Cardamom Hill is a hip new restaurant in the West Midtown side of town. Chef, Asha Gomez brings a new twist to the world of Indian food and introduces us to the cuisine of Kerala, India. What makes Cardamom Hill different from other Indian cuisine restaurants is that here, the menu changes daily. The menu consists of meat and vegetable dishes that Asha grew up eating as a child in India. “We cook seasonally. We lived by what the land gave us, so the cuisine is very vibrant,” Chef Asha Gomez shared.
The grand opening proved to be just as vibrant as the food, as patrons enjoyed samplings of the fine Kerala Cuisine: Sweet Potato Rice, coconut fried chicken, deep fried beef stroganoff, Kerala inspired cocktails, complimentary wine and Cardamom Hill’s signature Chai tea. “No meal should end without Chai Tea! We spice it with Cardamom. It’s soothing & calming. And, the perfect way to end an Indian meal.” Asha said.
Chef Asha Gomez
About Cardamom
The two main genera of the ginger family that are named as forms of cardamom are distributed as follows:
• Elettaria (commonly called cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom) is distributed from India to Malaysia.
• Amomum (commonly known as black cardamom, brown cardamom, Kravan, Java cardamom, Bengal cardamom, Siamese cardamom, white cardamom, or red cardamom) is distributed mainly in Asia and Australia.
Check out the video of the opening of Cardamom Hill in West Midtown – Atlanta (below):
***special thanks to Tara Murphy of 360 Media, Asha Gomez, C. David Travino/Wilson Travino and Christopher Daniel***
Pure love and swagger seeped out of the pores of Jessica Betts as she melodically sang: “You steady texting me; steady calling me, cause you want me to Take You Back! What you crying bout; called my momma’s house, cause you want me to Take You Back! After all the stress; wanna send me gifts, cause you want me to Take You Back! Take You Backkk!”
A couple days after her amazing performance on 106 & Park, I got a chance to chat with Jessica Betts about her future, her past, and what is presently taking place in her life. “Its time! That’s what I feel. I feel like its time!” Jessica said. “Its been a journey, a lot of hard work. A lot of sweat, blood & tears, but through it all I just keep God first and just keep my eye on the prize. And that’s just getting the message out there.”
Although not at all new to the game, Betts is still considered a neophyte in the music industry. However, she is extremely ready for the big time. How do I know? Her passion, realness and love for what she is doing shines through during her performances. Jess has a way of pulling you into her heart when she sings. She has the knack of making you feel like she is singing to you. “You know you got to feel. I think what leaves the heart reaches the heart. I love music and I feel that you gotta feel the music and your heart has to be there. So I just go in on what I’m feeling and what I’m saying and that’s the deliverance.” Now, that’s a skill that you have to be born with.
With a hint of androgyny & muliebrity, Jessica’s entire aura screams ‘Superstar’! A mixture between Grace Jones, Mary J. Blige and Adele, she has a style, a personality and a voice that is much needed in the Industry today; tomorrow & forever. Plain and simple, the girl is bad!!!
We got our first glimpse of the mellifluous singer in 2005 on Missy Elliott’s ‘Road To Stardom’. Of course she won! Now it is her time to shine…
All good things comes to those who wait. And like Langston Hughes said, “Life for her has been no crystal stair.”
A native of the Southside of Chicago, Illinois, Jessica has endured a mountain of obstacles, heartaches & pains. But, she came out like the champ that she is, and now she is ready to live her purpose. “Throughout my journey as a Chicagoan and here in NY, its been a wonderful journey. I’m just here now doing my thing and making things happen.”
Since that fateful 106 & Park performance, Jessica has been flooded with interview requests, performance requests, collaboration requests, and the like. I personally say to Jess B.: “It’s your time to shine babygirl. We see you. And yes; we will – TAKE YOU BACK!!!”
Jessica Betts is currently performing throughout New York and preparing her debut album to drop on the world. It is guaranteed to be a banger. She is working with some of the best in the business. Not to mention, she is quite a prolific songwriter herself. You witnessed that with her single, “Why Me”. Keep your radars up for this young lady. You will definitely be hearing a lot from Jessica Betts!
“I like to think that I’m bringing a lot of genuine music back. You’ll get a lot of soul. We’re coming with some Rock and Pop. We’re fusing up most of the genres and just having fun. There’s some very talented musicians and producers that I’m working with. We’re really creating a masterpiece.”
Jessica Betts just released her first single, “TAKE YOU BACK”on iTunes. Go pick that up. Also check her out on Twitter and Facebook:
The Mighty O’Jays stormed through Atlanta, Georgia to receive their 2011 Legends Award in great fashion. As one of the; if not THE longest performing group in music history at 53 years and counting, Eddie Levert; Walter Williams; and Eric Grant hit the Woodruff Arts Center: Atlanta Symphony Hall stage and set it afire!
Sponsored by the National Black Arts Festival, the group celebrated over 50 years of great music with their fans, their peers, and their loved ones. Hailing from Canton, Ohio; the O’Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Although they’ve had 5 past members, Eddie and Walter have known each other since early childhood and are still going strong.
The O’Jays are responsible for hits such as: Back Stabbers, Love Train, Family Reunion, Used to be my Girl, For the Love of Money, Give the People What they Want, I Love Music, Living For the Weekend, Message in Our Music; Stairway to Heaven, Forever Mine, and my all-time favorite: Darlin Darlin Baby (Sweet Tender Love). Oh, and this is just a few.
Check out the Natural Born Legends in action on this special night in history. Live Video Below:
Special Congratulations to The O’Jays: Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, and Eric Grant. Continued success. And keep outshining these youngsters with your choreography… The Greatest!!!
On June 16, 2011, Atlanta, GA was the place to be as we celebrated Tupac Shakur’s 40th Birthday with his mother; American music businesswoman, philanthropist, former political activist and ex-Black Panther, Afeni Shakur. Tupac’s spirit surrounded the Atlanta Symphony Hall as guests, media, celebrities, family, and friends celebrated the Late Great, Tupac Shakur. All proceeds of the event went to The Tupac Shakur Foundation.
Hosted by Mike Epps & Afeni Shakur, the night boasted major performances by: Ricky Rozay, The Outlawz, Warren G, Too Short, Maybach Music’s new artists, 8Ball & MJG and Bun B. The show was headlined by Erykah Badu. The crowd was very receptive to all of the night’s events. It was a great spirit about the room. Everyone screamed “Happy Birthday Tupac” in unison to a three count by Mike Epps. I could imagine how happy, sad, overjoyed, appreciative that Afeni Shakur was. She danced sang and cheered to the performances & appreciation for her legendary son, Tupac Shakur.
Tupac lives through all the love he receives from the world, as well as his music. Like Rick Ross sang, “Tupac Back!!! Tupac Back!!!”
Question: Do you think Suge Knight should have been present?
Check out the video of the entire ‘Tupac 40th Birthday Concert Celebration’ below:
Creators of ATL Live on Park: Marlon Nichols (Suit) & Shanti Das
The 1st Year Anniversary of ATL Live on the Park was truly an amazing evening in entertainment, as well as true talent!
On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, Shanti Das and Marlon Nichols celebrated their One-Year Anniversary of ATL LIVE ON THE PARK. With over 300 Atlanta tastemakers, music industry insiders and patrons in attendance the monthly event series proved to be the most talked about live music showcase in Atlanta. With radio personality, Kenny Burns hosting; R&B group NEXT headlined the show, while former P.Diddy musical steward Fonzworth Bentley literally took control of the stage equipped with dancers and a well-choreographed routine. Also performing a great set was Jive Records new hip-hop duo Big Heed & Alien. These guys are wild; a must see…
Attendees included: Chaka Zulu (CEO/DTP), Ron Devoe, Former Atlanta Falcon Jamal Anderson, Devyne Stephens, Q Parker, Roger Bobb, Sheree Whitfield, Bob Whitfield, Tameka Raymond, and Faune Watkins (The Game/Fonzworth Bentley’s wife).
The next ATL LIVE ON THE PARK is June 14.
Visit www.atlliveonthepark.eventbrite.com for tickets and info.
Also, Creator Shanti Das was a special guest on CuttyROCKSRadio on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/CuttyROCKSRadio to see how you become a performer on the next show.
Owner of Wet Willies ATL, Carlos Emmons held his Red Carpet Grand Opening on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. The people were out, the sun was shining, and so was the sprawling Buckhead Area on this day. It’s not unusual for the line to get inside to be stretched down the street. Well, this day was no different.
Carlos Emmons, Owner of Wet Willies ATL
Emmons extended his greetings to celebrities, media, PR, and patrons with the same spunk & zeal. It was great to see the owner personally greet his customers. He definitely realizes that the people is what keeps the business booming.
Some of the attendees included: Comedian, Shawty Shawty; Producer, Zaytoven; GarnerCircle Publicist, Daniel Dickey; PR Princess, Tamiko Hope; Recording Artist, John Blu; Pro Skateboarder, Stevie Williams; Grammy Award Winning Songwriter, Nate Walka; Good Day Atlanta’s, Mark Hayes. Oh, and Mua – YES!!! Cutty Shark. LOL.
Wet Willies opened its doors to the public on March 5, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. It is located in Lindbergh City Center, 2450 Piedmont Road. Check it out.
