Osteria Cibo Rustico Brings Italian Fare to Toco Hills

Cancel reservations at your usual dining spot for this weekend, and head to Toco Hills for new Italian fare. Osteria Cibo Rustico offers a variety of traditional dishes for those looking for a warm and inviting atmosphere with hearty meals that will have you mistaken the North Druid Hills restaurant for a quaint Italian eatery in the heart of Rome. Dip into antipasti ($4.95-$10.95) of warm polenta fritta (Parmesan-crusted polenta fingers), polpettine (house-made meatballs) in tomato-basil sauce or share an antipasto plate with friends. Order any of the four insalate ($6.95-$8.95) topped with blue cheese, grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon for an additional $1-$4. Of course, don't forget about the pasta plates ($8.95-$14.95) with gigli primavera with grilled asparagus, onions, mushrooms and scallions, hearty rigatoni alla Bolognese or fusilli with fennel sausage and pistachios. Truly something delicious for every person on the menu, the extensive list of wine, beer, coffee, tea, soft drinks and bottled water pair perfectly with every meal. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. starting November 18. In the meantime, try Cibo for dinner Sunday- Thursday from 5:30- 10:30 p.m. and Friday- Saturday from 5:30- 11 p.m. 

Today is the Day for Dinner at Davio’s!

The doors to Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Phipps Plaza finally open today and from the size of the incredible crowd at the grand opening party last night; you’ll want to make your reservation soon! The Atlanta newcomer has connections up north: a 25-year lineage under Owner Steve DiFillippo in Boston plus a location in Philadelphia and at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass. DiFillippo has chosen Executive Chef Bennett Hollberg, formerly of Atlantic Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, to bring on a mouthwatering menu of appetizers, seasonal salads, homemade pastas, pizzas, fine beef, fresh fish, savory sides and lots more classic Italian fare. Signature items include the popular Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls®; lobster ravioli with sweet peas and tomato lobster brodo; grilled porterhouse veal chop with creamy potatoes and vintage port; grilled prime rib with roasted corn-sweet pepper salad and mashed potatoes; braised short ribs; pan-seared scallops; and sides such as quattro formaggi potato puffs and Gorgonzola mashed potatoes. I had my share of those dishes last night and let me say, they did not disappoint! Don’t take my word for it though, head to Buckhead and try them for yourself. Davio's serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. If you want to get a early glimpse of Davio’s Atlanta location, check out the restaurant's Facebook page.

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

Heads Up: Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse Job Fair is coming!

Looking for a great new job opportunity where you can really use your love of all things steak and all things Italian?  Shine those shoes and get those resumes ready, because Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is having a job fair next Monday, July 19 and Tuesday, July 20!  The restaurant will be opening in August for lunch and dinner.

From 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and then again at 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., you can apply in person at Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30326) at the Meeting Room on the Main Level at the entrance of Belk.  Available positions include Bartenders, Wait staff, Bussers, Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Runners and Dishwashers.  

If for any reason you’re unable to attend on Monday and Tuesday, you can email your resume to claude@davios.com .  Good luck everyone!

A new movie shows a peek inside a changing family- and some delicious food too!

Magnolia Pictures is coming out with a film this month called I AM LOVE. The film, which takes place in Italy, centers on the Recchi family and it’s adjustments after the family Patriarch, names his successor to his colossal industrial company. He shocks everyone and decides to split the power between his own son and his grandson.

The delectable foods as well as the controversy come into play when the grandson dreams of opening a restaurant. However, Tancredi, the son, goes into business with a renowned chef, Antonio. Tancredi’s wife, Emma, played by Tilda Swinton, falls madly in love with Antonio. Seeing as how the film takes place in Italy, the food seen in the film is mainly Italian. This dish called is just one of the exquisite entrées featured in the film. The major theme seen in the movie is essentially the power of food and how its essence can bring people together. The food also symbolizes the intimacy between the art of cooking and the characters. You can watch the trailer here.

Aside from peering inside a family going through an array of changes, the film focuses on cuisine and how the love of food can bring people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, races etc. together. So for all you foodies out there, be sure to check out this film if you love good food and a good movie.

Those Crazy Eights

Ok, so it isn't technically a wedding anniversary, but it is an anniversary just the same... Portofino, Buckhead's favorite Italian hot spot, is celebrating their eight year anniversary with a month long Crazy 8 Celebration. All through the month of December a special menu sets forth a bevy of enticing $8 food and wine specials, but tonight is the night for those truly in the know.

Tonight, Portofino thanks their loyal guests with a truly crazy gift - the ENTIRE menu is $8. Yes, that grilled Italian sausage dish you love? $8. That veal scaloppine? $8 too. This special is for tonight only since today, December 1, is Portofino's actual anniversary date. Reservations are a must tonight so don't forget to call or reserve online.

If you can't make it tonight, don't despair because additional $8 specials are going on all month. Sundays, twirl your fork around the Italian-American bistro’s scrumptious spaghetti and veal, pork and beef meatballs in Tuscan tomato sauce for $8. Throughout the week, order up short rib bruschetta, gnochiette with Merguez wine-cured lamb sausage; duck confit with marinated, grilled radicchio; four cheese and walnut ravioli; date and pecan salad with gorgonzola dressing; ricotto and spinach ritollo; mushroom grilled polenta with gorgonzola cream; or truffled risotto balls with applewood smoked bacon. Fill your wine glass with these $8 beauties: Gravina-Botromango or Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay or reds, Zenato Valpolicella, Fontanafredda Barbera, Mark West Pinot Noir, Conte Brandolini Treanni, Coltibuono Chianti or Steele Zinfandel. Want more? All of Portofino’s more than 50 wine selections are available by the glass for $8 on Mondays during the month of December.

Sounds like some crazy good deals to me.

VITA Rocks Your Week With Live Music

Head to Tony LaRocco's VITA for live music and heaping plates of New York Italian-style cuisine every Wednesday through Saturday night starting at 9:30 p.m. The Darren Winters Band plays on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and the Atlanta Soul Band performs on Fridays and Saturdays. No cover charge, and the kitchen cooks until 1 a.m. Reserve your table by calling 404-367-8482.

VITA Stirs Up Peachtree Road With $5 Martinis All Day, Everyday

Chocolate Raspberry. Pixie Stix. Italian Wedding. Bellini Tini. Peppermint Martini. Could be gelato, but it’s not. These are some of the flavors of VITA’S $5 martinis. All day, everyday, each icy $5 martini is eye candy in a glass that tastes as good as it swizzles. Bring friends or make friends at VITA where many of the real New York Italian dishes can be ordered on platters to share! 2110 Peachtree Road and Bennett Street; 404-367-8482.

Dining Out Family-Style at VITA

It's hard to find a restaurant in Atlanta where you can get the whole group together and still enjoy a good meal. No worries, VITA has you covered. They now offer special two-, three- and four-course family-style menus for groups of six or more. Now it's easy for friends, families or office groups to gather 'round the table for delicious Italian food.

For $16 per person there is a choice of two courses - two appetizers, two salads or two pastas. If there is a bigger crowd, $20 per person will cover three courses with two appetizers, two salads, and two pastas. If the group is hungry the four-course option includes two appetizers, two salads, two pastas and three entrees for $30 per person. No more worrying about how to split the check!

Options for each course come from VITA's menu of Italian favorites, including:

• Appetizers of tomato and basil brushetta, calamari fritti, grilled portabella mushroom, fresh mussels “VITA style” in your choice of sauce, olive or white bean tapenade, or caponata.
  
  
• Salads such as the chef’s spinach salad, mozzarella and tomato, VITA house salad or Caesar salad.
  
  
• Pasta piles plates with linguine in simple sauces or with sausage, meatballs, sausage and peppers; fusilli con broccoli, penne with escarole e fagiole or penne con carciofi; rigatoni ala melanzane (with eggplant) or rigatoni ala vodka; and pappardelle e fungi or Bolognese.
  
  
• Entrées feature traditionally prepared chicken, seafood, veal, steaks and chops. Long on options, the list includes chicken Marsala, veal piccata or Genovese, linguine with red or white clam sauce, fruitti di mare, salmon Romanesco, filet of beef saltimbocca, and Tony’s filet of beef or veal chop.
  
  
• Desserts are an additional $5 per person and include an assortment of all of VITA’S house-made desserts, including fresh seasonal fruit, house cheesecake, cannoli, and berries zabaglione.

Located at 2110 Peachtree Road and Bennett Street; 404-367-8482.

Spring + Italian Food = New Treats at La Tavola

Virginia-Highlands' Italian darling, La Tavola Trattoria, has just introduced its new spring menu, and it looks so good I'm considering banning the other three seasons from my calendar!

New antipasti delights include beet salad with shaved fennel, Bartlett pears, ricotta salata and pistachios; mozzarella burrata with tomato conserva and crostini; beef tagliata of charred rare filet, lemon, shaved baby artichokes, parsley and Grana Padano cheese; seared sea scallops with polenta, sautéed spinach and tomato-onion compote; and grilled calamari with garlic-roasted cauliflower, organic cannellini beans and Agrumato oil.

What I'm ordering: the beef tagliata

Primi pasta dishes include fregola and clams with Calabrian chilies, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; agnolotti ravioli of braised beef and veal, thyme butter sauce and a red wine reduction; spinach and smoked ricotta ravioli with lemon zest, sage, pine nuts and butter; and orecchiette with house-made sausage and broccoli rabe, garlic, chili flakes and Pecorino Romano cheese.

What I'm ordering: orecchiette with house-made sausage

Secondi covers land and sea: Cacciucco fish stew of mussels, clams, prawns, calamari, fish, spicy tomato-herb brodetto served over grilled bread; seared trout with roasted fennel, fingerling potatoes, grilled red onion and lemon-oregano vinaigrette; grilled tuna with smashed organic cannellini beans, escarole, taggiasca olives and orange-olive oil; roasted monkfish with Castelluccio lentils, carrots, celery, salsa verde and toasted almonds; roasted chicken, rubbed with myrtle and bay leaf, broccoli rabe and lemon; grilled lamb Scottaditi with braised spring vegetables, prosciutto, mint and lemon; pork saltimbocca scallopine with prosciutto, sage, white wine, roasted fingerling potatoes and braised Swiss chard; grilled, dry-rubbed Meyer beef rib-eye steak with fingerling potatoes, broccoli rabe and Chianti Classico olive oil; and veal scallopine with capers, sage, lemon, roasted fingerling potatoes and spinach.

What I'm ordering: cacciucco fish stew

By the way, as at all Fifth Group Restaurants, the kitchen and menu are 100% trans-fat free, but I think I'll skip dessert all the same! Three courses is more than enough for this girl!

VITA is open for dinner!

VITA is now open for dinner! After a week of
serving lunch only and a weekend of dinner sans
liquor license, VITA is now ready for a "real" opening. My friends couldn't wait to get together to go check it out!

We had a great time trying a lot of different things. The mussels are outstanding - plump and juicy. I had the marinara preparation but I hear the white wine with gorgonzola is to die for. Ah, next time.

Tonight I enjoyed a yummy house side salad and the linguini with meatballs. I had promised one of the girls a bite of meatball, but guess what? Didn't happen. They were too good for sharing!

The service was friendly, helpful, and always there. Our server had the wine in her hand before we even ordered it. Talk about anticipating your needs!

We had a dessert platter that was gone before I could take a picture. YUM. That's all I can tell you.

VITA is in the old Mick's location on Peachtree at Bennett St. It's open for lunch and dinner Monday - Saturday. You will undoubtedly meet Tony LaRocco, the owner. Enjoy!!