• Atlanta / Business / Food & Drink / Restaurants / Things To Do

    These 4 Atlanta Restaurants Just Got AAA’s ‘4 Diamond’ Rating
    atlantafi-com-staff February 23, 2018
    2 Min Read

    AAA has unveiled its list of restaurants that have earned the AAA Five Diamond Rating over the last year. The vaunted designation qualifies the eateries for the prestigious Five Diamond Restaurants list.

    Atlanta, home to some pretty swanky spots that have opened over the past five years, has only four restaurants to make the list. But given that some major cities have none, we’ll take the quartet.

    “Five Diamond restaurants have evolved over the years to meet the changing expectations of restaurant enthusiasts who are increasingly sophisticated about cuisine,” said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections & Diamond Ratings.

    Here are metro Atlanta’s 10 restaurants (out of nearly 700) that have earned the four diamond designation:

    The restaurants signal the very best in culinary arts as well as top-notch service and atmosphere.

    Petrone added: “Guests want to learn about cooking techniques, ingredient sourcing and the latest trends. They are looking for a wide-ranging dining experience that includes being educated and entertained. No longer does world-class necessarily mean formal attire and opulent surroundings. And that’s where AAA’s Diamond Ratings can help guide the discerning diner.”

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  • Atlanta is a 5G city
    Atlanta / Business / Development

    Atlanta Named One Of 3 5G Cities By AT&T
    atlantafi-com-staff February 23, 2018
    2 Min Read

    AT&T has started bringing out its 5G network in earnest. As it promised, it has began to roll out its platform this year. That means Atlanta is a 5G city.

    The company recently announced that Atlanta, Waco and Dallas will all get mobile 5G by the end of 2018. Twelve cities are slated to get the technology, which is expected to exponentially speed up internet access for the region.

    “Our mobile 5G deployments this year will be based on 3GPP standards. We will use mmWave to provide mobile 5G first, and then deploy the technology on additional spectrum bands,” an AT&T spokesperson said. “Also, note that the equipment that we are deploying today in our LTE network is 5G capable. So the work that we are doing now prepares us to seamlessly migrate to standards-based 5G.”

    AT&T’s 5G is not going to be 5G technically (more like 4.5G). In the beginning. top speeds are expected to be around 400 Mbps, which is about 40 times faster than a standard data connection.

    No word yet on when exactly the cities will get 5G.

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  • Atlanta / Business

    Saturday: Pretty Brown Girls Come To Party
    atlantafi-com-staff February 23, 2018
    1 Min Read

    The International Pretty Brown Girl Day Vision Board Party takes place Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.

    This is what it says on the group’s website:

    International Pretty Brown Girl Day embodies the mission of celebrating and uplifting girls of color by creating a day of solidarity on the 4th Saturday in February each year. Annually, we choose a theme that supports the learning and empowerment of our pretty brown girls across the globe.

    We’re excited to announce our 7th Annual International Pretty Brown Girl Day on Saturday, February 24, 2018! Our theme is “Envision Your Future, Manifest Your Purpose”, as we seek to encourage girls to “Dream Big” by visualizing their success while exploring the process of Envisioning Success.

    This year’s Pretty Brown Girl Day will be a day of encouraging girls across the country to nurture a generous heart, courage of mind, a boldness of spirit and of course to Dream BIG! We’re calling for 1,000 girls nationwide to join us by hosting a Pretty Brown Girl “Vision Board Party”!

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  • Marriott Marquis Begins Renovation On Sear Restaurant In Downtown Atlanta
    Business

    Sear Restaurant Reopens In Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis
    cj-johnson-2 February 22, 2018
    3 Min Read

    The Marriott Marquis’ in-house restaurant Sear reopened in late December 2018 after undergoing major renovations. Now with a spruced up menu, Sear is ready to draw back the curtains.

    Sear is basically a new Atlanta restaurant now, with a freshly reimagined decor, color scheme and more for restaurant lovers in downtown Atlanta.

    First Look: Sear Restaurant completes renovation

    “We’re thrilled with the results of the renovation,” said General Manager Erica Qualls-Battey. “The attention to detail and uniqueness of the space will truly change the landscape of Downtown’s dining scene. We’ve created a destination within a destination, where diners can get a delicious meal and be conveniently located in the heart of Atlanta.”

    The team behind the redo is Interior designer, HeCho Inc., which was enlisted to create a majestic dining atmosphere inspired by the style of legendary Atlanta Marriott Marquis architect John Portman.

    The Marriott hopes that a well-needed face-lift, including an interior redesign and menu refresh, will increase restaurant patrons and continue to be a dining option in downtown Atlanta.

    Sear Restaurant In Marriott Marquis Gets Face-lift

    “Sear has been a stronghold in the Atlanta community for quite some time,” Qualls-Battey said in a written statement. “We feel this renovation parallels the resurgence of the culinary scene in Midtown, Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods as the city of Atlanta continues to position itself as a cutting edge culinary destination. Our talented culinarians deserve a look that matches their talent.”

    The refurbished eatery features an open floor plan, a private waiting area

    with nearby bar and local-centric iconography. Local artist Lynx Nguyen was commissioned to craft artwork for the restaurant’s back wall, creating a rustic yet modern look.

    What’s on the menu at Sear Restaurant in Atlanta?

    Guests can enjoy unique offerings such as breakfast, a brunch buffet, lunch and an exquisite dinner menu.

    Dishes such as Butter Basted Cauliflower Steak, Braised Pork Chops, Dry-aged Steak and Seared Scallops, Sear will carry over 25 bourbons, hand-crafted cocktails and a variety of wines.

    See Sear’s full menu here.

    Private dining rooms were also re-designed with space options for 25 to 85 or 100 guests.

    Marriott Marquis Begins Renovation On Sear Restaurant In Downtown Atlanta

    “I am really excited about the energy the chefs have put into the new menu,” hotel manager George Reed was quoted as saying. “And the new selection of craft cocktails will enhance our lounge-like offerings; further solidifying Atlanta Marriott Marquis as a great gathering place.”

    A further perk at Sear: Diners who come for the restaurant get complimentary parking.

     Read more: Atlanta OKs controversial redevelopment project The Gulch

    These Atlanta restaurants are for sale

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  • Atlanta / Business

    King Of Pops Looks To Hire For Spring And Summer
    atlantafi-com-staff February 22, 2018
    1 Min Read

    One of the city’s preeminent treats company’s is looking to hire a few good employees. King of Pops wants help for the spring and summer, the shop says.

    This is what the job listing says: We are looking for highly enthusiastic, self-reliant and thoughtful individuals to be a part of our slinger team. Slingers sell pops out of our signature carts at a variety of events and spots across the city, so we’re looking for fun people that like to seek out customer engagement (rather than avoid it). Ability to work independently and problem-solve in a variety of circumstances is key, and a fun-loving attitude and friendliness are musts.

    The company says no prior experience or education is required. Compensation: $9-10/hr (+ tips).

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  • Business / Development

    Lofts Coming To ‘The Gulch’ In Downtown Atlanta
    atlantafi-com-staff February 22, 2018
    1 Min Read

    Paperwork recently filed with the city of Atlanta shows that a new project is planned for the old Norfolk Southern building overlooking “The Gulch,” the multi-acre site under Philips Arena.

    Two structures on the site will be transformed into nearly 250 one- and two-bedroom residential units, according to Curbed Atlanta. The plan also includes retail space, 90 studios, 108 one-bedroom units, and 48 two-bedroom units.

    The company that initiated the filing is CIM, according to news reports. Much has been made about viable land in downtown Atlanta that would be suitable for Amazon’s second world headquarters. The Gulch is a prime parcel, although CIM reportedly says their plans are independent of Amazon’s.

    Atlanta joins cities such as Austin, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Toronto and Washington, D.C. on the Seattle company’s shortlist for #H2Q, which is slated to be announced sometime later this year.

     

     

     

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  • Casting Calls / Entertainment

    Oprah’s ‘Love Is…’ Is Casting In Atlanta For Restaurant Patrons
    atlantafi-com-staff February 22, 2018
    2 Min Read

    Oprah Winfrey’s new show “Love Is” is looking to hire extras for a restaurant scene, AtlantaFi has learned. The show is centered around couples and what they’ve learned about each other and how they’ve stayed together.

    Those hired will work Tuesday, February 27th in Atlanta, Georgia.

    More: Oprah’s ‘Love Is’ Seeks Camera Operators

    According to the casting call from project casting: The series centers around the love story between a modern-day power couple. In the world of Black Hollywood, they navigate a complex set of social codes, and this series will explore it all, from the good to the bad and to the ‘90s when the love story began.

    Weaver will play Nuri, a bubbly personality with big dreams who is struggling to make a name for herself as a sitcom staff writer while struggling an assortment of romances that only leave her party fulfilled. After she meets Yasir, himself unemployed and barely holding onto his dreams, Nuri changes all her opinions about what she expects from a man because she’s just found the one who is perfect for her.

    Yasir is an aspiring writer-director who is down to his last two unemployment checks and lives (unhappily) with his on-again/off-again ex. But after meeting the stunning Nuri, Yasir finds a reason to alter his life and the drive to access his potential.

    To audition for a role in the new TV series, check out the casting call breakdown below.

    Oprah’s Love Is Casting Call

    ***LOVE IS_***
    **MUST BE REGISTERED WITH CENTRAL CASTING**
    Work date: Tuesday Feb. 27th.
    Location: Pinewood Studios (Fayetteville)
    Pay rate: $88 /10 hrs

    RESTAURANT PATRONS: African American looking males and females, who look in the mid 20’s to early 50’s age range, 1990’s looks and hairstyles. No visible tattoos.

    If you fit the description above, and you are available to work on 2/27 please send an e-mail with your name, phone number, and recent photo to LoveIs@centralcasting.com. Please use subject line “PATRONS”. MUST be registered with Central Casting. Thank You!

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  • Atlanta / Business / Restaurants

    Report: One Midtown Kitchen Closing Its Doors
    atlantafi-com-staff February 20, 2018
    2 Min Read

    One Midtown Kitchen, the venerable Midtown Atlanta dining institution that raised the bar for countless eateries in the city, is closing its doors, AtlantaFi has learned.

    The news was first reported by The AJC Tuesday and confirmed by a statement from the eatery’s parent company,Concentrics Restaurants. The restaurant, which is located at 559 Dutch Valley Rd NE, will close on March 4.

     “In the spirit of being passionate pioneers in the restaurant and hospitality industry and always working to be at the forefront of trends, we are announcing that the ONE. midtown kitchen brand will be retiring on March 4, 2018.”

    The restaurant, known for its bold dishes and transcendent atmosphere, will be missed, but the owners indicate that they will be back with new concepts for Atlanta.

    The company said it was closing the doors “to allow us to focus on new and exciting concepts in Atlanta and across the country,” a statement from the group said.

    They added: “We sincerely thank our patrons, the community and Atlanta for the support you’ve given ONE over the past 16 years.  It’s been an incredible run.  To bid ONE a proper farewell, we hope you will join us our final weeks for favorite menu items, throwbacks, fantastic cocktails and good cheer.”

    One Midtown Kitchen opened in 2002.

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  • Atlanta

    Georgia State Ranks High Among Fulbright Scholar Recipients On Faculty
    atlantafi-com-staff February 20, 2018
    1 Min Read

    Georgia State University is among the top schools in the nation when it comes to grants tied to the Fulbright Scholar Program, the university said recently.

    Georgia State tied for sixth place with three other universities in the top 18 research institutions with faculty scholars under the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program.

    “Under its strategic plan, Georgia State continues to strive toward its goal of achieving distinction in globalizing the university, in addition to becoming a leading research university addressing the most challenging issues of the 21st century,” Risa Palm, senior vice president of academic affairs and provost at Georgia State, said in a statement. “Faculty receiving grants under the program are engaging in important research and scholarship that builds upon the university’s growing distinction in addressing significant global issues, and also contribute to Georgia State’s expanding research profile.”

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  • Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Chick-Fil-A
    Atlanta / Food & Drink / Restaurants

    Chick-fil-A Gave Away Free Chicken Biscuits Tuesday Morning
    atlantafi-com-staff February 20, 2018
    1 Min Read

    On Tuesday, Feb. 20, if you want a free chicken biscuit, it’s free at Chick-fil-A in metro Atlanta. There is no purchase necessary, one per customer.

    The fast food chain is running the free promotion all morning up until 10:30 a.m.. That’s when breakfast ends and the kitchens will convert to lunch preparation.

    Three weeks ago, Chick-fil-A opened a new restaurant on North Decatur Road in Decatur and gave customers a chance to win free food for a year. The new location at 650 Decatur Village Way brought about 90 jobs with it and is one of several new eateries planned for 2018.

    To celebrate, all participating Atlanta-area Chick-fil-A restaurants gave away a free chicken biscuit on Jan. 23.

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