The Best Pastries in Atlanta
#croissantcontent and beyond
Listen, I never set out to become a pastry influencer (ha) but I'm not displeased at the association now. People send me endless DM's about pastries and croissants in particular. To that end, here are my favorite spots for the flaky stuff around town.
I eat at The Chastain about twice a week because of its proximity to school and I'm always waffling between the equally good breakfast sandwiches and French-style pastries. IDK if they still have it, but there was some sweet salty Argentinean pastry available only on Fridays and it is GOLD.
In Buckhead, I love Le Bon Nosh, Alon's at Phipps, and Little Tart when they are at the Peachtree Road Farmer's Market. (Pro tip my neighbor reminded me about: order ahead on Saturdays.) Henri's has been a staple in my family since I was born, too. Pala is a great secret spot in Buckhead for Italian pastries and it's embarrassing that they know us at Doughnut Dollies and our affinity for its très leches donuts, which are akin to Donut Plant in NYC, one of my absolute end-all-be-all donuts. The preferred way of eating was at Dean & Deluca with a humongous iced tea.
Outside Buckhead, Evergreen Butcher & Baker is worth a trip although theirs are sourdough, so not traditional but still good. We go to MOMO Cafe a lot for their Japanese-style pastries, and I think about the tarte tropezienne a LOT from Saint-Germain (multiple locations). It's a St. Tropez specialty filled with orange blossom pastry cream. (Fun fact I'm a psycho and my favorite Laudrée flavor is orange blossom. It's ok to be horrified.)
In John's Creek, Hen Mother Cookhouse is worth the trip for all the food, including the pastry program. And I am DYING to try Osono Bread, Galette, and Colette Bread when it's ready. I probably will need a whole newsletter devoted to micro bakeries, because I haven't even touched on places like KAISU Bakehouse and At Heart Panaderia.
Oh, and you can find this family at White Windmill more than I care to admit. Places I think about way too much that have closed: Root Baking Co, Proof Bakeshop, and Juniper Cafe. RIP.
Stuff I’m Consuming
One Great Read:
NY Mag, which I read pretty religiously, had the most wonderful article, "How Much is That Lifestyle in The Window?" which drove home two points for me: As a 24-year-old, I was completely delusional thinking that this would someday be my life (I'm ballparking my desired lifestyle around $750K a year based on their calculations) and just how glad I am that I left NYC. I <3 NYC something fierce, but living there is not worth the price. I mean, I used to steal toilet paper from work, that's how poor I was. I enjoy paying for paper products.
EAT: Warm Potato Salad (easy weeknight recipe)
EAT: Lemon Bisque (easy dessert)
WATCH: Beef (Netflix)
LISTEN: Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR)
READ: A Century of the It Girl (NY Mag)
READ: What (or Who?) is Behind RICO? (Atlanta Mag)
I Bought It, and I’m Cheap
Commissionable links
Makeup by Mario Foundation which is light and gets a 100% for being skin-safe from Skin Safe Products; This bonkers dupe for Supergoop Glowscreen–I doubt there's anything E.L.F. can't dupe; hanni's Shave Pillow which allows you to DRY SHAVE (ATL-based!); Lunya's washable silk PJ's that are worth every penny. Random from Amazon are these glass nail files that work wonders and these tissue box covers I can't stop buying.
Hacks, Hacks, Hacks
Everyone tells me I never share hacks because I just don't think of them as hacks, just things I do but here you go: get started with couponing and never pay for toothpaste again; use Digit as an extra savings account for "surprise" money; peel an egg the easiest way I've found. Use ReTold Recycling to recycle things like socks and dishtowels. And if you’re not hoarding Amazon delayed shipping credits to buy books, start now! I haven’t paid for books in years between this trick and the library app.
10 Best Ice Cream Shops in Atlanta
Summertime in Atlanta needs no explanation or introduction, and for better or worse ice cream has been our go-to bribe lately for everything from potty training to completing swim lessons. Here are some of the best ice cream shops in Atlanta from my own personal experience, plus some y’all submitted!
Michoacana at Gezzo’s Westside
I’m sure chef Ron and his family is sick of me lamenting around town the loss of Juniper Cafe, but alas. Gezzo’s, a West Coast-style Mexican spot, opened up in the former Juniper Cafe space walking distance from us, and it’s good but the real draw is Michoacana, the Mexican-style ice cream shop that took over the pastry window. They have everything from ice cream to mango slices with Tajin to strawberries and cream. 10/10 for convenience, flavor and originality.
Four Fat Cows
Some of y’all go absolutely feral for Four Fat Cows, which I’m ashamed to say I’ve never had the pleasure of trying but I’ll try to rectify that soon because any shop that has flavors like smoked pineapple and chocolate or yuzu deserves some love. There are five Atlanta locations, including Politan Row at Colony Square, downtown Alpharetta and Pharr Road.
Big Softie
I have mixed emotions for anyone who hasn’t had Big Softie yet—sad because WTF but also happy because you’ll soon know why most of Atlanta is enamored with Little Tart Bakery’s soft serve place in Summerhill. When I tell you I raced there to catch the tail end of Thai Tea and Sticky Mango Rice…heads up, the smallest size is huge! The toppings are absolutely off the charts, too. My favorite is the cornflake streusel and of course, my little one is partial to the seasonal strawberry shortcake crumble.
Butter & Cream
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Butter & Cream which is kind of a crime but it’s a staple in East Atlanta and Decatur for ice cream, sorbets and more. The seasonal flavors are where it’s at.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
My love/hate relationship with Jeni’s is very much a point of contention in my family—my husband loves it, as does my daughter. But to me, it’s too milky, too rich, too sweet most of the time. Anytime they have a corn flavor, though, I’m on board or anything that skews salty over sweet, like Biscuits with the Boss. I could have bathed in that.
TCBY
WHY AM I JUST FINDING OUT THERE’S STILL A TCBY IN ATLANTA??? Fountain Oaks at Sandy Springs! White Chocolate Mousse 4EVER.
Morelli’s Ice Cream
Morelli’s is a solid choice and they have several locations throughout Atlanta including one by us at The Works where we do a fair amount of business with them. Summer-ready flavors like Blueberry Corncake (do you sense a theme with me) slap, as do regular flavors like Mint Chip. Their confections and cakes look amazing!
Cherried Mary’s
If you are in downtown Roswell, Cherried Mary’s is an adorable place, especially for kids. It’s next to Fickle Pickle, which I grew up going to. The entire place has pink walls and chairs, so you know my kid was already obsessed. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that they have half scoops, which are perfect for little hands and moms who hate paying for too much ice cream. I had the pina colada sorbet and it was amazing!
Pala Bakery
Guys yes I know the difference between ice cream and gelato. But this is my Substack so just go with it. Pala is an amazing place to get GELATO in Atlanta. From the same family that does Antico is Pala Bakery on West Paces. The pizzas and sandwiches and pastries are all so good, but the gelato sees the most action from our family. Every flavor is perfectly balanced and creamy and ~not too milky~. Affogato is often a go-to for me. My only gripe is seating—high tops are hard with toddlers. There are a few benches scattered around outside the place.
Honorable Mention: King of Pops
How could I not mention the one business that gets more of my money than any other? If there’s a rainbow umbrella, my child is running to it like a moth to a flame. Well done, KOP.
Stuff I’m Consuming
EAT: Salmon Pasta Salad (Saveur)
EAT: Easy Strawberry Tiramisu (Half Baked Harvest)
READ: It Was Only a Matter of Time Before Everyone Started Dressing Like Kramer (The Atlantic)
READ: RFK Jr’s Inside Job (NY Mag)
READ: The Best LED Lightbulbs (NY Mag)
LISTEN: Americans in Paris featuring David Sedaris (This American Life)
LISTEN: How Clarence Thomas Came to Reject Affirmative Action (The Daily)
I Bought It, and I’m Cheap
Commissionable links
I finally succumbed to the nugget ice trend with these trays. Now if I only had a kitchen to use them in. Tinted lip balm for a little adult sparkle. One of those photo frames that holds 100000 pieces of kid art. $11 makeup balm remover that I truly cannot get over. Marlow adjustable firmness pillows. This adorable little popsicle set from Target. More kid sunglasses because we lose them like crazy. Waiting for yet another f*cking Nap Dress to go on sale because I really do love them that much.
Hacks, Hacks, Hacks
How to stretch your neck, traps and chest. How to release your jaw. How to create large art for less. Checking out items like zoo passes from the library. Caring for a citrus tree (the only thing I’ve kept alive). Publix digital coupons (most stores have these “secret” tabs). Most coffee at Dunkin’ is $2 or less on Mondays in the app.
Thanks for reading Lauren’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Panama: Our First International Trip Since Having a Baby
It all begins with an idea.
This blog post is not going to be anywhere nearly as well organized as the last—the difference being the aforementioned toddler who now takes up all of my time! Plus, we relied on a friend who has lived in and owned a travel agency in Panama for over 15 years. With his recommendations and mine combined, I feel like we really got to see a lot over the seven days we were there.
Orienting Yourself:
Panama is really easy to get to, especially from Atlanta. Delta has a direct flight and it’s about 3.5 hours. It’s still Eastern Time Zone and everything is in USD, making this a really easy transition. At the advice of our friend, we chose a hotel in Casco Viejo, the Old Town of Panama City because that is where most of the action is in the capital. It’s about a 20-minute ride from the airport.
Ideally, you’d spend 2 to 3 days in Casco and then move on to another part of the country (or do that in reverse). There’s not a ton to see in Casco, but there’s enough to keep you busy for a few days. You can also plan day trips from Old Town and any hotel should be able to help you figure out what’s manageable if you don’t have time to see the rest of the country. Panama is not unsafe, but you do need to have your wits about you. Ask the hotel for advice on boundaries in Old Town; it wasn’t immediately clear to me on foot when I would be entering an unsafe zone.
Panama City Hotels:
Again, manage your expectations for service, although we found most hotel service to be absolutely fine.
By far, our best meal was at Fonda Lo Que Hay, which is walking distance from Hotel La Compania (which has great restaurants, by the way, and I say that as someone who almost never eats at hotel restaurants). Exceptional food, really fresh and inventive. I believe it translates to “whatever we have on hand,” so the menu is always changing. Ask to sit in the courtyard if you can. It was one of LATAM’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022.
Just down the block is Casa Casco, one of the best rooftop bars in the city (another being at Hotel La Compania). Go at sunset before dinner.
Another jewel-box option in Casco is La Pulperia for shared small plates. Just across the street is a chi-chi coffee shop called Sisu Coffee Studio if you need quick breakfast on the run, and there’s a pretty extensive pastry shop inside the Sofitel. For brunch, we tried Mahalo at Las Clementinas Hotel ( a nice independent option). I liked it, I only wish we could have sat in the garden which is the real draw.
Panama City Restaurants:
Again, manage your expectations for service, although we found most hotel service to be absolutely fine.
By far, our best meal was at Fonda Lo Que Hay, which is walking distance from Hotel La Compania (which has great restaurants, by the way, and I say that as someone who almost never eats at hotel restaurants). Exceptional food, really fresh and inventive. I believe it translates to “whatever we have on hand,” so the menu is always changing. Ask to sit in the courtyard if you can. It was one of LATAM’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022.
Just down the block is Casa Casco, one of the best rooftop bars in the city (another being at Hotel La Compania). Go at sunset before dinner.
Another jewel-box option in Casco is La Pulperia for shared small plates. Just across the street is a chi-chi coffee shop called Sisu Coffee Studio if you need quick breakfast on the run, and there’s a pretty extensive pastry shop inside the Sofitel. For brunch, we tried Mahalo at Las Clementinas Hotel ( a nice independent option). I liked it, I only wish we could have sat in the garden which is the real draw.
We also made it to Maito, another of LATAM’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022, further out in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Sit outside if you can. The food was good, not too overwrought, but not on the level of some of the other LATAM 50 Best Restaurants we’ve eaten at. The service here was exceptional comparatively. A rideshare ride will cost you about $6 from Casco, btw. On that side of town is also Cantina del Tigre, a nice option with some of the best shrimp I’ve ever had.
Additional restaurant options we wanted to try but didn’t have time to:
Other Things to Do in Panama City
We had a guide show us around Panama City and explain a little to us about the history. I never made it over to the mall, unfortunately, which I was dying to do because I’m always fascinated by stores we have in America in other countries (what do they have at a Panamanian Zara? Life’s big questions). I also am hardcore into pillaging grocery stores while on vacation but we didn’t get to explore too much there, either.
Enough about my vacation habits—you’ll want to block off a decent portion of the day to go to the locks. Yes, you absolutely should go see the Panama Canal locks in action while you are there. You will think you don’t want to but you do. We went to the main locks close to town and timed it incorrectly; I’d again ask an expert on when to go so that you can actually see boats coming through. There’s also the Biomuseo, a Frank Gehry-designed museum celebrating biodiversity, the first of its kind in the world. Biomuseo is located on the causeway, which is a nice walk/run/bike. There are also places to pull over and watch the cargo ships as they float up to the locks.
Panama Things to Do Outside the City
In all, we did 4 nights in Panama City, 2 on either side of a trip to Isla Palenque (I was on assignment and needed to be flexible on dates, hence the breaking up of the visit). It was between Isla Palenque and Isla Secas, and I can’t say anything about Isla Secas since I didn’t see it but Isla Palenque was a dream.
Most of these types are all-inclusive because they have to either import things or make them all on the island. For example, getting to Isla Palenque was a taxi ride to a plane to a van ride to a boat ride to a car ride but it was worth it. You really do get immersed in nature and get to experience all the natural beauty Panama has to offer. For Isla Palenque, three meals were provided daily, as well as expeditions like kayaking. I think the snorkeling half day trip was extra. There were miles of walking trails, swimming, cocktail classes, etc. I slept a decent amount, too, and managed to finish a season of Gossip Girl I started on the plane. In short, do what you want, including nothing.
There are tons of these resorts you can research if you have a little more time in Panama. We decided to stay away from Bocas del Toro based on some reviews we had about it being a party place and it being hard to find places to eat, and we nixed San Blas because there is no running electricity. I’m good without a hair dryer and stuff, but I do need wifi.
On our last full day back in Panama City we hired a driver to take us to the Caribbean side. It’s not a quick trip; I think it was like 2 hours there and back maybe? But we enjoyed it. We went to see the Miraflores locks where we did actually see boats making it through the Canal. Totally nuts! We also explored some tiny little towns and ate lunch with our non-English speaking driver at some fish shack. All in all, a solid day.
Argentina and Uruguay Itinerary
It all begins with an idea.
Here’s how we did Buenos Aires and Uruguay—Uruguay is an amazing, completely underrated country. They are extremely progressive, everyone seems really chill and happy. It’s beautiful and unfortunately is usually thought of as an extension of Argentina, despite having one of the best economies, no terrorism, etc. We chose it for the warm weather in December, the wineries, the beaches and the ranches.
Day 1: Buenos Aires
We arrived at 5 in the morning to EZE and immediately went to Hotel Pulitzer to sleep it off. We chose this hotel because it was close to the port and in Recoleta, which is like the Upper East Side. It’s where the Four Seasons (skip) and Park Hyatt (go!) are located, and lots of the ritzier shops.
We had lunch at Farinelli, which Francis Mallmann, the godfather of South American cooking, recommended in some article. Really cute little coffee shop with sandwiches and salads.
Wes’ friend took us to drinks at La Fuerza, which is an old-school Argentine drink served with cheese and olives and meat.
For dinner, we went to El Preferido, which is the sister restaurant to Don Julio. Don Julio is one of the best restaurants in South America, but I was a little weirded out by the headsets—they looked like an Applebees—and all the tourists. The staff recommended we go to El Preferido, which we liked. It’s more of a neighborhood place and just a few
Day 2: Buenos Aires to Montevideo to Punta del Este
Took a ferry at the crack of dawn to Montevideo via Buquebus (check times, the direct ferries are weird times). There’s also a ferry to Colonia, which I kind of regret missing, and one to Punta but they both had stops and Montevideo was the only direct one with no bus involved.
We tooled around Montevideo’s old town for a bit stopping at Jacinto for a bite (featured on Bourdain’s show—recommend watching it to get you in the spirit, he loved Uruguay). Then, we drove about 2 hours to Punta del Este.
I don’t want to say anything about Punta del Este or Montevideo, but they’re much more residential and less touristy, so sometimes they both felt dead. (Also, for Punta, high season hadn’t started yet.) Most of the tourists come from Argentina anyway for an escape, so don’t expect much in the way of “things to do” outside the beach.
We explored Punta for a bit— stopping to shop at Manos del Uruguay, which I loved— and then headed up into the hills to Fasano.
Fasano is a Brazilian brand, and Fasano Punta del Este is their first hotel outside of Brazil. The modern architecture is ridiculous and so cool, but there’s been a home on the property since the 1930s. We enjoyed Brazilian luxury very much! Just a few rooms, tons of stars at night, killer views, good bathtubs and an amazing breakfast. La Barra is about 25 minutes back down the hill, so it’s a good place to stay put and do nothing.
Day 3-8: La Barra
We headed to La Barra, the funky surf town next to Punta, to Casa Flor. I cannot say enough nice things about Casa Flor. Owned and run by a group of 30-somethings, it only has 6 rooms and everyone is accommodating, friendly, helpful and cool. A lot of our experience in Uruguay was down to Juanma, Flor and Alfonso and their recommendations—and ability to get us reservations. Here are a few places we went to at their recommendation:
El Chancho y la Coneja - really cute home cooking in an old house slash fairy garden
La Olada- another beautiful parilla back in the woods
La Excusa- great Italian in Jose Ignacio
Cafe Zinc - great coffee in an antiques store
Playa Vik - Not sure if this is a “thing” but we just rang the bell and asked to have lunch. Super modern hotel
La Huella - the mack daddy of Uruguayan restaurants. You’ll spend the entire time asking yourself if you’re at Crow’s Nest in Montauk. Glamorous. Go for lunch.
La Linda - great coffee and cakes
Panaderia Jose Ignacio - allegedly from the chef at Bahia Vik across the street, this bakery was exceptional despite being next to a gas station. Focaccia saved us when nothing else was open in Jose Ignacio.
A lot of places weren’t open for the season, and these were recommended but we never got to see them:
For five days, we just explored. We went to Casapueblo, home of the artist Carlos Paez Vilaro. Apparently, there’s a killer sunset if you time it right. Went to the beach in Jose Ignacio. Went back into Punta. Went horseback riding. Laid super low. Our favorite night is when the gang cooked us chivitos at Casa Flor and everyone just hung out.
Day 9: La Barra to Garzon
almost cried when it was time to leave Casa Flor—it felt like our own little house. But next stop was Garzon, a teeny tiny town, home to Restaurant Garzon. Seriously, less than 200 people live here. Francis Mallmann’s gastronomic crown jewel is the only thing in Garzon it seems. We stayed at sister farmhouse Casa Anna (there’s Hotel Garzon attached to the restaurant) and it was beautiful.
We visited Bodega Garzon, one of the world’s best new world wineries and had dinner at Restaurant Garzon. Make sure you book a tour in English!
Day 10: Garzon to Montevideo to Buenos Aires
Drove three hours back to Montevideo, ate lunch at the gorgeous Farmacia and explored a little bit of Montevideo. (Pro tip: there’s nowhere to store your luggage, so check car rental return times or you’ll be lugging things through Montevideo like us.) Stayed our last few nights in Buenos Aires at Home Hotel.
Day 11-12: Buenos Aires
Explored Buenos Aires, walked all around the many parts of Palermo. We love being in a big city and just exploring more than anything. A few recommendations:
Patron - a shop filled with tons of leather indie brands
Mishiguene - one of the top restaurants in South America, they’re serving up Jewish food and trust me you’ll want it after all the steak. So good.
Nino Gordo - our favorite meal. So chic and cool and perfectly portioned. Try to sit at the counter if you can.
Floreria Atlantico - one of the top spots in South America for cocktails, it’s in the basement of a wine store. Didn’t eat but the cocktails were good.
Facon - really cool shop
San Telmo Market - one of the best flea markets in BA...tons of vendors and it’s really overwhelming but the atmosphere was great
Tons of bookstores—lots have cute cafes in the back and abysmal English sections. But fun all the same to explore.
TIPS:
Most things in Uruguay are 22% off, or 22% VAT tax free, which is amazing! It just appears on your credit card or they don’t charge you for it in the first place.
High season is about Dec. 15 - Jan 6th—that really tight three-week window. Check places if you’re going before or after then to make sure they’re open. The surrounding towns of Punta (La Barra, Montoya, Jose Ignacio, etc) operate like the Hamptons and there is a definitive season, but some things are open all year.
The “ll” sound in Spanish sounds more like a “j” than a “y.” So, if you speak Spanish, expect for things to sound a little different.
I don’t know why, but in Uruguay there are tons of guys who will “help” you park and watch over your car for you. Just drop them a little change.
Buenos Aires might as well be New York City with the way the heat gets trapped. Even though it’s on the coast, it can get very hot so be prepared (I wasn’t).
Buenos Aires has an unstable economy, but I never felt uneasy. I didn’t bring any jewelry or designer anything, and if you stay in Recoleta or any part of Palermo you’re pretty safe.
Mealtimes are like 10, 2 and 10, so if you’re used to eating earlier, pack snacks.
The time difference is two hours ahead, which was actually easy!
What to do in West Midtown Atlanta / The Upper Westside
It all begins with an idea.
Someone on Instagram recently commented that they couldn’t really tell what neighborhood I live in because I’m legit all over town, all the time, but they ~thought~ it was somewhere in West Midtown. Close! I’m on the Upper Westside/West Midtown/West Buckhead, whatever you want to call it. All I know is that I LOVE being able to be in the heart of Buckhead in 10 minutes and in Midtown in 10 minutes, without having to take Howell Mill for either direction :) To wit, here are my favorite places up in this neck of the woods. This is by no means a comprehensive guide — it’s just me at my kitchen table with 20 minutes to myself firing off what I love about living on this side of town.
What to do in West Midtown
The Works: I know people who will drive from Brookhaven because they love this place so much. The weekends have gotten out of hand (they’re working on the parking situation), but we love popping in on the weekdays. I take Chauncey to that Fetch a couple of mornings a week and we love the Fox Brothers there. (They usually can get you in and out in 45 min if you’re eating at 5 like us.) The newly redone The Camp is now open and it’s an absolute beast on weekends but we love Friday night after school hangs and Saturday morning hangs. The play stuff is now in direct shade most of the time which makes it bearable.
Krave: Random, but Krave Korean is a small business that deserves a shout-out! It’s at Collier and Defoors in a not great little shopping center but the Korean food is amazing. It’s very Americanized but the flavor of the meat and the freshness of the banchans are outrageous.
The Daily: My preferred coffee shop for working. It’s huge, the sandwiches are amazing (I waffle between breakfast pita and breakfast burrito) and it’s never at full capacity like I’ve seen the Inman Park location be.
The Bellwood Quarry: I feel like more and more people are finding out about this stretch of the BeltLine but we love it! The playgrounds are a little more advanced (I’d say 4+), but it’s tons of green space and a really nice walk. Do not be like us and forget the stroller.
Star Provisions: I’m super biased because I got married here on the Bacchanalia side, but don’t sleep on Star Provisions! Talk about consistency. The food is simple but perfectly executed and the pastries are out of the world.
Mexican food: We are absolutely spoiled for Mexican on this side of town. Within 10 minutes I can reach Tuza Tacos, Nuevo Laredo, Bone Garden Cantina and Gezzo’s. They’re all totally different vibes in the family-friendly Mexican category and we love them all.
Westside Provisions District: We used to live right here — the gate opened up onto where Flower Child is now — so we’re fond of it. There’s a new Shake Shack location, Flower Child, and Falafel Nation, which I actually like better than Aziza. Get the salad!! The dressing is outrageous. I also love Brown Bag Seafood Co. as a quick option and my husband and daughter are Jeni’s stans. We miss Redbird terribly but Forza Storico’s Roman menu is delicious and wonderful for kids who need to get some wiggles out. I used to crave its tiramisu when I was pregnant. We LOOOOOVE Perrine’s so we drive out of our way to get wine there (and by we I mean Wes).
Star Metals: This is the new development taking over Howell Mill, the one they had to build around Northside Tavern. It includes Wagamama (good), Sweetgreen (good), Sushi Hayakawa (heard excellent), a darts place called Flight Club, and a forthcoming location of Salty donuts. It’s also going to have Lucky Star, from the Brush Sushi (now open at Buckhead Village!) and MOMO Cafe team, which I’m really excited about. There’s also a Fishmonger location that I don’t think many people keep top of mind because we walked right in. It’s huge compared to the original. And finally, there’s the forthcoming rooftop experience Patina from the Painted Duck (around the corner) and Painted Pin team!
The Interlock: I have extremely mixed feelings about The Interlock. First, the parking is outrageous, and if you get a ticket, ooof (I speak from personal experience). The complex won’t allow you to validate at restaurants there, so if you’re just a family trying to eat dinner it becomes very expensive, vs. a rideshare drop-off situation. I find this criminal. That being said, depending on who you are with and what you are doing, Kinjo Room and Humble Pie are the two standouts here. The Bellyard’s patio does have amazing views of West Midtown. I haven’t been to Rooftop L.O.A. yet but heard it’s a scene, and Lock & Key, an upscale sports bar, just opened.
Also, if you’re at WSP and you’re with you’re family and you need to extend the walk a bit, it’s nice to come to this side of the street and poke around a bit, too. St. Germain is a nice little macaron stop.
Northside Tavern: Everyone has a wild Northside Tavern story. Mine starts with a BBQ out front and ends with me singing karaoke with some questionable characters. This place is sticky, dark and absolutely the weirdest but it’s endearing AF, especially now that it’s got this huge Star Metals building going up behind it. Live music 7 days a week. Did you know that building is from the ‘40s?? It’s been a part of the Atlanta music scene for over 50 years. Here’s a nice little history if you feel so inclined to read about it.
Palo Santo: I intentionally left this off my Mexican roundup because this is not Atlanta Mexican, this is more NYC/LA Mexican and I mean that in a good way. It’s actually Mexican from Mexico City Mexican, and it’s SEXY AF. If you’re not looking for white cheese dip but rather an elevated Mexican experience, this is for you. It’s gorgeous, the tequila is delicious and the food is transportive.
Westside Paper: Finally, the up-and-coming Westside Paper! This is right on Marietta St across from Palo Santo, as you take Marietta up to Howell Mill where Bastone, Food Terminal, The Optimist are. It’s got a lot of good things coming: Pancake Social, Girl Diver, Ancestral Bottle Co, and El Santo Gallo, from the Palo Santo people. Keep your eyes on this one!
Stuff I’m Consuming
READ: The 20 Most Fascinating Books about Fraternities and Sororities (Town & Country)
READ: Are Cooking Videos Making Us Better Cooks? (NYT, gifted link)
LISTEN: How Paradise Became a Death Trap (The Daily)
LISTEN: The Coco Berthmann Story (Dear Media)
READ: What Bama Rush Reveals about How America Shops (The Atlantic)
READ: The Timeless Thrill of the Museum Period Room (Dwell)
I Bought It, and I’m Cheap
Commissionable Links
Trying this hair scrub because I need cleansing but cannot stomach the goop one’s price tag. Cannot decide on a new white sneaker so I ordered Reeboks, Air Force 1’s and white Hokas. Will report back. A really good hydrating face mask. Eyeing these ballet flats that are under $100. Weirdly cheap Sorrel boots from the Net-a-Porter sale. Hanni razor blade restock. New personalized dance bag for the little miss.
Hacks, Hacks, Hacks
How to recover photos you seemingly deleted from your phone (got myself in trouble this week, but got out of it too!). How to shave frozen fruit in a snap. Truly genius hack for seeing potential home decor/furniture purchases in your existing space. How to pair wine and potato chips like a pro.
What to do in Alpharetta (ish)
It all begins with an idea.
I have a complicated relationship with Alpharetta, the land of my youth. It’s no secret that I didn’t enjoy going to high school out there, and you can DM me to find out why, but I can admit wholeheartedly that it is a scene these days, and a worthy destination for anyone in town who wants to venture north for a day trip. I spend a decent amount of time out there because my mom is still there, so while I’ve shed most (some) of the trauma associated with places like the Steak n’ Shake parking lot on North Point Parkway, I feel like I’ve been kept in the loop a fair amount on what’s new and cool.
Disclaimer before I get crazy emails saying I don’t know geography—I’m going to be including stuff that’s in Roswell and John’s Creek and Milton. Relax. It all used to be called Alpharetta back then. Guess what? Milton was Alpharetta in 1999.
What to do in Alpharetta
Here are a few loose itineraries that we’ve done while at my mom’s:
Eat at Hen Mother Cookhouse. Yes, this is worth the drive, but you need to go early. If you have kids, get there at 9am or before and you’ll be golden. Every single thing they make is phenomenal, but I’m partial to the quiches and anything with gravlax. You can run across the street and grab empanadas or second desserts at Belen de la Cruz if you’re not near her other locations. Then, hit up Newtown Park. It’s got a great walking trail, playground and dog park. Check their events calendar too; they have a ton of free or low-cost concerts and events throughout the summer.
Go to the Alpharetta Library. We often check out and return books here in addition to our other Fulton County library locations. They offer a ton of events programming especially in the summer outside of storytime, too, for kids. Grab lunch downtown at Never Enough Thyme, a healthy-ish place that’s great for kids right on the square, or UP on the Roof or Restaurant Holmes if you want something more upscale. Dessert at Crave Pie, and then the splash pad downtown is elite if you need to cool off! Mango Lassis from Curry Up Now after.
They have turf nearby for lounging and I’m 99% sure you can bring leashed dogs (we did, at least). There’s also a Shake Shack nearby so you can grab a concrete treat. My favorite coffee house up there (Henmother rec) is Warm Waves. Go early! And then head to the Alpharetta Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. TONS of options.
Anna Lee’s is a longtime family hidden gem that we have been going to for over 35 years. It’s the definition of a ladies’ lunch, and the average age is 70-plus in there but the lunch special—soup, sandwich or quiche and dessert—is unbeatable. Annaliese, the original owner, retired, but she sold it to people who are carrying her legacy on. Head over to Avalon to browse (my preferred Apple store TBH) all the shops. They also have a robust events schedule year-round. One tip: don’t do the train if you have kids. Not worth it. If you’re by yourself, head to Mer Aqua Head Spa, which I wrote about for InStyle.
Additional favorite restaurants: Santorini for authentic Greek, Fellows Cafe for breakfast or brunch, Cherried Mary’s for ice cream, Delbar and Rumi’s if you don’t live by one currently, and Kona Grill if you can’t let the 14 year old mall girl in you go like me. (Also a huge P.F. Chang’s fan.)
Stuff I’m Consuming
As a former matchmaker, I’m totally in love with Indian Matchmaking and Jewish Matchmaking on Netflix. Both have so many truths in there! Email me if you want more info on the matchmaking—I’d write a book but someone already did and it was pretty good.
WATCH: I’m re-watching The Durrells in Corfu for the third time because it’s like a warm, Masterpiece blanket. You can catch it on Prime.
READ: Niche, but Octopuses (and their DNA) Suggest Antarctica Will Melt Again.
EAT: Thomas Keller zucchini will change your life.
EAT: BLT Pasta Salad is a cold, weeknight hit.
I Bought It, and I’m Cheap
Commissionable Links
A good, sentimental baby gift. Clean deodorant for ultra-sensitive skin. A Glowscreen DUPE that’s so good it’s consistently sold out. Cute popsicle-themed toddler girls’ set. A viral $10 lip tint.
Hacks, Hacks, Hacks
Did you know that your kid is free at Zoo Atlanta until 3? So our membership expires in August before she’s 3—so she’ll be almost 4 by the time we have to pay for her. Our most used membership! The girl dad’s guide to maintaining your car, as told to you by TikTok. Google may owe you money. Speaking of which, do you know about unclaimed funds in each state? I’ve gotten from New York—always worth trying! Here’s Georgia’s link.