Joshua Perkins Of The Globe Doesn’t Have To Go Far To Lead Global Cooking Demo At The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown

I love to travel, but, with the economy slowing the way it has, it has gotten a lot more difficult. Luckily, I can still enjoy delicious dishes from some of my favorite destinations at “All Around the GLOBE,” the theme of Chef Josh Perkins’ demo class at The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown. Perkins, Executive Chef of the GLOBE, exposes his formal, culinary training in Italy as he demonstrates how to prepare personal favorites such as sunchoke vichyssoise topped with Spanish caviar and diver scallops, Sweet 100 tomato salad, BBQ lamb rack with mint couscous, and chocolate ricotta-stuffed crepes with Tunisian glazed oranges. Class runs from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16; $45 per person. For reservations click here or call The Cook’s Warehouse at 404-815-4993. Bon Voyage!

The GLOBE: 75 5th Street, NW; 404-541-1487

The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown: 549-I Amsterdam Avenue, NE; 404-815-4993

Dinner At Toulouse

Last night, everyone from MLA got together to visit Toulouse. What a wonderful place! The staff was very knowledgable about wine as as well as food. And about the food - it was wonderful. We had a variety of appetizers -- steamed mussels with tomato concasse, crawfish and vegetable tower, fried chicken livers, potato and gorgonzola fritters and tomato bruschette.

The entrees were just as good as the appetizers -- grilled salmon with jasmine rice and braised cabbage, pan seared duck breast with poached pears, Buffalo meatloaf with mashed potatoes, pistachio encrusted yellow fin tuna and mushroom ravioli.

George Tice, the owner, took us for a little tour around the restaurant and we learned that all of the fabulous paintings were by no other than Steve Penley. Being a fellow UGA grad myself, I couldn't help but applaud his decision to have such fine artwork displayed in his restaurant.

The restaurant hosts monthly wine tastings with a different theme each month. They all begin at 6:30 p.m. and include close to 15 different samplings of wine. I'll be sure to sign up for the next one.

Wine Tasting to Benefit Adopt A Golden Atlanta

Dogs don't drink wine, but we do! And that's why I'll be at the Marietta Wine Market this Saturday, September 13. They will be hosting a wine tasting to benefit Adopt A Golden Atlanta from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that finds loving, permanent homes for Golden Retrievers to prevent them from becoming strays or heading for overpopulated shelters. I'll drink to that. Cheers!

Marietta Wine Market: Off the Marietta Square at 18 Powder Springs Street, SE; 770-919-1574.

Dinner For A Cause Is A New Weekly Event At Samaritan House of Atlanta's Cafe 458

Eat well . . . Do good. Every meal savored at Samaritan House of Atlanta’s Café 458 helps Atlanta’s homeless men and women move a step closer to self-sufficiency. Since its inception in 1986, the award-winning restaurant in the Historic Sweet Auburn District has passed on its proceeds, including tips, to the cause. After more than 23,000 guests, that’s a lot of proceeds. Now, guests can enjoy a Thursday and Friday night dinner for a cause menu in addition to the weekend brunch menu they’ve enjoyed for years. The new dinner menu comes from Café 458 Executive Chef Jonathan Metellus and Culinary Institute of America Alumnus and includes such mouthwatering dishes as lobster ravioli, seared filet mignon, sunflower-encrusted salmon and creamy polenta cake. Sit down to a three-course, prix fixe dinner for $28or order à la carte. Bring your own wine ($5 corkage fee). Enjoy dinner from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. each Thursday and Friday evening; brunch is served from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each Sunday. For reservations, call 404-525-3276 or make online at OpenTable.

Samaritan House of Atlanta’s Café 458: 458 Edgewood Avenue; 404-525-3276.

Chef Piero Premoli Takes it SLOW at Pricci

Everyone knows that Pricci's Exec Chef Piero Premoli is one of my faves. He's so passionate about everything he does - I just love him! So it was no surprise to see him embrace the Slow Food movement with a cool event this week. Pricci is offering a special Slow Food menu on September 9th, 10th and 11th. Premoli and Pastry Chef Jenni Etchison are plucking their fresh produce and proteins from the season’s harvest at nearby Crystal Organic Farm (September 9), Moore Farms and Friends (September 10), and Woodland Gardens (September 11). These dinners will help raise funds for Slow Food Atlanta’s Terra Madre Farmers’ Fund. To reserve your spot at the Slow Food feast, please call Pricci at (404) 237-2941 or click here. Be sure to ask for the special Slow Food menu. And tell Piero that Melissa said hi!

Pricci: 500 Pharr Road in Buckhead; 404-237-2941.

DailyCandy Definition

Bring me your tired, your carb-hungry, and your M&M’s... The DailyCandy Lexicon writers empathize so much with you over those low-carb dietary side effects that they developed a word describing your condition!

Bratkins – n. bad mood brought on by lack of sugar and carbohydrates in one’s diet.

Suggested usage: Bypassing the Little Debbies for a week had given Sheila such a case of the Bratkins that she slammed her shopping cart into the cookie display in a faux effort to carb load while remaining on her Atkins diet.

Vote for Your Favorite Restaurants at Atlanta Cuisine

Atlanta has several fabulous restaurants, too many to pick from actually. But everyone has their favorites; those places we go back time and time again because they make it exactly how we like it. Atlanta Cuisine, "Atlanta's Restaurant, Food and Drink Newspaper," wants you to share your top choices with its readers. Support your winners by casting your votes online at www.atlantacuisine.com. Hurry, voting ends Sunday, September 14.

What Are The Chances?

Sonoma County is home to more than one successful winery, but there are several lesser known Sonoma wineries that deserve just as much attention. According to Fifth Group Restaurants’® Beverage Director Vajra Stratigos, one such winery is Hawkes Winery, which has been producing wines for more than 30 years. Winemaker Jake Hawkes is in town this week to get the word and the wine out with a Hawkes tasting at Ecco from 2 – 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, and a wine dinner at Aria on Thursday, September 11 at 7 p.m. The $15 per person tasting at Ecco includes wines and appetizers; stay for dinner and the $15 tasting cost will be credited to your bill. Want more wine and dine? Join Jake at Aria for an intimate dinner of six courses and six complementing Hawkes wines. Cost for the dinner is $90 per person, inclusive of wine, tax and gratuity. Make your reservations now – there are only 12 seats at the table!

La Tavola Trattoria's Alli Royce Soble Stars "Behind the Bar" in The Sunday Paper

Open up The Sunday Paper this week to the “Behind the Bar” column and get acquainted with La Tavola Trattoria’s knowledgeable bartender, Alli Royce Soble. Her passion for art can be found on a canvase or in this case a martini glass. You will read about how she got started in the biz and what keeps her inspired at Fifth Group Restaurant's neighborhood trattoria.

La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.