It's Time to Toast Summer at Aqua blue

Celebrate the first real weekend of summer at Aqua blue's Summer Wine Festival starting at 6 p.m. this Friday night, June 26. Come try a selection of 12 new wines from the chic Roswell restaurant's Wine Spectator award-winning list, matched with bite-sized appetizers from their mouthwatering menu. While you're sipping and supping, enjoy the live music of Michael King starting at 7 p.m. and view artwork by Kimberly Ashman and photography by Ella de Amicis. $30 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations are requested; call 770-643-8886. Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886.

Ormsby's Is Where You'll Want to Hang Out

So, I'm not going to tell you how long I've known Warren Bruno. Let's just say I have more than one Aunt Charley's Peachtree Road Race t-shirt in my drawer.

If you don't remember Aunt Charley's, I'm sure you know Atkins Park. Warren is the guy who started both places, as he puts it, "as the kind of bar I wanted to hang out in." Lucky, lucky us that he's at it again. There's not much to tell yet, but Ormsby's is set to open in late September under Room & Board in the White Provision building.

Trust me that if Warren wants to hang out there, then so will you! If you ask him to describe it he'll say, "it's a good place to be." That sounds like my kind of place. No word yet on whether there will be t-shirts ....

The Gods of Chocolate

Pacci provided unofficial mascots for the Chocolate! 2009 fundraiser last night. Chef Keira Mortiz sprayed her bravest servers in real chocolate and put them on display for a crowd of 800+. They served mini s'mores covered in chocolate...one of the many decadent treats I indulged in last night.

Chef Kein of Aqua blue whipped up Kahlua laced chocolate mousse and

Rathbun's baked little chocolate bread puddings and served them in chocolate milk.

The night was as beautiful as the chocolate desserts.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation successfully hosted the ninth annual fundraiser,Keira successfully painted her servers in chocolate, and I successfully ate a completely chocolate supper.

Gotta Keep Hardy at the Top!

Those people over at Murphy-Goode just can't get enough of a good thing. We're gonna cut them some slack since we want our man Hardy to get that job, but darnit, decide already! So, here's the latest. Tomorrow, the most recent voting deadline, they are going to take the top 50 vote getters and, yep, you guessed it, start the voting again! Hardy's been consistently up near the top but if you still haven't voted in this round, please be sure you do. The link is on his blog.

Btw, Hardy and Andres were on their first glass of Murphy-Goode in this photo. Imagine what happened later.

Tailapalooza at Aqua blue

Aqua blue is making it A-OK to arrive for the tail end of dinner this month with their June Lobster Tailabalooza. The Roswell restaurant will offer three special combinations featuring cold water grilled lobster tails throughout the month of June with such reasonable prices that guests will want to jump right in. The three-tail combo ($31) includes three lobster tails with three sauces -- lemon and garlic butter, mango and pineapple salsa and beer BBQ sauce. The two-tail combo ($23) comes with lemon and garlic butter and mango and pineapple salsa. Subtract a tail and add a filet mignon for the tail and turf combo ($28) that comes with lemon and garlic butter. Roasted red potatoes and corn on the cob come with each combination, and tax and gratuity are not included. Don't forget to check out the restaurant's spacious patio for a sunset meal!

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Ditch the Diet at Chocolate! 2009

On a summer diet? Well forget all about it tomorrow night at the 9th Annual Chocolate! 2009 event, benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This is the one event where it's perfectly acceptable to eat as much chocolate as humanly possible! Funds raised at this annual indulgence will go straight to cystic fibrosis research and treatment. More than 1,000 chocoholics are expected to attend the event at Villa Christina, which also features a full dinner buffet, two live bands and a silent auction. Chefs from Aqua blue, Bold American Events & Catering, Kozmo Gastro Pub and Pacci Ristorante, plus other top bakers, chefs, vintners and caterers will whip up a plethora of chocolate delicacies. Tickets for the 6 - 10 p.m. event are $65 in advance and $75 at the door and may be purchased online or by calling 404-325-6973.

Chocolate! 2009 hopes to raise $100,000 net profit for cystic fibrosis research. Since its start in 1955, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has worked to find a cure for the aggressive disease and to improve quality of life for those with CF. As a result, the median survival age for people with CF has doubled from 18 years to the early 30s.

Get Turned On To Fabulous Wines For Less Than $15 A Bottle

Woodfire Grill Wine Director Nick Quiñones has searched the globe for wine values and brought home eight wonderful wines that retail for under $15 each. Bring $10 for a tasting tomorrow Wednesday, June 17 from 6-9 p.m.- it is a value tasting, after all.
Reserve your spot by contacting nick@woodfiregrill.com or calling Woodfire Grill at 404-347-9055. Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055

A Really Goode Toast to Hardy at Aria

We will drink to that! Join us tomorrow night at Aria and toast Hardy Wallace from Dirty South Wine to show support during his application process to get A Really Goode Job with Murphy-Goode Winery. If you haven't already, check out his video and vote to keep Hardy in the top!

Don't Forget About Fifth Group Restaurants' Loyalty Program

Join Fifth Group Restaurants’ Frequent Guest Rewards loyalty program and earn a point for every dollar you spend (including tax and gratuity) at one of their restaurants: Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings or The Original El Taco. Additionally, you’ll earn 250 points every time you dine at three different Fifth Group restaurants in a consecutive 60-day period. Don't forget about the cool complimentary entrée you receive on your birthday and enrollment anniversary ($40 value), as well as invitations to members-only restaurant events. There’s no annual fee. A one-time charge of $15 upon enrollment is completely refunded to you as soon as you dine at one of Fifth Group’s restaurants using one of your registered debit or credit cards. Fifth Group tracks your points so you don’t have to carry around one of those pesky punch cards.

Redeem your points for Fifth Group Restaurants dining cards for restaurant meals; a day as a chef’s apprentice with one-on-one lessons; a custom-created five-course dinner; vintage wines; an exclusive hors d’oeuvre and cocktail party for 20 people; or a private four-course wine dinner for 30 people! Read complete details online.

Fifth Group Restaurants:Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555. La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430. South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358.South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.The Original El Taco: 1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656.

Frozen Lemonade at Panera

For each frozen lemonade purchased at Panera today, $1 is donated to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Not to mention, it's the perfect refreshment for a hot day!

Be sure to stop by a location of Panera not only to pick up a frozen lemonade, but also to try some of the new menu items that are being passed out as free samples!



To find an Atlanta-area Panera near you visit their website.

Eclipse di Luna Gives Parents a Lunch Break

Help Children's Healthcare of Atlanta by Chilling Out with New Frozen Lemonade at Panera

Need to beat the heat and refuel on Thursday, June 11? Pull in to one of Atlanta’s 21 Panera Bread bakery-cafes between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. to cool off with free samples of Panera’s new for summer chopped Cobb salad, their beloved strawberry poppyseed salad and frozen drinks like the low-fat strawberry smoothie, frozen lemonade or frozen mocha. What's even cooler is that on this day, $1 from each frozen lemonade purchased at any Atlanta-area Panera location on will go toward sending Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta pediatric patients to summer camp. And if you haven't heard yet, Panera just earned top spots in Zagat’s fast food survey released on June 8 – including Most Popular large restaurant concept, Best Salads and Best Healthiest Options.

To find a Panera Bread location near you, visit www.panera.com.

Flicks on Fifth in WaterHaven's Courtyard

You know it's summer when Flicks on Fifth starts back. It's the next best thing to the Starlight!

Tomorrow night is the first one and they are showing Quantum of Solace. Grab a friend (or two) and head over to WaterHaven early for the best spot. There are lots of options. You can get a $10 "box lunch" with a sandwich, pasta salad, cookie and drink to take to the courtyard and dine on your favorite blanket picnic-style. Or, you can pay $25 and see the movie on a private screen on WaterHaven's patio. This includes an appetizer, entree, glass of wine or beer, and soft drinks. Oh, and parking is free either way.

The show starts when it gets dark, so about 9 p.m. Happy Summer!

Sushi in the RA

This Friday, I was in a sushi-state-of-mind. I have been craving some delectable sushi and hadn't found a good time to get out. Luckily, I had the chance to attend RA Sushi's friends and family dinner. My fellow diner and I spared no calories in the process and hence checked out a wide variety of items off of the menu. Check out some of my favorite menu items!


The Spinach Gyoza was just the beginning for us, but I loved these spicy pot stickers. The sesame-mustard sauce that accompanied gave the perfect hint of heat.


The Viva Las Vegas Roll was my favorite of the night. As one of RA Sushi's signature menu items it isn't your traditional roll, but it is VERY tasty! Paired with my Sea Monkey martini--there was no disappointment here!

RA Sushi is open to the public today and is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a late night menu available until midnight.

Georgia Organics Night at Pizza Fusion

Join Georgia Organics for a green pizza party TONIGHT! Member and supporter Pizza Fusion is hosting a Georgia Organics night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with 10% of all proceeds supporting the organization. Enjoy organic pizza, beer, giveaways and get information on eating locally.

Pizza Fusion is located in the Astoria at the Aramore building, 2233 Peachtree Road. Free parking is available behind the restaurant.

Live Music Makes Me Happy

Having live music at a restaurant is kinda like having chocolate sauce on your ice cream. Not a necessity, but it sure does make it better. I have really enjoyed some good music this spring, including a recent spur-of-the-moment trip to the 40 Watt Club in Athens. Something about this time of year makes me want to listen, sing and, yes, dance. Here's a quick run-down of some good places to catch some tunes and add a little something extra to your night!

• Salsa, Latin jazz and acoustic guitar rotate through the week -- seven days a week -- at Eclipse di Luna - Miami Circle.


• JCT. Kitchen & Bar takes it to the terrace for live music from 6 – 9 p.m. every Thursday and in the bar on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 8 p.m.


• Marlow’s Tavern makes music all over town with live music everywhere except Midtown.


• At Marlow’s in Alpharetta, John Oswald plays Thursday nights from 8 – 11 p.m.


• In Marlow's Duluth, Andrew Black takes on Friday nights from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m., and Andy Birdsall entertains Saturdays from 9 p.m. until midnight.


• Local acoustic favorites are popular Thursday and Friday nights from 8 – 11 p.m. at Marlow’s Tavern Northlake.


• There’s a full musical agenda at Marlow’s in Vinings: Under the Porch plays Tuesday nights from 8 – 11:30 p.m.; Andy Birdsall and Dave Onorato take over Wednesdays from 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Eric Hinton and Troy Rushing perform Thursdays from 8:30 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Nelson Brownstone plays Fridays from 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.; Jason Fulton and Troy Rushing cover Saturdays from 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.; and Galen Crader finishes the week on Sundays from 8 – 11 p.m.


• Up in Kennesaw, Marlow’s Tavern has live music Fridays and Saturdays from 7 – 11 p.m.

An Evening At Aria

Yesterday evening I joined the American Institute of Food and Wine for their monthly meet up at Aria. The vibe in the lounge was relaxed yet cool and my glass of Schwarzbock, a white wine from Austria, was fabulous. We nibbled on toasted brioche topped with capers and hard boiled egg and bite sized open-face BLTs. Gerry Klaskala also treated us to short rib on focaccia buns and spring rolls with laughing bird shrimp and vegetables. Aria's menu is especially tempting now that they give guests in the bar 20% off their entire food bill. This generous offer is available Monday through Saturday from open until close.

Aria is located at 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Operating hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and valet parking is available. For reservations and additional information, call
404-233-7673 or visit www.aria-atl.com.

Kozmo on the Cover

Kozmo Gastro Pub in Johns Creek has landed the June cover of Alpharetta magazine and they are celebrating! Tomorrow night, the new Alpharetta eatery is throwing a party to mark this exciting occasion and also launch their new Thursday ladies' night! There will be a live band from 7-10 p.m. and a DJ from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Kozmo's contemporary comfort foods, shi-shi Kozmo-politans and other classic cocktails make for a fulfilling girls' night out close to home!

Kozmo Gastro Pub: 11890 Douglas Road, Suite 105; 678-526-6094.

Welcome Your Neighborhood EVOS!

Back in 1994, three guys were driving around Florida in a hot car, craving burgers and fries, but dreading the aftershock those greasy, not-so-healthy burgers and fries would wreak on their systems. A few miles down the road, the idea for EVOS® was born. They still didn't have a place for lunch, but they had an evolutionary idea about low fat, fast food eating that spread like ketchup. Getting right to the low-fat meat of the matter, EVOS will open in The Prado on Roswell Road on Friday, June 5.



Eating at EVOS is healthy for you and for the environment. The guys at EVOS are glad to explain without getting preachy. When you choose burgers, wraps, salads, soups and shakes from the menu, you get 50-70 percent less fat, 100 percent pure taste. Meats are slow-roasted, and Airfries are Airbaked so there are no greasy grills or dirty oils to pollute your veins or municipal drains. Meats are humanely raised, antibiotic and hormone free; Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified ingredients are used wherever possible. Steakburgers are made from prime cuts of beef (not grab-bag cuts), and fresh "fruitshakes" blend organic fruits and juices, organic milk and a complementary multivitamin supplement. Vegetarian and vegan options abound. And, since the founders have kids of their own, the Healthy Kids menu stars tasty, healthy foods instead of cheap, shiny toys.




The Friday, June 5, EVOS will be open daily from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. at 5590 Roswell Road, NE; 404-252-4022.

Wine Tasting at Eclipse di Luna!

Eclipse di Luna at Miami Circle hosts a wine tasting the first Tuesday of each month and you know that means. The tasting for June is tomorrow! From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. the restaurant offers wines tastes with appetizers for only $10. This is such an awesome deal that you should go ahead and mark your calendar for the rest of the year! Located in Buckhead at 764 Miami Circle; 404-846-0449.