December abounds with events that herald the season of winter and winter holidays as well.
Yebo Beach Haus anchors a corner of Buckhead nine months of the year. But beginning November 30, it was transformed into Yebo Ski Haus, a ski-lodge inspired retreat with wooden skis, antler decor, plaid blankets and fire pits. Try one of the specialty cocktails like the Alpine Dreams - homemade hot chocolate spiked with Green Chartreuse and garnished with Italian meringue, Yebo chocolate and a cookie straw. All guests go home with "hausmade" hot chocolate to enjoy at in their own ski lodge. 5 – 10 p.m. Sundays, 5 – 10:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 5 – 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Yebo Ski Haus, 111 West Paces Ferry Rd NW. For reservations call 404-869-1992. Information.
Continuing the theme of restaurant transformations, from November 25 to December 24, Atlanta is one of the 30 cities around the world to host a Miracle Holiday Pop-up Bar. All Miracle locations serve the same eleven holiday drinks including the Muletide (Aquavit, Oloroso sherry, ginger, lime, pumpkin) and the Christmopolitan (vodka, elderflower, fig, spiced cranberry sauce, lime), all served in festive, custom Miracle glassware. Miracle started in 2014 in New York City and this year is expanding to London, Athens, Vancouver and yes, Atlanta. 6 p.m. – midnight. November 25 – December 24. Miracle on Monroe, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta. Information.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Holiday Tea with Santa
Santa is a busy fellow with holiday sightings from one end of Atlanta to another. Join him and Mrs. Claus while he relaxes at the St. Regis with a pot of tea and a selection of holiday treats. A harpist keeps the mood serene and the good man and his wife are happy to post for pictures as well. Seatings at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. December 2 – 4, 9 – 11 and 14- 24. Adults $75, children ages 4 to 12, $52. Children 3 and under, free. St. Regis, 88 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. Information.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
A German Christmas Market in the Heart of Buckhead
Start December at the 17th annual German Christmas Market hosted by the Atlanta International School. You'll be lured in by the sounds of the season performed by local choirs and greeted by the aroma of fresh roasted almonds. Feast on authentic German bratwurst and soup, indulge in homemade German cookies and original Lebkuchen (gingerbread) from Nürnberg. Take home traditional German Stollen, sweets and breads and shop for unique gifts. Then take your picture with St. Nikolaus and the Christkind. 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, December 3. Free. Atlanta International School, 2890 North Fulton Drive, Atlanta. Information.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Kids Learn Construction Skills
This year, Davio’s Atlanta’s pastry chef Qiana Davis is teaching kids how to make gingerbread houses. Come for the afternoon, leave with a decorated gingerbread house and a tummy full of treats prepared by the restaurant’s executive chef. Each reservation is good for one child and attending adult. It’s a fundraiser for Toys for Tots and everyone is asked to bring one unwrapped toy. noon – 2 p.m. Sunday, December 4. $40 per child. Davios’ Atlanta, Phipps Plaza, Atlanta. 404-844-4810. Make your reservation at kina@davios.com.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Holiday Dishes and the Wines that Work with Them
Cook's Warehouse founder Mary Moore and sommelier Don Hackett of Avant Partir Wine are on board for their holiday annual class benefiting the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Moore will demonstrate Pear Comte Purses and Fresh Pasta with Boar Ragu among other dishes and Hackett will provide perfect wine pairings and the reasons for each. You'll dine on what Moore cooks and you'll sample Hackett's wine selections. 7 – 9 p.m. Monday, December 5. $55. The Cook's Warehouse, 1544 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. Register.
They’re Making Whiskey in Kennesaw?
Not only are they making whiskey, but they're making beer and bourbon. Every month the Kennesaw Craft Beer and Whiskey Tour introduces folks to five breweries and distilleries in the Kennesaw area. For December you'll visit Lazy Guy Distillery, Dry County Brewery, Southern Sky Brewery, Burnt Hickory Brewery and The Grille at Legacy Park. Park your car at Depot Park and take the free shuttle between venues. They're all within a few minutes of each other, but no need to drive. The shuttle is free, most venues offer tours of their operations and you can pay for the samples you try at each stop. If you miss this tour, you'll have to wait for spring until the next one comes around. noon – 7 p.m. December 10. Park at Depot Park, 2829 Cherokee Street, Kennesaw. Information.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Have Cocoa with a Reindeer
Yes, Virginia, there are reindeer. And they're coming to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. It's time for the 6th Annual Reindeer Day, an afternoon with reindeer visits, reindeer games, wild animal yoga and hot cocoa with Camp Kingfisher. Noon – 4pm. Sunday, December 11. Event is included with admission to the Chattahoochee Nature Center, $10 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children three to twelve. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055 ext. 238. Information.
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Credit: C. W. Cameron
Celebrate the New Year in Thousand-Year-Old Style
Many Japanese celebrate the New Year with Osechi, multi-tiered bento boxes filled with dishes that present good wishes for the New Year. Nakato, the Japanese restaurant on Atlanta's Cheshire Bridge Road, has been offering Osechi since it opened its doors in 1972. Purchase one and you'll go home with a three-tiered box with more than 30 dishes, each representing a different wish for the New Year. This year's box, for example, will hold Anago Yawatamaki, slow cooked sea eel wrapped over burdock and carrot root, representing wishes for a healthy and stable life. Nakato's executive chef Yoshifusa Kinjo creates each box by hand and the process takes more than two weeks of preparation. Order by Thursday, December 22. $300. Nakato, 1776 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta. Order form. Fax your order to 404-874-7897 or call 404-873-6582 to reserve your Osechi box.
City Winery in Ponce City Market is hosting "Latkes & Vodkas" on Hanukkah Eve. There'll be a build-your-own latke bar featuring a wide range of toppings, vodka samplings and live music from Sammy Rosenbaum. A share of the evening's proceeds benefit the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. 6 - 8 p.m. Saturday, December 24. $15. City Winery, 650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta. 404-WINERY1. Buy tickets.
Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following@ATLDiningNews on Twitter and @ajcdining on Instagram.
About the Author
