I’ve eaten at Seasons 52 several times in the past and thought it was fair, but not outstanding, considering they are focused on low-cal foods. Nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, from the signature flatbreads and appetizers, to all entrees and the Mini Indulgence desserts.

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.

Iberian Pig and Double Zero do their first ever April Fools restaurant swap.Chef, Sous chefs, managers, mixologists, and servers will be swapping restaurants for the night. A special menu consisting of the following greatest hits of each menu will be served at the opposite restaurant in addition to the regular menu.

If you’ve ever wanted to try the Iberian Pig but thought “Decatur is way too far” or visit Double Zero but say “there’s no way I’m going OTP for a restaurant”, then now is your opportunity to enjoy a fun filled night with a twist.

Be sure to make your reservation for Sunday April 1st by calling Double Zero at (404)991-3666 or The Iberian Pig at (404)371-8800. Reservations are limited, so please call in advance to avoid waiting for a table.

Sampling of items to be featured by the Iberian Pig at Double Zero:
Pork Cheek Tacos – Slow roasted pork cheeks, fire roasted corn salsa, avocado crema, arugula, fresh lime – 7
Bacon Wrapped Dates – Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with Manchego cheese and walnuts, romesco dipping sauce – 6.5
Huevos con Trufa – Rustic bread, slow roasted pork cheeks, poached egg, black truffles – 9
Veal Shank Ravioli – Handmade ravioli, stuffed with slow braised veal shank, served with a Rioja-cream sauce, black truffle créme fraiche, white truffle oil, roasted shitake mushrooms, fresh thyme – 9
Jamon Iberico and Spanish Cheeses
Albondigas – Wild boar sausage meatballs stuffed with piquillo peppers, Macedonian dates, and roasted tomatoes. Finished with a pimenton créme and oyster mushrooms – 7
Moscatel Filet – Prime beef tenderloin, topped with manchego cheese, chopped walnuts, medjool dates, and applewood smoked bacon. Served with braised pork belly, caramelized fennel and shallots, and two piquillo peppers stuffed with marscarpone and goat cheese – 38
Iberian Old Fashion – bacon infused Rye, molasses, bitters, citrus oil 9
Margarita Inspirada – tequila, St. Germain, Cointreau, fresh lime 9
As well as a selection of Spanish wines

Items to be featured by Double Zero at the Iberian Pig:
L’Arrosto – “The Roast” – pound-and-a-half roasted pork shoulder in cast iron for the whole table to share, served with the following OO house made accoutrements: pizza nuvole, pickled vegetables, grilled radicchio salad, pepper jelly, roasted garlic puree, Calabrian chiles, roasted eggplant puree – 29
Pork Belly Risotto – Crispy pork belly, sweet potato-pumpkin risotto, balsamic glaze, broccoli rapini, slow poached egg – 13
Polipo – Grilled octopus, sunchoke-pancetta hash, asparagus puree, salmoriglio sauce – 13
Lamb Polpettine – Crispy sous-vide lamb meatballs, tomato-basil jam, fresh mozzarella, herb yoghurt – 9
Maiale alla Sorrentina – Pancetta wrapped pork tenderloin, white bean cassoulet with caramelized fennel & tomato, currant-golden raisin conserva – 18
Barrel Aged Negroni – Gin, Campari, Carpano Antica vermouth, flamed orange (aged in house in bourbon barrels for 6 weeks) – 13
LPR cocktail – Ca’De Medici lambrusco rosso, Dolin blanc vermouth, balsamic syrup, strawberry – 10
Selection of Italian Wines

Share Our Strength helps feed hungry children in America. The Capital Grille has donated nearly $1 million to Share Our Strength over the past four years, and looks forward to exceeding that milestone this year.

The Capital Grille Artist Series Cabernet was hand-crafted at Napa Valley’s Freemark Abbey Winery by Ted Edwards. Fewer than 1,000 cases of this unique wine, blended solely for The Capital Grille, will be produced. This Cab vintage has ripe fruit flavors, prominent tannin and the complexity and balance expected of a fine Cabernet.

Who: Wine Lovers and Foodies
What: Wine Tasting with select varietals from The Wine Shoe + Food Lovers’ Atlanta book signing
Where: Bottle Rocket, Castleberry Hill, 180 Walker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313
When: Monday, January 30, 7pm,
Cost: Wines are free to taste, specially priced appetizers available.

Drop by on January 30 to taste carefully selected wines of different varietals. It is it a treat to have Nora Wiley guide the tasting as her wine classes are wildly popular. No Bottle Rocket event would be complete without our delicious bites. There isn’t a menu, but know the bites will be crafted to pair expertly with the wines samples.

My book, will be available for purchase for $15 (cash only). It maps out the best restaurants in Atlanta from mom and pop, hole in the wall places to fancy five star restaurants. I’ve scoured the city to find the best restaurants on any budget, in any neighborhood, encompassing all the terrific cuisines we have at our disposal. It is a terrific resource for those visiting Atlanta on business or pleasure or for Atlanta residents who want to get out and explore the city but aren’t sure where to start.

There are also features like:

* Nightly Specials at different restaurants
* Insider tips for many restaurants that only regulars are privy to
* Food festivals and culinary events
* Atlanta chefs that have appeared on Top Chef
* Recipes from popular Atlanta Restaurants

Here’s what some other folks had to say about the book:

The Atlanta Journal Constitution: “Keep it in the glove compartment when you want something more detailed than a Zagat Survey..” Read More
Examiner.com
Gilt City “The latest gourmet bible covers everything from haute cuisine to food trucks and, with its convenient carrying size, makes finding a good meal easy..”Read More at Gilt City
Roswell Patch