I incorrectly assumed I knew about all the terrific patios in Atlanta. How did I not know about Basil’s patio? It’s been written up in Open Table as having the best deck and on the night I visited, not a soul was indoors, instead outside enjoying the beautiful Atlanta evening. Special thanks to owners Kim and Joseph for inviting us to sample their dishes and enjoy their patio. Basil’s has been in business for 24 years, serving up tantalizing Mediterranean cuisine to loyal customers. Most of the recipes come from Basil’s owner, Joe, who is Lebanese.

The recipe for Joe’s hummus and Baba Ganoush is a family recipe kept under wraps. We, of course, sampled that and the stuffed pepper and lamb ribs recommended by him as well. I usually enjoy hummus more than Baba Ganoush, but there was a unique smokey flavor to the Baba Ganoush that made it irresistible. And the stuffed pepper was so tasty, I was a bit bothered I had to share it with Mr. ARB. The lamb ribs, meaty and juicy were served up with a side of cilantro lime slaw that shouldn’t be missed.

We also sampled the mushroom flatbread and the artichoke. Both of these were just exquisite, the mushroom flatbread being one of the highlights of our meal. I only wish I had ordered a glass of white wine to enjoy with them. The wine list is carefully chosen to pair with food, however we were too busy enjoying our cocktails to swap to wine.

Mixologist Shawn dazzles guests with unique drinks like the Jalapeno Margarita, and Cucumber and Basil martini. There’s even a dessert drink: Andes Candies (see the video below for how to make it). He is also skilled at wine pairing recs, turning us onto a Malbec to compliment our veal and lamb dishes. And only $28 a bottle was extremely reasonable for this Malbec.

Lamb is really the star of the show here. Veal is good, but the lamb chops were the better of the two. I wasn’t crazy about the risotto served with the lamb chops, but the house made grits are to die for. Love ‘em. Get yourself over to Basil’s patio pronto before it gets too hot to really enjoy it. And don’t forget to get an Andies Candies from Shawn for dessert.

Basil’s Website
2985 Grandview Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30305

However, I was invited to sample their newest spring menu and was quite impressed. Our evening kicked off with a short video from Seasons 52 wine Sommelier George Miliotes sharing information about the wine that was paired with our dinner.

Beginning with a Tomato Flatbread as well an Artichoke Flatbread, our meal was off to a fabulous start. But I could have made an entire meal out of the Artichoke stuffed Artichokes. What a cool presentation!

Little did we know, the best was yet to come. The Steelhead Trout with spring vegetables and basmati rice was gobbled up by the group.

And, as a lamb lover, the Lamb Chops with red wine glaze were my favorite. Savor it with the recommended wine – Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Corvina Veronese. It was so tasty we had to have second glass.

Somehow, we were still able to save room for the Mini Indulgence desserts. Our favorites? Pecan Pie, Key Lime and Red Velvet.

Seasons 52 has two locations in Atlanta – Buckhead and Perimeter. Don’t miss out on this incredible menu.

First Annual Buckhead Wine Festival This Saturday, April 28 at Andrews Entertainment District. Sip, Savor and Enjoy the Best in Wine, Local Shopping and Entertainment. There will be Food Trucks, Book Signings, including moi, signing my book, Food Lovers’ Guide to Atlanta. Pick it up if haven’t already! There will also be live music, a silent auction and food seminars. See move details information on the Buckhead Wine Festival Below.

WHAT: An afternoon of wine tastings, tasty treats from local vendors, music and more. Donations and canned food will be accepted for the event’s charity beneficiary, The Atlanta Community Food Bank.

WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 2012, VIP Entry: 2 p.m., Regular Admission: 3 p.m.

WHERE: Andrews Entertainment District – 56 East Andrews Drive

Cost: $25 advance; $35 at the door; $40 VIP admission (advance sales only)
Buy tickets at www.BuckheadWineFest.com

Wine & Sign: Eagle Eye Book Shop’s mobile book store will feature culinary, cocktail and wine books, as well as signings by featured authors including:

· Malika Harricharan, A Food Lover’s Guide to Atlanta
· Sonja Jones, Sweet Auburn Desserts
· Nancy Waldeck, Taste & Savor

Food Trucks:
· King of Pops, custom “Mimosa Pop” just for the festival!
· Mix’d Up Food Truck
· Yoli’s Street Food

Seminars:

· 3 p.m. – Sushi & Sake
o Chef Saito Saito of Czar Bar and Chef Jeff of Andrews Entertainment District share the art of pairing sake with the many flavors of sushi

· 4 p.m. – Georgia Terroir
o Craig Kritzer, Wine Maker at Frogtown Cellars will discuss Georgia’s wine growing regions and how growing grapes in Georgia differs from California. Frogtown Cellars is located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains in Dahlonega, Georgia. The vineyard recently achieved the distinction of being America’s most awarded winery located outside of the State of California in Major U. S. Competitions for premium dry wines; receiving 73 Medals, including 12 Gold Medals in California for 11 different wines in 2011.

· 5 p.m. – Champagne Camp
o Kelly Wheeler, Certified Sommelier, CS, CSW will lead an interesting discussion on sparkling wine, focusing on French Champagne. Learn how Champagne is made and how it differs from Prosecco. Enjoy a tasting of the premium Henri Giraud Bland de Blanc and Brut Champagnes.

Silent Auction: Bid on some of the following wine and food themed packages:

· Wine Train Winery Tour and Tasting Experience in Napa Valley
· Sommelier Wine and Cheese Experience in Napa Valley for two
· Le Cordon Bleu Paris Culinary Experience for two
· HaGafen Kosher Wine Tasting Experience in Napa Valley for two
· Private home or office wine tasting parties from Grape Crush Productions.

The menu mostly remains the same except that the Roasted Red Pepper soup has been replaced with an Asparagus soup and the Waygu Cheeseburger has now been replaced by Shrimp with Piquillo Peppers. I loved the soup – I expected it to be cold but it was warm and hearty without being too heavy. It is my favorite soup to date that I’ve sampled from Capital Grille. It left me lots of room to savor the other menu addition, the Shrimp. The shrimp were huge and perfectly spiced. They were served on a bed of Risotto. And don’t let the looks fool you, it was quite filling. In fact I took half of it home for a meal later that evening.

Out of the options, I still feel like the steak sliders are a better bet. They are tender with just a bit of seasoning and cheese and practically melt in your mouth. And the spring vegetables are tasty alternative to the fries.

Fado:
Fadó opens at 7 a.m. and will be serving kegs and eggs. $10 cover. Street festival begins at noon and includes beer tents, bagpipers and Irish dancers along with more live music throughout the evening. The first band will kick off at 2 and Atlanta’s very own U2 cover band, will play that evening.

Meehan’s – All three Meehan’s pubs will be indulging in everything St. Patrick’s Day related. All pubs will begin the festivities with a “Green Eggs & Kegs” breakfast from 9 – 11 p.m. They will also be showing the National Rugby Series game at 1 p.m.; England v. Ireland on BBC. All locations will have traditional Irish fare and music. Meehan’s Public House in Sandy Springs is celebrating the day with a full blown parking lot event. Tickets are $5 before the event and $10 at the door – cash only!

Atlantic Station becomes Shamrock Station -There will be premium and craft beer stations with popular drinking games also beginning at noon. There will be live music all day and the night will be capped off with a fireworks display. American –Alternative Rock band, Better Than Ezra will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Events will be located in and around Central Park, between Rosa Mexicano and Strip Steaks and Sushi. East District Avenue and West District Avenue will be open for pedestrian traffic only. Adult admission is $10 if you buy before the event; tickets can be purchased at the door for $15. There is no admission fee for children under 12.

TAP
Drink Specials – $5 Guinness or Irish Coffee, $3 Irishman Whiskey Shots, $7 Irish Car Bombs
Don your leprechaun wear and get a free pint of Guinness. Don’t miss the celebration! For more information visit tapat1180.com or call 404.347.2220.

Tavern 99 will close down the parking lot and putting up a stage to transform it into a St. Patrick’s Day festival. Get your green on with six live acts and two DJs beginning outside at 2 p.m. Entertainment will include live performances by Jacob and Good People (Boogie with Cram and Crane), Patrick Scott Band, Running with Desire (U2 tribute), Wesley Cook duo, Francisco Vidal Band, Ian Schumaker, DJ Moetec and Lethal Rhythms. Enjoy green beer, Irish food and a drink on the house for ticket holders. There will be a Ladies Redhead Contest with prizes for the top three winners. Tickets are $20.

Murphy’s
Murphy’s continues its 30-year tradition of the finest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Atlanta with music, entertainment, and classic fare from the Emerald Isle. During lunch, enjoy the sounds of Irish Music.

P’Cheen
Authentic Irish fare, plenty of libations and music that will keep rocking until the wee morning hours available at P’cheen International Bistro & Pub beginning on Friday, March 16 – Sunday, March 18. Enjoy a menu of Irish favorites, as well as Guinness and Jameson’s Irish Whiskey specials.

Tilted Kilt is a national Celtic-themed pub/restaurant chain that’s celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with its authentic Irish Hooley menu, bag pipers, Irish dancers, bands, djs and more. With 24 beers on tap and its atypical bar food menu (which includes Shepherd’s Pie and Gaelic Chicken), it is the perfect place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

· Tilted Kilt Roswell, located at 925 Holcomb Bridge Road will be holding an outdoor concert.
· Tilted Kilt Alpharetta-Winward located at 5325 Winward Parkway will have Outdoor tents; kicking off St. Patty’s weekend with live music starting on Friday.
· Tilted Kilt Perimeter located at 1155-B Mount Vernon Highway will have Outdoor tents; St. Patty’s weekend kickoff; bands.
· Tilted Kilt Atlanta-Cumberland located at 2690 Cobb Parkway Southeast will have a weekend event; Traditional Irish band on Saturday; no cover charge
· Tilted Kilt Kennesaw located at 780 Cobb Place Blvd Northwest will have Outdoors; live music; beer truck; starts at 5 pm

Limerick Junction 25th Anniversary and Block Party – 11am – music, 2pm – block party begins. FREE! Irish music, food & beer!

Padriac’s
13th Annual St. Padriac’s Day Bash : Drink Specials, Irish Grub, Beer Pong, and more