Happy November and finally the beginning of cooler temperatures and crisp breezes. Here is this week’s gluten-free news:

2B Whole European Gluten-Free Bakery will be at Atlanta Veg Fest on Saturday November 12th from 10-6 at the Cobb Civic Center with gluten-free/vegan treats. Stop by and see all that Atlanta has to offer the vegan community.

Dantanna’s is showing its commitment to the military by offering a free meal to active and retired veterans on Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11th. Stop by any three of Dantanna’s locations, Buckhead, Downtown, and Sandy Springs, and receive a complimentary entree up to a $25 value. This discount is only available for food and exclusively on Friday, November 11th with military ID or additional proof of service.

Want to enjoy free King of Pops? Stop by their Field Day event November 6th from noon – 7 p.m. at Dad’s Garage and indulge. The day will be filled with live music, games, food trucks and free pops.

Lottafrutta closed its Avalon location October 28th after just over a year in business. Lottafrutta’s original location in Old 4th Ward and satellite location at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport remain open serving fresh fruit, juice, and smoothies.

Starting Friday, November 4th, Noble Fin is offering a three-course fall dinner menu for $35 per person in addition to its regular menu offerings. 1st course: Hearts of Romaine Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing, 2nd course, choose from Roasted Springer Mountain Farms Chicken with Rainbow Chard, Potatoes Macaire, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce or Carolina Speckled Sea Trout with Chili Roasted Fall Squash, Black Beans and Lime Crema with an ice cream samples for dessert.

Stop by Smoke + Duck Sauce in Cobb Country on Powers Ferry Road and taste what happens when Southern-style barbeque ‘meats’ traditional Asian flavors. Duck sauce, which is a tamarind-based sauce that is sweet and sour, is gluten free and the menu features gluten-free bread for its sandwiches and meat platters. This restaurant is a new concept from Gary Lin of Buckhead’s Chow Bing.

Starting Monday, November 7th, Table & Main will open its doors for dinner service from 5:00-9:30 p.m. If you haven’t been to Table & Main before, the restaurant is a converted cottage with patio and indoor seating. Executive chef Woody Back’s seasonal southern dishes are anything but ordinary and feature many gluten-free options.

Venkman’s is now offering an exclusive Chef’s Table Tasting Menu from Tuesday – Saturday for guests who want an elevated and personalized dining experience. Dine at one of the communal tables and enjoy a four-course tasting menu, for $60 per person, crafted just for you by Chef Nick Melvin.  The tasting menu is limited to only one reservation per night between 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. and can accommodate parties as small as two and as large as twelve. For more information and to make reservations, call Venkman’s at (470) 225-6162.

Looks like a Walnut Bakery and Cafe, which offers gluten-free pancakes, is in the works for the new development on Peachtree Parkway across from The Forum.

Have a safe and tasty weekend!

Before we get into this weeks gluten-free news, I want to remind you about the two, count ’em two, parties at gluten-free bakeries tomorrow:

• 2B Whole European Gluten-Free Bakery is celebrating its two-year anniversary with a spooky-themed party from 8-5 p.m. with cookie-decorating, a costume contest, and a special Fright Fest Carnival Menu: Pumpkin Pie by the slice, Pumpkin Spice Bars, Pumpkin Waffles, Almond Butter Cups (with pumpkin), Popcorn, Cupcakes and Mini Cheese Pizzas.

• Gluten Free Cutie is having its grand re-opening party at its new location from 2 to 4 p.m. with free samples, giveaways and prizes! Pumpkin hand pies, cookies, cupcakes and more await party goers. The bakery also sells a nice selection of dye-free, nut-free candies from Candy Tree, Surf Sweets, Torie & Howard, etc. perfect for trick-o-treaters.

Stop by Whole Foods or order a set of spooky Halloween pops from Pop Stars before it is too late. Candy corn, pumpkin and chocolate gourmet pops are the perfect addition to this festive time of year and they bring with them no gluten or dairy. Made with coconut milk and all natural ingredients, these pops are also available ‘spiked’ for catering and private events. Get yo’ pop on! 

Seven Sisters Scones in Johns Creek is accepting Thanksgiving orders and offers a nice selection of sweet and savory gluten-free items for this festive occasion. Choose from: quiche (hashbrown crust), roasted tomato and goat cheese dip, chicken blue cheese dip, salads, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, and save room for brownies, scones, macaroons, chocolate mousse and apple, pumpkin or pecan pie. This is not a dedicated gluten-free environment, but they take all necessary steps to avoid cross contact.

Shake Shack recently opened at 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road in front of Perimeter Mall in the former location of Soma. While the restaurant has signs asking customers to inform them of food allergies, they clearly aren’t set up to accommodate requests with actual food. The restaurant doesn’t offer gluten-free buns, the fries are prepared in a shared fryer and the chicken is breaded. Gluten-free diners can order a hot dog or burger sans bun, which really isn’t much of a meal considering Farm Burger is just down the road and they offer gluten-free vegan buns, snacks, salads, and appetizers.

Have a tasty and safe weekend.

Lets just dive right in and talk about this week’s gluten-free shopping and dining news for Atlanta:

2B Whole European Gluten Free Bakery turns 2 years old on Saturday October 29th and they are celebrating with a spooky party! Stop by the bakery from 8-5 p.m. and enjoy cookie-decorating, a costume contest, and a special Fright Fest Carnival Menu: Pumpkin Pie by the slice, Pumpkin Spice Bars, Pumpkin Waffles, Almond Butter Cups! (with Pumpkin), Popcorn, Cupcakes and Mini Cheese Pizzas. 

While the new Egg White Grill on Chick-fil-A’s menu isn’t gluten free, those following a gluten-free diet can now order the breakfast-sized portion of grilled chicken and the grilled egg whites (without the bread) for breakfast. A grilled chicken breast has always been available during breakfast service with a 15 minute wait. Now, you can get one in just minutes – add in an order of  hash browns and breakfast is served.

Jonnetta Patton will open J’s Kitchen Culinary Incubator on October 27 in Doraville. This shared commercial kitchen facility was created to provide business support to aspiring culinary entrepreneurs. J’s Kitchen is 3,100 square feet of shared commercial kitchen space ( xx separate kitchens) and business development services to certified chefs, bakers, caterers and specialty food producers who are passionate about cultivating their talents into a successful small business. 3996 Pleasantdale Road, Doraville, GA 30340, 844-609-4678.

Thanks to Gluten Free Jewish Momma, we have learned that the new sweet and sour chipotle rotisserie chicken with toasted sesame-chipotle soy sauce contains wheat. This is a seasonal flavor, but it is important to know that all of the rotisserie chickens are cooked together making cross contact a real possibility.

Pure Genius’ products are finally available in Atlanta at select Whole Foods stores (Ponce de Leon, West Pace Ferry/Buckhead, and Sandy Springs. These decadent brownies and blondies are gluten, dairy, soy, and nut free and vegan – but they taste absolutely sinful.

Paleo Wednesdays are in full force at Table & Main, so mark your calendars and head over for a spectacular meal prepared without gluten or dairy. Trust me, you won’t miss them!

Get outside and enjoy the weather and have a safe and tasty weekend.

October is in full swing with lower temperatures and a crispness in the air signaling it is time for everything pumpkin, pumpkin spice, apple spice, and cinnamon to line store shelves and bakery cases. It is also the perfect time to get out and enjoy this glorious weather before it gets too cold. Here are some great places to enjoy a gluten-free meal, a sweet treat and more during Fall in Atlanta.

2B Whole European Gluten-Free Bakery is putting the theme ‘pumpkin everything’ to the test with pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin waffles, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars, and now pumpkin butter cups (almond butter cups filled with pumpkin). Stop by to get your pumpkin fix. And speaking of pie, they are now selling pre-made pie crusts in the grab-n-go freezer. Stock up and make a practice pie or two because Thanksgiving will be here before you know it. 

American Gra-Frutti’s cakes are now being sold at G-Free NYC, a store selling only gluten-free products, in New York. Congrats Marilyn!

Bon Glaze is rotating its gluten-free flavor options, so now there is a new flavor – Chocolate Chip. This is a true cake doughnut filled with large chocolate chips and topped with chocolate drizzle. It is truly the best gluten-free doughnut I have ever had and took me back to when I could eat wheat doughnuts.

Caja Popcorn’s seasonal flavor is chai pumpkin and I can’t wait to try it out. All of their popcorn is made with gluten-free all natural ingredients and is made fresh and in some cases served warm. Stop by and try it out. They have beautiful tins making Caja Popcorn a great gift for clients, etc.

Double Eagle recently opened in the space formerly occupied by Johnny’s NY Style Pizza in Norcross/Peachtree Corners. Their simple menu of sandwiches, burgers and salads  includes gluten-free hamburger buns from local allergen-friendly bakery Pure Knead. The sandwiches and burgers can be served on a heated gluten-free bun and the salads don’t contain any croutons. They have four televisions and a full bar with limited seating.

FIGO Pasta closed it Sandy Springs location on September 30th leaving just five remaining locations still open for business and serving gluten-free pasta in: West Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Edgewood and Vinings.

Restaurants with 100% gluten-free options are about as rare as a pink unicorn, so their mere existence is miraculous. Learning that Grabbagreen, a fast-casual restaurant selling healthy fast food, is coming to Atlanta is beyond exciting. They will open three Grabbagreen locations in the Atlanta area over the next two years with the first store planning to open in the first quarter of 2017. Grabbagreen’s preservative-free, naturally gluten-free, non-GMO, whole food menu offers a selection of fresh juice, smoothies, hot grains, and cold greens made with proteins from local farms. All signature menu items are prepared fresh, made-to-order and provide a protein-fueled experience for customers.

Costco has added Pamela’s Products Baking & Pancake Mix in five pound boxes to 50 select Costco warehouses in the Northwest. For a full list of these stores, go to their WEBSITE.

Sprouts Farmers Market continues to add to its list of stores in Georgia with a new location on Towne Lake Parkway in the Shops at Buckhead Crossing shopping center. It is replacing what was built as a Publix, and later became a Tuesday Morning.  Sprouts, which entered the Atlanta market in 2014 with a location in Snellville, today operates a dozen locations in the greater metro area. In addition to the Woodstock store, new Sprouts locations are under construction in Decatur, Tucker and West Cobb. Thanks for the information ToneToATL!

According to Atlanta Magazine, The Dessert Place is once again making its beloved cream cheese brownies with gluten-free ingredients. They are available for purchase in limited quantities at: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and at Michael Burton Colors salon in Buckhead. Orders can also be placed on their website for pick up. These cream cheese brownies have established a place in Atlanta’s dessert history and now they can be enjoyed by those following a gluten-free diet.

True Food Kitchen’s fall menu includes some tantalizing gluten-free options, like: Charred Cauliflower with harissa tahini, medjool date, dill, mint, pistachio, Butternut Squash pizza with smoked onion, organic kale, vegan almond ricotta, dried cranberry, Squash Pie on a graham crust topped with coconut whipped cream, and Apple Goji Crisp almond crumble with vanilla ice cream.

Have a safe and tasty weekend.

I am back. Almost completely recovered from a wicked sinus infection and bronchitis and ready to get back to covering Atlanta’s gluten-free shopping and dining scene. Lots to cover, so lets just jump right in!

Stop by 2B Whole European Gluten Free Bakery from 4-5 p.m. every day for  Happy Hour when all items are 15%. What a great end to the work day – gluten-free sweet and savory treats made in a dedicated environment!

ToneToATL reports that Bantam & Biddy at 1010 Midtown on Crescent Avenue in midtown has closed.  Chef Shaun Doty, the restaurant’s co-founder and owner, plans to open a new restaurant, “The Federal,” in place of the shuttered eatery. Other Bantam & Biddy locations in Ansley Mall, Lenox Square and Avalon will remain open as will Chick-A-Biddy at Atlantic Station.

Black Walnut Cafe in Alpharetta has a separate gluten-free menu that includes Udi’s Gluten Free bread and buns for sandwiches and burgers, corn tortillas for quesadillas, appetizers, salads, entrees, and pancakes. Safe handling procedures are followed for order preparation, but it is important to know that the pancakes are cooked on the same grill (opposite side) as gluten ones. Breads are run through the belt oven on a clean sheet pan to heat.

Create Your Own Cupcake now offers a portable cupcake station for parties. Their hollow cupcakes, toppings, fillings and frostings are sold either individually or by the pound. Choose from five gluten-free flavors of cupcakes and pair them with a selection of toppings, fillings and frostings and let guests create their own edible masterpiece!

Gluten Free Cutie will reopen for business on October 8th at their new location: 1066 Alpharetta St, Roswell, GA 30075. Stop by to stock up on your favorite flavors of cupcakes, cookies, whoopie pies and more all made in a dedicated bakery with no artificial dyes, eggs, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. Dairy-free options are available too. The grand reopening celebration is scheduled for October from 2-4 p.m.

Harvest Soul Organic Juices can now be found in select Sprouts Farmers Markets and other natural/organic retailers in Georgia. Recently signed distribution agreements with KeHE and UNFI enabled Atlanta-based, family owned and operated Harvest Soul to achieve its largest distribution gains to date. Harvest Soul’s Blended, Probiotic and Chewable juices are organic, high fiber, non-GMO and made from whole fruits and vegetables.

Maggiano’s Little Italy has been spending time in their test kitchen formulating new gluten-free menu items. I attended a luncheon where a few of these new items were debuted and I am truly hopeful they will become permanent menu additions. They are serving xx gluten-free bread as table bread and it can be served as bruschetta with advance notice. The really cool news is the new dessert option of cheesecake made with American Gra-Frutti’s graham cracker crumbs. They make the creamiest cheesecake I have ever had with just a touch of tartness from the lemon juice and a lovely graham cracker crust that is undetectable as gluten free.

Nicobella Organics just started selling Chocolate Chip Energy Bites at the Piedmont Farmers Market. They are made with: almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut, maple, 70% dark chocolate (cacao, organic cane sugar). They are working on a pumpkin pecan flavor that will be for sale at the Urban Air Market Saturday in East Atlanta.

Noble Fin in Peachtree Corners Oyster Happy Hour in now every Monday and Friday from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the bar area only. Oysters are a ‘buck a shuck’ and pair nicely with a cocktail from their full bar. As of 9/29, they have added Peel & Eat Shrimp Happy hour every Thursday and Saturday from 5-7 p.m. in the bar area only. Shrimp are ‘a buck a peel’. Get there early because the bar fills up quickly.

Peachtree Corners Marketplace, the large center that sits near the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Road and Peachtree Parkway, will soon welcome a host of new tenants.  In addition to the previously announced Aldi, Buffalo Wild Wings will also take up residence this year. There is a lot of ongoing construction mainly for the build-out of Aldi and I am left wondering if the parking lot can handle all of this new business. It is pretty full most days with the Chick-fil-A and IHop crowds. Aldi is expected to open in November and offers its own liveGfree line of products in addition to a number of Aldi brand gluten-free products.

According to ToneToATL, Ruby Tuesday has closed its Duluth location at 3580 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.  The restaurant was one of about 95 units the Maryville, Tennessee-based chain planned to close for “underperformance.” The restaurant is located near the intersection of Pleasant Hill Road and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.

Simple Mills reformulated their Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix to include tapioca and created a vegan mix that can be prepared without an egg. Now the instructions call for milk; however, you can still use an egg in place of milk. Their mixes are made with simple , clean ingredients and contain less than half the sugar and carbohydrates of leading baking mix brands. You won’t find gluten, grains, soy, corn, dairy, or gums/emulsifiers in their line of mixes. Whole Foods carry their mixes, which can also be purchased on Amazon.com.

The Souper Jenny at The Atlanta History Center will begin serving (beer not gluten free and) wine on 10/10. The addition of alcohol is a first for this local company and one that I am sure will be welcomed with open arms by the community. Many of the soups and salads are gluten free and they are all homemade.

Treehorn Cider is popping up at many restaurants in and around Atlanta. Here is a list of the locations that have added their cider to their offerings in the last two weeks. Check out the website for a full listing of where to buy and drink their locally made and refreshing cider:
Midtown/West Midtown Miller Union, The Vortex
Decatur Makan Restaurant & Bar, Farm Burger Decatur
Buckhead Farm Burger Buckhead
Edgewood/L5P/OFW Ammazza Edgewood, Torched Hop
Brookhaven Copper Coin Coffeeshop
Savannah Soho South Cafe, World of Beer Savannah
Rome River Dog Outpost

Venkman’s turns one on October 8th and is celebrating with a full day of Yacht Rock with two live shows from Yacht Rock Revue. Frontmen Nick Niespodziani and Pete Olson, partners at Venkman’s, will take the stage with Yacht Rock Revue at 7:00 p.m. for an intimate unplugged show, then they’ll turn up the volume at 9:30 p.m. and pack a full year’s worth of rocking into one unforgettable night. Classic Yacht Rock tunes will play all day, and food and drink specials are plentiful.

Stay safe and dry this weekend!

It’s time to say goodbye to Summer and hello Fall. Temperatures are dropping and a cool breeze is hitting the air bringing with it college football, pumpkin spice everything, and new restaurant menu roll outs.

Here is this week’s update on gluten-free dining and shopping in Atlanta:

2B Whole Gluten Free Bakery will be selling paleo and gluten-free treats at the Shop, Drop & Roll benefit for The Drake House at Matilda’s in Alpharetta on September 17th. Shops are open from 10-4; Drop off gently used women’s Fall clothing at The Drake Closet store; Roll with live music starting at 8:30 p.m. A percentage of all sales from the stores and the concert will be donated to The Drake House.

Double Zero is reopening at its new Emory Village location on 9/6. Along with a new name, no more Napoletana, the restaurant will have a brand new menu with only the shaved brussels sprouts dish remaining from the original one. The menu focuses on small plates and large shareable entrees. They do not offer gluten-free pizza or pasta, but many of the small plates either are or can be modified to be gluten free.

Gluten Free Cutie bakery is moving and expects to be open at its new location by mid to late September. Construction has begun at their new location of 1066 Alpharetta St. Roswell Ga 30075.

Instead of Flowers offers standard and gourmet pre-cooked gluten-free meals delivered to your door or that of a friend, family member, or new parents. This is a meal service, not just an entree, which mean you get a salad, entree with vegetables, bread and dessert. Choose from standard or deluxe meals, or order a la carte. The menu includes baked goods too, such as biscuits, brownies, and pound cake. All homemade, never frozen, cooked fresh to order. Sounds like heaven for busy weeknights.

Noble Fin in Peachtree Corners launched its lunch service 9/1 and here is their NobleFinLunch82716. Doesn’t the lobster wedge with red onions and creamy avocado dressing sounds fabulous? They don’t have a dedicated gluten-free menu, but many of their salads and small plates can be modified.

True Food Kitchen is working with No Kid Hungry to raise awareness and funds for National Children’s Hunger Awareness Month in September. True Food Kitchen will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry for every online reservation made during the month of September. $1 is equal to 10 meals for a hungry child, so make your reservation today! Their goal is $10,000, which equals 100,000 meals for hungry children nationwide. They have a robust selection of gluten-free options in every section of the menu. The flourless chocolate cake (real cake) with caramel sauce, ice cream and cacao chips make the perfect dessert to enjoy over drinks or coffee.

Venkman’s has added new gluten-free items to its dinner menu like the Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Beets, Smashed Olives, Citrus, Cherry Tomatoes, and Radish. Their September schedule feature the return of Thursday movie nights, kids’ programming every Saturday morning and nostalgic shows featuring the music of REM, Prince, the Beastie Boys and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Make a reservation and head over to enjoy the vittles, vibes, and live music.

Have a lovely Labor Day Weekend!

Summer is rapidly coming to a close, but that hasn’t stopped Atlanta’s thriving gluten-free dining scene from producing tantalizing options for its gluten-free community. Some of the most notable items this week are:

1KEPT has a soft spot for those following a gluten-free diet because the wife’s owner is a celiac. Gluten-free diners can find options in every section of the menu including, but not limited to: black truffle popcorn, succotash and bone marrow, duck confit, and warm kale salad. Here is a sampling of their most popular gluten-free dishes:

• Black Truffle Popcorn w/ Parmesan $6
• Beets & Strawberry Salad, arugula, rhubarb, candied pecans, Point Reyes bleu cheese, burnt honey, lemon $12
• Warm Kale Salad, chorizo, quinoa, carrots, chili oil vinaigrette, mission figs $12
• “Succotash” & Bone Marrow, Vaquero beans, sunchoke, corn, charred savoy cabbage, red pepper $12

Table & Main’s Paleo Wednesdays are in full force offering a paleo special of the night. Trust me, no one will notice their full-flavored entrees are sans grains, gluten and dairy. Here is the run down for the next two Wednesdays:

Aug-31 | Salmon cakes, squash & cauliflower risotto, peach & poblano pico de gallo and Sep-7 | Grilled chicken, peach & sweet potato hash, chard, plantain & bacon sauce

Treehorn Cider is now available in cans and they are selling like hot cakes, so get them while you can! Supply is limited for now, but they’re ramping up production. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for the latest retail, bar and restaurant locations carrying Treehorn Cider in a can. Treehorn Ginger Reserve will be available in cans soon too! Here’s a list of locations that are carrying the cans: 

Sprayberry Bottle Shop
Toco Giant Package Store
Beverage World
Whole Foods Market Avalon
Citi Wine + Spirits
The Vortex L5P
Tower Beer, Wine, Spirits
Green’s Beverage Stores
Hop City KSM
Hop City Craft Beer and Wine
Blue Eyed Daisy @ Serenbe
Partymasters @ Parkaire
Northeast Liquor Store (Buford Hwy)
Red’s Package Store (Alpharetta)

Have a lovely weekend!

Do you have information to share? Please send me an email at: jennifer@gfgotoguide.com.

Atlanta continues to impress with its growing selection of gluten-free shopping and dining destinations. Here is this week’s report:

5Church Atlanta is serving up brunch from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Choose from morning-ish fare or lunch menu favorites and be sure to ask your server about the gluten-free options. Enjoy mimosas and sangria by the glass or carafe. 5Church validates parking in the Colony Square deck.

Cypress Street Pint and Plate is hosting its ninth annual end-of-summer Pig Roast on Saturday, August 27th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event and the pig is free with guests having the option to purchase plates of pork with sides off the menu. While the main attraction is the whole hog that the Cypress team smokes overnight, partygoers will be treated to live music and giveaways including a SweetWater corn hole set and much more. Show up hungry and leave happy!

Stop by Fogo de Chao for Happy Hour (Monday – Friday from 4:30pm – 6:30pm) and enjoy a special menu of some of their most popular items in Bar Fogo. Brazilian-inspired small plates, cocktails, wines, and beers are available at a special price. They also serve brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There is very little on the menu that isn’t gluten free, so be sure to ask your server what foods to avoid.

According to TonetoATL, Mellow Mushroom is returning to downtown Decatur by the “end of Fall 2016.”  The new Mellow Mushroom will open at 340 East Ponce de Leon Avenue in a roughly 3,000 square foot space. The popular Atlanta-based pizza chain abruptly left Decatur in early 2014 when its location in the nearby Commerce Square shopping center closed after 15 years in business.  The new location opens in place of Dos Madres Cantina, which closed this past January. Vegan/gluten-free pizza from Mellow Mushroom will be a welcome addition to the Decatur dining scene.

Party in the Kitchen, the 13th annual fundraising event for Open Hand Atlanta, takes place September 29th at American Spirit Works. Open Hand Atlanta’s mission is to provide Atlanta’s citizens in need with packaged meals, nutritional education, and food service technical skills. Last year, the event raised $494,000, creating more than 250,000 meals for the community. Tickets are $250 each and provide guests with an evening of tastes from the city’s most talented chefs and bartenders, as well as access to the silent and live auctions, and of course live entertainment.

Souper Jenny, known for its soups made with farm fresh ingredients, has signed on with M-Squared PR. Souper Jenny has expanded with locations in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Westside and Decatur. Serving up a large selection of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, the menu changes daily, so check the website to see what’s available.

Ever wonder what your favorite Atlanta chef looks like in the buff? Mark your calendar for August 22nd to attend the launch party of The Farmer Fund 2017 Calendar at The Cathedral of St. Philip. The calendar features local chefs and farmers in intriguing poses with sales supporting the farming community to keep them farming in the face of natural disaster. Guests at the 5:30-10 p.m. launch will chow down on food from local restaurants while flipping through their own copies of the 2017 calendar. Plus, they’ll be the first in town to have a chance to buy more calendars for $20 each, and they’ll be privy to the outtakes and fundraising auction. Buy tickets at brownpapertickets.com, $65 per person ($68.27 with service fee).

Have a great week!

STK Atlanta is one Midtown restaurant this chick from the burbs had not been to until a lovely invite was extended by Caren West PR. This NY-based steakhouse chain is known for its cocktails and steaks, served in an elevated dining room where the dark wood adorning the walls is in direct contrast with the sexy white leather booths. The bar area seems like a separate experience from the dining room sporting a DJ booth, plenty of seating, and a wall decorated with white steer horns.

I have to admit that walking into this restaurant was a tad bit intimidating, but once we were escorted to our seats, the sexy vibe and attentive wait staff put me right at ease. There were many inventive cocktails, but it was the appetizers and steak that we were there to experience.

Being a celiac and following a gluten-free diet means I couldn’t indulge on the pull-apart bread served warm with chive oil dipping sauce. If you can eat gluten, indulge. We were served the Tuna Tartare with Avocado and Taro Chips and the Seared Sea Scallop “BLT” with Candied Bacon, Charred Romaine and Fried Green Tomatoes as appetizers.

I had never tried tuna tartare before and had to question the dish when it arrived with a suspicious brown sauce. It is normally served with a soy honey emulsion, so a new plate was procured. The creamy avocado complimented the velvety pieces of tuna and kept me coming back for more. I loved dipping the taro chips in the avocado and devoured this whole plate. For never having tasted tuna tartare, color me a fan.

The seared scallop “blt” features fried green tomatoes battered in corn meal and fried until golden brown. The peppery coating stayed attached to the tomatoes; crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. The sear on the scallops was perfect and really locked in the flavor. The candied bacon was tasty, but its stiff texture made it difficult to cut and eat with the other ingredients, so we took it off and ate it by itself.

One of our entrees was the Cobia (white fish with the texture of salmon) served with olive oil smashed potatoes, spicy lobster bisque and an herb salad. The herb salad seemed like overkill and was too busy paired with the simply yet hearty mild fish and potatoes. Using lobster bisque as a sauce is brilliant and brought cohesion and brightness to the dish.

The star of the evening was the steak. We dined there during June and got to try the eight ounce prime rib eye cap, considered one of the richest cuts of steak available, paired with savory green garlic butter and pickled mushrooms. The buttery steak was cooked to perfection, but the green garlic butter was overly salty. Once removed, we enjoyed the juicy steak that was so tender you could almost cut it with a fork. I highly recommend trying out one of the eight sauces and seven topping options for the various cuts of steak.

All of these items can be found on the new Spring menu, which can be ordered either in the bar area or the dining room. They do not have a gluten-free menu, but there are many options that can be modified to create a gluten-free dish, so just ask the server. Reservations are highly recommended for the dining room.

Be sure to stop by during happy hour and enjoy cocktails and appetizers for a fraction of the normal cost. Also, check out their Happenings list of events to see what exciting events are planned for SKT Atlanta.

Thank you Caren West PR for the memorable experience.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review. In no way did this influence my opinions and views, which are derived from my personal experience at the restaurant.