Kathleen "Yelp Empress" M.'s Profile

Late night higher end dining, be still my heart.

Those who know me well know I'm basically a vampire. My most productive hours are from 6pm to 3am: work contacts often comment on my late night emails. I don't know what it is, but this is how I operate.

So yeah, I'm often hungry in the wee hours of the morning, and after years of being left with fatty overpriced mediocrity in terms of late night dining, I finally have a place to call home. Octopus Bar serves up an impressive variety of seafood in the wee hours, as well as a great drink list (yay for the Nature Boy cocktail) and super friendly service. On the balmy night I hit them up, the semi-enclosed patio was absolute perfection.

The menu is heavy on Asian flavors and they're all used in interesting ways. It's not Buford Highway but it certainly isn't Buckhead, and I love everything about it. A diverse crowd, a welcoming but interesting atmosphere, and a unique concept for Atlanta. I'm more than a fan.

I broke a nearly 5-year Walmart boycott the other day and I vow to go AT LEAST another 5 before I set foot in one again.

The mission seemed simple: drink mixers and juice, plastic cups, and an air pump. It should not have taken an hour.

I managed to find my way around relatively easy despite things being organized rather randomly. There was no staff around to direct: everyone seemed too busy overstocking shelves and leaving their stock carts in the middle of the aisles to actually answer any questions. Once I found my stuff I shuttled my rickety, rusted cart to the checkout section.

They had two registers open. TWO. Each had a line of about 6 or 7 patrons, all with very full carts. I chose one line, waited for over 10 minutes, and then, when I was number three, the cashier informs me that she's closing after the woman in front of me. I assured her that her light was on for the 10 minutes I had been in line, and she replied with a blank stare.

So I made my way in to the other line. But someone had an issue with their bag of potatoes and I waited and watched as 2 managers and the cashier made the customer walk through the gigantic ass store to fetch another bag. They did no scanning of her other items while this happened. Just stood and waited while I fumed.

The checkout process took nearly 40 minutes. I shit you not. Then I had to deal with the parking lot. My god.

Yes, the prices are low. But not worth it.

If you come in here expecting a restaurant, you'll be pleased. If you come in here expecting a great beer bar, you'll be disappointed.

Unfortunately, I was expecting the latter.

While I wouldn't consider myself a beer snob, you won't be seeing me drinking Bud Light... ever. So I was pleased as punch at the idea of having a Yard House in Atlanta. I'd hit up their Pasadena location many moons ago and have memories of a huge wrap-around tap system with tons of options. So, before catching a movie next door, I figured this would be a perfect spot to grab a brew.

The menu does a great job of putting the various beers in proper categories so you might be a little tempted to try something new, but I just wasn't impressed with the selection. I feel like it's definitely quantity over quality, as nothing really appealed to me. No seasonals, not much in the local department, and nothing that you can't get anywhere else. I've heard comparisons of this place to Taco Mac, and let me just say, if you actually want to try new beers... go to Taco Mac. Also, if you want people who know about beer as the bartenders here seemed totally clueless. Like, clueless enough to serve my Delirium Tremens to me in a pint glass. In this case, I'm not complaining, but the manager sure as hell wasn't happy. They were also out of several options, and one manager seemed to be fighting with a tap that was just spewing water. It still seems to be amateur hour up in here.

They tout half price appetizers during happy hour but it's not quite legit. Instead they have a special list of happy hour appetizers, and no prices are listed on that menu. Also, no prices on the beer menu: that really bugs me. And prices are high: appetizers in the $9-$14 range, entrees in the $12-$20. Not exactly bar food.

The food was good, however. We got lettuce wraps and spinach dip and they were both passable but nothing special. Again, the price seemed high for what you get. Given their location, though, it's definitely the best option for food in Atlantic Station.

I'll give them some more time to work out the kinks before I return, and I'll compliment them on the space and what looked to be a pretty bomb ass patio. Show owner comment »

Confession: PF Chang's is my ultimate chain guilty pleasure. I can't deny my love for their over the top decor, cheap and overly sweetened food, and those dang lettuce wraps.

So when I was in the hood post-movie kind of late on a weeknight, the lights from this location were like a siren song to my rumbly belly and thin wallet. Things started out great: a super friendly hostess, a comfy booth, and our waiter promptly greeted us. It quickly took a turn for the worse.

The lettuce wraps arrived and, maybe it's just because I haven't had them in a while, but they weren't very flavorful. Maybe it was because of the nasty white lettuce we'd been given, but they weren't what I remembered. My fried rice was similar: totally dried out chicken, overcooked rice, and no flavor. Then our server totally dropped the ball and disappeared. It was getting close to closing time (11pm), we were ready for the check, and he decided to chat it up with a table behind us. I tried making eye contact as best I could, and we connected a few times, but he blatantly ignored us.

I'm ashamed, but I'll readily admit that there is such a thing as a good PF Changs. This isn't one of them.

First up, this place is itty bitty. If it's not nice outside (as in you can't sit in the courtyard) don't roll in here with a big crew. It's kitchen-in-another-building tiny.

I was a little perplexed by the process (do you order at the counter? sit and order from a server?) but since I was ordering to-go I just bellied up to the counter and ordered a tomato/mozzarella sandwich. I opted for the side salad and they were happy to bring me a perfectly chilled can of Diet Coke.

I admittedly ate my lunch at red lights in the car, but even through the mess I could taste the deliciousness. The walnut bread was absolute heaven, and even being pre-season, the tomatoes were bursting with flavor. The side salad was no castoff, either: super fresh ingredients and delicious dressing, I was tempted to lick the to-go box.

I was greeted both coming and going by a super friendly staff, and the whole atmosphere seemed comfortable. They've got free wi-fi if you need it, and I definitely will in the future when I no doubt return for another perfect sandwich.

Much like Chinese Buddha, this Checkers is a right of passage for Midtown nightlife. It's open late, they've got two drive throughs, and you'll almost always leave with a story. Yeah, I made a cabbie drive me through here once. Designate a driver, kids.

It can be slow, the food is crappy (who doesn't put lettuce and tomato on a burger?!), and you'll likely regret it the following morning, but isn't that what late night food is all about? For $3 I can get a burger and seasoned fries that'll hold me over till morning, and that's priceless.

FedEx/Kinkos, never again.

I don't need anything fancy when it comes to my printing needs: usually just some nice color, decent paper, and a painless transaction. After fighting with the "super easy" FedEx online uploader for far too long, I remembered the lovely locally-owned copy shop in EAV. I managed to find their email address online, sent in my files with directions, and waited for some kind of confirmation.

I never got one, but headed down a few hours later. They were totally slammed with folks using their archaic paper cutter, ordering custom business cards, and designing graduation invitations. It was charming to see them working so closely with everyone, but my quick to-go copies were nowhere to be seen. Once I got someone's attention and noted that I had emailed in an order, she nodded knowingly and just a few minutes later I had precisely what I needed for about 25% less than I usually pay at the huge chain behemoth.

Shop local, y'all.

If the only reason you use this location is for the ATM, you won't be disappointed.

I say this because I've never been inside.

They've got a few ATMs and two are drive-through: woo! I usually hit up the one in the back toward Flat Shoals. It has the envelope-less deposit and usually whirrs through pretty quickly.

As someone who doesn't need a face to my bank, it serves my purposes well.

Just like the other Tin Lizzy's, the margaritas are tasty and potent, the chips are easily inhalable, and the rest of the food ranges from mediocre to decent.

This location has a pretty nice patio in the back with plenty of large umbrellas and ceiling fans. On my most recent visit, our server was friendly if not a little absent, but no major transgressions were made. Chips and salsa come at a charge but it's worth it: they always bring a serious buttload of deliciousness, too much, for sure.

When you're in Midtown and craving tacos (or more importantly, margaritas) you can't go wrong with a quick trip here.

You know those days when all you eat is jello shots and vodka soaked gummy worms, take a nap at 6, wake up at 9 hungover, and then find yourself ravenous at 2am and in need of something salty? I had one of those days on Saturday, and I was thankful for Pho 24's 24-hourness.

It's in the old Ca Dao space and it's a vast improvement, for sure. They've got the typical Vietnamese fare: pho, banh mi, bun, and c'om. Despite leaving the house with a hankering for pho, I decided on some pork bun. We also shared the spring rolls and they hit the spot. My bun wasn't nearly as good as what I get at C'om, but it was 3am and exactly what I needed. I nearly licked the bowl. I also sipped on my late night counterpart's pho and the broth was flavorful and delicious.

Service was prompt and speedy but gruff: I don't think we got one word out of him. The people watching was incredible with everyone rolling in from the clubs (quite a commute from Midtown, but late night options in town are limited). I'd happily return in the wee hours of the morning, but there are better spots during normal people hours if solid fare is what you're after.