PINING FOR CHRISTMAS
IN AUGUST? BOOK A HOLIDAY EVENT AT AQUA BLUE THIS
MONTH AND SAVE!  Technically, you have until September 17 to book your Aqua blue holiday lunch, dinner or cocktail
party and save during the Roswell restaurant's "Christmas in August" sale. Why wait and miss the date you want, or heaven
forbid, forget to book at all? That
would be a nightmare before Christmas or New Year's. Do it now and enjoy these money saving
gifts: complimentary hors d'oeuvre or
desserts for each guest and no room rental fee. That adds up to savings of up to $1,300 based on 100 guests! To nab these benefits, book a party of 15 or
more guests over a Sunday -Thursday in November or December and put down a 20
percent deposit by September 17, 2010. Email Lauren DeAlto at
Aqua blue or call her at 770-643-8886.
Aqua
Blue: 1564 Holcomb
Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886. |
START YOUR WEEKEND
MONEY SIDE UP PLAYING "THE SCRAMBLE GAMBLE" AT PACCI RISTORANTE
 Weekend
breakfast and brunch partakers at Pacci
Ristorante will flip over "The
Scramble Gamble" -- a game that can only be played at the Midtown restaurant from
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in August. Guests who want to play must order from the
special "Scramble Gamble" menu. After
the guest finishes his or her meal, a Pacci employee will flip a coin. The guest calls it to determine whether he or
she must pay the bill or if their "Scramble Gamble" menu items are on the
house. And why eggs-actly is Italian
steakhouse Pacci offering the morning gamble?
Besides wanting guests to crack up over a little money-side-up fun,
Pacci Chef Keira Moritz serves as a consulting chef for the American Egg Board (AEB). Pacci is partnering with AEB and The Good Egg Project to donate one
egg to local hunger organizations for every petition signed during "The
Scramble Gamble." FYI, even though you
can only play "The Scramble Gamble" during weekend breakfast and brunch, note
that Pacci also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily!
Pacci Ristorante: 866 West Peachtree
Street, NW, adjacent to the Hotel Palomar; 678-412-2402.
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ATLANTA'S
HOT WEATHER GETS YOU A HOT DEAL AT RA SUSHI
 With
temperatures expected to rise for several more weeks, RA Sushi is offering a scorching deal for
Atlantans brave enough to battle the summer heat. Anytime temperatures
reach 100 degrees according to local CBS affiliate WGCL-TV, one of RA Sushi's newest menu
items, Hot Mess, will be available for $1 that day only. A fiery
concoction, the signature dish features crispy rice balls topped with spicy
king crab mix, baked and finished with jalapeño and cilantro. The Hot
Mess is normally priced at $14, and this offer will only be available
throughout the month of August at RA Sushi in Atlanta. The CBS Atlanta
Weather Team includes Meteorologists Dagmar Midcap, Jennifer Valdez, Cris
Martinez, Justin Lock and Rodney Harris. For weather reports, Atlantans can
check www.cbsatlanta.com, CBS Atlanta's Facebook page or
the station's television broadcasts.
RA Sushi: 1080 Peachtree Street at 1010
Midtown; 404-267-0114. |
SHARE SOME SUDS WITH
YOUR BUDS AT ORMSBY'S ON INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY, AUGUST 5  Thursday, August 5 is not "national" beer day, it's "International" Beer
Day. Honoring the heady hops has gone
global! Locally, Ormsby's is the place to tap into the
liquid amber and gold beverages. Find
your favorite or live on the edge and order up one you and your friends haven't
tried before. The tavern's knowledgeable
staff can help you determine which beer to try next from the bar's 18 kinds of
draft beer on tap and more than 35 different types of bottled beer including
local hero SweetWater. Here's some
namedropping to provoke your thirst: 3
Philosophers, Sam Smith's Taddy Porter, Rogue Nut Brown Nectar, Brooklyn
Chocolate Stout, Smutty Nose "Finest Kind," Hebrew LIPA, Terrapin Wake 'n' Bake
and Allagash White. The list goes on and
on...That's okay. You can always come back
to finish the job another day!
Ormsby's: 1170
Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-968-2033. |
BLANE BACHELOR BOOK
SIGNING COULD BE THE PLACE TO MEET YOUR NEXT DATE Whether
you're male or female, there's a new book out by Atlanta's own Blane Bachelor,
and it covers all of the singledom bases. "On Being a Bachelor: Thoughts on Dating, Mating and Relating" is fresh
off the presses (Virgil Press, Inc.) and ready to buy. The syndicated advice columnist's "Ask a
Bachelor" column runs weekly in The
Sunday Paper and in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's online
magazine and ink edition. Conveniently, you can preorder or purchase copies and get Blane to sign them at her book launch party Thursday,
August 5 from 7 - 10 p.m. at the Buckhead
Bottle Bar. RSVP to rsvp@askabachelor.com. Space is limited! |
NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW
YOU DON'T AT ECCO'S SLEIGHT OF HAND CELLARS WINE TASTING AND DINNER
 Disappearing
wine is a true sign that everyone is enjoying themselves to the fullest at a Sleight of Hand Cellars wine
tasting. See and sip the magic of
Sleight of Hand Cellars wines for yourself when Fifth Group Restaurant Ecco features the garagiste wines of this
small Walla Walla, Wash. winery at a unique wine tasting and intimate dinner on
Thursday, August 12. The winery was
recently named by Seattle magazine as
one of the "Next Cult Wineries of Washington State." A casual wine tasting reception starts the
evening at 6 p.m. followed by a family style dinner created by Ecco Executive
Chef Micah Willix at 7:30 p.m. Sleight
of Hand Owner, Winemaker and Atlanta native Trey Busch will be there with a
selection of white and red wines from his winery, including "The Magician," Gewürztraminer;
"Spellbinder," red blend; "Archimage," Right Bank Bordeaux blend; "Illusionist,"
red blend and "Levitation," Syrah. $25
per person for the wine tasting; $30 per person for the limited-seating
dinner. Prices do not include tax or
gratuity. Get ready for a magical
evening filled with surprises, because in a world where wine is magical,
nothing is as it seems. Call 404-347-9555
to make your reservations.
Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE;
404-347-9555.
|
OUI, OUI!
FRENCH WINES FOR ALL AT TOULOUSE AUGUST WINE TASTING!
 At least 15 French wines will be up for tasting at Toulouse during this month's wine
tasting -- giving you a good feel for why the French have a little wine with
dinner each day. No "Parlez-vous français?" Have no fear. The Toulouse Wine Guy will guide you through
labels and print as well as taste nuances. The Sunday, August 15 wine event begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes light
appetizers. Reserve your glass by
calling 404-351-9533.
Toulouse: 2293
Peachtree Road, NE; 404-351-9533.
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ANY WAY YOU SLICE IT, AUGUST IS THE MONTH
FOR SANDWICHES
Whoever designated August as National Sandwich Month is a real breadwinner in
our books. With so many yummy sandwich
options at Atlanta restaurants, there'll be no loafing around!
For
an awesome handful in Roswell, go for the grilled chicken club at Aqua blue. Joining grilled chicken between the bread are
applewood smoked bacon, tomato, butter lettuce and honey mustard.
 The
hearty American tavern fare at area Marlow's
Tavern locations is exemplified by the prime rib French dip boasting thinly
shaved roasted prime rib, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions and mayonnaise on a
soft Cuban roll.
Atkins
Park toys with spicy yet
cool Texas fried chicken and wing sauce topped with lettuce, tomato and blue
cheese dressing.
We're crazy about
the classic pressed Cuban and all of its relatives with mojo on the sandwich
menu at the Crazy Cuban on 14th Street in Midtown. Enough said.
With the kids heading back to school, adults can
indulge in the "Grown-up" grilled cheese at JCT.
Kitchen & Bar: assorted cheeses and
roasted tomato on buttered semolina toast, accompanied by a lycopene-laden cup
of tomato soup.
All three Ray's Restaurants offer the beloved grouper sandwich, served your way -- fried, blackened or
grilled and topped with lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese and house-made tartar
sauce. Enjoy it over lunch at Ray's in
the City; you can relish it at lunch or dinner at Ray's
on the River and Ray's
Killer Creek.
Gracing
the weekend brunch menu at La Tavola Trattoria in Virginia Highland, the hot chicken panino bursts with grilled chicken, pesto,
tomato, fontina cheese and comes with a refreshing zucchini and tomato salad.
 Small
packages yield big, tender bites when you bite into the petite filet mignon
sandwiches from the Bar Bites menu at Morton's
The Steakhouse.
How about some art appreciation at Ormsby's? "The art of the Reuben" (Uncle Art that is),
piled with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island on grilled
pumpernickel.
Pacci Ristorante in Midtown has
their own special panino, a turkey panino filled with turkey, provolone and
tomato enhanced with basil aioli.
Y'all come to South
City Kitchen Midtown (lunch) and South City Kitchen Vinings (dinner) to sink your teeth into a mouth of the South
classic -- the catfish Reuben with its crispy Old Bay-dusted
catfish, Swiss cheese, shaved Benton's ham, cole slaw and Thousand Island
remoulade piled on griddled rye and served with house-made chips.
For
a mini vacation on a croissant, zip up to Wolf Mountain Vineyards
& Winery in Dahlonega for the apple basil chicken salad sandwich. Mouthwatering, homemade chicken salad with
Granny Smith apples, toasted almonds and fresh basil spills out of a flaky
croissant and shares the plate with Mediterranean pasta salad.
And
if you want to DIY for the friends gathering at your place tonight, try this recipe for open-faced egg sandwiches with tomato basil salsa from cookbook author Gena
Knox.
|
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SANDWICHES AT CRAZY CUBAN
IN MIDTOWN (AND MAYBE THE BRIGHT BLUE BUILDING)
 When
you're totally immersed in the sandwich culture, Crazy Cuban in Midtown stands
out. Not only because of its bright blue
paint job, but because it's all about the sandwiches here. Purely, singularly, devotedly. Crazy Cuban Aldo Ramirez packs authentic
Cuban rolls with classic fillings and presses them to order just for you -- at
$2.75 for the veggie or $5.75 for the classic, traditional, media noche, mojo
pork, ham and cheese or turkey and cheese. Add a pack of chips and a drink and you're good to go. Fax in your office order by 4 p.m. on the day
prior for an easy-to-grab solution to your office-bound lunch meeting.
The Crazy Cuban: 290
14th Street; 404-607-7348.
|
SIGN UP FOR THE WHITE OAK PASTURES
NEWSLETTER TO STAY ABREAST OF WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN ON THE FARM  For some really meaty news that you won't find in a city slicker paper, sign up
for the White Oak Pastures newsletter on the White Oak Pastures website or Facebook page. The first issue comes out this
month and is sure to be packed with morsels on the benefits of getting to the
grass roots of your beef choices. White Oak's
grass-fed beef is safer, healthier, tastes better, is environmentally sustainable
and "Certified Humane," and is locally produced on the 140-year old family farm
in Bluffton, Ga.! |
CAN YOU WAIT UNTIL
NOVEMBER TO GOBBLE UP GENA KNOX'S LATEST COOKBOOK? YOU'LL HAVE TO, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH!
 The
good news is that Gena Knox's latest
cookbook, "Southern My Way: Simple
Recipes, Fresh Flavors" ($34.95 hardback), debuts in November . . . which means
you'll still have time to include it and the farm-table recipes inside in your
holiday gift-giving and meal plans. In
her second cookbook, Georgia-born and raised Knox welcomes readers to
travel through her South and savor recipes for the region's seasonal classics,
streamlined, freshened and lightened up for the busy lives of modern
Southerners. The can't-put-it-down book
leads readers through the Southern traditions and community that have shaped
Knox from her childhood selling boiled peanuts on the side of the road and
working in a peach packing shed to her grown-up life as a Southern cooking and
culture ambassador.
Knox is
self-publishing the 250-page book of recipes and full-color photos through
Atlas Books and is distributing the mouthwatering bundle through
BookMasters. "Southern My Way" follows
her 2008 release "Gourmet Made Simple."
In addition to purchasing "Southern My Way" in bookstores nationwide, it
will be available for purchase online at www.genaknox.com and www.amazon.com. An e-reader version will be available through
www.zinio.com.
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WORTHWHILE WINE
FOUNDER TOM LYNCH IS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
WHATEVER HE'S UP TO, IT'S WORTHWHILE -- COME FOLLOW HIS BLOG
 Last
week we told you about Worthwhile Wine Founder
Tom Lynch and his pending village volunteer/winery work trip to South
Africa. Lynch has landed and is already
entrenched in his work with non-profit programs Isipho and Water For All in the remote
village of iNzinga. Follow his
experiences and observations as he guest blogs on Eat. Drink... Better., a website devoted to food, drink and the
environmental impact of both on Earth.
Worthwhile Wine Co. imports internationally top-rated South African
wines that are sustainably produced. The
Fair Trade Certified™ wine
importer works diligently to balance the three Ps of profits, people and planet
and donates a portion of net proceeds to nonprofits in the U.S. and South
Africa that focus on sustainable food gardens.
Learn more at www.worthwhilewine.com, Facebook
and Twitter.
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YELPER IS KEEN ON THE GREENS AT GOOD OLD ALPHA SODA Collards aren't usually a charmer (especially bits between the teeth), unless
you're spooning up the seasoned greens at Alpha
Soda in Alpharetta. Jen D. yelps about the
collards and mac 'n cheese, and about how easy-going chow, service and
tab-splitting win over groups large and small.
I
don't get to frequent Alpha Soda that often, but my I have no complaints. Went
with a rather larger group for lunch recently and we had great service and the
food is always good. I tend to go with breakfast, but decided to do the veggie platter. Collards, mac n' cheese, squash and sweet potatoes. I like
that they season their collards...it's so important. I must say, I know mac n'
cheese is subjective...but the batch I had was some of the best I've had in a
restaurant in a long time. So often it can be bland...but this was creamy and
flavorful. Service was great. When our server brought our ticket, we tried to figure out
how to split it...she immediately split it all up without batting an eyelash
and made it so much easier. You aren't going to find anything over the top here as far as cuisine goes, but
what they do offer seems to be consistently fresh and tasty.Alpha Soda: 11760 Haynes Bridge
Road, Alpharetta; 770-442-3102. |
EAT IT AND TWEEP: CAN YOU JUDGE A KILLER TOMATO BY ITS TWITTERER?
 By day, Bon Appétit Restaurant Editor Andrew Knowlton eats, loves and praises (or not) food. He tweets and blogs about
restaurants and trends, food finds and etiquette. Even so, judging at JCT. Kitchen & Bar's
Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival will put all of his skills to the
test.
Sample Tweet: Is Atlanta an
inferior BBQ Town? @BillAddison
tackles Q in excellent @Atlantamagazine cover story. (short answer: no!) http://bit.ly/c5fW4P |
| Looking for the latest restaurant opening, weekly wine tastings and drink specials, or other culinary happenings? Whatever makes your mouth water, Melissa Libby & Associates will point you in the right direction. Our monthly calendar, blog, flickr, Facebook page and Twitter feed will keep you up-to-date on new and ongoing restaurant events around Atlanta. |
|
 Melissa Libby & Associates is an Atlanta-based public relations firm specializing in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industries.
| |
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