Birthday Bash in Buckhead

We began “On the Town” with Jen & Michal two years ago, describing ourselves as two 40-something moms who are becoming empty nesters, ready to paint the town and share our adventures with you.

Through these two years A LOT has happened. One of us was diagnosed with breast cancer, while the other underwent hip surgery and an unexpected death in her family. These turbulent events were certainly ground shaking, but we marched on enjoying every bite, every sound and every opportunity to celebrate life!

It was no surprise that we needed to celebrate BIG when Jen turned 50 last month.

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An exhilarating girls’ night was in order, which had to include hair, nails, dress up, drinks and more drinks, fantastic food, music and being prepared for a “What happens at Jen’s party, stays at Jen’s party” kinda night.

Roasted root vegetable paella was a colorful mixture of saffron-flavored rice with vegetables.

We knew we had to stay at a W Hotel to get our party vibe on. They know how to set the tone for a good time: The atmosphere at the W Atlanta-Buckhead is super modern and sexy after a $20 million makeover inspired by the luxe line of fashion boutiques nearby. Hip music greets you in the lobby, inspiring you to dance and have a good time from the moment you step in. Their rooms are spacious, contemporary, and colorful, and the energy elevates to their rooftop pool and bar, both with expansive views. We walked in to see two brides getting ready to say, ‘I Do’ and ran into a hopeless romantic in the elevator preparing to pop the question to his future bride. All Atlanta W Hotels offer a number of event rooms, ranging in size, perfect for any mitzvah or wedding.

After toasting with a bottle of bubbly between six women we got ready for our exciting evening. An Uber Lux picked us up for a five-minute ride to The Shops Buckhead, where a reservation at Gypsy Kitchen awaited.

Izzy Mejia at Gypsy Kitchen delivering an array of creative cocktails.

Gypsy Kitchen is a stylish modern restaurant featuring shareable Spanish snacks and plates with Moroccan and Indian influence. We were greeted by manager Ali Ebrahimi, who sat us at a cozy booth made for six ladies dressed to the nines. We were then turned over to the bright and vivacious server Izzy Mejia, who not only took care of us but explained in great detail what each plate consisted of in her sexy Latin accent. We started with the A La Carte Quesos, an array of cheeses served on a platter, each more delicious than the next. Our picks included, Omorro Azores, a creamy cow’s milk, Manchego, a salty sheep’s milk, and Valdeón, a rich and creamy artisan blue cheese made from both cow and goat’s milk. To accompany the flavors of the cheese, Izzy brought us Blistered Roulette Peppers and Almendra Spanish Almonds. Muy bien!

To add to the first course, we each had a different Gypsy Kitchen House cocktail (who are we kidding, we had several each) and had to try everyone else’s as well. The Razzi Bone, Venezuelan Sunbite, Champion Fever, 50 Shades of Purple and the Seville Rosé were all equally flavorful. Of course, Rose Sangria was in order as well, and quite tasty!

We then moved on to course two: Charred Brussels Sprouts, Chicken Croquetas with a lime yogurt sauce, Patatas Bravas – crispy twice fried potatoes with smoked paprika aioli – and Braised Lamb with gigante beans, sofrito sauce and grilled pita.

Yum, yummy, yum yum! More drinks were served to get us in the mood for course three:

Gypsy Kitchen Raciones, entrées meant to be shared, and Platos Grandes, sharing plates for the table, enough to feed all six of us “girls.” We all dived into the Roasted Root Vegetable Paella and Whole Roasted Fish with dressed greens and roasted fingerlings.

So much good food! This is definitely the type of place you want to spend hours at with friends chatting and celebrating as the food and drinks keep coming. You do not feel rushed here, but are encouraged to take your time, share in conversation and enjoy the food, cocktails and atmosphere. Like their motto says, “Travel Like a Gypsy, Eat Like a King!”

Full and happy, we were ready to continue the party with music, nightcaps and dancing.

“Perched atop the W Atlanta-Buckhead, Whiskey Blue undoubtedly plays hosts to one of the best views in Atlanta,” according to the hotel’s website. “Guests arrive to the rooftop bar from an all-glass elevator that ascends 125 feet above the city’s skyline, with Buckhead and Lenox Square to one side and Midtown to the other. Featuring two outdoor patios, a 66-foot-long art mural from local Atlanta artist Chris Veal, and a floor-to-ceiling light installation, Whiskey Blue has a vibe unlike any other.”

The cocktails are inventive and delicious with top-notch professional and attentive staff and the guests are hip and lively. A DJ spun the latest tunes into the morning hours, lulling us to sleep after a dreamy night.

The W’s Cook Hall’s bloody marys were out of this world.

To round out the great experience, The W treated us to brunch. We opted to try the Cook Hall restaurant and were not disappointed! We loved their Avocado Toast with roasted asparagus and poached eggs on top and their Brioche French Toast with blueberry compote. Bloody Marys, mimosas and cappuccino rounded out this, our second decadent meal in less than 18 hours.

We had such a great time celebrating Saturday night and Sunday morning. We highly recommend using the W Hotel Buckhead and Gypsy Kitchen for your next simcha. L’Chaim!

For more information about Gypsy Kitchen or W Buckhead, go to www.gk-atl.com/, and www.bit.ly/2WY1IoL. To have us review your event or restaurant, contact us at 404-883-2130, jen@atljewishtimes.com, or michal@atljewishtimes.com.