It's Follow Friday: Meet Our Tweep of the Week @virginiawillis

We don't think Willis actually tweets in her pantry, but she gets fine inspirations as well as ingredients in there.  The rest of the time she's out experiencing the food world and tweeting newly uncovered tidbits of info and events with the rest of us food lovers.  Got a moment?  Fill your coffee mug and sit a spell so you can peruse her blog and shop!

Help "86" Hunger With A Delicious Meal

Aria and several other local restaurants are uniting to do away with or “86” hunger over a three-night dining fest appropriately dubbed “The 86 Project.”  For every guest that dines with them Tuesday, November 16 – Thursday, November 18, participating restaurants will donate $0.86 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank to help with the upcoming holiday food demand.  Follow this project on Facebook!

Football and Bourbon Make Me Happy

When I think of football, I also think of bourbon. I don't think that means I have a drinking problem, but that's a whole different topic. On Saturday, November 13, come out to Deadwood Saloon and cheer on your favorite team at our "dipping" party! From 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., the folks from Maker's Mark will be giving away 500 signature wax-dipped shot glasses in your favorite college team colors.

You can choose from an array of options including University of Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, Auburn, The University of Tennessee, Louisiana State and The University of Alabama!

In addition to team-themed shot glasses, some of the ultimate Maker's Mark football fans will win specialty wax-dipped pigskins. And of course, we'll also be serving up everyone's favorite food and drinks while you pull for their favorite team!

Deadwood Saloon: 66 12th Street in Midtown; 404-671-4290

The Perfect Mid-Week Treat

Celebrate your Wednesdays with wine, every week at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse located in Phipps Plaza. Come in for four pours plus complimentary appetizers and parking, all for $25 per person or $40 per couple (not including tax or gratuity).

On the menu this week are fruity Italian wines: The La Marca Prosecco balances baked apple, sour lemon and grapefruit; rich and spicy Provenza, Lugana, Lombardy hints of peach, honey and cedar; Sangervasio Rosso, Tuscany wafts raspberry and violet in Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; and Il vino dei Padri, Bonarda, Piedmont has influences of oak, spice, wild berry and currants.

And coming up on November 17, there’s the Donnafugata Bianco, Sicilia airing lemongrass and tropical fruit; the Demarie, Arneis, Roero, Piedmont is a lively, fun white; the Tormaresca, Primitivo, Puglia has aromas of sweet plums and hints of fresh herbs of vanilla; and last but certainly not least, Monte Faliesi, Aglianico, Campania has rich plum, berry and chocolaty oak characteristics. Come try them all; you won’t be disappointed!

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810.

Pacci Ristorante Hosts “Home for the Holidays” This Saturday

If you’re looking for a pup to take home or just want mingle with adorable dogs this weekend, then Pacci Ristorante has the event for you. On Saturday, November 13, the Midtown restaurant is hosting "Home for the Holidays," an event held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to help the Atlanta Humane Society (AHS). On this special day, the AHS adoption bus (holding several loveable, furry friends in need of a new home) will be curbed in front of Pacci giving you the chance to interact with the cuddly canines on the bus and upstairs at AltoRex Rooftop Lounge. Executive Chef Keira Moritz will be grilling burgers at AltoRex and serving them with chips and a can of soda or bottled water for $5. Lunch proceeds go straight to AHS. Hot chocolate, coffee and apple cider are available for the people, while water and Chef Moritz's famous, homemade "Pacci Pups" dog biscuits are available for the pooches.

Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Hotel Palomar; 678-412-2402

Don't Miss the Last "Farm to Table and Back" Guest Chef Dinner of 2010 at JCT. Kitchen & Bar!

If you haven't already checked out a "Farm to Table and Back" dinner at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, now is the time! Regional cooking using locally sourced ingredients is the focus for Executive Chef Ford Fry's Westside restaurant, and these quarterly guest chef dinners are the icing on the cake. Top chefs around the Southeast, such as Hugh Acheson of Atlanta's Empire State South and Five and Ten in Athens and Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, have been joining forces with JCT each quarter to prepare a special menu offered for one evening only to benefit Georgia Organics. Mike Lata of FIG in Charleston will be the guest chef at the last dinner of the 2010 series on Thursday, December 9. The cost of his special four-course, prix fixe menu is $75 per person and includes wine pairings. As with all of the "Farm to Table and Back" dinners, Georgia Organics will receive 100 percent of the night's proceeds! December 9 will be here before you know it, so go ahead and reserve a spot by calling 404-355-2252 and mentioning you want the special "Farm to Table and Back" menu for everyone at your table. JCT. Kitchen & Bar is located in Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18; 404-355-2252.