A royalty worthy restaurant/lounge in Duluth

For many, the color purple symbolizes a divine mandate, or in some cases a divine woman-date, like that hot night Celie had with Shug. For a kingly reason to visit Duluth, Purple Rain Restaurant & Lounge.

Near Gwinnett Place Mall, Purple's a sprawling cafe/lounge/nightclub that from 8am to 10pm offers upscale tapas, then gets royally crazy with pop/electronica nightlife tunage that jibes perfectly with the setting: deckings like a color-changing, raindrop-shaped dropped ceiling entrance, brushed aluminum walls, a glass-topped/ maple-lined/ LED-lit bar that resembles glowing ice, and a middle dining room with DMX LED panels -- so yes, a great spot to Belly up. Chef Robert's morning meals include Nutella-stuffed banana french toast, a Spanish potato omelet w/ braised chicken & Romanesco sauce, pork belly confit w/ soft-poached eggs, and even Lobster Benedict, while early boozing's handled by pickled-pepper Bloodies and the Irish whiskey/ Kahlua/ Baileys/ coffee "Special K" -- start dancing like Turbo, and your heart's sure to endure some Breakin'. Later eats range from 15 small plates (crispy fried pig ears w/ cherry peppers, chimichurri hanger steak), to Thai curry grilled quail, macadamia-crusted sea bass, crispy duck breast w/ ginger bok choy, and jerk wings, also the reason Paul McCartney went solo.

They've also got some serious desserts like a tempura-fried, salted-caramel chocolate sampler; for the romantic baller, there's even a $1,000 golden chocolate truffle nugget soufflé that comes topped with an amethyst necklace -- order it on a date and you know you'll be making some Whoopi.