Atlanta, GA
Billie Eilish Will Reignite 'Overheated' Climate Sustainability Conference in Atlanta
The Billie Eilish-co-founded climate sustainability conference Overheated is getting fired up again. The musician will appear as a speaker at the forthcoming event scheduled for Nov. 3 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. She will be joined by more than a dozen panelists assembled to engage in important conversations about climate change and sustainability practices.
Although tickets are sold out, the event will be live streamed on YouTube from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST via the official Billie Eilish channel.
“I am thrilled that we can bring this unique event to Billie‘s US fans. And to people from all over who can watch the livestream. At this time, more than ever we need everyone to be a climate activist,” Eilish’s mother Maggie Baird, who founded the plant-based food initiative Support+Feed. Earlier this year, the musician told Rolling Stone: “I have never had an interest in being a role model, ever,” she says. “If you’re going to think I’m a role model, think I’m a role model in terms of trying to save the environment, and being more conscious of the way that you live, and your carbon footprint, and your contribution to animal agriculture.”
Overheated is presented in collaboration between Eilish and Support+Feed. The initiative has maintained a consistent presence on the musician’s tours, on top of her publicly advocating for sustainability in the music industry. Fans are encouraged to choose plant-based food options when possible and support their goal of combating food insecurity. The upcoming conference is an opportunity to bring fans, artists, and activists together while amplifying climate solutions.
Eilish and Baird will both appear as special guests, along with Saad Amer, Corinea Austin, Xiye Bastida, Daniel Blackman, Brea Baker, Abre’ Conner, Quintin Crumpler, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Helena Gualinga, Wawa Gatheru, Isaias Hernandez, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Jamila Norman, Samata Pattinson, Maya Penn, and Angela Watts. Additional panelists and speakers will be announced in the lead up to Overheated.
The scheduled panels include “Environmental Justice 101,” “The Stories We Tell,” “What We Eat Matters,” “Fashion Your Future,” “Climate Optimism,” and “Your Vote, Your Power.”
“Overheated is a space for climate activists, thought leaders, artists and music fans to unite, amplify their efforts, and inspire others with practical tips and accessible resources for addressing the climate crisis. Overheated is built from the idea that we can all make a difference,” an event description reads. “With a focus on optimism and joy, Overheated equips audiences with the tools and resources to build on what they have learned, and bring new ideas and inspiration to their communities back home.”
Attend a foodie block party at Sweet Auburn Barbecue, take free salsa classes and more things to do in May.
The Good Luck Smoke Show returns to Sweet Auburn Barbecue this year with more than 15 chefs and restaurants sharing bites and cocktails. (Courtesy of Peter Ho)
This May, enjoy a crawfish boil in Smyrna, snag a slot for NFA’s Burger Benefit, take part in the Meals on Wheels Taste fundraiser and celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Here’s our running lineup of food-related things to do in metro Atlanta:
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.nosrep rep .m.p atnalta-daehkcub-atnalta-airotsa-frodlaw/r/moc.elbatnepo daoR eerthcaeP ,EN yaM .atnaltA 5 ,0057-599-404 6733 .2 58$
The NFA Burger Benefit will feature chefs serving their own twists on a burger. (Photo Courtesy of NFA Burger).
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.nosrep rep .m.p moc.tifenebregrub 03:7-.m.a ,daoR yaM .ydoownuD ydoownuD eelbmahC 5645 .3 11 76.69$-77.64$
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.m.p moc.tnaruatseravounasac yaM ,yawhgiH atnaltA .atterahplA ,0019-574-077 0765 .3 03:5-2
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.m.p .m.p stneve/moc.yavhalc ,ecalP yaM yaM sdnegeL .atnaltA 03:9-03:6 03:7-03:4 554 ,0056-125-404 .3 .71
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lliw lliw dnekeew ot ereht slaiceps .ytrap fo ,cisum xim evil sti sedulcni ni tsoh tah .yojne knird hsifwarc .tsetnoc eb launna dna dna osla a a ehT anrymS ,yadrutaS kraP nO yaM ykcutneK ykcutneK ybreD ybreD hsifwarC lioB sniktA ,2
.nosrep rep ytrap-ybred-liob-hsifwarc-anryms-launna-ht42/stneve/moc.krapsnikta dna .m.a .anrymS ,ES daoR yaM atnaltA ,7881-534-077 .3 0482 2 11 02$-21$
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.m.p atnalta-ellirg-dna-rab-sucram/r/moc.elbatnepo ,ES yaM doowegdE .evA .atnaltA .7 9-6 525 ,0071-098-074
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htiw lliw keew ot tuohguorht yeht eht eht laiceps stnaruatser stnaruatser tuo reffo deman lacol lacol edulcni slaed etepmoc s’ytic etarbelec .regrub regrub tseb feeb eb sa dnuora dna dna .keeW nrevaT ,luoS stnaruatseR azziP gnitapicitraP .s’ybsmrO s’gnifaoL tiperiF yadyrevE s’halileD s’yddaD evitaerC kcehC ,sregruB regruB ,ksoB daB atnaltA LTA
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Attend the annual Kyma Champagne Social featuring glasses of Champagne and food to pair with it. (Courtesy of Kyma)
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.nosrep rep .m.p amyk/moc.elbatnepo daoR tnomdeiP ,EN yaM .atnaltA 9-5 ,2070-262-404 5803 .41 95$
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htiw detimilnu owt ot .stekcit eht dekoms ytrap ,cisum ,staem satiragram edulcni doof knird tnempoleved gnignirb kcolb ,setib .reeb era dna dna dna a skroW stekciT nacixeM nacixeM nehctiK xoF aírehcihC .sorB Q-B-raB
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The Good Luck Smoke Show returns to Sweet Auburn Barbecue this year with more than 15 chefs and restaurants sharing bites and cocktails. (Courtesy of Peter Ho)
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wohs-ekoms-kcul-doog/1-stneve/moc.qbbnrubuateews .nosrep rep .m.p ,EN .N yaM dnalhgiH .evA .atnaltA 656 9-5 .02 511$-58$
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.nosrep rep .m.p stneve/gro.ltawom ,WN yaM evirD ecremmoC .atnaltA 6 .92 5071 581$
Cinco de Mayo events
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Aerial Kitchen & Bar will reopen for the season this May with an all-day Cinco de Mayo event. (Courtesy of Epicurean Atlanta)
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.m.p rab-nehctik-lairea-ta-yks-eht-ni-ocnic/6202/stneve/moc.atnaltaletohnaerucipe .W ,.tS eerthcaeP 9-nooN yaM .atnaltA ,0761-842-338 .5 7111
AltaToro will offer three days of specials for Cinco de Mayo. (Courtesy of AltaToro)
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orotatlaoyamedocnic/moc.ytilatipsoh5k ecalP eerthcaeP ,EN yaM .atnaltA ,6768-599-074 33 .5-3
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.nosrep rep .m.p ht5-yam-yadseut-oyam-ed-ocnic/moc.pohsrehctubdaehkcub ecalP ,WN yaM lliH sniaC .atnaltA 03:6 .5 8913 521$
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.m.p ltakculemos/moc.margatsni .tS ,ES dnomrO yaM .atnaltA 9-6 .5 211
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.m.p ltadadinummoc/moc.margatsni ,EN yaM dnalhgiH .evA .atnaltA 556 ,1487-624-015 .5 9-2
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.m.p ytrap-oyam-ed-ocnic-odidnab-evaga/stneve/moc.atnaltateertshgih ,.tS yaM hgiH .atnaltA .5 01-4 101
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with drink specials at St. Julep. (Courtesy of Kimpton Sylvan Atlanta-Buckhead)
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sgnineppah/moc.ltapelujtnias .m.p daoR secaP ,EN yaM yrreF .E .atnaltA 9-6 .5 ,2098-135-074 473
Olivia Wakim is a reporter on the lifestyle team. She joined the AJC as an intern in 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a journalism degree. While in school, she reported for The Red & Black, Grady Newsource and the Marietta Daily Journal.
Award-winning actor and rapper Daryl “Chill” Mitchell discusses his legendary career and his latest role in the hit sitcom “Shifting Gears.” Joined by his sons, Justen and Desmin, Chill opens up about fatherhood, the life-altering accident that fueled his advocacy for spinal injury awareness, and the unwavering resilience that keeps his family moving forward.
Atlanta, GA
Review: Pink Lotus is more than a pretty face, it’s a Westside standout in Atlanta’s Thai evolution
Photograph by Martha Williams
Atlanta’s Thai scene has decisively shifted in the past two decades. If you asked me where to go for Thai food in the 1990s, my list would have included a handful of dependable spots for pad thai and standard curries. For so long, Little Bangkok reigned on Cheshire Bridge. That is, until the arrival of chef Nan Niyomkul and her late husband, Charlie, who opened Tamarind in 1998 and Nan Thai Fine Dining in the early aughts. Those early anchors helped cement the foundation of Thai food in Atlanta, but the real evolution occurred when homegrown restaurateurs and chefs began responding to diners’ growing demand for dishes with a point of view.
Today, Thai offerings in Atlanta are more regional, expressive, and personal. The growth is most evident in greats such as Tum Pok Pok on Buford Highway and Talat Market in Summerhill. Both helped prove Atlanta was ready for more complex Thai flavors and dishes. They pushed the dialogue forward, and now, Pink Lotus is carrying the conversation into the Westside.
Photograph by Martha Williams
The restaurant’s location at the Stockyards Atlanta is savvy, given how few Thai restaurants exist in the industrial neighborhood. Owner Niki Pattharakositkul, the engine behind the ubiquitous 26 Hospitality Group, has built a reputation for approachable Thai across the metro area. The group’s dependable workhorse is 26 Thai; Pink Lotus is its shiny new jewel with a clear aesthetic and culinary identity. The restaurant educates diners about regional Thai dishes that are bold in color and intense in flavor, with a splash of drama.
The fuchsia-soaked restaurant’s name is a tribute to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, who is also revered by Buddhists in Thailand. She is traditionally depicted standing on a giant pink lotus. Embodying an ethos of abundance, she watches over the dining room from a hand-painted mural that sets the mood for the plush velvet banquettes and gold accents throughout. The enormous custom lanterns in orange, green, and pink add warmth to the industrial space.
The menu, approachable and expansive, highlights Thailand’s main culinary regions—northern, southern, central, and Isaan. I knew this was a different type of restaurant the minute I saw the beautiful plating of the miang kham. The starter sets the mood early with neat piles of herbaceous betel leaves, coconut, lime, ginger, peanuts, and palm sugar syrup, all meant to be combined for a perfect sweet, salty, herbal, and sharp bite.
Photograph by Martha Williams
Nearly every table seems to order the crispy tempura-fried kale mixed with ground chicken and punchy lime dressing. It arrives piled high, and it’s a crunchy bite that’s fun to eat and share. The restaurant offers numerous salads, such as papaya, as well as heartier options, including grilled pork jowl served on a mini tabletop grill. Skip the pad thai; there are more interesting dishes on the menu. Instead, order the branzino, either steamed or fried. We opted for the fried, which was perfectly greaseless and served with a vinegary, bright-green apple salad.
The crab fried rice, with its plump pieces of sweet lump crab, is a pricey splurge ($39) but worth it for any seafood lover. It comes with a green chili sauce for drizzling. The bone-in beef short rib looks like something out of The Flintstones. But it was the beef cheek curry served in a Southern Thai yellow-green curry sauce with eggplant that scratched the itch for something saucy and slightly spicy.
Not every dish is successful. The dry charcoal-grilled chicken lacked sufficient char. The khao soi was over-reduced: The sugar and salt were so intense that not even a trace of heat or a squeeze of lime could save it. (Otherwise, the soup of egg noodles and a chicken leg in a coconut-based yellow curry is well-constructed.) Service also needs improvement and the staff more training. One of our servers forgot to put in our order but played it off as managing the pacing.
Photograph by Martha Williams
A lengthy cocktail list from the gem of a bar, lined with colorful glass jars and clay vases, names inventive cocktails such as the Somtum Martini, a gin-based drink with flavors inspired by the tang of papaya salad.
Pink Lotus isn’t just filling a gap on the Westside; it’s raising the bar. As our city’s Thai food scene grows more varied and regionally expressive, Pink Lotus’s cooking and transportive design demonstrate how far we have come.
This article appears in our April 2026 issue.
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