Your
man's a card-carrying metrosexual. Your woman could hang with
Carrie Bradshaw, downing Cosmopolitans and discussing Manolos.
Together, you make a formidable - and feral - social force.
But power coupledom has its drawbacks. Work constantly spills
into the weekends. Birthday parties, weddings and do-gooder
fundraisers become more obligation than enjoyment. Sure, a getaway
sounds fab. But the thought of driving hundreds of miles to a
mountain retreat or spending half the weekend at the airport
doesn't exactly unclench your stressed neck muscles.
It's time to book an Atlanta play-date for just the two of you.
Saturday is the ideal day to turn Atlanta into your personal
fairground. Book a spa treatment and dinner a week or so in
advance, and leave the rest of the day for leisurely activities.
And switch your cell phones to silent mode.
SATURDAY
10 a.m.: If you're a couple that doesn't mind funky
digs, Cafe 458 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic
District serves some strikingly original fare, like bread pudding
French toast and Carolina pulled-pork eggs Benedict with braised
greens and Dijon hollandaise. Plus, proceeds from the meal go to
Samaritan House of Atlanta's program for feeding the homeless.
If you're in the mind-set for classic brunch, Murphy's
offers malted waffles, buttermilk pancakes and a kaleidoscope of
egg scrambles and frittatas. Another bonus to Murphy's Saturday
brunch: Bloody Mary, perhaps? Nothing beats a bit of vodka to put
you in the mood to shop.
11:30 a.m.: The couple that shops together, stays
together. The breadth of West Ponce in Decatur has morphed into a
lively retail district that provides window-shopping while you
walk. Start your trek at Stanton Designs, a high-energy
home furnishings store that will get your AmEx drooling. The store
carries Oly, one of the sexiest lines of contemporary furniture.
At the very least, splurge on an intensely aromatic Ergo candle.
Right up the block, Sole offers snazzy and affordable
shoes for men and women. Sole also carries the work of local
jewelers like Denise Disharoon.
Decatur's one shopping drawback is its limited selection of
men's clothing stores. Guys, if you get impatient watching your
woman try on threads at Boogaloo's Boutique, just traipse
up the street to Decatur CD.
3 p.m.: Slip through the hustle of Key Lime Pie's
salon into the exposed-brick oasis of its day spa. Traditional spa
services are delivered with pampering twists: Swedish and
deep-tissue massage can be combined with a refreshing, full-body
vichy shower (a multiheaded "rain bar" that feels like a
cross between a shower and acupressure). Manicures and pedicures
include a sea-salt polish for arms and legs.
NeemTree Spa on the west side offers an even more
intimate experience. The loft space is a soothingly dim haven
filled with translucent curtains and spicy scents. Asha, the
owner, is trained in ancient Ayurvedic techniques that she
incorporates into her unique menu of services. Even if you book a
one-hour massage or body wrap, Gomez suggests scheduling two hours
sequestered in her care. (NeemTree books a maximum of three people
at a time.) Often, she serves a light South Indian meal after your
treatment. Don't fill up too much, though. Suppertime's
approaching.
8 p.m.: For glorious hip factor combined with
astoundingly satisfying food, the hot ticket is Rathbun's
in Inman Park. Kevin Rathbun has gathered a career's worth of his
best recipes - with a few new creations to boot - on a menu that
celebrates American cuisine in all its regional glory. Try to snag
a plush corner booth, the ideal vantage point to survey the
industrial-edged dining room.
Nibble from small plates like mussels on sour bread toast, or
go full-caloric-throttle on "second mortgage" offerings
like grilled rib eye with blue cheese and bacon vinaigrette. Kirk
Park's witty platter of mini-desserts completes the evening with
panache.
If a quiet tête--tête seems more appropriate, drive the short
distance to College Park and dine at Oscar's. Owner Oscar
Morales has created a posh yet welcoming space, complete with an
evocative orange and white Coca-Cola advertisement found during
renovation.
Chef Todd Immel has a light, intelligent touch with seasonal
fish and vegetables - and he's no slouch in the sweets department,
either.
11 p.m.: Not quite ready to call it a night? Ascend the
pink marble staircase at the Four Seasons Hotel for a nightcap in
the tony Park 75 Lounge and Terrace.
Sunday morning: Enjoy a late snooze with your paramour.
Your cell phone messages can wait.
JUST THE FACTS
Boogaloo's boutique 246 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.
404-373-3237. www.boogaloosboutique.com.
Cafe 458 458 Edgewood Ave. 404-523-1239.
www.cafe458.com.
Decatur CD 356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur.
404-371-9090. www.decaturcd.com.
Key Lime Pie 806 N. Highland Ave. 404-873-6512.
www.keylimepie.net.
Murphy's 997 Virginia Ave. 404-872-0904.
www.murphysvh.com.
NeemTree Spa 1016 Howell Mill Road, Suite 3206.
404-881-6800. www.neemtreespa.com.
Oscar's 3725 Main St., College Park. 404-766-9688.
www.oscarsatl.com.
Park 75 Lounge and Terrace 75 14th St. 404-881-9898.
www.fourseasons.com/atlanta.
Rathbun's 112 Krog St., Suite R. 404-524-8280. www.rathbunsrestaurant.com.
Sole 419 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-377-9006.
www.soleatlanta.com.
Stanton Designs 431 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 1.,
Decatur. 404-371-1991. www.stantondesigns.com.
