Travel
Girlfriend Getaway in Atlanta by Rebecca Hansen
EDGE ContributorFriday Nov 21, 2008
Two years ago, my girlfriends and I decided to treat ourselves to a weekend away in celebration of our 30th birthdays. Where would we go? What fabulous indulgences would we grant ourselves in celebration of this milestone? The possibilities were endless, and there was much discussion of spas, beaches, and fabulous desserts. Then, in a turn of events that I still can’t explain, we decided it made the most sense to just meet halfway between Boston and DC. You might be thinking that we ended up meeting in Manhattan - a logical choice for a getaway with the girls - but we were much more literal than that. My friend Lisa did a little Mapquest research to find the midpoint, and the next thing you know we were in Allamuchy, New Jersey. All we need is each other, we said when we arrived, freaked out by the Blair Witch vibes exuded by the dilapidated buildings and barren autumn countryside. But, after a day of aimless driving - even the old-time village was closed for the fall - and two nights of hotel dining and wine in the room, we knew that we’d made a huge mistake. As we drove away, my friend Kathleen and I swore to each other that we’d never again be so passive and uninspired in our trip planning - our next girlfriend getaway, even if not until we all turned 40, would be as fabulous as we had dreamed.
Enter Atlanta. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in this warm southern city with another group of lovely ladies, and I finally got the trip that I’d been looking for. Its diverse neighborhoods each have something exciting to offer in the way of dining, entertainment, and culture, making it the perfect place for a girlfriend getaway.
Dining Out
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The Buckhead Diner
For the best brunch you’ve had in ages, head to the Buckhead Diner in, you guessed it, Buckhead. This thriving and rapidly growing neighborhood of Atlanta boasts an incredible variety of hotels, shopping, and restaurants, and the Buckhead Diner is a great place to start a day in the area. Its sleek, stainless steel exterior has all the charm of a classic diner joint, and when you step inside things only get better. The rows of wood-paneled booths and soft lighting make for an upscale but warm interior with the feel of an old-time rail car, creating that nostalgic feeling that everybody wants in a good diner, while still maintaining a sense of contemporary class.
The menu embodies the same mix of classic and contemporary, starting with a rich, delicious cup of coffee, a brunch essential. For those who like a sweet breakfast, the French Toast, a diner standard usually made with plain white sandwich bread, gets an update with thick egg bread, white chocolate, and a side of Applewood smoked bacon. The Fried Egg and Grilled Cheese B.L.T., served on toasted country Italian bread, is the perfect way to start the day for those of us who prefer savory to sweet. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent after a night out on the town with the girls, get one last warm up on your coffee and order a giant slice of the White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie for the table. In spite of the rich ingredients, this James Beard Award-winning treat is surprisingly light in texture, with just enough fresh banana flavor to balance the heavenly white chocolate. Although we all swore we’d have "just one bite," we found our forks sneaking back for "just one more" several times. Full as I was after all that, part of me wished I could stay until dinner time, lured by the Berry Scented Pan Fried Chicken and the Veal and Wild Mushroom Meatloaf on the menu.
Photo credit: Suzanne Anderson
Seasons 52
For a lighter lunch, head to Seasons 52, also in Buckhead, where every item on the seasonally inspired menu is under 475 calories. As someone who tends to avoid calorie-counting, I was a skeptical about this concept, but these are no Lean Cuisine meals. From their scrumptious flatbreads (the grilled stead & cremini mushroom was a favorite at our table), to the warm, cheesy Broiled Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Mushrooms, to the Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon, everything is fresh, flavorful and satisfying. Most delectable of all, and the favorite at our table, were the Mini Indulgences, individual portions of classic desserts served in tall, thin shot glasses. After a few moments of admiring the gorgeous carrot cakes, cheese cakes, and chocolate creations, all that could be heard was the clinking of spoons against empty glasses, searching for that last sweet taste.
Noche
Noche, in the Virginia Highland neighborhood, is another great spot for a midday meal. The expansive menu of tapas presents a cornucopia of fun lunchtime options. Having lived in Spain, I tend to be a tapas purist, but the Mexican twists on the Spanish classics were all well done here. From the Lobster Taco With Peppers and Oaxaca Cheese to the Grilled NY Strip Steak With Chipotle Au Jus, everything we tried was unique and delicious. And, if you’re in the mood for a lunchtime libation, the classic margaritas or refreshing mojitos are an excellent accompaniment to the feast of small dishes.
Trois & Opera
For an elegant dinner, head to Trois for some delicious French cuisine. Executive Chef Jeremy Lieb has created a deliciously accessible menu that blends both contemporary and classic dishes. My girlfriends and I shared several items from the enticing appetizer selection to start the meal, including Potato Gnocchi with tomato confit, Crab Duo (lump crab, avocado, ravioli, blue cheese), and Warm Bucheron salad with water cress and local fig, my personal favorite.
For my entrée, I chose from the Modern side of the menu, no easy feat with so many unique flavor combinations on display. After pondering the Yellowfin Tuna 2 Ways (charred and grilled with corn pudding and duck fat fries) and the Swordfish with applewood bacon, fennel, leek and potato sauce, I settled on the Wild Salmon with tagliatelle vegetables, green oil, and a savory heirloom vinaigrette. Lieb’s rendition of Beef Bourguignon from the Classique portion of the menu was just as delicious, though it could not have been a more different dish with its rich blend of butter noodles, mushrooms and bacon. And, if you, like me, are a wine lover, Trois does not disappoint. With an expansive wine list for all tastes and budgets, you can be sure to find the perfect complement to every set of flavors on the menu.
With its Midtown location, Trois is also the perfect place to dine before a night out on the scene. After dinner, you can head right across the street to Opera to dance the night away, as my little party did. In spite of the fact that we were a tad bit older than most of the other clubgoers, it wasn’t long before we ventured out from the safe haven of our VIP booth on the mezzanine level. The contagious music and fabulous décor (the 13,000 space served as an actual opera house in the 1920s) had us all on the packed dance floor in no time. I had flashbacks of the days when I used to dance the night away nearly every Saturday, exactly what you want from a weekend away with the girls.
Shopping & Spas
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Virginia Highland
For the boutique shopper, there’s the Virginia Highland area, known for its diverse and unique shops. We all had a blast perusing kitschy gifts and vintage-style clothing at the eclectic boutiques, including a sale rack packed with adorable dresses that were all $19-$29. Although we only had time to visit a handful of shops, I could have easily spent an afternoon wandering the area, with its great mix of folk and pop art, vintage and contemporary clothing, kitchen and gardening tools, do-it-yourself pottery, and trendy spas and salons.
Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza
If you’re more of a mall shopper, the Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza shopping malls have you covered. Lenox Square is anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Macy’s, and has tons of great specialty shops, including everything from Crate & Barrel to French Connection. If you and your ladies are feeling a little more upscale, just cross the street to Phipps Plaza, where you’ll find high end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, and, of course, Jimmy Choo.
Nani Salon & Spa
When your feet just can’t take another lick of walking, it’s time to head to Nani Salon & Spa in Atlantic Station. Owned by Shandon Anderson, a former player for the Miami Heat, Nani offers everything from pedicures, to facials, to full body massage. The lovely staff, warm decor and floor to ceiling windows make for a welcoming, soothing environment - exactly what you need when you’re looking for a restorative time-out.
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