Do we smell Smoke ?

Usually here at Aria, the only thing getting roasted is whatever culinary creation Chef Gerry Klaskala might be whipping up in our kitchen.

But come this November 1, the tables will turn as Chef Gerry gets roasted himself at the Legends of Atlanta Roast, along with two other hospitality legends of Atlanta, Anne Quatrano and Kevin Rathbun!  It’s all in the name of both good fun and fundraising for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

The industrial warehouse space of ACFB will be magically transformed into a red-carpet environment for guests to enjoy a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., as well as a three course meal and dessert reception, which will be prepared by each honorees’ restaurant.

This will definitely be a night to remember!  For more information and tickets, please visit http://www.acfb.org/ROAST

Skillet Roasted Okra with Eastern Spices and Lime / Peachtree Farmers Market

It wouldn’t be summer without Atlanta farmers markets, and it wouldn’t be a farmers market without a chef demo!  Chef Gerry Klaskala loves demonstrating cooking techniques with the freshest local ingredients possible to the market crowd. 

Here’s one of Chef Gerry’s recipes from his summer chef demo at Peachtree Road Farmers Market that adds a twist to traditional summer okra.  Enjoy!

Skillet Roasted Okra with Eastern Spices and Lime

Ingredients

Spice Mix

            2 Tbl.   Kosher Salt

            1 Tbl.   Ground Indian Cayenne Pepper

            1 tsp.   Ground Coriander

            1 tsp.   Mango Powder

            ½ tsp. Ground Cumin

            ½ tsp. Ground Cardamom Seeds

            ¼ tsp. Ground Black Pepper

           

                         Okra, cut in half length wise

                         Grape Seed Oil

                         Lime

                         Chives, minced

Preparation

1.)    Thoroughly mix spices and set aside

2.)    Heat a heavy bottom skillet until smoking; add 2 tsp. of grape seed oil. Place okra cut side down. Cook until okra is quite dark and caramelized. Briefly turn over.

3.)    Place on a platter cut side up. Season with spices and a squeeze of lime. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve

Join us to ring-in the New Year and celebrate 2010 at Aria. We’ll be serving a four-course prix fixe menu for $85 per person and wine pairings will also be available. When our menu is available, we will be post it here.

For reservations, call us at 404-233-7673.

Christmas Eve Dinner

On Christmas Eve, leave the cooking to us and enjoy a relaxing night out celebrating the holidays. Dinner will be served from 6 to 10 p.m. We look forward to spending the evening with you!

Holiday Gift Cards

Whether it’s for family members, friends, clients or co-workers, an Aria gift card makes the perfect holiday gift. A gift card allows your loved ones to enjoy their favorite menu items off of Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala’s sophisticated menu. Please visit the restaurant, our website or call 404-233-7673 to purchase a gift card.

Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest!

This Sunday, August 9, Gerry will join several of Atlanta’s well-known chefs at JCT. Kitchen & Bar's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. Chefs will be teaming up with local farmers making creative tomato dishes to benefit Georgia Organics. Gerry will be making “Tomatoes on the Half Shell”:
Ice cold, freshly shucked middleneck clams with an heirloom
tomato bloody mary mignonette, featuring tomatoes, freshly
picked by Charlotte & Wes of Riverview Farms.

Killer Tomatoes on the Loose

Guests of the event will get to sample dishes with cocktails crafted by featured mixologists. High-profile judges including Restaurant Editor Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetit, Restaurant Editor Kate Krader of Food + Wine, Senior Food Writer Donna Florio of Southern Living and Danny Bonvissuto, freelance food writer for Food + Wine, will be choosing the best dish and best beverage, and an award will also be given to the chef with the best table decorations. For more information click here.