What's happening in the souper month of January!

“HELLO, STILETTO!” SHOE LOVERS GO TOE-TO-TOE JANUARY 8 AT FOOD STUDIO FREE SOCIAL
Slip on your favorite shoes -- come on, we know you have a closet full of them – and toe the party line with other shoe lovers at the “Hello, Stiletto” social on Tuesday, January 8. The free, social networking club for shoe lovers is hosting its next Atlanta Shoe Club Party at Food Studio in the historic King Plow Arts Center. Dress those feet to impress and hot foot it on over for complimentary appetizers and a “best shoe” competition with heel-acious prizes. Check out the club Web site for more info: http://www.shoeclub.us/ or contact Amanda Viciana at Amanda@shoeclub.us.

Food Studio is located at 887 W. Marietta Street, Studio K-102 in the King Plow Art Center; 404-815-6677. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

TRILOGY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE NIGHTS SING IN 2008 WITH ZING
Even if you didn’t quite make the cut for “American Idol” or “Singing Bee” (perhaps “America’s Funniest Home Videos” is more your style), you can belt it out with the best of them at Trilogy’s Wednesday Karaoke nights. There’s no cover charge, and the fun is open to anyone and everyone. The singing starts at 8:30 p.m. Make a night of it by coming earlier for dinner or for libations to loosen up those pipes and douse any vestiges of stage fright! You’ll find Trilogy in East Cobb at 4930 Davidson Road; 770-859-0041. http://www.trilogydining.net/ing.net/

THERE’S STILL HOPE FOR FINE DINING AT HOME! WHOLE FOODS MARKET HOSTS EXPERT ON RECREATING RESTAURANT RECIPES
On Monday, January 14, Hope Fox, lifestyle expert, television personality and author, will be at Whole Foods Market in Buckhead signing copies of her innovative book “Impress for Less! Finally Terrific Recipes from the Finest Restaurants that You Can Really Make at Home.” Stop by between the hours of 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. to pick up a book and find out about Hope’s experience recreating recipes from 100 of America’s top restaurants. Included in the book are two of Atlanta’s most talented toques – guests can get a glimpse of how Owner/Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria prepares his short ribs braised in wine, or how to make marinated beets with goat cheese like Executive Chef Carvel Grant Gould of Canoe can. Whole Foods Market in Buckhead is located at 77 West Paces Ferry Road, NW;
404-324-4100. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

Aria is located at 490 E. Paces Ferry Road; 404-233-7673. http://www.aria-atl.com/
Canoe is located at 4199 Paces Ferry Road, NW; 770-432-2663. http://www.canoe-atl.com/

FINALLY, SOME SCOOP YOU CAN SINK YOUR SPOON INTO…JANUARY IS NATIONAL SOUP MONTH

When the outdoor thermometer dips in the low range, there’s no better place to plunk your spoon than into a deep bowl of steaming, slurp-worthy soup. Save the gazpacho for summer – these restaurants know you crave the hot stuff in January.

Aria is known for its “creamless” celery root soup topped with black truffles and parmigiano reggiano cheese ($9). How does Gerry Klaskala whip up such a rich tasting soup without a load of cream? We bet it’s one of those “slow food” secrets to ponder while you savor a second bowl! 490 East Paces Ferry Road;
404-233-7673. http://www.aria-atl.com/

Bonefish Grill adds a generous helping of lump crab meat to its corn chowder with lump crab (cup $5.70; bowl $6.50). This heartwarming classic is pure sunshine in a bowl…no shades required. Bonefish Grill locations in the Atlanta area include 11705 Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek, 3420 Buford Drive, and 1350 Scenic Highway 124 in The Avenue Webb Gin. http://www.bonefishgrill.com/

Canoe takes taste buds to the tropics. You’ll know your ship has come in as you delve into a nourishing bowl of African squash soup garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds and lime cream (lunch $7.25; dinner $8.75). 4199 Paces Ferry Road;
770-432-2663. http://www.canoeatl.com/

Food Studio pampers earthy parsnips, onions and garlic in its soup pot to yield a hearty parsnip soup with sage brown butter and bacon ($8). Peasant ingredients, royal results! 887 West Marietta Street, Studio K-102 in the King Plow Arts Center. For reservations, call 404-815-6677. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

La Tavola Trattoria goes for the gold with ribolita soup thick with golden-hued butternut squash and carrots, organic cannellini beans, onions and pancetta (cup $4.25; bowl $6.75). You’ll want to sop up every last drop of this precious blend! 992 Virginia Ave., NE; 404-873-5430. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

Marlow’s Tavern ladles out a lot of “olé” in each bowl of chicken queso soup. So captivating, there’ll be no siesta until you slurp the last spoonful of this chili-roasted chicken, cheddar cheese and tomato blend topped with crunchy tortilla strips (bowl $3.95). Available at all four locations of Marlow’s Tavern. In Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; and Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526. http://www.marlowstavern.com/

South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings head for the Low Country and bring back the fixings for soup pots brimming with Old Charleston She-Crab soup that’s sure to cure your crabbiest day with its velvety fresh cream and sherry goodness. (cup $4.50; bowl $7.25). South City Kitchen Midtown is located at 1144 Crescent Ave; 404-873-7358. South City Kitchen Vinings is located at 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

“MORE NAPKINS, PLEASE!” IS THE MANTRA AT SOUTH CITY KITCHEN SUNDAY BBQ NIGHT
Sunday nights, gather up family and friends, and head for either location of South City Kitchen to sup on some of the most succulent barbeque in town. Savor barbeque the way the South intended -- smoked, seasoned, sauced and served family style with side dishes. This season, dig into molasses-glazed BBQ pork, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked beef brisket served with three signature sauces. Sides feature Yukon Gold potato salad with Creole mustard and jalapenos, green bean casserole and griddled Texas toast. It wouldn’t be a barbeque without dessert: spoon into a warm chocolate pecan brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, butterscotch and hot fudge. $19.95 adults; $9.95 children under 12. South City Kitchen Midtown is located at 1144 Crescent Ave; 404-873-7358. South City Kitchen Vinings is located at 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

SECOND HELPING: WHOLE FOODS MARKET SLICES INTO LIFE BEHIND THAT SQUASH ON FARM-TO-MARKET BLOG
There’s a person behind that tomato . . . a story sprouting along with the squash . . . a tale trailing that mountain trout. Whole Foods Market travels the South’s rural roads and interviews the farmers and producers who are passionate about producing the highest-quality, best-tasting veggies, fruits, meats, wines and, yes, catching mountain trout. Listen, look, and learn as you view these “grew-tube” slices of life -- you’ll grow a whole new appreciation for the food you eat! wholefoodsmarket.com/socialmedia/farmtomarket