Esperanza Atlanta

The most powerful FERRARI ever? This I gotta see.

 

There's a new trend emerging in restaurant PR in which an eatery invites notable social media personalities to a complimentary meal at their establishment in return for documentation of the experience on the various networks.  They're called "Tweetups" or "Eat and Tweets" and yesterday I was lucky enough to have been invited to one such event at the newly opened CARDAMOM HILL on the Westside of Atlanta. I had heard a few good things about the spot but went in relatively unsure of what to expect. It was exquisite. From beginning to end, the service was impeccable, and the food, as delicious as it was beautiful. ASHA GOMEZ has truly created something unique in bringing the authentic regional cuisine of Kerala to Atlanta and I'd like to thank CARDAMOM HILL, CREATIVE LOAFING, and 360 MEDIA for inviting me to such a wonderful lunch. The picture above is borrowed from an excellent CL review of the restaurant, credited to JAMES CAMP, which you can find here. My iPhone photos just didn't do the food justice. And that kerala fried chicken is a show-stopper, folks.

We have a soft spot for cars and motorcycles and nothing beats a classic muscle car from the golden age of cars or a vintage Indian ride. How can you top it? Let's add in some top notch design. The TRIUMPH Twin Speed Concept is the brainchild of English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher reworking the the TRIUMPH Bonneville motorcylce. This a thing of beauty. I don't know about anyone else, but I want one. Check out the full story HERE.

Face it guys, Valentine's Day isn't goin' anywhere.  And no matter how chill your bird is, you better come up with something to make her feel special today. We're far from authority on the matter, but this year, we've culled a couple little ideas to help you work smarter, not harder. 

POLIÇA is the new CHANNY MOON CASSELLE fronted project that features members of GAYNGS, BON IVER, and the STNNG. On the debut album, GIVE YOU THE GHOST, CASSELLE's airy, auto-tuned voice slinks around thick bass lines and marching band snares just so. It's pretty sexy stuff and the video for the first single, LAY YOUR CARDS OUT, doesn't hurt their case. Put it on the stereo and move along to step 2.

Ok, so you've got tunes setting the mood. Now it's time for a cocktail. The NEGRONI is an absolute classic and if you spend any time in one of your city's finer watering holes, you'd know that it's back in vogue. Thought to have originated in 1919, the Italian aperitif is traditionally made with equal parts dry gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Liquid culture magazine, IMBIBE, offers an effervescent twist on the recipe with a splash of dry prossecco:

1 1/2 oz. gin
1 oz. sweet vermouth
3/4 oz. Campari
1 1/2 oz. Prosecco (as dry as you can find)
Ice cubes
Tools: mixing glass, barspoon, strainer
Glass: Old Fashioned
Garnish: orange peel

Combine all ingredients with ice and stir until chilled. Strain over fresh ice into a chilled glass and garnish. 

If that doesn't impress her, you're in for a long night.

Food. Valentine's Day is a terrible night to eat out, second only to New Year's Eve. That fancy restaurant you've read so much about turns into a price-gouging cafeteria where flipping tables becomes paramount. Sure there are exceptions and plenty of places that maintain their integrity, but why not skip the crowds and make her something better at home? Hit the farmer's market and get some good red meat and keep it bloody.

Chocolate is kind of a Valentine staple, but instead of those grocery store heart-shaped boxes, check out CACAO, Atlanta's premier bean-to-bar chocolatier.  The difference in a good piece of chocolate is remarkable and totally lends crédo to the old adage of it being an aphrodisiac.  Check out their new location in Virginia Highlands. No prob if you're not close. Whole Foods carries some amazing stuff as well. We like OLIVE & SINCLAIR CHOCOLATE CO.'s sea salt bar... and so will she. (picture above courtesy of food blog fav, SavoryExposure)

OK. So, tunes, cocktails, dinner, dessert, now what? Perhaps a movie? I'm constantly blown away by how many of my peers have never seen ANNIE HALL. It beat STAR WARS for Best Picture in 1977 for crying out loud. I don't know if it's the quality of people I associate with, or if the movie is lost on our generation, but I find it's an often over-looked comedy perfect for a night like this. Just watch it, it's hilarious and she'll love it.

So there you have it. No need to spend a fortune, or come up with some elaborate plan, keep it simple and thoughtful and interesting... like you, right? Happy Valentine's day to all the lovely ladies out there, and especially the ones who put up with us ESPERANZA knuckleheads.

We love our comedy here at ESPERANZA and two recently released albums have had us rolling in the office the past couple days.  First off is the late PATRICE O'NEAL'S "MR. P." Filthy as hell, and incredibly irreverent, "MR. P" is a comedy great at the absolute top of his game. O'NEAL'S brutal, yet brilliant, honesty and unstoppable momentum literally had me, and the roaring audience on tape, doubled over at points. This is the definition of killing and while O'NEAL will be greatly missed for leaving us before his time, his last album is a testament to the indelible mark he left on comedy. Check out a clip below, and be warned, like most of O'NEAL'S material, it's filthy and super NSFW:

SNL's recent return to comedic relevance can partially be attributed to the writing of JOHN MULANEY, who joined the show's staff in 2008. The wide-eyed demeanor and mastery of language he demonstrates on "NEW IN TOWN" are now helping him emerge from the shadow of the more renowned comedians he's written for. The COMEDY CENTRAL SPECIAL, available on DVD and CD, is seriously funny stuff folks and a guarantee that you're going to be seeing a lot more of MULANEY very soon. Check out a clip below:

Visual and brand identity designed by Norwegian designer Kristian Tennebø for the architecture firm Donningal Landskap. Absolutely stunning in its simplicity. Check out more of it HERE.

I came across this by accident the other day and just had to share it. Partly because I love RANCID unconditionally, partly because it's so weird, and partly cause I kinda really like it. Upon further research, I found out singer MAïA VIDAL recorded a 5 song EP called "5 RANCID SONGS THAT I LOVE" under the moniker YOUR KID SISTER. And it RULES. Now I love MAïA VIDAL unconditionally. Learn more about her, and her own material, which is pretty great, here. And see the original video for RANCID'S "POISON" below.

We do a lot of work with the guys over at SMKA.  A lot.  In fact, I just wrapped another cover for one of their artists last night, making a total of 4 covers in 2 weeks.  Needless to say, they've played a big part in our success over the years and we couldn't be more excited to see them getting their due in the latest issue of local luxury mag, JEZEBEL.  It's on stands now and features a super-hot OLIVIA WILDE on the cover, so go out and get some. Congrats guys, and thanks to JEZEBEL for digging their chip into the rubbery cheese skin to scoop some of the creamy, cheesy, bubbling goodness around ATLANTA to the top. You can check out the virtual mag HERE.

Another one of our old friends, MALISSA SOLE of 4TH WARD HEROES fame/infamy, was voted into the 2012 CREATIVE LOAFING LUST LIST and we're hoping some strapping dude will take note and finally tie this one down and get her to stop working so hard.  Seriously, one of the hardest working people we know, and champion of all underdogs, MALISSA has also been a huge help in getting us, and countless other upstarts around the city, to the next level, so we're thrilled to see her getting some love in CL.

I was down in Sao Paulo, Brazil last week visiting an old friend from Georgia Tech and it was great.  My buddy, Frankie, played soccer with me at Georgia Tech so he decided to take me to the Museum of Football in the Corinthians soccer stadium in Sao Paulo.  We had a nice tour of the stadium and then relaxed outside of the stadium.  

What was really cool to me was to kick the soccer ball around with Frankie.  After 5 years playing soccer almost every week with Frankie, I have not played ball with him in 8 years.  So I found it really special to be in front of this huge Brasilian stadium and kick the ball around with him and his 3 year old son.  It will be something I will always remember.

MIA is back with the insanely hot new record, "Bad Girls." The equally entertaining video features crazy footage of Arab drifting and car trickey that has become somewhat of an YouTube phenomenon. Great stuff and glad to see her shakin' the / \ / \ / \ Y / \ blues. I can just hear the music director for MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL slamming his fist on the desk and yelling, "Now?! now you release this track?!"

I realize telling you to get up on the podcast GET UP ON THIS is a bit meta, but really, you should get up on it. Its a weekly pop culture radio show hosted by JENSEN KARP (formally the rapper HOT KARL) and a special guest on which they each share a list of things that they feel is worth a larger audience. It could be music, websites, artists, Twitterers, movies, restaurants, etc. Regardless, its a great way to keep up to date with burgeoning pop culture and this week's guest is none other than lifestyle brand maven BOBBY HUNDREDS. It's a great listen and definitely one I like to check out every week. Plus, where else are you gonna play the new name game, Warped Tour Band -or- Twilight Zone Episode?

The podcast is hosted live on the SMODCAST NETWORK HERE but can also be found archived on iTunes. I also recommend pulling up their tumblr site while listening to follow along with the info they're sharing. That can be found HERE. Trust your child.

This week has been an absolute whirlwind. It seems our design clients have finally shaken the holiday hangover and are forging full steam ahead into 2012. I had an incredible amount of deliverables to get through over the past couple days, and while not everything I've been working on is ready for the public eye, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of some of the stuff I can show you...

 

DAVID PERKINS, the proprietor and head distiller at HIGH WEST DISTILLERY & SALOON, will be in house at HOLEMAN AND FINCH this Monday from 5-6pm for an hour long meet and greet with HIGH WEST cocktails by GREG BEST and ANDY MINCHOW. He will then make his way over to H&F BOTTLESHOP for half an hour of bottle signing. We were responsible for making the promo and the design objective was to create a postcard reminiscent of newspaper liquor ads from the 1930's.

Our bosom buddies over at WHYNATTE have unleashed yet another explosive cocktail upon the city of Atlanta... FIRE IN THE HOLE!! I love working with Jesse on these posters and wish I could share more of the brainstorming notes as they're truly hilarious. I wanted to work with some colors on the latest poster in our series with them that I had not yet used... Orange and brown seemed to emote the featured FIREBALL brand cinnamon whisky and a little army green contrasted nicely. This new shot is hot stuff, and we highly recommend trying one the next time your out and about. DBA BARBECUE's Super Bowl Party might be a nice opportunity. More on that in a bit...

This is the first piece in a very long list of work we just signed on to do with the GEORGIA CONSERVANCY. The organization plans several trips during the year to encourage environmental awareness and stewardship throughout the state, but there is also a focus on having a good time while doing good work. Their annual Oyster Roast takes place in Savannah, GA and more information can be found HERE.

DBA BARBECUE is one of our favorite spots around the city because they just take care of us so well over there. Owner Matt Coggin has been a long time friend and seems to have finally hit his stride at the cozy Virginia Highlands BBQ joint. Sunday football debauchery has been a well kept secret at DBA, but their Super Bowl Party looks to blow it wide open. My only advice is if you're going, get there early... and plan a "doctor's appointment" for Monday morning. The design was inspired by an old Harvard football scoring card I found online that I thought fit the feel of the New England match-up nicely.

The ATLANTA BOCCE LEAGUE is about to start their 2012 Spring Season and we couldn't be more ready to hit the field again. We did a series of posters for the local divisions around town that feature several different in game scenarios that might be a bit contentious. We found the overhead perspective of the balls and simplicity of the layout to be eye-catching, but also intriguing enough to draw the viewer in for a closer look at what ball might actually get the point.

These are some poster templates we made for GRAVEYARD TAVERN's new Friday night event, THE SOCIALIST PARTY. They were looking for something reminiscent of Socialist propaganda mixed with Gangs of New York, draft riot, styled posters... but to avoid the "OBEY" look.  I think I was able to mix the two suggested styles and throw in some neat woodcut styled graphics as well to give the posters a stamped feel.

JARREN BENTON is one of the hottest hip-hop acts in Atlanta right now and he's making some big moves. He also allows me to fly my freak flag when drawing his album covers. The SMKA produced FREEBASING WITH KEVIN BACON drops soon and you can get more info HERE.

Yet another cover for our old friend ALEON CRAFT. This one's for all the ladies out there. COSMIC VALENTINE EP drops February 13th only at SMKA.

Of course, there's loads more, but it's just not ready to be shared. We'll also have some new Esperanza items popping up soon so keep your eyes and ears and smart phones peeled.

HBE are eight brothers from the south side of Chicago. No, really. They are all the sons of PHILLIP COHRAN, a jazz musician with roots in the Mississippi and St. Louis scenes of the 1940s who played a key role in the rise of SUN RA in the 1950s. They are, as their name implies, a brass ensemble that fuses hip-hop, jazz, funk and soul into a joyfully boisterous mix that has backed such artists as MOS DEF, MAXWELL, ERYKAH BADU and GORILLAZ. Their solo material is equally exciting and to promote HOMAGE, a show with their father this February in LA, they've released this exclusive cover of OUTKAST'S SPOTTIEOTTIEDOPALISCIOUS. Enjoy y'all, this is too good. And check out their latest EP, the excellent BULLETPROOF BRASS, immediately after. For more info on HOMAGE, click HERE.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - Spottie by ArtDontSleep

Thanks to RYAN at the GoLdBricK for the tip. 

If you're not familiar with TINY VICTORIES, you're about to be... The Brooklyn based act was just featured in an NPR article entitled "Where Will You Find Your Next Favorite Band?" You can find that article HERE. We couldn't be more thrilled for the guys. Eric's cousin, Cason, is one half of this burgeoning electro-pop duo, so we've been hip to these guys since their inception. Their debut EP, THOSE OF US STILL ALIVE drops this February, and the first track from it, "LOST WEEKEND," has us very excited for the rest. Check it out in the NPR article. They're the 7th one down. I'm praying the image below, from their bandcamp page, is the cover. So slick.

Great to get some new tunes from our old friends OCHA LA ROCHA this morning. They just released a digital 7" single, Heavy / Tunnels & Lines, the latter of which has been a live standard for sometime and is easily my favorite song of theirs. Click HERE or on the pic to check out the neat virtual player. Looks like we might be doing some work with the band soon too, so we'll keep you posted!

In other music news, I met a really nice guy named Adam Laidlaw last night at Manly Monday and we got to talkin. Seems Adam is a musician and his solo project is called UNDER WHITE PINES. He invited me to come out to his free show on January 24th at 529 and gave me a flyer. When I was emptying my pockets out this morning, I came across it and looked him up. Really fantastic stuff! This video kinda blew me away.

Check out the UNDER WHITE PINES bandcamp page HERE for more.

Look ladies, as dudes, we don't demand much. We are motivated merely by the self-satisfaction of a job well done. We protect and provide. We grin and bear it. We don't talk shit and we don't want to hear it. And believe it or not, your well-being is on our minds a lot more than you might think.

Our list of needs is short. Every once in a while we just wanna be left alone with our thoughts... and possibly some tools, a pen and a pad, or a model ship. We also occasionally need some time with the guys. We prefer it be a low key affair: just some dudes, hanging out at a place that welcomes us with cold beer, smoked meats and preferred programming. There might be some sports talk, a potential argument about continuity in the Batman movies, or a conversation about who has the worst car at the table. This is what Manly Monday is all about and we promise, you're not missing anything.

So why don't you get some takeout, put on your slippers, fire up Gossip Girls, and give us a break for the night? We'll be home at a sensible hour, and we'll be recharged for another week of work, conversations about the duvet, and dinner parties with your friends. 

You know how you feel after going to the spa? That's how we feel after Manly Monday at DBA Barbecue in Virginia Highlands.

According to Sportslogos.net, a new Braves alternate home jersey for the 2012 season has leaked. The jersey appears to be influenced by the one the Braves wore during their first two seasons in Atlanta and features the logo, sans tomahawk, across the front with a player number and clean, navy piping on heritage white.  The jersey went up last week on OnTheField.com and has since been removed.  We'll see if it is officially unveiled later this month as rumor claims...  Pretty sharp though. It's amazing how much better the word BRAVES looks with proper kerning and not that giant space between the A and V.

Thanks to Chris Martz for the tip.

Can't. Wait.

Many cherish the meticulously crafted cocktails offered at HOLEMAN AND FINCH, but few possess the know-how, and audacity, it requires to attempt such advanced libations at home. H+F is going to change that. Starting Saturday, January 28th, the people behind the H+F cocktail program are going to be holding intimate, hands-on lessons that cover the ingredients, tools, and techniques of the trade and how you too can make a great cocktail at home. It is their mission to let the candle of cocktail culture shine and to set new standards amongst institution and clientele alike. 

Sign up starts today and you can reserve your seat by calling the H+F Bottle Shop at 404.841.4070. Enrollment is $100 per student and will cover the cost of cocktails and light fare. Your instructors will be the inimitable Andy Minchow and Greg Best. This lesson will sell out in advance so we urge you to reserve your spot early rather than later. 

Esperanza designed the promo above, as well as the new seal of the HOLEMAN AND FINCH ACADEMY OF BARTENDING, and you can bet we'll be in attendance for the first day of class.