Our Top 11 in 2011

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Yes, it felt like an entire year went by here in Atlanta as we were all stuck in our homes (thanks, Mother Nature), but luckily it was just a drop in the bucket of time in 2011!  

We still have a whole year ahead to enjoy tons of amazing culinary adventures.   In this week’s Dish newsletter, we revealed our list of “Top 11 in 2011” – the top 11 things we here at MLA are most excited for this year! 

It’s going to be an amazing year and we’ll be sure to be here to share the latest culinary events and news as it unfolds.  Without further ado, we present our Top 11 in 2011 list!

1.  Ford Fry, owner and executive chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, and Drew Belline, formerly chef de cuisine at Floataway Café, are partnering to open a new Italian-inspired restaurant in Decatur this spring.  Look for more news as the late March/early April "open" sign appears!  The new restaurant will be located at 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue in the old Eurasia Bistro.
    
2.  In the works, Woodfire Grill Partner and Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie's new BBQ restaurant: Terminus City.  All we can say is "smokin'!"
    
3. RA Sushi has new dishes and cocktails on its menu for 2011.  New friends join your favorites in the dinner, sushi, bar food and cocktail categories!  To name a few, there are Otoko salad, lobster with garlic sugar snap peas, "RA" tapas, shishito peppers, sweet mochi trio dessert and four new sushi rolls, including a vegetable tempura and tropical roll.  Fresh fruit, exotic liqueurs and premium spirits go into the nine new cocktails ($8-$9), and there are more wine selections and sake flights.  Expanded menus bring more appetizers, tapas, sushi and maki to happy hour, Monday through Saturday from 3 - 7 p.m., and to Sunday's restaurant industry night at Flying Fish Lounge from 8 p.m. until midnight.
    
4.  White Oak Pastures now sells jerky so you can take the grass-fed beef raised in Bluffton, Ga. with you anywhere!  Cost is $15 a jar (1/2 a pound) in the White Oak Pastures' online store.
    
5. The 34th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival makes for a sweet weekend April 30 - May 1 in Vidalia, Georgia. The world-famous onions are joined by Kellie Pickler in concert, an air show and so much more.
    
6. JCT. Kitchen & Bar's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is going down in Atlanta's Westside on July 17.  Host and JCT. Owner/Executive Chef Ford Fry promises there's a happy ending for guests, participants and beneficiary Georgia Organics.
    
7. The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival fills Atlanta with more than 200 food-related activities over the dates of May 19 - 22.
    
8. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will open its newly remodeled patio this spring -- just in time for people watching from behind those big sunglasses.
    
9. Pinkberry is coming to Buckhead and Midtown!  We can verify some sweet and tart gossip among Buckhead and Midtown fro-yo devotees:  yes, the purveyor of all-natural frozen yogurt is coming to your area this year so prepare to let the good times swirl.
    
10. Jeffrey Gardner, South City Kitchen Midtown sous chef will be on Food Network's competition show "Chopped."  You'll be able to watch him in action when the episode airs at 10 p.m. on February 8.  Better yet, join the viewing party at The Original El Taco from 9 - 11 p.m. and watch the culinary battle on the restaurant's five flat screen televisions.

11. Pacci Ristorante renews its vow for fun and romance with its second "Queen of Hearts" social.  Last year's cocktail party was such a Valentine's week hit that Pacci is planning another big night of food, drinks, games and prizes this February.  We can't commit to a date just yet, but Dish readers will be the first to know!