KR SteakBar will be located at 349 Peachtree Hills Avenue, Suite D2 in ADAC West. While ADAC is an exclusive trade center for interior designers and architects, KR SteakBar will of course be open to the public.

Kevin Rathbun

KR SteakBar is being designed by the Atlanta interior/architectural firm, The Johnson Studio, who also designed all of Kevin Rathbun’s other Atlanta restaurant and bar projects. The Johnson Studio specializes in designing restaurants for chef, restaurateurs and hoteliers.

For more information on all Kevin Rathbun’s restaurants and bars go to www.kevinrathbun.com.

Okay, everyone knows the Naples-style pizzeria that hit Atlanta back in ‘09 with a media splash that baked about as quick as their pizzas but for me the novelty or the lack there of has wore thin with me: parking was a challenge, standing in the line a block long and out the door to have your order taken like the Seinfeld soup Nazi episode, little to no modifications were tolerated, bringing your own wine and wine glasses, sandwiched in the kitchen feeling like you had to eat and leave quickly because of the glaring eyes of staff, and patrons wanting for their 15 minutes of pizza heaven. Well, I say, good for you STG Trattoria. I say, “Build a better pizza, a beautiful restaurant and offer great drinks and they will come.” Therefore, “Eat, Drink, Love STG Trattoria.”

EAT: Brian started with a concept: great Italian food, great chefs and staff, great Italian wines and ambiance. It’s not complicated. The menu: undoubtedly commanded by pizza but accompanied with a fresh and creative selection of other Italian fare that’s traditional executed using superb quality ingredients including small plates, salads, toasts, pasta entrees and dessert. The chefs include the talented and experienced Executive Chef Josh Hopkins (formerly of Abattoir) and Chef de Cuisine Adam Waller (formerly of Soto Soto). The entire staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.

DRINK: Enter STG Trattoria though a solid-antique walnut door and travel through a walk-in wine cellar with an arched stone ceiling with the walls lined in wines leading into the restaurant. The beverage menu is presented on an iPad and if you’re interested in wines it will give you a description of all the wine with further tasting notes and more information on the varietals so you can learn a lot before you choose and partake. STG’s wines by the glass are temperature controlled, tapped wine “on draft” that are served by your wait person or offered through the walk-up counter service. STG Trattoria’s wines are co-curated by John Passman of Buckhead’s Cellar 13 wine shop and are offered at a price marginally over retail. An innovative apertivo-inspired “Amaro Bar” features an amari/aperitif-based cocktail program tailored for trattoria-style dining, directed by BOCADO’s mixologist David Durnell. Now for some, pizza just isn’t pizza without a beer so cold bottled beers are also available.

LOVE: Love the ambience. Lewis selected the innovative Atlanta-based interior/architectural firm ai3 to design a warm, beautiful, inviting, casual, communal “family-style” dining experience based on Italy’s historic trattorias, while incorporating a more modern open-kitchen concept that includes two wood-fired Acunto ovens shipped from Naples, Italy. ai3 has design many beautiful restaurant across Atlanta including BOCADO, Flip, 4th & Swift, Holeman & Finch Public House and Miller Union, to name a few.

STG Trattoria, 102 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Suite E, Atlanta. Plenty of free parking. Lunch: Tuesday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and Saturday 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday 5:30 p.m. – closing and Sunday 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. www.stgtrattoria.com

You enter STG Trattoria through their wine cellar which sets the stage for a great Italian food and wine experience.

A glimpse inside STG Trattoria restaurant with its open kitchen while chefs are busy preparing guests' dinners.

Now for my readers that do enjoy sushi in Atlanta, you know that there’s a broad dining spectrum when it comes to sushi. It ranges from everything from the handmade fresh sushi at Whole Foods to the five-dollar sign Tomo Japanese Restaurant in Buckhead. But now there’s a fast, great casual Asian dining option in Atlanta. Maki Fresh (maki is Japanese for roll) is the brainchild of founder and CEO John Cassimus, who grew and sold Zoe’s Kitchen. It’s a faster food concept centrally located in Peachtree Battle shopping center. The restaurant design is clean, minimalist design including a private dining painted in a gorgeous Asain-red color. Prices are very affordable. I’d say it’s the best new $10 lunch and dinner restaurant.

Here’s what our lunch with John included:

Bubblegum crab sushi rolls. Photo courtesy of Arden Photography

We started with fire-roasted edamame that had a wonderful grilled and salty taste. I liked their approach to this popular Asian soybean that’s typically served as an appetizer or snack. ($2.95) Then the Kadoma tuna which is a spicy tuna tartar on a tempura rice cake with avocado, jalapeno, masago and scallion with sweet soy. It’s creatively served with the avocado in a pinwheel design coming out of the sides of the rice cake with red masago (roe) on top. John suggested we use our chop stick to break it apart so we could share but I wanted to use my chopstick to take it for a pin. Next a selection of four sushi rolls: Bubblegum crab, avocado and cucumber inside with ahi tuna on top with wasabi aioli and sriracha sushi roll; Tide crab, salmon, cream cheese, avocado and roasted jalapeno with sweet soy tempura fried into a sushi roll; a blazer smoked tufu, avocado, sundried tomato, yellow bells and kimchi carrots sushi roll; and Kyoto spicy crab inside and salmon and avocado on top. (The above choices ranged in price from $4.95 – $9.95 while all their sushi ranged in price from $3.95 – $12.95)

Kadoma Tuna at Maki Fresh. Photo courtesy of Arden Photograppy.

Our next course was a pleasant surprise and another reason I’ll recommend this restaurant because for example, while my husband enjoys sushi I’ll typically want to go to another type of restaurant to have more choices but Maki Fresh had a lot of non-sushi choices that were truly fresh and delicious. My favorite was the Banh Mi Asian sandwich make with grilled chicken, bean sprouts, napa kimchi carrots, cucumber, cilantro and a creamy ginger sauce. This is served with your choice of green salad, onion rings, fruit or rice. All for only $6.95.

The crispy Brussel sprouts were a surprise a la carte menu item because I’m used to seeing Brussel sprouts served as a restaurant’s winter menu item. But the owner said he loves Brussel sprouts and so do I when they’re oven roasted but this were just as good but flash fried and tossed in a sweet soy and served over rice. So now that it’s spring and soon to be summer, you can enjoy Brussel sprouts all year ($2.95). And Kokoyashi rice bowl with ahi tuna, toasted coconut, cucumber, scallions with lite coconut dressing ($9.95).

Maki Fresh opened its first location in Georgia after its flagship location in Birmingham, Alabama. The Atlanta location opened in June 2011 in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center. The fast casual Asian concept offers sushi rolls, banh mi sandwiches, rice bowls, salads and sashimi in a modern and inviting atmosphere providing a wholesome alternative for diners wanting quality Japanese-inspired cuisine and sushi on the go. Maki Fresh serves lunch and dinner seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Atlanta restaurant is located in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center at 2349 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Ga. For more information please call 404.869.6600. www.makifresh.com

Canton Street in historic Roswell should be renamed ‘Restaurant Row’ as it’s chocked full of great restaurants including one that I had the pleasure of enjoying last week for a bloggers’ dinner at Little Alley Steak which just opened in February. Our hosts were Executive Chef Bob McDonough and restaurateurs and owners Hicham Azhari and Fikret Kovac.

First of all, parking can always be a challenge in this area but don’t let that discourage you because parking’s not an issue with Little Alley Steak’s complimentary valet parking across the street. So park and then pop across the crosswalk and step inside what feels like a little restaurant that might be in a Woody Allen film like “Midnight in Paris” but we’ll rename it “Midnight in Chicago” because it feels like a gem on a little restaurant in an alley in Chicago. As you walk in you’ll see a replica of a cast-iron 1865 Belgian bull’s head perched above the front entrance while the dark concrete floors, restaurant and bar are illuminated by the restaurant’s soft lighting made from iron meat hooks that were converted into large lighting fixtures using exposed buldes various sizes and shapes. The interior is further appealing with the use of the building’s original exposed brick and wood paneling created by the use of original pieces of reclaimed wood from the building to create the feel of antique meat lockers.

The Little Alley Steak interior is illuminated by soft lighting made from iron meat hooks that were converted into large lighting fixtures using bulbs in various sizes and shapes.

We were quickly greeted by a Little Alley Steak wait staff member adorned in a white chef jacket who offered us a drink. Cabernet for both of us. We felt so confident in the presence of our wait person that we didn’t feel the need to ask for the wine list. We knew he’d have our best interest in mind and he indeed brought us something fabulous…we knew the evening was off to a great start.

Dinner included three first courses, a second, third and fourth main course with six sides, then followed by a dessert sampler. Okay, that’s like seven-plus courses and each major course was paired with exceptional wines and even champagne (the real French stuff, not the American sparkling wine that we Americans like to call champagne) and the dessert course was capped off with an American bourbon.

Here’s what our exceptional meal at Little Alley Steak included:

First Courses

American Kobe beef meatballs made with shiitake mushrooms, soy demi-glaze and garlic-chili vinaigrette

Duck confit spring rolls with Asian slaw and Bing cherry gastrique

Moroccan-style shrimp with garlic tomato, harissa on batboutte flat bread

~ Paired with a 2009 Walter Hansel “Cahill Lane” Russian River Pinot Noir (RP 91 – 94 pts.)

Second Course

Baby iceberg wedge with Point Reyes Blue cheese, candied smoked bacon, roasted tomatoes and croutons

~ Paired with a Vintage 2008 Ramey Syrah Sonoma Coast

Third Course

Ahi tuna tartare with yuzu-serrano foam, cucumber salad and scallion pancake

~ Paired with a Gaston Chiquet, Brut, Reims Champagne

Fourth Course

A 34-day dry-aged New York strip served with six sides: triple cream mac and cheese made with mascarpone and truffle oil, sweet potato casserole with pecan and burnt marshmallows, cream spinach brulee with comte cheese, bok choy with shiitake mushrooms and oyster sauce, potato au gratin with CalyRoad goat cheese and roasted shallots and the wild mushrooms with roasted shallots and farms herbs.

~ Paired with a 2007 Stonestreet, Monument Ridge, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (WE 96)

Fifth Course

Hazelnut chocolate mousse with caramel crunch, toasted almond sponge cake and Bing cherry coulis, Tanzanian cocoa chocolate bar made with Valrhona chocolate and pecan brownie and fig and pecan confit and a salted caramel and chocolate tart with pistachio almond crumble and vanilla bean ice cream.

~ Paired with a glass of High West Double Rye, 92 proof bourbon

Pair a glass of wine or even champagne with each course because Little Alley Steak has an extensive wine list. "So much wine, so little time."

The ingredients and preparations for each course were creatively presented and delicious. I especially like the mix of international and local ingredients. The dishes were comfort food with a gourmet twist. Huge kudos on all the food. I’m a filet mignon fan but found the dry-aged New York to be very flavorful. So no matter your favorite cut, there’s a cut of beef to be found on the menu to meet everyone’s liking. The hand selected, cut, aged (whether wet- or dry- aged USDA-Angus beef) meats are provided by Meats by Linz, ones of Chicago’s oldest and most respected butchers in Chicago, exclusively for Little Alley Steak. But now kudos for the staff.  When the wait staff suits up in a chef jacket it might give you the impression that they’re more of an expert than they are, but that’s not the case. The wait staff were bar none. They were very pleasant, seasoned, knowledgeable about the menu and incredibly knowledgeable about the wine list (which includes domestic and imports as well as boutique and cult wine—the most expensive at $395 are bottles of 2006 Cardinale from Napa or 2007 Verite La Joie, from Sonoma—both RP 100 pts. ). The wine list offers guests the Wine Enthusiast (WE), Wine Spectator (WS) or Robert Parker (RP) Wine Advocate wine scores (if available) for easy reference.

My only suggestion is if you’re heading to Little Alley Steak from an evening of dinner and cocktails…get a designated driver so you can truly enjoy! Dinner is served from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Little Alley Steak is located at 955 Canton Street in Roswell, Ga. 770.998.0440. www.littlealleysteak.com

Executive Chef Bob McDonough of Little Alley Steak, INC. Street Food and Salt Factory Pub, all on Canton Street in Roswell, Ga. Photo courtesy of Ben Rose.

Yard House, known for its American fusion fare, hundreds of taps of beer and playlist of classic and contemporary rock, just opened in Atlantic Station on April 22 (now open daily for lunch, dinner and late-night) after a masterful grand opening event, in which I—as well as about 800 other Atlantans—had the pleasure to attend. I think it’s the perfect new place to enjoy friends and family perhaps prior or after a Braves game, a visit to Piedmont Park, the Georgia Aquarium or any in town or Westside outing.

This fabulous restaurant addition to Atlantic Station encompasses about 12,000 square feet, in a striking interior showcasing a contrasting mix of warm woods, stainless steel accents, original artwork commissioned by Jerome Gastaldi and 130 taps of beer encircling their signature island bar. In addition to its collection of roomy booths and high-top tables, Yard House also offers alfresco dining complete with fire pit to warm guests during cooler months.

The Yard House interior is warm and contemporary while featuring a 360-degree bar with 130 beers on tap. Photo courtesy of Yard House Restaurants.

Yard House's famous Half Yards are beers served in a glass that measures a half yard and holds 32 ounces of beer. Pints and samplers also available. Photo courtesy of Yard House Restaurants.

Okay guys, now this bit of information will get you really excited for a great new place for the guys to hang out. They have a glass-enclosed keg room, kept at a consistent temperature of 34 to 36 degrees that houses as much as 500 kegs and collectively contains approximately 7,000 gallons of beer. A network of steel and nylon tubing, which runs overhead and creates a striking visual effect, transports the beer from the keg room to the fleet of taps at the island bar. A number of tap handles pour Atlanta-brewed beers from Monday Night Brewing and Sweet Water Brewery, as well as a pale ale and IPA brewed in Athens, Ga., by Terrapin Beer Company. If you’re now a beer fan, rest assured that Yard House’s full bar of spirits including a menu of Fresh & Skinny™ cocktails with a calorie range of 115 to 176 per drink will offer exactly what you want.

Okay, all you guys and gals that love music, Yard House restaurants are known for its state-of-the-art sound system that features an extensive and eclectic mix of classic and contemporary rock. The playlist, created daily and programmed according to the time of day, can be changed instantly to reflect the restaurant’s real-time demographics. (How cool is that?) A fleet of flat screen televisions tuned to the latest sporting event are strategically placed throughout the space and visible from nearly every seat in the house.

The American fusion menu features more than 100 items including soups, salads, sandwiches, street tacos, fresh seafood, pasta and rice dishes, steak and poultry as well as a selection of fresh fish; as well as gluten-free, vegetarian dishes and a kids menu. Monday through Friday from 3 – 6 p.m., Yard House offers select, full-size appetizers at half-price repeating the offer for late-night guests Sunday-Wednesday from 10 p.m. to close. Yard House is located in Atlantic Station at 261 NW 19^th Street at the corner of Atlantic Drive. Yard House has multiple locations throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Virginia and Texas. This is their first venture in Georgia. www.yardhouse.com

Missouri-based artist Julie Agee's design was chosen as Captial Grille's 3rd annual Artist Series Wine Event wine label.

The Capital Grille Artist Series Wine Event is returning for its third year this spring, beginning March 19. This annual event gives guests at The Capital Grille a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience an exclusive, limited allocation wine adorned with a unique piece of original artwork as its label, while supporting Share Our Strength and their mission to end childhood hunger in America. The nationally renowned fine-dining restaurant, known for its dry aged, hand-carved steaks, fresh seafood and award-winning wine list, will once again donate $25 to Share Our Strength for every limited-edition bottle sold.

This year’s Artist Series wine is an exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon hand-selected by The Capital Grille’s own Master Sommelier, George Miliotes. And to match the work of art inside the bottle, The Capital Grille invited artists and wine lovers to submit original art for the bottle’s label, during a competition held last fall. The winning painting, Complexity, by Missouri-based artist Julie Agee, was chosen for the way the vibrant colors and abstract lines perfectly complement the robust flavors and subtle undertones of the wine.

For more information or reservations, visit www.TheCapitalGrille.com.

Chef Scott Serpas

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 21 is Fat Tuesday, the traditional Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration before Lent begins. Serpas in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward will be stepping out with their own annual Mardi Gras party as chef-owner Scott Serpas will be celebrating his restaurant’s third anniversary in conjunction with his hometown of New Orlean’s tradition. 

From 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Serpas will serve an abbreviate version of their regular menu alongside specially priced dishes from New Orleans, including seafood gumbo, muffaletta, crawfish pie, red beans and rice and chicken and sausage jambalaya. The Mardi Gras feast will be complemented with favorite Louisiana beers such as Abita Amber and Jockamo IPA as well as homemade Hurricanes, a spirited red cocktail known as the calling card of Bourbon Street and then topped off with a slice of King Cake. Serpas will be alive with vibrant décor, masks and strands of beads as live music from a second line street-style jazz band will sound throughout the evening. No admission.  

Serpas is located at Studioplex in the Old Fourth Ward at 659 Auburn Ave. #501, Atlanta, Ga. 30312. For more information or reservations, visit www.serpasrestaurant.com or call 404.688.0040.

A white chocolate cherry martini, the inspiration of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead’s mixologist Christa Sladky, made with house-infused cherry brandy, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and Stoli Vanil—I personally had to sample and it was heavenly creaming and delicious (available through Valentine’s Day) and a haute chocolate bar: an addition to the Afternoon Tea and includes the choice of spicy dark chocolate, milk chocolate caramel and red berry dark chocolate hot chocolate beverages (through February 26). For Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, February 14^th) the crème de la crème is a two heart-shaped chocolate dessert for two that melts together when shared. Do I hear an ahh?!

For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead is stirring up in February, go to www. ritzcarlton.com/buckhead.

Valentine's Day delicacies added to The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead's Afternoon Tea

Chocolate chip cherry scones and flourless chocolate brandy cherry cake to its classic afternoon tea (through Feb. 12) in The Lobby Lounge

The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead’s mixologist Christa Sladky, makes a white chocolate cherry martini with house-infused cherry brandy, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and Stoli Vanil

Latitude offers a flavor-driven menu with a mix of globally and regionally sourced, high-quality meats, produce and dairy that is unique, yet approachable. Complement with a wine selection of over 60 Old- and New-World bottles that can be paired with Willix’s selections, as well as re-imagined classic cocktails.

Located at 3500 Peachtree Rd, Suite 1096 B, Atlanta, Ga., on the east side of Phipps Plaza—in the old but so newly designed The Grape space. Latitude serves lunch and dinner Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Additional information can be found at www.latitudeatlanta.com.

POST NOTE: March 21, 2012, sorry to hear that Latitude has closed. 

Pan Fried Pork Chop with wine. Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

Carrot, Golden Raisin & Walnuts. Photo by Heidi Geldhauser

Doughnut Holes with Persimmon Jam. Photo by Heidi Geldhaus.

Latitude dining room in Phipps Plaza. Photo by Caroline Petters.

Muir Glen Dinner Menu at Aria on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I was recently invited to and attended a celebratory dinner at Aria in Atlanta hosted by Muir Glen to celebrate their 2011 Reserve Tomato. Chef Gerry Klaskala, owner and executive chef of Aria, has been a Muir Glen partner chef since 2001 so Aria was the perfect venue for this event. Last year when Chef Klaskala traveled to California to participate in the 2010 Reserve Harvest and had the opportunity to sample tomatoes right in the field from the test plot for the 2011 Reserve, he knew they’d be the perfect tomato for holiday cooking.

So to showcase the flavors of Muir Glen and the 2011 Reserve Tomatoes, Chef Klaskala created a dinner at Aria that included a specialty drink, six hors d’oeuvres, three entrée samplers and dessert, all made with Muir Glen tomatoes. One of the menu items included a recipe that Chef Klaskala created exclusively for Muir Glen—Spicy Slow-Braised Beef with Tomato, Tomatillo and Potato Stew, available in the Muir Glen 2011 gift basket.

The food this evening was incredible and very thoughtful in its preparation and presentation. The restaurant and the dinner felt like being a guest for the evening at Chef Klaskala’s home. He personally greeted old friends and new guests, like me, like long-time friends. Each table was beautifully decorated with a festive white floral arrangement and holiday ornaments. Chef used the evening to remind all of us about the little things that you can do to make guests in your home feel special when you entertain: do as much food prep in advance so that you can enjoy your friends, have fresh flowers in your home and in the restrooms and have little decorations on the table like holiday ornaments that each guest can take home as a special gift. And for someone like myself that always entertains, does all the cooking and in most cases, the dishes too, I couldn’t resist by asking, “who does the dishes?” Chef Klaskala said that he always hires a couple of folks to do just that. So that’s the ticket.

The gorgeous tablescape at the Muir Glen dinner at Aria on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Aria's Chef Gerry Klaskala greets guests at the Muir Glen dinner.

Each year, Muir Glen produces a special Reserve Tomato which was harvested in the fall and is only available for a limited time. So when they needed a name they turned to their Tomato Connoisseurs’ Club (TCC) who voted on a name that evokes the fiery glow of the perfect tomato, Harvest Sunset. This year’s 2011 Reserve gift basket include both the fire-roasted and diced varieties of Muir Glen Reserve Tomatoes, Muir Glen Fires Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, Muir Glen No Salt Added Tomatoes and a recipe booklet featuring chef-inspired recipes, available online for $10 plus $5 shipping. Visit www.muirglen.com for more information. Visit www.aria-atl.com to learn more about Aria and to make reservations for your own incredible dining experience.

12 Drummers Drumming
Cookie Dough Drumstick-le
Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka, Créme de Cacao, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Vanilla Extract, Frangelico, Cinnamon, Sugar Rim

11 Pipers Piping
Pipe Dream
Macallan 12, Drambuie, Honey, Earl Grey Tea

10 Lords-a-Leaping
Leap of Faith
Tanqueray 10 Gin, St. Germaine, Chambord, La Marca Prosecco

9 Ladies Dancing
The Wallflower
Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Tanteo Cocoa Tequila, Bacardi Rum, B&B, Butterscotch Schnapps, Pumpkin Puree

The St. Regis' Ghost of Christmas specialty holiday drink. Photo courtesy of Brooks Harris, NewSouth Photography.

8 Maids-a-Milking
Ghost of Christmas
Bulleit Boubon, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua

7 Swans-a-Swimming
Candy Cane Cocktail
Hangar One Raspberry Vodka, White Crème de Menthe, Pomegranate Juice

The St. Regis' The Champenguin holiday specialty drink. Photo courtesy of Brooks Harris, NewSouth Photography.

6 Geese-a- Laying
The Champenguin
Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Combier Liqueur D’Orange, St. Germaine

5 Golden Rings
Pure Gold
Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum, Apple Pucker, Goldschlager, Sour and Apple Juice

4 Calling Birds
Call Me Anytime
St. Regis Atlanta Personal Selection Woodford Reserve, Frangelico, Créme de Cacao

3 French Hens
French Russian
Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Café Boheme, Kahlua, Half & Half with a Chocolate Cigar

2 Turtle Doves
Lovely Doves
Ketel One Vodka, Coconut Cream, Créme de Cacao, Peppermint Schnapps

Partridge in a Pear Tree
Pearly There
Grey Goose La Poire, Disaronno, Fresh Sour, Vanilla Simple Syrup

The St. Regis Bar in Atlanta. Is that one of the four calling birds?!

The St. Regis Wine Room in Atlanta adjacent to the St. Regis Bar and patio. One of my favorite places in Atlanta for a cocktail.

The best way to check for ripeness of a pear is to "check the neck.”

Beautiful and delicious Northwest-grown USA Pears are in season now and the season was recently celebrated at ECCO when Chef Craig Richards showcased his latest work with fresh pears, treating an intimate group of local bloggers and writers, including me to an exclusive four-course pear-centric menu. Our first course: Pear & Fall Lettuces Salad, second course: Pear & Buffalo Mozzarella Ravioli, and Shrimp Risotta, third course: Braided Veal Breast and fourth course: Pear Crostata.

Our host, the Pear Bureau Northwest, was in Atlanta—one of eight cities—for “The Time is Ripe” tour to educate folks on how to enjoy pears at peak ripeness. According to the USA Pears Bureau, about 84% of consumers are unaware of how to tell when a pear is ripe—including me. So how do you know when a pear is ripe? Because pears ripen from the inside out, the best way to check for ripeness is to “check the neck.” To do this, gently press near the stem with your thumb. When it gives to gentle pressure it is ripe, juicy, and ready to eat. If you wait until the pear is soft around the middle, then it will be overripe.

Learn more about the USA Pears Varieties: Green Anjou, Red Anjou, Bartlett, Red Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Concorde, Forelle, Seckel and Starkrimson and more about USA pears at www.usapears.org.

Madison's Organic Kitchen Garden is on 2. 2 acreas in Highlands, N.C. across from The Farm at Old Edwards. It produces 100 - 150 lbs. of produce a week for the Inn.

Lettuces at Madison's Organic Kitchen Garden

The garden is on 2.2 acres across from The Farm at Old Edwards, where wedding and other special events take place. The garden produces 100 – 150 lbs. of produce a week that’s used in the hotel including almost 15 types of lettuces, chard, garlic, rhubarb, beets, radishes, turnips, carrots, squashes, beets, parsnip and more. What’s not produced at the farm is sourced from other local and regional farmers including Ashley Farm, Barker’s Creek Mill, Brasstown Beef, The Chef’s Garden, Dave Taylor Farms, High Valley Farms, Jolley Farms, Sweet Grass Dairy and Sunburst Trout Company, to name a few. And, since the food served at Madison’s is so produce and product driven, the creative and delicious menu changes monthly. Madison’s is a must culinary experience when you’re in Highlands. Check out all the dining options at Old Edwards Inn and Spa including Madison’s at www.oldedwardsinn.com/dining.

(l to r): Wendy Shannon, With a Southern Twist, Madison's Chef de Cuisine Chris Huerta and Dave Taylor, Dave Taylor Farms at Madison's Organic Kitchen Garden

This fresh, colorful chard growing at Madison's Organic Kitchen Garden may be on your dinner table at Madison's.

Looking for an upcoming culinary event in Highlands? The Highlands Culinary Weekend returns for the fifth season November 10 through 13, showcasing Highlands’ award winning restaurants (including Madison’s), innovative chefs and a huge selection of wine varietals against the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Reservations for the events are taken directly by the respective venues. View the event webpage at www.highlandsculinaryweekend.com.

Southern Art will open Wednesday, October 12 at 3315 Peachtree Road, Atlanta and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and Sunday brunch. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/southernartbourbonbar or call 404.946.9070 for reservations.

For tickets and more information, go to www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com. Proceeds will benefit local nonprofits.

Southern Living Taste of Charleston 2011

It’s great for any time you just want to stay in, don’t have a babysitter, feeling under the weather or have a friend or family member sick. You might have a meal delivered for a neighbor in need, a friend or neighbor with a new baby or for your away-from-home college student. Just go online and find the GoWaiter in your area. GoWaiter.com has numberous Southern locations in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Tennessee and outside the South in Colorado and Connecticut. They’re adding new locations all the time, so if your area isn’t listed check their Web site often for areas coming soon. Restaurants vary from market to market and the average delivery time (according to their Web site) is 45 – 60 minutes. Now I have to admit, I haven’t used GoWaiter yet, so if you have, let me know your comments and we’ll share with our readers. www.GoWaiter.com.

HD1's maploy and fennel sausage with waffled fries. Photo by Heidi Geldhauser for The Reynolds Group.

Americans have always had a love affair with the burger, but step aside burger, now it’s time for the dog. FLIP Burger Boutiques’ chef and “Top Chef All-Stars” winner Richard Blais teams up with Barry Mills again to serve up HD1, the new hot dog restaurant in the Poncey-Highlands area. The menu is full of American and European favorites, unique combinations and vintage dishes, from basic to bold. Executive Chef Jared Lee Pyles brings the vision to life as he heads the kitchen operations on a daily basis. The house-ground meats and sausages are artfully seasoned and packed with high-quality proteins for top-notch taste: fennel sausage with San Marzano ketchup, fontina and grilled radicchio; Merguez lamb sausage with red currant compote and minted cucumber salad; or the classic hot dog with sauerkraut and HD mustard. All topped with house-made, unique condiments and freshly baked artisan buns.

In addition, other menu offerings include brisket chili, waffled fries to hand-churned soft serve ice cream including a bourbon and brown sugar flavor. HD1’s full bar boasts a kitschy, cocktail list with an emphasis on craft bourbon and rum libations, along with ice-cold beer by the can. 

HD1 is now open daily from 11:30 p.m. to midnight (late night starts next week). HD1 is located at 664 N. Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, www.hd1restaurant.com.

Taqueria del Sol is throwing their second annual Hatch Chile Festival on Sunday, September 11, 2011 to celebrate the arrival of the annual shipment of chiles from New Mexico. Held at the Howell Mill location, Taqueria del Sol will host a block-party sort of celebration spilling into the parking lot under tents. Chef Eddie Hernandez and the Taqueria del Sol team will craft an assortment of specialty dishes incorporating the spicy green peppers. Taqueria del Sol, Howell Mill location, 1200-B Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. Reservations for 5:00 p.m. is sold out but 7:00 p.m. is still available. Food and music from 5:00 – 9:00ish. For more information go to Taqueria del Sol or click here to purchase tickets.

Tim and I had chile rellenos last night at Taqueria del Sol…of course, with a frozen margarita. Yum. Enjoy them while they last.

• Toast with two spreads: wood oven-roasted eggplant with chilies and mint and cannellini beans with braised cavolo nero and parmesan (served family-style)
• Local greens salad with lemony garlic vinaigrette, breadcrumbs, blue cheese and radish (served family-style)
• Choice of one of the following spaghetti combinations:
  • Clams, garlic, parsley and lemon
  • No. 246 meatballs, parmesan, San Marzano tomatoes and basil
  • Carbonara with bacon, crispy farm egg and soft herbs
• Choice of one gelato: vanilla, espresso or mint

The Spaghetti Supper is served during dinner hours every Monday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. No. 246 is located at 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur, Ga. The restaurant does not accept reservations. For more information, visit no246.com or call 678.399.8246.

No. 246 is a new Decatur new restaurant to enjoy Italian-inspired food. Photo courtesy of Helena Peixoto.

No. 246's interior. Photo courtesy of Helena Peixoto.

The outdoor bar at Canoe along the Chattahoochee River in Vinings

Ray’s on the River, the Atlanta dining institution, set along the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs. Its menu includes the fresh seafood flown in daily as well as hand-cut premium steaks, live entertainment and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence wine list. You’ll know you’ve been transformed as soon as you walk into Ray’s tranquil foyer. Ray’s on the River, 6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, Ga. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. raysrestaurants.com

Enjoy live entertainment in Ray's of the River stylish bar

The staff’s backgrounds are as interesting as the food. Chef/Owner Marc Taft was formerly the general manager at Pacci Ristorante in Atlanta; Joseph Ramaglia, formerly the executive sous chef at Pacci Ristorante, will serve as the restaurant’s executive chef; Tom Foust, who will be the restaurant’s manager, has an extensive restaurant background in Atlanta and Miami; Karie Brown, formerly of Canoe and Repast, is the new pastry chef; and Brandon King, formerly of Paces 88, will be mixing it up as the restaurant’s mixologist. 

Chicken and the Egg is located at 800 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 124, in Marietta, Georgia. The restaurant is open daily serving weekday lunch (starting August 8), nightly dinner and weekend brunch. For more information, call 678.388.8813 or visit chickandtheegg.com.

Park 75’s Chef’s Table is available with advance reservation only for $150 per person, including paired wines. Park 75 is the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta at 75 14^th Street, Atlanta, Ga. Call for reservations at 404.253.3840. park75.com

The Four Seasons Atlanta Park 75 Chef's Table

The Linger Longer Dining Room is back and better than ever. The redesigned space is larger with enhanced bar, open kitchen, high ceilings, and a full-height stone fireplace, all in a lakeside setting atmosphere.

As its name clearly states, it’s a steakhouse but it’s so much more. Chef Justin Kurtz and The Ritz-Carlton Lodge’s Executive Chef Yann Chupin collaborated on the menu of updated steakhouse classics. I liked the fact the each steak is cooked over Georgia hardwoods and served with a choice of side with a Southern twist, including Grilled Caramelized Vidalia Onion, Roasted Blue Cheese-Crusted Tomato and Creamy Silver Queen Corn as well as with a choice of steak accruements, to name a few, like smoked ketchup, Linger Longer bacon & ale sauce, and a béarnaise.

The four of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals but we loved that the restaurant was back. I started with the crab fondue, petite filet mignon with the brandy peppercorn sauce and a side of corn, all enjoyed with a bottle of French brunello. I was so full that I could not partake in dessert but I want to go back and try the Banana Cream Pie with Bananas Foster Ice Cream but an almost yard-stick high Peach cotton candy is presented to each table at the end of the meal.

An extensive wine list emphasizes reds from around the world, as well as local varietals from Georgia’s own Persimmon Creek Vineyards, with more than 40 wines by the glass. Also, a variety of draft beers and handcrafted cocktails are made to order with fresh ingredients and premium spirits by a team of bar chefs.

The newly redesigned bar offers an extensive wine list with more than 40 wines by the glass as well as a variety of draft beers and handcrafted cocktails.

The staff was impeccable from the host and hostess, waiters, sommelier, and chef who came from the kitchen and personally greeted us after a busy evening in the kitchen, because the restaurant was pleasantly full including a 20-top wedding party. It was also a surprise and joy to be served by the same waiter that we had almost two years ago. Next time we’ll have to linger even longer.

Open Wednesday through Sunday: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Light Fare: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Dinner: 5:30 to 10 p.m. For reservations, please call (706) 467-7135. Linger Longer Steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, 1 Lake Oconee Trail, Greensboro, Georgia 30642. www.ritzcarltonlodge.com

LowCountry BBQ's, Smyrna, Ga., pulled barbecue pork sandwich. Photo by Heidi Geldhauser, Our Labor of Love

Road side barbecue stands and barbecue restaurants dot the Southern landscape like fireflies light our summer evenings. Southerners will banter to the end of time over which barbecue is better—vinegar-based, mustard-based, white, or tomato sauces; then it’s dry rub or marinade—so it’s not surprising that we’ll never agree on the spelling either. The variations of spellings: barbecue, barbeque, bar-b-q, Bar-B-Q, BBQ, cue, and Q (this last one well before the age of texting abbreviations and misspellings). Well for what it’s worth Webster’s New World Dictionary and The Associated Press Stylebook say it’s spelled as barbecue. Well no matter how it’s prepared or how it’s spelled it’s enjoyed by all. So enjoy it further by checking out the Garden & Gun‘s June/July 2011 (now at newsstands) BBQ special titled “The South in a Sandwich” and their 21 favorite barbecue sandwiches across the South. So much barbecue…so little time.

Lenox Square
It’s the annual Fourth of July fireworks and it’s the largest in the Southeast. From 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 4, patriotic food-lovers are invited to celebrate the holiday with bites and beverages. Local restaurants, including Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Morelli’s Ice Cream, California Pizza Kitchen, The Palm, Red Brick Brewery and more are serving up freshly prepared tastes for attendees. The $10 ticket, benefiting Atlanta Union Mission, grants guests exclusive access and samples from many of Atlanta’s top restaurants.

Shops are open from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., musical entertainment begins at 6:00 p.m. including performances from Party on the Moon and Atlanta’s favorite Jimmy Buffett tribute band, A1A, and then the fireworks get underway at 9:40 p.m. Lenox Square management asks that attendees refrain from bringing pets to the event. www.lenoxsquare.com 

Lenox Mall's Fourth of July patrons can enjoy bands, food and the Southeast's largest fireworks show.

The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Enjoy the BBQ buffet at The Café on Monday, July 4 from 6:00 p.m. featuring Baby Back Ribs with Mesquite Barbeque Sauce, 48-Hour-Smoked Beef Brisket with Peach Barbecue Sauce, Cedar Plank Salmon with Lemon Herb Mayonnaise, Free-Range Chicken with Peach Barbecue Sauce, and Ginger Barbecued Quail with sensational sides and delectable desserts. Then relax outside on The Café Terrace and watch the fireworks at Lenox Square. $89 per person. For reservations or more information, visit The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead’s The Café.

The W Atlanta Buckhead’s MARKET
The party starts at 6:00 a.m. with a premier view of the Peachtree Road Race when DJ Hakim begins spinning to kick off the day for runners and race spectators. Guests can stick around for MARKET’s Party Brunch beginning at 7:00 a.m., featuring $14 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys, and an a la carte brunch menu. Then the celebrates don’t stop until after midnight because guests are encouraged to purchase a VIP pass ($25 in advance or $30 at the door) that includes all-day parking, access to five live music performances, preferred seating, exclusive entry to the Sundeck for the Lenox Square firework show and drink specials. For more information, visit marketbuckhead.com.

The party starts at 6:00 a.m. at the W Buckhead's MARKET with a premier view of the Peachtree Road Race then enjoy the brunch party starting at 7:00 a.m.

The Cellar room at the Wrecking Bar Brewpub offers an intimate setting for approximately 15 looking into The Tavern Room.

Wrecking Bar Brewpub resides in the former basement of the 20^th century Victor H. Kriegshaber House located at the cusp of Atlanta’s Little Five Points and Inman Park. The mansion has been artfully and carefully restored all while maintaining the fundamental integrity of the structure by Inman Park residents and homebrewers Bob and Kristine Sandage. The Sandages who purchased this National Historic Register property fulfilled their dream of one day owning a neighborhood brewpub when the Wrecking Bar Brewpub opened on Sunday, June 19 serving craft beers and pub dishes. Chris Terenzi is at the helm of the brewpub’s brews which serves an ever-changing selection of craft beers brewed on site. Its menu encompassing up to 12 taps and four casks on hand each day. 

Chef Steve Mayer leads the Wrecking Bar Brewpub kitchen and its craft pub and beer-infused dishes like beer & cheese soup with smoked gouda and house-brewed beer, braised beef short ribs in stout with stone-ground green chili grits and pan-seared Copper River salmon with sautéed spinach, sweet potato strings and a golden ale grain mustard sauce. Wrecking Bar Brewpub, 292 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta. Open Sunday – Thursday 4:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m. – midnight. www.wreckingbarbrewpub.com.

Chris Terenzi at the brewing helm toasts with a recent crafted batch.

Florida – Wet a Line

Saltwater fishing will be free in Florida this weekend to honor fathers and their families. That’s because the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced that no license will be required Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17, Father’s Day weekend.

Test drive a Harley-Davidson at the Four Seasons Atlanta on Father's Day

Georgia – Rev up Father’s Day

Rev up Father’s Day with a hardy man’s brunch that will showcase two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and then have two more available for test drive* at the Four Seasons’ Park 75 in Atlanta, Ga. Brunch consists of a manly buffet with two carving stations, mashed potatoes, delicious vegetables and tons of guy’s favorites. Cost is $65 per person, including complimentary valet parking. For reservations, call 404.253.3840 or visit www.opentable.com. Bikes provided by Harley-Davidson of Clayton County. *A valid motorcycle license and proper clothes (long sleeves, long pants and leather shoes) are required for a test drive. www.fourseasons.com/atlanta

The Fairview Dining Room at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, N.C. has views of the Duke Golf Club.

North Carolina – Bond and Putt with Dad

Bond with dad on the greens with putting followed by brunch at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, N.C. Some of the Duke Golf Club pros will be on hand to give dad some golf pointers. Then dad might win brunch on the Inn at its Four Diamond award-winning Fairview Dining Room by putting a hole in one on the practice green. The Fairview’s fabulous Sunday brunch menu ranges from $22 – $30. For reservations call 919.493.6699 or visit www.OpenTable.com. www.wdigc.com

South Carolina – A Fun Fish Adventure for Free

Dad can enjoy the South Carolina Aquarium on Father's Day for free with a guest or child's ticket.

This Father’s Day give your dad the gift of an amazing journey of the sea at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, S.C. To say “thanks” to all dads, the Aquarium is offering free admission for fathers on Father’s Day with a paying guest or child’s admission. The day will be full of programs where dads get special recognition, including the popular interactive dive shows. While you’re here, be sure to check out the newly renovated Saltmarsh Aviary with the all new feed the stingray experience as well as the 4-D Immersion Theater currently showing “Dora and Diego’s 4-D Adventure: Catch that Robot Butterfly and Planet Earth: Shallow Seas.” www.scaquarium.org