My first job while in college was as a barista at Blackbird Coffee in Milledgeville, Georgia. Not only was it a coffee shop, but it was also a small batch roaster. Once or twice a week, I'd walk into work to the smell of a freshly roasted batch of beans. The job gave me an appreciation for the craft of everything coffee.Up until Friday, it had been 4 years since I had walked through the coffee shop. Blackbird Coffee, set in historic downtown Milledgeville, was never lacking any character. … [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...]
Holiday Gift Guide: For The Sportsman
This is a list of gear every Sportsman needs (even if he doesn't know it yet). Peach State Pride Camo Hat | $20 Show your Georgia Pride without being seen.Gorilla Pod by Joby | $20 Grip this bad boy to a tree limb while in the woods or on a railing while on vacation. The Gorilla Pod is the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone.Realtree Blackfin by Costa Del Mar | $259 Costa Del Mar make arguably the best sunglasses for anglers. Now they have made some shades for 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...]
What Dad Really Wants for Father’s Day
Times change, styles go in and out, but dads stay pretty cool for the most part. Whoever started giving dads ties, socks, and underwear for gifts should get a swift kick to the ass. If your dad still has his nose to the grind, then those items are perfectly fine as a stocking stuffer, but please, don't give the man who has provided for you, taught you how to play sports, and taken a few shots to give you a better life a six pack of Jockeys this year for Father's Day. The Southern man doesn't … [Read more...]
South City Kitchen Midtown Brings Out Your Southern Drawl
Anyone who grows up in Northern Virginia, like I did, will argue that it should be a separate state from Virginia. Most of us claim that we are Northerners when we venture down to the South, regardless of where the Mason-Dixon line lies. Sweet tea and Chick-fil-a didn't even reach our area until just a few years ago. Ever since I have moved south, I have started embracing the hospitable culture, especially the food. The South City Kitchen Midtown has once and for all convinced me to embrace the … [Read more...]
Made: Southern Designers Using Their Hands
Resourcefulness is one of those words that comes to mind when folks think of the South. The heritage and culture from the old South still stands today; Don't throw something away that can still be useful for another. Much of the South is still covered with farm land where everything can have a second life. I have found that those assumptions are true in the city as well. Our brothers and sisters spending time in the corn and cotton fields aren't alone in their desire to live off of their … [Read more...]
Don’t Skip Over Stone Mountain Park
Sometimes the spots that are closest to us are the ones we take for granted. Many people who live right next to big cities live so close that we never actually take time to visit cool places that may be considered typical tourist attractions. Whether you are an Atlanta local or visiting from out of town, Stone Mountain Park is an awesome place to spend an inexpensive afternoon.When I headed into Stone Mountain Park this past weekend, I thought that the only thing to do was climb up the … [Read more...]
Tapping the Terrapin “Indiana Krunkles”
This past Wednesday, I was scanning over The Trot Line Twitter feed, and I noticed an interesting post by Terrapin Beer Company. They had announced that they would be tapping one of the first casks of their side project beer, "Indiana Krunkles" at The Fred. After the initial excitement of a new Terrapin beer getting tapped (and me knowing where,) I was brought back to reality after remembering that I had already made plans that night.Like a responsible adult, I decided to head on over to … [Read more...]
Downtown Decatur Date Night at Parker’s on Ponce
Whenever you move to a new place it takes some time get your bearings. You have to find the grocery store, your favorite gas station, and even the local Target, but most importantly you have to weed out those favorite spots to eat. Luckily, when I moved to Atlanta I found a guy who somehow knows all the best places to eat. Atlanta has so many nice restaurants, you honestly never have to stop into a chain restaurant again! My favorite date spot so far, although hard to choose, is Parker’s on … [Read more...]