SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION GENE PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY OCTOBER 2014 | ATLANTA | 113 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION DOWNTOWN’S BIG YEAR THIS YEAR, DOWNTOWN WELCOMED many exciting new projects and attractions that have changed the face of our central city. The recent surge of activity—which outstripped Downtown’s growth preceding the Olympics—served to further establish the community’s position as the vibrant heart of the region for decades to come. Look no further than the inauguration of the Atlanta Streetcar and the openings of both the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the College Football Hall of Fame to see the large-scale investment pour- Atlanta Streetcar ing into the area. The groundbreaking for the Atlanta Falcons stadium and the continued expansion of College Football Georgia State University’s footprint further heighten Hall of Fame Downtown’s visibility, as well as its desirability among residents, businesses, and visitors alike. As the primary organization dedicated to Down- town’s continued growth for more than seventy years, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) has brought together partners from both the private and public sectors to generate ideas and launch initiatives that spark positive change for the city. The future of Downtown is very bright, and we look forward to seeing you here. PUBLISHED BY PUBLISHER DIRECTOR OF SALES DESIGN DIRECTOR ASSISTANT EDITOR Sean McGinnis Clint Smith Katy Miller Calli Monnier EDITORIAL DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION MANAGER Kevin Benefield Jon Brasher Mark Ziemer Whitney Tomasino 260 PEACHTREE STREET, SUITE 300, ATLANTA, GA 30303 404.527.5500 ATLANTAMAGAZINE.COM SKYLINE: LAUREN HOLLEY; STREETCAR: COURTESY OF CENTRAL ATLANTA PROGRESS; HALL OF FAME: COURTESY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL FAME PROGRESS; HALL OF FAME: STREETCAR: COURTESY OF CENTRAL ATLANTA SKYLINE: LAUREN HOLLEY; | | OCTOBER 2014 | ATLANTA | 1 1 7 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 36 HOURS IN DOWNTOWN With so many new reasons to be Downtown, now is the perfect time to take a weekend to get to know the city center a little better. Ride the Atlanta Streetcar’s 2.7-mile route, which links the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site on the east and Centennial Olympic Park on the west. Stroll the flower box–lined sidewalks, relax in a beautiful park, or discover a new restaurant. And if you have questions, members of the easy-to-spot Downtown Ambassador Force are always on hand to offer directions or dining suggestions or to escort you to your parking spot. FRIDAY the best of national and international SIPS IN THE CITY | 5 p.m. jazz, world music, and dance, as well as Pull up a barstool or find a cozy booth School of Music performances and the at Meehan’s Public House – Down- Atlanta Film Festival among many others. town (meehansdowntown.com). This The New American Shakespeare Tav- 4,000-square-foot Irish pub offers Emer- ern (shakespearetavern.com) is a replica ald Isle–charm with its comfortable at- of an Elizabethan playhouse and boasts mosphere, hearty menu, and impressive Meehan’s a British pub menu, a broad selection of Public House beer list. Meehan’s is a perfect gathering Irish ales, and robust production sched- place for happy hour, as well as dinner ule, which includes Macbeth, Charles with friends or late night fun. CULTURE ABOUNDS | 8 p.m. Dickens’ A Christmas Story, and The Downtown is home to several top- Winter’s Tale this season. MODERN MEXICAN DINNER notch performance venues, which offer 6:30 p.m. high-caliber performances year-round, NIGHT OUT ON EDGEWOOD Alma Cocina (alma-atlanta.com) brings a among them: Theatrical Outfit, Rialto AVENUE | 11 p.m. refreshing new approach to Mexican and Center for the Arts, and Shakespeare The hipster-magnet strip of Edgewood Latin cuisine. Bright and fresh ingredi- Tavern. In fall of 1995, Theatrical Outfit Avenue offers a range of inexpensive, ents and traditional regional influences (theatricaloutfit.org), Atlanta’s sec- idiosyncratic bars and surprisingly come together with other Latin American ond-oldest professional theater compa- swanky restaurants. Sister Louisa’s influences in a variety of vibrant, dishes ny, relocated Downtown to the Balzer Church of the Living Room and Ping from the braised goat huarache to the Theater (also the site of Herren’s, the Pong Emporium (sisterlouisaschurch. fried avocado tacos. first restaurant in Atlanta to voluntarily desegregate in 1962). Productions slated Sister Louisa’s Church of the Alma Cocina for this season include My Children! My Living Room and Ping Pong Africa! in October, The Gifts of the Magi Emporium in December, and Silent Sky in February. Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts (rialto.gsu.edu) is an 800- seat performing arts venue in the hip, historic Fairlie-Poplar district. The venue is home to the Rialto Series, presenting SKYLINE: GENE PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY; OTHERS COURTESY OF CENTRAL ATLANTA PROGRESS OTHERS COURTESY OF CENTRAL ATLANTA SKYLINE: GENE PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY; 118 | ATLANTA | OCTOBER 2014 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION National Center for Civil and Human Rights com) is known for the spoof religious to a locally beloved and now-defunct Young launched the project with art covering the walls and choir robe– burrito joint called Tortillas with perfectly then-mayor Shirley Franklin, the Nation- clad karaoke nights. Upstairs, people portioned San Francisco–style burritos al Center for Civil and Human Rights pack church pews as they wait for their topped the way you like it. Sweet (civilandhumanrights.org) opened its turn at the Ping-Pong table. The Sound Auburn BBQ (sweetauburnbbq.com) doors. This new museum, adjacent to the Table (thesoundtable.com) is part serves up slow-smoked barbecue meats, ever-popular World of Coca-Cola museum speakeasy and part dance club. Enjoy award-winning wings and ribs, and and the Georgia Aquarium, tells the story innovative small plates, like the rabbit delicious sides. Here, classic Southern of the historic U.S. civil rights movement ‘wings’ and octopus ceviche taquitos, barbecue goes hand in hand with mod- and its connection to current global as well as a sophisticated cocktail menu ern eclectic influences. The complex also human rights struggles. In addition to a and Atlanta’s best DJs spinning for late- houses several fresh meat and produce floor dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr.’s night dancing. Don’t let the unassuming booths, a pharmacy, and a bookstore. personal papers, exhibits include a lunch storefront or the heavy-handed Italian counter that replicates the nonviolent comfort food fool you; Noni’s Bar & REVERENT REFLECTION | 1 p.m. protests of the 1960s and an evolving, in- Deli (nonisdeli.com) is known to host a In June, nearly a decade after Evelyn teractive world map that updates current prodigious dance party itself. Lowery, Juanita Abernathy, and Andrew human rights crises. GO LONG | 3:30 p.m. SATURDAY College Football ATLANTA ON A PLATE | 11 a.m. Hall of Fame The newest addition to the Centennial An urban food court, Sweet Auburn Olympic Park–adjacent museum medley Curb Market (thecurbmarket.com) is the College Football Hall of Fame offers a diverse array of authentic (cfbhall.com), which opened in August. cuisines from a variety of vendors. This Located on the southern side of the is a great place to get one or two items park near the Georgia World Congress from several shops and enjoy a little Center, the museum offers insight into bit of everything. Try savory and sweet all aspects of the game. Take a 3-D tour British-inspired pies, like the sweet and of some of the most famous stadiums in spicy pork or country chicken at Pan- the game, try your hand at calling mem- bury’s Double Crust Pies (panburys. orable plays in college football history, or com). Opened by a former Morehouse run your own play on the forty-five-yard College professor, Bell Street Burritos indoor field. Upon arrival, your all-access (bellstreetburritos.com) pays homage pass is loaded with your favorite team COURTESY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL FAME HALL OF FAME: NCCHR: ALBERT VECERKA & ROCKWELL GROUP, 120 | ATLANTA | OCTOBER 2014 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Polaris and records your interactive experiences in 1967. Today, the Polaris rotates once SkyView throughout your visit—so you can see again, making a full turn every forty-five how your whole-hearted fight-song rendi- minutes, providing guests with pano- tion measures up long after you take on ramic views of Downtown Atlanta. the museum’s karaoke challenge. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and appe- tizers of small, shared plates, like the A VIEW WITH A TWIST | 6:30 p.m. deconstructed Maine lobster cocktail, The revolving restaurant atop the Hyatt braised veal cheeks, or rabbit sausage Regency recently reopened after closing with quail eggs. a decade ago. The Polaris (atlantare- gency.hyatt.com) was renowned Atlanta RARE OR RAW | 8 p.m. architect John Portman’s first go at a BLT Steak (e2hospitality.com/blt-steak- revolving restaurant and topped the tall- atlanta) is both a raw bar and an Amer- est structure in the city when it opened ican steakhouse with a sophisticated, bistro ambiance. Indulge in signature BLT Steak warm popovers, along with specially selected steaks, and fresh seafood. Weekly blackboard specials highlight SUNDAY seasonal flavors and local ingredients. A BETTER BRUNCH | 10 a.m. Your French toast, chicken and waffles, TAKE A SPIN | 10 p.m. or black bean and egg sandwich is Perfect for a quiet escape steps from even more satisfying at Cafe 458 many of Atlanta’s most popular attrac- (atlantacss.org). Located in the Historic tions, the SkyView (skyviewatlanta. Old Fourth Ward, Cafe 458 serves up com) Ferris wheel rotates forty-two specialty brunch dishes concocted by cozy, climate-controlled gondolas nearly a Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef.