Atlanta Food & Wine Festival details announced

Last week, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival celebrated its ticket sales kick-off with a lavish affair at private Buckhead home that set an upbeat tone for its inaugural event, scheduled for May 19 to 22, 2011. “If there is one thing we want people to know about this festival, it’s that we are offering an experience like no other for food and beverage lovers. All of the learning and tasting experiences have been designed by our Founders Council and curators and represent what these culinary leaders would like festival guests to know or to enjoy. The programming represents authentic, interesting and passionate points-of-view.”

Check out the extensive programming details on the festival’s web site—it ranges from bourbon tastings and beer and cheese pairings to a dinner at Woodfire Grill (among several of the city’s best restaurants hosting dinners) that incorporates the flavors of South India. Themes of the event are divided into “Old Traditions,” “New Traditions,” and “Imports and Inspirations.” (Full disclosure: I’ve contributed ideas to the festival as a “curator,” some of whom also include Kristen Hard from Cacao and Dan Latham of Moto Bene Pizza.)

Several headliners for the event have been announced, including Matt and Ted Lee, John Besh from New Orleans, and Tim Love from Fort Worth.

NEWS AND NOTES:

Marvin Woods is airing a series of “video vignettes” on Georgia Public Broadcasting called Georgia Cooks that promote locally grown produce and recipes for how to cook them.

Alpharetta. Look for Tre, serving “authentic Vietnamese cuisine”, to open soon at 3055 Northpoint Parkway.

 

What Now Atlanta is reporting that BB’s Bagels—featuring hand rolled, boiled, New York styled bagels—has opened its second location at 10995 State Bridge Road.

Buckhead. Look for Sophie’s Uptown—a cafe and bakery for people but also dedicated to providing for the care of homeless animals—to open this month at 52 Pharr Road.

Tomorrow’s News Today is reporting that Perla, a variation on a taqueria, is slated to open in the former Mrs. Winner’s location at 1958 Piedmont Road soon.

Thomas McKeon, formerly of Terrace at the Ellis Hotel, has joined the Grand Hyatt Buckhead as its executive chef.

Flip Buckhead opens today, October 19, at 3655 Roswell Road, with several brand new menu items including fried potato skins, a chicken and waffle burger and a killer Thai shake. P.S. Look for the announcement of a non-burger project from the Flip team in Poncey Highland.

Downtown. Tomorrow’s News Today first reported that Harvest Bistro, an American bistro from the owners of Lakeview Bistro and Venice Pizza in Alpharetta, is slated to open in the former Au Bon Pain space at 30 Ivan Allen Plaza in November.

Candler Park. What Now Atlanta is reporting that a former Metrotainment company executive has purchased Radius Cafe.

Morningside. Nick Melvin has been hired as chef de cuisine at Rosebud (first tweeted by Green Olive Media)

 

Midtown. ToNeTo first reported that Darren Carr, Jeff Myers and Patrick La Bouff, along with Chef Julia LeRoy are planning to establish a brick and mortar location for their stellar pop up Dinner Party concept, possibly at 980 Piedmont Road, most recently Nonna Mia.

The flagship store of the Cook’s Warehouse just celebrated its One Year Anniversary in Midtown Atlanta’s Ansley Mall.

 

Roswell. Creative Loafing is reporting that Zest, a new sushi and tapas restaurant, will be opening in Historic Roswell on Canton Street in the former has Fused Craft Bar and Magnolia space.

Question of the Week: What former Buckhead fine dining spot has reopened as a late night cocktail lounge?

PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW—Which up-and-coming chef is consulting on frozen yogurt flavors at a new Sandy Springs spot?— Julia LeRoy at Three on the Tree Frozen Yogurt, via Foodie Buddha. (Commentor Andre called that one out.)