Jennifer's Travel Journal- Georgia-a Southern Fried Vacation!

When you think of the south, maybe you think of sweet tea, fried chicken, biscuits & gravy, pulled pork, magnolias & tea time. Well during a recent visit to Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia we got to enjoy them all!

After an early flight we started with lunch in the cute town of Roswell at Red Salt @ 952 Canton Street.  A funky place filled with young people for lunch. I enjoyed at 7 onion soup-shallots, garlic, yellow onion, Bermuda onion, Vidalia onion, chives and scallions. Then we strolled along the charming downtown and stopped in antique shops and galleries.

Then we headed off to DeKalb Farmer's Market- This large market includes a wide variety of produce, spices, cheese, meat, flowers, baked goods, jams and more. There were people from all nationalities buying and selling. It was a real experience that is worth the drive.  (No photos indoors) http://www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com/

That night we went down to Atlanta to South City Kitchen! This place is really cool and the southern food was fabulous with great service.  http://www.southcitykitchen.com/midtown/index.htm  

We started with a She Crab soup appetizer.  I enjoyed buttermilk Fried Chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, other choices- Salmon, Meatloaf, Ribs, BBQ pork crepe, Jambalaya, Pecan Pie, Banana Pudding, and Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Across the street is the nightclub... Opera Night Club Midtown! My niece says it will get really packed and wild late at night! I'll be fast asleep!   On the way home we drove through Buckhead. She said another fun club is Twist!  http://www.h2sr.com/twist/ 

Early the next morning we headed to the Atlanta Botanical Garden@  Piedmont Park.  It was beautiful with lots to see and a great Gift Shop. A great trip for gardeners! I had a wonderful time! http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/home.do

I was excited to go to Johnny Gabrielle's for lunch. She is Paula Deen's cousin who started out as a caterer, then opened a bakery and now also serves lunch & dinner. She also has a cook book! http://www.gabrielsdesserts.com/

I had chicken pot pie along with blue cheese macaroni ! Can anyone say Carbs? Look at all the desserts above!! Oh yes, and the KFC Chicken!

My niece performed in her Senior Orchestra Recital and then we went to  Red Sky Tapas & Bar-a Spanish, Caribbean Restaurant  http://www.redskytapas.com/ We had a lot of fun sharing tapas- bbq chicken pizza, fried plantains, risotto, bruschetta, lobster dip, cucumber & papaya.

Next morning we had breakfast at the Flying Biscuit http://www.flyingbiscuit.com/  A great meal including grits and pancakes with pecan & peach compote. below

Then we had a lot of fun shopping at the North Mall Outlet - Worth the trip! http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=16

Next month Th. May 13 will be the Taste of Alpharetta- http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=195  Last year it was packed when we went. It is a big block party where you buy tickets to purchase restaurant's  specialty items including cheese steaks, pizza, pulled pork, ribs, quiche, French toast, Gelato, Bread pudding and much more...Th. May 13 - 5 - 10 pm.

I have been to Stone Mountain many times and Six Flags over Georgia. Fun for the whole family! Not to be missed! Stone Mountain has a cool light show on a huge mountain.  http://www.atlanta.net/visitors/stone-mountain.html

Six Flags Over Georgia is a fun amusement park!    http://www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/index.aspx

Some other attractions on my list for my next visit:

Georgia Aquarium http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/

Altanta Zoo  http://www.zooatlanta.org/

Gone With the Wind http://www.margaretmitchellhouse.com/

Walking Tour http://www.preserveatlanta.com/

Coke http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/

CNN  http://www.cnn.com/tour/atlanta/

Antiques and Art http://www.bennettstreets.com/

Tea- Woodstock's "Tea Leaves and Thyme" http://www.tealeavesandthyme.com/tlt/home.htm 

Roswell's Tea House http://www.roswellteahouse.net/ 

Buckhead http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=210

MLK, Jr. Home -  http://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm

My cousin Mary Louise is a Civil War Buff and she recommended 2 places to go to learn more about Civil War History.Located in Kennesaw is

http://www.southernmuseum.org/visitor_info.htm All about The Great Locomotive Chase in the Civil War and

be amazed by the world's largest painting @ Atlanta Cyclorama.  http://www.atlantacyclorama.org/ about the Battle of Atlanta. (next  to the zoo)

Golf, tennis and church life are very important actvivites in the south. My sister lives right on a golf course and is very active with tennis and golf. The churches in the south are also very large, 10,000 members. My sister goes to church with some of the guys from the Weather Channel.Their Sunday School has 100 members!  A fun thing to do on a Sunday would be to visit one of these large churches. The North can learn a lot from their Southern Hospitality!