AJC picks no-fail restaurants for Parent Date Nights: Tell us your faves and your horror stories
Editor’s Note: We have fixed our technical glitch. The link to the list is hotlinked now and ready to read!!
Many parents will tell you that they very rarely get to go out for a good dinner alone and when they do they want it to be perfect. They are spending money to hire a babysitter, money on the dinner and know they won’t get to try again anytime soon if they make a bad choice.
Michael and I get out maybe once every two to three months for a nice dinner alone. We’ve had a multitude of bad date night experiences over the last few years including:
- Taking the early bird reservation because that was when the baby sitter could come only to be rushed out of the very expensive restaurant for the “real” patrons to show up at 7:30.
- The embarrassment of having to call back snotty and smug hostesses to say that we couldn’t get a babysitter or our babysitter canceled at the last minute. (OpenTable, the restaurant booking web site, has solved this problem for us! No more snotty hostesses for me!)
- Having our minivan judged by the 20-something valet.
- Food not meeting your expectations after you finally get there!
- And being expensive to boot!
After a depressing run of choosing poorly, I sent an email to the AJC’s restaurant reviewer Meridith Ford Goldman and begged her to choose some no-fail, can’t-screw-it-up restaurant choices for parents for date nights! And she did!
Not only did she choose some fantastic places for parents to go (not all inside the perimeter), she also divided them into helpful categories such as “Fun Dive Dates” (when you cash is low), “Worth the splurge” (to celebrate with your tax refund), or “Want to dress up? These places won’t break your piggy bank.”
Here is the link to the full list!
Also John Kessler, our roaming food columnist and a dad, has come up with tips for picking other great restaurants and for making your dining experience more fun.
So I can’t wait to hire a babysitter and check out these recommendations. See what you think. Tell us if you’ve been to any of them. Tell us your favorite no-fail, date night restaurants. Also tell us about your date night horror stories where things just didn’t come together!
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98 comments Add your comment
Sorry, Theresa
April 28th, 2010
7:23 am
…but the link is not there!
Good idea...
April 28th, 2010
7:25 am
…but the link is not there – and I thought John Kessler was the restaurant critic…
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
7:25 am
Did I miss the link from Meredith?
T, do not feel bad about your minivan being judged. Years ago, we drove to Buckhead to meet some friends for dinner. My husband had a nice king cab truck. The valet really gave us an eye roll, as apparently our vehicle was not suitable for the restaurant. No problem, we have now decided to eat dinner where we do not need to valet park….LOL.
After my comment on trampolines yesterday ( that was substantiated by the American Pediatric Association) I will keep my Atlanta restaurant choices to myself. I am interested to see what the recommended places are.
Exception…if anyone ever gets to Nampa, Idaho…be sure to visit Copper Canyon, The food, wait staff, atmosphere and prices were all super! I ate there 2 nights in a row and loved it. Too bad I was by myself for business.
Have a sunny day all!
Tax Refund?...
April 28th, 2010
7:27 am
…you mean you give the government a free loan every year?
A
April 28th, 2010
7:32 am
John Kessler is the former AJC dining critic (Meredith is the current one), but I much prefer John’s writing style and the topics he comes up with.
Then how come John Kessler writes the...
April 28th, 2010
7:44 am
“Food and More” column every day?
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
April 28th, 2010
8:13 am
The link is coming!!!!!!! I thought I would have it last night, and then this morning but it is coming!!!!!! I will link it up as soon as I have it — sorry!!! But you guys can still talk about your favorite date night restaurants and the worst experiences you’ve had — The link will come very shortly and it will be good and helpful!!!!!
mom2alex&max
April 28th, 2010
8:13 am
We’ve had a plethora (oh yes, I went there) of issues with restaurants on date night. Yeah the ITP valets sure are a snooty bunch. It’s gotten to the point that in the rare occasions we get date night, we just go to our tried and true neighborhood sushi place.
But I will be looking for this list!
mom2alex&max
April 28th, 2010
8:14 am
And T, don’t feel bad about your van, If I remember correctly, you and Michael sure did have a good time….later….
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
April 28th, 2010
8:15 am
the difference is now people know who John K. is and Meridith goes in incognito — there’s no photo of her on the site — and it used to like that for john but now is the columnist and not the reviewer so you can see him.
Thanks...
April 28th, 2010
8:19 am
…for the clarification on the differences in jobs for Ms. Ford and Mr. Kessler…
We never do this
April 28th, 2010
8:33 am
We don’t have family around. We do have one lady we can pay to watch the child for a few hours, but its a hassle, so I don’t remember going to dinner with my wife alone in 7 years. On the other hand, our child is very well mannered in restaurants, so we can take him with us without worry of problems.
Also, we prefer pizza joints and taco huts to expensive fancy places.
I would much prefer to spend that kind of money by taking the whole family to a Hawks game or on a mini vacation.
JJ
April 28th, 2010
8:36 am
I cannot believe you are upset over some idiot valet rolling his eyes at your vehicle choice. Some people get so upset at the smallest things. I’m not going to let some 20 year old make me feel bad about the car I drive……seriously!!!!
I cannot believe you are upset about nasty hostesses. Next time, don’t bother to call and cancel a reservation. They’ll figure it out eventually……
YUKI
April 28th, 2010
8:42 am
We don’t normally go to places with valet or reservations. Last week for our anniversary we got a babysitter and went to a Hibatchi place and a movie. Had a great time. Like someone said earlier,I’d rather spend the money on something else. You can get good food for reasonable prices without having to spend a fortune, especially in a big city/great suburbs like Atlanta offers. Then again, I’m not a food snob. If it’s good, I’m eating it!! And the more inexpensive it is, the better!!
We never do this
April 28th, 2010
8:55 am
I don’t like Valet parking in any situation. I mean, I’m young. I can walk to my car.
I always laugh at the folks who circle the mall or grocery store parking lot three times to get that premium parking spot. I drive to the back of the lot, walk the 200 yards into the store while you are still circling.
The funniest thing though is to see someone circling a parking lot at the gym.
Meme
April 28th, 2010
9:02 am
I encourage my niece and her husband to go out often. I babysit with the kiddies for free so that they can spend the money on places to eat. They love to try new places. I am not sure if they have ever been to the same place twice.
A
April 28th, 2010
9:08 am
I don’t get why there needs to be a list (which isn’t up yet!) of date night restaurants. If you’re without your kids, you can go anywhere you want. I guess it’s a big deal since many of us don’t get out a whole lot just with the significant other and we want a good experience, but really just pick any good place in the ATL area and have fun!
A
April 28th, 2010
9:12 am
And I’m clearly in a cynical mood this morning, but Theresa, when you have had to call and cancel a reservation, why are you telling them that it’s because your sitter couldn’t make it or whatever? You don’t have to offer an explanation; just say something’s come up or be similarly vague and say sorry we can’t make it. Also, I really can’t stand the term “date night.” Just say you and your spouse/SO are going out, having an evening to yourselves, etc. It’s one of those terms I wish would just go away!
Lori
April 28th, 2010
9:15 am
I don’t ever do expensive dinners. I just can’t see spending that much money on a meal. My husband and I really don’t like what I call Froo-Froo Food. I’d rather just go to Carrabba’s and have dinner. Even on our anniversary ever year, we think about where we’d like to go, but when it comes down to it, we like to stick with our favorites. My son is 6, so he likes to go to restaurants (like Carrabba’s) where he can watch them cook. That usually gets him interested enough to sit still for dinner.
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
April 28th, 2010
9:24 am
A – I blather on and offer an explanation — I don’t have to — I do think you should cancel your reservation — that could go to someone else -
meme – you are so nice to sit so they can go out
the idea of this list, which will hopefully be coming soon — is since we get out soooo infrequently it should be a great, fantastic experience and not come home and feel like you squandered an opportunity or wasted money on the sitter for the food.
should I just turn off the topic until I have the list?????????? or do you just want to keep discussing your own experiences until we have the list —– so embarrassing!!!!!!
Theresa Walsh Giarrusso
April 28th, 2010
9:34 am
We are officially HOTLINKED NOW — THE LIST IS UP!!! PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK!! SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! I appreciate your patience!!!
A
April 28th, 2010
9:36 am
Theresa–agree you do need to cancel a restaurant reservation same as you would cancel at the hair salon or a doctor/dentist’s office as a courtesy so someone else could possibly take your spot, but there’s no need to tell a snooty hostess why you’re canceling. Now that the list is up, I’m a bit disappointed that there are so few places listed. I can vouch for Bistro VG as a great adult restaurant. We have an incredibly well-behaved child who goes pretty much everywhere we do, but after having gone to VG with just the spouse, I can definitely recommend you’d want to leave the kiddies at home for that one!
JATL
April 28th, 2010
9:40 am
I drive a 2004 Dodge Caravan that has scratches on the side and Grateful Dead stickers on the back. Usually there are lots of Goldfish and cereal bits spilled in the floor. I’ve NEVER had snootiness from a valet, and I live intown and luckily get to go out to dinner a lot more than many parents. The valets at the Ritz Carlton always act like I drove up in a Bentley! Is it possible that you feel self-concious about your mini van, so you think they’re being snotty? Honestly, if one is TRULY snotty to you, don’t tip and you may want to say -as you’re getting your car back -”It may not be a mercedes, but at least I don’t park cars for a living…” (I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with doing that for a living -unless your’e going to be an a** to people about their cars.)
We usually have the best date nights when we go to a good gastropub -above average food and it’s fun to have some drinks like we used to do all the time before kids. The Glenwood in East Atlanta is great for this type of thing. It’s also fun, adventurous and CHEAP to try something on Buford Highway and pair that with a movie at the Regal 24 I-85 theaters. The Vortex in L5P and Midtown are great cheap date nights -especially if you like a bar-like atmosphere -and on one under 18 is ever allowed in there, plus all of their food is fantastic -burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers.
If you want to go more upscale -we like Watershed in Decatur. Good, honest food in a nice atmosphere with a good wine list. Also, Wisteria in Inman Park/L5P is great. When we really want to get fancy, we hit Nikolai’s Roof at the top of the Hilton downtown. If you want a REALLY fancy, fun, old-school treat -you have to try this! The food is impeccable and the service is on par with what kings, queens and presidents receive. The decor is a delight of kitchy-ness -actually very pretty with great views, but kind of 70s/80s. You’ll drop $200-300 here, but it’s worth it! We’ve had some phenomenally special meals there.
A big disappointment for us was Bacchanalia. We keep feeling that we should give it another try, but we don’t really want a repeat for that kind of money. B**chy server; food not cooked properly, and LOUD. Ahhhh -we STILL miss Iris in East Atlanta. That was our favorite date night place. Great food, intimate but comfortable atmosphere, and the WINE -oh -the wine list was spectacular! It also wasn’t break-the-bank expensive.
lakerat
April 28th, 2010
9:41 am
Well, I guess some of you would refer to us as “snobs” since we like to go to “froo-froo” places on special occasions, and sometimes on “not special” occasions. Our kids are now much older than most of these readers’ kids (out of college, and almost out of college-graduation is next week) and we have always made a big deal of birthdays for them. We have always included them at the “froo’froo” places even as youngsters – that was a learning experience for them, and, fortunately, they were always very well behaved (I am a stickler for at least my kids behaving in public – many a time I have had to take one out of a place when they acted up).
At the same time, my spouse and I like to celebrate out birthdays at the restaurants that give free dinners to the “birthday” person – it means we have to “prove” our age, but that is OK to get a free meal at a place like Provino’s!
The only drawback is that the kids really LOVE the fancy stuff – but as long as we can still afford it AND food on the table the other days, we shall keep the tradition alive.
Earl Waters
April 28th, 2010
9:41 am
If you have a problem with the service of a restaraunt or its employees you need to be vocal and say WHY you do not wish to do business with them.
If you do not make clear, in no uncertain terms, what stupid, rude, or lame thing they did, you’re just enabling it happening more and more.
Get mad! Do something about it! Speak out!
…also I find it fascinating in kind of a sad way that a valet would give you attitude. Considering most of them are probably driving high-mileage rice-out Honda Civics. >:/
ssidawg
April 28th, 2010
9:50 am
I also agree about the term “date night”……something about it makes my skin crawl.
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
9:57 am
A bit off topic; before my last trip to Atlanta, I had heard about a store called the Junkman’s Daughter. Is that still around?
As for a night out with my wife, it doesn’t happen often. Last time we did so, it was Valentine’s Day (I got lucky… Not what you think!). Our sitter was able to take the boys for a few hours and we had a nice meal. Sat right in front of a combo (guitar player and singer) and it was a great time. It was just nice to have some adult time!
mom2alex&max
April 28th, 2010
9:57 am
I am honestly curious: what’s wrong with the term “date night”?
JJ
April 28th, 2010
9:58 am
My idea of a great date night……take the kids to a sitter/family friend/relative. Hit the grocery store and find something there you really like, but don’t buy often (maybe the kids don’t like fish, or get a big ole steak, some salad, etc). Get a nice bottle of wine. Go home, by yourselves, cook together, light some candles, dim the lights, put on some music, have a few glasses of wine, eat and get nekkid.
Then have the sitter bring the kids home later….
Earl Waters
April 28th, 2010
10:00 am
Even better, don’t have kids. Then do what you want most of the time. :^)
A
April 28th, 2010
10:00 am
If you’re married or living with someone and raising kids together, date night just seems like such a strange term. I mean dates are what you have when you’re single; why use that term after you’ve settled down? Just call it a night out without the kids, or be specific about where you are going rather than calling it a date night.
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
10:01 am
Yeah, but whaddya do after you get nekkid?
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
10:02 am
Just hopefully you don’t fall asleep, nekkid, then have the sitter AND the kids come home!
Becky
April 28th, 2010
10:02 am
We typically (sp?) don’t go to a lot of fancy places to eat, but I’m not totally against them..If it were left up to me 100%, we would try a lot of more upscale restaurants, but my husband is not as adventrious (sp?) with food as I am..As for the kids, we take them anywhere that we go..They have been going to nicer places with us for 6 years, so they know how to behave when we are out..
Theresa, I’m with any of the others that said it, yes you do call and cancel..I hate for someone to tell me they are going to be somewhere, then just not show up without calling me..As for your vehicle, I wouldn’t let it bother me one bit what the kid at valet parking thinks of it..One day, he’ll either be driving the same kind of car, something much nicer or riding the bus..
Becky
April 28th, 2010
10:04 am
@Wayne, yes it is still here..:)
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
10:09 am
When I went down to Atlanta, I wanted to visit because of the vintage clothing and it sounded like a pretty neat place. I didn’t make it as I was heading to the airport. I thought I left early enough until I got on the highway and got caught in LOTS of traffic. I found out later that it was always like that.
Back to food. I did eat at Varsity!
And, here I thought Restaurant Eugene...
April 28th, 2010
10:13 am
…was owned by Sean “Puff Daddy, Puffy, P.diddy, Diddy” Combs!!!! Shows how out of the loop in the “hip” world I am….
Well, hail, Wayne...
April 28th, 2010
10:15 am
…eating at The Varsity is much better than some vintage clothing store, so one out of two ain’t bad…
abc
April 28th, 2010
10:17 am
Sounds like yall could use some better ideas for dates than dinner or a movie. I can relate, been there. It makes me glad my kids are grown and out of the house, as far as that goes.
A
April 28th, 2010
10:17 am
@Becky, I think it’s great bringing kids to “nicer” restaurants. We’ve been doing just that for years, except for those few months around the terrible 2s stage. My son is 7, and the restaurant would have to be pretty “froo froo” for us to not bring him along, and while I would love to go to Bacchanalia since I’m a foodie, I don’t anticipate going anytime soon, so in the meantime we do go as a family to places I consider nice. And many nicer places do have kids menus, which is a huge plus!
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
10:24 am
Well, for a while there I was really into the old bowling shirts – still wear them on Wayne’s Wacky Shirt day (which is typically Fridays).
What’s that saying? What’ll ya have?
JATL
April 28th, 2010
10:31 am
@Wayne -Junkman’s Daughter is still in Little Five Points and a very cool place. Not really vintage clothing though -but around the corner is Stefan’s Vintage, which just got recognized by some publication as one of the top 5 vintage stores in the nation -and I heartily agree. LOVELY items! Also, there are other stores in Little Five catering to used and vintage clothing -Clothing Wearhouse and a few more.
@JJ -that is STILL my favorite date night -and half the time it doesn’t even require sending the kids away. Mine are still the age that after 8 or 8:30 PM -we can retire to our screened deck and pop open the wine, have some really good food and do whatever we want….;-)
One other GREAT thing we do for “date nights” is go see live music. If you enjoy it, it’s such a good spirit lifter to see a band you really enjoy. We are very fortunate to have great smaller music venues in this town like Variety Playhouse, The Five Spot, Northside Tavern, Blind Willies, Fatt Matt’s, etc. You don’t have to fork over $100 a ticket for a “BIG” show! Also -investigate the theater. We also have a wealth of great theater and improv places -Shakespeare Tavern is awesome, Alliance, Horizon, Actor’s Express, Seven Stages -great performances by some really talented people. A fabulous date night is to go to Theater Sports at Dad’s Garage in Inman Park. HILARIOUS! Break out of the mold -that will enliven your relationship more than you thought possible! Heck, even the Center for Puppetry Arts had “adult” productions from time to time. That ought to give you something to talk about!
JJ
April 28th, 2010
10:32 am
Has anyone tried Prime Park at the Mall of Georgia? I hear that’s an EXCELLENT steakhouse. Rather pricey, but well worth is is what I am told. I will probably never go there, as I much prefer to cook a steak at home on my charcol grill with friends and/or family. I’m not a big fan of spending four times more money for the same thing. I can buy two beautiful ribeye steaks at Publix for $15.00, and at a steakhouse, one alone is $25.00.
I understand the need for some to go out to a nice restaurant. I just don’t have that kind of money…..and it kills me to spend that much for a steak dinner, when I know I can get the same thing at home for MUCH LESS…..but that’s just me and my frugality…LOL thats a new word by the way…..
Meme
April 28th, 2010
10:33 am
Theresa, I get to bond with my sister’s grandkids who are almost as much mine. I love them so much it hurts. I never had children, but I have always been involved in the lives of my nieces and nephews. It makes life worth living.
HB
April 28th, 2010
11:06 am
I’m with you, JJ, sort of. I love going to nice restaurants, but not for something I can cook at home. I want to go places, usually upper medium-priced, that have interesting menus and new recipes constantly being created by the chef.
And thanks a lot, JATL, for mentioning Watershed. Now I’m going to crave chocolate cake all day! ;)
A, I promise not to use “date night”, if you’ll drop “foodie”.
JJ
April 28th, 2010
11:09 am
JATL – there’s also A TON of free concerts at local parks. Just a few weeks ago, The Return (Beatles band) was at Suwanee Town Park. Very family oriented.
Mother’s Finest is playing in Snellville this weekend, for Snellville Days. Although it’s supposed to rain, a bunch of friends are meeting there, and we are bringing KFC and all kinds of picnic stuff, and hanging out and watching the concert. Like I said, it’s free and good music and fun with friends.
DB
April 28th, 2010
11:28 am
Wow, I must be a hard-core bitch. It never occurred to me to give the hostess an explanation when cancelling a reservation — she’s not my mother. And if she’s snotty, then the manager will hear about it, politely but firmly. If I went for the “early-bird” special, it’s going to take a Mack truck to move me from my seat before I am good and ready — it’s not as if they can jerk the chair out from under you. And if a valet has the bad manners to sneer at my van (that my son “christened” with a guardrail before I had had it for 10 days!), then they are going to find their tip rather small.
Doormats, rise up! Don’t take this nonsense from service people! It’s supposed to be SERVICE, not INTIMIDATION. I am polite and reasonable until they forget just who in the hell it is that is signing that check, and at that point, I remind them. Politely. And never come back.
Our anniversary is this Saturday, and we are going to spend it down at Calloway, weather permitting. If not this weekend, then next weekend — after all these years, the exact day isn’t a big deal. :-)
A
April 28th, 2010
11:44 am
@HB, Deal! I’ll stop using “foodie.” The ironic thing is I don’t particularly like that term either, but I guess in a blog posting I got lazy and used it. And I also agree with other posters about not ordering items at restaurant that I can cook as well at home. If we’re spending $$ on a meal out, I want it to be something I either don’t have the skills to make myself or just don’t have the inclination to make at home.
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
11:57 am
All this talk of food is making me hungry. Good thing it’s almost lunchtime!
Where to go on date night? | Food and More with John Kessler
April 28th, 2010
12:14 pm
[...] AJC’s Momania blogger Theresa Walsh Giarrusso set this conversation in motion when she asked me and restaurant reviewer Meridith Ford Goldman about our favorite no-fail, [...]
TechMom
April 28th, 2010
12:29 pm
@JATL, I’m with you on entertainment – we LOVE Dad’s Garage. It’s cheap and fun. Even if we can’t afford an expensive meal, if we haven’t been in a while, we’ll hit up LaFonda or Felini’s and then head over to Dad’s. It’s really not much more than the movie theaters are now days and so much more entertaining (plus, you can get a bucket of beer at the regular theater!)
And while I know there are lots of local establishments with great food, I can’t help but mention that the Melting Pot is still one of my favorites. Yes, yes, you have to cook your own food but it’s really hard to beat chocolate fondu for dessert (sometimes we’ll eat somewhere cheaper for dinner and go there just for dessert).
TechMom
April 28th, 2010
12:33 pm
oops- you CAN’T get a bucket of beer at the regular theater!
catlady
April 28th, 2010
12:39 pm
If I thought they were being snooty I would probably go on and on about being careful with it and not parking it near another car and worrying about the dust…just to see if their eyes would roll clear back in the head!
JATL
April 28th, 2010
1:12 pm
@TechMom -if you don’t mind cooking your own food -and we actually think it’s fun -try the Korean BBQ place on Buford Highway -Hae Woon Dae (near Doraville). It’s SO good and an interesting experience -plus -you get the fun of hearing, if someone orders something really adventurous -”Not for you -this menu here -this for you.” I’m not being mean or making fun -that’s the way they say it! We haven’t been to Dad’s Garage in awhile, but I’m itching to go now!
One more good and different date (or single or group of friends activity) -is JeJu Korean Spa of Wellbeing across from Gwinett Place Mall. The massage areas and whirlpools and steam rooms are all gender specific -off of the dressing rooms, but the sauna huts and swimming pool are co-ed. I always see a lot of couples there in the sauna huts. It’s also ONLY $25 for 24 hours! They have sleeping cubes, massage (extra, but not pricey) -foot massages are co-ed; whirlpools, showers, swimming pool, a little restaurant -and you get a “uniform” of shorts and a t-shirt when you arrive, as well as a toothbrush. It’s FABULOUSLY relaxing, although I’ve heard weekdays and nights are the times to go -those are the only times I’ve been. It would be a fun date! The sauna huts are gorgeous and are of varying temps. They’re comprised of different minerals and gemstones that are supposed to address different areas of your body.
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
1:13 pm
@ lakerat….love those free dinners at Provino’s…LOL.
I am just back from taking a client to the Flying Biscuit. We had grits ( the best I have ever had) and eggs benedict ala ( sp?) fried green tomatoes…DELICIOUS and neither one of us could clean out plate.
FCM
April 28th, 2010
1:24 pm
Meredith’s picks are always horrible…I wish John would go back to doing the review.
FCM
April 28th, 2010
1:46 pm
@ DB I think I hear the call of “TAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWANNNNNNNNDAAAAAA” in your post GOOD FOR YOU! (Fried Green Tomato reference)
A
April 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
@FCM, agree with you about the AJC restaurant reviews. I love John Kessler’s Food & More blog and wish he could be the official AJC dining critic again. Obviously he’s lost his anonymity, which is crucial to a critic being able to do his or her job well. But I’m glad he still has a voice in the AJC. I find myself looking for his columns and blogs rather than Meredith’s. She seems to mention the same handful of restaurants over and over while John is out on Buford Highway and beyond finding little dives and holes in the wall with great food.
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
2:21 pm
@ DB, oh yes, I have followed Clark Howard’s advice: VOTE WITH YOUR POCKETBOOK.
I do not eat at restaurants where I am not appreciated nor do I rent cars or lodge with hotels that do not appreciate my business. I am on my last meeting and will be calling you soon for lunch…have a wonderful anniversary!
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
When we go out to a valet type place, we make sure and drive the 71 Dodge truck, with more rust than paint, oil rags stuck around the seat, and various tools poking out here and there. It has “3 on the tree” and it is a hoot to watch pimply faced junior looking for the “D” indicator, while wondering what that extra pedal down there on the floor board is for. Then, no power steering, so I don’t think there will be any text messaging on the drive in or out, wrestling “Bertha” into submission on tight turns. Most of them have a cold sweat when they see it, and all of them have a cold sweat after they have to go fetch 4000 lbs, of Detroit’s finest, but ornery, creation. I give them an extra tip if they don’t jerk on take off and if they can even find/operate the emergency brake.
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
LOL @Shaggy: I have a ‘67 Ford ‘Scooby Doo’ van. Three on the tree. I haven’t taken it out to a restaurant yet, but I’m thinkin’ about it now!
Becky
April 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
@lakerat..No, I wouldn’t think of y’all as snobs..If you want to eat at froo froo places, don’t mind paying $$$, then you should..As you said (I think) you aren’t depriving your (grown) children of anything and you aren’t asking for help to pay for any living expenses, so enjoy these places if you want to..I’m more apt to go to froo froo places than my husband as I said in my earlier post..Life is way to short to be unhappy..
JATL
April 28th, 2010
2:53 pm
@FCM -completely agree about Meredith. We must have VERY different taste buds! My husband was a professional chef (and quite a good one) for years and graduated from a fine culinary school. I’m just a, here it comes, foodie who loves to try new things and eat well. I mentioned our awful Bacchanalia experience (BURNED duck that had been ordered medium rare), and my husband recently went on a business dinner to Restaurant Eugene that she’s always going on about. He was decidedly unimpressed! When a restaurant has critics going nuts over it, and she raves about that one a lot, you expect something truly wonderful. His food was not only sub par but so small is was laughable. We get the idea that not everywhere is the Cheesecake Factory, but someone at his table ordered a scallop appetizer that was listed as scallops -plural -and got one, normal sized scallop on a plate. ONE! Not even one of the big ones! It was $14.
Other great intown dining that has a nice ambiance and a grown-up menu but won’t break your bank:
The Shed at Glenwood -very nice and great food. Great wine list and very agreeable pricing.
Rathbun’s -consistently good for us for over 5 years now. Very nice ambiance and a place you can put on some decent going -out clothes to go to!
Our next dinner out will be to The Iberian Pig in Decatur. I know TONS of people who just rave about it. Sounds fabulous!
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
2:55 pm
Wayne – I have been guilty of walking over to it, with a serious face on, and demand that the attendant pay for the scratches. By that time, my wife is in tears, and can’t help but howl with laughter at the attendant, who thinks (and is right) they are dealing with an insane man.
FCM
April 28th, 2010
2:57 pm
@ A exactly—the places Meredith had recommended are rather pretenious wanna bes to me. In fact I stopped reading her all together more than a year ago. John on the other hand is booked marked for his wit and ability to ferret out the most amazing places.
@ Shaggy & Wayne…ROFL I mentioned 3 on the tree the other day and people had no idea what I was talking about. I guess along with Sci Fi Girl I need to claim Apprentice Gear Head?
Becky
April 28th, 2010
2:58 pm
@shaggy..LMAO..I learned to drive in a ‘58 Dodge p/u with a 3 on the tree..Boy was that a lot of fun..
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
3:00 pm
FCM – Take away their power steering and the world ends.
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
3:02 pm
Becky – It’s MUCH more fun watching someong who doesn’t know how to drive one.
JJ
April 28th, 2010
3:08 pm
Shaggy that was hysterical!!!! Three on the tree……I know that one too. Does anyone remember the bright light (high beams) button on the floor of the car, next to the brake?
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
3:13 pm
JJ – Hey, next time I will leave the dual-bulb headlights on bright, (they are nuclear bright)and watch them fool around with the turn signal, which doesn’t blink on the instrument panel. Entertaining.
JATL
April 28th, 2010
3:26 pm
@Shaggy -I can only imagine! I used to have a stick shift and my husband still has one ,and it upset the youngsters to no end (and they still had power steering). They would get all excited to park a MINI (this was when they first came out over here), and then they would realize it was a stick! I used to drive an old Prelude stick shift with no power steering. I would always get tickled when boyfriends would try to drive it -such a shock for them!
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
@FCM: Officially now known as “Apprentice Gear Head” All hail FCM!
I learned on a ‘77 Nova that was three on the tree, and my stepfather took me to the steepest hill in our city. Talk about nerve-racking!
It too, did not have power steering or brakes. I worked up a good sweat with that car!
The van isn’t much better but I’m the only one in the family to be able to drive it, so now it’s in my garage. Woo hoo!
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
@JJ: I’d love to have that switch back!
JJ
April 28th, 2010
3:52 pm
I taught my best friend how to drive a stick shift, back in the 80’s…..as I was teaching her how to clutch, shift, brake, etc, she looked at me and said “I can dance, but not that good”. PRICELESS..we still laugh about that all these years later.
Wayne
April 28th, 2010
3:57 pm
I could never dance that well, but I can get those feet flyin’. I drive a manual now, for some reason. Cheap car? Yeah, that’s probably it – although it can be fun!
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
I think I am going over to Merdedith’s blog, pick out a pretentious establishment, and crank Bertha. My honey’s always up for a laugh, and I gotta try that headlight thing on an attendant. Ya’ll watch out for a big rusty green Dodge truck, and don’t pull out in front of it. It don’t have power brakes either.
Becky
April 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
@Wayne..Oh yeah, I remember that steep hill..Almost had me in tears, but I won (I think)..I can now stop on any hill and not roll back even with my foot off of the brake..Those were the good old days..
Becky
April 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
@JJ..I tried to teach my sister how to drive a stick..Hmmp..I told her that when could afford to fix my car, I would try again..
Becky
April 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
oops..When “she”..
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
5:07 pm
@ JJ…yes, I do remember the floor lights. I had a 1966 Ford station wagon in HS and college. My Dad bought it in 1975 and it had less than 30,000 miles on it….a Grandma’s car in Arkansas. The kids here would DIE if they had to drive one.
I also drove my Dad’s DUMP TRUCK with the shift on the column. Drove is a loose term, I mostly jerked around the farm.
My husband had a standard, when we got married, and I drove him to the Navy base and spent most of the rest of the day in tears ( no cell phones) trying to figure out how to drive it and get back to our little dump of a trailer ( no GPS…shoot we couldn’t afford one if they had been invented).
My son has a 5 speed and I can still drive it but it is kinda like trying to type on a manual typewriter…takes a bit to get the hang of it. They are fun to drive on the open road and in Texas, where we lived. Thanks for the memories!
Anyone up for a survey: how many posters on this blog can still drive or ever drove a standard?
I think everyone should know how but I know I am in the minority with that opinion!! I am hard on clutches though.
Sort of off topic but food related:
Has anyone ever had a venue catered by On the Border? My daughter wants this for her graduation dinner. I know their food is pretty good but I am wondering about catering…thanks for any input.
Alecia
April 28th, 2010
5:14 pm
I just tried a new comedy club in Buford(Buford Variety Theatre) a few weeks ago. It’s economical and entertaining. A lot cheaper than going to ATL and no hassle with the parking. They also have a pub in the basement.
Earl "Make It Rain $1s" Waters
April 28th, 2010
5:21 pm
“try the Korean BBQ place on Buford Highway -Hae Woon Dae (near Doraville). It’s SO good and an interesting experience”
I second that idea. I have to admit it wasn’t too bad! At least, it was different and tasted good.
Usually since we’re already there we check out one of the strip clubs right down the sidewalk.
Nothing like a few lap dances after a Korean barbeque dinner! :P
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
I had to wait a while before I leave here, so I thought I would check back on you “clutch” driving maniacs. We never call it anything but “driving a clutch”. If you can “drive a clutch”, the vehicle follows very nicely, or maybe not.
“Standard” and “Manual” were terms for the car lot only, and yes, I still drive a “clutch” everyday, not counting Bertha, who gets special duties, like torturing valet attendants.
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
5:41 pm
@ shaggy…I drove a standard for 10 years and did not know you were supposed to call it driving a clutch. My husband drove one for years before me and never called it that either, or corrected my term. Is that the way they say it in the south? We mostly drove them in Texas. My son still has one and he calls it a 5 speed. Learn something new every day here!
shaggy
April 28th, 2010
5:51 pm
There weren’t many (or maybe any) 5 speeds when Bertha was born. The only other non-car lot term I can remember was driving a “stick”. Texas is in the south, last I checked. We usually adopt a Texan if they aren’t too obnoxious or don’t act like the yankees and say moronic stuff like, “well, we don’t do it like that in Texas, or it sure is bigger in Texas, Blah, Blah, Blah, who gives a rat’s patootie?
motherjanegoose
April 28th, 2010
6:11 pm
@ shaggy…have you BEEN to Texas….LOL. We lived there for 8 years and I am there at least once or twice a year.
Most folks form Texas says things like:
“well, we don’t do it like that in Texas, or it sure is bigger in Texas, ”
My favorite is a dear friend ( from Texas) who goes to dinner with us sometimes and often says,
“they do not have sweet tea in Texas…”. I was in Texas two summers ago and called her to tell mention that I was ordering sweet tea at Whataburger. I still tease her about it.
Have a nice night all!
Where to go on date night? - share delicious, menus and more - Tasty Guide
April 28th, 2010
6:12 pm
[...] AJC’s Momania blogger Theresa Walsh Giarrusso set this conversation in motion when she asked me and restaurant reviewer Meridith Ford Goldman about our favorite no-fail, [...]
Kathy
April 28th, 2010
9:56 pm
My hubby and I have found that making our date nights during the week is really nice. Many restaurants are much quieter and are not pushing to turn tables. The pace of the evening is more laid back, and more enjoyable for us. I understand that having to go to work the next morning might make it less realistic, but we do this when we can because we enjoy it more.
G.R.I.T.S.
April 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
yeah…driving a clutch and the bright light thingy on the floorboard…wth did they change that anyway??
HB
April 28th, 2010
11:19 pm
I never have learned to drive a clutch, but probably should. But if the battery’s dead, I do know roughly how/when to step on and release the clutch while a couple of guys push the vehicle to get the engine started. My stepbrother had a bad habit of leaving his truck lights on at school on rainy mornings.
smh
April 29th, 2010
6:33 am
We rarely get out without children. Now that they’re getting older I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Since DH travels heavily for his job, the last thing we’ll do is drive for 30min, try and find parking, pay for overpriced food. What a waste. In the event we find ourselves without children, we might run errands, just us, no squabbling or just sit and have coffee. I don’t see us ever getting to the restaurants listed; too pretentious.
shaggy
April 29th, 2010
7:23 am
motherjanegoose- Whataburger has terrible sweet tea. Bitter. Tastes like instant.
As for Texans, my parents were both from west Texas, and they settled in Georgia for one reason, TO GET AWAY FROM TEXAS!
Glad you like it there. I have been to every corner visiting removed (thankfully) family and have yet to find anything special about the short horned state, except the enormous amount of hot air that pours from the mouthes of its residents.
Me, I am glad to have been born and raised here and regulary give thanks to my parents for that stroke of luck.
Hey, if you like it so much there and travel there so often, why don’t you just move there, and we can raise a real sweet tea toast to your departure.
DB
April 29th, 2010
11:45 am
@FCM — haha, “Towanda!”, indeed!
motherjanegoose
April 29th, 2010
2:28 pm
@ shaggy…I travel to Texas frequently, for business and have found most all of the folks to be pleasant and mannerly, something I did find missing in your last line.
Perhaps some Whataburgers do things differently…mine was fine. The sweet tea I do not like is the tea at Burger King. Even in GA, most of the franchises are Nestea Instant
shaggy
April 29th, 2010
3:15 pm
Mizz Jane – “folks to be pleasant and mannerly, something I did find missing in your last line.”
Does that mean I have to write sentences again? “I will be pleasant and mannerly, when insulting Texas.” 500 times this time?
Sniffle…
motherjanegoose
April 30th, 2010
8:08 am
Shaggy..just as many Yankees do not care about Southerners and vica versa ( sp?)…
My guess is that most Texans do not give a cow patty about what you think of them either, Fair enough!
shaggy
April 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
What? No sentences? Great news.
I promise to be more mannerly when insulting Texans, and I guess I can include yankees too.
How about Californians? Can I be rude and unmannerly to them? Purty Puhleeeeze?
JATL
May 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
I will post this whenever we get a new topic, because I’m not sure if anyone is reading this one anymore, but we went to Repast last night on the corner of Glen Iris and North -across from old City Hall East. It was AMAZING!!!! Incredibly good food, beautifully decorated -a wonderful “grown up” place to go for a date or with friends. The food was exceptional. It’s received a number of awards, and they are well deserved! They have small plates and regular entrees. Entrees are $25-$35. Bottles of wine are $30 on up. They also have a full bar and a decent beer selection.