Experience Southern hospitality at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, May 10-13, 2012.  Sip, savour and linger with the top Southern Chefs, Sommeliers and Mixologists as they ascend upon Midtown for the 2nd annual Atlanta Food and Wine Festival. There will be three days of  Atlanta food events including dinners, tasting and learning experiences at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.  These amazing Southern chefs are the heart and soul of southern cooking. This one of a kind Atlanta event will inspire you to try and recreate some of our wonderful regional dishes that you will experience at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.

Atlanta Food and Wine Festival foodies will have the opportunity to see over 100 chefs and mixologists teaming up for live cooking demos, tasting seminars and panel discussions at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.  A couple of my favorite Southern chefs, Nathalie Dupree, Virginia Willis along with Cynthia Graubart and Elizabeth Heiskell are hosting a cooking demo on Biscuits, Grits and Cornbread.  Learn how to Master the craft of Southern comfort food from the experts. I have several of Nathalie Dupree and Virginia Willis cookbooks that I use at our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast.

Samples abound at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Brewpubs and microbreweries are one of the South’s fastest growing industries. Meet some of our Southern brewers as you sip and sample world class Southern brews at Southern Craft Beers – Spill It at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

All coffee connoisseurs don’t miss the Coffee Cupping Demo and learn how to make extraordinary coffee and experience the difference between French Press, Pour Overs and Chemex.

If you have never cooked with Cast Iron, then don’t miss the Technique Lab on Cast Iron Cooking at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.  Cast Iron skillets are treasured in the south and passed down from generation to generation.  The more they are used and seasoned the better they become.  Learn the tricks on cooking with cast iron as well as  how to season, care and preserve your cast iron for the next generation

If you can’t make the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, be sure and mark your calendar for October 5-7, 2012 for another one of my favorite Atlanta food festivals, Taste of Atlanta. Hope to see you next weekend lingering over great food, sipping your favorite cocktail with your foodie friends at the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival.

Roasted Mountain Trout a specialty at Empire State South Restaurant

Empire State South Restaurant will tempt your taste buds with their Farm to Table Southern Regional Menu. Our guests are raving about Empire State South Restaurant for their twist on blending traditional seasonal Southern fare to create  favorite dishes such as Kimchi Rice Grits. Be sure and order the “In Jars” under Snackies when you go.  What says Southern cuisine more than deviled ham, trout mousse, pickles, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade and peanut hummus served in a traditional mason jar like your grandmother used.

Our favorite entree is the Smoked Duck Breast with leek and orange marmalade, red peas and rice, ramps, dandelion. If you are wondering what the heck is a ramp, they are an edible wild onion or leek native to North America. So go ahead and enjoy!  Lastly, you don’t want to miss having coffee and desert.  This is one of the few restaurants in Atlanta that take their coffee seriously.  Empire State South Restaurant’s Barista, Emily Leita, uses coffee from Counter Culture Coffee based in Durham, North Carolina. Empire State South’s coffee is brewed to order using the manual pour-over method. Fancy Coffee Selections will change seasonally.  Espresso, Macchiato, Cortado, Cappuccino, Latte Coffees and a selection of Rishi Teas are also available. Emily will be happy to suggest that perfect brew to go with our favorite desert, Pear Beignets with vanilla sugar served with cranberry sorbet and vanilla ice cream.

Hugh Acheson is a six time James Beard nominee for Best Chef Southeast. The next time you are in Athens, Georgia, be sure and dine at Five and Ten and The National where Hugh is Chef and partner. He was also named Best Chef by Food & Wine Magazine. You can catch Hugh as a Judge on Bravo’s Top Chef. And lastly, he just authored, A New Turn in the South: Southern Flavors Reinvented for your Kitchen last fall.  Executive Chef Ryan Smith has worked at some of Atlanta’s Best Restaurants including Bacchanalia, Canoe and Restaurant Eugene. Hugh Acheson and Ryan Smith of Empire State South Restaurant have managed to set the bar high as one of the Best Atlanta Restaurants in Midtown.

Empire State South Restaurant is located at 999 Peachtree Street an unlikely location on the ground floor of an office high rise, until you stroll around back and see the secluded green space that includes a covered patio and their own Bocce court made of crushed oyster shells. Brightly colored green Adirondack chairs surround the Bocce court, the perfect place to relax with a favorite speciality ice coffee. The interior of Empire State South is graced with floor to ceiling old cypress and vintage wood.  Polished granite topped bars with leather seating grace the open dining room. reminding me of a Southern gentlemen’s club with an old soul.

When your travels bring you to Atlanta and you are looking for one of the Best Atlanta Restaurants located just blocks from our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast, let us make you a reservation at Empire State South Restaurant.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park

Mark your calendars for the 76th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival on April 20th thru April 23, 2012 in Piedmont Park.   We all know springtime has arrived when the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is just around the corner. One of the highlights of this years Atlanta festival is the Saturday evening concert in the meadow featuring GRAMMY Award-Winning artist, Ms. Roberta Flack. Ms. Flack has a wide variety of songs that include soul, pop, folk and jazz.  One of my favorite is “Killing Me Softly With His Song”.  General tickets are free, with only two tickets per e-mail address. Also, you can make a $45 donation for VIP Seating that includes a tented seating area just in case it rains.  Also included are private bathrooms and complimentary wine and beer.

Hundreds of artist will set up their white tents throughout Piedmont Park to display every kind of art imaginable. The nationally renowned  Fine Art Market includes sculpture, photography, painting, pottery and jewelry to name a few. It is the perfect place to find that unique piece of art to take home.  In addition to the Artist Market for adults and art collectors there is a Kids Section with face painting, inflatables and even a 24 foot rock climbing wall.

Share in the cultural activities at the International Village and Stage at Lake Clara Meer Dock at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Experience over 300 performers from amateurs to professionals from Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Lebanon to name a few.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is at the Friends of Dogwood Pavilion.  This ticketed event allows you to sample a wide array of Atlanta’s restaurants without even leaving the Atlanta Festival.  You can sample food, deserts and wines.  If you love trying new cuisine don’t miss 2012 La Fete on Friday, April 20th from 7 to 10 p.m., this is a ticketed event also. Indulge in a global tasting experience and the international wine that compliment.  Complete with your own Atlanta Dogwood Festival Wine Glass to take home.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival would not be complete without Music and Entertainment. Music has always played a large part is this Atlanta Festival, from your favorite Rock, Jazz, Blues, R & B and Country all on three stages. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will start on Friday evening with The Art of Comedy on the International Stage from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Laughing Skull Lounge has been gearing up for this all spring.  Tickets are $12 if you purchase early.

One of the best things about the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is it is just a short stroll from our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast.  See you at the 76th Atlanta Dogwood Festival!

Dominique & Matt enjoyed our Atlanta Wedding Package

Looking for an intimate Atlanta Wedding Package at a Romantic Atlanta Bed and Breakfast, then look no further than our Elegant Atlanta Elopement Package. Springtime is just around the corner, and our Bed and Breakfast is the perfect Atlanta Wedding location. Let us take care of all the intimate details of your Atlanta wedding so you can celebrate with your loved one or if you choose twelve of your closest friends and family.

Springtime is the perfect time for an Atlanta Garden Wedding. The sweetly scented yellow Caroline Jasmine is full of blooms and will not stop showing off till frost.  Pale pink blossoms have emerged from the Lenten Roses to welcome springtime to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast garden.  The deep pink azaleas are budding out and should be at peak in April.  Whatever season you select for your Atlanta Wedding Package, Shellmonts’ garden will have unique plants and flowers that will provide that perfect backdrop for your Atlanta Wedding Photos.

Your Atlanta Wedding Package includes your Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere in your favorite color of roses. Celebrate you Atlanta wedding with your favorite Romantic Music playing softly throughout the inn or in the garden. You select your favorite location for our Wedding Minister to perform your intimate ceremony. Select from two different types of wedding cake, pound cake or cheesecake with your favorite flavors and fillings, of course two-tiered decorated with roses.  Yum!  Toast to the beginning of your new life together as a couple with Keepsake Champagne Flutes.

Our Atlanta Wedding Package includes a mini-honeymoon of two evenings in our Romantic Carriage House. The highly carved four poster bed is dressed in luxury linens. Relax in the polished granite bathroom complete with whirlpool for two and steam shower. The next morning a scrumptious breakfast will be delivered to your room for you to enjoy and linger over.

If you are looking for an intimate, stress free romantic Atlanta Garden Wedding, or a beautiful  Victorian mansion for your Atlanta wedding, look no further than our Atlanta Wedding Package.

I think Dominique and Matt have said it best, “When we booked this “Atlanta Wedding Package “we knew this was going to be an outstanding experience, and so it was and MORE!”

Enjoy the second annual Springtime exhibit of Atlanta Blooms at the Atlanta Botanical Garden during March and April, 2012. Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and crocus explode in a kaleidoscope of colors from shocking pink to regal purple at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. This year there are over 300,000 Watts of Flower Power to see at Atlanta Blooms. Shocking pink, “The Cure” tulips will greet you at the Piedmont Avenue entrance to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Daffodils of various shades are abundant in the Cascading Garden and garden nooks. The Camellia Gardens are adorned with a mixture of blue and purple daffodils. The Atlanta Botanical Garden, Hardin Visitors Center is surrounded with brilliantly colored orange and purple flowers. The highlight of the exhibit is the North Courtyard that is surrounded with a rainbow of brilliantly colored tulips.  This 300,000 Watts of Flower Power will definitely awaken you.

If you live in the South you will know that each person has their favorite bulbs they plant in their gardens. Tulips are flashy with their striking colors and love being the center of attention.  They are known as the symbol of Perfect Love.  Daffodils are one of the first signs that spring has arrived.  With their yellow and white petals and lightly scented aromas that make everyone smile.  Daffodils stand for unrequited love. Hyacinths are a single bell-shaped spike of sweetly scented pink to deep  purple flowers.  They are thought to symbolize adventure and playful nature.  Lastly, the small determined Crocus are determined to poke their heads out even during snow. They symbolize the art of healing, foresight and wisdom. At our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast we enjoy our Daffodils.

One of my favorite things about Southern Gardens are the wonderful gates that grace our  Gardens, from crudely constructed gates of kudzu vines, massive wooden gates that guard the garden to intricately carved iron gates.  You will have the opportunity to see one of Atlanta’s well known metal artists, Andrew Crawford and his collection of various metal garden gates inviting and guiding you through the Atlanta Blooms exhibit. Some of his gates are abstract and others show sunflowers, birds and vegetables.

Mark you calendars for April 5th, 2012 and come and meet Caterina Candoni De Zan of Candoni Family Winery in Italy and enjoy some bubbly and toast in Springtime at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta Blooms!

Hyacinth at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Preservation Center is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Phoenix Flies: A City-Wide Celebration of Living Landmarks. Phoenix Flies was created to celebrate and honor the 25th Anniversary of the rescue of our beloved Fox Theatre. Over 1,100 tours and Atlanta events have played host to over 20,000 individuals in the past 10 years.  If you are visiting Atlanta from March 10th to March 25th, 2012 don’t miss this Atlanta event.  There are over 165 Atlanta tours and commissioned exhibitions and performances, all for FREE.

A couple of the Atlanta Tours I am looking forward to are Rhodes Hall House Tour at 1516 Peachtree Street, NW.  One of a few remaining houses on Peachtree Street.  It was built in 1904 for the founder of Rhodes Furniture.  Today it is home to the Georgia Trust of Historic Preservation.  Some of the special details of this Atlanta Preservation Center tour are the wonderful Stain Glass Windows and you will have the opportunity to tour the roof tower.  The hours for the tours are March 10th and March 11th, 2012 at 10 a.m., 12 noon and 1 p.m.

A block north of Rhodes Hall is Peachtree Christian Church at 1580 Peachtree Street, N.W.  The church was established in 1925 and modeled after Melrose Abbey in Scotland. The sanctuary was designed by Charles H. Hopson.  You will be mesmerized by one of the finest collections of stained glass in the country.  The stained glass was made by William Glasby of London, England and tells the story of Christ from birth through death and resurrection. The acoustics are magnified by two organs, chimes and carillon. This Atlanta Preservation Center Tour is on March 21st at 12:30 p.m.

Shellmont Inn is privileged to be selected to be on the Atlanta Preservation Center, Phoenix Flies, Atlanta tours.  We are the second owners of this Individually Listed National Register Property and it is also a  City of Atlanta Landmark Building. W.T. Downing  built this house for William Perrin Nicholson in 1891 as a wedding present for his bride.  The original family owned it for 84 years.  You will have the opportunity to see some of the detailed restoration work at Shellmont Inn  and how we have incorporated today’s amenities to make it a premier Atlanta Bed and Breakfast.  The tour is on March 14th and 19th at 2 p.m.

The Atlanta Preservation Center offers an array of Atlanta tours throughout the year for a small fee. Each Atlanta tour is approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours and lead by dedicated and knowledgeable tour guides. The 2012 Tours are: Druid Hills, Fox Theatre, Grant Park, Inman Park, Historic Downtown Atlanta, Ponce de Leon Corrindor, Sweet Auburn and Historic Midtown.

Come, stay and enjoy Atlanta Preservation Center, Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Living Landmarks!

We are excited to Welcome Southwest Airlines to Atlanta! For years we have heard about the wonderful experience our friends, relatives and guests have had flying Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines began flying in February from our Atlanta Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport with 15 daily flights to five destinations, Austin, Baltimore/Maryland, Chicago Midway, Denver and Houston Hobby. You can connect with 48 other destinations. In the next six months Southwest Airlines will add flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Louisville, Norfolk and Seattle from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.

Some of Southwest Airlines Perks our guests rave about are:

1.  No Extra Fee to Change or Cancel your Ticket.

2.  No Extra Fee for the First Two Checked Bags.

3.  No Extra Fee to Make your Reservation By Phone.

Two things that our guests love about Southwest Airlines is that they do not assign seats and board by pre-assigned groups.  If you prefer to board in the first groups you can pay an extra $10.00. Southwest Airlines Frequent Flyer points Never Expire and there are no Blackout Dates.

The talented and friendly Southwest Airlines crew go the extra mile to make everyone feel comfortable, from that infrequent flyer to the business person by providing humor, something the world needs more of. It seems Southwest Airlines has mastered the art of Southern Hospitality already!

The next time you are planning your trip to our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast, don't forget to check with Southwest Airlines to book your flight into Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.


The Art of Golf at the High Museum of Art

The High Museum of Art at the Woodruff Arts Center  is showing,” The Art of Golf“, February 5th through June 24th, 2012. Be sure and put this on your list of things to do in Atlanta this spring. This is the first time a major museum has devoted an exhibit to the game of golf. The High Museum of Art continues to expand our minds with their unique and thought proviking exhibits of what art is. “The Art of Golf” was organized by the High Museum of Art and the National Galleries of Scotland.

You will learn about  ”The Art of Golf” from its beginning in Scotland when it was called kolf, a cousin to our current game of golf and pictured in 17th century landscapes.  This exhibit has over 90 rare and whimsical works of art starting in the 16th century to present  by well known artists such  as Rembrandt, Charles Lees, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol, some of which have never been on display before that will explore the history of the sport.

The anchor of the exhibit is the greatest golf painting in the world, by Charles Lees, The Golfers. This painting details a game played as St. Andrews in 1847. This masterpiece has never before traveled to the United States.  You will see several sketches and a photograph that Lees used when painting this masterpiece. Clubhouses around the world have reproductions of “The Golfers’ gracing their walls.

For all you golf enthusiasts, you will love seeing the golfina that includes antique balls, clubs and clothing.  You will appreciate your highly engineered golf clubs that help you hit that hole in one.

One of our legendary American heroes and Atlanta natives, Robert Trye “Bobby” Jones, Jr. (1902-1971) has a special section showcasing how he helped make golf the international sport it is today and the special bond that he had with Scotland and the Old Course at St. Andres.

The exhibit closes with recently commissioned Aeriel photographs by Patricia and Angus Macdonald showing the beauty of  Scottish golf courses and the impact that human activity has had on the land.

So, if you are looking for things to do in Atlanta (and a great nearby bed and breakfast to relax while planning your next golf game) or on your way to the 2012 Masters in Augusta, don’t miss The High Museum of Art, “The Art of Golf” exhibit, as we know it is more than a game.

Mt. Yonah Dihedral Rock climbing route in North Georgia mountains

Kimber and I have been Rock Climbing several times since my previous blog on Rock Climbing in North Georgia at Mt. Yonah.  Mt. Yonah is a great venue for introductory rock climbing but also for extremely challenging and scenic climbing routes. We decided to travel to the North Georgia mountains from our Atlanta bed and breakfast this Sunday morning bright and early. Temps were cool, 21′ in Cleveland, GA., probably several degrees cooler high on the mountain. Following the 3 mile hike from the trail head parking lot to the upper head-wall, we were greeted with the unwelcome sight of Ice. Ouch!

Ice! Ice! Ice!

We scoped out the Dihedral Route at Mt. Yonah to rock climb and since you can’t see much of the route beyond the Dihedral portion, we decided to continue on to the Balance Climb area. Well, no surprise here, it too was iced across most of the routes. Undaunted, I climbed up the cables and set a top rope anchor and thus, let the fun begin! Let’s see…temp about 22 degrees, wind about 10 mph and waiting for the sun to make an appearance (the upper head-wall on Mt. Yonah faces SW…great in Winter..an absolute torture chamber in Summer). Well, after doing a “shall I trust the rubber soles of my climbing shoes” on the cold stone and “where are the small nubbins and tiny ledges” to place her feet, Kimber warmed up to the icy and cold rock and found her rhythm and scampered to the top anchor as hawks circled above the North Georgia rock catching the rising thermals. Yes…it was going to be a great day rock climbing in north Georgia at Mt. Yonah.  All of a sudden, herds of climbers descended all around us and the party was on. As the sun slowly cast its shadows on the valley floor below and the rock warmed from solar radiation, the yells of ICE! ICE! became more prevalent. Oh, the joy of dodging falling ice. Luckily, most projectiles were of the pea to marble size variety…only occasionally would a stalactite missile by our shivering bodies. After doing our Balance Climb route numerous times, we stopped for lunch to view the sideshow in progress immediately to our right. A group of young climbers were getting their first taste of top rope climbing on the Mt. Yonah face. Crawl up, grab any hold with a death grip and glue yourself to the rock. Lowering was even more fun…did I mention the 30 minutes we stood in awe waiting to see if she would ever lean far enough back to put enough weight on the rope to be able to lower her. After much coaxing by her fellow companion on another rope adjacent to her, she succumbed to her inhibitions and finally reached the deck. Whew…now we can eat our thawing lunches.

The Dihedral, Mt. Yonah

All the time, I was watching two climbers to my left on the Dihedral Route on Mt. Yonah.  Although I have climbed this route several times to the top with a walk-off to the start, I have never lead this route. It is a great route, fun and exciting with a reward of a fantastic view! After the initial Dihedral climb portion, you arrive at a wide and lengthy belay ledge with absolute perfect protection opportunities. I placed a #3 BD Camelot and two large hexes, rigged a cordelette and belayed Kimber on up. A nice, by now, watery climb (no ice, thankfully) brought me to two bolts at the base of the exit gully. Unfortunately, the gully is somewhat deep and shaded and, thus, was still icy. I decided it was too risky to attempt to lead climb, so I tied in and belayed Kimber on up. We enjoyed the North Georgia views and some welcome sunshine although the wind had picked up. I lowered Kimber and then cleaned the anchors and rapelled on down. FYI- a 60 meter rope will get you down with about 5 feet to spare from the bolts at the base of the gully.

All in all, a great climb on a great day with a great climbing partner. What more could you ask for???  So, if you’re looking for that next exciting thrill of Rock Climbing in North Georgia at Mt. Yonah, don’t pass up the Mt. Yonah Dihedral Route rated 5.6. It’s fun, guaranteed!

Rapelling the Mt. Yonah Dihedral route

Holiday Orchid at Orchid Daze, Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Come celebrate the Atlanta Botanical Gardens 10th Anniversary of the Fuqua Orchid Center and the Orchid Daze Exhibition.  This years Orchid Daze exhibit opens on February 4th to April 15th, 2012. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze exhibit highlights unique varieties of orchids and tropical plants. The Fuqua Orchid Center is home to the largest collection of species of orchids in the United States. You  will be in awe of the sweetly scented lush orchids cascading from high above in a tapestry design with Moth Orchids and Amber Slipper Orchids floating above.

Orchid Daze at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

One of the best times to celebrate a romantic evening is February 11th, 7 to 11 p.m., when the Atlanta Botanical Gardens will open for Romance Blooms. This is the only evening the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze will be open. Enjoy an evening of live entertainment, cocktails, dancing and scrumptious deserts  surrounded by warm candlelight and sweetly scented orchids. While at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens indulge in a Custom BLEND Perfume.  A Master Perfumer will assist you in selecting from fourteen families of fragrance and design a perfume that is truly yours! As this magical Midtown evening comes to an end take home a complimentary long-stemmed rose.

Shellmont Inn is located just a short walk south of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. This exhibit is one of our favorites as evidenced by our previous blogs on the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze 2011 and Orchid Daze 2010.

Whether you live nearby or are visiting and looking for what to do in Atlanta, don’t miss the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Orchid Daze!