Anatomy of a Dinner Party: a day in the life of a hospitalityaholic
 

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Gato

Monday, September 4th, 2017

Good Morning Darlings!

I have been remiss. Busy is not an excuse.

From now on, I promise to post at least 4 times per week. Even if it’s just a photo.

This weekend Eric and I had breakfast at Gato. I probably shouldn’t be sharing this because it’s one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets. So if you want to find more info, you are going to have to Google it yourself.

I had The Slam which was cheesy eggs with duck fat potatoes, bacon and a glorious ginger cilantro sauce. OMG.

Eric had the Huevos Rancheros. I seriously could go back again today. But I won’t. So you can have my seat at the bar. 🙂

The Slam

Huevos Rancheros

Today, we are going to cook out and mow the lawn. Not in that order. What are you up to?

xoxo, Patti

Atlanta’s Restaurants By The Numbers!

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

Good Morning Darlings,

Today, I’m handing over the reins to my good friend, Travis at Wanderlust Atlanta. If you aren’t reading his blog, you can start now! He’s always up to fun things to do and fun places to see.

He is starting a new series called, “Top 10 Atlanta Restaurants “By the Numbers”.

Number one is, of course, One Midtown Kitchen.

Read all about it here.

Try a new restaurant tonight! New Year, New Tastes.

xoxo, Patti

Cube The Ice at Alma

Monday, October 24th, 2016

Good Morning Darlings!

Eric and I recently visited Escape The Room, right downtown on our beloved Peachtree Street. It was an hour of finding clues to unlock the locks that held us captive. We had one hour.

Good thing that door opens automatically after 60 minutes. We did not solve all the clues.

Sleuthing is thirsty work. We hopped across the street to Alma Cocina, for the Lay of the Land margarita and some chips & salsa.

The bartenders are new. Kit is the only one who knew how to make it! Luckily for us, Kit had returned to Alma as Beverage Manager and was in the house to whip up said Lay of the Land margaritas. They are spicy and sweet all at the same time.

Lay of the Land and chips & salsa consumed. Now what?

We spied a gentleman at the bar enjoying a giant ice cube and a shot of tequila. Kit, what’s that?

It’s THE CUBE! Ice cubes made with fresh ingredients and paired with a shot of different tequilas to enhance the experience.

We needed THE CUBE. I tried the cube made with pineapples and Eric chose the cube made with coffee and maple syrup.

Our cubes and tequila shots.

Our cubes and tequila shots.

They come with tiny little spoons to break up the cube after you pour the tequila in. Or you can shoot the tequila and wait for the cube to melt, but that seems silly.

Go see Kit at Alma. Get THE CUBE. Impress your friends. Be cool.

xoxo, Patti

Venkman’s

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

Good Morning Darlings!

Last week John was in town and so we had to celebrate. We chose Venkman’s, one of faves. There was also an acoustic set of Beatles tunes thrown in for free.

Have you been to Venkman’s? Named after Bill Murray’s character in Ghostbusters. Thursday night their special is an entire fried chicken served with pickled veggies, slaw and potato wedges. All for $29. Eric and I decided to go for it and were rewarded with crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside chicken with puckery pickled veggies and creamy slaw. The potato wedges were a nice foil to all the tartness. And after we ate our fill of chicken, there was still plenty left to craft into a fabulous breakfast hash on Saturday.

And jalapeno corn muffins, too!

And jalapeno corn muffins, too!

I love Venkman’s. You should go. And say hi to Chef Nick Melvin.

xoxo, Patti

Red Phone Booth & Amalfi Pizza

Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

Good Morning Darlings!

We went on a double date with sweet friends Spencer and Allison to Red Phone Booth and Amalfi this past Saturday.

It was marvelous! The Red Phone Booth is a speakeasy only accessible via the…you guessed it…red phone booth!

 

Pre-dinner cocktails! This is the fog cutter

Pre-dinner cocktails! This is the fog cutter

 

Date night!

Date night!

 

Spencer had the best pie of the night.

Spencer had the best pie of the night.

 

Eric is so cheeky.

Eric is so cheeky.

Pie crust stuffed with fresh ricotta.

Pie crust stuffed with fresh ricotta.

 

Go. You will love it. Pinky swear.

xoxo, Patti

Savoring Sandy Springs

Friday, October 30th, 2015

Good Morning Darlings!

I hope you are having the best week. I am! Lots to tell you soon, but in the meantime I will hint at what’s to come by sharing this fab event: Sandy Springs Restaurant Week 2015.

Savor Sandy Springs Restaurant Week

Running Monday, Nov. 2–Sunday, Nov. 8, neighborhood restaurants will come together with exclusive menus and special pricing. With cuisines ranging from Mediterranean to Southern and everything in between, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

 

Fourteen restaurants are participating restaurants in Savor Sandy Springs Restaurant Week 2015 including Food 101, Cibo e Beve, The Brickery, Seven Hens, Hammock’s Trading Company and more. For a full list of restaurants and menus, visit http://www.visitsandysprings.org/restaurantweek/

How about joining me for some Fried Green Tomatoes at Food 101? Don’t they look yummy?

Food 101 Green Tomatoes

See you there!

xoxo, Patti

A Sparkling Trip to Italy Via Canoe

Tuesday, October 13th, 2015

Good Morning Darlings!

Last week was a whirlwind of parties. I am back in the swing of things and diving in head first.

The lovely folks from Ferrari Trento invited me to join them for an exclusive lunch at Canoe, one of Atlanta’s most romantic restaurants. I tend to forget how close Canoe is, and yet it seems a world away from the city. There were less than 20 of us there for a glamorous preview of the Lunelli family’s stunning sparkling wines, paired with scrumptious cuisine prepared by Chef Matthew. The event was a lavish indulgence in the middle of the day.

Gracing the banks of the Chattahoochee River

Our group was seated in the private dining room and we all introduced ourselves. So many new friends!

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I didn’t want to miss a moment hearing about these exceptional wines, so I chose a seat directly from our guest of honor, Marcello Lunelli, the distinguished winemaker.

Marcello Lunelli

Marcello Lunelli

Did you know that the rest of the world is drinking sparkling wine from regular wine glasses? We are the only ones drinking from flutes. Marcello wants to spread the word that sparkling wine is for everyday, not only special occasions. I concur. He made a great point by saying if he is out with his wife and another couple and they all prefer a different variety of wine, they can all agree on bubbles. I have seen this over and over again at our parties. No one declines a glass of bubbly!

Canoe’s dishes were a perfect accompaniment to the six (!!) glasses we sampled. Here’s a look at the menu and the wines we enjoyed.

Oysters on the Half Shell

Ferrari Rose’ NV Trento DOC Metodo Classico

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House Smoked Salmon on a Crispy Potato Cake, Vermont Goat Cheese

Ferrari “Riserva Lunelli” 2006 Trento DOC Metodo Classico

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American Prosciutto Salad, Compressed Melon, Parmesan

Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore “Giulio” 2002, Trento DOC

Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore “Giulio” 2001, Trento DOC

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The “Guilio” 2001 was a standout for me. It has a remarkable nose with hugely expressive aromas of dried orchard fruits, cake batter and acacia honey. Cake! It was my favorite. And I think it might be your favorite, too, when you try it.

Next course!

Crisped Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Thai Salad, Yuzu

Ferrari Riversa del Fondatore “Giulio” RD 1999, Trento DOC

Ferrari Riversa del Fondatore “Giulio” 1993, Trento DOC

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This was my favorite dish paired with my other favorite wine. The 1993 vintage is one of the more costly wines, but wow, for a special occasion, what a perfect splurge. I found it online retailing from $168 up to $358 per bottle. It was so exciting to be able to sample this exquisite treat. If you are a lover of fine wines, I know you would be thrilled to add this to your collection. Or, send to me as a gift! 🙂 Trust me, you will be in grand company. Queen Elizabeth, Margaret Thatcher, Andy Warhol, Alec Baldwin, Brooke Shields and the Scissor Sisters have all enjoyed Ferrari scrumptious wines. Their wines were even served at a G8 dinner.

If you are traveling to Italy, you must make Trentino a stop and visit the charming Lunelli family. The vineyard even has a Michelin Star Restaurant, Locanda Margon, nestled amid the vines. I can’t wait to go. Shall we plan a trip together?

The company I enjoyed at this luncheon was marvelous. Joon Lim, who is a server and sommelier at Kevin Rathbun Steaks and I had a wonderful discussion about how most restaurant patrons are reluctant to ask for help when ordering wine. He is so fabulous that I have asked him to talk to me in depth about today’s sommeliers and why you should always ask for help. Look for the interview next week or so.

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Many thanks to Ferrari Trento, Canoe and Palm Bay International. This was a special afternoon with special food, people and of course, the Ferrari Trento sparkling wines that will be gracing my dinner parties in the future.

xoxo, Patti

Free Bubbly, My Cara Mia!

Tuesday, June 4th, 2013

Good Morning Darlings!

Free bubbly? How so?

Shall I tell you more?

Chow Bing – A Fresh New Approach To Fast Food + Giveaway!

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Good Morning Darlings!

Eric and I had the opportunity to check out Chow Bing last week – what a nice change of pace!

Follow Me Inside!

Tea With Downton Abbey

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Good Morning Darlings!

Do you love Downton Abbey? Isn’t it positively delicious?

How about stepping into Lady and Lord Grantham’s very stylish shoes?