Pretty Southern

Month: December 2011

  • Callanwolde Christmas House

    Only once a year can Atlanta residents experience a mansion exemplifying the holiday spirit. The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, in collaboration with the South’s premier interior and floral designers, have transformed 27,000 square-foot home into the ultimate Christmas house.

    From now until Dec. 18, all day into early evening, guests can take in the beautiful furniture, designer treasures, fine art and breathtaking evergreen trees reflect the glorious era when the Candler family lived in the magnificent 1920s Gothic-Tudor mansion. Celebrate the season at our house this year with festive family activities, entertaining cabaret nights, holiday shopping and majestic music played on the Aeolian pipe organ. Special events include Battle of the Ice, cabaret nights, holiday shopping, an artists’ studio, even Breakfast with Santa and a Teddy Bear Tea for the kids.

    The festive foyer at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

    More information is available online for Christmas at Callanwolde. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for children (seniors and groups are only $15). Free parking and free shuttle bus service available one-half mile north at: Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30306.

    Proceeds from Christmas at Callanwolde benefit the continuing operation of nationally acclaimed Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a non-profit organization providing fine arts programs including classes and performing arts to thousands of metropolitan Atlantans year-round. For more information check out Callanwolde’s Web site.

  • Latitude Lands on Peachtree Street

    New world flavors meet the old South dining scene as Latitude opens in the heart of Atlanta. Micah Willix has navigated his way as the former captain of the helm at Ecco to launch this endeavor in the former location of the Grape at Phipps Plaza reclaiming the space as Latitude. His new restaurant promises to be a brave adventure in the world of fine-dining at the mall.

    Latitude has a worthy crew of Kenny Perlman (formerly of Seasons 52 and Houston’s) and Emily Streib Marcil, (of The Capital Grille and currently of Second Growth LLC). Together with Willix, they bring a world-cuisine that focuses on creative, globally inspired and flavorful food. Always tough to do, but they chose the right time to open during the hustle-and-bustle of the holiday season at this Atlanta shopping mecca.

    Educated foodies and starving shoppers alike can enjoy Willix’s fine dining. Think tuna ceviche with charred avocado, lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, scallop crudo with saffron, fennel and champagne vinegar, plus golden tile fish with quinoa; or for the land lovers it’s beef tartare with roasted garlic, fried capers and fresh aioli. Sounds like all the right ingredients for an eclectic and tasty menu.

    Pan-fried pork chop with artichoke confit, tomato and oregano paired with a tall glass of fine wine.

    “Latitude is an opportunity for me to explore more options of different cuisines and cultures,” said Chef Willix, “but I still want to cook and create dishes that are simple and close to the source – grassroots.”

    Marcil agrees. Latitude offers the city something special and unique, the perfect complement to Atlanta’s already burgeoning dining scene.”

    Latitude’s main dining room and bar, the wine room offers the ideal option for intimate dinners and showcases the impressive wine selection in hardwood, floor-to-ceiling racks. Guests can also retreat to the oversized patio which creates an urban oasis offering comfortable rattan lounge seating, as well as a 14-foot high-top, concrete communal table perfect for sharing an al fresco evening with friends. Oversized planters and garden designs will flank the exterior of the patio while a tile encompassed water feature allows guests the opportunity to nestle in for a cozy evening.

    Located at Phipps Plaza, Latitude serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner is served Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Additional information can be found on Latitude’s website and to make a reservation please visit the website or call 678.990.9463.

    Pretty Southern is excited to check out Latitude this coming Thursday. Check back later this week for our interview with Chef Micah Willix. Have you been to Latitude? If so, what did you like about the place (or do you have suggestions for the new concept?) Please comment below!

  • Where to Buy on Sunday in Atlanta

    Thank the Lord! We Georgians are finally able to buy beer on Sunday! After years of politicking and deliberation, the State recently approved Sunday alcohol sales thanks to special votes in all the precincts. Some places have not started selling on Sunday just yet; however, we at Pretty Southern know where to send you to buy booze on the second day of the weekend.

    The City of Atlanta proper is not authorized to start selling on Sunday until Jan. 1, 2012 but that doesn’t mean the same for the rest of Fulton County. The local municipalities of Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody and Alpharetta have the cooler lights turned on for Sunday sales. Lawrenceville and East Point are also selling at local grocery stores.

    After 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, beer and wine can be purchased at Whole Foods, Kroger, Publix, RaceTrac and your some independent gas stations. Total Wine near Perimeter Mall is open; alas, the store in Kennesaw will not start selling until spring of 2012. The Trader Joe’s locations in Roswell and Sandy Springs are also selling Two Buck Chuck but the Buckhead and Midtown locations have to wait. The ATL-iens are s.o.l. until the first of the year. Yeah, that’s right all you denizens of West Paces Ferry and Peachtree Street, y’all have to actually drive to the suburbs for your Sunday booze. Might as well drive to Alabama for fireworks while you’re at it. Some genius needs to open a liquor store next to a MARTA station.

    Down in Decatur, Sherlock’s is selling on Sunday along with the other purveyors of liquor with the exception of the Dekalb Farmers Market as they are only selling Monday through Saturday. Avondale Estates selling alcohol too. Georgians can drive up north on I-75 to Cherokee County where Woodstock is selling but Canton isn’t because they are yet to approve the vote (maybe after the first of the year). Palmetto was the only city in the Metro Atlanta area to reject Sunday alcohol sales. Up north, Fort Oglethorpe voted nay as well.

    Here’s a county breakdown for Metro Atlanta
    Cherokee: Woodstock and Cartersville are selling after 12:30 p.m. Not yet for Canton
    Cobb: Acworth is selling, though Kennesaw and Smyrna will not until at least Jan. 1, 2012. Marietta, Powder Springs, Austell, Mableton and the rest of the county still living in Prohibition times may not start selling alcohol on Sundays until July!
    Douglas: ditto
    Fulton: no for Atlanta proper but yes for Decatur, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody and Alpharetta and Avondale Estates after 12:30 p.m.
    Gwinnett: yes for Lawrenceville area supermarkets after 12:30 p.m.
    Henry: not if you’re within the McDonough or Locust Grove city limits (but the Publix at Lake Dow is selling!)

    We’ll keep you updated as more businesses start to offer booze on Sundays. Please comment below if you know a place we haven’t listed!