SOHO in Vinings Sold

Atlanta restaurant group 101 Concepts has sold SOHO to the restaurant’s operating partner, Frank Smith. Located at 4200 Paces Ferry Road in Vinings, the 150 seat eatery was the first unit for partners and college friends Steve Buero, Chris Segal and Frank Smith. Situated in the Vinings Jubilee shopping center, the restaurant opened in September 1997. SOHO will continue to operate under the helm of Smith in its current location. www.sohoatlanta.com.

Chick-fil-A Opens @ Terminus Aug. 7

Atlanta’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant will open Thursday, Aug. 7, at 3280 Peachtree Rd. in the Terminus development in Buckhead. The first 100 adults in line by 6 a.m. on Aug. 7 at the new restaurant will each receive a free Chick-fil-A combo meal each week for a year. Participants, 18 years and older with identification, can line up no earlier than 12 hours prior to the opening.

The new Chick-fil-A will be open from 6:30 am. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, offering a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be served until 10 p.m.

Lamplighter Cafe Still Open

The owners of the Lamplighter Cafe near Grant Park want you to know they are still open for business. Many motorists have wrongly assumed the cafe closed because the usual sandwich board signs have disappeared. That's because the city made owner Erick Newman remove them for violations, and Newman said business has been off by 70 percent ever since. 

Lamplighter, 280 Connally St., serves up contemporary cuisine, with lots of deserts, pastries, wine and coffee. 

www.lamplighteratl.com

Six Feet Under Moves This Fall

Grant Park favorite, Six Feet Under, is moving one block away to the Jane Building, which is currently being renovated. The new address will be 437 Memorial Drive. The Jane was built in the 1920s and used as an elevator factory. The owners say they plan to give the new space the same look as the old, and you'll still be able to sip a cold one on the roof overlooking Oakland Cemetery.

www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com

www.thejanegrantpark.com

Cheerwine Available in ATL

Cheerwine, the unique, one-of-a-kind sparkling soft drink from North Carolina, launched in Atlanta this month and has received a strong wave of welcome from those who grew up with the beverage.

Created by L.D. Peeler in 1917, and still held privately by the Peeler family today, Cheerwine has a strong connection with those who grew up in the Carolinas, and who have longed to be able to buy the product in Atlanta.

Available in Publix, Kroger and a number of retail outlets throughout the metro-Atlanta area, the soft drink is already outperforming the Carolina Beverage Corporation’s projection for sales in the area.

www.cheerwine.com

Bushmills Anniversary Etched in Glass

At FADO Irish Pub in Buckhead, Atlanta, Irish businessman and inventor Basil Haslett displays the etched and gilded Bushmills logo, which he enhanced with 23.5 carat gold leaf using his US patented process for etching and engraving tempered glass.

This logo is just a small portion of the entire work he completed using the Glass Craft process at the Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland. Haslett's family business has manufactured and supplied memorials in Ireland since 1745, and the unique glass etching method is derived from techniques that originate in production of memorials and monuments.

FADO celebrated the 400th anniversary of Bushmills Whiskey in June. Its distillery was established in 1608 in County Antrim (Haslett's home turf) when King James I granted a license to produce whiskey.

Haslett's US patent was granted in January 2008 for his process of frosting, etching and engraving tempered glass, which before now was not possible because etching caused tempered glass to shatter. With high profile work throughout the United Kingdom, Glass Craft is etching glass for major monuments in the U.S., including Atlanta's Millennium Gate. To learn more, visit www.glasscraftusa.com.

Shop & Eat at Manuel's, July 27

On Sunday, July 27, from noon to 4 p.m., Manuel’s Tavern will be holding its quarterly art show, representing the offerings of more than 25 local artists displaying and selling handmade jewelry, handbags, clothing, photography, paintings, metal and wood crafts, and more.

Manuel’s Tavern is located at 602 North Highland Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia, at the corner of North Avenue and North Highland Avenue. The main phone number is (404) 525-3447, and the Tavern features a full menu and bar, with 70+ beers available.

www.manuelstavern.com

Downtown Restaurant Week

You've only got four days left to take part in the annual Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week event.

The following restaurants are offering three-course meals for $25, including an appetizer, entrée and dessert: Avanzare Steakhouse, Azio Restaurant, Café Circa, City Grill, Dailey’s Restaurant, Durango Steakhouse, E Street Grille, Fandangles, French American Brasserie, Grille at 590, Hsu’s Gourmet, Luckie Food Lounge, Max Lager’s American Grill & Brewery, Maxim Prime, No Mas! Cantina, Pacific Rim Bistro, Peasant Bistro, Pittypat’s Porch, Prime Meridian, Ray’s in the City, ROOM, Sear, Spoon Thai Café & Lounge, STATS, Thrive, Trader Vic’s and Tringali’s.

The fixed price of $25 does not include beverages, tax and gratuities.

www.atlantadowntown.com

Tomatofest Kicks Off July 30

Atlantans seeking fresh, quality tomatoes don’t have to look any further than La Tavola Trattoria, which will host its sixth annual “Tomatofest” on Wednesday, July 30. This 11-day fete lasts through Saturday, Aug. 9, and features seasonally-inspired Italian dishes created by Executive Chef Craig Richards using locally grown heirloom tomato varieties from Georgia’s own Dillwood Farms.

“Tomatofest has become a local tradition, and I think it’s a great way to get guests excited about local products that have been grown by farmers we know in Loganville, Georgia,” says Fifth Group Restaurants Partner Robby Kukler. “Our diners are increasingly becoming more informed about fresh, heirloom produce and are actively seeking it out,” he adds.

Tomatofest offers a specially crafted menu that is available à la carte or for the prix fixe cost of $39 per person (a wine flight is also available for an additional $16). Prices on the Tomatofest menu range from $6 to $21.

Appetizers include an heirloom tomato tasting with Sicilian sea salt and Affiorato extra virgin olive oil; tomato, peach and fennel salad with mint vinaigrette; octopus carpaccio with tomato, basil and pickled red onion salad; and bruschetta with charred tomatoes, cannellini beans and speck.

The Tomatofest pasta selection presents Malloreddus pasta with tomatoes, housemade fennel sausage and ricotta salata; spaghetti alla chitarra with tomatoes, olives, capers and anchovies; and ravioli of tomato conserva and ricotta with almonds and marjoram.

Entrée options include grilled flatiron steak with roasted plum tomatoes, sunchokes and green beans; crispy bone-in pork chop with marinated tomatoes and soft polenta; braised rabbit with tomatoes, rosemary, Taggiasca olives and new potatoes; and roasted hake with eggplant, zucchini, capers, basil, Brandywine tomato vinaigrette.

For dessert, sweet tomato zuppa with basil granita and crisp almond biscotti provides a sweet finale to the tomato tasting menu.

La Tavola Trattoria is located at 992 Virginia Ave. and serves dinner nightly and brunch on Sunday. This special menu will be offered during regular dinner hours (Monday - Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.; Sunday, 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.). Reservations can be made by calling (404) 873-5430 or by visiting www.fifthgroup.com.

Alon's Dinner Boxes

Alon's Bakery and Market is offering boxed dinners at its Morningside and Dunwoody locations. The customizable boxes are perfect for taking to concerts, picnics or just to bring home for a no hassle, delicious meal. 

The boxes range in price from $16.99 to $22.99 and can include lamb, beef tenderloin, salmon, chicken and a host of other entrees, sides and desserts. 

Orders can be placed (48 hours in advance) at www.alons.com or by calling (678) 397-1782.

Quick Bites

Atkins Park Tavern inVirginia Highland will hold its annual Christmas in July celebration on Friday, July 25. The mid-summer holiday party begins at 9 p.m. There will be Jager Snow Cones, lots of giveaways, Christmas cookies and a DJ spinning tunes. 794 North Highland Ave. For more information, call (404) 876-7249 or www.atkinspark.com.

Urban Flats will open in the Lindbergh City Center  off Piedmont Avenue in August. The Florida-based chain serves "eclectic fusion" of ingredients on top of fresh flatbread. www.urbanflats.net.

Blackberry Coffee Lounge is now open at 50 Upper Alabama St. in Underground Atlanta, serving up specialty teas, coffees and baked goods. 

Restaurant RIP: Houlihan's at Colony Square.

Good Measure Meals Partnership

Good Measure Meals is partnering with myproduceguy.com to make healthy gourmet-quality meals and fresh fruits and vegetables easily available to their customers through online ordering and delivery to homes and offices in the Atlanta metro area.

Good Measure Meals offers healthy, nutritionally balanced meals for fitness-conscious individuals, people with special dietary requirements due to health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or abnormal body fat levels, and busy professionals. Five- or seven-day meal plans are available in four daily calorie levels ranging from 1,200 to 2,100.

Freshly prepared Good Measure Meals are delivered to homes and offices or picked up at convenient locations throughout the metro Atlanta area on Mondays and Thursdays. Visit GMM’s Web site for a complete list of locations at www.goodmeasuremeals.com.

Myproduceguy.com delivers fresh from the farm produce directly to homes and offices Monday through Saturday. Convenient online ordering is accessible at www.myproduceguy.com for top quality fruits, vegetables, herbs, seasonings, dairy items, juices, and other grocery items at lower than supermarket prices. MPG offers a limited selection of organic and hydroponic fruits and vegetables. Gift baskets also are available.

MPG’s next-day delivery area includes Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. 

Maxim Prime Offering Lunch

Planning a leisurely lunch or grabbing a quick bite on the run?  Maxim Prime offers diners options with the new Express Lunch, featuring two courses served in 30 minutes or less for $18, available Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.  The regular ala carte lunch menu is also served.

Maxim Prime’s Express Lunch is a special menu consisting of either an appetizer and entrée or an entrée and dessert.  Appetizer choices include Soup Du Jour, Classic Caesar or The “Maxim” Salad.  Entrées are Roasted Shrimp and Capellini, Maxim “Cobb” Salad or Grilled Swordfish “BLT” Sandwich, Grilled Chicken “Italiano” Sandwich and Skirt Steak and Brie Sandwich.  Dessert options include Cheese Cake Brulée or Berries N’ Cream.

The restaurant is located at 110 Marietta St NW, next to CNN, Philips Arena and the Georgia Dome and within walking distance to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park. Valet parking is available for $5.  Reservations are recommended by calling (404) 469-0700. For more information, visit www.maximprime.com.

Starbucks Announces Atlanta Closings

Take a deep breath and try not to panic, Starbucks fans. The company has released the list of 13 Georgia stores that will be closed by March 2009. Specific closing dates were not released. Starbucks announced earlier this year that it would close 600 underperforming stores around the country.

The list includes three Intown stores: 250 Park Avenue West near the Georgia Aquarium, the store at Peachtree and 17th streets in Midtown and 2941 Paces Ferry Road in Vinings.

The rest:

5841 Roswell Road NE in Roswell

East-West Connector and Powder Springs, 2860 E-W Connector

Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive

U.S. 80 and Mall Road, 2011 Veterans Parkway in Dublin

Pleasant Hill Plaza, 1630 Pleasant Hill Road NW in Duluth

Gwinnett Mall, 2100 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth

Veterans Memorial Parkway and Buckner Boulevard in Mableton

East-West Connector and S. Cobb Drive, 4624 Camp Highland Road SE

Macon Mall, 3661 Eisenhower Parkway in Macon

Bass Road & Starcadia Circle, 1693 Bass Road in Macon

Restaurants Announced for 1010 Midtown

The 12th & Midtown development team has signed leases with four new-to-Atlanta restaurants—Ri Ra Irish Pub, RA Sushi, Piola and Noon|Midtown—slated to open at 1010 Midtown, the first phase of 12th & Midtown, in early 2009. 

Located along Crescent Avenue, each of the restaurants will have a dynamic street presence that will entice diners to experience Ireland, Japan, Italy and more.  Eateries will include:

• Ri Ra Irish Pub (www.rira.com): Ri Ra is constructed from materials salvaged from famous, old pubs. Each pub is unique. Authentic furnishings and appointments are imported directly from Ireland to create a genuine Irish atmosphere where patrons experience the Real Flavour of Ireland. The name Ri Ra is derived from the phrase “Ri Ra agus Ruaile Buaile,” which translates roughly as “celebration and good fun.”

• RA Sushi Bar Restaurant (www.RAsushi.com): The stylishly edgy sushi bar and restaurant currently has 20 locations across the country. An unconventional dining concept, RA blends fresh sushi, hip music and contemporary décor all rolled up into one flavorful experience.

• Piola (www.piola.it): This unique pizzeria from Italy with locations in São Paolo, Buenos Aires, New York and Miami's South Beach features authentic thin crust, wood-fired brick oven pizza and Italian cuisine that is simple and healthy. Whether socializing after a night on the town or lounging with friends on a lazy summer day, Piola diners will experience true European ambiance in a fabulously hip and fun atmosphere.

• Noon|Midtown (www.noonmidtown.com): Noon|Midtown offers sophisticated sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as pastries and breakfast items, with a focus on locally grown produce and sustainably raised meats.  Whether rushed for time or looking for a leisurely meal, guests will enjoy exceptional food in a stylish and comfortable setting, making Noon|Midtown the perfect complement to the Midtown lifestyle.

www.1010midtown.com

Tuohy To Leave Atlanta; Woodfire Grill For Sale

Woodfire Grill founder Chef Michael Tuohy has announced that he will leave Atlanta to return to his roots in Northern California. A San Francisco native who has been in the forefront of Atlanta’s burgeoning restaurant scene for the past 22 years, Tuohy will return to the Golden State to focus on California cuisine. 

He is joining forces with the Joie de Vivre Hospitality Group, California’s largest boutique hotel company, and the Rubicon Development Group, on the recommendation of his former boss and mentor, Joyce Goldstein, to launch a farm-to-table restaurant called Grange. Grange will be situated at The Citizen Hotel, a new 200-room boutique property situated in a historic building located one block from the state capital in Sacramento.

At this time, Tuohy’s Atlanta restaurant Woodfire Grill is officially for sale, and has several prospective buyers. Tuohy hopes that the “right buyer” will step forward and carry on with the same philosophy that has made Woodfire a truly special restaurant.

“It is all the wonderful people that I will miss the most: the special longtime loyal customers, many of which I have served and cooked for during my 22 years here, the farmers, the special relationships, staff. It’s very emotional,” said Tuohy.

August 12 is the official six year anniversary date for Woodfire Grill and Tuohy will host his “Farewell Dinner” for his longtime fans and friends in Atlanta. “Of course, I invite everyone to come dine with me in Sacramento!” Tuohy said. “We’re located just one hour from Napa Valley, an hour from the Sierras and approximately two hours north east of San Francisco.”

Taste of East Atlanta Tonight

The Taste of East Atlanta is this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. You can purchase $1 tickets, which buys a taste from the participating restaurants:

Australian Bakery
Blue Frog Cantina
Cenci
The Earl
East Atlanta Thai & Sushi
EAV Farmers' Market
Flat Iron
The Glenwood
Graveyard Tavern
Gravity Pub
Holy Taco
Joe's Coffee
Kasan Red
La Casita
The Midway
Slush
Village Ice Cream

For more information about the event and a map, visit www.tasteofeastatlanta.com.

ENO Hosts Summer Wine Event, July 19

On Saturday, July 19, Eno and Barrelman are inviting the public to:

· Taste 20 Wines for $20 dollars from 6 to 8 p.m. at ENO.
· Receive 20% off mixed case prices of these and other wines at Barrelman on the day of the event.
· Receive $20 off the dinner bill when you and a friend stay for dinner.

The tasting will feature ENO’s most popular wines from its wine list along with several others from France, Spain, Italy, Greece and the United States. All featured wines will retail for between $10 and $35 before the discount. Trained professionals will be present to answer questions about the wines. The Tasting will be in a casual, reception style with passed tapas.

Barrelman, ENO’s sister retail shop, will be open to accommodate all purchases. Tasting sheets will be provided with regular and discounted pricing. Patrons attending The Tasting will also receive 20% off other wines available at Barrelman.

Call (404) 685-3191 for reservations and RSVP to the “Sizzling Summer Wine Event” then specify a reservation for the “Tasting” or “The Tasting and Dinner.”

Summer Harvest @ Food 101: Peaches

Chef Justin Keith invites Atlantans to a summer dinner party at Food 101- Sandy Springs, featuring the fruit of choice, peaches, on Thursday, July 17. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner seating at 7:00 p.m. Chef Keith will highlight our state fruit, the peach, in a specially-prepared four-course dinner for $39 per person plus tax and gratuity. Seats are limited, so make your reservation today. Food 101 ( Sandy Springs ) is located at 4969 Roswell Road, Suite 200, Sandy Springs, GA 30342 , Phone: (404) 497-9700. www.food101atlanta.com. 

Willis Signs New Cookbook, July 26

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 26, as Bacchanalia chef and owner Anne Quatrano hosts author and Southern gourmand, Virginia Willis, at a special book-signing event at Star Provisions, 1198 Howell Mill Rd. The special occasion is in honor of Willis’ newest cookbook, Bon Appétit Y'all: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking. Willis will sign books from noon to 3 p.m.

The book, which will be available for purchase at Star Provisions for $32.50 includes a collection of 200 Southern, home cooking recipes that reflect Willis’ contemporary style and classical French cooking techniques. And the best part of the day will be when Quatrano prepares several of the book’s dishes for guests to sample, so they’ll not only get to meet Willis, but attendees will also get to taste some of the book’s dishes—prepared by one of the city’s best chefs. 

Cafe Lily's Birthday Bash

Join Chef Anthony Pitillo for a night of Greek food, wine, music and (maybe) plate throwing to celebrate this popular Decatur eatery’s 9th successful year. All proceeds benefit Hospice Atlanta as part of Lily’s Angel Project which honors the hospice team who cared for the late Angelo Pitillo, long-time Atlanta restaurateur and founder of Café Lily. Tuesday, July 15, 5:30PM on. 308 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur. (404) 371-9119. www.cafelily.com.

Quick Bites

AMC Fork and Screen is now open in Buckhead in the former Buckhead Backlot space. You can watch a movie and have full service dinner and cocktails. It's at 3340 Peachtree Road in the Tower Walk complex. www.moviewatchers.com

Joel Restaurant Chef Cyrille Holota will toast summer with a five-course beer dinner on Tuesday, July 15. The opening reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. Chef Cyrille Holota’s five-course menu will be paired with French beers selected by Sommelier Perrine Prieur. The price is $90.00 per person for the French fare and beer pairings (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations can be made by calling JOEL Restaurant at (404) 233-3500 or via the website at www.joelrestaurant.com.

Become a mojito master at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead as specialist Amy Eslami from Barcardi brings three recipes and demonstrates muddling and mixing techniques. Then guests make their own mojitos to enjoy along with a selection of tapas. The event is Thursday, July 24 from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost is $30 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuities. Class size is limited; early reservations are encouraged. www.ritzcarlton.com.

NEO Names Napoli Chef de Cuisine

Giuseppe Napoli has been named chef de cuisine of NEO at The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel and Residence.

A first-generation Italian-American, Napoli joins NEO from acclaimed Italian fine-dining spot, Dazies Restaurant, in New York, where he has served as executive chef since 2005. From 2001 until 2005, Napoli worked as the executive corporate chef at the Forest City Daly Company. Previously, he held positions at such respected establishments as Mare Restaurant, Cove Restaurant and Mia Sorella Ristorante, which, under his direction, was given a rating of Excellent by the New York Times, was awarded three stars by the New Jersey Star Ledger, and earned a score of 23 with New Jersey Zagats.

In his new role as chef de cuisine, Napoli will be responsible for NEO's daily operation, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. He will oversee eleven staff members and create NEO’s menus seasonally. 

www.mansiononpeachtree.com

Celiac Dinner @ Shaun's On Sunday

Chef Shaun Doty continues his special monthly dinner series catering to those with celiac disease on the second Sunday of every month. The next dinner will be held Sunday (July 13) and will feature a prix fixe, gluten-free and wheat-free menu for $45 and $65 with gluten-free beer pairings. A gift bag provided by Whole Foods Briarcliff with an array of gluten-free products will also be given to diners. Shaun’s and Whole Foods Briarcliff are partnering to bring awareness about the disease and to showcase the array of delicious food items available to those with celiac disease or those who prefer a healthier, gluten-free diet.

The appetizer will feature Eggplant Salad with Poached Shrimp and Spicy Vinaigrette. The intermezzo will include Fig Tempura with Sweet Potato, Vanilla and Tahini. The entrée will be Vegan Zucchini Lasagna with Heirloom Tomatoes and Pinenut Ricotta. Dessert will consist of a Black Rice Pudding and Coconut Sorbet.

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate the gluten protein, found in wheat, rye and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods, but may also be found in everyday products such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines and vitamins. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine.

For more information please call (404)577-4358 or visit www.shaunsrestaurant.com.

Swift @ Morningside Market Tomorrow

4th & Swift owner/chef Jay Swift will be giving the cooking demo tomorrow morning (Saturday) at The Morningside Farmers’ Market starting at 9:30 a.m. After he cooks, there will also be a tasting. Swift will be using all-natural and fresh ingredients from Crystal Organic Farm during the demo.

www.morningsidefarmersmarket.com

Ray's Offers Shuttle to Amphitheatre

Ray’s Killer Creek in Alpharetta will begin offering shuttle service for its restaurant patrons to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park concert outings. The service started this week  and will be offered for all concerts, except those with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

The shuttle will depart from Ray’s Killer Creek, located at 1700 Mansell Rd. (at Highway 400) and will bring concert goers back to their cars in the restaurant’s parking lot. A nominal fee of $10.00 for round-trip transportation per person will be charged. Diners age 21 or over who show their ticket to their server can enjoy a complimentary glass of red or white house wine with the purchase of an entrée (soft drinks are available to diners under 21). As an added convenience, the restaurant will begin serving dinner on concert nights at 4:00 p.m.

“Our patrons come here for a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience,” said Keith Kendrick, General Manager, Ray’s Killer Creek. “We want to extend that experience by making it less stressful for our guests to enjoy the area’s exciting new concert venue.”

For reservations for Ray’s Killer Creek Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Shuttle, call (770) 649-0064 or visit www.raysrestaurants.com. 

Parish Wine Tastings Continue

The hot new Inman Park eatery, Parish, is now hosting a wine tasting series every other Monday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person and include a sampling of five wines uniquely selected by Parish's wine staff, perfectly paired with a delicious cheese and/or housemade charcuterie selections by Executive Chef Tim Magee. Here's the summer schedule:

July 14: Latin Passion (wines south of the equator)

July 28: Jam Session (improvised tasting)

August 11: Pretty in Pink (roses)

August 25: Tasty Homegrown Stuff (Gerogia Wines)

Parish is located at 240 N. Highland Ave. (404)681-4434 or www.parishatl.com.

Taste of Summer @ Vinocity, July 16

Click the image above to read the details. 

Quick Bites

You can now get breakfast anytime at Einstein's in Midtown. Items such as the Spinach-Feta Omelette, Veranda Platter, Smoked Salmon Bagel, Grand Marnier French Toast and Yogurt-Granola Parfait are featured. All items are served with a choice of side and a toasted English Muffin. www.einsteinsatlanta.com.

City Grill will present a tasting of red wines from South Africa on Wednesday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m.  The guest speaker will be be  Michael O’Conner of Empire Distributors and the restaurant will offer a sampling of light hors d’oeuvres to compliment the wines. $25 per person. www.citygrillatlanta.com. 


Highland Bakery in the Old Fourth Ward has expanded -- temporarily -- to the Lake Claire Pool. The pool is only open to members, but those who are will be able to enjoy sandwiches, pizza, bagels, smoothies, fruits and much more. The Highland Bakery at The Pool will be operate Thursday and Friday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. www.highlandbakery.com.

Studioplex Green Market Begins July 12

Studioplex will begin hosting a weekly green market starting Saturday, July 12, from 8 a.m. to noon (rain or shine). The Studioplex Green market will be held every Saturday through the fall, and will be set up across from the main entrance to Studioplex on Irwin Street near the corner of Auburn Avenue (at the water tower triangle) in the Old Fourth Ward. Proceeds from the market will benefit City Church-Eastside (www.citychurcheastside.org ), led by Pastor Scott Armstrong, which regularly meets in the community room at Studioplex.

“This green market will be especially convenient for the residents of Studioplex and our neighbors in the Historic Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park and the surrounding communities,” said Dillon Baynes, principal of Studioplex LLC and one of the three partners in the in-town development. “It may even save some shopping trips!”

“In following the farm-to-table concept, our goal is to efficiently bring an abundance of fresh produce from farmers in Habersham and Rabun counties in North Georgia to the heart of Atlanta. We are all eager to do our part to promote sustainability,” said Baynes.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and squash will be some of the initial produce available and will be “competitively priced,” according to Baynes. Vegetables not sold during market hours will be donated to Open Hand, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization (www.projectopenhand.org ).

Danneman’s Coffee in the Old Fourth Ward ( www.dannemans.com) will have their coffee available for purchase at the Studioplex Green market.

www.studioplexlofts.com

Wal-Mart Gets Local

Wal-Mart has announced its commitment to source more local fruits and vegetables to keep produce prices down and provide affordable selections that are fresh and healthful. The retailer also reported that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years – one example of the company’s efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food offerings.

Today, hundreds of growers across the United States provide produce sold in Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, making Wal-Mart the nation’s largest purchaser of local produce. During summer months, locally sourced fruits and vegetables that are both grown and available for purchase within a state’s borders make up a fifth of the produce available in Wal-Mart stores.

“Offering local produce has been a Wal-Mart priority for years, and we’re taking it to a new level with a pledge to grow our partnerships with local farmers. We’re committed to purchasing locally grown produce whenever possible,” said Pam Kohn, Wal-Mart’s senior vice president and general merchandise manager for grocery. “Increasing the amount of local produce in our grocery aisles – and adding clear locally grown signage – reflects our dedication to offer the freshest products possible at great prices.”

Wal-Mart announced its locally grown commitment in a Supercenter in DeKalb County. The event featured an in-store farmers’ market with growers on hand to educate customers about produce. Just in time for the Fourth of July, Georgia Wal-Mart Supercenters have many of the ingredients customers need for a locally grown celebration: sweet Georgia-grown Vidalia onions for their Independence Day burgers, Georgia cantaloupes and watermelons for a fabulous fruit salad, and Georgia peaches for cobbler. A complete list of locally grown produce available by state is at www.livebetterindex.com.

“Georgia is proud of its family farmers who lead the production of many important fruits and vegetables like our famous Georgia peaches and watermelons,” said Donnie Smith, Governor Sonny Perdue's Agriculture Liaison. “Thanks to Georgia producers and companies like Wal-Mart, Georgia will continue to be recognized as a trusted provider of high quality fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products to feed America’s families.”

Georgia onion farmer Delbert Bland is one of the growers who participated in the Decatur event. His family farm has been in operation in Glennville, Ga. since the 1940s, and he is featured on in-store signage in the Atlanta area.

“We are proud to see our onions sold in Wal-Mart stores across Georgia and knowing that we are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is an added value,” said Bland. “Our business would not be where it is today without the support of Wal-Mart.”

Wal-Mart estimates that it purchases more than 70 percent of its produce from U.S.-based suppliers, making the company the biggest customer of American agriculture. This year, Wal-Mart expects to source about $400 million in locally grown produce from farmers across the United States.

Wal-Mart’s relationships with U.S. suppliers also extend beyond its support of local agriculture. Beyond produce, Wal-Mart partnered with 61,000 U.S. suppliers in 2007 and supported millions of supplier jobs nationally.

Beyond the benefits to consumers and economic opportunities for farmers, Wal-Mart’s commitment to locally grown produce is helping to reduce “food miles” – the distance food travels from farm to fork. It is estimated that in the United States, produce travels an average of 1,500 miles from farms to the homes of consumers. Through better logistics planning, better packing of trucks and local sourcing, Wal-Mart expects to save millions of food miles each year.

In addition, Wal-Mart is working with state departments of agriculture and local farmers to develop or revitalize growing areas for products like corn in Mississippi and cilantro in Southern Florida which had not grown there before or which were once native crops.

Wal-Mart now highlights locally grown produce in its stores across the country. Customers will find it easy to recognize locally grown fruits and vegetables with signs that include official state-grown marks, indicating approval by their state’s agriculture department.

The company is also dedicating space on its web site to locally grown produce, including farmer profiles and recipes. For more information, visit www.walmart.com/locallygrown.

Celebrate The 4th With Food & Drink

Here's a few suggestions on where to celebrate Independence Day if you're looking for food, drink and merriment this busy holiday weekend:

When you're bobbing and weaving your way down Peachtree in the Peachtree Road Race, you'll run right by it... VITA, at Peachtree and Bennett Street (right before "Cardiac Hill," err, Piedmont Hospital). Keep jogging to the finish at the Civic Center, meet your friends under the "V" balloon (for VITA), then swing back to celebrate your accomplishments over VITA's popular Bellini Brunch from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Refuel for the day with a three-egg VITA omelet hugging your choice of fillings, Italian country bread French toast, open-faced spinach frittata or an open-faced chicken frittata omelet loaded with pulled chicken, pancetta and mozzarella cheese. All dishes are $12 and are accompanied by seasonal fresh fruit and roasted potatoes. For hydration beyond sports drinks, try a bubbly Bellini, mimosa or glass of champagne ($6/glass) - or make it a lycopene-loaded Bloody Mary ($5/glass). www.vitaatl.com.

If you're partying at the Atlanta Pride Festival, stop by Marlow's in Midtown on  July 4 and 5. DJ Chris Griswold will be spinning tunes on both nights from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Sponsored by Red Bull energy drink, the restaurant will offer food and drink specials on both days along with $5 Stoli martinis all day on Friday and Saturday. There is no cover charge to attend. 950 West Peachtree Street.www.marlowstavern.com.

Food 101 Morningside is offering Friday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by a backyard party from 4 to 11:00 p.m. on the patio. All of your favorite summer foods such as burgers, hot dogs, ribs, BBQ chicken and traditional picnic sides will be served. 1397 North Highland Ave. www.food101atlanta.com.

Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland will be roasting a whole hog in the back parking lot as well as serving traditional American sides. Guests can enjoy a slice of Americano for $15 per person which includes a meat and three side items such as baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad. 794 North Highland Ave. www.atkinspark.com.

Justin’s Restaurant kicks off holiday festivities at 8 a.m. by giving Peachtree Road Race runners complimentary Bad Boy Enterprises goodies, including: Sean John t-shirts and cologne, Bad Boy Records cds, water bottles and tons more. The evening party begins at 4 p.m. and will feature drink specials such as the Watermelon Martini served with a slice of locally-grown watermelon, Fourth of July menu specials and Justin’s house DJ spinning live until close. J2200 Peachtree Road. www.justinsrestaurant.com.

Buy Taste of East Atlanta Tickets

The Taste of East Atlanta is set for Thursday, July 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. You can purchase $1 tickets now at Bound to Be Read Books, East Atlanta Village Farmers' Market, Graveyard Tavern or Origins Realty. Each $1 ticket buys a taste from the participating restaurants:

Australian Bakery

Blue Frog Cantina

Cenci

The Earl

East Atlanta Thai & Sushi

EAV Farmers' Market

Flat Iron

The Glenwood

Graveyard Tavern

Gravity Pub

Holy Taco

Joe's Coffee

Kasan Red

La Casita

The Midway

Slush

Village Ice Cream

For more information about the event and a map, visit www.tasteofeastatlanta.com.

Redfish Offering 4th of July Special

Click the image above for more details or visit www.redfishcreole.com.

Sex and the Kitchen

Part foodie diary, part sexual memoir, part indie business manual -- A Decade of Dish: Volume I is local restauranteur Michele Niesen's bold and unapologetic memoir about her life in the cooking business. Niesen opened the Supper Club in 1997 in Decatur with no start-up capital, but a passion for food and pleasure. 

After ten years, Niesen sold her underground bistro and retreated from the restaurant business without regret. A Decade of Dish chronicles the early years of start up - France, Mexico, boys, sex, staffing and yes, even some cooking.

Niesen opened Billy Goat’s Cantina in 2003, and the forthcoming Volume II (Amor en mi Cocina) will feature travelogues of Mexico and recipes of the beloved cantina, which she sold in 2006.

The book is available at blurb.com for $21.95.

Niesen currently lives and writes in the North Georgia mountains where she holds classes in both cooking and writing. Visit her blog amidlifeisis.blogspot.com, where she reflects on her almost-grown-up views on sex, creative career paths, and social issues.