I'm a little late on the second post in this series, but since the beginning of summer isn't officially until the 21st of June- I'm
ok. So here are a few must
try's... and yes, I know the way I am spelling that is incorrect- but it looks better that way.
1. The hottest new little restaurant in
ATL- Grant Park to be exact, just off I-20 on Boulevard.
Zibas Restaurant and Wine Bar! The food is
Mediterranean inspired, always fresh, creative, and wonderful. The young chef is talented, creative beyond measure and trained by some of the best chefs in the area. He worked under Richard
Blaise- yes the
little one with the
mohawk that was on Top Chef, Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene and Holman and Finch, Shane
Touhy and a few others that I've lost track of. Needless to say, his food making wisdom is mature beyond his 24 years of age. The wine list is well priced and there is something for every taste. I have tried literally everything on the menu at this point- and my favorites are the black bean and coconut soup- which I would NEVER have tried unless the chef just brought it out to me and I have to say its AMAZING.
There's this simple juxtaposition of flavors and textures that seem such an unlikely match- but match they do! Try it! Also the crab cakes, tuna,
babaganoush, steak...oh the list goes on. The head chef is Landon Thompson and he just so happens to be my little brother- but I assure you, I am a tough critic and he impresses me with something new every time I go in. I am often astonished that my little brother is so talented... and I wonder how he got all the good genes...
2. Playing in the rain. Yep- its that simple. I was out gardening the other day and no one was home so see me playing in the rain when the sky opened up in one of those gushing summer showers. My old sorority t-shirt and
soffe shorts clung to my skin, along with a little dirt and some grass clippings- and the poodle ran around me in circles gleefully trying to tell me that she thinks we should do this every day. I surely looked like an idiot to any neighbors who may have seen me, but every once in a while you just have to do something like that- or that simple childlike joy we all remember having will fade away. Besides, I'm not 30 yet- and I'm not gonna act like I am!
3. Plant a garden! It's really simple, quite therapeutic, and if you are one of those people claiming to ascribe to the "green' lifestyle, it really takes more than just buying stuff in the organic section at
Publix. Grow your own! Start with herbs- I suggest basil and then as you get more and more brave add in some veggies and fruits. I have squash, zucchini, tomatoes (try to find some heirloom seeds), cucumber,
moonflowers (gorgeous and they smell wonderful), basil, lemon thyme, rosemary and a few flowers. Also convenient when working in the garden is your built in bug repellent- just break off a little rosemary and some lemon thyme and rub it on your skin- voila. Things taste better when you grow them. I don't use fertilizer or pesticides- but to each their own. Good luck!
4. Sunday drives. I live in the 'burbs but sometimes the traffic in Cobb county even stresses me out to the max. I find myself driving home in the afternoons grinding my teeth, thinking unholy thoughts about drivers that I don't even know, and bursting the the door of my house with a look on my face that probably frightens my husband. So to counteract this ridiculousness- try a Sunday drive! It's funny how there is never any traffic when you aren't in a hurry and it's nice to get out of your regular driving territory and find some country. Georgia seems rich with cute little farms and interesting roadside "artwork" and sometimes, even cute little antique stores and nurseries with great Georgia plant species and local honey. How can anyone be stressed after buying big ole' homegrown tomatoes from sweet little old men with straw hats that let you pet their baby cows! Not to mention it's nice to get to spend time talking to whomever is along for the ride without having any particular place to be!
5. Volunteer. Do something you love. I like to volunteer at horse shows and spend time on beautiful land watching a sport I love while giving back a bit to the farms that put on these events. Trust me, they don't do it for the money! I used to volunteer at animal shelters but I am incapable of doing that without adopting something so I had to stop before I ended up like one of those old women on TV whose neighbors complain because she has 27 dogs and refuses to speak to any humans.
Next up: Summer Must
Do's
