Atkins Park on Sunday! 

xx, L

Atkins Park Tavern – Virginia Highlands
794 N. Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA  30306
404.876.7249
www.atkinspark.com

Taverna Plaka

I hadn’t been to T. Plaka in maybe five years + I’d completely forgotten how much fun it is!  After the three hours we spent there, I’m convinced that it should be on everyone’s list for a bachelor/ bachelorette party, places to go when you have friends in town, or special (fun NOT romantic) occasion!

Dana had about 20 people out to celebrate with her + even before we could order drinks and get a bit crazy, one of the belly dancers brought her up on top of the table to get her Greek grove going!

happy birthday, dana!

The energy was great!  Then, all of the ladies were called up to participate in what to me seemed like a big Greek hora around the restaurant while everyone clapped + danced to traditional music.  Paper napkins were thrown everywhere with shouts of “OPA!”

OPA!

And, Ouzo shots…don’t forget those bad boys! 

"shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots - 'erbody!"

 By this time, we’d all worked up an appetite…  T. Plaka’s menu is pretty extensive, so my end of the table decided to do the $25 per person Mezedes: special chef menu for parties of two or more with all plates served family style.  It was the easiest choice + seemed like a good way to taste a bunch of dishes.

The first thing they brought out for the table was do-it-yourself hummus.  Slick worked on ours + it was super delish!  Fingers in the bowl + all…

Then, they brought out a cold spreads platter (eggplant, red pepper and cucumber spreads) and a Greek village salad.  All were sufficiently yummy, but we didn’t focus on them long because the flaming cheese (saganaki) was next! 

The server lit the cheese at the table + set it down while it was still flaming a bit.  It was pretty exciting to watch when you were a few drinks in…  M. Reynolds, Slick + I really enjoyed the cheese, but Cute Cari and Jordana described it as a “cheese version of tofu” – way too bland for them.  That was fine, though, because it meant more for us!

Before we knew it, the rest of the meal was out on the table + we were overloaded with delicious plates of spanakopita, chicken and beef kabobs, gyro meat, rice pilaf, and moussaka. 

They were all really good, but we had to finish them fast because Dana was back on the table in the blink of an eye dancing + holding an adorable Sugar Sugar birthday cake!  Sugar Sugar cakes are the very best in town + Dana’s was even better (if that is even possible) as it was accompanied by some of T. Plaka’s seriously scrumptious baklava.

Shortly thereafter, T. Plaka turned into a full-on club bumping Usher + Kesha tunes.  I think we were all caught a bit off-guard when the traditional Greek music transitioned to Top 100, but we embraced it for approximately 15 minutes before we called it an Ouzo-laced evening. 

T. Plaka is way more fun than I’d remembered it + I can’t wait to throw a party there or take friends who are in town.  With so many restaurants in Atlanta that seem like carbon copies of each other, T. Plaka is the perfect place to spice up your routine! 

Opa + happy birthday, Dana!

xx, L

Taverna Plaka
2196 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA  30324
404.636.2284
www.tavernaplakaatlanta.com

It took us about 45 minutes going up 400 N to get to the NGPOs from Buckhead.  We easily spotted the NGPOs from the highway, and we were excited to park across from Off Fifth(Saks Fifth Ave. outlet) to begin our mini-spree.  Thanks to the grande Starbucks ice coffee I finished during the ride up, in less than ten minutes flat I was standing in the check out line at Off Fifth with an incredible lined winter coat (for next year) and a very-Lindsay-style gold bracelet.  And like a flash, we were off again…

In the interest of keeping your attention, I won’t break down every stop we made.  However, I will tell you that my favorite stores at the NGPOs were: Cole Haan, Burberry, Coach, Off Fifth, Kate Spade, Juicy, Polo, BCBG, Michael Kors and J. Crew.  We were afraid to step foot into Pottery Barn or Nike – which were absolutely swarmed with eager shoppers.  Even though it wasn’t a holiday weekend, we found excellent deals everywhere!  Coach was running a one day promotion for 20% off of the entire store, and Jenny and I walked away with adorable new purses.  Polo had some noteworthy deals, too, convincing Dana to stock up on shirts for her wonderful fiance who is in Iraq until May.  Overall, I thought the shopping was great. 

North Georgia Premium Outlets

Here are a few tips on efficient outlet shopping that I picked up during our mini-spree:

1- Wear flats or comfortable shoes.  You will regret it if you don’t.  However, if your feet begin to hurt while you are shopping – you can run into Adidas, Nike or Cole Haan (love their shoes with the Nike technology) and purchase yourself a brand spankin’ new pair.

2- Go to the bathroom prior to standing in line for a dressing room.  Lines can be long and there is nothing worse than nature calling while you are trying to shimmy your way out of a pair of skinny jeans…

3- Eat before you go – or bring snacks.  I wasn’t impressed with the food options at the NGPO’s – or the lack thereof.

4- Develop patience.  The lines are long for the dressing rooms, registers and bathrooms…there’s really no way around it.  And, there were a ton of slowly walking people w/ strollers.  Just keep that in mind…

5- According to a colleague, the best time to go outlet shopping is the week(end) prior to a holiday – so for instance the week before Black Friday or Fourth of July.  Apparently, the outlet stores will already have their stock out for the holiday weekend and start running their sales early.

6- Bring an umbrella.  The weather happened to be gorgeous on Saturday and we were fine - however it’s important to note that not all of the walkways between stores are covered.  It would be a shame to drive all the way out to the NGPOs and not be able to visit all the stores on your list because you’ve become a drowned rat in a rainstorm.

jenny's trunk @ the end of the day...

Four hours later on our drive home, we realized we were absolutely famished.  So, at 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday we sat down for a three hour sushi meal complete with sake bombs!  Yea! 

yu-ka sushi bar

"i say SAKE - you say BOMB!"

We went to Yu-Ka Sushi Bar - right next to the disco Kroger in Buckhead.  I did not care for the sushi or the atmosphere at all, but the service was good and the sake bombs hit the spot.  I called it an early evening and ventured home with my bags upon bags of outlet loot and redboxed The Hurt Locker + A Serious Man (both nominated for Best Picture @ the Oscar’s – The Hurt Locker won).  I really enjoyed both. 

What a Saturday!  I’m already looking forward to heading back to the NGPOs in a few months to stock up on summertime gear… 

xx, L

North Georgia Premium Outlets
800 Highway 400 South
Dawsonville, GA  30534
706.216.3609
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16

Sushi Bar Yu-Ka
3300 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA  30305
404.233.6700

Thank you for your service.

Happy Veterans Day!

xx, L + L

F2O in the Spire Building

F2O is perfect for a work lunch.  It’s nearby my office (key point), incredibly fresh, refreshing and their salads are plentiful.  There are a number of items on the F2O menu to choose from, but I never get past their delicious salads.  When I arrived, as per usual, the line was out the door.  Don’t be intimidated – it moves quickly.  I ordered my favorite, the Southwest Salad w/ Salmon, and it was predictably perfect.  Here’s what’s in it:

Southwest Salad
Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cheese, Roasted Corn, Cranberries, Raisins, Tortilla Strips, Southwestern Ranch Dressing + Bourbon Grilled Salmon

Southwest Salad @ F2O

My second favorite F2O salad is the Asian Salad:

Asian Salad
Mixed Greens, Candied Walnuts, Tomatoes, Sesame Seeds, Avocado, Pickled Ginger, Crispy Noodles, Mandarin Oranges, Mixes Nuts, Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing + Almond Rosemary Crusted Tuna

Asian Salad @ F2O

F2O also has a Gluten Free Menu and a To Go/ Catering Menu online.  Check them out!  Although the Spire Building location in Midtown is my personal haunt, there are F2Os all over Atlanta – and one in Chattanooga.  See you there soon!

xx, L

Fresh 2 Order – Midtown
Spire Building
860 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30308
404.593.2333
www.fresh2order.com

yokohama mama burg w/ bison @ the vortex

Yokohama Mama Burger:  Burger topped w/ jack cheese, special teriyaki sauce and a ring of grilled pineapple.  (Note: I prefer the bison patty b/c it’s tastes like beef but has less fat than skinless chicken breast.) 

I usually order the YMB w/ sweet potato fries, but last night I opted for the famous Vortex tots.  They were delish!

If you’ve read some of my other posts, you won’t be at all surprised when I tell you that the Yokohama Mama is the only burger I’ve ever eaten at the Vortex.  Their menu is ridiculous, but I just can’t get past the YMB: http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/menus/WebMenu.pdf 

Check out the Coronary Bypass Burger & the Elvis Burger!!  I’m definitely not that hardcore, but I’d be very proud to see someone eat one of those!  P.S. The Vortex’s staff, restaurant decor and ambiance IS a seriously hardcore, no-B.S. biker bar.  So be prepared…

Also, on the app. front, we ordered the fried zucchini and polished it off in no time!  It comes to the table piping hot, sliced, battered and fried – served with ranch dressing.  Best of all, I’m pretty sure it’s completely fat free since the vegetable factor cancels out the fact that it’s fried.   

fried zucchini @ the vortex

Soooooo, I went with a bunch of ladies to The Vortex in Midtown last night to have dinner before we went to see our adorable friend, Stephanie’s, boyfriend preform at the Laughing Skull Lounge.  For those not into comedy, it’s the comedy club attached to The Vortex’s Midtown location. 

I’ve watched WAY too many American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance auditions (schadenfreude at it’s best – I know), so watching people perform live sometimes makes me really uncomfortable/ nervous for them.  I had a stiff drink at dinner to calm my nerves a bit for the show, but it was totally unnecessary.  The comedians were HYSTERICAL.  And, I think the Laughing Skull is a lot more legit that I anticipated.  In fact, I just read online that Creative Loafing selected it as the Best Comedy Club in Atlanta.  Way to go!  Among the five comedians at our show was Jim Florentine from Crank Yankers, another dude fresh off a Comedy Central tour and Stephanie’s boyfriend – who had me in stitches.  (Aren’t they cute?!)

*adorable*

The Laughing Skull would be such a fun date.  Tickets are around $20 per person, depending on the evening and the comedian, and The Vortex is right next door for beer and burgs ahead of time.  I’m totally, completely 100% sold – and I can’t wait to go back for another show!

Couldn’t we all use a good laugh?  (And an out-of-this-world burger with a catchy Hawaiian name?!)  I’m thinking YES.

xx, L

The Vortex Bar & Grill – Midtown location
878 Peachtree Street #4
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.875.1667
www.thevortexbarandgrill.com

Laughing Skull Lounge
878 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30309
877.523.3288
Comedian schedule: www.vortexcomedy.com
Cash only @ the LSL bar
**Two drink minimum**

Flying Biscuit's Egg-ceptional Eggs

Of course, I have nothing to compare it to…  Regardless, Flying Biscuit is an oldie, but a goodie – and now it can be found all over town!  Expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table - pretty much any time of the day.  Don’t forget that they serve breakfast all day long! 

Here’s a link to their menu: http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/Menus.aspx

Bon appetit!

xx, L

“I only drink champagne…when I’m happy and when I’m sad.  Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.  When I have company, I consider it obligatory.  I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am.  Otherwise, I never touch it…unless I’m thirsty.”

- Lily Bollinger, Ouotiation from Daily Mail – October 17, 1961

Gosh Lily, it’s like you’re in my head…  Amazing!

Happy Friday -and a big L’Shana Tova to all my Heebs!  Dana, CK and I plan to bring in the JNY – the wrong way - at Ecco (my fav!) tonight with a few of these bad boys:

Happy JNY!

xx, L