The winner of our CSN Gift Card Giveaway is Domestic Diva! Congratulations! I will be emailing you with all the details!
Today we have a fun list of Foodie what’s hot and what’s not from our friend Nadin in NYC. I love this!
Just as your style calls for seasonal updates, so does your palette. Restaurants, big and small alike, cater to consumer interests within the food world and adapt their specials and menus accordingly. This year, Kobe Beef is out, and pork is in. Low sodium-focused products have been replaced by gluten-free items and the cupcake craze has moved from a sweet direction to a savory one with lasagna cupcakes and a meat-filled take on these sweet treats.
Below is a list of the latest food items that food connoisseur must have this season , as reported by Allmenus.com
What’s In:
· Whoopie Pies
· Miniature Foods (not plates)
· Savory Cupcakes
· Gastro/Nitrous
· Pork
· Gluten-free
· Chefs at High End Restaurants
What’s Out:
· Kobe Beef
· Low Sodium
· Sweet Cupcakes
· High End Chefs Consulting for Smaller Outlets/Quick Service
So there you go. What do you think is in or out this year?
xoxo, Patti
Today I am handing over the reins to my sweet friend, Arlynn, who loves giving parties as much as I do! She created a baby shower around a Dr. Seuss theme, which I think is just adorable.
Please help me welcome Arlynn! Take it away!
I have a confession to make here on Anatomy of a Dinner Party (ADP)… I am
a party-a-holic. Yes, there may not currently be a support group available for people
in my state of “distress,” and although my husband may wish otherwise, I’m totally
cool with it. In fact, I’m thrilled to have such an exciting addiction – I mean, who
doesn’t love a party?!? Oh yeah, back to the Hubs. I wouldn’t go so far as to grant
him the title of Party Pooper, but he certainly doesn’t appreciate my panache for all
of the excitement generated by a nicely organized party. Especially one in which
he’s kicked out and asked to leave our home for a few hours, ha! Lucky for you ADP
readers, sweet Patti does appreciate & that’s why she asked me to share my story of a recent Dr. Seuss themed baby shower I had the pleasure of co-hosting at my house! Lucky for me too, to be able to share with you – thanks a million P!!!
Well, this sordid tale of a Dr. Seuss baby shower fit for a soon-to-be precious
Princess all began when the Hubs and I purchased our first home. We’re OTP’ers
(out of the perimeter of Atlanta) – please don’t hold it against us – and found
ourselves to be living in the midst of lots of families with kids. Well, there was one
couple, right around our age who were, at the time, childless. Score one for crazy-
fun-young neighbors like us! Well, before long they wouldn’t find themselves
childless… Commence immediate party planning – and I’m talking before they even
have time to show us the first sonogram image.
Usually I feature a product or place on Friday, but I’m in a grilled cheese kind of mood.
I’ve only become proficient at making these beauties in the past few years. Before that, I would always burn the bread and end up with cheese that wasn’t melty, stringy and delicious.
But no more. If you find yourself with unmelty, unstringy and not quite right grilled cheese, worry no longer. I am here to help. And it’s easy.
Photo courtesy of The Glam Society at Blogspot
First, make sure your butter is softened. I would say at room temperature, but in the winter, at least at my house, that would mean rock hard. If you have a microwave, you might zap it for just a few seconds or let it sit on a warm stove for a bit. Spread the outsides of your bread with your softened butter and move on to the cheese.
Second, use grated cheese. Grate it fresh if you have to. I adore Jarlsberg for my grilled cheese and feel that the extra effort to grate a hunk of it worthy of the perfect sandwich. Grated cheese is going to melt up much easier than sliced cheese. Trust me on this. Almost all cheese will work for grilled cheese, except maybe parmesan.
Stove temperature – I set the burner to medium, melt a little more butter in the pan and when it warms up, place my bread buttered side down into the pan. Now, take a mound of your grated cheese and heap it on top, followed by the second piece of bread – buttered side up. Give the sammie a few minutes, pry up the bottom with a spatula and if it looks brown, turn the whole shebang over to grill the other side. This can be tricky, so don’t be afraid to use your fingers to hold the top piece in place. Just don’t burn yourself. Owie! Give it another few minutes on the second side and voila, you have yourself a tasty treat.
I have to admit that a very guilty pleasure of mine is grilled peanut butter and jelly. Don’t scoff. If you have never tried this, you are missing out. So go on over to the pantry and pull out the pb&j and give it a try.
Happy Weekend!!
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Little Chris Moyles Show – Brand New Cheesy Song
Sunday night was a double whammy – the Golden Globes and our beloved Holly’s birthday! A dual reason to celebrate.
Now, you might remember me trying to make Holly a “healthy” cake from black beans, as documented in this video. That didn’t go so well. So, I tried again Sunday morning to make a “real” cake. Not so great, either. Note to self – it is extremely difficult to soften butter at room temperature when it is snowing outside.
Oh, geez, what to do now? Cake Hag to the rescue!! If you remember, they were the star of our dinner with Eddie + Jaithan this past summer, with their luscious red velvet cake. I called Maggie & Katie and even though they had been closed due to the snow/ice storm, they had one perfect cake, just for me. I have never been more relieved. Four layers of rich, dark chocolate cake layered with scrumptious chocolate buttercream. Thanks, Ladies!! Click here to see how it all turned out
Yesterday was such fun. With the snow piling up, Atlanta shut down. The neighbors took to the park to sled and just play in the snow. And since all that sledding and snowball fighting works up an appetite, I suggested a pot luck supper at our house around 5pm.
The new year has me musing about which direction I should take the blog. Would you all like to see me post more recipes? More parties? More travel reviews? I’ve been thinking about posting more about budget conscious parties, too.
I have the toughest time deciding. So I thought I would ask you.
Would you mind helping me out? Please take a moment to take the survey and lets see where we are headed in 2011!
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
—
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to The Beatles – Help
Posted in Hospitalityaholic | Comments Off on Help Me Decide Which Direction
Oh my little dawdlers, have you not made plans for tonight? Lets see what I can conjure up for you.
How about the epitome of class and style? Of course you know I am talking about The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and their spectacular ringing in of 2011.
Miss Sandra sent me all the details and here they are just for you.
START THE NEW YEAR BRIGHT AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, BUCKHEAD
There’s no better way to brighten your outlook for the New Year than celebrating at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead.
The New Year’s Eve package starts at $499* and includes:
• Deluxe accommodations for one night
• New Year’s Day Brunch for two in The Café, to include Champagne and Bloody Mary Bar
• 2 p.m. late check out
• Overnight valet parking
*Package is valid December 31, 2010, subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Advance reservations are required; rates do not apply to groups. Rates listed are per room, per night, single or double occupancy, and exclusive of taxes, gratuities and other charges unless noted.
The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead is located in fashionable uptown Atlanta, the city’s most prestigious residential neighborhood. For information or room reservations, please call (800) 241-3333, the hotel at (404) 237-2700, a travel professional or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/buckhead.
There is also Atlanta’s famous Peach Drop at Underground. I’m not much for crowds, but if you are, this could be a great time for you and the family!
Another glamour filled place to buss your sweetie at midnight is The Mansion on Peachtree. Go and say hello to my darling friend, Barry, the concierge who knows everybody and everything to do in Atlanta.
Nora at the Wine Shoe has this fun party going on:
Bubbles, Black Tie & Balloons
Join us for an evening of bubbles and balloons while watching the competing fashion designers rush in with their entries for Fashion Uncorked, the benefit being hosted at Artist Trifecta for Easter Seals. Dress fashionably in evening wear and release your New Year`s wish balloon at the stroke of midnight.
What do you get?!?
* Great Atmosphere
* A chance to dress up!
* Your choice of a bottle of wine from the top shelf at Wine Shoe
* Yummy light appetizers
* Champagne Toast at Midnight!
* Balloon Release when Toasting…with your 2011 wish attached
* Free Parking
$60 per person, limited to 40 fashionable people…because we want to keep it intimate and fun at the Wine Shoe!
Just for fun, here is the Wikipedia definition of Auld Lang Syne:
The song’s Scots title may be translated into English literally as “old long since”, or more idiomatically, “long long ago”,[3] “days gone by” or “old times”. Consequently “For auld lang syne”, as it appears in the first line of the chorus, is loosely translated as “for (the sake of) old times”.
And I know I’ve said it a billion times, but please be safe and don’t drink and drive.
I send you all a big hug and kiss at midnight tonight.
xoxo, Patti
Today blogging to Les Deux Love Orchestra – Auld Lang Syne
Posted in Hospitalityaholic | Comments Off on Stumped on Where To Party Tonight?
I hope you all are enjoying the day with loved ones. I am. Eric and I are at an undisclosed location in the Caribbean with our toes in the sand while our fabulous dog sitter is hanging with Oscar and Karen. Bless You, Abby!
Last weekend we got a chance to hang with the cool kids in Castleberry at their Dirty Santa Party. I think the day after Christmas might be the perfect day for that, to find a new home for those gifts that aren’t quite you. Eric and I walked away with gifts that made us happy, with fully tummies and full hearts from spending time with precious friends. It was that kind of night.
This very happy night was hosted by Nhan at Wasabi, it’s last night before the new facelift and debut on New Year’s Eve as Bottle Rocket Atlanta. It was most exciting. The residents of Castleberry crowded the restaurant – 50+ strong. Clearly the largest Dirty Santa (or White Elephant) party I have ever attended.
How about some photos? These were taken by my new friend James Elliot.
Arriving from Atlanta on flight 46, Air Tran’s 717 touched down in West Palm Beach in what seemed like minutes from take off to landing.
We stepped out of the airport and were greeted by a warm, steamy breeze, indicative of Florida summers.
As we exited the taxi at The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, we were greeted by even more warmth, this time of the human variety. Dustin and crew handled our bags and Lexi at the front desk checked us in and made us feel very welcome.
Steve, our tourist guide/bellman, gave us the low down on every aspect of the property before we ever reached our room. And the room – although standard, was anything but as we gazed at the Atlantic Ocean from our ample balcony. This private spot would continue to be our own respite from the world during our stay.
