Sweet Springtime Sangria

Spring is on its way! Soon the trees will be green, temperatures will be rising and the sun will be shining. What better way to enjoy this beautiful season, than with some sweet sangria?! The folks at Eclipse di Luna have perfected this cool concoction and I am here to spill the beans! Here is the recipe, perfect for springtime parties (makes 5 gallons):

2 gallons cheap red wine
1 gallon white wine
1 liter Triple Sec
1 liter Spanish brandy
1 liter 7-Up
1/2 liter pineapple juice
1/2 liter cranberry juice
1 liter simple syrup
Add chopped fresh fruit (lemons, limes, strawberries, pineapples, oranges, etc.)

If you don't feel like whipping it up yourself, you can visit the restaurant to get a glass or take advantage of their special on Sundays: $10 bottomless sangria.

Eclipse di Luna in Buckhead is located at 764 Miami Circle; 404-846-0449.

Hot Off the Grill: Pacci

Good news comes in all forms. For some, it’s news that the stimulus package Congress just passed will result in an extra $20 in their paycheck (thanks Uncle Obama!); for others, it’s the beautiful weather that chased the snow away. For me, it’s word that Pacci will call Midtown home very soon!

Pacci Ristorante is a Piemontese-style steakhouse that will offer the flavors and timeless elegance of Northern Italy amidst the bustling backdrop of Midtown Atlanta’s stylish, urban surroundings. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring robust dishes inspired by the rustic fare of Italy and created by Executive Chef Keira Moritz, formerly of Puccini & Pinetti in San Francisco. This will be a homecoming for Moritz, who grew up in Georgia. Her menu of fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine and traditional steakhouse classics, combined with the majestic interior décor created by The Puccini Group, will attract Midtown residents, businesspeople and travelers alike. Pacci will also feature an extensive wine list and an innovative cocktail menu, and the restaurant’s bar area will offer guests another spot to enjoy small, shareable plates.

Stay tuned for more news…

Facebook is for Foodies

Want to join a group where little is required of you yet much is given? Be a Facebook fan! I'm a fan of numerous groups on Facebook. Tater Tots, Dos Equis and Pandora, to name a few. But by far my favorite pages are restaurants, of course! I'm a bit partial to the ones MLA set up - they look great. There are photos, videos, dining deals and good information. And we don't spam our fans. Facebook has changed the group pages just in the last week, so check it out -we think they are even more interactive now.

Here's a list to get you started: Aqua blue, Pizza Fusion – Atlanta, Kozmo Gastro Pub, Dogwood, Woodfire Grill, The Original El Taco, South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, Morton’s The Steakhouse, tsp spices, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery and Atlanta Local Food Initiative.

See you on the wall!

Taste The World

Want to sample some karniyarik and bi bam bab? Skeptical because of the name? No need to fret, they are popular dishes from Turkey and Korea. I learned of these dishes while taking a trip through the menus of Café Instanbul and Hae Woon Dae, two of more than 25 ethnic restaurants participating in “Taste the World” at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center on Sunday, March 15. Refugee Family Services will benefit from this 2-5 p.m. multicultural event. Imagine, taking only three hours to try foods from those places you’ve seen on travel TV and drooled over in foodie magazines, all while swaying and tapping with world music and dance performances. Eat your way to global awareness while doing a good deed for others. For worldly walls, check out the art auction! Advance tickets suggested. Adults/$35 each; children 7-15/$10; free for children six and under. More info at 404-299-6217.

Free parking will be available at Callanwolde (980 Briarcliff Road, NE) and Emory Briarcliff Campus (1256 Briarcliff Road).

Marlow's Tavern Midtown Percentage Night for Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure

On Thursday, March 12, Marlow’s Tavern in Midtown will be hosting the “Breast in Show” race team from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of the sales that night to help raise money for the team in the Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure. Now in its 19th year, the Komen Atlanta Race for the Cure comes to town annually on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. This year, the walk/run winds through Atlantic Station on Saturday, May 9. For more information about “Breast in Show”, contact Race Coordinator Dallas Perry at 404-386-0348.

Marlow's Tavern Midtown: 950 West Peachtree; 404-815-0323.