“My Best Enemy,” Gerry Klaskala And A Fine Food And Wine Cruise Up For Bid; Three Reasons to Attend the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

On Wednesday, February 8, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will have its opening night gala at the Fabulous Fox Theater. A VIP reception showcasing celebrity chefs will serve as a preshow to the night’s feature “My Best Enemy,” a WWII thriller which will kick off the 22-days festival. Aria Owner/Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala is one of the celebrity chefs manning tasting tables at the reception. His dish, veal schnitzel with red wine apple sauce, ties in with the German flavor of the night’s feature film. As if the film and food weren't already enough reasons to attend, guests will also be able to place live-auction bids on a cruise cabin aboard a Fine Food and Wine Cruise.

Reception starts at 5 p.m. followed by film showing at 7:30 p.m. Purchase Young Professionals ($150) and Red Carpet VIP ($300) Reception/Film packages and film showing general admission tickets ($10) online.

Wicked Good Dinner

What seems like months ago, my roommate and I bought tickets to see Wicked for when it came to Atlanta's own Fox Theater. From the day we ordered the tickets, I was already making dinner plans. Before the show we're going to have dinner at my new favorite restaurant, Dogwood. Since we will be within walking distance of the theater, we can valet at the restaurant and not worry about parking. I love it when things are simple!

If you have not ordered tickets yet, then you will be interested in the moneysaving Dinner and Broadway show packages local restaurants will be offering. You can get a ticket and a special three-course menu at Ecco for the shows on Wednesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 29 ($90 per person). On Tuesday, October 28, Dogwood will offer a three-course dinner package that includes dinner, a ticket to the show and valet parking ($95 per person). Seating times are at 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. at either restaurant and tax, gratuity and alcohol are not included in package pricing.

Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.
Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE in Midtown; 404-347-9555.

Put the First Day of Fall on Your Calendar...and Celebrate at Dogwood

Here at MLA, we were all wondering “What happened to summer?” until we took a look at what the first day of autumn is bringing to the tables at Dogwood on Peachtree...it's time to welcome the new season and start salivating over this new menu. Beginning Monday, September 22, diners can start at the Grits Bar where Logan Turnpike’s creamy white stone ground grits are well complemented by wild mushrooms, butter-poached lobster or ham and pimento cheese ($4-$6). Southern-fried quail breast with buttermilk spoon biscuit, goat cheese-pepper gravy and red onion marmalade and sweet potato gnocchi in brown butter parmesan cream with toasted pecans are two tempters on the appetizer menu ($9-$15). Try a “soup flight” of three soups or go solo with a bowl of root vegetable puree with grilled wild boar-cranberry sausage and lingonberries, tomato bisque with Split Creek Farm goat cheese or the soup of the day ($6-$11). Main dishes call out to fall: SoCo glazed pork chops with caramelized shallots and sweet corn soufflé; pecan-rubbed tuna with fingerling potatoes, applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onion and bar-b-que drizzle; venison osso bucco with rosemary-parmesan grits and apple-turnip preserve; grilled Atlantic salmon with BLT sauce and grilled cornbread; and the comforting Dogwood burger or off-the-bone short ribs with smashed rutabagas and blackberry demi ($13-$32). Delish desserts ($6) such as blackberry-chocolate cornbread upside down cake with coffee gelato or hazelnut cheesecake with apple-cranberry compote and cheese selections will entice you to stay on until winter!

And if the new menu was not enough, Dogwood is enticing guests with drink specials, too. Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday guests can enjoy half-price Ketel One martinis and cosmos along with half-price bottles of wine up to $100. Fox Theatre patrons can take advantage of half price wines by the glass with the purchase of an entrée any day of the week. Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.

Dogwood Restaurant Opening Party

Last Friday evening, I attended one of the grand opening parties for Dogwood restaurant. Bea-u-tiful space!

When I first arrived, there was a little bit of a wait, so I decided to sit at the stunning bar that had caught my eye when I first walked in. Very chic, yet very cozy. The bartenders were all very knowledgeable and friendly -- they didn't seem to be stressed at all that this was the first night they were open.

The hostess seated me in the mezzanine level, the top level, that has a glass railing overlooking the restaurant. Very cool spot!

I ordered the smoked trout cake for an appetizer, and the beef tenderloin with cabernet sauvignon reduction for my entree. After seeing the amount of people flooding the restaurant, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be eating until much later! But, to my surprise, the kitchen ran very smoothly and my meal was wonderful.

The owners describe this restaurant as "Southern hospitality and sophisticated cuisine". I certainly agree. I will be back soon -- especially if there is a performance at The Fox Theatre.