By Popular Demand

Welcome to the beginning of my journey! I have been constantly asked by friends and family "where is a good restaurant in Atlanta?" or "what is there to do this weekend?" I can't blame them, if I were them I would ask me too! Three things that I love; my family, my city, and FOOD!Let me tell you a little about myself;

I love Atlanta and how there is a fusion of different foods from all around the world right here in our back yard. From delicious Asian cuisine to American BBQ and southern comfort food to Lebanese dishes, you can find a restaurant within 10 miles to eat whatever your heart desires!

On this past Thursday I met Alton Brown (one of my culinary teachers and heroes) at his book signing for Good Eats: The Middle Years. If you don't have a copy get it! If you don't have the first edition... well, get that first then get the new one! He had some words of encouragement for me and suggested I start this blog if food is what I am passionate about (people who know me know just as you are soon to find out, food is my obsession) and that if I failed... well I just wasn't cut out for it. Ha, ha Alton. Thanks for the push :)

Oh yeah, that's is my Mini-Me, Tyler. He as well as a couple of my other close friends and family will make an appearance every now and then. So here we go! Time to hit the streets of Atlanta to see what's cookin! Here is to you Alton and to everyone who has ever supported my obsession!

Buick Regal Discovery Tour

To follow up my Taste of Atlanta experience, my best foodie friend Cassena (CeeCee) invited me to the Buick Regal Discovery Tour. I admit I was on the fence about attending (when I think of Buick's I think of duece and a quarters, and "grandpa cars") but once she said food was involved, I was sold!

Lobby of the W Atlanta Perimeter

That's CeeCee!

The event was really well organized, we got to test drive the 2011 Buick Regal (definitely NOT grandpa's car!) but let's get to the food, right?! The event was broken down into sections; Mixology, Travel, Desserts, and a cooking demo.

MIXOLOGY

Mixology was led by Michael Green, who has been on The Today Show, MSNBC, Food Network, and featured in Fine Living Magazine. His job consists of everything alcoholic, lol! He is super funny (but I guess it's had not to be when your full of "spirit" at 10am) and he gave us a great mocktail/cocktail recipe as well as taught us how to make our own simple syrup (not wasting my money on THAT anymore!). I will provide the recipes later on this week.

TRAVEL

Planning a long driving trip? Well visit www.roadfood.com and Michael Stern will tell you the best places to stop to get that regions delicacy. Tips he gave on how he found the best places to eat;

1. Roll down your windows and stop where the food smells so good your mouth waters!
2. Eat where you see the local fire and police eat, they are locals, they know what's good!
3. When you stop to eat in a town, ask what is good to eat between there and your destination.

DESSERTS

She is saying she's gonna fatten me up... I'm game for all you can eat cake!

Hailing from Decatur, the cake lady brought a smile to ALL of our faces. Cake Cafe Atlanta, Inc. is the place to be! We learned how to make a quick but cute cupcake dessert in wine glasses (don't be surprised if I serve it at my next dinner party!) and she told us the secret behind all of her "Fat-free, Carb-free, Colestrol-free" cakes, gourmet popcorn, cobblers, and cupcakes. You'll have to stop by her shop to find out! BTW, she gives out free samples at her bakery! Forget Publix! Support the Cake Lady!

COOKING DEMO
The cooking demo was done by none other than Season 2's winner of "Top Chef Masters", Marcus Samuelsson. One of the most recent highlighted events he cooked for was the State Dinner for President Obama (what can top that?!) and was named Best Chef in New York in 2003. He is also on a mission to change our public schools lunch menu. No more nasty frozen pizza??? I'm all for that! Visit his cause at www.foodrepublic.com.

Yes we did snag a front row seat! CeeCee was drooling all over the table and it wasn't just for the food, lol!

He prepared Shrimp and Red Grits, which was delicious...

But during the Q&A potion he offered dishes from the batch he was actually preparing. We made it our goal to get that plate!








Mission Accomplished! Well actually the guy next to us got the plate, but he was kind enough to share it with us! Point is... best shrimp and grits... EVER. The flavors were layered, everything kind of "popped" in your mouth. Recipe coming soon. Make it and you won't be disappointed... unless you make it wrong, lol!

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Buick definitely did a great job with this event! I'll keep you guys posted on more events like this one so you can experience it for yourselves!

Nathan won the Buick cake from the Cake Lady! Congrats... can I have a piece???

Received a departing gift of Marcus Samuelsson's new cookbook! Can you say "dinner party"?

Taste Of Atlanta

So this was my first year going to Taste of Atlanta and what an experience it was. I was definitely the kid in the candy shop running from vendor to vendor tickets in hand! Though I kind of expected runny frosting on cupcakes and cold soup, everything was good and at the perfect temperature. Sorry for doubting the professionals!

Here are a couple of the things that I tried that I can remember (I was there eating for 4 hours straight, can't expect me to remember them all can you?!) Click on the link and it will bring you to their website. Go try them this week!

Gladys Knights Chicken & Waffles- Okay, so no explanation there! The waffles were light and the chicken was hot! Oh so yummy!

Wildfire- Steaks, chops, and seafood, but surprisingly their Lobster Bisque is TO DIE FOR. When you visit definitely snack on a cup of that while waiting for your food.

Sambuca- I have actually visited Sambuca and you will enjoy the ambience and live jazz along with the BBQ ribs with pickled watermelon salsa. The ribs fell off the bone and the mix of smoky BBQ sauce and refreshing watermelon definitely set you in the mood for a nice glass of red wine and a sax player...

Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft- Oh Tuk Tuk, how I fell in love with your beef and pork skewers! Tender and moist and travel friendly (it is on a stick...) Plus its an awesome date night spot with a skyline view from their rooftop deck.

Legal Seafood- Freshest seafood on the block. Cam chowder was rich and creamy and the swordfish was light and in my husband Brian's words "Tasted like pure Salmon". You fish lovers can try the swordfish for yourselves and tell me what you think!

Mediterranean Grill- Delicious and authentic. The gyro (not the mall version wrapped in pita bread) I had was awesome. The lamb was juicy and flavorful and was paired with lemon zest yellow rice. The cucumber yogurt was a palate cleanser, especially if you had the spicy salsa! My cousin Robbie can vouch on that one!

Cafe 458- I had never heard of this restaurant before but when I heard they were serving shrimp (and not the little baby ones) I was waving my tickets for a taste. The shrimp was seasoned to perfection, but my grits were a little grainy, but I heard that that is how some people like it. Not necessarily my cup of tea.

Grind House Killer Burgers- You may or may not know, but Atlanta is going through a burger boom. Lots of new places have been popping up all over the city to claim the best burger in Atlanta title. Grind House is no exception, with its different "burger style" menu. They are def good so try them all!

The Pound Cake Company- You know that grandmother of aunt that was just known for making the best pound cake during the holidays? Yeah... it's better than that. Don't believe me, drop in for a sample and apologize for doubting them. It's that serious.

Highland Bakery- Have the cutest, moist little cupcakes in Atlanta. Plus they are not stingy on the frosting and had more than enough down to the last bite.

Crepe Revolution- No its not within the city limits but if you are even close to 75 North end of the perimeter it would behoove you to stop in and indulge in a crepe made any and every way you can imagine! You might find yourself going just because...

Other than stuffing my face, there were some great (and tasty) demonstrations. Matt Moore, author of Have Her Over For Dinner, demonstrated the awesomeness of the Big Green Egg Smoker & Grill by making Skirt Steak Fajitas. Ugh, I can't even talk about it without my mouth watering. By the book fellas... and then cook from it! Ladies love a man in the kitchen! I'll put the recipe up within the week hopefully :)

All in all it was a great experience! I stuffed my face, spent time with the family, enjoyed the beautiful weather, and won a frying pan (which i had to carry home on MARTA, and if you know MARTA you would know that no one looked twice at me). Please go and try these restaurants and come back and let me know what you thought of them. I know I will be visiting all of them in the near future and reporting back my opinion. Until then eat, drink, and be merry Atlanta! Can't wait for TOA 2011!!!!