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Should you unplug to dine?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They won’t really hack up your BlackBerry, but NEO Chef de Cuisine Giuseppe Napoli, wielding the cleaver on the left, and executive chef Eric Chopin encourage you to Unplug the night of Oct. 29
Does it drive you nuts when cell phones go off in fine restaurants?
Have you ever been tempted to chop your companion’s BlackBerry in half so he or she will stop checking e-mail during dinner?
Eric Chopin is here to help.
The affable executive chef at NEO at the Mansion likes to pay diners a tableside visit sometime during the meal.
He didn’t get very far with the guest who feverishly text-messaged while he chatted with her companion one night.
“She never even acknowledged me,” he sighed.
The chef got to thinking. It seems many diners appear to be breaking bread with their BlackBerries, communing with their cell phones. Why not offer diners the options of a wireless meal?
The team at NEO decided to go for it. On Oct. 29, the elegant restaurant is holding an “Unplugged” event. Diners can hand over their precious electronics to the Mansion’s courtly butlers and - get this - actually enjoy their meals.
“Forget business for one hour,” Chopin says.
The contemporary Italian restaurant will feature candlelight and an acoustic guitarist during “Unplugged.”
Chef de Cuisine Giuseppe Napoli would love the idea to catch on with other restaurants. And woe betide he or she whose phone chirps during “Unplugged” and disturbs other diners.
“We’ll bring them back in the kitchen to peel potatoes,” Napoli joked.
For reservations the night of Oct. 29 or any other time, call 404-995-7545.
Do you have an Unplugged rule of your own at home or while dining out? Do you think more restaurants should consider having diners check electronics before dining?
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Pretty in Pink
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gayle Hutchison, left, and Lynn Ford at the Pink Ribbons luncheon on Monday.
The 14th annual Pink Ribbons Luncheon, held Monday at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, honored breast cancer survivors while raising money for research.
Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg, founder of the event, shared positive medical news regarding new preventative treatments.
“Our hopes continue to be supported by strong facts that we are making progress,” he said.
As always, a highlight of the event was the fashion show segment featuring survivor models. This year’s honorees included Charlotte Andrist, Carol Bitner, Beth Borden-Goodman, Patti Cheek, Ruth Eldredge, Chris Gabrielsen, Claire Jackson, Ronnie Kessenich, Edi Reid and Mary Twine.
Belk sponsored the fashion show and announced a special day of shopping afterward at the Phipps location, featuring champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.
“It is a tradition of the Belk family to give back to the communities we serve,” said Leo Whalen, manager of the Phipps store.
Monday’s event was chaired by Judy Lynn Rice and Charlotte Ros Terrell, with Eldredge, Lincenberg, Juliann Kaiser and Gigi Luedeman serving on the executive committee.
Stacey Baum, left, and Michelle Light, at the Pink Ribbons luncheon.
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Political Party Plans?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
James Satterwhite has sweet treats in store for guests of either major political party
Election night’s right around the corner. Do you have party plans?
The Ritz-Carlton has whipped up a politically themed party package for those of us who’d like a butler at the ready on election night.
(Here at 72 Marietta Street, I believe the plans call for pizza and Cokes, and possibly some salad, but alas, no butler.)
Anyway, presidential suites at the Ritz-Carlton’s downtown and Buckhead locations will be ready to serve, regardless of your party affiliation. The package includes butler-passed hors d’oeuvres and three-course dinner for eight, champagne and coffee.
How suite it is: the presidential digs at the downtown Ritz-Carlton, above, and the Buckhead Ritz-Carlton, below
The final course features cute mini-desserts with the candidates in mind. Downtown, Executive Pastry Chef Terence Eatman will serve Democrat guests pineapple upside down cake with macadamia creme and coconut creme brulee with mango brunoise as a salute to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s native Hawaii; Pennsylvania shoofly pie for U.S. Sen. Joe Biden; and individual Blue-berry cobblers. GOP diners will enjoy butterscotch mousse with oatmeal cookie crumble, a nod to Cindy McCain’s oatmeal butterscotch cookie recipe; baked Alaska, Republican peanut creme chocolate cake and red-berry cobblers.
Buckhead, Executive Pastry Chef James Satterwhite’s dessert selections for Democrats may include Hawaiian Ices, “Obama Brulee,” and Chicago Cupcakes; Delaware Diner Cake and “Donkey” cookies. “Republican” desserts include Arizona Punch, baked Alaska, “Elephant” cookies, and “Tax Free Chocolate Cake.”
Yum!
Guests from either party can watch the results roll in on 42” high-definition flat panel televisions. The package includes overnight accommodations and breakfast for one couple.
(Let’s hope we have a winner by breakfast-time at least.)
The cost is $2,000 for the downtown location, $3,000 for the Buckhead location.
Info: 800-241-3333, or visit the hotel websites for Atlanta and Buckhead.
Do you have political party plans? Would you pay big bucks to bring in your party’s victory in style?
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Smoltz on Smoltz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“There have been a lot of things that have been unscripted in my life,” said John Smoltz, who buzzed the ‘Fly on his way into a rehab appointment the other day.
The 41-year-old is recovering from shoulder surgery; last year his agent announced Smoltz and his wife were divorcing after 16 years. Starting up Kings Ridge Christian School in north Fulton County offered plenty of challenges as organizers worked with city officials on zoning, annexation and such.
“I’m a big believer in being diligent, pushing forward with my faith,” Smoltz said. “The things that happen to me now or in the future are peripheral. I’m not complete. God hasn’t completed me yet.”
On Nov. 9, he and comic Jeff Foxworthy will muse on life’s ups and downs. “An Evening with Smoltz, Foxworthy & Friends” starts at 7 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta.
General admission tickets start at $39. Sponsorship packages start at $1,200 for two tickets, a baseball signed by Smoltz and Foxworthy, access to the Cadillac Club and VIP seating and parking. The “Hall of Fame” sponsorship package, at $29,000, includes tickets for 12 and a private reception at Smoltz’s estate, a pre-concert reception with Smoltz and Foxworthy at Encore Park and loads of other perks.
For information see www.JohnSmoltz.org or call 770-841-6576.
Smoltz had asked Foxworthy to play a bit part in the event, but his longtime friend and fellow Christian jumped in with both feet.
“It’s so much appreciated,” he said, adding that he gives Foxworthy full license to josh at his expense. Proceeds benefit Smoltz’s foundation, which supports a number of organizations including Kings Ridge, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
“We hope this is a huge success and a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s really the first time I’ve asked and gathered this much support from family and friends.”
Smoltz says he wants to finish his baseball career with the Braves, and that “it wasn’t hard - it was pretty much impossible” to watch this year’s season.
“I have always been a person who realizes I’m not going to be just a baseball player,” he said. “. I believe God takes desires away and adds desires. There’s life after baseball.”
Like politics? Might the ever-squabbling city of Milton, which has gone through three city managers and even hired an organizational psychologist once, use someone with an affable personality and leadership skills?
“There’s no way,” Smoltz said with a laugh. “I would probably be fired quick.”
Moving forward, the father of four kids ages 9 to 17 said he’d like to host events for fathers and their children.
“I have a lot of family time to make up,” he said.
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Festival of Trees finds (another) new home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Festival of Trees was at the Atlanta History Center last year, and moves to SCAD this year. Photo by Todd McQueen.
Atlanta’s cherished annual Festival of Trees, which moved last year from its long-time home downtown to the Atlanta History Center, is moving again.
This year’s event will be held at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
“It was time for us to relook at the festival,” said chair Kitty Correll. “We’re a city that’s changing. Our main goal is to give back as much money as we can to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.”
The 31-year-old event has raised some $17 million over the years for the hospital. Last year’s event was nearly scotched due to scheduling conflicts at the Georgia World Congress Center. The Atlanta History Center, which happened to have an opening in its calendar, stepped in to save the day and hosted the festival and preview-night gala that preceded it.
This year, SCAD-Atlanta hosts a Dec. 5 gala featuring 30 trees decorated by students in honor of patients. Tickets are $150 each for the event, which is “holiday festive” attire and will feature live and silent auctions and dancing. Plans are still coming together for a public display of the trees.
The 28th annual Children’s Christmas Parade is planned for 10:30 a.m. to noon downtown. It steps off at Peacthree Street near Baker street and follows a 1.5-mile route through downtown.
“Children’s is thrilled to be working with the Savannah College of Art and Design, all the parade participants, sponsors and volunteers for the 2008 holiday season,” Correll said. “We are thankful for the opportunity to provide Atlanta with memorable holiday experiences while raising money for Children’s.”
For more information see the Children’s web site.
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You are sweet; how lovely of you to include my friend Gayle and me in your article; with all the ‘heavy social hitters’ in the room, the two little girls from South Georgia appreciate your thoughtfulness. We had to leave after the fashion show,... read the full comment by lynn ford | Comment on Pretty in Pink Read Pretty in Pink
Ed is real special or should I just call him Special ED. Some people don’t need to blog. Stay away from the computer ED... read the full comment by Luv 2 Hate Me | Comment on Political Party Plans? Read Political Party Plans?
Ed is real specail or should I just call him Special ED. Some people don’t need to blog. Stay away from the computer ED... read the full comment by Luv 2 Hate Me | Comment on Political Party Plans? Read Political Party Plans?
Oh, dear readers, the vitriol. What does it say about us when we are incapable of maintaining civility in a society blog?... read the full comment by Grant Parker | Comment on Political Party Plans? Read Political Party Plans?