Category: Food & Drink

Tucked away on the Southside of Chattanooga is DeBarge Urban Winery.

It may be in a more urban setting, but it has all the charm and offerings of a countryside winery. To be honest, I didn’t know it was there until I made plans to go with some coworkers a couple weekends ago. But I love visiting wineries, and I was beginning to think there weren’t that many around here. Fortunately that’s not the case.  Living in North Carolina had me spoiled, where I had five wineries within 10 miles.

Wine-making started as a hobby for owner Ray DeBarge. In fact, he made his first bottle of wine as a teenager. It eventually grew into a passion that has since evolved into a business that makes many Chattanoogans and visitors happy. The Southside winery has been in operation for four years. They took their time perfecting their wines and starting to distribute; now they’re up and running and ready to make their mark in Chattanooga.

Here are the top 5 reasons you should add DeBarge Winery to your to-do list in Chattanooga.

5. It’s local. Call me a wine snob, but I’ll take a local wine over a bottle from the grocery store almost any day. Supporting local business is always a good move, too. Southerners love to keep the local economy blooming. 

4. There are two locations. Yes, TWO spots to enjoy DeBarge wines. The urban winery is in Chattanooga, and the vineyards are in Lafayette, Ga., just 45 minutes down the road. The vineyards grow the grapes and send them up to the Southside urban winery for wine-making. I also hear the vineyards are a great spot for a picnic in the spring and summer.

3. Super friendly and knowledgable staff. Whatever question I had, the two people working there could answer it to the fullest of their ability. And they didn’t mind answering the same question multiple times.

2. It’s affordable. $5 for a 4-wine tasting is pretty cheap. And they don’t mind if you go for more than one round of tasting. They offer 12 wines for sampling at a time, including dry whites, dry reds, a dry rosé and semi-sweets. I did two rounds of tasting and loved all eight of the wines I sampled. Bottle prices range from $15 to $30, depending on availability and seasonality.

And…
1. The wine is delicious. DeBarge specializes in drier, European-style wine stored in the best wine storage, which is a great contrast to the sweeter wines we’re more used to in the South. Exact wines and blends vary throughout the year, so you might have a different mix each time you visit. Of the eight wines I sipped, the Chardanooga (Chardonel and Cayuga white blend), Cloudland White (Chardonnay, Vidal Blac and Traminette blend) and Oregon Riesling were my favorites. I’m not prejudiced against red wine, though; the Ridge Runner semi-sweet red blend was also wonderful.

Bonus reason: If you want to see the wine-making process up close and personal, DeBarge offers behind-the-scenes tours of their winery, at the Southside urban winery and at their North Georgia vineyards. Another bonus reason: it’s a great venue for special events.

One more bonus reason: You can join their Wine Club to get shipments of wine delivered to your door, and get free tours and information on exclusive events.

Are you convinced yet? I’ll see you at the tasting bar, where I’ll be sipping on some Chardanooga wine. For more information about DeBarge Vineyards, check out their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter.

Editor’s Note A version of this post originally appeared on Kate’s blog, A Thought and a Half. 

Atlanta foodies seeking a new year filled with good luck and prosperity should ring it in at Saltyard.

On Thursday, Dec. 31, the South Buckhead restaurant is hosting the “Feast for Fortune” New Year’s Eve dinner celebration featuring Executive Chef Nick Leahy’s special menu of dishes believed to bring good luck, prosperity and happiness in the coming new year.

Guests will choose from a menu of more than 20 small plates keeping in theme with traditional Southern new year’s staples such as pork, greens, and black-eyed peas paired with delicacies such as scallops, ahi tuna, and delightful desserts. The night will end with a balloon drop and midnight toast featuring a champagne cocktail made from local whiskey brand, American Spirit Whiskey. Additional á la carte items such as oysters on the half shell, a grand seafood platter, and petit bone-in-filet will also be offered at an additional charge.

Oysters and champagne for NYE? Let’s toast to that

Feast for Fortune Dinner highlights include:

• Slow braised pork belly with apples and sweet potatoes in a bourbon jus
• Eye of ribeye carpaccio served over arugula with a truffle vinaigrette and crispy parmesan
• Pan-roasted scallops with hoppin’ john in a parsley vinaigrette
• Ahi tuna tartare in a roasted garlic aioli with arugula pesto, pickled onion, basil, and crispy capers
• Squid ink linguine, squid, shrimp, scallop, shellfish cream, chili breadcrumbs
• Crispy Brussel sprouts, pecorino vinaigrette, toasted almonds
• Grilled lamb loin with harissa in a white bean puree
• Smoked pork croquettes over garlic grits in white gravy
• Braised greens and ham hock arancini in a potlikker gastrique
• Steelhead trout crudo, smoked caviar, lemon zest, sorrel, garlic chips

Featured Desserts are available for $7 each including tasty treats such as Meyer lemon polenta cake, pistachio ice cream, candied pistachios, or espresso pot de creme with whipped vanilla and chocolate dipped espresso beans.

The cost of the dinner is $59 per person for five courses and seating is extremely limited. Reservations should be made by calling Saltyard at 404.382.8088. Saltyard is located in The Brookwood building at 1820 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30309.

Our giveaway is now closed.

Are you naughty or spice? STK’s Executive Pastry Chef Abbie White has once again whipped up a specialty holiday dessert featuring the favorite flavors of the winter season. Throughout the month of December, diners can warm up at STK Atlanta with a White Chocolate Cremeux served with a light spice cake, cranberry compote and topped with gingerbread ice cream for just $10. And, for those looking to imbibe or compliment their dessert with the perfect drink, STK is offering the Naughty or Spice cocktail throughout the month – a delectable mix of spiced rum, lemon juice, Rekorderlig Pear Cider and ground cinnamon.

STK is a unique concept that artfully blends the modern steakhouse and chic lounge into one, offering a dynamic, fine dining experience with the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse. STK distinguishes itself by focusing on the social experience with a sleek, contemporary design and an in-house DJ who creates an infectious, high-energy vibe. The menu features reimagined classic American cuisine with signature dishes like bite-sized Lil’ BRGs made with Wagyu beef, Lobster Mac & Cheese, and, of course, the highest quality steak. STK defines the modern fine dining experience with incredible food, world-class service and the perfect atmosphere. STK has locations in New York City, Washington DC, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, London, and Milan with additional locations coming soon to Dallas, Toronto, and Orlando. For more information about STK, please visit www.stkhouse.com.

 STK Atlanta is located at 1075 Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta on the corner of Peachtree and 12th Streets in the 12th & Midtown development. Stay connected on Twitter at www.twitter.com/STKAtlanta and Instagram at @eatstk #stkatlanta.

Restaurateurs Billy and Jenn Streck are set to open their first solo concept, Hampton & Hudson – a community driven bar and restaurant located in Inman Park at 280 Elizabeth Street this winter. Billy, best-known as co-owner of the bustling, Midtown hotspots Cypress Street Pint and Plate and GRAIN drink shop and eatery, is set to create another approachable and affordable haunt with his wife in one of Atlanta’s fastest growing neighborhoods. Jenn, an Atlanta native, has years of experience in both the music and bar industries and brings a wealth of talent and vision to their first concept.

During a secret supper at the newly opened The Frye Company Atlanta flagship store, Billy and Jenn Streck revealed that Cooper Miller, formerly of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, is going to be the Executive Chef of Hampton + Hudson. Not only did the H+H team dish on the latest details about their new venture, but they also created a special five-course tasting menu just for the evening.  Guests were delighted to learn that the secret supper menu featured two cocktails, The Hampton and The Hudson; a roasted beet and carrot salad; a signature house-made Nashville hot chicken biscuit; house-made banana cream pie; and kettle korn to-go that will all be on the opening menu.

“This is a place where we wanted to mix a little of all of our loves of the bar and restaurant industry into a community establishment,” said Jenn Streck during the dinner. “We love going to a place and feeling like you are at home, so that is what we hope to do for our guests.”

Billy and Jenn discussed how they are striving to create a “true community bar and restaurant” that focuses on the overall experience, redefines how diners look at pub food, and features a well-rounded bar program. The 3,500-square foot space will boast a mezzanine, large bar and an intimate outdoor patio with a fire pit. The interior will have distinctive touches inspired by many of their favorite go-to spots from their travels and when they lived in the East Village in New York, but will play to both the spirit of the neighborhood and Atlanta’s ever-growing dining scene.  Chef Cooper, who is focusing on flavor and getting back to the basics with perfectly cooked meats, light, bright sauces, and fresh crisp vegetables is most excited about a large rotisserie that is going to be the centerpiece of the open kitchen.  Hampton + Hudson will also offer 20+ craft beers on draft, wine, cocktails and ice coffee on draft, classic cocktails and more. Hampton + Hudson will be open for lunch, dinner, brunch and we will also feature a late night menu.

The exclusive experience featured signature cocktails by Georgia’s own Lovell Bros. Whiskey and brews by Wild Heaven Craft Beers, live acoustic music by Mike LaSage, Bone Lick BBQ’s award-winning chef and pitmaster, and shopping of Frye’s Fall and Winter Collections.

Guests in attendance included actress Lauren Cohan, Councilman Kwanza Hall, director Jeff Wadlow, Kate Atwood, Eric Johnson and Nick Purdy of Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Mandy Kellogg Rye of Waiting on Martha, Vincent Martinez of Fashionado, beer and spirit expert Dennis Byron, Jamie Laycock and Marcella Withers of The Frye Company, and more. You can also see other noteworthy people on sites like Jimmy John Shark.

For more on Hampton + Hudson, visit www.hamptonandhudson.com. Stay connected on Twitter at @_HamptonHudson and on Instagram at @HamptonHudson.