Sunday, May 10, 2009
A+E, Food, Life, In this Issue..., Style, Atlanta
Reader's Choice
Sunday Best 2009
City Living
BEST REASON TO LIVE IN ATLANTATHE WEATHER
THE LOWDOWN: Spring comes in two flavors: pollen and rain. Summer is steam-bath humid or dusty-dry in fry-an-egg-on-you-dashboard heat. But those are more than offset by the blooming flowers and caressing breezes of late March, or the glorious turning of the leaves each autumn. And while we do seem to endure tornado watches year-round lately, at least we don’t have to worry about being snowed in.
THE RUNNER-UP: Restaurants
Spark St. Jude BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN
SHIRLEY FRANKLIN
THE LOWDOWN: These days it’s easier to assess Shirley Franklin’s tenure as mayor based on what she hasn’t done. Sure, she hasn’t adequately addressed the city’s crime problem—but on the other hand, she hasn’t been indicted in connection with or arrested for a crime (unlike a certain past mayor we could name), or been associated with unethical slush funds or influence-peddling. Sometimes, you take what you can get.
THE RUNNER-UP: Lisa Borders
OUR FAVORITE ANSWERS: None; Eric Von Haessler
BEST NEW LOCAL BUSINESSTHE MERCANTILE
THE LOWDOWN: Owners Samantha Enzmann and Janea Boyles bring their extensive culinary backgrounds to the table at this new specialty food shop. Located in Candler Park, the Mercantile offers fresh, natural and organic ingredients to use in your home (think sea salt, farm fresh eggs, premium cheeses and really good olive oil), as well as ready-to-eat meals. And with its newly minted alcohol license, wine and beer will soon be available, as well.
THE BASICS: 1660 DeKalb Ave. 404-378-0096.
www.themercantileatl.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Flip Burger Boutique
OUR FAVORITE ANSWER: What? New business?
BEST LOCAL FORTUNE 500 COMPANYCOCA-COLA
THE LOWDOWN: It is by far the best-known American product in the world. Its bottling plants bring jobs to areas that formerly made a living off of piracy and drug smuggling. For mavens, superstars, despots and beggars alike, Coke is the pause that refreshes.
THE BASICS:
THE RUNNER-UP: Home Depot
BEST HOSPITALPIEDMONT HOSPITAL
THE LOWDOWN: What do a stay in the hospital and real estate have in common? Location, location, location! Buckhead’s Piedmont Hospital is only a stone’s throw from shopping, restaurants and bustling nightlife. So while you may be confined to a hospital bed, your visitors have plenty to do after visiting hours are over.
THE BASICS: 1968 Peachtree Road. 404-605-5000.
www.piedmonthospital.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: Northside Hospital
BEST EMERGENCY ROOMGRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
THE LOWDOWN: Grady’s emergency room sees about 300 patients each day, making it one of the busiest in the country. For Georgia, it’s especially critical: Grady is the only Level-1 trauma center within 100 miles of Atlanta, and has one of only two burn units in the whole state.
THE BASICS: 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE. 404-616-1000.
www.gradyhealthsystem.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: St. Joseph’s
BEST HOSPITAL TO HAVE A BABY INNORTHSIDE HOSPITAL
THE LOWDOWN: Mama mia! The official welcome center for about 18,000 small, new, incoherent and naked people each year, Northside Hospital has a certain amniotic charm. It delivers more babies than any other hospital in the metro area—and moms say they’re treated like queens in its soothingly decorated environs.
THE BASICS: 1000 Johnson Ferry Road. 404-851-8000. www.northside.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Piedmont
Spark St. JudeBEST LOCAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
THE LOWDOWN: Georgia Tech’s professors build artificial intelligence insects like dragonflies outfitted with cameras. They make robots that can prepare meals, fetch medicine and mix drinks for disabled people (not that we’re condoning using technology to enhance recreational drinking). What’s not to like?
THE BASICS:
www.gatech.edu.
THE RUNNER-UP: Emory University
BEST OTP NEIGHBORHOODSANDY SPRINGS
THE LOWDOWN: Incorporated in 2005, Sandy Springs is barely outside of the Perimeter, with one southern residential area actually inside. The new city is also the Atlanta location of the Consulate General of Columbia as well as being home to "The Gambler" himself, Kenny Rogers.
THE BASICS:
www.sandyspringsga.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: Dunwoody
BEST ITP NEIGHBORHOOD
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD TO RAISE YOUR KIDSVIRGINIA-HIGHLAND
THE LOWDOWN: Deriving its name from the intersection of Virginia and Highland avenues, Virginia-Highland recently became the first carbon-neutral zone in the U.S. That means that emitted carbon dioxide is offset by an alternative, greener energy source. Residents are known for their environmental friendliness and activism toward unwanted developments. In the ’60s, they defeated the proposed I-485 project that would have destroyed their community.
THE BASICS: www.virginiahighland.com.
THE RUNNERS-UP: Inman Park (ITP neighborhood); Dunwoody (to raise kids)
Sunday Paper ArchivesBEST PARK
BEST PLACE TO TAKE PHOTOS
BEST RECESSION-FRIENDLY ATTRACTION
BEST PLACE TO WALK YOUR DOG
PIEDMONT PARK
THE LOWDOWN: The city’s largest and most celebrated public gathering place boasts 189 acres of rolling green space in well-developed Midtown. With trees older than Centennial Olympic Park, Piedmont Park offers a lot more shade. It’s a great place to walk your dog or brush up on your budding photography skills. And best of all, it’s free. No wonder Atlantans can’t get enough of it.
THE BASICS:1071 Piedmont Ave. NE. 404-875-7275.
www.piedmontpark.org.
THE RUNNERS-UP: Stone Mountain (park); Atlanta Botanical Garden (take photos); Zoo Atlanta (recession-friendly attraction); Freedom Park (walk your dog)
BEST WEDDING VENUEPARK TAVERN
THE LOWDOWN: Once again, your choice for the perfect Atlanta wedding is Park Tavern. Situated next to beautiful Piedmont Park with a gorgeous view of the Atlanta skyline, this romantic setting remains a hit with wedding planners. The ample patio space and great food don’t hurt, either.
THE BASICS: 500 10th St. 404-249-0001.
www.parktavern.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Trolley Barn
BEST PET TO BE SEEN WALKING IN PIEDMONT PARKDOG
THE LOWDOWN: Atlanta’s most popular green space enjoys that distinction at least in part because of its dog-friendliness. The rolling hills are perfect for playing fetch with your best friend, and the off-leash pet area brings dogs and their owners from all across the metro area.
THE RUNNER-UP: “My Dog”
OUR FAVORITE ANSWER: Portuguese Water Dog
BEST PET STOREPETSMART
THE LOWDOWN: Need a water purifier for your pet’s dish? Maybe a gem-encrusted collar? You didn’t before, but you do now! Even if you only stop in for the necessities, you and your beloved furry friend are sure to have a new wish list by the time you leave.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.petsmart.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: The Pet Set
OUR FAVORITE ANSWER: Michael Vick’s house
BEST PLACE TO ADOPT A PETATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY
THE LOWDOWN: Established in 1873, the Atlanta Humane Society is the oldest and largest charitable organization in the city. Originally chartered to protect women, children and animals, it’s now Atlanta’s first choice for adopting a dog, cat or even the occasional rabbit.
THE BASICS: 981 Howell Mill Road NW. 404-875-5331.
www.atlantahumane.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: Atlanta Pet Rescue & Adoption
BEST PET SPA
BEST PLACE TO BOARD YOUR PETBARKING HOUND VILLAGE
THE LOWDOWN: Barking Hound Village may be the place to board your dog or get him that long-overdue grooming, but it caters to owners, too. Keeping dogs clean and owners happy, BHV serves free Starbucks coffee while you wait, and offers a variety of dog foods to pamper your pet.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.barkinghoundvillage.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Piedmont Bark (both categories)
BEST VETBUCKHEAD ANIMAL CLINIC
THE LOWDOWN: For more than 50 years, Buckhead Animal Clinic has kept Atlanta’s pets healthy and happy. With a staff of seven veterinarians and the latest in surgical technology, including claw removals by laser, you’ll leave confident you’ve entrusted Fido’s care to the best.
THE BASICS: 1911 Piedmont Circle NE. 404-873-3771.
www.buckheadanimalclinic.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Briarcliff Animal Clinic
BEST PLACE TO WORKFROM HOME
THE LOWDOWN: Hey, we get it. You can teleconference in your pajamas, watch your “stories” while you prepare those TPS reports, and open all the NSFW links you want without Human Resources breathing down your back. And if your lunch hour turns into a five-hour lunch, well, who’s gonna know, right?
THE RUNNER-UP: Concentrics restaurants
Courtesy of the Georgia Department of Economic Development
Helen, Ga.—cheaper than a trip to the Alps!BEST DAYTRIP
HELEN, GA.
THE LOWDOWN: About a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, this Alpine village-themed town is the perfect way to leave the city behind and experience a different world. Tourists prefer to travel on foot, checking out restaurants specializing in German fare and other varieties, plus lots of shops and interesting outdoor activities. Did we also mention there’s lots of great beer?
THE BASICS:
www.helengeorgia.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Athens, Ga.
BEST WEEKEND GETAWAYSAVANNAH, GA.
THE LOWDOWN: This historic coastal gem is known for its charming antique shops and galleries, captivating bed and breakfast inns, restaurants such as Paula Deen’s famous The Lady and Sons, and of course its eccentric characters (as showcased in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”).
THE BASICS:
www.savannahvisit.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Lake Lanier
BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THE ECONOMYLIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS
THE LOWDOWN: It's shouldn't be any surprise that saving money often means cutting costs. Do you really need that Snuggie? Is that ShamWow really a necessity? Face it: We're all going through hard times, and there's nothing wrong with doing what you can with what you have, whether it’s eating in or enjoying the park. (That Snuggie would be nice, though.)
THE RUNNER-UP: Cook at home
BEST LOCAL MECHANICMY FAVORITE MECHANIC IS A WOMAN
THE LOWDOWN: Choosing a mechanic you trust can be scary—you never know when you’ll be taken for a ride. Not our readers, though, who swear by this well-known garage convenient to Edgewood and Candler Park.
THE BASICS: 1618 Dekalb Ave. NE. 404-371-9912.
THE RUNNER-UP: Auto Repairs by Patrick
BEST CAR DEALERSHIP
CARMAX
THE LOWDOWN: In this economy, “used” is the new “new.” Gone are the days of haggling with gaudy used-car salesmen and suffering from the suspicion that all the cars are lemons. This Fortune 500 company even offers a five-day money-back guarantee.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.carmax.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Jim Ellis
BEST CAR WASHCACTUS CAR WASH
THE LOWDOWN: Whether rushing in for a quick rinse or settling in for the full treatment, you’ll find your car is in expert hands. And while your vehicle gets the white-glove treatment, treat yourself to a cup of gourmet coffee, watch the hi-def TVs, or check in with the office via free Wi-Fi.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.cactuscarwash.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Avril’s Car Wash
BEST HOTEL
THE RITZ-CARLTON
THE LOWDOWN: With two locations in Atlanta (Buckhead and Downtown, each with distinct personalities), the Ritz is a posh hotel where you can rest your head on ridiculously soft Egyptian cotton sheets and pretend you’re old money. The service reigns supreme, the dining is worth every penny, and the rooms continue to prove themselves as a timeless luxurious escape for a staycation or out-of-towners.
THE BASICS: Downtown: 181 Peachtree St. 404-659-0400. Buckhead: 3434 Peachtree Road NE. 404-237-2700.
www.ritzcarlton.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: The Glenn
BEST HOTEL FOR BUSINESSW ATLANTA-PERIMETER
BEST HOTEL FOR ROMANCEW HOTELS
THE LOWDOWN: Swank and fun, the W’s Atlanta hotels (Buckhead, Downtown, Midtown and Perimeter) take lodging to an exhilarating new level, with hot and trendy restaurants, bars, spas, boutiques, gyms and pools, as well as high-speed Internet, iPod docking stations in every room and tons of meeting space. So they’re perfect for getting down to business and for taking care of business, if you catch our drift.
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.whotels.com.
THE RUNNERS-UP: Four Seasons (romance); Intercontinental (business)
BEST LOCAL ATTRACTION
BEST LOCAL ATTRACTION FOR KIDSGEORGIA AQUARIUM
THE LOWDOWN: With the coast several hours away and Lake Lanier’s waning water levels, land-locked Atlanta may be dry, but the Georgia Aquarium offers a refreshing change of scenery. The world’s largest aquarium is located across from Downtown’s Centennial Olympic Park. With 8 million gallons of water and an assortment of marine life, including whale sharks and giant squids, who needs a trip to the beach, anyway?
THE BASICS: 225 Baker St. NW. 404-581-4000.
www.georgiaaquarium.org.
THE RUNNERS-UP: Atlanta Botanical Garden (attraction); Zoo Atlanta (attraction for kids)
BEST QUIRKY ATTRACTIONLITTLE FIVE POINTS
THE LOWDOWN: With its tattooed restaurant servers, street performers and character-filled watering holes, L5P is Atlanta’s outpost of funky chic. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
THE BASICS: www.l5p.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Underground Atlanta
Courtesy of the Henry Moore Foundation
“Draped Reclining Mother and Baby,” part of the “Moore in America” exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
BEST OUTDOOR ART
ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE LOWDOWN: Located next to Piedmont Park, the Botanical Garden is more than a big flower show. It’s a big art show as well, with everything from the “Moore in America” Henry Moore exhibit to 2004’s Dale Chihuly glass sculptures, which people are still talking about.
THE BASICS: 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE. 404-876-5859.
www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: The High Museum of Art
BEST LANDMARKTHE BIG CHICKEN
THE LOWDOWN: Standing like a Monty Python prop atop a KFC at the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Roswell Road, this fearsome fowl definitely knows where it’s at. At least, it’s helped many lost travelers figure out where they’re at since 1963.
THE BASICS: 1970 N. Cobb Parkway, Marietta
THE RUNNER-UP: Stone Mountain
BEST SKYSCRAPERBANK OF AMERICA
THE LOWDOWN: Here’s a fun fact: The ninth tallest building in the United States, the Bank of America Plaza, is also the 35th tallest in the world, and it’s located right here in Atlanta. The rooftop consists of a pyramid of latticework that’s well-illuminated at night and can be seen for miles.
THE BASICS: 231 Peachtree St. 404-332-2700.
THE RUNNER-UP: IBM Building
BEST SPOT FOR WIFISTARBUCKS
THE LOWDOWN: In this day and age, Internet access is just as much a necessity as coffee, if not more so. Need to kill some time, respond to some e-mails or read some readers' choice lists? Just look for the ominous mermaid; Starbucks locations are everywhere. (Oh yeah, they serve coffee too.)
THE BASICS: Multiple locations.
www.starbucks.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Caribou Coffee
BEST CONDO DEVELOPMENTTERMINUS
THE LOWDOWN: Imagine everything Buckhead has to offer, rolled up in one convenient location, with a number of shops (Poggenpohl, Brides by Demetrius, the Grooming Lounge) and eateries (AquaKnox, Lola, the Flying Biscuit, Chick-fil-A) on the property and easy access to much more. Heck, Terminus is so cool it’s got its own soap opera, “High Rise,” airing online and on Comcast On Demand. Can your complex say the same?
THE BASICS: 3280 Peachtree Road. 404-239-8376. www.terminus-atlanta.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: 1010 Midtown
BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX
BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX FOR SINGLES
POST PROPERTIES
THE LOWDOWN: In Atlanta, the ubiquitous Post brand is synonymous with convenience, in terms of both location (with more than 20 properties across the metro area) and amenities—which are of particular importance to the city’s many single professionals.
THE BASICS:
www.postproperties.com.
THE RUNNERS-UP: AMLI Residential properties (apartment complex); Gables (singles)
BEST RECESSION-FRIENDLY HOTELMOTEL 6
THE LOWDOWN: Our readers took this category literally, perhaps recalling those classic radio commercials with humorist Tom Bodett promising “a clean, comfortable room for the lowest price of any national chain.” Or maybe they’re just comforted by the down-home friendliness of that folksy slogan: “We’ll leave the light on for you.”
THE BASICS: Multiple locations throughout metro Atlanta.
www.motel6.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Marriott