Good Morning Darlings!
Did you have the best Christmas with the most fun? Oh, good! Me, too.
New Year’s Eve is less than a week away. Are you hosting? Need some ideas?
Chioke
...now browsing by tag
atlanta
Barry Belcher
birthday
brunch
cake
Caren West
Chioke
Christmas
Clint
cocktails
Crystal
Danny
Desserts
Easter
Eddie Ross
Eric
Fun Find Friday
Giveaway
Halloween
holly
Hospitalityaholic
Jay
John
Lisa
Matt
Name That Thing
Name That Thing Answer
New Orleans
New Year's Eve
Parties
party
Recipes
Salad
Shopping
Summer
Super Bowl
Tami
Taruan
Teague
Thanksgiving
The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead
The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
tracy
Valentines Day
Postcards from NYC
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011Good Morning Darlings!
You know Eric and I had the best time visiting New York. Our sweet friend, Johnny P., lent us his Brooklyn Heights apartment and upon arrival, saw the most breathtaking view of the Statue of Liberty. Amazing.
I though you all would like to see some photos.
Enjoy!
Chioke Meets Jimmy Fallon
Wednesday, March 9th, 2011Good Morning Darlings!
If you have been reading the blog for a while, you probably feel like you know my friends really well. One of my very favorites, Chioke, moved to NYC last year. And while I miss him like crazy, I was thrilled when he agreed to become my big city correspondent and attend a very special event.
It is so exciting to know that Chioke is in New York and willing to act as our bureau chief so we can bring you lots more exciting news.
And now I will hand it over to our NYC Bureau Chief for AOADP, Chioke. Thanks, Honey!
What are you waiting for? Come on in!
A Bittersweet, But Delicious, Goodbye
Monday, August 9th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
Over the past year you have met so many of our favorite folks. Chioke has been a guest star in many of these posts. Remember his movie night here, our taco and candy night here? Those are just a few of the times we’ve shared and I’ve shared with you.
But now Chioke is moving to THE big city, New York City, to continue his education, and will be gone for three years. Three years I will not be able to walk two blocks for a hug or a special cocktail. Three years I will not be able to hear the sound of his smooth voice and laugh at his wicked jokes.
My heart is a little heavy today.
We spent our last evening together for a while doing what we do best – eating. Eric, Holly, Chioke and I met up at JCT. Kitchen in Atlanta for a (semi) celebratory meal. I first introduced you to JCT on my first meeting with Eddie and Jaithan.
Since JCT. does southern cuisine best, it was a fitting place to say our goodbyes.
JCT Kitchen
July 4th Weekend-Part Two
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
On day one, after spending the afternoon on the Crush Pad with Doug, Sharon and Chef Dairen, we drove home to Atlanta where Eric had made dinner reservations at Abbatoir. It was a splendid affair, although no pictures. A couple needs to have some private time, after all.
But on Sunday, we made our favorite baked potato salad and headed over to Jay and Valerie’s house for their fabulous fried chicken, and Curtis’ world famous pulled pork and lots of other goodies. And of course, I brought my camera!
She's A Grand Old Flag, She's A High Flying Flag....
Cold Is The New Cool
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
The official start of summer is just days away, but Old Sol seems antsy to bring it on. It is positively steamy here in Atlanta and what better way to beat the heat than ice cream? Now I know that might coincide with your bikini-ready plans, but you need to give yourself a tiny break here and there, yes?
There are so many fantastic ice cream purveyors here in our city – just turn around and you bump into one!
If Only We Could All Look So Sweet Gobbling Ice Cream
Fun Find Friday – St-Germain
Friday, May 21st, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
This week has been a flurry of parties and with the weekend approaching there seems to be no end in sight. Two dinners with Jeff at our house, Shameeka’s fabulous reception at the Mansion on Peachtree, dinner with my Love at WASABi after the reception, tapas at Clint’s followed by dinner at Carrie and Steven’s loft (more on that next week), tonight a dinner party at the home of neighbor and pastry chef Dave and his wife, Sue, tomorrow the exciting Blogger’s Brunch at The Four Season’s Park 75, then a graduation celebration with my favorite former boss and his precious family and on to Leila’s birthday party on Saturday night.
Whew. Sometimes, a girl is in need of a swanky cocktail just to slow down and reflect a bit.
Is that girl (or guy) you? Do you need a break, my Sweetie? Have I got the cocktail for you. Made with St-Germain.
The Rare and Beautiful Elderflower
But enough with the history, let’s talk cocktails. You can surely sip St-Germain over a few slivers of ice as an aperitif, but most of the times I have had it in a cocktail, it has been paired with gin. So yesterday I drove to Green’s and picked up a bottle of St-Germain and a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin and got ready to mix.
Oops! I left the house without any recipes for cocktails, so how was I expected to mix up a drink with no ingredients? See? I have been busy this week!
But the distinguished crafters of St-Germain are kind enough to include a few recipes in the tiny book that comes attached to the sexy, belle epoque, bottle. Funny, the original St-Germain Cocktail doesn’t even mention gin.
The St-Germain Cocktail
2 shots Champagne or Dry White Wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc)
1.5 shots St-Germain
2 shots Sparkling Water or Club Soda
Stir ingredients in a tall ice-filled Collins glass, mixing completely. Garnish with lemon twist. Feel fancy-schmancy like the French.
For those of you wanting to try a gin based cocktail made with St-Germain, here’s a doozy from Robert Hess at the Chanticleer Society (this is especially for you, Chioke!)
Clipper Ship
2 ounce gin
1 ounce St-Germain
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 dash absinthe
Garnish: Lime twist
Shake with ice, strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass. Feel tipsy. Smile a lot. Have Jeeves drive you home.
Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend!
xoxo, Patti
A Night At The Drive-In
Monday, May 10th, 2010Good 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
Eric Makes Paella
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
This past Saturday, my angel of a husband tackled making paella for 7 of us. Armed with a recipe given to us by our dear Chioke (who coaxed it out of a chef in Barcelona!), Eric took to the kitchen like a man on a mission. And it was a mission – feed 7 hungry friends.
First up, get the oil in the pan hot:
Caution - Super Hot Oil!
Taruan’s Birthday – Don’t Call It A Party
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010Good Morning, Darlings!
This past Friday was my sweet Taruan’s birthday date of birth celebration day. Called a “get together” by his partner, Chioke. Tomato, tomahto – I call it a party. And it was such fun!
Chioke always has something surprising and fun at his parties get togethers and this time was no different. Take a look at the outside of their house as we walked up.
Nope, That Doesn't Scream "Party". Not One Bit.