Omnivore Atlanta

Canoe Restaurant, located on the edge of the Chattahoochee River, will be opening its doors again on Mon., Nov. 23. The restaurant went through significant damages due to the September flooding. After embarking on a 10-week renovation process, the restaurant is ready to go for the holiday season. Chef Carvel Grant Gould will be offering a revamped menu, and the edible vegetable garden will be re-planted as well. During the first week Canoe will be open for dinner only and will offer a three-course prix-fixe menu at $55 per person on Thanksgiving Day.

Paces Ferry Road. 770-437-2663. 4199. www.canoe-atl.com.

(Photo courtesy of Canoe)

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Lambert Bridge Winery dinner at the Shed at Glenwood, Nov. 17, The winery will bring a five-course meal and wine pairings to the Shed at Glenwood. The main course will include wild boar ragout, winter vegetables and yukon gold potatoes. Cost $85 per person. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.

Slow Food Atlanta presents a “slow taste of Tuscany,” Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7 p.m. at Valenza and La Pietra Cucina. A celebration taking place across America of slow food and Douglas Gayeton’s new book Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town. $120 all-inclusive.

Atlanta Wine School’s For Beginners Only, Nov. 19, For the wine novice who is looking to expand their knowledge. The course is meant to expand wine vocabulary, learning what goes best with what foods and what to choose at a restaurant. You will also learn about tasting as you sample several wines. The class cost $50 per person and begins at 7 pm. 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road. 770-668-0435. www.atlantawineschool.com.

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Those wacky Chinese Southern Belles are doing a series of 20-minute, free cooking demos at Buford Highway Farmers Market (5600 Buford Hwy., Doraville, just outside I-285), starting this Saturday. You can see them at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Here’s the topic lineup for the first four demos:

Nov. 14  – Express Sushi (veggie only or with fish)
Nov. 21 – Eggrolls ‘n’ Springrolls
Dec. 5 – Asian Noodle Crazy
Dec. 12 – Fusion Favorites

Check out their website for more details.

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If you’re looking forward to all the splendor of a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year, but want to opt-out of the part that includes slaving over a hot stove, look after the jump for restaurants that’ll be open on Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta with a Thanksgiving meal, traditional or not. (more…)

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Love at the Pub tells the story of the Brick Store

I am so glad Rocktober is over, because that means that it is Novembeer. Although I don’t expect Gov. Purdue to declare it officially, I am herewith designating this as the unofficial silly pun name for this month. Novembeer is when we all get together with our loved ones and give thanks for beer. It is also that time of the year when the breweries release their winter seasonals and holiday beers. It is a good month.

There is a lot to look forward to this Novembeer if you are a beer lover, including a new Taco Mac, the release of Love at the Pub, the story of the Brick Store Pub, a host of beer dinners and tastings, and a slew of new beer releases, both local and from beyond Georgia. Here are a few of the highlights of just the next two weeks!

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Here are some events coming up for Halloween and through next week:

Treat Before You Trick at the Melting Pot, Oct. 31. For Halloween, the Melting Pot’s Midtown, Duluth, Kennesaw and Roswell locations will offer a special menu price starting at 1 p.m. You can eat a three-course meal that includes cheese, salad and an entree for $25, which, compared to their normal menu pricing, is quite a deal. If you come dressed in costume you’ll receive a chocolate course for $5 per person. 404-389-0099.

RA Sushi’s Boo Bash 2009, Oct. 31. Starting at 7 p.m. RA Sushi is celebrating Halloween with food and drink specials for the night. The “Boo Bites” specials, the $6 Creepy Cali Roll, $7 Voodoo Roll and $7 Spider Roll, can be paired with some $7 “Potent Potions,” which include Vampire’s Kiss, Bloody Brain and Skullini. DJ Scott will entertain guests with a mix of horror movie theme songs and top 40s hits. There is no cover charge and the kitchen will remain open until 1 a.m. 1080 Peachtree St. 404-267-0114.

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Andrew Smith, the (amazingly prolific) author of Eating History, will be speaking 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 16, at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (1927 Lakeside Pkw., Tucker):

Food historian Andrew F. Smith will recount—in delicious detail—some of the major moments that made contemporary American cuisine, as described in his brand new book, Eating History: Turning Points in the Making of American Cuisine, from Columbia University Press. The style of American cooking, along with the ingredients that compose it, has never been fixed. With a cast of characters including bold inventors, savvy restaurateurs, ruthless advertisers, mad scientists, adventurous entrepreneurs, celebrity chefs, and relentless health nuts, Smith pins down the truly crackerjack history behind the way America eats.

The event is co-sponsored by the Culinary Historians of Atlanta, which maintains a Facebook page (e-mail deborah.duchon@gmail.com). There is also a separate Facebook page for this event.

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Some exciting food and drink events coming up in the next week:

The 42nd Annual Moonshine Festival

Fri., Oct. 23- Sun., 25, 8 am-5 pm

Downtown Dawsonville will be holding its annual Moonshine Festival this weekend. You can come and explore Dawson County’s historical prohibition era, when many flocked to hiding in the Northeast Georgia Mountains to make moonshine. Admission is FREE and all proceeds for the festival go to Kare for Kids. There will be a number of activities, including a tour of an old moonshine still and lots of entertainment.

The Corner Pub’s Butt Cook Off

Sat., Oct. 24

This is Decatur’s The Corner Pub’s Fifth Annual Butt Cook Off. Judging for the cook off begins at 4pm, followed by FREE sampling of the foods. 627 D East College Ave. 404-377-0603.

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The Big Gay Supper Club meets tomorrow night, Tuesday, at One Midtown Kitchen. Cocktails will be served at 7 p.m. and a four-course dinner will follow at 8 p.m. Cost is $35 (not including cocktails or tips).

This is a great way to sample the restaurant’s menu, since the family-style service allows tastes of many dishes. Check it out.

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The recent flash floods to the area have taken a devastating toll on two Atlanta favorites: Canoe and Love is Love Farm. Muss & Turner’s and Woodfire Grill will be hosting fundraiser dinners to help them out.

Canoe experienced significant damage, leaving many of its employees out of work. Chef Chris Hall will be hosting a dinner at Muss & Turners on Sun., Oct. 11 to help raise money for Canoe employees. Hall will be cooking a three-course meal, which includes wine pairings. The cost is $33 per person and all proceeds go to struggling Canoe employees, as well as re-building the restaurant. $33. 1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE # 309. Sun., Oct. 11. 5 p.m. www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143151744361&ref=nf.

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Oompa Loompas at the Brick Store Pub

Hotoberfest, taking place in Glenwood Park in East Atlanta on Sat., Oct 3 from noon-7 p.m., promises “Earth. Beer. Music.” Which are three things I really like. Especially beer. No offense, Earth, but you just don’t taste as good with pizza. The event puts a new twist on the traditional beer tasting festival by having many of the vendors in a free ”World Market” area encircling the Glenwood Park pond, which will feature retail beer and food sales, artists, music on a solar-powered stage, and informational displays on sustainable and environmentally responsible products and services.

However, if beer is your focus, purchase a ticket to the Beer Tasting area for $30 in advance ($35 at the gate) and get unlimited sampling from almost 150 beers. Select your favorites and vote for the Best Brew, a people’s choice award presented to the top 3 picks. If you want to get really decadent, purchase a $50 ticket that will grant you access to the VIP tent where there will be over two dozen special beers, some brewed just for the occasion, such as an aged cask from Sweetwater, and special offerings from Twain’s, Atlanta Brewing Company, and Lagunitas. Oh yeah, and VIP bathrooms. Proceeds from Hotoberfest benefit Dialogue, Trees Atlanta, and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. (more…)

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Rathbun’s has just announced its 2010 cooking classes, which in past years has sold out in a few days. Here’s the press release:

In Rathbun’s interactive cooking classes, you are in the kitchen, working and preparing the food yourself. Four teams of four people create their dishes from scratch, and then return at the end of the day with their guest for a complete dinner with wine pairings. Each team actually prepares their own course and then sits down to dine on their own creations. For three hours, you prepare the ingredients and get ready to make the dish. You’re in the kitchen, not in the seat.

Sign up for the class by calling the restaurant at 404.524.8280. Cost is $350.00 per person. All classes include 1 person in the class, you and a guest for dinner, a complimentary Rathbun Logo Chef Jacket, and wine pairings. All classes take place at 112 Krog Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Rathbun’s 2010 cooking class line up is as follows:

Sunday, January 17, 2010 – Mexico City – First class for Chef Kevin. Join us as we create dishes inspired from the heart of Mexico City such as mole’s, tamales, sopes and traditional ceviches. This class will surely sell out and will be recommended to your friends. Only 16 seats are available!

Sunday, March 14, 2010 – French – Back for another run, the first French class created dishes like foie gras, duck paillard, Scottish salmon quenelles, along with seared veal loin and morels. Then we paired classic French wines with the four courses and discovered that French food creates a great cooking class. Only 16 seats are available! (more…)

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Cabbagetown Market will hold its third annual pig roast noon-5 p.m. (or so) this Sat., Sept. 26. You get your local pig, your locally grown sides and your locally brewed beer, plus local music. That’s a lotta local flavor. Last year’s event was fun.

The rain has forced this year’s event to sheltered space. It will be held at the Cabbagetown Community Center on Estoria Street, between Gaskill and Kirkwood.

Proceeds benefit the Cabbagetown Neighborhood Association. Call 404-254-1454 if you have questions.

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Here are some food and drink events coming up in the next week:

Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out:

Sun.-Sat., Sept. 20-26

Around 75 restaurants in the Atlanta area have agreed to help out Share Our Strength in ending childhood hunger by donating a percentage of sales and collecting money. Prices vary. 202-393-2925. www.strength.org.

Author Michaele Weissman to speak at Octane Coffee:

Sun., Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.

Michaele Weissman, author of God in a Cup: The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Cup, will give a talk entitled “Deconstructing Coffee,” which will discuss specialty coffee, boutique-quality coffee and she will be answering questions. Octane Coffee. 1009-b Marietta St. 404-815-9886. www.octanecoffee.com

Inman Park Restaurant Week:

Mon.-Sun, Sept. 21-27

Inman Park restaurants serve up three courses for a set price: Pure Taqueria, Sauced and The Albert for $15; Fritti, Parish Foods & Goods, Park’s Edge, Rathbun’s, Shaun’s, Sotto Sotto, Wisteria and Zaya Mediterranean Cuisine for $25; and Kevin Rathbun Steak for $35. Be sure to make reservations in advance to ensure that you get in. North Highland Ave. 404-577-4212. www.inmanparkrestaurantweek.com. (more…)

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The Oktoberfest beers are arriving at a rapid pace, so its time to get warmed up on some strong, malty lagers, even if the warm weather does linger a bit longer in Georgia than it does in Germany. American craft brewers are releasing their fall seasonals as well, marking the beginning of the dark beer season.

If you want to find out what the fall seasonals are all about, sign up for the monthly beer tasting at The Porter Beer Bar that takes place Wed., Sept. 16, at 7:30, featuring pumpkin beers and Oktoberfests (also known as marzens or festbiers). Six samples will be served for $20. Call the bar at 404-223-0393 to reserve your spot. Speaking of the Porter Beer Bar, the little-gastropub-that-could is celebrating its first anniversary in Little Five Points, a significant landmark in that culinary Bermuda Triangle. They will be celebrating all day Sat., Sept. 12, with 30 special kegs and two casks. (more…)

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The Big Gay Supper Club will hold it’s monthly brunch at 12:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 22, at the Lobby at Twelve. The club’s next regular dinner will be held at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Agave. Tickets are $20 for the three-course brunch and $35 for the four-course dinner.

Meals are served family-style, so participants get a broad sampling of the restaurant’s fare. You can see the full menus for both meals and buy tickets on the social club’s website.

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One of the Ansley Starbucks baristas, Jill Hames, is playing the role of Little Edie in the Actors Express production of Grey Gardens. I can’t wait to see this. It opens Aug. 27 and plays through Oct. 10.

(Photo by Cliff Bostock)

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Eat organic and/or gluten-free pizza for a good cause. Jeffrey Melnick writes:

On Wednesday, August 19, Pizza Fusion (2233 Peachtree Rd., 404-351-9334) will host a fundraiser for the Marcus Autism Center. From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., 10 percent of all proceeds from the evening will go to support the not-for-profit organization.

The Marcus Autism Center provides information, services and programs to children with autism and related disorders, their families and those who live and work with them.

Melnick notes that evidence suggests a gluten-free diet is helpful to kids with autism.

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FILTHY RICH: Vote today!

Best of Atlanta voting ends tonight at 12 a.m. for our 2009 “Filthy Rich” ballot. You can also submit your picks through facebook. Online voters have to enter at least 10 categories. We already have a record of over 5,400 votes!

For more Best of Atlanta action, Fresh Loaf has a new poll up where you can vote if you’d rather see more fine dining or more cheap eats restaurants in Atlanta.

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SOUL FOOD: The Southern Foodways Alliance produces films, does research and just generally celebrates regional food culture.

The Southern Foodways Alliance, a food society that studies, documents, and celebrates food from the American South, is holding their Potlikker Film Fest in Athens on August 22nd. The 6 to 9 p.m. evening of movies, mingling and performance will be held at Cine Athens and kicks of with “potlikker shots” for guests as they walk in the door. There will be bite-sized samples of old and new southern cuisine and live music and poetry by Coleman Barks. The event also includes a set of four short films on food in the South directed and produced by the SFA. The 21 and over evening is $45. Beer will be provided by Athens’ Terrapin Beer Company. Register here.

(Photo by Southern Foodways Alliance)

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A few upcoming Atlanta food events:

FREE TONIGHT?: 5 Seasons Westside is holding a Farm 2 Beer dinner that includes local and organic dishes with beer pairings.

5 Seasons Westside Farm 2 Beer dinner, tonight. This 5 Seasons Westside prix-fixe dinner includes five farms, five courses and five handcrafted beers for $55. The food comes from local, organic farms and the menu includes lobster stuffed squash, braised short ribs and whole hog. Each course comes paired with the farmer’s favorite 5 Seasons beer. This afternoon there were 14 seats still open for the event. $55. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. 1000 Marietta St. 404-875-3232. www.5seasonsbrewing.com.

Eno Alaskan Salmon Dinner with Louis Roederer Champagnes, Aug. 6th. This two-part evening is the work of Chef Eli Kirshtein and Owner-Wine Director Doug Strickland. The night starts at 6:30 p.m. with a $20 Louis Roederer Champagne tasting featuring four California sparkling wines. Dinner will begin at 8 p.m. and includes four courses showcasing different species of Alaskan Salmon. Each course is paired with a new Louis Roederer Champagne, so those who participate in the entire event will sample eight different varieties of bubbly. Reservations are required. $20 for tasting, $75 for dinner with pairings. 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. 800 Peachtree St. 404-685-3191. www.enorestaurant.com.

The Cheesecake Factory Any Slice Is Half Price, July 30th. All cheesecake slices will be 50 percent off tomorrow for those who dine in at The Cheesecake Factory in celebration of National Cheesecake Day. The restaurant is also debuting their new Stefanie’s Ultimate Red Velved Cake Cheesecake™. For every slice of the red velvet cheesecake sold over the next year, The Cheesecake Factory will donate 25 cents to Feeding America, a hunger-relief organization. Price varies. All day. 310-453-2539. www.thecheesecakefactory.com.

(Photo: With permission via 5seasonsbrewing.com)

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CULINARY COMPETITION: Top chefs from Atlanta will compete next month at the Killer Tomato Festival.

Dine out for a cause or hit a local festival for some food-themed fun this summer in Atlanta. Some notable upcoming foodie events are:

Inman Park Dine Out, July 29th. Participating restaurants in Inman Park will donate a portion of the day’s sales to fund the Inman Park Security Patrol. The list of supporters also includes the Float Spa and Dad’s Garage. Price varies. All day. Inman Park. www.inmanparkdineout.com.

Graveyard Tavern Unibroue Beer Dinner & Swing Night, July 29th. The monthly affair includes passed hours d’oeuvres and three seated courses paired with Belgian-style beers for a fixed price. The food features local and sustainable ingredients. Swing dancing to follow. Reservations are required by email to info@graveyardtavern.com. $35. 7 p.m. 1245 Glenwood Ave. 404-622-8686. www.graveyardtavern.com.

Corks & Forks: A Fine Food & Wine Event, Aug. 29th and 30th. Taste dishes from Atlanta’s top chefs and sample wines and craft beers and ales. There will also be sit-down workshops on tasting and selection. Corks & Forks is held as part of the free Summer Shade Festival in historic Grant Park. $35 in advance, $45 at the gate (the festival is free). Both days 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 499 Broyles Street. 404-521-0938. www.summershade.org.

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, Aug. 9th. Prominent Atlanta chefs will be paired with a local farmer to face off in an “Iron Chef”-style competition using tomatoes. Benefits will go to Georgia Organics. Judges will be Bon Appetit Restaurant Editor Andrew Knowlton, Food + Wine freelance writer Danny Bonvissuto, and Southern Living senior food writer Donna Florio. The 18+ event will be held at JCT Kitchen and will feature live music and beer from 5 Seasons Brewing. $50, $45 for Georgia Organics Members, or $90 for VIP pass that includes an open bar. 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 1198 Howell Mill Rd. 678-702-0400. www.georgiaorganics.org.

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This, from Meryl Arnett at Rosebud, sounds like fun, although the idea of 160 people in tie-dye is kinda frightening.

Rosebud (formerly Food 101 Morningside) is once again bringing together delicious food and great music, two things Chef and Owner Ron Eyester feels very passionate about, with the third annual Jerry Garcia Tribute Dinner.  Due to its tremendous popularity, Rosebud is hosting a two-night run on both August 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. to accommodate the demand.  The restaurant will only be seating reservations for the tribute dinner on these two nights.

The dinner was first held in 2006 and brought in more than 160 people to the restaurant (maximum capacity).   The success of this dinner encouraged Chef Ron to continue finding ways to combine his two passions with additional tribute dinners for artists, such as Johnny Cash and James Brown.  Each dinner takes a relaxed approach to pairing food with music.  “I try to be playful about the food.  I think some people take it all too seriously.  Now, I take the ingredients seriously, but it’s got to be fun” says Ron.

This year’s five-course pre-fixe menu will feature a selection of dishes inspired by the lyrics of Chef Ron’s favorite Grateful Dead songs.  Each dish will focus on utilizing fresh, local foods to compliment Garcia’s creative tunes.  The dinner will also continue its tradition of offering live music during and after the meal.  This year, however, Chef Ron is taking his local mantra a step further by featuring two bands local to the Morningside community.  Webster Humpage is playing on August 5 and Parker Smith on August 6.

Guests are encouraged to dress for the show in their best tie-dye; Birkenstocks are optional.  Although a different band plays each night, the same menu will be offered on both August 5 and 6.  Showtime is at 7 p.m.  The five course menu is $49 per person plus tax and gratuity (alcohol not included).  This dinner has sold out each year so reservations are required and can be made by calling 404-347-9747.

(Photo courtesy of ehow.com)

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FILTHY RICH: Pick out the most over-the-top things about Atlanta and pull for your everyday hometown favorites tomorrow at the Masquerade.

Creative Loafing’s annual Best of Atlanta Voting Party will be tomorrow at the Masquerade. The event starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $5. Food and beverages are included. Attractive Eighties Women and Hardy Morris of Dead Confederate will both be performing live. Come submit your picks — whether indulgent or gritty —  for the Best of Atlanta 2009 “Filthy Rich” edition while mingling with the CL staff.

If you can’t make it tomorrow, vote online.

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DINING ON A DIME: Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week will offer three-course meals for $25.

Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week will begin on the 27th of this month. Restaurants in the downtown area will feature $25 dinners that include an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Among the 28 participants offering the three-course deal are 30 Tables, BLT Steak and the Atlanta Grill. The annual event has been extended to last for two weeks this year and will run until August 9th. Reservations are suggested and available via OpenTable.

(Photo courtesy Central Atlanta Progress)

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