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This Photographer's Life

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Ponce City Market

I love ATL – A Native’s Perspective on Ponce City Market

Blayne Macauley October 1, 2015

I've lived in Atlanta my whole life.  I was there for the opening weekend of Underground Atlanta.  The day 400 opened my dad took us for a joy ride from top to bottom, gleefully tossing his $50 cents in the toll.  We attended almost every Olympic event possible, and we spent time in the Olympic Village and the brand spanking new Centennial Olympic Park.  My friends and I went to Phipps Plaza as soon as it opened and then became regulars at the movie theater.  When Kevin Gillespie returned from Top Chef and took his place back at Woodfire Grill, I had reservations the first week.  I rejoiced at the opening of Atlantic Station and took my family down to stroll the avenues and check out the shops.  I support the local festivals, and we make an annual trek to Chomp and Stomp and the Piedmont Park Arts Festival.  I was one of the first to learn about what was The Streets of Buckhead and had a front row seat as they finally built Buckhead Atlanta.  I'm a member of the High Museum of Art and Zoo Atlanta, and I go to the Botanical Gardens Night of Lights every year...  

I love Atlanta.  It's in my blood.  I cheer for her success.   I always believe in the spirit of Atlanta and that her next big break is around the corner... unless it's actually here...

The opening of the Atlanta Beltline, Krog Street Market and Ponce City Market is the truest representation of Atlanta Spirit I've ever seen.  The sense of community is palpable.  People are meeting and walking and enjoying each other and their community.  We go almost every weekend, and there is always something new and exciting happening.  We saw our favorites, The Whiskey Gentry in the park, and the next night we accidentally got caught in the lantern parade.  We ate burgers at Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and sampled beers at Hop City Beer.  We go for margaritas and tacos at Superica and walk over to Jeni's for ice cream.  

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Tags Kevin Gillespie, Top Chef, Woodfire Grill, Chomp and Stomp, Buckhead Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta Beltline, Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market, The Whiskey Gentry, lantern parade, Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall, Superica, Jeni's, Holman & Finch, Hops Chicken

The Recipe That Made Me Love Chicken Thighs.

Blayne Macauley January 14, 2015

This week's Garnish & Gather meal featured chicken thighs.  I was hesitant.  Historically I've been more of a white meat girl.  Since confessing my love for Top Chef, I'm embarrassed to admit this.  Tom Colicchio regularly touts the superiority of dark meat, but I just wasn't there. 

Chef Amy Ponzoli changed my mind.  Maybe it was the cherry gastrique, or maybe it was the wine, I'm not sure, but for the first time I saw what all the hype was about.  The meat was flavorful and cooked perfectly!  The flavor combination of the sweet and tart cherry gastrique and the chicken thighs was heaven.

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In Food Tags little tart bake shop, Top Chef, Atlanta, The Seeker Wine, Tom Colicchio, Chef Amy Ponzoli, Garnish & Gather, le Creuset
Cooks & Soldires - This Photographer's Life

Cooks & Soldiers was Mind Blowing. Also, I love Top Chef.

Blayne Macauley January 9, 2015

Let's be honest.  Everything I know about food I learned from Top Chef.  To say I'm an avid fan would be an understatement.  I've seen every season multiple times. The depths of my online following of Chef Kevin Gillespie, my all time favorite contestant, might categorize me as a stalker, but I've accepted it.  The first time I saw him at Woodfire Grill I thought I was standing a little too close to the open flame, but looking back I may have been having a crush-induced hot flash.  He signed my menu, and it's one of my most prized possessions (like in my trophy cabinet).  The first time I went to his new restaurant Gunshow, I was mentally prepared to see him.  I psyched myself up all day, but when he walked up to the table I totally lost my nerve. My mom ended up blurting out, "she's a really big fan!" 

Some wives long for jewelry or Swiss ski trips.  Not me.  The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is my dream destination.  I drop hints at least three times a week.  My number one rational is that Tom Colicchio will be there, and he's "less than a god, but more than a man... you know like hercules or something." Jimmy's afraid I might embarrass myself fan-girling, so I'm not sure how well that argument is going.

Anyway, that was a very roundabout introduction ... the point I was trying to get across is that Top Chef has made me into a self-proclaimed foodie.  As soon as a plate of food is placed in front of me, I channel my inner Gail Simmons and get to work.  Is this too salty?  Is the meat cooked to my liking?  I'm very hard to please.

Now that we all agree that I'm fully qualified to review restaurants, I'll get to work on Cooks & Soldiers.

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In Food Tags gail Simmons, Top Chef, Gunshow, Woodfire Grill, atlanta, Landon Thompson, Cooks & Soldiers, Kevin Gillespie, westside, Fred Castellucci, Tom Colicchio, Ocean prime, Food & Wine Classic

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