Doughnut Dollies in Marietta makes doughnuts with gluten-free ingredients. The doughnuts are fried in the same oil (soybean) as the gluten-filled ones. They contain milk, butter, and eggs and have to be pre-ordered by the dozen ($3 each). Choose from vanilla doughnuts topped with vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate frosting.

Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, East Cobb’s chef-driven seafood restaurant, is Georgia’s first official Seafood Watch Restaurant Partner with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. Although Drift owner Doug Turbush and executive chef Tom Hill already strive to source from high-quality purveyors and avoid serving overfished species, this pledge formalizes a commitment to serving only seafood rated a “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative” and to educating customers, suppliers and employees about sustainability issues. Turbush and Hill have undergone a thorough vetting of seafood species and sources through a globally respected organization and reworked menu items so guests can be confident that any choice they make on the menu supports the health of our oceans now and for future generations. The Drift crew encourages guests to use the Seafood Watch app to help them make better decisions when purchasing or ordering seafood. Currently, more than 1,000 businesses at 150,000 locations worldwide count on Seafood Watch science when making informed purchasing decisions. Read more about Drift’s sustainable efforts in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to Atlanta Magazine, Flower Child plans to open in the Shops Around Lenox on May 13. The counter-service restaurant is owned by Fox Restaurant Concepts and fills its menu with local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. Choose from grain bowls, salads, wraps on gluten-free pita, and vegetable-forward plates for lunch and dinner. Wash it all down with wine, kombucha, three juices that change daily, and six seasonal lemonades and teas. Gluten-free desserts such as lemon loaf and vegan pudding will be made in-house. All of the gluten-free options, and there are many, are noted with a GF on the menu with many vegan and vegetarian choices. Another location is planned for Sandy Springs.

According to What Now Atlanta, Two popular Buckhead concepts—Sophie’s Uptown and The Cookie Studio—will reopen as KarmaFarm and KarmaDaisy. Both will have a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free baked goods and healthful cuisine made with organic ingredients. KarmaDaisy will replace The Cookie Studio, at 30 Pharr Road, starting Wednesday, February 7. In late March or early April, Sophie’s Uptown next door, at 54 Pharr Road, will become KarmaFarm.

Enjoy wine, so others can dine, by ordering wine by the glass or bottle at Marlow’s Tavern locations through Sunday, February 25. Marlow’s Tavern is always on the lookout for ways to help out and make a difference in the community. This month, corks are popping to benefit the February 18 Atlanta Community Food Bank  Hunger Walk Run at Georgia State Stadium. They are partnering with Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Food Bank, donating $1 to the organization for each bottle of wine Marlow’s sells through February 25. Michelle Brut, Columbia Valley, NV; Chateau Ste. Michelle sauvignon blanc, Columbia Valley, 2014; 14 Hands merlot, Washington State, 2013; and Intrinsic cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley, 2014 are the four spectacular wines driving donations. Marlow’s Tavern staffers are tying on sneakers to walk and run in this year’s event. Join them in the walk or donate to the cause here.

Mediterranea is now carrying Treehouse Milk’s cacao almond and matcha almond milks. Order them with a meal or grab one to go in their gorgeous single-serve packaging. Their locally made nut-milks are just incredible.

Three varieties of Veggies Fries are now available in 500+ Walmarts across the East Coast! Find their Broccoli Veggie Fries®, Broccoli Veggie Tots®, and Veggie Rings™ in the frozen potato section. Find out if they are sold in a Walmart near you by visiting our store locator! All of their products are also vegan, Non-GMO certified and free of the top 8 allergens including gluten, soy, dairy, and wheat.

Family-friendly Wild Slice is open in Roswell at 580 E. Crossville Road, ScoopOTP first reported. The restaurant’s menu offers a variety of made-to-order pizzas on gluten-free crust and salads. Ask about safe handling procedures and the gluten-free status of ingredients before ordering.

There’s a new vegan nut-based milk in town and it’s putting protein, nutrition and taste first. Made with pea protein (10 grams per serving), it has a creamy consistency and clean flavor that I can get behind. Bolthouse^Ⓡ Farms Plant Protein Milk is free of GMOs, dairy, nuts, and soy and it has 50 percent more calcium than dairy milk!!!

It’s perfect to have on hand for morning cereal or tea and it works great in recipes too. The chocolate is my hands-down favorite with just enough sweetness to satisfy without being overly sweet.

This double chocolate cookie recipe uses Bolthouse^Ⓡ Chocolate Milk and is super easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

¾ cup diced avocado

1 ripe banana (about ¾ cup sliced)

¼ cup coconut or date sugar

¼ cup Bolthouse^Ⓡ Chocolate Milk

½ cup oat flour

½ cup almond meal

⅓ cup Dutch process or dark cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

½ cup dark chocolate chunks

Directions:

1. In a food processor combine avocado, banana, and sugar and pulse until smooth. Add milk and pulse until combined.
2. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to food processor and pulse until just combined. Transfer batter to a bowl and stir in chocolate chunks. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 375℉. Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment.
4. Using a tablespoon, drop dough onto cookie sheet 2” apart. Bake 12-15 minutes or until dry to the touch and set. Let cool completely.

This recipe makes 20 cookies – just enough to share or not – you decide!

 Disclosure: I received no compensation for this review, but the products were provided at no cost. In no way did this influence my opinions and views, which are derived from my personal experience with the products.

Bar Margot’s Valentine’s Day cocktail special, as part of The Missing Digit speakeasy-style cocktail series, is the Love Charade. Made with whiskey, espresso, chocolate liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup and topped with strawberry foam it is perfectly festive.

 

Bulla Gastrobar gives lip service to Valentine’s week through its better-than-a-box-of-chocolates Chocolate-Covered Cherry martini. Bulla’s chocolate sauce is paired with cherry bitters, triple sec, Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio sherry and Russian Standard vodka. Embrace this sweetie February 12-18.

 

Gluten Free Cutie’s Valentine’s Day sweet treats hit the bakery on the 10th. Choose from: Vanilla Shimmer, Cherry Cordial and Chocolate Covered Strawberry cupcakes; Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies; Heart Shaped Cake Pops; Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mini Cakes, and Raspberry Vanilla Mini Cakes.

 

Looking for cocktail inspiration for Valentine’s Day? Look no further than this Cupid’s Cranberry Fizz recipe courtesy of Southern Kitchen. This easy-to-make and oh-so-tasty libation is sure to add a little bubbly fun to any celebration.

Ingredients 
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 pods star anise
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup cranberries
Angostura bitters
1 bottle chilled sparkling wine, such as prosecco, cava or Champagne

Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, star anise and salt, and bring to a simmer over medium heat.While the syrup is heating, use the tip of a paring knife to pierce the center of each cranberry. Add the cranberries to the syrup mixture, reduce the heat to low, and gently poach until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, transfer the syrup mixture to a medium bowl and refrigerate until cold.Place four cranberries in the bottom of each Champagne flute, along with a bar spoon of the syrup. Add three dashes of bitters to each flute, then top with sparkling wine.

 

True Food Kitchen’s Valentine-inspired cocktail menu is available from February 9 – February 18 and it has a little something for everyone.

HOT IN THE DARK pomegranate, jalapeño, ixá organic tequila, and lime 

WAR OF THE ROSES
prosecco, pomegranate infused vodka, lime, rose petal

MELTS MY HEART campari ice cubes, sweet vermouth, bourbon

MATCHA MADE IN HEAVEN
vodka, matcha, lemon

RED MOON
grapefruit, yuzu, honey

If you need me, I’ll be at Venkman’s for their very special evening of “Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown” with David Ellington and friends. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang will be on our big screen while David Ellington recreates the iconic soundtrack live on stage. Tickets are only $5. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show runs from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

To celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day on Wed., Jan. 31, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta’s executive pastry chef Lasheeda Perry is bringing back her popular Drunken Hot Chocolate. Made with a mix of chocolate, Buffalo Trace bourbon, house-made marshmallows and cinnamon, you will not be able to pass this one up! But hurry. This limited edition, off-menu drink will only be available at Bar Margot for $12 through February 2.

Congrats to Chuy’s Alpharetta for raising $3,850.68 for Camp Sunshine.
Camp Sunshine is a local non-profit that enriches the lives of Georgia’s

Chuy’s Alpharetta General Manager Joel Docking presents Camp Sunshine special events and communications manager Nancy Burrow with a check for the money raised during Chuy’s Alpharetta pre-opening events

children with cancer and their families through recreational, educational, and support programs.

Fifth Group Restaurants opened its fourth South City Kitchen 

Phoenix, Arizona based Sprouts Farmers Market plans to open its 17th Georgia store in Augusta later this spring. The store, which will anchor a new shopping center on Walton Way Extension, just off I-20, is expected to open May 2nd.

The Local Pizzaiolo opened Tuesday, January 23 in the former Bellwood’s Social House space next to 5 Seasons Brewing in Westside. The menu offers traditional Neapolitan pizzas with three gluten free options such as the Puttanesca with crushed tomatoes, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and capers.

Bugs have never been my friend. My whole childhood, they bit me and made my life miserable. But as an adult with celiac disease, bugs have taken on a whole new meaning. I have learned to love and feed the ‘good bugs’ in my digestive track to ensure my digestion stays on track, so my immune system can function at 100%.

Probiotics are live bacteria that can help establish a healthy balance of good bacteria in the gut. They are commonly taken as a supplement or consumed in cold beverages like kefir and yogurt to remain effective.

With the creation of a shelf stable probiotic strain that remains viable through manufacturing processes like baking, freezing, boiling, and squeezing, manufacturers are free to add them to products that previously couldn’t contain probiotics. Consumers can now eat or drink their daily probiotics from a growing variety of products instead of having to take them strictly as supplements.

Organic India uses a probiotic that remains viable through the brewing process in its Wellness Tea Immunity that is designed to support a healthy immune system.

Check out more facts about these bugs that promote good health in this infographic.

2B Whole Gluten-Free European Bakery is having a huge sale this weekend with 30% off everything starting Friday January 19th until Monday January 22nd at midnight. Shop online or stop by the dedicated gluten-free bakery in Alpharetta. Be sure to enter code [30winter] to save when shopping online.

The new cocktail in Bar Margot’s ‘Missing Digit’ series gives guests the chance to play bartender. Rum, Tequila, or gin can serve as the base of the Split Personality – one cocktail with multiple personalities. With Cocchi di Torino, Gran Classico and black tea orange bitters, this delectable cocktail can take on whatever flavor you want. Stop in and taste the Split Personality for $14 now through the end of January. 

According to Tone To ATL, Dantanna’s has closed its Sandy Springs location after less than four years in business. The restaurant, located in a 5,900 square foot out-parcel of Abernathy Square shopping center at the corner of Abernathy Road and Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, closed after the University of Georgia’s loss in the College Football National Championship game. It opened in April 2014, replacing what had for many years been an Applebee’s restaurant before it closed in late 2013.

Genuine Pizza is open inside Phipps Plaza with fresh, not frozen gluten-free pizzas made on Wildflour Gluten Free Baking Company’s crusts. The crusts are prepared in a dedicated gluten-free environment and sent to Genuine Pizza as dough that is then proofed and cooked to order. Genuine has a dedicated pizza cutter and the pizza is prepared and cooked on a special mat along with the wheat-based pies and  shared ingredients are used. Flour is used to roll out both the white and wheat dough before putting it in the oven. Because of this step, they advise against ordering the gluten-free dough due to the risk of cross contamination.

I had one of their pizzas and had no reaction. Eating pizza on a fresh gluten-free crust is pretty rare in Georgia, and the experience offers a light and airy crust with that pull and tug texture I remember from my youth. All of their ingredients are gluten free except the meatballs. The curated pies change with the seasons and are topped with local and ethically sourced ingredients, like short ribs, rock shrimp, housemade ricotta cheese, slow roasted pork and figs.

They also offers salads that are legit delicious, entrees, and panna cotta for dessert. They are a welcome addition to Phipps Plaza’s growing list of restaurants/eateries.

Are you looking to feed your body more nutritious and delicious food in 2018? If so, head over to fast-casual restaurant Gusto! where they serve all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, wild-caught shrimp and, whenever possible, local and organic ingredients such as peppers, greens and sweet potatoes.They deliver quality food quickly and enhance the experience with their unique pairings of globally-inspired ingredients prepared fresh daily and to order. Gusto! serves a simple menu of grilled chicken, shrimp or portabella mushroom combined with thoughtfully crafted blends of ingredients that add a distinct flavor profile and texture to each entrée.  Choose from one of the six prepared bowls (some are already gluten free), or create your own masterpiece. Its like eating a kicked up version of Chipotle that is made with clean ingredients that are filling and easy to digest. Man, their chipotle sauce is beyond addictive and the sweet potato chips that come with every order are perfectly crisp.

The Counter Custom Burgers in Roswell closed January 7th. The 2,800 square foot restaurant, located on Mansell Road near its intersection with Alpharetta Highway, opened in 2008 in a former SouthTrust Bank branch. What a loss to the gluten-free community – they had safe buns for burgers and multiple types of fries along with cider and dessert. Darn. Thanks for the news Tone To ATL.

The Bantam + Biddy space at Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead has closed and reopened on January 12th as ATL Taco. Thankfully, no changes are expected at the Ansley Mall or Avalon Bantam + Biddy locations.

A new speakeasy-style cocktail series called “The Missing Digit” launched on December 15th at Bar Margot at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta’s Midtown lounge. The program allows Bar Margot’s bartenders to get the creative juices flowing and keep things fresh and fun for customers with a new and inventive specialty cocktail every two week. This cocktail program is an ode to Margot Tenenbaum from “The Royal Tenenbaums,” one of Wes Anderson’s critically-acclaimed films and from where the bar takes its name. Margot is adopted and when she found her biological father, he unintentionally removes her finger in a tragic wood-chopping accident. Margot, who was 14 at the time, donned a wooden finger and quickly got on with her life. The Static Electricity, the current speakeasy cocktail, is available until January 15th!

The mimosas are on me because they are only $2 mimosas all month long at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Maggiano’s gluten-free brunch game is strong and appears to be calling my name.

Sprouts Farmers Market is now carrying gluten-free five-cheese ravioli. And it is certified gluten free. Made from a blend of corn and rice pasta, these ravioli and stuffed with gourmet cheese and sell for $5 per pack in the refrigerated section by the deli.

Trader Joe’s is carrying Buono Mochi in strawberry and green tea flavors at $3.99 for a pack of eight. The coconut-milk based mochi (ice cream wrapped in dough) are vegan, gluten and soy free. Coco Almond Cashew milk has been added to their dairy case.

Saddened by the news from Zagat Atlanta that Mexican spot Rosa Mexicano in Atlantic Station has permanently closed. No more guacamole made table side and a menu full of gluten-free options for me.

MasterChef Junior is in town this weekend and on the hunt for a batch of junior chefs at its Atlanta open casting call on Saturday, January 13th at The Four Seasons Hotel. This popular cooking show airs on Fox and puts 24 budding chefs to the ultimate test(s) to see who has what it takes to become the next MasterChef Junior. 

Any child or teenager between the ages of 8-13 interested in being a contestant on the series should apply online and attend the upcoming open casting call.

Here’s how it works. Twenty-four applicants are chosen to audition.^[1] At the auditions, the applicants are split into three groups.^[8] Twelve of the applicants become contestants for the next round and all twenty-four receive one of the MasterChef franchise’s signature aprons that they get to keep, regardless of their progress.^[8]

After the audition round, two contestants are sent home per episode. The winner receives a prize of $100,000^[8] and the MasterChef Junior trophy.

Does your budding junior chef have what it takes?

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.