Farmhouse at Serenbe

The Farmhouse

Visited in the middle of October 2016.

Overall, the food was delicious; flavorful, but not so over seasoned, so that I could add salt and pepper to taste. We had the lamb belly and the grouper. Everything worked well together. If you are someone into the Farm to Table movement this is a good place to try. A limited menu guarantees a more authentic experience. The setting was very cozy, maybe a bit too much.

Cocktail time!


Library. Browsing after dinner!


They had obviously added a couple of tables to the dining area, so people had to shuffle a bit for the servers and other diners to get around. However, great aesthetics, rustic, without feeling old fashioned. The staff was welcoming and helpful, if a little overwhelmed as they were busy due to the Sleepy Hollow Experience, which many people (including us) were attending afterwards. It was a very good experience, and we will be going back.

Overall, if you are traveling from Atlanta, or anywhere else that is 30 minutes or more, I would definitely suggest a Dinner and a Show evening!



Warm Spring, Summer of Fall nights with a drink!
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Dragon Con 2-5 September 2016

Hello all!

It's been a long time since I've done a blog post, and for that I apologize. But, I'm back to tell you about one of my favorite yearly events (I've been attending since 2009), Dragon Con. For those who don't know, and to quote the website, "...it is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film..." Dragon Con. That's it in a nutshell! Dragon Con takes place right in the heart of down town Atlanta, which is great, due to all five of the host hotels (and a bunch of over flow ones) being within around .7  mile of each other.

Peachtree Center

On the other hand so much proximity can be bad as there are upwards of 77,000 people who attend the four day event; although you can pick up your badges the day prior, so it really is a five day event!

Peachtree Center MARTA station

80s nostalgia-Max Headroom

It can be fun, but overwhelming, with so many people.  However, you can take MARTA (our public transit), lyft or Uber or even park downtown (be aware that like any big event, the price of parking goes up, exponentially during Labor Day weekend!).

There's a lot of great Cosplay from the very popular such as Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Comics, etc. to lesser known anime or gaming characters, but also quirkier examples like Max Headroom or movie characters from Dirty Dancing's Baby to Marla Singer from Fight 

Sweet! Baby got in the corner.

Club!

Harley Quinn & Catwoman!

The Hyatt one of the Host hotels

I would recommend getting your tickets as soon as possible, as the price goes up the closer the convention gets! Also, stay on the lookout for when the hotel rooms open up. I have noticed in the last few years rooms sell out quickly and are harder to get with the increased attendance.

Dragon Con after dark

 Although the con is very family friendly, just know that after dark, things get a little sexier, raucous and grown up!

Sexy! Vampirella

If nothing else, I recommend that everyone attend the yearly, Saturday morning parade. It is a sight to see. However, arrive early to get a good spot, as people come from all over the area to attend whether they are going to Dragon Con or not!

Also, don't forget to check out my Dragon Con 2-5 September 2016 YouTube video!

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All photos courtesy of Robert L. Lloyd

                        

                  

Atlanta Botanical Garden (Chihuly Edition--April 30 - October 30, 2017)

Hello all!

I'm back and I'm here to write about the Atlanta Botanical Garden. In particular the Dale Chihuly in the Garden exhibit. For those who don't know, and I will admit, I didn't know until I started-full disclosure-volunteering at the garden in December 2015.

I'm not being paid nor reimbursed to talk about the Chihuly exhibit. I just think on a personal level that his custom designed, glassblowing artwork is amazing and really complements the garden as a whole.


Overall, there are 21 installations; 2 that are permanent and 19 which are new! The artwork is sprinkled throughout the garden, including the Fuqua Conservatory/Orchid center.

There's also a great Chihuly gift shop. Be warned, like much of his work it can be expensive. However, there are also T-shirts, reusable shopping bags,limited edition prints, etc. that are much easier on your (and my) wallet.

There's also, if it gets too hot, starts to rain, or if you want more information, a theatre located in the Hardin Visitor Center, that shows a Chihuly documentary on a loop.






Just an FYI. The Chihuly exhibit is normally open Wednesday - Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Then reopens for Chihuly Nights on Wednesday- Sunday, 6 p.m. -10 p.m. when all the artwork is lit up. HOWEVER, you cannot use you day tickets for the night time, you have to repurchase.









Honestly, if you have to choose, I recommend at night. Breathtaking.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Serenbe Playhouse-Miss Saigon Wed Aug 3, 2016 8:00PM

This (Miss Saigon) is the second production that I have seen at the Serenbe Playhouse. The first was A Streetcar Named Desire last year. Overall, I preferred Streetcar, mainly because I am a huge Tennessee Williams fan! ;)  It's located just outside the Atlanta Metro area in Palmetto County. http://www.serenbeplayhouse.com/

The actual playhouse is an outdoor field, where the productions are staged. The company created a real sense of place (Saigon, Vietnam) and feeling (the 70s during the Vietnam war) with Miss Saigon by having the actors be in character as you checked in (by a young Viet Cong soldier)...

or bought a drink at the bar (from young American soldiers).

There was also a real helicopter flying overhead in the final act. Both productions (set in Saigon and Louisiana, respectively) that I saw really fit the slightly, humid nighttime of Georgia. Well staged and solid productions, especially considering they often use recycled or reclaimed materials (a shipping container for Streetcar, for example).

 I would advise dressy casual, no cargo shorts or Daisy Dukes, but a pair of Chinos or a sundress would be appropriate. Also, I suggest wearing flats due to having to walk a little ways and it was a little muddy on the night that we went due to rain earlier. 

Overall, this is a great way to see some theatre, in nature, just outside the Metro Atlanta area!

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, Chattanooga, TN Edition, Part II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJD4qQhPe88

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel Edition!

This time, I've decided to review the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. Since Chattanooga is within two hours of Atlanta, I don't see why I shouldn't give it some ATL love also. We are con goers and attended a science/science fiction/literary convention-Libertycon- in Chattanooga, TN that was being held at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

Overall, the people working the hotel were polite and helpful, if a little indifferent.
I stayed in building 3, which had a very dated 90s look. The same furniture was used as indoor and outdoor furniture. However, I really liked that we had an accessible balcony overlooking the pool. The pool area was kind of kitschy but in a good way. Building 3 had a nice -if small- workout room with new equipment and a flat screen.

If you are a dog owner there's a nice, enclosed outdoor dog park area in building 3.
The convention area for Libertycon was serviceable, but badly in need up updating. However, The garden area was beautiful and relaxing, with gigantic jenga, chess, corn hole and checkers areas and very loud (at night) frogs!

The registration/lobby area was beautiful and a great place to relax, talk with friends and people watch.Great downtown location within walking distance of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping, library, etc.

Nice, historic trains and a cool retro feel...however, the 8 million dollar renovation that is going on should be focused on updating the rooms. To visit the grounds as a tourist is nice, but for my next weekend in Chattanooga, I won't stay in the hotel again until the rooms are completely updated.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g54946-d97797-r393619978-Chattanooga_Choo_Choo-Chattanooga_Tennessee.html#

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve- Sunday, 19 June 16

Hello!

I recently visited the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve here in Southwest Atlanta. This has nice, easy trails made for walking your dog, taking a bit of exercise or just getting outdoors.

Gorgeous green, that helps mitigate some of the traffic noise that pretty much disappears the further you go. Sunday mornings are great as it is not crowded. Also,I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I wasn't being attacked by mosquitoes, although there were of course the usual bugs hanging around. A great



place to sit, read, have a picnic, or do yoga (saw a group with their mats arriving). The only downsides are that you have to watch out for poison ivy and I tripped on a loose board on one of the paths--so be


careful...Overall, this is a lovely, peaceful and solid green space in the middle of the city.

2016 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Hello all,

This is an ‘observational’ post regarding the 2016 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, which was held 2-5 June 2016 in Midtown. This is a culinary celebration of food and beverage within the Southern region. It was held primarily in the Loews Hotel (classes, seminars, demonstrations, etc.) located in Midtown, the Tasting Tents (yum!) were located in Piedmont Park and there were many other venues that hosted parties and events. I volunteered at Vineyard in the City a popup venue located on 14^th Street, directly across from the Four Seasons Hotel, which hosted events during the festival. The Vineyard in the City events were wonderfully upscale - breakout the JCrew sundresses and those Panama hats - cocktails, gourmet food, dessert stations, in particular the High Road Craft Ice Cream and Sorbet, where I served up watermelon (tequila) margarita sorbet (my personal favorite), blueberry lemon ice cream (made with buttermilk) and a sweet corn pudding ice cream (the ultimate wild card that was creamy and delicious!). The site had two bocce ball courts, live music, grilled chicken, oysters, Stella Artois, Tito’s vodka, etc. for those attending.

Just a FYI, to attend this 21 and over (don’t even think about bringing your infant) event is not cheap. Depending on your participation the cost ranges from $100 to $2000, which is well worth the price. However, if you are interested in attending, but find the price a bit steep, volunteering with the festival, as I did, is a wonderful way to gain event experience, be involved in the community and enjoy food, wine, and spirits from all over the southern region.

The tasting tents in Piedmont Park were amazing, and luckily the day that I attended, Sunday 5 June, was overcast but had no rain (unlike 2015 ;)).  Warm and sunny, not unbearable. Of course, there were many culinary delights to choose from, but my favorites would have had to have been a trout/pimento cheese on white with a side of trout jerky. This bite was served up by the Sunburst Trout Farms out of North Carolina. It was surprisingly tasty and light, perfect for a hot sunny day.  Tito’s vodka was definitely my favorite spirit; the cocktails were light and refreshing, in particular the ones made with lavender. Be careful, and balance your alcoholic beverages with food, as it can be easy to imbibe a beer, wine and /or cocktail in succession.

Also, there were the usual sponsors from Coca-Cola to Skinny Pop giving out samples to fill your SWAG bag! 

Overall, this is a lovely, upscale Food & Wine festival that really gives you a chance to sample sweets, seafood, BBQ from places as diverse as Texas, Maryland and even the US Virgin Islands!

If you are a foodie or just someone who enjoys good food, I highly recommend that you participate in next year’s festival!

Young in the ATL (Atlanta!): Exploring the Life of the Southern City (INTRODUCTION)

Reviews, Musings, & Observations regarding venues, hotels, restaurants, tourism, events, etc. in Atlanta, Georgia!


Hello!


My name is Candace Young. I've been a resident of Atlanta since 2013, having moved here from Savannah, GA. As you can imagine there is a difference between the easy slow pace of the Low Country (Savannah) and the bustling activity of Atlanta, and I love it!


I'm a Hospitality professional, currently attending Atlanta Technical College towards a Hotel/Restaurant/Tourism Management A.A.S. Degree. I currently hold Customer Service 2.0 and Event Coordinator certifications.


I am also currently volunteering my time with the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Atlanta Business League and Centennial Olympic Park through greeting, material distribution, and aiding visitors, participants and tourists.


I've also volunteered and interned in many local Atlanta events from the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival to David Tutera's Your Wedding Experience, both for the last two years.


These community involvements really give me a feel for the people and what they are looking for in terms of art, fun and business in our city.


I also spent 20 years in the United States Air Force in the administrative and computer systems arena, which have helped me excel in organizational skills, time management and fostered my love of travel and interacting with people.


I hope you'll join me on this exploration of Atlanta!


Young in the ATL