Maxim Prime meets with Esperanza and Esperanza enjoy Topless party by Sly Fox

So Maxim magazine has teamed up with some other investors and literally torn apart the old, weak sauce restaurant BED that came to the ATL and quickly went out of business. I met up with the GM of Maxim Prime and the manager , Brittany, who is an old friend and we started brewing up some details for another Esperanza rooftop party.

I grabbed my girl, Meri, and were treated to a serious surf and turf dinner. From the redone black and purple glass entrance, to the spiral staircase, and a bar that looked like it was cut out of an iceberg, Maxim Prime is super cool. In addition, our dinner was excellent. Service was primo, and my fillet was as soft as a gummy bear and was cooked perfect.

As Meri and I sat on one end of the restaurant, we noticed the crew from Sly Fox and Trafik Tradeshow sitting across the way. So we sent over a tray of Sake to Greg and Kristen. They were throwing the first of many thursday night parties they are dubbing “the topless party”. We finished up our meals and shot up to the rooftop which in sick.

It looks like Esperanza will be teaming up with Sly Fox to throw a super sweet event at the end of July at Maxim Prime. Think rooftop fashion show/club. We will keep you all posted.

BIG UPS!!!! to Maxim Prime for showing Meri and I a great time. Check it out.

Photos courtesy of the Midnight Socialite. Thanks buddy.

Baby’s Got Sauce.

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend. The weather here in Atlanta was absolute perfection.

Amongst a bevy of other things we got accomplished over the Holiday, Saturday night Nic and I finally made the trek out to Alpharetta to visit with Berto, Fern and El Bebe since I hadn’t met him yet… and since having a baby is apparently a big deal.

Baby Berto can be seen here totally kickin’ it in the baby Dunks we brought him. Baller.

After some visiting we all headed out to the much buzzed about restaurant PURE and it was plenty worthy of the hype. The ceviche is worth the trip alone. And the secret is obviously out because the place was totally slammed. Check it out by clicking the pic below. We totally need one of these intown.

That’s all for now. Website should be up this week. Keep checking back!

Baby Waves….but still lookin fly.

Quick pics from last week when I was surfing in Maui.  That place is awesome and chillin on Lava Flows and Mai Tais for a week is just what the doctor ordered.  Anyone up for going to Costa Rica later this summer???  Jaco beach is the spot down there.

Riding it all the way in.

Leaky Holiday

I gathered a few quick tracks to blast this holiday weekend while doin whatever ya’ll do when its so beautiful out.

Off “The Drought is Over: 4,” this track is Weezy bringing it back to the old school.  Early 90’s break with the soul singin’ chorus, its definitely mixtape material, but that at its finest.  BBQ & Corona & Bacardi Limon.

Lil Wayne – I (mp3)

Kenna – Say Goodbye To Love (remix feat. Lupe Fiasco) (mp3)

Next up is a Kenna track remix with Lupe Fiasco.  Strikkly dance floor material.   Also works with the windows down.  And cause he references Prefontaines, I’ll show you what Lupe’s talkin bout since I copped a pair yesterday:

I obviously went with the Spidey color scheme.

Paper Route Gangtaz have a mixtape comin’ out soon called “Fear and Loathing in Hunts Vegas.”  This is a track off that mixtape and its hella dope.  Utilizing a Weezer sample from the song “Say It Ain’t So,” they get all nostalgic and do nice with XO and Cee Cee.

Paper Route Gangstaz (feat. XO and Cee Cee) – Grind Baby (mp3)

Tell me the cat in the first verse doesn’t remind you of the long lost member from OutKast…  Southernplayalistic OutKast that is.

I’ll be back on this thing a little later.  Ernie is dying for a walk.

Oh Hell Yes.

Along with about 99% of America, I’m gonna try to get into a theater this weekend to have a blast watching the new Indy flick.  Raiders of the Lost Ark was the first movie I ever saw in a theater and pops took me, so this weekend I’m gonna get him down here so we can go check this one out together too.  Since Buckhead Backlot’s closed for repairs, it’s gonna have to be at Movie Tavern or Midtown Art Cinema, cause who watches movies these days without cocktails?  New Jack sucker toys.  Thats who.

Couple Tings,

Wow… Lots happenin’ as usual.

Those pics from the photoshoot look great, right? That was the first time I seen ‘em too, so we’re on the same page there. Great work Merk.

Today? Totally diggin’ on Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip’s highly anticipated album “Angles.”

I posted about these dudes ages ago, when their first single dropped, and have been waiting on a full length since. Well, it’s here, or almost at least, and its predictably great. Abled DJ work, intellectual lyrical snark you can only get away with utilizing a sharp British accent, ripped beats, [non?]dis-tracks, plenty of props, and just plain old ground breaking hip-hop from the UK. One of these days I’m gonna get into writing proper reviews since I spend about half my life in traffic listening to the ish I pass on to you my minions, but for now check out my (still) fav track by DLSvsSP:

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – Thou Shalt Always Kill (mp3)

uhhh, actually, sorry. That was my fav track. This one’s tops now (ripping a Dizzee track for reference and shouting out KRS-ONE and Rakim, yo. Proper.):

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip – Fixed (mp3)

Yesterday? Discovered THE best snack on the planet.

Good lord. Just try not thinking about a frosty beer while munching on these puppies. I’m, admittedly, a peanut freak and this, for me, is nirvana. Pass me a High Life, would you?  These peanuts are making me thirsty.

And, as a born and bred die hard Sox fan (still love my Bravos too, but this is a CT thing) I gotta give my props to John Lester for the no hitter he pitched on the 19th. Last game of the ‘07 Series and then the sacred no-no, all less than two years after being diagnosed with cancer?? Cheers to you.

Well, I gotta hit the couch for some recharging…

Holy Badass pictures!!!!

So we through a massive party on top of 6 feet under last weekend, but before we downed Whynatte’s until our eyes popped out of heads we got down to some business and had a photo shoot inside the restaurant. Our good buddy the Midnight Socialite created the magic.

Here is some of the Magic……..oh man we are so close to launching that new website and these will be on it.

Daniel

Where in the World is Esperanza Clothing

So Esperanza’s great fans, Sonia and Alex have just in some awesome pics from thier travels in South America. They have been sporting the new line now since they ordered from Argentina. They have been all over South America and are headed to Asia and Australia next. Watch out for the Kangaroos with boxing gloves, and if you can, Sonia and Alex, we at Esperanza think you should try to get on the show “Human Tetris“.

So here are some pics they sent in.

Rockin the Southern Rebelle and the OUr Lady of Buford Highway

Crazy Chiliean Hipster kids at Lake Titicaca….fresh colors!

Yippee for Firework!!!

A little vino and Esperanza for the heart.

A little dog and Esperanza for the stomach.

Sweet Tea swinging from the trees.

Oh Lady of Chile???  Totally ripped us off…

Old logo shirt.

Last Night…

So, yesterday was absolutely beautiful and the view from the top deck at Six Feet Under – Westside was, well, there it is. Didn’t snap too many pics during the day/night/morning cause Chris Merkle, a.k.a TheMidnightSocialite, was there doin it properly. We’ll have those up soon.

The night was a blast, we had a great time, people copped tons of new shirts and drank more coffee and Jager than I ever thought possible. Thanks to the Whynatte guys, DJ Reality, Tribe Called Quest, Pharcyde, Six Feet Under – Westside (but not our server Wayne. You’re a nice guy dude, but keeping the drinks coming is just not your calling). Check out Whynatte site for more.

Plans for tonight: laying on the couch and chocolate ice cream.

Booya. eBay just notified me that I’m the proud father of a brand new pair of Nike SB Strummer Premiums. What shoes are you wearing?

Esperanza in the BIG EASY!

Esperanza, in it’s continuing effort to take over the world, was recently in New Orleans. I made sure that I kept them “Too Busy to Hate” while taking in some jazz, crawfish, po boys, beer, beer, beer and beer and Bourbon St. and Canal St. and more beer and oh yeah that wedding thing we were there for. Needless to say, the Big Easy gave me a Big Hangover, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Here are some pics that will clue you in…

St Charles in the French Quarter has some

cool buildings!

Canal St also has some cool buildings

There’s no such thing as a Po’ Boy that’s too big for EK

It looks like a lot, but it’s never enough

A ginormous Abita Turbo Dog…highly recommended

We obviously had to listen to some live jazz!

Enjoying Atlanta in New Orleans

I love my little Southern Rebelle.

She walked barefoot down Bourbon St.!

Of course he was listening to P.M Dawn

I better see you at Six Feet Under Tonight!

word

EK

Blood & Lollipops

This was the best movie of last year. Period. I finally got around to catching up last night and was absolutely blown away. For all that saw and said, “emph?” Dude. Based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel “Oil!” it’s done in silent talkie fashion. Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction is amazing. Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance is astounding. And Jonny Greenwood’s score almost makes the movie (god. that score. i could go on all day about how you could watch this movie without dialogue and know exactly what was going on…. and also how mr. greenwood’s trojan comp “..is the controller” shows the breadth of his bossness). Just check it out. In fact! Check both out!

Next up. Your official summer jam.

Lil Wayne – Lollipop (Kanye West Remix)

Happy Friday. And don’t forget our little shindig tomorrow night with Whynatte at Six Feet Under – Westside. And get there early if you want your picture made and used on the website for a product pic.

This Is the Big One.

It’s Hard Being Me…

i normally don’t bite directly from other blogs, but sorry YASLY, I laughed out loud when I watched this and hopefully the plug makes up for poor etiquette.

Gone Baby Gone :(

In the world of Esperanza, there has been some shocking and scary news. The bike a.k.a. Mini Hog we bought and rebuilt and then gave to Dangerpress is hurt bad. She also has put a friend of a friend in the hospital. A severe accident happened earlier this week when the Mini Hog allegedly took a mind of its own and crashed into a parked trailer on the side of the gauntlet(our track that circles the Dangerpress warehouse). The rider flew face first over the handlebars into the trailer and broke his face….literally. He is suffering from broken cheek bones, broken eye socket, broken nose, broken bones in his neck, and blood in his brain…Shhhhheeeesshhh. He remains in the hospital but is getting better day by day and is expected to return the wild world of sports in 3 weeks. He is our new Evil Knievel and the Mini Hog will now be called….Maximum Overdrive

That is not dirt on those bars….its blood.

THE BIKE DOES SAY “DANGER” ON IT…..I THINK THAT IS FAIR WARNING.

!!!!SAY A PRAYER FOR THIS KID PEOPLE!!!!

Esperanza Visits the NYC

I took a trip up to the NYC to see my cousin graduate from Medical School. I was surrounded by doctors all weekend which made me feel really smart, but I was able to get out and check out Manhattan. Aside from triple Atlanta prices everywhere it was a good time.

Next year esperanza should open a store in the Meat Packing district of New York. Very cool scene, and no its not a gay area.

A little Graffiti from the NYC…..hmmmmm…….wonder what artist did that on the left????

My buddy, Patrick, has a great kid named PJ. We took him out to bars all day Saturday and he was a staunch critic of many beer menus, but he stayed with the classic Guinness….well done PJ.

Make the right decision…

Frustration = Exhaustion.

I took this picture just a minute ago with the camera on my macbook. Seriously, this is what trying to get a new website live will do to your appearance.  Luckily the lady like-ah the zombie.

I was hoping to tell you all that we’d be online this Friday so you’d have something to do at work all day, but alas, I just don’t think its in the cards.

In the meantime, blow your mind by checking out Banksy’s Cans Festival

Being huge fans of this legendary graf artist, my bruv Ali tipped me off on this legend’s latest. After watching this, scour the web for more as the scope of his work will surely astound.

Cheers.

Tuesday’s Gone

Hey Hey Now Now. This is what I call frequent. More posting for all your coffee break needs!

So, I just got done telling you how primo my new Braves cap was, but I didn’t mention how delicious it could be. How was I to know?! Until, at least, my bastard dog Ernie got ahold of it. You see Ernie has expensive taste. He enjoys munching on our most valuable possessions and then sleeping it off with a long nap in the sun. Whether its $300 sunglass or $35 New Era caps, he could write a journal on exquisite cuisine the likes of which even Anthony Bourdain has never experienced.

But thanks to Mall of Georgia Lids dude, and of course some more cash, in your face Ernie.  Actually, no, please, not in your face:

Wrote about these guys a couple posts back. Totally obsessed with this EP which you can find in stores (iTunes) now, and their album, which you’ll have to wait a little while for. Legally at least.

Pure liquid sunshine.

and a song, cause you know I wouldn’t leave you hangin:

Fleet Foxes – Mykonos

More details on the following bloodbath to come. Just know that the two hottest Atlanta phenomenon will finally meet and its not gonna be pretty. Or sober.

Whynatte dudes are in for it. Or are we? We’ll just have to see.

Start your diet now, cause we’re doin a photo shoot for our new line before this party and you’re invited. Stay tuned.

Finally. Checked out Mr. West Sunday night at Gwinnett Arena and while dude is certifiably insane, his show was pretty amazing. We tragically missed Lupe, but the hike to Buford is not for the weary. N.E.R.D. sucked. Seriously, who enjoys these idiots? Even Rihanna was better. Rihanna dude. Although, she’s pretty striking.

Kanye brought the damn house down. The most expensive stage anyone on earth could ever have imagined; shifting, changing, 15 different alien landscapes, giant computers, even bigger panoramic video screens, smoke, fire, lasers, wind, rain, balloons, completely revamped live versions of the songs you love, oh me, oh my. Complete sensory overload… and the ONLY person on stage for that entire hour and a half was Mr. West. Yeezy. Working the crowd into what looked to be inevitable spontaneous combustion. The sound wasn’t great, vocals too muffled, bass a bit too much… but you, my man, are scary enrapturing.

I’m out.

MEGA POST!

Kids, I’m blogging.  It’s been tough to keep this thing up to date with all we have going on, but I promise we’ll do a better job of it going foward.

Yesterday was the Kentucky Derby, one of my favorite sporting events every year.  Nic and I had been out running errands all day long and after several excruciating hours in IKEA I was ready for a cocktail.  Pictured above was the Mint Julep I made while the crowd was singing “My Old Kentucky Home” and let me tell you, it was exactly 5 times more delicious than you could ever imagine it being.  Using the mint we’ve been growing outside gave it an extra dose of satisfaction.  Although the race was excellant with Big Brown living up to his hype and beating the pack by almost 5 lengths, it was also marked by tragedy as crowd favorite, and first filly to race in some years, Eight Belles shattered her two front legs and had to be euthanized on the track.

Nicole’s reaction to me telling her they did it with a shotgun was priceless.

This morning we had a couple more things to take care of and then, on the verge of starvation, headed over to Mediterranean Grill for some seriously delicious grub.  They’ve got the best Baba Ganouj you’ll ever taste and just killer falafel.  While I’m on the Mediterranean kick, if you’ve never been to Marco’s Pita on Ponce, do it asap.  He’s an Atlanta icon, the place is legendary, and the Falafel Pita is one of my favorite meals ever.  Just don’t rely on it…  I swear he’s open like once a week for 15 minutes only.

While we were having lunch, I went out to grab a Loaf and upon finding an empty bin, grabbed The Sunday Paper instead and boom!  There’s my boy Ken Bouche front and center in the food section.

Ricardo Ullio’s newest spot, Cuerno, is profiled and Chef Ken is interviewed.  He’s also in that pic above…  And so is a beautiful pig leg.  Go check the restaurant out and give Ken a holler.  And if he’s not there he’s at Beleza next door.  Both places are uber trendy, but buck the idea that a hip place can’t have good food or drinks.  Beleza has very modern Brazilian influenced cuisine and Cuerno is purely Spanish, with traditional paellas… and yes they have the crust on the top and bottom.  I NEVER order off cocktail menus, but I swear these two places have the most creative drinks I’ve ever tasted.  I highly recommend “the Southern” at Cuerno: Toro Albala PX Sherry, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Maple Syrup, and Lemon on the rocks.  Mmmmmm.

Next up, a hilarious picture of Eric:

I took this pic at the Inman Park Festival last weekend and while I’m pretty sure you can guess what Eric is talking about here, I think it would be fun if you guys could leave possible captions in the comments section.  Since taking this pic, I look at it every morning to start my day with a smile.

Orchestra Baobab has a new album out just in time for the summer.  Its called “Made in Dakar” and its predictably excellent.  Senegalese, Afro-Cuban music fused with West African Tradition, they formed in 1970 and have churned out over 20 albums of sultry, sweaty, groove laden, afro-cubanismo.

Check out the closing track, which just so happens to be one of the best:

Colette

In other news, I finally got my hands on one of those new all navy Braves road hats that debuted unannounced a couple weeks ago.  It was almost impossible to find as they’re sold out everywhere, but dude at the Lenox Lids finally tracked one down for me.  Dope.

Nicole thinks so too.

Til next time.

Spend That Rebate Wisely!

So, the excitement is building as we near that oh so special time when we all get $600 of well deserved extra cheese, cool cash, folding money, big bucks….. whatever you feel comfortable calling it. Being an expert on money, I feel it is my duty to let you in on the best way to spend those extra dollars. Word on the street is that Esperanza has some of the dopest shirts that you can find and they are only $30 dollars a piece. That is 20 new shirts for you and your friends! I can’t think of a better way to invest your money. To help you along, I am providing you with my 3 favorite designs for both men and women.

MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS MENS

WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS WOMENS      

That’s 6 shirts….$180 You still got $420 left. It’s an easy decision because you know you deserve to look good. That’s also not all you can choose from!!!! There’s even more at www.esperanza-atl.com.

CHECK IT

WORD

EK