Welcome to Cardamom Hill - 1700 Northside Drive in Atlanta, Georgia

I first met Chef Asha Gomez at one of her amazing Spice Route Supper Club dinners, which she held out of her home on the westside of Atlanta. The moment you entered her townhouse, the rich smell of Indian spices greeted you and led you upstairs to her dining room, where the low lighting and communal table created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Chef Asha's delicate chai, served with a locally-made pizzelle with hints of ginger, cardamom and black pepper.

When I walked into Cardamom Hill last week, Chef Asha’s new restaurant on Northside Drive, I had a sense of déjà vu – I’d been here before. Not in this exact space, but in this atmosphere where I’m greeted by inviting aromas the moment I walk in the door, foreshadowing the amazing meal I’m about to enjoy. This was Spice Route Supper Club all over again. My mouth watered.

This is no run-of-the mill Indian restaurant – Chef Asha’s dishes highlight the Kerala region, a lush coastal state of South India rich in spices, coconut, and seafood, and have a distinct flavor unlike what you have experienced at other Indian restaurants. Chef Asha’s passion and delight for helping her patrons explore her homeland through food are obvious, both in her cooking and in her enthusiasm at welcoming guests to her new home, Cardamom Hill.

It was a chilly day when I met friends for lunch at Cardamom Hill, so we were eager to warm up with a cup of Chef Asha’s hot chai. It’s a must-have menu item; whether you start or end your meal with this delicately spiced tea, it is not to be missed. It’s served with a locally-made pizzelle, a light, crisp wafer spiced with ginger, cardamom and black pepper.

Cardamom Hill is open for lunch and dinner, and so far I’ve only had the opportunity to go for lunch (a dinner date with my husband is not far off – I can already tell it’s going to be a favorite of ours that we visit regularly). There is no set lunch menu; instead, Chef Asha creates three lunch plates to choose from, depending on what she has on hand, fresh in the kitchen. Her Kerala Fried Chicken will always be one of the lunch choices (one of my favorites at the 2011 Atlanta Food and Wine Festival). In addition to the Kerala Fried Chicken, there will always be a vegetarian option and an additional meat option. Served with the three entree choices are three side dishes – ours were a Raita salad, a Sambar dish (a spicy dish of lentils, eggplant, onion, and tomato), and almond rice with golden raisins.

I’m so looking forward to visiting Cardamom Hill for dinner…soon. The dinner menu is much more extensive than the lunch offerings and offers a bevy of choices for those looking to explore the Kerala cuisine. I know my hubby is looking forward to trying the goat biryani; I have my eye on the seafood dishes, like the spicy fish curry and the kingfish roasted in banana leaf.

Cardamom Hill is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM, and for dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 PM until 10:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 PM until 10:30 PM. Reservations for dinner are strongly recommended.

WHERE: Cardamom Hill – 1700 Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30318
404-549-7012

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Chef Asha's amazing specialty dish: Kerala Fried Chicken (bottom right) with Sambar, Raita, and almond rice

There's always a vegetarian option: Vegetable Korma (a cashew coconut yogurt based with potatoes green beans and carrots), served with Raita, almond rice, and Sambar

Curry Chicken (with onion, tomato, and Garam Masala), with Raita, almond rice, and Sambar

Warm up with a cup of chai, served with a pizzelle flavored with ginger, cardamom and black pepper.

Warm wood, rich fabrics and minimal decor make Cardamom Hill a welcoming place for a meal, where the food takes center stage.

See "My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra" at Stage Door Players, through February 12, 2012 - starring (from L to R): Bryant Smith, Drew Archer, Courtney Godwin, Marcie Millard

I have a little bit of a crush on Frank Sinatra. As in, if I had been alive in the 1940s and 1950s (the eras of my crush), I probably would’ve been his stalker. Well, one of them – I’m sure he had many.

Marcie Millard and Bryant Smith in "My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra"

I also have a little bit of a crush on Atlanta’s local arts scene. So much talent in one place.

Right now, you can see a show celebrating the Chairman of the Board himself starring local talent. To me, that’s totally crush-worthy. Now through February 12, 2012, Stage Door Players presents “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” – it’s part musical review, part love letter to Ol’ Blue Eyes, all Frank’s music. Journey through time and through the many incarnations of Frank, covering almost 50 years of hit songs and lesser-known pieces, from film, musical theatre, swing, the works.

“My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” runs through February 12, 2012, with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings  at 8:00 PM, and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 PM. For tickets, you should visit the Stage Door Players website; tickets are available online through tix.com. Tickets are $26.00 for adults, $24.00 for seniors, $22.00 for students, and children under 12 are $12.00. Have questions? You can call the Box Office at 770-396-1726.

WHERE: “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” at Stage Door Players - 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
770-396-1726

An emotional tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes - a must-see for Frank Sinatra fans.

Photos courtesy of Stage Door Players

I could not be more excited to celebrate the 4th Anniversary of Cypress Street Pint & Plate tonight! From the drink specials to a rockin’ good time…it’ll be just like any other night at Cypress Street, except even better! 

The Cypress Street High Road Craft Ice Cream Burger at Battle of the Burgers: all-natural chuck patty topped with High Road Cheddar Cheese Granny Smith Apple ice cream, coasted in crushed frosted flakes, between two toasted waffles

I mean, these are the people who brought us the Cypress Street High Road Craft Ice Cream Burger at the 2011 Battle of the Burgers: all-natural chuck patty topped with High Road Cheddar Cheese Granny Smith Apple ice cream, coasted in crushed frosted flakes, between two toasted waffles (for the record, it was my very unexpected favorite bite of the day). What should this tell you? That when Cypress Street does something, they go all out, so you should expect their 4th anniversary party to be, well, epic.

Here’s what you can expect: half-off appetizers from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, as well as $2 Cypress house beer and $5 well drinks. Plus for you beer-lovers (and fans of the weekly Beer Geek Tuesdays), they’ll be releasing Dogfish Head Ten and tapping a special cask just for this very special night!

Come out and celebrate with an Atlanta favorite and wish Cypress Street a very happy 4th anniversary!

WHERE: Cypress Street Pint & Plate - 817 W. Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308 (located on the corner of 6th St. & Cypress St. BEHIND The Biltmore)
404.815.9243

I had the immense pleasure of going to see Odysséo: A New Adventure By Cavalia last week, which is showing in Midtown Atlanta through January 29, 2012.

According to the website, “Odysséo is a journey into the imagination, a voyage through space and time, and an exploration of nature’s greatest wonders – deserts, waterfalls, canyons, glaciers and more.” What it really is, is a beautiful symphonic dance with horses and humans on stage together, perfectly choreographed without feeling unnatural. It’s an amazing work that marries performance and trust between these gorgeous, graceful animals and their partners.

The scale of the show is almost unbelievable – the cast includes more than 50 riders, performers, and acrobats (much akin to a Cirque du Soleil performance) and 71 four-legged stars, 26 of which are stallions and the rest are geldings. True to form for Cavalia, the costumes are endless, as are the set changes and surprises. You will be on the edge of your seat throughout the two acts (there is one intermission) as the action is nonstop.

Technically, the show is astounding. The tent in which Odysséo is staged (actually one huge tent with a collection of smaller ones that serve as stables, a VIP area, dressing rooms, and more) is immense and impressive. No doubt you’ve seen it if you’ve driven on the Connector in the past couple of months. The tent’s footprint covers an astounding 100,000 square feet and rises 125 feet in the air. The performance stage is 27,000 square feet – and once you see the horses charging in from off stage, you understand why it is so big! The stage is composed of 6,000 tons of dirt, sand, and stone, and is coupled with projections and visual effects on a huge high definition screen and a live orchestra with a single female vocalist. All in all, it’s truly breathtaking.

For an even more incredible experience, check out the Rendez-Vous Experience, which includes an open bar and buffet dinner before the show, champagne and dessert at intermission, and a tour of the stables and a chance to meet the horses and performers following the show, in addition to a Q&A with the Artistic Director immediately following the show.

Odysséo has been extended through January 29, 2012. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees on Saturdays at 3:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. For ticket prices and seating chart, visit the Cavalia website. You can also buy tickets online – by clicking here.

WHERE: Odysséo, A New Adventure by Cavalia in Midtown Atlanta – see website for details

The Cavalia tent - a impressive presence in Midtown Atlanta and an amazing venue for this show.

The bar in Cavalia's Rendez-Vous experience - enjoy a glass of beer or wine pre-show and at intermission.

The incredible final scene - the stage is flooded with water!

The final curtain call - what an incredible cast of performers!

The VIP experience allows you to tour the stables after the show and meet the horses and performers!

Make a new friend in the stables!

A glimpse into the tack room

365Atlanta believes in shopping locally and supporting Atlanta-area businesses. SHOP LOCAL! is our picks for local shopping picks for the holidays…and beyond!

Those of you who know me know my deep love for Phickles Pickles. Owner and Phickle Chickle, Angie Tillman and her husband, Phin, are the rock stars behind this Phickle-mania. I first met them at Star Provisions during Cheese Week back in September 2010, and am proud to not only be in love with their pickles but also to call them friends.

Phickles is a”phairy” tale story of sorts. What started as a hobby about two years ago led Angie and Phin to sell their Phickles to local Athens bars and restaurants for bloody Mary garnishes…and the rest is history. Thanks to Angie’s social media savvy (she’s is a darling of the Twitter foodie set, tweeting as both @angieti and @phicklespickles), the business has grown by leaps and bounds. Features in publications like Garden & Gun and Deep South Magazine haven’t hurt either.  Angie says, “I’m glad we’re getting a chance to do what we really love! …that we really can make a living out of just being us!”

I was an immediate fan of Phickles. I bought four jars – okra (“Okies”) and carrots (“Stix”) for me, and green tomatoes (“Wedgies”) and jalapeños (“Hotties”) for my dad, a pickle fanatic like me. My hubby and I ate the entire jar of Stix in one sitting while watching TV one night – how’s that for a healthy snack?

Made from their own secret family recipe, Phickles are no ordinary pickles. They are anything but! These gourmet pickles come in lots of delicious varieties: Okra (featured recently in Garden & Gun magazine), Jalapeños (Hotties and Not-So-Hotties), Snap Beans, Carrots, Green Tomatoes, and seasonal varieties such as Asparagus, Celery and (of course) Cucumbers. I am a Phickle-lover – I love their spicy, vinegar-y goodness. And I think you will, too.

Phickles make great gifts for the pickle-lover in your life or for that special foodie on your list. I like to give them as hostess gifts, holiday gifts, and keep a case or two stocked in my kitchen, you know, for pickle emergencies. After all, this is the South – when push comes to shove (or when unexpected guests drop by), a pickle platter is always a good addition to your table. Angie and Phin sell to specialty shops all over the southeast (you can find them here in Atlanta at shops like Star Provisions and Savi Urban Market), but you can order Phickles by emailing angietillman@phickles.com and have them shipped directly to you! For just 4 jars for $40, 6 jars for $50, and 10 jars for $75 (including shipping!) that’s great convenience during this busy, bustling holiday season!

PLUS for you special 365Atlanta readers, until the 365th day of the year, get 5 jars for the price of 4 of Okies, Hotties, Wedgies, Stix, Snaps, & Spears! That’s a great deal – just $40 for 5 jars of delicious Phickles (including shipping!). Order today!

HOW TO FIND: Phickles Pickles
Website: www.phickles.com
Email inquiries: angietillman@phickles.com

One of the coolest holiday events in Atlanta is FREE! The folks at Atlantic Station are going all out this season with their free holiday concert series – Winter Wonder Jam. Every Friday night throughout the month of December, Atlantic Station is hosting big name bands in Central Park. Atlantic Station is keeping the band names until the week of each concert. The first show was an incredible solo acoustic performance by Citizen Cope (see photo, right). On December 9th, the local band, Elevation, opened for Sister Hazel. It was truly amazing to see such a big star perform for free in the center of the mall! With the Christmas lights and the hourly snowfall, this was an event to remember!

On stage tonight is…Gavin DeGraw! The performance will start at 7pm in the center of Atlantic Station. And, yes, it is FREE.

Atlantic Station won’t spill the beans yet on next week’s act! But you can find out by texting JAM to 57682 to get the latest news sent right to you. Or you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (see below for links to their pages). Or I will announce when I know!

WHERE: Winter Wonder Jam at Atlantic Station – Central Park, Atlanta, GA

Atlantic Station on Facebook | Atlantic Station on Twitter

Last year, I met someone who I can confidently say is one of my favorite people in Atlanta, Adisa Nickerson; he introduced me to one of our city’s most incredible organizations, the Georgia Boy Choir, for which he serves as Executive Director.

The Georgia Boy Choir, which is comprised of boys from ages four through high school, not only gives these young musicians an opportunity to hone their craft and learn advanced music skills, but also teaches them discipline, teamwork, responsibility and other important life skills. Music education has been proven to be a valuable part of childrens’ education, and the Georgia Boy Choir is providing that opportunity for boys from all around the Metro Atlanta area.

This weekend, the internationally renowned Georgia Boy Choir will kick off the holiday season with the very popular Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir production on December 16 and 17 in the beautiful sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, where they are currently serving as the Ensemble-In-Residence. This fantastic concert will feature not only the seasoned Concert Choir, but all five choirs of the Georgia Boy Choir including the Apprentice Choir comprised of boys ages 4 through 7 (how cute are they!), along with a full orchestra performing all of your favorite carols and songs to kick off the holiday season. Quickly becoming a city tradition, the evening includes a fun Christmas party for kids courtesy of Elegant Event Sitters, Atlanta’s largest performance of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” with the audience invited to join in the fun and singing, and lots of homemade Christmas treats. Tickets for Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir are $12, $20, and $40 and can be purchased by visiting http://georgiaboychoir.ticketleap.com.

Hearing is believing: here is a video of the performance choir recorded at last year’s Christmas concert:

Halfway through their third year, the Georgia Boy Choir is achieving an unprecedented level of success and recognition. This past summer they traveled to Great Britain where they served as the Choir-In-Residence at Oxford Cathedral; the summer before they traveled all the way to China. They will cap off this season with an appearance at the Baltimore Boychoir Festival in May and a Scandinavian tour that will take them to Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, and Estonia.

WHERE: Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church –3180 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA

Georgia Boy Choir on Facebook | Georgia Boy Choir on Twitter
Georgia Boy Choir Executive Director, Adisa Nickerson, on Twitter

Photos and video courtesy of Georgia Boy Choir

Nothing says the holidays like a fabulously garish and gaudy Christmas sweater. Come on, you know you have one!

The time has come for you to dig out that tacky holiday sweater (think Colin Firth’s reindeer monstrosity from Bridget Jones’s Diary!) – you know, the one your grandmother gave you that you can’t get rid of, the one you secretly love but wouldn’t be caught dead wearing in public? Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna is throwing a Tacky Sweater Party, so you can finally wear that eyesore with pride.

On Friday, December 16 from 10:30 PM until 2:30 AM, this fun event will have it all: the biggest balloon drop to date, drink specials, an appearance from Santa, DJ Bigg H spinning holiday favorites and house cash prizes for the top three tackiest in attendance.

So dig out that ugly sweater – or better yet, go in search of the perfect one to show off at Atkins Park in Smyrna.

WHERE: Tacky Sweater Party at Atkins Park in Smyrna – 2840 Atlanta Road, Smyrna, GA
770-435-1887

Atkins Park Tavern – Smyrna on Facebook | Atkins Park Tavern – Smyrna on Twitter

Photo credit: “christmas sweater- 7″ by GobberGo on Flickr.com

Gorgeous Heirloom Apron collection from Ice Milk Aprons (pictured: Whisked Whipping Cream Waist Apron, $55)

The hardest part about holiday shopping – for me, at least – can be finding the perfect gift for a friend, especially a friend who has it all. In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, finding the time to shop for something unique, something thoughtful, adds stress to the already hectic holidays.

If you’re shopping for a woman who loves to cook, loves to bake, loves food, here’s the perfect gift! IceMilk Aprons is “a gourmet line of heirloom aprons” - they are beautiful, simple, and above all, the perfect gift for that feminine foodie who loves to cook in style. Priced from $55 to $85, IceMilk Aprons are meant to become heirlooms, to be passed along within your family circle, along with special recipes and stories, much the way IceMilk Aprons started. Check out their beautiful neutral colors and designs, and specialty gifts, like a mother-daughter gift set, monogramming, and burlap market totes, or just buy your special someone an Ice Milk Aprons gift certificate and let her choose her own!

ALSO – this fall Ice Milk Aprons introduced some new additions to the line: new burlap market totes ($18) in 5 vintage designs, as well as a new kids’ line ($35) and two new aprons to their adult collection (Morning Bun Moments – $85 and Beauty in Brie – $55)!

NEW! Child's line of aprons (pictured: Cozy Cupped Cocoa, $35)

Atlanta’s Ashley Schoenith, owner and designer of IceMilk Aprons, began sewing with her grandmother, a master seamstress with a love for food and cooking. To spend more time together and as a shared love, Ashley and her grandmother created IceMilk Aprons, and Ashley has continued that inspiration and built a company based on tradition and classic style. Ice Milk Aprons has been featured on Martha Stewart Live and in Cooking Light Magazine, and can be found in Saks 5th Avenue! If these arbiters of taste aren’t enough reason to shop Ice Milk Aprons, I don’t know what is!

For a unique gift, visit IceMilk Aprons and choose one of Ashley’s lovely designs, sure to be a wonderful surprise for that someone you need something special for this year! If you live in the Atlanta area, you can find IceMilk Aprons in Saks Fifth Avenue (Buckhead @ Phipps), Bella Cucina or Urban Cottage (Highlands), Empire State South (Midtown), Simply Put (Westside Provisions), The Mercantile (Brookhaven), Ivy & Twine (Marietta), and Crescent Moon Bakery (Clayton, GA). You can also order them online - but keep in mind these important 2011 holiday gift deadlines:

• 12/14 (that’s tomorrow!) – Last date for monogrammed orders
• 12/20 – Last date for Ground Shipping
• 12/21 – Last date for 2-Day Shipping
• 12/22 – Last date for Overnight Shipping

HOW TO FIND: IceMilk Aprons
Website: www.icemilkaprons.com
Email inquiries: ashley@icemilkaprons.com
Phone inquiries: 866-486-3622

Photos courtesy of IceMilk Aprons

Everybody’s favorite bartender is hosting his traditional Thursday “Drinks with Jeff” with a good twist for the holidays. On Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Rosebud, holiday revelers are invited to join one of Atlanta’s favorite bartenders, Jeff Jackson, for a night of seasonal cocktails and Christmas fun benefitting the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children.

At this special December Drink with Jeff, guests will enjoy a flight of three cocktails for only $15.00 per person; those who bring in a new or gently used coat for donation to the Atlanta Day Shelter will receive $10.00 off, as well as 10% discount on your food bill if you choose to stay for dinner.

WHERE: December Drinks with Jeff at Rosebud – 1397 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA
404-347-9747

Rosebud on Facebook | The Angry Chef on Twitter | Drinks with Jeff on Twitter