• Muss & Turner’s Closes Down In East Cobb

    1 Min Read

    Muss & Turner’s, which opened last year in East Cobb, is closing its doors, AtlantaFi has learned. The restaurant, which took over the old Common Quarter space on Johnson Ferry Road shopping center, closed Monday, according to a press release.

    Partner Ryan Turner said this in a written statement Monday afternoon:

    We’ve got good news and bad news, so here it goes… 
    Bad News: We regret to inform you that our East Cobb location will be permanently closed as of tonight. We gave it our best, but unfortunately this venture simply did not work out. 
    Good News: Our Muss & Turner’s Smyrna location is still open and going strong! We sincerely hope you’ll come out and visit us. There are so many faces we’ll miss seeing around East Cobb, but we hope to serve you soon in Smyrna! Thanks for joining us for the ride and for your support along the way. 

    The East Cobb restaurant, which opened last March, emphasized sandwiches, soups and salads, along with a selective beverage program serving wines, local craft drafts and signature drinks.

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  • These 4 Atlanta Restaurants Just Got AAA’s ‘4 Diamond’ Rating

    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 Named One Of 3 5G Cities By AT&T

    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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  • Saturday: Pretty Brown Girls Come To Party

    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

    Sear Restaurant Reopens In Atlanta’s Marriott Marquis

    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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  • King Of Pops Looks To Hire For Spring And Summer

    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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  • Lofts Coming To ‘The Gulch’ In Downtown Atlanta

    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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  • Report: One Midtown Kitchen Closing Its Doors

    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 Selected For Anti-Sex Trafficking Partnership

    2 Min Read

    Metro Atlanta’s reputation of a hub for modern-day sex trafficking has gotten plenty of press over the years. Now the city is doing something about it.

    This week, the City of Atlanta announced that it will be a part of creating a first-ever citywide approach to prevent sex trafficking. The initiative is part of the Pathways to Freedom city competition.

    Atlanta will join three other cities across the United States in the competition, including Chicago, and Minneapolis. The trio of cities will receive funding and a senior fellow who will collaborate with city agencies on solutions to trafficking.

    The Pathways to Freedom city challenge is gets its funding from the Partnership for Freedom, a public-private partnership by Humanity United.

    “Every year, thousands of children, women and men fall prey to the insidious practice of human trafficking. Whether these victims are entrapped in or transported to Atlanta, we know that our city faces a human trafficking challenge disproportionate to its size,” Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a statement.

    She added: “I am pleased to announce that I will appoint a Senior Fellow within my Administration to further the City’s efforts to combat and eliminate this horrific practice. The Pathways to Freedom grant will also enable Atlanta to better address labor trafficking, which has traditionally been under-reported, and its survivors under-served. I am confident that together, we can be the strength for the powerless and the hope of the victims.”

    “Cities have a critical role to play in the fight against human trafficking, and we are excited to support our winning cities as they develop new ways to address prevention and support for survivors,” said Catherine Chen, director of investments for Humanity United. “The impressive collection of applications we received is a testament to the growing political will of U.S. cities to lead the fight against human trafficking in their own communities. Atlanta demonstrates a serious commitment to addressing both labor and sex trafficking in a unique way. We are confident that the lessons that come out of Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Chicago will inspire and encourage innovation in their own communities and across the country.”

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  • Wednesday At Manuel’s Tavern: The Black List Happy Hour

    1 Min Read

    The Black List expanded our Happy Hours for one primary reason: to create social hubs for writers around the world where they can meet other screenwriters and discuss the craft and the reality of the screenwriter’s life.

    So join your fellow Georgia writers at our Atlanta happy hour! Come to enjoy the drinks and the company. You never know who you might meet!

    GET TIX HERE

    We’ll be hosting happy hours on the first Wednesday of every month at Manuel’s Tavern from 6:00 – 9:00PM.

    The event is free and open to the public (cash bar), so spread the word to your writer friends but be sure to RSVP!

    Follow our page on Facebook (Atlanta Black List Happy Hour) for more info and to stay up-to-date on any announcements!

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