A TASTE OF ITALY: There’s nothing quite like taking extreme pleasure in your food, which is why we just can’t get enough of Italian cuisine. The latest Italian eatery to come to Atlanta is Il Mulino New York. The restaurant, which opened Dec. 4, is located 191 Peachtree Tower.
It’s the 11th location of Il Mulino, which has been serving diners in Greenwich Village since 1981. Additional Il Mulino locations include Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami, Atlantic City and Orlando.
At Il Mulino, the menu reflects the cuisine of the Abruzzo region of Italy. Signature dishes include the rack of lamb and the English Dover sole, as well as the homemade ravioli porcini, the veal chop sage, and the Branzino, a baked Italian sea bass stuffed with garlic and rosemary.
The lunch menu includes a petite filet mignon and the insalata di salmone, a seared salmon served over mixed greens with baby tomatoes, red onions, olives, red bell peppers, Italian potatoes and haricots verts. The lunch pronto special includes a choice of sliced steak, grilled salmon, eggplant parmigiana, papparedelle tomato-basil or chicken piccata, with caesar salad and the soup of the day for $15.95.
For more about Il Mulino, call 404-524-5777 or visit www.ilmulino.com.
TIME FOR SOMETHING NEW: We’re quite thrilled by the restaurants opening this week. Flip Burger Boutique, the new eatery from “Top Chef” Richard Blais, is set to debut on Wednesday, Dec. 10 for dinner. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner on Thursday, Dec. 11. Flip is located at 1587 Howell Mill Road. Call 404-352-3547
For more about “Top Chef” Blais, visit www.richardblais.net or www.flipburgerboutique.com.
The long-awaited Craft, from Chef Tom Colicchio, joined the Buckhead scene on Monday, Dec. 8. Still, it’s not to late to be among the first to try this restaurant, located at the Mansion on Peachtree, 3376 Peachtree Road. The menu features American cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients. Call 404-995-7580 or visit www.craftrestaurant.com or www.mansiononpeachtree.com.
Of course, Metromix will soon have the inside scoop on both eateries, so stay tuned for more about them.
A REASON TO CELEBRATE: We’re not sure what exactly you’re supposed to give a couple for their eighth anniversary (honestly, without consulting Emily Post, we’re only clear on paper for the first and gold for the 50th). As luck would have it, however, when a restaurant marks its eighth year, you owe them nothing, except a visit to celebrate.
Portofino, the Buckhead eatery that opened on Dec. 1, 2000, is offering a menu of $8 specials through the end of this month. Featured items include short rib bruschetta, duck confit with grilled radicchio and currant butter, four cheese and walnut ravioli, grilled mushroom polenta with gorgonzola cream and a date-and-pecan salad with gorgonzola and blue cheese dressing. Stop in on Sundays in December for $8 spaghetti and meatballs, an entree featuring meatballs of veal, pork and beef, along with pasta in a Tuscan tomato sauce.
Portofino, known for its wine list, is also offering eight of its wines for $8 a glass. On Mondays, however, you can try any wine the restaurant stocks, for $8. For more about the restaurant, call 404-231-1136 or visit www.portofinobistro.com.
STARTING THE DAY RIGHT: If the college football season hasn’t gone quite the way you had hoped, perhaps it’s time to develop a new allegiance. We’re not suggesting you abandon your true colors, but you should consider taking in the international sports broadcasts during Sunday brunch at Fado Irish Pub. Games from Ireland and throughout Europe are shown, but if you’re not ready to give up on American football, you can also tune in to the NFL.
Of course, you’ll also be heading to Fado for the food. The brunch menu includes corned beef hash, raspberry pancakes, a smoked salmon bagel and Irish-style eggs Benedictine. There’s also plenty of bangers (sausage) and rashers (bacon) to go around. Even better, every Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m., the pub serves up $3 Bloody Mary’s. If that’s a not a reason to get out bed on a lazy Sunday, we don’t know what is. Call 404-841-0066 or visit www.fadoirishpub.com.
Save the Date: Chances are, you’ll be buying a 2009 calendar this month (unless you’re one of those savvy shoppers who waits until January to get it for half-price). Once you have your new calendar in hand, you’ll want to mark the date of the annual Georgia Organics Convention and Trade Show. The event, which promotes sustainable food and farming, will be held March 21-22, 2009, at Agnes Scott College in Decatur.
Michael Pollan, known for his support of the sustainable and local food movements, will be its keynote speaker at the gathering. Since the notable author won’t be in Atlanta until spring, you have plenty of time to read his books, which include “In Defense of Food,” “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “The Botany of Desire,” before he arrives. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to make a New Year’s resolution to support local farmers.
Early registration for the conference, which includes local farm visits, seminars on urban farming and chefs preparing farm-fresh foods, starts on Jan. 9, 2009 for Georgia Organics members. An annual membership is $35 for an individual and $45 for a family. Call 678-702-0400 or visit www.georgiaorganics.org.
Got a tip about food-related events, restaurant news or special dishes and drinks? E-mail Rachael Mason at rachaelmason55@gmail.com.
