Jazz in Your Jammies Brunch at Dragonfly

I’m not sure that encouraging the patrons of Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa to show up in a nightgown is the best course of action, but it could certainly make for some interesting people-watching–and, heck, it is a trillion degrees outside, and a little nightie is, in fact, pretty lightweight and breezy. The story is this: on Sunday, August 17, from 10:30 am-2 pm, pajama-clad diners are invited to enjoy a French-Creole brunch and live jazz. Officially the dress code is nightgown chic. I’m dying to see how this might be interpreted. (That’s me in the photo, BTW.)

Insider Report from the Caesar Salad Competition

As you know, Nancy was in Atlanta this weekend and wasn’t able to attend the AIWF Caesar Salad Competition. No surprise here: She had a reporter on the scene. NN picked one of our loyal Dishers to cover the event for the blog (a Snootyfoodie, at that), and her report follows below, with pics. As we know, chef John Tesar won, but what you might not know–like what Scott Murray was wearing–is after the jump.

P.S. Wanna cover an event for SideDish? If you play your cards right, maybe you’ll be next.

(more…)

The Mysterious Case of the Vanishing Veggie Burgers

Went to lunch at Jake’s today, and, much to the dismay of a vegetarian companion, they were out of veggie burgers. The kind waitress explained that the manufacturer they use is no longer making them. Once our herbivore friend had ordered a grilled cheese instead, he said that this is the third time he’s encountered the dearth of veggie burgers in Dallas. Someone else in our party pointed out that Kellogg recently purchased Gardenburger, which could have created distribution issues for restaurants and stores using their products (or, yikes, this). What gives? Anyone know where to find a good sans-meat burger?

Donut Peaches Much Healthier Than Real Donuts

Last night I made a late-ish run to Whole Foods to pick up some peaches to make a peach sundae. Since it was almost closing time, the only regular peaches they had left (the locally-grown, organic ones, I mean) weren’t quite ripe enough to eat right that moment. So I decided to try something new and picked up three donut peaches. These flat, round peaches have whiter flesh than other peaches and have a sweeter taste. When sliced, they are perfectly bite-sized. I recommend donut peaches over Ben and Jerry’s organic vanilla ice cream, with half a snickerdoodle cookie as a garnish.

Dallas Affaires Makes Cutest Baby Shower Cake Ever

On Saturday, I helped host a baby shower for a college friend who is having a little boy. Look at this adorable cake we served from Dallas Affaires. I’m sure everyone knows to go they do a great job on wedding cakes, but don’t forget to think of them for other occasions. Inside, it was chocolate with vanilla frosting and we all practically made ourselves sick eating it. So good.

Update: On second thought, maybe we should have gone with this (this is a little NSFW, just warning you. But hilarious.)

LightCatcher Winemaker Dinner

If you’re looking for something to pique your palate this weekend, then head over to LightCatcher Winery in Fort Worth on Saturday to get a chance to taste the Sangria Summer Port (a new release) at this month’s Winemaker Dinner. Winemaker Caris Turpen sets the menu and pairs each dish with one of her wines. The paella paired with a refreshing rosé sounds like the perfect summer nosh. Click here for details.

(more…)

Eating Atlanta: The Colonnade Restaurant

Last night we ended up at The Colonnade, another Atlanta dining institution. The Southern comfort food spot opened in 1927 and there is always a line out the door to get in. Sure it’s full of lots of old folks who, like my friend’s mom, have been eating here every Sunday night for 40 years. But here is the weird deal: the other half of the room was over-50 gay men. It was the strangest customer demographic I may have ever witnessed. Don’t get me wrong, it was fabulous — big tables of blue hairs, gay men, African-American families, and Jewish grandparents all eating elbow-to-elbow. Now before you all go off on me as being a food snob or a foodie racist, let me just say this: I am reporting the facts, this is what I observed. We also “interviewed” the host who verified the facts for us. When asked why the huge gay crowd he said, “We make great cocktails.” I am not making that up.

Short take on the food: huge portions of fried chicken (yes!), myriad vegetable choices (pole beans, rutabaga, tomato aspic, pear and cheese salad), and a very salty chicken pot pie. Best sweet tea I have ever tasted. I’d go back, if only to people watch. (Sorry, no pictures. My camera battery, like me, was “exhausted.”)

Eating Atlanta: Kevin Rathbun Steak

Oh, my hopes were high for Kevin Rathbun Steak. Kevin, brother of Kent, is, like his brother, a rock star chef here in Atlanta. Kevin’s two spots, the other is called Kevin Rathbun, are located on Krog Street (love it!) in the Inman Park neighborhood of Atlanta which I can only equate, based on the route we drove, to the Deep Ellum/Exposition Park area of Dallas. Anywhoo, the steak place is in a fabulously redone red brick warehouse and the interior is a complete knockout: stacked reclaimed wood and brick walls, high black ceilings, minimal lighting, sexy glass-backed bar painted with blood red swirls, and a sleek, modern antler-esque chandelier in each dining room. Although our waiter was one of those over-the-top-Hi-I’m-Larry-I’ll-be-your-waiter-and-your-newest-best-friend types, we were loving the vibe. Until nature took control.

I’d barely gotten my feet through the door (above) when a storm knocked the power out. We sat there for 45 minutes and watched the lucky folks who managed to get their dry-aged porterhouse for two served before the lights went out in Georgia. (Sorry.) So, innocently, we left. However, this incident made me wonder: do upscale restaurants have insurance for these kinds of things? What emergency plans do managers have for dealing with these occurances? I am going to call when I get back and find out. Quick aside: I noticed on Kevin’s website that he has his name trademarked. I realize it is also the name of his restaurant, but what if I married a Rathbun, had a son, and wanted to name him Kevin? Could I? Would I? I am really in a curious mood today.

Eating Atlanta: The Varsity

Howdy, Dishers. I’m still in Hotlanta, although from what I hear about the weather in Dallas, I’m going to downgrade that to Atlanta. I’ve had a wacky trip — my original dining itinerary has been tossed aside due to an emergency in the family I am visiting, but I have wasted a few calories since I landed on Saturday. Our first stop was to the legendary Varsity, the mega two-story “lunching pad” for junk food junkies. Lucky me: Saturday was their 80^th birthday celebration and the downtown location, with parking for 600 cars and tables for 800 people, was overflowing. Short version: it’s a car-hop-joint-turned mall for burgers, fries, melted pimento “cheese,” rings, fried pies, and chili. Quick take: not worth the calories. The burgers at McDonald’s are better. The fries are limp but at least they taste like potato. The onion rings were the best item we tried: light, crunchy, and greasy. However, the melted pimento cheese may have killed my love for the Palm Beach at Highland Park Cafeteria. When I picked it up, the whole sandwich collapsed and red grease ran down my arm. Oh, well. I will never have to take “You have NEVER been to the Varsity?” again. One off my restaurants across America checklist. Jump for more photos.

(more…)