Atlanta, Unscrambled
Let’s start with something fun . . . During August, breakfast and brunch at Pacci is a scramble of fun as Chef Keira Moritz teams up with the American Egg Board to bring you the “Scramble Gamble.” A special menu boasts items that will be on the house if you win a coin toss after your meal; even better, Pacci is working with the Good Egg Project and donating one egg for everyone who signs a petition in support of local hunger projects. Do good and eat well, too! If cocktails are more your thing, check out Tavern 99’s “flip for it” special on Thursday nights: sit at the bar, order a few rounds and if the coin flip goes your way, you’re drinking for free. Read moreAtlanta Cuisine Paper to become Food & Beer Atlanta
This column is generally a food-for-thought type article, but this month I’m going to use this real estate as my podium for an exciting announcement regarding this paper.
This issue, one print run shy of 4 years, is the last under the name Atlanta Cuisine. Starting July, look for us as Food & Beer Atlanta with the same writers, and a few additions to the staff. Atlanta Cuisine website will continue business as usual — minus the beer section, of course.
Food & Beer Atlanta will of course feature more in the way of craft beer. Yours truly will have a restaurant column appear monthly along with my beer reviews on the beer side. We plan to take a balanced attack between restaurants/food and beer.
Those who follow Atlanta Cuisine know we’ve been a beer forward paper. And those who read my columns know that I’ve always had a deep abiding love for both food and beer. So this news shouldn’t come as a surprise to many of you.
Though some beer articles in Food & Beer Atlanta will contain a lot of technical jargon, our flagship pour will be fun, approachable articles aimed at the beer drinker rather than the highly technical. I believe this publication will be more focused and therefore should be a greater success in more ways than just financially.
Besides Jessica’s column and my beer reviews, the beer section of Food & Beer Atlanta will add a column covering cool places to drink cool beer, and chef Lamar’s recipes will contain beer, or at the very least be paired with beer. Lamar is obviously up for the challenge. The restaurant section will be as lively as ever, and my Letter From The Editor will continue striking that same controversial vein.
The Food & Beer Atlanta website is currently under construction but we hope to have it up and running in about 2 weeks. Keep checking for us at www.foodandbeeratlanta.com.
The distribution number for this new publication will be greater than that of Atlanta Cuisine as it will be found in more bars and liquor stores.
I wanted to also thank our readers and advertisers for your support. Without you, the past 4 years would not have been possible, and the many great years still to come.
Cheers!
Tom
Peter Chang Update
I dined with a fun small group of folks (mostly Asian) at Tasty China this evening. During this 16-course gut buster prepared by Peter Chang himself, I was given new information regarding his possible new restaurant here in Atlanta.
I am told that an attempt to secure a certain location has failed. As a result, Chang is headed back to Virginia to continue his business as usual. Dahe Yang, owner of Tasty China, will continue seeking out a new location for the restaurant.
During a brief interview with Chang (and translator), he informs me that he desires a fancier restaurant with nice ambiance, finer service, and broad wine selection.
Yang tells me the restaurant could take as long as a year to put together and that Chang would return then. Unfortunately, there is no immediate plans for Chang to cook at Tasty China anytime in the near future.
When asked about the name of the new restaurant, Chang says it will be called “Peter Chang’s.”
Yang says, “Peter Chang’s Tasty China.”
FYI, if you were one of the many who ate at Tasty China over the weekend, it’s highly unlikely your food was prepared by Chang.
Oh well, what’s another year?
Peter Chang is Back!
******Please click here for update!******
The most electrifying chef to ever cook in the Atlanta market was Peter Chang. Remember the excitement when foodies arrived from all over the US to sample his spicy Sichuan cuisine at Tasty China? Well, he’s back!
After a late lunch at Tasty China this afternoon, cooked by Chang himself (a fiery fragrant shrimp in hot pot), it appears he and Dahe Yang (owner of Tasty China) plan to open a restaurant together somewhere in the Sandy Springs, or possibly even the Powers Ferry Road area.
The immediate plan is for Chang to work at Tasty China Marietta while they secure a location.
Before leaving I asked Yang what the next restaurant would be named. “I don’t know, maybe Peter Chang’s Tasty China,” he laughed.
Maybe by putting Chang’s name over the door he’ll stick around. I certainly hope so.
******Please click here for update!******
Beer Binge: 24 craft beers, 6 days … 1 liver
Over the past few weeks I’ve slacked off on my beer entry duties on the site, but don’t you worry dear reader, I plan to make it up to you … in a big way. Starting tomorrow Monday, March 22, I will post 4 beer entries a day for 6 straight bleary-eyed days.
During this sip-n-tell beer binge, I will cover new beers to the Atlanta market, the local stuff, and even a home brew or two.
I’ve done major pig outs in the past, like eat at 18 restaurants in a single day, a one day eating gorge fest that set my wallet back nearly $1,000 — I cringe just typing the number — and put away a belt-loosening 54 plates of food.
But beer presents a different challenge. There’s a little something called blood-alcohol level, and there’s cops. Who’s going to drive me from one brewpub to the next? Especially since many of these beers I plan to consume are medium to high gravity and are only available as large format.
With that it’s Sunday night, I’ve got a full tank of gas, my beer fridge is bursting with 22oz bombers, and the liver doctor is on standby.
Let’s get this beer binge underway.
Check our beer section starting Monday, March 22 to read Tom’s beer binge or click here.
Food & Drink Events March 15-21
March 20
Low Country Oyster Roast at Rosebud
On Saturday, March 20th join us for a taste of Ron’s years spent in the low country cooking with an authentic oyster roast on our patio! We will be spending the better part of the late afternoon and all night shucking oysters, pouring cold beer and listening to live tunes. The fun starts at 4 p.m. and the cost is $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Visit website for more.
March 20
Mud Bug Festival at 5 Seasons Brewing Westside
Crawfish Boil, Alligator Etoufee, music and more. Visit www.5seasonsbrewing.com for more.
March 22
Scotch 101 at 5 Seasons Brewing Prado
Starts at 6:30 and costs $20 per person. Visit www.5seasonsbrewing.com for more.
March 23
Don Julio 1942 Tequila Dinner at Agave
Starts at 7pm and costs $70 per person. Visit www.agaverestaurant.com for more.
Food & Drink Events Feb. 22-28
February 22nd 2010
Meet The Bruery’s Patrick Rue
We will be hosting Owner/ Brewer Patrick Rue for a special beer dinner on February 22nd at 6pm. 5 courses paired with five different beers for $60 per guest + Tax. This event is one the “beer enthusiast” should be very excited about. See you at the pub!
February 25th 2010
Muss & Turner’s Beer Tasting Thursdays: Ciders, Mead, and Fruit Beers
Come learn from and taste with Jessica Moss, our resident “beer maestro,” who has an unrivaled passion for beer. You will taste at least 6 beers from each category. reservations@mussandturners.com $15 per person 6:45pm -8:00pm
February 24, 7-9pm
New Belgium Beer Dinner at Graveyard Tavern, EAV
Join the Graveyard for the February beer dinner enjoy a $39 multi-course meal paired with New Belgium beers. Chef Justin Bright is brilliant with meat! The Graveyard is open only to those with reservations during the dinner; email philip@graveyardtavern.com to reserve your seats.
February 27, 10:00 a.m.
Chinese Southern Belle Asian Market TOUR & TASTING
Curious, overwhelmed or intimidated by Asian markets? Want to learn about popular Asian produce, products and shortcut tips for making classic or creative Asian dishes at home? Enjoy new food, cultural, travel and shopping? Join us for this fun, unique, interactive culinary and cultural experience! Tour location will be at a new Asian supermarket near I-85/I-285 (specified at registration). $40/person. Discounts for Students w/valid ID and Children (w/paid adult). Visit CSB website http://www.chinesesouthernbelle.com/2010/01/asian-market-tour-saturday-feb-27/ or 800-838-3006. Tour highlights include: Fresh Asian Fruits & Vegetables, Oodles of Noodles, Mad About Rice, Some Like It Hot – Spices!, Kitchen Tools & Pantry Essentials, Hot Pot Party, Asian Snack Attack!, Food Court tasting
February 27th
ACityDiscount Opens Restaurant Equipment Showroom For Foodservice Industry & Public Access Monday To Saturday
ACityDiscount is located downtown at 1254 Murphy Ave SW, Atlanta, 30310. To launch Saturday trading, the ACityDiscount Showroom will be open on February 27 and March 6 from 9am to 4pm. From Feb 27 to March 6, mention your saw the ad on Atlanta Cuisine to receive 30% off all used restaurant equipment. Plus, gifts sets (valued up to $90) will be given to the first 5 customers making a purchase over $500 (sale amount after 30% discount) on Feb 27.


