A Midnight Dinner Party is Haute!

A late night dinner party hosted by Atlanta Attorney Dan Meachum and Ludacris was held at the entertainer’s Midtown restaurant Straits. Several dozen Atlantans including the mayor and Congressman John Lewis turned out to recognize the contributions of civil rights heroes.

The dinner menu consisted of six appetizers and starters including spare ribs, chicken lollipops, calamari and crispy wantons. When the main course came out it blew me away. Filet mignon, Origami sea bass and lobster tails along with lemon grass chicken were all amazing.

By the time, the Georgia Peach and Empire State Cheese Cake came out… I had to get it to go! I couldn’t eat another thing so Ludacris’ mom Roberta made sure that I had my dessert box in hand as I walked out the door around 2 AM!

Straits is a Singaporean Restaurant with a sophisticated look and feel. It’s become a local fave among select entertainers and local celebrities in the ATL.

Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Photo Credit: Paras Griffin's Photo of Dinner Party

do is Atlanta's Haute New Restaurant!

A Haute new restaurant makes its musical debut in Atlanta… do officially opens this week! Last night, I had a blast with friends and Haute Travels followers at the pre-opening of do (pronounced dough) in Midtown. So many people turned out to congratulate owners Christian Ruffin and his wife Nacasha on their new venture... their dream coming to life was inspiring to just about everybody.

Ruffin has used sound and theatrical lighting to integrate technology into restaurant design for an experience unlike any other in Atlanta. do marries science with substance… guests use Apple iPads to change the music, place orders without having to wait for a server and going paperless means going GREEN. You can even call for your car with the touch of the screen! Ruffin really gave a lot of thought to the atmosphere… iPads are everywhere, video on walls, good food and lots of fun flows throughout the two-story industrial building transformed into the new it-spot. The all-white furnishing and waterfalls remind me of Miami meeting Atlanta.

 If you’re looking to meet friends to catch up over salads, specialty pizzas and desserts―do is the spot for you. The Ruffins have also made sure that there’s something for everybody… they even have gluten-free pies!

If you like Al fresco dining just head to the top level and sit on the terrace to view the skyline with a glass of wine. I sat out there with Tammie (@TalkingwithTami) and Shane (@IamFAshionWeak) for girl talk, sipped Chardonnay and let our hair blow in the gentle breeze of a beautiful spring evening in our favorite southern city, while the music kept the vibe haute… think NYC meets the ATL!

do officially opens May 6th just in time for Cinco de Mayo to learn more visit www.DoAtTheView.com

Will you check out do at The View?

5th Street Cafe is HAUTE!

The haute new 5th Street Café opens in Atlanta’s chic Midtown. Traditional black and white French bistro décor with flashes of color, elegant crocodile, patent leather booths adorned with claw feet and new patio wows patrons who may shout ooOOh la la!

A.D. Allushi and Chef Ian Winslade, co-owners of ADI Restaurant Concepts, partnered with Atlanta Hawk Zaza Pachulia in converting ENO by Zaza into the European contemporary 5th Street Café. The group recently launched Buckhead Bottle Bar, located in the heart of Buckhead

For the menu, expect favorite bistro and café fare, such as a charcuterie plate of meats and cheeses, frisee salad with bacon, shallot vinaigrette and soft poached egg, potato gnocchi, basil butter and spring vegetables. The former wine shop and tasting room has been remodeled into a patisserie with fresh breads and pastries.

5th Street Café is a great spot to meet friends for a memorable evening out… I totally enjoyed girlfriend hour with my friend and fellow blogger Monique Steadman Eddleton. We had a blast! So Chic, so Haute!

To learn more visit www.fifthstreetcafe.com

Will you check out 5th Street Cafe?

Haute Off The Press! Cheap Eats and Drinks in the ATL!

If you’re in Atlanta on a tight entertainment budget… don’t sweat it, there are some great dinner and cocktail deals for under $20. After dashing from one end of the city to the next I found cool food and drinks that just about anybody can afford. Check out what’s new with restaurants and bars from the Concentrics group.

Lobby Bar at Twelve

Enjoy You Happy Hour with your first Martini for just $1 every Wednesday through Friday between 5 and 7pm.

 As of May 6th, Atlantic Station will screen complimentary outdoor movies every Thursday night, To celebrate, Lobby Bar & Bistro will offer all you can eat pizza for $10.00 or all you can eat pizza and complimentary beer and wine for $15.00 from 6-9pm.

Simply visit Lobby Bar & Bistro (movie or not) for all you can eat pizza with a maximum of 6 toppings.

One Midtown Kitchen

 Mangia! Mangia! Meatball Thursday schedule at ONE. midtown kitchen

Each week Chef Drew Van Leuvan offers a 3 course feast, served family style, including pasta topped with the weekly meatball feature, salad and dessert for just $14.50 per person. Diners can add a bottle of red or white wine for $19.50 per person!

Do you think these are great deals?

Photo Credits: Our Labor of Love

My New Sweet Haute Spot

American food with a healthier approach to southern classics is served up at Sweet Auburn Bistro. This charming little haute spot is located along Atlanta’s historic Auburn Avenue where history and culture meet. Executive Chef and Owner Glenn Law is the creator of the “new southern” cuisine infused with Caribbean flair offering flavorful food at affordable prices.

Once inside you’re transported to a modern day version of 1955 Atlanta where the smell of Georgia Shrimp and Cheese grits and double crust peach cobbler along with rhythmic beats fill the air. This cozy little gem offers a menu of dishes featuring exotic creations like the Sweet Auburn Chips made with black pot kettle fried potato chips, drizzled with melted blue cheese, red onions and scallions and Scallop Risotto prepared in Mediterranean fashion. You can also get soups, salads and 171 burgers while you dine with friends or alone for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Casual conversation over Cabbage Town fried green tomatoes, Hotlanta wings or decadent desserts along with a selection from their extensive wine list makes this the place to be during Monday's live music night or any day of the week. WiFi is also available.

Sweet Auburn Bistro is open seven days a week. To learn more visit http://www.sweetauburnbistroatlanta.com/

Will you check out Sweet Auburn Bistro?