Tessa "Drive A Faster Car" H.'s Profile

I was already thrown off by a 3.5 star rating on a Holiday Inn but know some of their international locations are quite nice so reserved initial judgement until I arrived.

A lot of attitude from the staff when being quite even mannered trying to find out things like what time room service ended and how to get on the wifi. The wifi was horribly unreliable on the 15th floor. The room was DIRTY and WORN and OUTDATED -- shelf in closet falling apart, old beer can behind the television, spilled coffee on the wall, stains on bed, very few power outlets (including none within reach of the coffee pot, I had to move it into the bathroom to use), very outdated bathroom and decor.  I also did not enjoy that the windows were not able to open at all.  

Size was fine, sheets/mattress were comfortable. Location is perfect.  I've read in other reviews that they are in the middle of a renovation but my room on the 15th floor (needed key access so I thought would be nicer as an executive level, NOT!) wasn't lucky enough to make the transition yet.  We also had to listen to the loud ice machine (which was broken) and vending machines on floor, even though we were a few doors down from it.

I can't say I'd ever stay here again nor recommend it to others.

Tasty! Very friendly staff and fast service. We sat outside on the sidewalk because it was so nice out which was a bonus. I ordered the chicken kabob lunch special with a side salad. It wasn't the most fantastic dish ever (though I am hugely biased being half-middle eastern) but it 100% hit the spot. It was a ton of food and I cleaned my plate. The rice was a bit sweet due to some berries and nuts in the mix. The chicken was average as were the veggies on the skewer. The sumac covered grilled onions were delicious. The salad came with a homemade tomato vinaigrette that was quite tasty. The little bit of hummus they give you with each dish had a great full flavor.

I went for a private party so it was probably out of the norm but it was a cool space, two bars downstairs plus an upstairs (think I saw a bar up there).  The drinks were good (open bar so I can't comment on pricing).  Bartenders were good and there was a full bar.  Smoking patio out in the back. Good dj, cool area. Coat check is always nice!  I can dig it! Definitely nicer than the clubs I usually frequent but comfortable and enjoyable even if it's not normally your scene.

Love, love, love thai and Khao Sarn was no let down!  Very good, non-greasy thai food. Delicious, crispy little eggrolls.  They have a cheap lunch special that is a steal!  Entree + soup of the day, salad or egg roll.  Believe it was about $6-$7.  Comfortable, clean and friendly.  I will definitely hit this place up again.

Atlas was yummy.  I ordered the mushroom and cheese ravioli which was quite good but a bit small.  Great french bread came on the side.  

The atmosphere was comfortable and laid back - a good type of place to catch up with a friend after a long day when you're looking for something on the healthy side.

There is no table service so you have to order with the guy inside next to the glass case. The staff seemed friendly and our meals came out quickly.  Cute outdoor seating area but kind of hard to navigate through to get inside as the entire restaurant is pretty small.

Say it ain't so! I went to see Switches and The Bravery last night at The Roxy after hitting up the Attractive Eighties Women in-store at Criminal Records. Five minutes after I walked in the door, I hear the news. LiveNation (aka Clear Channel) is shutting down The Roxy.

The Roxy can be found at 3110 Roswell road in the middle of Buckhead, right at the Peachtree Rd / Roswell Rd split. The old theater turned concert hall holds 1000 people between the downstairs standing room area and the upstairs seated balcony. With the closing of the Cotton Club, The Roxy has been offering 1/2 show set ups for smaller bands wishing to play in front of 600-700 people.

But why?
LiveNation has been progressively closing their small to mid-sized venues over the past five years or so. (Remember the Cotton Club? Now serving as The Tabernacle's smoking section and a rental location.) For huge companies like LiveNation, it just isn't as profitable for them to host smaller shows as it is for the larger shows. The more people they can fit in a room, the more opportunity for incremental profit.

How will this affect the Atlanta music scene?
For local artists, the only impact you will feel will be the increased demand by larger touring acts at your staple smaller venues. This could mean less opportunity for shows depending on the booking agent or inversely, it could offer you more opportunities for greater exposure by opening for these larger acts.

For touring artists, the market is going to be smaller and more competitive. Atlanta will likely see an even further decrease in touring artists coming through the city. Markets like Nashville and Charlotte could take the larger acts touring through the South on limited dates tours. The next size-comparable venues are The Loft and Variety Playhouse (and potentially Vinyl). They will feel the impact of this the most.

Big business trying to adapt and float. I would be curious to see what Clear Channel and LiveNation are doing to attempt to maintain relevant and dominant during the recent shifts in the music industry. Touring isn't down nor are concert sales. I hate to see The Roxy closing. It was never my favorite venue in Atlanta but it is definitely one I was always remember when thinking of Atlanta. I have attended some absolutely fantastic shows there. Peter Conlon has been using the upstairs of The Roxy as an office for some time. I expect they will either try to sell the building or use it for rentals as well. This is pretty disappointing.

The Roxy has tons of gorgeous memorabilia and has absolutely claimed itself as an Atlanta institution.  They used to book a better gander of artists than they have been over the past few years but still a very relevant venue in the Atlanta music scene.  

Downs: Expensive drinks, often long bathroom lines, and the slanted floor - while great for visibility, kills my back.  Haha. Perhaps I'm just an old woman ;)

I grew up going to Beaverbrook Park weekly.  It was where I made my earliest friends, got my first bloody nose hanging from the monkeybars upside down, and went "creeking" with my father and little sister years later.

Beaverbrook Park is the epitome of small parks which Atlanta, especially Buckhead, reaps in.  It's a small 6.8 acres but includes a playscape (updated fairly recently with the plastic variety, safer for young children), softball field (also stellar for pick-up soccer games) and creek.

My *favorite* part about Beaverbrook is their curvy path down the hill into the park from the street.  It is a ball for kids and adults to rollerskate/blade/ bike/ skateboard down (or up)!