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

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Remembering Citrus High School

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

You know what warms my heart?  By now, I’m sure you know that it’s Eric and my crazy dogs. But my friends come right after that. And tantamount to that is getting to see old friends after a long absence. I always consider this a precious gift.  One of those precious gifts recently came in the form of seeing childhood friend, Maureen. Bestie John, Eric and I met up with Maureen at Park Tavern in Atlanta while she was visiting our city with Carly, the daughter of another of our classmates (honestly, where has the time gone?)

I picked Park Tavern for their view of Piedmont Park and the city. There really is no better view in town.

Our Beautiful Atlanta

Reminiscing Inside!

Miller Union With Miss Tami

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Last week Tami Hardeman and I had a chance to meet for lunch (we are all so busy these days!) Our choice of restaurant was the deliciously organic Miller Union. This beautiful spot is in a bit of weird area, if you aren’t familiar with this side of town. Happily, it is close to where we live.

Welcome To Miller Union

We started with the baby carrot and radishes served with a creamy feta cheese. So yummy! And good for you, too!

Who Knew Healthy Could Taste So Good?

And after catching up with each other, Tami and I both order the special salad of the day – smoked trout over greens with chopped cucumbers and radishes. It was really fantastic.

Miller Union's Wonderful Smoked Trout Salad

I don’t think it took either of us too long to clean our plates. It was that good.  So we sat, visited some more and took in the lovely patio on this lovely day.

Miller Union's Darling Herb Garden

Normally, I don’t like to critcize, but if you plan to sit on the patio for lunch during the week, you will inevitably encounter the many semi trucks barreling in and out at a deafening decibel.  We literally had to stop talking when a truck came by because there was just no hearing each other speak.  But the service was gracious, the food divine and as an added bonus – in the bathrooms they had two rolls for bathroom tissue – one rolled over and one rolled under. That really tickled me. I love those little details.

If you get the chance, please visit the nice folks at Miller Union. I promise they will make you very happy.

xoxo, Patti

Miller Union on Urbanspoon

A Night Of Magic, Courtesy of Valerie & Jay

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

The best thing about having a blog is the opportunity to toast those you love best.  So if you will indulge me this lovely Monday morning, I would like to tell you about the party we attended Saturday night.

Adorable friend Valerie graduated from Georgia State and we all gathered to celebrate her accomplishment. Our sweet hostess Denise even made a sign:

Congratulations, Valerie!

Does Anyone Notice That Funny Spelling For Graduating? Come In and See Why

Fun Find Friday-Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

What could be more fun to eat than ice cream? Nothing, that’s what! If you read me regularly, you know that ice cream has been a recurring theme of late. It’s getting hot here and naturally ice cream is a fun choice for guests.

But I had never made my own ice cream.  I had some homemade strawberry ice cream at Debbie Hood’s granny’s house after floating down Rainbow Springs when I was a kid and it changed my life. I never forgot how it tasted.

So why has it taken me so long to make my own?  Chalk it up to a busy lifestyle or just plain laziness, plus I don’t eat a lot of ice cream as an adult. Until now.

Say hello to my little friend:

Hello, Gorgeous!

More Ice Creamy Goodness Inside

I’ll Have A Side of Laughter With That, Please

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Last night Eric and I were the happy guests at the home of our friends, Erin and Chris. Joining us were our darlings, Matt and Clint, who had introduced us all. Erin and Clint work together at Cartoon Network and are slap hilarious.  Matt, Chris and my sweet Eric are no slouches in the make ’em laugh department either, so when all of us get together I leave with sides aching from all the laughter.

Erin and Chris are fresh from their honeymoon in Nevis, which is in the West Indies.  For our dinner, they recreated a dish they had while in paradise, crab encrusted tilapia. Essentially, a crab cake topping a filet. How could anyone say no to that?

Here’s our sweet host, Chris, donning his chef’s jacket (sidenote: Way to go, Chris’s dad, on the swell gift!) Take a look at him and tell me you don’t see happy host written all over his face. Chris and Erin are like a great big hug and I love spending time with them.

Can You Smell What The Chris Is Cooking? It Smells Great!

More Delicious Fun Inside

Take It Outside

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

The weather is really warming up and that means al fresco dining! If you live in Atlanta, like I do, that means the first day there is no visible chill in the air and the sun is out.  My favorite spots for catching some rays and tippling a cocktail or two are as follows (in no particular order):

1. Front Page News, Little Five Points. This sweet outpost of New Orleans cuisine never ceases to inspire me.  Their outdoor patio, with the big, gurgling fountain is one of the nicest getaways within the city. Hedges shield you from the traffic on Moreland Avenue and the drinks are always tasty, served by the friendliest bartenders. For a special way to start your weekend, hop on over to FPN for their fabulous brunch, complete with Bloody Mary Bar.

2. Krog Bar, Inman Park. Need a vacation?  You can go to Krog Bar and pretend you are in the Mediterranean. The most perfectly chosen wine list compliments the menu of small plates wonderfully.  If you are lucky, you will arrive on a day when Pastry Chef Kirk Parks has whipped up some of his adorable mini ice cream cones. This is absolutely a see and be seen scene, but it is so totally chill you won’t mind.

3. Park Tavern, Midtown. Park Tavern is the epitome of where you should take out of town guests when they visit. The view of Piedmont Park and midtown Atlanta is unparalleled. They have renovated since the last time I visited, but I am meeting a childhood friend there on Friday night, so I will let you know about the cuisine. They used to have chicken fingers coated with Cap’n Crunch, but I don’t see those on the online menu. Boo hoo. I loved those. But now they have sushi!

Beautiful Park Tavern View

4. Six Feet Under, Grant Park.  If you like your neighbors quiet, they don’t get any more quiet than Oakland Cemetery.  The rooftop patio overlooks the mausoleums and headstones of Atlanta’s most favorite final resting spot (Margaret Mitchell is buried here). The beer is ice cold and the fish tacos tasty.  A really great space with lots of chairs for all your drinking buddies.

5. FAB, Downtown. Step into FAB (short for French American Brasserie) and find yourself transported to France immediately. Without a doubt the most gorgeous dining room in Atlanta, the rooftop patio wows. FAB is brought to you by the owners of Brasserie Le Coze, which closed in 2006, much to the disappointment of many francophiles. But never fear, they are back and better than ever. Before you indulge in the decadent cuisine, pop upstairs for an aperitif and take in the view of downtown. Simply gorgeous.

There’s a fine start for your al fresco adventures. Write me a little comment and tell me your favorite spots?

xoxo, Patti

Glam It Up At The Ritz-Carlton

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte – which Sex And The City girl do you most identify with?  I like to think I’m a healthy mix of all four, but that might just be me deluding myself.  But I am a huge fan of the show and with the movie sequel set to open May 27th, I am so excited to see what the ladies are up to next.

And like all good SATC devotees, I plan on gathering my most fabulous coterie of gorg girlfriends together to view the flick. Of course, brunch prior to the screening is de rigueur.  No place else but the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead will do.  The amazing and incredibly stylish Sandra Ryder, Area Director of Public Relations for the Ritz-Carlton (whom I met while visiting Lumen last year with Tami), has arranged the perfect afternoon with your girls prior to the movie.

You Know You Want It

Come On In, Gorgeous

A Night At The Drive-In

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Who else saw Iron Man 2 this weekend? Show of hands? Me, me!! A group of our besties got together and caravaned to the drive-in to enjoy the late spring weather and have a little cookout (any reason for a cookout with our friends!) We joined our friends and neighbors, Jay & Val, Chioke & Taruan and Jay’s sister, Heather, and had a blast.

Jay and Val had obviously done this before and brought a portable grill, all the turkey brats and potato salad. I brought cole slaw, chips & spinach dip, Italian sausages and a lobster tail. We all parked next to each other (that was a feat – it was packed!) and got to grilling. Val also made sangria and the fun began.

Chef Jay Firing Up The Grill

More Drive-In Antics Inside

Fun Find Friday – Insatiable by Gael Greene

Friday, May 7th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

With summer upon us, that means a vacation and for many, a beach vacation. What should you pack for your vacay? Why, an excellent book, you big silly!

After yesterday’s gigantic post, I thought I would keep it simple today.  Pick up Insatiable by Gael Greene, the fabulous food critic. It’s what I’m reading now and it is a hoot!  By the second chapter she has told us about her daliance with Elvis, and a fried egg sandwich. I was hooked.

And I think you might be, too!  Amazon has it for an incredible price, so you could pick up one for everyone in your book club (you could have a beach book club!)

Don’t forget the sunscreen!

xoxo, Patti

Cinco de Mayo With Black Tie Barbecue

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Guess who I met last night? Oh, you’ll probably never guess, so I’ll show you.

Me And Spidey!

Click Here for More Cinco de Mayo Fun!