Reminiscing About Last Weekend

It's hard to believe I was in NYC this time last week eagerly anticipating dinner at the James Beard House featuring Chef Shane Touhy of Dogwood. Sigh. But the memories are great. I've posted our pictures on the MLA Flickr account so feel free to check them out.

When I walked into the dining room and saw a table full of wine glasses with dogwoods in the centerpiece and a menu that sounded delicious, well, I knew it would be a good night. And it was.

I swear that I loved every single course. Every one. Maybe, maybe, maybe the venison tartare edged out the others, but I'm not sure. It was all just great.
Shane's wife and parents made the trek to NYC too. It was a wonderful night and I can't wait til next time!

McCafe Give-Away at Melle Cotte

Friend and fellow food blogger, Chris, is hosting a give-away on her blog Melle Cotte. If you don't already read her blog, check it out. I cook vicariously through her. Anyways, I'm sure you have seen the new McDonald's commercials for the McCafe espresso drinks. I love the one with the two guys at the coffee house who confess they have been pretending to be hip to fit into the coffee house crowd and realize they can be themselves by buying the drinks from McDonalds. She is giving away coupon packs for free McCafe drinks so you can try them and get hooked. Check out this post and leave a comment to be one of the selected winners!

I leave you with the commercial - I laugh everytime the guy says "I don't need these glasses. These are fake."

Pizza Fusion Celebrates Earth Day With Captain Planet

Yesterday I attended the Earth Day festivities at Pizza Fusion. Beginning at 11 a.m., the restaurant gave away free personal cheese pizzas to the first 50 adults, and free personal cheese pizzas to the first 50 kids who walked, took Marta or rode their bike to the eatery. Honest Tea was $1 each, and select organic beer was $3 each. And, the highlight of the day -- Captain Planet was there! He entertained all of us by roller blading down the street and waving at the cars on Peachtree. Around 7 p.m., The Drum Cafe showed us their talent by playing African drums outside for an hour or so. What a great show!

For dinner, I had the Purple People Eater pizza (pictured below) - pizza with grilled eggplant and cheese. Yummy!

A percentage of the day's proceeds went to benefit The Captain Planet Foundation.

Happy Anniversary! Marlow's Tavern Vinings Turns Four!

It's time to celebrate another year of delicious tavern fare at everyone's favorite neighborhood gathering place. Join in the fun at Marlow’s Tavern Vinings tonight for their fourth anniversary party! The evening is all planned with a live band from 8 p.m. – midnight, creative drink specials and $3-$5 specially priced appetizers. Just because Marlow’s Vinings is a year older doesn’t mean you are, so come early, stay late and celebrate! Marlow’s Tavern Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 10; 770-432-2526.

Wine and More at Morton's The Steakhouse

Last night, I enjoyed an evening of elegance with Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead. I was a fly on the wall at an exclusive party where wine lock holders selected wine to stock their lockers for future visits. Party attendees moved from station to station, tasting wine and discussing quantities. As an added bonus, representatives from Cartier were there to showcase jewelry from both new and classic collections, all of which were amazing. Men who are fourth generation cigar rollers, have been rolling cigars for 25 years and speak very little English made me my first hand rolled cigar. All day, I have been pondering the perfect upcoming occasion to break it out.

The evening was also an opportunity to meet the restaurant’s newly assembled management team. Anthony, the general manager; Alex, assistant general manager; Sarah, sales and marketing manager; and Joel, food and beverage director, all came out and spent some time getting to know the regular guests and their families. By the end of the night, it was clear that the foundation had been laid for long term, and delicious, relationships between Morton’s new managers and their guests.

17th Annual Dining Out for Life

Maybe dining out is a big event for you or maybe it’s something you do several times a week without really thinking about it. Sometimes those who need nutritious food the most can’t get out to get it. That’s where you step in and step out into one of Atlanta’s numerous restaurants participating in the 17th Annual Dining Out for Life on Wednesday, April 22 to benefit Open Hand.

Partcipants include great restaurants such as Fifth Group Restaurants’ South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings, Ecco, The Original El Taco and La Tavola Trattoria; Eclipse di Luna - Miami Circle and Park Place, Kozmo Gastro Pub, Aria and Portofino and Woodfire Grill.

Click here to make reservations and know that 20 percent of our tab is going straight to Open Hand’s work in our community. The organization helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care™, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life.