Comments on: Another Best Lost

By: BPJ

BPJ — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 19:57:28 +0000

And what does this have to do with Seeger’s (which is staying open)?

And would anyone familiar with Atlanta’s theatre or dining scenes really prefer Scottsdale’s?

I am curious about W, and the friends from Scottsdale, - do they live intown, or OTP?

I’ve never referred to my hometown as “hotlanta,” and I’m not sure I know anyone who does.

By: w

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:02:36 +0000

I’ve always been mystified as to how atlanta garnered the nickname “hotlanta”. Not to bash a city for bashing’s sake, but, other than EVERY city in Texas, I find Atlanta to utterly lack diversity, “hipster” culture, or any sense of anything truly metropolitan that might lend it the label “hot”. Perhaps it’s simply a clash of cultures, but if “new south” is suppose to be cool, then PLEASE give me any west coast city (Phoenix, San Diego, LA, San Francisco) you care to name instead. I happen to be Christian, but abhor your odd Bible-belt, insular, “it’s still ok to be racist, but don’t let anyone who’s not from here know that” mentality. I have friends who moved there a few years ago from Scottsdale (arizona, for the uninformed; a city known on the west coast for being Beverly Hills East.) The poor things experienced culture shock only known to those who ill advisedly leave a haven for art, theatre, dance, and world-class dining and sporting events for a rather monotone, same old rolling hills and trees-sort of existence. They realized that in Phoenix, they had snow boarding two hours away, surfing just four hours drive, and anything else you might imagine anyone would be into. Their kids nearly staged a mutiny. There’s nothing wrong with being lame, so to speak, as long as one doesn’t stick their head in the sand about it, but to call your city “hotlanta” generally makes those in the rest of the country erupt into spontaneous laughter.

By: BPJ

BPJ — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:17:35 +0000

Check out this story from today’s AJC:

Bank dishes up some green for Seeger’s

By JOHN KESSLER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 08/31/06

First it looked like Seeger’s — Atlanta’s world-renowned restaurant — would perish quickly, with a quick bullet from the Georgia Department of Revenue avenging more than $265,000 in back taxes.

Then came the death scene, and it was longer than Garbo’s in “Camille.” The fans crowded in for $300 dinners; chef Guenter Seeger cooked and cooked; the closing date turned fluid.

Now? Resurgens!

The haughty European restaurant that never seemed quite at ease in our laid-back Southern town has written the ultimate Atlanta ending to its story: It has risen from the ashes.

Thanks to a loan from Fidelity Bank — facilitated by bank chairman and longtime Seeger devotee James Miller — the restaurant will continue operation with chef Seeger at the helm for the foreseeable future.

“Seeger’s is a great treasure for Buckhead, Atlanta and Georgia and we cannot just let him slip away from us,” Miller said in a prepared statement.

The loan will not only fully pay off back taxes (thereby removing the lien the Georgia Department of Revenue placed on the property), it will include enough working capital for Seeger to maintain the high operating costs needed to maintain the restaurant’s current Mobil Travel Guide Five Star rating and inclusion in the Relais Gourmands listing of restaurants.

One of the first orders of business will surely be the replenishment of the restaurant’s depleted wine cellar.

“They’ve got to get some moderately priced wines right away,” Miller said in a telephone interview.

Food prices will come down as well — at least initially. Seeger will offer a three-course menu for $75 in September, which is more in line with other very expensive local restaurants. A full meal with wine and tip at Seeger’s can easily top $300 per person.

Seeger himself is thrilled to stay in town. “The last two weeks has been overwhelming,” he said. “The attitude of the guests, the smiling faces in the dining room, the letters I’ve gotten. It’s been a highlight in my life.”

For Atlanta’s most famous chef, tomorrow is another day.

By: BPJ

BPJ — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 17:05:41 +0000

Is Seeger’s really closing? At first it seemed definite, then they decided to stay open another week to accomodate all the people calling, then another week………..now I hear it is possible they may stay in business, if customers keep coming. So if Seeger’s is within your budget, go now; either you’ll have a last taste of this great restaurant, or you might help them stay open! see http://www.seegers.com