“They’ve become my good friends and I was eating out at different restaurants in the city and documenting it. I had no idea that it would become as popular as it has,” he says.
“Savory Exposure” has definitely received its own great exposure ― Smylie’s been named by Creative Loafing readers as “Best Foodie Tweeter” two years in a row; he was profiled in the November issue of the national publication Upscale Magazine; he’s been tapped as one of five noteworthy Atlanta food personalities in Creative Loafing; and he was featured on Atlanta Eats TV, to name a few.
As an accomplished photographer, Smylie takes beautiful food porn photos for his website as well as on Instagram for his Twitter feed.
What three spots do you try to take all of your out of town guests to?
It can get a bit crowded, but Holeman & Finch is a great place to go with a large group and try a number of different dishes and cocktails.
I love The Shed at Glenwood, from Chef Todd Richards in the kitchen to the ownership ― Cindy and Todd ― I always feel at home there. The food is excellent and doesn’t break the bank.
I love Octane Coffee ― they’ve given me a new appreciation for coffee and they have an excellent beer and spirit program. I can get a good Manhattan and Negroni there in a pretty chill environment. I haven’t been to one of their beer dinners yet, but I’ve heard raves about them.
Do you have a favorite food/dish?
There’s a seafood dish that my mother makes with salmon, onions and Jamaican spices that I love. I really need to learn how to make it myself.
What gay-owned restaurants or restaurants with gay staff do you think every Atlantan needs to eat at before they die?
• Miller Union ― I love recommending this restaurant over on the Westside. They have a great bar program and Steven Satterfield does a great job with his constantly evolving seasonal menu. There would be riots if the farm egg in celery cream dish departed from the menu.
• 10th & Piedmont― When the DOMA decision was made [the Supreme Court struck down a major portion of DOMA in June] and the resulting rally was held, there was no doubt that I wanted to head to the epicenter where I was happy to get a perfectly made Manhattan and some craft beer while joining in the revelry.
• Joystick Gamebar ― This bar is a lot of fun and these guys are masters at social media, even before they opened their doors. Their recent expansion has made an Old Fourth Ward gem a great place to hang out with craft beer and handcrafted cocktails.
• Amsterdam ― Although there’s a craft beer revolution going on, some bars have been slow to make the transition. The folks that run the beer program here get it, run amazing specials, and occasionally have special kegs on offer by great breweries like Dogfish Head.
• Ria’s Bluebird – I couldn’t have a list without mentioning Ria’s Bluebird. Ria was beloved inside and out of the LGBT community, and she’ll be missed. She was a pioneer on that strip near Oakland Cemetery and it is a very different place now than when she opened. She’ll be missed.