Snow Day @ Maison Robert

What is that phrase, the best laid plans often go astray?  Well, something like that.  It was my first "free" Saturday morning in a while, so I'd planned to check out a couple of new (to me) spots that I've been wanting to try.  However, thanks to the Great Atlanta Snowstorm of 2010, those planned had to be scrapped.  Just as I was planning to whip up a little somethin' at home, I get a tweet from Maison Robert Fine Chocolates:

Snow, schmo! We are open!

Say no more!   I had been wanting to stop by ever since viewing Broderick (Savory Exposure) & Chloe's (Chow Down Atlanta) food porn-tastic photos.  It was Valentine's Day weekend, why not splurge on some sweet treats? 

STIR IT 28: Food Bloggers Align For Haiti Relief On February 21

I am pleased to help spread the word on a great charity event coming later this month!

Bloggers Bren Herrera (Flanboyant Eats), Courtney Nzeribe (Coco Cooks) and Chrystal Baker (The Duo Dishes) have joined forces to organize STIR IT 28: Food Bloggers Align For Haiti Relief.  The multi-city culinary event will be held on Sunday, February 21 in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.  All proceeds from STIR IT 28 will go to Yéle Haiti and Share Our Strength .   This event is part of a month-long initiative to raise funds for the nation as it recovers from the devastating earthquake which struck last month.  The ladies are looking for food bloggers, home cooks, chefs and restaurants (28 per city) who are willing to donate 2-3 dishes that will feed 15-20 people each. It's not too late for you to contribute your culinary creations to the cause!  If you like to contribute dishes or volunteer at the Atlanta event, click here to contact Bren.  Here are the folks who are already on board for STIR IT 28 Atlanta:

• Chef Scott Serpas of Serpas True Food
• Chef Dwayne Hairston of Custom Creations
• Personal Chef Jayda Atkinson-Cabbell of Divva Dishes 
• Mr Orph's Kitchen (food blog)
• The Bread Experience 
• Lovely & Delicious Brands 
• SPACE Atlanta 
• Kheesekakes By Kelli 
• Maru Sushi 
• Chef April Higdon of Bistro In A Box  
• EtChane Williams-Towers (culinary student)
• Valerie Templier (a home cook from Haiti)
• Montaluce Winery & Estates
• Baker/Blogger Christina Aparnte from Mele Cotte 
• Cecille Ericta (food blogger @ A Dose Of Frosting) 
• STIR IT 28 Atlanta event hostess Bren Herrera from Flanboyant Eats 

**Just added: A special raffle hour.  Raffle items include a delicious personal chef dinner catered by Bren, C.B. Herrera jewelry, 3-piece custom candles, and special packages of "Stir It Up" gourmet coffee beans (courtesy of Marley Coffee).

Advance tickets to the Atlanta STIR IT 28 event are now on sale at a cost of $30 per person (a very limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $40).  There'll be a variety of scrumptious dishes to enjoy, complimentary wine courtesy of Montaluce Winery, two (cash) bars, and entertainment provided by DJ Rev Lee.  There will also be a special performance by a popular Atlanta-based artist (it's a surprise)!   The STIR IT 28 event promises to be a great evening of food and fun for a worthy cause.  To purchase your ticket(s), please click here to visit Bren's site and click on the STIR IT 28 logo on the right side of the page.  When you purchase, be sure to indicate that you are attending the Atlanta event.   If you would like to make a monetary donation towards STIR IT 28, please follow the same link.  Again, all funds raised will go directly to Share Our Strength and Yéle Haiti.

Even if you are unable to attend the event on the 21st, there are still other ways you can help.  Please visit Bren's STIR IT 28 Page for all the details.

STIR IT 28 on Facebook

SPACE Atlanta
1310 White Street
Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 756-9494
website 

Game Day (Or Any Day) Munchies: Zesty Ancho Chile Glazed Wings

 

It's Super Bowl Sunday, and by now you probably have all of your game day munchies prepared and ready to go.  I thought I'd share a recipe that you might want to stick in you back pocket for future game day celebrations (March Madness is just around the corner) or just for general everyday snacking.  I came up with this a while back, just messing around and trying to come up with an alternative to generic run-of-the-mill buffalo wings.  These wings are coated liberally with lemon pepper and ancho chile powder (I love this stuff), baked until skin is golden brown and crisp, then brushed with a sweet, spicy glaze.  I think these wings have a bit of a kick to them, but feel free to add a thai chile to the glaze if you require a little more heat.

Scenes From A Wine Conclave @ Montaluce Winery & Estates

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to join other local food & wine bloggers at a wine "conclave" hosted by Montaluce Winery & Estates in Dahlonega.   Now, full disclosure:  when it comes to wine, I am a complete and utter dummy.  Part of the reason I wanted to take part is to learn a little bit more about wine and rub elbows with folks who are much more knowledgeable about the subject.  

Quick Bites: New Orleans Seafood

  

I recently paid a visit to New Orleans Seafood, a fairly new seafood and po' boy sandwich shop in Duluth.  This shop piqued my interest early on (it caught my eye during my frequent trips up and down Pleasant Hill Road), but it was through Chow Down Atlanta's post that I found out that the place had finally opened up.  Always down for a po' boy (I lurve them so), I popped in to give them a try.  A Louisiana native (who I chatted with while waiting for my order) put in a good word for their grub so that's always a good sign.

The po' boys are reasonably priced (if I remember correctly, the most expensive sandwich will run you about six bucks) and include one side item.  I decided to go with an oyster po' boy and a side of hush puppies.  I loved the little hush puppies (which I gobbled up rather quickly).  They were nice and light, not the heavy greasy balls of dough you sometimes get at other places.  Loaded with a generous serving of fried oysters and dressed with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard (no mayo per my request), my po' boy was pretty decent as well.  Sure, it might not be as good as what you'll find back in Louisiana, but it was still tasty.  The menu also includes other New Orleans treats like boudin balls and andouille sausage.  Fresh seafood (including frog legs, crabs and of course crawfish) is available for purchase along with assorted Louisiana spices, bottled sauces and seafood breading mixes.  They even sell packages of Camellia dried red kidney beans (for those traditional Monday "red beans & rice" dinners).   

New Orleans Seafood

2442 Pleasant Hill Rd, Suite 8

Duluth, GA  30096

(678) 474-0064