Rave On, Food Fans

The Atlanta Food Rave- "Chef Keira Moritz" from The Atlanta Food Rave on Vimeo.

It’s the weekend!  What to do, what to do?

Pacci Ristorante Executive Chef Keira Moritz is one of the five hot chefs keeping things sizzling in the kitchen at The Atlanta Food Rave Experience tonight at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery.  The dinner menu is hush, hush until you arrive. (Vegetarians quell those food fears; there are options for you).  Tickets are $55 per person and include the Rave Review Culinary Extravaganza and Challenge dinner feast, an open bar with a collection of signature alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, plus complimentary valet parking.  Must be 21 or over to attend.  Tickets available for purchase online only and will not be sold at the door.  The event benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank and its mission to fight hunger by educating, empowering and engaging Metro Atlanta and North Georgia communities. 

Morningside is putting on a first of what we hope will become an annual summer tradition -- the Morningside Summer Block Party tomorrow.  The "block" lies behind DBA Barbecue and The Original El Taco at the corner of Virginia and Amsterdam avenues.  Gates open at 12:30 p.m., and the party cranks on with a lineup of four bands until 10 p.m.  Keep up the momentum with your El Taco favorites, ice-cold cocktails and Abita beer. Purchase these yums and others from DBA Barbecue and Mali Thai.  Your kids can frolic from 1 - 6 p.m. in the children's area.  Red and Rover?  They have to stay at home.  Tickets are $5 online in advance (plus $0.99 service fee) or $10 at the door; children 14 and under are free. A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to firehouse station #19 in Virginia Highland.

It’s Follow Friday – Meet our Tweep of the Week @JennHobby

Thanks to all the votes from her fans, Q100 Bert Show radio personality Jenn Hobby made it on "Live! with Regis and Kelly" in the "Women of Radio Co-Host for a Day" contest.  The big day was August 20, and you can still follow the action on her Twitter, website and blog.  

Hobby is loved by Bert Show fans for her "I feel like I know you already" warm heart and ability to reach out.  The FSU grad is also a TV host, aspiring foodie (executive chef of her own kitchen) and a wishful yogi.  Namaste, Jenn!

Art + Food + Drinks = Shaun's Tonight

I've found the perfect way to kick-off your weekend an evening early. Shaun's in Inman Park is featuring Atlanta-based artist and educator Amber Singleton's Back to Basics collection at Shaun's tonight from 7-9 p.m. Come out and enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar while contemplating her contemporary works on paper.

Back to Basics explores the foundational elements of line and color to create movement, rhythm and pattern that reflect a therapeutic and hypnotic sense of flow. She has been teaching fine art for the past six years and has recently exhibited works at the Arts Exchange in Atlanta and the Anderson Art Center in Anderson, S.C.

A Thursday night in Inman Park at Shaun's is all I need for a great summer evening.

Shaun's: 1029 Edgewood Avenue, NE; 404-577-4358.

Check Out Checking In at RA Sushi

You already know to watch the temps this August for RA Sushi’s 100 Degree Hot Mess, but did you know they have an awesome new Foursquare offer?  Forget about those silly badges; we’re talking about a real reward here! 

Basically, you’ll get a FREE order of edamame or a miso soup with your Foursquare check-in.  Hop over to Midtown and just show your phone to your server after checking in to redeem!  1 offer per person, per day only.   

Today is the Day for Dinner at Davio’s!

The doors to Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse in Phipps Plaza finally open today and from the size of the incredible crowd at the grand opening party last night; you’ll want to make your reservation soon! The Atlanta newcomer has connections up north: a 25-year lineage under Owner Steve DiFillippo in Boston plus a location in Philadelphia and at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass. DiFillippo has chosen Executive Chef Bennett Hollberg, formerly of Atlantic Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, to bring on a mouthwatering menu of appetizers, seasonal salads, homemade pastas, pizzas, fine beef, fresh fish, savory sides and lots more classic Italian fare. Signature items include the popular Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls®; lobster ravioli with sweet peas and tomato lobster brodo; grilled porterhouse veal chop with creamy potatoes and vintage port; grilled prime rib with roasted corn-sweet pepper salad and mashed potatoes; braised short ribs; pan-seared scallops; and sides such as quattro formaggi potato puffs and Gorgonzola mashed potatoes. I had my share of those dishes last night and let me say, they did not disappoint! Don’t take my word for it though, head to Buckhead and try them for yourself. Davio's serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. If you want to get a early glimpse of Davio’s Atlanta location, check out the restaurant's Facebook page.

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810.

How’s About Cooking Something Up With Me?

Apparently it’s not just to-die-for dishes and cutting edge cooking tips coming out of The Cook’s Warehouse kitchen these days – true love is on the menu! This past Friday night, cooking assistant Cyrus Bhedwar proposed to Naina Mehta as she taught an Indian cooking class. So sweet! 

The two have been dating for about a year and Cyrus thought that the class would be the perfect place to propose since they’ve had so much fun there together.

About 40 of the couples’ friends slipped in a back door to surprise Naina and celebrate her accepting the proposal! 

Congrats to the newly engaged couple – we wish you much happiness and lots of great times in the kitchen together in the years to come!

Get Your Wine Fix at Spice Market Before it's Going, Going, Gone!

Beginning today, it's out with the old and in with the deals at Spice Market in the W Atlanta Midtown. The restaurant is slashing prices on wines that are no longer on the wine list in order to make room for new fall selections and appropriately dubbing it "Going, Going, Gone." Two different wines will be featured each week and both options will be a steal: one will be a wine that is rarely served by the glass and the other is priced at only $5 per glass. Each wine lasts a week or until that stash in the cellar is depleted. What we like most about this deal is it gives us a chance to try out wines without committing to a whole bottle. Up on deck this week are Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($19/glass, $70/bottle) and Frei Brothers Chardonnay, Sonoma County ($5/glass, $19/bottle). "Going, Going, Gone" offers will be available at Spice Market through the fall.

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

Good Morning Scoutmobbers!

Woohoo!  We here at Atlanta Dish were thrilled to be featured by Scoutmob this morning in their very cool newsletter and we just wanted to say hi to everyone who stopped by as a result!  What a lovely way to start the week out – thanks for popping by to see what Atlanta Dish is all about.

There’s always lots of great culinary news and events here in Atlanta to share, so make sure you’re connected with Atlanta Dish on all fronts!  You can sign up for our weekly newsletter over to your right on our blog here, or you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  See you online!

It's Follow Friday - Meet our Tweep of the Week @FifthGrouper!

Fifth Group Restaurants Director of Marketing Michael Erickson has one thumb on what's going on in his restaurants and the other thumb on his Twitter keys.  How he divides his "restaurant thumb between South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, La Tavola Trattoria, Ecco, The Original El Taco and Bold American Events & Catering -- we don't know, but he does it very well.  Follow Erickson @fifthgrouper and on Facebook!

JCT's Take on National Lemonade Day: Shandy-O, I Need You So

Be sure to squeeze National Lemonade Day into your agenda today! Leave the lemonade stands to the under-21 crowd and shake up a couple of Shandy-O cocktails. JCT. Kitchen & Bar Mixologist Lara Creasy starts with two ounces of lemonade -- after that, it’s all adult-only ingredients.

Thank goodness the recipe fills an adult-sized glass and not one of those little lemonade stand kiddie cups! Of course, you're welcome to cool off with Shandy-O and a full menu of cold beverages at JCT.

Shandy-O

1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
2 oz. Allagash White beer
2 oz. fresh lemonade

Combine all in a tall glass with plenty of ice. Toss briefly in a cocktail shaker to mix and serve with a lemon wedge for garnish.  Delicious!

Pick up fresh fare and recipes at your local market

Here is your chance to see what a local chef likes to cook and pick up from fresh veggies at the market too. A great place to add a recipe into your vault is at a chef demo. This evening at 6:30 p.m. Chef Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill will be doing a demo at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market. Here is your chance to see what a local chef likes to cook and pick up from fresh veggies at the market too. The East Atlanta Village Farmers Market is located at 1231 Glenwood Ave. SE, 30316 at Village Hardware and goes on from 4 to 8 p.m.

If you're still in search of more demos then on Saturday, August 21 you'll find Chef Bennett Hollberg of Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse working in the demo kitchen at the Piedmont Park Green Market from 11 a.m. until noon on the Community Center patio. Come say "hello" and garner some healthy ideas for summertime eating. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until Davio's opens in Phipps Plaza on August 25 to enjoy lunch or dinner by Hollberg.

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

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810.

The Competition Cuts Like a Knife at Protein U

Protein University is officially in session and Brian Sapp of White Oak Pastures is nearing the top of the class!  The plant manager and artisan butcher has entered a video in Protein University’s “Who’s Your Butcher?” contest and it’s been selected as one of the Top 20!  Congrats Brian!

You can show your love of his grass-fed butcher style by heading online to his video and casting your vote.  Online voting will conclude August 21^st and the winner will be announced the next day, so stay tuned for the big winner!

Text Your Way to Spice Market Insider Perks Today

Thank God it's Wednesday! We heart Spice Market and so should you because the W Hotels of Atlanta are offering "TGIW" summer specials that will bring an exciting Spice Market deal directly to your phone if you text "TGIW" to 99699 today. Once you receive your text deal, you have one week to show and redeem it at Spice Market in the W Atlanta Midtown. For more information, visit W Hotels of Atlanta on Facebook. Offers will be updated by 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday mornings. Text messaging and data rates may apply.

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

Dine Out For Safety!

Tomorrow, join your fellow Atlantans in the second annual "Dine out for a Safer Atlanta". Restaurants across the city will be donating 10% of their proceeds to Crime Stoppers Atlanta. Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria and Woodfire Grill are three great choices for a Wednesday night out on the town and it is all for a good cause! Thanks to Crime Stoppers, which began in 2007, more than 149 dangerous criminals are off the streets. Goes to show, crime doesn't pay...but dining out for safety does!

Aria Gives you a Taste of Argentina

Don’t miss your chance to meet Susana Balbo, Argentina’s most-recognized and famous female enologist, at a special Tuesday, August 24 wine dinner at Aria in Buckhead. Balbo’s philosophy, developed during more than 25 years as a domestic and international winemaker consultant and then as an Argentinean winemaker, focuses on sustainable agriculture, precision viticulture, superior skills and wine-crafting passion. The fascinating evening starts at 7 p.m. and unfolds around Balbo’s handcrafted wines, and Aria’s to-dine-for cuisine. Don’t miss out -- make your reservations today by calling 404-233-7673. Read more on Facebook.

Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673

Breakfast of Champions at Pacci with The Scramble Gamble

Photo by Broderick Smylie

Weekend breakfasts are no joke – I take them very seriously after a week of boring toast and oatmeal in my morning rush.  Saturdays and Sundays are the time to splurge and savor the bounty that proper breakfast favorites have to offer! 

Midtown’s Pacci takes breakfast just as seriously as I do, but this August they’re adding a lucky and very fun element to the early morning meal from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the weekend.  The Scramble Gamble is back and allows guests to have a shot at winning their breakfast! 

Just order from the special “Scramble Gamble” menu and after you finish your meal, a Pacci employee will flip a coin and let you call it to determine whether you have to pay for the dish or not…  Yes, we know Mama told you not to “play with your food”, but she never said anything about playing FOR your food, right?

It’s not all gambling and biscuits & gravy though – Pacci is also partnering with the American Egg Board (who Chef Keira serves as a consulting chef for) and The Good Egg Project to donate one egg to local hunger organizations for every petition signed during the month. Eggs-cellent!

It's Follow Friday - Meet Our Tweep of the Week @GenaKnox

With one cookbook under her apron and another on the way this fall ("Gourmet Made Simple" and "Southern My Way," respectively), Gena Knox has plenty to tweet and blog about. When she's not writing, tweeting and blogging, Knox keeps the fires burning with her husband and their grill-mastering Fire & Flavor business. Follow her on Twitter and read her blog to keep up with Southern people and flavors past, present and upcoming, as well as plenty of simple, fresh recipes.

Get a sneak peek of Davio's at Cocktails in the Garden

You know what they say, the early bird gets the worm. Well, in this case, cocktail! Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse will be coming to Phipps Plaza in late August, but before it does, it will be featured in Cocktails in the Garden tonight, August 12. Chef Bennett Hollberg will be serving up some of Davio’s flavorful fruits and following this month’s theme, “Tropicals and Tipsy Teas.” The event begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 10 p.m., leaving guests plenty of time to mingle, sip on a tea-inspired drink from the cash bar and nibble on complimentary Northern Italian treats in the Edible Garden.

The cost is $15 or free if you are a Garden member. Guest passes are also accepted.

It's SweetWater Time!

We all know South City Kitchen does Southern food right and now they are offering up perfect pairings with Southern brew too! Join South City Kitchen Vinings for an evening of not-so-traditional Southern fare and brews from Atlanta's own SweetWater Brewing Company on Thursday, August 19. There's a unique beer for each of the four courses, from hors d'oeuvre to dessert at the 6:30-10 p.m. prix fixe dinner.

Check out South City Kitchen's website for the full menu, but I can already tell you I am dying to try the entrée of BBQ-braised beef brisket with smashed lady peas and fried coleslaw. Fried coleslaw?! How can you go wrong?

Dinner is $50 per person (including tax and gratuity) and reservations are a must so call 770-435-0700.

Get a Jump Start on Holiday Planning with Aqua blue’s “Christmas in August” Sale

You know the holidays will sneak up on you this year, just like they always do, and you’ll be left wondering how you’re going to find time to plan a holiday party AND finish your Christmas shopping. This year, Aqua blue is helping guests beat the rush by offering discounts on holiday lunches, dinners and cocktail parties for those who book by September 17. The early birds will receive complimentary hors d'oeuvre or desserts for each guest and no room rental fee, which equals savings of up to $1,300 based on 100 guests! To nab these special benefits, guests must book a party of 15+ guests for a Sunday- Thursday in November or December of this year and put down a 20 percent deposit by September 17, 2010. To book or for more information, email Lauren DeAlto at Aqua blue or call her at 770-643-8886.

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