Carroll St. spices up the flavor

Certain Parisian cafés such as Café de Flore, where intellectuals like Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Behavior created some of their greatest works, are arguably impossible to recreate outside of Paris. This impossibility comes from the difficulty in reproducing the atmosphere and the grandeur of the left bank district's boulevards.

Astonishingly, however, such a venue does exist, and it lies in Tech's own back yard. Surreal as it may be, Carroll Street Café offers authentic exposure to the celebrated "café culture."

As the name Carroll Street Café implies, the café settles along an alley of the same name and is located in Atlanta's historic Cabbagetown district directly across a row of seasoned residences. The weathered remains of the old Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill occupy a large part of the landscape on the same street not far away. The factory's tall chimes are especially noticeable as they soldier proudly over the subtle neighborhood.

The café's surroundings can easily be mistaken for a frame out of a '60s French New Wave flick. It is a nostalgic scene difficult to find even in contemporary downtown Paris.

According to the manager of Carroll Street Café, the district's name, Cabbagetown, originated when cotton mill workers still occupied the area. Because poverty limited their diets significantly, their meals consisted mainly of cabbage.

After the Mill ceased its operations, the area became flocked with artists and their associates. Inspired by the location, the owner of the café purchased and combined an old bike shop and a gloomy bar seven years ago, and since then it has charmed locals and visitors alike.

Aside from the well-preserved exteriors of Cabbagetown, the café has an inviting interior that goes dashingly well with the area. Dessert displays and a small bar are framed by pieces ranging from photography to oil paintings by local artists. Special events such as "open mic nights" and painting exhibits occur frequently. The café has a reputation for being a Mecca of the local artist community. The enchanting atmosphere of Carroll Street Café is matched only by its meticulously designed menu. Though the café's selection appears compact, its meals are anything but. Choosing between a $9 Salmon Ciabatta and a $24 Filet Mignon, Carroll Street's diversely priced items are crafted to please with flavorful richness. The café also has an eclectic choice of tapas, ranging from light appetizers such as Roasted Pepper Hummus to taste bud-teasing Brushchetta.

The café also carries a remarkably distinguished array of spirits. For instance, Carroll Street Café houses the hard to acquire Sophia Coppola's Blanc de Blanc, a sparkling wine made of white grapes coupled with champagne and fruits, that is an added delight to any meal. So if you're ready to grant your rumbling stomach all its darkest desires or can visualize yourself in the bohemian alley on a sunny afternoon, immersed in a good read, make your way to Carroll Street Café.