Don't Forget Taste of Asia at Aqua blue

Aqua blue took the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) Taste of Asia Week (Monday, August 10 – Sunday, August 16) and kicked it up a notch! They made it Taste of Asia MONTH by offering an Asian-inspired prix fixe menu throughout August. Check it out - three courses for $23 (plus tax and gratuity). First course options include smoked salmon with lemon square sushi, shrimp and kani egg drop soup, and Asian salad with plum dressing. The next course offers main dish selections such as miso glazed shiro maguro, pork pad Thai, and Chinese pepper steak. Lastly, sweet plate choices include a grasshopper sundae, ginger snap basket, and lychee orange drop donuts.

Enjoy!

Harry's Farmers Market Celebrates Julia Child's 97th Birthday

As featured in DailyCandy’s Weekend Guide, Harry’s Farmers Market and local chefs are coming together to celebrate Julia Child’s 97th birthday on Saturday, August 15. The day will include live cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The following chefs will perform live cooking demonstrations. The Union Restaurant Executive Chef Justin Balmes, Culinary Works Founder Gena Berry, 5 Seasons Brewing Executive Chef Dave Larkworthy, Whole Foods Market Regional Chef Butch Raphael, Andrea Thrailkill of Bella Cucina, former President of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Atlanta Chapter Gloria Smiley and the current President Barb Pires.

Books signed will be Atlanta Cooks at Home: The Cookbook by Melissa Libby and Cooking with Les Dames d’Escoffier: At Home with the Women Who Shape the Way We Eat and Drink by Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Harry’s Farmers Market is located at 1180 Upper Hembree Road.

Get a Deal on Gluten-Free at Pizza Fusion

Gluten-free diners rejoice! Pizza Fusion, Buckhead's sustainably savvy pizzeria, is offering their gluten-free pizza options without any up-charge from 5 - 10 p.m. tonight. These special pizza pies have crusts made from garbanzo bean, fava bean and rice flours and are topped with your choice of gluten-free toppings. You can also grab a gluten-free Green's beer at half price. Don’t forget, Pizza Fusion has vegetarian and lactose-free options as well. Stop by and grab a pie!

Pizza Fusion: In the Aramore building at 2233 Peachtree Road, Suite M; 404-351-9334. Free parking is available behind the building

Keepin' the Atlanta Love Going

Atlanta has been on a roll lately. First it was three chefs on Top Chef Season 6. Then Hardy Wallace wins the coveted job at Murphy-Goode. Now we have a local guy, David Aferiat, trying to get on a winemaking show's second season. I'm feeling all patriotic about our fair city and want him to win. And I even met him this week and he's really nice! No voting required - he just needs eyeballs on this video. So take a look (or two). Tomorrow's the last day so don't dawdle!

Wine Rut Solved

If you are like me and in a wine rut, you are in luck! Several Atlanta area restaurants are hosting wine events this week that are sure to inspire a new love of wine.

Toulouse’s Wine Guy Michael Gallant guides tasters through a sampling of 15 French wines and palate cleansers on Sunday, August 16. The information-packed, two-hour tasting starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $30 per person. Reserve your seat by calling 404-351-9533.Toulouse: 2293 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-351-9533

The new weekly wine tastings at Marlow's Tavern Kennesaw help put you at ease while you enjoy and learn about a variety of wines. The tastings take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday nights and cost $20 per person, including food and drink. Reserve your spot by calling 770-425-8777.Marlow's Tavern Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777.

This month Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery hosts its 7th Annual Regional Artisan Cheese Month and Vineyard Luncheon Buffet. The month of special cheese-pleasing Sunday buffets highlights how well regional cheeses pair with Wolf Mountain Vineyard's Georgia-grown and crafted estate wines. Sunday brunch is $30 per person plus tax and gratuity. Select and purchase Wolf Mountain wines separately by the glass or bottle. Make your reservations for either the 12:30 or 2:30 p.m. seating by calling 706-867-9862.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega; 706-867-9862.

Pacci recently introduced their “Four ‘n Pour” wine dinners which include four courses of Chef Keira Moritz’s cuisine paired with four wines for $35 per person. The new Midtown restaurant’s four-course wine dinners are offered Sunday through Thursday in addition to the regular menu. The August 17 through August 20 wine dinner menu will begin with a chef’s choice chicetti, an Italian amuse bouche. Appetizer options include calamari with spicy aioli, mushroom fettucini and grilled Caesar salad. Entrée choices include smoked shrimp with Anson Mills polenta, grain mustard and tomato; hanger steak with potato-pancetta hash; and breaded chicken served with summer panzanella salad and lemon butter. Dessert selections will be a buttermilk panna cotta with blueberries, anise seed, apricot and pistachio or seasonal galette served with vanilla gelato.
Pacci Ristorante: 866 West Peachtree Street, 678-412-2401

It's National S'mores Day!

Today we celebrate everyone's favorite campfire treat on National S'Mores Day. Yes, even the roasted snack shared during camp has a day to be honored. AltoRex Rooftop Lounge is celebrating by offering a free AltoS'more to each guest visiting tonight from 5 – 11 p.m.

Roaring fire pit at AltoRex

The neat and tidy adult rendition is on the menu at AltoRex and features layers of grahams, chocolate and marshmallow meringue cut into five chocolate-covered Rice Krispies treat squares. One free square per guest will be offered to enjoy around the outdoor fire pits on the rooftop to complete the nostalgic childhood experience.

Located atop Pacci Ristorante at 866 West Peachtree Street, NW in Midtown; 678-412-2402. Complimentary valet parking is available in front of Pacci Ristorante.

Tomatofest a Success!

Attack of the Killer Tomatofest at JCT. Kitchen & Bar this Sunday was a huge success! The winner for best tomato dish was Joe Truex of Repast, while the winner for the most refreshing libation was Lara Creasy of JCT.

Check out some of our blogger friends' coverage of the event: Savory Exposure and Winemaker's Guestbook. Last but not least, don't forget about Georgia Organic's Facebook page, complete with pictures of the whole day!