we recently tried out elmyriachi for the first time. it’s the new tex-mex restaurant in downtown kirkwood from the people who run el myr in little five points. they renovated the old mrs winners and added a huge outdoor patio. it looks awesome, you would have no idea it had chicken & biscuit roots, as for the store front of the restaurant, they found out the aluminium shop front cost and renovated all together.

we enjoyed our outing! their chimichangas were exceptionally tasty, and they had a decent beer and cocktail menu to go along. we ate out on the patio, which was great! it was very spacious with plenty of seating and had a big screen playing the world cup, which was a bonus. all in all, it was a pleasant summer evening. we most definitely will be going back.

quick note, we did not realize the patio allowed smoking. a couple of guys at the table behind us started to smoke, however they saw we had kids and moved to the other side of the patio. so for those interested, there was a family-friendly atmosphere.

check out their menu.

– ryan & gub

elmyriachi

1950 hosea l williams drive ne
atlanta, ga 30317
678-705-9902

i had a delicous cortado this morning at the taproom. it’s my new favorite drink!

– ryan

taproom coffee

1963 hosea l williams drive ne r106
atlanta, ga 30317
404-464-5435

clementine turned three years old today! how time flies. clementine had her party at bessie bran ham park like last year. it is the perfect spot for little kids parties!

– ryan & gub

bessie branham park

2051 delano drive ne
atlanta, georgia 30317

we are so excited that a great coffee shop opened up in downtown kirkwood! taproom coffee opened it’s doors a couple of weeks ago and is the perfect addition to our neighborhood. they serve specialty coffee, craft beer and snack foods (including charcuterie boards from spotted trotter, soft pretzels from holeman & finch and delicious pastries from mae’s bakery.)

the location is very spacious and comfortable. the vintage seating and lighting works well with the reclaimed wood and soft color palette. it was a definitely a relaxing environment for drinking coffee and/or beer.

taproom coffee started as a kickstarter project from the guy who ran the espresso bar at empire state south. we feel very fortunate they chose kirkwood to open up such a cool place. taproom is open from 7am to 10pm and serves counter culture coffee along with a rotating list of 12 craft beers on draft.

on a side note, i had never had a cortado until visiting taproom. i have to say it was one of the better coffee drinks i’ve had! it’s espresso cut with milk, so similar to a cappuccino but less milk. it was quite tasty and highly recommended!

– ryan

taproom coffee

1963 hosea l williams drive ne r106
atlanta, ga 30317
404-464-5435

more from the kirkwood spring fling!

– ryan & gub

we are enjoying the kirkwood spring fling! the weather turned out nice after all!

– ryan & gub

we are big fans of urban pie in downtown kirkwood! their thin crust pizza is super tasty and they have a great front porch for outdoor eating. they also deliver, so you can’t go wrong.

check out their menu.

– ryan & gub

urban pie

2012 hosea l williams drive ne
atlanta, ga 30317
404-373-2778

this weekend is the 12th annual kirkwood spring fling, which is one of our favorite festivals in atlanta! besides being located around the corner from us in historic kirkwood, it is also the first festival where gub sold her craft goods, so it holds a special place in our hearts.

the spring fling features a 5k race on saturday morning, a kids area from 10am-4pm, an open air artist market from 10am-8pm with tons of crafty vendors, beer, food trucks, and live music, as well as a tour of homes and a bbq cook off.

admission to the festival is free and is once again located at bessie branham park. tickets for the tour of homes can be purchased at the festival or at local kirkwood businesses.

on a side note, we designed the volunteer t-shirts this year and think they look great! the design is up above in the header for your viewing pleasure. also be sure to check out photos from 2010 when our home was on the kirkwood tour of homes.

– ryan & gub

kirkwood spring fling

bessie branham park
2051 delano drive ne
atlanta, georgia 30317

artist market
saturday, may 17th, 2014
10am until 8pm

tour of homes
saturday, may 17th, 2014
sunday, may 18th, 2014
12pm until 6pm

5k race
saturday, may 17th, 2014
8am in downtown kirkwood

bbq cook off
saturday, may 17th, 2014
12pm until 4pm

live music
saturday, may 17th, 2014
bessie branham – 11am until 7pm
downtown kirkwood – 8pm until 11pm

with warmer days on the horizon, what better time to look at patio dining options in atlanta. here are 10 of our favorite local restaurants to enjoy outdoor eating and drinking in the spring or fall!

be sure to leave comments with your favorite in-town patios as well!

– ryan

leon’s full service (downtown decatur)

131 east ponce de leon avenue
decatur, georgia 30030
404-687-0500

•leon’s has one of the nicer in-town patios! this old service station in downtown decatur has been converted to a restaurant with a little courtyard patio for outdoor dining. they are known for their pub frites and great selection of ol’ timey cocktails. they also have lots of tasty draught beers, wine and a pretty sweet outdoor bocce ball court!

sun in my belly (kirkwood)

2161 college avenue ne
atlanta, ga 30317
404-370-1088

•sun in my belly is mainly known for their top-notch brunch. you’ll be thinking about their honey glazed bacon and stuffed challah french toast for days! what you might not know, is they also offer classy southern dinners and adult beverages. plus, all of this can be enjoyed on their street-front patio or open-air garden porch. they are the premiere kirkwood restaurant and also walking distance from our house, so we are big fans!

victory sandwich bar (inman park)

280 elizabeth street ne
atlanta, ga 30307
770-676-7287

•victory sandwich bar offers amazing little sandwiches (you’ll want two) and great sides (hello fancy nuts and spicy ramen noodles), which can be enjoyed on their outdoor patio in inman park. they also have cocktails (frozen jack & coke slushie), beer, wine and a brand new decatur location.

woody’s famous philadelphia cheese steaks (midtown)

981 monroe drive northeast
atlanta, ga 30308
404-876-1939

•an atlanta tradition, woody’s has the best cheese steaks in town and a huge wraparound porch for outdoor eating in midtown! they also serve draft beer!

yeah burger (virginia highlands)

1017 north highland avenue ne
atlanta, ga 30306
404-437-7845

•does eating a warm bowl of homemade chili or an amazing local kale salad on a spring afternoon sound pleasant? well then head over to yeah burger in the virginia highlands to enjoy their patio! you’ll also find tasty burgers, craft cocktails, draft beer, milkshakes, crispy brussel sprouts and more at this fine establishment.

six feet under (grant park)

437 memorial drive se
atlanta, ga 30312
404-523-6664

•six feet under has the best rooftop patio in town with great views of downtown atlanta and historic oakland cemetery. oh, and they also have delicious seafood, draft beer and cocktails (including oyster shooters), if you’re into that sort of thing!

taqueria del sol (downtown decatur)

359 west ponce de leon avenue
decatur, ga 30030
404-377-7668

•taqueria del sol is a downtown decatur staple. they offer unique tacos & specials, strong margaritas and open-air seating in an old gas station! be prepared to wait in long lines for both lunch and dinner however.

urban pie (downtown kirkwood)

2012 hosea williams drive
atlanta, ga 30317
404-373-2778

•urban pie serves up awesome thin crust pizza with plenty of outdoor seating in downtown kirkwood! they also have beer and wine available.

fox brothers bbq (edgewood)

1238 dekalb avenue
atlanta, ga 30307
404-577-4030

•it might not be our favorite bbq in town, however fox bros is super close to our house and has a very nice patio! they offer lots of adult beverage options and tasty, albeit overly smoked, bbq as well.

los bravos (decatur)

2895 north decatur road
decatur, ga 30033
404-508-0404

•los bravos serves 32 oz draft beers, great margaritas and has a huge patio with oodles of outdoor seating! it’s the perfect mexican food option in the springtime.

check out this great lighted holiday heart we saw in kirkwood!

– ryan & gub