{Tis the Season}: D.M.R. Fine Foods Holiday Pop-Up Shop!

At the risk of sounding slightly (or majorly) cliche, it's the most wonderful time of the year.  The holiday season is uniquely one of the most special times of the year--for all the right reasons.  Connecting with friends and family.  Savoring wonderful tastes.  Celebrating new and old traditions, alike.  And that's where my excitement truly shifts into gear...because my 3rd annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop promises to deliver on them all.

SAVE THE DATE and make plans to join me on Saturday, December 17, 2016, from 12-4p.m. EST at the fabulous Pottery Barn in Lenox Square for a time to remember!  Come out and experience festive, holiday cheer, while tasting, savoring and shopping my small-batch, artisan holiday sweets and treats.  From sweet to savory, there will be something for everyone.  Our goodies are wonderful as hostess gifts, for your holiday menus, and for plain 'ole noshing!

It promises to be a deliciously fun afternoon--and, as always, I can't wait to see you there!

Happy Eating and Happy Holidays!

D.M.R. Fine Foods Holiday Pop Up Shop
Venue Details:
Pottery Barn
Lenox Square Mall
3393 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
404.812-9726

{Taste of Atlanta}: Eight Sushi Lounge

Ceviche -- Ocean trout, tomatoes, sweet red onion, avocado and a yuzu dressing

As the Atlanta restaurant scene continues to burgeon, the Westside recently welcomed another newcomer to the fold.  Eight Sushi Lounge officially opened its doors in late November of last year--wooing diners with exquisite and creatively delicious sushi, sashimi and Japanese fare coupled with modernly styled interiors--and is worthy to helm the top of your restaurant outings in the New Year.

I dined at the restaurant in early December and feasted on an exceptional tasting menu that was as notable for its creativity and sheer beauty, as it was for the scrumptious fare.  And although my party was seated at one of the many cozy tables, no trip would be complete without even a momentary visit to the open sushi bar to witness art in the making.

Miso Steak -- Ribeye steak glazed with miso compote served alongside seasonal vegetables

Tuna Crisp -- Ponzu mayo, sliver sweet red onion, truffle oil

Eggs Benedict -- Bed of rice, spicy tuna, shiso leaf, sunny side up quail egg

Located in the Brady Complex at 930 Howell Mill Rd. NW, the restaurant is open nightly for dinner--and represents another delicious taste of Atlanta. ($$$)

Happy Eating!

Photos courtesy of Eight Sushi Lounge

{Discovering Southern}: The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

To say that last weekend was delicious would be an understatement of the grandest proportions. Indulging in the three-day fete that was the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival was delicious, yes.  But it was also so. much. more.  In its fifth year, the AFWF showcased the best in culinary and creative talent across the Southern region of the United States with a clear and simple mission: Discover Southern. 

Undertaking an exhilarating itinerary that began Friday afternoon, in the heart of Midtown, Atlanta, I feasted my way through a weekend that was as special for the people and experiences I encountered, as it was for the food and drink.   From restauranteurs, to chocolatiers, to acclaimed cookbook authors and chefs, to regional purveyors, equally eager festival goers, and beyond, I relished every moment of Southern connection and discovery--and left wanting more.

My first tastes of the festival were at the tasting tents, which featured more than 100 award-winning chefs. With a variety that mirrored the broad flavors of the South, there was something for everyone--and every taste.  Barbecue, seafood, tacos, Indian cuisine, gelato, chocolate, doughnuts, pimento cheese and deviled eggs (of course!), sips of all kinds, burgers, and on and on and on went the lineup of scrumptious eats that spanned four tents--and drew me back day after day. 

Beyond the excitement and indulgence of the tasting tents, I took in a few of the more than 90 classes (my selections included Bugs and Chocolate, Chilies in the South, and more), cooking demos, and a newly featured, Sunday Brunch.  Attendees could also opt-in to an expertly curated Connoisseur Dinner Series, hosted nightly at premier Atlanta restaurants and venues.

My dalliances left me prouder than ever of this part of the country that I call home, and I'm already counting the days until I get to do it all over again next year.  For more festival highlights, visit my photo gallery -- then mark your calendars for next year where we'll do it all over again!

Happy Eating!

Taste of Atlanta: My Weekend Indulgence

 

As weekends seem to go, this last one went by with the usual speed of a shooting bullet.  But before it was only a memory, I managed to drink it in with gusto.  Saturday felt good as I made my way through my "to-do" list in Type A style.  Then came Sunday.  

With the gorgeous Fall weather as my backdrop, and a world of deliciousness ahead of me, I embarked upon an afternoon of food, fun, and exploration at the annual Taste of Atlanta Festival.  The highly regarded festival spanned three days, more than 90 restaurants, and an abundance of culinary action, all while presenting tastes from every corner of Atlanta.  It was the place to be for a relaxed, yet exciting, time of leisure, with an ever-present eye on what delicacy awaited next--a welcomed reminder of why I love attending.

 
With an equally eager friend in tow, I arrived ready to indulge and began my "mini food crawl" from post to post almost immediately.  From my first bites of fried oysters and beignets to my final bites of ice cream (no surprise there) and fried apple pie, with a bounty of good eats in between, I conquered my mission and left satisfied.  See more of the food highlights below:

Settled into the leisurely pace of the afternoon, it was about as chill as a Sunday afternoon stroll, laced with the anticipation of "what will I discover and eat next?"  The ying-yang of it all made for one of the best weekend indulgences I've had in a while and left me proud of all the unique and scrumptious tastes of Atlanta.  It's fair to say that I'm already looking ahead to when I get to do it all over again, and based on the smiles and pulse of the day's crowd, I'm not the only one.

   
Happy Eating!

{Taste Of Atlanta}: Blue Ridge Grill

Blue Ridge Grill

 As much as I love making things happen in my kitchen, I equally relish dining out--especially when it's good.  So when I received an invitation to attend a menu tasting at one of Atlanta's long-standing restaurants, Blue Ridge Grill, I had to accept.   Sister to the fabulous Bones and casually cool OK Cafe restaurants, the Blue Ridge Grill could be considered the hidden gem of the family for many.  After attending last week's tasting, however, it's apparent why it has remained a vibrant part of the Buckhead dining scene for so long.

The evening unfolded within the restaurant's cozy, interior porch and gave way to a decadently, scrumptious seven-course tasting menu featuring the cuisine of the restaurant's acclaimed new executive chef, Joe Brown.  Chef Brown's menu presented seasonal dishes, including Hot Smoked Salmon, Golden Lump Crab Salad, Pecan-Stuffed Chicken and Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop, which highlighted locally sourced ingredients, while also paying homage to long-standing signature dishes such as Corn Souffle (my favorite), Seared Diver Scallops and a Signature Cookies Platter. 

Hot Smoked Salmon

Seared Diver Scallops with Low Country Red Peas and Rice

Pecan-stuffed Springer Mountain Chicken

Assorted Cookies Platter

Beyond the mouth-watering cuisine, the restaurant boasts beautiful interiors that, in addition to the porch and dining room areas, includes a private dining room that is a perfect choice for intimate celebrations or special events.  

The tasting showcased Southern cuisine and hospitality at its finest and cemented why the Blue Ridge Grill continues to represent a delicious taste of Atlanta that's not to be missed!

D.M.R. Fine Foods Launches Pop Up Cooking School!

I've been a busier bee than usual over the last while, as I eagerly prepare for--and anticipate--the 1st class of my newly launched cooking school.  To say I'm excited is an understatement, if ever there was one.  

If you know anything of my food story, then you may know that I began sharing my passion for the world of food and teaching cooking techniques several years ago as a culinary instructor for Williams-Sonoma.  Since then, I've had the pleasure of continuing my instruction through articles, blog posts, recipes, videos, guest chef demonstrations and private consultations.  

 
Now I'm eager to widen the net with more up close and personal instruction to fuel your inner chef!  With my Techniques and Tastings(TM) classes, I will teach and demonstrate cooking techniques, dish sample tastings from featured recipes--and bring the joy of cooking to life!

And I want you to join me.  There's still time to register and make your plans to be there on Saturday, April 12th at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market; get all the details here.

I hope to see you there! Bring your appetite and prepare to indulge in Happy Eating!

XO,
Dawn