Mirko Pasta

Athens may have a “little Italy” but you really can’t get any closer to Italian cuisine than Mirko Pasta.


Breaking away from the downtown Athens dining, my friend and I headed over to the East Side to try a new restaurant. Her roommate suggested Mirko Pasta and after we dined there it was “amore.”

You walk in and order right at the counter. This is my favorite dining style, since you don’t feel the pressure to wait for the check at the end of the meal and can leisurely relax after eating. When you place your order you can choose from 16 different types of noodles and match it with one of the eleven sauces.

These aren’t you regular noodles. Not only are they homemade, but these noodles are made fresh everyday. On average, the noodles and sauce cost $8.50. Also, I recommend ordering an “antipasti.”

I ordered the Trecce Verdi with Pollo y Peperoni and my friend got the Lump Crab Meat with the Boscaiola sauce. While mine was good, but after I sample the other, I was secretly wishing I had ordered it. We also split the Caprese, which was delicious.

After you order, you fill up your own drink from the fountain and grab a seat. It’s casual but a little confusing. After we got to our seats with our drinks and silverware, we saw that there were glasses and silverware at the table already. The table was crowded until the waitress- who I might add was very prompt- came and cleared the table.

The portions are generous and between the fresh bread at the table with a garlic spread and you’re actual meal, you are sure to have leftovers.

Major Perks: The choices and food
Minor Quirks: A little confusing for the new timer

Athens Twilight 2008

Spring is finally here and although it may not be football season yet, Athens draws crowds from all over to enjoy the off-season tailgate of year.



Nothing marks the advent of summer and the end of a semester more than Athens Twilight Criterium, commonly called Twilight. Athens downtown is transformed into a Mecca for bikers and spectators. The 29th Annual event was held on April 25-26.

Renowned for the bike races held on the downtown track that runs over Clayton and Washington Street, Twilight offers than just the proclaimed men’s and women’s cycling that occurred Saturday night. Walking down College Ave., there was a stage set up for live bands, a stunt park, a kid’s play area with moonwalks. Also, at anytime of the day you would be sure to see some type of race, be it the kid’s bike race, a 5K or just a race for inebriation between friends.

It seems like everyone- families, students, alumni- comes out to experience Twilight.

See what fellow UGA students, Lee and Cameron have to say about it.


Since Twilight is my one of my favorite events in Athens, here are a few tips for you to enjoy for next year’s festivities to the max:

1. Be sure to check out the music scene.
2. Head down to Lumpkin St. by Georgia Theatre to see the turns during the bike races
3. Don’t walk around with an open container. This is a common misconception. You have to be within sanctioned areas.
4. Find a friend with a loft overlooking Clayton or Washington Street for the best view of the races.
5. Take time to watch the stunts over in the stunt park on College Ave.

Five Star Day Cafe

One way to ensure that you have a "Five Star Day" is to eat at this little cafe located off Broad Street.

Open 7 days a week, Five Star Day cafe offers soul food with a touch of Athens culture. My personal favorites include the picnic chicken salad with a delicious poppyseed dressing and the BLT with a side of chicken and dumplings, fried green tomatoes, or black-eyed peas. All plates are topped of with a sweet cornbread muffin.

You order before you eat and then grab a seat. The quaint, grandma's kitchen atmosphere is decorated with local art that constantly changes. During the peak hours, you will not only experience the comforts of southern food, but, in the spirit of the south, the leisurely arrival of your food. It is usually pretty busy around lunch time so I suggest going at off-hours if you want faster service and a guaranteed seat, as it is a small dining area.

This is definitely an Athens must that deserves five stars.

Major perks: Southern food with all the fixin's

Minor Quirks: Slow food arrival, limited seating

Karaoke in Athens

We all know Athens is recognized for the music scene; the city with the “new sounds” resounding out of Georgia Theatre, 40 watt and Caledonia. But what about the other sounds you hear from the unorthodox venues.

Athens not only offers the spotlight to the professionals, but there is a chance for every shower, car and hair brush singer to shine; just pop into any of the karaoke spots. Whether you’re looking for a spot where you can show off your vocals for a crowd or prefer the intimate serenade, Athens provides great karaoke spots everyday of the week.

If it is the public performance you prefer, then consider every Tuesday and Thursday your open-mic night at Walker’s Coffee Shop and Pub. Entering into Walkers, you may not find many patrons hanging around upstairs in their usual manner, but don’t worry, they are all downstairs signing up for their favorite songs. The stage is right next to the stairs and the books and the sign-up list is on the bar. It gets pretty crowded so be sure to get there early if you want to sing more than one song. Also, be sure to arrive before midnight if you want a chance to sing at all. Walker’s draws both people with talent and well, let’s just say, people who like to have fun and is a perfect way to enjoy Athens nightlife.

If you’re not ready to take your show on the road, grab your favorite groupies and head over to Shokitini. You can rent out a karaoke room by the hour equipped full with two screens for lyrics and a vast list of songs. The servers bring drinks up to the room and you don’t have to worry about waiting to take the spotlight as the room is only full of friends. This private room is ideal for parties.

Also, Wild Wings is supposed to have it, but I have yet to try this location.


Major Perk: different way to spend your night downtown
Minor Quirk: Walkers- long wait time
Shokitini- a bit pricey

Rough Draft: #1

My roommate recently showed me the “Rough Draft” newspaper that is “Free…Like the Red and Black, only better.” It is unlike anything I have seen before in Athens.

Featuring sections such as bartender of the week, shout outs, drink specials, even shows at Georgia Theatre, the 1st issue came out on April 10th.

As the front page of the issues states, founder Derek Chin picked UGA over many other campuses around the country, including the SEC. Although it doesn’t cover hard news, the soft beats are entertaining to say the least. If you like “Overheard in Athens,” you might want to check this out.

I would really like to emphasis that some of the topics may cross the line, but others, like the entertainment reviews, two sets of sudoku, and the one hit wonders playlists are any-reader friendly. The things written are utterly ridiculous and, with 10 minutes to spare between classes, it’s sure to keep you amused.

I am still a little confused if “rough draft” is in fact the title. I tried to find a little more information about it but really couldn’t find too much. I found one article about the founders. Apparently, they co-founded "The Booze News" at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The article presents it as “a new weekly newspaper that glorifies the wonders of heavy drinking.”

If any of you know more about it, PLEASE let me know about this paper as it continues to circulation around Athens.


Major Perks: Funny, Good Entertainment Reviews and Downtown weekly specials

Minor Quirks: Probably wouldn’t read some of the articles to mom

Trapeze Pub Athens: You’ll do flips over this place!

Looking for a little diversity in Athens? Perhaps, you want to hangout with a Belgium blonde, a stout Irish, or a pale German? Or maybe you would prefer staying domestic?

Travel down Washington Street, to Trapeze Pub, where you can spend your evening among this new crowd at Athens local tavern. With 30 taps and 200 bottles, Trapeze carries an assortment brews from around the world and domestic breweries.

The crowd is just as diverse as the beer selection. Although you won’t find a “Nati” behind the bar, you may find an undergraduate among the graduate students and the beer connoisseurs.

Most beers range from $5 to $7 and the drafts are served in glasses that correspond to each brew. You can find the small black drink list on the bar top, and rest assure, if you have any questions about which brew to choose, the staff will be happy to help and give you a sample of the beers on draft.

If you want a booth, seat, or even standing room, get there around 9 p.m. on weekends, as it gets pretty packed. Weekdays aren’t so crowded.

Major Perks: Not your typical Athens bar, huge beer selection

Minor Quirks: Crowded on the weekends

Wrong Way: Sublime Tribute Band

Don’t let the name deter you. Walking into Georgia Theatre while these guys are performing is the right way to spend your night.

Last Wednesday, “Wrong Way”, the Sublime tribute band, played familiar favorites – Santeria, Bad Fish, and DJs- well into the night while an enthusiastic crowd sang and jumped along at Georgia Theatre. They even played a little 311 to shake things up a bit.

Check out their promotional video:

The five member band formed back in February of 2005 and has since extended out of the Athens scene, with performances throughout the Southeast. These guys have come along way as some of them were members of the Last Call favorite “Santeria.”

The stage presence and the crowd made the concert. The lead vocals and instruments recreated a feeling of the original Sublime band. Honestly, being a Sublime fan, these guys really do a great show; they’re always a favorite of mine. They're guys that have a good time playing the music and it shows throughout its entirety. Although they were a bit slow to come on, it was worth the wait. The show started about an hour late as they were, um, preparing for the show.

Major Perks: Amazing Cover!

Minor Quirks: Took awhile to start

Part 2: Strange and Unusual Places

Here is the second part of our visit to the strange and unusual places in Athens.

After our visit to the iron petting zoo, we headed over the Elder's Mill Bridge, one of the 15 remaining covered bridges in Georgia. It is located on the way back to Athens city limits about ten minutes up from the horse. The article states that a sign will designate the area; however, I have suspicions about the alleged “sign.” So, don’t count on it and look for the road name Elders Mill Road on your left. Once you find the road, you travel about 2 minutes and then you hit the bridge. It was my favorite place during our escapade. Encompassed by sweet Georgia pines, the bridge sits over a tranquil creek. Standing in the outdoors with the gentle hum of the nature surrounding me was pretty remarkable. If you choose to visit only do one spot, go here!

Next, we back into Athens. We drove to the intersection where Finley meets Dearing Street and immediately found ourselves in front of “The Tree That Owns Itself.” Colonel W.H. Jackson willed the tree to itself back in the late 1800s, and it has remained a landmark of Athens history.
There is a plaque in front of the tree declaring the rights of the tree.

Once we left the tree to itself, we drove downtown for our last stop: the double barrel cannon. A remnant of the civil war, the cannon was an unsuccessful craft built at the Foundry when it was a steam mill. During a test, the two cannon balls ended up going in opposite directions, killing a cow and knocking down a chimney. Today, the cannon rests outside of city hall and faces due north, still protecting the south from the Yankees.

The "Strange and Unusual" sites in Athens: Part 1

Who knew that aside from the bar and music scene of Athens, there exist other historical and, frankly, peculiar sites? Outside the limits of the Broad to Washington Street block, students can explore areas this extraordinary city has to offer.

Inspired by an article published in the Flagpole, my friend and I took a tour of the suggested “strange and unusual” spots. With a full tank of gas and a camera, we left to explore foreign areas of Athens. Our only constraint was time; focusing our travels to the spots along Highway 15 South.

Our first stop was Scull Shoals. Floods struck this once prominent city in 1887, which the town never recovered from. The village fled the city leaving only the remains of dilapidated buildings and an eerie ambiance. Traveling down three jarring miles of dirt Forest Road 1234, questions may arise to if you are actually going to reach the grounds. If you keep going you will hit it. Be forewarned that you may not have phone service so I would definitely recommend going during the daytime, and with a group of people Even though we didn’t see anyone else; we did encounter an abandoned car. I can’t say it was reassuring.

Needless to say, we quickly left and headed to our next destination: the Iron Horse. A previous resident of the Reed Hall Quad, the horse was subjected to vandalism by the students during the late 1950s. Unbeknownst to the ruffians, late one night, the administration had the Iron Horse moved out to an undisclosed cornfield where it currently grazes. After parking, you have to cross the field of broken stalks to pet the horse so avoid sandals.

Since this was a long trip, I am breaking this up into two parts. Anticipate "Part 2" in a couple of days.

Major Perks: Something different to do in Athens

Minor Quirks: A bit of a drive

Terrapin Beer: Tours "in tune with your taste"

The local Athens microbrewery recently opened its doors to give tours and offer a taste of their craft beer. For $7, you receive a souvenir glass and six tokens. One token is the equivalent of a half pint, and it is two tokens for the high gravity. On draft, visitors can sample the Rye Pale Ale, Golden Ale, India Brown Ale, All-American Imperial Pilsner and Rye Squared, the later two from the high gravity collection.

Each has a rich and distinct taste. A little tip from the tour guide: smell the beer before you drink it. As a beer novice, this little tidbit made a huge difference as it activates the olfactory region for an all encompassing experience. The employees are eager to answer any questions and love to suggest a beer to match your taste buds.

The tour also provides insight to the types of hops used and the overall production of the brews. Starting at the grain holder then onto the fermenting tanks, the tour ends at the bottling assembly line.

While staring at the equipment, the tour guide invites guests to come back and volunteer with bottling. While perusing the shirts and signing up to volunteer to bottle, my buddies and I met John Cochran, president and co-founder of Terrapin. Cool Guy with an even cooler story.

It’s a bit drafty, no pun intended, so be sure to wear a jacket during the winter months.

The beer is not the only thing that is “in tune with your taste.” With live music from local Athens bands, Terrapin gives you that full brewery taste. After the tour, you and your brew mates can sit, sip and listen in a designated area.

Tours are offered Monday through Thursday from 5-7 p.m. and the Second Saturday of each month 2-5.

Major Perks: Great Beer, Enthusiastic Employees
Minor Quirks: Cold Building

Abbey Road: Magical Mystery Tour

Let me take you down, ‘cause I’m going to …Georgia Theatre to see Abbey Road

We hope you will enjoy the show. The Beatles famed line resounded at Georgia Theatre last Friday night as the Beatles cover band Abbey Road took stage. Performing for a motley audience that ranged from college students to original Beatles groupies, the band had the show down to a tee. The music, costumes and stage presence allowed the audience to experience eras of old, where peace, love and freedom was the answer.

Opening with music from Sergeant Peppers, the band continued the show with the entire Magical Mystery Tour Album. Despite minor speaker malfunctions in the beginning the crowd, in the usual Georgia Theatre style, swayed to the music in the pit and had a number of stragglers on the bar landing. To the crowds pleasure, the band played a double encore, leaving on a high note.

Major Perks: Great Cover Band!
Minor Quirks: Speaker Problems

Wild Wing Cafe Trivia

What Academy Award winner is the only actor to have a son who plays in the NFL?
Hint: His son plays for the St. Louis Rams.


Up until today, I used to think that Sunday nights in Athens were designated for detox and catching up on school work. But at 8:30 p.m., I found myself surrounded by relentless revelers seeking more than just a pint of beer. Forming teams under off-color names, “Olsen Twins + Ambien = A Hangover You don’t Wake-Up From,” for example, the Wild Wing patrons seek first place coupled with $50 restaurant credit at the weekly Trivia . Rewards are also given to second and third place.

But even if you don’t make the top three, you are sure to leave with a little more knowledge and lasting college memories. The questions range from entertainment to geography, encompassing a variety of areas that are sure strain your mind uncovering those useless facts you have collected here and there.

Here's how it works. The announcer asks a question and gives you a time limit, usually the length of a song. During this time, you and your friends converse/debate/blankly stare until you come up with a correct answer. You select how many points you want to wager based on your confidence in your answer and run the slip up to the bucket in the front. Then you hear the answer and either cheerfor your accurate response or kick yourself for one of those "should've known that" answers. There is no cheating! So, don't pull out your phones to make a call or look up info on the Web.

On average, teams were comprised of seven members. While playing, you can enjoy some of the cafe’s food. Even though the heavy traffic kept the orders slow, since you are there from 8:30 until 10:00, you don’t really notice the wait. Be sure to get there an hour or so earlier for a table, as this hot spot is maxed out with trivia hopefuls. Wild Wing Cafe is located downtown off of Washington Street.


Major Perks: Great Sunday night activity, mentally stimulating, casual environment
Minor Quirks: Slow service, fills up quickly



Oh, if you were wondering, the answer is Denzel Washington.

Pearl Drops Can Be Worn On Any Occasion

Looking for the perfect winter-white accessory this season? Well, look no further than the health and beauty aisle at your local supermarket.

After forgetting my toothpaste at school, I decided to change to a new brand while at home for the holidays. I am very picky and spent about ten minutes looking for the perfect paste when I came across a white box that looked as pristine as I hoped my teeth would look with a new product. I am always trying to get my teeth as sparkling as they can get, and am very satisfied with my new Pearl Drops Whitening Toothpaste. Its subtle mint taste will freshen your breath and it leaves your teeth feeling polished.

It is a Church & Dwight product. I should have guessed that I would have liked it, since my forgotten toothpaste was its sister product: Arm & Hammer’s Advanced White. The Advanced White guarantees three shades lighter in one tube, and I really have seen the difference; however after repeated use it will simply maintain the shade. The best part/only real difference (besides the packaging) is that Pearl Drops don't have the same baking-soda taste as Advanced White. Both are a lot smaller and you might have to make more runs to the store in a calendar year but I would say, with a gleaming smile, it is worth it!

Major Perks: pearly whites, minty fresh taste, polished feel
Minor Quirks: Small packaging

You're never to old to be an EnviroKid

Ever wondered how you could help save endangered species, donate to habitat conservation and teach kids about the environment all before 7 a.m.?

Did I mention that you also get a meal out of it?


The gluten-free organic cereal Gorilla Munch is a nutritious start to the day that makes you feel good, too! I originally bought it off a whim, after someone jokingly pointed it out, but was surprised to find that I actually like the taste. I have to stress that I am not a strictly organic junkie and really do like preservatives, but the little cartoon Gorilla on the front won me over.

Similar in taste to General Mills Kix cereal, Gorilla Munch is made from corn meal and tastes good with milk or as an afternoon snack. With a name like Gorilla Munch, you might be asking yourself who the target audience is. Well, it is kids. If you have time you can do the little crossword puzzle or read about the gorillas in Rwanda, but for the older crowd, you can satiate your childhood taste buds for a good cause.

From EnviroKidz Organic, their products range from cereals to snack bars to waffles, and 1% of the annual sales are donated to wildlife. I know that’s not a lot but I am a firm believer that every penny counts! It costs about $3 for a little 10 oz. box, but the benefits out weighed the cost.


Major Perks: Tasty and organic, helps the environment, gluten-free
Minor Quirks: A little pricey, giant Gorilla on the box that screams kids cereal

1st Review to Reid First

Need a quick bite to eat that will fill you up and won't empty your pocket?


Then head down to Broad Street's new deli "Which Wich?: Superior Sandwiches." Since its opening last week, I have already been twice.

The Food. The first time I ordered the "Chicken Cheese Steak." It had Cheese Whiz and I added provolone to make it extra cheesy. Although I envisioned melted cheese over chicken strips, I was slightly surprised to find that the meats are deli slices, and the cheese didn't really melt. Still good, but not what I was anticipating. However, I gave the Wich another shot. This time it was the Cuban wich. I would have to say this was De-wich-ious. I was very pleased with the pork, ham and pickle slices. Also, I was ecstatic to see that they serve the small, melt-in-your-mouth ice when you order a beverage.

The Ambiance. It is fast paced. Choose the paper bag with the specific meat you want. Mark what veggies and condiments you want to add and write your name at the bottom. They send it down a line and will shout your name out when it's ready. They also shout at random points during the meal maintaining its location-predecessor Coldstone's feel. Seating is close together, but when it gets warmer the outside seating should alleviate this.

Major Perks: quick, cheap and good ice
Minor Quirks: tight seating