Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Atlanta Dogwood Festival - April 2012

What an amazing event! The weekend weather was great! I was able to park within a few blocks and walk comfortably to Piedmont Park. I brought a guest with me and we arrived at the Friends of Dogwood Pavilion, located in the amazing Greystone area of Piedmont Park, after a nice stroll. We were greeted graciously and were able to interact with the vendors immediately.

Our first impression was the layout and how easily it was going to be to navigate through it. As we navigated through the event, we felt the following vendors made it pleasurable enough for honorable mentions.

Food

With that said, our first stop was at Genki, and their manager Lee introduced us to their flavorful snack and fruitful saki; it was so good they had two girls keeping the saki coming all afternoon! Anis Café and Bistro, what a delight, presented the most delightful Mussels and Biscuit plate to us! As always, Five Napkins didn't let us down with their signature burger, fresh off the grill. The Melting Pot kept us on the sweet end of town with their chocolate covered strawberry, chocolate and cake plate.

And the fun part of the food section was actually seeing Pitty Pats Porch and Max Lager's next to each other as if they were in a barbeque showoff. They both had their positives. You could taste Pitty Pats Porch pulled pork sandwich's Jack Daniels smokey flavor. And Max Lager's slaw topping was the difference in their sandwich. But both earned their keep.

Incredibly, after all that, there is still room for desert! And what an option, in fact one of the best desert options you could ever imagine. Nothing Budnt Cakes brought an array of their best deserts. I'm sad I was only able to try three of them, but still glad I had the chance to taste their Chocolate, Cinnamon Swirl, and their Pecan Praline flavors. OMG! Moist, fresh, and extreme flavor are only but a few of the words that I can use to express myself. Whatever next activity requires desert. This is where I'm getting it!

Spirits

Our first taste was The Beach House with real good summery type of flavors on both their white and red wines. Very light and balanced for the palate; enjoyed them both! Savida Sangria was more than expected. Their fusion of flavors was very welcoming.

Then there was Wine Shoe Atlanta. What a treat it was to be taken to a European type of guesthouse environment. Both Jesus Garcia-Cascon and Teresa L. Ely had us intrigued with their extensive array of hand-selected wines. It felt as if we were in the best atmosphere to be blessed with such experience. Of course we tried everything. Our favorites were the Corte de Sole Soave; what an impression has this wine left us, the name says it all. Everyone must also taste Estylo Puro Albarino 100%. Another impressive wine was the Vinum Africa Cabernet, bold and excellent. And my first choice was the Mt. Jagged 2003 Shiraz; all I can say is that its powerful flavor would make anyone sip it until it's totally gone. Hello another blissful day in paradise!

I am extremely pleased with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. In one word: Impressive. The vendors, booths, stages and the kid activities were truly a pleasure to enjoy. Definitely looking forward to the next one.

Corks & Forks 2011 @ Grant Park

I went to the Corks & Forks – A fine food and wine event on Sunday (8/28/11).   Not very crowded.  The wine selection was not the greatest.  Only one of the three tables for wine had a line.  So I did not get to try that one.  I did hear that the Wine Nazi was there.  Food selections included Six Feet Under, Abattoir, Rathbuns, Sun Dial, Spice Market, The Melting Pot, Cake Hag, Canoe, Season's 52, Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint, and Bhojanic.

 

Food wise, my favorite was Sun Dial, with a Gouda crusted grits and pork belly.  I think Rathbuns thai noodles and Six Feet Under's shrimp and cheese grits were amazing also.

 

Dessert wise.  Cake Hag was good but the Melting Pot's strawberry, pound cake, and brownie covered in chocolate stole the show.  Sorry Canoe, but I still don't know what you served me other than it was ice cream on a baby cone.

 

Great event, I just wish I would have drank more wine!

 

Review by HTLJOSE

C & S Seafood & Oyster Bar - Atlanta, GA

One of the few good fresh seafood places in Atlanta.  It has been opened for a couple of years.  Great location ITP at the corner of Cobb Pkwy and Paces Mill Rd.  The menu is huge.  Front side is drink and wine selection.  The wine list covers mane varietals from all over the world.  I started out the meal with one the specials of the day, carrot-ginger-coriander soup.  One word, AMAZING.  I love soups (thanks to ROOM at Twelve), but this soup was perfect with the right amount of zing.  I then ordered another special of the day, Pacific Marlin, with purple mashed potatoes, and green beans.  The fish tasted very fresh.  The rest of the party ordered an Parmesan Encrusted Flounder, and Chilean Sea Bass with Spicy Chili Garlic sauce.  I guess the next time, I need to order some appetizers especially oysters.  The fish selection looked great in the fridge that was viewable from the dining area.  Great place for a power lunch and business dinner, and it’s quaint enough for a date!

 

C & S Seafood & Oyster House

3240 Cobb Pkwy

Atlanta, GA 30339

 

Reviewed by HTLjose

Corks and Forks @ Summer Shade in Grant Park

Congratulations to this year's event organizers! It was great to see I will not get wet since it seems to rain every year for this event. The tents were nicely decorated and spacious. I enjoyed seeing old faces like Chef Rathburn (Rathburn's) and Chef Carvel Grant Gould (Canoe) but I was disappointed with their food choices (popcorn ice cream???) come on it's for a good cause (Grant Park Conservancy)! Of course their choices were delicious but a little more substance next year guys. The new guys on the block were impressive! Dogwood's Chef Shane Touhy and Going Coastal were among my favorites. Il Mulino's raviolis were amazing (yes! I had seconds). Runner ups were Peasant Bistro's Michael Patria and Milton's Chef Boyd A. Rose (best kept secret OTP). The wine selections were good and the sommeliers were very friendly (not to mention very patient with all of the wineignoramous types). Overall it was a delightful experience and I can not feel better about helping preserve Atlanta's Park. However don't expect to see any local favorites from Grant Park or authentic international cuisine. This one is for the big leaguers only!

Capt. Charlie's - REEF GRILL - Juno Beach, FL

Classic.....I go down to Florida often, and this is still the place to go for fresh fish, great wine.....and of course....DESSERTS. I tell everyone about this place. From the coleslaw....to any fish with double veggies.....you can’t go wrong.......my first dish ever was a Peppered Swordfish with Portobello Linguini......I will never forget that.

 

Reviewed by HTLjose

Two Urban Licks - Atlanta

I fell in love with the place when we pulled into the valet. Then walking through the tall swing doors, into a beautiful space or art, people, food, and of course drinks. The space is just amazing to view from all corners. The only thing I did not like was the booth for 6 that they sat us in right by the glass enclosed rotisserie. Let’s just say, it was little hot, even with the AC and the doors down later. The food was great! A must spot for many times again, just make sure they keep you away from the booth for 6 that is HOT!

 

Reviewed by HTLjose

 

JCT Kitchen & Bar

A little hidden treasure that I was very happy to find. First the KITCHEN has great choices in the menu. Next time I will try the fried chicken, but the grits were amazing. I had the fish of the day, and it was great. Went upstairs to the BAR. I actually fell in love with it the week before when I walked by it when it was closed. Great people, great choices, great locale.  The BAR has a great patio and live music for a great evening with friends.