Former Buckhead Life alum crowned Season 7 'Top Chef'
Congratulations to the Season 7 ‘Top Chef,’ Kevin Sbraga, a Buckhead Life Restaurant Group Alum. The anticipated season finale of Bravo’s Top Chef: DC had Buckhead Life Restaurant Group cheering for their former Chef de Cuisine. Since the season finale was taped in Singapore in late July, Kevin had to keep the big win from his family and friends. When asked, by Entertainment Weekly, about the difficulty of keeping such a juicy secret he said, “It’s very hard. You start to have a regular conversation, you almost bring up something that you’re not supposed to.” Before making his television debut, Kevin was the Chef de Cuisine at Pano’s and Paul’s under Gary Donlick who is now Executive Chef at Bistro Niko. With the hopes of opening his own restaurant in Philadelphia, Buckhead Life wishes Kevin the best of luck and a hearfelt congratulations... Another duo making a TV win are from the Old Fourth Ward’s Highland Bakery’s. Joshua John Russell and assistant Karen Portaleo won the Food Network Challenge recently with their version of a cake based on Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ After the win, they were presented with a $10,000 check and Portaleo will be competing again on another challenge that is set to air on October 31st... Creative Loafing has announced their ‘Best of Atlanta 2010’ list and had this to say about the process: “This year, rather than trot out the same old favorites, we took a different approach. Our food and drink team asked, ‘What about this year made us excited, proud, hungry?’ We also changed our direction when it came to the huge decision of who would win Best Overall Restaurant. In years past, the honor has been bestowed on the restaurant with the highest ratings, the most formal service, and the most refined food. This year, all that was thrown out the window. Instead, we opted for the place we most want to eat. Crazy, huh?” The Loafing picked Holeman & Finch Public House on Peachtree Road in Buckhead as this year’s ‘Best Overall Restaurant.’ The gastro-pub is known for it’s ‘Burger Time’ tradition, when at 9:30 every night only 24 gourmet burgers are made and often sell out in under a minute. The publication’s readers decided Kevin Rathbun Steak on Krog Street in Inman Park should have the honor and chose Woodfire Grill on Cheshire Bridge as runner-up. Antico Pizza Napolentana on Hemphill Avenue in Atlanta received the staff’s vote for two categories, ‘Best New Restaurant’ and ‘Best Pizza,’ while the readers thought Miller Union on Brady Avenue on Atlanta’s Westside deserved the spot and elected Farm Burger on W. Ponce de Leon in Decatur as runner-up.... Men’s Magazine GQ also recognized Holeman & Finch in its October issue ranking them 10th in the nation for ‘Best Places to have a Cocktail.’ To compile the list of top 25, GQ traveled more than 30,000 miles, visited twenty-one cities, 102 bars and drank more than 400 cocktails... The Atlanta Business Chronicle also reported Antico Pizza Napolentana was named ‘Best Pizza in the United States’ for 2010 by the Festa Della Pizza in Naples, Italy. The Chronicle quoted owner Gianvanni Di Palma as saying, “This recognition in Naples for pizza is like winning an Oscar in Hollywood. We are beyond thrilled.”... Since 1969 guide-source Gayot has been telling folks where to visit, stay and eat. It recently released its list of ‘Top 10 First Date Bars in the US’ and Atlanta’s Livingston bar on Peachtree made the cut. Here’s what Gayot had to say: ‘Livingston’s bar area has upholstered seating in small groups, as well as access to a street-side terrace, providing several intimate seating options. A low noise level makes it easy to hold a conversation and seating arrangements are fairly isolated, enabling some conversational privacy. The high-ceilinged Georgian Terrace Hotel bar features a chandelier. The bar menu, besides inventive cocktails, offers small plates, and the respectable wine list has many good choices that go with the food. Daters can segue into the restaurant which features a Contemporary American menu, or Café Mims for more casual fare over coffee and tea. Its location across the street from the Fox Theatre makes it easy to take in a show before or after drinks.’
Celebrating...
Bocado, on Atlanta’s Westside, is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 6th from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Owner Brian Lewis will be throwing the Anniversary party on the porch featuring Svedka, signature complimentary appetizers, a cash bar and small bites previewing the fall menu. Bocado has enjoyed acknowledgements in its first year, including one of the ‘top 10 restaurants of the year’ from Atlanta Magazine, three stars and a mention for Chef Todd Ginsberg as ‘5 Chefs to Watch For’ from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and ‘Best New Chef’ from The Atlantan. Signature items include the Bocado burger, deviled eggs and a ‘BLT’ featuring blackened tuna. Bocado is located at 887 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. For more information, visit www.bocadoatlanta.com or call 404.815.1399... On Saturday, October 16th, Kevin Rathbun’s Krog Bar in Inman Park will celebrate its 5th Birthday with a ‘Pig & Paella Party.’ The celebration begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. Cost is $15 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity. The price includes one glass of wine, paella and pig. Additional wine can be purchased separately. Krog Bar is located at 112 Krog Street in Inman Park. For tickets visit http://krogbar.com... Toulouse on Peachtree in Atlanta is celebrating its 16th anniversary October 1st throught 10th with $16 entrées and $16 bottles of wines. Approximately 60 wines, normally priced at $50 or less, will be available during the 10-day celebration. Having a fall birthday, Toulouse is also focusing on reds from the vine with a ‘Fall Reds’ wine tasting on Sunday, October 3rd. Sample 15 wines and nibble on light appetizers in between. Tasting begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $30 per person. Be sure there’s a seat for you by calling 404-351-9533... Grant Park’s Agave Restaurant is also celebrating this month with 10th Anniversary specials. Beginning Monday, October 4th through Wednesday the 6th, you can enjoy any entree on Agave’s menu for only $10. Reservations are recommended since the expect to be very busy. Call 404.588.0006 or visit www.agaverestaurant.com for more details.
Happenings...
If the extent of your tequila tasting includes a slice of lime and a shake of salt, then you have no idea what you’re missing. Taste the sweetness of agave and the elegant tone of oak barrels as mixologist Mike Cook shows you how to enjoy tequila at Bone Garden Cantina’s tequila tasting Saturday, October 23. The cost of $30 per person is a chance to try six premium tequilas with proper technique and form while also enjoying a selection of food pairings from the menu. Bone Garden serves fresh-from-scratch, authentic Mexican cuisine and is located at The Lumber Yard at 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd., NW, Atlanta. Visit www.bonegardencantina.com or call 404.418.9072 for details... Join ROOM at Twelve, located on W. Peachtree Street, every Friday and Saturday for Prime Rib Night. Enjoy roasted prime rib of beef au jus with horseradish cream, yorkshire pudding and mashed potatoes for $19.95. Add a bottomless glass of featured red or white wine for an additional $10. For reservations, call 404.418.1250... Highland mainstay Murphy’s is joining the effort to support local charities and raise awareness about hunger in Atlanta by partnering with nearby ceramic shop, Wired & Fired, for the 4th Annual Empty Bowl Project. From Friday, October 1st to Sunday, November 14th, Wired & Fired will invite Atlantans to their Virginia Highlands store, to paint an unfinished soup bowl using colors, stamps and stencils. The bowls will be put on display ‘for sale’ in front of Murphy’s at 997 Virginia Avenue on Wednesday, November 17th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All proceeds from the bowl sales will benefit Project Open Hand. Each guest’s chosen bowl will then be filled with a dish from Murphy’s special Empty Bowl menu and at the end of the meal, all bowls will be washed and returned to the guests as a memento. For more information, visit murphysvh.com or call 404.872.0904... Located in the 1010 Midtown building, RA Sushi will be celebrating Halloween on Sunday, October 31st with a night of freakish fun featuring spooky holiday decorations, food and drink specials, a complimentary tarot card reader and a costume contest ($100 gift certificate for winner, $50 for second place). Throughout the evening, rock cover band Mega Collider will be providing musical entertainment. There will be no cover charge for attendees. RA Sushi’s Flying Fish Lounge specials will be available from 8 to 11 p.m. “Potent Potions” include hot sake for $2, Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3, Chang Lager for $4, Uchi Red and White Wine for $5 and Chang Lager with Sake for $6. “Boo Bites” for the evening will include a variety of half-priced sushi and appetizers such as the Viva Las Vegas roll, pork gyoza, lobster spring rolls, grilled short ribs and spicy tuna roll. For more info call 404.267.0114 or visit www.rasushi.com... The first ever Battle of the Burgers Atlanta is taking place on Saturday, October 2nd for the 100% benefit of Embraced (a non-profit organization who collects gently-used orthopaedic equipment and redistributes them to individuals in need). The inaugural burger festival and competition will take place in Virginia-Highland featuring burgers, Sweetwater brews, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly, Whynatte milkshakes, photobooths, live music and fun. Eighteen Atlanta restaurants will battle for bragging rights to “Judges’ Choice Best Burger” and “People’s Choice Best Burger.” Participating restaurants are: American Road House, Atkins Park, Cafe di Sol, Cypress Street Pint & Plate, Diesel, Einsteins, Farm Burger, Grindhouse Killer Burgers, Highland Tap, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub, Manuel’s Tavern, Murphy’s, The Nook, TAP Gastro Pub, Ted’s Montana Grill, The Warren City Club and West Egg. For tickets, visit www.battleoftheburgers.com... Water and wine come together at the fifth annual Aqua Vino, a food and wine event where guests can “Uncork Your Imagination” and explore the wonders of the ocean at the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, October 14. Guests can sample among 200+ wines from around the world and fare from more than 30 of Atlanta’s restaurants, enjoy live music and bid for live and silent auction goodies. The money you spend supports the Georgia Aquarium’s Veterinary Services through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. A VIP Tasting ($225/person) is from 6 - 10 p.m. and includes access to the Grey Goose VIP Lounge and the opportunity to win raffle prizes; the Grand Tasting ($150/person) is from 7 - 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.georgiaaquarium.org... Serpas True Food serves up fashion on Saturday, October 9th with the second annual Fashion Plates event benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The event will start at 11:30 a.m. and run through 1:30 with endless champagne cocktails and a four-course brunch by Chef Scott Serpas. The must-have fall & winter fashions will be featured from Mitzi & Romano, Lila, Vitesse eXchange, Princess and Butch and Drea James Design with a special trunk show by elle g. Tickets are $45 per guest and can be bought by calling The Reynolds Group at 404.888.9348. Serpas True Food is located at 659 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, 404.688.0040. Visit www.serpasrestaurant.com for directions... It’s that time of year again, Taste of Atlanta is a must-eat with more than 80 of the city’s restaurants at your fingertips. Throughout the weekend October 23rd & 24th, guests will taste numerous dishes, sip robust wines and beers, be entertained by chef demos and enjoy interactive sponsor experiences as well as family-friendly entertainment. The Taste will return to the streets of Midtown at Tech Square. Patrons who upgrade to one of the limited Taste of Atlanta VIP Experience tickets will receive exclusive access to one Big VIP Wine, Beer and Cocktail Tasting Tent with new features. There will be live entertainment, educational seminars including the return of Wine vs. Beer, the Barcraft Competition and complimentary tastes from the exclusive restaurant host. And don’t forget, the VIP Experience includes a gift bag filled with coupons and special treats for the first 500 VIP ticket holders that arrive at the festival each day. Taste of Atlanta continues to support the Atlanta non-profit community through partnerships with Share our Strength’s Operation Frontline, the Hospitality Education Foundation of Georgia and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Tickets can be purchased at www.TasteofAtlanta.com.
Traveling with Kevin...
Food enthusiasts hungry for a new travel adventure have the opportunity to experience a taste of Austria. Chef Kevin Gillespie, owner and chef at Woodfire Grill on Cheshire Bridge, and Travel Designer Tammy Zacks of Travel by Design, will explore culinary Vienna, its neighboring wine regions and Budapest from March 24 through March 31, 2011. Travelers will have an array of dining experiences from Michelin-starred establishments to Vienna’s most authentic and traditional restaurants. The trip also includes a hands-on cooking class in the Schoenbrunn Palace, visits to private wineries and a full day in Budapest, Hungary. “I think it is a great opportunity for food and wine enthusiasts to experience an insider’s view of Austria,” says Gillespie. “I have always been impressed with Austrian wines and want to share what I think is one of the world’s most brilliant wine regions. There is so much to see and experience – from the tradition of the Heuriger to the authentic coffee house culture to the traditional culinary artisans.” For more information or to make reservations, call 404.347.9055 or visit www.woodfiregrill.com.
