Don’t Be A Basket Case Over Where To Dine for Easter!

There are lots of "good eggs" in the way of places to meet and eat this Easter Sunday.

Aqua blue sets an Easter buffet table with high style and a generous line-up of classic Easter dishes from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Order a bottomless mimosa and toast the occasion before heading to the buffet, which will be laden with dishes to please adults and children. Fill your plate with carved leg of lamb or ham, blackened fish with lobster sauce, chicken rotini primavera in cream sauce, London broil with Marsala and mushroom sauce and roasted turkey with giblet gravy. Round it out with wild rice pilaf, sautéed vegetables, sweet potato soufflé, broccoli casserole, macaroni and cheese, smoked salmon, chilled shrimp and house, Caesar and spring salads; fresh fruit and a variety of sushi. "Morning" foods include made-to-order omelets, eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage, French toast, sausage gravy and biscuits, home fries, grits, artisan breads, muffins and pastries. Kids will love the chicken fingers, and there are desserts to please everyone's sweet cravings! Adults, $29.95; children ages 4-12, $9.95; children under four dine free of charge. Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886.

There's a Marlow's Tavern location a hop away from wherever you are in metro Atlanta with tables set for a casual Easter brunch. Marlow's Tavern Northlake will offer two buffets from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.: the extended buffet for adult appetites and the "knee high" buffet for children. Along with tavern favorites, Easter diners will savor the prime rib carving station and omelet station. $19.99 for adults, $9.99 for children 5-12 and free for children under five. In Vinings, Marlow's guests will find crab cakes Benedict, glazed ham and crab legs on the brunch buffet priced at $19.99. Bottomless mimosas and bloody Mary's are $15. The Sunday brunch menu satisfies hearty appetites as always at Marlow's in Alpharetta, Midtown and Kennesaw. Stay tuned - Marlow's Duluth will soon offer weekend brunch! Marlow's Tavern locations include Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road,
770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.



Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown are open from 1-9 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Guests can peruse the full menu to choose succulent steaks, seafood and other specialties that have made Morton's famous. Morton's upscale atmosphere goes hand-in-hand with special occasions...so wear your Easter dress. Morton's The Steakhouse-Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Morton's The Steakhouse-Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

Those dreaming of a scenic Easter Sunday surrounded by nature and enjoying the fruits of the vine will find Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery the idyllic holiday setting. Did somebody say photo op? Bring the entire family up to Dahlonega for Wolf Mountain's elaborate 7th Annual Easter Brunch. $30 per person plus tax and gratuity. Purchase wine by the glass or bottle to complete your special Easter meal. Advance reservations are required and can be made for either the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. seating by calling 706-867-9862. Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia; 706-867-9862.

Happy Easter!

Mardi Gras Mania in Atlanta

LOOKING FOR LAGNIAPPE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES? TRILOGY’S MARDI GRAS PARTY IS THE PLACE FOR YOUR “CREWE” ON FEBRUARY 5!
Outside Trilogy, the streets of East Cobb are quiet; inside Trilogy, it’s Carnival time! On Tuesday, February 5, Mardi Gras beads and balloons will be flying, the ZydeFunk band will play and dance through the crowds New Orleans style . . . and the food and drinks will have those saints marching in and chowing down before they boogie down! Coax your “crewe” out to celebrate by tossing out these Bourbon Street tempters: drink specials such as Hurricanes and Abita Purple Haze, and an a la carte menu of New Orleans favorites – gumbo, crawfish étouffée, muffalettas and more. Party starts at 7 p.m. and the band plays at 8 p.m. $20 cover charge. 4930 Davidson Road; 770-971-4770. http://www.trilogydining.net/

WE’RE SWEET ON YOUNG CHEF’S ACADEMY FOR VALENTINE’S TREATS!
We love anything having to do with the kitchen, whether it’s creating or consuming! If your young chef also wears his or her heart on their apron-sleeve, share the love by signing them up now for Young Chef’s Academy’s Valentine’s Treats workshops! Two time options are available to ease your scheduling dilemmas: Wednesday, February 6 from 1:30 – 4 p.m. and Saturday, February 9 from 4 – 6 p.m. Advance reservations are required, so BOOK EARLY to reserve seats! To hold your spot, e-mail youngchefs@bellsouth.net or phone 404-255-9263. Young Chef’s Academy is located in the Sandy Spring’s CityWalk Shopping Center at 227 Sandy Springs Place, Suite 368. http://www.youngchefsacademy.com/

WOLF MOUNTAIN WINERY POURS ON A LOVE OF FINE WINING AND DINING FEBRUARY 9
On the romantic dinner scale, a whisk to North Georgia’s Wolf Mountain Winery trumps a whisk in the hand. Why risk it? Our bet’s on the Wolf Mountain Valentine’s Day Wine Dinner on Saturday, February 9. $80 per person includes dinner and wine pairings. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a cellar reception featuring mini-smoked duck ravioli with ginger hoisin dipping sauce and paired with 2006 Chanteloup before moving on to a menu of:

· Stuffed jumbo shrimp with crab meat in a bed of baby mixed greens, walnuts, shaved Asiago and tossed in a roasted shallot vinaigrette; 2006 Chanteloup
· Sorbet
· Fried lobster tail and chateaubriand duo drizzled in a rosemary demi glace with potato croquets and asparagus; 2006 Coupage
· Cheese course of artisan cheeses; 2005 Instinct
· Flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce garnished with fresh berries, served with gourmet Brazilian coffee roasted for Wolf Mountain Winery; 2005 Claret or 2006 Seyval Demi-Sec

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is located at 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, in historic Dahlonega, Georgia; 706-867-9862. http://www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/

FELLOWSHIP OF THE FORK: ECCO’S FEBRUARY 10 SUNDAY SHARE IS A SUNDAY BEST BET!
In a month of Sundays, one Sunday dinner always stands out: the monthly “Sunday Share” communal table dining event at Ecco. Each month brings a new theme to the family-style dining table at Fifth Group Restaurants’ Mediterranean-inspired eatery Ecco, where a limited number of guests can enjoy getting to know each other, fork and spoon in hand. This month’s Sunday Share will take place at 6:30 p.m. on February 10. Crowned “All Hail the King,” the très special dinner is inspired by the legendary master of French cooking, Georges Auguste Escoffier. $25 per person covers the neighborly meal. Drink specials are available but are not included in the meal price. Sunday Share reservations are required and may be made by calling 404-347-9555.

The Sunday Share gatherings are available in addition to the restaurant’s regular menu. Ecco serves dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. nightly; the patio and bar open daily at 4 p.m. 40 7th Street at the corner of Cypress Street in Midtown; 404-347-9555. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

THE GLOBE – IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD
The GLOBE put a new spin on Midtown dining when it opened in 2005, and it continues to turn heads with its new deep red and burnt orange walls, olive and sage furniture and subtle creature comforts. Beneath the 31-foot zinc bar sits a new foot bar to put an end to dangling feet. Sofas cluster, as do guests, in the expanded lounge area. Terrace-view tables, sectioned off by a sheer curtain, are now a dining room option. A 120-foot window wall drenches diners in vitamin D, err, sunshine, while at night, a starry constellation of Jasper Morrison Glo-Balls sends the GLOBE into a soothing, softly-lit galaxy. The library lounge invites quiet gatherings and meetings amid its filled bookshelves and cozy chairs. Take your coffee or beer outside to view the hustle and bustle of Midtown from a perch on the outdoor terrace.

At this urban modern café, food does more than decorate plates. Lunch and dinner guests can look forward to dining on Chef Joshua Laban Perkins’ Mediterranean-style small and large plates, sophisticated sweets and a late-night lounge menu that’s truly inspired, not tired. Critics are still turning in rave reviews and accolades. And, Pimms Cocktails, organic margaritas, drink specials and a European wine list have glasses swirling in approval.

Open Monday through Saturday at 75 Fifth Street, NW in Technology Square; 404-541-1487. Valet parking is available on Fifth Street in front of the restaurant, and validated parking is available behind the restaurant in the Centergy visitor parking deck. Wireless internet access is provided inside and out. http://www.globeatlanta.com/

WHEN ONLY BACON WILL DO, BACON SALT BRINGS HOME THE BACON FLAVOR WITHOUT THE FRYING!
Last year, Justin and Dave were both bringing home the bacon from their jobs at a small technology company when their mutual cravings for the flavor of bacon turned them into “bacontrepreneurs.” Their brainchild, Bacon Salt™, has our squeal of approval as a fast, easy way to perk up everything from party mix to steak and mashed potatoes with the mouthwatering taste of bacon (and none of the prep mess). A sprinkle of Original, Hickory or Peppered Bacon Salt can make a tomato slice taste like a BLT. Unleash the power of bacon into plain ranch dressing and make a bacon-loving vegetarian go hog-wild. Celebrate National Snack Food Month with a sprinkle here and there . . . but first you’ll need to buy some. http://www.baconsalt.com/

RAISE A TOAST TO ALLI-ROYCE-SOBLE AT LA TAVOLA – VOTED BEST BARKEEP ON ROWDYFOOD.COM
When the blog is named “rowdyfood.com,” you know they’re up on their fave barkeeps! Mix up a tall order of service, knowledge and friendliness, garnish it with a smile and you have “Best Barkeep in Atlanta,” Alli Royce-Soble at La Tavola Trattoria. Alli is an essential ingredient at Virginia Highland’s neighborly Italian gathering spot -- come find out why!

Fifth Group Restaurants’ La Tavola Trattoria is located at 992 Virginia Ave., NE; 404-873-5430. http://www.fifthgroup.com/

SECOND HELPING: VAJRA STRAIGHT UP BLOG DISTILLS THE ESSENCE OF FIFTH GROUP RESTAURANTS’ RISING STAR SOMMELIER
When Fifth Group Restaurants’ Beverage Director Vajra Stratigos opens up, the wisdom of five generations of Greek and Italian restaurateurs pours out! An enthusiasm for “all things liquid” has propelled Vajra into achieving many professional milestones: certifications from the International Wine Guild, Court of Master Sommeliers, The Wine and Spirits Education Trust and The Society of Wine Educators, and being distinguished as a “Rising Star Sommelier” by Starchefs.com, an award-winning online magazine for culinary insiders. Vajra’s blog flows with wine insights, recommendations, where-to-buy info, Vajra YouTube links, Atlanta wine events and star chefs. Decant a red or white, sit down at the keyboard and enjoy! http://www.vajrastraightup.blogspot.com/.