{Taste of Atlanta}: Black-Owned Atlanta Restaurants

Photo Credit: Busy Bee Cafe

Today's post is one I'm thrilled to write and share, because it's dedicated to spotlighting several of the black-owned restaurants that fill the Atlanta foodscape and contribute to our city's continual culinary evolution.  And beyond anecdotal support of Black Lives Matter, comes an opportunity to demonstrate true support and solidarity where it's often felt (and needed) most: economic empowerment.

So while we as a country continue to grapple with meaningful and sustainable ways forward from systemic racism against Blacks, immediate, measurable impact can be found in amplifying Black businesses, creative voices, anti-racism causes, self-education, along with a commitment to listening to understand the myriad ills that persist as a result of this ugly underbelly of American society--and in the world beyond.

Photo Credit: The Atlanta Breakfast Club

So about the food! Whether you're local to Atlanta, or find yourself here for a visit, seek out these Black-owned restaurants and support their establishments.  As you do, you're likely to discover that the soul food from legendary hallmarks like Busy Bee Cafe and Paschal's, the diner fare from the Atlanta Breakfast Club, the java from Urban Grind Coffehouse, or those famous vegan burgers from The Slutty Vegan, are more than enough to not only satiate your hunger, but to also create memories worth sharing and recreating as often as life allows.

Photo Credit: Urban Grind Atlanta

Now, especially, as Black-owned businesses and communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, your patronage can mean the difference between business survival and impending loss.

More Atlanta Black-Owned Restaurants

Thank you in advance for supporting a more unified and equitable landscape and for amplifying what we've always known: Black lives really do matter.

Happy Eating!

{Ready. Set. Eat.}: The Taste of Atlanta Festival Returns!

If you've ever wanted to taste your way through the Atlanta restaurant scene, but haven't come close, then this year's 14th annual Taste of Atlanta Festival is where you want to be.  With a line-up of over 90 participating restaurants--and a host of food-loving fun--the tastes of Atlanta will be at your fingertips.

Along with abundant eats, the festival will offer a rich experience with something for everyone, including cooking demonstrations, competitions, a carnival kids' corner, and more!

To help you map out your experience, the Festival Guide provides essential details from 'A-Z', while also answering the most frequently asked questions.  Taste of Atlanta will be held September 25-27, 2015 and returns to the Midtown Tech Square in the heart of Atlanta.  General admission is $25 and includes 10 Taste Points (the official festival dining currency).  Visit www.TasteofAtlanta.com for the most up-to-date event news.

Now pack up your appetite and prepare to indulge in a weekend of Happy Eating!

Photo Credits: Taste of Atlanta

{In Case You Missed It}: 2018 Highlights

Happy New Year (again!)  Amazingly, this year is off to a fast and furious start, with January soon to be in the rear view.  So before any more time elapses, I want to share one of my most favorite perennial posts, highlighting many of the moments that made the year gone by special for me, personally, and for D.M.R. Fine Foods.

Each year it seems like it couldn't get any sweeter and, then, it does!  And that would be 2018.  On a personal note, I enjoyed more fulfilling career, personal, civic, and relational highlights that made everything else the proverbial (and oh so delicious) icing on top.

That "icing" included special moments, among others, in food, travel, lifestyle and media--a well-rounded foray of the good life.  And I'm excited to recap some of the most special for you here, starting with a fun slideshow round-up. (*Recommended: watch in full screen mode.)

Food ~
My year in food included such highlights as once again being a featured blogger and contributor to the acclaimed Black History Month Virtual Potluck, with my Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Glaze, along with more recipes and foodie indulgences from near and far.

Travel ~
My wanderlust led me to exceptional new destinations, including Cartagena, Colombia and Cozumel, Mexico, and repeat favorites, alike, including South Beach, New York City, Chicago, Orlando and Bermuda.  From the occasional business jaunt, to vacation getaways, 2018 was another year of fulfilling travel and exploration.

Fashion & Lifestyle ~
I experienced of the biggest honors of 2018 on what I'll label as the lifestyle front, which was being selected as a 2018 BHG Stylemaker by Better Homes and Gardens magazine! Can you say, awe-mazing?!  (I'll be a doing a dedicated post soon to share more of the fabulousness of my entire experience, so stay tuned!)  Beyond BHGStylemaker, I had the pleasure of joining gorgeous fashion influencer, CariRene Vintage, for an amazing afternoon of fashion inspiration at the Global Runway Fashion Presentation hosted by the Atlanta Airport.  And as a special bonus, to boot, I met one of my favorite fashion and beauty editors!

Beyond decor and fashion, another highlight included a private Girlfriends' Spa Party courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty and Saks Atlanta, making for a great afternoon of pampering with some of my favorite girls.

Media/Collaborations ~
2018 was another standout year on the media and collaboration front.  I was so thrilled to return to the t.v. to share more of my food and lifestyle passions, this time with the fabulous daytime show, Atlanta and Company.  My media footprint continued with my running monthly column with Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, media corp for my forever favorite Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, and myriad media collaborations on behalf of exceptional local restaurants, wineries, farm co-ops (City Winery Atlanta, Varun Napoli, Dantanna's, Peach Dish), Atlanta Magazine, and more!

I obviously kept to my busier pace but, as always, it was extremely worth it, and equally as special to share it with you here on the blog and via social media.  I thank you for remaining connected and appreciate your ongoing support and interest in my corner of the world.  I love having you along for my journey and look forward to sharing more as 2019 continues to unfold. 

Happy Living!

 

Atlanta Summer Festivals, Food and Fun

Summers in the 'ATL' can represent many things to many people.  Despite the characteristic heat and humidity that blankets the city this time of the year, life doesn't slow down in hopes of cooler weather, but thrives as actively as ever in spite of it.

I relish taking in as much of the food scene as possible during the season, and in case you're looking to do the same, here's a starter list to get you out, about, exploring and enjoying what this fabulous city has to offer.

Downtown Restaurant Week ~ 
Going on now through Sunday, July 26, 2015, Downtown Restaurant Week features several of Atlanta's premier restaurants located in and near the heart of downtown.  With prix fixe menus ranging from $15 for lunch to $25-$35 for dinner, it's a great way to enjoy premium dining for a literal fraction of the cost. 

Ice Cream Festival ~
With July being National Ice Cream Month, there's no better way to close it out than with an Ice Cream Festival! The fun happens on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at beautiful Piedmont Park and will feature ice cream for sale, vendors, entertainment and fitness events.  Entry is free.

Garden Chef Demos ~
Enjoy lively chef demos showcasing the season's bounty every weekend, now through September, amidst the gorgeous Atlanta Botanical Garden in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen.  Free with Garden admission. 

Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival ~
Music, competitions, and scrumptious food and drink, mark the scene at the Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival at Atlantic Station.  Mark your calendars for August 14th and 15th and get ready to indulge!

Beyond this list of favorites, there's so much more to explore as Summer continues to unfold.  Eventbrite, a global marketplace for events, is one of my go-to sources for featuring--and discovering--all that's happening in my area around my interests. Be sure to check out it out for more foodie happenings, or to plan your own special soiree with their event management software, and make the remaining days of Summer the most deliciously fun yet!

Happy Eating!

Photo Credit: Atlanta Botanical Garden
 

D.M.R. Fine Foods, The Blog, Celebrates 10 Years (Pt.3)

Soaking in my exceptional BHG Stylemaker Event in '18

Happy New Year! 

Without question, making it through 2020 was a feat--and one well worth celebrating. And before much more time in the new year elapses, I want to finalize my "blogiversary" celebration with this third installment covering the 2016-2019 years.

I hope you've enjoyed my walk down memory lane from the 2010-2012 and 2013-2015 installments and perhaps learned a bit more about me and what I've been up to on this front all of these years. Best of all, I hope you are inspired to stay connected with me in the days ahead because I like having you around. :)

In reflecting on the 2016-2019 years, they were years of continued momentum across many of the areas that had come to life and blossomed in the previous years, along with their own new noteworthy highlights.  So let's once again dive in--and enjoy!

2016

My 2016 highlights included the likes of more amazing travel, the continuation of my Holiday Pop Up Shop, my For the Love of Food monthly food column in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine (2011-2019), continued food and lifestyle media coverage, more sponsored brand campaigns, including Groupon and Warby Parker, as well as PopSugar, being featured in the Vinings Lifestyle Magazine, and taking in that exquisite night to remember at the James Beard House in NYC that I was awarded in 2015, and enjoying a celebration among celebrations at the Red Rooster Harlem Cookbook launch party!! 

2017

My 2017 highlights reflect more amazing highs from my journey to date. From exceptional travel throughout the year, including another dynamic, hosted press trip to St. Croix in collaboration with United States Virgin Islands Tourism, it was another year for the travel books.

Beyond travel, the year brought on a new (and continuing) collaboration of epic proportions, with a cadre of fellow talented food bloggers, for a first of its kind Black History Month Virtual Potluck. It remains one of the key highlights of my blogging journey to date, as it gave more exposure and expression to our individual and collective voices, talents, stories and heritage, among each other, as well as on several renowned media platforms (including Food52, Blavity, Tasting Table, and more that would follow in the years to come.)   

My media footprint expanded(!!!)--to include television (a long-held dream of mine) via a series of holiday-themed segments on CBS46's, Atlanta Plugged In show, showcasing my recipes and entertaining tips, as well as a St. Croix travel radio segment that chronicled the best of the destination and travel planning tips, following my recent press trip earlier in the year.  

Continued collaborations, including existing and new media relations and social media campaigns, across more hotel, tourism, lifestyle and food brands, were definite highlights, along with more fashion media coverage for the Ragtrade Atlanta Fashion Week and Runway Show. 

2018

My 2018 highlights included more thrilling moments and experiences across the food, travel, lifestyle and media fronts.  From continued collaborations (BHM Potluck, food and lifestyle media relations and campaigns, etc.) epic travel, more sharing via television segments, this time on NBC's hit Atlanta and Company show, along with more fashion and lifestyle goodness from Saks to the Global Runway Fashion Presentation hosted by the Atlanta Airport, I couldn't make it all up, if I tried. :)

2018 was also the year I experienced one of my biggest honors on my journey to date: being selected as a 2018 BHG Stylemaker by Better Homes and Gardens magazine!!! An honor indeed, by all accounts, with the coveted spots reserved for a select few on an annual basis, I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been recognized by such a renowned and exceptional publication--and to have been in the company of my fellow ah-mazing Stylemakers--for an unforgettable event in New York City! From the day I was notified and invited until the very last moment of the event, I was beyond thrilled. (I know I keep saying it: but dreams do come true!)

2019

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, my 2019 highlights represented what was truly another phenomenal year.  As you might have guessed :), there was more epic travel (I added my fourth continent via Thailand and more new countries, states and cities to my footprint, as well as launching my own travel boutique), to more exceptional collaborations, media campaigns and recognition, across food, fashion, travel and lifestyle, including New York Fashion Week-adjacent media coverage at the MAN/WOMAN A/W 19 show, another phenomenal hosted press trip in collaboration with Arkansas Tourism, and a dream (to me) media collaboration with a long beloved brand, ESSENCE, among notable others.  

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my highlights always included my blog posts during the year, that were always done in tandem with every other amazing experience and opportunity throughout the years.  They can all be found in my archives section here on the blog, so feel free to indulge!

That brings us to the year we'll all never forget: 2020--and the actual culmination of my 10th blog anniversary, or "blogiversary", this past August.  So in keeping with my annual highlights tradition, I will dedicate a post to my 2020 highlights in very near future to conclude this memory bank/digital celebration of sorts. :)

I thank you for being here and being interested, engaged, supportive, connected and encouraging throughout my journey.  It has made it sweeter and all the more fulfilling--and I look forward to sharing more as the year unfolds. 

I wish you the best (healthiest, happiest, most fulfilling) year yet on your personal journey.

Happy Living!

Dawn

Upcoming Events and Foodie Haps

If you live in or near the Atlanta area (or not), you'll want to know about a few upcoming events that will be taking place...just in time for Spring!

75th Atlanta Dogwood Festival--an Atlanta Tradition, featuring an artist market, exhibitions, entertainment, classic festival foods & more.  April 15-17, 2011.  More info. & details here. 

Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show, featuring Food Network Stars Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis and The Neelys, along with talented local chefs, workshops & more! April 30-May 1, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.


Farm, Fete, Feast--Around the Maypole, featuring some of Atlanta's most acclaimed chefs.  May 1, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, celebrating the cuisine of the South!  May 19-22, 2011.  More info. & ticket details here.


Mark your calendars now & enjoy!

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!

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Returns Bigger & Better!

In two short weeks, a culinary experience that heralds the essence of the South beyond anything most have ever seen or tasted will return to Atlanta for an epic weekend in food, drink--and good times.

Now in its sixth year, it's hard to imagine that anything could top last year's festival, however this year promises to be the biggest--and the best--one yet.  Spectacular new additions--including a new series of expert instruction via Master Classes; a new Tasting Tents location; and a first-of-its-kind in the U.S. Pop-Up Vineyard in the City, in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, with a featured Sunday Brunch, the Ultimate Road Trip Kick-Off Party and much more--will make it worth every moment!

The themed Tasting Tents will reside in the gorgeous Piedmont Park Promenade

Sneak Peek rendering of the Pop-Up Vineyard in the City

"For food lovers, there is nothing more appealing than spending a weekend indulging in exceptional food and drink by rock star culinary talent, especially when the experience includes a road trip to a fun Southern city,” explains Dominique Love, Co-founder of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.

I couldn't agree more.  The ultimate Southern culinary weekend awaits and, trust me, you don't want to miss it!  Get your tickets now at atlantafoodandwinefestival.com.  Then prepare to know the south--and its cuisine--like never before.

Happy Eating!

Warm and Cozy Fall Recipes X Atlanta and Company

On the set of Atlanta and Company

I'm a stickler for riding out a season until the very end, but once it's gone, it's gone--no strings attached. :)  And saying farewell to Summer recently in anticipation of embracing my most favorite of seasons, Fall, was a welcomed transition.  Never mind that the temperatures in my parts have not fully caught on and co-signed on the recent autumnal equinox, Fall is finally here!

For most, Fall is beloved for the cooler, crisper weather, gorgeous foliage, football, tailgating--and the seasonal fare that makes it all delicious.  Warm and cozy seasonal fare, to be exact.

Ready to share my Fall recipes on the set of Atlanta and Company

I provided a head start on Fall eats during my recent segment on Atlanta and Company, where I dished on spices and herbs that make for richly flavored, versatile and, yes, scrumptious, food and drinks to carry you tastefully through the season and beyond.

I featured some of my tried and true favorites, including:
Spicy (Turkey) Chili
Rosemary-Thyme Cornbread Madeleines; and
Hot Mulled Cider.

This menu will suit any weeknight, game day, weekend gathering, or celebration, so be prepared to keep it in constant rotation as the season continues to unfold.

Finally, in case you missed it, you can watch the full segment below for extra tips and fun!

Happy Eating!

{Things To Do In Atlanta}: Pinewood Forest Idea Home

Life is good.  :)

I ended last week on a high doing something I absolutely love--once again sharing my food passion and expertise on Atlanta and Company.  (More to come on that soon, so stay tuned!)

As I prepared to finally embrace the weekend, I mentally switched to low-key mode and prepared to indulge in maximum chill, save a couple of exceptions.  Beyond a movie night out on Friday which fit my low-key agenda perfectly, there was a Saturday afternoon home tour of home tours.

After making the drive across town, I arrived at the beautiful, emerging "live, work and play" community of Pinewood Forest, where my gaze was immediately met with a glistening, sun-kissed lake.  I made my way to the Idea Home, nestled amidst finished and unfinished residential construction, and settled in for a highly anticipated tour of the property on its opening day, presented by Atlanta Magazine and Atlanta Magazine's HOME.

Touring beautifully designed homes, dressed with exquisite decor, is always an inspiration download and creative spark for me, and this home did not disappoint!

Each room was its own odyssey, with so much to see and take in.  From subtleties, to bold statements, surprise spaces, and full on "I can see myself living here" refrains, it was worth every minute spent.  So as you're considering things to do around the city, be sure to log this one on your favorites list.  (*Bonus: head over to the nearby Hanna Brothers Studio Cafe for a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch until 3 p.m.)

The Pinewood Forest Idea Home Tour is going now through October 7, 2018.  Hours are Fridays, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Sundays, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.  Admission tickets are $25 and available for purchase here.

Happy Touring!

{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!