Packing More Flavor Per Mile Than a Smart Car, tsp spices' New Smart Spice Pulls Into Whole Foods Markets!

Its that same vicious cycle: I get excited to actually cook a meal. I put on my cute apron and promise my beau a wonderful dinner. Then, I take one look at my messy, good-for-nothin' spice selection and am automatically OVER the whole cooking idea. In my line of work, I know a great meal takes good flavor and let's face it, the left over bottles of my mom's spice selection just ain't gonna cut it. I'm thinking its time for something new, something smart...

That's why I am so excited that Smart Spice from The Seasoned Palate, Inc. is now available at Whole Foods Market! Each slender Smart Spice carton features four one-teaspoonful packets of pure, organic spice sealed to keep flavor in, light and moisture out (MSRP $2.99). Toss those faded spice-drawer clunkers in the recycling bin... once you taste a recipe flavored with these potent spices (no fillers here), you won't turn back.

The Seasoned Palate, Inc. also produces tsp spices, an award-winning line featuring one-teaspoon packets of organic spices housed in designer tins. Click on The Seasoned Palate blog for spice enlightenment.

DailyCandy Definition

Do real men eat yogurt? Apparently so, according to The DailyCandy Lexicon. Hence the development of “Bro Yo” – a cup of the cultured creamy stuff blended up in manly flavors to woo the testosterone set. Bro Yo: n. yogurt intended to appeal to men, often in flavors like chocolate or cheesecake.

Suggested usage: Chip had a gut feeling his day wouldn’t be complete without a cup of his favorite Bro Yo flavor, nutty buddy dark chocolate with pomegranate swirl.

Morton's The Steakhouse Partners with Make-A-Wish Foundation

Morton’s The Steakhouse – Buckhead is hosting a special Sweet Charity anniversary dinner and silent auction on Saturday, October 4 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® as part of the restaurant company’s “30 Wishes for 30 Years” celebration. The night will begin at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception and passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a sit-down dinner in the upstairs boardroom at 8 p.m. There will be live music throughout the evening.

The four-course celebration menu includes: Caesar salad, Morton’s single-cut filet, mashed potatoes, garlic green beans and cheesecake. Chef Tony Ballester and his staff won't be the only ones in the kitchen, though. Felicia, a Make-A-Wish child, will be fulfilling her wish to be a chef in the kitchen. After kitchen duty, Felicia will get to enjoy the fruits of her labor at the sit down dinner with her family before they head to Orlando for the second half of her wish -- wonder what she could have wished for in Orlando? The event is $175 per person, with $50 per ticket and all silent auction proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Foundation. For reservations, click here.

The local Sweet Charity party is just one of a year-long series of special events being held at Morton’s steakhouses across the United States to mark the 30th anniversary of Morton’s The Steakhouse. In its largest charitable initiative ever, the company hopes to raise enough funds to grant the wishes of 30 children living with life-threatening medical conditions.

Morton's The Steakhouse Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

Chews Local

This past Thursday was the kick-off event for Atlanta's Local Food Initiative (ALFI) at The Glenwood in East Atlanta. This event introduced ALFI's five year plan for Atlanta as well as Georgia Organic's 2009 Local Food Guide. It started out at the East Atlanta Village Farmer's Market held in the parking lot of the local Ace Hardware. What a great market - tons of fresh produce and awesome live music.

Then, the event moved to The Glenwood for great music, organic wines and local beers, and an incredible array of appetizers made from The Glenwood and surrounding restaurants. Appetizers included bruschetta, deviled eggs, mini smoothies and cheese grit squares. The event had a huge turnout, and everyone was excited to talk local. There was a great turnout from some of Atlanta's favorite farmers - Farmer D, Love is Love Farm and so many more. It was fun to see these guys outside the weekly farmer's markets they attend.
After the cocktail reception, Georgia Organics and The Glenwood hosted a benefit dinner for GO. What an incredible experience - several nearby restaurants, all with a passion for cooking local, came together to prepare a four course feast for us. It was a great example of restaurants that have the "farm to table" mentality without the far-to-often high price tag. Our dinner started with a squash soup with ginger and cilantro from Dynamic Dish. The squash came from Gaia Gardens and Woodland Gardens. Second course was campfire Rainbow trout from Bramlett Farms with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes, lemon rosemary butter, apples, leeks and red peppers prepared by The Glenwood.
Third course (my favorite course) was Asian brined pork from Riverview Farms on mashed sweet potatoes with garlic, ginger and five-spiced apples. This dish was prepared by The Graveyard. We ended the meal on a sweet note with a goat cheesecake (goat cheese from Decimal Place Farms) served with house brewed muscadine wine ice cream, candied pecans and a muscadine balsamic reduction, also prepared by The Glenwood. The ice cream was incredibly good, so good in fact I forgot to take a photo of it. Sorry!

All I can say after a meal like this is wow. The Glenwood, Georgia Organics and ALFI did an amazing job of putting together a great launch for the Local Food Guide and ALFI. I'm looking forward to seeing how ALFI affects our local food scene over the next five years.

Introducing Sara in the City...

Our friend Sara C. will be writing about her culinary escapades around Atlanta on a regular basis. You may remember her guest post last week about her experience at Viking Cooking School. Enjoy the read!


I am blessed to live with an inventive and unique cook. My roommate, Stephanie, can whip up chocolate mole chicken or an orzo frittata with white truffle oil at the drop of a dime. But gourmet plates aren't her only specialty. This weekend, she'll participate in the annual Miller Lite Chili Cookoff. The cookoff, featuring categories for chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread, takes over Stone Mountain Park at the beginning of fall every year. Entrants develop homemade recipes throughout the year, and will begin booth set up this afternoon. Booths and chilis are themed, including such memorable entries as Caveman Chili, Pirate Chili, Redneck Chili and Top Gun Chili. The cooks dress up according to chosen theme, drink a few Miller Lites and get to cookin’!

Stephanie cookin it up for the Disco Chili Team

What’s in store for the roomie this year? After a finish in the top 10% of the Brunswick stew category with the Disco Chili team last year, Stephanie is looking forward to placing higher and feeding more hungry guests with the Electric Chili team. (Motto – Slide over to electrifying tastes!) While she can’t disclose her stew secrets, she did reveal that all her ingredients are organic and the meat is rubbed with a secret spice mixture (maybe with a dash of bacon salt?) and smoked for two days. I’m lucky to be a secret stew tester, and the stew is a little bit spicy, a tad sweet and all the way delish!

Booth at Miller Lite Chili Cookoff 2007

The gates open to chili eaters/spectators at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 27. Be there early - judging begins at 11:00 a.m. and the chili doesn’t stay in the pot for long! Stephanie suggests bringing your appetite, a bottle of Tums and a vote for Electric Chili and Brunswick Stew!

Disco Chili dancing queen

For more info, visit http://www.atlantachilicookoff.com/ and be sure to visit the Electric Chili booth, located near the main stage.

Nicecream Sundae Sunday at Jake's Ice Cream at Irwin Street Market

Nicecream is the new, non-dairy frozen coconut cream treat whipped up from all organic ingredients for Jake’s Ice Cream by Dr. Leon Lashner. Come spoon into a complimentary Nicecream sundae on Sunday, September 28 from 4-7 p.m. at Jake’s Ice Cream at Irwin Street Market. There’ll be live music, prizes and more. While you’re there, how about making a $5 donation per person to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank? Check out DailyCandy for more info on this frozen treat!

Jake’s Ice Cream at Irwin Street Market is located at 660 Irwin Street in Inman Park; 404-586-0920.

Bluegrass Brunch and A Glass of Wine

I know you've heard it a dozen times already, but I'll say it again - can you believe this gorgeous weather? It is almost impossible to sit inside right now, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy this all too rare weather is relaxing on the stone terrace at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery.

For the month of October, Wolf Mountain is featuring a fun Bluegrass Brunch on Sundays featuring the music of The Dappled Grays and The Packway Handle Band, a delicious buffet and wines by the glass or bottle.

This month's buffet menu includes salads; egg, sausage and cheddar cheese casserole with tarragon cream; creamed spinach; fried truffled mac 'n' cheese; chicken and dumplings; a carving station with Smithfield ham and roasted turkey breast. For dessert, my pick is the hot apple crisp, but other offerings include chocolate covered strawberries, mini Key lime tarts and cheesecakes.

Wolf Mountain will hold its popular “End of Harvest Celebration and Bluegrass Brunch” on Sunday, October 5, 12, 19 and 26. $30 per person (excluding wine, tax and gratuity); seating times are 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 706-867-9862.

Grand Stay Opening at Woodfire Grill

Last night I attended the "Grand Stay Opening" at Woodfire Grill. The new owners, Nicolas Quinones and Bernard Moussa, invited all of their friends and family in to celebrate their new place! Complimentary glasses of wine were flowing all night in the cafe area, and the new owners were sprawling the restaurant -- making new friends, and mingling with the old ones. Not much has changed since Michael Tuohy, which is certainlya good thing. Great wine list, wonderful food, and a great staff. I'm certain the new ownership will do just as well as the last one.

3-$30-3 Three by Three at the Dogwood (Tree)

I can't tell you how excited I am about Dogwood's new three-course, three-day-weekly, $30 menu! I was bummed when I missed out on the deal at Midtown Restaurant Week, so this is perfect! Three delicious courses for $30? This is too good to be true! The autumnal prix fixe menu, available Monday through Wednesday, rakes in a bushel of fall's flavors and colors. Go for either a "Southern Caesar" of romaine hearts, cornbread croutons and tomato-bacon Caesar dressing or roasted tomato bisque topped with fried Split Creek Farm goat cheese and micro basil as your first course. Savor a second course of buttermilk fried Springer Mountain chicken breast, baked mac and cheese and braised greens or braised beef short ribs joined by smashed rutabagas, fried sage and blackberry demi-sauce. On third - choose any of Dogwood's dessert selections. One price, $30, covers all three courses - a boon when you're watching those other leaves of green in your wallet.
Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.

DailyCandy Definition

Some drinks go down in infamy not due to their luscious lip, but more for the powerful kick that sends you into a rosier state of mind. Such is the martyrini, this week's potent potable from The DailyCandy Lexicon. Martyrini - n. a drink ordered after a particularly bad day.

Suggested usage: Having survived the Spanish Inquisition of all meetings, Joan knew that only a martyrini would slake the burning-at-the-stake heat she had experienced in the boardroom.

Eat Like You Work at Fifth Group Restaurants

What if you could savor the employee benefits without chopping the onions? Sure, we'd cry for joy, too! "Eat Like You Work Here" night falls on Tuesday, September 23 at participating Fifth Group Restaurants®... it's their way of serving up a helping of gratitude to customers by sharing the employees' 25 percent discount. Sit down to dinner at one of those fabulous Fifth Group Restaurants you've had hunger pangs to visit: La Tavola Trattoria, and South City Kitchen® Midtown or South City Kitchen® Vinings. The wait-staff will take 25 percent off your dinner check, so go ahead and order dessert while you're at it.

La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358.

South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Live Music at Vita

After dinner Saturday night I popped by Vita to check out the new entertainment. Totally fun! When I got there (around 9:30 p.m.) a great warm-up band was playing. They had a sax and a bass and were playing some smooth tunes. The crowd was already building and lots of people looked like they had been there for dinner and were ready for some music.

We took a seat at the bar but could see the band perfectly. They were in that middle part of the restaurant that is lower than the rest. It really is the perfect spot for a small stage and band.

The main attraction, Kingsized, started around 10:30. He was the best! Not only is the music good - think Sinatra and other retro musicians - but Mike really works the crowd. Everyone was having a great time.

Tony LaRocco was working the room like only a dedicated owner can. He makes sure that everyone is happy, that's for sure. The entertainment is Wednesday - Saturday night and features local bands. Starts at 9 p.m.

The restaurant is open for dinner til 1 a.m. and the bar is open til 2 a.m. Go check it out. We need more options like this in Atlanta.

Perfect Patio Weather For Lunching At South City Kitchen Midtown

Yesterday, fellow MLA team member Meryl and I had a meeting with Fifth Group Restaurants Marketing Director Michael Erickson over lunch at South City Kitchen in Midtown, and it was the perfect day for dining on the patio. I opted for the vegetable plate (pictured left) with roasted corn, cucumber salad, local field peas, green beans and tomato "mac & cheese" ($12.75); Meryl had the salad and sandwich combo with a mixed baby lettuces salad and the BBQ pork sandwich ($10.25; sandwich pictured below on right); and Michael had Dorothy's chicken salad sandwich with melted Swiss cheese, house chips and cole slaw ($8.25; pictured below on left).

South City Kitchen is always packed for lunch, so go grab a seat on the sidewalk patio pronto and enjoy this gorgeous fall weather along with Chef Dean Dupuis' delicious menu. And don't forget to sample the cornbread in the restaurant's bread basket - our sources tell us it's a new recipe from the company's Beverage Director Vajra Stratigos!

South City Kitchen Midtown is located at 1144 Crescent Avenue in Midtown; 404-873-7358; www.fifthgroup.com.

Downtown for Coffee or a Quick Lunch? Quaint Bistro 191 and The Bean Counter Coffee Bar Satisfy Tall Orders in 191 Peachtree Tower!

Work day lunches can sometimes be boring and bland. You stand in line in a cafeteria (just like grade school) with few options to choose from. Well, its time for all of that to change. Opening Monday, September 22, Bistro 191 and The Bean Counter Coffee Bar are Sterling Spoon's answer to two distinct food and coffee desires among the downtown office set. John C. Metz, Jr. and Tom DiGiorgio, the gents behind Marlow's Tavern and Aqua Blue, are adamant about defying the expected office cafeteria and offering in its stead easy-going elegance in a handsome mahogany-clad café and full service coffee bar. Bistro 191 will offer quality American classics, salads, a market deli, an Asian grill and a full-service catering company. Count on fresh ingredients, timely service and reasonable pricing ($3-$10). The Bean Counter fills cups from a Caribou Coffee menu brimming with delicious roasts and flavors -- hot, iced or frozen ($2-$5).
Bistro 191 and The Bean Counter Coffee Bar: Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays at

Put the First Day of Fall on Your Calendar...and Celebrate at Dogwood

Here at MLA, we were all wondering “What happened to summer?” until we took a look at what the first day of autumn is bringing to the tables at Dogwood on Peachtree...it's time to welcome the new season and start salivating over this new menu. Beginning Monday, September 22, diners can start at the Grits Bar where Logan Turnpike’s creamy white stone ground grits are well complemented by wild mushrooms, butter-poached lobster or ham and pimento cheese ($4-$6). Southern-fried quail breast with buttermilk spoon biscuit, goat cheese-pepper gravy and red onion marmalade and sweet potato gnocchi in brown butter parmesan cream with toasted pecans are two tempters on the appetizer menu ($9-$15). Try a “soup flight” of three soups or go solo with a bowl of root vegetable puree with grilled wild boar-cranberry sausage and lingonberries, tomato bisque with Split Creek Farm goat cheese or the soup of the day ($6-$11). Main dishes call out to fall: SoCo glazed pork chops with caramelized shallots and sweet corn soufflé; pecan-rubbed tuna with fingerling potatoes, applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onion and bar-b-que drizzle; venison osso bucco with rosemary-parmesan grits and apple-turnip preserve; grilled Atlantic salmon with BLT sauce and grilled cornbread; and the comforting Dogwood burger or off-the-bone short ribs with smashed rutabagas and blackberry demi ($13-$32). Delish desserts ($6) such as blackberry-chocolate cornbread upside down cake with coffee gelato or hazelnut cheesecake with apple-cranberry compote and cheese selections will entice you to stay on until winter!

And if the new menu was not enough, Dogwood is enticing guests with drink specials, too. Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday guests can enjoy half-price Ketel One martinis and cosmos along with half-price bottles of wine up to $100. Fox Theatre patrons can take advantage of half price wines by the glass with the purchase of an entrée any day of the week. Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.

Tasting Menu at Woodfire Grill

Last night MLAers McCall, Caryn and I had dinner at Woodfire Grill. I’m embarrassed to say that I hadn’t been in since before Michael Tuohy’s departure several weeks ago, and after last night’s dinner I can’t believe I wasted so much time! Kevin Gillespie, executive chef, has added the option of a three or five course tasting menu to the regular dinner menu every night. The tasting menu is mostly dishes that are not on the regular menu, and we loved not knowing what was going to come out of the kitchen. Every plate was a surprise. We choose to do wine pairings with our five course dinner and, although initially unplanned, we ended enjoying a flight of all screw cap wines. It made for a fun evening and one that was so interactive with the kitchen.

Owner Nicolas Quinones started us with a wonderfully acidic, crisp Willakenzie Estate Pinot Gris to go with our amuse-bouche, a petite rice fritter topped with an Indian spiced duxelles. I was so quick to pop it in my mouth that I totally forgot my blogging mission temporarily and missed the photo op. You’ll have to use your imagination…

Our first course was a perfectly cooked piece of wild artic char served on top of Carolina Gold rice with chanterelle mushrooms and a hint of Indian spices. It was a great foil to the crispness of the Pinot Gris we were drinking.

Next, we move on to Artazuri Grenache rosé. It was dry and fresh with no hint of sweetness – perfect! The rosé was paired with our second course of Georgia white shrimp served over a horseradish and pimenton infused broth and tomatoes.

Now we take a small detour because we were lucky enough to get a bonus course from both Kevin and Nick! Nick poured a delicious Viognier from South Australia – Yalumba – and Kevin dished up an incredible roasted African soup with hazelnut mousse and honey glazed apples. Oh my sweet, salty goodness, this was an incredible dish and my personal favorite of the night.

By this point in the night, we noticed that so far all our wines had been screw caps. So, in keeping with the theme of the evening, Nick chose a Vincent Girardin Pinot Noir. It was a fabulous Pinot Noir, much richer and full bodied than what you expect with a pinot noir. Our third course was veal sweetbreads with a sweet potato salad and mustard pan sauce. Is it rude to lick a plate clean when you like it this much?

Now we are on to the big reds of the night. Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz was our screw cap partner for the grilled duck breast served with creamed arugula and some of the best potatoes I’ve ever had. I dare you to find better.

Thank goodness we’ve made it to the last course because I honestly don’t think I could have made it through many more plates. Somehow, I did manage to clean my plate of its dense chocolate cake with caramel ice cream. The dessert managed to find that perfect sweet salty balance that the African soup had.

Overall, the dinner was just incredible. It was such a neat experience to come in on a weeknight and have this unbelievable, and unplanned, dining experience. At the end of the night, they actually printed out a copy of our tasting menu for us to keep. The tasting menu is available every night and is different every night so it will be fun to compare this menu to all the future tasting menus I plan on enjoying at Woodfire Grill.

Taste 15 Cabs at Toulouse on Sunday

I had the pleasure of dining at Toulouse not once but twice last week! It's long been one of my favorite neighborhood places. The MLA team had a blast on Wednesday night and then I went with some friends on Friday. Fun!

Toulouse owner George Tice has a passion: wine. He knows it, loves it, teaches it and sells it. The wine tastings at Toulouse are awesome and luckily, there's one coming up! Sunday night, Sept. 21, they are pouring 15 samples of Cabernet Sauvignon beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nibbles and palate cleansers will keep taste buds sharp. $30 per person includes wine and nibbles; seating is limited, and these wine tastings are usually a sell out, so make plans and make reservations now by calling 404-351-9533.

DailyCandy Definition

Is she angry at us? Was it something we said? Something we ordered? We haven’t even arrived at tip time yet. If you’ve experienced the unpleasantness of having a haitress serve you, well, you know what we mean…and The DailyCandy Lexicon has a label for it. Haitress – n. angry waitress.

Suggested usage: When we finally made our way to the restaurant door and the freedom beyond, we were too polite to fill out a hate-mail comment card on the haitress who “served” us dinner.

Low Country Boil Opens Saturday Live Music Series At Marlow’s Tavern Alpharetta

"Hot and spicy" will describe both the food and the music this Saturday afternoon at Marlow’s Tavern in Alpharetta. The hopping, Northside tavern goes Cajun from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 20 to kick off its new weekly Saturday night live music series. This week, Andrew Black will entertain while guests push up their sleeves and hunker down to enjoy Low Country boil. Stay on for more musical entertainment and food and drink specials. No cover charge, just come “bayou-self” or bring friends!

Marlow’s Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770-475-1800.

Bordeaux Inspires the World Wine Tasting at Woodfire Grill

The next wine tasting at Woodfire Grill, Bordeaux Inspires the World, will take place this Wednesday, September 17. The wines features are those inspired by the Bordeaux region of France such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from around the globe including France, Italy, California, Washington, Chile and Argentina.

At Woodfire Grill's wine tastings there's no crowded bar or schoolroom set up. You simply sit in the dining room with your friends and the wines are brought to you, at your own pace. But you don't miss the commentary - they bring that to you too! They will begin pouring the eight wines around 7 p.m. The cost is $15 per person excluding tax and gratuity. The menu that night be focused on dishes that pair well with the chosen wines. For reservations, call 404-347-9055.

Stay tuned for the next wine tasting on October 15 where we will be exploring Rhone Valley red wines and their counterparts from around the world.

Guest Post - Southern Cookin' Makes Ya Good Lookin'!

Our friend Sara C. recently attended a cooking class at The Viking Cooking School and shares her experience below...

I'm a chef, y'all!

Okay, so I'm not a real chef, but I am an avid Atlanta Dish reader and southern food eater extraordinaire. Now, after attending the finger lickin' Southern cooking class at Viking Cooking School in honor of my birthday, I'm also a master chicken fryer and collard cooker.

To celebrate entrance into my 24th year, my beau and I considered many options. I asked for a puppy, yacht or European vacation, but he had something more practical in mind. Knowing his love for fried chicken and my love for everything Southern food related, he used the Viking Store's easy online registration and ordered two tickets to the hands on Southern cooking class with Chef Chip. I put on my cooking shoes (closed toes only for the state-of-the-art Viking kitchen) and got ready for a southern fried experience. The evening began by gathering around the table to drink some fresh sweet tea and snack on delish cheese straws, then we started the class by preparing the southern style banana pudding, giving it time to chill while we cooked the rest of the meal. The addition of banana liquor and rum made the pudding mixture decadent and several layers of Whole Foods fresh bananas and organic vanilla wafers were the perfect topping.

Although I could live on dessert alone, we still needed to prepare our main course. The men of the class enjoyed making mashed potatoes using a large construction-like implement called a potato ricer. Although the ricer was manly, it helped make the potatoes some of the creamiest and most delicate I've ever tasted. The addition of fresh sawmill gravy and cracked black pepper make the Viking taters a crowd pleaser. Next, we heated canola oil and got to chicken frying. The art of keeping the oil at the perfect 350 degree temperature is difficult, but well worth the hard work. Our chicken, brined in buttermilk and breaded with organic flour, cayenne pepper and garlic was crispy, yet juicy.

The best dish of the evening was the collard greens. Wilted in bacon grease and cooked in balsamic vinegar and chicken stock with a ham hock made these greens better than any I've tasted. Chef Chip personalized the recipe with fresh pressed garlic and crushed red pepper to add an extra kick. Even my grandmother agreed her time-tested greens recipe may change after hearing about this gourmet version.

After making the meal, we enjoyed our fare with a glass of white wine and a toast to a job well done. My grade for the Viking Cooking School: A+. This food is so good, it'll make ya wanna slap yo' mama!

Joshua Perkins Of The Globe Doesn’t Have To Go Far To Lead Global Cooking Demo At The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown

I love to travel, but, with the economy slowing the way it has, it has gotten a lot more difficult. Luckily, I can still enjoy delicious dishes from some of my favorite destinations at “All Around the GLOBE,” the theme of Chef Josh Perkins’ demo class at The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown. Perkins, Executive Chef of the GLOBE, exposes his formal, culinary training in Italy as he demonstrates how to prepare personal favorites such as sunchoke vichyssoise topped with Spanish caviar and diver scallops, Sweet 100 tomato salad, BBQ lamb rack with mint couscous, and chocolate ricotta-stuffed crepes with Tunisian glazed oranges. Class runs from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16; $45 per person. For reservations click here or call The Cook’s Warehouse at 404-815-4993. Bon Voyage!

The GLOBE: 75 5th Street, NW; 404-541-1487

The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown: 549-I Amsterdam Avenue, NE; 404-815-4993

Dinner At Toulouse

Last night, everyone from MLA got together to visit Toulouse. What a wonderful place! The staff was very knowledgable about wine as as well as food. And about the food - it was wonderful. We had a variety of appetizers -- steamed mussels with tomato concasse, crawfish and vegetable tower, fried chicken livers, potato and gorgonzola fritters and tomato bruschette.

The entrees were just as good as the appetizers -- grilled salmon with jasmine rice and braised cabbage, pan seared duck breast with poached pears, Buffalo meatloaf with mashed potatoes, pistachio encrusted yellow fin tuna and mushroom ravioli.

George Tice, the owner, took us for a little tour around the restaurant and we learned that all of the fabulous paintings were by no other than Steve Penley. Being a fellow UGA grad myself, I couldn't help but applaud his decision to have such fine artwork displayed in his restaurant.

The restaurant hosts monthly wine tastings with a different theme each month. They all begin at 6:30 p.m. and include close to 15 different samplings of wine. I'll be sure to sign up for the next one.

Wine Tasting to Benefit Adopt A Golden Atlanta

Dogs don't drink wine, but we do! And that's why I'll be at the Marietta Wine Market this Saturday, September 13. They will be hosting a wine tasting to benefit Adopt A Golden Atlanta from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that finds loving, permanent homes for Golden Retrievers to prevent them from becoming strays or heading for overpopulated shelters. I'll drink to that. Cheers!

Marietta Wine Market: Off the Marietta Square at 18 Powder Springs Street, SE; 770-919-1574.

Dinner For A Cause Is A New Weekly Event At Samaritan House of Atlanta's Cafe 458

Eat well . . . Do good. Every meal savored at Samaritan House of Atlanta’s Café 458 helps Atlanta’s homeless men and women move a step closer to self-sufficiency. Since its inception in 1986, the award-winning restaurant in the Historic Sweet Auburn District has passed on its proceeds, including tips, to the cause. After more than 23,000 guests, that’s a lot of proceeds. Now, guests can enjoy a Thursday and Friday night dinner for a cause menu in addition to the weekend brunch menu they’ve enjoyed for years. The new dinner menu comes from Café 458 Executive Chef Jonathan Metellus and Culinary Institute of America Alumnus and includes such mouthwatering dishes as lobster ravioli, seared filet mignon, sunflower-encrusted salmon and creamy polenta cake. Sit down to a three-course, prix fixe dinner for $28or order à la carte. Bring your own wine ($5 corkage fee). Enjoy dinner from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. each Thursday and Friday evening; brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each Sunday. For reservations, call 404-525-3276 or make online at OpenTable.

Samaritan House of Atlanta’s Café 458: 458 Edgewood Avenue; 404-525-3276.

Chef Piero Premoli Takes it SLOW at Pricci

Everyone knows that Pricci's Exec Chef Piero Premoli is one of my faves. He's so passionate about everything he does - I just love him! So it was no surprise to see him embrace the Slow Food movement with a cool event this week. Pricci is offering a special Slow Food menu on September 9th, 10th and 11th. Premoli and Pastry Chef Jenni Etchison are plucking their fresh produce and proteins from the season’s harvest at nearby Crystal Organic Farm (September 9), Moore Farms and Friends (September 10), and Woodland Gardens (September 11). These dinners will help raise funds for Slow Food Atlanta’s Terra Madre Farmers’ Fund. To reserve your spot at the Slow Food feast, please call Pricci at (404) 237-2941 or click here. Be sure to ask for the special Slow Food menu. And tell Piero that Melissa said hi!

Pricci: 500 Pharr Road in Buckhead; 404-237-2941.

DailyCandy Definition

Bring me your tired, your carb-hungry, and your M&M’s... The DailyCandy Lexicon writers empathize so much with you over those low-carb dietary side effects that they developed a word describing your condition!

Bratkins – n. bad mood brought on by lack of sugar and carbohydrates in one’s diet.

Suggested usage: Bypassing the Little Debbies for a week had given Sheila such a case of the Bratkins that she slammed her shopping cart into the cookie display in a faux effort to carb load while remaining on her Atkins diet.

Vote for Your Favorite Restaurants at Atlanta Cuisine

Atlanta has several fabulous restaurants, too many to pick from actually. But everyone has their favorites; those places we go back time and time again because they make it exactly how we like it. Atlanta Cuisine, "Atlanta's Restaurant, Food and Drink Newspaper," wants you to share your top choices with its readers. Support your winners by casting your votes online at www.atlantacuisine.com. Hurry, voting ends Sunday, September 14.

What Are The Chances?

Sonoma County is home to more than one successful winery, but there are several lesser known Sonoma wineries that deserve just as much attention. According to Fifth Group Restaurants’® Beverage Director Vajra Stratigos, one such winery is Hawkes Winery, which has been producing wines for more than 30 years. Winemaker Jake Hawkes is in town this week to get the word and the wine out with a Hawkes tasting at Ecco from 2 – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, and a wine dinner at Aria on Thursday, September 11 at 7 p.m. The $15 per person tasting at Ecco includes wines and appetizers; stay for dinner and the $15 tasting cost will be credited to your bill. Want more wine and dine? Join Jake at Aria for an intimate dinner of six courses and six complementing Hawkes wines. Cost for the dinner is $90 per person, inclusive of wine, tax and gratuity. Make your reservations now – there are only 12 seats at the table!

La Tavola Trattoria's Alli Royce Soble Stars "Behind the Bar" in The Sunday Paper

Open up The Sunday Paper this week to the “Behind the Bar” column and get acquainted with La Tavola Trattoria’s knowledgeable bartender, Alli Royce Soble. Her passion for art can be found on a canvase or in this case a martini glass. You will read about how she got started in the biz and what keeps her inspired at Fifth Group Restaurant's neighborhood trattoria.

La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

5 Seasons At The Prado Party Helps Chefs Touch The World At Terra Madre Global Conference

I love when my love of eating out has a positive impact on the world – even if it does have negative impact on my waist! This week, the solution to world hunger may venture through the kitchen at the October Terra Madre conference in Turin, Italy, where more than 600 food producers, chefs/cooks and educators from 120 countries will gather there to focus on issues of nutritional concern. Topics will range from biodiversity and sustainability to hunger, water solutions, rural transitions and more. Slow Food Atlanta is transporting representatives to Turin with lively fundraising events such as “A Taste of Terra Madre” slated for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 8 at 5 Season's Brewing Company at the Prado. Chef delegates will work for their keep, preparing delicious appetizers for guests and offering fabulous libations from The 5. $50 per person includes appetizers, libations, tax and tip. Learn more at http://www.tastenetwork.org/. Come out and support the chefs and your appetite!

5 Seasons Brewing Company: The Prado, 5600 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs; 404-255-5911.

Like Your Mother Taught You: Share!

I'm conflicted about sharing. Toothbrushes, feelings, and closets: no, thank you. Appetizers, entrees and desserts: absolutely! But sharing with people I don't know has never been big on my list, so when Ecco started the Sunday Share last year, I was a little unsure about whether I would like it. I went to the first one to check it out and LOVED it. These people weren't strangers - they were people who loved food and wine just like me - and the conversations about restaurants, travel, cooking and fun made us all instant friends. Well, that and the delicious food and great wine specials! Many of the people I sat with on that first night have returned every month since.

So, I encourage you sharers and those who aren't quite sure to give it a try. This Sunday, Sept. 7th, is your chance when they celebrate "Grand-mère's Cuisine." What grandmother cooked so lovingly to comfort tummies and warm hearts, Ecco's Executive Chef Micah Willix has refined to satisfy grownup palates. It's only $25 per person (includes tax and gratuity) and they'll have drink specials. Pull up a chair at the communal table at 6:30 p.m. sharp (don't be late to grandma's). And please let her know you're coming by making your reservation today: 404-347-9555. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

If You Can't Head for the Hills, Let Wolf Mountain Vineyards Send a Blend to You

Georgia wine-lovers rejoice! You can now receive your favorite wine right at your doorstep!
Corks are popping under the gold dome of Georgia's state capitol and throughout the state thanks to a new law, effective July 1, 2008, that allows Georgia wineries to ship to Georgia consumers. Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, the 25-acre family- owned and operated wine-growing estate located in the Georgia mountains outside historic Dahlonega, can now ship their award-winning handcrafted wines to Georgia customers. Cheers to being able to stock up from home, spending more on wine, less on gas! Wine lovers of legal age can order up to 12 cases of wine a year by Internet or telephone from wineries inside and outside of Georgia and have it shipped directly to their home or office.

Mull over these European-style wines, log on, order up and enjoy!
Plenitude - Crisp, dry stainless steel-aged blend of Chardonnay and Viognier
Chanteloup - Reserve blend of French oak- aged Chardonnay and Viognier
Sunset Rosé - Dry, Rhone-style rosé, the perfect picnic wine
Coupage - Lighter-styled Bordeaux blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
Instinct - Estate blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional
Claret - Reserve Estate blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre
WMV Demi-Sec - Semi-sweet German-style Chardonnay and Viognier

Sparkling Wines:
2006 Blanc de Blancs Brut - Dry sparkling chardonnay
2006 Brut Rosé - Traditional rosé
2006 Sparkling Demi-Sec - Half dry, medium sweet wine

Cabin fever? You can still visit Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery for lunch, Sunday brunch, special winemaker events and inspiring views: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia; 706-867-9862.

Check Out Dogwood's Youtube Channel For Dinner Music and a Movie

We've put together the videos of the newly opened Dogwood so that you can see the space at 565 Peachtree Street from day one of construction to the Grand Opening. Be sure and stop in to enjoy the restaurant's attentive service and welcoming Southern hospitality (we couldn't fit that part in the video). Dogwood serves lunch weekdays and dinner Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street, Reynolds condominium building; 404-835-1410.

Go Krogering For Bacon Salt!

Who let the pigs out? Reverse that question. Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow took the bacon flavor out of the pig and launched Bacon Salt, which is now running wild with flavor in Kroger supermarkets nationwide and in other major retailers. Add the zero calorie, zero fat, kosher seasoning that makes everything taste like bacon to your grocery list and pick up some on your next jaunt down the grocery aisle. Toss one in for the kitchen, one for the camping gear, one for tailgating, and one for your vegetarian friend . . . yes, herbivores rely on Bacon Salt to get their bacon fix without breaking their vows. Don’t hog the flavor. Spread it around using these easy recipes!

DailyCandy Definitions

We’ve selected a “green” entry from The DailyCandy Lexicon to add a new demographic term to your vocabulary this week. Salad Spinster – n. a girl who sits at home eating healthy dishes for one.

Lean, green Sveltlana the salad spinster was content to let us hit the all-you-can-eat salad bar without her.