Anyone from Atlanta?

Hi. I tried posting this yesterday but it seems to have bounced. If you’re in Cumming, you’re right in the center of things horse-wise. I live in Dunwoody, but my horse is in Cumming which means I spend my life on 400. Wills Park, which should be pretty close to you, has a lot of horse events, and Atlanta Saddlery and Tack Tavern are literally right there (at the top of the hill.) This week there’s an A show going on at Chateau Elan (east of you, up 85 in Braselton.)

My one non-horsey tip: be sure to check out Harry’s Farmers Market, just off Rte. 9 in Alpharetta.

Kudzu Cafe has been closed for several years now.

Just FYI…

The food there was great!

You could eat at a different restaurant in Atlanta every night for a year and not exhaust them… Seems like nobody cooks anymore!

Yes, Veni Vidi Vici is very good. So is Camellia Grill in the Highlands (haven’t been there in years, though…). Rustica Bistro is excellent. It’s in Crabapple by the silos. That Italian restaurant across from Fajitas (help me out, DMK) is good also. Can’t forget about La Strada in Marietta. Always good.

Love Fellini’s and Mellow Mushroom, although I think Fellini’s white pizza is better. La Fonda’s paella is great!

Don’t forget about Van Gogh’s in Roswell, and it’s brother Vinnie’s on Windward.

Chicago’s is also good – excellent steaks, and they have two locations.

Haven’t been to Goldfish yet, though I hear it’s good.

Taco Mac for beer and wings!!!

I’m glad DMK mentioned OK Cafe. Excellent veggies, though pricey for “home cooking”. Can’t go wrong at the Midway Meal House, that’s for sure…

As far as trainers go, it depends on what you want for your horse and self…

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Caroline:
My only complaint is that it takes me an hour (on a good day) to get from work in Midtown to my barn in Alpharetta. (I ride with Claudia McQuillen at Fox Hollow.) The traffic on 400 is horrible and bound to only get worse. So Cashmere, from what I know, Alpharetta is not a bad drive from Cumming. If you plan to ride again, stick around those parts!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

UGH! 400!! I have to take 400 to get to school, I live off exit 9, and my school is at Perimeter, it takes us an HOUR on a good morning! It’s ridiculous! I come home right after school, so the traffic isn’t too bad, but then I have to drive all the way up to Cumming from my house. There’s not traffic, it’s just a lloonngg drive! Atlanta traffic is not my friend!

~Sarah

Oh Freaknik! I visited Atlanta with my parents when they were shopping for a house about two years ago. My dad took a wrong turn so we ended up smack dab in the middle of Freaknik! Needless to say, my very conservative parents and I in the teale Ford Taurus were a little out of place amongst the low riders with tinted windows and da bass pumpin’. It was definitely an experience.

DMK, you’re just a big weenie…

(But it must be the age thing too, tee hee; I’m feeling colder each winter… do I really want to have a lesson today?)

As far as antique-y places, don’t forget about historic Roswell and Crabapple. And Virginia Highlands. Great restaurants, too.

Please, please go to Buckhead Diner. It is the best restaurant on Earth. You won’t be sorry!

So how do I find this Atlanta Saddlery? I’ll be staying in Dunwoody, and I know I can find Perimeter Mall if that helps at all…

What is the name of ther barn that is in/near Buckhead. It had all corporate sponsorship to build, they do lessons and Christopher Reeves opened it a few years back. It’s right near an open air pavillion that has concerts and such. It’s beautiful, lovely rings and barns but pitiful turnout.

Yes, Atlanta Saddlery sells Effingham boots. They also have a web site http://www.atlantasaddlery.com. The people are, as DMK stated earlier, very friendly and helpful.

Speaking of Sunny, in the towerheads article about Callan Solem, they referred to Sunny (who she used to ride with) as a “he”. I highly recommend her. Actually, when I was looking for a new trainer (last year), I seriously considered her, except I have a greenie and needed help over fences. (I’m very happy with who I found, though – and it was by accident!)

I might be going to GA tech next fall, and was wondering about places to board my horse (hopefully i can take her with me)… i will probably be looking for just pasture board… it does not have to be a nice fancy show barn, but it would be nice if there was a hunter/jumper trainer there…
thanks for any info!

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by lisa:
DMK, you’re just a big weenie… <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

She says this like she JUST figured it out…

Hey, Cashmere, I’ll have a house for sale in the spring…

You can also celeb-sight at the Buckhead Diner, which is fun.

The only thing I dislike about Atlanta restaurants is that very few of them take reservations. So be prepared to wait… and wait… and wait… Unless you’re Ted or Jane or Elton!!

I second the endorsement for Harry’s. Don’t try to find Velveeta there, tho… hee hee.

Phipps Plaza and Lenox Square are better, IMO, than North Point. And, of course, there’s the behemoth: the Mall of Georgia…

Woodbern - shows how long it has been since I have been there! Actually, I always though the OK Cafe did a much better job at the same type of food - homestyle cooking and the famous “4 veggie plate”. Yummmmm…

Katydid - take GA400 North to exit 9 (haynes bridge rd), turn left, go to Hammond St. (traffic light at Publix), turn left on Hammond (OK guys, is it called Hammond?), go to next traffic light - turn left on hwy 9, also known as Alpharetta street, main street, atlanta hwy - it could be called ANY of those things (roads in GA - NOW that is a whole 'nuther topic). Go down about 1 1/2 miles, on your right, JUST past Tack Tavern is a little strip mall w/gas station, on corner of Wills Road/Hwy 9 - Atlanta Saddlery is in that strip mall - discreet name on window - have to look hard to see it, if you don’t know it is there.

OK, we have all tried to explain what Atlanta is like, but here is the REAL story…

[B]A guide to Atlanta, Georgia

(pronunciation is: a-LAN-uh, JAW-jah)[/B]

Atlanta is composed mostly of one way streets. The only way to get out of downtown Atlanta is to turn around and start over when you reach Greenville, South Carolina.

All directions start with, “Go down Peachtree …” and include the phrase, “When you see the Waffle House. . . .” Except that in Cobb County, all directions begin with, “Go to the Big Chicken. . . .”

Peachtree Street has no beginning and no end and is not to be confused with Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Place, Peachtree Lane, Peachtree Road, peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Run, Peachtree Trace, Peachtree Ave., Peachtree Commons, Peachtree Battle, Peachtree Corners, Old Peachtree, or Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Atlantans do not believe in turn signals. You will never see a native signal at a stop light, to change lanes, or to merge. Never. Ever.

Atlanta is home of Coca-Cola. That’s all we drink here, so don’t ask for any other soft drink . . . unless it’s made by Coca Cola. And even then, it’s still “Coke.”

Atlantans only know their way to work and their way home. If you ask anyone for directions they will always send you down Peachtree.

Gate One at the Airport is 32 miles away from the Main Concourse so wear sneakers and pack a lunch. The doors on the trains in the airport do not reopen like an elevator if you stick your hand out. And they hurt.

It’s impossible to go around a block and wind up on the street where you started. The Chamber of Commerce calls it a “scenic drive” and has posted signs to that effect so that out-of-towners don’t feel lost . . . they’re just on a “scenic drive.”

Morning rush hour is from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Evening rush hour is from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday’s rush hour starts Thursday morning and lasts through 2:00 a.m. Saturday.

Do not plan to visit Atlanta during “Freaknik”. Even if you make it off the freeway into the city, you won’t be able to go anywhere, and may not make it out alive.

Reversible lanes are not understood by anybody … especially those of us who live here. Stay out of them unless you are looking for a head-on collision.

Outside of the perimeter “Sir” and “Ma’am” are used by the person speaking to you if there’s a remote possibility that you’re at least 30 minutes older than they are. In the suburbs “Sugar” is a more common form of address than “Miss.” So is “Sweetpea.” “Honey” is always used by Waffle House waitresses.

Ponce de Leon Avenue can only be pronounced by a native, so do not attempt the Spanish pronunciation. People will simply tilt their heads to the right and stare at you. (The Atlanta pronunciation is “pahnss duh LEE-on”)

The falling of one rain drop causes all drivers to immediately forget all traffic rules; so will daylight savings time, a girl applying eye shadow in the next car, or a flat tire three lanes over. If a single snowflake falls the city is paralyzed for three days and it’s on all the channels as a news flash every 15 minutes for a month. All the grocery stores will be sold out of milk, bread, bottled water, toilet paper, and beer if there is a remote chance of snow, and if it does snow, people will be on the corner selling “I survived the blizzard” T-shirts.

If you’re standing on a corner and a MARTA Bus stops, you’re expected to get on and go somewhere.

It is always Smog Alert Day.

Construction on Peachtree Street is a way of life, and a permanent form of entertainment, especially when a water line is tapped and Atlanta’s version of Old Faithful erupts. Construction crews aren’t doing their job properly unless they close down all lanes except one during rush hour.

Atlanta’s traffic is the friendliest around. The commuters spend hours mingling with each other twice a day. In fact, Atlanta’s traffic is rated number one in the country. You will often see people parked beside the road and engaged in lively discussions.

Atlantans are very proud of our race track, known as Road Atlanta. It winds throughout the city on the Interstates, hence its name. Actually, I-285, the loop that encircles Atlanta and has a posted speed limit of 55 mph (but you have to maintain 80 mph just to keep from getting run over), is known to truckers as “The Watermelon 500.” Georgia 400 is the southern equivalent of the Autobahn. You will rarely see a semi-truck on GA400, because even the truck drivers are intimidated by the over-sized, SUV-wielding housewives racing home after a grueling day at the salon or the tennis match to meet their children at the school bus coming home from the college prep preschool.

The pollen count is off the national scale for unhealthy which starts at 120. Atlanta is usually in the 2,000 to 4,000 range. All roads, vehicles, houses, etc., are yellow from March 28th to July 15th. If you have any allergies you will die.

The last thing you want to do is give another driver the finger, unless your car is armored, your trigger finger is itchy and your AK-47 has a full clip.

So who’s riding? I’ve ridden twice in the last month. It’s disgusting.

We’re ready to pack up now and go to Fl.

Sorry, don’t know of any pasture boarding barns, but I’ll ask around…

I was born in Tampa, but I only lives there a year! I know live in the oh-so-wonderful town of Alpharetta (read: horse world! LOL ) I used to live in Brookwood Hills in Buckhead, and before that I lived in Virginia Highlands! The great thing about Atlanta is all the MALLS! They’re a ton of them and they’re all nice! I live right by Northpoint, my school is right by Perimeter, the barn is right by the Dawsonville outlets, and it’s a short drive everywhere else! I have my priorties straight! hehe The fact that I live under 5 minutes from Atlanta Saddlery is also and added bonus! hehe We have everyone that works there over for dinner and they’re all close family friends!

~Sarah

Oh, if we are talking restaurants

SoHo’s in the Vinings is very nice…
Canoe in the Vinings is a MUST (they take reservations, and it is right on the river)
Buckhead Diner (already mentioned)
Goldfish (at perimeter - new & wonderful)
Bones (awesome steakhouse)
Kudzu Cafe (Peachtree?)
OK Cafe (Paces Ferry off 1-75)
Blue Ridge Grill (across from OK Cafe)

Good Eats in Alpharetta - less pretentious, but wonderful!)

Midway Meal House (hwy 9 - South Forsyth)
Alpharetta Diner (Haynes Bridge Rd, near downtown)
Fajita’s Mexican - hwy 9, n. of McFarland (all those horse people will probably be someone on this BB, right, Lisa?)

Ah – restaurants.

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>You CANNOT miss brunch at the Ritz Carlton (the one on Peachtree across from Lennox – Ritz Carlton, Buckhead, I believe). It’s ridiculously expensive, but SO good. Fast for days so you can fit in all the yummy stuff they have to offer into your tummy. We’re talking filet mignon, lobster, caviar, omelette stations, pasta stations, carving stations, sushi bar…the list is endless and its absurd how much food you could eat. Great for special occasions (we went the morning of my graduation). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My husband worked at the Ritz, Buckhead as chef in the Cafe. The brunch is truly a sight to behold. I think it’s $35 or 40/pp, but I eat my worth in jumbo cocktail shrimp and smoked salmon alone! The tastiest best shrimp ever. Luckily, we ate free.

If you think that’s expensive, try the Dining Room upstair. Whew!

I hostessed at the Atlanta Fish Market. Awesome, but don’t go on weekend nights. “That’ll be a 2 1/2 - 3 hour wait. Would you like to have a drink and appetizer in our lounge while you’re waiting forever?” I met Phylicia (sp) Rashad, Willie McGinnis (football), Jeff Foxworthy, Leon & Michael Spinks, Ted Turner and Jane Fonda, and (drum roll , please) ERIC CLAPTON!!! Oh god, I’m starting to tremble just thinking about it …

I rode with Elizabeth Warmington, who without doubt, in my mind, is the best trainer in the area – and has the best facility (without an indoor, though.)

– Don’t miss the Farmer’s Market.

– Little Five Points is pretty crazy – very “hippyish.”

– I’ve lived in the biggest dump on earth in Roswell (70% of the police calls in the town were to this apartment complex – Tahoe North). I’ve also lived in Buckhead Crossing, which isn’t REALLY in Buckhead proper; it’s next to Cub Foods. And I’ve lived in Midtown, right near Grady High School there. I worked at Crim High School in Southeast Atlanta.

If you come from the north, the pizza sucks in Georgia. Mellow Mushroom is about as good as you get.

Six Flags is very fun. Cyclorama is quirky and interesting.

I liked the weather there, but couldn’t stand the gross suburbia surrounding the city. There are some cool old neighborhoods, but mostly subdivisions north of the city named Beaver Ridge (when there are really no beaver there and besides which, beavers don’t live on ridges …) Coming from the colonial north where so much is OLD (stone walls, capes, colonials, etc.) and quaint, the cheezie-ness of it all irks me. Well, I guess they couldn’t help it if we Yankees burnt down everything … I guess they’re still in Reconstruction.

[This message has been edited by J. Turner (edited 12-08-2000).]

I’m not really looking for anyone to ride with, since my son takes up the majority of my time. I have a friend here that trains some kids and she already said that I can borrow a horse to trail ride, which is exactly the level that I am at now. Showing- been there, done that, got a t-shirt.