Friday, April 2, 2010

It’s Follow Friday: Meet our Tweep of the Week @atl365


Sometimes the internet is so aflurry with fun things to do, eat and see in our fair city that it can be overwhelming. So much going on that it can make a girl dizzy! Thank goodness we have tweeps on Twitter to tell us about the best of the best. @atl365 is one of those fine folks who help us decide where we should direct ourselves for maximum fun in Atlanta. Get to following!

Bonus trivia: @atl365 is part of the awesome group who are now bringing our previous Tweep of the Week @EatUpATL to Atlanta food and social media lovers. Can’t wait to hear what their follow-up event to their inaugural bash at Lunacy Black Market will be!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Don't Forget Your Easter Brunch Reservations


Alrighty, my procrastinating peeps, you really should hop to and make those Easter eating plans today. Otherwise, the Easter Beagle may skip your house. And we wouldn't want that! Just in case you need an idea, here are a few from us. Enjoy!


In Roswell, Aqua blue will serve a bountiful Easter brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. A few of the delicious items on the spread are carved leg of lamb, blackened fish with lobster sauce, roasted turkey with giblet gravy, fresh sushi and made-to-order omelets. $29.95 adults, $9.95 children ages four to 12 and free for children under age four. Imbibe in bottomless mimosas for just $15. (1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886)


The staff at La Tavola Trattoria, in the heart of Virginia Highland, will rise and shine an hour earlier than usual, opening doors for Easter brunch from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Salads, bruschetta, a meat and cheese antipasti platter, chicken sausage, smoked salmon crostini and ricotta and lemon ravioli balance sweeter tastes such as challah French toast. (992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430)


The hunt for food and frolicking ends in Midtown at Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge. Executive Chef Keira Moritz has a full buffet spread with deviled eggs, crab fondue, cheese grits, pesto squash casserole, pastries and much, much more from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. $22 for adults, $12 for kids ages six to 12 and free for children under the age of six. Upstairs, AltoRex Rooftop Lounge will host a family egg hunt from 5 - 7 p.m. followed by an adults-only version from 9 - 11 p.m. Gift certificates, AltoRex cocktail party packages, drink tickets and appetizer tickets fill "adult" eggs. (866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Hotel Palomar; 678-412-2402)


Enjoy a traditional Southern Easter menu at both South City Kitchen locations. Chocolate muffins, fried green tomatoes and sautéed chicken livers make way for a hearty country frittata, peach "French toast" pudding, Southern-style eggs Benedict and crab hash as well as buttermilk fried chicken and pan-fried mountain trout. South City Kitchen Vinings will serve the Easter menu from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700); South City Kitchen Midtown will serve the special brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358)


On Atlanta's north side, Ray's Restaurants will have two locations open on Easter. From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Ray's on the River will offer a holiday brunch; $35 for adults and $17 for children 10 and under (6700 Powers Ferry Road, NW; 770-955-1187). Ray's Killer Creek will serve a special Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $30 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under. (1700 Mansell Road; 770-649-0064)


Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food spices up the Easter weekend menu with border-style breakfast tacos, brunch quesadillas, classic huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, and a kids menu featuring egg tacos and quesadillas served with fruit cups. Adults, add a little kick to your hop with a Bloody Mary, Salty Juanita, Chispas and Gran Mimosa. Brunch and regular menus available during weekend brunch, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Buckhead: 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. Sandy Springs: 1140 Hammond Drive, NE, Building K, Suite 100; 678-736-8260.)


A picture-perfect Easter Sunday is yours when the family brunches at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery near Dahlonega. Seafood gumbo, seared scarlet snapper, Southern fried chicken, maple-glazed ham and leg of lamb with mint Dijon sauce are a few of the delicious offerings. Seatings are at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; $30 for adults, $15 for kids ages six to 12 and free for kids five and under (plus tax and gratuity). (180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega. Meal reservations are a must: 706-867-9862.)

Look to LW Chocolatier for the sweetest Easter gifts -- luxurious chocolates hand decorated by master chocolatiers. Lucky for us, the first U.S. location is easy to find in the heart of Buckhead so you can find high-quality chocolate bunnies, chicks and eggs filled with dulce de leche, strawberry, lemon, orange and other fillings ($4 to $50). Open Monday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (One Buckhead Plaza at 3060 Peachtree Road, NW, Suite 40; 404-467-8503)


Shaun's will be featuring a traditional brunch buffet this Sunday. Items include homemade pork sausages, organic eggs, delicious sublime doughnuts, cedar planked salmon and an amazing selection of southern layer cakes. And if you are their Facebook friend, you get a round of mimosas for your table! Reservations available from 11-2, $40 for adults, $10 for kids 10 and under. Ask for Courtney to get the drinks!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Put Away Your Peeps!

Although I'm usually devoted to Cadbury Mini Eggs this time of year, we've found something way more exciting to fill our Easter baskets - and tummies - with this year: chocolate from LW Chocolatier. Their rich chocolates are made from carefully selected ingredients and are hand-crafted and hand-decorated in the European tradition, which makes them way cuter than your average marshmallow bunny. LW is currently offering elegant bunnies, chicks and eggs filled with dulce de leche, strawberry, lemon, orange and other fillings that range in price from $4 to $50 and will take your Easter basket to the next level. The store is open Monday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.

LW Chocolatier: One Buckhead Plaza, 3060 Peachtree Road, NW, Suite 40; 404-467-8503.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I'll Toast to Discounted Ticket Prices

Wine Enthusiast's Toast of the Town 2010 returns to the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, April 8. If you don't know about Toast of the Town then let me give you the quick skinny on it. There will be 500 different wines and spirits and culinary specialties from more than 30 top local restaurants including Pacci Ristorante, Saskatoon, Spice Market and Toulouse.

For our Dish readers though, you can toast to $10 off Grand Tasting tickets and a $20 discount off VIP Tasting tickets. VIP ticket purchasers may attend the 5 - 7 p.m. VIP Tasting and the Grand Tasting ($159 each before discount). Tickets may also be purchased for the 7 - 10 p.m. Grand Tasting ($79 each before discount). Purchase tickets by April 7 at www.wineenthusiast.com/toast and use the promotional code PATL10 during checkout. Saving money has never been so intoxicatingly delicious!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Learn About Going Green at the 2010 Visionary Dinner Gala

If you’re green-minded, the 2010 Visionary Dinner Gala on Wednesday, March 31 at the Georgia Aquarium is for you! Plant funds and grow awareness for green job training, affordable housing, clean energy and high-performance building practices at the 5 – 10 p.m. event. We know of three green-conscious chefs heating up the evening: Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Sous Chef E.J Hodgkinson from Woodfire Grill and Mary Moore of The Cook’s Warehouse. These three will join other star chefs to prepare a five-course feast featuring fresh, local items and ingredients from Whole Foods Market. Network, learn about profitable new ideas for greening the world, and listen to inspiring Jigar Shah of the Carbon War Room. Leave filled with good food, wine and visions of improving our world for future generations.