by Rosamond Schoepp on People often ask me what it means to be a "Local Atlanta Celebrity." You'd think that would be an easy answer since I pretty much created the title, but it's kinda hard to put into words. Most of what makes me a true LAC is being David K. It's lots of intangible things that I can't give away, yet somehow only I possess... but I digress... The opening of a new venue in the space that was formerly The Gold Club creates a lot of buzz, so obviously I was on the guest list for their Grand Opening (actually, I'll go ahead and admit that I was someone else's +1). Everything about this place made me feel like a celebrity. Photographers. Guest list. Champagne. Interesting people. Dramatic fire dancers. So, to help answer your question... having a good time at Gold Room is what it means to be a Local Atlanta Celebrity. Honestly, I didn't really expect too much. I figured they hosed down the floor, slapped on a new coat of paint, and then used Wite-Out to update their liquor license. Thankfully I was wrong. Really wrong. They actually got it right. Kudos to whoever planned the guest list that evening because the crowd was PERFECT. Everyone was having a great time and the mix of people was amazingly diverse and consistently upscale. Hopefully they continue to attract the right people. The experience inside is awesome. Lots of bars and lots of staff. There were times when I wanted to be downstairs amid the busy people... and then when I wanted to escape I just went upstairs to sit and people watch behind the big glass windows. My only complaint is the mandatory valet. It's free (unlike Whiskey Blue... *ahem*), but I would prefer to park my own car. I actually tried to pay to leave it in the parking deck next door at Lindbergh Plaza. Unfortunately, that's not allowed and I was turned away by a MARTA cop and another guard screening patrons as they pulled up to the deck.
by Tianna Jawad on It's always kind of crazy when you realize you've been some place before. When I walked into the Mayan and looked at the stage, I had some sort of hazy memory of screaming at some awful band there. But if you asked me what band, I couldn't tell you. And then I feel like I've been here before some dance club night. Yet another memory lost to the wind. What I didn't remember was how huge this club is. Or how ornate the decor is. This is a kitschy theater with its gigantic ceiling feature and stone walls. I fell in love with the place for its decor. Last night, we sat upstairs. There aren't actually seats, just rows and rows of barely padded blocks. Some guy was even laying supine on the one at the very top during intermission. There are bars everywhere. I lost count how many there were but there was even a makeshift bar at the very top. Pricing is fairly expensive but expected for a club. My $8 screwdriver was tiny but strong. The restroom situation was out of control though. The venue was sold out and then some. Lines were so long, I crossed my legs and waited for the show to start again before attempting to go to the restroom. There were only four stalls in the second story restroom. With that many bars, this place needs more restrooms! As for parking, there are lots everywhere. Just be aware of the lots that say $3...and then in tiny print, it says for every 20 minutes, $10 max. I got suckered but considering it was a well-lit lot and fairly painless to get in and out of it, I conceeded it might have been okay. So, despite its flaws, I would definitely come back.
by Steakhead .. on There has been a lot of buzz lately about a sushi place on Buford Highway called Sushi House Hayakawa. This authenticly Japanese sushi bar is located on Buford Highway several blocks north of 285. When we first pulled into the parking lot, I got all excited about the bright neon sign next to the 'Grand Opening' sign that read "Karaoke Bar". Wow, I thought, this place is authentic! But alas, the karaoke bar was the next door establishment. But with or without karaoke, this place is truly Japanese. If you call during non-business hours, the answering machine greeting is in Japanese. Our waitress, an American, was the same person who I was passed on to when I called to make my reservation. While she was very good, I couldn't help but think she may be the only English-speaking staff in the place. And the clientele was 50% Japanese. Always a good sign. When I go into a place like this, I almost always order Omakase to see what new experiences the sushi chefs can throw my way. While the fish quality was amazingly fresh, I was a little disappointed in the actual selections, especially since I ordered the more expensive $65 version. The sashimi and nigiri selections were your typical tuna, yellowtail, cooked shrimp, octopus, squid. There was even a tuna roll. In all, it didn't seem too different from a chef's choice selection at your run-of-the-mill sushi bar. I was especially disappointed with no toro in any form in any of the courses. The last course, a bowl of a dapping of rice topped with a generous portion of salmon roe was the most distinct course of the Omakase. Other than that, I thought the dinner sort of lacked creativity. I wondered if being gaijin that I got a more pedestrian version? We didn't speak with the sushi chef ahead of time, to let them know we wanted an adventurous selection (and toro), so that may have been a mistake. But again the fish quality was outstanding, so I will definitely give it another try some time.
