SHAKES, SUNDAES AND WI-FI!  MORELLI'S GOURMET ICE CREAM & DESSERTS IS OFFICIALLY OPEN IN EDGEWOOD SHOPPING DISTRICT

Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts officially opened its doors in the Edgewood Shopping District on Saturday, June 18, no doubt leading kids to treat dads to the milkshake bar and sundae bar on Father's Day!(Did you hear the ice-screams of glee?)   

Dads surely felt like kings perched on the ice cream sandwich banquette and ice cream cookie bar stools -- and you can, too.  As does the original location on Moreland, the new Morelli's offers ice cream, gelato and sorbet flavors ($1.70 - $8.25) that change daily along with additional shakes and sundaes ($3.95-$6.99).  Three to four signature shakes, ice cream cakes ($39 and up), smoothies and juices ($5.49), frappés ($4.90) and ice cream to go by the pint ($8) or quart ($12.75) round out the Edgewood menu.  The menu also boasts seasonal shakes and sundaes created by Edgewood Morelli's Partner and Woodfire Grill Owner/Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie.  Look for the daily flavors on Twitter (@morellis).  The store is open from noon to 10 p.m. daily and offers complimentary Wi-Fi for guests.  

Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts - Edgewood Shopping District: 1220 Caroline Street; 404-584-2500.

Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts - East Atlanta:  749 Moreland Avenue, SE in Ormewood Park, Suite B-102; 404-622-0210.

WOODFIRE GRILL, BRIZA AND OTHERS "CHOC" ONE UP FOR A GOOD CAUSE AT CHOCOLATE! 2011 FOR THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION ON JUNE 23

Chocolate lovers, this is the big one! Chocolate! 2011, the 11^th annual fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), is on Thursday, June 23 from 6 - 10 p.m. at Opera in Midtown.  Woodfire Grill and Briza chefs will join other top Atlanta bakers, chefs, vintners and caterers in whipping up decadent tapas and treats and in pouring specialty drinks, chocolate lagers and chocolate cappuccinos.  Event planners and presenting sponsor SparkQuest have booked DJay McCracken featuring American Idol's Paris Bennett as the entertainment, and they have organized quite the silent auction.  Tickets are $75 in advance, $85 at the door and $125 for the VIP experience. 

ARIA'S GERRY KLASKALA DEMOS AT PEACHTREE ROAD FARMERS MARKET ON JUNE 25

Local blueberries, tomatoes, beans and more are spilling over the tables at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market.  How could Aria Owner/Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala resist?  See what he's creating from summer's bounty when he demos at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25.  The market opens at 8:30 a.m. Be cool, come before summer's wilting heat creeps in and pick up some fresh bakery items to nosh on while shopping.  

By the way, Klaskala also is one of the apron-clad forces capturing tomatoes and coaxing them to surrender at the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 17.

LADIES, IT'S TIME FOR LADIES '80S NIGHT AT FADÓ IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT

To quote Kool & The Gang, "There's a party going on right here...celebrate good times, come on!"  Oh so true at the monthly Ladies '80s Night party at Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant in Buckhead on Saturday, June 25.  Dig back in time for your sunglasses and disco wear to get the groove thing goin' for dancing from 10 p.m. until close.  Ladies, $6 will buy you a classic '80s cocktail including Long Island iced tea, mai tai and Blue Hawaiian.  Try the new beer-based cocktails and Guinness Mixers on the summer drink menu.  Examples?  How about a Black and Gold made with Guinness and Stella Artois or a fruity Sweet Hoe cocktail made with Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka, sour mix, strawberry purée and Hoegaarden served over ice.  Cooler than Kool & The Gang, for sure.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant:  273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066.

RAY'S IN THE CITY HOSTS DUCKHORN WINE TASTING ON JUNE 30

Ray's in the City is hosting a Duckhorn Wine Company wine tasting on Thursday, June 30 from 5 - 7 p.m.  The Napa Valley winery has been crafting Bordeaux varietals for more than 30 years.  The evening's wine lineup includes a selection from the winery's Decoy collection, hors d'oeuvre from Executive Chef Ugo Okpareke, a $20 credit toward dinner and a discount on wine purchased with dinner.  $25 per person.  Call the restaurant at 404-524-9224 for wine tasting reservations. 

Ray's in the City:  240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

SPICE MARKET TAKES "COOL AS A CUCUMBER" A STEP FURTHER -- CUCUMBER MARTINI TOPS SUMMER COCKTAIL LIST

The Cucumber Martini is doing wonders to cool summer's hot heads and overheated bodies.  It's one of the new cocktails on the drink menu at Spice Market, located inside the W Atlanta-Midtown.  The Cucumber Martini ($12) features Hendrick's Gin, English cucumber and mint.  After you've had one or two, you'll want to impress your friends by mixing up one or two at home.  Spice Market mixologists are graciously sharing their recipe. 

Cucumber Martini

2 oz. Hendrick's Gin

¾ oz. fresh lemon juice

¾ oz. simple syrup

2 cucumber slices

2 mint leaves

1 large ice cube

In a mixing glass, muddle cucumber, mint, lemon juice and simple syrup. Add gin.  Add ice.  Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass over one large ice cube.

WHAT'S GRILLIN' WHEN YOU'RE CHILLIN'?  SEND YOUR RECIPE TO MARLOW'S TAVERN, AND YOU MIGHT WIN A BIG GREEN EGG   

Not to turn up the heat or apply pressure when you're chillin', but if you have one hot grilling recipe, send it in to the Second Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest.  The contest runs hand in hand with Marlow's summertime "Red, White and Brew" menu.  Submit your favorite recipe through July 25 at www.marlowstavern.com or complete an entry form at one of the seven tavern locations.  First prize winner bags a Big Green Egg, and his/her winning recipe will be featured on Marlow's Tavern's fall/winter menu. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the winning menu item will be donated in the winner's name to Special Olympics Georgia.  Second prize is a $50 Marlow's Tavern gift card, and third prize is a Marlow's Tavern "Red, White and Brew" limited-edition t-shirt.  Marlow's Tavern Executive Chef and Co-Founder John C. Metz Jr. will review all recipes, and winners will be announced at the end of August.  There's no purchase necessary to enter, and entries are limited to one per person or email address.   According to Steve Hartsock, last year's first prize winner, "Marlow's Tavern always provides a fun atmosphere, genuine service and the most incredible American tavern fare around. It goes without saying that it was an honor to be chosen as the Grand Prize winner in the First Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest."

Marlow's Tavern:  Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033; and East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store); 770-977-7747. 

JCT. KITCHEN AND NO. 246 CHEFS STAR IN SUMMER'S MOST DELICIOUS SERIES, THE "SUMMER CHEF SERIES 2011" AT ONE. MIDTOWN KITCHEN

Summer concert series.  Summer outdoor movie series.  Just as fun and a whole lot tastier, the "Summer Chef Series 2011" is underway at One. Midtown Kitchen.  We're flagging two dates in particular.  On July 20, Ford Fry, owner and executive chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and partner of No. 246, will be the guest chef.  On August 17, Drew Belline, executive chef and partner of No. 246, stars.  Each night's dinner begins at 7 p.m. and features a five-course menu paired with cocktails, wine or beer.  Choose one dinner from the series for $75 per person, $200 to pick three dinners, and $300 to pick five dinners (gratuity not included).  Don't wait to make your reservations.  Call 404-892-4111. 

WHEN SHOPPING AT LENOX, I CRAVE TRUFFLES...LOVE THAT TRUFFLES CafE IS ACROSS THE STREET

Looking for a new lunch spot to try after a morning of shopping?  How about a place to unwind before or after a movie?  Lucky for you that Truffles Cafe is located across the street from Lenox Square.  Jilt the food court crowds and duck into Truffles Cafe for quiet conversation, drinks and a full menu served daily beginning at 11 a.m.  A quick peek at the menu reveals plenty of choices for the ladies who lunch, manly meat eaters, seafood lovers and vegetarians alike.  Choose soups such as tomato dill or chicken almond ($5-$6) and appetizers such as baked brie in puff pastry ($9-$12).  Big salads include spinach with Kahlua pecans, BLT Bibb, Tuna Napa and Wedge ($7-$15).  Among the sandwiches and burgers are the eight-ounce Prime burger, fresh tuna burger, homemade black bean burger and grilled chicken sandwich ($9-$14).  Heartier specialties include Truffles' signature chicken pot pie, crispy chicken and ribs ($12-$20); center-cut steaks ($26-$29), pasta dishes ($14-$17) and fresh fish, crab cakes and house-recipe fried shrimp ($16-$24).  Desserts ($6) are as decadent as truffles themselves.  Blondie snuggles a blonde brownie against vanilla bean ice cream and homemade caramel sauce.  There's also Key lime pie, Oreo ice cream pie and chocolate peanut butter pie that pairs peanut butter mousse and dark chocolate.  Celebrate a successful day's adventures over handcrafted, real fruit lemonade, tea, espresso, latte or something stronger -- draft and bottle beer, wine by the glass or a specialty cocktail.  Open until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until midnight Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. on Sunday.  Make reservations at Open Table.

Truffles Cafe:  3345 Lenox Road; 404-364-9050.

PRESIDENT OBAMA DINES ON WHITE OAK PASTURES RIB EYE STEAKS AT FUNDRAISER

YELPER CRUISES THE GREEK ISLES BY DINING AT KYMA

Thumbs up to restaurant musicians who entertain without entering your space.  Yelper Ryan F. approves of the insane musicians, the appetizers (octopus and beet sorbet anyone?) and the baklava with pistachio ice cream at Kyma in Buckhead.  Your dollar's good here, no conversions needed, so eat up!

I came off very impressed with three things here:

1. Appetizers - every one of these was terrific. The grilled octopus, which is referenced in countless reviews, was a highlight. The beet salad is extremely impressive with golden and red beets, nuts, fresh cheese, and even beet sorbet (beautiful presentation). Lastly, the zuchini fritters elevate an often pedestrian dish - they're light and fluffy with some cheese and shredded zuchinni (not the more common spears or slices).

2. The dessert. The best baklava I've ever had. It was earthier and round in flavor and the pistachio ice cream that accompanied it was perfect. The Galaktoboureko (semolina custard pie) were also sublime and reminded me of apple pie even without presence of apple. The loukoumades were kind of the throwaway of the bunch.

3. The musicians were insane. They played for the entire two hours we were there without stopping. Like not once. I also enjoyed how they don't come table-side and create that awkward moment where you're obligated to stare and smile (and perhaps tip?).

The pita and three spreads (red pepper, tzatsiki, and eggplant) were also delicious

I found the fish, for which Kyma is known for, to be a little underwhelming. My recommendation would be to avoid the grilled whole fish and get the more adventurous preparations - I have to imagine they're better.

The service and customers are typical Buckhead for what it's worth. Oh, and they also charge 2 bucks, excluding gratuity for valet.

Kyma:  3085 Piedmont Road, NE; 404-262-0702.

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  ALE SHARPTON IS CRUISIN' FOR A BREWSIN'

Beer writer (which means he has tasted plenty and ought to know), travel journalist and editor Ale Sharpton keeps his life as full as a draft foaming over the mug rim.  He even has his own beer show.   

Does he have a six-pack?  We don't know.  Maybe he'll tweet (@alesharpton) about it.

Sample Tweet:  Just had the @ShinerBeer 101 Pilsner that was a gift from my boy Tryon with @HotoberFest101 and it was well worth the wait! Well done!