Bowled Over by National Soup Month

Photo Credit: Stefan Zander Seems every January, there's a hotly contested battle as soup spoons and outdoor temperatures vie to see which will dip deeper and faster. Cool it, climate. Our bouillon's on spoons diving down into the depths of deep cups and bowls of soup at Atlanta-area restaurants. Let no drop be left behind. At Nikolai's Roof atop the Hilton Atlanta, Chef Stephanie Alderete's red beet and beef borscht consommé ($12) is simply unbeetable, paired with fennel pollen, crème fraîche and smoked duck. Spuds, bacon, scallions and cheddar cheese buddy up in Chef Todd Richard's loaded potato soup at The Shed at Glenwood. A gluten-free soul warmer at $8/cup. Lean, freshly ground bison is the key ingredient in Karen's "Flying-D" bison chili, a menu favorite at the 13 Ted's Montana Grill locations across metro Atlanta. Karen Averitt, Ted Turner's personal chef of 22 years, developed the recipe while home on the range at Turner's Flying D ranch in Montana. Savor her warm and filling tribute to the Great American West by the cup ($5) or bowl ($7). Let the equatorial sun shine into your January with a bowl of Caribbean lobster bisque at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead. Dive into lobster, blue crab, tomato and island spices in a cup ($4.95) or bowl ($6.95). 10th and Piedmont ladles up a "souperior" bowl of tomato bisque ($6). Buttermilk biscuit croutons, Parmesan and fried basil backstroke on top. Race your friends to a bowl.

The Shed at Glenwood Hosts Winemaker Dinner January 14

Contemplate tectonics, climate and volcanic eruptions with every sip of Davis Bynum wines when The Shed at Glenwood hosts the Russian River Valley winery for a winemaker dinner on Wednesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. Millions of years of geologic and meteorologic activity have built the soil nourishing the vines of Davis Bynum, which specializes in sustainably raised, handcrafted, single-vineyard wines. The 40-year-old winery recently joined the Rodney Strong family, and Rick Sayre, head winemaker for both wineries, will be at the dinner. Chef Todd Richards knows exactly what to serve to complement each varietal, beginning with reception fare of smoked clams, salmon tartare and crab and celery root spring roll with kung pao sauce teamed up with chardonnay RRV 2011. Next, a salad of grilled squid and Swiss chard with fried chicken croutons and pomegranate vinaigrette plus pine nut and Muenster cheese crepes join Jane's Vineyard RRV pinot noir 2012. Venison osso buco with fig relish, olive stew with sun-dried tomato, mint and white anchovy, and grilled Logan Turnpike grit cakes with whipped goat cheese accentuate Clone 667 RRV pinot noir 2012. The night ends with a flourless chocolate cake with red wine chocolate sauce and Auntie Florence's rice pudding with bacon brittle and caramelized apple paired with Clone 115 pinot noir 2012. $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited; call 404-835-4363 to book your seat.

No Slumber, Just Party at The Shed's Pajama Brunch

The spiffy jammies, slippers or cozy robe that clearly said, "buy me" on your holiday shopping list should see more than sheets or Santa coming down the chimney. They're begging to attend the Holiday Pajama Brunch Buffet that The Shed at Glenwood is hosting on Sunday, December 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The bountiful buffet is only $22 per person. Fried chicken with bourbon hot sauce and biscuits, maple-glazed bread pudding "French toast," jalapeño and cheddar grits, smoked brisket pajama hash and roasted vegetables are a few of the items filling plates. While away the afternoon with friends over pitchers of mimosas, poinsettias, Dark & Stormies or palomas. A signature bloody mary ($7) adds a spirited touch of red and green to selfies and group shots. Reserve your seat today by calling 404-835-4363. 

Cindy Shera and Panel Discuss What It Takes to Succeed in the Restaurant World at the Atlanta Foodservice Expo October 13-14

A panel of four restaurant owners and industry leaders will discuss what it takes to succeed in the restaurant world on Tuesday, October 14 at 1 p.m. at the Atlanta Foodservice Expo. “Atlanta Eats” host Steak Shapiro moderates a discussion in which Cindy Shera, owner of The Pig & The Pearl and The Shed at Glenwood, will share her insights gleaned over her years in restaurant kitchens.