Nibbles, Bites and Scoops

Bakerella got a serious craving for chocolate and made this yummy peanut butter cup cake. She made a few signature adjustments to the original recipe found here. I can't wait to try this out in my own kitchen and I'll be sure to have a huge glass of milk on hand!
Rowdy made a visit to Eno this week and met the new kitchen team of Executive Chef Eli Kirshstein and Sous Chef Jeff Sigler. Find more about it here.

Besha Rodell reports on Omnivore Atlanta that Grant Park location of Six Feet Under will be moving across the street to the Jane lofts on 437 Memorial Drive. And Besha, I'm with you about Top Chef.

DirtySouthWine reviews winethatloves.com, a new line of wines that are paired for certain dishes such as roasted chicken and pasta with tomato sauce. Read his assesment of the liquid line up here.

Tami at Running with Tweezers will be in attendance at the upcoming Fresh Flavors dinner at Ecco on June 24. Be sure to mark the date on your calendar because it is also her birthday! Read more of what's happening here.

Wolf Mountain Pays A Tribute to Tuscany at Sunday Brunch During June

When I log in, I gaze longingly at my profile photo of the hubby and I on Lake Cuomo in Italy last spring. Because of the surging gas prices and airline fees, that trip would be lot harder to manage this year. Still, I long for Italy’s calm countryside, bustling cities, stylish people and, of course, its tasty provisions.

No worries, Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery has come up with a reasonable alternative: take a short Sunday drive north of Atlanta to Dahlonega for the winery's Tribute to Tuscany Sunday brunch. No passports, currency conversions, baggage or fuel surcharges, yet good-to-go with plenty of Tuscan flavors such as linguine and clam sauce, chicken Marsala, Mediterranean salad, homemade tapenade, and tiramisu trifle. Why roam to Rome to dip your bread? Olive oil tastings are part of the Wolf Mountain brunch spread. If you were in Italy, you'd have a glass of wine or two with your meal as you looked out over the Tuscan hills, and well, you can't get much closer to the vine or Georgia mountains for handmade, European-style wines than at Wolf Mountain! $30 per person, excluding wine, tax and gratuity. Call 706-867-9862 to reserve your place at the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. seating on Sunday, June 8, 22 or 29. Ciao, baby!

Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

Wine Down Wednesdays: a New Monthly Event at Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead

Last night, Meryl and I went to Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead for the restaurant's first Wine Down Wednesday event. The first Wednesday of each month, Morton’s in Buckhead becomes the place to mark the midweek with themed wine tastings. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., $12 (inclusive of tax and gratuity) buys guests a generous sampling of three to four wines plus complimentary appetizers. This month's tasting focused on "Pioneers of California" – Beringer Stanley Ranch Chardonnay, Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Terra D’Oro Deaver Ranch Zinfandel. I favored the Mondavi Cabernet, while Meryl enjoyed the Beringer Chardonnay the best. Tanya Lawson, a representative from United Distributors, was on hand to educate us about the wines , and the lovely Maureen, our favorite bartender, brought around hors d'oeuvres such as steak sandwiches and scallops for guests to enjoy with their wine.

These tastings are the perfect opportunity to come get a feel for the upscale restaurant’s top-notch food, wine and exceptional service. Next month's tasting features an evening of "Pinot Envy" on July 2.

Morton’s The Steakhouse Buckhead is located in the Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

Saturday Green Market Sprouts Up With This Year's Bounty at Piedmont Park--Gerry Klaskala of Aria Leads Chef's Demo June 7

It's a beautiful time of the year and the last thing you want is to be stuck inside a crowded grocery store checking off your weekly list. This Saturday, skip the store and head to the market, The Green Market that is, at Atlanta's beautiful Piedmont Park.

Rise and shine early Saturday morning and make your way to Piedmont Park’s 12th Street entrance for the 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. market. Sip your coffee, browse the stalls, chat with area farmers and producers and fill your shopping bags with their field-fresh pickings, organic meats, cheeses, pastas and other goodies. Aria Owner/Chef Gerry Klaskala will lead a cooking demo and hand out samples this Saturday at noon at the Chef’s Warehouse mobile kitchen. Klaskala is the man with plans and recipes turning the bounty in your bags into won’t-last-long dishes.
Aria is located at 490 E. Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.

Dinner alfresco at Marlow's Midtown

I had such a yummy time at Marlow's last night. My roommate and I took our friend from Savannah there for dinner while she was visiting for a job interview (keeping my fingers crossed for you, Allison!). We chose the Midtown location because her interview was around there and she needed to get familiar with the area before driving around in Atlanta traffic. I've been to this one before but never for a meal. First things first, I love the ease of parking at this place - the deck is huge and completely free! We lucked out because there was a table available outside which made people watching very easy. Lots of couples, dog walkers, and strollers passed while we ordered.

The hummus appetizer is my favorite, so we started out with that. I was lame and only got a Diet Coke but Allison had the pomegranate martini and Sara (my roommate) got Blue Moon's Honey Moon Summer Ale.

Then comes the good part - dinner. Allison and I both got the lamb tenderloin wrap and Sara had the grilled salmon. On the ride home we still wanted something sweet so we dropped by the recently opened Yogurberry in the Terminus Building. You order one of the two flavors available (last night was plain and green apple) then add your favorite toppings. Perfect way to end a meal if you ask me.

Time to Get Your Steak On

It is no wonder Father's Day is celebrated in June; June happens to be National Steakhouse Month and everyone knows most dads love steak! These days there are so many steakhouses to choose from, how can we ever know which one to pick?? My advice is to go with a classic.

In Atlanta, there are two top-notch havens for beef-lovers and both have been on the dining scene for years: Morton's The Steakhouse and Fogo de Chão.

Morton's The Steakhouse is known around the globe for its legendary service, upscale elegance and mouthwatering, prime-aged steaks. Awards for food, wine and service are plentiful. Atlanta is fortunate to play home to two of Morton's 79 worldwide locations in Buckhead and Downtown. Right now, Morton's is offering an incredible steak and seafood special menu. The surf and turf menu includes two single-cut filets; a choice of two seafood options (Morton’s jumbo lump crab cake, shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops); a choice of one of Morton's signature potatoes and a side vegetable; a choice of two salads (Caesar or Morton’s salad); and lastly, a choice of two desserts (Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake or key lime pie).

Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian churrascaria, gives steak lovers the opportunity to fork into as much meat as they desire from the 15 fire-roasted cuts of meat carved tableside by Brazilian gauchos. The prix fixe menu simplifies matters, and the humongous salad bar offers plenty of options for those who favor the steak lover, but not steak. The Atlanta restaurant was recently renovated with an updated wine cellar and new art work.

Both locations offer the perfect excuse to celebrate National Steakhouse Month every month!