Sunday is our only “day off” at Darwin’s and we have our weekly ritual. We eat something really tasty, then we have our weekly business meeting. This week Akin came up with a new pepper rub he wanted to try on some steaks we had alongside grilled veggies and yellow rice. DELICIOUS!!
So, what does Chef Akin cook on his days off? Deliciousness! During renovations at Darwin’s, we would often go to Williamson Brothers to go get their smoked sausages. Akin has been obsessing over it since, “I can do better than that!” The key is in the type of sausage you get. Well, we found it. Garlic pork sausages! They were DELICIOUS, and Akin is considering serving them at Darwin’s eventually. There’s still a bit more recipe tweaking to come, so keep your fingers crossed!
Thursday – We’ve had such great acts at Darwin’s lately I’ve just been hanging around and soaking it up! Thursday was Darwin’s Blues Jam, and what a night… So many great musicians came out, we had 4 female singers come in this week and they ALL sounded amazing!
The Cazanovas @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Truett Lollis: We love Truett, and he will be opening for Little G at our Grand Opening on October 29th at 8pm! He was nice enough to come by the jam and play a few songs before he was whisked away to another gig at 11.
Darwin’s Burgers and Blues – As usual, my night started at Darwin’s. I wanted to make sure I caught at least one set of Little G before I headed out for the night. G was brilliant as always!
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Tonight for dinner I came up with the best sandwich I’ve ever had at Darwin’s. A Garlic Grilled Cheese stuffed with Chicken Salad…I inhaled it in about 20 seconds! Just a protip: you can absolutely order things off the menu!
Garlic Grilled Cheese stuffed w/ Chicken Salad @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Zuffy’s – So I’m branching out on my photography. I figure you guys come to see me at Darwin’s, now it’s my turn to come see you! First on the list was Lola Gulley’s Blues Jam @ Zuffy’s Place.
I was really interested to see a Jam Session headed up by a keyboardist. Lola is an incredibly entertaining front-woman and was cracking jokes all night with the patrons. Using topics thrown out by the audience, at one point Lola improvised a hilarious song about “boobies”. What can I say, I love Lola’s voice. Even when she’s just singing “boobies” repeatedly, she still sounds amazing!
09.17.2011 – Atlanta Blues Society Meeting – We hosted the Atlanta Blues Society meeting on Saturday afternoon at Darwin’s. The whole thing is pretty much a big excuse to have a big jam session during the afternoon, hosted by The Cazanovas!
Danny Vinson @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Eric Pullen @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jacob Holliday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
ABS Meeting @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Lola Gulley @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Tamara Nicolai @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Lola Gulley @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Lola Gulley @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Sandra Senn @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
09.26.2011 – Rod Hamdallah – Due to prior engagements, Jim Ransone was unavailable this week and next. Rod Hamdallah was nice enough to come fill in for Jim for the next two weeks.
I showed up a little late for the set. As I walked up the back steps I thought, “Is that the Black Keys?” Sure enough, Rod was on stage jamming out on an older Black Keys song. Next was Muddy Waters followed by White Stripes! I knew in the first 5 minutes I’d really enjoy this set. He even mixed in a little blues version of Nirvana!
Jim Ransone showed up at the tail end of Rod’s set and performed one song for us on Rod’s guitar!
Rod Hamdallah @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Rod Hamdallah @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Rod Hamdallah @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Nice Tie! Jim Ransone @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
This one is a picture of my dinner, it was phenomenal! Akin’s Hot Honey Mustard is AWESOME!
Hot Honey Mustard Wings @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
09.20.2011 – Little G Weevil – We love Little G! Not only is he a fantastic musician, but he’s just a fun guy to have on stage. G wanted to have fun with some friends tonight, so he did a duet with Danny Vinson as well as the young Cody Matlock. You’ve got to come out and check this guy out, he’ll be with us every Tuesday!
Little G Weevil @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G and Danny Vinson @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G and Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G and Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G and Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Patio Break @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
PRODUCT SHOT: We will be cross-promoting with Sweetwater 420 and we needed a way to tie in Darwin’s and Sweetwater in a single image. BOOMSAUCE! Beer. Wings. Little G. Can’t make a better ad than that! I’ll be gussying this one up in Photoshop.
Sweetwater/Darwin’s Print Ad @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Finished Ad. Sweetwater/Darwin’s Print Ad
By the way, the wings were DELICIOUS!
09.22.2011 – Darwin’s Blues Jam – I love the Blues Jam, and you know it’s going to be a good night when Truett shows up with Theron and Jonathon to play. Despite the rain, we had a great turnout! I’d like to thank everyone who came out in the rain to support us and we hope it was well worth it!
Maurice Nazzaro @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Jacob Holliday @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Danny Vinson @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
The Cazanovas @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Alan @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Jim Nicoletta @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Sandra Senn @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Jam Session @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Tamara Nicolai @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Truett Lollis @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Jonathon Norwood @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Truett Lollis @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Theron Peterson @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Full House @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Dancing to Truett @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Corndog Bites @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Roger Wasserman @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Hobo @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
@ Darwin’s Blues Jam
Jonathon Norwood @ Darwin’s Blues Jam
09.23.2011 – The Hollidays – came out and played a great set last night! It was nice to finally meet Art after Jacob had talked him up so much! We had a great crowd and I hope everyone had a blast!
The Hollidays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Art Holliday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jacob Holliday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Art Holliday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
The Hollidays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
The Hollidays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Art Holliday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
09.23.2011 – FYN – I left The Hollidays a bit early so I can go see my friends play over at North River Tavern. FYN knocked it out as usual! Chris Love sounded great, despite being sick.
I’ve been getting very behind on my posts on my personal site, everything recently has been posted directly to darwinsburgers.com. Today I’m going to play a bit of catch-up and show you guys what I’ve been up to.
09.07.2011 – Homer’s Acoustic Set – We didn’t have anyone playing this night, so Homer was nice enough to come out and play for us for only some food and a little booze. I brought out my loop pedal and him jam around with that. That kid is sick, after 10 minutes of fiddling, he was playing it like he’d owned one for years! I hate you Homer, and I can’t wait to see you play again.
Homer Wed. Acoustic Set
Homer Wed. Acoustic Set
Homer Wed. Acoustic Set
09.08.2011 – Thursday Blues Jam – Thursday Blues Jam is my new favorite night of the week. It’s so much fun every time, I can’t wait for the next one! I’d like to thank the Cazanovas for signing their framed pictures!
Cazanovas @ Thursday Blues Jam
Danny and Jake @ Thursday Blues Jam
Jake @ Thursday Blues Jam
Eric @ Thursday Blues Jam
Danny @ Thursday Blues Jam
Cazanovas @ Thursday Blues Jam
Jim @ Thursday Blues Jam
Cody and Jim @ Thursday Blues Jam
Rodger Wasserman @ Thursday Blues Jam
Joe Clover @ Thursday Blues Jam
Tamara @ Thursday Blues Jam
Cindy @ Thursday Blues Jam
Hobo @ Thursday Blues Jam
Cindy @ Thursday Blues Jam
Cody @ Thursday Blues Jam
@ Thursday Blues Jam
Katie Martin @ Thursday Blues Jam
@ Thursday Blues Jam
Katie Martin @ Thursday Blues Jam
09.09.2011 – Truett Lollis – Truett was amazing! Rhetta Akamatsu gave a fantastic review of Truett Lollis and Darwin’s in The Examiner. She liked our food!
Truett Lollis @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Truett Lollis Trio featuring Jeff Baker
Truett Lollis and Jeff Baker @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Theron Peterson of Truett Lollis Trio
Truett Lollis @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Listen to that video crowd! @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
I spent too much time getting this shot. @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Truett Lollis and Jonathan Norwood @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jonathan Norwood of Truett Lollis Trio
Jonathan Norwood of Truett Lollis Trio
Cody Matlock is an amazing little ball of talent. At 15, this young man is already jamming with the best players in town and soaking up advice and pointers from Truett, Little G, Danny Vinson and anyone else who happens to be in the room. Seeing Cody and Truett play together was history in the making!
Love the shirt! Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
History in the making. Truett and Cody @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
09.10.2011 – The Cazanovas – It was great to finally see the Cazanovas do a full set! I’m used to just seeing them in small chunks while hosting the Blues Jam. Maurice Nazzaro, Danny Vinson, Eric Puller and stand-in bassist Harold Pattillo did a great job! Towards the end of the night, they were joined by Frankie Robinson, Little G, Cody Matlock, and Matt Smart for a bit of a jam session.
Maurice Nazzaro of The Cazanovas
Harold Pattillo
Danny Vinson of The Cazanovas
Eric Pullen of The Cazanovas
Maurice Nazzaro of The Cazanovas
The Cazanovas @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Matt Smart @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Saturday Night Jam @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Frankie Lee Robinson @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Frankie Lee Robinson @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G. Weevil @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G. Weevil & Cody Matlock @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
School of Blues w/ Little G, Danny Vinson, and Cody Matlock
09.12.2011 – Jim Ransone – Jim Ransone of The Breeze Kings played a nice chill set where you can come in and enjoy some food and conversation with some light acoustic blues in the background.
Jim Ransone Mondays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jim Ransone Mondays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jim Ransone Mondays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jim Ransone Mondays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Jim Ransone Mondays @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
09.13.2011 – LITTLE G – WOW! I can listen to this guy play all night, oh wait I just did that! I had so much stuff to do last night, but I ended up sticking around for the entire set! I’m going to love having Little G here every week. You will too, just come out and watch him for a night. Here’s a little taste of what he’s bringing:
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G Weevil Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Little G’s Cigarbox Guitar Every Tuesday @ Darwin’s Burgers and Blues
Making of a Mammoth – Now for a bit of food porn. Little G ordered a Mammoth burger and I decided to document the making of it.
2 Big Bang Patties w/ Cheese and fried jalapenos. Mammoth Burger
First patty topped w/ Bacon. Mammoth Burger
2nd patty, fried jalapenos, then chili. Mammoth Burger
Sprinkled with chopped onions. Mammoth Burger
Toasted bun on top. Mammoth Burger
Little G’s Mammoth Burger and Fries @ Darwin’s Burgers.
“Ok. To me, Darwin`s is the best blues club in the ATL area. That`s bottomline. The staff is so friendly, makes everyone feel like family. Bottomline. But where on earth have these chefs been? The Mammoth burger is so good i`m totally speechless. You want a bar burger? Well, try elsewhere. This is serious soulburger my friends!” – Little G Weevil
COMING SOON: Novakord + Winter Ransom + Ross Pead + Darwin’s Burgers Case Study
We decided Thursday to take a trip to Savannah for July 4th weekend. I’d never been to Savannah and someone else was driving, I’M IN! We arrived at midnight Friday and wandered the streets drinking smoothies from Wet Willie’s. They convinced me to take a night off and leave the camera. It was a cool vibe! At 2am the streets were still crowded with families and street musicians!
Saturday the photography began, so did the drinking. Our first stop was The Tea Room where we started our day with a pot of Flaming Dragon Oolong. The waitress spooned brandy onto a sugar cube and lit it on fire!
After that was going through gallery after gallery of local painters and checking out the art scene. I’d like to give mention to David Patterson, the phenomenal sketch artist and Thomas Kinkade, “painter of light”.
We had a great Seafood and Alcoholic Lemonade lunch, I ordered a Crab Bisque and Crab Cakes. The food was so good I actually forgot to take pictures of my entree! After lunch we drank at the pool for a while…finally ending the night with some Savannah Light Painting! Not so much drawing, but playing with filters and such.
Savannah was a cool place, but we didn’t really get to explore too much since we were only there for 2 days and partying most of the time. Next time, I want to check out the Historic District near SCAD campus. Light Painting!
SCAD Theater at night. SOOC – Straight out of Camera.
Savannah Park
Flaming Dragon Oolong from The Tea Room
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Savannah
Crab Bisque that made me forget to take pictures!
Smoke Break
Self Portrait in the Pool
Ray Underwater.
Sean Underwater.
Savannah Bay Bridge taken from our hotel roof.
Savannah Church SOOC – Straight out of Camera.
Abandoned Pool SOOC – Straight out of Camera.
Savannah Bay Bridge SOOC – Straight out of Camera.
Went and grabbed sushi at my favorite sushi spot in Atlanta, Kiku! I’ve been coming here since they opened a few years ago, I finally decided to bring in my camera and grab some shots of some of my favorites!
Spicy tuna, crab and shrimp roll.
The Nigiri plate! Salmon, Yellowtail, Shrimp, Scallops.
Raw Sweet Shrimp
Salmon, still my favorite!
Sweet Shrimp Heads, deep fried and covered in sauce!
Our friend Chris invited us to come out to Lake Lanier to hang out on the Pontoon Boat. It was supposed to rain, but we went anyways. We ended up being just outside of the storm for most of the day, it was great! 5 dogs, water, guitars, booze, and grilling steaks on the boat!