Little Alley Steak, The Supreme Temptress

I've been so focused on gardening lately that I haven't done a travel or restaurant post. We've tried a few new places recently but nothing left an impression quite like Little Alley Steak in historic Roswell, GA. It's a character-changing experience.

Little Alley Steak is located on Canton Street, one of the few precious areas outside of Atlanta that offers pedestrian-friendly access to dozens of locally owned restaurants and shops. This is the perfect setting for Little Alley Steak, a small restaurant tucked amid several others, including sister restaurant Salt Factory.

I enjoyed the interior which is an arrangement of rustic brick, dark woods, and dim light bulbs that seemed to float in midair. Upon a closer look, you'll see that they're suspended from large butcher hooks, which is its own kind of cool.

There is little about bricks, wood, and sharp metal objects that spells romance but it's definitely a worthy date night location because of the service. Our waiter, who mentioned being new, was great. The manager stopped by our table and genuinely seemed interested in how things were going. We even had a chef pay us a visit; he noticed that my husband had just finished his beer so he retrieved another for him. There was none of that, "Well it isn't my job..." attitude. Everyone was kind, helpful, informative, and yet somehow they seemed to stay out of the way. Perfect combination for a date night.

Food

But you want to know about the food, right? What temptress seduced me back to the land of meat?

For starters, we ordered the Ahi Tuna Tartar. It was scrumptious, like, melt in your mouth tuna. The fun, frou-frou-modern accompaniments made the presentation better, though I would've been fine with traditional wasabi instead of foam. The only surprise is that you're supposed to eat it with a fork rather than toss it on top of some sort of cracker. But the tuna was so fresh and delicious that I can see why it was the star of its own show.

Image via Hunger Maps

And dinner? This gal, who thrives on a largely vegetable-based diet, was tempted--nay coerced by my own senses--into ordering a steak! I saw a few of them pass by our table on the way to other guests. They looked spectacular, presented in cast iron pans and then served with such finesse. I wanted a steak.

I ordered the smallest one there, an 8 oz Center Cut Filet and added on a side of Triple Cream Mac and Cheese Mascarpone with black truffle oil. My husband ordered the Ahi Tuna "fire grilled" with garlic spinach, fingerling potatoes, and yuzu-herb beurre blanc. No, we didn't know what that was, either, but I Googled it and beurre blanc is French for a butter and wine sauce. In English, it all translates to:

Bliss.

Every bite of every item that we ordered was delicious. I was looking for something to complain about since I'm always leery of restaurant reviews that seem too perfect but I don't have a single complaint. The steak was exactly what I wanted when I said, "medium." Tender, juicy, flavorful excellence. I've never had macaroni and cheese that was so creamy and delicious. The crunchy breadcrumbs (I think) on top just set it off.

I sampled my husband's dish and relished in that, too. The rare tuna was seasoned well enough to let the fish shine through without it just being a slab of sashimi. I can't go wrong with spinach but I appreciated that it was just wilted, kissed with salt and garlic, and not too oily. The fingerling potatoes could have been an entree in themselves.

As for the wine list, I've got no complaints there, either. They served Silver Oak, which I adore, though I didn't order it because it just wasn't that kind of night. Instead I enjoyed the Peter Freimuth Riesling. There is an interesting assortment of whiskeys for anyone who's into that. My husband found their beer list a bit lacking. He didn't suffer, though. He ordered and enjoyed a Chimay.

We were too stuffed for dessert but we will make room next time! And there will definitely be a next time.

Last but not least comes the pricing. It's old town Roswell. Little Alley Steaks imports its cuts from Meats by Linz in Chicago. It's pricier than the sort of place that I'd usually go on a random date night but I felt the experience, overall, was well worth it. My husband liked it so much that he even brought several executives there when they came to town. Cheers!

Dia de los Muertos at Bone Garden Cantina

Unfortunately, I have to recant my glowing review of Bone Garden. I Googled their number and then called to ask about reservations for four. The woman hung up on me.

I went to the website and read that they don't accept reservations, only call ahead for parties of 8 or more. This info isn't available on their Google listing, which is what I used. Even still, the hostess hung up on me like I was supposed to know. She could've just told me the policy instead of being an ass. 

That little even conjured up every other rude thing that a server has done during our past visits to Bone Garden. There were quite a few, actually, including a server who insisted that I ordered a beef taco when I didn't. I understand English and Spanish. I wouldn't have ordered a meat that I don't eat. the list continues...

 I guess that's the drawback to edgy restaurants. Some staff mistake their coolness *rolling eyes* as an excuse to be rude to their patrons. Oddly, patrons keep them in business. Asi es...

My husband and I threw a house party for Dia de los Muertos last year. We weren't prepared for it this year (didn't even think about it until Halloween) so we opted to head out for the night.

Bone Garden, a locally owned Mexican restaurant in Atlanta, has parties each year. We love the place so it was our first pick. It gets packed early so my husband had the good mind to schedule our double date for 5pm.

We started off with chips a guacamole (always a good call) and a round of drinks. My husband took advantage of the special, a mini jarrito that is filled with samples of tequila throughout the night. It's a good way to try new tequilas without committing to an entire shot of something that might rip the lining from your throat. The rest of us had cocktails.

Sad news: my absolute favorite drink, Pancho Villa, was taken off the menu, disowned and discarded! That's because few people understand the glory of tequila's smokey cousin, Mezcal. Think of it this way: tequila is a party girl in a miniskirt that talks too much. She's fun for a while but, ha'mercy, you'll need a break. Mezcal is that chick's sexier older sister. She's got a hint of mystery, an air of refinement. You'll want to party with her all night and well into the next day. It's that good.

But since most folks like cheap dates my favorite Mezcal cocktail was taken off of the menu. They replaced it with a margarita that has mezcal in it but it's just not the same. I thought that was the start of a bad night. Fortunately, I was wrong.

The food was stellar as always. It's an a la carte menu, giving guests the opportunity to sample and savor a variety of options without ending with a heafty tab. Between the four of us we had: a pollo barbacoa quesadilla, carne adobo taco, barbacoa de chivo (goat) taco, lemon shrimp empanadas,chicken machucada empanada, spicy chicarron sope, almojo de ajo sope, a burrito (don't remember which)...probably some other stuff...ending with mexican hot chocolate and churros, and rice pudding. There was not a single complaint at the table. All of the food was spectacular.

The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. On a daily basis, there is Day of the Dead artwork everywhere. And I think it's a requirement that the wait staff have at least five visible tattoos. Just seeing them walk around can be pretty entertaining if you're into body art. In honor of the celebration, they amped up the Dia de los Muertos decorations and the servers painted their faces. It was creep-tastic! About midway through the night, three ladies in sexy red costumes danced on top of the bar. It was mild enough for general audiences but it still added to the party atmosphere.

Oh, and we got a sugar skull that we named Paco! He's currently on our mantel. I don't have the heart to eat him...though my husband took a bite out of the back of his head. Poor little guy.

Next time you're searching for Dia de los Muertos plans--or just fresh Mexican food in Atlanta--keep Bone Garden in mind.

Or not, if you're determined to get good service. Geesh I hate when good restaurants don't live up to their reputations!

Apps and Gadgets that help me train for the marathon. Got any suggestions?

http://ericajarrell.wordpress.com/2013/11/05/apps-and-gadgets-for-training/

Full Moon Hikes Awaken Your Inner Romantic

Panola Mountain State Park offers moon light hikes to the top of the mountain. My boyfriend and I decided that we'd take the hike on a seemingly random Tuesday evening. The moon was set to be its fullest that night and we knew the views would be spectacular.

Park rangers Amy and Jamie were our guides. No one else showed up that night so I was stoked to have a little private tour. It had been years since I went to the top and I was glad to be going with my boyfriend.

Our excursion began around sunset on a cool evening. The rangers guided us up the side of Panola Mountain. Near the base, the trail is forested, dotted with small ponds and a beautiful lake right before hikers gain elevation. Around the lake are cottages, remnants of the owners who passed the park on to the state back in the 70s.

Red Diamorpha

From there, we began our journey upward. The trees became more scarce, giving way to the bare face of the granite. Amy was incredibly knowledgeable about the plant life and formations found in the bulges and crags of the monadnock. She pointed out numerous types of lichen which for some reason remind me of tiny reindeer antlers. She also noted rare red diamorpha which thrives in the tiny shallow pools that are speckled across the mountain. At one stop, we found the even rarer green diamorpha!

My favorite was the black moss, which turns bright green in seconds after pouring water on it. The transformation is even faster when there is more sunlight, but since we were catching the last rays before sunset we had to kneel down and squint to see the change.


Since we hiked during the winter, we missed out on the prickly pear cacti, the sand wart, and yellow daisies that I've heard are stunning during the warmer months.

Then we reached the top. Beautiful! The sun set in the west, and to the right we could see the Atlanta skyline as bright as day. The city juts up out of the horizon like its own strange little mountain range. It was simply stunning.

We walked up a bit further to another crest. From there, we could see nearby Arabia Mountain and the moon rising in the east. It seemed like it was "rising" pretty fast thanks to a low-lying strip of clouds. As the clouds slipped away in the distant winds, the moon grew fuller and brighter. From where we stood, it was about the size of a dinner plate in our hands.

My boyfriend, who is generally the romantic type, whipped out a tripod and asked the rangers to take photos of us. I wasn't expecting the tripod, or the portable light that he brought but I was glad that thy were there. Jamie took a few photos of us with the moonlight at our backs.

"On the count of three, everybody say, 'Yes!'" I dunno what happened to cheese, but during the third photo it all began to make sense. The flash blinded me. As my eyes recovered, I noticed Jamie hand my boyfriend a small black box. Amy shoved her hands deep into her pockets and grinned.

My boyfriend dropped to one knee and I think I went temporarily def. I could see him open the box, revealing a diamond that caught the moonlight and sent it back at me like another camera flash. I think I heard him say my name and that was enough.

"Yes, yes, yes! Get up! Oh my God, get up!" I shouted. I think I pulled him to his feet.

"Speech!" squealed Amy.

I look of horror passed my boyfriend's--I mean, fiance's--face.

I cracked up for a second. "You don't have to give a speech, just put it on me!" I'm seriously not using enough exclamation points for how I was really talking.

My fiance placed the ring on my finger and I know I squealed and kissed him for at least a good minute. Somewhere along the lines I regained my breath, called him a jerk and a punk for surprising me, and kicked him in the butt. Eh. It's what we do.

The descent was a bit of a blur. I remember that the moonlight was so bright that we didn't need flashlights at all. The light was so bright, actually, that it cast long angular shadows on the ground around us as we passed through the trees. We tried to take a few photos back at the lake, catching the moonlight and starts reflecting off of the water but nothing could capture the beauty as we saw it in front of us.

While this account doesn't describe a normal Panola Mountain Park moonlight hike, it does demonstrate just how phenomenal the park rangers are. Three park staff members were in on the scheme! They helped my finace coordinate everything and went out of their way to make everything seem like an average walk through the woods. Thank you so much Jamie and Amy!!!!

Exploring Tallulah Gorge

A few months back, my boyfriend and I began our very own commemorative trekking pole. Every time that we visit a new state park, we buy one of the cute little medallions that we can nail onto the wooden pole. The collection is growing rather nicely, I must say.

We don't just go to the parks for the medallions, of course. (They're bonuses.) The parks are an excellent way to unwind on weekends and enjoy the absolutely stunning creation around us. One of my favorite spots in Georgia, so far, is Tallulah Gorge.

Tallulah Gorge is located in North Georgia near Toccoa Falls, right along the South Carolina border. Quite a few travelers have likely passed over the gorge without noticing it; if you aren't looking for it, the bridge over the river looks like any other overpass on 441. With that said, you should get the picture that the gorge is no Grand Canyon. It does have it's own sense of beauty, though.

The bridge passes over one of the most narrow parts of the river. Beyond, the river and gorge extend for two miles and becomes nearly 1,000 feet deep. The most beautiful areas, in my opinion, are the views of the waterfalls and pools created by the Coleman and Tallulah rivers. The bare cliff faces are also stunning during sunset.

My boyfriend, his brother, and I hiked the North and most of the South rim trails. The hikes are easy, and a decent alternative to anyone wanting to avoid the 600 stairs leading to the gorge floor or the 1,099 stairs on the Hurricane Falls Loop trail. With that said, the hike was a bit too easy for my liking. I didn't break a sweat or feel the burn of well-worked glutes. I hope to drag my s.o. back for one of the more challenging trails. As much as I hate stairs, the opportunity to swim in Bridal Falls is tempting. It's luring me back for the summer.

There are a few things that you should know about Tullulah Falls, GA.

• Your dining options are few. If you're traveling with picky eaters, plan to eat before or after your trip. 
• It gets cold really fast near the water during the cooler months, so even if you plan your excursion during a mild afternoon, bring your jacket for the evening.
• Use quality boots, especially in the spring, fall, and winter. Most of the paths wind through trees, which is excellent for blocking out the southern sun. Unfortunately, this means that any degree of moisture stays trapped on the path. In autumn, fallen leaves become slippery. In the spring and winter, rain and melted snow will leave the paths muddy and slick. If you plan to explore the gorge floor (all boulders) it is also important to wear boots with good traction.

Hiking and Biking at Panola Mountain Park

Panola Mountain State Park is a 100 acre reserve created to protect one of Georgia's granite monadnocks. Unlike the more popular Stone Mountain or neighboring Arabia Mountain, Panola’s caretakers have undergone serious efforts to preserve the rare plant life found at the site.

My first time at Panola Mountain Park, I walked the trails with my girlfriend from high school. Pets aren’t allowed so we had to leave Riley at home. My friend and I walked about 7 miles round trip (out of a possible 24) at a brisk pace, fast enough to feel like we were getting a workout but gentle enough that we could carry out conversation. The terrain is fairly level with slight elevation gain but nothing that put us seriously out of breath. Much of the trail is shaded, which is excellent since we’d caught a relatively hot day in the late summer.

Walkers share the paths with joggers and cyclists. That wasn't a problem like it was at Roswell Park, where I was nearly run over a few times. The concrete paths at the park are wide and I think there are fewer cyclists in my area in general.

I went back to Panola about a month later with my boyfriend. With bikes in tow, we set out on the trails. Biking makes a major difference. I swear that the hills got bigger! I died three times. Or at least twice; I actually dismounted and walked while my boyfriend pedaled up the hill, pulling my bike along beside him. While that little gesture made me love him more the event reminded me of three things:

• I need to get in better shape so my bike and I will be back on those trails again.
• Walking and cycling use completely different muscles. I knew this, of course, but I was surprised at how true it is. I can walk forever. Biking 7 miles with minor hills just about sent my thighs to the grave, dragging the rest of my body with them.
• Lactic acid is brutal. Even when I wasn’t winded, the burning in my thighs made me stop moving. It reminded me of when the dance team coach made us do multiple toe-touches back-to-back. I always questioned my dedication to the team after those sessions.

Other than torturing myself with cycling, I’ve got a few other reasons to return to Panola. They’ve got a new archery range! I can get my Amazon Woman-on for $10 per session. Annual passes are available for $100. I enjoy amateur archery. My older brother and I would make bows and arrows out of sticks when we were kids. He got a crossbow as a teenager. I think it’s time to get back to that.

In addition to the range, there are also opportunities for geocaching. For people that are into tree climbing and fishes, the park has activities for you, too.

Have you been to Panola Mountain State Park? What's your favorite activity to do there?

Credits:  Walking Trail Photo, Biking Trail Photo, Sunset at the Park

Finding the Right Jacket for Rain, Wind, and Cold

With the fall underway, it is time for me to stock up on outdoor gear for cooler weather. After leaving much of my stuff in Paraguay post-Peace Corps service (the stuff was already old and I needed to make room for souvenirs) I experienced the first cool week of fall in Atlanta just to remember that I didn’t have a jacket, a rain coat, or gloves so I started shopping around online.

I’m an obsessive comparison shopper. There are so many options in the world, I like to make sure that I’m getting the best quality for my budget. If you are like me, hopefully this post will save you a few hours.

I wanted a jacket is: 1.) water resistant and wind resistant yet breathable 2.) hooded 3.) light enough to tuck into my pack when hiking yet thick enough to keep me warm since I get cold easily 4.) figure flattering on my petite frame. Oh, and if possible, I’d like to keep it under $100.

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo

Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka

I originally stopped into Bass Pro shop for hiking socks. I generally don’t shop there because I’m not an avid hunter or fisher and I always assumed that’s what the store was all about. Not true. While you can find everything you need for the aforementioned sports there’s also a decent department for outerwear and active wear. In addition to finding the socks (Redhead, $9) I also came across a Columbia 3-in-1 Bugaboo Interchange Parka for $160 and thought that I was in love. It’s waterproof with taped seams, wind resistant, has the Columbia Omni-heat technology, and has the added bonus of being worn as a fleece jacket, a raincoat shell, or zipping them together for maximum protection in diverse conditions. The Bugaboo felt warm and comfortable but a bit bulky because I was trying on a medium (I’m 5’3’’, 110lbs). I felt that the medium provided more than enough space for layers and the sleeves passed my knuckles so I opted for a small. No smalls on the rack. The kind sales rep put in an order for me with a nearby store.

I read reviews when I got home and learned that just about everyone loved the jacket. The downsides are that, for some, the back of the jacket isn’t low enough to protect your bum while sitting. There were rave reviews for Columbia’s durability and resistance to the elements. A female hiker was just getting a new jacket after ten years, and that was only because the old jacket didn’t fit anymore.

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket

The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate

As I waited for Bass Pro Shop to call and let me know that my order had arrived, I stopped into the Sports Authority to get a wicking shirt with my boyfriend. Waiting for him to shift through the inventory, I began to browse as well. What do I find other than another super cute interchange jacket, this time The North Face Cedar Falls Triclimate Jacket in Moonlight Ivory. It first caught my attention because it’s just so lovely. It’s got a sophisticated cut to it, which is more versatile for my purposes. I could wear it around town and not look like I just crawled out of the state park. When I am at the state park, Cedar Falls has all the fixings that I liked for outdoor play. It’s waterproof with taped seams, windproof, breathable yet warm (I still don’t know how they do that) and has eight pockets, four of which have zipper closures. The waist has a drawstring to block out cold, and the hood is fully adjustable as well. I pulled the Cedar Park off the rack and tried it on. The angels were singing more loudly this time.



The only disadvantage is that the hood doesn’t detach; not much of a problem for me because the hood lays flat. The medium fits beautifully, allowing room for layers underneath but it's still flattering on my figure. With a price tag of $99 thanked the shopping gods and made the purchase. I promptly canceled my order for the Bugaboo with Bass Pro.

The North Face Atlas Triclimate

I came across more durable and versatile jackets in the higher price ranges. The North Face Atlas Triclimate has a two-toned fleece that is thicker than Cedar Fall's. The Atlas comes with pit zips and a detachable hood. As much as I’d love to have those features, I couldn’t find it online under $230. The Passport Triclimate has all of the aforementioned features with the addition of an insulated lining. It’s also about $230. But let’s face it. I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I don’t ski and I don’t plan on hiking the Himalayas anytime soon so Cedar Falls provides sufficient for warmth and protection for what I need. (One reviewer from Michigan exclaimed, “It was 3 degrees this morning but I was toasty in my Atlas Triclimate!” It’s never that cold here, which just proved that I didn’t need the $130 upgrade.)

Lessons Learned:
1.)Try stores outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you might find!
2.) Be lame and create a list of what you need in a jacket. Make sure that your jacket meets the requirements and see any additional features as bonuses. If the bonuses are going to break your budget, just say no. That money can be used for other items that you need later.

I'll update you on the jacket's performance as soon I we get some inclement weather!