Sunset Lounge: Evolution of the Day Party @ Shout

The day party… what a great concept! If you’re like me then the club scene is sssooooooo last season and watered down. Actually, the Atlanta scene is watered down but this Sunset Lounge group has a little something up their sleeve.If you do not live under a rock somewhere, you should of heard about the Day Party being held at Shout Restaurant located in Midtown Atlanta on September 6, 2009. Hundreds and hundreds of people came out early Sunday for an afternoon of great music, good food and wonderful drinks. There was even an impromptu performance from my boyfriend, Raheem DeVaughn!

The crowd was friendly, the ladies looked and dressed beautifully (finally a day where I don’t see stripper outfits everywhere I turn!) and the men were serious eye candy! There were stars, athletes and entertainers sprinkled throughout the crowd.

Party-goers enjoyed dancing and dining on the patio overlooking Peachtree Street. Once you walked inside to the dance floor you were almost stopped in your tracks by the heat and heavy bass line. People were partying like it was 1am at the hottest nightclub in town. Sunset Lounge ATL has a good thing going!

Pros: Large following, good DJ, organized

Cons: Service at Shout was questionable. I waited 30 mins for drinks and food. When trying to leave I waited AN HOUR for my check. I understand it was crowded but this same event was held in August so Shout should have been prepared. Someone made a comment about waiting for her drink and a gentleman who happen to be standing near the table responded with “there’s a bar right there.. if it’s taking long you can walk to the bar.” It was the manager. WTF?!!?!

So with that being said, will I attend another Evolution of the Day Party? No, not if it’s held at Shout. If it’s held somewhere else, I AM SO THERE!

Sidenote to promoters: You should really make sure the establishments you use respect your crowd. Honestly, being understaffed at your event was inexcusable especially since this was not their first time. It shows little respect to you and your followers.

EVOS: Really is “Feel Good Fast Food”

EVOS Prado – 5590 Roswell Road, Suite 140, Atlanta, GA 30308

When thinking about fast food most people think of fatty burgers and fries topped off with an even fattier milkshake. When thinking about healthy, organic or even vegitarian/vegan foods, people’s mind tend to think bran and bland. Well Evos gives you the best of the fast food world without the hormones and dirty brown grease.

At Evos you can get a Freerange Steakburger, a vegan soy burger, and airbaked fries and chicken strips. They also have wraps and fresh salad made with organic greens. The airbaked fries are light, clean and crisp and the “EVOS Ketchup Karma” station which features Original Americana, Garlic Gravity, Cayenne Firewalker and Mesquite Magic promise to satify anyone’s palate. My little cocoa chickadee proclaimed their chicken strips the best she had ever tasted.

The staff is patient and helpful in selecting the delicious eats. So great food, great service and did I mention free wi-fi, how much does all of this cost. With a kids eat free special our Veggie Garden Grill, Kids Airbaked Chicken Strips, 2 small drinks and large Airfries came to less than $10.00, which I could easily spend more when visiting the arches or his royal highness.

With the promise that there will be no guilt associated with the consumption of any of the menus’ earthly delights who can resist. Visit www.evos.com for menu and locations.

***Atlanta mid and downtowners will be happy to know that another location is soon opening at Viewpoint (855 Peachtree St.), and a little birdie told me this location may also serve adult libations.***

The Blackwood Pizza Bar

Tired of the regular pizza shop?

The Blackwood Pizza Bar located at 3560 Camp Creek Parkway, East Point, GA 30344, is a pizzeria touched with a little soul. Along with the regular tables you see in restaurants, they also have sofas and other big comfy chairs for you to fall into as you listen to a live band. Staff has been friendly, which is always a plus. Topping the soul, the customer focused staff and decor is the food. The pizza is GREAT and moderately priced!

Cocoa Chicks will definitely be there again!

Sidenote to the owner: You should really get your website finished. Your online presence should be just as fresh and intriguing as your real life presence ;). Keep up the good work!

Dining On A Dime

If you love Thai food, we have a spot for you!

Treat your taste buds and your wallet to Erawan Organic Thai Restaurant located in Sandy Springs, GA. The food is fresh, organic, and vegetarian-friendly. It also won't take you to the bank. My favorite dish is the organic chicken panang with brown rice.

Erawan Organic Thai Restaurant - 7855 Roswell Road - Sandy Springs, GA 30350

What's Up?...Thumbs Up

Looking for a GREAT breakfast spot? Take yourself to the historic Old Fourth Ward district and walk into Thumbs Up. Located at 573 Edgewood Ave, Thumbs Up diner has the formula for breakfast. With a pretty much friendly staff and items on the menu such as Yukon Omelette (Smoked Salmon, fresh spinach and cream cheese); buckwheat pecan pancakes and The Heap (seasoned spuds topped with cheddar/jack cheese, two eggs any style and a choice of chopped turkey bacon, chopped country sausage, chopped veggie sausage and much more). The best part is the price and the amount of food they give you. I have not been able to finish a plate yet.

Pros: Portland Scramble Omelette, Multi-grain biscuit, pecan pancakes, price and great food!

Cons: If you go on a weekend anytime after 10 am you will wait a very long time.

Enjoy!

Good Eats in Puerto Rico

One thing I love is a great restaurant and Puerto Rico has lots of those.  You can stand in the middle of Old San Juan, close your eyes, spin around and where ever your eyes land there will be a good place to eat.  There are just to many to name so I'll tell you about 2.

Do not, I repeat, do not go to Puerto Rico and eat somewhere you can eat in the states.  On the way back from The Yunque Rainforest tour, a passenger asked our tour guide where the closest McDonald's was.  Everyone turned to her and said 'McDonald's?'  So after we laughed the amateur off the bus, we proceeded to Cafe Del Angel located on Ashford Ave in San Juan for some authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.  I don't know what I ordered because the menu was in Spanish so I told our server to bring me anything without pork or red meat in it.  It was sooooooo good!  I ate myself into a coma.

A little bit of Italy nestled in Puerto Rico!

If you have grown tired of Puerto Rican cuisine during your stay and want something that reminds you of home, there's nothing better than pizza and pasta.  On our last day in Puerto Rico, we came across Sofia Italian Kitchen & Bar located at 355 San Francisco Street, Old San Juan.  Beautifully arranged with pictures of Sofia Loren throughout the restaurant, this Italian Kitchen and Bar was a pleasant surprise.  We were greeted and served by Mireya Aragon who was professional and friendly from the minute we walked in the door.  Although we kept it very simple by ordering salad and pizza, this was by far the best pizza I've had.  That's HUGE since I grew up on Boston and New York style pizza and you know Boston and New York thinks they have the best pizza on the planet.  NOT!  So if you're in Puerto Rico and want a little taste of 'home' go to Sofia Italian Kitchen & Bar.  You will not be disappointed.

Wonderful Wines @ Vino Libro

Nestled in the booming Glenwood Park area, Vino Libro is a hidden treasure you must find!  Tucked away at 933 Garrett Street, the attractive store front, big beautiful windows and a nice outside sitting area are just a few of the many perks about this place. I could have sat outside and never entered and would have been completely satisfied but I would have missed the best part: INSIDE!

When you walk into Vino Libro you are welcomed with a bright spacious place, beautiful décor and great customer service. Our server Matt was a wine phenom. He thoroughly explained each wine we questioned and knew exactly what wine we would like! Matt was knowledgeable, engaging and down right friendly! Although you were as cute as a button Matt, we must move on to the menu!

They have wines from Italy, Argentina, South Africa, France, Australia, Cali, Oregon.. the list goes on! With selections such as Nivasco Brachetto, Seven Sisters Bukettraube and Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay, Vino Libro is bound to satisfy all wine lovers and make new wine lovers. The food was just as impressive. They had just enough choices so that the food would not take away from all the wonderful wines.  You can tell by the way I inhaled my salad, there’s a huge focus on TASTE. This is without a doubt, my new spot.

Side note to the men: TAKE YOUR LADY TO THIS PLACE. We’re trying to help you out here. You’re not sure where to go on that first date or if she’s tired of going to the same place over and over again, Vino Libro is the spot. With lots of close sitting arrangements, love seats, soft comfy sofas, low music playing in the background coupled with 2 or 3 glasses of wine, this is a set up for a wonderful grand finale! ;)

Until next time my friends...

Ciao'