The 7th Annual Taste of Atlanta

Chefs and food-lovers of all ages will find something to sink their teeth into at this weekend’s 7th Annual Taste of Atlanta on the streets of Atlantic Station. The Southeast’s most anticipated epicurean bonanza ventures beyond the ordinary to embrace green eats, kid-friendly treats, helping others, cleaning our earth and sipping fruits of the vine. With more than 70 restaurants participating in the October 11-12 event, there’s something to tempt you at every turn. Amica Insurance Kid’s Avenue provides hands-on culinary activities for young chefs, cooking demos and “Knights of the Realm” Medieval Times battle re-enactments between demonstrations. Country Road supports local and organic ideologies of the Slow Food Movement through fun and educational opportunities. The Green and Leafy team assures no leftovers, showing eco-friendly cookware and accessories, holding on-site recycling, and making sure extra food goes straight to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. VIP ticket holders can take in the Expanded Wine Experience in TWELVE Atlantic Station and Bowling and Brews in Ten Pin Alley, and all adults can enjoy the Discover Wines with Robert Mondavi Wine Tour (formerly Crush in the City).

$5 Martini Round-Ups Shake Things Up At Aqua Blue,Vita And Dogwood

Five-dollar martinis at Aqua blue, Vita and Dogwood are shaking up cocktail time from Roswell to Buckhead to Midtown! Aqua blue rocks the bar with Smirnoff martinis -- The Dirty South martini with olive juice; the Washington Apple martini with Washington Apple Burst and sour mix; the Tampa Bay martini with pineapple juice, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and a splash of sour; the New York martini with Pom juice, pomegranate schnapps and a splash of sour; and the Blue Martini that brings together Ketel One Citron, Island Blue Pucker, blue Curacao and a splash of sour. In Buckhead, lively NYC-Italianesque Vita shakes up $5 martinis all day, everyday. Down Peachtree in Midtown, Dogwood trades a Lincoln for a martini day in, night out, and backs Abe with heady regional fare.

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.
VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

A Mouthful To Pronounce, But Worth Every Bite: Abbondanza at La Tavola Trattoria

Beginning today, Virginia-Highland neighborhood favorite La Tavola Trattoria is making it abundantly clear that you and your friends must hurry in to celebrate the bountiful cultural and culinary wealth of Italy’s heartland. The restauant's $39.95 prix fixe Abbondanza menu is available through October 18. Or, if you're craving a particular dish, the special menu is also available à la carte. Watch Executive Chef Craig Richards making the baked ricotta salad from the menu here. Vajra Stratigos, Fifth Group Restaurants’ beverage director, recommends completing your Abbondanza menu selections with Italian wines from La Tavola’s abundant list: Zenato, Valpolicella, Veneto 2006; Avanta, Pinot Grigio, Veneto 2007; Antonio Coscia, Arneis, Piedmont 2005; and Coltibuono, Chianti Classico 2006, are a few to try. For reservations, click here. La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

DailyCandy Definition

Would you go fruit-loopy if someone ate your last bowl of Captain Crunch? Well, that’s life if you practice what The DailyCandy Lexicon deems Cereal Monogamy at your breakfast table.

Cereal Monogamy: n. a slavish devotion to one particular breakfast cereal.

Suggested usage: After three boxes of Cocoa Pebbles, I began to suspect he was a cereal monogamist.

Wicked Good Dinner

What seems like months ago, my roommate and I bought tickets to see Wicked for when it came to Atlanta's own Fox Theater. From the day we ordered the tickets, I was already making dinner plans. Before the show we're going to have dinner at my new favorite restaurant, Dogwood. Since we will be within walking distance of the theater, we can valet at the restaurant and not worry about parking. I love it when things are simple!

If you have not ordered tickets yet, then you will be interested in the moneysaving Dinner and Broadway show packages local restaurants will be offering. You can get a ticket and a special three-course menu at Ecco for the shows on Wednesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 29 ($90 per person). On Tuesday, October 28, Dogwood will offer a three-course dinner package that includes dinner, a ticket to the show and valet parking ($95 per person). Seating times are at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. at either restaurant and tax, gratuity and alcohol are not included in package pricing.

Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.
Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE in Midtown; 404-347-9555.

Red Hook Beer Dinner at South City Kitchen Vinings Cures What Ales Ya

Feeling a little under the weather? Or is it that you just aren't ready for the change in weather? Either way South City Kitchen Vinings has the cure. They are hosting a unique Red Hook Beer Dinner on Thursday, October 9, that is sure to satisfy all of the senses . The four-course, prix-fixe dinner paired with Red Hook beer begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $45 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres of house-made andouille sausage en brioche with passion fruit mustard and smoked trout brandade with apple cabbage slaw and caraway crackers served with Kona Passion and Bud American Ale. The dinner menu includes cane syrup-glazed quail breast with cumin-spiked sweet potato gratin accompanied by Red Hook Blonde Ale; roasted mushroom meatloaf with harvest squash, Yukon gold potatoes, green beans and smoked chili ketchup served with Red Hook ESB; and dessert of apple- pecan tartlette with pumpkin-ale ice cream served with Red Hook Late Harvest Ale.

South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.