Atlanta gets its Gilt on

Adventurous Tastes is all about celebrating the good life, especially the best food, spirits and wine that Atlanta--or wherever our travels take us--has to offer.  So you might imagine our excitement when we found out that perennial purveyor of the good life Gilt was setting up shop in Atlanta.

Gilt City, part of the ever growing Gilt empire, officially launches in Atlanta next week.  Many are undoubtedly familiar with Gilt as a one-stop shop for high-end, high fashion clothing for men, women and children, as well as designer home goods and even travel via Gilt's Jetsetter site.  Gilt is now bringing their mojo to the ATL, having kicked off two preview weeks with amazing events like a private dinner for 12 at one of Atlanta's hottest restaurants, Local Three, parties at Whiskey Park and MODA, spa packages, concerts and on and on--in other words, all kinds of really cool things to do.

Gilt City Atlanta officially kicks off on Monday and will no doubt offer some killer launch week deals. Check out the link below to make sure you don't miss out.

Sign up for Gilt City Atlanta using the link below and get 20% off your first purchase!  

Gilt City Atlanta - 20% off your first purchase

Atlanta Dining for a Cause: Share our Strength's Give me Five on August 28

One of my favorite foodie charities, Share Our Strength, is having another of its annual fundraisers on Sunday, August 28. If you're not familiar with it, SOS ensures that no child goes hungry. And really, why should anyone go hungry in a world where most of us stuff our faces with regularity?

The fifth annual "Give Me Five: Five Chefs & Five Sommeliers," will be an evening of gourmet food and wine at the Cherokee Town Club in the Buckhead. Beginning with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m., guests will enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by top chefs with wine pairings selected by the chefs and sommeliers.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of this event, Give Me Five is breaking tradition and involving 10 of Georgia’s best chefs. These include Gary Donlick from Bistro Niko, Chris Hall from Local Three, Todd Mussman from Muss & Turner’s and Local Three, Hector Santiago from Pura Vida, Jay Swift from 4th &  Swift and Hilary White from The Hil as well as several chefs from local country clubs.

Adding to the elegant evening, guests will enjoy a detailed and educational commentary for each wine and food pairing by five of Georgia’s best sommeliers, including Bill Bolin of Bistro Niko, Stephen Clark of The Mansion on Forsyth Park and Seth Roskind of 4th and Swift.

And no charity event would be complete without a live and silent auction featuring a variety of unique items, including some from each participating chef. I know from personal experience that it is very dangerous to go to charity auctions (my last stop at the fundraiser for Hands on Atlanta started with us saying we weren't bidding on anything and ended with us walking away with a trip to Santa Fe, pilates classes, a stay at the Four Seasons, etc). But it's all for a good cause, and these things tend to offer great deals on awesome experiences, so it's all worth it, even if you leave with your wallet notably lighter.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.givemefivedinner.org. For more information about Give Me Five, call 770.436.5151 or e-mail apalestrini@strength.org.

The Dish: No. 246 Porchetta Sandwich

 

On Saturday, I died and went to heaven. Since now I'm all-seeing, you can trust me when I say that the No. 246 Porchetta Sandwich that sent me to the hereafter just may be the best sandwich in Atlanta.

Crusty bread? Check. Succulent, crispy porchetta? Oh hell yes. Roasting jus to dip it in? Oh lordy! This sandwich is the bee's knees. It's full of rich flavors and a balance of textures. And did I mention perfect little garlicky fries? It's a make a mess down to your elbows kind of meal, and with the paroxysms of delight you're certain to experience while eating it, it may just kill you. But you'll die happy, and that's all we can ask for in life, right?

Atlanta Restaurant Preview: Ford Fry's No. 246 Opens in Decatur

Ford Fry, owner/executive chef of Adventurous Tastes fave JCT. and Chef Drew Belline, previously the chef de cuisine at another fave Floataway Café, have finally opened their new Italian-inspired, locally driven restaurant in Decatur called No. 246.

I'm tired of just southern farm to table, burgers.tacos and pizza (although I do love all of those things!), so I'm excited for something different out of these talented chefs.

It's too soon to review, but from our friends and family night experience, I can say I'm very optimistic that this will be a new favorite. This is definitely not classic red sauce Italian dishes. Ingredients are fresh and full of flavor and you can taste plenty without feeling weighed down by heavy cheeses and sauces.

No. 246 toasts including pork rillete, roasted figs, and roasted eggplant

The setting is hip and airy without trying too hard or being too loud - perfect for business and pleasure. The menu starts with toasts. You can get an array of interesting spreads to put on little toast points. Perfect for nibbling while you peruse the other appetizers (including charcuterie and cheeses), pastas, pizza, and entrees.

no 246 meatball, san marzano, basil, parmesan

crispy fior de latte, fried olives, san marzano (like fancy fried mozzarella sticks, only better!)

Garganelli - soffritto braised rabbit, plumped sultanas, broccoli rabe, pecorino 

Papardelle Carbonara - crispy farm egg, bacon, backyard herbs, parmesan

Prosciutto pizza witwh mozzarella, grana panado, oregano,
pequin chilies, arugula

We really enjoyed our first experience there from the cool setting to the gracious service. There were more than enough delish sounding dishes to choose from, so it's the kind of place we can return to frequently without getting bored. We will be back soon because I'm dying to try the crispy porchetta sandwich. Heaven!

Event Recap: Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

The Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, hosted at JCT and Westside Provisions, was bigger and better than ever this year. Considering how awesome last year was, that's no small feat!

Last year's only drawback was how blazing hot and crowded it was. So this year's expanded layout was welcome. And although plenty hot, it wasn't too bad as long as you kept to the shade!

So two year's in, here are some things I know:

• Tomatoes are totally versatile. In fact, olive oil ice cream with basil and a tomato compote from Morelli's might have been my favorite dish of the day.
• In keeping with that, tomatoes can also make for great cocktails. However, when bartenders are mixing up cocktails en masse, I find they tend to mix them a little strong. This was an issue for several bartenders this year. Fortunately a few standouts got the balance just write like People's Choice winner Paul Calvert of Pura Vida's Rio Rosa Swizzle and Best Cocktail Winner Miles Macquarrie of Leon's Full Service's tomato and tequila concoction.
• Tomatoes can be like candy. The sweet tomato marmalade crostini was candy sweet and uh-mazing!
• Pimento cheese makes everything better. Serpas and West Egg proved that with their cheesy dishes!
• Hot soups and hot days don't mix. I'm sure I might have liked Sean Doty's tomato and mussel soup on a chillier day, but it was a total no-go for me in the searing heat.
• You can't be a cool bartender these days without being a total dandy. See Exhibit A to the right.
• I will DEFINITELY be back next year!

Atlanta's Food Truck Debate Hits the Big Time

Hey this looks a lot like the New York Times' pic, ahem.

The New York Times recently shined its bright light on the raging nationwide debate about food trucks.  Front and center picture?  The VaHi Wednesday evening food truck park, just a hop, skip and a jump from Chez AdventurousTastes.

Seems Atlanta isn't the only city struggling with the debate over four-wheeled food purveyors.  From Seattle to Chicago, Raleigh to L.A., cities are struggling to balance the rights of food trucks, their customers, and traditional restaurants.  Restaurants complain that food trucks steal customers, motorists complain that food trucks steal parking spots, and residents complain that food trucks create noise and crowds.  Chicago has responded by forcing food trucks to stay 200 feet from any restaurant - no small feat in a city where a restaurant is on almost every block of every major street, while NYC has tried to encourage food trucks to move off the streets and into parks.

Lindsey and I were bowled over by the variety and sheer number of food trucks that we encountered in Portland.  Some of the most memorable meals of our recent trip were enjoyed while hovering over a paper plate, not sitting in a restaurant.  And while I'm really encouraged by the expansion of the food truck scene here in Atlanta (seemingly despite the city government's best efforts to shut them down), I also see why some rules are needed.  There's nothing like the experience of great food, service and atmosphere that a quality restaurant delivers, and food trucks can certainly siphon customers away from restaurants that pay property taxes, employ dozens and are permanent fixtures in our communities.  One thing is for sure: food trucks are here to stay for the foreseeable future.  Given time, I am sure most cities - even our own, constantly dysfunctional ATL - will find the right balance to make all parties at least a little happy.

Atlanta Dining Deals: 50% off Fifth Group gift certificates

Word.

From Tuesday, July 12 through Thursday, July 14, you can get your hands on 50% off gift certificates for your fave Fifth Group restaurants.

Wha, what??? That's some pretty deep discounting for some of my personal faves like El Taco and La Tavola.

That's right, you can get your fiesta on with $20 of Mexican dinner and drink at El Taco for $10 or $40 of always delicious Italian eats and drinks at La Tavola for $20.

But wait there's more. Act now and you can also get $30 of sophisticated Southern vittles at South City Kitchen Midtown/Vinings for $15 or $40 of seasonal European dinner and drink at Ecco for $20.

And we're still not done.This isn't just for dinner. You can also get $10 of El Taco lunch for $5.

Wow, right?

Get 'em here - www.tinyurl.com/fifth-group-on while you still can.

Certificates will be emailed to consumers within 5 business days of purchase and will be valid for use Monday, July 18 through Sunday, October 9.

According to everyone's favorite social media guru, Michael Erickson, “For every certificate you purchase, your name will be entered in the drawing. Obviously, the more you buy, the better your chances are of winning."

Portland Dining: Big Ass Sandwich

We're back from our 10 day jaunt to Washington and Oregon! Lots to share, but I'll start with one of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

Every Saturday in Portland there's a huge street market complete with dancing hippies, knick knack vendors, and a wicked view of the river. After checking that out, we tracked down one of Portland's famous food carts, Big Ass Sandwich, at the corner of SW 3rd and Ash St. Not only does PDX have a ridiculous selection of carts, but they're also super easy to find. In fact, they don't strike me as all that mobile. Rather, they are parked in pods that have regular hours and consistent locations. Can you imagine how fab that would be for lunch time options? Sigh...

We, of course, had to have the eponymous sandwich, replete with slow cooked roast beef, ridiculously perfect french fries, and bechamel cheese sauce. Yep, it's a diet sandwich!

Oh lordy, was this sandwich good. True to form, it's gigantic, so we split it, and that was plenty. It's salty, and gooey, and meaty, and for goodness sake, there are fries on it, how can that be bad? Seriously, the fries are themselves truly top notch - just crispy enough and perfectly salted, and the addition of a bechamel cheese sauce is creamy perfection.

So I'm a fan, that's for sure. It's probably for the best for my personal longevity and waistline that I can no longer access a big ass sandwich, but if you happen to be in Portland, you must try it at least once (and you know if you are nearby, you could never stop at just once!)

Big-Ass Sandwiches
SW 3rd & Ash Street
Portland, OR

Simple Summer Cocktails

With what could be the hottest 4th of July weekend on record looming for Atlanta, many will spend the weekend indoors celebrating Independence Day à la Will Smith.  For those brave enough to venture into the heat - or for those who prefer a stiff drink while those planet-destroying aliens are getting their butts kicked - a couple of recent articles might make the task of getting intoxicated (responsibly, of course) a bit easier.

The New York Times recently ran two pieces on summer cocktails made with just three ingredients.  The first batch came from professional chefs and so-called mixologists.  The second group came from readers.  Both articles provide plenty to choose from, and though I make a mean Pimm's Cup (about six ingredients, give or take), my favorite summer drink has just one ingredient: beer.