8/7/2010

5/5 stars

I live here. Seriously. I could afford to buy a home (ok, mortgage), and the neighborhood *ROCKS*. The neighborhood association (not to be confused with a "homeowner's association / indentured servitude") is populated by nifty folks. They hold regular mixers hosted by local businesses. My immediate neighbors are good people. There seem to be no more problems (and maybe fewer) than in other neighborhoods right now. And we're *notified* of any problems if we sign up for the email list. That's huge.

The greater East Point area seems to be pushing as hard as they can in the current economic environment. There are a few possible energy efficiency funding opportunities (lotteries), the downtown area publishes easily available lists of open storefronts, etc. There's a new summer movie series. And, of course, the East Point Possums.

Oh, and weather permitting I can walk to the MARTA easily. The Midtown station has the GT trolley right to my building. You couldn't ask for an easier commute. And when weather doesn't permit (yes, I've become a heat wuss), there's always parking at the East Point MARTA station. Co-workers in the Virginia Highlands are jealous; their commute often is *longer* from those "Highlands" to Georgia Tech. (I was living in the real Virginia highlands. I admit those are 5-6 hours away…)

Yelp tags: Public Services & Government

8/14/2010

4/5 stars

Brake Pad was *very* generous with appetizers for our neighborhood's mixer. And the appetizers were really good. The hummus was yummy, and the roast peppers on the plate were fantastic. I was too stuffed to try the fried grit cakes, but others were raving. I'm rarely a fan of the cold shrimp cocktail thing, but these were good.

Their menu otherwise is primarily burger. Shocking, I know. They're basic, fine bar burgers. I should not have eaten all the fries. Way too much food for me… Their draft selection is ok, and the harder drinks seemed to be having the right effect on others.

The patio was comfortable even during the rain. Bonus for not being smoky… The bar inside seems pretty nice; I'll have to return and sample that a bit more… And the servers were great at juggling our, um, amorphous group's needs while still tending to everyone else.

Yelp tags: American (Traditional)

An ongoing draft in response to Robert Brewer’s excellent prompt: “As I was saying.”

I wonder how this conversation’s parts
separated themselves into these chunks,
forgetting the together it starts
as. I was saying everything at once.

And all these words still sat asleep, not heard
but curled beneath weighty, familiar stings.
A prickly blanket holds them as unstirred
as I. Was saying different disturbing?

Or perhaps that was the talk-splitting maul.
Different begats separate ways, each their own
path leading everyone to ends as small
as I was. Saying this stands alone.

But once alone, discovery begins.
As I was saying: take care fitting in.

8/27/2010

3/5 stars

Rafeedie's is one of the approved caterers for Georgia Tech. In that light, their sandwiches are pretty good executions of the utter box-lunch basics. The fruit cups seemed more fresh than typical. The cookie seemed like it was baked and not defrosted and stuck in a dehumidifier. Definitely the best I've had from the approved caterers list, and they were zero hassle about ordering and delivery.

I know, that's not incredible praise, but yesterday's caterer… Well, Rafeedie's is the best I've had from the list. The list is only up for additions every five years. I'm not sure where in the cycle it is right now.

Yelp tags: Caterers

8/27/2010

4/5 stars

I'm bouncing between A-OK and being a fan. There is a mountain of potential here, but it's masquerading behind empty store fronts. The clusters of great are fantastic. Oz Pizza and its courtyard, Corner Tavern and its skinny stairs and updoor deck, the hardware store a few blocks over, etc. Events like the Possums show, the Taste of East Point, and outdoor movies definitely give the downtown a good community feel. So my A-OK feeling is more a reflection of the current economy.

I haven't felt "unsafe" downtown or walking to downtown. I also haven't tried many of the restaurants, either. Street parking is plentiful and well-lit.

Yelp tags: Restaurants Shopping Local Services Health and Medical

8/30/2010

2/5 stars

Hamburger buns as table rolls. Ok calimari, but *some* pieces are chewy… Crab cakes with oil puddles glistening in the sad light. Gritty scallops. Bland. The clientele make zombies seem hyperactive. Utterly claustrophobic. Service was pretty good, though, so two.

Yelp tags: Seafood

9/1/2010

3/5 stars

Eh. It's a hotel. It's convenient. The conference facilities were fine for us. The bar/restaurant's prices are shocking. The advertised specialty beers are your typical major brand pseudo-microbrews.

The staff rocked. Ordinarily, that'd bump the review up a bit. But corporate has saddled them with, well, insulting room decoration. The TV is labelled TV, the telephone is labelled Telephone, etc. Sure, it's a style, but that style's also in the 60's Prisoner show. Not the best of parallels for a hotel.

But otherwise, the place suffices. I wouldn't make it a destination, but I wouldn't make this *area* a destination.

Yelp tags: Hotels