Midtown Restaurant Week, Sept. 4-12

Easily, one of the best things about living in Atlanta is the sheer number of dining options that its residents have on a daily basis.  There are soooo many options.  And in my humble opinion, one of the best ways to experience the city’s many offerengs is to take advantage of the prix fixe specials that are offered during events like restaurant weeks.  That way, you can experience a full course meal (usually a dish that the location’s chef wants to highlight) at a discounted price.

If you remember, Buckhead had its Ultimate Restaurant Week back in May.  Well, now it’s time for Midtown to shine.  From Saturday, September 4 until Sunday, September 12, you can enjoy Midtown’s best restaurants as they showcase their best dishes during Midtown Restaurant Week.  Each participating restaurant will offer a three-course menu for $25.  If you do the math, for three-courses, that’s a pretty good deal.

Participating restaurants include 4th & Swift, Atmosphere, Diesel, The Nook, Lobby at Twelve, ONE Midtown Kitchen, STRIP and many more.  To see a full list of participating restaurants and make reservations, check out www.atlrestaurantweek.com.  And don’t miss this opportunity to find your next favorite Atlanta restaurant dish!

Rave…for food!

Get ready for an exciting night filled with flavors from some of Atlanta’s brightest new culinary stars!  The Atlanta Food Rave  goes down on August 27 at the Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery.  Have you heard about it?  According to my friend Ashley, “it’s a super chi-chi event.”  Basically, you it’s food, fun, interaction, cocktails with some great live entertainment mixed in.  Proceeds from the event will go to benefit The Atanta Community Food Bank.

This year, the event has added a competitive component to the mix, as guests will be encouraged to sample chef offerings throughout the evening and vote for their favorite chef.  A menu for the event, including vegetarian options, will be revealed upon arrival.  The winner will take home the title of “Best Chef” of The 2010 Rave Review.  And for those that enjoy a few spirits with their catered fare, there will be a premium open bar featuring signature alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages.

Featured chefs include Alex Friedman of P’Cheen International Bistro and Pub, Delroy Bowen of the Georgia International Convention Center, Keira Moritz of Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge, Lance Gummere of The Shed at Glenwood and Latoya Starks of Noorish Personal Chef and Catering Services.

Tickets are $55 per person and are available at www.atlantafoodrave.com and (404) 856-0157.

You like popsicles, don’t you?

I’m assuming you answered yes.  My suggestion:  find the King of Pops.

What is King of Pops, you ask…well, one day about a year ago, a guy named Steven Carse decided that he didn’t want to pursue his career in the insurance busines and would have much more fun in life slinging gourmet popsicles (aka paletas).  He came up with the idea while he and his brothers were traveling in Mexico a few years ago, and it just stuck.  Thankfully for us, that idea is now a reality!

Carse starts off with the freshest local ingredients that Atlanta has to offer and magically turns them into exotic iced flavors, such Strawberry Rhubabrb, Lemon Lavender, Strawberry Mojito and Tangerine Honey.  All are all wildly popular.  He even does deals with local lunch spots.  For example, on Mondy he took his cart to Souper Jenny (56 E Andrews Drive Northwes) where the restaurant gave pops to everyone that bought lunch.  Kinda like a value meal…but better.

Although the King mostly keeps his popsicle cart in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, he does travel around to other aread throughout the week.  Just follow him on Twitter @TheKingofPops to find where he will be!

(Photo: drgourmet)

Anyone up for a flavor tripping party?

Yeah, you read it right.  I said flavor tripping.  Now before you go calling the narcs on me, you should know this has nothing to do with any illegal substances.  Rather, “flavor tripping” is the new slang term for the lastest craze to come out of the NYC culinary scene.

It involves a tiny tic-tac sized, West African berry fascinatingly titled “miracle fruit”.  So you’re probably wondering just what this berry does.  According to a NY Times article, “the berry rewires the way the palate perceives sour flavors for an hour or so, rendering lemons as sweet as candy.”

Basically, it completely alters your tastebuds.  Swirl some lemon sorbet into your Guinnes Stout and taste chocolate cake.  Put a drop of Tobasco sauce on your tounge and taste donut glaze.  Goat cheese now tastes like cheesecake.  You get the picture.

Sound interesting?  There’s a new lounge in Sandy Springs that is offereing up the experience to the adventurous types.  On Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, and for a mere $20, Three Sheets (6017 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, 404.303.8423) will set you up with your own miracle fruit berry and an assortment of food items to sample.  But don’t plan on it this week, or next, as their flavor tripping parties are selling out fast.  Your best bet is to make a reservation online.  Or if you’d like, hit up the Miracle Fruit Man and host your own party.

Yeah! A new gourmet burger spot hits Atlanta

I’m all for fine dining, but some night there is just no substitute for a great burger?  Am I right, folks?  Chef Shaun Doty has ventured into the current burger craze hitting Atlanta.  His newly opened restaurant, Yeah! Burger is on the west side off 14^th Street.  Shaun prides the fact that his new establishment is a socially responsible, eco friendly restaurant that utilizes local organic beef and produce.

Yeah! has already been featured on Fox 5’s Good Day Atlanta and on Atlanta Daily Candy.  For more information on hours and directions, their website and be sure to ‘Like’ their Facebook page to stay up on the “going on’s” at the restaurant.  Holla!

Summertime Peach Soup

With the summer heat beginning to blaze down, most of probably won’t be having a lot of soup for dinner over the next few months.  Soup is traditionally a cold weather meal, as the warm liquid broth serves to keep our insides warm.

But for soup enthusiasts here at Uptown Buckhead that are waiting the warm weather out, there are alternative recipes that just might satisfy your palate and won’t leave you sweating bullets in the heat.  Particulary, fruit soups are becoming the new “it” item on summer time menus.  Many can be served either hot or cold.

Check out the recipe for Peachy Ginger Soup I found.  Sound delicious?  Head down to the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, grab some fresh, in-season Georgia peaches and try it out!

Peachy Ginger Soup

Ultimate Restaurant Week

Greetings Uptown Buckheadians!  If you didn’t already know, this coming week is Ultimate Restaurant Week here in Buckhead.  That means great food at premium Buckhead restuarants with nice discounts.  From now until May 31, participating restaurants are offering three-course, farm-to-table menus for only $25.  To give patrons some variety, the menus will change every week.

Want to find out what’s cooking, I’ve got you covered.  Here are the participating restaurants and their menus (follow the link) for the week of May 14 – 20:

• Atlanta Fish Market
• Bistro Niko
• Bluepointe
• Buckhead Diner
• Kyma
• Nava
• Pricci
• Veni Vidi Vicci

To call the restaurant of your choice for reservations, or to reserve your table online, CLICK HERE.  I have to admit that as a wannabe foodie, I’m somewhat excited.  There are a lot of different combinations to sample.  And while I won’t be able to hit up every option, there are a few dishes that I’m making a concerted effort to try.  First on the list is the Thai Grilled Chicken at Bluepointe!  What about you?  Do any of the dishes sound interesting?  Become a food critic!  If you’d like to write a restaurant review for the Uptown Buckhead blog, we’ll be glad to post it!

Spice it up, mon!

This past Mother’s Day, I tried to do something a little different for mom.  Instead of taking her out to dinner, I decided to cook one for her by myself.  Afterall, I’m not completely lost in a kitchen.  I can make toast and a bowl of cereal just as good as anyone.  Now my mother is Jamaican and her favorite dish from her homeland is a spicy Curried Chicken.  I never attempted to make it before, but judging by her reaction, I think I did OK.  Then again, she’s my mother and maybe she just didn’t want to hurt my feelings.  Below is the recipe I used.  I followed it to a “T”.  Try it out when you get a chance and let me know what you think.  If it’s good enough for neighbors at Uptown Buckhead, then it was probably really good for mom too.  Tip: I think it’s even better the next day so make sure you don’t eat it all the first night.

Chicken Curry

Ingredients:

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, skin removed and cut into pieces
• 3 onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon paprika 3 tablespoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• water to cover

Directions:

1. Fry the onions in olive oil until browned. Add the cinnamon and the bay leaf. Continue stirring and add the ginger, paprika, curry powder, sugar, salt, and garlic. Continue stirring for 2 minutes. Mixture will become much like a paste.
2. Add chicken pieces and tomato. Add enough water to just cover the chicken. Simmer until chicken is done, about 20 minutes.
3. Just before serving, add the lemon juice and the cayenne pepper. Simmer for 5 more minutes.

Nutritional Information:

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 343 | Total Fat: 24.3g | Cholesterol: 62mg

Fabulous restaurant in Atlanta: Anis Cafe & Bistro

I ate at Anis Cafe & Bistro with friends this past Saturday and have found my new favorite place!  When opened in February of 1994, the concept was simply to open a casual bistro. Very soon it became apparent that a larger menu and a more traditional restaurant setting would be needed to satisfy the needs of its clientele. The menu was vastly expended, and earned glowing reviews in the process.

A few of my favorites were the cheese tray, mixed Mediterranean olives, calamari and hands down the BEST mussels I have ever had.

Located right down the street at 2974 Grandview Ave. This place is definitely worth trying!

In-Season Produce: Markets near Uptown Buckhead

Do you shop for your fresh food and produce locally? If not, you may want to give it some serious consideration. Although today’s global market allows us to buy foods grown almost anywhere in the world at any given time, this option is not the most sustainable.

Buying in-season fruits and vegetables that are locally grown helps to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods across the country – and in some cases – the world. Not only does your food dollar go directly to the farmers, but you’re able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, better tasting, unprocessed produce. According to the National Resources Defense Council, in-season foods for the state of Georgia (and surrouning areas) include:

Blueberries Cabbage Carrots Greens Snap Beans Strawberries Vidalia Onions Yellow Squash Zucchini Asparagus (Tennessee) Bananas (Florida) Broccoli (Florida, North Carolina) Cantaloupe (Florida) Cauliflower (Florida) Celery (Florida) Chinese Cabbage (Florida) Collards (Tennessee) Cucumber (Florida) Eggplant (Florida) Endive (Florida) Escarole (Florida) Gourds (Tennessee) Grapefruit (Florida) Herbs (Tennessee) Honey (Tennessee) Honeydew Melon (Florida) Indian Corn (Tennessee) Kumquat (Florida)

Leafy greens (North Carolina) Limes (Florida) Mamey Sapote (Florida) Mixed Greens (South Carolina) Mushrooms (Florida, Tennessee) Okra (Florida) Onions (Florida) Oranges (Florida) Papaya (Florida) Peanuts (North Carolina) Pecans* (Alabama) Peppers (Florida) Potatoes (Florida) Radishes (Florida) Scallions (South Carolina) Squash* (Alabama, Florida) Sweet Corn (Florida) Sweet Potatoes * (Alabama, North Carolina) Tangelos (Florida) Tangerines (Florida) Tomatoes (Florida) Watermelon (Florida)

Here is a short list of markets that sell fresh locally grown foods near the Uptown Buckhead area. If you can suggest any other markets, leave a comment and let the community know!

Markets near Uptown Buckhead

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