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

The show home is open for tours from April 21 – May 13, 2012 at 3351 Woodhaven Drive NW, Atlanta. Tickets can be purchased online at www.decoratorsshowhouse.org, at the Woodruff Center Box Office or at numerous area retailers. Tickets at door and at numerous Atlanta retailers, $25. Hours: Monday – closed; Tuesday – Wednesday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (last entry); Thursday 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (last entry); Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (last entry); Sunday 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last entry).

Dog Vacay is helping thousands of dogs find their own vacations while their families travel. Dog Vacay gives dog owners an alternative to caged kennel boarding by matching dogs with home-based dog boarding where Rover will right at home. The online community, that’s free to use, matches dog owners in need of pet-care services with qualified animal caregivers, all a cost of half the average kennel stay. If you opt to take the dog along on your trips then consider using the service to find sitters or host homes in your visiting city—a great alternative if your hotel doesn’t accept pets, or if you don’t want to leave your dog in the hotel room all day.

Pets can “vacation” conveniently in the capable hands of hosts at a nearby home with a big backyard for a Golden Retriever, or a one-bedroom apartment for a Chihuahua, for example, while their owners are free to enjoy a guilt-free vacation knowing their dog is being well cared for and not missing the usual comforts of home.

Dog owners will also experience the peace of mind that comes with pre-qualified hosts, daily photo updates, 24/7 support, vet care and the Dog Vacay Concierge who can set up massages and other goodies as well as insurance coverage. A dog’s life isn’t so ruff! For more information, go to dogvacay.com.

Founders, husband and wife team Aaron and Karine Hirschhorn, gave up their respective Wall Street and Hollywood jobs to start Dog Vacay with Mike Jones, the former CEO of MySpace.

A Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria pizza coming out of the coal-burning oven. Photo courtesy of PHP Studio.

Learn the craft of pizza making directly from the pizza masters at Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria in a two-hour interactive class that includes stretching and tossing techniques, ingredient selection, insight on the legendary coal-burning process and then eating the pizza you prepared. Max’s, located in downtown Atlanta in the heart of the Luckie Marietta District, houses the only genuine coal-burning oven in Georgia—the hallmark of the New York City-style pizza.

Dates for the pizza sessions are Monday: April 16, April 30, May 7, May 14, June 11 and June 18 starting at 8:30 p.m. The cost to attend a class at Max’s is $20, which includes your meal and two drinks for the night.  Space is limited to eight guests per class and must be reserved in advance. To sign up, call Max’s at 404.974.2941.

Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria is located at 300 Marietta Street, Atlanta. Hours of operation are Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. www.maxsatl.com

Hone your pizza making and pizza eating skills at Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria. Photo courtesy of PHP Studio.

Nicki, of husband and wife team Nicki and Keith Schroeder, scoops the grand champion honors at this year's Flavor of Georgia Food Product contest. Photo courtesy of Merritt Melancon.

High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet of Atlanta was selected as the grand champion of the 2012 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. The annual contest, conducted by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new products. High Road’s Brown Butter Praline Ice Cream was one of 25 products sampled and judged by a panel of food brokers, buyers and other food industry experts. In addition to winning the overall grand champion, High Road Craft Ice Cream took home first place in the competition’s dairy category.

Husband and wife team Nicki and Keith Schroeder have been producing their small-batch ice creams since April 2010. Their products are featured at Whole Foods markets throughout the Southeast and will be in Fresh Market stores nationwide in April.

High Road Craft Ice Cream’s Caffeine and Cacao flavor ice cream won first place in the dairy division during the 2011 Flavor of Georgia competition. www.highroadcraft.com

High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbets including the 2012 Flavor of Georgia Food Products grand champion, Brown Butter Praline Ice Cream.

Other category winners were:

Confections – Richard Byne, of Byne Blueberry Farm of Waynesboro, won with his Byne Blueberries Dark Chocolate. www.byneblueberries.com

Meats – Debra McFadden-Bryant, of GeeChee Girl Foods of Albany, won with her Seafood Gumbo. www.geecheegirlfoods.com

Jams, jellies and sauces – Lauri Jo Bennett, of Lauri Jo’s Southern Style Canning in Norman Park, won with her Muscadine Pepper Jelly. www.laurijos.com

Barbecue and hot sauces – Griffin Bufkin, of Southern Soul Barbecue in St. Simons Island, won with Sweet Georgia Soul Signature BBQ Sauce. www.southernsoulbbq.com

Snack foods – Diane Pfeifer, of Strawberry Patch and Grits Bits in Atlanta, won with her Grits Bits Vidalia Onion Baked Cheese Snacks. www.gritsbits.com

Other products – Mercier Orchards, of Blue Ridge, won with the company’s Sparkling Apple Cider. www.mercier-orchards.com

People’s Choice – Cindy Fulghum, of Three Generations of Georgia in Dewy Rose, won the People’s Choice Award with her Three Generations of Georgia Chicken Log.

The Pensacola Give-Back is Tourism Cares’ fourth Give-Back project in helping to restore the Gulf both before and after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005. Registration is $99 per person/$49 for students and includes admission to the Thursday night welcome reception, full day of work projects, breakfast, lunch, barbeque, and after-work party. Register by Friday, March 23 by visiting http://tourismcares.org/volunteer/tourism-cares-for-pensacola-2012.

The Pensacola lighthouse, which has towered 160 feet over Pensacola Bay since 1859, is in need of constant repair.

Volunteers will help restore native vegetation along the shoreline in Bayview Park, a recreational area located on Bayou Texar.

It’s offered in two jar sizes: an 11 flower jar (perfect for small intimate dinners or as a gift) or a larger 50 flower jar (great for weddings or large events). While it’s perfect for entertaining at home, it’s also perfect for hostess gifts, gift baskets, parties, weddings, anniversaries, sweet 16 and much more. It was also named one of the best new foods by Time magazine, voted Best Thank You Gift by Real Simple magazine and “makes the most striking champagne cocktail” by Wine Spectator.

Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Syrup can be found at specialty stores in globally but in Atlanta you can find at The Cook’s Warehouse, Whole Foods, Williams-Sonoma and more, but go to www.wildhibiscus.com to find a store locator so you can find a store near you.

Wendy's Buckhead home was featured in the March/April issue of Simply Buckhead magazine.

Simply Buckhead magazine featured my Buckhead home in the current March/April issue in a story called Southern Sanctuary which is quite ironic because without the writer realizing it, when she titled this story, that my parents had a farm in northern Georgia now in Kalispell, Montana named Sanctuary Farms. So I guess I have the southern Sanctuary while they have the western Sanctuary. But no matter where your oasis is located (or what it might be named), you know when it’s time to spruce it up and make it even more special.

Giannina “Gina” Smith Bedford’s story features an interior design project that we completed in our own home last year. (Click the photo to the right to read the entire story). After living in our Buckhead home for over seven years, it was time to make some changes. After finishing off a section of our unfinished daylight basement including an office space or future media room, wine room and gallery hallway, it was time to call in an interior design professional. We hired Amy Morris of Amy D. Morris Interiors located in Peachtree Hills to assist us with several core areas of our home including several of these new rooms on the basement level. But since we spend so much time in our kitchen, we wanted to start there first. So we had Amy and her team completely transform the breakfast room off the kitchen into a gorgeous St. Regis-style lounge. At the same time, she gave the adjacent mud room and powder room the same elegant treatment. She continued her design magic by addressing our design needs in the new wine room and accented the guest bedroom and guest bath just off the remodeled lower foyer. Enjoy the story.

Want to see even more photos?! Go to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/withasoutherntwist.

Shannon's new St. Regis-style lounge located in the breakfast nook off the kitchen transformed by Amy D. Morris Interiors in Peachtree Hills, Atlanta.

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.

Here Come the Girl Scouts! author Shana Corey to appear at the Little Shop of Stories on Sunday, March 11 in Decatur, Ga. at 3:00 p.m. for book signing.

Celebrate Girl Scouts 100th anniversary as children’s book author Shana Corey shares the true story of Savannah native and Girl Scouts founder, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, and the first Girl Scouts troop in Here Come the Girl Scouts! Unlike most girls of the Victorian era, Daisy was not prim, proper, dainty or delicate. Instead, she was an adventurous spirit who loved being outdoors. Born from a family of pioneers, Daisy also wanted to make a difference in the world. With determination, a passion for service, and a firm belief that girls could do anything, she founded Girl Scouts. The fact that over 50 million American women were Girl Scouts during their youth and that there are more than three million Girl Scouts throughout the world, proves that Daisy’s dream for young girls success continues to thrive through adventures, good deeds in the community, and a cherished sisterhood. Book signing at the Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Ga. on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m.

It’s also Girl Scout cookie time so support your favorite Girl Scouts by buying several of your favorites including Thin Mint, Samoas (Caramel deLites), Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties), Do-Si-Dos (Peanut Butter Sandwich), Trefoils (Shortbread), Shout Outs!, Thanks-A-Lot, Savannah Smiles, Thank U Berry Munch, Dulce de Leche and Lemonades. Need a Girl Scout cookie finder? Of course, there’s an app for that. Click here to download the Girl Scout Cooking Finder app.

About The Saint Hotel: The Saint recently reopened its doors on February 9th as the first Autograph Collection hotel in Louisiana. Selected to join the collection based on its notable architectural and historical significance, the hotel was previously known as the historic 103-year old Audubon Building in the world famous French Quarter. The 166-room hotel features interiors decorated with large black and white photographic murals of the early 1900s, and exposed brick and bright blue and white deco style decor.

The lobby of The Saint Lobby in New Orleans. Its building is the historic 103-year old Audubon Building in the French Quarters.

About Blue Moon Hotel: Blue Moon Hotel is an intimate boutique sanctuary replete with 1930s charm. The hotel is tucked away on popular Collins Avenue and is a seamless combination of Art Deco and Mediterranean influences coupled with modern and sophisticated touches. Conveniently located just a few steps away from the beach, boutiques and bistros on Ocean Drive, the iconic hotel remains a key staple in South Beach. The Blue Moon Hotel is a composite of two former hotels—the Lafayette and Les Suites—and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To ensure the historical attributes of the property are preserved, the hotel will undergo restoration efforts in early 2012.

A guest room at the Blue Moon Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.

About Winter Haven Hotel: The Winter Haven Hotel was initially designed by acclaimed architect Albert Anis and the property was first unveiled on Ocean Drive in 1939. The oceanfront hotel’s exclusive location lends to guests’ unique experience of the most famous and energetic street on South Beach, immersing them in the elegance of the Art Deco movement of days gone by. The hotel’s interiors are nautical inspired, an ode to the majestic ocean liners of the era, with a blend of modern touches, including terrazzo flooring, glass blocks, chrome finished railings and a grand cruise ship-inspired staircase.

A guest room at the Winter Haven Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida is a modern, elegant natical inspiration.

For more information about the hotels, please visit www.autographhotels.com.

Hoecakes & Hospitality: Cooking with Martha Washington features more than 125 fascinating objects amassed from Mount Vernon’s collections, other institutions and private lenders.  Among the highlights are the Washingtons’ dinner bell, heart-shaped waffle iron, a vente-sized mug of Chinese porcelain, coffee mill, three-foot olive jar, presidential dinner invitations and other kitchen items. In addition to displaying Martha Washington’s cookbook, the exhibition will feature George Washington’s account of the food staples used by the household. Few 18th century domestic utensils survive today; most wore out from service and were discarded since they had little monetary value.  Martha Washington’s descendants carefully preserved many objects from Mount Vernon’s kitchen because of their association with George and Martha Washington.

For more information on Mount Vernon and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum go to www.mountvernon.org.

The new Hoecakes & Hospitality: Cooking with Martha Washington exhibition, opened February 18, goes behind the scenes in the Washingtons' kitchen. This new exhibition will feature more than 125 kitchen and food-related objects from Mount Vernon. Among the highlights are the Washingtons' dinner bell, heart-shaped waffle iron, a vente-sized mug of Chinese porcelain, coffee mill, three-foot olive jar, and presidential dinner invitations. (PRNewsFoto/George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum & Gardens)

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.

Beaufort's waterfront on North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks named America's Coolest Small Town

Beaufort possesses an old-world, southern charm, steeped in maritime history and the adventure brought by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Boats dot the marina, from private yachts and massive sailboats to the trawlers the bring locally owned restaurants “fresh from the docks” sea fare. Once home to the infamous pirate Blackbeard and the final resting place for his Queen Anne’s Revenge two miles off the coast, Beaufort offers a glimpse into the past 300+ years of historical legacy. And to enjoy it all cozy inns charm the coast so the combination makes it very appealing to its 4,300 locals and travelers alike.

Dangling like a delicate strand of pearls off the coast of North Carolina, the favored Atlantic beach destination of generations represents one of the only remaining natural barrier island systems in the World. The Islands are strung together with 85 miles of silken coastline along the Southern Outer Banks, 56 miles of which are in the protected Cape Lookout National Seashore. The barrier islands take a southward curve, blessing the Crystal Coast with beaches that course east and west with views of the dazzlingly bright sun rise to greet the day and then slip into the shimmering translucent blue waters during a spectacular North Carolina sunset.

For more information on Beaufort and North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, visit www.crystalcoastnc.org or www.facebook.com/crystalcoast.

Boats dot the marina bringing locally owned restaurants "fresh from the docks" sea fare. Image courtesy of Childress Art And Imagery.com ©.

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Fondue by Chef George Duran

Use this beautiful artisan molinillo to whip up a spicy Mexican hot chocolate fondue.

Equipment: IMUSA Mini Saucepan or Chocolatera and Molinillo

Ingredients

½ c. heavy cream
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ tsp. mild chili powder

½ c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Fruits like apples, pears, and bananas, cut in bite size pieces. Skewers for dipping.

Directions:

In your IMUSA mini saucepan add first four ingredients and place under medium heat. Stir with a small wooden spoon or soft spatula until dissolved and heavy cream is steaming. Place chocolate chips in a small bowl and add hot heavy cream. Allow to sit for 30 seconds. Use a Molinillo to whisk heavy cream and chocolate until completely melted and the fondue is thick and velvety. Pour chocolate back in IMUSA Chocolatera or mini saucepan. Place pan on low heat until it begins to bubble and serve with fruits as well as marshmallows and cubed pound cake. Serves 2-4. 

Black and White Fondue  by Chef Ana Quincoces 

Equipment: IMUSA Mini Pot and IMUSA Chopsticks

Chef Ana Quincoces Black and White Fondue is simple to make so get creative with what you can dip.

Ingredients

½ c. heavy cream
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)
6 oz. white chocolate chips (I prefer Ghirardelli)
2 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

For dipping:

Strawberries
Banana slices
Halved marshmallows rolled in chopped nuts
Pound cake cubed
Brownies cubed
Pineapple chunks

In an IMUSA miniport over medium heat, bring ½ cup (less 2 tablespoons) of heavy cream and Grand Marnier to a boil. Turn heat off and immediately place the white chocolate chips in the pot (make sure most of the chocolate is submerged) and cover. Wait 3 minutes and whisk or stir the mixture until very smooth. In a small microwave proof bowl, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of cream until scalding. Add the 2 ounces of semisweet chocolate and allow it to sit for 3 minutes. Whisk or stir mixture until very smooth.

Put the mini pot back on the stove and heat over very low heat stirring constantly until desired temperature for eating is reached (watch it carefully as chocolate burns very quickly). Remove from heat. With a teaspoon place three dollops of the semisweet chocolate into the pot in a triangular pattern using all of the chocolate. With a knife swirl the chocolate mixtures together to attain a marbled effect. Do not over stir as this will just combine the chocolates. Serve warm with diced fruit, brownies, and pound cake.

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

In the sleek, clean, creative 1,500 square- foot space in the newly redesigned West Paces Ferry shopping and dining center next to the St. Regis, gals can choose from cocktail-namesake blowout styles that include Straight Up, Manhattan, Southern Comfort, Cosmopolitan, Mai Tail, and even Shirley Temple for girls ten and under. A trained professional stylist will shampoo and blowout your hair while you enjoy a complimentary fruit-infused water or glass of champagne or wine. While there choose to listen to your iPod from an individual iPod docking station or watch a chick flick on one of their flat-screen TVs.

In addition to a single blowout, you can opt for a monthly membership that offers two to four blowouts plus a few extras or a “Bartab” of 3-, 6- or 12-pack of blowouts. Gift certificates are available and are generated on a Drybar coaster. Great gift idea for any woman, at any time. Did you hear that guys?! Reminder: Valentine’s is on the horizon.  For more information, go to www.thedrybar.com.

Drybar Atlanta open to serve Atlanta women with no cut, no color, just blowdrys.

Women can choose from an array of blowouts all creatively named after cocktails.

A blowout at the Drybar includes a shampoo in the sleek-designed shampoo room.

To encourage a more social atmosphere, furniture was carefully placed to allow plenty of room for guests to gather with friends at the bar while the new library is warm and inviting flanked by two large millwork pieces and a central fireplace. Perfect for those looking for a quick bite to eat or light snack, the new St. Petersburg, Florida restaurant and cafe offers a grab-and-go style menu and specialty coffee drinks. The resort’s iconic veranda has become a popular hangout thanks to added seating and a fire pit on the patio level. For more information about the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, go to www.vinoyrenaissanceresort.com.

The lounge lobby-like design is a great place to hangout. The color palette is reflective of St. Pete's distinctive culture with rich vibrant colors.

The new library in the Vinoy is warm and inviting flanked by two large millwork pieces and a central fireplace

The Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida has revealed a new lounge-like lobby

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.

A cocktail table and side table in a Deborah Wescelman-designed living room uses elements of different heights, shapes and colors to a neutral palette

Now that your holiday company has long arrived back to their home and the Christmas tree is down, you are probably thinking that the rooms in your home are looking void of décor and you need some design ideas and tips. Deborah Wescelman of Deborah Wecselman Designs in Miami, Florida is here to offer us some professional pointers. She has a refreshing approach to interior design that sophisticatedly combines minimal and eccentric designs. Her talent lies in her ability to mix elements from all different eras, styles and periods. She encourages a client to look at their personality and their own imagination that will translates into a great sense of style.

Here are a few of Deborah’s design tips:

1. Clean lines: furniture should come in basic forms: square, rectangle or circles—the cleaner, the better
2. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and prints. By adding primary-shaped furniture, it keeps the space “clean” and allows for abstract adornments that will not create a “busy” appearance.
3. Start with neutral hues then add unexpected pops of color: by using taupe, beige, cream, grey, black, white or brown (neutral) canvases, liven up the space with bold home accessories from bright yellow paintings to royal blue vases; unexpected pops of color add personality to any space

Deborah Wecselman was born in Lima, Peru and began her formal training as design associate in the store development department at Polo Ralph Lauren. She quickly rose to Senior Director of International Store Design, where she was responsible for the creation of more than 5,000 international shops and stores. For more information on Deborah Wecselman and Deborah Wecselman Designs, please visit www.dwdinc.com. 

This Deborah Wecselman-designed dining room combines the basic rectangle shape in the dining table, art and chandelier on their neutral canvas

This Deborah Wescelman-designed space features whimsical elements with great pops of orange. Deborah's special touches of flair are seasonless and require minimal revisions throughout the change of seasons.

Plus, beginning January 1, 2012, Disney Parks.com is giving away a vacation package every day until February 29, 2012 and has an exciting special offer. For more information go to www.onemoredisneyday.com.

Both the Magic Kingdom Park in Fla. and Disneyland Park in Calif. will be open for 24 hours on Leap Day 2012.

Factoid: February 29 is the leap year date and is one extra day in the year, hence a leap year, that usually occurs every four years. This day is added to the calendar in leap years as a corrective measure, because the earth does not orbit around the sun in precisely 365 days. It keeps the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year.

On a personal note: With a Southern Twist is going to mix it up this year and not write every day; it will be more like two to three times a week. I’m not going to commit to exact days so when it’s posted to the website, e-mailed to subscribers, Facebook wall or Twitter, it will be more of a surprise; a twist on when it comes. Continue to enjoy and thank you for following!

The Great Courses: The Everyday Guide to Spirits and Cocktails: Taste and Traditions

Connoisseurs or novices, spirits lovers can now amaze and delight friends and family with an enhanced knowledge of and appreciation for great spirits and cocktails. The Everyday Guide to Spirits and Cocktails: Taste and Traditions, a dynamic series of video lectures available just in time for the holidays, is a fun and engaging educational experience that reveals everything people need to know to choose, mix, and serve spirits and cocktails just like a master mixologist.

Hosted by acclaimed expert and Certified Specialist of Spirits Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan and filmed entirely on location at Washington, D.C.’s iconic Gibson Bar, this exciting course features six half-hour lectures that cover the history, production, varieties, and uses of popular spirits including vodka, rum, and whiskey. As Jennifer demonstrates how to taste and compare the quality and complex notes of each spirit with the skill and confidence of a wine connoisseur, you’ll learn to maximize your experiences with spirits and discover your own personal taste preferences. They’ll also get a host of recipes for delicious cocktails that illustrate each spirits’ unique characteristics.

Check it out for yourself by clicking here to preview several great videos including How to Shake Cocktails, See How to Make a Hot Toddy and Learn to Mix Hot Butter Rum. From this site you can purchase The Everyday Guide to Spirits and Cocktails: Tastes and Traditions DVD for $29.95 or opt to download it for $27.95 or go to www.thegreatcourses.com/spirits.