Atlanta and Surroundings

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Travel Concierge

If you are just making day trips from Atlanta this article might be a bit overkill. I wanted share some "best practices" that I have learned while travelling.



a) American Express Platinum Travel Concierge - The card fee is $450 per year, but it gives so much back. I justify the fee with business travel benefits, but I use and abuse the services on personal trips as well. The thing that I like the most is a simple procedural thing. When I am on the road and I know the town that I want to stop at for the night American Express will handle everything for me. I call the concierge service and explain my situation. They wont put me on hold... they will call you back ones they have a few options and that have been placed on hold for you. Its a small thing, but means that you don't have to wait online for minutes on end for an under paid unqualified agent to try and find a room for you. The properties suggested by American Express are on the expensive side, but if you call after cancellation hours and make sure that they understand what you are looking for you can get great bargains as well.... four star room for $80.



b) AAA Membership - Almost every hotel, car rental and turist attraction gives an AAA discount. I personally have not used it that much, but the option is there.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

The Blue Ridge Wine Trail

Welcome to Georgia's wine country! Yes, we actually have a wine country...

About one and half hours north of Atlanta are foot hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area is a favorite for week end bikers from the city. Driving down the meandering narrow roads you will see signs for vineyards asking to stop by for a tasting. The larger vineyards have "club houses" that also serve food. Perfect stop during a scenic drive.

Imagine sitting on the porch of a beautiful house overlooking rows and rows of grape vines with the Blue Ridge Mountains looming in the back drop. You are having a refreshing salad with a tasting of assorted local wines. Could life get any better?

The wines themselves are enjoyable, but not memorable... Georgia is not quite there yet as a leading wine growing region, but it sure beats staying in the city on hot weekend.

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Dante's Down the Hatch

Situated in Buckhead opposite the Westin Hotel at the back of warehouse that fronts a bridal gown store. On the outside it doesn't look like much. When you walk in it is very dark and it takes a few moments to get used to comming in from the Hotlanta sun. Once your pupils dilate to pick up on the available light you find yourself in an old time Caribean port with a sail boat, albino alligators and water front bars. A band plays live Jazz on the deck of the boat and waiters dressed as sailor scurry about with pots of fondue!

My favourite is taking a table in the galley of the boat, but any of the water front balconies will also do nicely.

This is not a first time experience to waste on casual dining. Pick an aniversary or otherwise a special date to remember and make it unique.

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Monday, July 23, 2007

The Best Steak in Atlanta

My six year old son loves steak. Give him a good 22 ounce T-bone and he will clean it bare. The family loves Fogo de Chao (Brazilian churasscaria), but it's not really a steak house in the traditional North American sense. Both of my kids like hibatchi (Japanese steak house) for the good meat and the side order of "show", but again its not really what I am talking about.

Let's settle the title of the best once and for all! My list of top contenders is:
- Capital Grille
- Mc Kendric's
- Bones
- The Palm
- Garrison's Boiler and Tap
- Ted's Montana Grill
- Vidalia's Southern Steak House

Capital Grille in Buckhead is great, but doesn't give you that feel of bellonging to an exclusive club like Bones does. That New York style feel is in my opinion essential to a steak house. Bones is also in Buckhead opposite Fogo de Chao. Outside impressions don't impress, but when you go inside you feel like you are a member in an exclusive club. The atmosphere is perfect for a nice steak dinner. If you like to feel like a mob boss you can eat in one of the cabinets or next to wine cabinets for a redish romantic feel. The food is impecable, service is spot on and I've always felt that I am getting good value for money.

McKendric's is hidden behind a strip mall in Dunwoody. The service, presentation and menu are exceptional. However, Garrison's bone in rib eye on the other side of the street at the Perimeter mall is as good or ever better and almost half the price. McKendric's will not leave you cold, but I have a hard time justifying the price quality ratio. Garrison's is nice weekend option if you are shopping and dont want to dress up too much. At Garrison's I would recommend going for the select bone in rib eye.

The Palm didn't impress me. The service was slow and average. The food was good, but not memorable.

Ted's Montana Grill is in my opinion and upscale Long Horn Steak House. I'll take Long Horn for the price quality ratio.

Vidalia promotes having a Suothern flair. If you want Southern flair in Atlanta then go to a good barbecue place and not a steak house. Vidalia is good, but again not memorable.

My judgement is that the winner in all categories is Bones.

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The Swallow At The Hollow

This is what the South is all about! Good simple food and good times!

The Swallow Hollow is a humble shack in the midst of old Roswell. On entering one is embraced by the warm family type atmosphere and smell of smoky heaven. The menu is simple... chopped or sliced, pork or beef, half or full rack, ...

In the evening there is live music to take you in to magic place. Sitting on the porch with your family, crickets sing chorus and a gentle breeze taking the edge off the day... it just doesn't get any better.

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