dish :: heat wave

07/29/07 FOOD, DISH: Heat wave

Fritti's beehive wood-fire ovens deliver delectable slices of heaven. CREDIT: Courtesy of Fritti

Heat Wave

Temperatures are rising in the kitchen and cooling off with fresh and fabulous cocktails

By Kirsten Ott

Pull up a stool, blokes and birds (that's British for beer lovers of all sexes). TAP, Midtown's new gastropub, from the gents who brought you Trois, Piebar, One Midtown Kitchen and Two Urban Licks, has concocted a beer club and they're recruiting new members. Not since we sported Members Only jackets have we felt this cool. Sign up at TAP to gain coveted access to more than 40 globe-trotting beers, become a member of the TAP Taster's Society and be notified of secret handshakes, news and the like. For more information, call 404-347-2220 or visit www.tapat1180.com.

Easy, breezy cocktails

The dog days of summer are fully upon us, and August heat is going to be almost unbearable. Cool off with the 527 happy hour at the newly revamped Food Studio located in the historic King Plow Arts Center. The refreshingly bright so fresh and so clean clean cocktail consists of Hanger One Buddha's Hand vodka, fresh basil and lemongrass, creating an ultra-refreshing summertime sipper ($10). All summer long, the 527 program (so named for its 5 to 7 p.m. schedule, Tuesday through Friday) keeps us chill with seasonal libations and a palate-pleasing array of bite-sized gourmet apps at the bar or on the breezy outdoor patio. Of course, if your stomach's growling for more sustenance, take a seat in the elegantly renovated and intimate factory loft where a knowledgeable and decidedly down-to-earth wait staff caters to your every gastronomic desire. For more information, call 404-815-6677 or visit www.thefoodstudio.com.

Islands in the stream

Escape to the tropics with chef/owner Roy Yamaguchi's eponymous Roy's island hop dinner on August 7. The annual event features chefs from Roy's restaurants around the country showcasing local cooking traditions, techniques and eclectic ingredients of Hawaii's five main islands. Each course is paired with a complementing wine. Nosh on delicious dishes such as pan flashed Hawaiian abalone and crab salad, lobster, seared rare ono sashimi, grilled venison chop, pork belly and divine desserts. $85 per person (plus tax and tip). For more information, call 404-231-3232 or visit www.roysrestaurant.com.

Mangia

Having the exclusive in on anything is always a good thing, especially when it comes to food. Last week I dined at Fritti in Inman Park, and I feel like I've been deprived of authentic pizza until this point. The decadent slices were immersed in flavors of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits and innovative twists on classics. Italians craft their pizza with little sauce, a trademark of Neapolitan-style pizza, along with the perfect balance of not too thin and not too thick crust. Chef/owner Riccardo Ullio's hip restaurant has recently been certified by the Verace Pizza Napolentana Association for serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza. Fritti is one of only 18 American restaurants honored with this distinction. Ullio operates nearby Sotto Sotto and will soon be opening two more palate pleasers: Beleza, a fresh concept for eating local and organic ingredients slated to arrive in Midtown in August, and Cuerno, a dining destination for modern Spanish cuisine coming this fall. Stay tuned to SP for reviews. For more information, call 404-880-9559 or visit www.frittirestaurant.com.

party like a rock star

07/29/07 COVER STORY: Party like a rock star

DJ Mike Bspins at Fever CREDIT: Joey G - yellomojo.com

Opera CREDIT: Joey G yellomojo.com

Party like a rock star

Atlanta's 10 sexiest nightspots

By Kirsten Ott

Atlanta's nightlife is growing up. After the demise of Buckhead's status as the dance capital of the South, our club scene has swelled to new levels of posh sophistication, though we still know how to get down and dirty on the dance floor. The days of drinking to oblivion haven't left us just yet—and probably never will, as pretty young college-age things continue to flock to the remaining Buckhead bars—but money-maker shakers have matured from dancing on the bar to simply dancing near the bar.

Atlanta's new wave of upscale party spots offers bottle service, VIP sections and memberships, velvet ropes, feng shui, fashion police and unchipped cocktail glasses. Though players on the new scene often include the deceptive term "lounge," don't be fooled. Sure, you can stretch out on the velvet-encrusted chaises or California kings when you're ready to get to know someone a little better. But what sets these 10 clubs apart from the other 200 or so within the confines of the Perimeter is the freedom to dance with near-reckless abandon while dressed to the nines in a luxe atmosphere, high on the exhilaration of bumping elbows with the rich and famous.

Aiko is a sexy hybrid of restaurant, lounge and nightclub, attracting a vibrant crowd on extended weekends, beginning Thursday and ending Monday (sometimes Tuesday for industry insiders). Saturdays at Aiko are served up as an international night; each weekend a different culture is showcased, from Latin and European to Indian, Bulgarian and Persian. Aiko is less Asian-themed than its name implies, channeling the sultry nights of South Beach. Bottle service ranges from $250 to $350, with cover starting at $10.
Aiko Sushi Bar and Lounge, 128 East Andrews Dr. 404-869-4800. www.aikoatlanta.com.

Just one year old, Lotus Lounge has blossomed into an ultra white-hot nightspot for the see-and-be-seen scene. More than 60 handcrafted cocktails sipped to the tune of high-energy dance beats attract Atlanta nightcrawlers with money to burn (and those with good credit). The members-only VIP mezzanine level and 10 Asian-themed semi-private deluxe booths add to the club's allure. Each booth is sectioned off with chiseled-glass cubes or rich curtains, and features its own signature cocktail laced with notes from the Far East.
Lotus Lounge, 565 Main St., Lindbergh City Center. 404-869-3445. www.lotusatlanta.com.

 

The calming wave that rushes over partiers in Compound's Tenshi bamboo-and-rock garden (complete with a fog pool) is replaced with high-octane dancing just inside the walls of this versatile fortress once used to house cars for sale. The spacious club offers what has become the standard in Atlanta's more luxurious clubs, with private rooms and bottle service, along with full-on booty music for a tantric throwdown often hosted by hip-hop and rap stars.
Compound, 1008 Brady Ave. 404-872-4621. www.compoundatl.com.

 

Bring the heat at Fever, a multilevel nightclub with a penchant for celebrity visitors ranging from Playboy Bunnies to playboy rockers. VIP tables and rooms can cost upwards of $2,000 for a single night, and general admission costs between $15 and $20 depending on arrival time. But cheapskates can get into the club early with an e-mailed pass. Acknowledged as one of the hottest spots for rump-shaking, Fever's hip-hop, rock and house mash-ups are perfect for getting your groove on all weekend long.
Fever Ultralounge, 1789 Cheshire Bridge Road NE. 404-214-0151. www.feveratl.com.

 

Channeling that all-important retro feel is the cocktail classic Leopard Lounge. A recent change of ownership hasn't affected its cult following, who come for vintage vibes and dance-floor grinds, but the club is planning a redesign with a more contemporary flair. An elite set of clubbers heads to Leopard Lounge for booty-shaking and clinking their highballs, but the club hasn't let its reputation go to its head—even though legendary rockers such as Bono are known to drop in and break out old-school dance moves.
Leopard Lounge, 84 12th St. 404-875-7562. www.leopardlounge.biz.

 

The newly minted Luckie Food Lounge is already the talk of the town for those seeking a sexy nighttime destination. Located next to the Georgia Aquarium, it's an opportune spot for meeting all those rumored fish in the sea. Built by Compound's original owner, the charmed club offers a sleek take on being a VIP with Play, a members-only rooftop lounge opening later this summer, and a gourmet sundry shop filled with its own bottled libations, handmade gelato, reading material and, of course, condoms for the lucky ones.

Luckie Food Lounge, 375 Luckie St. 404-572-5825. www.luckiefoodlounge.com.

 

Also new on the scene with a recent change in name and décor, Opera (the former Eleven50) recently reopened its doors to hip-shaking scenesters on the hunt for luxe interiors, renowned DJs and mind-blowing acoustics—all set in a classy 1920s theater. Three levels, VIP sections, outdoor cabanas, a pool and an explosion of big-name DJs spinning a wide range of music makes this Midtown oasis a must-visit on weekends.
Opera, 1150 Peachtree Road. 404-874-0428. www.operaatlanta.com.

 
Velvet Room has risen from the dead with a surprising number of immediate fans. Once the place to be seen inside the ropes, this former beauty queen of the nightlife scene has emerged triumphant, with a regular batch of enthusiastic Q100 listeners showing up each weekend blinged out and ready to shell out $15–$20 for entrance into the live broadcast Saturday night dance party.
Velvet Room, 3358 Chamblee Tucker Road. 404-874-4460. www.velvetatl.com.

Moving On Up

I've accepted a new position as the Life, Food & Style Editor at The Sunday Paper. I started this past Monday, so I'm just getting my bearings this week, but I can already tell I'm going to love it. I'm covering dining, life, style, fashion, travel and much more. You can reach me directly by writing me at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com. Stay tuned for more on this and other news.