Sunday, October 05, 2008
Food, "Dish"

Listen up, foodies

With the return of fall harvest, long sleeves and people actually needing those trendy scarves...

Courtesy of Atlanta Fish Market
Atlanta Fish Market

By Kirsten Ott

With the return of fall harvest, long sleeves and people actually needing those trendy scarves, Taste of Atlanta comes back for its seventh year of food festivities Oct. 11-12. Avid cookbook collectors, cooking show connoisseurs and foodies alike can all indulge at this star-studded feast. The two-day event includes Ted Allen, Richard Blais, George Duran, G. Garvin and Trisha Yearwood, all of whom will showcase some of their favorite recipes and culinary secrets. Expect live cooking demonstrations (including one from the Slow Food movement) and festive entertainment held in the streets of Atlantic Station, as well as savory samples from more than 70 of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants. A little extra money spent grants you a wine experience at Twelve Hotel, and Bowling & Brews at Ten Pin Alley. Tickets start at $25. For more information, call 404-875-4434 or visit www.tasteofatlanta.com.

HOT HOUSE

OK, so despite my belief that Christmas trees catching on fire from festive lighting would make the season a dangerous one, October is Fire Safety Month, not December. Firehouse Subs, a sandwich shop founded by two brothers whose dad served as a combat captain for a firehouse in Florida, is doing its part to raise money for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which has been providing multiple donations to emergency services throughout the Southeast since its creation in 2005, but produced an amount of support which far surpasses its timeframe. The foundation has donated more than $500,000 and impacted more than 40 communities through funding, resources and support. To fund these donations, the foundation is conducting the Fire Safety Mobile Campaign starting in October to coincide with the National Fire Safety month to help build awareness for fire safety procedures. The founders of Firehouse Subs, Robin and Chris Sorensen, along with many members of the Firehouse corporate team will be at the Roswell Fire Dept. (1002 Alpharetta St.; Roswell) Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m., to discuss the Fire Safety Campaign initiatives. Throughout October, customers can help out firefighters by giving to the foundation with the purchase of $1 or $5 paper mobiles. The first 30 customers purchasing a $5 mobile will receive a magnetic, dry erase board for emergency phone numbers. Also worth noting: Firehouse Subs made a smart choice by switching its fountain drinks to Coca-Cola this month. www.firehousesubs.com.

BON APPETIT FOR LESS

To appreciate the finer things in life, you usually have to pay a hefty price tag. Fortunately, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group (BLRG) is slashing its prices for two weeks with its first-ever autumn Ultimate Restaurant Week. From Sunday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 17, diners can enjoy three tasty courses for only $29 to celebrate 29 years of excellence, as BLRG’s first restaurant (Pano’s & Paul’s) opened in 1979. Each restaurant’s prix-fixe menus will vary from week one to week two, giving guests a reason to visit both weeks. The economical price point will allow guests to visit their favorite restaurant or try something new. Pano’s & Paul’s, Buckhead Diner, Atlanta Fish Market, Chops, Lobster Bar, Pricci, Veni Vidi Vici, Bluepointe, Kyma and Nava are all participating. The three-course menus will feature choices for each course: appetizer or salad, entrée and dessert for $29 per person. Beverage, tax and gratuity are not included. Each restaurant’s regular menu also will be available. Reservations are available by calling the restaurants directly or online at www.buckheadrestaurants.com. SP
When she’s not checking out restaurants, interviewing chefs or nodding off after her fifth glass of wine, Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott dishes culinary and cocktail insights. E-mail her at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.