Well folks, it's back and I'm already hydrating in preparation. The Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival was easily one of top highlights of 2012 for me. Or at least I think it was (still a little hazy). After a sellout crowd in 2012, the show geniuses at BB&BBQ have upped the ante. In order to survive this year's fest I have a few tips. Tip #1: If VIP tickets are available, GET THEM! BB&BBQ has expanded this feature of the show to include a bigger tent and more exclusive tasting … [Read more...]
Fall in Love with Cacao Atlanta
We at the Trot Line applaud and promote folks who are crafting and producing amazing products by hand every chance we get. Kristen Hard, owner of Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co., has been doing just that since 2004. Cacao is known for creating amazing “bean-to-bar” chocolate and other scrumptious treats, making it a “must visit” in anticipation this year’s Valentine’s Day.Let’s be clear for one second, this is not the type of chocolate that you find in a heart box and wrapped in red cellophane. … [Read more...]
Atlanta’s Newest Brewery: Monday Night Brewing
Get ready Atlanta, Monday nights just got a lot more fun. “Tie one on” and head over to the Westside to check out the spanking new Monday Night Brewery. In an old warehouse at the bottom of Trabert Avenue sit three gents making some killer brews. Monday Night Brewing is the brainchild of Jonathan Baker, Jeff Heck and Joel Iverson, who started making home-brews after a weekly bible study pre-2006. It took a while to get to this point, but when you walk around the space and listen to the guys … [Read more...]
Rico’s World Kitchen: Metro Atlanta’s Best Kept Secret
For the past two years, Rico’s World Kitchen in downtown historic Buford, GA has been my best-kept secret. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep it hidden for too long. Chef and owner, Rico Cunnington, has been turning heads and turned this once four table restaurant into a shining light in the Buford and Metro Atlanta communities. Urbanspoon currently ranks Rico’s the number 11th best restaurant in all of Atlanta. That is no fluke. Rico’s World Kitchen rocks so hard I sometimes dream about … [Read more...]
Sandwich Heaven in a Sandy Springs Cafe
One of God's greatest gifts to mankind was the sandwich. I believe that He had me in mind when He blessed someone with the idea. When I stumble onto a sandwich place that I have never been to before, I tend to be a little over zealous about making my way over to try it.A few months ago, I was on the hunt for a sandwich place/bakery/deli (anything that puts meat and cheese between two slices of bread.) I ended up finding a bakery tucked away in a Sandy Springs shopping center named … [Read more...]
Atlanta Beer Week 2011
If you thought that the Atlanta beer festivals this summer were fun, wait till you experience an entire week of craft beer!Atlanta Beer Week is an entire week devoted to craft beer... in Atlanta. The week long hoppy extravaganza begins on October 1 and ends on October 8, 2011. This year is supposed to be bigger and better than last years. The line up of bars, taps, casks, and events have not been completely finalized (or at least released,) so there is a lot of anticipation on our end for … [Read more...]
BrickTop’s in Buckhead: As American as Deviled Eggs
Despite having lived in Atlanta for a little over two years, there's one thing that I've constantly felt I've been missing; a real "taste" of Atlanta. The majority of my dining adventures consist of cooking at home, visiting the same favorite few places, some chains (shame on me) and from time to time a ritzy "splurge" in honor of a special event or celebration. One of those special events took place this past week and I was able to sink my teeth into something new, delicious, and all around … [Read more...]
Midtown Market Is a Sweet Mid-Day Treat
Picture this: It's your first week at a new job in a new part of town that you are by no means familiar with. You're eager to get your bearings so one fine, sunny Thursday afternoon during your lunch hour you wonder down the street to see if anything strikes your fancy. Suddenly you see a crowd of people milling around a patio peppered with small stands like you'd see at an art fair. Your curiosity takes you closer and soon you realize that you've just stumbled upon a mecca of fine eats, sweet … [Read more...]
Café Agora’s Authentic Medieterranean in the Heart of the South
Now I’m morally conflicted about whether or not I should even write this entry. It’s not that the material is controversial or that I’m being paid under the table for it, but when you find a neighbor gem of a restaurant, I am conflicted about telling everyone I know about how good it is with keeping it to myself. Café Agora is the kind of small hole in the wall authentic Turkish café that is beginning to get tougher and tougher to find with all the new trendy Atlanta dining. I guess I have … [Read more...]
Charlotte Foster Dances Her Way to Success in the Atlanta Arts
A few months ago, I attended a showcase show at 7 Stages Theater in Little Five Points, a neighborhood in Atlanta. Dance had been something that I had grown up around, but let's just say that this 6'4", 200 lbs guy found his home on the football field and not the stage. Many of my friends in high school and college were involved in their dance programs, and I surprisingly enjoyed watching my friends perform their passions.During the showcase, I saw a handful of different companies … [Read more...]