artsychowroamer

[artsychowroamer]

Christmas in Italy

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

CHRISTMAS IN ITALY

VISITING OFF-SEASON

Europe is the number one destination for travel around the world and it is very crowded because of that. Having spent the holidays there before, I have found that time of year can not only be magical but easier to navigate during the off-season. Depending on your departure and return dates, the airports are easier, the planes less full and all lines much shorter.

When I got a text with some unbelievable last minute air deals for Italy, I snagged two for a holiday visit to Florence. Sure, we have been there before but not at Christmas and I knew it would be a lovely gift to ourselves, full of beautiful decorations, fabulous shopping and special sights. There is so much to see, eat and do in the cradle of the Renaissance that I would never be able to cover it all in one blog but I will try to give you some of my favorite things.

WHERE TO STAY

While there are any number of nice contemporary hotels, we prefer to look for smaller, well-located spots that offer that old traditional Florentine ambience. We chose the Corona d’Italia Hotel located in the historical city center of San Lorenzo. It is close to the Santa Maria Novella train station and right next to the San Lorenzo Market, one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in Italy.

While it is only a three star property, we loved the Italian tile floors, warm wood stylings on the front desk and lobby bar and old-world color scheme in yellows, blues and maroon. The front desk staff were welcoming and upgraded us to a larger room without asking. The lobby bar was cozy and intimate, the perfect spot for an early evening martini before going on to dinner.

Our room was spacious with windows that opened to the street, a large comfortable bed, a place for morning coffee or breakfast if you wanted to bring it up from the buffet. The bathroom was well outfitted with toilet and bidet. A working desk and a large flat screen made it quite comfortable for the weeks stay. BTW, that breakfast buffet was luscious, offering everything you could ever want with a machine that put out every sort of coffee and tea drink known to man and was included in our room rate which was excellent value for Florence.

WALKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Another enjoyable aspect of where we stayed was how easy it was to walk around the neighborhood for holiday spirit with trees, lights, merry-go-rounds and nativity scenes. The outdoor stands in the market were full of wonderful gifts and souvenir items. Anything you might want to give was there for really excellent prices.

I did all of my shopping a little every day finding leather products like bracelets with silver catches and decoration in black, brown, gray and red with that Italian sophistication to the design. Perfect for my besties. The softest cashmere wraps that could be used as a scarf or shawl were stacked in stunning shades of yellow greens, pumpkins, golds and reds; fall colors that had me buying several for my mother and myself.

Nobody does paper products like this city and while you find shops with larger selections, there were plenty of journals, watercolors on paper, books, pencils and pens which worked well as gifts for my architect friend and his wife. Handbags, wallets money clips, beautiful blouses, sweaters and dresses were available everywhere. Rugs and luggage bags of all sizes were popular as well as Italian foods and candies.

I found some of the sweetest handmade wooden toys for toddlers along with little books like Pinocchio which is the perfect Italian story to read to the children on Christmas Eve. Stall after stall had jewelry of all types, styles and price points. Pretty necklaces, earrings and rings made for great stocking stuffers. I loved the Lorenzo market and hit it every single day I was there.

PIAZZA DEL DUOMO

Our first stop is always a walk about on the Piazza del Duomo. The cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese in Florence was commissioned in 1296 and completed in 1436 with a dome designed by the famous Filippo Brunelleschi. Designed in the Gothic style with marble panels of various shades of green and pink, it is bordered by white and features an elaborate Gothic Revival facade designed by Emilio De Fabris. Put up with the line to see it if you’ve never been inside.

This area is full of galleries and shops for strolling, bars for drinking and restaurants for eating some of the best food in the city. One of our favorites for lunch is Il Bottegone with indoor and outdoor dining options. It’s beautiful in the evenings for people watching while staying toasty with all the festive decorations, heaters and blankets.

We opted to eat lunch inside as it was really cold so we ordered grappa with a cappuccino to warm up while the server brought a basket of fresh breads and butter for us to nosh on. Delish! Wanting not to spoil dinner we opted to share a platter special of fresh salmon slices with lemon, capers and dill served with olive oil, vinegar and toast points. This dish was simply sublime and hit the spot.

PALAZZO VECCHIO

Next up is always the Palazzo Vecchio which is about the fanciest town hall you will ever see. Here you will find a copy of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David along with other works of art including the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi. While having been know by other names, it got its current name when the ruling Medici duke’s residence was moved across the Arno River to the Palazzo Pitti.

I like to sit and have lunch outside in this area to view the statues and watch the people come and go. It is one of my favorite shopping areas for three things in particular. Art galleries where you can find affordable small pieces of glass and paintings, a small perfume shop that makes their own very unusual scents with wonderful bottles and boxes and one of the best liquor stores in the area where you will find all manner of things including grappa in fancy Italian blown bottles with stretched necks and colorful beads.

LA MENAGERE

Last but not least, I never make a visit or recommendation that doesn’t include La Menagere. Shopping is at its best in this magical shop and restaurant offering beautiful glass pieces, flowers, books, household goods, kitchen goods and more. Many stop in for tea or lunch sitting in the retail space before or after their shopping is done. It is always beautifully done up this time of year and they offer many of their decor items for sale as well.

Their glass is offered in many different colors with special one-of-a-kind pieces. I bought some lovely espresso cups, saucers and spoons with gold rims that I will always treasure. Their florists were very busy putting together the most visually interesting compositions I have ever seen. We had lunch next to the patio in the glass dining room which was outstanding. Fried gnocchi with sweet potato puree and fried shallots were over the top delicious as was the potato tart with melted gruyere cheese. Both were served with a wonderful glass of the house Italian red wine. Light puffs of heaven with cream and chocolate were dessert along with an espresso and brandy. This is my favorite place in Florence. Don’t miss it.

EATING IN FLORENCE

You don’t really have to venture out to areas that are far away from the hotel where you are staying in order to find some of the best food around. A simple walk about will give you more places than you can try in a weeks stay or more. It won’t just be Italian eateries either. Some might be surprised to find out that one of the best meals we had in Florence was at an Indian restaurant just around the corner from us. Aroma of India was a cozy little spot with the friendliest of owners.

She seated us at a table and brought us a long menu to study while rushing over water and a little taste of what was to come from the chef. Delicious light crispy hollow balls filled with tasty fillings were a fabulous start. A little beer was the perfect wash down. Papaduums and garlic naan arrived next with delicious sauces from mild to spicy; mint, tamarind and chutney. Butter chicken and lamb vindaloo finished us off and were some of the best we have ever had.

Upon arriving in Florence, it was late and we popped out to the first sweet restaurant we came upon for bottles of lovely red wine, loads of fresh bread with the best peppery olive oil and basalmic vinegar at Osteria del Borgo. Since all their pastas are freshly made daily, we took the special and got pappardelle with a wonderful country slow cooked sauce with a thick chunky cut to the meat and veg. Beautiful….wish you were here kind of food!

Shout out to La Falterona for one of the best Italian meals we had just a couple of blocks walk to a lovely spot with a waiter who was utterly charming in an old school sort of way. Sliced duck with honey mustard glaze and mashed potatoes along with wild boar pasta were matched beautifully with his red wine suggestion that set us back a bit! Leave room for dessert please!

CONCLUSION

While many people might think Italy is only worth visiting during warm weather, we found that the tourist numbers are so high in-season that it almost begs the planning of your trip during the holidays. My husband and I love slow walks without dodging in and out of crowds. We like to be able to move around in shops without queuing up to pay. It is pleasant to walk into a restaurant or bar and be able to get a table without a reservation.

Add in the beauty of the decorations, the Christmas market stalls and the holiday spirit we found everywhere, it was just about perfect. Don’t be afraid to avoid the crowds when planning your visit. I highly recommend Christmas in Florence, Italy.

If you enjoyed what you read, you might enjoy other posts under Explore the World. There you will find my tips and guides on exciting places to visit with an emphasis on art and food as well. I also give you a taste of some fabulous spots under Snap Shot which will help you add to your bucket list. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Pick of the Month: Downtown Kitchen

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

Pick of the Month:

DOWNTOWN KITCHEN

There are a number of high quality, consistently good eating spots in downtown Canton, Georgia. One of our latest favorites for date night dinners is Downtown Kitchen. Claiming not to follow trends but setting the standard, this local favorite wants to provide perfection for your best dining experience.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LOCATION

Located behind the black exterior at 140 East Marietta Street, this cozy casual spot offers bar, booth, table and outdoor patio dining options. Simplicity is the word of the day with entrees changing daily according to market and seasonal availability for a farm-to-table experience from a practiced hand in the kitchen.

We hit the place with friends most recently on a Friday evening without a reservation. We like early dining so the fact that Downtown opens earlier than most is great. At 4:30, we were one of two or three tables and had our pick of where to sit.

COCKTAILs & BREAD

Our waiter arrived with cocktail menus and trays of fluffy fresh bread with a spicy tomato dipping sauce on the side. We looked over the menu and odered a few drinks first. While some of us stuck to the usual like a martini with blue cheese olives, others chose a Tom Collins, a Georgia peach old fashioned and a ginger jackass mule from the make-your-own-mule choices.

Our drinks arrived quickly and perfectly with the right chill, glass choice and garnishes-both pretty and delicious. They were a heavenly match with the bread and spice of the dip. If those don’t do it for you, there are Margarita and Sangria choices as well as a very nice curated menu of white and red wines.

California, Oregon and Washington are represented with a couple of Rieslings, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnays ranging from $7-11 a glass. Italy and Eastern Europe provide some nice Pinots. California and Italy provided some lovely reds like Malbec, Zinfandel and Cabernets ranging from $8-12.

FIRST COURSEs

We opted to order both Caesar and kitchen salad plates for table sharing with our bread and drinks. Both were very good with fresh crisp greens and just the right amount of dressings with anchovy forward creaminess and sweet tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

The caesar had crunchy bits of sunflower seeds for a twist making it even saltier with the sprinkle of parmesan. The kitchen offered juicy grape tomatoes, red onion and crisp cucumber with bits of blue cheese.

SECOND COURSE

Pay attention to the blackboards for the daily soups and specials. We ordered the French onion and fall squash for a second course. Both were a tasty different take on the usual recipes. The broth had a different herb that popped with gruyere cheese instead of Swiss while the squash offered creamy smooth texture and warm herbs like cinnamon and nutmeg.

We also decided to try the Asian tuna tartar. Served in a martini glass, the fish was rough chopped in small cubes and super chilled. Cold avocadoes and chopped green onions were mixed in with a dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and sesame oil for shut-the-front-door goodness topped off with a crunchy crisp fried wonton chip.

Want other choices? You got them with fried calamari or shrimp, hanger steak wontons or crab cakes. We’ve also had the spinach and artichoke dip mixed with cheese along with tortilla chips for some lip smacking dipping on previous visits.

ENTREES

The kitchen specializes in steak and offers a lot of different items to pair with it should you opt to go that way for your entree. A sirloin, filet, strip or hanger are the four cuts of choice. Your pairings range from Asher blue cheese to mushrooms and chimichurri or horseradish sauces.

We opted to try a special from the board as one choice and took two items off the regular menu as well. Fried green tomatoes came to the table crispy and hot with a touch of sour cream, sweet berry jam and micro greens for a perfect finish. The mushroom raviolis with tomato cream sauce are a menu staple that everyone raves about. They were pretty gosh darn good. Hands down however, the winner was the short ribs over creamy mashed potatoes with crispy fried onion rings. The demi-glace was delicious and hearty while the meat was fork tender.

DESSERTS

A word about desserts. Leave room for some. We decided two to share was about all we could do so pistachio pie and creme brule were the evening picks. The former was creamy and semi-sweet with the crunchiness of fresh nuts on top. The brule classic and prepared properly with the crisp sugar topping to the finish.

COZY DATE NIGHTS

I like sitting at the bar on the weekends just to run in and grab a quick drink sometimes. The interior is casual, dark and cozy which makes for the best date night dinners. The high booths provide privacy and a level of quiet that makes this restaurant unusual as well. Loud experiences are the norm everywhere anymore so this spot makes it easy to have a conversation with your peeps.

CONCLUSION

This is the same team that brought you Queenie’s and Goin’ Coastal also in downtown Canton. So you can see why this spot should be next on your bucket list whether it’s for date night or a get together with friends. The food is simple, well prepared, fresh and tasty. The seasonal changes mean you won’t tire of the menu. You never know what might be on the blackboard as a special. Grab your better half and check it out soon. Tell ‘em I sent ya OK?

If you enjoyed what you read, you might also enjoy other posts under Edible Fare. There you will find restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie tips and best spots to eat in a variety of cities. Check out the next post on traveling off-season in Italy. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Our Town at The Barrymore Theatre

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

OUR TOWN

AT THE ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATRE

I love theatre and many of you may not know that I co-founded a community playhouse in my hometown in Tennessee where the local high school drama teacher could do her thing after retiring. It let me continue my interest and love for the behind-the-scenes kind of work that had thrilled me during my days in high school and college.

This led my husband and I to buy season tickets several times in Atlanta when Kenny Leon was still directing in our neck of the woods at the Alliance Theatre. If Kenny directed it, you would want to see it no matter what the play. That’s why I was excited to read that he will be bringing his version of the classic Thornton Wilder play Our Town to the historic Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City right in the heart of Broadway.

THE HISTORY

Named after the actress from the famous Barrymore family acting dynasty, Ethel was the it girl of her time when the theatre opened in December of 1928. Designed by Herbert J. Krapp in a combination of Mediterranean, Elizabethan and Adam styles, it is the last standing theatre built by the brothers, Lee and J.J. Shubert. It houses a large, beautiful stage with 1,058 seats. Run by the Shubert Organization to this day, the exterior is considered to be a New York City landmark in the heart of the theatre district in Manhattan.

Built from white bricks and rusticated terra cotta, the design was inspired by Roman baths with large arches and screens. The auditorium houses box seats at the balcony level with a coved ceiling and dome above. Roman arches and gold ornamental plasterwork abound along with a sloped orchestra level. An ornate lounge was located in the basement along with a now demolished stage house.

The Shubert brothers built the theatre in honor of Ethel when she agreed to have them handle her career and she stayed with them throughout performing in it the final time in 1940. It has remained a legitimate acting venue staging musicals and plays and is one of the few to have never been sold or renamed. It has been updated and refurbished both in the ‘80’s and early 2000.

THE WRITER

Thornton Niven Wilder was an American playwright and novelist winning the Pulitzer Prize three times for the novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and two plays, Our Town and The Skin of our Teeth. He also won the U.S. National Book Award for his novel The Eighth Day. Born in 1897 in Madison, Wisconsin to parents, Amos and Isabella Wilder, his father was a newspaper editor and diplomat while his mother raised the family of five children. Thornton’s twin was stillborn.

The other siblings were writers with the older brother Amos becoming a noted poet at Harvard Divinity School and younger sisters Charlotte and Isabel becoming writers of note themselves. Said to be overly intellectual, Wilder would retreat to the library in school to escape the teasing and hide away from the humiliation of not fitting in. He would serve in both WWI and II rising to a lieutenant colonel status. He received his undergraduate degree from Yale University where he refined his writing skills and went on to earn his Master of Arts degree in French Literature from Princeton University.

After an eight-month residency in Italy, he published his first book, The Cabala, in 1926 followed by The Bridge of San Luis Rey in 1927 which brought him commercial success along with The Pulitzer Prize allowing him to quit his teaching job at The Lawrenceville School in order to write full time. In 1938, he would write the play Our Town and win his second Pulitzer and in 1940, The Skin of our Teeth would follow for the third prize.

THE PLAY

Our Town is a three-act play that playwright Edward Albee called “the greatest American play ever written”. It presents life in a fictional town called Grover’s Corners through the lives of its citizens between the years 1901 through 1913. Wilder uses metatheatrical devices setting the play in the actual theatre where it is being performed. A stage manager is the main character directly talking to the audience, fielding questions, playing some of the rolls and bringing in guest lecturers.

Left photo: Courtesy Historical Society of Princeton Right photo: Stage Publishing Company, Inc.; photograph by Alfredo Valente

The play is largely performed on a bare stage with no set while the performers mime actions without the use of props. The original stage manager was played by Frank Craven. In Act I, he introduces the audience to Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire and the people living there in 1901. We meet folks like the milkman, the boy who delivers the papers, the town doc, the Webb and Gibbs families and Professor Willard. Editor Webb will provide all the details about the town from socioeconomic status to the lack of culture and art while the stage manager leads you through pivotal moments throughout the day and evening. We meet the town drunk, the church ladies who gossip and the children of the Webb and Gibbs families who like each other very much.

Act II opens three years later and the kids are ready to get married. The stage manager takes us through their ups and downs together and how love works to get them to the altar. Act III opens nine years later and deals with death and eternity as the stage manager focuses on the cemetery in town where five people are buried since the wedding took place; some surprising and some not but one will teach us a lesson about appreciating the simple things in life.

THE CAST

It might surprise you to find out that Jim Parsons will be your Stage Manager for this run of the play. Parson’s, made famous by playing nerdy Sheldon Cooper in the Big Bang Theory, loves Broadway and can’t wait to get his chops around this more serious role. Katie Holms, the ex Mrs. Tom Cruise, will be making her come back as Mrs. Webb after sending her daughter off to college this year. Richard Thomas of The Waltons fame will be playing her husband while Zoey Deutch will play the doomed Emily Webb.

They lead a cast of 28 very talented actors including Ephraim Sykes as George Gibbs, Billy Eugene Jones as Dr. Gibbs and Michelle Wilson as Mrs. Gibbs. Julie Halston as Mrs. Soames and Donald Webber Jr. as Simon Stimson round out the main players in this wonderful version of the beloved play. You can bet Kenny Leon’s vision of the classic will be very different from any other you have seen before with this cast in place.

THE DIRECTOR

Last but not least, the talented Mr. Leon. While he may have been born in Florida, we like to claim him since he graduated from Clark Atlanta University. He gained prominence in 1990 when he became one of the few African Americans to head a major nonprofit theater as the artistic director for the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. During his time there, the endowment rose for the company from $1 million to $5 million as he staged productions like Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical Aida that went on to Broadway and Alfred Uhry’s The Last Night in Ballyhoo.

He left in 2000 to pursue other projects including being a co-founder and artistic director for True Colors Theatre Company a group based in both Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He won a Tony Award for his direction of A Raisin in the Sun in 2014 and was nominated for his versions of Fences in 2010 and A Soldier’s Play in 2019. He received Emmy Award nominations for Hairspray Live! (2017), American Son (2019) and Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021).

A stellar reputation has gotten him gigs with some of the best in acting land such as Denzel Wahington, Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, Blair Underwood, David Alan Grier and Viola Davis just to name a few. In 2015, Leon directed a musical version of The Wiz for NBC and partnered with Cirque du Soleil who plans on taking it to Broadway. In 2022, a return to his old stomping grounds brought Trading Places: the Musical! to the Alliance directed by Leon. In short, his range is unbelievable-second only to his massive talent.

CONCLUSION

As you can see, Kenny Leon’s version of a classic play, in a historic theatre, named after an acting family dynasty will not be one to miss. This cast will be bringing the street cred with them as they bring these characters to life and I imagine Kenny will be up for a load of awards next time at the Tony’s. I rather like that thought….don’t you? Home town boy makes very good. Break a leg Kenny.

If you liked what you read, you may also like other posts under Artful Ideal. There you will find posts on art, books, theaters and other artsy things you might be interested in. Until then…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Pick of the Month: Trattoria di Montaluce

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

Pick of the Month:

TRATTORIA DI MONTALUCE

Whenever I’m wanting a taste of Italy in my own backyard, I head up to Montaluce Winery in the beautiful hills of Dahlonega. It’s the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the views with a bottle of their wine and some great choices of small plates, brunch, lunch or dinner.

The architecture follows that of any small Tuscan village around Italy with the red clay tiled roofs, stone walls and high ceilings with elegant chandeliers. The grounds are so beautiful with rows of grapevines, ponds, lush landscaping and tall trees creating lovely shady spots to enjoy the breezes.

SOME HISTORY

The original building opened with a gracious tasting room, dining room, event spaces and outdoor patio. The general manager, Matthew Garner, was brought on to help build and maintain every aspect of the big project that included villa rentals and some very special residences.

It was an ambitious vision for sure and there were times of struggle but the ship righted itself. The soil and weather conditions in Georgia make for a longer growing season with grapes that provide strength, complex flavor and aromas. Their award-winning wines are produced in their own in-house winery at the farm making them one of the top three in the state.

two restaurant choices

While the restaurant in the main house is wonderful, in 2021, they opened the Trattoria di Montaluce kust next door and that is where we headed on a lovely Sunday afternoon to check it out.

Stepping inside the cozy dining room, you smell the heavenly aromas of Italian herbs and warm bread from the large orange pizza ovens on full view in the open kitchen. The staff regularly look up and call out welcomes to arrivals like you’re a regular they recognize.

Several big screens around the bar show soccer, golf and other sporting events from around Europe which makes it a great spot to gather and catch a few games with a beer or signature cocktail. The place was already pretty full inside and the outdoor dining and patio were packed when we got there.

COCKTAILS & FIRST COURSEs

There’s a lot on the menu which will take you a bit to get through. Trust me, anything you choose will be traditional and just like your Nonna would make. You will want a drink of course as the bartenders are super. A wide flat body glass choice on the traditional martini with three stuffed blue cheese olives was a big success while a negroni in a short glass filled the bill nicely for my husband; both pretty and delicious.

My suggestion is to begin with a shared bowl of pasta fagioli soup or a classic Cesare salad. We chose the latter, and it was excellent in a way you just don’t get in other restaurants. The art of the perfect dressing of the crisp fresh greens with the salty flavors of anchovy and shaved parmesan is harder to get right than you might think.

Bread service comes with a sharing of veal and pork meatballs that are very light, creamy and packed with herb flavoring of rosemary and garlic. The tasty bread is the perfect dipping vessel for the marinara love on the bottom of the bowl. You will be in the clean plate club when you send it back!

SECOND COURSE

As most of you know, I am a pasta gal and I had to try at least one course. Staying simple is always rule number one for the true test of the best Italian kitchens. Carbonara with guanciale, cage free eggs, salt, pepper and parmesan with a light herb sprinkle was so delicious I hogged most of it for myself instead of sharing like a good girl should.

They are making their own pasta, and it is very apparent. If you want a heavier choice I would go for the pappardelle al ragu with beef and pork. There is a clean Amatriciana and tagliolini di mare with squid ink pasta, clams and shrimp. Simple classics that are sure to please.

Pasta not your thing? Go with the pizza. Those ovens are putting out some wonderful crispy crust on the thinner side in twelve different combinations from margherita to salmon lox. Want to make your own? They offer over twenty different toppings and bases to add to your pie.

There are a number of secondi choices should you have the room for them. Tuscan style short ribs, chicken parm, lasagna and whole roasted sea bass to name a few can easily be shared. If you just want to nosh with your wine, there are three different choices of mercato on a board served with fruit, breadsticks, nuts and house-made jam.

dessert

We don’t always have room for dessert, but the waiter gave us our choices and we thought we had to try a luscious ganache chocolate number that was drizzled with two kinds of sauce with fresh berries on top. Served with a little cream on the side, it was rich and just as light as you would expect a European dessert to be.

after lunch

As families lingered to enjoy their Sunday meals, many were sipping glasses of grappa with a small espresso on the side. We joined in and found the grappa to be the best we’ve had since visiting Italy. The espresso was fresh as well which can often be stale from lack of ordering in other restaurants. When you hear people speaking Italian, you know you are in the right place.

STUFF TO DO

Montaluce is obviously a destination experience but not just for weddings by far. The villa rentals offer a way to stay for a luxury weekend sleeping up to six and coming in at $350-$500 a night. Styled shoots for the photographers in your group are on offer as well as fly fishing, wine hikes with gourmet picnics and Chef’s Table meals with five delicious courses. Don’t forget that Dahlonega offers beautiful mountains, waterfalls, shopping and their own restaurants to explore.

CONCLUSION

I think you can see why Montaluce is one of our favorite places to visit. It’s perfect for a five-star weekend getaway with friends, a romantic wedding spot, the perfect brunch choice and the best Italian trattoria experience around. You can dress it up or dress it down. You’ve got lots of choices. Go make them!

If you enjoyed what you read, you might also enjoy other posts under Edible Fare. There you will find restaurant reviews, recipes, foodie tips and best spots to eat in a variety of cities. I also put emphasis on food experiences in my travel posts under Explore the World. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Epicurean; Atlanta Hotspot

Author: Artsy Chow Roamer

EPICUREAN

ATLANTA HOTSPOT

This blogger and writer is big on exploring in your own backyard so we decided to make a run down to Atlanta to celebrate our anniversary with a stay at the Epicurean. An architect friend of mine posited that the property was one of the best new places to stay in Atlanta proper.

We took a speedy tour online and liked what we saw. A fresh contemporary design with a young modern vibe on the interiors, amenities and menus. Located in the heart of Midtown, there are lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars to take advantage of as you walk about. This post will give a good idea of what to expect should you want to book your own quick get-away.

CHECK IN

We opted to use our GPS to get there from our mountain home. Warning: it was confused. Between one-way roads and closed roads from construction, it was difficult to get there. The valet and entrance face West Peachtree which is one-way heading away from town. It was closed to traffic right above the property so it was not easy to get to the right roads. After a few work arounds we managed.

The nice valet helped us with our bags and walked us to the check in which was tucked into a cozy little corner of the bar. Almost hidden, there were a couple of tables and chairs for folks to sit and wait or power up a phone or lap top. You could also grab some lovely cucumber water or a cup of coffee.

We were quickly checked in after they asked our preference for a view; to the pool and courtyard or a downtown skyline. We picked downtown but I wished we had picked the pool after I saw how pretty it was. We got our cards after sipping our welcome glass of white wine and headed to the elevators to ride up to the 11th floor.

Security is a good thing. You must tap your room card on the elevator panel to get it to accept your room floor button choice. We also noticed that the sustainable bamboo panels on the elevator were the same as our floors downstairs in our mountain home-great choice!

THE ROOM

The rooms are spacious with a big king size bed with luxurious linens, a leather headboard and wood wall paneling. A table provides a spot to open suitcases with large flat screen TV above and is joined with a gracious work desk. The art is lit with a wonderful small contemporary fixture highlighting a clever collection of epicurean items; a sketch of peach pits, paintings of radishes and a slice of pie, a poster pushing coffee and a cute wire sculpture in the shape of a coffee cup.

A freehand sketch of The Varsity in Atlanta hanging in the entry and a pillow with knife and fork on the bed are all unique design details that are well thought out, fun and support the overall local concept of the property. Floating nightstands with good lighting made it easy to read in bed and the seating in the corner was very comfy for morning coffee and catching up on the news.

Instead of the usual mini bar in fridge, a high-end wall design included glasses of several types, a nice offering of wines and canned cocktails along with a selection of liquors and mixers. Well done with a mini fidge below it for anything needing to be cooled down. The only critique I had was one needed to take the bucket down to the lobby for ice which is not handy.

A sliding barn door opens to your spacious bathroom with a well organized sink, towel and amenity area designed in classic neutrals that will stay looking sleek in the years to come. A large tub/shower combo offered a lot of grab bars for safety but it might have been more forward thinking to simply offer a step in design with glass doors.

THE TOUR

After settling in, we walked back down to the lobby to check out the public spaces and look over the offerings for dinner in the bar and restaurant. The bar has stunning views with lots of options for seating. You can sit at the bar directly, dine at tables or just hang in a living room type setting with comfortable sofas.

Reverence Bar & Bites offers artisanal small plates and snacks with a “fusion of bold flavors and culinary innovation” offered in a sophisticated and stylish interior within the bar proper. Choose between three or six selections of fromage and charcuterie, snacks like citrus olives or crab dip and small plates of bang bang shrimp or lamb meatballs.

Choose the Reverence dining room and your options expand to five different salads like roasted beet or fried artichokes, additional small plates like peri peri chicken kabobs, boneless pork ribs or seared scallops. Large plates include a pasta, steak, seafood and burger option. End with one of the five lovely desserts on offer including a panne cotta, creme brule, gelato or cheesecake.

THE POOL

Head up to the 9th floor where you will find the event spaces which were very busy hosting a large wedding the day we visited. You will also find some outstanding gardens to walk, sit on a bench and read or enjoy some journaling. Order a fancy signature cocktail at the outdoor bar.

We were surprised at the stunning variety of plants and trees there were throughout the property which offered a large pool with in-water recliners, cabanas and a casual outdoor dining option in Aerial Kitchen & Bar. Menu items take on a Mexican feel with smashed avocado, shrimp ceviche, yucca fries, shishito peppers and molotes.

If that doesn’t work for you, try their ensaladas and bowls, tortas with fries or masa plates with exciting taco choices like mushroom adobo, carne asada, roasted chicken or shrimp. Finish off with a banana hazelnut capirotada or fresa con crema. Ole!

THE BREAKFAST

Upon waking the next morning, we had a wonderful Bloody Mary mixed from the bar with some goodies we brought from home. A Nespresso coffee maker provided the best beginning to the day and since check out was at noon, breakfast was more like brunch for us and began with a lovely hot pot of Earl Grey tea.

While the early breakfast rush was over, there were still a good number of late diners enjoying some great offerings on the menu. We looked it over and immediately opted for the tiramisu french toast with coffee mousseline, white chocolate crumble and macerated berries. Served with warm syrup on the side, this dish was simply fabulous.

You do have a choice of omelets, eggs with sausage or bacon, avocado tartine or short rib hash as well as cereals, oatmeal, yogurts, fruits and more. There was also a wonderful buffet available for a set price that had so many things on it I can’t list them all here.

CONCLUSION

Exploring in your own backyard is always a fun adventure. The staff were very considerate of us and patient with all of my photography attempts. You can tell they want you to have the best visit so you will return.

This is a little gem of a property in the Marriot Bonvoy Collection. They are well located and you are able to walk to a very nice Italian restaurant across the street that I will post about in another blog. You’ll also want to walk across the car park to The Office Bar which is a part of the hotel. It’s a great spot for a late night after dinner drink, coffee or light snack. Book your backyard adventure soon and enjoy the video tour below.

If you enjoyed what you read you might also like other posts from Explore the World. Look for my next post on the the lovely Italian restaurant we revisited after many years that’s just across the street. Until then…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Gallery Strolls are Summer Pleasures Again

AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER

GALLERY STROLLS

ARE SUMMER PLEASUREs AGAIN

For over twenty years now, Thomas Deans Fine Art has been presenting his annual rotating summer exhibition called Summer Pleasures. The contemporary gallery is located on Miami Circle and normally hangs a diversity of work ranging from the serious to the whimsical.

Opening on June 21st, the show will run through August 31st exhibiting artists long-established while featuring emerging talent and new artists to the gallery.  Genres range from realism to abstraction and conceptualism in the works and this year’s show is happening again in conjunction with a limited series of gallery stroll events.

Sponsored in part by Livable Buckhead, all the galleries on the street (over a dozen) are open later than usual on some Saturday evenings offering light refreshments and lots of wonderful things on view from local to international works of art. One of these events will be on July 20th from 4:00 to 6:00, where Thomas Deans will host a reception with featured artists present to meet, greet and tour the gallery. This post we’ll take a look at some of the artists you will see in the show.

JENI STALLINGS

A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Jeni Stallings graduated from the Memphis College of Art.  Her paintings are a feminine version of surrealism that recalls her own dreams and personal experiences.  She works using an ancient version of encaustic; heating the beeswax to coat the paintings surface creating a muted dreamy effect on the finish.  She refers to herself as a storyteller.

Art critic, Felicia Feaster, wrote “her paintings draw from a lexicon melding dreamwork with a touch of Southern eccentricity” which describes them perfectly.  While many see the muted, feminine-infused works as lyrical, I find them both intriguing and always fun; enjoying the way the paintings tell the story of Jeni’s dreams and memories when hung together as a body.

SCOTT FRENCH

Born in Atlanta, artist Scott French started traveling around the country at fourteen in jazz bands playing from New Orleans to Detroit. In between sets, he began to doodle and draw the nightlife and cities he visited exposing a range of characters and human emotions that were unfolding every night around him.

He returned to his hometown after eight years on the road to enroll in drawing and painting at Georgia State University along with an internship as an assistant to sculptor Martin Dawe. Artist in residence at the time, Scott would learn a lot about human anatomy in three dimensions from Marty making the time well-spent when he turned back to his own work with a stint at Portfolio Center.

Known for the strength and sensitivity he applies to his wide-open-spaces landscapes, no matter how big or small, I think Scott really shines at his studies of everyday objects and nudes. They have a sense of intimacy and a free rendering hand that I like to think recall those days of doodling on cocktail napkins in dark rooms that smelled of whiskey and cigarettes while a saxophone played sexy tunes. This series of different drinks is typical of his style and coloring creating “lasting interpretations of what he experiences and sees”.

MARY PARKMAN

Floridian artist, Mary Parkman, is an abstract and figurative painter whose work is varied in technique and content. A Cornell graduate with study in abstract expressionism at two prestigious schools in Manhattan and Umbria, Italy, she first began representational painting in the plein aire style.

Over time, her work has become increasingly more abstract focusing on the paint and the pure process of the work. The paintings are inspired by nature utilizing colorful palettes and expressive paint strokes with a definite soft feminism in the presentation built through layering and by both pushing and pulling the paint. This lets the viewer see what the artist sees and feels with Mary never feeling it is finished, she simply has to stop painting.

PAUL TAMANIAN

Surf’s up where surfboards become sculpture with the fun colorful pieces of artist, Paul Tamanian. Born in New York but living in North Florida since he graduated from Florida State University, Paul started his career in design.  A casual class in pottery at a community college kicked off an interest that turned into a passion.  He moved into aluminum panels experimenting with his techniques for technical innovations that mixed different media with automotive paints.

Paul’s background gives him a lovely sense of color theory. The slick shiny auto finish pops them out even more vividly. While his subject matter tends to be abstract in nature he also designs beautiful realistic pieces. Free standing sculptures as well as those that hang can be used both indoors and outdoors with the finish he provides. His surfboards will be sold with a stand or wall-mount hardware for options on display.

LINDA HENNINGSON

Native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadian artist Linda Henningson graduated from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2006. Most recently, she has introduced recognizable objects in the form of flowers and vases into her work which accentuate both color and pattern in the representational styling.

The paintings have a lovely interior design-like feel to them as they embrace the pattern-on-pattern approach to the details of wallpapers, table textures and vase designs which make them a perfect accessory to finished spaces. National television shows have purchased her pieces for shows such as Home & Garden TV’s Income Property and CTV’s The Marilyn Denis Show.

DANIEL BYRD

I have always referred to Daniel Byrd as the Buckhead boy with the street art vibe. A Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, Daniel was born and raised in Atlanta and has always been enamored with the city’s energy. His bold mark-making style speaks to 3D visuals in two-dimension with negative spaces and optical illusions that harken back to the best stylings of more famous graffiti artists.

Byrd builds his images in a layering process, creating intricate woven patterns in vivid colors with subtle textures and patterns mixed in. He acknowledges this process is a human trait; a way of “making something in order to see what lies beyond it”. A celebration of innovation, evolution and/or progression if you will. His finished pieces imply a sense of infinity and that is what drives his creativity.

CONCLUSION

Along with the artists listed above, an international group of artists will be featured along with American artists. Work by Tennessee artist Greg Decker, North Carolina artist Marlise Newman, California artists Sharon Pastor and Elaine Coombs, New Yorkers Tracey Burtz and Thaddeus Radell will hang alongside works by Australian Callum Francis and Belgian Mathieu Weemaels. Artists representing Atlanta and North Georgia include Ana Guzman, Evan Jones, Carl Linstrum, Brent Baker, David Kidd, Elise Thomason, Gwen Wong, Eileen Braun, Lauren Betty and Steve Steinman, among others. Two Atlanta guest artists will present work: Christopher Hickey and Roxanne Hollosi.

Thomas Deans Fine Art was established in 1983 and specializes in contemporary paintings, works on paper, and selected photography. He has a good eye for hanging a show preferring to mix artists, letting the colors and subject matters play a sort of song as you move through the gallery.  I always make sure I get to this exhibit every year. The successful joining of old and new artists and the mix of price points make it a must on any collectors list.

If you enjoyed what you read, you might also like other posts under Artful Ideal. You can find other artists that I really love and you might want to add to your own collection. Until next time…

Cheers,

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Pick of the Month: Fortify Kitchen & Bar

Author: ArtsyChowRoamer

Pick of the Month

FORTIFY KITCHEN & BAR IN CLAYTON, GEORGIA

One of the main reasons we decided on a road trip to Clayton, Georgia recently was all the noise we had been hearing about the Fortify boys. The friends from days at Lake Rabun together that led them to open their own place down the road a piece. This post will give you all the info on why they are my pick of the month.

Owners Jack Nolan and Chef Jamie Allred have put together a stellar farm to table concept which these days seems to be the mantra of every restaurant. But they really mean it; putting together a video on their website and naming over 20 different local farms they are sourcing from to prove it.

This kind of resources allows Chef Jamie to change up his offerings seasonally. Having just released the fall menu you might think the usual suspects would be on there but there are more than a few surprises and his own take on some oldies but goodies.

RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED

It was suggested to us before that reservations were a good idea even before Covid restrictions limited seating to get the social distancing right. Even though we were visiting mid week 6:30 was the earliest available the week before.

I sent a message that we would like to get in earlier if they had a cancellation at opening time of 5. Don’t roll your eyes at that. We just have found that getting in at opening time insures the least number of people, the speediest service for shorter stays and the best sanitized situation for the evening.

Happy was I to receive a call that day around 2 that they would be able to take us at the earlier time as requested. We left our hotel up the street and walked the few blocks where crowds were already gathering at the door; some with reservations and some without hoping the earlier time would net them a sneak in.

CASUAL COZY ATMOSPHERE

The host and hostess were wearing masks along with our server I was glad to see. The bartender was also masked up and busy with social distanced diners being seated at the bar. This reassured me feeling like they were putting safety front and center for their customers.

The restaurant had a nice casual atmosphere with a coziness from metal details, old brick and traditional light fixtures with a modern twist. I noticed a sign with an arrow that said Local Art and realized that everything on view was most likely for sale by artists living in the community.

I took the opportunity to snap a few photos for this post to give you an idea of what to expect and some of the art the restaurant sports on it’s walls. The waiter dropped by to give us our menus and tell us about the specials for the day while we decided what kind of wine to order.

They have a very nice selection so I tried the William Hill Estate cabernet while my husband decided on a German white Riesling. Both selections were excellent and were terrific with the different breads offered in our bucket along with flavored butters.

FIRST COURSE

Since fall was in the air I decided that a good soup was going to be my first course and went with the Butternut Squash with pumpkin seed pesto, fried sage and a maple drizzle. My husband went for the Short Rib soup on the specials list.

Soups, salads and snacks ranged in price from $6-13. Choices included usual suspects like a Spinach or Caesar salad and fried green tomatoes but Chef’s take and local sourcing added ingredients like pickled red onion, candied bacon, roasted sweet potatoes, poached apples, goat cheese and house made dressings.

Not the usual suspects would be coca cola braised pork cheeks, fried gouda fritters or clams done in a Mexican style. Let me just say those fritters are addictive. One arrived in the middle of my husbands short rib soup and it was heaven in of itself.

The meat was fork tender and tasty like eating barbecue with this crispy melty thingy going on! Hard to describe but most definitely delicious. My soup was luscious, thick and rich with cream. The pesto and sage provided background flavors and texture with added sweetness from the maple drizzle; a perfect cold night Southern dish that will please throughout the fall season.

HARD TO CHOOSE AN ENTREE

We looked over the menu again to pick an entree and it wasn’t easy. He went with the duck breast in a roasted red pepper sauce and I wanted to try seafood and waffled back and forth between the trout and fried shrimp platter ending up with the shrimp. Pricing ranged from $18-35.

Both dishes arrived in a timely fashion as I snapped my pics with nicely composed plates. The only criticism I would offer in this area would be wiped plate rims to meet a more perfect expectation of this level of dining.

I tried the duck first. We were asked if we wanted it medium rare or more. We ordered it medium rare which is the way I think duck breast should be cooked giving you a crispy skin hopefully with a texture on the meat similar to a medium rare steak.

A word about duck expectations. My husband is from Eastern Europe where the duck is most often offered with the bone thereby allowing them to render that duck into fall of the bone capacity. My husband is always expecting that even when it isn’t possible!

I reminded him you can’t do that with no bones-it will only dry it out and make it tough. I loved the dish both texturally and taste wise with a polenta cake and crispy relish of shallots, mushrooms and grapes. Having said that if there were anything to wonder about it was the red pepper sauce.

Lovely in conception but not quite sweet enough for duck I think but I could be wrong. My husband loved the sauce. My dish felt like a homegoing homage to the South with the fried shrimp set off with collard greens, coleslaw and hushpuppies.

Chef’s version of cocktail sauce was a miss for me without the horseradish zing you want. I asked for the Remoulade which was much better and seemed to work well with the other flavors overall. Something called comeback sauce was offered as well.

I’m thinking my next trip will include the trout with lemon scented rice pilaf, pecan roasted brown butter and fresh dill. You probably would be happy with the beef, chicken or pork dishes on offer as well. Sides like fried rice, Napa slaw, beer battered onion rings and buttermilk mashed potatoes all speak to seasonal freshness with a wink to Southern preparation.

DESSERT AND SPECIALTY COCKTAILS

While we were too full to try dessert the choices were tempting and several included chocolate. The photo below will give you a good idea what to expect if you have a sweet tooth.

Besides having nice wine selections Fortify is pretty proud of their signature specialty drinks. There are 8 on the menu for $10 that range from a sour, to an old fashioned along with a Pink Panther and a Smoking Jacket. There is a pleaser for any taste here. The video below will give you a better idea.

A WORD ABOUT PI

Fortify became such an instant hit that they decided to branch out and add the location next door known as Fortify Pi and it’s all about the pizza. You can have one of their designs with the latest and freshest ingredients or you can make your own with different price levels of choices.

They are making some good pie in that restaurant. Sitting at the bar, outside or at a socially distanced table this more casual atmosphere makes for a lively entertaining lunch or dinner choice especially if you can’t get in to the other location. They were crowded as we were leaving from dinner.

CONCLUSION

All in all we enjoyed our road trip to this little gem of an artsy community. You don’t normally find this level of dining and commitment to ingredients in the North Georgia mountains. I can highly recommend you visit the area and don’t miss either of their locations. You won’t be disappointed.

If you enjoyed what you read you might also like other posts under Edible Fare and on Clayton, GA too. Hey, don’t be a stranger! If you visit, let me know what you ate and what you thought. Look for more upcoming posts on this area soon. Until next time…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

What is Up with the Number 3?

As I was running back and forth putting out one fire after another this torturous week I had to stop, take a breath and just think on it.  Damn it!   I realized the pattern was emerging; trouble comes in 3’s. 😱 Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer.com  

[artsychowroamer]

25 Wonderful Things to Do in Prague!

Having lived in Prague for more than five years, I am asked all the time what would be included on my list of things to do when visiting this Gothic beauty!  Here is my short but definitive guide for what not to miss!  Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer.com

[artsychowroamer]

9 of the Best Restaurants in Prague!

When I first started traveling to Prague, most of the restaurants served only traditional Czech food.  Those days are long gone with lots of good ethnic choices to go with your Pilsner Urquell beer! Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer.com Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Pick of the Month: Pricci {An Italian Experience}!

We always pick a special place to spend leisurely birthday dinners where we know we won’t be disappointed in atmosphere, service or food.  Pricci is just such a place!  Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer.com  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Madeira: Your Short Guide to Wine, Cake & the Island

Madeira is a tranquil, beautiful island in the middle of the Atlantic.  Just one of the many reasons my friend and I chose it for a quiet get away week recently.  Read the full blog at artsychowroamer  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Scotch Eggs: {My Gastronomic England}!

England, a country of tea cosies, egg cups and umbrellas, is no longer a country of bad food and it’s citizens no longer have bad teeth! Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

13 Really Useful Things to Know before visiting Prague!

So you’ve been thinking about visiting the Czech Republic ever since Prague Spring ushered in sweeping changes through out parts of Europe.  Well don’t miss it! Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

10 Things that Scare Me (and Why it Matters)

Ok, so I admit I was not really feeling especially creative today; “do not come lightly to the blank page” says Stephen King.  So I got out my handy dandy cheat sheet guide for good blog post ideas and here I am. Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

Something to Crow about; {All things Chicken}

If you were born and raised on a farm than chickens probably aren’t all that interesting to you. 🐔 But I was a city girl. Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[artsychowroamer]

I’d Rather go to France {A point of View}

Have you ever been to France?  Lately, I have been dreaming about the place. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been back in awhile. 😏 Read the full blog at ArtsyChowRoamer.com  Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter