November 2009 Happy Thanksgiving

Posted in 1 by westcobbmagazine on November 2, 2009

East Cobb vs. West Cobb

Snob Cobb vs. Corn Cobb -Fact vs. Fiction – Some say East Cobb is more prestigious than West Cobb. One of my good friends jokingly says, Snob Cobb vs. Corn Cobb. The reality of the difference is based on housing costs, schools and proximity to Fulton County, where Atlanta is located. Today, the reality is that alot of factors separating East and West Cobb are changing. Walton High School in East Cobb and Lassiter are still the two highest rated high schools in the county, but this is changing with 3 new high schools in West Cobb within the past 7 years. The gap is being closed with Harrison and the three new schools improving in both the academic and athletic areas. Read More

Introducing, MaxSave Card a New Way to Save

The MaxSave Card is a revolutionary new discount card with a consumer loyalty flavor that capitalizes on the speed and convenience of the Internet has just been launched in East Cobb and is now being launched in West Cobb by West Cobb Magazine. Based on the marketing plan developed by Tom Thomas , the Director of MaxSave card Georgia, the program will be rolled out throughout the entire Atlanta metro area over the next 12-18 months. The cards are currently available in 8 states and expanding nationally. The synergies of the MaxSave card and West Cobb Magazine will allow for a number of exciting new programs for West Cobb consumers to save and area business to build customer loyalty. Read More

Places to Go, Things to Do & More

Photos with Santa, Town Center at Cobb, Mon to Sat 10:00am – 9:00pm Sun 12:00pm – 6:00pm, Pet Photos with Santa, Sunday,November 22, 6:30pm

Christmas Traditions: The Nutcracker, December 4-6 byThe Georgia Ballet at the Cobb Civic Center, Marietta

Christmas Traditions: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Fox, November 19-December 6

Christmas Traditions, The Pink Pig at Macy’s Lenox Square, Since 1953, the Pink Pig has been delighting generations of Atlantans. Come ride Priscilla the Pink Pig on train tracks through a life-sized storybook featuring Priscilla and her friends. Tickets are available at the Pink Pig kiosk inside Lenox Square. A portion of the ride’s proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. While you at Lenox Square don’t miss their beautiful Christmas Tree which this year came from Dallas, Georgia and visit their wonderful Santa. $3 per rider (Nov. 7, 2009, to Jan. 3, 2010)

Festivals: Stone Mountain Christmas, November 14 – December 30, 2009, Stone Mountain

Snow Days: Snow Mountain, Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park transforms into a winterland with Snow Mountain, Atlanta’s first snow park. Covered with acres of snow including a 400’ tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play area, this new attraction has plenty for your whole family to do! Read More

WC Top 1o List- Atlanta Steak Houses

These beef palaces used to be the domain of Buckhead and Atlanta. The have spread to the outside the perimeter areas (OTP) of Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs and now West Cobb. We’ve had Aspen’s Signature Steaks with locations in the Avenues West Cobb and just this month, Ruth’s Chris Steak House opened in Kennesaw. It is in the new Embassey Suites on Chastain Road near Kennesaw State University. Read the Top 10 List

Day Trips & Dinner

Paradise in the Clouds and Dinner at the Canyon Grill – We packed up the car and made our way north on I75 towards Chattanooga A pretty drive in itself – but the scenery gets even more spectacular when you head west towards Birmingham. In one and a half hours we were at our destination – Cloudland Canyon State Park. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon in Rising Fawn, Georgia is one of the most scenic parks in the state. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek. Mountain elevations reach 800-1980 ft. Read More It’s Time for Dinner at Canyon Grill After an afternoon in the woods and all that fresh air we were hungry so we stopped for dinner at Canyon Grill – just a short drive ½ mile drive from Cloudland on the Scenic Highway. Canyon Grill is a little gem that sits on top of the mountain. This isn’t just a local joint of unusual quality. Canyon Grill is a top-drawer destination restaurant.deserving coverage in glossy food magazines. Read More

Cavalia Extended to January 3

Over 60,000 Atlantans have marveled to this spectacular, so they have decided to make Atlanta thier holdiay home. Totally amazing describes Cavalia, the latest Cirque du Soliel like extravaganza to hit Atlanta. This show was created by the co-creator of Cirque du Soliel. Cavalia is a lavish orchestration of multimedia, equestrian and performing arts featuring over 60 acrobats and riders and 60 4 legged performers (horses). If you are looking to see some fantastic this year, it’s well worth the short drive down I75 from Cobb to Atlantic Station. The best way to describe Cavalia is it is way beyond the usual. Just Extended till January 3. Read More

FASHION

Click to hear Santa Baby by Taylor Swift

Santa Baby…I Want It All!!!!!!

Brace yourself…Never mind that our pumpkin has yet to be carved and your Thanksgiving meal seems eons away….The Holidays are upon us. “There’ll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for roasting and caroling out in the snow”. YIKES!!!!! Yep. So pull out your Bing Crosby cd’s, pour yourself some eggnog, and before things REALLY get crazy; take stock of your holiday wardrobe. Make THIS the year you avoid that dreaded annual ritual…You know the one: You’re standing in your closet in your undies and alternately trying on and discarding items- too small, too dated, too old, too young, too sexy, not sexy enough…..and, of course, you’re already 30 minutes late for the evenings soiree! Read More

Meet the Vino Vixens

They are just a couple of girls who live and play on Lake Allatoona. Nany and Michelle love to sip a little good vino and then let it inspire them to create some wonderful gourmet dishes. This month, they started out with a few bottles of a Marsala and a little chicken and you guessed it, a wonderful Chicken Marsala was the fruit of their labors. Its isn’t hard to prepare and is sure a wonderful dish for a cool fall evening. Click for the Vixen’s Chicken Marsala recipe

Smith Gilbert Gardens, Kennesaw

This holiday season the Smith Gilbert Gardens has a full schedule of special events including programs on holdiay . Read

Christmas Tree Decorating Contest – Nov 26 – Dec 1, Kennesaw – Whether inspired by custom or competition, the tree forest created by the City of Kennesaw’s Christmas Tree Decorating Contest has become part of the spirit of the season. Each year, businesses, organizations, schools and families from Kennesaw and surrounding areas converge near the Depot in downtown Kennesaw to decorate Christmas trees for all to enjoy. The entry fee is $20 per decorating team (non-refundable). Click here to complete an entry form, More Information

MARIETTA SQUARE EVENTS

In November, there are a couple of Ghost Tours, Martinis and Music at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, Weekly wine tastings, a Veterans Day Parade, a Re-Premiere of Gone with the Wind, a Holiday Shopping Open House, the Annual Gobble Jog for Must and Much More. So, if you’re looking for something to do in November, check out the happenings on the Marietta Square Click here to see a complete list of what is happening on the Marietta Square in November !!

STRAND HAPPENINGS – If, you haven’t had the treat of seeing a play, movie or a special event at the newly remodeled re-opened Strand, the last quarter of it’s inaugural year offers offers audiences lots of diverse offerings including: the Atlanta Lyric Theatre’s production of Cinderella, a fashion show featuring female business leaders, and a two-week line up Halloween flicks, a blue festival and lots of great classic films. Click for the line-up

Let’s Go See a Play

Schedules for The Strand and Theater in the Square in Marietta, Acworth’s Theatre on Main and the Town Lakes Arts Center in Woodstock.. Click for schedules

WC Restaurant Picks

When you visit a restaurant we reviewed, tell them you read about it in West Cobb Magazine

Let Someone Else Cook the Turkey – If you looking for somewhere for the just the two of you to go for Thanksgiving Dinner or to take the whole family,here are some closeby suggesitions and a few worth the drive. We picked our list based on the quality of the food, the setting and places that are good for couples and large family groups. Included on our list are the new Ruth’s Chris in Kennesaw, Rays on the River, Canoe and alot more great places. Make sure that you call for reservations or you might not be eating any turkey at all, Click to read more

: JUST Opened

: Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Kennesaw

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Kennesaw – Nearly 45 years ago, Ruth Fertel, a single mother, mortgaged her house and invested her life savings to buy a restaurant named “Chris Steak House.” Shortly after taking ownership, Ruth added her name to the restaurant, becoming Ruth’s Chris Steak House. The Ruth’s Chris empire has expanded to well over 100 restaurants spanning countries several . Although Ruth’s Chris had humble beginnings, the cooking styles, recipes and overall hospitality and top-notch service are still evident when visiting Ruth’s Chris Steak House. I felt that immediately when walking in the door of their new location in the new Embassy Suites on Chastain in Kennesaw. Originating in New Orleans, many menu items have a Cajun-style influence to them – shrimp cocktail with Creole remoulade or bread pudding with whiskey sauce. The New Orleans influence is even more evident in the lunch menu with items like French Quarter Steak Skewers and Chicken La Louisianne. Read More

Trattoria La Strada, East Cobb

When West Cobb Magazine asked me to review Trattoria La Strada in East Cobb, my first thought was “Wow – I haven’t eaten in there in forever. I wonder if it is still good?” So, I did what I usually do before visiting a restaurant. I went online and checked out their website and get a general idea of what their menu is like and a sense of what I’d like to order.

Upon entering, I was greeted by John Lefkaditis, the current owner, who bought it from the original owners 7 years ago. His warm and friendly demeanor immediately let me know this was a family restaurant that wants to turn every guest into a regular. Read More

Pick of the Week

Waterstone Grill, Downtown Acworth – Shortly after being seated, Jackie, our server for the evening, suggested we do a tasting of Waterstone’s house wines. I obliged thinking, “how good is house wine?”, especially at only $5 a glass, but I was pleasantly surprised. Of the whites, the Sauvignon Blanc was the best, and of the reds, the Merlot was a clear winner. The brand, called Foxbrook, is one I’ve not heard of and Joanne told me they aren’t available for retail, one of the reasons she chose the brand. Read More

WC Pizza Pick - The Italian Special

Johnny’s New York Style Pizza on Barrett at Ridenour – Last week, my daughter and I went to visit the newest Johnny’s New York Style Pizza, which sits west of US 41 on the south side of Barrett Parkway at 1615 Ridenour Blvd in Kennesaw. So if you are looking for the loud, hear every cook and server conversation spot, try someplace else. Here, one can actually sit down, eat a pie and watch a game. This is the first Johnny’s in West Cobb to offer delivery. They deliver in the Marietta Country Club and Barrett Parkway areas. Read More

Cafe di Paris – A Welcome Refuge from All the Chain Restaurants in East Cobb– Located in a strip mall in East Cobb, Café de Paris is a welcome refuge from the chain restaurants and fast food establishments that are abundant along the Johnson Ferry Roswell Rd area. I visited this quaint French restaurant on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch. Tucked away in the corner of the Woodlawn Commons shopping center, Café de Paris is attached to a European style home décor store –C’est Moi, both owned by the same people. Read More

When you visit a restaurant we reviewd, tell them you read about it in West Cobb Magazine

The Home

Real Estate

What’s Happening in Cobb? It has been really difficult to avoid all of the press regarding real estate over the past couple of years. We hear the bad, the ugly and even occasionally, the good. Much of what we see is based on national statistics and trends and really does not mean much to us here. National sales statistics in September as reported by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR®) showed a strong recovery from August. The rise in September existing home sales marks the fifth monthly rise in the past six months. Read More

“Staging Pros” Pilot Episode

Jan Britt, a local interior designer, who has written for West Cobb Magazine, for the past 2 ½ years was selected by Comcast/Zeel TV to host a new tv show called Staging Pros. The show is a reality show where a home for sale is selected and Jan and her team will go in an identify what needs to be done to get the home read to sell. Click to Read More

Food & Wine

Sushi 101 – Sushi keeps growing in popularity everyday and today even some of my friends that thought that raw fish is for bait now are eating and enjoying Sushi. If you are a Sushi beginner, its language can be overwhelming to you, so we’ve tried to put together a quick guide to sushi including the various types and what are the various types of rolls and the English names for the types of fish in them. Read More

A Taste of Europe at Patak Meats – Austell – Austel – A haven for meat aficionados, Patak Meats, located in Austell, just a short drive from West Cobb, brings a taste of Europe to North Metro Atlanta. Open since 1981, Patak has a strong following of regulars who frequent the shop for its large selection of fresh European meats, from Italian sausage to Canadian bacon, in addition to specialty cheeses, chocolates and other ethnic foods. Read More

Chareau Elan – It is probably the most recognized wine in Georgia. While winemaking is certainly not Chateau Elan’s “bread and butter,” the resort provides an exceptional food and wine experience that can be combined with other sensory pleasures including spa treatments and night time golf! Chateau Elan provides an enriching and relaxing weekend get-a-way and it is only about an hour’s drive from most of us here in the Metro Atlanta area. Read More

drink it your way – Coca-Cola Freestyle – If you are looking for something fun to do with the family or if you’r just a soft drink nut like me, you’ve go to see the newest soft drink dispenser from Coca-Cola, the Coca-Cola Freestyle. The are in test throughout Atlanta and there is one right in the middle of West Cobb at the Burger King at Dallas Highway and Barret Parkway. Chose from over 100+ diffenent variations of your favorite Coca-Cola brands. For a complete list of brands, locations and more picktures, Click Here

people to know

Roger “Hurricane” Wilson – Kennesaw’s Traveling Blue’s Man – There’s a certain hesitancy that any individual takes

on when booking new entertainment. There are pages full of bands and acts who can strum a few chords, play the intro to “Freebird,” and treat you like a steppingstone they are using until they “hit it big.” There’s no more fearful time in a pub owner or recreation director’s life than when they are watching that night’s opening act set up, wondering if this will be the night the house empties when the band starts to falter. Enter Roger “Hurricane” Wilson from Kennesaw, Georgia. With a solid resume, a polished skill set, and the manners and demeanor of a southern gentleman, he’s what’s right with the music business these days. Read More

Malika Harricharan – Kennesaw’s Own Slumdog Turned Restaurant Blogger – With the popularity of the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire, Indian culture has begun to slightly seep into American culture. The story of Jamal who comes from the slums in India and works his way up to being a millionaire is an uplifting and positive story. Kennesaw resident and professional restaurant blogger, Malika Harricharan was born in Mumbai, India. She has had quite a journey from her humble beginnings in India to where she is today. Read More

Our 10 Favorite Free Things to Do in Cobb

The Ghosts of Atlanta – Here’s a short run-down of some of the best know believed-to-be-haunted spots in metro Atlanta:

Kennesaw Mountain: Confederate soldiers killed there supposedly roaming the battlefield.
The Kennesaw House on the Marietta Square is said to have lots of ghosts of dead Confederate soldiers from when it was a hospital during the Civil War.
Oakland Cemetery: Haunted spirits of the Civil War soldiers buried here are said to roam the yard.
Antebellum Plantation and the cemetery on Main Street at Stone Mountain Park.
The Fox Theatre may have some ghosts lurking about, including the face of a Confederate soldier.
The Masquerade: Some say a vampire lives there. The club is a former mill where numerous tragic accidents and deaths occurred. Not to mention the constant rumor its being condemned.
Anthony’s Restaurant in Buckhead: It’s been reported that a woman named Annie Barnett (who died in childbirth in the house) haunting its halls.
The Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum (in downtown Fayetteville) supposedly has a resident ghost, as well as ties to Doc Holliday and Margaret Mitchell.