Hotel Palomar Voted Best Boutique Hotel on Repeat Atlanta!

Hotel Palomar makes a great first impression in Midtown as Repeat Atlanta readers have voted Palomar best Boutique Hotel in Atlanta. Here are the final results:

1. Hotel Palomar (22%)

2. W Perimeter (19%)

3. W Buckhead (10%)

4. W Downtown (9%)

5. Glenn Hotel (8%)

6. Hotel Indigo (8%)

7. W Midtown (8%)

The custom painting to the left by Steve Penley can be found in Hotel Palomar's restaurant Pacci. Repeat Atlanta!

Smith & Hawken Digging For Headquarter Space in Atlanta?

San Francisco-based luxury garden retailer Smith & Hawken is said to be looking at relocating its corporate headquarters to metro Atlanta. With overall retail sales the worst they have been in decades, Smith & Hawken was hit especially hard as its products are luxury items and are often the first to be cut from consumers budgets. Pat Farrah, interim head of the company has said Atlanta would be the best fit for the company if they can become viable. If the move takes place, Sembler's Town Brookhaven development is said to be in line for a Smith & Hawken flagship store. More details to follow. Repeat Atlanta!

Nordstrom Racks Buckhead Loop Location

Seattle-based Nordstrom will open a 38,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack store in Buckhead Station shopping center at the Buckhead Loop. With one Nordstrom Rack in Buford, at Mall of Georgia Crossing, this will be their first location inside the perimeter and is scheduled to open sometime next spring. Nordstrom Rack is basically the outlet of the mainline Nordstrom department store with items priced 30-70% off retail. The store will occupy three spaces on the upper level, 210, 212 and what is currently the Golfsmith store. Sure to be a hit given the current state of the economy, the store will join fellow discounters T.J. Maxx and DSW in the shopping center. Repeat Atlanta!

It Appears Blue Genes has a Recessive Genotype!

After a string of thefts last year followed by a bankruptcy filing, Blue Genes seemed destined for closure, but they emerged leaner and meaner with a more diverse product offering and a smaller space. Now, having been robbed for the 7th time, this time of over $100K, the store seems destined to close. A moving truck was seen outside the store Monday afternoon and shopbluegenes.com is down for "maintenance" until July. Calls to the store go straight to voice mail while neighboring boutiques say they have temporarily closed. Repeat Atlanta will be on top of this developing story and post updates as they become available. Repeat Atlanta!

Crazy World We Live In When A Bar Like Locos Can't Stay Open

Locos Grill & Pub closed its Buckhead location this past Sunday. One of the original Locos years ago, this eatery seems to have been unable to sustain itself amongst newer competition in the area. No official word from Locos on the reason for the closure but its prized location next to Hole in the Wall and Trader Joe's should be of interest to eateries looking at entering the Atlanta market. Repeat Atlanta!

Ever Have a Dirty Water Dog in NYC? Rick's First Pick, ATL's Version At A Korean Kiosk...

I’m delighted to join the Repeat Atlanta corps as a recruited contributor and look forward to sharing many a single-sided critique on some of my favorite (and least favorite) dining detours. So, without further ado and in the spirit of positivity, let’s start out… nice.

Seems like everyone’s got their own dining poll these days – the most popular of which is “Best Fried Chicken in Atlanta.” Some joints qualify, and others are undoubtedly lauded by existing employees in an effort to enhance business. Alas, my pick for two years standing still applauds an underscored 6’ x 10’ kiosk nestled in the food court of the Super H Mart due north of the city. Despite its relatively obscure OTP location, the Korean ToreOre (Chicken & Joy) justly claims its position as top spot in the pantheon of worthy fried chicken gods. From “Garlic Tasty,” to “Sweet & Spicy,” to the effervescent classic crisp, every succulent piece is (twice) deep fried in peanut oil to sheer perfection- no greasy aftermath, no guilt…just joy. But true joy takes time so my advice is to place your request at least 20 minutes in advance as every beautiful batch is worth the anticipation and, of course, made to order.

BTW- the cubes on the side are Daikon radishes and they temper the escalating heat- you may need them!
 
Until next time…enjoy your meal!

There May Not be Gold at the End of the Rainbow, but There Sure is Alcohol!

Repeat Atlanta has just received confirmation from Ri Ra Irish Pub's David Kelly that Ri Ra is set to open Thursday, July 9th.   In uncovering this information, it is clear that those involved with this eatery are more than qualified considering their love of the pub -- David Kelly concluded our conversation by wanting to meet up to have a Guinness as the opening date neared. Repeat Atlanta!