Friday, December 16, 2011

Our MLA Letter To Santa


Dear Santa,
We live and breathe food 24/7, 365 days/year here at Melissa Libby & Associates. We filter through pages of ideas and events to share some of the most appealing dining and culinary options in Atlanta. So naturally, we have a few gift ideas for ourselves we wanted to pass along to your jolly old self! We promise that we've been very, very good this year.

Bubbly McCall will be ready to raise a glass of cheer for the New Year if she receives a set of newly vintage Verre d'Amitie glasses from Mothology ($10.95 each). As water glasses, they would add a bit of polish to the bedside table or bathroom counter. Hmmm, they'd also be a lovely hostess gift. McCall, you're on to something classy in a glass here!
Ever the gal-on-the-go, Melissa likes the idea of being able to grab a fork, spoon and knife in one easy swoop and be off on a picnic, culinary adventure or add grace to her lunch box. She picks Farmer D's ecologically sound To-Go-Ware Bamboo Utensil Set ($12.95 each). Each little kit includes a reusable knife, fork and spoon and hangs handily where you want it courtesy of its own carabiner. These nifty little kits are affordable and useful stocking stuffers, teacher or pal gifts that show you care about the earth and the recipient.

"A cook should look as yummy as the cookies she's baking" is Mandy's philosophy. That's why she's pining for a retro "Cutie Cane" strapless apron ($49.95) in a sweet candy cane print from Susan and Veronica. Use a little flour to powder your nose and some cinnamon red hots for lipstain and blush, and you'll look tasty enough to eat.

Wreaths on the front door welcome holiday visitors, but Nicole would like a Square Mixed-Herb Wreath ($59.95) to greet her and her kitchen guests throughout the year. The seven kinds of dried herbs and flowers that adorn these fragrant wreaths are raised without herbicides or pesticides. Each wreath is handmade on a family owned farm in California. One, two, three, everybody inhale...this gracious gift makes perfect "scents."

Suong is honest. Not that she's a Mrs. Potato Head, but she is obsessed with potato chips. She'd like to play around with a TopChips Chips Maker ($19.99) that turns out fat-free, oil-free and guilt-free crispy fruit and vegetable chips in about the same length of time as your favorite pop song! Feel free to throw in some cute and colorful potatoes, beets and fruits for chipping. Heck, this could become more addicting than a paint-your-own party.
Tuan likes things straight up, not watered down. That's why he's hankering for a set of whiskey stones available in-store at Cook's Warehouse, hewn from soapstone in Vermont, for beverage climate control. He plans on keeping these manly little cubes in the freezer so they'll be ready to maintain a glass of Scotch at the right temp or chill a glass of white wine -- without diluting the flavor.

To add a little glitter and sparkle to everyday occasions, Erica has her eye on a glitter tart server ($20) that will make the envious Queen of Hearts feel like a Plain Jane. And Dorothy, those ruby slippers have nothing on these dishwasher-safe dazzlers. They're made in France and are equally at home serving quiche, cake or pie.  

Shelby's been wine-ing about a Corkcickle ($22.95). At first we thought it was something to look for in the grocery freezer section, but after further investigation, turns out it should be on every wine lover's wish list. Pop the tube-on-a-cork in the freezer to chill its center then insert it in your wine bottle to keep the wine at the right temperature from the inside out. Pretty chill.

Rafer will be waiting up to greet you and we promise to have milk and cookies waiting... thanks, Santa!
Love,
MLA

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Fleming's "Sparkling Star"



This week our Appetizing Aperture will put stars in your eyes. The beautiful "Sparkling Star" sparkling wine cocktail at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will make the season bright all this December. Cheers!

It's Follow Friday; Meet our Tweep of the Week @BluebirdPatch

Even if you're not an ornithologist, you'll want to zoom in on The Bluebird Patch where Liza Cardona tweets about social media, philanthropy, food and events around the ATL. Spot her on Twitter (@BluebirdPatch) or pull up a chair and stay focused on herMusings from the Bluebird Patch blog.  Above all, Liza says to "B You, B Thankful and B Happy." Neat tweet-worthy thoughts for the New Year!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Celebrate the Holidays with Your Favorite Atlanta Restaurants

The DishIn case you haven't been keeping track, there are only 10 short days left to wrap up all your holiday shopping and plans. We know you have enough on your plate without having to worry about whipping up a feast for the masses. Consider this list of restaurants serving Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners and hosting festive events an early Christmas miracle.

On Christmas Eve, Aqua blue is offering a $25 three-course dinner from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors to the Roswell restaurant will choose between kosher salt and oregano cursted slow roast prime rib and Atlantic salmon Oscar for their entree, while having the full a la carte menu to peruse as well. For reservations, call 770-643-8886.

Be loud, be proud, be tacky. Haul out your holiday sweater for Atkins Park - Smyrna's "Tacky Sweater Party" on Friday, December 16 from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. As Stefon from SNL would say, this fun event will have it all: drink specials, an appearance from Santa, DJ Bigg H spinning holiday favorites and house cash prizes for the top three tackiest guests in attendance. The Smyrna tavern plans a big party on Christmas Eve, showing the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" all night and offering a limited Chinese menu as well as all of your tavern favorites. Atkins Park will be open until 10 p.m.

Sister tavern Atkins Park - Virginia Highland will be open Christmas Day beginning at 6 p.m. to offer a special dinner priced at $20 for adults, $15 for young adults and $8 for children under 10 years old. For reservations, call 404-876-7249.

Briza’s Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve is sure to delight all the seafood lovers out there. This traditional Italian dinner is offered from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is $55 per person, alcohol not included. On Christmas Day, a three choice, three-course menu will have holiday classics such as figgy pudding, egg nog panna cotta and “fruit cake” to choose from for dessert. The cost is $55 per person and is available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For reservations, call 678-412-2400.

RA Sushi is treating everyone to an early Christmas gift with their new happy hour menu on Christmas Eve. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 35 sushi, appetizer, and tapas seclections, plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails ranging from $2 to $7 will be offered.
On Sunday, December 18, Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta is forecasting a Santa sighting during Sunday Supper. Santa is expecting your little ones to visit while the family's there for Southern favorites such as buttermilk fried chicken with cornbread and biscuits for $16 per person from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. It's the perfect place for families to gather for Sunday Supper and a Santa sighting. For reservations, call 770-649-0064.

No need for Chinese takeout this year. Treat yourself to exotic Asian-inspired dishes instead of your usual order of General Tso's. Dine on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day at Spice Market, located inside the W Atlanta-Midtown. This top dining destination will serve dinner from 5 - 9 p.m. on both days. For reservations, call 404-724-2550.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Come Feast with the Falcons and Kevin Gillespie on December 15

This Thursday the Falcon’s face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars at 8:20 p.m. and Woodfire Grill's Kevin Gillespie is getting in on all the action!  He’ll be hosting the chef stand at 2View Restaurant during the game. To find him and see what he's got cooking, head to the Georgia Dome's east end zone on the executive concourse (near the suites). Don’t worry about missing the game; you can keep an eye on the field via large screens!
On the menu you'll find pork belly wings with ranch sauce and salt and vinegar chips, along with "currywurst," bockwurst with red cabbage-horseradish slaw, curry ketchup and German potato salad.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Put Down That Tie, White Oak Pastures Has What You Should Buy

We know the drill - you've waited until the last minute to do your holiday shopping and you're forced to settle for buying a boring tie or an ugly sweater that will surely be tossed to the back of the closet, or tossed altogether. Luckily White Oak Pastures is giving you a tasty alternative. The farm's online store is offering special discounts on grass-fed beef and lamb and free-range poultry when purchased and shipped through December 21. The store will gladly ship your purchases to the lucky recipients, turning your procrastination into simplification. Even if you're done with your holiday shopping, you can still become the family hero by showing up to mom and dad's house with meat that shows you care about what you eat because all animals on White Oak Pastures' multigenerational farm are raised in a humane fashion using sustainable, ecologically sound practices.

Never Fear, Double Zero Is Here To Save The Holidays

Are you still searching for the perfect gift for the holidays? You're in luck then, gift cards are now available online at Double Zero Napoletana and all Castellucci Hospitality Group's restaurant websites. When you buy a gift card online for $100, you will receive a free gift card for $20 to spend however you see fit. Gift cards can be used at any of their restaurants (Double Zero, Sugo, The Iberian Pig). In order to receive the free offer, the purchase must be made online.

To redeem this special offer simply type CHG FAMILY into the Personal Message field at checkout.

Double Zero: 5825 Roswell Rd, 30328; 404-991-3666