Flywheel Sports - Spin class for adrenaline nerds

A lady I work with knows how much I enjoy working out and she invited me to a 5:30am Flywheel class on a Thursday morning.  She was going to pay for it.  There isn't much that will get me out the door at 5:00am, but a free spin class will do it.  I'm obsessed, but let me start at the beginning.

I've been obsessed with spin/cycle classes for years.  I took my first one when I was in high school, a million years ago, and I try to get to one a week at my YMCA.  It's a must when I join a gym.  There must be a spin class offering.  The first few classes I took at my Y were fantastic, but the instructor doesn't teach anymore (at least when I can take the classes) and the new instructor leaves a lot to be desired.

Flywheel isn't your standard class.  The bikes are amazing!  Step one is to create an account on the site and buy credits to you for your classes.  There are several packages you can pick from, they aren't cheap.  When you sign up for your class, which fill up QUICK, you pick your bike for your class.  During class, the bike tracks your distance, torque, and power for each 45 minute class.  After class you can go online and see your performance.  The great thing is that the website tracks all of your classes so you can see how you're doing over time.

I have no idea if I'm fast or slow, no judging!

Above is my performance after two classes.  The top section is my average across those statistics and below that is my performance for each of my two rides.  I've burned less calories than estimated because my weight is below the weight assumption - not a big deal to me.  Knowing that I've ridden 21 miles each class blows my mind.  I say that Flywheel is a class for adrenaline nerds because you have to enjoy the class, the loud music and pushing yourself to the limit, at the same time all of the analytics are very exciting.  At least they are to me.  As soon as I got home I went online and checked my performance and compared it against my last class.  I love data.  Especially workout data.    

I have to also give Flywheel credit for the ease of their website.  Setting up an account was easy, finding the performance results is easy and scheduling a class is easy.  This is what the class schedule looks like for the Buckhead location in Atlanta for this week.  I'm not joking when I say classes fill up fast.  When you're logged into your account online you select the instructor you want and the class you want and you're all set to pick your bike.  You can sort the list by instructor if you'd like, too.  If the class you want is full you'll have the option to get on a waiting list.  I was on the waiting list for my 2nd class and within 24 hours I got the email saying I had a reserved bike.  I'm not sure if that's typical, but it worked well for me.  

Another great thing about Flywheel is that all of the bikes are set for the clip in shoes which are given to you when you check in.  (Also an easy process with an iPad and the shoes are ready in your little cubby.  That way at 5:15am you don't have to talk to a human being if you don't want to, and more importantly, the line isn't out the door 5 minutes before class starts.)  I'm sure people bring their own shoes if they own a pair.  I should have asked for a pair for my birthday - big miss for me!

I've only taken class with Richard S so I can only speak to my experiences and his classes.  He kicks ass.  I'm sweating before our warm up is complete and I don't stop until I get home to my shower.  He is encouraging and motivating and isn't afraid to push the class.  I hate that the only time I can make his class is at 5:30 in the morning, but it's worth it.  Even the 20 minute drive to Buckhead.  

If you're in the area and want a new workout challenge, try Flywheel.  I'm fitting it in 1x a week to mix up my cardio workouts.  They also have FlyBarre in the same studio which I haven't tried yet.  I hope to try it out soon, but I think that will be a Saturday morning class when I don't want the hard cardio workout.  

Mae's Bakery: Restaurant Review

Living in Grant Park definitely has it's perks.  I'm close to work, we're close to Braves games and we're super close to the highway so we can get anywhere in the city pretty quick (when there isn't traffic).  One of the downsides is being on the opposite side of town from Mae's Bakery.  The bakery opened just a few weeks ago on Lenox Road, in the shopping center that is home to Roasters.  I wish they were closer to my house, for purely selfish reasons of course. 

Bakery and coffee shops can feel like they're trying too hard to be comfortable, but Mae's hits it right on the nose.  The interior is beyond welcoming and calming, like they are inviting you into their home.  They are still working out what to put on the walls, but even without the added decor, the dining room (is it called that in a bakery?) is a place you want to sit and relax.  I did sit for a few minutes while I was there and the chairs are amazing.  I know it's not something I would normally call out in a restaurant review, but these chairs were awesome.  I said to one of my co-workers who was with me on my visit, "they're so comfortable, they fit your butt!"  I hate sitting in a chair that feels one inch too narrow, right?  

Don't you want to climb behind the counter and join them!

Mae's is open in the morning for breakfast and stays open until 7pm which is perfect for those heading home from work who need that extra pick-me-up cup of coffee (which is DELICIOUS) or a little cupcake treat for dessert.  We visited at lunch time before heading over to Roasters for lunch.  Afternoon snacks purchased, the rest of the work day didn't seem so bad.

I'm in love with the interior decor.  Check out that lamp! 

Now let's talk menu.  I haven't had a chance to try all of their cupcakes or sweets because owner, Beth, is constantly adding to her menu.  Just today while we were there she had added moon pies and was talking about a brand new goodie for the fall that she was going to make for the first time later today.  The cupcakes are perfect every time.  Trust me, try to prove me wrong.  In addition to the cupcakes, Beth serves up cookies, whoopie pies, the new moon pies, chocolate croissants, and muffins.  I bought two muffins, one blueberry and one chocolate banana, for breakfast tomorrow.  It's a test in my will power not to touch them, they are so tempting every time I walk through the kitchen and catch a whiff of them sitting on the counter.

I wish I lived closer to Mae's Bakery.  You're lucky if you do.  Check them out.

*I was not compensated in any way for this post.  

My Favorite Gift Boutique in Atlanta: Just The Thing

Do you have one of those stores you always go back to over and over again because you know that every time you go in you'll find something perfect for the reason your shopping?  I have that place, Just The Thing located on Pharr Road in Buckhead.  It's been in the small house for as long as I've been in Atlanta and it was shown to me by one of my co-workers at my very first job here in town.  I've been shopping at Just The Thing for close to 9 years now.

The store is set up in an old home which has been converted into a shop.  There is a room full of jewelry, one dedicated to gifts, two rooms to the back of more casual jewelry and bags and then a new room for clothing.  The main room up front with the cash registers has the higher end jewelry and hand bags along with some earrings on the counter.  The stuff is gorgeous.  All of it is SUPER trendy and I've never come across an item that is out of style or of questionable taste.  I think it's pretty safe to say that I could go in there blindfolded and pick something and I'd love it.  That'd actually be a fun way to shop...

The gift room is always my first stop when I have a gift for a close, female friend.  I've never once been let down.  And if you don't find a cute little gift, how about a clutch or hand bag?  Again, if that's my goal for my shopping trip, I've never walked out empty handed.  As a matter of fact, I'm not sure, in 8 years that I've ever walked out with out one of the black and white bags.

The best thing about Just The Thing is that while all of their items are trendy and classy, nothing is overpriced.  For what you're buying, prices are absolutely reasonable.  For example, for Christmas I got my future-mother-in-law a new clutch, $35.  I've bought a few other clutches for other friends, never more than $35.  My green purse that I'm carrying now - $25.  I get compliments on it constantly.  You can find earrings under $10 or as much as $100 depending on what you want.  Off the sale rack I actually got THREE pairs of earrings for under $10 total last time in.  There is no way by just looking at them someone would know that I paid $2.50.  Necklaces are super reasonable too.  If I find something I love in Anthropologie, I'm pretty sure they have something similar at Just The Thing at a lower cost.

The ladies in the shop are always helpful and there to assist in any way.  I've been in so many times, they don't recognize me yet, but I'll assume that's because there are plenty of other ladies who shop there as much as I do.  I can go in with a Christmas list and walk out with all the ladies in my family checked off.

If you're looking for a gift or some fun, new jewelry, Just The Thing is absolutely the place for you.  I've even sent male co-workers to the store for gifts for their wives and they've continued to go back.  If you like them on Facebook you get to see new items as soon as they get to the store (some stuff goes fast!) and that's where they announce their sales.

I was not compensated for this blog post in any way.  Just The Thing is one of my favorite stores in Atlanta and I want to share it with other people like me.  Go and check it out!

Souper Jenny Grilled Cheese Night: Restaurant Review

If anyone has asked me my favorite lunch place in Atlanta I have answered Souper Jenny.

I was first introduced to Souper Jenny my first year in Atlanta and I've been obsessed for the past 8 years.  I love the daily menu, the cozy atmosphere inside the restaurant and the food.  OMG the food.  I haven't had a single thing there, in 8 years, that I didn't absolutely love.  Jenny (because I assume she's there every day, I like to think that at least) serves a variety of soups every day along with 2 or 3 sandwich options and one or two salad options.  For lunch you can do the lunch special and make your own combo.  I love it.  CASH only people!  On a cold day nothing is better than the Everything Veggie soup which is my all-time favorite.

While I've been going to Souper Jenny for years for lunch I've never been for Grilled Cheese Night.  Thursday nights are the only night that the restaurant is open when they serve grilled cheese sandwiches with their soups.  I've been dying to get there on a Thursday night and last night we FINALLY made it.

Of course I got the Everything Veggie soup and added their fancy grilled cheese sandwich for the night, two cheeses with slices of pepperoni with a bit of marinara for dipping.  Stephen got the chili soup and our other friend got the tomato soup.  Every single one was delicious.  I could have sat there and dined for years.  Stephen even made the comment, "well, we don't have to worry about what to cook for dinner on Thursday nights anymore, we're always coming to Souper Jenny."  I couldn't agree more.  Another great thing about Souper Jenny, most of the soups are guilt free!  She even notes Weight Watchers points if you need to track those.  The cooler is also filled with plenty of gluten free desserts to take home.

On a regular day, during lunch, there is normally a line out the building and it's difficult to find a table.  (TIP: get there early or after 1:00 if you don't have time to wait in line.)  Thursday night it wasn't crowded and we didn't have to wait in line behind more than 2 other guests.  The staff, as always, was cheerful and very helpful.  Without the line out the door we had a chance to talk to the two behind the counter and they were FANTASTIC.  They are there every Thursday and I can't wait until next week to go back.

The biggest surprise for Grilled Cheese Night was the all you can eat Smores!!  For $10 look at what you can get:

This was plenty to feed the 3 of us (when the pictures was taken, we'd already make a few smores - we couldn't resist!).   It was the perfect dessert for the perfect meal.  Why don't more restaurants do this?  Screw fondue, this was SO much better.  We cleaned each plate that was in front of us - all the soups, each sandwich and then all of the smores.  We were offered a refill on some of the smore items, but we definitely didn't need more so we declined.

Souper Jenny's owner, Jenny Levison, has recently opened a second restaurant in Buckhead - Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic.  I can't wait to get there,  I hear it's amazing.  It was even mentioned in this month's Southern Living Magazine!

Coast Seafood and Raw Bar: Restaurant Review

Last night I had a work dinner at Coast Seafood and Raw Bar in Buckhead at 111 W. Paces Ferry RD NW, right at the corner of W. Paces and E. Andrews.  I'd been there before a few years ago when the place was Home and I loved it.  I don't get out in Buckhead too often so the past 2 years that Coast has been open, I didn't even know it existed.

While it's been open for 2 years, it has only been in the past week that I've heard people talk about it.  Not just one or two, but quite a few people.  When I was asked where we should go for dinner, Coast it was.

Coast is a Here To Serve Restaurant (Strip, Shout, Twist, Aja, Goldfish, Prime...) so I expected it to be on par with the other restaurants.  The atmosphere is very casual, more than I thought it would be, especially on a Thursday evening in early March.  The wait staff and bar tenders were in shorts, t-shirts and tank tops.  Once inside it expected to walk out the back door and find the ocean or a lake.  It's very beach-y casual with hard wood floors, wooden stools, fish hanging from the wall and bright, light colors.  Nothing stuffy about this place.  The outdoor patio was huge and perfect for a large group or a couple of friends.

The wait staff as a little slow and that's going to be my only complaint of the evening.  The bartender inside was great, but as the night went on, the drinks came out slower and slower as the place filled up.  We ordered an appetizer at the same time we ordered our entrees and one of the gentlemen in our party ordered a side salad to start.  His salad came out way in advance of our appetizer, and it was the wrong salad the first time.

The appetizer was great, we had Mussels... have you met me?, but we didn't have napkins or silverware on the table yet.  Our food came out after we had finished the appetizer and it was cleared, perfect timing, but they didn't all come out at once.  Not a big deal, but it's always awkward waiting for one person to get their food before you can start eating.  My plate was extremely hot, which always makes me a little nervous that my food was sitting under a warmer somewhere.

Once we had our food, we didn't see our server very often and my water went empty more than once.

I'm not one to discount a restaurant based on the service (see my post on LaGrotta...), I believe that bad servers will be worked out of the system on their own.  A good restaurant can over come bad service with great food.  And the food was fantastic.

The Mussels were delicious and the broth was one of the best I've had in Atlanta.  I wanted more bread to soak it up!  For an entree I ordered the Boston Lemon Sole which came over a bed of mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach in a lemon caper butter sauce.  I would have liked more capers, but the dish was perfect.  I ate every last bit of it.  I almost ordered the Shrimp and Grits so I'll have to go back to try those, too.

The rest of the food around the table looked great and all dishes received good reviews.

I have a feeling Coast will be a hot spot once it's really spring and summer hits.  The patio will be packed all the time.  Prices aren't too bad for a Buckhead restaurant and the atmosphere was different than what you'll find in the area.

I highly recommend Coast Seafood and Raw Bar to anyone looking for a nice, reasonably priced, casual dinner.  I'll definitely be giving them a second try with the service.