“I am looking forward to experiencing more of my new home: more restaurants, concerts, sporting events, festivals, landmarks and meeting more people.” – Shawn V. Branch
It’s been a little over two months since my move to Atlanta and things are going well. I am taking every opportunity to get familiar with my new home. I was a pretty regular visitor to Atlanta before my move so the city’s offering was not all that unfamiliar to me. One thing that has been refreshing is the Southern charm of the places I’ve been to and people whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
The ATL Chronicles: reelurbannews.com/new-city-new-way-working/
One of my favorite things to do is to walk along the Atlanta Beltline. The Atlanta Beltline is about 22 miles of unused railroad tracks circling the core of the city’s in-town neighborhoods. On any given day, you can see both residents and visitors walking, running, and biking along the Atlanta Beltline. If you are thinking that the Beltline is just some ordinary stroll around the city, it is not. There are several things to do and see that will keep your attention for hours. As you are strolling along the Beltline, you will notice great art that is a part of the city’s public art exhibition. If you get hungry, no worries-the Ponce City Market is located on the Beltline, as is one of my favorite places to eat, Two Urban Licks. Take my word for it, the Atlanta Beltline is a must do!
I am a self-proclaimed foodie and I have found some great places to eat and drink in Atlanta. I don’t discriminate: I love the small diners to the fancy five-star restaurants. I do have some standards like cleanliness, great customer service, and extensive menu selections. I worked in the service industry for more than 20 years and I believe that customer service can make or break a business.
One place that hits the mark every time is BeetleCat. If you are looking for great oysters, a meaty lobster roll and awesome drinks, this is the place. I’ve been there several times and each time I am greeted with a smile and sometimes even a hug from Remy, one of the restaurant’s amazing waitresses.
One of my recent discoveries is OLG, the restaurant owned and operated by reality TV star Kandi Burrus of Real Housewives of Atlanta and her husband Todd Tucker. I was so excited to try it out and it didn’t disappoint. I went on Tuesday night with friends. We wanted good food and to see Kandi, and we got both! My favorite appetizers were the lamb chops and deviled eggs, and entrée was the fried chicken with greens and mac and cheese followed by the shrimp and grits. The icing on the evening was seeing Kandi, Todd and Kandi’s aunt; they greeted every guest and took pictures. If you want good Southern food, I would suggest stopping by OLG!
By any means, don’t think these are the only good places to eat in Atlanta. I would recommend Bistro Niko, Ecco, Barcelona Wine Bar, Surin of Thailand, South City Kitchen, and Little Trouble. I am looking forward to experiencing more of my new home: more restaurants, concerts, sporting events, festivals, landmarks and meeting more people. The Southern charm of Atlanta gets an A in my book!
