2008 Riding Dirty Atlanta Wine Pairing Challenge

I have a love for wine and I have a love for blogs so it comes as no surprise that I read Dirty South Wine religiously. I'm really excited about the “Riding Dirty” Atlanta Wine Pairing Challenge he is putting on. Hardy has asked fifteen of Atlanta’s top restaurants to prepare a wine and food pairing to be served at their bar for under $25.

Wines are from the participating restaurants' current list of by-the-glass wines, and the food may be either a small plate or appetizer from their standard menu. The judges (Hardy, Matt Richardson and Broderick Smylie) have been evaluating each restaurants based on taste, creativity and value.

Hardy is chronicling each tasting at Dirty South Wine where you can read about the tastings and watch videos of their experiences at each restaurant. Updates can be followed on twitter under the #dty tag. Winners will be announced December 3, so stay tuned.

Participating restaurants include: Holeman & Finch, Joël, ARIA, ENO, Woodfire Grill, Toulouse,
VITA, Repast, La Tavola Trattoria, Top FLR, VINE, Canoe, Dogwood, ONE. Midtown kitchen and the ISAW charity (International Society of Africans in Wine).

Atlanta Restaurants Go Green: VITA's Natura Water Purification System

Tony LaRocco's VITA quenches your thirst and helps the environment at the same time! VITA is one of only four restaurants in Atlanta that use the Natura® water purification system to purify drinking water. The system removes impurities such as chlorine compounds, heavy metals and bacteria, while retaining thirst-quenching minerals like magnesium, zinc and calcium. VITA's Natura system is equally healthy for the environment as it alleviates trucking in water or disposing of plastic bottles and dispensers. Natura systems are installed in some of our nation's best restaurants.

VITA serves New York Italian-style dishes at lunch and dinner seven days a week, and weekend brunch. Tony LaRocco's VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Midtown Shop and Dine Week November 14-21

Two of my favorite past times, eating and shopping, come together this week during Midtown Shop and Dine Week. Two can dine for $25 at The Original El Taco and other casual restaurants. At fine dining spots such as Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen Midtown and VITA, guests can sit down to three courses for $25 per person. Making reservations is so convenient through opentable.com. What a deal?!

Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555.

The Original El Taco: 1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656.

La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358.
VITA: Vita: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Drink Up For the November Wine Specials

You won’t hear any complaining from me this month! Atlanta restaurants are offering some fabulous wine specials this November. It is a perfect time to go out and enjoy great food and even better wine specials!

Morton’s The Steakhouse Buckhead enjoys Wine Down Wednesday on the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in the bar area. Today’s November 5 tasting features Italian wines -- Donnafugata Anthilia, Frescobaldi Nippozzano and Guado al Tasso. For $12 per person you get to sample all three wines and nibble on complimentary appetizers. Can’t make it to the wine tasting? November is full of drink specials at Morton’s The Steakhouse! Drink specials include $5 glasses of Canyon Road California Cabernet or Chardonnay and $3 Samuel Adams “Octoberfest” every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Morton’s The Steakhouse-Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE;
404-816-6535.

Toulouse American Bistro will host two Sunday wine tastings this month: Reserve wines ($40) on November 9 and Port/dessert wines ($35) on November 30. In just two hours the Toulouse Wine Guy will have you walking away feeling like a wine sommelier! Both tastings consist of a sample of 15 wines accompanied with palate cleansers.

Toulouse American Bistro: 2293 Peachtree Road, NE;
404-351-9533.

Tony LaRocco’s VITA hosts weekly Tuesday Tastings from 6-8 p.m. in the bar area. Branch out and go for the Italian feel by tryingTerre Valse Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Vagnoni Vernaccia di San Gimignano, La Monesca Verdicchio di Matelica, Illuminate Riparosso Montelpuciano d’Abruzzo, Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon and Dona Paula Malbec. $15 per person includes 5 to 6 featured wines and of course delicious complimentary appetizers.

Tony LaRocco’s VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road at Bennett Street; 404-367-8482.

Woodfire Grill will offer up their advice on completing your Thanksgiving meal with the perfect feature wines. On Wednesday, November 19th at 6 p.m. for $15 per person you will have the chance to sample eight different wines! The perfect way to taste test for the upcoming holidays!
Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

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.

$5 Martini Round-Ups Shake Things Up At Aqua Blue,Vita And Dogwood

Five-dollar martinis at Aqua blue, Vita and Dogwood are shaking up cocktail time from Roswell to Buckhead to Midtown! Aqua blue rocks the bar with Smirnoff martinis -- The Dirty South martini with olive juice; the Washington Apple martini with Washington Apple Burst and sour mix; the Tampa Bay martini with pineapple juice, peach schnapps, cranberry juice and a splash of sour; the New York martini with Pom juice, pomegranate schnapps and a splash of sour; and the Blue Martini that brings together Ketel One Citron, Island Blue Pucker, blue Curacao and a splash of sour. In Buckhead, lively NYC-Italianesque Vita shakes up $5 martinis all day, everyday. Down Peachtree in Midtown, Dogwood trades a Lincoln for a martini day in, night out, and backs Abe with heady regional fare.

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
Dogwood: 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.
VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Live Music at Vita

After dinner Saturday night I popped by Vita to check out the new entertainment. Totally fun! When I got there (around 9:30 p.m.) a great warm-up band was playing. They had a sax and a bass and were playing some smooth tunes. The crowd was already building and lots of people looked like they had been there for dinner and were ready for some music.

We took a seat at the bar but could see the band perfectly. They were in that middle part of the restaurant that is lower than the rest. It really is the perfect spot for a small stage and band.

The main attraction, Kingsized, started around 10:30. He was the best! Not only is the music good - think Sinatra and other retro musicians - but Mike really works the crowd. Everyone was having a great time.

Tony LaRocco was working the room like only a dedicated owner can. He makes sure that everyone is happy, that's for sure. The entertainment is Wednesday - Saturday night and features local bands. Starts at 9 p.m.

The restaurant is open for dinner til 1 a.m. and the bar is open til 2 a.m. Go check it out. We need more options like this in Atlanta.

The Olympics Make Me Hungry

Given that yesterday was 8-8-08, the luckiest day of the century in China and the opening day of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, a group of us decided it was only fitting to head to Frank Ma's South, the latest setting for Atlanta's favorite Chinese food guru. (2088 Briarcliff Rd NE) It's only been open a couple of weeks but the word is out. Don't be turned off by the "Wingnuts" sign outside. It's just left over from the last tenant. Frank doesn't seem to care much about aesthetics - but he cares a LOT about food. We had the Wife & Husband which I'm told is lung. It was delicious! We also had some scallion pancakes, dumplings, pork with squid, fish in hot oil (my favorite), bean sprouts, and I must mention the eggplant with basil I had last week too - yum! You can bring your own wine here which is a plus. And if you forget, Rocky's liquor store is conveniently located right next door. Frank gets a gold medal for this performance.

A couple of local restaurants are celebrating the games too. Newly opened Dogwood is pouring a “Red, White and You” wine flight in honor of our Olympians. $20 buys you two flights of white and two flights of red every Friday night during the Olympic games. Come weekly and odds are you won’t be blue! Try Schramsberg (Calistoga) blanc de blancs sparkling Chardonnay has bubbled on our nation’s tables since 1965. Chappellet (Napa) Chardonnay is summer in a glass, thanks to Napa’s cool marine breezes, Dijon varietal grapes and French oak barrel aging. Kenneth Volk (Paso Robles) Pinot Noir puts a red on the table from the family- owned Santa Barbara winery that owner Kenneth Volk notes as being “smaller, better and slower.” In this case, slower wins the race! Northstar (Walla Walla) Merlot, blended from Columbia Valley-grown grapes, wins praises as Seattle’s favorite. Dogwood is located in the Reynolds condominium building at 565 Peachtree Street; 404-835-1410.

VITA owner Tony LaRocco invites Olympic followers to dive in to a tall, wet drink named after local Olympic swimmer Kathleen Hersey. Literally the girl next door, Hersey lives in LaRocco’s neighborhood! Her namesake drink is a spirited medley of peach vodka, peach schnapps and orange juice ($8). This hometown girl swims faster than you can toss one back. Check out the YouTube video and see her dominate the 100-yard butterfly at the Olympic time trials.
VITA: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Go USA!

It's Not Just Merlot; Take Any Wine To Go!

Georgia Senate Bill 55 has passed. Perhaps you know it by its street name: the Merlot to Go law. The new law means that you can go ahead and order that bottle of wine, even if you don’t intend to finish it with your dinner, because now you can take it with you! If you have purchased a bottle of wine with your meal and consumed a portion of the wine with your meal, you may ask the restaurant staff to reseal the wine bottle and securely repackage it with the receipt “to go.”
The tamper-evident package must then be stored in your locked glove box, trunk or behind the very last seat in your car for a hands-off ride home. We know of several Atlanta restaurants that are ready to help you cork up and re-package your “Merlot to Go” in resealable bags: All Fifth Group Restaurants®, Aria, Aqua Blue, Dogwood and VITA. Thanks to the passage of S.B. 55 and the packaging skills of these restaurants, you can go ahead and order that bottle of wine without feeling as if you must consume it all in one sitting before driving home. Have a glass with dinner and by all means, take it with you to enjoy later at home!

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.

Appetite Stimulators Help You Squeeze the Most From Your Economic Stimulus Check

It was very nice of the government to throw a little extra dough our way. Now that we have it, what will we do with it? Fear not! The ladies of the Atlanta Dish have a wonderful idea: feast on fabulous food at some of Atlanta's hottest restaurants! Check out the great deals going on right now:

Cash in on three courses for $22 on Sundays and Mondays at Aqua Blue, where a special prix fixe menu balances fine dining and perfect portions for summer. Start with your choice of the Aqua Blue house salad with sweet herb vinaigrette or classic Caesar with shaved Parmesan. Move on to braised beef tenderloin with Madeira peppercorn sauce, served over root vegetables and Yukon Gold potatoes; roasted chicken cappellini served with a sun-dried tomato sauce; pecan-crusted trout served over sweet potato hash, sun corn, thin green beans with peach beurre blanc; or Atlantic salmon or yellowfin tuna served grilled, cast-iron blackened or bamboo-steamed with a choice of side dishes. Total it out with warm Mississippi mud pie topped with vanilla bean ice cream or classic crème brûlée. Tax and gratuity not included. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Five restaurants. Three course menus. One price: $26.95. Through July 19, Fifth Group Restaurants'® "Summer of Love" specials cater to the penny-wise who love to dine out. Each restaurant has its own personality and three-course, prix-fixe menu. Try one every week night, and you'll still have money for the weekend.

Ecco was recently ranked for its wine list and as one of the best new restaurants in the world by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards (IRHA). 40 7th Street, NE in Midtown; 404-347-9555.
Food Studio® is open for dining through July 19; then the King Plow Arts Center landmark joins the world of special event functions only! 887 W. Marietta Street in the King Plow Arts Center; 404-815-6677.
La Tavola® is your authentic Italian trattoria, complete with outside seating, and it's right around the corner in Virginia Highland: 992 Virginia Avenue; 404-873-5430.
South City Kitchen® serves up New South classics with smiles in two locations. In Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. In Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Check out Jazz n Juice at the GLOBE on Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests will enjoy half price bottles of wine while taking in some sweet summer sounds of live jazz. Stretch your dollar further with Midtown Mondays, where mojitos, margaritas and martinis go for $5 each. 75 Fifth Street, NW; 404-541-1487.

Walk, drive or MARTA it to Morton's The Steakhouse in Buckhead for Power Hour at Bar 1221. Here, all Bar Bites are $5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Power up for REAL appetizers: three miniature crab cakes served with mustard mayonnaise; iceberg wedge bites served with tomato, egg, bacon and blue cheese; chicken goujonettes served fried with mustard mayonnaise; three prime cheeseburgers served on silver dollar rolls with lettuce, tomato and purple onions; jumbo lump crab, spinach and artichoke dip served with toasted French bread croutons; four petite filet mignon sandwiches served with mustard mayonnaise; and blue cheese French fries topped with melted blue cheese, red pepper flakes and chives. Served at the Buckhead location only: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

$99 for two buys the steak and seafood combo at Morton's The Steakhouse Downtown and Buckhead locations. Enjoy high-roller surf and turf at low-ball pricing: Each person enjoys a single-cut filet; choice of seafood options including Morton's jumbo lump crab cake, Shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops wrapped in bacon with apricot chutney; choice of Caesar or Morton's salad; a signature Morton's potato and vegetable to share; and a choice of Morton's legendary hot chocolate cake or Key lime pie for dessert. Reservations required. Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816- 6535. Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

VITA wakes up quiet Tuesday nights with lively Tuesday Tastings from 6 to 8 p.m. $15 per person includes a tasting of 5-6 wines and complimentary appetizers. Mama mia! Such a deal! 2110 Peachtree Road and Bennett Street; 404-367-8482.

Pack a shopping bag and cruise the aisles on a Whole Foods Market "Way to Shop Value Tour!" A Whole Foods Market "Value Guru" guide will show you how to find the real deals in every department, proving it is possible to stretch your food budget without giving up organic and natural foods! Tours are offered weekly and registration is required as tours are limited to 12 "tourists" each; check out your local store's schedule at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

Seven locations: Buckhead: 77 West Paces Ferry Road, NW; 404-324-4100Briarcliff: 2111 Briarcliff Road; 404-634-7800Duluth-Johns Creek: 5945 State Bridge Road; 678-514-2400Sandy Springs: 5930 Roswell Road; 404-236-0810Ponce: 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE; 404-853-1681Harry's Farmers Market in Alpharetta: 1180 Upper Hembree Road; 770-664-6300Harry's Farmers Market in Marietta: 70 Powers Ferry Road, SE; 770-578-4400

The glass is NOT half empty simply because the dream California wine country trek is out of the budget this summer. Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery has a full glass -- and even bottles -- waiting just a couple of gallons of gas away from Atlanta in Dahlonega's hill country. Head north on Sunday, July 13 for "A Tribute to California Cuisine and Jazz," featuring recipes from Napa Valley's renowned restaurants paired with Wolf Mountain's family of estate wines and live jazz. The event is $30 per person (excluding wine, tax and gratuity), and seating times are 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. All Wolf Mountain wines are priced separately and will be available by the glass or bottle. Advance reservations are a must; call 706-867-9862. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia.

Oh Say Can You See...VITA's Bellini Brunch Awaiting Thee After The Peachtree Road Race!

When you’re bobbing and weaving your way down Peachtree in the July 4th Peachtree Road Race, you’ll run right by it . . . VITA, at Peachtree and Bennett Street (right before “Cardiac Hill,” err, Piedmont Hospital). Keep jogging to the finish at the Civic Center, meet your friends under the “V” balloon (for VITA), then swing back to celebrate your accomplishments over VITA’s popular Bellini Brunch from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. VITA Owner Tony LaRocco and his friendly staff have the ultimate after-race filling station, and it’s open for all, from runners to walkers to spectators! Refuel for the day with a three-egg VITA omelet hugging your choice of fillings, Italian country bread French toast, open-faced spinach frittata or an open-faced chicken frittata omelet loaded with pulled chicken, pancetta and mozzarella cheese. All dishes are $12 and are accompanied by seasonal fresh fruit and roasted potatoes. For hydration beyond sports drinks, try a bubbly Bellini, mimosa or glass of champagne ($6/glass) – or make it a lycopene-loaded Bloody Mary ($5/glass). Come back for more on Saturday or Sunday, the usual brunch days! VITA is located at 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.

Dad Deserves a Delicious Dinner This Father's Day

Around my house, Father’s Day has always been a full fledge holiday and is also the only time when Dad allows others to dote on him. It wasn’t until I was grown that I understood why: my father works extremely hard for our family. For him, beyond birthdays, Christmas and any other gift giving season that has been added to the calendar over the years, Father’s Day celebrates the accomplishment of which he is the most proud – my siblings and I.

This year, make dad even more proud by creating lasting memories with him at his favorite (or soon to be favorite) restaurant. Cheers to dads everywhere!!! Happy Father’s Day!!!

Take Dad to Atlanta’s beef haven, Fogo de Chão, where he can sit back and be showered with 15 savory cuts of delicious meat, carved tableside by request with no limit. And for Dads who don’t do meat, their stunning salad bar is sure to hit the spot. Atlanta’s Fogo de Chão, located at 3101 Piedmont Road, provides a succulent slice of Southern Brazilian hospitality on Father’s Day for lunch ($38.50) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner ($48.50) from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To make reservations, call 404-266-9988.

Both Atlanta locations of Morton’s The Steakhouse will offer a four-course steak and seafood dinner for two on Sunday, June 15. For $99, this special surf and turf menu includes two single-cut filets; a choice of two seafood options (Morton’s jumbo lump crab cake, shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops); a choice of two salads (Caesar or Morton’s salad); one Morton’s signature potato and one fresh vegetable to share; and lastly, a choice of two desserts (Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake or Key lime pie). Regular hours for both locations: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Additionally, the Morton’s Steak Bible ($30) and steak knives (set of six is $55 and set of two is $20) will be available for purchase at the restaurants as gifts for Dad. Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

VITA will host its regular Bellini Brunch on Sunday, June 15, offering $5 martinis and a $5 Bloody Mary bar as well as $6 mimosas and Bellinis. Open all day Sunday: brunch and lunch menu served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner menu served from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. 2110 Peachtree Road, 404-367-8482.

The local Harry’s Farmers Market locations are holding a couple of creative events to get the little kids (ages two to five) involved with a gift for Father’s Day.
Sign up today for the free Kids Corner event at the Cobb location of Harry’s Farmers Market. On Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m., Ms. Marcy and the gang will be making Dad a grilling apron for Father’s Day. The aprons and all the decorations are provided for your little ones to make Dad something he is sure to cherish forever. Harry’s Farmers Market in Marietta is located at 70 Powers Ferry Road, SE; 770-578-4400.

And if Daddy has a sweet tooth, the “decorate a cookie cake for Dad” Kids Corner event at the Harry’s Farmers Market in Alpharetta is the place to be. On Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Daddy’s little angels can add all the trimmings to a scrumptious 12-inch cookie cake for him on his special day. This program is free, but registration is required. Register by Wednesday, June 11 at the customer service desk at Harry’s Farmers Market in Alpharetta located at 1180 Upper Hembree Road or call 770-664-6300.

On June 15, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery will host its sixth annual Father’s Day barbecue brunch. The cost is $30 per person (excluding wine, tax and gratuity). All Wolf Mountain wines are priced separately and will be available by the glass or bottle. The two seating times are 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Advanced reservations are required for all events; please call 706-867-9862 to reserve. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

Tuesday Tastings at VITA

Last night I went to VITA's Tuesday Tastings. These weekly wine tastings take place in the bar area every week from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It's a good thing I arrived on time, the place was packed! And for a good reason -- $15 per person includes a sampling of 5-6 wines and complimentary appetizers. Great wine, great food and great company -- I'll definitely go back soon! Not to mention, it's a great way to avoid the rush hour traffic!

“Let’s Eat Out” is Second Only To “I Love You” on Mother’s Day, May 11

The first meal I remember making for my mom was Mother's Day breakfast in bed when I was four years old. My older brother and I thought it would be great to make her a "balanced breakfast" like they showed on the cereal commercials. First, we made her a bowl of cereal, then, we made her two slices of toast and finally, poured her a glass of orange juice. To make the tray look pretty, I ran to the garden and picked her a flower.

Needless to say that by the time we got the breakfast to her, the cereal was soggy, the toast was cold (and messy) and I got thirsty so a drank a sip of her juice. She said she loved it!

Fortunately, I am wise enough now to know that there are better options for mom's special day. This Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11, I can't wait to say those three magic words – “Let’s eat out!”

Chefs at these restaurants have been preparing for Mother’s Day with buffets and menus that will have her saying “I love you!”

Two hot spots are already sold out so make a note to check these out early next year: Canoe's riverside brunch and Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery's mountain setting brunch.

Aqua Blue heaps mom’s favorites on the brunch buffet. From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., grab a plate and fill it with items such as strip steak and carved turkey, chicken rotini primavera in cream sauce, eggs Benedict and breakfast pastries. $29.95/adults, $9.95/children ages four to 12 and free for children under four. Regular dinner menu takes over from 5 to 9 p.m. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Bonefish Grill brings out the grilled fish and delectable sauces that grace the regular menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Buford: 3420 Buford Drive; 678-546-8240. Johns Creek: 11705 C Jones Bridge Road; 770-475-6668. Macon: 5080 Riverside Drive, Building 500, Suite 506; 478-477-5256. Snellville: 1350 Scenic Highway 124 in The Avenue Webb Gin; 678-344-8945.

Ecco whisks Mom to a European bistro brunch with a special menu from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Open for dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. 40 7th Street at Cypress in Midtown; 404-347-9555.

Fogo de Chão salutes moms with savory slow-roasted meats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day; $38.50 per person. The Brazilian churrascaria will be serving dinner that night from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; $46.50 per person. 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

Food Studio® paints a masterpiece of food and art to celebrate Mom’s day. Special brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; $39.95 per person. Children’s menu for $10 per child (12 and under). Open for dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. 887 West Marietta Street in the King Plow Arts Center; 404-815-6677.

The GLOBE provides the ideal spot for Yellow Jacket and Midtown moms to celebrate the day from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Regular brunch menu. 75 Fifth Street, NW in Technology Square; 404-541-1487.

La Tavola Trattoria jets Mom to Italy in nearby Virginia-Highlands. Order from the brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the regular dinner menu from 5:30 to 10 p.m. 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

Marlow’s Tavern (Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Midtown and Vinings) pours it on for the American casual mom with the regular brunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800. Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777. Midtown: 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526.

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown serves a mom-worthy prix fixe menu on Mother’s Day for $59 per person. Choose a salad; one entrée from a selection of filets, fish and chicken dishes; one side dish; and a dessert. Open from 3 to 9 p.m. in Buckhead in the Peachtree Lenox Building at 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Open from 4 to 9 p.m. Downtown in the SunTrust Plaza Building at 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

South City Kitchen® whips up contemporary Southern dishes that give mom the day off from cooking but not from good eating. Enjoy brunch at the Midtown location from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or the regular dinner menu from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358. Brunch will be served at the Vinings location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; order from the regular dinner menu from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.

Trilogy is East Cobb-close for an all-you-can-eat buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day. $23.95/adults; $8.95/children. Seating is limited and reservations are required. The restaurant will not be open for dinner. 4930 Davidson Road; 770-971-4770.

VITA will serve the regular dinner menu from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will have flowers for moms. Mama mia, now that’s Italian! 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Woodfire Grill serves mom local ingredients prepared with Northern Californian style from the regular menu. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mother’s Day. 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Vita Begins Tuesday Wine Tastings TODAY

The April showers have passed (for the most part) and now it's time to enjoy this great weather we're having. The new VITA in Buckhead is celebrating the lovely weather with Tuesday Wine Tastings beginning today. It’s just too darn gorgeous outside to keep those wines holed up in the cellar! From 5 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday evening, VITA guests can try 5-6 wines and hors d’oeuvres for $15. Since I was out of town this past weekend, I'll be catching up with the girls on the patio after work. Hope to see you there!

This month, VITA brings Australian wines up from down under for your taste trip in a glass. 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

Bellinis and Brunch at Vita

Guess where I'll be tomorrow morning? I'm not sleeping in, I won't be at the gym and I'm definitely not going to be at work... Nope, I'm happy to say I'll be sacrificing a late morning in bed to test out Vita's new brunch menu. The casual, New York-style Italian eatery is kicking off their Bellini Brunch this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

With choices of French toast, omelets and frittatas (all $12 - definitely one of the most affordable brunches in the city) I'm not sure I'll be able to make up my mind what to try on my first visit. Currently, I'm leaning towards the chicken frittata with pulled chicken, pancetta and mozzarella cheese, but get a few Bellinis in me and who knows what I'll pick...

Speaking of Bellinis, have you ever tried to make a Bellini at home? For those who haven't, it is terribly easy (and delicious). Simply peel and puree a fresh, very ripe then pour into a and top with

As a side note, I recently tried a shockingly good sparkling wine made in New Mexico that I found at Whole Foods. Turns out apparently New Mexico's climate is ideal for sparkling wine production. Who knew?!

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!!

Invita Them in for Lunch at New Vita in Buckhead

Tony LaRocco’s new Italian eatery to open for dinner soon!

Full of life, vim and vigor, Atlanta restaurateur Tony LaRocco is back with VITA, his new family-style Italian restaurant that opened for lunch today in the former Mick’s location on Peachtree at Bennett Street in Buckhead. VITA means “life” in Italian – a double entendre referring to both the lively eatery and LaRocco’s second chance at life after battling leukemia for two years. Chef Javier Munoz’s 70-item menu bursts with real New York Italian fare and many of the dishes may be ordered on platters to share. Lunch prices are in the reasonable $9 to $10 range, which provides even more incentive to get out and savor life with friends!

VITA will be open for dinner soon . . . stay tuned for more skinny on the penne. Open Monday through Saturday at 2110 Peachtree Road and Bennett Street; open Sunday beginning in May 2008. 404-367-8482.