K is for Kirkwood...

As with any great city, Atlanta is lousy with little, up-and-coming neighborhoods where bungalows are being rehabbed and nifty destinations pop up. Little Five Points is probably the precursor to many of the small ‘hoods – most close to the I-20 corridor. East Atlanta Village is an established destination. Now – Kirkwood is coming into its own.

The neighborhood – east of Moreland Avenue on Hosea Williams Drive - can trace its beginnings to “suburban” development in the late 1800s. By the early 20th century, streetcars connected – what was then considered a suburb – to Atlanta.

Incorporated as an independent municipality in 1899 – the charming neighborhood is now part of the city and boasts several buildings nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

I stumbled across the neighborhood caffeinating with the groovy Miss Tiffany Davis at Gathering Grounds. Officially one of my favorite Atlanta coffee spots, their foodstuffs aren’t necessarily stellar – but the vibe, comfort-level and service is!

Fuel Pizza is a neighborhood pioneer that I've heard great things about. AND - it looks like another new place is going in next to it. Ace's looks like a rockin' spot and seems to have a great brunch.

In one of Atlanta's ubiquitous mixed-use developments a hip restaurant/music venue called Vinocity Winebar has landed (having left Midtown).

In addition to a broad menu and well-curated wine selection - this lofty, two-story spot has occasional live music and will soon feature a wine store as well! I had the fortunate occasion of dining their recently. The service rocked. My dining pal (HEY JANIS!) and I split a couple of apps with great, tart lemon drop martinis {forego the sugar rim!}. I thought the duck confit had a strange aftertaste. The crabcakes were, however, swell! Next time I HAVE to try the deconstructed pulled pork ravioli! When it came time for entrees - Janis enjoyed the Chicken Roulade - which was sauced with a lush reduction (a rosemary jus - perhaps?) and served with killer mac and cheese! I chose the evening's special. Sort of a stuffed steak Oscar - if you will. The asparagus was perfectly al dente - especially for large stalks - and the steak itself was DELICIOUS - cooked to order and full of grilled flavor. Did we have dessert? Well - yes. I devoured [DEVOURED] a delightful carrot cake and Janis coveted her bread pudding. Great wine pairings and AMAZING music rounded out the evening. I'll be damned if I can recall the singer's name. Sort of a cross between Jamiroquai and The Style Council. Neat space. Nice people. The wildly diverse crowd - from a fun group of rowdy GRLZ to the Japanese birthday party and unfortunate Hilton Head-style fella in the whale-embroidered shorts and topsiders - lent a welcoming, inclusive vibe.

In the same development - which helps anchor the "downtown" is a gorgeous little gourmet shop - Le Petit Marche. While a wee bit spendy - it's a beautiful collection of foods and some staples as well as a little sandwich bar.



In addition, Mission Motif - a great home furnishings and lighting store focused exclusively on the myriad of Mission and Craftsman bungalows of Atlanta is there. More shops - including Arden's Garden and Kirkwood Feed & Seed, a new public library and the East Lake Station stop on Marta - make it accessible. Affordable housing - by most accounts - helps make it an intriguing destination - and one more Atlanta neighborhood to explore.