By Mina Kinjo

EATS

Plates With Personality

New kid on the block? More like the life of the party. Parkside at The Grove opened in early August and is serving bold bites, creative cocktails and globally inspired flavors with a Southern twist. Sushi? Check. Sticky ribs? Absolutely. Excuses to stay for one more round? Endless. Snellville just got a whole lot tastier.

Location: 2260 Oak Rd. SW, Snellville

Stop & Smell the Coffee

Coffee first. Flowers always. Since blooming onto the Dacula scene with its early July grand opening, Sun & Bloom Cafe has been brightening days one latte and bouquet at a time. Sip an artisan coffee, pick up fresh blooms and linger awhile. Because some places just feel like sunshine.

Location: 164 Dacula Rd., Dacula

ARTS

The Art of Odd

Not your average shopping trip. Not even close. The Dark Arts of Lawrenceville opened this July, filling shelves with whimsical oddities, local artwork and delightfully unexpected finds. Equal parts spooky, artsy and wonderfully weird…because normal is overrated anyway.

Location: 470 N Clayton St. Ste 206, Lawrenceville

Shutter Worthy

Ready to see the world from a new angle? Now through October 24, the “Stand in Ansel Adams’ Footsteps” exhibition at The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning in Duluth is bringing breathtaking photography to the spotlight. This annual juried black-and-white photography event challenges Georgia Nature Photographers Association members to emulate Adams’ signature style. 

Location:6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy. Bldg. 300, Duluth 

EVENTS 

Suite Dreams Ahead

New hotel, same Lawrenceville charm, with a few extra pillows. Opening this fall, The Lawrence Hotel will welcome guests with thoughtfully designed rooms, tasty bites at Bellfire Restaurant, craft cocktails at Old Nick’s Bar and a front-row seat to downtown adventures. Stay awhile, explore a little and maybe hit snooze one more time.

Location: 120 E Crogan St., Lawrenceville

The Dumpling Destination

Good things come in small baskets… especially when they’re filled with soup. Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings opened its first southern location in Buford in early July, bringing nine years of Michelin recognition, handcrafted soup dumplings and authentic Shanghainese flavors to the South. Grab your chopsticks and prepare for tiny bites with a seriously big flavor story.

Location: 3333 Buford Dr. Ste. 2022E, Buford