Marlow's Snowman

It feels like snow again today in Atlanta. A good day for some hot soup and warming cocktails.

We got this cute photo from Marlow's Tavern http://marlowstavern.com. They took it after our "snow day" on Saturday.

Whole Foods Market "Sacks" Disposable Plastic Grocery Bags

Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced yesterday it will end the use of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts in all of its 270 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with the goal to be plastic bag-free by Earth Day, April 22, 2008.

It's estimated that Whole Foods Market will keep 100 million new plastic grocery bags out of our environment between Earth Day and the end of this year alone. This is good news for animals as well as the earth since plastic bags not only endanger wildlife by polluting land and water but also pose an environmental threat, as some plastic bags can take more than 1,000 years to break down in a landfill.

Beginning immediately, each store in the Company will work on depleting stocks of disposable plastic grocery bags at the checkouts and will help raise awareness about the benefits of reusable bags. Over the next three months, stores will reduce plastic grocery bag inventories and increase selections of reusable bags for purchase.

Whole Foods Market has encouraged shoppers to bring their own bags for years by offering a refund of either five or ten cents at the checkouts, depending on the store. The Company also sells different types of reusable bags, ranging from canvas to its new large, stylish “A Better Bag” — a sound environmental choice since 80 percent of its content comes from recycled plastic bottles and it is an economical choice as well since it costs only 99 cents.

Although the natural and organic grocer hopes to inspire shoppers to bring their own reusable bags, the Company will continue to offer an environmentally sensitive option when needed – 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags. Last year, Whole Foods Market became the first and only food retailer in North America to offer these recycled paper grocery bags made with 100 percent recycled fiber content, which also are completely recyclable.

More information can be found at online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/byobag.

Cold Winter Nights Are For Cooking

“EAT LIKE YOU WORK HERE” ON JANUARY 22 AT FIFTH GROUP RESTAURANTS . . . BUT YOU WON’T HAVE TO DO THE DISHES!
Savor the spoils, without the work! Fifth Group Restaurants is extending the company’s 25%-off employee discount to dinner guests at South City Kitchen in Midtown and Vinings on the evening of Tuesday, January 22. Take advantage of this lucrative excuse to dine out and see what’s new on the menus at these two new-South favorites! For reservations and directions, visit fifthgroup.com or call 404-873-7358 (Midtown) or 770-435-0700 (Vinings). South City Kitchen Midtown is located at 1144 Crescent Ave; South City Kitchen Vinings is located at 1675 Cumberland Parkway.

DON’T SCRIMP FOR MARDI GRAS –
“LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULEZ” WITH WHOLE FOODS MARKET KING CAKES, FOR SHRIMPERS’ SAKES
Even as Louisiana shrimpers are still reeling from the effects of Katrina on their already fragile trade, the spirit of Mardi Gras prevails through the work of the White Boot Brigade and Whole Foods Market. The White Boot Brigade is a small band of Louisiana shrimpers that is rebuilding their market by focusing on innovative and smarter production, ecological sustainability and cultural preservation as they bring fresh Gulf shrimp back to dining rooms. In a repeat of last year’s successful Mardi Gras King Cake promotion, which collectively raised more than $15,000 in Whole Foods Market’s southern region, the world’s leading natural and organic supermarket is again donating $1 to the White Boot Brigade’s efforts for every king cake purchased through February 5. This Mardi Gras Carnival season, let the good times roll with beads, bangles and king cakes from Whole Foods Markets! For more information, visit http://www.whitebootbrigade.org/.

For more information about Whole Foods Market and Harry’s Farmers Market, visit wholefoodsmarket.com.

COLD WINTER NIGHTS ARE FOR COOKING AND CARING AT SALUD! IN WHOLE FOODS MARKET DULUTH – JOHNS CREEK
Come in from the cold to the enticing smells, warm lights and friendly camaraderie of Salud! classes in Whole Foods Market Duluth – Johns Creek. Call ahead or stop by the customer service desk to register. Find more Duluth location classes here. 5945 State Bridge Road; 678-514-2400.

Valentine’s Day is peeking around the corner. Show how much you care for someone far away by sending them a package brimming with treats! Scott Yaegle’s Tuesday, January 22 class is sure to brighten your spirits as much as you’ll lift theirs as you gather an assortment of treats, including “Best Ever” chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, double chocolate brownies, ginger snaps, snickerdoodles and peanut butter crunch cookies. Wrap in a bit of whimsy and leave with everything packaged and ready to ship. 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; $50/hands-on.

Winter’s cold days bring forth cravings for the hearty mélange of flavors in the simple, yet sophisticated, dishes of Italy. Join instructor Ashley Brooke from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22 as she demonstrates masterful Italian cooking techniques using top-quality ingredients. Sink your fork into mushroom timballo, classic Bolognese over fettuccini; sautéed Swiss chard with olive oil and garlic; and braised pork chops with tomatoes and porcini mushrooms. Regional wine will be served. $40/demonstration.

Traveling by fork is so much fun you’ll want to come back to Salud! on January 23 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., for an evening of Greek comfort foods. Join Chef Athena George Penson in preparing yiouvarlakia meatball soup with aygolemono (Greek lemon egg "sauce"); traditional Greek salad; two versions of pastistio (traditional Greek lasagna with meat sauce and bechamel); pastistio in phyllo dough; tyro-pita (cheese pies); and kourambiethes (Greek cookies with powdered sugar). You’ll enjoy your feast with regional wines and traditional Greek coffee. $55/hands-on.

IT’S A HEALTHY MARRIAGE OF WINE, CHEESE…AND MUSIC AS DEKALB YOUTH SYMPHONY ENSEMBLE PLAYS AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET – BRIARCLIFF ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
It’s a timeless combo: wine, cheese and classical music. From 5 - 7 p.m. on Friday, January 25, relax and enjoy an exclusive wine and cheese pairing presented by Whole Foods Market – Briarcliff’s Specialty Department. An ensemble from the DeKalb Youth Symphony will perform their favorites for your enjoyment. The event is free; however, space is limited so reserve your spot now at Customer Service. 2111 Briarcliff Road, NE; 404-634-7800.

The DeKalb Youth Symphony (DYS) is the honor middle and high school orchestra of the DeKalb County School System. The ensemble accepts donations to cover the costs of large instrument rental, music and ever-rising fuel charges as they travel to Italy for a performance/study tour this June. DYS reflects the county’s rich diversity as students come together from across DeKalb to share their love of music. Catch the full, 80+ member, non-profit orchestra at “A Night in Italy” dessert concert and silent auction fundraiser at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12 at Clairmont Presbyterian Church, 1994 Clairmont Road in Decatur.

ALLEGRO HOSTS “BEST OF TUSCANY” WINE DINNER JANUARY 28 EXECUTIVE CHEF JOSE REGO PAIRS WINES WITH FIVE COURSES FOR A TANTALIZING “TRIP”
Take off for Tuscany at Allegro on Monday, January 28. Executive Chef Jose Rego pours his passion for new and traditional Tuscan fare into a prix-fixe five course-menu, matching wines from the region with each course. Reception starts at 6:30 p.m.; dinner begins at 7 p.m. $75 per person. For reservations, call 404-888-1890. On the menu:

Carpaccio di Tonno – Ahi tuna carpaccio with blood orange, Ligurian olive and fennel salad
Falchini, Vernaccia San Gimignano 2006

Fois Gras in Terrina – Fois gras terrine with fig jam, 12-year-old balsamic vinegar, celery and micro greens
Mazzei Badiola, Toscan 2004

Ravioli Toscani – Homemade ravioli filled with braised cabbage, carrots and prosciutto tossed with brown butter and sage
Mazzei, Belguardo Serrata, Maremma Toscana 2002

Costata di Manzo – Allen Brothers ribeye steak served with potatoes au gratin, tomato confit and black truffle beef glaze
Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico DOCG 2000

Tiramisu

Allegro is located in the lobby of the Belvedere condominiums at 560 Dutch Valley Road.

SEE WHAT’S BREWING WEEKNIGHTS AT SIP The Experience
There’s more jumping than a jolt of java at SIP The Experience, Atlanta’s ultimate urban lifestyle coffee lounge. Sure, the coffee’s there – and it’s remarkable, but we guarantee the entertainment, wine, mar-tea-nis and more will keep you alert with laughs!

"Open Mic Monday Night,” newly launched on Mondays from 7 – 10 p.m., showcases a multitude of performing artists – musicians, vocalists, thespians, dancers, comedians, …whatever your talent happens to be. Stage shy? Well, we’re all friends, so just come watch everyone else until you get your courage up!

"drew's H O U S E" is a sexy world and fusion sound experience from 6:30 – 10 p.m. on Thursday nights. SIP is an ideal stop over on the way home from work (because otherwise, by the time you fight the traffic home, you’ll be in no mood to go back out). As Drew phrases it in her newsletter, “This set is the perfect spot for you and your crew to relax with a glass of wine, meet new people, or just plain chill.”

SIP MarTEAnis! Please don’t correct our spelling, because there’s TEA in every one, and vodka, too. SIP is collaborating with Brandi Barnes, proprietor of JUST ADD HONEY Tea Company, to offer some delicious concoctions that are sure to be your cup of tea (we just had to say that).

SIP The Experience is located at 528 Main Street in Lindbergh Center;
404-816-3001.

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, REVIEW!LEND YOUR OPINION TO ZAGAT’S ATLANTA RESTAURANT & SHOPPING SURVEYS BY JANUARY 27
Want to rave -- or wave the red flag of caution? Zagat, one of the world’s most respected sources for honest reviews, depends on diners like you to share your ratings and witty thoughts on Atlanta restaurants you’ve visited this past year! Complete Zagat's online survey by January 27, 2008 and receive a FREE copy of the 2008/09 Atlanta Restaurants guide when it's published. Shop much? Tally up on Atlanta's top stores to enter into a sweepstakes for shop-til-you-drop prizes of a $500 VISA gift card or one of five $100 VISA gift cards! Share the good news and pass the info along. To vote and add more opinions before January 27, Click Here! Questions? Email Zagat via atlantaqtr@zagat.com.

SECOND HELPINGS: NO MORE SLOW BOATS TO CHINA... STEAMY KITCHEN PUTS ASIAN FOOD ON THE TABLE, FAST!
Jaden Hair’s blog, Steamy Kitchen, brings easy and quick-to-prepare Asian foods to the table of the average American, even those who don’t live in big cities where Asian markets overflow with exotic ingredients. Witty insights flow like soy sauce from the keyboard of this blogster, who is a cooking school teacher, food columnist, televised chef and mom in her spare time. The photos alone are good enough to eat!

Our Friend Will Harris

Check out this article in the AJC about our friend Will Harris:
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2008/01/21/whatever0121.html

I have been to Will's farm and it is beautiful. Makes you want to leave the city and live that kind of a life. But hey, it's far from easy. Will is a pioneer in bringing grass-fed beef to us city folks who have become used to meat raised on growth hormones, corn, and antibiotics. You can really taste the difference. And to see how humanely his cattle is treated, well, that sold me. Yes, it costs a tad more but the health benefits far outweigh the price difference. Find Will's White Oak Pastures beef at Whole Foods and Publix. Check out his website at www.whiteoakpastures.com.