5Church is a much-needed addition to Atlanta’s Midtown dining scene.
I loved that place with its eclectic menu, cool bar scene, patio on Peachtree Street and the balcony above gazing into the skyscrapers. This is the third 5Church location and the restaurant has Southern roots. 5Church first opened in Charlotte (at the corner of 5th and Church Streets earning its moniker), opening a second location in Charleston in 2015.
I came in with two pals on a Thursday night. We started off with a round of cocktails. The Viper is true to its name. I loved the blend of tequila, cucumber, and cayenne pepper. For a starter, we noshed on the tuna tartare and pastrami-cured hamachi (think sushi-grade fish thinly sliced and topped with a radish garnish). Both were delicious.
One of my pals is obsessed with octopus and the charred octopus was perfect.
For entrees, we shared a few of the main courses including the filet with mashed potatoes (classic) and a vegetarian special: mushroom sausage. I’d never had anything like that before which wasn’t tofu and I was pleasantly surprised.
With our meal, our server helped us pick out a lovely bottle of pinot noir. I believe her name was Jessie, although it’s escaping me. Dear, if you’re reading this, you were fabulous. The whole staff at 5Church Atlanta aims to please.
Like Shout, the second story is available to rent out for private events (which I’ll have to host one there soon and tell y’all all about it). Also, 5Church just started lunch service, so I’ll have to get back down there to see what’s on the menu. I highly recommend this place – it’s as good as it gets in Midtown ATL.
The Young Atlanta Leadership League (Y’ALL) is hosting the 4th Annual #CampFest to give attendees the chance to feel like a kid again while raising money for Camp Twin Lakes. Y’ALL connects young philanthropy-focused professionals in the metro Atlanta area and plans event to support Camp Twin Lakes.
#CampFest will take place Aug. 6 at Sweetwater Brewery from 7 to – 11 p.m. This event will include food trucks, inflatable activities, games, a s’mores bar, and live music from Sam Hill Entertainment’s The Free.
“Camp Twin Lakes makes a huge impact in the lives of all the children we’re able to send to camp,” says Y’ALL President Micah McLain, “and our team is honored to be able to help raise money and awareness for this great organization. This is the third year I’ve helped organize Camp Fest and it just gets better and better, so I know our 2016 event will be the best yet!”
Tickets are currently on sale. #CampFest general admission tickets, which include access to the previously mentioned attractions as well as 6 SweetWater beer pours, are $35. VIP Tickets are on sale for $60 and give ticket holders additional access to a meal and dessert from Shake Shack as well as wine and liquor catering in a private air-conditioned lounge. You can also look into the Chronic Adventure blog to learn about how to make the camping experience here to be one of unforgettable moments for you.
All proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes and help provide medically supportive, life-changing camp experiences to Georgia’s children facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges.
For more information about #CampFest, check out the Facebook Page. Participants must be 21 years or older to attend.
About Camp Twin Lakes
For the past 20+ years, Camp Twin Lakes has provided life-changing camp experiences to thousands of Georgia’s children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Camp Twin Lakes provides week-long summer camps and year-round weekend retreats at three fully-accessible and medically-supportive campsites, day camps, and through hospital-based Camp-To-Go programs. Camp Twin Lakes collaborates with more than 60 different nonprofit organizations, each serving a different population, to create customized programs that teach campers to overcome obstacles and grow in their confidence and capabilities. Annually, Camp Twin Lakes serves more than 10,000 campers, leverages support from 3,500 volunteers, and subsidizes 70% of the direct camp costs ($550) for every camper served.
“Beekeeping is like farming. You can do everything right but you can’t control the weather.” – Mama Jule Wright
Bee Wild is less than an hour outside the perimeter and the local honey is more than worth the drive. This Southern gem is more than a purveyor of sweet nectar but also a true family establishment. Generations of the Wright family have nurtured millions of bees into existence on this land. Today, they are helping to maintain the bee population in the South.
Grandfather Wright founded the farm more than 55 years ago. Today there are over 400 hives, eight apiaries and small “nukes” of starter hives. Larger boxes are producing honey with about 60,000 bees in a hive. At its lowest estimate, there are 20 million bees buzzing at Bee Wild.
A few more fun bee facts: the queen lays about 1,500 eggs a day, hatching at a similar rate. At her peak, she can lay 2,000 eggs a day with a peak hive population up to 100,000. The females are the worker bees, while the males are “stay at home dads”. The average lifespan of a honeybee is about a month in the springtime. Bees hibernate by forming a ball at the bottom of a hive then slowly migrate to the outside of the hive once it’s warming up past 60 degrees.
So let’s talk about our amazing tour of Bee Wild!
Upon arrival, we were greeted with a refreshing lavender lemonade with wildflower honey, plus savory pecans with tupelo honey.
For our tasting, the menu included local greens with chef Robert Leoci’s strawberry wildflower honey vinaigrette, plus chicken roasted in a Gallberry honey peach glaze. My favorite item we sampled were the homemade biscuits with sourwood honey.
Special thanks to Bee Wild’s proprietor John Wright for hosting us on his farm!
Summer is a special, exciting time of year, especially in the South. Warmer temperatures, sometimes downright hot ones, beckon a whirlwind of festivals, parties, explorations, getaways and so much more, and it’s truly the best time of the year. Sure, in the fall we have apple picking and pumpkin patches and football, but there’s something about summer that’s magical.
Despite the pollen, humidity (ugh) and mosquitos, Southerners know how to have fun and make the absolute most of those summer months.
Texas Caviar – a favorite dip at my family’s cookouts!
Summer in the South means cookouts and cul-de-sac parties every other weekend. Or every weekend, if your neighborhood is that kind of neighborhood. Cookouts were huge parts of my childhood summers, whether they were with the next-door neighbors, a few families or the whole street. Nothing says “summer in the South” like barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, mac and cheese, coleslaw and banana pudding (or if you’re my family, Moon Pie sundaes), with everyone on the back porch, in the driveway or running around the cul-de-sac.
Beyond the burgers, dogs and potatoes, summertime brings all kinds of seasonal fruits and veggies. I recently taught myself how to make jam (after experimenting with apple butter this fall) and I can’t wait to try more flavors with fresh-picked berries and peaches later this summer.
Also, this serves as your reminder that “barbecue” is a noun–specifically a food of the pork variety, usually smoked–not a verb. You eat barbecue, you don’t have one in the back yard.
Summer in the South means staying outside until after bedtime. In the summer there is no bedtime, and the sun doesn’t set until after nine o’clock. I spent many summer nights outside with my friends, chasing lightning bugs, playing driveway games and relaxing around backyard fire pits. Those of us with long hair know that it’s a sin to go outside without it tied in a ponytail, unless you want Diana Ross hair afterward.
Summer in the South means there’s a chance of afternoon thunderstorms five days a week. Thanks, humidity. From May through September, I hardly leave my apartment without my rain jacket and an umbrella.
Make a weekend getaway to Barnsley Resort in North Georgia!
Summer in the South means getting outside and exploring. Maybe you check out a new area of your city that you haven’t yet seen. Maybe you have a drink on the patio at a new cocktail bar. Maybe you go hiking or swimming in a creek. Maybe you take a weekend getaway to a resort in the mountains. Or maybe you go to the beach. Wherever you go or whatever you do, the options and adventures are endless.
Summer in the South means festivals, upon festivals, upon festivals. From music to food trucks and everything in between, you’re sure to find some kind of festival in your area almost every weekend. I’m excited to go to my first music festival in Chattanooga this summer. It’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Oh, and we can’t forget about state fairs. Those are pretty big deals, too. How many fried foods can you find at one state fair?
Summer in the South is the perfect time for weekend getaways. Whether you hit the sand or hit the water, or prefer to stay cozy in the mountains, take some time away from your routine to relax. We all need our zen time, and summer is the perfect time to get it. This summer, you’ll find me paddle boarding on the Tennessee River and soaking up some rays at my parents’ lake house in North Carolina. If you want to go further for a summer getaway, you may try these guys out to plan a trip to the Cayman Islands.
Whatever it means for you, summer in the South is truly something to behold and experience. People talk about the post-holiday blues after New Years, but I think the post-summer blues are worse. If anything, it means football is that much closer. I guess that’s an okay consolation.
Soak it up while it’s here. And try not to get caught in too many late-afternoon thunderstorms.
Where can you find a sweet music festival with over 100 acts, five stages, your favorite fair and street food and drinks, every music fan under the sun and so much more? Right here in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The world-famous Coca-Cola Stage at Riverbend 2016
This year, the award-winning Riverbend Music Festival celebrated its 35th year with eight nights of fantastic live music, right on the banks of the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. From June 10th through the 18th, music aficionados from Chattanooga and beyond came to see their favorite acts perform on the world-famous Coca-Cola Stage and four other stages.
Riverbend is one of Chattanooga’s premier events; after attending this year, I totally see why! Over half a million people attended this year; for many, it’s an annual family affair. It’s a giant weeklong party and everyone is invited. Whether you’re a Riverbend newbie or if you’ve attended for all 35 years, or anything in between, there’s something new and exciting about the festival each year. I had never attended a music festival before Riverbend, and I have to say, I picked a great one to start.
Fun fact: Riverbend is ranked in the top 10% of music festivals in the country.
Aside from all of the incredible performances, my favorite part about Riverbend was witnessing the Chattanooga community in yet another setting, and watching everyone having a good time. People from all walks of life come out for Riverbend each year. There is hardly a better way to spend a late-spring-early-summer night than downtown by the river, munching on chicken on a stick (yes, that’s a thing), and enjoying live music with your friends and family. Chattanooga has amazing community spirit, and seeing how this festival brought people together to celebrate great music in a great city made me proud to call myself a Chattanoogan, even if I am a transplant.
Never stop being awesome, Chattanooga.
Here are some of the top highlights from my experience at Riverbend 2016!
Riverbend 2016 kicked off night one with alt-rocker ZZ Ward and country superstar Thomas Rhett (be still my beating heart). ZZ rocked the stage with jams like “365 Days,” “Save My Life” and “Last Love Song.” She tossed in a bluesy cover of Nick Jonas’s hit “Chains.” She’s got a new fan in me, that’s for sure. Come back to Chattanooga any time, ZZ. You’re always welcome here.
Then there was Thomas Rhett. Be still my heart! Truth be told, I’m pretty picky with country music, but wow, can that man put on a show. He played through songs from both of his full-length albums It Goes Like This and Tangled Up, including two of my favorites “Crash and Burn” and “Get Me Some of That.” Every female in the audience swooned when he played “Die a Happy Man,” including myself. The best part of Rhett’s set, though, was when he handed his guitar to a stage assistant, hopped on the drum set and broke out into some “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE. Talk about an amazing entertainer.
Two of rock and roll’s leading ladies, Ann and Nancy Wilson–also known as Heart–rocked the Coke Stage on night two. Festival organizers had been fighting to get Heart to perform for five years; this year, they made it happen. Those ladies can still kill a show and bring an audience to their feet, even after 40+ years. They played a collection of their hits–“Barracuda,” “Alone,” “Crazy on You” and more–and gave concert-goers a taste of some new songs from their upcoming album Beautiful Broken, due out July 8th. Mark your calendars, Heart fans.
Chattanooga’s own Kane Brown performing on the Bud Light Stage at Riverbend 2016.
Night three featured country and folk acts, with Trampled by Turtles, Chris Young and Chattanooga-North Georgia native Kane Brown. The 22-year-old RCA recording artist performed a set on the Bud Light stage, including his singles “Used to Love You Sober” and “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” and a cover of George Strait’s classic “Check Yes or No.” He even added some Nelly to the mix. Brown had dreamed of performing at the festival since he was a child, and this year he made that dream come true. And he rocked it. Brown’s first full-length album is due out later this fall.
Night six brought good ol’ Southern rock with Blackberry Smoke. Fans later braved a rainstorm to see country artist Brett Eldredge play. You know your fans are faithful when they outlast a thunderstorm to see your set! A little rain never hurt anyone, right?
Other notable appearances and performances include 90s R&B duo Salt & Pepa, Australian-American Christian pop duo For King and Country, Christian rock band Hawk Nelson, Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out, Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, The Shack Band and many more. The final two nights of Riverbend 2016 featured classic rock legends REO Speedwagon and .38 Special. A festival with a lineup like this has to go out with a bang–complete with fireworks.
Seriously Chattanooga, never stop being awesome.
Is it time for Riverbend 2017 yet? I’m already anxiously awaiting next year’s lineup announcement.
I’m absolutely obsessed with the food scene in Chattanooga. There are so many amazing places in town to find good eats and a good time.
One of the best parts of the food scene is all of the awesome Happy Hour spots in town. It’s nice to drop in for a drink after a long day at work, or to kick off a fun night on the weekend. Or just to go try something new. These places take the phrase, “Why limit happy to just one hour?” to heart.
Here are 7 awesome Happy Hour spots in downtown Chattanooga!
There are more awesome drink spots in town, of course, but I am a repeat offender at most, if not all of these.
Flying Squirrel
Sure it has a funny name, but the drink specials are fantastic. Flying Squirrel offers Happy Hour deals from 5-10pm every day of the week (except Mondays, they’re closed then). I’m a huge fan of half-price wine on Tuesdays, $5 select cocktails on Saturdays and mimosa carafes for Sunday brunch ($3.5 for a regular mimosa). Other nightly specials include Whiskey Wednesdays, $3 pints on Thursdays and 25% off bottled beer on Fridays.
STIR
STIR has only been open since November, but it’s quickly become one of the cutest spots in town. Its artisanal ice and vintage ice shaver set STIR apart from other popular restaurants. The ice is made from purified water and frozen from the inside out; this way, the ice melts slower and your drink won’t water down so fast. They even have a designated ice chef!
STIR offers Happy Hour from 4:00 – 6:30, Monday through Friday. Each week they feature a craft cocktail, and that cocktail is $7 during Happy Hour. If cocktails aren’t your thing, draft beer is $4 and wine by the glass is $2 off the regular price. If you want to munch with your drink, tacos and sliders are $1.50 each and oysters are $1.
FEED Co. Table & Tavern
While FEED Co. doesn’t have “traditional” Happy Hour specials, each day of the week has special features and great deals on drinks. Tuesdays are pint nights with $3.50 pints from a select brewery. On Wednesdays, ladies can enjoy $3 glasses of house pinot grigio and pinot noir (woo Ladies’ Night!). Come by on Thursdays for live music and a special craft cocktail, curated by FEED Co.’s talented bartenders. There’s some kind of entertainment each night, ranging from live music to trivia.
P.S. It may not always be part of craft cocktail night, but I recommend the “Sloshed Housewife” drink.
Beast + Barrel
I stopped by this spot for the first time a few weekends ago, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there before. Beast + Barrel is one such spot that offers Happy Hour specials every day of the week, from 3:00 – 6:00pm. Their menu offers $3, $4, $5 and $6 selections for eating, drinking and snacking. I loved the Braveheart Burger Sliders and Roasted Pineapple Caipirinha (with an actual piece of roasted pineapple garnish), and for only $12, I could love that every day. I may or may not have gone back the following weekend.
Community Pie
I love every place on this list, but I probably frequent this place more than any other spot mentioned. That’s mostly because it’s super convenient to my office, but also because the people who work there are amazing and the pizza is great.
Stop in Community Pie Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00pm and get a mug of beer for the price of a pint. With 40 taps, there’s a brew for even the pickiest beer drinker (like me). On Saturdays, swing in for $3 sangria ($7.50 for a carafe), grab a seat at the outside-facing bar and people-watch around Miller Plaza. There’s always something going on.
The Social This was one of the first spots I checked out when I moved to Chattanooga last summer. The Social is part of Public House, located in Warehouse Row, and is the “bar” part of the restaurant. It shares a kitchen with Public House, so the menus share many of the same items. Drink specials vary night to night, but Cocktail Hour happens Monday through Friday, with $2 off menu cocktails, $5 glasses of wine, $4 premium well drinks and more. Along with their drink specials, bar small plates are $5 each during Happy Hour (5pm to close, most days). I recommend the pimiento cheese here, too.
FIVE
Another spot that believes in every day Happy Hours! Praise! Swing by FIVE from 4-6pm to enjoy $5 wine, half-off well liquors, wine and beer, $5 signature cocktails and $5 snacks. Cocktails rotate week by week, but if you catch the Blackberry Rum Runner on the menu, don’t pass on it. It’s delicious.
There’s no shortage of places to grab a cocktail and snack in downtown Chattanooga. Swing by any of these awesome spots next time you’re in town and see what they’re all about!
A version of this post originally appeared on Kate’s blog, A Thought and a Half.
This was one of the first spots I checked out when I moved to Chattanooga last summer. 