On Monday, January 23, Double Zero Napoletana is hosting a pizza making class!  The Sandy Springs restaurant is offering two separate seatings – one at 6:00 p.m. and one at 8:00 p.m.

During the classes, Double Zero Napoletana staff will offer guests an exclusive opportunity to learn the art of making Neapolitan pizza in the restaurant’s beautiful, hand-crafted Stefano Ferrara ovens.  Each class is limited to 15 attendees, and the cost is $39 per person. 

Participants will learn about the unique and nuanced process of making dough at the highest level of quality.  This interactive event also includes a glass of wine and a personal pizza creation.

So much fun! 

And, don’t fret that Double Zero is all the way in Sandy Springs.  It’s totally worth the schlep, as it’s one of the few restaurants that the Q+DD will travel OTP for!  Read about our recent visit to Double Zero HERE!

Can’t make the 1/23 class?  No worries!  Double Zero is hosting another on February 27. 

Make sure you register ASAP! 

xx, L

Double Zero Napoletana
5825 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA  30328
404.991.3666
http://www.doublezeroatl.com/home/

It seemed like such a hike to get there (it’s situated past I-285 on Roswell Road…no man’s land in my book), BUT the restaurant had had quite a stint on Urbanspoon since it opened and I was intrigued.  So, we gassed up the car + hit the road!

Here’s the Q+DD on Double Zero Napoletana:

Double Zero Napoletana (DZ) is an upscale southern Italian restaurant featuring the cuisine of the Campania region.  DZ has a strong focus on traditional Neapolitan Pizza among other southern Italian dishes.  They feature an extensive selection of Southern Italian cured meats and cheeses, Insalata (salad), Antipasti & Sfizi (small plates), fresh handmade pasta, and Secondi (Entrée) dishes.  Make no mistake, although pizza has an important place on their menu, DZ’s modern, contemporary versions of traditional Italian ingredients + specialties aim to delight Atlanta diners.

What’s In a Name?:

Double Zero refers to the type of flour used to make Neapolitan pizza.  In Italy, flour is classified either as 1, 0, or 00, and the designation refers to how finely ground the flour is and how much of the bran and germ have been removed.  Doppio Zero, the most highly refined, is talcum-powder soft.  The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which upholds the traditions and stipulations of traditional Neapolitan pizza, states that only Doppio Zero Flour, DOP San Marzano tomatoes, all natural Fior-di-Latte or Bufala fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, sea salt and yeast can be used in the making of Neapolitan Pizza.

This is serious business, obv.

Kevin and I arrived a bit earlier than Lauren and Greg, so we parked it at DZ’s bar.  Our bartender, a really friendly fellow w/ a heavy accent, cheerily greeted us.  (This was just the start to the exceptional service we had over the course of the evening.)  Kev ordered up DZ’s signature cocktail: Barrel Aged Negroni.  It tasted sort of like an Old Fashioned, but with a twist.  Gin, Campari, Carpano Antica Vermouth + a flamed orange (aged at DZ in bourbon barrels for 6 weeks).  It was an impressive drink to watch the bartender prepare:

I opted for my trusty go-to, an Aviation, which I was excited to find on the menu.  Maybe the suburbs are hipper than I think??  Shortly thereafter, Lauren + Greg arrived and we sat down for our meal.

DZ's massive menu

We ordered up + quickly devoured (too fast for me to snap a photo) the Burrata + Proscuitto: fresh burrata mozzarella, mangalista prosciutto, arugula, red onion marmalade, balsalmic caviar, saba vinegar + basil oil.  Also on our table (but not for long) was the delicious Pork Belly Risotto: crisp pork belly, sweet potato pumpkin risotto, balsalmic glaze, broccoli rapini + slow cooked poached egg.

My favorite app was the Arancini: lemon saffron risotto croquettes, peas, red pepper, scamorza cheese, roasted yellow pepper coulis + meyer lemon honey.

Each of the appetizers were exceptionally tasty and very thoughtfully plated.  I strongly recommend starting with a few before jumping to entrees. 

For dinner, we shared the Carne Pizza: braised short ribs, bludi bufala cheese, fingerling potatoes + grape tomatoes.

And, of course, the Double Zero Napoletana Pizza: olive oil, garlic, mozzarella di bufala campana DOP, fresh arugula, prosciutto di parma, pecorino gran cru + basil oil.

The pizzas arrived with scissors which we used to cut slices.  We got a serious kick out of it!

To accompany our delicious meal, we all ordered wine from DZ’s extensive Italian collection.  Although I was unfamiliar with most of the regional grapes, the menu was very user-friendly breaking out the grapes in comparison to others that are more familiar.  For example, I ordered a glass of the Planeta La Segreta Blanco because above it was a line that read “think Pinot Grigio.”  I personally appreciated the guidance… 

ITP dining OTP

I guess sometimes you really just need to listen to the hype...  DZ has been killing it on Urbanspoon for a reason, y’all!  We’ll be back very soon. 

xx, L

Double Zero Napoletana
5825 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA  30328
404.991.3666
http://www.doublezeroatl.com/home/

On Tuesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m., Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna is hosting an American Craft Beer Dinner featuring five courses paired with five of the nation’s leading craft-style brews.

The menu for the evening features the following dishes and beer pairings:

1.  Vidalia onion tarts, chèvrie cheese, peach jalapeno jam + Terrapin Golden Ale (Athens, GA)

2.  Chipotle lime shrimp, field greens, red peppers, roasted corn, tomato, red onion, lime vinaigrette + Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (Chico, CA)

3.  Ahi tuna poke marinated in ponzu sauce, avocado relish, crystallized candied ginger + Anchor Steam Beer (San Francisco, CA)

4.  Seared duck, glazed cherry reduction, sweet potato and pumpkin risotto + Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison (Cooperstown, NY)

5.  Caramel and espresso torte with sea salt + Abita Turbodog (Abita Springs, LA)

drink UP, smyrna-ites?

Cost for the dinner and beer pairings is $45 per person + limited seating is available.

Interested guests can call 770.435.1887 to reserve a spot.  Sounds so fun + super delish! 

See ya in the suburbs!

xx, L

Atkins Park Tavern – Smyrna
2840 Atlanta Road SE
Smyrna, GA  30080
770.435.1887
http://www.atkinspark.com/

In addition to sampling chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread, guests of all ages are invited to enjoy live music from some of the nation’s best tribute bands + partake in games such as the Mullet Flop (dying – OMG) and the Jalapeno Eating contest.  As in previous years, 100% of the proceeds will benefit Camp Twin Lakes!  Since 2005, The Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off has raised more than $380,000 for Camp Twin Lakes. 

Recap: Chili, tribute bands, mullet flop + jalapeno eating contest, AND Camp Twin Lakes.  My brain is exploding with awesomeness…

Here’s the Q+DD on The 32nd Annual Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off:

When: Saturday, September 24: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Stone Mountain Park, GA – Coliseum Meadow
Tickets: Tickets are $10 for adults.  Children 12 + under are free.  Tickets can only be purchased on-site the day of the event, and will not sell out. 
Parking: Each vehicle will be charged $10 for entrance into the park.
Benefit: 100% of the proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes!
Sponsors: Miller Lite, Aaron’s Sales and Leasing, Waffle House, Metro PCS, Rock 100.5, Camp Twin Lakes, Caren West PR
Event Website: www.theatlantachilicookoff.com

Sounds super fun + delicious!  If I wasn’t going to Music Midtown, I’d definitely want to check it out. 

This weekend is going to be ridic. 

xx, L

Look, plz:

Doesn’t that sound delicious?!  Grilled cheese + wine seems totally divine.

I’m looking forward to checking out Three Sheets, too.  Click HERE for more info on their events.

xx, L

Three Sheets
6017 Sandy Springs Circle
Atlanta, GA  30328
404.303.8423
www.threesheetsatlanta.com

I know, right?  I was impressed, too! 

It was a fun morning, but we had one problem: Slick was seriously hungover from the night before.  Around noon, he began to really need something to cut up the alcohol aggressively overtaking his blood stream, so we searched the GPS for the closest non-fast food (yet still greasy/ heavy) restaurant in the area + up popped: Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q.

We use this restaurant to cater work events from time to time, but I am rarely ever OTP + hadn’t visited its home base in Smyrna.  As soon as we got this close to the door, we were greeted with an overwhelmingly delicious aroma of BBQ.  Slick almost crumbled to the floor.  No joke. 

A friendly hostess sat us down + we ordered up large waters and Diet Cokes.  As we worked on Slick’s hydration, we perused the extensive menu.  I knew exactly what I wanted as soon as I opened the menu and read the item’s name: Pig in the Garden Salad.  It made me giggle, so I gave it a try.

Slick ordered a pulled pork sandwich + deep-fried onion rings.  While we impatiently waited for our food, the friendly hostess – who was now also our server – dropped over a basket of these tasty cheese muffins.  They were not fat free.  I can tell you that much.  That is pretty much all I can tell you, though, because they were gone almost immediately. 

Shortly thereafter, my salad arrived and it was enormo…and really satisfying.  I mean, how could you go wrong with pulled pork, smoked bacon + homemade croutons?  (I’m still convinced it was a healthy option, too, as there were numerous green + orange things on the plate.)

Slick’s pulled pork sandwich did the trick.  He ate it like a champ + started to feel better immediately. 

He described the onion rings* as ”a gift from God,” but he was slightly too ambitious with ordering them as we ended up taking the majority home with us. 

*Reader’s note:  Do not accidentally leave onion rings in your car for more than five hours.  Trust.

Seemed like the OTP BBQ did the trick.  Slick was pleased with his mostly clean plate + pork-stuffed stomach.

As we were heading out, we noticed a nice collection of pig paraphernalia and t-shirts with butt jokes.  (Oh, how I love a good butt joke.)

Do I recommend driving all the way out to Jim ‘n Nick’s for BBQ if you live in Midtown?  Probably not.  There are plenty of ITP options to explore.  However, if you are OTP + have a BBQ craving or need a quick hangover cure, Jim ‘n Nick’s is absolutely your place.  Prepare yourself for the butt jokes, friends + eat up!

xx, L

Jim ‘n Nick’s Bar-B-Q
4574 S. Cobb Dr. SE
Smyrna, GA  30080
678.556.0011
www.jimnnicks.com

I’m certainly not talking about the Mr. T look, either…

I’m talking about more like the Tracy DiMarco from Jerseylicious look…

(Close up on Tracy’s hand from an event she recently attended…)

I never thought that double finger rings could actually be cute or feminine, but just look @ these!

And these!

And also these!! 

I really think that they are kind of precious.  Apparently, Lauren Conrad rocks them, too:

She’s a bit annoying, but I definitely like her style + trust it way more than T. DiMarc’s from Jerseylicious – although credit where credit is due – Tracy is the reason I noticed these rings in the first place. 

Anywhoo, I decided to start small – so I ventured OTP to Perimeter Mall this weekend to see if I could pick up a double finger ring @ my beloved Forever 21, and came home w/ THIS bad boy:

So, we’ll see how it goes.  I love the ring - but def. want to make sure that my fingers don’t feel like I’ve trapped them in a cage before I spend more than $8 on a fancier one.

P.S. Forever 21 had a really impressive selection of rings:  http://ow.ly/2RZk3

Just sayin’…  If you need some big bling or want to try out a new trend you aren’t so sure about yet (i.e. double finger rings) – Forever 21 is the place to hit!  Love, love, LOVE you, F21!  I do.

xx, L

Slick knew of Gigi’s from Nashville, and he proudly informed me that it was one of the best cupcakes in town!  We were heading over to watch the Florida game at a friend’s house, so instead of stuffing our faces in the store, we decided to order a bunch to share with the group. 

The store, itself, is absolutely precious – very colorful and energizing.  We met the owner who is equally as precious + super-friendly. 

And, the location really can’t be beat!  It’s in the shopping center across from Landmark Diner on Roswell Road, which will soon be home to Flip Burger, Zoe’s Kitchen + an upscale liquor store, as well.  (There is another location in Sandy Springs, but as you know, I try to avoid going OTP whenever possible…)

It was really difficult to decide which cupcakes we wanted b/c Gigi’s has so many creative ones to choose from!  Here are some of my favorites:

Scarlet’s Red Velvet

Wedding Cake

Gigi’s Gluten Free  (didn’t try, but was v. impressed that they offered it!)

Kentucky Bourbon Pie

Texas Milk Chocolate

And, here’s what we finally selected:

Tada!  It was nearly impossible not to eat them all in the car, but somehow I successfully restrained myself… 

We thought we were being so cute + creative by bringing cupcakes to a football party, but when we showed up – someone else had had the same exact idea!!  Oh well, two Gigi’s boxes are better than one!

(And those babies definitely were eaten, after a room of Florida fans had to watch their team get destroyed by Alabama…)

Gigi’s cupcakes are incredibly D-E-L-I-S-H, and their creative flavors + mile-high stacked icing is so much fun!  Stop by Gigi’s today – or wait until you need to eat your feelings…  It worked for me! 

xx, L

Gigi’s Cupcakes – Buckhead
3655 Roswell Road Ste. #218
Atlanta, GA  30342
404.846.4400
http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/atlantabuckheadgeorgia

how could you not love this little guy??

I went into a bit of restaurant-related-panic-mode when we agreed to do brunch OTP, but Mich quickly reminded me that my beloved Muss + Turners* is relatively close to their new place.  Yes, ma’am! 

*Note:  The last time I went to M+T’s was after I’d been out of work for a week with e. coli (from Las Margaritas on Cheshire Bridge – FYI).  M+T’s “Gobbler” was the first real food I could eat for almost a week.  It was like magic.  No joke.

Muss + Turners

Anyway, Slick and I left about 30 minutes early from my condo in Midtown to make sure that we weren’t too tardy for brunch – and we got to M+T’s w/ a surprising 10 minutes to spare.  As soon as we walked into the restaurant, we were bombarded with the delicious aroma of smoked meat.  We asked the host what it was, and he informed us that it was one of the day’s brunch specials: Hot Bacon on Bacon on Bacon Fat Biscuit Action.  Ummm, incredible!

As everyone perused through the brunch specials + extensive lunch menu, including very creative items in categories i.e. “FISH + Things that Swim,” “Divine SWINE,” “CHICKEN + Things with Wings,” and “BEEF & Things that Eat Grass” (also cute: “Yesterday’s Soup”), I sipped on some v. strong coffee and read the restaurant’s promotional Labor Day Lobster Bake Special:

Sounds like a deal to me!

Everyone ordered brunch items, but I just had to go with the Gobbler again.  How could I not after it rescued me from my Saltine-diet following my e. coli nightmare?  Plus, it’s mouthwateringly amazing…

Gobbler =Shaved house-roasted turkey breast served with Bubby Muss’ Ritz cracker stuffing, Swedish lingonberry coulis and thyme aioli on a toasted challah bun.  On the menu, they call it “THE sandwich.”  They are correct.

the gobbler

If I wasn’t going to order that, I was really considering “Swify Biscuits” on the brunch menu: Two bacon buttermilk biscuits with local/organic Berkshire pork (from Riverview Farms) slow-smoked, pulled, tossed in house BBQ, topped with horseradish slaw and Nueske’s applewood bacon w/ two fried eggs + a side of fruit salad.  I am pretty sure I just gained four pounds writing that out.

We ate like kings (queens = me + Mich). 

Afterwards, we drove around Smyrna a bit, and I have to admit – it’s kind of cute!  Muss + Turners may not be nearly as convenient to us ITP-ers as a number of local brunch spots, but it’s a heck of a lot better than most others.  Dare I say that it’s absolutely worth the drive?  Oh, I dare.

Muss + Turners: I apologize for forgetting about you, old friend, after all you’ve done for me.  I’ll be back v. soon.

xx, L

Muss + Turners
1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE
Smyrna, GA  30080
770.434.1114
www.mussandturners.com

…of Shots and Cupcakes fame…

Will be appearing at the Cumming Playhouse in THE GRADUATE starting THIS THURSDAY August 12th! (sidebar: Jo plays a GoGo dancer, not the cougar, obvi)

The show runs Thursdays – Saturdays 8pm and Sunday matinees at 3pm through August 28th.  I can’t think of a better reason to go OTP.

So here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson Ms. Duff!

Dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee…

xx, L

PS It’s always a good time when Jo is on stage.  Trust.

Melissa, Greg and me rocking out to Joanna Duff at Smith's Olde Bar