DIY: Uncle Julio's Pineapple Bacon Guac Recipe

Prepare to share. Fix Uncle Julio's pineapple bacon guacamole for Super Bowl Sunday, and you're sure to be bombarded with recipe requests for this playoff of fresh, sweet pineapple, crisp bacon and creamy/chunky avocados. Because Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Café guacamole is a major ingredient, we've included the recipes for both.

Uncle Julio's Pineapple Bacon Guacamole

Ingredients:

1 cup Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Café guacamole

2 tbsp. diced pineapple (¼" dice)

2 tbsp. chopped, cooked bacon (½" pieces)

½ tsp. diced red bell peppers

For Garnish:

1 piece green leaf lettuce

1 tbsp. chopped, cooked bacon (½" pieces)

2 tsp. queso fresco

1 tbsp. diced pineapple(¼" dice)

1 lemon wedge

Directions:

Place guacamole in mixing bowl. Add pineapple, bacon and red bell pepper and fold into guacamole carefully. To serve, top lettuce with guacamole, sprinkle with bacon and queso fresco and side dress with diced pineapple and a lemon wedge to squeeze on guacamole. Serve with tortilla chips. Serves 2-3.

Uncle Julio's Rio Grande Café Guacamole
Yield:  6 cups

Ingredients:
6 Haas avocados
Guacamole oil ( ¼ cup olive oil infused with 1 peeled and minced clove of garlic)
Juice of 2 lemons

1 tsp. salt, to taste
½ cup tomato, chopped
¼ cup white onion, chopped

Directions:

Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Mash the avocados using either a fork or potato masher, leaving them a bit chunky. Stir guacamole oil into avocado. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Salt to taste. Lay a piece of plastic wrap tight on any remaining guacamole so it doesn't brown and refrigerate. To serve, scoop onto a green leaf lettuce leaf, sprinkle with ¼ oz. white and yellow cheese and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Score super specials for Super Bowl game viewing - and much more - in The Dish

It's almost game time and The Dish has you covered with Super Bowl ideas, plus much more! Pour yourself some coffee and take a look.


If you're not receiving The Dish every Tuesday morning, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page. Enjoy!

For Your Sipping Pleasure: Fleming’s Reveals Crafty New Cocktails

Some lucky people had to research, create and verify the deliciousness of the new cocktails spilling off the bar menu at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Pity it wasn't us. Still, we can all indulge in the fruits of their labor. The new menu is divided into three categories:  Retro Chic, which puts a contemporary spin on the classics; Modern Martinis with their exotic takes on the American martini; and Couture Cocktails that use seasonal ingredients and signature spirits. You may turn your back on the traditional margarita after trying the new Mad Milagro margarita with Milagro Silver Tequila, fresh lime juice and muddled fresh cucumber, topped with a perky touch of cilantro and a spicy jalapeño. Fleming's Limoncello martini tastes of pure luxury, made with Hangar One citron "Buddha's Hand" Vodka, smooth Luxardo Limoncello and house-made lemon-thyme simple syrup. For those living lightly, Skinnier Cocktails are still on the menu to fill your glass with less than 99 calories of hardcore flavor. 

Hot Diggity Dawg! White Oak Pastures Named to the Bulldog 100

Two things are really significant about White Oak Pastures receiving this honor on January 21. One, the Bluffton, Ga. farm is the only farm or farm-related business to be chosen by the UGA Alumni Association for the Bulldog 100: Fastest Growing Bulldog Businesses Class of 2012. Two, it ranks as this year’s fourth fastest-growing Bulldog business. White Oak Pastures top Dawg Will Harris is a 1976 UGA graduate and a fourth-generation cattleman on the same land his great grandfather settled in 1866. Nearly 800 nominations were submitted to the UGA Alumni Association for this year’s rankings, representing companies all across the U.S. Criteria includes being in business for at least five years with revenues of $100,000 or more for calendar year 2008, being owned or operated by a former UGA student who owns at least 50 percent of the company or who is the CEO, president or managing partner. The program recognizes the fastest-growing businesses regardless of size by focusing on a three-year growth rate average. Congrats to Will Harris and his White Oak Pastures team!

Don’t forget that tomorrow is the last day to save some green during the White Oak Pastures sale. Some of their most popular poultry and grass-fed beef items are offered at special prices online only.

(Photo Credit: Angie Mosier)

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

January 25 was National Irish Coffee Day, and we can't think of a better place in town than Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant to curl up around this delightful drink featuring Bushmills Irish Whiskey, brown sugar and hot coffee. 

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @TravelAndrew

Andrew Collins, a nomadic food and travel writer/editor based in the Pacific Northwest, is a man of many talents. He's a cat whisperer and a cheese-wine-coffee lush. He's also a Fodor's author, a teacher at the Gotham Writers' Workshop, a trip-taking blogger at The County Hunter and a contributor to Gay & Lesbian Travel on About.com. Follow his adventures on Twitter (@TravelAndrew).

Mooove Over - There's Another Crispy Chicken Sandwich in Town

A lot of people think Smashburger only has burgers. Logical, yes. Accurate, no. They have lots of other items, including a super delicious crispy chicken sandwich. The all-white-meat chicken is hand-breaded on site, crisped to perfection and dressed signature style or however you like it. Rumor has it that following Smashburger on Twitter(@SmashburgerATL) and joining the text club (text SmashburgerATL to 90210) are two great ways to get deals on these and the other yummy offerings. See you at one of their 5 Atlanta mashlocations!

“Come on Eileen” to Ladies ‘80s at Fado on January 28

 

If you find yourself reminiscing on the good music and ridiculously awesome clothing of the ‘80s, gather up all of your girlfriends and head to Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant for Ladies ‘80s Night on Saturday, January 28 from 10 p.m. to close. A rockin’ DJ will get you in the mood with your favorite ‘80s tunes while the bar serves up classic ‘80s cocktails. For only $6 each, you can sip on Long Island iced teas, Mai Tais or a Blue Hawaiian. Feeling adventurous? You can also try out one of the new concoctions from the winter drink menu.

Come in early to rock out with the Atlanta Dance Marathon from 7-10 p.m. They’ll be decked out in their best ‘80s outfits to raise money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with a non-stop dance party! Cost for the event is $15 per person and includes a pint of beer and all-you-can-eat complimentary appetizers.

Blue Skies and Blue Plate Specials at Aqua blue in Roswell

Now that we can actually see blue skies today for the first time in what seems like ages, I can't think of a better dinner option for tonight than the "Aqua blue plate" menu offered at Aqua blue Restaurant & Bar in Roswell. This $25, three-course prix fixe menu changes monthly and offers a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert for $25 per person (not including tax or gratuity). Offered nightly through February 20, appetizer choices include AB calamari with sweet chili sauce, tempura green beans with sweet mustard dipping sauce, seared pork dumpling or a hand-made sushi roll. Entrées feature hardwood-grilled N.Y. strip with roast sweet potato, asparagus and Madeira wine reduction; hand-battered fish and chips of Alaskan cod with house-made slaw; and jumbo shrimp jambalaya with sea scallops and Prestige Farms chicken. Desserts include house-made bread pudding with cinnamon ice cream; chocolate molten cake with a liquid center and vanilla ice cream; and fruit sorbet. This is the kind of blue I could get used to.

Take A Look At What's New with The Dish

A new week brings a brand new look for The Dish. As always, it's still full of great culinary news around town - that part hasn't changed! Check it out and let us know what you think. 


If you're not receiving The Dish every Tuesday morning, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page. Thanks!

Rotten Egg or Eggs-Traordinary? You Be the Judge at This Year’s Featherfest!

Twenty-thousand poultry fans are alighting in Atlanta January 22 - 27. No need to be chicken or take cover. They're migrating through the Georgia World Congress Center for the annual International Poultry Expo/International Feed Expo. Featherfest will draw them out for nourishment on egg-ceptional appetizers and entrées that include poultry meat at more than 50 Atlanta restaurants including Alma Cocina, La Tavola Trattoria,The Original El Taco, Ray's in the City, South City Kitchen - Midtown andSpice Market in the W Atlanta-Midtown. Gather a gaggle of roost mates (flighty friends, too) and flock along to dine then rate the dishes from one "rotten egg" to "eggs-traordinary" at Atlanta.net through January 26. Who knows, you might win an iPod nano for your eggs-cellent opinions.

Golden Opportunity to Feel Good at Yeah! Burger



I can haz cheezburger?

Living in the Virginia-Highlands area, there are plenty of options for me to choose from when I'm craving a burger. One of my frequent picks is Yeah! Burger, also a favorite of Bon Appetit Magazine. Every Tuesday at the Virginia-Highland location is Feel Good Tuesday, with 10 percent of sales going to a local charity or school. Tomorrow's percentage of sales will benefit Adopt a Golden Atlanta, the second largest golden retriever rescue in the nation. Come in for lunch or dinner and choose from grass-fed beef and bison, all natural turkey, chicken breast and veggie burgers, hot dogs and salads. Make sure to reward yourself for your charitable donation with this month's featured milkshake, French toast and bacon!

Watch Kevin Gillespie on cool video series about food co-ops across the country

Kevin had the best time traveling across the country meeting people and touring food co-ops earlier this year. He was amazed at how different each one was, yet loved the common theme of the customers as owners. Watch the world premiere of "Co+op," Stronger Together's video series hosted by Kevin. You'll follow along as he goes to food co-ops across the country -- from grocery store aisles to fields -- and talks with people who have a passion for food. The first three episodes air on Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m. on www.strongertogether.coop/premiere After that you can follow along with the series throughout the year. Take a look at more inspiring co-op stories from around the globe at www.stories.coop.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Spice Market's Fortune Cookies

A fortune cookie is always a sweet ending to a meal. We love unraveling the words of sage advice and wisdom. At Spice Market, these fortune cookies will be an even sweeter treat from January 21 through February 29. Open one during Chinese New Year to reveal a special surprise from the restaurant!

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @DineandDish

After following Kristen on Twitter (@DineandDish), we can definitely see why Dorothy was eager to leave Oz and get back to her Midwestern roots. Those Midwesterners are so darn friendly and sharing. Picture your screen as a backyard fence. Pour your coffee and absorb as Kristen dishes out bits on food, her kitchen and her kids via Twitter and her Dine & Dish blog. The only thing missing is Auntie Em.  

Spice Market Welcomes the Year of the Dragon in Grand Fashion

People who are born in dragon years are passionate in all they do and carry out things in grand fashion. Like them, Spice Market also possesses the same qualities and will be hosting a Chinese New Year Celebration to commemorate the year of the dragon with symbolic dishes and drinks. The grand celebration takes place from January 22 to January 23.

Spice Market will be decorated in the spirit of Chinese New Year and all tables will feature Chinese zodiac placements. The Midtown restaurant will offer complimentary nibbles in the bar area; a four-course tasting menu for $28 and drink specials including $3 Tsing Tao beer as well as specialty cocktails for $5 to $7.

The Chinese New Year tasting menu includes the following symbolic dishes:

• Fragrant mushroom egg rolls to symbolizes wealth
• Chili-garlic egg noodles representing long life come with seared shrimp and star anise
• The wish of abundance comes with a fish dish of wok-fried grouper with napa cabbage, water chestnuts and cucumber
• A sweet, rich life should be yours after eating Ovaltine kulfi made with caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce

The year of the dragon is also marked by excitement and good luck. Spice Market will ensure guests have an exciting evening and will offer all attendees fortune cookies containing discounts for future visits in the spirit of good luck.

Spice Market: In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14^th Street, NE; 404-724-2550.

Out With the Wine, In With the Brew: Pair Your Plate With a Pint at Atkins Park Tavern

I think it's safe to say that we're all a bit tired of hearing about "wine down Wednesday" promotions. Don't get me wrong, I love my wine, but I'm really grateful that Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia-Highland has decided to take a new turn for hump day deals with the start of "Pint and Plate." Every Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m., guests can hoist the perfect pint of craft beer and a chef-prepared plate. The price depends on the pairing, which changes weekly and will be offered until it runs out. Tonight's Pint and Plate features an ahi tuna burger with black sesame, scallions, teriyaki-ginger mayo and arugula served with hand-cut fries and paired with Sweetwater IPA for $14. Happy hump day!

Get Saucy For A Cause At JCT. Bar

This Thursday evening, January 19, JCT. Bar is hosting a sweet and saucy fundraiser for the Shepherd Center with Betty and Billy Hulse, the makers of Cobbie's Sauce. For $9, you'll get three pork sliders with Cobbie's Sauce, and all proceeds will be donated to the Shepherd Center, a non-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injuries. The dedicated Shepherd Center staff helped Billy Hulse after he experienced a spinal cord injury in 2009. Billy's mother, Mary Cobb "Cobbie" Hulse, poured a lot of love into the recipe for the all-natural, gluten-free sauce that she created more than 60 years ago, and the Hulses are pleased to share sales proceeds with the hospital that continues to give them hope. Try it and find out how to purchase some to douse on chicken, pork, beef, fish and shrimp at your house.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar: In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road; 404-355-2252.

From Co-ops to Cobbie's Sauce to Chinese New Year, It's All In This Week's Dish

Another Tuesday morning means The Dish is piping hot and ready to read! Get the latest culinary news in our weekly newsletter. If you're not receiving it, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page!

A Sale You Can’t Afford to Miss: Shop White Oak Pastures Online!

Through January 31, White Oak Pastures is offering some of their most popular poultry and grass-fed beef at special prices. Plan your menus to include rib-eye steaks, $8.84 (14 oz.); New York strip, $7.24 (12 oz.); and beef tenderloin, $9.27 (8 oz.). Save $2 per pound on ground beef in five-pound frozen, vacuum-sealed chubs at $20 per chub. Poultry savings aren’t paltry either:  large stewing hens are $12.99 per 4.5+ pound bird; each eight-way cut bird is $9.49; whole guinea are $12.99 per 2.5-pound bird; and ground turkey and ground chicken run $4.89 per one-pound pack. White Oak Pastures meat is available at Atlanta-area Publix supermarkets and Whole Foods Markets; however, sale items are only available online. 

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Noodles & Company's Truffle Mac with Baby Portabellas

Looks like macaroni and cheese is all grown up at Noodles & Company with this delicious twist on the comforting classic -- truffle mac with baby portabellas.

Learn About Wine and Mingle with Wine Connoisseurs at Woodfire Grill's Louis/Dressner Winemaker Dinner

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or simply enjoy learning about the finer things in life, meet winemakers and taste wines at Woodfire Grill's Louis/Dressner Winemaker Dinner on Tuesday, January 17. Old world wine importer Louis/Dressner doesn't make the wines, but they have connections with more than 100 conscientious vignerons in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Slovenia. Eric Texier from Chateauneuf du Pape and Jean-Paul Brun from Beaujolais, both winemakers whose wines are imported by Louis/Dressner, will discuss their naturally produced wines during the evening.

Even better, learning about the natural viticulture and tasting some of the exquisite wines is just the tip of the iceberg at this dinner party. You will also enjoy Woodfire Grill’s handcrafted five-course menu of four savory dishes and desserts plus wine pairings. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $115 per person (includes tax but not gratuity). There are only 20 seats open to the public, so don't think about it too long. Make reservations now for this exclusive dinner by calling the restaurant at 404-347-9055.

Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

It's Follow Friday; Meet our Tweep of the Week @SBKitchens

Squash Blossom Kitchens is a boutique catering company that specializes in small- to mid-sized dinner parties. Childhood friends Christine Roberts and Katy Purwin shelved their corporate careers to pursue their first love:  food. The duo is a regular on 11 Alive cooking segments, and have developed winning recipes for Jake's Ice Cream and Maggiano's. Follow their tweets (@SBKitchens) to stay on the detox track for 2012. Learn more about them on their Squash Blossomings blog.  

Happy 10th Birthday to The Dish!

Back in the day, before there were blogs, there was a little newsletter called The Dish. Every week, it was painstakingly typed, laid out with scissors and tape, copied on colored paper (different color every week!), and delivered around town to our city's concierges. Oh, and we faxed it to them too - woo hoo! What a difference 10 years can make!

Now The Dish is a weekly e-newsletter and daily blog post. The process is more efficient and our interns don't have to drive all over town anymore, but the goal is the same. We are still committed to spreading the news about the fun restaurant happenings going on in Atlanta.

We appreciate your reading and hope you'll sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already. Oh, and follow us on Twitter too! Can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring!!

Sidle up to JCT. Bar for a Burger and Beer

Starting next Tuesday, JCT. Bar in Atlanta's Westside Urban Market is bringing back their popular Burger and Beer special. This year's combo features Ford Fry's house-ground "Frito Pie" Burger and a beer from Utah-based Uinta Brewing for $10. Beers options include Wyld Extra Pale Ale, Baba Black Lager or Hopnotch IPA. This deal runs each Tuesday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m. at the rooftop bar. The Burger and Beer is only available for a limited time, so make plans to stop on by for a "Frito Pie."

It’s National Soup Month – Start Slurping!

The MLA team just finished a two-day juice detox and after 48 hours of drinking nothing but cold, tart fruit juice, all I am craving is a hot bowl of soup. Luckily, it happens to be National Soup Month AND, despite the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having, the weather reports for the rest of this week finally point to colder temperatures. I can’t think of a better time to sample our city’s selection of body-warming bowls of goodness. Check out a list of our favorites around town in the latest edition of The Dish. My must-haves are Aria’s creamless celery root and black truffle soup (you will not believe this soup doesn’t have cream in it!) and Spice Market’s spicy chicken and coconut soup (pictured above). Both of these feel totally luxurious and are super satisfying on a cold day.

Wine and Dine Prime Style at Fleming’s

What better way to prepare for a busy work week than enjoying a nice dinner at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar? Luckily, the top-end Perimeter steakhouse offers a three-course Sunday Prime Rib Dinner for only $29.95 per person (before tax and gratuity) until February 5. This three-course meal begins with your choice of The Wedge, Fleming’s house salad or a Caesar salad, followed by the prime rib with au jus main course. The prime rib is served up with creamy horseradish and Dijon sauces and your choice of a side. To top it all off, you can choose a decadent dessert for your final course. The wine connoisseurs at Fleming’s recommend pairing your meal with the Raymond, Napa Valley Sommelier Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009. At $8.75 a glass or $35 a bottle it’s a perfect choice! And of course, you can always choose from the Fleming’s 100 award-winning wine collection to round out your evening meal.   

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: 4501 Olde Perimeter Way in Perimeter Place Village; 770-698-8112.

Smash Your Way Into Winter!

Sizzling hot Smashburgers, chicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and veggie burgers send cold packing, if you catch our drift. If, however, cold calls you to the slopes, Smashburger again comes to the rescue with the Smashburger Winterfest sweepstakes. Enter online through January 27. One grand-prize winner will ski away with a trip for two to Colorado including hotel accommodations, a pair of Icelantic skis and a private tour of the Icelantic factory. Other prizes include Icelantic skis, a snowboard, 686 snowboard jackets, Winter Park lift tickets, Colorado Avalanche tickets and Smashgear. While you’re on the website, enter your preferred Smashburger location -- Alpharetta, Buckhead, Johns Creek, Kennesaw or Sandy Springs -- and receive news on specials and events.

Beef, Lamb and Chicken, Oh My!

Grass-fed beef and lamb and free-range chicken have earned a place for White Oak Pastures on many a regional restaurant menu and home dinner plate. These tender cuts are the culmination of long-term visions for sustainability and active stewardship by White Oak Pastures Owner Will Harris. Consider the big picture, and it's obvious why Harris will be inducted into the Fellowship of Southern Farmers, Artisans, and Chefs at the Southern Foodways Alliance Taste of the South, taking place January 12 - 15, at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn. The event, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Southern Foodways Alliance, is now in its eight year. The Fellowship of Southern Farmers, Artisans, and Chefs fosters camaraderie and mentorship and honors the bounty of the South and the hands that grow, nurture and interpret its harvest. The organization's vision is to provide a forum for farmers, chefs and artisans to break bread and share knowledge while reinforcing the sustaining bridge between field and table. After five generations of Harris family farming, White Oak Pastures has become the largest certified organic farm in Georgia and is one of only two on-farm, USDA-inspected, grass-fed beef plants in the country. The farm is home to the largest solar-powered barn in the Southeast. The solar-thermal system generates energy for the processing plant -- which happens to be the only on-farm poultry processing facility in the states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Both the grass-fed beef and poultry plants are no-waste operations, meaning animal by-products are turned into organic fertilizer or compost for the farm's certified organic pastures.

Even if the Blackberry Farm event is not on your calendar, you can enjoy White Oak Pastures products at home. They are available at Whole Foods Markets and Publix supermarkets.

White Oak Pastures: 22775 Highway 27, Bluffton, GA; 229-641-2081.

[Photo Credit: Angie Mosier]

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

Resolutions are no fun if you can't have a sweet treat here and there -- we'd recommend saving that stolen moment for one of these dark chocolate doughnuts, available from Krispy Kreme in Columbus. 

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @loveandoliveoil

Lindsay and Taylor Landis are a cute couple dealing with humidity in Nashville, Tenn. They run two small businesses by day and cook by night, having discovered cooking together brings them together. And besides, they get bored by leftovers so they're always cooking something new. Lindsay handles the prolific tweets (@loveandoliveoil). Follow her daily adventures. Save theirLove & Olive Oil blog link in your bookmark file for a lot of incredible edibles and even some giveaways.

Learn to roll your own (sushi)

Did you make a resolution to learn something new in 2012? Did you vow to meet new people? You can check them both off your list by attending RA Sushi's first Sake and Sushi Social of the new year on Tuesday, January 10 at 7 p.m. This is a really fun way to get together with old friends or make some new ones. There are experts there to discuss sake-pairing basics and teach you how to roll your own sushi, plus you'll get a four-course sampling of fresh sushi and appetizers paired with fine sake. All for $35 per person or $60 per couple. Check out the photos from December's social on Facebook. Space is limited so give 'em a call 404-267-0114.

RA Sushi: 1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

All Aboard the Health Train: 2012 Healthy Eating Roundup Makes Keeping Resolutions Easy

"Diet" can be a heavy word, and no one wants to hear such a downer in a city with so many fabulous eateries. Healthy eating is more about considering the effects of what you're ingesting -- how your lunch will benefit your body and all of its systems -- including those all-important taste buds. Really, if it's not tasty, why bother anyway?

Guilt-free "Skinnier Cocktails" at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar weigh in at 99 calories per glass and $9.95 each.  They're always on the bar menu to give you more options than diet sodas for a sassy but not sissy low-cal drink. Fresh fruits and juices knock sugary mixers out of the glass. Tickled Pink mixes Belvedere Vodka, Mionetto Prosecco, orange juice and raspberry. Bikinitini is a Florida beach trip in a glass with Grey Goose L'Orange Vodka, lemon juice, orange juice, Monin sugar-free syrup and soda water. The Stoli Bombshell fruits up Stoli Vanil Vodka with fresh raspberries, raspberry preserves and freshly squeezed lime juice. The Russian Prom Queen mixes fresh lime juice, cucumbers and blueberries with Stoli Blueberi Vodka. The Farmer's Daughter starts with Ketel One Vodka and adds strawberries, fresh basil leaves, lemon juice and cranberry juice. And finally, the Stiletto spikes fresh blackberries, lime and ginger with Hendrick's Gin.

Atlanta Smashburger locations dispel the myth that fast-casual dining paves a highway to the hips. Atlantans so love their veggie burgers that black bean veggie burger sales at area Smashburger restaurants nearly double the national Smashburger average!  Smashburger salads fill you up with fresh, crisp greens and toppings, and grilled chicken can be added to up the protein ante. The harvest salad features balsamic tomatoes, raisins, dried cranberries, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and blue cheese topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Create your own healthy grilled chicken sandwich by selecting a multigrain bun and choosing free toppings such as lettuce, tomato, red onion, kosher pickles and jalapeños along with a variety of sauces and mustards. Sweet potato smashfries and veggie frites add even more veggies to your plate.

Executive Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten fills bento boxes with vegetarian selections for Monday night diners at Spice Market, located inside the W Atlanta-Midtown. Even carnivores will find the multi-layered boxes plenty to please at $24 per person. See the vibrant veggie bento box on our blogarchive.

Book a vegetarian-focused table at Woodfire Grill, and the chefs will prepare a five-course chef's tasting vegetarian menu that the entire table will relish. The vegetarian dinner costs $70 per person, and everyone at the table must participate. A tasting included a first course of cucumber and cantaloupe noodles with grapefruit and mint emulsion; a second course of roasted hen of the woods and morel mushrooms, baby radish and turnips with brown butter, lemon zest and herbs; a third tasting course of chilled new potato and wild garlic leek soup; a fourth course of roasted local root vegetables, smoked squash puree and pickled cabbage salad; a main course of creamed escarole and rutabaga, spicy smoked apples, asparagus and Anson Mills farro; and dessert of strawberry shortcake with sour cream pound cake, rhubarb jam and strawberry whip.

Say "hola" to heart-healthy menu items at Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food. Three scrumptious selections have been certified as heart healthy by Medical City Heart. A generous Ensalada Especial heaps plates with mixed field greens, grape tomatoes, jicama, cucumbers, red onions and red cabbage and is served with citrus vinaigrette dressing. Go heartier by adding portobello mushroom or salmon. Increasing your intake of salmon for those healthy omega-3 fatty acids is easy when ordering flavorful mesquite-grilled salmon filet served with sautéed vegetables and fresh pineapple pico de gallo. Vegetable purists will find the grilled vegetable platter fills their wish dish with mesquite-grilled zucchini, yellow squash, portobello mushroom, red potatoes, and red and yellow onions served with roasted red and poblano peppers and a side of fresh pineapple pico de gallo.

At RA Sushi in Midtown, cradle a Skinny Cocktail in your hands and roll each potent sip across your tongue with pleasure. There are only 200 calories in a Lychee-teenie, Skinny Ninja or Thin Ginger ($8 each). 

Help Crown Decatur as the South's Tastiest Town

If you love the deliciousness of Decatur as much as we do, you'll want to show some favoritism. Decatur has been nominated as one of the South's Tastiest Towns in Southern Living magazine and it's time to cast your vote. Our favorite thing about Decatur? No.246 and Chef Drew Belline's Italian-inspired, locally driven menu. If you haven't already tasted Belline's cuisine for yourself, stop by the restaurant (located at 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue) for lunch or dinner and you'll find one more reason to love Decatur. Then cast your vote daily through January 31. Added bonus: voters are entered for a chance to win a $2,500 visit to the tasty town of their choice.

The Skinny on RA Sushi's New Cocktails

Oh, RA Sushi, we love you!  Now we can eat your delicious and healthy sushi AND have a cocktail or two.  The energizing Midtown hub for Asian-fusion specialties is introducing three "Skinny Cocktails" at $8 each with, most importantly, fewer than 200 calories apiece. The Lychee-teenie gives the traditional martini cause to quiver, delivering Voli Vodka with the lightly sweet addition of Asian lychee fruit and Monin agave nectar. The Skinny Ninja sneaks in a stealth punch with Voli Lyte Vodka mixed with fresh flavors of yuzu, pink grapefruit, Monin agave nectar and shiso, a basil-minty Japanese herb. For berry gingery goodness, order the Thin Ginger, which muddles fresh strawberries, citrus and ginger with Voli Lemon Vodka and Monin agave nectar.  Act quickly because these "Skinny Cocktails" are only available January 1 through February 29.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Alma Cocina

Speaking of Alma Cocina, if you haven't visited downtown yet, be sure to add it to your must-do list for 2012. You really have to try these sweet potato empanadas with horchata ice cream, cranberry compote and spiced pepitas. 

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @CheffreyG

He's had a crazy, busy month, but he doesn't care. He's living his culinary dream. Jeffrey Gardner, known on Twitter as CheffreyG, is the sous chef at Alma Cocina in downtown Atlanta's 191 Peachtree Building. 

Gardner tweets (@CheffreyG) that this is the place for modern Mexican and Latin flavors -- and we concur. Between bites, dabble with his Cheffrey Eats Out blog.

Rise Up with "Next Food Network Star" Finalist Justin Balmes at the Falcons Game on New Year's Day

We know you've got New Year's Eve plans, but what about New Year's Day? Start 2012 with a winning combination: Falcons football and "Next Food Network Star" finalist, Chef Justin Balmes. 

Watch the playoff-bound Atlanta Falcons take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. in the Georgia Dome on Sunday. At halftime, skip the usual concession fare and visit Balmes at the local chef stand at 2View Restaurant in the east end zone on the executive concourse (near the suites). He'll be serving up a lamb burger on potato bun with grilled onions, arugla, Manchego and lemon herb and black olive aioli and pulled pork with white cheddar mac and cheese and collard greens with Weiss Tasso ham.

The best part is you can grab a bite and chat up Balmes without missing a second of the action, thanks to the big screens nearby. So rise up and chow down!

I'll Have Black-Eyed Peas For New Year's, Please

It's a given that black-eyed peas will be somewhere on the Southern New Year's Day table. Legend has it that the Southern tradition has ties to the Civil War, when General William Tecumseh Sherman's Union troops carried off or destroyed all food, crops and livestock along their path, leaving only lowly, dried "field peas" behind because they were considered to be animal fodder. Guess they didn't count on Southern ingenuity, and luckily, folks found and cooked the dried peas to survive. The dried peas came to symbolize prosperity because they grew in size when cooked. Owner/Executive Chef Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar loves everything about Southern regional food and takes the black-eyed pea tradition to a much tastier level. His recipe for deep-fried black-eyed peas with candied, crispy lemon makes a delish snack for the midnight hour on New Year's Eve.

Deep-Fried Black-Eyed Peas with Candied, Crispy Lemon

Serves 24 small portions

Ingredients

1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
1 stalk celery (cut in half)
1 carrot (peeled and cut in half)
½ yellow onion (peeled)
1 bay leaf

4 lemons
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. kosher salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp. Italian parsley (finely chopped)
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste


Method

Peas:

Soak the peas overnight in water. Strain the peas, place in appropriate-sized pot and cover with water by two inches. Add the carrot, celery, onion, and bay leaf. Simmer slowly until just cooked. Strain and chill. Discard the carrot, celery, onion and bay leaf.

Lemon:

With a peeler or small knife, peel off the yellow portion of the peel. Trim away any of the white. Slice into thin strips. Using a small pot, place in the water, sugar, salt and lemon strips. Simmer slowly for five minutes. Strain and chill.

Fry:

Set up your fryer at 350 degrees. If using a pot, fill half way with canola oil (or pork fat if you like). Place a candy thermometer into it to monitor the temperature. Start by frying the peas as is for one to two minutes or until crispy then place in a mixing bowl and season to taste with kosher salt. For the lemon, toss the strips in the flour and dust off excess flour. Fry lemon for 20-30 seconds. Add to the bowl of crispy peas with the parsley and toss. Fill small cups for individual servings and stick a tiny spoon into the peas.

Smashburger Comes to Sandy Springs Tomorrow

Smashburger has been spreading the better burger love all over metro Atlanta these past few months and now it is Sandy Springs' turn. Check it out - opening on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 6080 Roswell Road. I'm a big fan of Smashburger's juicy burgers and those yummy thick Häagen-Dazs shakes! Smashburgers all begin with 100 percent fresh, never-frozen Certified Angus Beef smashed on a 400 degree flat grill to sear in flavorful juices. Try the Atlanta Smashburger with peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw and served on an artisan egg bun - it's got quite a kick! And if you want something healthier, they have great chicken and huge salads. Plus wine and beer! See you in Sandy Springs!

Smashburger - Sandy Springs: 6080 Roswell Road; 404-257-1557.

Happy Holidays from Melissa Libby & Associates!

Chicken and the Egg Menu Is Loaded With Dishes And Drinks To Give Comfort and Joy

Put away the tropical beach brochures and browse the menu at Chicken and the Egg in Marietta to plan a cold weather escape route. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus are loaded with one tummy-warming dish after another. Pimento cheese fritters, buttermilk fried oysters, calamari and rock shrimp fish fry or a cup of roasted tomato soup are must-try starters, and black-eyed pea "hummus" is said to bring good luck in the New Year ($4.50-$9). 

Daily lunch blue plates bring a meat and two veggies for $9 and include rib-sticking recipes for meatloaf with tomato gravy, fried chicken breast, chicken and dumplings, beef tips and rice, fried catfish and more -- plus veggie choices of mashed potatoes, green beans, black-eyed peas, baby carrots, braised greens and mac and cheese. The list of hefty sandwiches features the grilled cheese on brioche with tomato soup combo; the Farm House burger with cheddar, a fried egg and bacon; the FGT burger (fried green tomato); the veggie-piled "Plant;" the Georgia shrimp po' boy and a BLT with FGT ($9-$11). 

Dinnertime brings out a colorful beet salad with tart apples and candied walnuts; a pear and pecan salad with arugula, shaved fennel and blue cheese; and a Caesar with grilled Georgia shrimp ($5-$14). Southern supper entrées please with sweet Georgia shrimp and grits, country-fried ribeye, duck breast with roasted root vegetables and Gouda grits, trout, short ribs, portabella stroganoff, spicy bayou pasta and more ($14-$19). Sweet finales include "coffee & donuts" of beignets and café au lait crème brûlée, a peppermint ice cream sandwich, sticky toffee pudding and chocolate buttermilk cake with vanilla ice cream ($5-$6). Brunch has a filling combo of traditional morning dishes such as crab cake Benedict plus steak and eggs, as well as lunch and supper favorites ($4.50 - $14). These are just a few morsels -- more dishes, drinks and $5 "Peeps" menu for little ones 12 and under are on the website.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

This week, we're loving these delicious after dinner drinks featuring Patron XO Café at Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food! A sweet way to finish any meal, for sure. 

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @thepeche

We are in awe. Chris and Karen have three munchkins under age four, and they find time to write, snap pictures and even fix something good for dinner. They do all of that with such love and wry humor that they've turned it into a Twitter account (@thepeche) and blog phenomenon called The Pêche. Have fun with it. They do!  Karen has her own Twitter (@mrsdewinter). Just so you know!

Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away with Fine Food and Wine Cruise!

With the stress of the holidays upon us, we're guessing relaxation and checking out new restaurants haven't been at the top of your to-do list. That's why we recommend you check out the Fine Food and Wine Cruise set to sail away from May 20-28 2012 in partnership with the international gastronomic society Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. The Mediterranean Gala Cruise features a visit to Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix and culinary delights from Oprah's former personal chef Art Smith, executive chef of recently opened Southern Art, which we know you've probably been wanting to try out. Three hundred Chaîne members and their guests can fill an entire Windstar Wind Surf ship for an eight-night, private yacht experience featuring 4,000 incredible bottles of wine and special tasting dinners. You'll fly into Rome for the cruise that docks in Monaco for time trials and the race and makes ports of call with excursions at Portoferraio, Portofino, Cannes and St. Tropez before ending up at Nice, France for home-bound flights. The super-inclusive package includes gourmet meals with wine pairings, additional food and wine tastings, live entertainment, seminars, cocktail parties, water sports, airport transfers and more. With its casual atmosphere, adventures and educational lineup, the cruise is truly an instance of "pampering without pretense". Since only 146 cabins are available, interested cruisers are encouraged to register as soon as possible at www.finefoodandwinecruise.com. Cruise rates start at $3,950 per person. For more information, call 800-218-6031 or email info@foodandwinecruise.com. Cruise on over to check them out on Facebook, too!