NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE

November 2011 Issue

TASTES, TRENDS & FLAVORS

Beer, spirits, wine, 3D sports
and backyard Decatur dining

H & F Bottle Shop in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center has announced that it is now licensed to sell beer and spirits in addition to wine.  The shop stocks selections of small-batch spirits and hand-crafted beers and is the latest venture from the creative team that brought Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House and H&F Bread Company to Atlanta. Greg Best, partner and lead bartender at Holeman & Finch Public House is largely credited with reviving Atlanta’s classic cocktail scene and bringing finely crafted drinks back into vogue in the city...  When Dantanna’s opened on Around Lenox Drive in Buckhead in 2003, they were on the cutting edge with HD TVs for all the sports fans in the crowd.  Owner David Clapp went on to upgrade to LEDs (as plasmas were catching on) and has now officially gone 3D with four 65-inch sets in the main bar and another in a private dining room.  View all your favorite teams through free paper 3D glasses and partake in Dantanna’s new ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ menu while watching the action... Ford Fry and chef/partner Drew Belline’s three-month-old No. 246 on E. Ponce de Leon in Decatur has opened its backyard just in time to enjoy the fall weather with a deck built around a tree, guest seating and an herb garden. The Italian-inspired eatery does not accept reservations for outdoor dining, but guests are welcome to make a reservation for the main dining room. For more information, visit www.no246.com... Richard Blais (Flip Burger Boutique, HD 1), recent Top Chef All-Stars winner and executive chef/partner of Atlanta’s soon to open The Spence, will lead a team of 5 first-time marathoners in the November 6th ING New York City Marathon to raise funds for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s fight against childhood obesity. Richard’s team has a combined fundraising goal of more than $50, 000. For more information and to donate, visit crowdrise.com/rblais. For more information on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, visit healthiergeneration.org... Realizing guests with gluten sensitivities, FIGO Pasta has expanded their gluten-free menu with a classic beef meatball named ‘Gluten Free Maria’ - a variation of their popular Nonna Maria meatball. Made with rice flour and rice rather than bread, it also includes a combination of ground beef sirloin, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, parmesan cheese and herbs & spices. Visit FIGO at one of its seven Atlanta-area locations or online at www.figopasta.com.

Cudos...

Inman Park’s Kevin Rathbun’s Steak staffer, Joon Lim, has been named Atlanta’s Best Sommelier in the recent Taste of Atlanta’s first-ever competition.  Joon, who won the event by answering the question, “Name the nine sub regions in Vinho Verde, Portugal,” answered by giving not one, but all nine sub regions.  31-year-old Joon is a Certified Wine Specialist via the Society of Wine Educators and a member of the Guild of Sommeliers... 99% of all olive oil used in the United States is from other countries.  But that may be about to change. Owner Jason Shaw’s Georgia-based Georgia Olive Farms has just had its first commerical harvest (the first on the East Coast since the 1800s). The Shaw Orchard, near Lakeland, Georgia, consists of 96% arbequina olive trees as well as two other varieties: Arbosana and Koroneiki. It is the goal of Georgia Olive Farms to produce high quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the South thereby giving Southern farmers a viable fall cash crop... Chef Michael Bologna, owner of Vingenzo Restaurant in Woodstock, has accepted an invitation by the James Beard Foundation in New York City to participate in a one-time only event at the renowned James Beard House. Bologna will prepare a banquet-style dinner for upwards of 80 guests at a special affair set to take place, Thursday, December 1st, 2011. All the proceeds of this dinner will go directly to the not-for-profit James Beard Foundation... Zagat, the restaurant guidebook publisher, recently unveiled its findings from ‘The Country’s Top Restaurants’ survey.  Among the rankings, the ‘Top Five’ Atlanta eateries were 1. Bacchanalia; 2. Quinones Room; 3. Aria; 4. McKendrick’s; and 5. Bone’s.

Music, brew & food...

Starting on November 6, The Family Dog on N. Highland avenue will kick off Sunday Jazz, a series of free live music evenings featuring local group The Trio with a different guest artist every week, from 7 - 10 p.m. Each evening will include three sets of live jazz music, two sets from The Trio and featured guest artist with a third set from a select local upcoming jazz musician. Admission is free and full food and beverage menus are available. Visit www.facebook.com/familydogatlanta for the full lineup and details.

•Canoe restaurant on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Vinings has launched another Song of the South live music series at the outdoor river bar. The restaurant will feature live local artists every Wednesday evening from 7  to 10 p.m. Guests can relax in comfortable chairs lining the riverside, gather around the River Bar, enjoy a meal or libation and listen to local artists. Chef Carvel Grant Gould’s menu features fresh, seasonal dishes, and of course, the bar will serve a variety of local beers, signature river cocktails and wines by the glass. Additionally, the River Bar is open nightly Wednesday through Saturday, weather permitting.

•The 3rd Annual Woodstock Art & Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday, November 5-6, 2011 will offer something for the whole family.  Held in Woodstock City Park on Main Street, this free admission two-day outdoor festival will feature fine art, interactive children’s activities, entertainment, wine tastings and great food 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.woodstockartandwinefestival.com.

•The 10th annual Decatur Wine Festival is set for Saturday, November 5th from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  Taste over 500 wines from around the globe and sample fare from Decatur eateries along with live music on the community bandstand. For additional info or to buy tickets, visit decaturwinefestival.org

Happenings...

•Through November 7th, Aqua blue restaurant in Roswell is honoring the other white meat with ‘Chop Month’  by featuring a menu dedicated to the versatile cut of pork along with its à la carte sushi menus.  A sampling of the offerings include a St. Louis-style Hoisin rib chop with jicama and apple slaw ($12).  Entrée features include Caribbean spiced pork chop with Maker’s Mark glaze, black currants and pineapple ($26); and an Australian lamb chop with pistachio, horseradish crust, Madeira demi and mint ($30).  All entrées are served with a loaded crispy potato cake, sautéed spinach and jumbo asparagus. Aqua blue is located at 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770.643.8886.

•On Thursday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m., BLT Steak chef Cyrille Holota will host the second Boucherie Dinner in a new series of five course, educational dinners featuring whole animal cookery.  With beef as the focus of November’s menu, Holota will craft dishes such as beef tartare (poached quail egg, pomme gaufrettes, micro watercress) and poached beef tenderloin (beef consomme, turnips, salsify, rutabaga, baby carrots with horseradish cream). The dinner and wine pairing costs $85 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Guests can make a reservation by calling 404.577.7601.

 •Food 101 on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs is launching a new way to add some fun into the busy work week with ‘Wine Down Wednesdays.’ Each Wednesday Food 101 will be featuring new wines along with an array of food that complements them.  Each wine will be available for $7/ 6 oz. glass or $10 for a flight of 3 oz. pours.  Visit their website, www.food101atlanta.com, for more info.

Birthday celebration...

5 North Turns 5 on the 5th.  5 Seasons Brewing on Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta will be celebrating its anniversary on Saturday, November 5th with $3 beers all day long.  Chef Dave will also have $5 dishes commemorating the occasion. Call 770.521.5551 or visit www.5seasonsbrewing.com for details.

Thanksgiving...

•Don’t feel like cookin? Chef Joe Schafer of Parish: Foods & Goods on N. Highland in Inman Park will combine fresh ingredients harvested by local farmers to create a Thanksgiving ‘To Go’ menu.  Place your order by Sunday, November 20 at 5 p.m. and pick up by Wednesday, November 23rd after 12 p.m. (404.681.4434). Check out www.parishatl.com for menu... Milton’s Cuisine on Mayfield Road in Milton is presenting Chef Boyd’s ‘Twist on Thanksgiving Chef Demo’ on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30 p.m. The demo features Boyd’s twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes and includes a glass of wine and a three course meal for $35 per person. Seating is limited. Call for your reservation, 678.431.8753... For the ninth year in a row, 103 West on W. Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead opens its doors to welcome your family for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. The meal, complete with all the trimmings is served family-style to groups of 4 or more.  103 also offers the grande dessert display, prepared by Pastry Chef Joseph, featuring more than eleven desserts and pastries from pumpkin pie to chocolate pecan tarts and creme brulee.  At the conclusion of the meal, the staff refreshes the turkey & trimmings and packages it with leftover ideas to enjoy later. Seatings are available from Noon to 7 p.m. $69 per person for Adults, $35 for Children 12 years & under and Free for 6 years & under.  Tax and gratuity not included. Reservations can be made at www.buckheadrestaurants.com or by calling 404.233.5993... Back by popular demand this year is Rosebud’s legendary Thanksgiving dinner. On Thursday, November 24, Ron ‘the Angry Chef’ Eyester will offer a holiday meal for the whole family at his N. Highland Avenue eatery. Seatings are available between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Cost is $42 per person, plus tax and gratuity; children ages 5 through 12 cost $20 and under the age of 5 are free. A $25 ‘Holiday Orphan’ plate will be offered for solo diners eating at the bar. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 404.347.9747. For those looking to continue the celebration, The Family Dog, across the street, will open at 4 p.m. serving beverages and food until 1 a.m... Meehan’s Public House in Vinings is celebrating all day with a ‘Turkey Tailgate Holiday’ of drink specials and non-traditional Thanksgiving fare.  Call 770.433.1920 or visit 101concepts.com for details.