Girls Just Want to Have Fun

There was plenty of fun for the girls of MLA at RA Sushi's 80s party last night. Anytime you have mullets, PacMan, snap bracelets, breakdancers AND sake in the same room you know you're at the right place! Still waiting to hear how much money we raised for ClubBlue but I have a good feeling about that. Now if I could just get that AquaNet outta my hair ...

Taste New Menu Items at Panera

It’s lunchtime and local Panera Bread locations are offering samples of their new menu items today. What better reason to hit up your local lunch spot?

sample day!

Caryn and I went and tested the new BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad and Napa Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich. We gave them both two thumbs up. Other new items include the grilled Breakfast Power Sandwich with ham, eggs and cheese on whole grain bread; Fudge Brownies; and Macadamia Nut Blondies.

bbq chopped chicken salad samples

napa almond chicken salad sandwich samples

Also today, when customers purchase a loaf of bread or half dozen or more bagels at participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes, Panera will Share the Dough by donating a portion of the proceeds to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, its local Operation Dough-Nation organization.

Bar-B-Q Lovers Rejoice!

The Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival will be taking over Turner Field's green parking lot from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. this Saturday, September 12. There will be inflatables and rides for the kids as well as live music by the Running Wild Band, Antonia Lawrence, Neal Cooper, Frankie's Blues Mission and the Riki Brooks Band. Professional and backyard barbeque cooks will be competing for cash prizes in their respective categories, and the pro winner will get to sell his or her barbeque at a Braves game in 2010. Braves legend Otis Nixon will be there to chat with fans and sign his new book "The Catch." As a promotion, festival organizers will be giving away free barbeque sauces, rubs and grill accessories to those who have RSVP'd on the event's Facebook page. Admission to the family-friendly festival area is free.

Raise a Toast to Man’s (and Woman’s) Best Friend at Adopt a Golden Wine Tasting

Attention fellow dog lovers: raise your glass and raise funds for Fido (specifically, golden retrievers) at the Adopt a Golden Wine Tasting at the Marietta Wine Market on Saturday, September 12. Make a $10 donation at the door and enjoy wine samples and hors d’oeuvres from 2 – 5 p.m. All proceeds go to Adopt a Golden Atlanta, so you know you’re barking up the right tree by attending this event! For more info, contact juliann@adoptagoldenatlanta.com.

Marietta Wine Market is located at 18 Powder Springs Street, SE in Marietta; 770-919-1574.

Sweets from Scratch

We had the best welcome back present from the holiday weekend brought to the office this morning. Amy from scratch makes delicious baked goods and dropped a few off at MLA for us to taste test.

'scones

And taste test we did. ‘Scones – yum, chocolate chip cookies – delish, "Smacaroons" – genius. Still need to open the "What’s Up Pumpkin?" bread and I’m still not sure what happened to the "Trifection Perfection" brownies. I have a feeling someone read that three kinds of chocolate were included and ran away with them.

pumpkin bread

Check out her website for other desserts and give this local girl a call for ordering!

Come Together

Come Together with fellow Beatles fanatics tonight as Blockbuster in Brookhaven releases the long awaited "The Beatles: Rock Band" at midnight.

Blockbuster will feature Beatles cover band, The Mystery Trip, prior to a special midnight release of the game. While you wait to pick up your copy at midnight you can play along on a pre-release demo with John, Paul, George and Ringo and enter for a chance to win the game software. Fans can also join Rock 100.5 for special games including a Beatles look-a-like contest and Beatles karaoke. Come midnight the game will be available for renting or purchase!

Blockbuster is located at 3944 Peachtree Rd. in Brookhaven. Entertainment begins at 9p.m. for the night and The Mystery Trip will be playing from 9-11p.m.

Chia Pets are Getting Ready for RA Party!

We have long, green sprouts now!

The Chia Pets Are Growing!

With 6 days to go before the 80s party at RA Sushi, I'm starting to think we may have chia success afterall. The sprouts are numerous and some are green! Btw, if you'd like to come to the party, send us a comment and we'll send you an invitation!

Tailgating Time is Finally Here!

For all you football fans, we’ve got some sure bets for tasty tailgate fare that will definitely win points….off the field, at least:

- For a healthier version of football-watching food, EVOS trades grease for fresh ingredients and offers burgers, fries, sandwiches and wraps with half the fat.

- Six locations of Marlow’s Tavern serve as convenient gathering spots with hearty American fare and flat-screen plasma TVs. For pre-game food on the run, Marlow’s also offers a to-go menu.

- For a fumble-free to-go menu, Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead and Downtown offer only the best with tuna tartare, colossal shrimp cocktail, double-cut filet mignon or New York strip steak and Key lime pie.

- Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge have a couple of options, especially for those heading to nearby Bobby Dodd Stadium at Georgia Tech. Football fans can pick up fare on the way to the game or let the Midtown restaurant cater their pigskin parties. Pacci’s tailgating menu veers off the restaurant’s Italian steakhouse tradition to include sporty favorites like wings, ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. AltoRex Rooftop Lounge opens at 10 a.m. on game days to cure football fever with a healthy combo of open air, wide-screen viewing, fun beverages and good eats including Johnsonville brats, Italian sausages and soft pretzels. All Pacci catering orders must be placed at least 24 hours before pick-up time.

- Panera Bread’s Via Panera catering menu has about as many choices and Atlanta-area locations as a team roster has players. Bring home sandwiches, salads, soups, bagels, breakfast and brunch foods.

- The Original El Taco catering team can roll out an array of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, the Grande house salad, appetizers, sides and a salsa bar. Orders include napkins, utensils and plates. Pick up or have your chow delivered ($20 delivery charge). Place your order at least 24 hours in advance by email or calling 404-873-4656.

- Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food knows how to plan a football fiesta with food-to-go, party packs and catering. All menu items can be ordered to go – just call Uncle Julio’s to-go line at 404-974-2991. The staff will load up a party pack with your gridiron favorites, or Uncle Julio’s team can set out the linens, chafing dishes and serving pieces; decorate your buffet; and line up plates, utensils, napkins and food. One glance at the catering menu will get your mojo going.

- WaterHaven, in Midtown’s Technology Square, welcomes Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to touch down for brunch before the game on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.; WaterHaven serves brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. They also offer FREE (validated) parking in the AT&T deck at 5th and West Peachtree streets.

- For prepared foods, Whole Foods Market has what you need including hot pizza, breads, deli items, cheeses, sweets and cold beer… you name it.

Ray's Celebrates 25 With Seafood Recipe Contest

Are you a gourmand with grouper or a whiz with wahoo? Then you need to enter the Ray's on the River seafood recipe contest. The restaurant is celebrating 25 years of riverside dining and is looking for great new recipes using seafood. The winner gets dinner for two and bragging rights! Chef Tom McEachern and Ray himself are the judges. Show your friends what you already know - your recipe is the best! Click here for all the details and the entry form. Good luck!

We Have Sprouts!

Okay, so they are teeny, but still!

Virtual Wine Tasting

You never really need an excuse to buy a bottle of wine...but just in case you do, partake in Wolf Mountain Vineyard's virtual wine tasting! You can share your thoughts on their featured wine that you've enjoyed at the winery or at home by participating in their first Facebook virtual wine tasting.

This month the vineyard is featuring their 2008 Chanteloup that was just released at the end of August. Chanteloup is a medium-bodied dry white wine with a hint of French oak. So sip, taste and whip up your favorite dish that pairs with the wine. Oh, and don't forget to post about it!

The Chia Pets Are Planted!

And now we wait for sprouts ....

Where to Go On Labor Day

It’s good to know that even when most of us will be taking a break on Labor Day, some of Atlanta’s top restaurants will still be servin’ up their delicious dishes for us to enjoy. Check out the list below to see who will be open on Monday, September 7 and give yourself a break from cooking in the kitchen.

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

EVOS: 5590 Roswell Road, NE; 404-252-4022.

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

Marlow's Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.

Panera Bread: Find a Panera Bread location at http://www.panera.com/.

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

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

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

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food: 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. To-go line: 404-974-2991.

WaterHaven: 75 Fifth Street, NW at the corner of Spring Street; 404-214-6740.

Also, Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead will thank emergency personnel working on Labor Day with a free lunch that includes their tasty petite filet mignon sandwiches, mini prime cheeseburgers and red bliss potato salad. Emergency personnel in uniform or bearing ID can drive through the parking lot of Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead from 1-4 p.m. on Labor Day to pick up a complimentary to-go lunch.

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

Top Chef Wednesday

Top Chef is one show that never gets the DVR treatment. It’s a given that everyone in the office will be talking about it the next morning, so I make sure that I watch every second (even the Real Housewives of Atlanta commercials). It’s back to the regular time on Bravo at 10 p.m. every Wednesday so be sure and tune in to see our Atlanta representatives and all the other chef’testants cook it out.



Do you have a place where you and your friends meet up to watch? Leave a comment and let us know. Like to tweet your thoughts, live? Remember to use the hashtag #atltopchef!

The Chia Pets Are Here!

It might be said that I'm easily amused, but this is really exciting - we ordered some Chia Pets for the upcoming 80s party at RA Sushi and they arrived today!

I am now officially CEO (Chiapet Executive Officer) at MLA with primary duties to make these things grow green afros between now and Sept. 10. Mandy is my trusty assistant. She filled the bowl with water and delicately placed our little friends inside. Tomorrow we plant!!

Don't Miss Midtown Restaurant Week

The fourth annual Midtown Restaurant Week is coming up soon! It starts this Saturday, August 29 and ends Sunday, September 6. Don’t miss three-course meals for just $25 at some of Midtown’s top restaurants including Dogwood, Ecco, The Nook, On Piedmont Park, Pacci Ristorante, RA Sushi, South City Kitchen Midtown and WaterHaven. Special pricing does not include alcohol, tax or gratuity. Reservations are easy to make -- click on the restaurant links on the event Web site.

Give Your Pooch a Doggie Dessert From Pacci Ristorante on National Dog Day

Today is National Dog Day, and Pacci Ristorante Executive Chef Keira Moritz is giving new meaning to the phrase “doggie bag.” Moritz, pictured to the left with her own dog named Magnolia, has added “Pacci Pups” canine cookies to the dessert menu at Pacci. These homemade dog biscuits are only $2 for a bag of six and are sure to keep any dog’s tail wagging. While your pup might not be able to join you for dinner at Midtown’s new Italian steakhouse, you can still bring them home a taste of Pacci by picking up a bag of biscuits on your way out.

Pacci Ristorante: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW; 678-412-2402.

Join V103 at Blockbuster in Brookhaven Tonight to "Escape In" and Enter To Win A Roundtrip Ticket on Delta

Blockbuster Video stores have teamed up with the America: I AM exhibit to Escape In this summer. Escape In with movies and games from Blockbuster for the perfect getaway in the comfort of your living room. Join V103 at Blockbuster in Brookhaven at 3944 Peachtree Road tonight for America: I AM movie-related trivia, scavenger hunt and prize wheel to win free movie rentals for a year, newly-released DVDs and concert tickets. Bring a photo of how you "escape in" or "escape away" this summer and you could win a roundtrip ticket on Delta to anywhere in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean or Mexico!

Looking for a Personal Chef?

If you like good food but aren't always the best at cooking it yourself you may have considered a personal chef. That's where Chef Barry comes in. Chef Barry Kraemer is a private chef with catering services of organic and natural cuisine. He can be contracted as a personal chef at your home for a given time period, maybe holidays to impress the in-laws? Or, you can use his services for catering at specials events.

Kraemer specializes in global comfort foods and is committed to using only natural and organic ingredients. He works with clients to meet their dietary restrictions including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian and macrobiotic. Check out his website if you're interested or would like more information.