By Michael Andre Adams
Hot…Culturally Speaking…
Celebrating its 20th year, the National Black Arts Festival kicked off with Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple,” at the historic FOX Theater, a special tribute to Judith Jaimeson, James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner,” a concert by Wynton Marsalis and a host of other events running now through September. www.nbaf.org
Tavis Smiley recently passed through to create some extra hype for the November launch of “America I AM: The African American Imprint.” The exhibit celebrates 400 years of African American contributions to the nation through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music. If you’re not, become familiar at www.AmericaIAM.org Hot…On the CuiScene…
Concentrics Restaurant Week runs from August 17 through August 23, offering multi-course meals from $18 to $25 at several of Atlanta’s including – ONE. midtown kitchen, TWO urban licks, Room at TWELVE (which we reviewed in the previous issue) and more. Of them, I can assure that at ONE midtown kitchen you’ll have no regrets ordering the calamari served deep fried and served in a puddle of cheesy sauce ($11), the heirloom tomato quesadilla appetizer ($9), as well as the salmon entrée served via crispy katafi with toasted couscous, kalamata olives and Greek yogurt ($19). Room at TWELVE, will wear you out with his well seasoned ribeye steak and roasted sweet potatoes simply served with seas salt and butter. For more information log onto www.onemidtownkitchen.com and www.roomattwelve.com
Back in May, W Hotel FINALLY opened in the heart of Atlanta, in addition to its longtime presence and lack of popularity on the outskirts of the city. The celebrity laden, red carpet opening drew stars from New York and Los Angeles, in addition to Hot’lanta locals Big Boi from Outkast and others from the city’s luminous music scene. Nearly every floor was open and flowing with food and libation, however, it was not until a few weeks ago when I returned to experience SPICE MARKET–the signature restaurant, that I was able to truly appreciate the cuisine. The owner/operator-a former New Yorker by the name of Jean-Georges Vongerichten–street food type dishes from the Orient dance off the plate, onto the fork and happily into your mouth. Straight from the menu I tried Salmon Cha Ca La Vong ($12), Salmon Sashimi ($8)—both of which were amazingly fresh for land locked Atlanta; Red Curried Duck ($16) done in herbs, coconut milk less the gamey taste duck can be notorious for having; Charred Chili Rubbed Beef Skewers ($9) came with a Thai basil dipping sauce and Spiced Chicken Samosas ($8) with a cilantro yogurt sauce. Black Pepper Shrimp ($12) with sun dried pineapple,—all to which I can only say-DAMN, as in that good! All I could think of afterwards was Marvin, as in “Made me wanna holler and throw up both my hands!” www.spicemarketatlanta.com
Keeping it light for summer, another hot spot on the glam scene is Aquaknox. Situated directly above one of Buckhead’s hottest corner’s—Peachtree & Piedmont, right down the street from Jermaine Dupri’s Café Dupri, a window seat is the perfect place to see and not be seen, as in the way of the wealthy. We kicked it off with a tickling of the palette care of the chef, which for that evening was a small taste of trout. Afterwards we went straight for the $19 Shell Trio-a divine combination of lobster, crab and royal red—a variety of shrimp that are plum, succulent and more flavorful (to me) than lobster. Next came a Beet Salad with candied pistachios, some ricotta and baby mustard greens ($9). Want to impress him or her with your order and your taste buds too? Order the $30 Black Bean Sweet Chili Glazed Grouper with fragrant lemongrass broth, udon noodles, baby bok choy and cilantro wasabi oil. Upon arrival, expect to pass through an outdoor area where the style conscious will examine you from head to toe out in the courtyard area. Inside the look is of simple, modern day elegance. www.aquaknox.net
Hot…In Entertainment…
Jazz is in the house all over the city this summer starting with “Jazz Journeys” every Friday night at The Georgia Aquarium, where not only can you experience live jazz and creative libation in view of a spectacular display of fish from all over the world—you can actually swim with the fish via the “Journey with the Gentle Giants” program. www.georgiaaquarium.org
From the Clark Atlanta University campus, WCLK (91.9 FM) is one of the very few remaining independently owned and operated radio stations left in the country. Branded as “The Jazz of the City,” it’s where you’ll find some of THE most amazing artist whose music you wont hear in rotation on commercial radio. They host some of the hottest music events as well, with an constantly updated list at www.wclk.com, where you can also listen to the actual broadcast.
Perhaps the perfect date maybe dinner at one of the restaurants mentioned above, followed by a Friday evening visit to the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for Martinis & IMAX. Relaxing with a delicious martini and some sultry jazz, followed by an artistic movie on the big screen could be exactly how someone coined the phrase “larger than life!” www.fernbankmuseum.org
