What's cooking this week? 

DINE OUT FOR SAFETY AUGUST 18 AND TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME

Dine Out for a Safer AtlantaCrime bites.  Bite back by joining in the second annual "Dine out for a Safer Atlanta" on Wednesday, August 18.  This "steak" out relies on you and some tantalizing secret weapons for its success. Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria and Woodfire Grill are three of the restaurants across Atlanta that will donate 10 percent of their proceeds to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta reward fund. Thanks to Crime Stoppers, which began in 2007, more than 149 dangerous criminals are off the streets.  Goes to show, crime doesn't pay...but dining out for safety does!

Ecco:  40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555.
La Tavola Trattoria:  992 Virginia Ave, NE; 404-873-5430. 
Woodfire Grill:  1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.
$5 APPS AND DRINKS HEADLINE WEDNESDAY'S GIRLS NIGHT OUT AT AQUA BLUE

Aqua blueGirls, get over pink.  Aqua blue is your shade of fun on Wednesdays as Girls Night Out rules the Roswell restaurant and bar.  Catch up with your girlfriends over a selection of $5 appetizers and drinks.  The fun starts at 5 p.m., and if apps should lead into dinner, Aqua blue's global menu has something for everyone from cool, crisp salads to fresh Blue Ribbon sushi and grilled meats.  So, what do you say?  Is it a date?

Aqua blue:  1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, RAISE A TOAST WITH JCT. COCKTAIL RECIPE

JCT. Kitchen & BarBe sure to squeeze National Lemonade Day into your Friday, August 20 agenda!  Leave the lemonade stands to the under-21 crowd and shake up a couple of Shandy-0 cocktails. JCT. Kitchen & Bar Mixologist Lara Creasy starts with two ounces of lemonade -- after that, adult-only ingredients up the chillax factor immensely.  Thank goodness the recipe fills an adult-sized glass and not one of those little lemonade stand kiddie cups!  Of course, you're welcome to cool off with Shandy-O and a full menu of cold beverages at JCT.

Shandy-O

1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey
2 oz. Allagash White beer
2 oz. fresh lemonade

Combine all in a tall glass with plenty of ice. Toss briefly in a cocktail shaker to mix and serve with a lemon wedge for garnish.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar:  In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18; 404-355-2252.
MEET DAVIO'S CHEF BENNETT HOLLBERG AT THE PIEDMONT PARK GREEN MARKET ON AUGUST 21

Davio'sDavio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, soon to open in Phipps Plaza, is new to the neighborhood.  Davio's Executive Chef Bennett Hollberg is not.  The Atlanta native and Paideia School graduate has been a part of the Atlanta fine dining scene since 2002, when he apprenticed at The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead.  Hollberg was quickly promoted to chef de partie and soon became the restaurant's sous chef before moving up in 2006 as the chef de cuisine for Atlanta Grill located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta.  During his time there, Atlanta Grill was named "Best Restaurant Downtown" by Zagat for 2008-2009, and Hollberg's cuisine was recognized by several publications including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jezebel, Southern Seasonsand Georgia Trend.   Not only that, Hollberg was named one of Atlanta magazine's "Rising Star Chefs" in 2008.

Fast forward to Saturday, August 21, and you'll find Chef Hollberg working in the demo kitchen at the Piedmont Park Green Market from 11 a.m. until noon on the Community Center patio.  Come say "hello" and garner some healthy ideas for summertime eating.  Otherwise, you'll have to wait until Davio's opens in Phipps Plaza on August 25 to enjoy lunch or dinner by Hollbert.  

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse:  Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810. 
GIVE ME FIVE:  FIVE CHEFS AND FIVE SOMMELIERS MEET AT EAST LAKE GOLF CLUB TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER

The DishOn any other night you'd find these five top Atlanta chefs and five sommeliers in the kitchens and wine cellars of some of Atlanta's best restaurants.  On Sunday, August 22, they'll be at East Lake Golf Club helping Share Our Strength carry out its "No Kid Hungry" goal.  Give Me Five:  Five Chefs and Five Sommeliers pulls out all the stops to serve a six-course dinner by Georgia's top chefs with exquisite wine pairings and sommelier commentary by Aria Sommelier Andr�s Loaiza and four others.  Jenn Hobby, co-host of Q100's The Bert Show, will emcee the evening, and live and silent auctions will round out the big night.  Cocktails begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $275 per person or $2,500 for a table of 10. 

Aria:  490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.
ARIA HOSTS WINE DINNER WITH ENOLOGIST SUSANA BALBO FROM ARGENTINA

Dominio del Plata WineryMeet Susana Balbo, Argentina's most-recognized and famous female enologist, at a special Tuesday, August 24 wine dinner at Aria in Buckhead.  Balbo's philosophy, developed during more than 25 years as a domestic and international winemaker consultant and then as an Argentinean winemaker, focuses on sustainable agriculture, precision viticulture, superior skills and wine-crafting passion.  The fascinating evening starts at 7 p.m. and unfolds around Balbo's handcrafted wines, and Aria's to-dine-for cuisine.  Don't miss out -- make your reservations today by calling 404-233-7673.  Read more on Facebook.

Aria:  490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.
GOLDENS IN THE GALLERIES ON BENNETT STREET HELPS ADOPT A GOLDEN

AGAHow can you resist those big brown eyes and that jovial grin? Goldens in the Galleries will snap you right out of any dog days of summer doldrums and set your tail wagging from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Friday, August 27.  The artsy evening in the Bennett Street Galleries in Buckhead benefits Adopt a Golden Atlanta, a rescue organization for golden retrievers.  Appropriately, nearby Thirsty Dog Tavern will be participating in the dog lovers' night out.  $20 per person covers wine, martinis, hors d'oeuvre and music.  Tickets are available online or at the door, and parking is free. Afterward, chill your dogs over a huge menu of people chow and more cold drinks.  Thirsty Dog Tavern is calling your name!

Thirsty Dog Tavern:  2110 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-367-8482. 
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT! SHARE YOUR OPINION ON ATLANTA'S FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN THE "BEST OF CITYSEARCH"

Best of CitysearchVoting comes to an end in just a few days in the "Best of Citysearch 2010" restaurant poll.  Check in and check off your favorites in the local specialties and food/dining categories including "Best" restaurant, pizza, steak, romantic, people watching . . . the list goes on.  Don't put down your fork or mouse until you're all done voting!
MAKE ATLANTA TOPS IN TRAVEL + LEISURE'S ANNUAL "AMERICA'S FAVORITE CITIES" SURVEY

America's Favorite CitiesTravel + Leisure magazine's annual "America's Favorite Cities" survey is in full swing, and they want your take on the state of America's cities. The ATL tops our list of favorite cities so let's spread the word.  Check out the survey and rate Atlanta's restaurant scene, attractions, hotels, diversity, culture and more.  But hurry, survey ends August 31.

SHAKE IT UP ORGANICALLY WITH YEAH! BURGER'S SHAKE OF THE MONTH


YEAH! BURGEROh, what a quandary you'll be in when you have to make the big decision.  To sip, spoon or slurp up the frosty vanilla coconut shake that's staring you in the face at YEAH! BURGER.  Always up for organic and sustainable ingredients, YEAH! BURGER blends their August shake of the month with Straus Family Creamery organic vanilla ice cream and coconut milk.  Each month whips a different shake flavor in the limelight, available for a smooth $5.49.  Come by and order your frothy treat from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. on Sunday.   More info on Facebook and Twitter.


YEAH! BURGER:  1168 Howell Mill Road, Suite E; 404-496-4393.

IN THE END, THE KILLER TOMATOES COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE FEROCIOUS CHEFS


King of TasteThey came, they chopped, they conquered thousands of pounds of tomatoes.  And nothing was left over but legends of the super hero chefs and mixologists who were victorious during Atlanta's second annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival.  Generations will tell of the conquests of winners including Aria Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala, a.k.a. "King of Taste," and Pacci Executive Chef Keira Moritz, a.k.a. "Fan Favorite."  Kevin Gillespie, executive chef and co-owner of Woodfire Grill, churned up tomato ice cream sandwiches.  Aria's grilled cheese with roof-top dried tomatoes earned the rank of "Best Tasting," and JCT. Kitchen & Bar's Killer Tomato jelly doughnuts filled with bacon fat custard were pure genius, nabbing "Most Creative."  Ultimately, Georgia Organics came out on top as the event beneficiary of this historically delectable battle.  Rematch next summer?  Stay tuned!

 

JCT. Kitchen & Bar:  In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18; 404-355-2252.

YELPER IS COCONUTS OVER LUNCH AT RAMA 5 OF THAILAND

YelperYelper Carrie Neal W. is soon to be a regular at Rama 5 of Thailand.  The writer's new office digs are nearby, generating daily opportunities to share high fives and to "Thai" one on in Buckhead.  Go for it. Maybe you'll be bonkers for the coconut soup and run into Carrie there.

Love this place! Now that I'm pretty much down the street and a pebble's throw away, I'll definitely be by more frequently.

Met my new editor (gosh, I just love saying that!!) for lunch today and am happy to report that, yes, it was the Pad Woon Sen (with chicken) that I got when the fabulous David K and ate there last winter, and it is just as delicious as ever. There's just something about those silver sliver noodles (heh, try saying silver sliver three times fast and see how silly you sound!). This time around, I went for the coconut soup - yum! Just a big enough cup-size serving, and included with your lunch special. Good stuff for $8. I have leftovers again, just like last time. My dining companion got one of the curries with chicken (I'm not so good at knowing all of them apart but it looked delish and he enjoyed it).

Only downside, if you feel like imbibing, is that curiously, they are still sans liquor license. Seems like a long time since they've been "temporarily without" as I heard a server explain, and the bar looks really funny *naked*, but then again, not such a big deal since you're probably not going to Rama 5 - especially at lunch- for the drinks!

Yay, go Team Thai!!

Rama 5 of Thailand:  318 E. Paces Ferry Road, NE; 404-442-7522.

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR ONE MORE TWEEP ON FIFTHGROUPER


http://www.twitter.com/fifthgrouperFifth Group Restaurants Director of Marketing Michael Erickson has one thumb on what's going on in his restaurants and the other thumb on his Twitter keys.  How he divides his "restaurant thumb between South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, La Tavola Trattoria, Ecco, The Original El Taco and Bold American Events & Catering -- we don't know, but he does it very well.  Follow Erickson @fifthgrouper and on Facebook.


Sample Tweet:Don't miss the Morningside Summer Block Party on August 28. Details at the link below. http://fb.me/vqIldE6w

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.
 
For information about these and other great Atlanta restaurants, go to www.melissalibbypr.com, check out our Facebook fanpage, follow AtlantaDish on Twitter, or call 404-816-3068.
Contact Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Email:melissa@melissalibbypr.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~