August at Aria: Groth Vineyards Wine Dinner

August is here and it’s time again for another wonderful wine dinner here at Aria.  This time, we are excited to welcome Groth Vineyards on Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.

Located in the heart of Oakville in Napa Valley, Groth Vineyards is a family owned winery with a real understanding of how sustainable farming can translate into world-class  wine, both now and for our future.  We’re pleased to have Marco Esposito as our guest from the winery to tell us more about Groth Vineyard’s 27-year history.

Our wine dinner guests will enjoy five courses and four wines from Groth, including:

Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2010
Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2009
Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2008
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley 2007

$120.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity)

For more details and to make your reservation, please call 404-233-7673.

The Attack Is Back !!!

Last summer’s Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival was a moment of reigning glory as Chef Gerry walked away with the title of 'Best Taste'.  This year’s competition will be as fierce as ever, with many of Atlanta’s best chefs coming up with their most tempting tomato creations and libations for all to sample.

The festival is held at JCT. Kitchen on Atlanta’s Westside and proceeds go to to support Georgia Organics.  The event is July 17 and tickets are going fast, so be sure to get yours online soon!

Ruinart Interpretation Dinner

When the summer heat is as scalding as this July’s, our palates dictate that we reach for something a little lighter and perhaps on the bubbly side when it’s time to imbibe.  Just in time for July’s worst, come refresh your palate with champagne at Aria with our Ruinart Interpretation Dinner, in partnership with Perrine’s Wine Shop on Thursday, July 14 at 7 pm.  Perrine will also be our speaker for the evening.

All guests will receive a Ruinart Interpretation Kit and then enjoy a four-course menu paired with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Ruinart Brut Rosé.
We will start the evening with a refreshing first course of Georgia Peaches with San Danielle prosciutto, arugula and white balsamic vinaigrette, lightly paired with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV.  Enjoy a second course of Roasted Maine Lobster with snowpeas, lemongrass and cilantro along with Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV, followed by an entrée of Oak Grilled Poulet Rouge with ginger, sweet garlic and roasted fingerlings and Ruinart, Blanc de Blancs, Reims NV.  We’ll end the night on a sweet note with raspberries, vanilla cream and puff pastry, perfectly paired with Ruinart, Brut Rosé, Reims NV.

About Ruinart Interpretation: "With Interpretation, Ruinart invites you to discover a new and innovative way of tasting Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. The Chef de Caves has identified the 8 main aromas of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, which are to be discovered one by one in a unique tasting experience.
Ruinart Interpretation is a moment of pleasure to share with friends".

Dinner will be $100 including tax and gratuity, and reservations can be made through Perrine’s Wine Shop by calling 404 254 5077 or emailing perrine@perrineswine.com.

See What’s Cooking with Chef Gerry at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market on 6/25

Chef demos can be seen every Saturday at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, but this upcoming Saturday, June 25 is the only day you will be able to see our very own Chef Gerry Klaskala there in action.  Set the alarm and grab your basket, because the market opens at 8:30 a.m. and Chef Gerry will be sharing culinary tips at his demo at 10 a.m. While you’re grabbing all your in-season fruits and veggies, don’t forget to stop by!

Have to miss out on the Farmers Market? Catch Chef Gerry again at the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 17. Last year, Chef Gerry won “Best Taste”, so you never know what he’ll win this year…

A Shining Night Out at Summer in the City

Gorgeous setting, delicious food and an amazing cause… there is a lot to love about the upcoming Summer in the City – A Night of Epicurean Delights!  Aria is pleased to be taking part in this event on Wednesday, June 22nd from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. to support Shepherd Center’s Military Patient Program and its Adolescent Patient Program.

Show your support for the Shepherd Center’s important work by joining us at Greystone in historic Piedmont Park!   There will be fine food at chef stations from many of the best restaurants in Atlanta, wine pairings to savor, a mixology station, live music and more.  Put on your favorite summer casual attire and head into the night for a good time.

 Tickets are $80 each, with sponsorship beginning at $250 per couple.  For more information, visit the event page online.

Vidalia Onion Dinner: A Sweet Success

all photos by George Sanchez

Food lovers across Georgia and the South enjoyed taking part in Atlanta Food & Wine Festival this past month!  Our own Vidalia Onion Dinner was a sweet success as part of the festival, too.  We were joined by the talented duo of Jeffrey Buben of Vidalia in DC, and Daniel Lindley of St. John's and Meeting Place in Chattanooga and created a delicious dinner devoted to the Vidalia Onion.

If you weren’t able to join us, fear not!  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a wonderful article about the special qualities of Vidalia Onions that featured our own Chef Gerry Klaskala last month – and it included quite a few of his delicious recipes featuring Georgia’s sweet onion crop.

Columbia River Salmon

braised radishes, sugar snap peas, charred Vidalia onions, morel mushroom puree
Chef Daniel Lindley

BobWhite Quail

stuffed with foie gras mousseline, ramps, Vidalia onion soubise and rhubarb

Chef Jeffrey Buben

Roasted Rack Chop of Colorado Lamb

slow cooked Vidalia onion, tarragon shallot sauce, arugula endive vinaigrette
Chef Gerry Klaskala

Georgia Strawberry Tart

 lemon cream and chantilly
Chef Kathryn King

Read more online, including information about the brand new Vidalia Onion Museum -- and try your hand at creating Chef Gerry’s dishes including Georgia Peach and Vidalia Onion Salad With White Balsamic Vinaigrette and Caramelized Vidalia Onion Bread Pudding With Sweetgrass Dairy Fresh Goat Cheese.  You can also view more pictures of our Vidalia Onion Dinner on Flickr.

Ponzi Vineyards Wine Dinner

Take a little trip to the lush Willamette Valley with our Ponzi Vineyards Wine Dinner!
Reserve your spot at Aria for this special event on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m.

Ponzi’s fine wines have been internationally acclaimed since the winery was founded in 1970, and now produces exceptional Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling among others.  The evening will feature a special menu from Chef Gerry, perfectly paired with Ponzi's Pinot Gris, Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Pinor Noir,  Reserve Pinot Noir and Late Harvest Riesling.

We not only love Ponzi’s wines, but we also love that all 120 acres of the vineyard are LIVE Certified Sustainable, the world's highest standard for sustainable viticulture.

Dick and Nancy Ponzi were pioneers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and their passion and philosophies are practiced today by the family’s second generation.  Maria Ponzi Fogelstrom will be our special guest at ARIA on the evening of June 1st to tell us more about the wines and the region.

Dinner will be $100 ( includes tax and gratuity)
Reservations can be made by calling us at (404) 233-7673.  We look forward to seeing you.