Twitterbake

My favorite Atlanta baking blogger is now on twitter. Bakerellla has joined the mico-blogging site and takes to posting updates on her current kitchen projects. She even made a few cupcakes featuring the twitter bird. I wouldn't have expected any less! You can follow @bakerella to keep up.

And if you are near Northern Oklahoma, Pioneer Woman is having a contest for four lucky people to be included on the Bakerella Cake Pop Demonstration. The contest ends at 4 p.m. pacific time so check out the PW website for details.

Forget Fat Tuesday, Enjoy "The Fat One" at La Tavola Trattoria!

Italians affectionately refer to Bologna, Italy as “La Grassa”…the fat one. That’s a compliment when we’re discussing dishes from this tasty epicenter of Northern Italian cuisine. La Tavola Trattoria, Fifth Group Restaurants' cozy Italian restaurant in Virginia-Highland, has made an annual celebration out of the cuisine of Bologna. This year, the La Grassa celebration is from March 4 through March 14, and the specialties are available as a three-course prix fixe menu for $27 (plus tax and gratuity) or as à la carte items ($6.75-$17). Although Chef Craig Richards' cuisine is always a hit, believe me, you do not want to miss this culinary tradition! Some of his special dishes are cotechino sausage with Castelluccio lentils and housemade mustard; borlotti bean and kale soup; mushroom Bolognese lasagna; fazzoletti pasta with duck ragu and red wine-braised greens; braised pork spare ribs with cherry peppers, shallots, new potatoes and balsamic vinegar; and roasted half-chicken stuffed with orange and rosemary and served with broccoli rabe and vin cotto. Click here to watch Craig making one of last year's La Grassa dishes. For reservations, call 404-873-5430. La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

Serpas, True Food

I had the pleasure of joining the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF) at Serpas last night for drinks and appetizers. The tastefully rustic space and large bar area was a perfect meeting spot for the group. The friendly and approachable staff served eggplant hush puppies with blue cheese and red gravy, Texas crab toast with chipotle aioli, flash fried oysters and wild mushroom tostadas with chicken and brie. I enjoyed the samplings so much that I would love to return for supper soon.

Serpas: Located at Studioplex, 659 Auburn Ave.

Deviled Egg Puree Works!

I voiced my concerns a month ago when the menu for Woodfire Grill's Duck Rabbit Brewery Beer Dinner hit my desk. Deviled egg puree? With sauteed veal sweetbreads? Hmmmmm. Not sure that's gonna work for me. But how could I have doubted Chef Kevin Gillespie?

The whole dinner was delicious, with that deviled egg puree one of my favorite flavors of the night. The entree - wood grilled molasses marinated pork leg - was served with a braised pork croquette that was to die for. And the Duck Rabbit Porter paired perfectly. Seriously, I could eat a (small) plate of those croquettes at the bar with this beer and be oh so happy!

I'll admit I was slowing down by dessert time, but the ginger spiced stout cake with the Duck Rabbit Milk Stout was a great, not-too-sweet ending. And I loved that we got to taste the Baltic Porter afterwards.

This was Woodfire's first beer dinner and it was a huge success. I hope they do more. And if they do, I hereby promise that I will not question a single thing about the menu. (And I hope I get that deviled egg puree again soon!)

Comfort Food Outing at Kozmo

When your night starts with white velvet mac and cheese and ends with chocolate chip cookies and ice cream, well, you know it's a good evening. I had a wonderful time catching up with two of my favorite OTP friends last night at the new Kozmo Gastropub. After a celebratory Kozmorita we settled in to some serious comfort food dining. Loved their version of poutine - no cheese curd so it didn't seem as heavy - just braised beef brisket, gravy and pecorino cheese over french fries! And the aforementioned mac and cheese - oh my! It has parmesan, mozzarella, white cheddar and blue cheese. You can get a "big bowl" or a side. We got a side. Twice. For dinner we tried the beef short rib pappardelle and the Kozmo cheeseburger with a side of slaw. All was wonderful. And then came the cookies and cream. Ahhhh. We were so happy when we left!

Happy Anniversary Morton's!

Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead is celebrating its 15th anniversary this Wednesday, March 4. To show their appreciation for the wonderful people of Atlanta, Morton's will be serving complimentary mini filet mignon sandwiches in the bar area from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. These sandwiches are delicious and are the perfect snack to accompany a glass of wine or pint of beer. I suggest you get there early and gobble as many down as you can. Happy anniversary Morton's and thank you for the sandwiches!

Morton's The Steakhouse Buckhead, 3379 Peachtree Road N.E.; 404-816-6535.

Eat Out: You Won't Melt!

Okay, it's your chance to be a real snow angel. I'm not advocating that anyone be unsafe, but isn't tonight a great time to support your neighborhood restaurant? Maybe you can even walk there. Or take a taxi - they probably need our support too!

I'm thinking Italian. Warm and cozy. YUM.

* All Fifth Group restaurants are open tonight.