Looking towards Midtown, Atlanta

We are thrilled the very first Midtown Festival of the Arts is September 24th and 25th, 2010, sponsored by Audi and another in a string of fantastic Atlanta attractions.  Bustling Peachtree Street  will be closed for a unique celebration of Atlanta’s exciting Midtown Community.  It begins on Friday evening, September 23th with the Opening Party and Public Art Auction of 30 Signature Festival bar stools.  These Signature bar stools have been designed by judge selected artists.  You will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with new neighbors and old friends alike.

On Saturday the Midtown Festival of the Arts Peachtree will open with the Artist Market featuring over 100 artist showcasing a wide array of media from painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry fiber, ceramics and woodworking.  After a morning of shopping head over to Plates on Peachtree, sponsored by Fifth Group Restaurants.  This ticketed only Atlanta event will  highlight special dishes and speciality drinks from 14 of our finest Midtown restaurants for you to sample.  A few of my favorite dishes are Duck Rillettes by  Ecco Restaurant, Chilled Shrimp with saffron and poached apples by TAP Restaurant and Creamy Chocolate and Pistachio Flan from the Bakeshop. At the Culinary Stage you will have the opportunity to watch your favorite chef  prepare their featured  dish.  These cooking demonstrations are sponsored by Cooks Warehouse.   Tickets are $30 in Advance  and $40 the day of.

Experience new taste and the spirit of Midtown from the many food vendors along Peachtree Street.  A few of the vendors I am looking forward to are The Nook serving Crab Cakes,  South City Kitchen serving Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches and for desert don’t forget a handmade Popsicle from the King of Pops.  To quench your thirst be sure and visit the Beer Garden and have a Terrapin Beer.

A Kid Zone will feature family activities that include music, dance, crafts and storytelling.  Saturday plan on catching  Movie Night on Peachtree with the free outdoor showing of  Driving Miss Daisy, by Mr. Alfred Uhry.  This classic film was filmed in and around Atlanta.  The Main Stage  will showcase a wide variety of music from Rock-N-Roll to R & B, bringing back fond memories of the Midtown Music Festival.  Local Choirs will perform each afternoon at Peachtree and Fifth Street.

See you this weekend strolling down Peachtree Street, just two blocks from our Atlanta Bed and Breakfast!

Sunset at Ecco Restaurant

One of our favorite things about Midtown is the large selection of restaurants, from the casual Bakeshop featuring an array of homemade breads, soups, salads and deserts to the sophisticated Ecco Restaurant.  There are over 50 restaurants you can walk to from our Atlanta bed and breakfast.

Ecco Restaurant has an Old World Style from the minute you walk through the Hugh glass doors to the rich walnut furnishings and glistening Italian marble floors.  The focal point of the restaurant is the open kitchen featuring a tile wrapped wood burning stove, perfect for those wood-fired pizzas.  The contemporary lighting sets the tone for a unique dining experience.  If you prefer to just sit back and relax with one of their Signature drinks, and take in the Midtown skyline, there is a large patio widely enjoyed by many of their customers.

Diners enjoy the open kitchen & wood-fired stove

Executive Chief Micah Willix brings over twelve years of culinary experience to Ecco.  His bold approach in developing the Ecco Restaurant Menus is European inspired and ever changing.  His classic culinary roots focus on using the freshest ingredients available.

The menu begins with a large selection of Meats and Cheese to entice your palate.  One of my favorites is the Thomasville Tomme, a semi-firm cow’s milk cheese produced by Sweet Grass Dairy in Georgia.  You can read more about Sweet Grass Dairy in one of our previous blogs.

A few of the outstanding appetizers under the Taste and Share small plates is the Fried Goat Cheese with Honey and Fresh Ground Pepper or Piquillo Peppers stuffed with Braised Short Rib.  The main courses will delight your taste buds with unique flavors such as Homemade Pasta with Chili Braised Pork and Garlic and Homemade Pappardelle or Grilled Georgia Quail on Polenta with aged Balsamic Vinegar.

If you just want something a little sweet to top off that perfect dinner, don’t forget to order desert.  All deserts are made on the premises, from the truffles and  ricotta cheesecake to the sorbet.

On your next visit to Atlanta, please try one of our Midtown Restaurants.  I know where Ed and I will be making our dinner reservations for tonight!