What's cooking this week? 

HEY, COLUMBUS!  DASH TO KRISPY KREME FOR FESTIVE DOUGHNUTS THAT WILL PUT EVERYONE IN A SWEET HOLIDAY MOOD

For a little elf mischief at home, office or neighborhood get together, wrap up a box of a dozen Krispy Kreme holiday doughnuts -- red velvet cake, snowman or chocolate iced decorated with holiday sprinkles -- then watch eyes widen and faces brighten when the sweet gift is opened. Gift exchange? Be prepared and pick up extras to prevent envy from arising when this gift is nabbed several times. 

Krispy Kreme's new red velvet cake doughnut is a one of a kind -- rich, but not too sweet, moist and cake-like with chocolate flavoring and topped with cream cheese icing and red velvet cake crumbles. Grab and gift them while you can because holiday doughnuts skip town on New Year's Eve.

Krispy Kreme: 6761 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, Ga.; 706-320-2124.

TRUFFLES GRILL ADDS NEW MENU AND BRUNCH ITEMS TO REFUEL BUSY SHOPPERS

Tag your calendar with a reminder to jump over to Truffles Grill this week! Shopper alert: Truffles is right there in the thick of all the retail action, near Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and all of those Buckhead boutiques. Guests taking a lunch or dinner break may want to try Truffles' new seared sesame tuna wonton ($11), ham and brie on a fresh croissant ($10) or the chile relleno risotto ($5).

Truffles' new Sunday brunch menu, available from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., pleases guests with morning treats including homemade sour cream coffee cake ($5), French toast with applewood bacon and brown sugar pecan apples ($10), an egg sandwich with applewood bacon and cheese on a croissant served with shoestring fries ($10), mouth-warming huevos rancheros that tops a black bean cake with poached eggs, tasso ham, sautéed spinach and fire-roasted tomato salsa ($10), and a trio of Benedicts -- eggs Benedict ($10), steak Benedict ($13) and Low Country Benedict with a jumbo lump crab cake, tomatoes, sautéed spinach, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce served with brown sugar pecan apples and cheese grits ($16). Open for lunch and dinner daily plus weekend brunch. 

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

REVELRY BEFORE THE RIVALRY:  DAWGS AND YELLOW JACKETS MINGLE AT MARLOW'S TAVERN'S MIDTOWN BLOCK PARTY ON NOVEMBER 26

On Saturday, November 26, an epic battle of "clean, old-fashioned hate" between UGA and Georgia Tech will be fought on the field of Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium. These collegiate rivals have knocked it out on the football field 100 times since their first game in 1902! Dawgs and Yellow Jackets, show your team spirit at Marlow's Tavern's Midtown Block Party beginning at noon on game day and going way past the last touchdown with plenty of drink specials, giveaways and a fired-up DJ. The party lineup features outdoor grilling, tailgating fare, a mobile bar and four big-screen HDTVs with audio. Trucks from Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company and Athens' own Terrapin Beer Company will be key block-party players.  

BRING TOYS FOR TOTS TO RAY'S RESTAURANTS AND RECEIVE A FREE APPETIZER

Give a gift and get a gift by participating in the Toys for Tots collection at all three Ray's Restaurants locations. Receive a free appetizer by bringing in a toy for the Toys for Tots collection going on from November 26 through December 17 at Ray's on the River, Ray's Killer Creek and Ray's in the City. We're predicting a Santa sighting inside Ray's Killer Creek in Alpharetta on Sunday, November 27 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Santa knows that Chef Tracey Bloom's Sunday supper will fill his belly with a choice of Southern favorites such as buttermilk fried chicken, house-cut pork chops or turkey with dressing, bottomless sides and oven-fresh cornbread or biscuits for $16 per person. (Okay, so maybe Santa eats for free -- Ray's wants to stay on his good side.) Visit Ray's online for location information and call 770-649-0064 to make your reservation with Santa at Ray's Killer Creek.

WHITE OAK PASTURES' OWN WILL HARRIS WINS 2011 INNOVATOR AWARD FROM GEORGIA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION

Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures, was one of three 2011 Innovator Award recipients honored as visionary leaders in foodservice at the November 13 Georgia Restaurant Association GRACE awards gala.

ATLANTA RESTAURANTS HAVE WISE ANSWERS TO HOLIDAY QUESTIONS OF WHERE TO GATHER, WHAT TO GIVE

It happens every year. The grateful calm of Thanksgiving gives way to Black Friday retail frenzy. Then lo and behold, the holiday party and gifting season is here. Whether or not you are an advance planner, Atlanta restaurants are ready to help out with warm and friendly seasonal settings, large and small spreads, private dining options and generous gift card promotions. 

In Virginia Highland, lively Atkins Park Tavern has historical charm -- and a room upstairs ready to host 30 guests for a sit-down dinner or 50 guests for cocktails. To reserve, call 404-876-7249.   

Fabulous global cuisine, personalized menus and lots of space are yours in Roswell at Aqua blue. A semi-private back room accommodates 60 guests, and up to 200 guests can party in the main bar. Available for bookings seven days a week for lunch and dinner; call 770-643-8886.    

Marietta's Chicken and the Egg serves up modern farmstead fare and can throw a Southern dinner party with ease. Host an intimate chef's table for up to 28 guests in a separate corner of the restaurant -- guests will love the chef's table menu of Chicken and the Egg specialties. Contact Elizabeth Taft at 678-388-8813.

Across Midtown and into Vinings, Fifth Group Restaurants gives a wide variety of options for private and group dining. At 7^th and Cypress streets in the heart of Midtown, Ecco offers seasonal, European-inspired dining seven nights a week. Go posh and seat up to 60 guests in the chic private dining room or up to 75 on the patio. For an evening of contemporary Southern fare, book South City Kitchen Vinings. Host up to 35 guests in the semi-private dining area, up to 66 guests in the main dining room or rent the whole place for a large corporate event. More Fifth Group possibilities include South City Kitchen Midtown, La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco. Bold American and Studio 887 offer off- and on-premise upscale catering for other event options. For group party planning assistance, call 678-302-3264. For more information, visit the company's private dining page.

In Dunwoody, special occasions call for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Book your party by Thursday, December 1 and receive a $50 gift card for every $500 you spend. Thrifty gifters, receive a $20 bonus card for every $100 gift card purchased from now until December 31 (bonus card valid on food and beverage only, January 1 through February 10). Call 770-698-8112.

The Westside party "junction" is JCT. Kitchen & Bar at Howell Mill and Huff roads in Atlanta's Westside Urban Market. Up to 200 guests can celebrate on its 2,000-square-foot skyline terrace that looks out over the historic neighborhood; up to 165 people can dine downstairs in the main dining room. Discuss private event options with Valerie Mosley, 678-536-6506.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift for a pal OTP or ITP, there's sure to be something on the menu they'll love at one of the 8 locations all over town of Marlow's Tavern or at Roswell's Aqua blue. Both restaurants are offering a complimentary $20 gift card when you buy $100 worth of gift cards. 

Don't overlook your lunch spot when looking for a dinner party venue. Market Street Café in Buckhead can seat up to 125 people for dinner inside and 75 guests on the patio. Or, for cocktails and hors d'oeuvre, host up to 250 inside and 100 guests on the patio. Need more? Rent the whole place after 4 p.m. weekdays and anytime on weekends. For private event information, contact Sabrina Rosenberg or Lauren Hradek at 770-643-5990.

Reindeer games in West Midtown's White Provision complex? Not quite, but Ormsby's lounge space with its comfy couches, cocktail tables and game room access is ideal for up to 40 grownups. Better snatch it up by calling Leslie Battle at 404-968-2033.

Wildly fun RA Sushi in Midtown can seat up to 10 guests in its semi-private dining space and host up to 100 guests in its upstairs area. The sushi spot simplifies gifting:  every $50 in gift cards purchased through December 31 comes with a complimentary $10 bonus card, valid from January 2 through March 31. Call 404-267-0114.

From downtown to the Chattahoochee to Alpharetta, Ray's Restaurants provides three unique party settings and a variety of menu options. Ray's on the River (770-955-1187) can accommodate parties of up to 200 guests and offers semi-private banquet facilities in addition to a permanent tent that accommodates up to 200 people. Ray's Killer Creek in Alpharetta (770-649-0064) has several different room options and accommodates parties of up to 300 people. For intimate gatherings in town, look into private and semi-private spaces for up to 45 people at Ray's in the City (404-524-9224). Gift tag: Ray's is giving a bonus $10 gift card with every $50 gift certificate purchased through December 31.

The Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel epitomizes Atlanta with its modern design and Southern hospitality. Host guest lists from 30 to 400 in the hotel's three ballrooms. Up to 300 guests can sip cocktails and admire the skyline view (star or Santa?) at Rooftop 866, the chic rooftop bar adjacent to the hotel. Briza, the hotel's signature restaurant,also can be reserved for private events seating up to 110 guests or 200 for cocktails and hors d'oeuvre. Call 678-412-2400.

Here's a smashing gift idea! At Smashburger, receive $5 Smashbucks for every $25 gift card purchased through December 31. Smashbucks expire on January 31. There are three metro-Atlanta locations with a fourth opening in Kennesaw on November 30.

Go for a glamorous midday or evening event at the W Atlanta-Midtown Hotel's Spice Market restaurant. Spice Market's Pond Room, Trellis Room and main dining room are three options, and the entire restaurant space accommodates up to 200 for a seated dinner and 350 for cocktails and hors d'oeuvre. For private event information, contact Cristina Perry at 404-724-2550.

Atlanta's trend-setting farm-to-table restaurant, Woodfire Grill, houses multiple private dining spaces from "The Mezzanine," seating 50 or divisible into three private rooms; "The Loft," a cozy upstairs hideaway for up to 16 people; and a covered patio where up to 75 guests can gather for cocktails or 30 can sit down for dinner. Call Rick Blumberg at 404-347-9055 for more information.

ALPINE BAKERY IS ALPHARETTA TREAT FOR YELPER AND A GOOD HOLIDAY TIP

Yelper Liz H. wasn't stopping in to scope Alpine Bakery out for holiday goodies, but we can read between her lines and see that there are some pretty sweet visions of sugarplums dancing around in this place.

Only visited the bakery section, but I would come back to get more treats. On the pricier side, but definitely tasty. I got a cupcake, cheesecake, and some cookies. All delicious and not too sweet but you may not be able to eat them in one sitting. Cupcakes are huge and a new addition - several flavors to choose from. Same with the cheesecake slices. I ended up liking the cookies and cupcakes more than the cheesecake. Despite being busy, employees behind the counter are helpful and willing to explain any of the many treats on display.

I liked their free samples. And the mints at the counter. Check this place out if it's not out of your way!

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  WHO IS RUTH BOURDAIN?  NO ONE KNOWS, BUT "SHE" SURE BITES    

Mystery. Intrigue. Whodunnit. Foodies are trying to figure out who is the genius with the biting humor behind blogster and twitterer Ruth Bourdain.

"No Reservations" Host Anthony Bourdain is addicted to her commentary. "Hilarious" says Ruth Reichl, former Gourmet magazine editor-in-chief. What say you?  Follow her witty tweets (@ruthbourdain) and read more parody on her blog.  

Sample Tweet:  It's about time Congress classified pizza as a vegetable, but I'm still waiting for Pop Tarts to be recognized as fruits.