Trader Joe's Opening In Buckhead

California specialty grocer Trader Joe's will open another new store in Atlanta at 3183 Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead. An opening date has not been announced. This will be the sixth store Trader Joe's -- maybe best known for its popular, inexpensive wine -- to open in the metro area.

A La Mode Open @ Kirkwood Station

A La Mode Dessert Bar is now open in Kirkwood Station on Hosea L. Williams Drive offering up ice cream, gelato, cotton candy, pies, cakes, brownies and cupcakes. 

From rich German chocolate cake and home-style red velvet, to warm apple pie and sugary pecan, A La Mode is the place to satisfy your sweet tooth. Eleven flavors of gelato, including tiramisu and vanilla peanut butter cup; 11 ice creams, like the oh-so-smooth birthday cake (with sprinkles mixed in!) and the vivid superman (which showcases the colors of his uniform); and four Italian ices, piña colada and blue raspberry being favorites; cover the gamut in cold treats.

No sugar added, fat-free and organic options are available; and everything is made locally. The baked goodies, including death by chocolate and carrot cake cupcakes—made with mounds of cream cheese frosting—are created fresh by a local baker on site using Jovanna’s own creative recipes.

“I wanted a place where parents could come with their kids during the day, and an after dinner place for adults at night,” owner Jovanna Reyes says. “A place where people felt comfortable, where they’d create memories; a place they’d visit years down the line.”

Candy jars are everywhere, and patrons are welcome to help themselves and top their ice cream with complimentary self-serve sprinkles and cereals, in addition to the paid toppings, like Jelly Belly Beans, granola, gummies and more.

For more information, call (404) 824-9171 or visit A La Mode at 1963 Hosea L. Williams Drive. For information on the development visit www.Kirkwood-station.com.

P'cheen Updates Menu & Music

P’cheen, Atlanta’s award winning international bistro and pub that strives to bring top quality food in a warm relaxed environment has upped the ante once more.  

Chef Alex Friedman has reinvented the menu to embrace the true feel of the restaurant.  “We wanted to bring back the all-star plates,” says Friedman, “the dishes that have been very successful for us and that our guests truly crave.”  Smoked mozzarella ravioli with tomato coulis and crispy Vidalia onions, for example, had previously been removed from the menu last fall.  “We had to put it back on the menu, people love it.”  In addition, new appetizers include Thai style beef satays with red cabbage slaw and ponzu sauce, roasted tomato and black beans samosas with mango salsa and the return of the delicious house cured gravlax.  New entrée selections include house smoked baby back ribs with jalapeno mac-n-cheese and collard greens, thyme and black pepper roasted half chicken and a classic steak frites with a choice of three different sauces.

Also, P’cheen has begun to offer all-you-can-eat jumbo Alaskan snow crab legs.  Every Wednesday, patrons pack the place out to feast on one of the best deals in town.  Accompanied by boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, drawn butter and crusty French bread, this idea is already a hit.  Tables are all full before 8pm.  “Make a reservation,” says bartender Tom Williams, a former Bostonian, “these legs are some of the best!”

The music program at P’cheen has also been upgraded.  Where previously the after dinner scene comprised just Djs, the sonic menu now includes live music every Thursday.  With the help of local indie rock afficianado and Tentonic band member, Steven Quinn, P’cheen has launched the newest addition to the local live music scene.  Every Thursday, the lounge area of the restaurant hosts “Hard Times,” a showcase of Atlanta’s best up and coming bands.  The participating musicians perform an acoustic “unplugged” show in an intimate living room style setting.  Music starts around 10.30pm and there is never a cover.

P’cheen is located at 701-5 Highland Ave. For more information visit www.pcheen.com or call (404) 529-8800.

Danneman's Opens in O4W

Danneman’s, a new coffee shop located in a two-story historic brick building in the Old Fourth Ward is now open for business.  Open daily and a WiFi hotspot, Danneman’s serves locally roasted coffee, freshly baked breads and breakfast foods, a selection of sandwiches and salads, and a variety of other tasty treats. With a spacious 1100 square-foot second floor that overlooks the corner of Boulevard and Edgewood Ave., Danneman’s also hosts an array of events and art openings, including Friday morning yoga classes, modern dance classes, Tango milonga’s, open-mic nights, DJs, live music and much more.

Opened by local residents Joe Stewardson and Kate Pedrick, the recently renovated spot is named after Danneman’s Super Market, the former long-term neighborhood grocery store dating back to the 1930’s.  Paying homage to the rich history of the area and the building, which was originally built in the early 1900s, the new neighborhood coffee shop has a retro-nostalgic feel complimented by an inviting and friendly atmosphere.  The playful décor infuses the original Danneman’s Super Market sign and features exposed brick walls, tall ceilings, wood floors, large vintage windows, seating vignettes for work and conversation, fresh flowers, and Mid Century accents and furnishings including lab tables and Navy chairs.

Ongoing events promise to be a large part of Danneman’s repertoire, including: 

Tango Milongas - Join tango enthusiasts the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Featuring live music by Osvaldo Barrios. Tango lessons at 8 p.m. and dancing begins at 9 p.m.  $10.00 cover charge / $5.00 students.  All proceeds go directly to the musician.  All levels are welcome!

Sunday Dinner – The first Sunday of each month legendary Atlanta DJs join forces and spin records for each other and anyone who wants to listen in.  4 to 8 p.m. Free. 

Odd Man Out Theater presents "The Hottest Ticket" nightly at Danneman’s on September 25, 26 and 27.  This is the first in a series of short and hilarious plays presented by Atlanta newcomer, Timothy Gray.  $10.00 cover charge. 

Modern Dance Class - 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday.  All levels welcome!  $12.00 per person.

Danneman’s is located on the corner of Boulevard and Edgewood Ave. in the Old Fourth Ward at 466 Edgewood Ave. Call (404) 380-1393 for more information, to book an event or to reserve tables.  Hours are Monday through Friday from 6:15 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays 7 a.m. to11 p.m.; and Sun. 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.  Visit Danneman’s online at www.dannemans.com.

A Taste of Decatur, Sept. 13

Garden of Eatin’: A Taste of Decatur will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Decatur Conference Center. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

Decatur Cooperative Ministry presents food samples from more than 25 Decatur restaurants, quality silent auction items, fun activities for children and crowd-pleasing music and entertainment. Proceeds help provide services for homeless and at-risk families, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, financial assistance and education. 

For information call (404) 371-9334 ext. 5 or visit www.decaturcooperativeministry.org.

Downtown Restaurant Week A Hit

Atlantans may be cutting back on dining out due to the economic times, but that didn’t stop more than 34,000 diners from partaking in the $25 three-course meals at 27 restaurants from July 21-27. And, for those who couldn’t get enough during Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week and especially for those who didn’t get a chance to enjoy the savory deal, now’s your chance. Central Atlanta Progress, in conjunction with Twelve Hotels & Residences Centennial Park, is offering special deals at 18 fantastic restaurants in the Downtown Dining District through August 31. Offers include complimentary entrées with purchase of another entrée, complimentary appetizers, lunch specials and more. But, the best part is you can print these coupons from Central Atlanta Progress’ web site at www.atlantadowntown.com.

Taste of Atlanta Participating Restaurants

Taste of Atlanta, slated for Oct. 11 and 12 at Atlantic Station in Midtown, has released the names of participating restaurant: 

· Artistry

· Atlantic Grill

· Bhojanic

· Bonehead’s Grilled Fish & Piri Piri Chicken

· Café 458

· Café Dupri

· Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro

· Desta

· Dogwood

· Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante

· Einstein’s

· Fado Irish Pub and Restaurant

· Fox Brothers BBQ

· Garrison’s Broiler & Tap

· Geisha House

· Hot Stix Stir-Fry Kitchen

· Hudson Grill

· II Mulino

· Jim N’ Nick’s Bar-B-Que

· Johnny Rockets

· Joli Kobe Bakery and Café

· Lobby at Twelve

· Loca Luna

· LowCountry BBQ

· Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

· Mediterranean Grill

· Metrotainment Bakery

· No Mas! Cantina

· OK Café

· Prime Meridian at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center

· Rob’s Caribbean Café

· Room at Twelve

· Rosa Mexicano

· Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant

· Sal Grosso Brazilian Steakhouse

· Sambuca

· Six Feet Under Pub and Fish House

· Sogno Gelato

· Straits Atlanta

· Strip

· Sushi Niko Niko

· Sweet Auburn Bread

· Taco Mac

· Taverna Plaka

· The Capital Grille

· The Depot

· The Feed Store

· The Grape

· The Melting Pot

· The Real Chow Baby

· The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View

· The Tenth Thai Cuisine and Lounge

· Thrive

· Vickery’s

· Vinocity Kirkwood

· West Egg Café

· Wolfgang Puck Express

· Zaya

Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the event and you receive 10 taste coupons. Saturday and Sunday VIP tickets are $75 in advance until September 15 or $95 September 16-October 12. VIP ticket holders receive 20 taste coupons and entry into the Wine Experience at TWELVE Hotel and Bowling & Brews at Ten Pin Alley. True wine connoisseurs will want to attend the exclusive Georg Riedel wine seminar and receive a set of four Riedel Vitis wine tasting glasses. Limited tickets are available for $195. The first 500 patrons with VIP tickets to arrive at the festival each day will receive a Taste of Atlanta gift bag. Restaurants offer tastes for 1, 2, or 3 taste coupons. Additional taste coupons can be purchased for $1 each. For more information visit www.tasteofatlanta.com.