Fancy Food Show 08

Well, my feet have finally stopped hurting but my mind is still racing from all the cool products we saw at the Fancy Food Show in NY this week. Over 150,000 food/beverage products in 350,000 square feet of space - can you imagine! Meryl and I did our best to sample as much as possible, but how much chocolate, pretzels and popcorn can you eat? We were thrilled that our clients, tsp spices and BaconSalt, stood out. In fact, tsp won "best food gift" for the whole show!!!! They also got tons of press, including Time magazine! Their new product SmartSpice was a big hit - look for it in September at Whole Foods. BaconSalt was one of 10 products chosen to be on Good Morning America Tuesday morning! And they also attracted a ton of attention from media at the show. We were so proud to represent them both.

Celeb sightings included the Barefoot Contessa and the "Chinese girl" from Soy Vay marinades. Outstanding tastes included wine ice cream, coconut water, and caffe acapella - looks like chocolate but it's a coffee bar. YUM.

We can't wait to go back next year!

So, You had a Bang-Up 4th, or Maybe Fifth...Try One of These Bloody Marys to Cure the Common Hangover and Help You Ease Back Into Life

July 4th means friends, family and good times.....maybe too good of a time. If you went overboard on your celebration of the red, white and booze, let some of the metro-area eateries nurse you back to health with a dose or two of their hangover-halting Bloody Marys. Save this list of who-has-what in their special version of the classic hangover cure!

Aqua Blue in Roswell swizzles with gorgonzola stuffed olives, lime and salt ($7.50). 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
Bonefish Grill hooks the citrus-fresh zest of lime garnish in its Bloody Marys ($7). Johns Creek: 11705 C. Jones Bridge Road, 770-475-6668. Buford: 3420 Buford Drive, 678-546-8240. Gwinnett, The Avenue Webb Gin: 1350 Scenic Highway 124, 678-344-8945.
Canoe anchors it all together with lime, celery and olive ($7.50) and serves it riverside for a sunny dose of the great outdoors. 4199 Paces Ferry Road, NW; 770-432-2663.
The GLOBE goes classic metro with green olives and celery ($5). 75 Fifth Street, NW; 404-541-1487

La Tavola Trattoria incorporates Fris Vodka and an olive garnish in its version of the saucy drink ($6.50). 992 Virginia Avenue, NE in Virginia-Highland; 404-873-5430.
Marlow's Tavern complements its modern tavern fare with refreshing Bloody Marys served with limes ($7). Now open at Northlake in the Doubletree Hotel: 4156 LaVista Road; 770-938-1026. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770-475-1800. Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW; 770-425-8777. Midtown: 950 West Peachtree Street; 404-815-0323. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway; 770-432-2526.

Both locations of South City Kitchen® add a little kick to their extra-spicy Bloody Marys and give you olives and celery so you can continue to stir things up a bit ($8). Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.
VITA blends a healthy mix of seasonal flavors in its Bloody Mary, but the secret ingredient is the pickled green bean with which it's served ($7.50 or $5 at their Bellini brunch).2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Oh Say Can You See...VITA's Bellini Brunch Awaiting Thee After The Peachtree Road Race!

When you’re bobbing and weaving your way down Peachtree in the July 4th Peachtree Road Race, you’ll run right by it . . . VITA, at Peachtree and Bennett Street (right before “Cardiac Hill,” err, Piedmont Hospital). Keep jogging to the finish at the Civic Center, meet your friends under the “V” balloon (for VITA), then swing back to celebrate your accomplishments over VITA’s popular Bellini Brunch from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. VITA Owner Tony LaRocco and his friendly staff have the ultimate after-race filling station, and it’s open for all, from runners to walkers to spectators! Refuel for the day with a three-egg VITA omelet hugging your choice of fillings, Italian country bread French toast, open-faced spinach frittata or an open-faced chicken frittata omelet loaded with pulled chicken, pancetta and mozzarella cheese. All dishes are $12 and are accompanied by seasonal fresh fruit and roasted potatoes. For hydration beyond sports drinks, try a bubbly Bellini, mimosa or glass of champagne ($6/glass) – or make it a lycopene-loaded Bloody Mary ($5/glass). Come back for more on Saturday or Sunday, the usual brunch days! VITA is located at 2110 Peachtree Road and Bennett Street; 404-367-8482.

Get Your Food Studio Fix Before July 19!

Fifth Group Restaurants'® Food Studio has reigned as one of Atlanta’s top choices for honoring special occasions for the past 12 years, but it's time for a new chapter. On July 19, Fifth Group Restaurants’ Partners Robby Kukler, Steve Simon and Kris Reinhard are taking Food Studio to permanent “occasion” status as a full-time event space managed by the company’s award-winning catering division, Bold American® Catering. The stunning space with flexible seating within the historic King Plow Arts Center will be the place to hold corporate and social events from rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions to business meetings and parties. Bold American Catering Executive Chef Todd Annis will meet with guests to customize menus specifically for their special events. While we're going to miss Food Studio's fare and yummy cocktails dearly, we're looking forward to upcoming events in the restaurant's unique space. Those who are interested in obtaining details and booking the space can call 404-815-1178.

Food Studio patrons: Perhaps you became engaged or marked a special occasion at the Food Studio. Come mark the occasion one more time before the restaurant converts to event space on July 19. From July 7 through July 19, Food Studio, along with all other Fifth Group Restaurants, will offer a special summer three-course prix fixe menu for $26.95 in addition to the regular menus. Make dinner reservations at Food Studio through July 19 by calling 404-815-6677 or visiting www.fifthgroup.com. Food Studio is located at 887 West Marietta Street, NW in the King Plow Arts Center.

Celebrate Atlanta's PRIDE Festival at Marlow's in Midtown July 4th and 5th

Celebrate this year's PRIDE festival at Marlow's in Midtown on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5. DJ Chris Griswold will be spinning tunes on both nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sponsored by Red Bull energy drink, the restaurant will offer food and drink specials on both days along with $5 Stoli martinis all day on Friday and Saturday. There is no cover charge to attend. Marlow's in Midtown is located at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323.