Thursday, February 2, 2012

TASTES, TRENDS & FLAVORS

Tribute to the Beatles, No Kid
Hungry, Garden & Gun top 50


Chef Ron Eyester is pleased to announce the great honor of his invitation to cook at the world renowned James Beard House on Feb. 16, 2012 in New York City. In true Eyester fashion, the chef and owner of Rosebud and The Family Dog in Atlanta’s Morningside district will create a musically-themed menu celebrating the anniversary of The Beatles’ Feb. 16, 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. A couple of the dishes include Magical Mystery Tour (braised mushroom manicotti, slightly pickled leeks, lamb jus and Midnight Moon cheese) and The Ballad of John & Yoko (buttermilk chocolate cake, pistachio puree and High Road Craft White Chocolate Toffee Crunch ice cream).  Chef Eyester’s evening will consist of four passed hors d’oeuvres and a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings. His passed hors d’oeurves will include: I Am The Walrus (scallion baked egg, milk poached haddock and corn flake crostini),  Eleanor Rigby (Carolina rice fritters with dates and curried honey jar),  Penny Lane (‘Fish & Chips’ gaufrette potatoes, onion crème fraiche and white anchovy), and You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away (spaghetti and Nantucket Cape scallop eggrolls).
Cudos...
Ted’s Montana Grill recently presented Share Our Strength with a gift of nearly $14,000 on behalf of its guests to support efforts to end childhood hunger in America. Last fall during the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry campaign, Ted’s customers could donate $5 to Share Our Strength and receive a $5 gift card for their generosity. Accepting the donation from Ted’s Montana Grill CEO George McKerrow was Sheila Bennett, director of Dine Out for No Kid Hungry. In presenting the gift, McKerrow said, “No child should have to go hungry in this country or any other. Share Our Strength is one of the most powerful forces in combating this issue and we’re honored to support them and help stamp out childhood hunger in America. We encourage every restaurant in America to get on board this important bandwagon.” Visit www.nokidhungry.org today to add your voice to the national movement of people committed to ending childhood hunger in America by 2015.... Garden & Gun magazine recently went on a quest to find the '50 Best Southern Bars' and has added a few Atlanta haunts to the list for their February/March edition: H. Harper Station on Memorial Drive,  Clermont Lounge on Ponce de Leon, Euclid Avenue Yacht Club in Little Five Points, El Bar on Ponce de Leon, Brick Store Pub on E. Court Square in Decatur and Mac McGee on Sycamore Street in Decatur... The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View will celebrate its 35th Anniversary in 2012 with events, promotions and dining specials.  The Sun Dial opened as Atlanta’s only tri-level dining complex in 1977, a year after the opening of The Westin Peachtree Plaza (then called the Peachtree Plaza Hotel), with a revolving upscale restaurant, a rotating cocktail lounge and an observatory View Level featuring a 360-degree panorama of the Atlanta skyline. The year-long 35th Anniversary Celebration will include Facebook photo contests where guests will be able to wax nostalgic about special occasions, engagements, even high school proms. Follow Facebook for all the promotions. To get you in the mood and remind you about (or introduce you to) what else was happening in 1977, a few fun facts: January 20 – Jimmy Carter is sworn in as the 39th President; April 26 – Studio 54 opens in New York City; May 25 – Star Wars debuts at the movies; August 16 – Elvis Presley dies.
Happenings...
The 3rd Annual Buckhead Restaurant Week begins Saturday, February 25 and runs through Sunday, March 4, 2012.  Buckhead Restaurant Week features special three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for $25 or $35 per person at participating restaurants in the Buckhead neighborhood (prices do not include alcohol, tax/gratuity). Visit www.brwatlanta.com for participating restaurants and more details.
•Atlantans can now purchase tickets for the inaugural Atlanta Chef’s Expo, a taste test event set to take place Sunday, February 19, at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. This culinary event will include menu tastings from local chefs, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment and more, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Atlanta. General admission tickets are $25 and VIP are $50.  For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.atlantachefsexpo.com.
•The  Steamhouse Lounge Oysterfest is back for its 25th year and will be held February 25th (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.) & 26th (noon - 6 p.m.). Located at 11th Street & W. Peachtree Street in Midtown, advance tickets (two-day advance $20, Sunday-only $10) are available at www.TicketAlternative.com. Record amounts of fresh roasted oyster buckets ($12), Louisiana seafood, ice cold Budweiser, live music both days and Jagermeister will be served.  A portion of the proceeds will go to Embraced Atlanta. 
•The Annual Mardi Gras Music & Food Fest is set for Saturday, February 18th, 3 p.m. - 2 a.m. (rain or shine, under a heated tent), at Park Tavern in Midtown (500 10th Street, NE).  Enjoy five musical acts; New Orleans favorites of jambalaya, crawfish, muffaletta and beans & rice; hurricane drinks; and a crawfish eating & costume contest at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $10 advance/$15 at the gate, www.xorbia.com/e/mardigrasfest/
The 2nd Annual Beads & Booze Bar Crawl will crawl along on Friday, February 17th (7 p.m. - 2 a.m.) in Virginia Highlands. Come dressed in your best beads and drink like you’re in The Big Easy. Registration begins at Neighbor’s Pub (752 N Highland Avenue) and the event includes six complimentary Mardi Gras-themed drinks/shots and more at six bars (Hand in Hand, Limerick Junction, Dark Horse Tavern, Diesel & Atkins Park). Ticket ($20 advance/$25 at the door) includes admission, hosted drink/shot at each bar, food, drink offerings and a raffle (www.xorbia.com/e/beadsandbooze2/). Schedules of the crawl will be passed out at Registration. Portion of proceeds benefits Small Dog Rescue. 
RA Sushi on Peachtree Street in Midtown is hosting its monthly Sake and Sushi Social on Tuesday, February 7th. Attendees will be able to roll up their sleeves and learn about sushi rolling and sake pairing basics while treating themselves to a selection of RA Sushi’s sushi, appetizers and sakes. The cost to participate is $35 per person or $60 per couple. To book call 404.267.0114.
•Double Zero Napoletana will continue to host its popular pizza making classes one Monday per month through spring. The Sandy Springs restaurant is now offering two separate seatings for each class – one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m.  Class dates from February through May are as follows: Monday, February 27; Monday, March 19; Monday, April 23; and Monday, May 21. Each class is limited to 15 attendees and the cost is $39 per person (5825 Roswell Road, 404.991.3666). For more information, visit www.doublezeroatl.com.

New deals...
Tavern 99 in Buckhead is adding chef Darrell Rice’s $2 sliders to Team Trivia night every Tuesday.  Choose from beef with soy glaze and President brie, tuna with pickled ginger and wasabi and turkey with curry cranberry sauce.  Order with friends and chef Rice will indulge you with 10 sliders for $18. Tavern 99 is located at 128 East Andrews Drive,404.835.8311.  Find them on the web at www.tavern99.com or follow on Facebook.
•Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia-Highland is offering an alternative to the typical wine Wednesday specials by serving up a new 'Pint and Plate' every Wednesday. Starting at 5:30 p.m. guests can enjoy a chef prepared plate with the perfect pint of craft beer. The pairing will change each week and will be offered until it runs out. Pricing will vary depending on the combination. A sample offering may feature an ahi tuna burger with black sesame, scallions, teriyaki-ginger mayo and arugula served with hand-cut fries and paired with Sweetwater IPA for $14. Atkins Park is located at 794 N. Highland Avenue. For more information, 404.876.7249 or visit www.atkinspark.com.
          •Valenza Restaurant will be offering 'Sunday Family Dinners' in Brookhaven beginning Sunday, February 12th from 5 - 9 p.m.  The cost will be $24 for adults, $9 for children. Valenza is located at 1441 Dresden Drive, Chef Matt Swickerath has created a menu for the entire family including pork fettucine, grilled chicken, pan roasted trout or lamb.  Table shares are salad,  creamy mascarpone polenta, crispy pecorino potatoes and sofrito braised tuscan kale. Desserts are the panna cotta or gelato.  For the kids, they can choose from spaghetti & meatballs, chicken fingers with housemade fries, orecchiette with italian butter and parmesan or fettuccine alfredo. 1441 Dresden Drive, Suite 100, Brookhaven, 404.969.3233, www.valenzarestaurant.com 
•JCT. Kitchen & Bar on Atlanta Westside is bringing back the Bar’s popular combination of burgers and brew. The rooftop bar is offering Southern farmstead fare on a bun along with the choice of one of three beers from Utah-based Uinta Brewing for its 'Burger and Beer' special every Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. During this time, guests can get Executive chef/owner Ford Fry’s house ground 'Frito Pie' Burger and the choice of either Wyld Extra Pale Ale, Baba Black Lager or Hopnotch IPA for only $10.  1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18, 404.355.2252 or visit www.jctkitchen.com.
•With new hours and a revamped menu, Sun In My Belly, in historic Kirkwood has been delivering European inspired fare since 1996. Housed in a classic 1943 red brick hardware store, the eatery is now offering dinner service Tuesday through Sunday 6 to 10 p.m. In addition to the brand new full dinner menu, diners can enjoy their favorite breakfast and lunch items all day and night. Chef Alison Lueker will also continue to serve her popular weekly Supper Club specials that can be purchased a la carte or as a four-course package for $35. The cafe does not sell alcoholic beverages, however guests are welcome to bring their favorite wine or champagne for a $5 corkage fee.  A sample menu might include a first course of cauliflower flan with smoked trout and pumpernickel crouton; Second course of gingered carrot soup; an entree of roasted beef tenderloin with bleu cheese butter, braised bacon laden brussel sprouts and golden mashed potatoes; and a dessert such as a green apple fritter with spicy granola struesel topping and brown sugar cream. 2161 College Avenue, Kirkwood (Decatur), 404.370.1088, www.suninmybelly.com.
•Spice Market restaurant at the W Atlanta-Midtown hotel is offering guests a fortunate finale to their meal. With the purchase of an entrée during lunch or dinner through Wednesday, February 29, diners will receive a fortune cookie that holds one of many special discounts that can be used at the restaurant or the W Atlanta-Midtown hotel.  Guests can even win a free night at the W Atlanta-Midtown (these offers will only be valid on a return visit). Located in the W Atlanta-Midtown at 188 14th Street, for more information, call 404.724.2550 or visit www.spicemarketatlanta.com.

Trend of the month...
Established in January ‘11, the Atlanta-based Uncorked Glass Company handcrafts eco-friendly glassware from recycled wine bottles donated by local restaurants, wineries and consumers throughout Georgia. Founder/curator Daniel Hart creates each piece from 100% post-consumer materials. All of the tumblers go through a polishing process that ‘rounds’ the lip, leaving the finish smooth and brilliant. The ‘dimple’ or ‘punt’ in the bottom of the wine bottle gives each glass its unique character. Additional info can be found by visiting www.uncorkedglasss.com. Hart was recently lauded in Garden & Gun as a recipient of a ‘Made in the South’ award in the Dec. ‘11/Jan. ‘12 issue. www.uncorkedglass.com