Hallelujah. Winos everywhere can rejoice now that Georgians are finally legally allowed to order wine from vineyards within our very own state, including Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, a 25-acre family-owned and operated wine growing estate located just five miles north of the historic town square of Dahlonega, Ga. The new law, passed on July 1, opens wine shipping restrictions and allows Georgia wineries to ship to Georgia consumers. Now, wine connoisseurs who are 21 or older can order up to 12 cases of wine a year by Internet or telephone and have it shipped directly to their home or office. For more information or to place an order, call 706-867-9862 or visit www.wolfmountainvineyards.com.
A WALK IN THE PARK
Grant Park’s annual Summer Shade Festival is generally thought of as a stellar selection of artisans selling their wares and fun, family-friendly entertainment. And it is. But it’s also home to Corks & Forks: A Fine Food & Wine Event, which showcases the city’s top chefs. The festival is free; Corks & Forks cost $35 in advance or $45 the day of. Ticket holders are treated to signature dishes from some of Atlanta’s top restaurants and wine pairings from around the world, as well as wine seminars and beer tastings. Participating restaurants include Babette’s, Canoe, Steel and 4th & Swift. Corks & Forks is held Aug. 30–31, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Historic Grant Park at the intersection of Park Avenue and Berne Street. For more information or to buy advance tickets, visit www.summershade.org.
A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Every week, it seems, I’m visiting restaurants, tasting new menu items or indulging in beloved classics. Whether I’m out with my fiancée, friends, family or colleagues, I try to pick places I’ve not been before or in awhile, so I can stay on top of what’s new and noteworthy. This week was no different, with the exception of one restaurant we’re at all the time. Maria and I headed to the patio of East Point Corner Tavern on Friday for dinner, where I enjoyed the Hawaiian chicken salad, while she had a barbecued salmon BLT sandwich and a side of mashed sweet potatoes, and we shared an indulgent slice of turtle pie. Saturday, our lunch at Brake Pad in College Park delivered the goods as usual. We both had our standard white truffle chicken salad sandwich, which is filled with ripe cranberries and served on wholesome eight-grain bread. Paired with a bed of greens with balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese, and an icy glass of Sweetwater 420, this afternoon delight is the way to go when you’re on the Southside. Monday, I held a show for my jewelry line at Girls Night Out at The Melting Pot in Midtown, where I tried the spinach and artichoke cheese for the first time. Insanely delicious—and surprisingly good with apples.
Tuesday, Maria and I were flying high as we were whipped up the elevator shaft to the 72nd floor of The Westin Peachtree Plaza to dine at The Sun Dial. My warm Georgia peach soup, laden with Maytag blue cheese cream and pecan ancho chile pesto, was on another level of heartwarming goodness, and Maria’s BLFGT (bacon, lettuce, fried green tomatoes) sandwich, with peppercorn ranch sauce on grilled Texas toast, had the right amount of crunch and Southern hospitality. The breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of Atlanta added to the experience. On Wednesday, the day before we send our paper to the printer, was a lunch with a friend at Star Provisions in West Midtown. She and I both selected a slice of the blue cheese-and-fig pizza, along with beet salad and minted peach salad (she skipped our state fruit for a bowl of lentils). At $3.20, the lemon and mint carbonated soda I opted for was the most expensive thing in my order, which refutes what many people say about the market-style restaurant being overpriced. My freshly prepared and wholly satisfying lunch was only $8.48, and that’s pretty decent in my book. SP
Have something for Dish? E-mail Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.
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The Sunday Paper, Dish column, August 24, 2008
