Atlanta’s food scene is thriving, and not just in the traditional sense. Neighborhoods all over the city have seen an influx of new restaurants, and while Atlanta’s dining scene continues to transform, an underground dining series and pop-up restaurant revolution is taking over the city. While this isn’t a new concept, the food and the pop-ups are getting more diverse than ever. No meal is the same, some are cooked by a chef for a day or even months on end. Many of these pop ups choose a different non-traditional location like a farmer’s market, brewery, boutique or bar for a location to host their meals.

If you are looking for a unique and diverse dining experience, then we recommend trying a pop up restaurant. While there are multiple around the city, we can’t guarantee how long these restaurants may be open, so following them on social media is the best way to know when and where they’ll open shop. Below, we’ve put together a list of mouth-watering pop up restaurants you need to try soon.

KAMAYAN ATL

Kamayan ATL is a family-fun Fillipino pop-up restaurant. Their pop-up dinners, brunches and catering focus on traditional flavors from the Philippines. Crafted by Chef Mia Oino, Kamayan ATL is a colorful feast of fresh vegetables, fruit and grilled and smoked meats.

GÜK

GÜK is a Korean food pop up, serving a playful spin on traditional Korean specials. Chef Edmond gets his inspiration for his food from his mother and is taking the Atlanta pop up scene by storm.

BREKKIE

Brekkie is a healthy, local breakfast and lunch pop-up bringing together Mediterranean flavors with a South African twist. Usually located at Grant Park Farmer’s Market, follow Chef Julia Kesler on Instagram (@stopthinkchew) for specific dates and locations.

MAIZ Y CANELA

Maiz y Canela is a pop up that specializes in vegan Mexican cuisine by Chef Rosalia Parra. You can usually find her at the event space The Bakery in Adair Park.

EAT ME SPEAK ME

Eat Me Speak Me features locally sourced dishes from James Beard Rising Star semifinalist Jarrett Stieber. Open multiple days a week at S.O.S Tiki Bar and Chrome Yellow Trading Co. coffee shop. Stieber plans to open his own brick-and-mortar restaurant, Little Bear in Summerhill this year.

CHOW CLUB

A part of a monthly underground series, Chow Club is committed to serving food you won’t find anywhere else in Atlanta. Featuring a different meal cooked by a chef from a country around the world in secret locations, Chow Club organizers Yohana Solomon and Amanda Plumb have brought nearly 20 different nations and cultures to Atlanta.

THE PLATE SALE

The Plate Sale is a dinner series hosted by husband wife team Mike and Shyretha Sheats. Based in Athens, GA, The Plate Sale regularly hosts Atlanta events featuring their take on Southern cuisine.

GLOBAL GRUB COLLECTIVE

Global Grub Collective is an East Atlanta mini food hall. This pop up features a rotation of stalls that offer a variety of foods from around the world on a permanent and pop-up basis.

OK YAKI

Created by Chef Corban Irby’s, Ok Yaki is open regularly at Ria’s Bluebird. The mission is to bring authentic Japanese street food to Atlanta. Ok Yaki specializes in Okonomiyak, a savory pancake, and other regional street food from Osaka.

Exploring Atlanta’s underground dining scene will be a unique and fun experience. These chefs are a true representation of Atlanta, so we hope you check out some of these pop ups around the city. As the Atlanta leader in real estate, we are committed to sharing with you the lifestyle you can experience by investing in an Atlanta home. We would be happy to assist you with your next real estate transaction. Just give us a call at 404-845-7724 or visit our website www.evatlanta.com.

 

Spring is in the air, and with it brings fresh flower blossoms that you can incorporate into your home. Flowers are a great addition to your décor because they breathe life into your space. Flowers will not only brighten up a room, but they can also clean and purify the air.  Introducing flowers into your home should be more than just an after-thought, but instead can truly be into an extensive of your interior design. All it takes is a vase, a well-chosen bouquet and a little bit of water to transform your home.  

Flower decorations should seamlessly blend with your interior design style. Blossoms that match your wall or furnishings can add a touch of depth and texture. Adding a pop of color can add richness to your space. Contrasting colors can draw your eye, highlighting focal points such as a dining room table, piece of furniture or art piece. Bold blossoms like orchids, lilies, and roses are beautiful flowers that truly draw the eye.

While choosing the right flowers are important, you should also choose the right kind of vase. For a touch of elegance go for slender glass vase, or for a more rustic farmhouse feel put you flowers in a tin vase. Whatever ambiance you choose to go with, adding flowers to your decor is an easy way to elevate the style in your home.

Creating the perfect bouquet

To create a colorful flower bouquet, you first need around 12-15 flowers. With many flowers like peonies, hydrangeas and tulips blooming, let your creativity run wild as you choose the flowers that will create your perfect bouquet. If you want your bouquet to exude peace and harmony, cut violet hydrangeas or lilac. To add a splash of color try red roses, Gerbera daisies, asters, or solidago. Another way to really make your bouquet pop is to add greens like eucalyptus or olive branches. 

Once your flowers are chosen, select a large, eye-catching flower to be the focal point of your bouquet. Then alternatively place a flower and greenery at slight angles to complete the look. Voila, now you have a beautiful bouquet to include in your home.

To make your bouquet last, it is important to prepare the flowers by trimming the leaves, branches and thorns, and cut off flowers that have not yet fully opened. Cleanliness is also important to keep the flowers fresh. We recommend cleaning your vase and changing out the water every 2-3 days. This will ensure bacteria does not grow so your bouquets can last longer. Another tip to stop bacteria growth is to add a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or sugar into the water.

Whether as a colorful eye-catcher or a harmonious decorative element: a bouquet of fresh flowers can instantly transform your space. Looking for more interior design ideas? You might be interested in our guide to the top interior design trends for 2019, or our tips for an elevated bathroom design. For more information call us at 404.845.7724 or visit our website www.evatlanta.com.  

 

 

 

 In 2018, Intown Atlanta transformed with a burst of new developments rising in the area. While the northern half of the city has no shortages of planned new developments, one of the largest mixed-use developments ever planned south of Interstate 20 is now in negotiation. Dubbed “Airport City,” this 320-acre mixed-use development will bring offices, retail, greenspaces, and coffee shops to an underutilized area near the Hartsfield-Jackson International airport. The project is set to break ground this summer. 

The Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance is over the development.  The Alliance was formed in 2015 and is a business group focused on promoting developments and sprucing up areas around the Atlanta airport. Partnering with South Fulton and Clayton counties, The Alliance plans to boost economic development south of Interstate 20. Together, they hope to lure developers to bring housing and retail to the southside of the city. Once the vision for this development is realized, the College Park area will see unprecedented growth.

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Airport City is proposed to rise up around Camp Creek Parkway.  Initially city leaders were hoping to inject 3.5 million square ft into the area, but now proposals are underway to expand to 10 million square feet– about four Atlantic Stations’ worth of space. This obviously would surge construction costs, increasing the overall cost of the project to around $3 billion.

Increasing the square footage will provide more density and activity south of the city, however Atlanta has yet to see a development of this magnitude come to fruition. The only project similar is downtown’s Gulch redevelopment proposal. Additional elements planned for the project include a pedestrian bridge connecting Georgia International Convention Center, and also connecting the ATL SkyTrain from Hartsfield-Jackson to the new mixed-use development. The development is projected to bring around 5,000 jobs to the area. If everything goes well, the college park area will begin to evolve and construction for the project could potentially begin in the third quarter.

As a result of the Airport City development, College Park will see growth like never before, hopefully sparking a catalyst that brings bigger and better projects to the South of Metro Atlanta. These developments will bring a positive impact on home values and resale opportunities. As the market leader in the sale of residential real estate and new developments, our seasoned professionals would be more than happy to discuss the impact of these new developments. Just call us at 404.845.7724 or find out more at www.evatlanta.com.

 

Choosing to either buy or rent a home can be a hard decision. This never-ending debate has been going on for decades, but each option has pros and cons. There are plenty of reasons to either buy or rent a home, but it ultimately comes down to what option is the best fit for you. If you are looking to buy a home in Atlanta, a study conducted by SmartAsset in 2018, noted that Atlanta was named as one of the top 20 areas where buying is a better choice than renting.

The value of Atlanta real estate is undeniable. Therefore, Atlanta is a great city to become a homeowner. As the Atlanta leader in real estate and new development, we want to help you make the best decision when choosing your dream home. Below, we’ve shared the pros and cons of buying and renting to help you in the decision-making process.

Pros of buying a home

Make an investment

Once you purchase a house, it’s yours and becomes an asset. Historically buying a home generates personal wealth and can earn you equity. As a homeowner you’re no longer throwing away money on rent. In fact, owning might be a cheaper alternative than renting because of the low interest rates. Therefore, the monthly mortgage payment may be cheaper than rent in the area. Investing in a home can not only improve your credit score but also offers long-term benefits and potential growth in personal wealth.

Tax Benefits

As a homeowner you are eligible for tax benefits. Mortgage interest and property taxes remain tax deductible for many Intown Atlanta home buyers. When selling a home, homeowners can make money and take the profits tax free.

More Freedom

With ownership comes great responsibility, but it also gives you the opportunity to truly make a home your own. Being your own landlord gives you the freedom to remodel and redecorate your space however you want to with no restrictions. This makes buying a home worth it.

Cons of buying a home

Housing Market uncertainty

In time, you’ll probably want to sell your home. Depending on the current housing market, your home may be worth more or even less than what you paid for. Because of market uncertainty or even unforeseen circumstances, it could take months before your home sells and you can move.

Less Flexibility

Buying a home is a long-term commitment. With the mortgage, taxes, and additional fees, changing your mind about where you want to live airs on the more expensive side when you own. While there is less flexibility when it come to moving, investing in a home provides stability and pride of ownership.

Pros of renting

Low Maintenance

Renting an apartment has less maintenance than buying a home.  When you rent you don’t have to worry about taking care of a leaking roof or things breaking down. Your landlord will be responsible for fixing any problems.

Flexibility

Flexibility is one of the biggest reason people choose to rent. If you know you won’t be living in a single area for a long period of time, renting is the better option. If you own a home, you have to worry about selling first before you can move, but renting gives you more mobility because it is a easy move as soon as your lease ends.

Fewer upfront expenses

Rental prices are usually much cheaper than a mortgage payment, saving you thousands of dollars a year. When you purchase a home there a many out-of-pocket costs like a down payment or closing costs. Renting also avoids real estate taxes. For example, a 3 bed / 2 bath bungalow can come with real estate taxes of $10,000 a year, so if you can’t financially afford the costs that come with buying a home, renting would be the better option.

Cons of renting a home

Rules, Regulations and limitations

When you sign a lease for an apartment, the landlord usually includes limitations and guidelines for making any changes in your space. As a renter you are typically not allowed to paint or remodel your property without authorization. For example, putting in new carpet, changing appliances, or upgrading any part of your home would only be allowed with permission from the landlord.

No return on investment

Even though you are paying for your current place, you won’t receive any money in return. Any renovations or investments all go to your landlord.

Ultimately, choosing to either buy or rent is a personal decision. While buying can be a risk, it pays off in the long run. If you think you are ready to invest in a home, check out our homebuying guide. Our seasoned real estate advisors would be happy to assist you with your next real estate transaction. For more information call us at 404.854.7224 or visit our website https://evatlanta.com.