A few weeks ago, a friend and I had a quick discussion about “girls' night out” promotions which went a little like this:
When I first heard that Whole Foods Market in Midtown was hosting a wine dinner, I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing...a grocery store hosting a wine dinner? Where would we all sit? What type of food would they serve? Well, my curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to sign up to attend the event last night. And, boy, am I glad I did! For $20 per person, I was able to enjoy a six-course meal with wine pairings. What a steal! The marketing store leader explained to me that they host a wine dinner every month with a different theme. They are all five to seven courses and include wine. Last night's theme was "A Taste of Local" which featured all local purveyors such as Wolf Mountain Vineyards and grass-fed beef from White Oak Pastures. I was quite impressed with the ambiance as well -- the staff pushed all of the tables together and covered them with white table cloths. I even saw people bringing in candleabras, just for the occasion. Over 80 people attended last night, many who had been in before. If you're looking for an out-of-ordinary wine dinner that offers great food and value, I highly recommend signing up to attend. Call the store for reservations -- 404-853-1681.
In the Low Country, locals call them "busters" or "peelers" when they're getting ready to bust out of their shells. If they've just shed, they're called "velvets," and they're highly sought after, especially the female ones. In modern menu lingo, the term is "soft-shell crabs," crustless-crustaceans that Aria's Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala is highly qualified to discuss, having been a part of Savannah's coastal scene for six years. Gerry relates his insight into this underwater softy in this week's "Key Ingredient" column in The Sunday Paper. For a quick dive into the topic, click here.
The June 22 issue of The Sunday Paper is free and easily within pinching range if you live in the metro area. Read it online at SundayPaper.com. Visit Aria in Buckhead to enjoy soft-shell crabs in their ultimate state-on-a- plate, next to the restaurant's dill shallot dipping sauce.
Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road; 404-233-7673.
Animal lovers can still be happy as herbivores in a pasture at this month’s Fresh Flavors Wine Dinner up for the picking at Ecco, Fifth Group Restaurants’® Mediterranean bistro in Midtown. Ecco Executive Chef Micah Willix unites summer’s bounty of locally grown veggies and fruit with tender pasta and perfectly paired wines at this 6:30 p.m. event on Tuesday, June 24. Passed hors d’oeuvres signal the evening’s start: crostini with fresh caprino, cantaloupe gazpacho and mozzarella in carozza share time with Laurenz “Charming” Gruner-Veltliner, Austria ’05. The first course follows featuring a salad of avocado and radishes topped with gewürztraminer vinaigrette and lemon verbena and served with Willm Reserve Gewürztraminer, Alsace, France ’06. The second course features house-made rigatoni with oregano, summer squash and blossoms served with Cairel Arneis, Cascina Cheirello, Italy ’06. A third course follows with confit of wild mushroom with fresh beans and oven-dried tomatoes and is accompanied by Domaine Lafage Grenache, Languedoc, France ’03 and Artazu “Artazuri,” Navarra, Spain ’06. The delectable dinner ends with a sweet note of wild Georgia blackberry preserves, short bread and crème fraîche. Cost is $50 per person. Reservations are required and are limited; call 404-347-9555. Ecco is located at 40 7th Street NE in Midtown.
There's nothing like a good ole' fashion barbeque to start the summer off right, but it's too hot outside to do the cooking yourself! Let someone else do the job for ya! South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings are happy to help you while also helping others!
with $5 flighty white wine flights. The movie makes for tasty $5 appetizer fodder as well, bringing on summer pizza (inspired by 21 Club), jerk chicken satay (via Monkey Bar) and black bean and salsa dip (courtesy of Centrico). 
was cooking up a tasty Oreo cookie confection that he will be serving tomorrow night at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's annual Chocolate! event. Leave it up to Blais to take an old favorite and add a little liquid nitrogen to it! To see Blais and other top Atlanta chefs, join us tomorrow night at Villa Christina from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event features a full dinner buffet, martini bar, silent auction, two bands, and, of course, all-you-can-eat-chocolate treats! Tickets are $65 in advance, $75 at the door.
VITA will host its regular Bellini Brunch on Sunday, June 15, offering $5 martinis and a $5 Bloody Mary bar as well as $6 mimosas and Bellinis. Open all day Sunday: brunch and lunch menu served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner menu served from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. 2110 Peachtree Road, 404-367-8482.
The March of Dimes Dining Out, now in its 24th year, is an evening filled with Atlanta’s most delectable dining and great fun with the proceeds going to a worthy cause. This year's Dining Out takes place tomorrow night, June 13, and features more than 40 of Atlanta’s finest restaurants in one unforgettable evening. Here is how it works, patrons enjoy a specially selected dinner with wine hosted at a participating restaurant. After dinner, the evening continues at Opera where everyone mingles for cocktails and dessert. Tables are $1,500 or $1,000, depending on the restaurant chosen, and are sold on a first come, first served basis. Price includes a three-course dinner for eight or ten guests, wine pairings, and gratuity as well as admission to the after party. Just want to join the after party? Tickets may be purchased for $40 each. Participating restaurants include some of my personal favorites like Aria and Canoe. For more information, contact Jennifer Cobb at 404-350-9800.
The official countdown is on!! One week to go. That’s right, only seven days left before the one night a year I give myself permission to overindulge in the most decadent event that Atlanta has 
to offer… and tell myself “it’s for a good cause.” Chocolate! 2008, a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is Thursday, June 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. I have been spending a little extra time on the treadmill lately, since I know this event will send me home a few lbs heavier than when I arrived (and not just because of the silent auction winnings I’ll be carrying). Here is a pic of me at a previous Chocolate! event with Wynn, who I affectionately refer to as “Gerber Daisy Guy” (I’m sure it’s obvious why).
Hodges, at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead. (Gerber Daisy Guy and me, again!) He promised me a dance at the event. Wynn, I’m holding you to that!!!
Last night I got to taste some of the finest ales the Southeast has to offer from Highland Brewing Company paired with a special menu created by Chef Eric Ottensmeyer at the Brick Store Pub in Decatur. The restaurant hosted a beer dinner upstairs in The Belgian Bar and it was a blast. The event began with a glass of Highland Kashmir IPA (which turned out to be one of my favorite selections) and Chef Eric’s yummy hors d’oeuvres: hamachi wontons with red grapefruit ponzu; Georgia shrimp tostada with local basil pesto; and carrot hummus on pita toast. Highland Brewing Co. Owner Oscar Wong and Brick Store Pub Partner Mike Gallagher were on hand to educate guests and answer questions throughout the evening. My favorite dish was a crispy skin duck breast served atop a Georgia blueberry hotcake with maple syrup duck demi-glace and edible local flowers (pictured above). The duck was prepared perfectly and paired with Highland Black Mocha Stout. I also really enjoyed the trio of baby beets and Rogue Creamery’s Smokey Blue Cheese that was served alongside a walnut crusted rabbit loin for the second course (pictured below with Highland Oatmeal Porter). 
All in all, I was really impressed with the menu that Chef Eric put together to accompany the Highland brews, especially all of the great locally-sourced items he used. He's informed us that he'll be doing a Chimay beer dinner next month - can't wait!
It's looks like I'm not the only one who LOVES Ecco. Read here about Chloe Morris' (from Chow Down Atlanta) recent visit. She and her sister tried a little bit of everything from the menu so you get a really good idea of what Ecco serves. The chili-braised pork with garlic and pappardelle looks and sounds delish. I'll take Chloe's suggestion and try it next time I'm there! 
Rowdy made a visit to Eno this week and met the new kitchen team of Executive Chef Eli Kirshstein and Sous Chef Jeff Sigler. Find more about it here.
Besha Rodell reports on Omnivore Atlanta that Grant Park location of Six Feet Under will be moving across the street to the Jane lofts on 437 Memorial Drive. And Besha, I'm with you about Top Chef.
When I log in, I gaze longingly at my profile photo of the hubby and I on Lake Cuomo in Italy last spring. Because of the surging gas prices and airline fees, that trip would be lot harder to manage this year. Still, I long for Italy’s calm countryside, bustling cities, stylish people and, of course, its tasty provisions. 
Mountain brunch spread. If you were in Italy, you'd have a glass of wine or two with your meal as you looked out over the Tuscan hills, and well, you can't get much closer to the vine or Georgia mountains for handmade, European-style wines than at Wolf Mountain! $30 per person, excluding wine, tax and gratuity. Call 706-867-9862 to reserve your place at the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. seating on Sunday, June 8, 22 or 29. Ciao, baby!
Last night, Meryl and I went to Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead for the restaurant's first Wine Down Wednesday event. The first Wednesday of each month, Morton’s in Buckhead becomes the place to mark the midweek with themed wine tastings. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., $12 (inclusive of tax and gratuity) buys guests a generous sampling of three to four wines plus complimentary appetizers. This month's tasting focused on "Pioneers of California" – Beringer Stanley Ranch Chardonnay, Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Terra D’Oro Deaver Ranch Zinfandel. I favored the Mondavi Cabernet, while Meryl enjoyed the Beringer Chardonnay the best. Tanya Lawson, a representative from United Distributors, was on hand to educate us about the wines , and the lovely Maureen, our favorite bartender, brought around hors d'oeuvres such as steak sandwiches and scallops for guests to enjoy with their wine. 
It's a beautiful time of the year and the last thing you want is to be stuck inside a crowded grocery store checking off your weekly list. This Saturday, skip the store and head to the market, The Green Market that is, at Atlanta's beautiful Piedmont Park.
I had such a yummy time at Marlow's last night. My roommate and I took our friend from Savannah there for dinner while she was visiting for a job interview (keeping my fingers crossed for you, Allison!). We chose the Midtown location because her interview was around there and she needed to get familiar with the area before driving around in Atlanta traffic. I've been to this one before but never for a meal. First things first, I love the ease of parking at this place - the deck is huge and completely free! We lucked out because there was a table available outside which made people watching very easy. Lots of couples, dog walkers, and strollers passed while we ordered. 
still wanted something sweet so we dropped by the recently opened Yogurberry in the Terminus Building. You order one of the two flavors available (last night was plain and green apple) then add your favorite toppings. Perfect way to end a meal if you ask me.
Morton's The Steakhouse is known around the globe for its legendary service, upscale elegance and mouthwatering, prime-aged steaks. Awards for food, wine and service are plentiful. Atlanta is fortunate to play home to two of Morton's 79 worldwide locations in Buckhead and Downtown. Right now, Morton's is offering an incredible steak and seafood special menu. The surf and turf menu includes two single-cut filets; a choice of two seafood options (Morton’s jumbo lump crab cake, shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops); a choice of one of Morton's signature potatoes and a side vegetable; a choice of two salads (Caesar or Morton’s salad); and lastly, a choice of two desserts (Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake or key lime pie).
