The Compound

One really fun event I didn't put on my previous list was a trip to the Weinstein Compound for an authentic Mexican dinner prepared by Rory & Shon. It was unquestionably one of the best meals I have ever had! I don't think there is a fine-dining establishment in Atlanta that could compete with the flavor and freshness of all the various dishes. But then, Rory is a professionally trained chef...

Let me fill you in, the Weinstein compound is three houses spread across alternately wooded and grassy acreage in Rico, GA. The compound is occasionally presided over by "The Dad", Marc Weinstein, a founder of Mellow Mushroom. If not in Rico, Marc is likely in Thailand, leaving the run of the place to his son Josh and daughter Melody, who splits her time between here, there, and everywhere. Here being Rico/Atlanta and there being New York... I met Melody while we were both in high school- then the Weinstein compound was one house on Elizabeth Lane, but it was still the epicenter of the universe for a sizable group of high-spirited, intellectual, and/or creative teenagers. Now you have a brief history. Interestingly, Melody has recently reunited with one of our best boy friends from back in the day, Mr. Edward Wilson Bell. Ten+ years following a solid friendship they are a happy (and good-looking!) item. So these photos are two parts, one part dinner and one part Melody & Ed.

Here Shon and I prepare little cornmeal cakes called sopas which were later deep fried and filled with carne esada, fresh herbs, a sprinkling of cheese, and of course, salsa. Note the Supermans and rubber chickens in Marc's kitchen.


Meanwhile Ed prepares to spin the wheels of steel:


And consults with two Joshes about how build a table for 10 or so outside:


Preferred transportation around the compound:


On a run to the store I stopped to take this photo:


Doc surveys the competition:


I returned just in time to observe Rory instructing Melody on the ways of the deep fryer:


Shon displays a sample plate and elaborates on the dishes:


Marc says, "Enough talking, let's eat!"


Mel & Ed glimpsed across the successfully constructed table:


Shon stands in front of the bonfire, this is one of my favorite photos I've taken recently:


How sweet is this? It really makes me smile...


And lastly for comparison sake, two photos of Melody and Ed from our teenage years. A late night trip to Wally World:


And a comparison of kicks:


I hear there are videotapes in circulation from this era in which I have... bad hair! Click here for a few more photos from the dinner party. Xoxo,