Tongues started wagging in favor of Pacci Ristorante as soon as the Italian steakhouse opened in Midtown last May . . . and they continued to do so when Esquire magazine named Pacci among its "Best New Restaurants of 2009."  As Pacci celebrates its first anniversary this month by partnering with the 127-year-old Atlanta Humane Society (AHS), you can bet tails are joining tongues in gleeful wagging.  Throughout May, Pacci will donate $1 to AHS for each signature carpaccio or new spring cocktail ordered.  "We've had a very successful first year in business and want to take this opportunity to thank the Atlanta community for supporting us by giving something back," says Pacci Ristorante's General Manager Marc Taft.  "Many of Pacci's employees and guests are animal lovers -- Pacci Executive Chef Keira Moritz has a border collie herself -- and hold the AHS close to their hearts."  Guests are invited to bring useful gifts the likes of newspapers, blankets, cat litter or something else on the AHS Wish List.  For those looking to bring even more puppy love into their lives, Atlanta Humane Society has even named an adorable, adoptable Schnauzer mix in honor of Pacci!

Pacci

Anniversary specials benefiting the AHS include Kobe beef carpaccio with tapenade, rucola and Parmesan ($12) and tuna carpaccio with caponata, rucola and Parmesan ($11).  On the spring cocktail menu, try these $11 cool ones:  El Diablo -- Cuervo Traditional Reposado Tequila, crème de cassis, fresh lime, agave and ginger beer; Cherry Apple Sour --Bulleit Bourbon with black cherry jam, unfiltered apple and fresh lemon juices shaken; Grapefruit Spritz -- Grey Goose Orange Vodka, Campari, fresh grapefruit juice and soda; Group Effort -- Grey Goose Pear Vodka, Aperol, apple juice, agave nectar and fresh lime; and Annie O -- Grey Goose Orange Vodka, Citronage, Pernod with fresh lime and orange bitters.  While you can't bring your pooch to Pacci, you can share the love by bringing home Chef Moritz's gourmet Pacci Pups dog biscuits ($2). 

Pacci Ristorante: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Hotel Palomar; 678-412-2402.

TO MARKET, TO MARKET TO SEE A CHEF'S GIG:  ARIA'S GERRY KLASKALA AT PIEDMONT PARK AND AQUA BLUE CHEFS AT RIVERSIDE FARMERS MARKET ON MAY 15

To get any closer to the source, they'd have to cook in a field!   See what Atlanta chefs are cooking up at local farmers markets this Saturday, May 15.  At the Piedmont Park Green Market, Gerry Klaskala of Aria will whip up dishes using seasonal produce with his usual wit and culinary flair.  Look for him at the demo kitchen under the patio at the Community Center 11 a.m. until noon.  Shoppers, the market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday mornings through December 11 at the 12^th Street entrance gate.  (Aria:  490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673)

Meanwhile, across the Chattahoochee River at the Riverside Farmers Market, Aqua blue chefs will stir up some mealtime excitement at the cooking demo booth.  Riverside Market originally graced the banks of the Chattahoochee at Riverside Park, but it's moved on to bigger pastures -- the more plentiful space, parking and longer season afforded by the market's new location at Roswell City Hall.  Georgia-grown produce and goods abound, for instance, vegetables, herbs, plants, cut flowers, organic meats, cheeses, soaps, honey and even compost.  Music and special events keep things lively.  Open Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon from May 15 through October 30, rain or shine!  Riverside Farmers Market:  38 Hill Street; 404-613-7670.  (Aqua blue:  1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886)

 

 
Speaking of wine, the bistro's monthly wine tasting on Sunday, May 16 focuses on reserve wines.  Bearing "Reserve" on the label doesn't necessarily relegate that wine to special-occasion-only status.  Learn the lingo and appreciate the nuances of 15 reserve wines interspersed with light appetizers at the 6:30 p.m. tasting.  $40 per person.  Reservations are encouraged; call 404-351-9533 to save a spot. 

 
Toulouse: 2293 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite B; 404-351-9533.

 

Edamame, Tootsy maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, tuna tataki and chicken yakitori, plus FIJI Water, Red Bull and sugar-fee Red Bull and The Republic of Tea are all among the menu items that will benefit children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz. during Nicky's Week, May 30 - June 5 at RA Sushi.  It's not your typical children's menu, and it's not your usual hospital -- St. Jude is one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.  Nicky's Week was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas "Nicky" Mailliard, of Scottsdale, Ariz., who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005 at the young age of 13.  The nephew of one of RA Sushi's founders, young Nicky won the hearts of RA Sushi associates as he struggled with cancer.  RA Sushi initiated the annual fundraiser in his honor to help St. Jude, where no child is ever turned away due to a family's inability to pay for medical treatments.  Back to the Nicky's Week menu -- all 25 RA Sushi locations nationwide will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from their Nicky's Week menu items to St. Jude.  In 2009, the restaurant company raised nearly $500,000, and they hope to up that by $125,000 this year!

RA Sushi:  1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

 

 
Ray's in the City is open for lunch and dinner and is located at 240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

 

Some like it hot, some like it crazy hot, and some even know to ask for Uncle Julio's secret salsa, brought to the table by request only.  What the heck, go all out and dunk your chips in all three, one at a time.  Plan ahead and order a classic frozen margarita, signature "Swirl" margarita with sangria or a specialty margarita to take the heat and refresh your palate.  Chip and sip in the cool A/C or bask in the sun or under the stars on the patio at both the original Buckhead location or on the northside in Sandy Springs. 

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food:  In Buckhead at 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767.  To-go line:  404-974-2991.  In Sandy Springs at 1140 Hammond Drive, NE, Building K, Suite 100; 678-736-8260. To-go line: 404-974-2991.

 

Last week we gave you the long version, this week here's the Tweet on A Taste of the Highlands, May 15 from 2-5 p.m. at John Howell Park in Virginia Highland.  InTown Friends and Fifth Group Restaurants present the 8th Annual Taste of the Highlands, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, featuring exclusive beer sponsor Terrapin Beer Co.  Come try dishes from Atkin's Park, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen, The Original El Taco and at least 20 other Atlanta restaurants. 

Sample tweet:  Thanks 2 everyone who participated in @jakesicecream new flavor contest! Winners announced 5/15 @ Taste of the Highlands!