4.27.2008

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.



4.25.2008

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

4.22.2008

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

4.13.2008

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

4.06.2008

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