OpenTable? Not always.

This little nugget from Cliff Bostock of Creative Loafing got me thinking about how frustrating OpenTable.com can be.  Don't get me wrong - I love OpenTable and use it quite often.  I'd much rather click a few buttons on a website than pick up the phone and - gasp - call another human being!

It's not shyness keeping me from calling, it's probably a combination of laziness and my general aversion to phone calls.  But whatever it is, it's definitely not a surefire ticket to a table for 2 at 8 PM.  Seemingly more and more often, it means going through the motions online and then picking up the phone to get a reservation because OpenTable is showing nothing available.

What's going on here?  OpenTable.com costs restaurants money.  It's no big secret that restaurants don't make every table available on OpenTable.  But are hot restaurants blocking out nearly all of their tables at peak hours, as one commenter suggested, in order to avoid paying for reservations?  I can't say for sure, but it wouldn't shock me given the strain many restaurants are under these days.  Either way, I love a good conspiracy theory!

Restaurant Fail: Crawfish Shack Seafood

When it comes to blogging, I try to subscribe to the old cliche, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. But I make exceptions to that rule when a restaurant botches things beyond belief. So before I launch into my rant, let it be known that I'm merely sharing my personal experience, and I am sure on another night, it might have been perfectly lovely. Now on to the good (or bad!) stuff...

On Saturday, we were eager to use our Scoutmob at Crawfish Shack Seafood. The line was incredibly long, but it was a weekend and they had a 50% off deal on, so no surprises there. We waited our turn, to the tune of at least 20 minutes, and finally ordered our meal - oysters and fried seafood po' boys. We sat down in the charm-less dining area to await our food.

We had planned on a 7:40 showing of Water for Elephants (sweet and well worth seeing if that's your kind of thing), so we were on a schedule, but we arrived at 6:15 or so, so time shouldn't be a problem, right?

You know how sometimes you reach that point where you've been waiting so long for something that you can no longer even have a conversation other than "what the hell is taking so long?" Well, after some initial chit chat, we hit that point after about 20 minutes. I mean it's a fried food emporium, not Bacchanalia, what could possibly take so long? But still I can cut a place some slack. I know many restaurants are overwhelmed by the crowds that come with Scoutmobs.

But my slack cutting was seriously waning after another 20 minutes. At this point, we were risking missing the movie if we waited much longer. When we saw a table that arrived after us get their order of oysters, we knew something was wrong.

So we checked on our order, and you know what they said? "We lost your ticket." One hour, one used up scoutmob, $25, and nary a bite to show for it. How exactly does a restaurant take your order and take your money and then not feed you for it? Of course they were willing to start making our food at that point, but the damage was done.

We got our money back and went to our movie hungry, and I can assure you that despite their offer to "take care of us" next time, that I won't be going back any time soon, if ever. There are just too many great restaurants in town to bother with a place that was such a bust. I do at least appreciate that they were apologetic, but not feeding guests is a rather significant restaurant sin in my book.

Our post-movie visit to Grindhouse went little better - despite the fact that the kitchen was still technically open, they were "out of food." While I again can appreciate that they're getting huge crowds, this also strikes me as super lame. But we didn't have to wait an hour to hear that, so we left there disappointed by not as angry.

In the end, Ron Eyester's team at the Family Dog finally fed us at 11 pm. Not quite what I had in mind for the night but it worked out in the end. Duck quesadillas have a way of taking the edge off!

So I clearly can't speak to the food at the Crawfish Shack, but I can tell you that service if highly suspect and atmosphere is in Mr. AT's words, like a Long John Silver's that's not even trying. I'm sure if I hear from enough people that the food is great, that I'll forgive and forget. A good fried oyster can erase many of bad memory, but for now, I'm still irked and will be looking for my seafood fix elsewhere.

Adventurous Tastes Facebook: Take Two

I am frequently a total space cadet, and I managed to previously mistype my new Facebook fan page. So for the (surely) zillions of you who were trying to become fans and were unable to because I botched it, my apologies.

Here is the correct link if you want to become a fan and keep up on all the latest food-lovin' scoop via the Adventurous Tastes Facebook page.


Keep up with the latest dining scoop and show your support by "liking" it today at www.facebook.com/adventuroustastes 

A Taste for Volunteering's Latin Flavors Benefiting Hands on Atlanta

If you're anything like me, you have the grandest of intentions of giving back and sometimes life gets in the way. Fortunately there are no shortage of ways to give back via two things you can always find time for - eating and drinking!

On May 6, Hands On Atlanta will host its 9th annual A Taste for Volunteering event at The Foundry at Puritan Mill from 7-11pm for an evening of good eats and community engagement. Since 1989, Hands On Atlanta has been connecting volunteers with worthy causes in Atlanta. Today, it's the largest volunteer group in Atlanta, and in its history it has mobilized over 250,000 volunteers. Hands on Atlanta is just the thing for harried professionals who want to help and don't know how - they make it easy to find a community service project that suits your schedule and interests.

The event's theme, Latin Flavors, celebrates and raises the awareness of our city's growing Hispanic population and expands Hands On Atlanta's partnerships with organizations that directly impact and serve that community.

From farms to kitchens, members of the Hispanic community are often the unsung heroes of putting food on our tables. And lest we forget, many of the most delectable dishes out there are Latin - tacos and pupusas and tres leches, oh my! So what better way to celebrate the Hispanic community than to support an organization like Hands on Atlanta with a night of great food, drink and music!

This year's event will feature:

• Tapas menu and live cooking demo by former Top Chef Hector Santiago of Pura Vida 
• Open bar featuring regional tequilas, sangrias, wines and beers 
• Salsa music and performance by Salsambo
• Live and silence auctions featuring a wide range of goods and experiences, including travel in the US and abroad (such as a 6-day Ritz-Carlton stay in Spain)

Tickets are available through www.handsonatlanta.org/taste for $75 per person or $140 per couple. You can also call (404) 979-2900 for additional information. Don't miss it!

Secret Atlanta Dining at Two Urban Licks

You know I love a good secret, and in the food world these days, the more secretive the better, so lean in close and listen up...

Concentrics' TWO Urban Licks is now offering a secret late night “Gastronomes” menu every Friday and Saturday, in addition to their regular menu. It starts at 10 p.m. and is offered until it’s gone.

Photo Credit: Two Urban Licks

TWO will hand out a flyer with the secret menu in-house and will post it via Facebook and Twitter (I didn't say they were good at keeping secrets!)

Previous Secret Menus have included:

• Sweet and Sour Sweet Breads
• Pig Nutten (local pork wrapped in fluffy pastry J)
• Veal Short Ribs with Korean BBQ and Collard Green Kimchi
• Smoked Trout Salad with Fig Chili Vinaigrette

The secret menu comes with an infusion, wine or beer beverage pairing, too, for just $5. Alas I am far too lame to eat so late anymore (Oprah says not to eat after 9, natch!), but it does sound fun! Move over H&F burger, there's another 10 pm dining deal in town!

Atlanta Dining Event: Spice Route Supper Club & Our Libatious Nature

Every time I hear about a Spice Route Supper Club dinner, it sounds even more fabulous than the last. This time is no different. On Saturday, April 30, they'll be teaming up with Our Libatious Nature for 5-courses of poultry dishes paired with specially crafted cocktails to match the South Indian cuisine.

Asha Gomez, the Kerala, India, native who prepares Spice Route Supper Club meals, grew up along Kerala’s coastline.  Kerala is the lush, tropical state on the southern coast of India where seafood reigns; however, many specialties also feature poultry, so Gomez wanted to build a menu around those dishes. Many of the beverages designed by Nicky and Katruska will feature the same spices that have appeared in the cuisine of Kerala for centuries.

The menu for the evening includes the following:

Chicken stew with silky coconut broth and a savory version of vattayappam,
an airy steamed cake that is one of Asha’s signature dishes


Beverage: Pineapple Sour—bourbon, almond syrup, Triple Sec, lemon
juice, muddled pineapple, egg, and a pinch of saffron

Braised quail curry with classic Kerala flavors (red chiles, coconut
oil, curry leaves, mustard seeds) and coconut rice

Beverage: Cucumber Lassi—gin, Thatcher’s cucumber liqueur, milk,
cilantro syrup, muddled cucumbers

Kerala fried squab served with freshly made griddle bread

Beverage: Mad Mango—muddled fresh mango, vanilla bean, ghost
pepper-infused dark rum, light coconut milk, orange bitters, orange
juice

Tellicherry pepper-crusted duck served with guava chutney and kale
thoren

Beverage: Smoked Figs – Old Monk rum, ghost pepper-infused vodka, Licor 43 vanilla liqueur, homemade fig preserves, star anise

Vanilla bean custard with mango

Beverage: Asha’s chai

The cost for this dinner is $85 per person, plus gratuity. The supper club location is in northwest Atlanta with easy highway access off of I-285, and the exact address will be revealed to guests upon sign up. To receive invitations to Spice Route Supper Club events, send an email tospiceroutesupperclub@gmail.com.

Upon receiving the invitation, guests who are interested in attending the event are asked to reply promptly to secure a place at the table. Spice Route Supper Club gatherings generally include approximately 20 people. For more information on Spice Route Supper club, visit www.spiceroutesupperclub.com.

Sunday Sales: How Soon is Now?

Last week, Governor Deal signed into law legislation that allows city councils and county commissions around Georgia to call for referendums where voters will decide whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales in their city or county. If you've been paying attention just a little bit, you probably already knew that much, right?

The question on the mind of many a Georgian who has cabernet or pale ale on the brain seven days a week is when will Sunday sales come to MY city?  The answer is soon if you live in metro Atlanta, but how soon depends on where exactly you live.

First the bad news: those of us living in Atlanta will have a longer wait than some.   Since the Atlanta City Council is not likely to authorize a special election for this single issue, the first crack Atlanta will have at voting on Sunday sales - provided the City Council puts it on the ballot - won't come until 2012.  However, some suburbanites will likely be buying on Sundays before the end of 2011.

Loganville has already put the issue on their fall ballot, and Smyrna, Kennesaw, Dunwoody (home of both a Costco and Total Wine) and Cherokee County are all considering putting Sunday sales on their fall ballots.  In other words, for the next few years there will probably be quite a bit of confusion about whether Sunday sales are permitted as you drive around metro Atlanta.

Regardless of whether it takes six months or two years for the issue to hit the ballot, putting Sunday sales to voters is a long overdue step in the right direction.  Soon enough those of us in metro Atlanta, as well as people in scattered cities and counties around the rest of Georgia, will be able to buy what we want, when we want.  As long as you're 21, that is.

 Thanks to ajc.com and cbsatlanta.com

Atlanta Passover and Easter Dining

It's the first night of Passover, and Easter is rapidly approaching, so here's a round up if you're feeling hungry and/or religious here are some options:

Passover

Chocolate caramel (crack)ers
Giving up bread and craving dessert? This sounds delish!

Alon's
Don't feel like making your own matzo ball soup? Pick up Passover dinner at Alon's.


Easter - Sunday, April 24



South City Kitchen
Both South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings will be serving a 3-course prix fixe Easter Sunday brunch from 9am-7pm. This will be the only menu available all day at both locations. The cost is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children under 12 (plus tax and gratuity). Includes delectable items such as Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Southern-Style Brisket Benedict, and Orange Buttermilk Chess Pie.

Canoe 
Chef Carvel Grant Gould has created an a la carte menu, including items such as Crispy Rock Shrimp Salad and Buttermilk-Cornmeal Pancakes with Warm Berry Preserves and Cinnamon Creme Fraiche, for  for guests to enjoy while basking in the beautiful gardens. Brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with dinner following from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Montaluce 
Escape the city and enjoy this year’s Easter Sunday in the beautiful north Georgia wine country. From 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Le Vigne Restaurant at Montaluce Winery is offering a special Easter brunch for the entire family to enjoy. Chef Steven Hartman and the Le Vigne staff are featuring fresh selections such as the Ciabatta French Toast (local peach syrup, fresh Chantilly cream, smoked bacon) and Georgia Coastal Shrimp and Day Boat Scallops (spring asparagus, five cheese orecchiette). The Easter brunch buffet is $45.00 per person excluding tax and gratuity.

ONE. midtown kitchen
ONE will open early to serve brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you can’t make it for brunch, ONE’s Easter celebration will continue through dinner starting at 5:30 p.m.

TWO urban licks
Enjoy brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the kiddos, there will be Easter egg hunts and a visit from the Easter bunny. Hunts will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Parish
Brunch served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and an Easter egg hunt at noon.

4th and Swift
Their chefs are cracking some eggs for a special Prix Fixe 3-course menu - featuring the tastes of Spring - priced at $35 per person. Highlights from the menu include: Bacon, Egg, & Cheese with Hobbs Bacon, Cheddar Cheese Scramble, Heirloom Grits and Buttermilk Biscuits, Steak & Eggs" with Niman Skirt Steak, Charred Salsa, Sunny Side Eggs and Potato Hash.

Go figure: Bitchin' Kitchen Takes The World By Storm

I had never heard of Bitchin' Kitchen before reading this fascinating article. Not my cup o' tea, but I can appreciate a savvy business lady when I see one.



Enjoy the weekend!

Weekend Roundup: April 15-17 Get Drunk, Steampunked or Cultured

There's something for everyone this weekend, so let's hope the rain holds off, and we can enjoy all the outdoor goodness!

Dogwood Festival
April 15-17
Piedmont Park
You know the drill - there's art, funnel cakes, bands, and dogs catching frisbees. This year there's even a Ferris Wheel and a Merry-Go-Round!

Sweetwater 420 Fest
April 15-17
Candler Park
Free entry, $5 for a wrist band that lets you buy beer, and 18 bands

Clockwork Carnival
April 16
The Goat Farm
This one requires some explanation - have you ever heard of steampunk? If you haven't, here's my weird yet fairly accurate way of explaining it to my mother - it's a sub-culture that's like a turn of the century version of science fiction, think HG Wells or Will Smith's Wild Wild West. Kind of something you'd like to see for yourself, right? Well, here's your chance!

At the Carnival's main event, there's a circus that combines Vaudeville, "Gypsy" musicians and cabaret performers, a DJ, burlesque of the flaming and non-pyro variety (Atlanta's own Hot Toddies Flaming Caberet and Sadie Hawkins), furkels and of course people dressed like this:

ALL this for a paltry cost of $15 at the door, or just $10 if dressed in your circus or steampunk best! And never fear, the Good Truck and carnival concessions are there to sate you in the midst of all that wonderment.

OK, color me fascinated. Mr. AT is not convinced, but I think this sounds AWESOME and like something that I cannot miss, unless of course it rains, and then you won't be able to convince me to stand in a field, goat or other.

So that's a lot to do in one weekend. Better rest up tonight!

A New iPhone App For Foodies: Trumpet

Lately I've got technology on the brain. I remember a time not so very long ago when I thought I didn't need an iPhone. Now I have my nose stuck in it all the time and obsessively race my husband to see who can check in via foursquare first whenever we go somewhere. Oh how time flies when you're a tech fast follower!

Lately, it seems like every time I turn around, there's a cool new app available that makes me wonder - how did I ever live without this? Mint for tracking my budget? Check. Facebook? As Sheen would say, duh! And I can't eat out without consulting Scoutmob for a deal.  And now following in their illustrious footsteps comes Trumpet!

Trumpet is still in beta, but I've been lucky enough to get a preview of it. You can search the site based on proximity to your current location, browse based on cuisine or look restaurants up directly. But Trumpet isn't just a rehash of Urbanspoon. Much like amazon or Netflix, Trumpet uses your restaurant ratings to personalize recommendations. The more you rate, the better it gets at predicting what you'll like. They recommend you rate 10 to get started.

And no app would be complete without a social networking component these days, so Trumpet also lets you see your friends' reviews and where they're checking in on Facebook or Foursquare. We all seek tips from trusted resources, so Trumpet is just making that process all the easier!

A few of the highest rated choices in Atlanta so far include some of my favorites:

• Antico Pizza Napoletana

• Aria Restaurant

• Bocado

• Ecco

• Flip Burger Boutique

• Floataway Cafe

• Fox Bros Bar-B-Q

• Fritti

• JCT Kitchen & Bar

• La Tavola

• Serpas

I haven't traveled lately, but I think Trumpet will be especially useful when it comes to exploring new areas. Clueless where to eat when you're in Detroit? Trumpet can give you a rec based on your tastes. That's a heck of a lot faster than my usual triangulating of chowhound, Bon Appetit and concierge.com!

Curious to see how well it could predict my tastes, I checked for an LA pizza recommendation. The best match was Pizzeria Mozza, which is in fact some of the best pizza I've ever had (oh the fennel sausage!), so they were dead on.

Next I checked for burgers, and it seemed pretty darn sure that I'd love Father's Office (which I do - BEST BURGER EVER!) but I thought it was odd that it's reasoning was that I love La Tavola and they're similar (they're not). Whatever, their reasoning may be flawed at times, but it's right, so who cares.

OK last one was a toughie - I rarely go to a bad restaurant because I research them so thoroughly in advance. But I decided to test to see if Trumpet could predict a restaurant I wouldn't like, given I haven't really rated any badly on there. Alas nothing is perfect, and it was 77% sure I'd like STK, an all scene and no substance Meatpacking District resto. Clearly to get the most out of the app, you need to tell it the good and the bad.

Ready to start rating, connecting and eating? iPhone users can get their Trumpet on here.

Farm Fete Feast benefiting Georgia Organics - May 1

Spring is in the air, which means you have a two month window to eat outdoors before you get a side of profuse sweating with your dinner. So combine a good cause with some alfresco dining at the Georgia Organics Farm Fete Feast Around the Maypole on May 1.

This family-style farm supper will take place at Woodland Gardens in Winterville, GA and will help raise funds for Georgia Organics.

For $200 ($185 for GO members), you will enjoy a farm tour, cocktails, farm-style musical entertainment (banjos I hope!), a dance around the maypole and delectable vittles cooked by talented chefs, including:

Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten, The National, and Empire State South
Matt Adolfi of Floataway cafe
Billy Allin of Cakes & Ale
Andy Carson of Bacchanalia
Cathy Conway of Avalon Catering
Dorothy Copenhaver of Star Provisions
Peter Dale of The National
Ron Eyester of Rosebud
Tim Gaddis of Star Provisions
Joshua Hopkins of Abattoir
Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene, Holman & Finch Public House, H & F Bread company
Dan Latham of Moto Bene
Chris Martin of Floataway Cafe
Angie Mosier
Anne Quatrano of Bacchanalia, Abattoir, Floataway Cafe, Quinones at Bacchanalia, and Star Provisions
Steven Satterfield of Miller Union
Ryan Smith of Empire State South
Southern Cheese Please
Jay Swift of 4th & Swift
Carla Tomasko of Bacchanalia
Luis Vasquez of Star Provisions
Hilary White of The Hil
Cynthia Wong of Cakes & Ale

Woodlands Garden is located near Athens at:
1355 Athens Rd.
Winterville, GA

To reserve your place at the table, please click here.

March of Dimes Dining Out Event on May 13

It's time once again for the March of Dimes Dining Out fundraiser. In its 27th year, Dining Out will take place on May 13. More than 40 top restaurants have offered up a table for 10 and will be serving guests a 3-course meal with wine pairings.

Tables cost $1000 or $1500 depending on the restaurant. Most tables are already sold out, so if you're a procrastinator like me, you need to get a move on! Available restaurants are bolded below. So grab 9 friends and don't miss out on one of the best charitable dining events of the year!

10 Degrees South $1,500 SOLD
4th & Swift $1,500 SOLD
Abattoir $1,500 SOLD
Aja $1,500
Aria $1,500 SOLD
Bacchanalia (6 seats) $900 SOLD
Bakeshop $1,000
C&S Seafood $1,500 SOLD
Canoe $1,500 SOLD
Dantanna's $1,000
Davio's $1,500 SOLD
Dolce $1,500
Eleven $1,500
Floataway Café $1,500 SOLD
Fogo De Chao $1,500 SOLD
Food 101 $1,500 SOLD
Goldfish $1,500
Hal's $1,500 SOLD
Haven $1,500 SOLD
Horseradish Grill $1,500 SOLD
Justin's $1,500
Kyma (table of 8) $1,200 SOLD
La Grotta $1,500 SOLD
Lobby at Twelve $1,000
Local Three $1,500 SOLD
Murphy's $1,000 SOLD
Nava $1,500 SOLD
New York Prime $1,500 SOLD
One Midtown Kitchen $1,500 SOLD
Paces 88 $1,500 SOLD
Parish $1,500
Portofino $1,000 SOLD
Pricci (8 seats) $1,200 SOLD
Rathbun’s $1,500 SOLD
Ritz-Carlton Cafe Buckhead $1,500 SOLD
Room $1,000
Seasons 52 $1,500
Serpas $1,500
Shout $1,500
Shulas 347 $1,500 SOLD
Sip @ Riverside $1,000
Sotto Sotto $1,500 SOLD
Tantra $1,000 SOLD
TAP $1,000
The Capital Grille $1,500 SOLD
Two Urban Licks $1,000 SOLD
Wisteria $1,500 SOLD

After dinner, guests are invited to the “Stepping Out” after party at King Plow Arts Center from 9pm-midnight, where they will enjoy desserts and complimentary cocktails.

For information on hosting a table, visit www.marchofdimes.com/georgia or contact Liz Taussig at etaussig@marchofdimes.com or 404-720-5308. After-party tickets are included with the table purchase, but individual tickets to the after-party may be released to the public; check the web site for updates.

About The March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to help moms have full term pregnancies and healthy babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes web site at www.marchofdimes.com/georgia. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Meal Planning: Montreal

Montreal  Photo Credit: Richard Taylor

I thought I'd give everyone a little insight into my obsessive travel planning. I am all for spontenaity, but when it comes to visiting a foodie mecca, I like to do my due diligence in a big way to make sure I don't end up eating at a tourist trap. For everyone charming tapas bar I've stumbled upon in Barcelona, there's 10 bland restaurants I'd regret wasting a meal on.

So for our upcoming visit to Montreal, I have spent hours curating a list of possible dining options. Always a stickler for data, I don't just settle for one glowing review either. I prefer to triangulate. Yes, I'm bonkers, but as Mr. AT can attest, I make excellent restaurant choices after all that obsessing, and we're rarely let down.

Here's the actual text from the email I just sent to our travel companions:

Our trip to Montreal is rapidly approaching...hurray! Before I can even think about what we'll see, I have to think about what we eat. I have a one track mind! So I've sent info before, but just as a reminder, here are places that I'm hearing a lot about. I'm not sure if you want to weigh in or if you prefer I pick.

Unless you strongly object, I'd like to suggest that we definitely go to Au Pied de Cochon, preferably on Saturday night. It was recommended in every single source I checked and sounds AMAZING!

Au Pied de Cochon (recommended by NYtimes, Conde Nast, Bon Appetit, F&W, Frommers) - meat centric
http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/montreal/restaurants/19210

As for other options, we need a Friday and Sunday dinner, and perhaps one nice lunch/brunch.I might suggest L'express for a quintessential French bistro vibe for one of the nights, but I'm totally up for suggestions (including ones not on this list) Never sure how much research others want to do!

1. Club Chasse et Peche (recommended by Nytimes, Conde Nast) - a twist on surf and turf http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/montreal/restaurants/19084
2. Joe Beef - surf and turf (recommended by Conde Nast, Bon Appetit) http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/montreal/restaurants/19085
3. L'Express - french bistro ((recommended by Nytimes, Conde Nast, Frommers) http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/montreal/restaurants/19086
4. McKieran - good for lunch and Saturday brunch, side by side sister restaurant with Joe Beef (recommended by Bon Appetit, F&W) http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2010/12/montreal_travel_guide -or - http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurants/mckiernan
5. DNA - Italian (recommended by F&W) http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurants/dna
6. Kitchen Galerie (recommended by Bon Appetite,  F&W) http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurants/kitchen-galerie

Complete lists:

• http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2010/12/montreal_travel_guide
• http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/where-to-go-next-montreal

Well researched and a wee bit crazy, right? Lest you think I'm freaking my friends out, I've traveled with this crew before and apparently they like not having to plan it themselves, so I'm happy to oblige!

So anyone been to Montreal? I'm open to suggestions, so let me know if you've tried any of these places out or have other ideas!

BYOBakeshop Dinners

Bakeshop, a European style bakery in Midtown has one of Atlanta's top pastry chefs, Jonathan St. Hilaire, at the helm. Before opening Bakeshop last year Hilaire worked in some of NY and Atlanta's top kitchens, including NY's Bouley Bakery and Atlanta's Four Seasons and Woodfire Grill before becoming the corporate executive pastry chef for Concentrics.

Not content to just dish out breads and pastries, Bakeshop is now offering BYOBakeshop Dinners, monthly family-style dinners the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each month, created and prepared by Hilaire and Chef Susanne Vizethann. I must admit that lately it seems like everyone is jumping on the prix fixe bandwagon, so I've gotten a bit wary of checking out every dinner I hear about. Fortunately we snagged an invite to a Bakeshop media dinner, so I could put aside my jaded indifference for a night

Family style dinners can either be a perfect excuse to make new friends and perhaps get a wee bit rowdy or a dreadful bore during which you're subjected to conversations with someone you would normally avoid at all costs. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, though, right?

We were lucky to have a great group of people seated with us at Bakeshop's long farm tables, which definitely upped the fun quotient for our night. There's just something about dining with interesting strangers, dinner party style, that lends itself towards heavy drinking and boisterous conversation. My kind of night! And since it's BYOB, you are in control of just how much and what you drink.

Passed apps met us at the door. The tuna tartare was served in little crispy wanton cups and went down easy. While we were busy popping those like candy, Chef Suzanne kicked off the formal part of the evening, and everyone settled into their assigned table.

The first course was a Caesar salad, whose cornbread croutons stole the show. Seriously, everybody should put cornbread croutons on things. Why have I never had these sweet and crunchy little delights before?

I was especially excited for the main course because the siren call of fried blue cheese butter (get the recipe here) was almost too much to take. The meat was a perfect medium rare, and I even managed to snag a second of the crispy little buttery balls after everyone took a serving. In the immortal words of Charlie Sheen, that's biwinning!

For dessert we enjoyed wee little sticky toffee puddings with caramel cream. These little bite sized wonders were satisfyingly sweet without being cloying and were small enough to leave me pleasantly full but not stuffed.

A seat at Bakeshop's monthly dinners is $40 per person, including three dishes, corkage fee (beer, wine and liquor are all permitted), tax and gratuity. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with the first course served at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the regularly scheduled dinners, private parties can be booked at any time.

You can certainly get dishes like this at many Atlanta restaurants, but what makes this experience so special is the communal nature of it. I've oft lamented that as an adult in Atlanta it's hard to meet new people, so I can really appreciate the joys of bonding over a shared meal. We talked business, blogging, dating. In fact, we barely shut our mouths to chew. Getting the opportunity to share good food and good conversation is money well spent in my book.

For more information or to make a reservation, email byobakeshop@gmail.com or call Conor Hubbard at 404.295.2476. Don't miss May's dinner - honey spiked buttermilk fried chicken!

News Roundup

Happy April Fool's Friday! The latest (no fooling around) scoop for you...

The most lovely fool of all

Celebrate the good Mad Men news and whip up some impressive cocktails with these bad boys

Did you see the Bourdain vs. James Beard and food writers brouhaha this week? Don't miss the comments section in Kessler's article complete with angry sparring between Bourdain himself and the food journalist he so hates.

If you've ever seen Food Inc (and if you haven't, get moving stat!), you know that Monsanto is a big mean corporate baddie, squashing the little guy and controlling what we eat. Finally organic farmers are fighting back.

Don't have $500 bucks to spend on Modernist Cuisine? Check out this decidedly less price option for modern cooking - get your own copy here. or watch video of the mad scientist himself: