So I may not have been posting here as often as I usually do, mostly due to work commitments, but I have been Instagramming as much as ever. This is the longest I’ve ever lived in Atlanta since I moved away at 18. I always thought this city was lame when I was growing up, as people only knew it for things like rap music.
Back then I wished I had grown up somewhere like New York City. But the city has certainly changed and in my mind, there are few cities I’d rather be living in. I’ve been back home for over two years now and am enjoying it much more than I anticipated. My friends have moved into trendy neighborhoods, meaning I get to explore with them and check out new restaurants and bars.
The cost of living is certainly less than other big cities and it hasn’t gotten “too hip” yet. I tend to photograph food and drinks especially. Here is my city, Atlanta, through the lens of my iPhone from the last 8 months. If you’re not following me already, go ahead!
After my friend Christine moved back from Salzburg this December, she moved into an apartment in the Old Fourth Ward, an area I knew nothing about until then. Edgewood Avenue cuts through it, riddled with hip bars like Joystick, Sister Louisa’s Church of the Ping Pong Emporium and Noni’s.
My Instagram bio says that 90% of my pictures are of beer and this isn’t far off. This photo was taken at Monday Night Brewing, the newest to open in Atlanta. This wall is covered in ties, which give you an entry discount if you bring one, and says “Tie One On” in lights. It’s a fun place to hang out on a Saturday afternoon.
Antico Pizza is the best I’ve ever had. This is a bold but true statement. Everything, from the dough to the tomatoes, are fresh from Napoli. And like in Italy, it’s family style, so sit wherever you can find and they’ll bring your pie to you. I recommend the Diavola, a spicy pie of smoked meats and peppers.
My new favorite Sunday tradition is a chai latte and pastry from Octane Coffee and Little Tart Bake Shop in Grant Park. It’s certainly a hipster hangout, but they also serve booze later in the day, making it the ideal office for a writer like myself.
The Holeman & Finch burger is the stuff of legend. Only available at specific times and not on the regular menu, you have to wait until 10 pm during the week to order one or fight for a table at Sunday brunch, when it’s on the menu. Just don’t think about modifying your burger. The bartenders craft the finest cocktails in the city.
Ponce City Market has been hyped as Atlanta’s next “it” place to live, shop and dine. While it still doesn’t look like much, as it’s been more or less abandoned for the last ten years, I was excited to be able to tour it a few months back.
My seasonal job is just about the only time I find myself in downtown proper of Atlanta. I’m much more comfortable in the quirky neighborhoods, but it’s moments like this that I’m comfortable surrounded by skyscrapers. One day at work, my co-worker led a group of us onto the roof of another building, giving us a chance to bask in the sun for a few minutes. The reflected building is the iconic Westin hotel.
I’m slowly but surely learning about neighborhood dives and beloved eateries and Nick’s Food to Go is one of these. Sammi drove past it dozens of times on her way to work at the zoo before we finally made a point to go. It’s more of a takeout window than restaurant, but their hummus and kebabs are delicious.
The craft cocktail joints are ever increasing in popularity nationwide but particularly in Atlanta. H. Harper Station is no exception, serving up classics in a former train depot in Cabbagetown. It was my birthday venue where my friends and I settled into small bites, dessert and a punch bowl split between us. It’s not cheap, but ideal for special occasions.
The newest addition to the Atlanta tourist district is this hastily constructed SkyView Ferris Wheel, which the city hopes will be another attraction for those visiting the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke and CNN Center. I was lucky enough to have a front row view from my office during construction. Assembled a parking lot for The Tabernacle, a local music venue, it was this spot where I used to stalk out my favorite bands leaving the now defunct Cotton Club.
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