My Kind of Value Meal

Gotta say, there are times when I really want a fast food burger and fries. But of course I can't bring myself to actually eat a meal of mystery meat and high fat. Enter EVOS Feel Great Fast Food. Yay! Their meat is antibiotic and hormone free, and it's cooked in an oven, not on a greasy grill. And the fries. Oh. my. They are airbaked and taste as delicious as any fried fry I've ever tasted. I was delighted when they opened in Atlanta, but the Prado is a bit of a drive for me. Now, as of 11 a.m. today, they are open in Midtown! Check it out in the new Viewpoint building. Ask for Andy -he's the owner and he'll want to know your thoughts.

Enjoy!

Consider a Holiday Celebration

Put your holiday party pants on! We have compiled some great ideas for hosting holiday shindigs this month, so check out the Melissa Libby & Associates Web site for a list of holiday hot spots around Atlanta. This year more than ever, it’s important to celebrate making it through these challenging times and to show appreciation for friends, relatives and colleagues. We’ve even done all the leg work for you – these restaurants are ready to accommodate groups of all sizes, so go forth and spread some holiday cheer!

Give Back This Holiday

This year we know there are lots of organizations in need of volunteers and money, but we found this organization to be pretty special and hope you do too!

Help Portrait is an organization that is putting a smile on people's faces this December. Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season.

Professional photographers are already donating their time and equipment, but $10 covers the cost of printing the photos and providing a frame. For just $10 you are able to provide a family with something they may have never had before -- a family portrait.

Put Lobsters & Libations on Your To-Do List

It’s finally here. Marlow’s Tavern™ is offering a four-week-long "Lobsters & Libations" special at all six locations and it starts today! Menu items include soothing New England-style lobster and shrimp chowder ($6); tasty Parmesan lobster and crab dip with toasted pita points ($12); Maine lobster pot pie in a flakey herb crust ($15); tempura-battered lobster tail with roasted lump crab potatoes, Pommery grainy mustard cream, jumbo asparagus, citrus herb sauce and drawn butter ($23); and Maine tail and turf, combining a tempura lobster tail, shrimp and grilled filet mignon, potato cake, jumbo asparagus and sauce béarnaise ($25). Don’t forget about dessert -- Napa Valley cheesecake, with rich layers of chocolate butter cake, chocolate mousse, cheesecake and chocolate ganache ($6).

Drink specials are also on the agendas with an Angeline Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley '08 ($9.50); Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River '07 ($12); Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale ($4.50); or Marlow's Holiday Spice martini ($8). Lobsters and libations -- catch them while you can at all Marlow's locations!

Aria Has A 100% Chance Of Amazing Events This Week

We certainly hope you didn’t get your fill of good eating over Thanksgiving, because there are a couple of delicious events going on at Aria this week that you won’t want to miss!

First things first - the weather may be getting cooler, but Aria’s temperature will be rising with the arrival of Chris Hastings, Chef/Owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama and author of The Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook. The restaurant will be hosting a very special dinner on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 p.m., featuring the author and a five-course menu of his own creation. Dinner is $125 per person and a signed cookbook, or $100 per person without the book (includes tax and gratuity).

It doesn’t slow down from there – on Wednesday, December 2, be prepared for the heady air of truffles and fine wines with the evening’s special “Truffles and Chadderdon” menu. This exclusive menu pairs five luxuriously truffle-centric courses with the restaurant’s favorite wines from highly esteemed Robert Chadderdon Selections. Wine selections include: Billecart-Salmon Brut; Peter Dipoli Sauvignon Blanc; Rocche dei Manzoni “Sorito Masconi” Barbera; Bovio, Barolo Vigna Gattera; Rocche dei Manzoni “Quatr Nas;” and Forteto della Luja Moscato Passito. Reception is at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

If you’re interested in either of these special event dinners, we recommend making reservations today by contacting Andres Loaiza, 404-233-7673 or andres@aria-atl.com.

And finally (no, we’re not done yet!), make sure to have your TV tuned into The Weather Channel this upcoming Thursday morning – there’s a 100 percent chance you’ll see Aria’s Gerry Klaskala beaming from 8 a.m. until noon as he demonstrates his own special holiday twist on recipes twice an hour. You can’t always accurately predict the weather, but you can most certainly predict some scrumptious dishes!

Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road; 404-233-7673