If a tree falls in The SoChi District and you’re the only person around, does it make a sound? YES! And it’s very loud. It sounds like crushing metal … especially if it falls on two Mini Coopers. Luckily I avoided a “wicked witch of the west” experience as the tree fell exactly where I’d been standing only seconds before. It wasn’t my time.
It’s that time of year again. My wife & kids have flown the coop (a good thing since her cooper was demolished) for the summer and enjoying life in a northern town. I’m left navigating the SoChi life as a bachelor. The biggest hurdle is food. Once I’ve depleted the last of my wife’s past purchases left in the fridge & freezer it’s off to the market. To my chagrin, the Ghetto Kroger is not as easily navigated as the Starbucks drive-thru. Admittedly, I lack the shopping gene. Going to the grocery store is like looking for a raisin in a haystack. The illusive raisin, I can never find the damn things. And still, after I leave the market I can’t really make anything out of the stuff I bought. I’m not a cook. So, I depend upon the kindness of friends who do cook. This IS a blatant hint for dinner invitations!
Hark, the herald angels sing … In this case it was Atlanta uber publicist Toren Anderson inviting me down to Savannah for some R&R&R(estaurants.) As quick as you can say “Arriba! Arriba!” I was Speedy Gonzales-ing it down I-16. There is something about the low country that makes me happy. The majestic oaks dripping in Spanish moss wave me in like a checkerboard flag to a race car driver beckoning me in for a pit stop.
Waiting for me at the finish line was the Dresser Palmer House. Built in 1876 this inn boasts that it’s front porch is the longest in Historic Savannah. Upon check-in I was taken on a fascinating tour of the house, which was a history lesson & architectural tour rolled into one. I indeed won the race because my prize was the Johnny Mercer Suite, named for the famed American lyricist who was born in Savannah. It’s the largest room in the inn with wall-tall windows that you can walk through to enjoy the balcony that overlooks E. Gaston Street. Home is where the hearth is and I was glad that my hearth was the Dresser Palmer House.
The fallen tree didn’t crush my luck as I made a few foodie homeruns while in Savannah! The first surprise was Ele Fine Fusion an elegantly modern mix of chic architecture & interior, sexy lighting, vibey world music and devastatingly divine dishes. This foodie haunt is the total package. Ele’s Spicy Tuna Tartare (spelled “Tar Tar” on the menu) has got to be Savannah’s Best Bite! This dish will be served in Heaven as it perfection on a plate.
Leoci’s Trattoria was a quick walk from the Dresser Palmer House. Chef Roberto Leoci serves authentic Italian cuisine with Savannah’s best local ingredients. They had me at the Silician olives which were placed on the table as soon as we sat down. One thing is for sure, their Beet Salad is mind-blowing! I know, beets suck, but this spring mix is a mind-changer. So good in fact that I returned the next day to share a bit with South Magazine publisher Michael Brooks just before hitting the road for home.
No trip to Savannah would be complete without a trip to Back in the Day Bakery. Unfortunately they didn’t have my favorite veggie tarts but I stocked up on several Blueberry Pie tarts, Bourbon Bread Pudding bars, Star Brownies & Cheryl’s Brownies to bring home. I popped in one of my all-time favorite favorite Starbucks locales and grabbed a triple venti latte for the ride back to Macon.
Home & MINI-less I got an invite to the Porsche World Roadshow at Turner Field in Atlanta. Determined to decide for myself if the fabled “Porsche, there is no substitute” held water, I zoomed to Atlanta in my Nissan rental. While test driving 10 Porsches, I got my speed freak on and along the way overcame my fear of Spyders and found my true soul mate. Her name: Carrera. I can deduce that Tom Cruise was right about something. There truly is no substitute!
WEED & OTHER MIND-ALTERING SUBSTANCES
Light it up and enhale another season of WEEDS. Mondays @ 10p on Showtime.
Check out the Instagram iPhone App. Take a photo, choose from about 16 filters and then send to your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr & FourSquare accounts with one touch of the “done” button. Oh yes, and it’s a Free App.
“CYourself” Post a photo of yourself with a the letter “C” in it and Showtime Networks will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society. It’s an ingenious social networking promotion for the new season of the networks’ show The Big C. If you have the Instagram app just tag it: #CYourself
FUTURE LOVE PARADISE
July 1 – 16. The cult film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” transforms into a live musical at Theatre Macon. They are selling prop bags to complete your Rocky Horror experience at the box office for $1.00. Theatre Macon is encouraging attendees to come dressed as their favorite Rocky Horror character. When I went the other night one die-hard fan was dressed in only a bra … Dammit Janet, I love you!
July 7. The Psychedelic Furs @ The Masquerade in Atlanta. 8pm.
July 8. Big Screen Movie Night: “FIELD OF DREAMS” presented by the Macon Film Festival and the College Hill Alliance. Thursday. July 8th @ Tattnall Park. 8pm. Free Event. Bring chairs, blankets & a picnic.
July 10. Second Sunday @ Sunset. Washington Park. 7pm. Free Event. Donna Hopkins Band performing.
July 23 – Heroes Music Festival’s Battle of the Bands. Macon City Auditorium – winner will perform on stage at Heroes MF in Sept at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
July 27 – Big Screen Movie Night: “School of Rock” @ Tattnall Park. 8pm. Free Event. Air guitar contest – winner gets tickets to Bragg Jam Festival.
July 29 – 31. Gilroy Garlic Festival. Gilroy, California. The 33rd annual “Ultimate Summer Food Fair”; three days of incredible food, beverages, arts & crafts and live entertainment. 30 miles south of San Jose off Highway 101.
July 30. Bragg Jam Music Festival. 36 bands. Multi-venues. $20.
Calling all Singer/Songwriters & Bands…Gateway Macon‘s MACON MUSIC PROJECT. One winner receives a $25,000+ music production package. Deadline for entry: August 15th.
For details: ItsHotterHere.com
Sept. 8 – 11. Heroes Music Festival. Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Sept. 9 – 11. Evening of Respect. Macon, Georgia Celebrates 70 Years of Otis Redding. 
Tweet-worthy quote:
“The 4th of July combines the two things Americans love most in one day: alcohol and explosives.” – David Letterman
YOUR COMMENTS ARE AMUSING & WELCOME!