This past weekend was my birthday and there were no shortages of celebrations. Friday night was The Cafe at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Sunday night was pizza and beer on the porch, but Saturday was most special. My sweet bestie, John, cooked a fabulous meal for 12 of us – at my house, so I never had to leave. The party just came to me. Yay!

John decided on a La Dolce Vita theme, with all Italian cuisine. It was divine. The planning started weeks in advance, with John allowing me final say on the menu. I felt so pampered. The menu was as follows:

Aperitivo

Savory Caramelized Onion Cheese Cake with Apricot Glaze
Assorted Crackers
Red Grapes
Green Grapes

Pan Seared Polenta with
Creme Fraiche
Chives

Antipasti

Pesto Insalata with Three Cheese Tortillini

Piatto Principale

Lasagne with Baby Spinach and Portobello Mushrooms

Dolce

Chocolate Raspberry Panna Cotta

Sambuca
Amaretto

Not only did John plan the menu, design the invite and gather the guests, but he came up with the most gorgeous table idea that my love Eric carried out. Sunflowers and a boodle of candles filled the table, making everyone feel like they were in Tuscany. Eric also served as John’s sous chef for the day while I went out shopping and lunching with Holly. It was the perfect birthday.

John arrived mid afternoon laden with food, platters, and more food. Eric and he got to working. There’s nothing like a man in the kitchen to make a woman smile. I’m lucky that not only my husband, but my best friend are both super cooks.

The men take over.

Eric's spectacular table!

John prepares the polenta.

Pan searing the polenta

The polenta started the evening and let me tell you…they were a slam dunk. I honestly could have eaten just these all night. But I had to pace myself.

These were amazingly delicious!

Our friends started to arrive. Clint and Matt were first, gifting me with the most gorgeous candlestick holders we immediately placed on the table. Then Holly, who brought me the most perfect personalized note cards ever. Another swell gift from Holly were the note pads that read “Patti’s Party Planning”!!! I can’t wait to write all my thank yous…which reminds me….

Danny (who brought Sambuca!), Holly and Clint visit.

Crystal slices up the bread for dinner.

My buddy Allen arrived with the most wonderful gift, too. He made a chicken pot pie from scratch! I adored this gift and cannot wait to eat it.

Allen and Me

Next course featured the savory cheesecake with caramelized onions and apricot glaze. Stupendous.

Isn't this beautiful? Just like being in Italy!

Three of my favorite men. Eric, Clint and Matt.

Glasses were filled and refilled, laughter and scrumptious aromas filled the house.

Holly and Clint.

Mr. Jaunty Clint.

Lisa tells one of her wonderful stories to Crystal and Bob.

While Holly and John catch up stoveside.

Time for everyone to take their seats.

Antipasti is next – this was fantastic. Filled with everything good. Tortillini, mushrooms, mozzarella balls, artichoke hearts, green beans and asparagus. All bathed in the most luscious pesto ever. John, you are amazing!

Antipasti - topped with proscuitto. Deeeeelicious, y'all.

Lasagne - the main event.

I actually believe that the conversation came to a halt during the lasagne course. Everyone was too busy digging in to this marvelous creation to utter a word. Yum.

But eventually we all came up for air and the room continued to hum.

A table full of happy friends.

Crystal and Holly enjoy a laugh.

Are we too full for dessert? Not a chance. John prepared the creamiest panna cotta topped with fresh raspberries and complimented with chocolate sauce. He hit this one out of the park. Truly.

The perfect end to a perfect meal.

Dessert was accompanied by a brandy snifter of either Sambuca (with the three traditional coffee beans floating for good luck) or Amaretto. I chose the Amaretto.

The party was a wild success. John, you are the most fabulous friend and this was the most fabulous birthday dinner. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The White Stripes – We Are Going To Be Friends

Happy Monday to you all. I hope your weekend was stupendous. The weather in Atlanta was ridiculously beautiful and we had lots of fun.

Friday night, Eric and I had ourselves a little date night and went to see the movie Red. This was a hoot. Lots of things blowing up and Helen Mirren as an assassin. What more could you possibly ask for? After the movie we ducked into Fox Grille at Atlantic Station for a drink and to catch up on all the games. Did you see the Yankees against the Rangers? Unbelievable.

Saturday, Eric had a haircut scheduled, so we had a cup of coffee together and off he went. I went across the street to take pictures of our neighborhood park being landscaped by our wonderful neighbors. When he returned, we picked up Valerie and took the MARTA to the Little Five Points Halloween Parade. This is always a a great time, with loads of costume ideas to be inspired by.

Eric, Valerie, Curtis, Me at the parade

All ages enjoy the parade. Even little pups.

I love all the colorful costumes.

These giant puppets were fascinating.

Another giant puppet.

Glad to meet him in the broad daylight....

If Mad Max built a Barbie Dream Car, this is what you would get.

Kiss and this clown from a video game. Is that right, Eric?

My favorite photo of the day.

I didn’t know this guy, but I loved his costume. It was simple, but cool. I caught his eye right before I snapped this photo and he got into character for me. Afterward, I introduced myself and showed him the shot. His name is David and he was feeling a bit under the weather on Saturday, but couldn’t miss the parade. I just love the look of him zoning out as he is surrounded by this crowd. Thanks, David!

When the parade ended, Curtis was meeting some friends, so Eric, Valerie, Leila and I all hoofed it to Pure in Inman Park for some mexican food. We saw our friend Katie there (hi Katie!!) and dined on some scrumptious dishes. I had a salad that had so many chips, guacamole and sour cream, that I’m sure cannot be counted as health food, but it was so good. We ordered two types of queso but were too full for dessert.

Valerie and Leila picked up Leila’s car and Eric & I headed back to the MARTA and home. For kicks we watched a zombie movie and called it a night.

Sunday we had planned to smoke a pork butt and have some of our besties over. Eric started the grill at 10 a.m. and rubbed the pork with an amazing secret rub that smelled so good. I whipped up coleslaw, cupcakes (with peanut butter chips, iced with dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt), and homemade cornbread. Clint made some delicious macaroni and cheese and thanks to our good friends Doug and Sharon of Three Sisters Vineyards, we drank up a bit of wine I had leftover while I was pouring for them last Thursday night at Aqua Vino (more on that Wednesday). For an appetizer, I broke out the Pretzel Crisps (more on those tomorrow), luscious dip made by Wesley and everyone devoured everything. It was all so yummy.

Pretzel Crisps and Dip. Hand model - Jay.

Eric pulling the pork.

Pulled smoked pork. So delicious!

Matt and...

Clint. Two of my favorite...

Cupcakes!

Dinner guests included not only Clint and Matt, but Teague, Curtis, Jay and Valerie. The conversation on polygamy was riveting and the wine flowed.

I love all our darlings. They make life fabulous.

See you tomorrow!!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Loverboy – Working for the Weekend

You’ve read the article in Design Is Magazine. Now get all the behind-the-scenes skinny.

Driving the 3.5 hours from South Montgomery was a snap with Sirius radio in our rental car. Arriving in the Crescent City to 97F heat, we entered The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans to kind hellos and cool air.

Taking the elevator to the 6th floor, we gasped as we opened the door to our spacious suite. Beautifully decorated and overlooking the glamorous courtyard, we were astounded at every turn. 1.5 baths cloaked in marbled, with two sinks in the master. Two 42” televisions and a mini bar that held not only hangover remedies, but an “intimacy kit” which included condoms. One has to just giggle.

Our suite.

Safety First!

Kris, Public Relations Coordinator, took the most fantastic care of us and alerted the chefs that we would be dining at M Bistro for lunch.

Chef Bradley greeted us at our table and took us on an in-depth tour of the kitchen, including a look at the pastry room, the butchery (complete with a butcher named Butch) and the sous vide station.

M Bistro

Chef Bradley

Lining the wall of the dining room are three velvet draped “cheater’s booths”, sumptuously decorated and named “Stella”, “Desire,” and “Blanche”.

Chocolate sculpture

Back at our table our entrees arrived. Crab cobb salad for me and duck gumbo for my husband. Both scrumptious.

Crab salad

Duck gumbo

Other gifts from the kitchen were a scallop draped in hollandaise & caviar spiced with jalapenos, flatbread pizza with pesto and creole tomatoes and an amazing sausage boudin over sautéed greens and ham.

Scallop draped in hollandaise, topped with caviar, dotted with jalapeno

Flatbread pizza

Fried boudin

Johnny sent out a dessert tray fit for royalty – mini cheesecake, apple pie á la mode, mini beignets with a chocolate dipping sauce and my favorite, the sticky toffee pudding. I would have licked the platter, but my mother raised me better than that.

Desserts galore!

As the last bite was nibbled from the platter, we retired to our room for a short nap. Alas, short naps in The Ritz-Carlton’s luxuriously dressed beds morph into long naps and we almost missed our dinner reservation at Cochon for 6:30.

Cochon

Since going from lunch to what seemed immediately to dinner, my appetite was not what it should have been at NOLA’s porcine palace. Small plates of fried boudin, breaded and fried hogs head cheese, grilled oysters, rabbit livers over jelly and toast, crawfish pie and their famous fluffy dinner rolls went almost untouched by me. My husband gave me a running commentary on the delights of each dish, while I gamely downed three Cokes, one right after the other. The highlight of the dinner for me was our dining companions to either side of us, who discussed New Orleans cuisine in detail between dishes.

We all toasted with a shot of Cat Daddy Moonshine at the end of the meal and went our separate ways, but not before doing one more moonshine shot at the bar with our new friend and mixologist, Matt.

Walking toward Canal Street after dinner gave us some time to digest and hold hands in the sultry night air.

Back at the hotel, we visited the club level where my husband taught me the basics of chess and let me take a few pawns here and there as we munched on little brownies and mini sticky puddings (that sticky pudding is fantastic!) and sipped champagne. It all feels so civilized and adult-like…until… we spot the whimsical candy bar, filled with treats from childhood – Necco Wafers, Bit-O-Honey, Fudge, Caramels, Cookies and no less than 5 different flavored candy sticks. Oh, and the rice krispie treats were delicious enough to make a 15 year old boy beam. We witnessed this.

Candy Bar

You might think that champagne, chess and brownies might be a prelude to bedtime, but as we hit the lobby and heard Jeremy Davenport and his band playing in the Davenport Lounge, we knew the night was far from over. We found two chairs in the crowded lounge, ordered up a couple of cocktails from our dear waiter Jamie, at his first day on the job, and settled in to enjoy one of New Orleans favorite sons play set after set of fantastic jazz. We even took to the dance floor a time or two.

By one a.m., we were ready for sleep. And we slept well.

We greeted the morning refreshed and ready to meet Chef Matt and Chef Bradley at the Farmers Market for a course on the city’s fresh vegetables, being chosen for tonight’s menu at M Bistro.

Marvelous Chef Matt Murphy

Chef Matt’s story is no less than a miracle.

A near fatal slip and fall accident at home caused the sturdy rugby-playing Irishman’s body to shut down on three separate occasions, forcing him to incur nineteen surgeries and several months in an ICU unit, followed by weeks in a rehabilitation center where he learned to walk again. Within two weeks of the accident, the chefs and hospitality community of New Orleans created a fundraiser for the chef, his wife and their infant quadruplet daughters, all of which were under the age of two. The “Chefs for Chef Matt Murphy” fundraising event drew two thousand patrons, three hundred auction items and forty-five of New Orleans finest chefs including John Besh, Paul Prudhomme, Susan Spicer, Tory McPhail, John Folse and Donald Link. Six months later, the Miracle on Canal Street that is Chef Matt Murphy returned to the kitchen of The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans to oversee a culinary team that is responsible for the hotel’s restaurant, Garde Mange, Banquet, In-Room Dining and Pastry kitchens.
 

Murphy said, “I feel so incredibly fortunate to be here today. The hospitality community and the chefs rallied to assist me, Alicia and the girls. My doctor had eight patients with similar symptoms, but I was the only one to live to talk about. I have a lot of people to thank from the doctors and nurses to the volunteers, chefs and hospitality community-at-large. There is truly no place like New Orleans.”

Apparently my robe and slippers were just too cozy, because we missed the chefs at the market. We did pick up some fresh goat roast and lemon dill chevre from Ryals, a local supplier to many of the local restaurants, including the Ritz. Creole tomatoes joined our gathered treasures and we went back to the hotel to beat the heat and grab some breakfast at M Bistro where Johnny fixed us both scotch eggs made with Cerise sausage. I also sampled the crispy Belgian waffle and Eric opted for a simple dish of scrambled eggs and a biscuit.

Market creole tomatoes

After another nap, Eric and I parted ways. Eric was off to shop and sample cocktails, while I toured the hotel with Concierge Rudy.

My décor tour with Rudy was truly spectacular. Armed with the bible of furnishings on the property, we inspected every nook and cranny, all the while building a delightful friendship. Rudy is fabulous and his wit is wicked. We got on like peas and carrots.

Concierge Rudy

The Sun King

Framed antique Mardi Gras invitations.

The breathtaking Grand Ballroom

But then, an alarm sounded. A real life alarm, closing off elevators and keeping the ladies in feathered hats in their seats taking tea.

The staff was so calm and reassuring that everyone just went back to enjoying themselves, with nary a speck of panic. I love the level of professionalism at every turn.

Tomorrow I will lavish you with the details of our tasting dinner with Chef Matt Murphy. You will be blown away.  I was.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Sheila E – The Glamorous Life

Whew, what a weekend. Lets get started with the recap.

Friday night we attended FLUX, the art installation in Castleberry Hill. It is more of an art installation than art festival because it is interactive and a bundle of fun. Called Le Flash last year, this year’s incarnation had a ton more partiers and more things to see. There were zebras running on buildings, movies projected onto high rises, singing heads, food carts and much more. Eric and I went with besties Crystal & Teague, said hello (and Happy Birthday!) to our friend Denise Jackson in her gallery, and then stopped for a drink at our other besties loft, Matt and Clint. It was delightful, exhilirating and cultured.

Roll the footage!

Crystal and Teague party down at Miss Jackson's gallery

These polo paintings will be in Denise's next exhibit. We were in her secret space in the gallery. Friends only! VIP!

With every map, you get a free glow stick. I liked the pink one.

Some folks took a whole bunch and made a trail to....

A room with three screens of what I think was running water...

Now, this is what I call a "green" flag. It was made entirely out of old clothes.

Some visitors partied on the moon.

While others were being chased by a giant mantis.

I don't know Stacy, but she set up a tickle suit as her exhibit. I did not try this on.

This photo loses something with the flash. It was all lit with black lights and she was dancing for the plants. This was my favorite of the night.

We stopped by Matt's loft where he was spinning the hits.

Our pretty friend Carole was there, with her equally pretty sister, Linda.

Eric stops for a beverage.

I get a chance to catch up with my bestie, Clint.

The Soprano was projected onto a concave screen, making her look like a bodyless head. Cool.

And how do you know it’s time to go home?

When they are sold out of egg rolls....

Castleberry Hill, you outdid yourself once again. Kudos!

And if you will indulge me, I would like to say hello to my friend, Betty Beasley – thanks a million for reading!!!!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Opus Flux – Careless Whisper

Oh, this weekend was a hoot. Starting with everybody’s favorite bestie, Clint, and his funtime dance birthday party (and yes, you CAN call it a party! yay!)  To know Clint is to love him and anyone who has ever met him would agree. So when his partner Matt decided to throw him a dance party at his loft, our only response was – “which dancing shoes to wear?”  I mean, it was jam packed full of fabulous people wishing Clint the best birthday ever, with some of the best music ever and some of the yummiest cake ever.

You have got to see the photos!

Say Hello To My Favorite Birthday Boy, Clint

Now, Matt’s loft is filled with some of the coolest treasures ever – like a player piano that really works (!), and some of the coolest self produced art you have ever seen (is there nothing these two cannot do?)  So just hanging at the loft is always a treat. But to be there with everyone that loves Clint was the greatest night ever.

Before the party, there was a mini pre-party at our house with Holly, Crystal, Teague, Eric and me. Then we headed over to the mega-party. Such fun!

Calvin, Patti and Sweet Steve

Adorable Carrie and Dear Carla, Who Kept Us Secure All Night Long

Carrie And Our Host With The Most, Matt

Clint and Carrie Share A Hug

Clint With Pretty Friend, Sherri

My Perfect Husband, Eric, Enjoying The Festivities

Everyone Was There To Toast Clint!

Happy Birthday Clint!!

The Bar is Now OPEN!

Beautiful Bestie Holly

Might Be The Cutest Shot of The Night - Holly, Clint & Carrie

Holly & Crystal With Our New Bff, Scottie

Scottie and I met and admired each other’s earrings – so we traded! Scottie is Matt’s sister in law and hopefully will not be a stranger to us – she is adorable!!

Those Handsome Belfi Boys - Keith and Matt

Me, With New Bestie, Keith

Keith is so fab – he designs sets and props for the likes of Alton Brown and Tyler Perry. And not only that – he is so kind and funny!

Keith & Scottie Belfi (wearing the earrings we traded!) So Cute!

All This Photography Can Be Tiring, So Says Our Party Guests....

Me, With One Of My Favorite Folks, Ever - Our Birthday Guy, Clint

Matt and Keith

Scottie and Me, Post Earring Swap

Note to Scottie:  I am still loving the earrings!! Let me know when we can go shopping!

Matt and Me

Everybody Had A Ball!

But all good things must come to an end. But not before there’s CAKE! Happy Birthday Monkey Boy!

A Sure Sign That Cake Is A'Coming

Ready For Clint To Make A Wish

I Hope Every Wish Comes True, Sweetie!

2 a.m. Came Awfully Fast. Nite, nite!

It was a fantastic party, filled with the coolest people (as always). Thanks, Matt for being the best host ever and thanks, Clint, for being the best friend ever. I love you both!

xoxo, Patti

As I stated in the beginning of March, there were no dinner parties to be hosted in my home this month. But, alas, rules are meant to be broken. The one person I would allow as the exception came to dinner last night. And it was so worth breaking the rules!

Last night our very special guest of honor was Clint’s enchanting mother, Sylvia. We had not seen each other in seven years and she was in town for a visit. There was no way my little moratorium was going to keep me from entertaining one of my most favorite people. And so I set about to show her a very good time.

On the menu was:

Caprese Salad
Pappardelle with Boar Ragu
Sauteed Broccoli Rabe
Fresh Garlic Bread
Lemon Tart

Mmmm, Meatballs, Y'all!

So, happily I tottered off to Toscano & Sons yesterday to pick up the pasta and boar ragu. Uh….the FDA came and took all their boar ragu away, siting insufficient information on the packaging. Mama Mia! What to do? Well, I had some meatballs in the freezer and some Italian sausage in the fridge, that would have to be my stand-in.

With all my other ingredients packed up in the car and Karen off to camp for the night, I set home to whip up a fabulous evening.

Lemon tart? Sure! I have some pate brisee in the freezer that I took out to thaw. That should work perfectly in this pie. Why should I read the directions?
Well, because the pate brisee had some major shrinkage in the oven. Aw, geez. I wound up with what looked like a nice, flat piece of pie dough.

Into the trash it went. Now I need to come up with another dessert. I could go back out, but it is raining cats and dogs out there! Hmmm, lets see what we have.

Yay! There are some gorgeous strawberries brought back from Florida by Holly earlier this year! And I have cookie dough in the fridge. Dessert would be strawberries macerated in sugar and balsamic vinegar, topped with black pepper alongside one perfect cookie. Whew.

Since it was St. Patty’s Day (and I am Patti), I thought I should go all out. I picked up some green bowler hats at Target and set them by each place setting. Also at each place was a TableTopics question. Kroger had daffodils – 5 bunches for $10, so home they came with me, too. They look like Spring will soon be here, don’t they?

Top O' The Evening To Ya!

Isn’t my organdy tablecloth pretty? I got it on ebay for $20 (that includes shipping)!! Isn’t that crazy? I love it! I really should have ironed it before using, but I thought with everything on the table maybe no one would notice. And if they did, they were so polite, no one said anything.

Close Up Of The Tablecloth

Soon, my charming guests arrived and Eric finished up work. We had so much catching up to do with each other! Eric and I orchestrated the last minute cooking while visiting with Clint, Matt and Miss Sylvia in the kitchen. It was so much fun. And now to eat!

Caprese Salad

And time to wear our silly green hats. With glitter. That got all over everything and everybody.

Matt, Miss Sylvia and Clint

Now I feel bad that Miss Sylvia had green, sparkly hair. But we all had green, sparkly hair.

Yippee! I Got Everyone To Wear The Hats!

It was a wonderful evening, and as I shook out the tablecloth this morning and saw tons of green fairy dust fly into the wind, I thought of the people in my life who make it so magical.

Make some magic today, Darlings!

xoxo, Patti

I had the sweetest time in NOLA with my darling husband, but the birthday celebration didn’t stop there.  This past Friday night, 22 of us gathered to celebrate some more at Karaoke Melody, a terrific spot on Buford Highway that has private karaoke rooms. Most.Fun.Ever.

The photos really tell the story here, so lets begin!

Teague Checking The Mics

Lisa Arrives

Lisa Made Party Favors - Filled With Peppermint Patties!

Eric Checks Out The Stage

A Hug For My Sweetie

At first, Eric, Teague, John, Danny, Crystal, Holly, Lisa and I sang a few songs  before everyone else arrived. “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” is one tough song to sing. But we muddled through, giggling til the end.

Matt With Clint Laughing Through "Punk Rock Girl"

Me and My Girls, Crystal, Holly and Lisa

Tim, Becky and I, Wearing the Darling Apron They Had Custom Made For Me

Sweet Miss Diane

Teague Opens With La Bamba - "It's In Spanish!"

Shane In The Hall

Danny and I Belting Out The Lyrics to Something

New Neighbor Dean Brings Down The House With His Rendition of "Lets Get It On"

My Crooners - John and Taruan

Shane And Eric Take A Beverage Break

Holly and Danny Cut Up For The Camera

Val and Leila Share a Moment

In Honor Of Johnny Cash's Birthday, Eric & I Pair Up To Sing "Jackson"

Like All Good Southern Girls, Crystal and I Sing "Delta Dawn"

Diane and I Having A Giggle

Taruan and Chioke Enjoying The Evening

Shane and Teague Sing "The Time Warp"

and if you are going to sing The Time Warp, you know that right behind are folks that…

Are Going to Sing and Dance With You. Guaranteed.

and sing and dance some more…

More Time Warp Fun

Me, Getting A Chance To Thank Everyone For Coming

But there is one (maybe two…) more surprises to come…

Lisa Wrote Custom Lyrics To "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", Just For Me!

This tickled me to no end. I was so thrilled.

I just wasn’t ready for the party to end. And so, six of us brought it on home.

Because no birthday is complete without…

a Pink and White Cake, Complete With Adorable Candles!

It was a fabulous birthday and I was so thrilled with all our guests. We have the best friends ever.

xoxo, Patti

Thanks for not minding that I took a vacation for a few days. My birthday was this past Saturday and so the celebration started on Wednesday, of course!

My sweet Clint and Matt invited Eric and me for dinner last Wednesday night to kick off my birthday and what a dinner it was!  Starting with a huge platter of the biggest steamed shrimp you have ever laid eyes on followed by tender pan-sauteed tilapia with a luscious meuniere sauce, roasted green beans accompanied by cherry tomatoes, along side scrumptious yellow rice topped off with rich and gooey chocolate candy puff pastry purses for dessert.

But even better than the food was the company. Beginning the evening with a champagne toast and ending with lots of hugs, it was the perfect start to what would be the most perfect birthday ever.

But I bet you want to see all the yummy goodness, yes?

Huge Shrimp Cocktail

Matt, Popping The Bubbly

There's Always Time For A Hug From Clint

Uncle Matt's Famous Meuniere Sauce

Gourmet Goodness

I enjoyed this dinner so very much. Everything about it was perfect.

Thank you, Clint and Matt, I love you guys!

xoxo, Patti