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.