Rise-n-Dine

Vegetarian roll-up sandwich with side salad. The roti bread used for the roll-up was delicious and flaky.

I recently met a friend for lunch at Rise-n-Dine at Emory Village. On weekends when I drive past this place it is always packed with a crowed waiting to get in. Even for this weekday lunch we waited about 10 minutes. Now I know why so many people are waiting. The food is simply good, with some innovative twists to keep it interesting. Breakfast is served all day and there is a short lunch menu as well. Everything we tried really hit the spot, especially the light, warm roti used to roll up a vegetarian sandwich and the delicious apple butter made in house and served with the restaurant's toast and biscuits. I look forward to visiting again soon to try the tasty looking pancakes and French toast as well as some of the other sandwiches.

Smoked salmon scramble with toast and homemade jam and apple butter. The apple butter is worth buying in bulk!

Salmon Under Fur Coat

Over the summer a friend of ours from Russia brought the above dish as a contribution to our BBQ. Traditionally, it's "Selyodka Pod Shuboy" or "herring under fur coat". However, in this case our friend thought the American palate would be better pleased by "smoked salmon under fur coat". It was delicious, with carrots, potatoes, beets and mayo making this a superb summer salad. Try this recipe to make it yourself.

Gourmet Brunch with Friends at their Home

Quiche, chocolate bacon waffles and fruit.

While in California we were treated to a lovely delicious brunch at the home of friends. The food was excellent and the hostess showed me how she grates bacon and chocolate into the waffles to give them a unique, rich flavor. We are available anytime for another meal - well anytime we are in the Bay Area again!

Smoked salmon blini with capers.

The Capital Grille's Generous Pour Event

The featured wines.

I was recently treated to a preview of The Generous Pour wine event at The Capital Grille in Buckhead. The event is going on right now at all CG locations and lasts through September 4. Here's the deal: for $25 you can try as many of the nine features wines as you'd like with your dinner. This is an exceptional value for wine drinkers as the wines represent a wide price range and hail from several countries including Spain, Italy, France and Australia. The Capital Grille's master sommelier George Miliotes travelled the globe to pick out the perfect nine wines for this showcase and at the event we enjoyed a live webcast with him, including a question and answer segment. Click here to see all the featured wines as well as a short video clip featuring Mr. Miliotes. My favorite wines include the Marquis de la Tour, Cremant de Loire Brut, a sparkling wine that paired wonderfully with the appetizers we tried. I am also a huge fan of the RL Buller, The Portly Gentleman port, which I enjoyed more than any other dessert wine I've ever tried.

The food was wonderful as well. I especially enjoyed the calamari, the steak (of course) and the ice cream with strawberries. This is a wonderful way to enjoy a variety of high quality wines without buying nine entire bottles. You can have as much as you'd like of these fabulous wines for $25.

Proscuitto wrapped housemade mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes.

Pan fried calamari with hot peppers.

Cedar-planked salmon - lovely presentation and tasty as well.

Lobster mac & cheese - heavenly and rich.

Sauteed spinach with garlic - great to have something green on the table.

Ice cream with strawberries and port reduction - so delicious with the port served as part of The Generous Pour.

Flourless chocolate cake.

Buddy, sommelier and waiter extraordinaire.

I love this port!

WaterHaven: Now Closed for Renovations

Salmon Salad.

A friend of my suggested WaterHaven for lunch a few weeks ago. We braved the heat and walked from her nearby loft, sitting on the shaded patio. Both of us ordered salads with salmon, a standard option done fine here. Since we dined I've heard that the restaurant is "undergoing renovations". Not sure when they will re-open. Anyone have news on this?

Brookhaven Bistro - a healthy alternative

Salmon quesadilla - make sure you get some of the chipotle sauce!

Several weeks ago my friend and fellow blogger Malika (her post on the meal is here) kindly invited me to try Brookhaven Bistro with her for a complimentary lunch. The cafe is located in the back of the Nuts and Berries health food store on Peachtree Road. There are tables inside and outside on a small patio. The owner/chef, Chip, prepared a few favorite menu items for us to try. The salmon quesadilla is one of Chef Chip's signature items. It tasted rather bland to me, that is until Chip brought out the spicy chipotle sauce, which really added a nice flavor to the dish.

The spicy tofu soup was my favorite dish. Chunky, with lots of greens, rice and tofu in a very tasty (and spicy) broth. Apparently this is not offered every day, but if it is you should definitely try it!



Carrot ginger juice - very good in a healthy kind of way. It tastes like you are drinking your serving of veggies!



Tutti-frutti salad (another one of my favorite menu items) along with the chicken special of the day.



Menu - you order at the register and your food is brought out to you.



To go items available in the fridge case.

Another fun cooking class!

Saturday morning I was in for a treat when I attended a very intimate, fun cooking class with some friends at the instructor's home. We prepared several delicious salads, my favorite being the Blue Cheese Cherry Chicken salad that I must make again at home! The photos say it all! I really loved this class because we really got to eat! None of this - here's one bite thing.

Chef Diane prepares the Salmon Salads

Here are our salads, ready to go!

Salmon Nicoise Salad "To-Go"

Surf & Turf Fajita Salad with Shrimp and Steak

Orange Chicken Salad - the dressing goes on!

Orange Chicken Salad

Blue Cheese Cherry Chicken Salad over Spinach

Seafood Galore - a Cooking Class

Amy with Virginia Willis

Yesterday I took a cooking class at Cook's Warehouse in Decatur, Georgia. The instructor was Virginia Willis, who has recently published a cookbook called "Bon Apetit, Y'all." She is also soon to star in two episodes of Martha Stewart's TV cooking show. It was really fun watching Virginia cook and I hope to take another cooking class soon!

Mussels with Herbed Garlic Toasts

Trout, Scallop and Salmon