WineTime

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I ate too much over my birthday weekendFACT.

Also FACT: My most delicious meal was eaten at Aria

This Buckhead institution is known for its delicious food, excellent service, extensive wine list, and super-exclusive wine room table.  It’s a restaurant that I think of for celebrations.  Turning 30 was an appropriate one.  I was treated to this fantastic dinner by my fantastic friend, Gorms.  You are going to be so disgusted impressed by how much we ate!

We began our feast by polishing off Pastry Chef Kathryn King’s Warm Focaccia Bread and a glass of pinot gris.  If there was a such thing as a winter coat made out of bread – I’d want it to be this bread. 

Next up was Aria’s Creamless Celery Root Soup with black truffles and parmesan.

Potato and Goat Cheese Ravioli with lamb and mushroom bolognese and reggiano parmigiano followed.

Warm Lobster Cocktail with butter braised Maine lobster, broccoli, and black truffle potatoes were next.  This was incredibly delish!  Gorm’s favorite, in fact.

For entrees, we shared the Blue Ridge Mountain Trout with sweet potatoes, black trumpet mushrooms, Maine lobster, and white corn…

…and the Painted Hills Ranch Natural Beef Short Rib with celery root whipped potatoes, tender carrots, sugar snap peas, and celery hearts.

They were cooked to perfection.  So many lovely flavors!

Dessert began with a sensational Warm Apple Tart with caramel ice cream to share…

…and ended with a delightful birthday plate of chocolate surprises!  :)

The meal was OUT OF THIS WORLD (as predicted)!  If you have something to celebrate – celebrate here.  I would also tell you to order exactly like we did.  We had such a nice variety of savory and pastry, and I really feel like it was an excellent sampling of Aria’s menu.  I’ve never heard anything negative about this restaurant, and I only have very positive praise to add!  So well done! 

Enjoy, restaurant-goers!  And, thank you Gormsie, for such a delicious night!

xx, L

Aria
490 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE
Atlanta, Georgia  30305
404.233.7673
www.aria-atl.com

Aria on Urbanspoon

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Yep, canned sparkling wine.  And, is it cute or WHAT?

I went to an industry event at the Biltmore Ballrooms on Tuesday and one of the vendors had these at their table.  I was probably slightly too excited about the cute pink cans + I definitely took more than one…

Here’s the Q+DD (from the interwebs) on Sofia Blanc de Blancs Canned Sparkling Wine:

Niebaum-Coppola Winery, owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, wanted to sell its Sofia blanc de blancs sparkling wine — named for daughter and fellow director Sofia — in a 187 ml serving, just big enough for one drinker’s thirst and a neat way to enjoy sparkling wine without opening a full-size bottle.  For years, champagne and other sparkling wines have been served up in 187 ml bottles (about six ounces, or a quarter of a full bottle) known among wine types as splits.  Coppola wanted to sell a split of Sofia, but couldn’t find anyone to package it in small bottles with corks of the same quality as their full-sized offering, which has been bottled since at least 1999.

Other ideas weren’t terribly appealing — a bottle with a screwcap looked too much like those airline single-servings; not bad, but not the hip image the winery wanted for Sofia  Then they contemplated the can.  “The more we kind of played with the idea, the more we warmed up to it,” said Erle Martin, president of Niebaum-Coppola. “We realized we could make a can very cool and very elegant.”

Part of the plan has been to market Sofia not merely as premium wine without a bottle but as a clubgoers’ drink: ordered by name, easy to hold at a bar and ideal for resort poolsides where glass is a no-no.  Niebaum-Coppola’s intention is to target drinkers of beer or alcopops, those fruity mixes like Smirnoff Ice that have supplanted wine coolers as the choice for sweet-palated drinkers.  The cans are meant to appeal to what Martin has described as a “Sex in the City” crowd: sophisticated female city-dwellers, from just over drinking age up to their mid-30s.  It’s a different audience than most wine drinkers.  (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/)

After doing some light online research, I realized that Sofia blanc de blancs has been around for a while in the mini cans, SO I might be a little slow to the game.  Whatever the case, I’m still excited about it!  These little cans of sparking happiness are seriously super cute + have fully caught my attention.  (Move over PBR…)

JUST love!  :)

xx, L

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The temperature is set to skyrocket to the mid-90s in Atlanta this week + I’m game for any way to combat the serious summer heat.  Whole Foods’ suggestion for heat relief this summer is to down a  bottle a glass of lovely rose*.

*Note:  For this purpose of this post, “rose” should be pronounced “rose-ayyyy.”  I can’t figure out how to add the accent + am far too lazy to conduct any research on it.  Thanks. 

Check out Whole Foods’ display at their Ponce de Leon location:

It made me smile.  :)

And, I agree that sipping rose seems like an excellent way to deal with the sweltering weather.  Most roses are not only tasty blends, but also they’re pretty + pink…and coldWhich is what really matters, right?  Right. 

Whole Foods is stocked with roses for you to taste.  Head over tonight to check them out, before you completely melt from this madness…

Is it fall YET??  Bottoms up!

xx, L

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OyYou might need to sit down for this one.

I didn’t post for an entire week + now I feel like there’s almost too much to update you all on and it’s not exactly stringing together clearly…  So bear with me, folks.  I’m just going to lay it all out there + make of it what you will. 

The weather is getting gorgeous, the hemlines are getting shorter + there are more and more reasons to play outside, try new restaurants + spring into summer!  (I feel like I just wrote an Old Navy commercial.)

Ready or not – here I go!  Wheeeee…..

Ms. Reynolds, Sayako + I recently recruiter summit-ed at Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park, which has been all over Urban Spoon, etc., and we really enjoyed it!

Pictured below are our sandwiches, all of which are meant to be eaten in multiples (i.e. you don’t order just one sandwich – they are small-ish) at only $4.00 a piece.

We tried the New Bomb Turkey: turkey, arugula, avocado spread + baconaisse; The Hambo: prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, apple + reduced balsamic; and the Castro: slow-roasted pork, ham, fontina cheese + yellow mustard. 

I love this place for a casual lunch and strongly recommend trying it out!

Victory Sandwich Bar
280 Elizabeth Street
Atlanta, GA  30307
770.676.7287
http://www.vicsandwich.com/
Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Victory Sandwich Bar on Urbanspoon

Next up, Bloomingdale’s just started showing some gorgeous turquoise-y blue stone necklaces.  So cute for summer!  Here’s a shot of the one I bought on Monday.  It’s my new favorite accessory.

Moving right along…

On my Palm Springs/ L.A. flights, I started reading John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.”  I will admit that I fall in love with most books I read + can’t put them down until they’re finished, and that remains the case with this Pulitzer Prize winner.  It’s so thoughtfully written and a great (albeit very wordy) read.  The story of how the book came to fruition after JKT’s suicide is super interesting, as well. 

Let’s talk food trucks.

Slick + I got tacos at Tex’s Tacos recently, the new food truck in Buckhead, which urbandaddy.com dubbed the “Antonio Banderas” of food trucks.  Cute.

Tex’s is a fully-equipped kitchen + restaurant on wheels serving up an array of “Nueva Texicana” eats w/ “style + grace.”

While I’ll admit that they weren’t the best tacos I’ve ever eaten, they did the job.  Tex’s will be a goldmine for late night Buckhead frat boys who need to cut through the alcohol a bit before stumbling into bed.  And it’s not just stationed in Buckhead, which is why food truckin’ is so exciting.  Check out Tex’s schedule here: http://www.texstacos.com/

Speaking of food trucks…  When I was in Palm Springs, the Nom Nom truck drove up from L.A. and I got to try it!  Not familiar w/ the famous Nom Nom truck?

It’s a L.A.-based mobile food truck specializing in Vietnamese food, especially banh mi.  Nom Nom was the runner-up in season one of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race.

Their food is RIDIC. 

On Easter Sunday, Slick + I had a date night at Ecco, one of my favorite Midtown restaurants to order up a load of small plates + drinks.  (Also, to potentially spot the Vampire Diaries cast…)

As usual, our meal was predictably delicious.  To accompany it, I ordered a glass of pinot gris.  Slick, however, ordered one of the most interesting cocktails I’ve ever seen.  Here’s the description of it from the menu:

ZAFARAN: Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin, housemade Shindeldecker tonic + a custom icy hot cube will remind you that, while temptation is a reality, there are repercussions in all things we do.

It was so different and had a very special, unique flavor.  You guys have to try it!

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again.  I’m obsessed with mochi ice cream Recently, I’ve been satisfying my sweet tooth with an all natural strawberry flavor found at Trader Joe’s.  Um, yum!

Y’all, today is Thursday which means…

So, back to food trucks + street food.  Can we?  Thanks. 

My favorite Midtown Street Food Thursday vendor is definitely The King of Pops!

I get so excited when I see the Pops cart!  And you know who else does…

slick: king of the mountain (stone mountain, that is)

He LOVES KoPs!  Our favorite flavors are: Mexican Chocolate, Banana Pudding, Sea Salt Chocolate + Pineapple Ginger.  You must, must try a pop!

It really is perfect popsicle weather, too.  Speaking of perfect weather, I had it in California.  The entire week was truly gorgeous!  Although the main purpose of my trip was to meet Mrs. Wolkove’s adorable new addition to her family, I did have time to enjoy the outdoors when I went on a hike at Fryman Canyon Park located in the Santa Monica Mountains with Mrs. W’s madre.  The views were amazing + the workout was seriously intense.  I work out quite a bit in Atlanta, but I almost never go hiking.  I have to say that my legs were throbbing the morning after our hike.  If anyone knows of good hiking spots in Atlanta, please let me know. 

Even while hiking in the heat, my hair looked pretty perfect.  (OMG, what a bragger!)  But, I have to credit that to Daniel Carter at Mint Salon who does my 2-day keratin treatments.  (LK goes to Mint, too, for hers.)  Daniel is a fantastic stylists who has also started to do my cuts + color.  If you happen to be looking for a new stylist, I highly recommend Daniel!  Tell him you heard about him on the Q+DD!

Mint Salon
Stylist: Daniel Carter
404.724.9669
www.mintsalon.net

Since we’re focusing now on “maintenance,” I’m really looking forward to my spray tan today at RAW Organic Bronzing Studio.  (LK is a fan, too!)  I adore the owner, Tiffany Terranova, and have been very pleased with my tans!  They are made from 100% organic ingredients that are actually beneficial to the skin.  Read more about RAW Organic Bronzing Studio here: LK’s post about RAW.

And, RAW is conveniently located right next door to Victory Sandwich Bar in Inman Park!  Bringing it all together.  :)

Skipping around skipping around…

I’m in the market for a french press.  I drank french pressed coffee several times during my L.A. trip + don’t think I can go back to my Keurig any more.  It’s like two entirely different planets of coffee!  This Bodum one is pretty cute(Hint, hint.)

OH!  And isn’t this the most precious picture you’ve ever seen or what?!  Mrs. Wolkove, her one week old (who obv. cannot fit into those yet) + I all rock the glitter TOMS!  Love.

We’ll focus on this much more as it draws closer, but who’s pumped for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival?! 

THIS event is going to be nothing short of incredible.  Can’t wait! 

More info here: Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

And finally (have I worn you out yet?), the Q+DD has some very special news to share!  One of our best readers, Jessica Gorman: Concierge at the Ritz Carlton – Buckhead, was featured in the newest edition of The Atlantan Magazine!

Click here to see the article mentioning Jess on page 36 of the new issue today!  (Reading Instructions for the Online Version: Click on the link mentioned in the previous sentence.  Type in page 36.  Full screen view + click magnifying glass to zoom in.  Silly technology…)  We are very proud of you, Jess!

So…did you get all that?!  It was pretty beastly.  (TWHS? Sorry, mom…)

There WILL be a quiz later.  It’s great to be back! 

xx, L

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You know your day is going to be amazing when it starts with a Southern 64 (Hendricks Gin, GA Muscadine Shrub, Sparkling, Lemon Twist) and a delicious brunch at Empire State South with these two:

Clever conjunction of their names TBD. Bairchila?

and the funniest server of all time

"No, I'm really talented."

Then some Pop Up ShoppingShop Scad was truly a sight to be seen(Check out the YouTube video of the construction by clicking HERE) and a few of my personal snaps:

Followed by what can only be described as Marathon Shopping at Phipps by ET and myself where I FINALLY PULLED THE TRIGGER on the Rocco Duffel!

mineminemineminemine!

Greg and I lit the candles for the first time this Hanukkah

(my parents will be so proud)

then shared some bubbly with Greg’s HILARIOUS, genius, and super-chic colleagues.


Happy Holidays indeed!

Repeat please!

xx, L

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I can’t help it – whenever I heard the term “Ladies’ Night” I think of Leon Phelps.

“Oooooh….It’s a LAYYYDEEEEE!”

Or you know, the song.

It's Ladies' Night...and I feel alright...

But maybe not anymore now that ET turned me on to Ladies’ Night at Piola restaurant in Midtown…

On Wednesdays (yes, every Wednesday) this cute little pizza and pasta shop is pouring free Courvoisier, wine and Sangria!

The free booze, coupled with the delicious pizzas and salads we shared, and the incredibly charming manager made for 4 very happy ladies…and our bill was a mere $12 and change!

See you next Wednesday!

xx, L

Piola
1080 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA  30309
404.249.7019
www.piola.it

Piola on Urbanspoon

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For people who must schedule time on each other’s overpacked Google calendars…

Bistro Niko was a superb choice for a 9:30pm bottle of wine and cheese plate.  The inside/outside seating is perfect – I love watching the cars on Peachtree when I’m not in one.  Plus, sitting outside was fantastic because FALL IS IN THE AIR. I can FEEL it!  (Well, not in the weather report, of course.  I feel fall in my heart.)

My wardrobe is feeling it too. I have officially begun my transition into fall with the gorgeeee OrYany bag I purchased at Nordy’s in JUNE.

Hello, lover.

Is it time to break out my knee high boots yet?

xx, L

Bistro Niko
(404) 261-6456
3344 Peachtree Rd NE

Bistro Niko on Urbanspoon

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