Peter broadcast his show from the new Hotel Palomar, a Kimpton hotel in Atlanta Midtown. We checked in with some of his local guests to find out their favorite hangouts and other “pockets of funk” in the city, from the best burger joint to some of the coolest blues in the nation.
So check out what Atlanta locals say makes their city worthy of the nickname “Hotlanta.”
David Fulmer, author of Lost River, The Blue Door, and more
Since the urban movement of the 1970s, Atlanta has spawned villages: small business districts surrounded by green residential neighborhoods. Good thing, too, as the rest of the city has gone to glass and steel as far as the eye can see. The best, brightest, funkiest, and most visit-worthy of these urban centers are all deep inside the perimeter. In fact, there are so many great off-the-radar spots spread around the city that any list is going to be incomplete.
Little Five Points
The Euclid Avenue Yacht Club welcomes a mixed bag of locals and travelers into the wee hours seven nights a week and a generally gentle motorcycle crowd on Sunday afternoons.
Also on Euclid, the Variety Playhouse is the scene for the hardest-working bands in show business and The Star Bar on Moreland Avenue NE is the place to go for cowboy-punk-rockabilly-blues—all at once.
Just up the street, Savage Pizza is savagely fine and the iconic Sevananda is the best natural and organic co-op in the Southeast. www.l5p.com
Virginia-Highlands
Though it’s gone seriously upscale over the past decade, there are still pockets of funk in the Virginia-Highland and Poncey-Highland sectors. On Highland, Moe’s and Joe’s and George’s Restaurant & Bar are neighborhood legends for their solid but cheap drinks and eats. Also on Highland, Blind Willie’s is one of the best blues clubs in the nation. Finally, there is no more storied and historic watering hole than Manuel’s Tavern. Just ask the politicians, writers, musicians, and slews of locals who know it as a second home. www.virginiahighland.com
Decatur
Just beyond the east edge of Atlanta, Decatur has become a go-to spot for music, drinks, and food. Eddie’s Attic on North Mcdonough Street draws national folk acts to their upstairs room. All within a few blocks are Decatur CD for one of the best selections of music in the metro area, and Java Monkey and Dancing Goats, both hugely popular coffee houses. A visit to Taqueria del Sol on West Ponce De Leon Avenue will likely require a wait, but it’s worth it. On the other end of Ponce De Leon, at the far edge of Decatur is the fabulous, the price-is-right Dekalb Farmers Market, with produce, meats, fish, bakery goods, beer and wine from Georgia and the rest of the world. www.decaturga.com
East Atlanta
This is the most recent of the Intown neighborhoods to come into its own. For pure ambience, Joe’s is the best coffeehouse in the city. Monday and Tuesdays are “Taco Night” at the Blue Frog Cantina on Flat Shoals Avenue SE, and the various flavors of margaritas are right fine. Bound to Be Read Books is three doors down and always worth a visit.
It’s also an easy walk to Earthshaking Music on Stokeswood, with instruments from every continent, plus all the strings, keyboards, and percussion your heart desires. www.eastatlantavillage.net
Kimberly Barnett, Pink Magazine
Want to find the best burger in town? It’s Flip Burger Boutique, says Barnett.
Top Chef top contender Richard Blais is the creative director, and this Howell Road establishment has some inventive treats: a chorizo burger topped with a fried egg and manchego cheese; the po boyger shrimp patty with a fried lemon; and the ever-important Nutella and burnt marshmallow or Krispy Krème milkshake. www.flipburgerboutique.com
What’s a getaway without brunch? Barnett’s top pick is the Flying Biscuit Café, particularly the original location on Peachtree Road. Their eggs Benedict and “moon dusted” potatoes are great, and the fried-egg sandwich is always a winner. www.flyingbiscuit.com
If you’re visiting Atlanta this summer, be sure to stop by the Delta Classic Chastain concert series at Chastain Park. This intimate amphitheater hosts bands and orchestras all summer long. The charm of this venue is that they provide tables so you can bring your own picnic baskets, candles and drinks to enjoy the show. www.classicchastain.com
Jennifer Brett, Society Columnist, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For an evening out, head over to the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s cocktail hour. Every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. between May and September, locals gather for cocktails, music … and flowers. Admission is $15, but between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., beer, wine and signature cocktails are only $3! www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Beverly Bremer Silver Shop is like walking into heaven, according to Brett. If you have an odd piece of silver, maybe inherited or found at an antique sale, they can ID it for you in a snap. You can then select pieces from their vast inventory if you’d like to build on what you have. www.beverlybremer.com
Huff Harrington Fine Art, a hip gallery located in a repurposed house on Rickenbacker Drive, showcases the works of talented local artists. Stop by anytime to scope out the contemporary works, or make it a part of a gallery-hopping experience on the first Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. www.huffharrington.com
Not everyone associates Atlanta with great pizza. But Bon Appetit once said that Varasano’s Pizzeria could have the best pizza in America, and Brett agrees. Modeled after the Old World-style pizza from Patsy’s in New York City, this is the stuff that has locals clamoring for more. Even better, you can find the recipe online! www.varasanos.com
And last, but certainly not least, there’s Jake’s Ice Cream. They have champagne ice cream. What more do you need? www.jakesicecream.com
By Sarika Chawla for PeterGreenberg.com.
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