Marlow's Tavern In Midtown Throws One-Year Anniversary Party on August 28

Marlow's in Midtown turns the corner on a fun-loving first year with an open-to-all celebration on Thursday evening, August 28. Feed on free appetizers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and fill your glass with drink specials. Live party music is a given... and perhaps you'll win the drawing to receive dinner for a year at Marlow's Midtown.

Marlow's Tavern in Midtown is located at 950 West Peachtree Street and can be reached by calling 404-815-0323.

Woodfire Grill Rhone White Wine Tasting

I couldn't wait to check out Woodfire Grill for the first time since Michael Tuohy left. The first wine tasting by the new owners gave me just the reason I needed to get on over there. It was great!

They are putting a new spin on the classic wine tasting by allowing you to participate from your own table with your own friend(s). So instead of a formal classroom setting, you just go have a seat like a normal guest and they bring the wines to you. Worked great! And the newly promoted exec chef Kevin Gillespie had written the night's menu with the tasting in mind so all the dishes were Rhone white friendly.

Everything was delicious but our fave was the foie gras with these nutty little pancakes. YUM. In addition we had 3 small plates - the vegetable assortment (indian spiced okra and tomatoes, rattlesnake pole beans, fromage blanc stuffed anaheim chile), crisp fried flat creek lodge catfish stuffed with georgia white shrimp with avocado mousseline and dried chile sauce, and pan roasted sonoma artisan duck breast with chanterelle mushrooms, delicata squash, crushed pistachio and duck jus, and two large plates - wood grilled north carolina "poulet rouge" with wood over morels (oh gosh, were they ever delish), sweet herbs, and white cheddar mac and cheese, and the pan roasted south carolina mangrove snapper with crispy vidalia onion fritter, indian spiced okra small tomatoes.

We tasted 8 wines for $15. The fave was 2002 Treana, which is actually a Central Coast California wine, as was the 2007 Bridlewood Viognier. We also sampled and enjoyed the 2007 Yalumba Viognier (South Australia), 2006 Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas Blanc (Paso Robles), 2007 Perrin & Fils Cotes Du Rhone Reserve, 2006 M. Chapoutier Belleruche blanc, 2006 Eventide Cellar Viognier (South Africa) and the 2005 Perrin & Fils Chateauneuf du Pape Les Sinards.

The new owners are doing some sprucing up decor wise this month. I'm happy to report that the place was busy and the food and service were as good as ever.

I Eat and Drink for a Living...Jealous? You Should Be!

I have such a long day tomorrow! Sure there’s the typical 9-6 workday, but, after that, I “have to” go to a wine tasting. Did I say “have to”? I meant “get to”!! I feel so sorry for my friends who work long hours and at the end of the day, they are too worn out to attend anything social. My days may be long, but my job allows me to merge my social agenda with my career ambition.

On tomorrow’s schedule, Maximilian Riedel himself will host this wine tasting at Morton’s The Steakhouse Buckhead from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Thursday, August 28). The Austrian native is an 11th generation glassmaker and the CEO of Riedel Crystal USA, so it’s appropriate that he bring his own glasses to the table. And, he’s sending a set of four glasses home with attendees after sipping, supping and usurping tips on how wine glass shapes do affect a wine’s personality. $70 per person (including tax and gratuity) covers wine, appetizers and includes your Riedel glassware gift. For reservations, call 404-816-6535.

Jealous yet? I knew you would be!

Woodfire Grill's August 27 Wine Tasting Showcases Wonderful Whites of the Rhone

What's better than a good glass of wine? Multiple good glasses of wine, all approved by the experts. As the new owners of Woodfire Grill, Nicolas Quinones and Bernard Moussa are keeping with tradition by hosting the next installment of Woodfire's wine tasting series. Quinones and Moussa invite guests to sample wonderful whites of the Rhone including Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier wines on Wednesday, August 27 from 7-9 p.m. Cost is $15 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Reservations are recommended as spaces fill quickly. Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055

Whet Your Whistle With A Schlocktail

Come on girls, admit it. We’ve all sipped them. Now we know what they’re called, thanks to the The DailyCandy Lexicon. Schlocktail – n. lame, themed drink, often seen at cheesy events and made with some sort of flavored liqueur.



Suggested usage: Keep that Raspberry Beret Bomb away from me. I don’t drink schlocktails.

Simply Fabulous Popcorn Truffles Explode With Flavor

These bite-sized, frozen confections will dispel any notions that popcorn must be served piping hot to be hot. POP! (Passion over Popcorn) is best served ice cold in its sweetly salty, European chocolate-coated state. Choose yours filled with dark or white chocolate and Swiss caramel or try POP! wrapped around Key lime, lemon, peach or strawberry fruit fillings and white chocolate then coated and drizzled with more white chocolate. Give or receive: each cooler box of POP! contains 15 balls and costs $29.99 plus shipping and handling. Not convinced yet? Check out a few images of us enjoying these tasty treats! As you can see in the photo below, I find them irresistible.

The three sisters in 3 Sisters Creative Specialty Foods donate 5 percent of their profits to YNOT Grace, Inc., a nonprofit organization offering at-risk individuals a chance at positive personal and professional development.

Ricky Sparkman from Sparkman's Cream Valley in Moultrie, GA is featured in the most recent slide show at Whole Story (Whole Foods Market's blog). I first found the milk during the Eat Local Challenge at the Buckhead Whole Foods Market. I completely agree that their milk is by far the best I've tasted. Their all-jersey cows are happy because they use no hormones and put comfort first. Sparkman's also bottles their milk in cornstarch containers that are biodegradable. Be sure to watch the slide show!

Midtown Restaurant Week Means Deals for You and Me

As you undoubtedly know by now, Midtown Restaurant Week kicks off this Saturday (August 23) for a week of incredible dining opportunities. Thirty-three stellar Midtown restaurants are offering special three-course menus for $25 (alcohol, tax and gratuity not included). It is an great time to visit old favorites or check out some of those new restaurants on your list.

My plans include visits to Beleza, Dogwood and Ecco. Where are you going?

Riesling and Eggs? You Betcha!

Who would have guessed a game of free word association between a chef de cuisine and a beverage director could be so delicious? Last night Ecco hosted an wine dinner, themed Riesling and Eggs, which was born from pairing these two things, which would not ordinarily be associated. Each course of the wine dinner was the artistic taste explosion that I have come to expect from Ecco and the beverage distributor sitting next to me commented that the wines were so obscure that several had to be flown in from Germany, specifically for our dinner.

The food was a creative twist on classic favorites, such as the ravioli with housemade ricotta and whole yolk (definitely my favorite dish of the evening), paired with Von Buhl, Sekt, which was my first taste of sparkling Riesling. Pictured above is the main course, pan-roasted sturgeon and caviar. Overall, the evening was full of great food, great wine and great company. I look forward to the next dinner.

We Unwrap The DailyCandy Word of the Week: Mean Cuisine

This week’s sweet morsel from The DailyCandy Lexicon is a noun phrase for a tiny portioned, disgusting tasting, frozen food.

A suggested usage: When cruising the grocery aisle, steer clear of the mean cuisine and head, instead, for the field-fresh, local okra.

On the Homefront, Wolf Mountain Wines Flow At Whole Foods Market - Buckhead Wine Tasting

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is nestled in the mountains outside Dahlonega - a mere hour north of Atlanta. On the night of Tuesday, August 19 their wines are being served even closer to home at Whole Foods Market-Buckhead. Enjoy Wolf Mountain's Old World-style varietals and tastes of Whole Foods Market savories from 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Café. Sip, contemplate, discuss... of course you can purchase your favorites to take home!

Whole Foods Market - Buckhead: 77 West Paces Ferry Road, NW; 404-324-4100.

Jezebel Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelors & Bachelorettes Party

Last night I attended Jezebel magazine's party to celebrate the magazine's "Most Eligible Bachelors & Bachelorettes". One of my friends, Carolyn Sloss (the one in purple in the photo), was selected as one of this year's bachelorettes. The party was held at the newly-opened Tongue & Groove in Lindbergh Center. There was a VIP reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with tasty appetizers provided by Aquaknox and tons of Michelob Ultra. When you first walk in the door, they asked everyone if they were "single" or "taken." If you were single, you were given a glowing yellow wristband, and if you were taken, you were given a glowing purple wristband. What a clever little idea to go along with the theme of the party! And, what an easy way to find out who was available in the crowd.

Bookers, Baker's, Basil Hayden's, and Knob Creek

Let me start off by saying I don't usually drink bourbon. Never the less, on the promise that I would be missing out on something fabulous, I attended last night's bourbon tasting at Morton's The Steakhouse Downtown. I learned three very important lessons last night during this tasting: bourbon can be significantly better than the hangover-inducing stuff you drank in college, bourbon lovers are just as fanatical about their bourbon as wine drinkers are about wine, and never tell a bourbon drinker that you usually drink vodka (you will immediately be deemed to have very bad taste and unworthy of conversation).

The tasting was led by Whiskey Professor (yep, it is a REAL job) David Mays, who did an incredible job of explaining many of the intricacies of bourbon. Did you know bourbon can be made anywhere in the United States, not just Kentucky?

During his hilarious and informative lecture, we tasted four bourbon cocktails: Basil Hayden's citrus smash, Knob Creek's mint julep (my favorite of the four), Baker's Kentucky peach (similar to a Washington apple), and Bookers' Manhattan (way to strong for my vodka-loving palate).

We also enjoyed some of Morton's hors d'oeuvre: scallops, crab cakes, mini lamb chops and the unbelievable delicious steak sandwiches.

Overall, it was an incredible evening full of fun people, great cocktails and too many steak sandwiches!

Michael Tuohy's Final Farewell Party at Murphy's

Last night Michael and Patty Tuohy got their final send-off with a small party of friends at Murphy's. While there have been numerous get-togethers to celebrate/commiserate Michael's leaving Atlanta, at least he didn't have to cook at this one! Tom Murphy generously set up his back room and kept the group happy with Prosecco and yummy snacks from Chef Greg McCarthy.

It was a low-key event where we all got to spend a little quality time with Michael. Before it was over, we had all decided to charter a jet and head to Sacramento for the opening of the restaurant! Who else is in?

Everyone there was an old friend of Michael's, including Kevin Rathbun who stopped by before heading to work, corporate restaurateur Phil Hickey, Barbara Petit and Alice Rolls of Georgia Organics, Chris and Jan Schroder of Schroder PR. We all had fun reminiscing about the Chefs' Cafe days - Michael's come a long way from the La Quinta Inn to The Citizen Hotel! Ha!

We will all miss Michael and Patty and are so glad that they promised to come back and visit. And we can keep up with Michael on his Frontburner blog. Our team is now working with the new owners of Woodfire Grill, Bernard Moussa and Nicolas Quinones - they are super smart and nice and realize the importance of carrying on Michael's passion for local, sustainable and delicious food. While Woodfire will never be exactly the same without Michael, I am sure that it will continue to be a great restaurant doing great things.

Bye, Michael! We love you! Don't forget to book our rooms for the opening!

Dogwood Restaurant Open for Lunch

As of today, Atlanta's newest refined Southern restaurant, Dogwood, is open for lunch. The lunch menu includes starters ($3-$15) such as fried green tomatoes, a grits bar selection and smoked Georgia Trout cakes. Entrees ($11-$18) like a duck club sandwich on pecan-raisin bread, the delicious Dogwood burger and an Atlantic salmon “BLT” have my mouth watering (it's almost lunchtime!). Lastly, the desserts ($6) include grilled lemon pound cake and a classic crème brûlée. Click here for a full lunch menu.

Dogwood is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant’s dinner hours are Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dogwood is located in the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street, Suite A.

A Whiskey Professor Leads Small Batch Bourbon Study – From Barrel To Bottle To Glass On August 14!

My husband and I are always looking for something unique to do in this city. So, when I heard that Morton’s The Steakhouse Downtown was dedicating a night to learning all about bourbon, it was a no brainer.

Join us tomorrow, August 14, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. for night school. Whiskey Professor David Mays, one of only three Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Professors, is traveling the American Whiskey Trail, educating and entertaining those along the way about the American Native Spirit. Mays is a man who knows bourbon’s nuances and history. He’s one of only three Whiskey Professors to undergo in-depth training at Kentucky’s Jim Beam distillery and represent Beam Global Spirits and Wine. School never sounded so good!

Bourbons to be served at the Small Batch Bourbon tasting include:

Knob Creek – a nine-year aged bourbon drawing from its charred American white oak barrels for its sweeter taste and full body. You’ll taste it in a mint julep that night.
Bookers – uncut, unfiltered, intense with oak tannin and smoky vanilla. Created by the late Booker Noe, master distiller and grandson of Jim Beam, this bourbon fills out a Manhattan at the tasting.

Basil Hayden’s - spicy from rye, sweet from corn, enriched with peppermint, Basil Hayden’s recipe was developed in 1796! This light-bodied bourbon speaks in a Southern Citrus Smash.

Baker’s - draws its name from Baker Beam, grandnephew of Jim Beam, and its mellow flavor from a mix of corn, rye, barley, yeast and seven years of rest in new oak. Try it in a Washington Apple!

It’s a one-of-a-kind evening for only $45, which includes tax and gratuity. Space is limited; reservations are a must. Morton’s The Steakhouse Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

Baby, They're Back! BBQ and Blues Return to South City Kitchen Vinings on August 17!

BBQ is always a tasty treat and when you add some swingin' sounds, you've got a combination that can't go wrong! That is the idea behind South City Kitchen® Vinings BBQ and Blues night coming up on Sunday, August 17. Yes, every Sunday night is BBQ Night; however, while you're chowing down on Southern barbeque and sides at this Fifth Group Restaurant® on August 17, the Breeze Kings will jam from 6 to 10 p.m. Pile up the plate with slow-smoked beef brisket, molasses and spice- crusted pork shoulder, country-style ribs and sides - all served family style. Mop them with three signature BBQ sauces - Carolina-style mustard sauce, vinegar sauce and sweet red barbeque sauce - then dig in and sing praises that it's Sunday night! Cost is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 12 and under. Reservations are recommended.
Serving dinner nightly and Sunday brunch, South City Kitchen Vinings is located at 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

DailyCandy Definitions

We're going to help you build up your vocabulary DailyCandy-style. Last month, Caryn and I went to the launch party for The DailyCandy Lexicon: Words That Don't Exist but Should. The book has made it around the whole office and we want to share some of the new words we're using. Keep an eye out each week on Atlanta Dish as well as in our newsletter The Dish (sign up on our website).


This week’s DailyCandy word: Palet – n. a valet who takes especially good care of your car. (Aw. You parked it right up front. What a palet.)

Taste of Asia Week in Atlanta

Chop suey, phooey! Sushi, samosas, pho and fusion are more like it in Atlanta’s huge rice bowl of Asian dining options. Teaming up Atlanta’s Asian culinary prowess with the Olympic Games in Beijing, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) invites diners to pick up their chopsticks for a “Taste of Asia” during its inaugural Dine-Out Week, August 10-16. Aqua Blue -- scoring some of the best sushi in town -- is on the team of participating restaurants with a special $28 three-course dinner menu (tax and gratuity not included). Begin with crispy ginger salad, move on to miso-glazed shiro magura – white tuna, baby bok choy, fresh spinach and a lush shitake mushroom broth. Finish with a warm brownie à la mode (okay, so brownies are not Asian, but we’re not complaining).


Participating restaurants will offer a three-course meal for $28 or other Asian dining specials. A portion of the proceeds from GRA’s Taste of Asia will go toward a merit-based internship for a culinary student who wants specialty training in Asian cuisine.

Aqua Blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

The Olympics Make Me Hungry

Given that yesterday was 8-8-08, the luckiest day of the century in China and the opening day of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, a group of us decided it was only fitting to head to Frank Ma's South, the latest setting for Atlanta's favorite Chinese food guru. (2088 Briarcliff Rd NE) It's only been open a couple of weeks but the word is out. Don't be turned off by the "Wingnuts" sign outside. It's just left over from the last tenant. Frank doesn't seem to care much about aesthetics - but he cares a LOT about food. We had the Wife & Husband which I'm told is lung. It was delicious! We also had some scallion pancakes, dumplings, pork with squid, fish in hot oil (my favorite), bean sprouts, and I must mention the eggplant with basil I had last week too - yum! You can bring your own wine here which is a plus. And if you forget, Rocky's liquor store is conveniently located right next door. Frank gets a gold medal for this performance.

A couple of local restaurants are celebrating the games too. Newly opened Dogwood is pouring a “Red, White and You” wine flight in honor of our Olympians. $20 buys you two flights of white and two flights of red every Friday night during the Olympic games. Come weekly and odds are you won’t be blue! Try Schramsberg (Calistoga) blanc de blancs sparkling Chardonnay has bubbled on our nation’s tables since 1965. Chappellet (Napa) Chardonnay is summer in a glass, thanks to Napa’s cool marine breezes, Dijon varietal grapes and French oak barrel aging. Kenneth Volk (Paso Robles) Pinot Noir puts a red on the table from the family- owned Santa Barbara winery that owner Kenneth Volk notes as being “smaller, better and slower.” In this case, slower wins the race! Northstar (Walla Walla) Merlot, blended from Columbia Valley-grown grapes, wins praises as Seattle’s favorite. Dogwood is located in the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.

VITA owner Tony LaRocco invites Olympic followers to dive in to a tall, wet drink named after local Olympic swimmer Kathleen Hersey. Literally the girl next door, Hersey lives in LaRocco’s neighborhood! Her namesake drink is a spirited medley of peach vodka, peach schnapps and orange juice ($8). This hometown girl swims faster than you can toss one back. Check out the YouTube video and see her dominate the 100-yard butterfly at the Olympic time trials.
VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Go USA!

It's Not Just Merlot; Take Any Wine To Go!

Georgia Senate Bill 55 has passed. Perhaps you know it by its street name: the Merlot to Go law. The new law means that you can go ahead and order that bottle of wine, even if you don’t intend to finish it with your dinner, because now you can take it with you! If you have purchased a bottle of wine with your meal and consumed a portion of the wine with your meal, you may ask the restaurant staff to reseal the wine bottle and securely repackage it with the receipt “to go.”
The tamper-evident package must then be stored in your locked glove box, trunk or behind the very last seat in your car for a hands-off ride home. We know of several Atlanta restaurants that are ready to help you cork up and re-package your “Merlot to Go” in resealable bags: All Fifth Group Restaurants®, Aria, Aqua Blue, Dogwood and VITA. Thanks to the passage of S.B. 55 and the packaging skills of these restaurants, you can go ahead and order that bottle of wine without feeling as if you must consume it all in one sitting before driving home. Have a glass with dinner and by all means, take it with you to enjoy later at home!

Cheers to You Rowdy

Today we mourn the loss of RowdyFood.com. For almost a week I wondered why the site was not working. I simply blamed my wireless internet connection and went on my way. I finally wrote Matt himself who assured me it was not my browser but that in fact the site was down. How could this be? I wondered, but Mr. Rowdy gave no details.



Today, Hardy at DirtySouthWine reports that Rowdyfood.com is gone but Mr.Rowdy has forwarded the url to his blog. So if you type in Rowdyfood.com and end up reading about wine, don't fret. Stay and read about Hardy's adventures in grapes and be on the look out for posts about the birdies that hang out on his porch. Mr. Rowdy, your food quests will be missed. Cheers to you!


As one goes away, two more are added. We have recently updated the Delicious Atlanta Sites blogroll to include two great blogs, Adventurous Tastes and Disposable Income. Please be sure and check them out (often!). I love finding new blogs on the Atlanta scene. Keep 'em comin'!



Photo courtesy of RowdyFood on flickr.

Reflections from Alisha Bess on the Eat Local Challenge

As you may remember reading, our office took the Eat Local Challenge two weeks ago. We each planned a dinner that used all local ingredients and shared with you (and our flickr friends) the outcome. Well, now we have a guest writer sharing her experience. Alisha Bess is from Whole Foods Market Buckhead and is responsible for organizing the second annual Eat Local Challenge. Below she shares why this challenge was important to her and her overall thoughts on Atlantans eating local...

"It all started last year when I read an article about how writers from a local newspaper decided to eat nothing but local foods for 1 week. After reading about their experiences I was inspired to take the challenge myself. As I started talking to my fellow Whole Foods Market Team Members, we not only decided to do it ourselves, but challenge customers to eat local as well. And thus the Eat Local Challenge was born. This was our 2nd year of the Eat Local Challenge and it was bigger and better. There were so many highlights to this year’s challenge that it’s hard to stay focused on just a few. First, of course, there’s the food. The number and variety of delicious food treasures across Georgia could keep the most advanced culinary mind tantalized for days. It was a pleasure for my team and I to compile recipes to help people along the challenge. Our own writings, in addition to recipes generously contributed from local chef/writer Virginia Willis and various local producers gave us more recipes than we could include!

"In addition to the amazing recipes, this year’s challenge showed me a community more engaged in the local food movement. The awareness of gas prices on food prices has really impacted pockets and awakened consumers’ minds about where food comes from. Not to mention the recent food recalls and the abundance of information about the down right scary things that occur in some food production has no longer made words like “irradiation,” “pesticides” or “animal byproduct” a mystery. Never before have I heard more people say “I already eat as much local as possible. Between Whole Foods and the farmer’s markets, this is where I do all my shopping.”
"Whole Foods Market has always been a big proponent of eating local and supporting the farmers and producers who put their hearts into making the most delicious foods around. And now it is starting to make sense to others. And by others, I mean the tons of other retailers who have jumped on the local bandwagon. Local is the new organic. And as we know, trends sell.

"So although we may not have had tons of people sign up for the challenge, we were able to engage and continue the conversation about the ease and importance of eating local. So to the Georgia newcomer, who has never been blessed with fresh pasta from Via Elisa, mouthwatering beef from Harris Family Heritage Beef, creamy chevre from Sweet Grass Dairy, sipped one of Georgia’s award-winning wines, or had peaches, tomatoes, squash or any other amazing Georgia foods-wake up and embrace what it really means to be Georgia-grown."

Celebrate Back-to-School With the Quintessential Summer Cocktail From Vajra Stratigos

It is hot! And with the kids out for the summer, life is even more hectic. What better way to cool yourself off and celebrate back-to-school time, then a cool cocktail? Whip up the ideal summer drink with the help of Vajra Stratigos of Fifth Group Restaurants®. Vajra is Atlanta's gold medal Olympian in the sommelier world, and he's always up for sharing his libation expertise. "The Summer Cocktail - Il Fiore" is one of his quick how-to videos to watch once you put the kids on the bus or during an Olympic commercial break. Vajra shakes up a botanical gin blend and tops it with lime and fresh mint. Does this pool 'n patio pick-me-up count as an energy drink?

Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead Takes You Over The Hump With Wine Down Wednesday On August 6

The week’s half over and it’s time to celebrate! There's nothing like unwinding with wine, and, on the first Wednesday of each month, Wine Down Wednesday at Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead is the ideal place to mark crossing the work week's midline. Today's 5:30 - 7 p.m. tasting features wines of the Pacific Northwest, including Chateau Ste. Michelle Late Harvest Chenin Blanc, Eroica Riesling and Col Solare. $12 per person includes wine tasting and bites of Morton's famed appetizers, and make sure to try the sliders.

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

Turning Trash Into Organic Treasure

Whole Foods Market is doing its part to keep things local. Watch this slideshow and listen to how Mike Hardy from the South Region Distribution Center is helping to make Farmer D Organics' compost possible.

The Varsity's 80th Birthday

"What'll ya have, what'll ya have?" That's the first thing you hear when you first step foot in this Atlanta landmark.

This past Saturday, the Varsity celebrated 80 years in business, and was it packed! The parking lot and drive-thru were completely full of cars from all over the state of Georgia (and probably beyond). Just for the celebration, there were tons of things going on -- a NASCAR simulator car was there for folks that wanted to take a "test drive", live music by local bands, and let's not forget free birthday cake and ice cream.

Being a fellow Atlantan, I couldn't bring myself to visit the Varsity and not order an F.O. and heavy weight with cheese. In case you're not up-to-date on the lingo, "F.O." means a Frosted Orange and "heavy weight with cheese" means a hot dog with extra chili and cheese. The Frosted Orange is some type of yummy orange/ice cream smoothie-drink. I'm not quite sure what all is in it, but it's certainly good!

I'll have to remember to bring out-of-town guests down to taste one of the many flavors of Atlanta or experience the huge drive-in. After all, the Varsity has been named, "the World's largest drive-in restaurant."

Eat Like You Work At Ecco and South City Kichen Midtown and Vinings

Even if you aren't the celebrity chef, star waiter or brilliant busser you can still eat like you work at Fifth Group Restaurants’® Ecco, South City Kitchen® Midtown and South City Kitchen® Vinings on Tuesday, August 5. Take them up on this popular dining opportunity and receive the standard 25 percent off employee discount on your meal. Why do they do it? Fifth Group’s restaurants consistently earn top ratings as great places to work, and the teams want to share the benefits! Ecco takes a European bistro route while Southern hospitality and regional cuisine meet metropolitan hustle-bustle at South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings.

Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE in Midtown; 404-347-9555. South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Now, Everyone Say "CHEESE"!!

For those of us who truly love cheese, the question is not “Who moved my cheese?” but to where did they move it? If the cheese is artisanal cheese handcrafted at Southeastern artisan dairies, then it’s most likely made its way to Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery just north of Dahlonega (one of my favorite brunch spots). The winery is celebrating its sixth annual “Artisan Cheese Month” beginning August 3 with a special Sunday vineyard luncheon buffet. Summer Sundays are a wonderful time to enjoy brunch and good times among the vines in the North Georgia Mountains. And let’s not forget the Boegner family’s wonderful, award-winning estate wines crafted in the European style at their winery on the Dahlonega Plateau. Sunday brunch is $30 per person (excluding wine, tax and gratuity), and seating times are at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All Wolf Mountain wines are priced separately and will be available by the glass or bottle. Advance reservations are required; call 706-867-9862. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Ecco's Sunday Share Is Going To The Heart of Veneto on August 3

Venice is in the heart of Italy’s most loved and visited region. We feel the same way about Ecco - one of Atlanta's most loved and visited restaurants! While it could be the gondolas, canals and cafés that make Venice so welcoming, Ecco knows that enticing Italian food plays a big part in the comfort level at the Venetian dinner table! Sharing platters of food, laughing, toasting, maybe some hugging – it’s all part of the communal table setting at The Sunday Share on August 3. Ecco’s Sunday Share takes place on the first Sunday of each month. Reserve your seat by calling 404-347-9555 and be a part of the family-style meal that begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person; drink specials are an additional charge. Ecco is a Fifth Group Restaurant located at 40 7th Street in Midtown. Ciao bella!

So You Want Something for Peanuts? Chipotle's Bean Counters Have a Free Burrito for You Over Georgia's Tax-Free Weekend

What's better than tax-free? How bout' just plain FREE? Chipotle Mexican Grill knows what people really want, and it's not just the discount! Stop by Chipotle for a burrito . . . and a free burrito (that makes it tax free as well) during Georgia's tax-free holiday! The strategy is especially nice if you've been shopping for tax-free items instead of planning lunch or dinner. Buy a burrito, burrito bowl, an order of tacos or a salad on Wednesday, July 30 through Thursday, July 31. Save your receipt and bring it back on Saturday, August 2 or Sunday, August 3, to redeem for a FREE burrito, burrito bowl, order of tacos or a salad. This is so much better than tax free - this is EAT free! "Tax free" echoes Chipotle's determination to keep their foods additive free (or tax free, you might say), void of food additives such as hormones. Chipotle is committed to using fresh ingredients raised in a socially responsible, sustainable, and easy-on-the-animal and land manner. Watch the staff prepare your food right in front of you using naturally raised chicken, pork or beef, cilantro-lime rice, whole black or pinto beans, freshly grilled vegetables, house-made guacamole and a choice of fresh salsas. Celebrate additive-free, better-than-tax-free, dining at one of Chipotle's 12 Atlanta-area locations this week! Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Find your nearest Chipotle location here.

Dogwood Restaurant Opening Party

Last Friday evening, I attended one of the grand opening parties for Dogwood restaurant. Bea-u-tiful space!

When I first arrived, there was a little bit of a wait, so I decided to sit at the stunning bar that had caught my eye when I first walked in. Very chic, yet very cozy. The bartenders were all very knowledgeable and friendly -- they didn't seem to be stressed at all that this was the first night they were open.

The hostess seated me in the mezzanine level, the top level, that has a glass railing overlooking the restaurant. Very cool spot!

I ordered the smoked trout cake for an appetizer, and the beef tenderloin with cabernet sauvignon reduction for my entree. After seeing the amount of people flooding the restaurant, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be eating until much later! But, to my surprise, the kitchen ran very smoothly and my meal was wonderful.

The owners describe this restaurant as "Southern hospitality and sophisticated cuisine". I certainly agree. I will be back soon -- especially if there is a performance at The Fox Theatre.

The Time is Ripe for Tomatoes

As I wrote yesterday, I recently prepared a dinner celebrating the tomato. This week a couple of Atlanta restaurants will be hosting their annual dinners honoring the apple of love as well.

Chef Michael Tuohy will feature a rich variety of some of the state's best tomatoes for Woodfire Grill's 6th Annual Tomato Dinner on Wednesday, July 30. The four-course tomato menu, complete with wine pairings, runs $65 per person excluding tax and gratuity. Come join Chef Tuohy at his last tomato dinner in Atlanta. He's California-bound in August, moving west to open Grange in the Citizen Hotel, a boutique hotel near the state capitol in Sacramento. Tomato Dinner spaces are limited so call now to reserve your spot: 404-347- 9055. Woodfire Grill is located at 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road.

La Tavola Trattoria's Tomatofest runs from July 30 through August 9 with a special menu put together by Executive Chef Craig Richards with heirloom tomatoes from Dillwood Farms in Loganville. The Tomatofest menu is available à la carte ($6 - $21) or for the prix fixe cost of $39 per person. Drool over the menu offerings online. The video below features Richards making the heirloom tomato, peach and fennel salad from the menu. Enjoy Tomatofest dishes nightly at La Tavola Trattoria, 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.




Photos from La Tavola Heirloom Tasting 2008 by Alli Royce

Local Tomatoes Make For A Sweet Ending

To end the week of eating local, my roommate and I decided on a menu with a theme of tomatoes. First let me say that the reason I had breakfast for dinner at the beginning of the challenge was because my roommate was out of town. She is the cook in the apartment and I am helpless without her (thanks, Sara!). We hit up the neighborhood Whole Foods Market after a long Sunday at the pool. Since the sun had drained most of our energy, we decided on something simple.

Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil topped with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Via Elisa ricotta & spinach ravioli with tomato sauce.

The dinner table (aka our coffee table) spread includes fresh sundried tomato and basil bread from Whole Foods Market.

Vanilla Gelato Mio for our dessert!

Whole Foods Market angel food cake with vanilla Gelato Mio and fresh strawberries - yum!

For more photos of our team taking the Eat Local Challenge, visit our flickr page.

Marissa Eats Local

It was my day to take the Eat Local Challenge. After many hours of pondering what local product I wanted to use, I decided to swing by my favorite pasta shop -- Via Elisa Pasta. I always love to stop into this place because you can actually see them making the pasta so you know you're getting the freshest available, and because of the many yummy samples of Italian food out to taste. I've found myself on many occassions purchasing more than just pasta. They have tasty cookies, cheeses and olive oil.

I hardly ever can decide what to get because they have a great selection, and everything is tasty.

I decided to go with one of my all-time favorites -- Passionately Perfect Tomato Sauce and three-cheese ravioli. Simple, yet, very flavorful!

I rushed home to make a fabulous lunch for myself. And, here is the finished product -- 15 minutes in boiling water for the pasta, and only about 10 in a saucepan for the sauce.