It’s Okay To Play Favorites In The Sunday Paper's "Best Of" Awards!

It’s wonderful to be an American and know that you can openly share your opinion by voting for your “best” places and faces in Atlanta in The Sunday Paper’s Reader’s Choice contest. Readers should put down the paper and log on to submit their faves for everything from local celebrities and neighborhoods to pet spas and stores galore. Those who enter will earn a chance to win a $50 Café Intermezzo gift certificate! We’ll drink a European coffee to that!

We Are All Screaming for Ice Cream!

Today is going to be a long lunch break kind of day. Why you ask? Because I'm anticipating long lines at Ben & Jerry's when I stop in for my free scoop. Yep, you read correctly. Today is Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop. I'm not going to get my usual scoop of Phish Food. I think I'll try something different like Neopolitan Dynamite. Your favorite flavors are free from noon until 8 p.m. Find your closest Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop here. See you there!

Here is a little background on why this day exists. Thirty years ago in Burlington, Vermont, Ben and Jerry started scooping out free ice cream one day each year to thank all their friends and neighbors for supporting them over the past 365 days. This heart-melting tradition continues, and lucky you, today is THE DAY!

White Oak Pastures Farm Day Fun

I drove down to Bluffton, GA (180 miles SW of Atlanta) yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Will Harris' White Oak Pastures harvesting facility. A couple hundred people showed up to eat Will's grassfed beef and participate in the festivities. The cooks made sausage, chili, beef stew and more - all from White Oak Pastures. YUM.

The sun burned off the clouds and it was a great day. Lots of folks made the trek from Atlanta, including Whole Foods Market's Scott Allshouse, president of the South region. A loan from WFM, along with grants from OneGeorgia and Early County allowed Will to build the facility, allowing him to "harvest" his cows right there on the farm instead of loading them onto an 18-wheeler and sending them hundreds of miles away. The facility was designed through consultation by the famed Temple Grandin and is amazingly humane. These cows are born, grow up, and finish their lives all on this beautiful farm, dining at an all-you-can-eat grass buffet.

Another amazing fact is that the facility is "zero waste." Even the waste water is reclaimed to be used for fertilizer. Will says that there are very few facilities like his in the country and now he knows why! The regulators have had a hard time understanding his goals - suggesting, for instance, that he just truck that waste water up the road to the nearest town and dump it in their waste treatment plant! So every step of the way he's had to educate someone, which is good for all of us.

It was fun to see so many Atlantans come out to enjoy the day. Those included Slow Food's Julie Shaffer, Georgia Organics' Barbara Petit, Whole Foods Market's Cheryl Galway and Darrah Horgan, GRA's Green Alliance Holly Elmore, Emory/Sodexho's Christy Cook and Savannah's "Farmer D." Terry Coleman was there to speak and represent the Agriculture Department.

Marlow's Tavern in Vinings Celebrates Three Years in Atlanta on April 25

Three’s the charmer today, April 25, as Marlow’s Tavern in Vinings presents party guests (could be you) with $3 draft beer, $3 shots, $3 appetizers and more! And this three-year-old gets to stay up late – birthday cake cutting is at 10 p.m., and Under The Porch plays on the patio from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. You don’t have to bring a present, i.e., there’s no cover charge. This is a party we're favoring, especially now that it's finally patio weather in Atlanta! 2355 Cumberland Parkway; 770-432-2526.

Uncork A Cure! April 24th Fundraiser Puts a Stopper in HIV and AIDS

Last night I attended the annual Uncork A Cure event to benefit AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA). Celebrating ARCA's 20th anniversary, corks were certainly popping all night long! It was held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, and many of Atlanta's finest restaurants served up tons of yummy fare and showed their support for the organization. La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen® Midtown, Morton’s The Steakhouse (Downtown) and Woodfire Grill are just a few of the popular restaurants that provided samples to go with the fine wine that was poured. One of my favorites was South City Kitchen's mini chicken biscuits (pictured above). I have a thing for mini items, especially at foodie and wine functions - they are easier to eat and the presentation is great.

The space was packed with people and a DJ was spinning tons of hip tunes. A silent auction that was placed in the middle of the facility was certainly the talk of the evening as well. Tons of photos and paintings from local artists, spa packages, and many other items from local vendors.

The AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA) is a registered 501(c)(3), not-for-profit clinical research, testing, outreach and educational organization founded in 1988. Through a network of 53 physicians and six public health clinics, ARCA conducts clinical drug trials and prevention research studies, provides patient and care-provider educational programs, and provides free HIV and STD testing at ARCA and within the Atlanta community.

Learn more about Uncork A Cure and ARCA at http://www.uncorkacure.org/.

Food Studio® Spring Fling Menu Will Have You Flinging Sweaters, Flaunting Sandals

Well, looks like Mother Nature has stopped playing with our emotions and spring has finally sprung! I love this time of year because the trees are always fresh shades of green, brightly colored wardrobes begin to emerge and eating lunch outside is no longer wishful thinking. Spring is also a great time to love food! Restaurants begin to feature dishes with succulent fruit, crisp salads and creative sandwiches. So, when I found out Food Studio is going to salute the season with a special menu, I couldn't wait to make reservations.

Officially, the April 24 – May 3 menu is titled “Spring Harvest,” as its focus is spring’s seasonal bounty. Off the record, we, and the folks at Yelp! , have dubbed it “Spring Fling.” Reason being, Executive Chef Mark Alba’s crisp, fresh flavors will have you flinging those fleeces far and wide while simultaneously wriggling those toes free under the table. And, like the daffodils, tulips and azaleas, these riotous flavors will pass with the season. Eat now, or be doomed to don that sweater until next year! Go prix fixe and choose one selection from each course below for $39 per person or pick and choose à la carte.

First Course

Yellowfin tuna tataki, marinated mushrooms, crispy shallots and oak-aged soy ($12)Grilled hanger steak, avocado puree, pickled peppers and cilantro ($9)White and green asparagus, morels, fried quail egg, truffle vinaigrette and pecorino ($9)Sweet corn agnolotti, grilled Vidalia onions, country ham, smoked tomato cream and pea shoots ($9 / $16)

Second Course

Atlantic salmon and rye panzanella salad, watercress and horseradish cream ($20)Maine diver sea scallops, crispy gold potatoes, chorizo and saffron-mussel sauce ($26)Roasted leg of lamb, potato puree, spring squash, gremolata and lamb jus ($23)Herb-roasted young chicken, Vidalia onion risotto, Swiss chard and chicken jus ($21)

Dessert

Peach almond tart with late harvest Riesling ice cream ($8)Milk chocolate mousse with spiced bananas and miniature malted milk balls ($8)

Food Studio, a Fifth Group Restaurant®, is located at 887 W. Marietta Street; 404-815-6677. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

Administrative Professionals Should Take Off to Marlow's Tavern and The Globe for Administrative Professionals' Day and Week Specials

Here at MLA we really do appreciate all that our office manager, Hollie, does for us. When we're in a crunch she is always there offering a helping hand to make our day a little easier. So being that today is Administrative Professionals Day we would officially like to give a shout to Hollie; we don't know what we would do with out ya!

And to all of those who feel the same, it's time to give your "right hand" gals and guys a little something in appreciation for all they do for you. In honor of Administrative Professionals' Day Marlow's Tavern locations and the GLOBE are rolling out special midday menus that make it easy for bosses to treat their assistants to lunch. Spare an hour, maybe two, chat, chew, then head back to the office empowered to take on whatever lurks in the inbox!

So, today go ahead and hit "Auto Reply" and head out to the GLOBE in Midtown for a two-course lunch menu featuring a choice of soup or salad followed by an entrée. $12 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. The GLOBE, Modern Mediterranean Café, is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, and stays open until 1 a.m. with a late night menu Thursday through Saturday. 75 Fifth Street, NW; 404-541-1487.

Marlow's Tavern provides five days and four locations for completing the lunchtime assignment. Come any or all days from Monday, April 21 to Friday, April 25, and feast on fiery crawfish fondue with toasted ciabatta, lamb tenderloin wrap with spinach and feta cheese, or grilled chicken cappellini with asparagus. Enter to win gift baskets that include gift cards to local businesses and dinner at Marlow's Tavern. One winner will be chosen each day at each location - could be a tasty bonus! Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW; 770-425-8777. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770- 475-1800. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway; 770-432-2526. Midtown: 950 West Peachtree Street; 404-815-0323.

Woodfire Grill's Michael Tuohy Digs White Asparagus as "Key Ingredient" in The Sunday Paper

The French have long had a love affair with white asparagus. Kept covered under earth, the sunless sibling of green asparagus matures without chlorophyll, thus maintaining its pearly white complexion. Woodfire Grill Owner and Executive Chef Michael Tuohy finds spring to be the best time of year to relish French white asparagus, which is often larger and milder in flavor than its green-with- envy relative. Tuohy prefers to serve it chilled as an appetizer or small plate, dressed with a tangy gribiche sauce and crispy celery bits for contrast. Read the details on his "Key Ingredient" for spring dining in the April 20 issue of The Sunday Paper. We've posted one of his favorite recipes below so you can gather the ingredients while you're out picking up your free copy of The Sunday Paper! Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Michael Tuohy's White Asparagus with Sauce Gribiche
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
1 lb. white asparagus
1 lemon
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
3/4 cup champagne vinegar
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
3 shallots, minced
1/2 cup capers, chopped
1/4 cup cornichons (a type of gherkin pickle), chopped
1/3 cup fresh chervil, chopped
1/3 cup fresh tarragon, chopped
1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Pinch of white pepper

Method:
1. Trim and peel the white asparagus. Tie into a bundle with butcher's twine or use a rubber band and place into acidulated (containing small amount of lemon juice or vinegar) boiling water.

2. Cook until tender, 6-10 minutes, depending on the size.

3. Remove asparagus from water and place into an ice water bath to stop the cooking. White asparagus should be very limp, not al dente, not mushy!
Place on plate covered with paper towel and refrigerate until needed.

For sauce:
1. Place champagne vinegar, shallots, salt and pepper in bowl; let stand for 10 minutes.

2.Add Dijon mustard, eggs, cornichons and herbs. Slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil until incorporated and a sauce-like consistency is achieved.

Assembly:
1.Arrange asparagus on platter or individual plates and top generously with sauce. Garnish with fresh chervil sprigs or parsley.

Serve with dry, crisp white wine like Sancerre or Sauvignon Blanc.

Pick and Grin at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery's Bluegrass Brunch on April 20

Would you use an alarm clock to wake up the vines for fine wines? At Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, they'll be strumming blue grass music at the 6th Annual Awakening of the Vines on Sunday, April 20. The afternoon grins with fresh picks of live blue grass music, a buffet luncheon spread and a tasting of the current release of Wolf Mountain's Family of Estate Wines to awaken the palate. Settle back and revel in the mountain vineyard's beauty while sipping hand-crafted, European-style wines at this beautiful winery just north of Dahlonega, Georgia. $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seatings are at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required; call 706-867-9862. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

That’s a heap of fried green tomatoes…South City Kitchen Midtown Celebrates 15 Years As A Midtown Dining Destination; Vinings Location Joins In!

When South City Kitchen® Midtown opened in Midtown 15 years ago this month, Midtown Atlanta was not the cultural and dining hub it is today. Trendsetter that it is, the much-loved restaurant’s unique blend of big city energy, Old South, front-porch hospitality and a New South culinary flair spread down the blocks to help make Midtown a dining destination for lunch, brunch and dinner. Now, join South City Kitchen Midtown and its younger sibling, South City Kitchen Vinings, in celebrating 15 mouthwatering years that have flown by like buttermilk fried chicken off a platter. From Thursday, April 17 through Saturday, April 26, both of the Fifth Group Restaurants’® restaurant locations will mark the occasion with a special three-course menu created in South City Kitchen style – using fresh, local ingredients. Come celebrate and experience the specialties that are not on the menu: the superior service that has earned the restaurant the Distinguished Restaurant of North America (DiRoNA) award and a beverage program noted with the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence!

Enjoy the special three-course menu for $32.95 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, or order your favorites à la carte:

Appetizers and salads ($6.50 - $10) such as fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, crisp dandelion greens, red pepper coulis; rock shrimp and scallion beignets with warm pepper jelly; cornmeal-fried oysters with grapefruit-shaved fennel salad and sweet mustard sauce; steamed mussels in tomato-fennel broth with garlic, leeks and preserved lemons; warm asparagus and country ham salad with golden tomatoes; and Vidalia onion tart with local goat cheese, watercress and spiced Georgia honey.

Entrees ($15.75 - $24) include sautéed Georgia trout with grilled spring vegetables, truffle creamed corn and smoked tomato vinaigrette; penne pasta with crawfish and tasso ham with bourbon cream and crisped leeks; pan-seared pork chop with macaroni and cheese, portobella fries and red pepper coulis; grilled barbecue swordfish with Monterrey Jack cheese grits; crisp fried chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes, green beans and bourbon gravy; grilled flatiron steak with watercress, shoestring fries and balsamic-shallot butter; and sautéed shrimp and scallops with creamy stone-ground grits and garlic gravy.

Desserts ($6.75) come in slices of Southern life: black bottom or lemon chess pie.

Reservations are recommended. South City Kitchen Midtown is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch at 1144 Crescent Avenue in Midtown; 404-873-7358. South City Kitchen Vinings serves dinner and Sunday brunch at 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Spring + Italian Food = New Treats at La Tavola

Virginia-Highlands' Italian darling, La Tavola Trattoria, has just introduced its new spring menu, and it looks so good I'm considering banning the other three seasons from my calendar!

New antipasti delights include beet salad with shaved fennel, Bartlett pears, ricotta salata and pistachios; mozzarella burrata with tomato conserva and crostini; beef tagliata of charred rare filet, lemon, shaved baby artichokes, parsley and Grana Padano cheese; seared sea scallops with polenta, sautéed spinach and tomato-onion compote; and grilled calamari with garlic-roasted cauliflower, organic cannellini beans and Agrumato oil.

What I'm ordering: the beef tagliata

Primi pasta dishes include fregola and clams with Calabrian chilies, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; agnolotti ravioli of braised beef and veal, thyme butter sauce and a red wine reduction; spinach and smoked ricotta ravioli with lemon zest, sage, pine nuts and butter; and orecchiette with house-made sausage and broccoli rabe, garlic, chili flakes and Pecorino Romano cheese.

What I'm ordering: orecchiette with house-made sausage

Secondi covers land and sea: Cacciucco fish stew of mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, fish, spicy tomato-herb brodetto served over grilled bread; seared trout with roasted fennel, fingerling potatoes, grilled red onion and lemon-oregano vinaigrette; grilled tuna with smashed organic cannellini beans, escarole, taggiasca olives and orange-olive oil; roasted monkfish with Castelluccio lentils, carrots, celery, salsa verde and toasted almonds; roasted chicken, rubbed with myrtle and bay leaf, broccoli rabe and lemon; grilled lamb Scottaditi with braised spring vegetables, prosciutto, mint and lemon; pork saltimbocca scallopine with prosciutto, sage, white wine, roasted fingerling potatoes and braised Swiss chard; grilled, dry-rubbed Meyer beef rib-eye steak with fingerling potatoes, broccoli rabe and Chianti Classico olive oil; and veal scallopine with capers, sage, lemon, roasted fingerling potatoes and spinach.

What I'm ordering: cacciucco fish stew

By the way, as at all Fifth Group Restaurants, the kitchen and menu are 100% trans-fat free, but I think I'll skip dessert all the same! Three courses is more than enough for this girl!

All Dressed Up And No Where To Go For Dinner? Prom Menu Specials Start The Evening In Style!

In town and in the ‘burbs, high school juniors and seniors have visions of prom night in their heads, dresses and tuxes in their closets, and quizzical looks as they decide where to dine out beforehand. Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown, Canoe, Aqua Blue, South City Kitchen® Midtown and Vinings and Woodfire Grill all know that enjoying a fine dinner at a restaurant that doesn’t have a drive-thru is part of the prom mystique – and they’re doing something about it by offering prom night specials to make dreams come true!

Aqua Blue is ready to start your sophisticated evening off right in Roswell. The three-course prom menu starts with a choice of an Aqua Blue house salad or Charleston she-crab soup. Entrée choices include sliced beef tenderloin medallions, baked French chicken or grilled salmon Oscar. Choose your dessert: warm chocolate brownie with vanilla bean ice cream or classic crème brûlée. $60 per couple, all inclusive. Reservations required; 770-643-8886. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell.

Canoe provides a beautiful riverside setting in Vinings with a garden that looks as good in photos as the food tastes on the plate! Prom menu options include: simple salad of young mixed lettuces with crispy potatoes and fresh herbs; a choice of grilled Atlantic salmon with lemon vinaigrette, boneless chicken breast or grilled Black Angus New York strip, all served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and French beans. For dessert, choose peanut butter crunch bar with chocolate ganache and banana crème anglaise or one of Canoe’s three favorite ice cream flavors. $55 per person, includes all soft drinks, tax and gratuity. 4199 Paces Ferry Road, NW; 770-432-2663.

Morton’s The Steakhouse locations in Buckhead and Downtown go all out for your formal evening with one of the best four-course steak and seafood menu deals around. For just $99 for two, each person enjoys a single-cut filet; choice of seafood options including Morton’s jumbo lump crab cake, Shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops wrapped in bacon with apricot chutney; choice of Caesar or Morton’s salad; and a choice of Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake or Key lime pie for dessert. Reservations required. Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Downtown: In the SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings offer two prix fixe prom menu options – choose the location that best suits your prom! The price is the same at both locations -- $35 per person including soft drink, tax and gratuity. At South City Kitchen Midtown choose a first course of mixed baby lettuces with toasted pecans; Old Charleston she-crab soup; fried green tomatoes with goat cheese, sweet red pepper coulis and crisp dandelion greens; or South City pimiento cheese with house pickles, fresh celery and corn crackers. Second course choices include crab hash with a poached egg and Idaho potatoes; buttermilk fried chicken with whipped potatoes and green beans; sautéed shrimp and scallops over stone-ground grits; or South City grilled chicken Caesar salad. South City Kitchen Vinings’ menu is as above, with butterbean hummus taking the place of pimiento cheese in first course offerings. In Midtown at 1144 Crescent Avenue, 404-873-7358; in Vinings at 1675 Cumberland Parkway, 770-435-0700.

Woodfire Grill, conveniently located to I-85 in Midtown, plans a three-course, $39 prix fixe prom menu that includes salad, steak and veggies and dessert. Locavores will love the seasonal ingredients fresh from local farms! 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Ecco Taste of Spain Dinner Last Night

Wow. I had a taste of Spain and a lot of sips of Spain at Ecco last night! As usual the Fifth Group team did a fab job putting on a party. We started out in the bar with apps and champagne. Gotta love that to get you in the mood.

Then we moved to the back room where we were seated at small tables with others. My friend and I lucked out with four great guys who are Ecco fans and have traveled a ton. I am now planning a trip to Croatia based on their recommendation!

But, back to the food .... The ham croquette app was to die for. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of it, but it was there and then it was gone! For dinner we had a tasty chorizo dish and some nice big prawns. Then we had a scrumptious paella - chicken and mushroom. Then we had suckling pig and this apple/onion side dish that I'm not describing well but went perfectly with the pork. For dessert they served these crazy fritters that had a vanilla tasting filling inside. We scarfed them down.

The wines were awesome. We loved the opening Albarino. And the reds were all outstanding with everyone at the table favoring a different one. I liked the Rioja best.

Definitely a fun evening.

During Tax Week and Beyond, Restaurants Help You Count Pennies After the Bean Counter Counts Your Dough

Hopefully, you’ve already e-filed or mailed in your tax forms (deadline is midnight tonight!). Windfall refund blowing your way? Celebrate! If your dirge is “I owe, I owe, so off to work I go,” take heart with these bar and dining strategies that stretch your post-tax dollars.

Fogo de Chão carves the same 15 cuts of savory meats at lunch for nearly half the price of the evening meal! All-you-can-eat lunch costs $29.50 versus $46.50 for dinner. The big-as-Brazil salad bar has plenty of greens and more! 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

The GLOBE plays a tempting four-on-four deal during Wine Down Wednesdays so you can spend a night out without spending a fortune. Four appetizer “bites” and four wine tastings cost a mere $15 from 6 – 8 p.m. 75 Fifth Street, NW in Midtown; 404-541-1487.

Marlow's Tavern passes savings on to the gals at Wednesdays’ “Girls’ Night Out” events. During April, Marlow’s showers the gals with light and luscious food and drink specials. $5 “Ladies Choice” appetizers wow, whether it’s the tequila-lime shrimp martini, lime-marinated chicken satay with fresh guac or a tomato and basil bruschetta. A glass full of excitement is just $5 as well! Try the signature “Tropical Elixir” and “Orange Marmalade.” Adding an element of surprise, each Marlow’s location will feature its own special cocktail of choice on Wednesdays – and even we don’t know what it will be where! April deals continue as each Marlow’s location lines up a $5 white wine flight and a $5 red wine flight for the gals! At all Marlow’s Tavern locations: Alpharetta - 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw - 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown - 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings - 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526.

Morton’s The Steakhouse “Power Hour” in Buckhead and Downtown provides timely ways to save dough, offering a half-priced Bar Bites menu ($4/plate) from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and from 9 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Technically, Power Hour runs longer than an hour, but that’s in your favor so who’s watching the clock! Start salivating over $4 selections such as the mini cheeseburger trio with more than half a pound of USDA prime beef with cheddar cheese, tomato slices, iceberg lettuce and onion, served on silver dollar rolls; four petite filet mignon sandwiches served on seeded ciabatta dinner rolls; crispy fried chicken goujonettes; and crab, spinach and artichoke dip with toasted bread croutons. Oysters on the half shell are just $1.50 each, and colossal shrimp are $2.50 a piece. Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Downtown in the SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

Trilogy spreads the wealth of savings throughout the week! Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Trilogy pours half-price martinis and wine-by-the-glass, and Coors Light beer is $2.Monday fills the bill with bottomless pasta bowls for $8.95. Top linguini, orchetti or penne pasta with your choice of marinara, meat sauce, Alfredo or tomato basil sauce; Trilogy rounds out the meal with tossed salad and warm crusty bread.Tuesdays are Shrimp Steamer Nights. Plunk down $10.95 and dig into a full pound of steamed shrimp with warm garlic butter, red skin potatoes and corn on the cob.Wednesday’s all-you-care-to-eat helpings of Mama Martin's Meatloaf are a Southern-style comfort that’s decked out with green beans, mashed potatoes and pan gravy for $9.95. 4930 Davidson Road off Johnson Ferry behind the Parkaire shopping center in East Cobb; 770-971-4770.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery provides a wine-country thrill without airport hassles, fuel surcharges or taxing time-zone changes. Wine tastings are $10 per person, including a souvenir glass, on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon until 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Call 706-867-9862 for reservations then head north to Dahlonega, Georgia. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail.

Woodfire Grill keeps your budget in mind with Executive Chef/Owner Michael Tuohy’s expanded small plates menu. Many of Woodfire Grill's previous entrée options have been made into smaller portions so diners can share and enjoy numerous flavors and textures. Recent examples (the menu changes daily) include wood-grilled Sonoma artisan duck breast with Anson Mills polenta and truffle sauce; handmade tagliatelle with Georgia white shrimp, guanciale, chiles, garlic and San Marzano tomato sauce; and carnaroli risotto with porcini mushrooms, butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano. So if you don’t want to blow your dining budget on a big meal, take Woodfire Grill’s small plates menu for a spin. 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Bellinis and Brunch at Vita

Guess where I'll be tomorrow morning? I'm not sleeping in, I won't be at the gym and I'm definitely not going to be at work... Nope, I'm happy to say I'll be sacrificing a late morning in bed to test out Vita's new brunch menu. The casual, New York-style Italian eatery is kicking off their Bellini Brunch this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With choices of French toast, omelets and frittatas (all $12 - definitely one of the most affordable brunches in the city) I'm not sure I'll be able to make up my mind what to try on my first visit. Currently, I'm leaning towards the chicken frittata with pulled chicken, pancetta and mozzarella cheese, but get a few Bellinis in me and who knows what I'll pick...

Speaking of Bellinis, have you ever tried to make a Bellini at home? For those who haven't, it is terribly easy (and delicious). Simply peel and puree a fresh, very ripe then pour into a and top with

As a side note, I recently tried a shockingly good sparkling wine made in New Mexico that I found at Whole Foods. Turns out apparently New Mexico's climate is ideal for sparkling wine production. Who knew?!

Check Out the Updated Blogroll!

It seems like everyday we find a cool, interesting blog and we want you to know about them, too. Look to your left and read over our delicious Atlanta blogroll. These are the blogs we love to read at Atlanta Dish. We are always updating the list so be sure and check it out regularly.

Atlanta Dish is listed on the food and wine blog list at Local Wine Events. This is a great resource for finding culinary events in and around your city. Follow this link to give Atlanta Dish your vote. The more votes we get, the higher we climb on the list. Move us on up! Keep an eye out for our friends on the blogroll to the left when you are there. I'm sure they would appreciate your vote as much as we do!

Thursday's "Sunset Sippers" Mix Wine and Mountain Sunsets at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega

Each mile out 400 loosens the tension, and before you know it,
you’re at ease, sipping syrah and watching the sunset over
the Southern Appalachians at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, five miles north of historic Dahlonega. “Sunset Sippers” on Thursday evenings through October offer ideal opportunities to enjoy a glass (or bottle!) of these hand-crafted, European-style wines, complimentary artisan cheese plates and mesmerizing mountain sunsets. The Boegner family’s European-style winery on the 1,800-foot high Dahlonega Plateau welcomes you, whether it’s for wine, weddings, Sunday brunch, a café lunch or a gourmet dinner.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is located at 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia; 706-867-9862.

Will Earning A Guinness World Record Be Hard Cheese?

Will Whole Foods Market cheesemongers make more than one wise crack when they “crack” open hundreds of wheels of 24-month-aged, hand-selected Parmigiano Reggiano at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday, April 12? Wielding the five knives from Italy’s Consorzio del Formaggio Parmigiano Reggiano that comprise the traditional cheese-cracking tool set, a cheese pro at each of the 270 stores will simultaneously break into an 85-lb. wheel of artisan Parmigiano Reggiano in a carving and portioning procedure that eats up about a half hour.

Let’s hope for “grate” news that Whole Foods Markets will take over The Guinness World Record™ for “Most Parmigiano Reggiano Wheels Ever Cracked” at the same time. Atlanta-area stores will be handing out recipes that highlight Parmigiano Reggiano’s subtle bite and sweet nuttiness during the cracking event. Buy some wines to go-with: Italian wines are on sale throughout April!

True Parmigiano Reggiano hails from just one region of northern Italy that includes Reggio Emilia, Parma, Modena and portions of Bologna and Mantua. A seal of authenticity marks each wheel. The cherished cheese is a testimony to the area’s culinary history, having been made and aged by artisans in the same way for almost 800 years! No wonder Whole Foods Market cheese buyers look forward to their purchasing trip . . . and we relish the results!

Buckhead: 77 West Paces Ferry Road, NW; 404-324-4100
Briarcliff: 2111 Briarcliff Road; 404-634-7800
Duluth-Johns Creek: 5945 State Bridge Road; 678-514-2400
Sandy Springs: 5930 Roswell Road; 404-236-0810
Ponce: 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE; 404-853-1681
Harry’s Farmers Market in Alpharetta: 1180 Upper Hembree Road; 770-664-6300
Harry’s Farmers Market in Marietta: 70 Powers Ferry Road, SE; 770-578-4400

La Tavola Trattoria Chef Craig Richards Uses the Power of Cauliflower as His Sunday Paper "Key Ingredient"

Show of hands: How many of you avoided the cauliflower on the veggie tray because it just looked so boring and it has, you know, that bitter bite that requires gobs of dip to disguise? La Tavola Trattoria Chef Craig Richards once felt that way, too…until he started thinking in Italian. Caramelized and roasted with garlic, tossed with grilled squid and cannellini beans, parleying with pasta, pureed and folded into risotto – Richards discovered this seasonless super vegetable is no mild-mannered mouthful, and it adds a super nutrition punch wherever it goes on the menu. Read more about Richards’ love affair with the fair flower in “Key Ingredients,” inside the April 6 edition of The Sunday Paper. Rutabagas, you could be next! Fifth Group Restaurants’® cozy Italian trattoria is located in Virginia-Highlands at 992 Virginia Avenue; 404-873-5430.

Turn the Titanic Around and Park it at Ecco for the April 6 Sunday Share Dinner

History repeats itself at Ecco’s April “Sunday Share” dinner as the Fifth Group Restaurants’® bistro salutes the passengers of the Titanic with the theme “Women & Children First.” Lest you get teary-eyed, the point is to feast on the wonderful dishes offered aboard the Titanic before it went down on that icy night of April 14, 1912. And, while Leonardo and Kate were not on the original Titanic – and therefore, won’t be joining you for dinner – you will meet many other intriguing conversationalists as you serve each other family style around the communal table that makes Sunday Share such a friendly experience. Ecco hosts the “Sunday Share” communal table at 6:30 p.m. on one Sunday each month. Historic events, exotic places . . . the theme varies monthly, yet the hearty conversations with friends and family are always a given. $25 per person; drink specials are available at an additional cost. Reservations are required as there are only so many seats at the table! Reserve your seat by calling 404-347-9555. 40 7th Street at Cypress in Midtown. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

Dogwood to Bloom on Peachtree, Turns Town to Sophisticated Southern Style

Prune away any notions of simple southern fried chicken and biscuits. Dogwood, opening in May, branches out to bring all of the sophistication and intricacies of southeastern regional cooking back home to Peachtree Street. Beyond the plate, each diner will feel like they are the special guest in an elegant and gracious Southern home when owners Scott Black and Shane Touhy open the doors to their new restaurant. Dogwood will be housed on the ground floor of the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street. We’ll feed you a bit more on the menu in upcoming issues. For now, a sneak preview of what’s to come:





For more information, call 404-835-1410.

Spring Makes Dining Inside, Out

Sunshine and Sunsets Lure Patio Patrons Outdoors

Nutritionists say that after hunkering down inside all winter we could use a bit more Vitamin D – which can be accomplished by spending some time outdoors. We have the perfect solution! Without getting too scientific about RDAs, we suggest you satisfy your need for a little extra “D” for dining by sliding into a chair on the primo patios of these area restaurants.


Aqua Blue shows that yes, you can find, and relax on, a patio in the ‘burbs and enjoy out-of-the-ordinary drinks and food, too. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886. Aqua Blue

Slide on those chic sunglasses for discreet people watching and pull up an artsy chair on Aria’s side-by-sidewalk patio. Same sexy feel, attentive service and rave-about dishes and desserts! 490 E. Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.

See-worthy sunsets and fresh, wood-grilled seafood pair up on the patio at Bonefish Grill in Johns Creek. Alpharetta: 11705 C Jones Bridge Road; 770-475-6668.

To get a better Chattahoochee River view, you’d have to capsize your canoe. Better stay dry and dine on fresh American cuisine while relaxing on Canoe’s patio and garden dining areas. Thinking group thoughts? Go for a private, riverside chef’s table or the lawn area for outdoor events. 4199 Paces Ferry Road, NW; 770-432-2663.

Hip patios are a wrap at Chipotle, home of those fresh, made-to-order, gourmet burritos and tacos you always hear people raving about. With 11 Atlanta locations, they’re as close as your backyard. If an outdoor picnic or concert is in the plan, they’ll bag it to go!

Europeans love to enjoy their drinks and meals in sidewalk cafes. You can experience the same charm on the casual patio at European-inspired Ecco, the latest Fifth Group Restaurants® hotspot in Midtown. 40 7th Street at the corner of 7th and Cypress; 404-347-9555.

One of the closest dining patios to downtown can be found at The Food Studio®, situated in the historic King Plow Arts Center. The courtyard patio charms; the menu entices and delivers with seasonal specialties. 887 W. Marietta Street on the Westside; 404-815-6677.


Last week, we mentioned the primo-viewing of the ING Marathon from the GLOBE’s patio, and there’s plenty to watch Mondays through Saturdays throughout the year from this Technology Square perch. 75 Fifth Street, NW; 404-541-1487.

Friends, antipasti and a bottle of wine are meant to be cherished outside on a beautiful spring evening . . . keep a good thing going on La Tavola Trattoria’s covered balcony by staying on for conversation and contemporary Italian dishes. In neighborly Virginia-Highlands at 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

Marlow’s Tavern provides proof that the days of Dickens’ dark taverns are long gone. Revel in the camaraderie of friendly faces, hearty food and refreshing libations out on the spacious patios at all Marlow’s Tavern locations. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770- 475-1800. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway; 770-432-2526. Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW; 770-425-8777.

South City Kitchen® has planned ahead to provide the same, much loved urban-South fare on two different patio environments. In Midtown, it’s a hustle and bustle sidewalk view, while Vinings invites neighbors to stroll on over and take a seat on the spacious, outdoor patio. Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Chef Craig Richards of La Tavola Trattoria Wakes Up the City on Good Day Atlanta

Last Tuesday Atlantans making their way toward coffee, cereal and remotes turned on Good Day Atlanta to find Chef Craig Richards of La Tavola Trattoria waking them up with mouthwatering pear and squash bruschetta. If you slept in or didn’t grab a pen and paper in time, you can still get the recipe for Chef Richard’s savory fruit, veggie and ricotta dish here.
The Pear Bureau Northwest recently awarded Chef Richards a “best original recipe” award for his pearl of a pear creation, which is one of several award-winning recipes given on the web site.




La Tavola Trattoria, Fifth Group Restaurants’® friendly, Southern Italian-style eatery, is open for dinner nightly and Sunday brunch at 992 Virginia Avenue, NE in Virginia-Highland; 404-873-5430.