National Sangria Day was December 20th, but every day is a good one to sip on red or white sangria at Bulla Gastrobar in Midtown. Red sangria isn’t my favorite and finding white at any restaurant is next to impossible, so ‘thank you’ Bulla Gastrobar for serving Sangria Blanca ($8 glass/$29 pitcher).
Chuy’s Alpharetta general manager Joel Docking with Alpharetta dignitaries during ribbon cutting. From left to right, mayor pro team, Chris Owns, general manager, Joel Docking, city council members, Donald Mitchell and Dan Merkel.
Chuys’ in Alpharetta opened its doors on Tuesday. This is the fourth metro-Atlanta location for the chain serving up Tex-Mex cuisine. Chuy’s has quite the reputation for being a fun spot to enjoy affordable and real Mexican food and unique drinks made with love and layered with flavor. Gluten-free options are limited in number, but bold in flavor. Gluten-free chips can be prepared separately to order and half of their 10 housemade sauces are safe. The un-marinated beef and chicken can be prepared to order and served alongside the vegan refried beans (you would never know it) and rice. Seriously, I will go just to eat the rice and beans and enjoy the music and atmosphere. Throw in a drink or two and I am down for the evening.
Stop by Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse for the Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. The Feast of the Seven Fishes, known as La Festa dei Sette Pesci, is a deeply rooted Italian Christmas Eve tradition, originating in Southern Italy and honoring the vigil prior to a 
religious holiday when no meat was served. And the entire menu is gluten free, minus the bruschetta, which can be substituted with their housemade Parmesan rosemary rolls. Check out the menu:
Primo
- Smoked Salmon Carpaccio, Capers, Arugula, Lemon, Olive Oil
Secondo
- Nantucket Bay Scallop Risotto, Lemon, Basil
Piatto Della Vigilia
- Seafood Cioppino, Lobster, Shrimp, Hake, Clams, Mussels, Spicy San Marzano Tomatoes, Grilled gluten-free bread for dipping!
My daughter and I attended Holiday Afternoon Tea at the The Café & Bar in the Mandarin Oriental, which is served daily from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. until December 31st, and had a marvelous experience. I sipped on seasonal tea, while my daughter enjoyed a strawberry and banana smoothie. The selection of scones, finger sandwiches, and sweets didn’t disappoint. They made all of my sandwiches on Udi’s Gluten Free bread and the scones were homemade. My desserts consisted of housemade chocolate chip cookies, vanilla pana cotta and berries and cream. The whole spread includes:
- English Scones with Strawberry Preserves, Marmalade and Clotted Cream
- Traditional Fresh Cucumber Dill Sandwiches on Rye
- Smoked Salmon and American Hackleback Caviar on Sourdough
- Ham with Grain Mustard Mayonnaise on Brioche
- Turkey and Cranberry Chutney on Wheat
- Waldorf Chicken Salad on a Filo Tart (corn chip for gluten free)
- Chocolate Éclair Tart
- Vanilla Pana cotta with Berry Coulis
- Pear Almond Tart
- Berry Macaron
- Pecan Tart
Tea service is priced at $38 per adult or $58 including a glass of Champagne. A children’s menu will also be available and is priced at $22 per child.
