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Could this be a new era for the Atlanta Falcons?
In their runup to the Minnesota Vikings game, Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith named third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke as the starter.
Will Desmond Ridder Get His Job Back?
Only time will tell if this is a temporary move or one that has been made to save the season at the halfway mark. . You can buy season tickets to Falcons home games now.
Smith has been vocal about the change, saying that Ridder’s performance wasn’t the reason for the switch. But it’s no secret that the difference with Heinicke behind center was obvious:
- Ridder: 8/12 for 71 yards, 0 TD, 5 sacks, 1 fumble lost
- Heinicke: 12/21 for 175, 1 TD, no turnovers
Smith is no stranger to quarterback changes. Twelve games into the 2022 season, Smith pulled quarterback Marcus Mariota and went with rookie Marcus Mariota for the final four games of the season.
This time, Heinicke has gotten the nod after Ridder suffered a concussion in the first half against the Tennessee Titans in the Falcons’ 28-23 loss last week.
Who Is Taylor Heinicke?
Heinicke played college football at Old Dominion and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Two years later he was acquired by the Houston Texans before a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers.
In 2020, he landed with the Washington Commanders and saw significant playing time in 2021 and 2022 when he threw 20 touchdowns and 12 touchdowns respectively.
He signed with Atlanta as a third-string quarterback but has been thrust into the starting spot due to Ridder’s injury.
Does this mean that the Falcons have a quarterback controversy. Yes, it does. But that doesn’t mean it will last for long. If Heinicke does well, it will be hard for Smith to pull him. At the same time, if Heinicke stinks it up, Smith already has a narrative (injury) that can seamlessly put Ridder back behind center.
As long as the Falcons win, we’ll be OK with however is the signal caller.
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If you’re planning a trip abroad from Atlanta, you might want to check out Ireland.
Of course, there are some things you should know before going to Dublin or another city in the European country.
If you want to know about what you should bring on your trip as well as what to expect going from Atlanta to Dublin, here’s everything you need to know.
Best Time To Travel To Ireland
When is the best time to travel to Ireland? The weather is normally on the chilly side, but not frigid. Even in summer, the temperatures are mid 60s at the highest. So, it’s wise to always bring a jacket, because a chance of rain is ever-present.
The summertime months of July and August are when airfare is the highest for Ireland. For the best fares, it’s best to book a flight in the spring or fall.
Can You Fly Direct To Ireland?
Nonstop flights to Ireland can be had from airlines like Air France and Aer Lingus. From Atlanta, your best bet is Air Canada or Delta Air Lines.
If you’ve ever flown international from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, you know that the quality of your experience depends almost entirely on how early you arrive for your flight.
Hartsfield asks that you be at the airport at least three hours ahead of time when flying internationally. Hartsfield has an updated international concourse that makes it more convenient, but it all depends on how long the security checkpoint lines.
The checkpoint requires that you have your ID as well as passport, so don’t forget it.
Flying from Atlanta to Dublin
Once on your flight, it’s going to take most of the day for you to get there. Ireland’s timezone is five hours forward of Atlanta, so if it’s midnight in Georgia, it’s 5 a.m. in Dublin. You’ll need to keep this in mind while flying, because it may well mean you’ll be jetlagged when you touch ground.
Once you land in Ireland, you’ll be shuffled down a series of stairs and into the customs line. There you’ll show your passport and state your business in the country. The customs agent will ask you where you’re staying, too.
Renting A Car In Ireland
If you don’t have someone picking you up from the airport, you may have prearranged a car rental at Dublin Airport. The good news is that the airport has all the major car rental companies that you’re familiar with in the United States: Budget, Avis, Sixth, Etc.
If you’re renting a car at the airport, the first thing you’ll need to do is venture just outside the building to one of the transportation zones, where a shuttle will transport you to the appropriate rental car hub.
The one thing that I heard about renting a car in Ireland is that they are pretty strict about getting you to take out additional car insurance, a damage waiver to be precise.
Your options were said to be either take the extra car insurance, which could be upwards of $30-$40 a day or show proof of primary auto insurance.
If you do the latter and decline the rental car company’s insurance, they’re going to put at least a $5,000 hold on your credit card. Yes, you read that right!
Another option, it’s been said, to get out of this extra rental insurance was to have a letter or email authorization from your credit card that covers car rental insurance. Because I had this very credit card, I called them and asked that they send me their card benefits, which lists your coverage.
Surprisingly, I didn’t have to produce said email. I simply told them that I had insurance and they took me at my word and promptly put a $5,000 hold on my card.
Here’s some good information from Chase about renting a car:
When you pick up your rental, be sure to inspect the vehicle thoroughly. If you see any damage, immediately notify the rental car company. Record any pre-existing damage on the rental car company’s check out slip. It may also be helpful to take photos of the vehicle’s condition at the time of renting for your records.
The major thing about driving in Ireland is this:
You drive on the opposite side of the street. That’s the reason why car rental insurance is so crucial in Ireland. In fact, I saw a statistic that said that around 90% of rental cars have damage to them.
On the car that I rented, the agent was sure to mark at least four pre-existing marks around the vehicle. I found a couple more.
Once you hit the road, driving on the other side of the road is unnerving to say the least. The good news is that Irish drivers are no where NEAR as aggressive as Atlanta drivers. In many instances, people never even switch lanes to pass me up and in no case was a horn every honked at me.
Exchanging Your Currency
The biggest thing to remember is when you leave the airport, you may find it advantageous to exchange your U.S. dollars for some Euros. For peace of mind, this makes sense, but literally only a little sense. Don’t exchange a large amount in the airport because frankly the exchange rate is cheaper elsewhere.
The exchange rate at Dublin’s Airport is expensive compared to elsewhere in the city. Your best bet is using an ATM in your hotel. Of course, you’ll want to call ahead to make sure they have one.
Checking Into Your Hotel
Ireland’s hotels offer wide ranges of experiences. No matter if you choose an old Celtic cottage for your lodgings or an expensive modern hotel in Center Centre, they all operate the same way.
Whether it’s a parking fee or if you want to borrow a phone charger, everything is charged to your credit card “on hold.”
Tipping In Ireland
Unlike the United States, you don’t have to tip in Ireland. You’ll notice that your meals will generally be cheaper. As you venture to more restaurants, you’ll find that many of the servers will be from other parts of Europe, like France or Britain. They’re going to expect tips!
The key is that one size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to tips. So it’s best to risk the embarrassment and ask your server.
People
The Irish are a hospitable people who are more mannerly than Americans. My interactions, even when I was holding up traffic, were super-pleasant.
Of course, as an Uber driver told me, there are good and bad in all people. But for the most part, the republic just wants you to respect its heritage and enjoy a good “pint” at the pub.
The Irish are a stylish people, especially the young adults. Adidas is clearly the athletic apparel of choice.
Places To Visit In Dublin, Ireland
Dublin offers plenty of tourist destinations for visitors. Among them are:
- Guinness Storehouse
- Jameson Distillery
- Dublin Historical Walking Tour
- Dublin City Bike Tour
- Blarney Castle tour (Cork)
- Game of Thrones tour (Northern Ireland)
- Cliffs of Moher (day trip)
The Irish tour guides are very cognizant of tourist traps. At every turn most of them will tell you whether an establishment is one or not.
“They charge 8 Euro for a pint of Guinness,” they’ll say, incredulously.
You’ll hear about the 850 years under British rule and the instrumental role that Daniel O’Connell played in the rebellion and Irish independence.
Cliffs of Moher
One of the most beautiful nature wonders in all of Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher, sea cliffs on the edge of County Clare on the country’s eastern coast.
The cliffs may be the grand finale, but the journey there from Ireland is worth the ride. Castles throughout the countryside mark pivotal points in the Irish fight for independence as well as relics of British nobility.
Miles of sheep and other livestock dot the lush landscapes as you travel farther from a Dublin to Ireland’s westerly coast.
The tour guide points out the small town where Barack and Michelle Obama stopped some years back as part of a president visit. A monument outside a pub makes the spot.
Cost To Travel To Ireland
To properly calculate the cost of travel to Ireland, it needs to include the things you really want to do and see in the beautiful country, not necessarily the airfare, which varies.
When I added up the costs of a hotel and food + activities and tours, here’s what it cost to travel to Ireland.
- Food: 267
- Hotel: 1100
- Activities: $60
To sum it all up, Ireland is a great country for visitors looking to have an enjoyable vacation. If you visit during June, the sunlight lasts from about 3:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
While Dublin proper is not as widespread as some European city centers, the core is packed with activity and the frenzy you’d expect in a metropolitan city. Ireland: Come for the pints, stay for the people.
Once you get your passport, you should be ready for your trip. Make sure you have found the cheapest flights from Atlanta that are on sale.
To Atlanta is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is so accessible.
Not only is it the world’s busiest airport, but it’s state-of-the-art in every way. If you’re interesting in traveling around Atlanta via car or even on scooter, here’s what to know.
More Articles Like This:
Traveling Soon? Check Out Our International Checklist
- How Not To Get Kicked Off A Delta Flight
- How To Get A Cheap flight Out Of Hartsfield Airport
- Strategies That Work: How To Save On Travel
Up Next: Atlanta Travel Guide
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In his latest social media video, food critic Keith Lee says that he’s not okay with threats to him or his family due to his reviews of Atlanta restaurants.
Lee recently wrapped up a tour of Atlanta’s black-owned eateries and caused quite a stir in the dining community. So much so that now he’s saying that threats have been made.
Keith Lee Received ‘Death Threats’ After Restaurant Reviews?
“You can disagree with me or not like what I say. I’m completely fine with that. When my safety and my family’s safety comes into play, that’s where I draw the line,” he says in a new Tik-Tok video.
“I’m going to be 100% transparent and 100% honest. Me and my family will postpone touring if other cities are going to be like this,” he says.
Lee’s most visible scuffle was with The Real Milk & Honey, which apologized after an ill-timed response video.
Radio personality Ryan Cameron posted that, “Keith lee said he and his family received death threats and he will not be returning to Atlanta for a second round of food reviews.”
Watch the video below for Lee’s full comments. Do y’all think Atlanta has gone too far?
Before You Go
Slutty Vegan is one of the best black restaurants in Atlanta, and there are plenty others. If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a bar explosion in recent years.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta
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Foreclosures are risky investments that can yield big returns if you know what you’re doing.
Buying a foreclosure in Atlanta, Georgia can pay off with a little persistence.
With the local real estate market teetering on unaffordability you can be sure to find several foreclosed properties in the area for sale right now.
What makes a foreclosure so attractive? Well, the primary draw is that these homes are cheaper than market value, so they are very attractive to people looking to get into home investing.
How To Buy A Foreclosure: Everything You Need To Know
This article will tell you everything you need to know about buying a foreclosure.
What Is A Foreclosure?
A foreclosure is a process in which the deed holder of a property seeks to take ownership of it, usually due to unpaid debt.
Here’s how a foreclosure typically works: For one reason or another, a distressed homeowner finds himself or herself in danger of defaulting on their mortgage. When a mortgage payment or perhaps several payments is missed, the bank sends the homeowner a notice of trustee’s sale.
Because the debtor loses possession — and rights — to the home, the lender will look to sell the home under its value.
This makes the home especially attractive to investors. Meanwhile it is an understandably emotional transaction for the previous owner.
Is It Smart To Buy A Foreclosed Home?
Buying a foreclosed home is a great way to get a property for less money than it’s worth. Buying a home in pre-foreclosure — meaning, before it enters the foreclosure phase — may be when the owner is at their most motivated state.
That being said, the wisdom in buying a foreclosure rests entirely with your plans to profit from it. If you don’t have a plan, then buying a foreclosure may be a terrible idea, especially if you don’t get a home inspection done.
Now let’s go over some steps you need to buy a foreclosure. There are three ways you can buy one:
But first, you need to know where the foreclosures are U.S. foreclosure filings are down across most of the U.S., but they’re up double digits in these cities:
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana (43%)
- Atlanta, Georgia (up 25%)
- Salt Lake City, Utah (up 17%)
- Orlando, Florida (up 16%)
- Portland, Oregon (up 16%)
Now, if you live in one of these cities, all you need to do is get a foreclosure filings list to see the properties. Let’s go over the three ways you can buy a foreclosure:
In Pre-Foreclosure
If you learn that a home is in pre-foreclosure, that means that the bank or lender has notified the homeowner that they plan to foreclose on the property.
This creates a motivated seller. If you happen to approach the homeowner about selling the property, you can get it for a good price.
The key to buying a pre-foreclosure home is to get while the owner still has control. Once the property goes into foreclosure, the owner loses all rights and you have to deal with the bank.
What’s different about buying a home in pre-foreclosure is that, you typically have to pay the following:
- Loan balance
- Any liens on the property
- homeowners insurance
After that, you take over possession of the home from the seller. Again, remember to handle the transaction with all due care, dignity and respect.
Where To Find Pre-Foreclosure Homes
You can find real estate listings that will show you plenty of pre-foreclosure homes.
You may also try to get the a distressed property at foreclosure. Let’s talk about it:
At Foreclosure Auction
A foreclosure auction often takes place on the courthouse steps. The Sheriff conducts the auction and ensures that order takes place.
A bailiff or another official may preside over proceedings, reading out properties from a foreclosure list. All you have to do is be present and bid on the properties to participate.
Be wary of some foreclosures if you haven’t done your research or driven by the properties. Many of them are uninhabitable and may required extensive repairs.
If you end up buying a money pit, you’d better have a plan. That’s because once you buy a foreclosure, you’re liable for all expenses related to the home.
Bank-Owned Property
You may choose to buy a property straight from the lender. This is typically considered a bank-owned property.
The bank has a right to hold onto a property as long as possible, so be aware that sales often take months and maybe even years.
Where To Find REO Properties
- Familiarize yourself with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which has a list of REO properties.
- Contact Realtors: Real estate agents know where all the REOs are in any given area.
- Go online and Google search “REOs near me” to find listings in your area.
With any real estate transaction, make sure you get in touch with a real estate attorney so that you’re protected legally.
Final Thoughts
When you buy a foreclosure, you have to purchase it with cash, so you should make sure that your money is right.
Ether you have to put together a plan to save or take out a loan. Either way, you need to have cash money. So here’s my closing advice: Count the cost.
Atlanta has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with affordable housing in every quadrant of the city. Large backyards, manicured parcels and strong neighborhoods with ample dining amenities make it one of the top places for transplants.
Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here.More Articles From AtlantaFi:
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Comcast recently announced that it will provide $110,000 in grants to two Atlanta nonprofits – Raising Expectations and Inspiredu – to support the launch of Connect 404, a Digital Navigator program.
Through Connect 404, the organizations are partnering to hire trusted community members (known as digital navigators) to help residents get connected to the internet and access digital skills training programs to advance digital equity for Georgians.
A recent research report by the National Skills Coalition, titled Closing the Digital Skills Divide, analyzed 43 million online job ads and found virtually all of today’s jobs require digital skills including those roles seeking limited education or work experience.
The report showed that those who qualify for jobs that require even one digital skill can earn an average of 23 percent more than those working in jobs requiring no digital skills — an increase of $8,000 per year for an individual full-time worker.
The findings also pointed to four key industries in Georgia that are seeking employees with the following digital skills:
- Finance and insurance: Mobile banking; information security; structured query language; nationwide mortgage licensing system
- Healthcare: Electronic medical records; radiologic technology
- Manufacturing: Enterprise resource planning software; robotics; computer numerical control; programmable logic controller
- Retail: Sales after service retail analytics and consumer goods software; robotics; credit card applications
“We are incredibly grateful to Comcast for their generous donation to our Connect 404 Digital Navigators program,” said Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu. “Comcast has been a great partner in helping to bridge the digital divide here in Atlanta, and we are proud to support their mission.”
In addition to receiving digital navigation services, Atlanta residents who qualify may apply for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides families with a $30 per month benefit ($75 per month on Tribal lands) toward their Internet bill. Comcast is making ACP credits available for all of the company’s Xfinity Internet speed tiers, including Internet Essentials.
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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After Detroit-based food critic Keith Lee swept through Atlanta and reviewed several of the city’s black-owned restaurants, it’s safe to say that his videos left some food for thought for a few popular eateries. He even received death threats!
Several of them responding to his feedback, but one of them — The Real Milk & Honey in College Park — had a response that many construed as disrespectful.
The Real Milk & Honey posted a video in which the owner said “Who is Keith Lee?” as if to imply that he was not anyone to be respected in the food industry.
Of course, the video did not go over well with the Lee-gion (OK, I made that up). But seriously, Lee’s fans were upset.
Now the restaurant just posted an apology and clarification on social media saying that he didn’t mean to “discredit” Lee, who has left the city with his family to do other food tours in American cities.
The apology from the Real Milk & Honey reads:
“Today, we extend our apologies to all as we address a recent incident that highlighted a review from a high-profile food blogger.
In no way were we trying to discredit anyone, if the comments came across as such, kindly accept our apologies.
It’s crucial to always take feedback and make improvements for the success of our business, and our community. We’ve taken time to reflect on the incident and have started internal corrective actions with our team regarding communication styles.“
The restaurant also noted that the “house rules” circulating social media were outdated. “The current one is to be published soon on our social platforms so everyone can see it’s a vibe no rules.”
The owner of the restaurant is hosting a sitdown at the establishment on “all day Saturday” to talk about the incident and share lessons and insights.
Final Bite
We love The Real Milk & Honey restaurant and we know that they will get it right as they continue to win in metro Atlanta’s competitive food and drink scene.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
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What do you know about Queen City cuisine? If your cup does not runneth over with the latest and greatest chef and restaurant
Savor Charlotte, an immersive taste of Charlotte’s awesome epicurean experiences, is coming to Atlanta.
When Is Savor Charlotte Coming To Atlanta?
On November 9, 2023, Savor Charlotte will bring its dynamic food and drink landscape to Atlanta as a dozen of the city’s pioneering culinary tastemakers converge for a one night only experience.
Savor Charlotte will take place at six Atlanta restaurants:
- Grana
- Mission + Market
- Southern National
- The Chastain
- The Woodall
- Tio Lucho’s
The food and beverage menus will be exclusively crafted at each restaurant, spotlighting the talents and pairings of Charlotte’s innovative culinary community. Bookings are now available through each restaurant link on SavorCharlotte.com.
“The Queen City has so many talented, passionate and inventive chefs and mixologists who are making our region a dynamic culinary destination and adding so much to our quality of life,” Tom Murray, Chief Executive Officer at The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), which is bringing the event to Georgia, says in a press release. “We are excited to showcase Charlotte’s unique flavors and diverse tastes in Atlanta, and hope the experience will inspire guests to plan a visit so they can enjoy our city and culinary offerings firsthand.”
The pairing of six of Atlanta’s top restaurants with Charlotte chefs and mixologists offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for restaurant goers to get an exceptional taste of Charlotte’s culinary scene. The six chef, mixologist and restaurant collaborations include:
- Grana – Chef Brittany Cochran of Stagioni and mixologist Justin Hazelton of Top Shelf Co.
- Mission + Market – Chef Chris Rogienski of Supperland and mixologist Yoshi Mejia of Creative Consulting CLT
- Southern National – Chef Oscar Johnson of Jimmy Pearls and mixologist Stefan Huebner of Dot Dot Dot
- The Chastain – Chef Chris Coleman of Goodyear House and mixologist Bob Peters of Built On Hospitality
- The Woodall – Chef Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance and mixologist Amanda Britton of Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails
- Tio Lucho’s – Chef Bruce Macchiavello of Yunta and mixologist Morgan Styers of Merchant and Trade
Charlotte has an eclectic mix of epicurean adventures ranging from internationally inspired dishes to local farms and everything in between. From recently announced James Beard Award nominees to perpetually creative mixologists, Charlotte remains at the forefront of travelers’ minds as a must-visit culinary destination. Savor Charlotte is a testament to the inspirational work of those who define the flavor of the Queen City.
The ‘Savor Charlotte’ Atlanta culinary adventure is easy to experience. Diners interested in tasting the eclectic mix of Charlotte dishes and beverages can reserve a table directly at one of the six participating restaurants. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged, as space is limited.
Final Bite
Charlotte has a great reputation when it comes to food. It’s almost like you can say Charlotte and Atlanta are cuisine cousins.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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It’s fall weather outside, and the North Georgia mountains are calling your name. Not only are there plenty of activities to choose from, but there are upscale cabins you can rent for any occasion.
This article will tell you the steps you need to take so that your lodging can be a success.
We’ve also included customer reviews so that you can get a sense of the cabin experience in real-time from those who have rented there before.
Here Are The Best Georgia Cabins For Rent
If you love to check out the beautiful Georgia foliage, some of the best cities to rent a cabin in North Georgia are in Helen, Blue Ridge and Ellijay. All of those places are filled with natural beauty and a relatively short distance from Atlanta, Georgia.
Before we get started, let’s go over some amenities you be able to get when you rent a cabin:
- Hot tub
- Fireplace
- Balcony
- Hammock
- Deck
- Patio
- Upscale kitchen
- Game room
- Sauna
Now let’s look at some beautiful cabins for rent in Helen, Georgia.
Georgia Mountain Rentals
Here’s what one reviewer says about Georgia Mountain Rentals. “My husband and I stayed in ‘Alone at Last’ for a much needed getaway from the daily grind of everyday life. This was our first trip alone together in 7 years, so we were looking for privacy. That is just what we got! There were some other cabins nearby, but nothing encroaching. The hot tub was great for melting away our stress and relaxing. The cabin was cozy and secluded. It was clean upon arrival. The bed was very comfortable as well. The cabin was just 3 miles outside of Helen.We really enjoyed our stay and will happily stay with Georgia Mountain Rentals again if we visit north Georgia in the future. Their customer service was friendly and professional. They made a courtesy call about an hour before check-in and left detailed instructions for check-out via the app and email.”Creek Lodge and Cabins
Here’s what one reviewer says about Creek Lodge and Cabins in Helen, Georgia. ”
Talk about an amazing time! We are in the process of wedding planning and decided to check out the tree house at Bear Creek Lodge and Cabins. Pam and Earl are such wonderful hosts. We felt like we were among friends and family. I have terrible social anxiety and I felt completely grounded and at home. … I could have spent my entire time at the cabin and I would have been perfectly happy. The river and things to do in Helen are an added bonus.”Blue Ridge Cabins
About one hour to the northwest from Helen is Blue Ridge, Georgia.Georgia Mountain Rentals
Here’s what one customer says about Escape to Blue Ridge: “We had a wonderful time. The cabin has everything you need to make that happen except food and drink. We slept great, it is pet friendly which made it really nice. Great getaway to the mountains we saw deer and listened to the babbling creek below.”
Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals
950 Appalachian Hwy, Blue Ridge, GA 30513| (888) 875-5669
Here’s what one reviewer says about Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals. “What an incredible experience! The place was immaculate and furnished beautifully. Everything was perfect. The long range views of the mountains were stunning. We can’t say enough positive things about this cabin. Thank you. We’re already booking our next two stays. These are pictures that I took with my iPhone, but they don’t do justice to what it looked like in person.”Neveah Cabin Rentals
2401 E 1st St, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 | (706) 258-2460
Here’s what one reviewer says about Neveah Cabin Rentals. “We had an absolutely amazing experience in the cabin on Crockett mountain. The cabin has everything you need! Inside and out. Comfortable and spacious. The instructions and information from the wonderful ladies in the office was great. Everything went smooth and easy. Can’t wait to return. Thank you Nevaeh Cabins for a stay we will never forget.”Ellijay Cabins
Fifteen minutes southwest from Blue Ridge to Ellijay, which is just as beautiful. Here are the best cabins in Ellijay.Dragonfly Dreams Luxury Cabin Rentals
165 Trails End Summit, Ellijay, GA 30540 | (866) 931-8224
Here’s what one customer says about Dragonfly Dreams Luxury Cabin Rentals. “Peggy and Darrell are the most attentive property managers. We have stayed at so many properties and the level of luxury offerings at these cabins amazes me. If your looking for luxury amenities and top notch stays you need to check out their list of cabins. This is a personal small boutique company that offers only the best!”
Forest Cabins of Ellijay
151 Azalea Dr, Ellijay, GA 30536 | (706) 273-0156
Here’s what one customer says about Forest Cabins of Ellijay: “Highly recommend the small cabin for a couples getaway. Very clean. Gorgeous view of the creek from the back deck. Owners are great and very down to earth.”
Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals
14224 Highway 515 N, Unit 200, Ellijay, GA 30536 | (706) 276-4343
Here’s what one reviewer says about Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals: “We stayed in Mountain Memories and it was amazing. They thought of everything, great for families, house was better than pictures, kitchen was well stocked, loved the hot tub and pool table and fire pit, lots of towels, even separate ones for hot tub. Tons of room, could easily sleep 12 people or more than one family. Home was really clean and well stocked, you literally just need to bring food. There was a bundle of wood left for fire pit and 2 propane tanks for grilling. Porches are amazing with rockers and swings, will definitely stay again. Driveway is easy and accessible not steep and check in was a breeze. Staff responded immediately when I reached out to extend our stay. 5 stars for sure!”
Final Word
A vacation in North Georgia is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have. Among the activities you’ll enjoy include whitewater rafting, picking fresh apples and other things.
For the more adventurous, you can go fishing or even hunting in the mountains.
There are so many cool things to do in Georgia and in Atlanta in particular. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:
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Social media has been abuzz after food critic and viral sensation Keith Lee visited Atlanta to review some of the Atlanta’s black restaurants.
Keith Lee Reviews Atlanta Restaurants: Here’s How It Went
Lee, who hails from Detroit, stopped in on a few really famous Atlanta-area food places then chose a couple of recently opened spots that could use the attention. Once Lee reviews a restaurant, it usually does record sales — so a Keith Lee review is nothing to play with!
It’s got so serious that Lee says his family received death threats! Really, Atlanta?
Lee posted reviews for the following restaurants:
- The Breakfast Club
- The Real Milk and Honey
- The Seafood Menu
- Juci Jerk
- The Dining Experience
- Old Lady Gang
- Jamaican Jerk Biz
- The Bodega
Keith Lee Visits The Breakfast Club
“Fresh off the plane in ATL, the first place we went to was The Breakfast Club,” Lee says on an online video. The Breakfast Club is one of the best black-owned brunch spots in Atlanta.
Lee spent around $140 for his food, which included grub for five adults and his two children.
“The customer service they had was interested,” he said. “While the people were nice, the rules they had set, were very unique to me.”
One of the rules, he mentioned was that the restaurant would not separate an order of five people, which Lee found unique.
At the end of the day, he gave the food a 7/10 and said that “everything is seasoned well. I’m not mad at that at all” He got caught up on the fact that they were charged $1 for butter.
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of The Breakfast Club:
Keith Lee Visits The Real Milk & Honey
When The Real Milk & Honey opened in 2019, it was immediately one of my favorite spots in College Park, but it got almost too popular. It was hard for me to get in and out because it was always busy. It was another spot that Lee visited, but this one didn’t go nearly as well as the last one. It seems Atlanta’s “restaurant rules” messed up a great opportunity.
“Before we came, we attempted to call our order in,” Lee said in one of his videos. “We were greeted with an automatic message that said they do not take call-in orders. The automatic message said the only way you can pick up is through DoorDash. We went through DoorDash, they were closed, but online it said they closed at 5 O’ Clock. We were on DoorDash at 4 O’Clock.”
It didn’t get any better from there. His family tried to order from the restaurant, but they were turned away.
“I sat outside and my family went in and they told them they were closed for deep cleaning,” he said.
“For the record, afterwards, I did walk in and they recognized me and attempted to service me, but I respectfully declined. I’m a normal person. I pay for my food like nobody else. I walk in spots like everybody else. I’m a normal person. Respectfully, if you’re not going to do it then, don’t do it now.”
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of The Real Milk & Honey:
The Real Milk and Honey is a super-busy restaurant and so they didn’t take the review lying down. They posted a reply on Instagram saying, “Thank you for your acknowledgement and understanding that negative vibrations never win. …. Keith, there’s no love lost and we love you.”
Photo credit: Instagram
But then they posted this., which didn’t go over well at all. Now, The Real Milk & Honey has apologized and says it has updated its house rules.
That being said, it must be stated that The Real Milk & Honey is one of the best restaurants in College Park.
Keith Lee Visits The Seafood Menu
The Seafood Menu (880 MLK Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30314) has been benefiting from some great PR since it happens to be owned by one of the biggest rappers in the game: Atlanta native Lil Baby.
Lee said because he is allergic to shellfish, his wife and sister did the honors of reviewing the restaurant. Here’s what they found.
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of The Seafood Menu:
Keith Lee Visits Juci Jerk in Atlanta
I have to admit, this was the restaurant that I had never heard of. Juci Jerk (5503 Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain, GA 30083) specializes in various heats of jerk chicken.
Lee got a DM telling him to visit Juci Jerk. The owner of the eatery had recently lost her father and was having a tough time keeping the business afloat. When Lee visited, he was blown away.
“I must say, the customer service is amazing.” Lee said that Juci Jerk was the first place that he had been able to call ahead for an order. “Everybody else, they don’t take no call-ins or walk-ins,” he said.
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of Juci Jerk:
Keith Lee Visits The Dining Experience
Lee was driving around Atlanta trying to find food places to visit when he received an email from the daughter of the owner of The Dining Experience (8420 Senoia Rd, Ste. 201, Fairburn, Ga. 30213) in south Atlanta. We actually wrote about The Dining Experience’s Grand Opening in September. Lee stopped by the place and spent around $60.
He was struck by how empty the parking lot was and wondered whether the issue was the food, the customer service or lack of marketing.
“They got me on the looks,” he said as he readied his mouth to taste his salmon. “The got me on the taste, too.” He gave it an 8.5 out of 10 and loved all of his food, except the grits.
After he’d eaten the food, Lee was very pleased and said that The Dining Experience only needed more marketing, which he actually did for them. After that, the parking lot has been packed.
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of The Dining Experience:
Keith Lee Reviews Old Lady Gang
Lee ventured to Old Lady Gang, the only celebrity-owned restaurant on the list, after being emailed and DM’d by an associate of owner Kandi Burruss.
- He says they called the phone number they had connected on Yelp three times and got no answer.
- They tried to do DoorDash and it said that the restaurant was temporarily closed.
- Then they pulled up, and he sent his family in to order food while he waited in the car.
They were told that during the weekends, they don’t do any takeout orders at all because they’re so busy. So, they were told to dine-in, which would be an hour to hour-and-a-half wait.
So, they chose to wait, but Lee said the restaurant didn’t take down any contact information and said they had no reservations available.
Lee got that message from his family and decided to visit the restaurant himself. Once he did, people started to notice and and he stopped for photographs.
“As soon as me and my wife were done taking pictures, the lady said ‘The table is ready.’ As always, I don’t want any special treatment. I want to be treated like everybody else. I pay for my food like everybody else. I’m a normal person. I’m a normal customer.”
Lee is adamant that he wants the same treatment for his wife, sister and kids as an establishment would give him. So he asked the woman up front how they were able to seat him in 5 minutes if the wait time was up to an hour-and-a-half.
The woman said that she went down the waitlist and no one answered, so “it’s first come, first serve” after that and Lee and his family were up next.
Lee walked out.
“Things like this are exactly whey I do reviews the way I do. Just because I have a certain amount of followers on social media, don’t make me different from nobody.”
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of Old Lady Gang:
As only she can, Kandi Burruss responded to Keith Lee’s review of OLG.
Jamaican Jerk Biz
Finally, Lee and his family visited Six Flags Over Georgia and wanted some late-night eats. They discovered Jamaican Jerk Biz (1400 Veterans Memorial Hwy SE, Mableton, GA 30126), which was supposed to close at 11 p.m.
When Lee’s godsister called the restaurant they said that the would stay open just for them and serve them, which is when Lee made his big reveal. With customer service like that, I’m sure the food was amazing.
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of Jamaican Jerk Biz:
The Bodega
Lee’s family also visited The Bodega (3731 Main St, College Park, GA 30337), where he got the Chopped Cheese Nachos, which he described as some “hood nachos.” He gave them an 8.8 out of 10! “It’s seasoned, crazy,” he said. “My chest will hurt afterward, but I’ll eat that whole thing.”
Here’s Keith Lee’s review of The Bodega:
How Did Keith Lee Get Famous?
Lee started to record social media videos in 2020 after a short stint as an MMA fighter. He began to do videos of take-out restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and started to grow a following.
One of his videos went viral and the rest — as they say — is online history.
Final Bite
Lee came through Atlanta and did his thing, which was to promote awareness for black-owned restaurants in the city. Not unlike the restaurant business, there were some fumbles, but there were also some scores.
Here is Lee’s final video summarizing his time in Atlanta:
From his ratings methodology, Lee shows that he values great food, but also attentive customer service and niceness as necessities when it comes to restaurants.
I’m thinking that his reviews — the negative and positive — will help those restaurants and more than anything, create buzz online that translates into customers at their tables.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.
More Food Coverage:
Here Are The Best New Restaurants In Atlanta
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Sweetgreen continues its expansion around Atlanta. The fast-casual restaurant specializes in healthy foods, salads and protein bowls with options like chicken or salmon.
Aside from being one of the best places in Atlanta for salads, Sweetgreen boasts some of the most seasoned and fresh vegetables you can find in a fast-casual spot.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the latest new Atlanta restaurant opening.
Now Open: Sweetgreen In Emory Village in Atlanta
If you don’t know much about Sweetgreen, you should know its history.
The eatery was founded by Jonathan Newman, Nathaniel Ru and Nicolas Jammet. The eatery’s assets are valued at more than $1 billion and they’ve got some aggressive expansion plans in the making.
The salad chain is super-popular with millennials, who have shown the willingness to pay higher prices for sustainable food. None other than tennis star Naomi Osaka joined Sweetgreen as an investor. She has her own protein bowl on the eatery’s menu.
Anyone that knows me knows I’ve been into @sweetgreen for a while (I eat it three times a week when I’m training/at shoots), which is why I’m excited to share that I’m their newest partner and youngest investor 💚 more on how we’re redefining fast food together coming soon. pic.twitter.com/ZCIU78qdU3
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 6, 2021
How Healthy Is Sweetgreen?
Sweetgreen has plenty of vegetable options, particularly of the green variety, but the eatery also serves the usual proteins along with toppings that can add to your calorie count.
How Many Sweetgreens Are In Atlanta?
As of now, there are six Sweetgreen locations in Atlanta. Here are the addresses of the current ones:
- Colony Square: 1201 Peachtree St NE Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30361
- Ponce City Market: 650 North Avenue NE Suite 102B, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Lenox Square: 3393 Peachtree Rd NE #3065C, Atlanta, GA 30326
- 1050 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
- 123 Perimeter Center W Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30346
- 1556 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
Where Is Sweetgreen Located In Emory Village?
Sweetgreen in Emory Village is located at 1556 N Decatur Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Where Can I Eat Healthy Food In Atlanta?
Atlanta may be a Southern city known for greasy meats and sweet tea, but Georgia’s largest city does have a healthy site. Here’s where to eat keto in Atlanta.
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