Why I Love Atlanta
Local Celebrities Share Their Favorite Things About the City
By Muriel Vega
When you’re moving to a new city, it always helps to know
someone who lives there who can give you the inside scoop. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up a few well-known locals to get their insight on what makes Atlanta such a great place to live. Here, three prominent residents share their takes on Atlanta’s best neighborhoods, restaurants and things to do around town.Robin Meade
Award-winning journalist Robin Meade anchors the HLN morning news show Morning Express With Robin Meade, and can be seen on CNN reporting on major events. She has lived in Atlanta since 2001.
Q What’s your favorite thing about living in the Atlanta area?
A My favorite thing about living in Atlanta, beyond the stellar people, the affordable housing and the livability factor of it all, is the weather.
Q What’s your favorite neighborhood?
A I enjoy Buckhead because of its shopping and dining as well as the little side-street neighborhoods with bungalows that have been there for decades. The older houses are within arm’s reach of the area’s great conveniences, yet those side streets are still a place where kids can skip to school together.
Q What’s your favorite place to eat in metro Atlanta?
A Right now, I’m in love with Empire State South. When I went there for the first time, I found it elegantly casual with a fantastic take on nouveau American/Southern fare. Another favorite of mine, outside the Perimeter, is Seed in East Cobb. It’s a farm-to-table [place] with seasonal menu changes. If you like cocktails, you’ll love the artisan feel of their drink offerings.
Q What’s your favorite weekend activity?
A My favorite activity for a weekend in Atlanta is heading for one of the many lakes in the surrounding areas and forgetting the city life! You don’t have to drive very far to get to an area that feels country and quaint, where you can spend the day on a pontoon or casting a line from the water’s edge. One of the quietest times to hit the water would probably be during UGA football games. Just a little insider’s tip there.
Kevin Gillespie
Chef Kevin Gillespie is an award-winning chef and former Top Chef contestant. He recently opened a new restaurant, Gunshow, in Glenwood Park. He has been an Atlanta resident for 13 years.
Q What’s your favorite thing about living in the Atlanta area?
A I like that Atlanta has all the conveniences of a big city but feels less “big city-ish” because we have preserved so much green space and it’s less congested.
Q What’s your favorite neighborhood?
A I like the neighborhood Gunshow is in, whether you call it Ormewood Park, Grant Park or East Atlanta—the Southeast part of the city. It’s artsy and full of independent businesses.
Q What’s your favorite place to eat in metro Atlanta?
A That’s really hard. I’ll go with Buford Highway. There are so many choices from all over the world. It’s like a giant food court with good food.
A I love all the sports teams and going to games, but my favorite activity is to drive north a little and go hiking and fishing.
Jeff Dauler
Jeff Dauler, a 12-year resident, is an entrepreneur and a member of the nationally syndicated “The Bert Show” morning radio program, based in Atlanta.
Q What’s your favorite thing about living in the Atlanta area?
A There’s enough Southern charm to keep us polite and take the edge off, but we are a big city that still gets things done. I love telling people about the “big ones” that are headquartered here: Delta, Coca-Cola, UPS, CNN/Turner, Home Depot, and then keep going with some things they’ve never heard of that make this city awesome: Whynatte [a coffee-based energy drink], the movie industry, SweetWater Brewery, and music artists of all genres.
Q What’s your favorite neighborhood?
A I live in Sandy Springs, and love the changes I’ve witnessed over the past several years. This part of town keeps growing, but as it does, it starts to feel like a small town. The historical squares of Roswell and Marietta are great places to visit for an afternoon. But if I could live anywhere, it would be Midtown, halfway between Piedmont Park and Virginia-Highland.
Q What’s your favorite place to eat in metro Atlanta?
A If the weather is cooperating, patios always win. King + Duke, Tin Lizzy’s and Leon’s Full Service in Decatur are all on the short list. Want to impress someone special? KR SteakBar, Canoe and Bones all make an impression. Just looking for a place to have a good meal and visit with friends? Cypress Street Pint & Plate, Lure, or the recently expanded MetroFresh. My Sandy Springs favorites are Hearth and Blue Grotto. And my all-occasion go-to spot: Atlanta Fish Market.
Q What’s your favorite weekend activity?
A A couple of years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to complete a triathlon, and I discovered the Silver Comet Trail for bike-riding and Stone Mountain for hiking and jogging. Both of those have remained favorites. I’ve gotten spoiled sitting in the SunTrust Club seats at Turner Field a few times; if you get the chance, do it. Baseball will never be the same. Celeb-spotting at Phipps Plaza, followed by a movie in the ridiculously comfortable and recently renovated theater there, is the perfect end to a great weekend in Atlanta.
