The Viking and his Queen

Not sure if you are up on the latest reality shows but our little wine bar in Dunwoody D'Vine was on Real Housewives of Atlanta this week. I screamed like a little girl when I saw Bob the owner and his staff in the bar.  A little background on D'Vine, it's been a staple in Dunwoody for several years  it has an outdoor patio that allows smoking (hard to find now a days).  A large bar inside with plenty of hightops for seating w groups. There are two side rooms for large  parties one with its own bar.  On occasion they have tastings in the rooms. We went to one for Saki, we had several tastes from all over the country. The speaker had lots of knowledge and made it a lot of fun!  The bar itself has a large selection of wines that do change and rotate often. And a menu that changes 3-4 times a year with a few regulars that will never leave like the crab cakes and margarita pizza.  As some of you may know by now I've been dating Derek the Viking. Not his re...

When I was a little girl (ok I've never been little lol smaller and younger) my Grammy and Granddad made Chicken n Dumplings. I loved them! Homemade and warm to the soul!  I was visiting my grand rents a few weeks ago and I got my hands on the recipe! Woohoo! So I thought why not take the recipe and make it mine!  Here is the recipe:  2 cups of biscuit mix (boxed anyone you like)  Cut in 2/3 cup of shorting  1 cup of liquid (milk, buttermilk, or water)  Salt and pepper just a pinch.  Chop and add fresh tarragon and parsley  Mix together **If the mix is sticky as a little flour a tea spoon at a time till not sticky or wet  **If to dry add a little more liquid  Set aside and grab some wax paper and flour  Flour the wax paper and place dough on it Roll out till thin as thin as you can go Cut pieces about and inch wide I use a pizza cutter it's easier for me  In a large pot take about 6-8 cups of chicken stock  and bring to a ...

During the holiday season Derek and I decided to go back to JCT. We have been there before dinner and drinks for my birthday which was great!  Sunday Supper is a great idea the JCT does. A course menu for under $30. It's such a great idea! First things first, make a reservation while you can sit at the bar for dinner table side service is very nice and there is always a long wait! So please make a  reservation!  Second, get there early. This helps with two items one it's nice for the staff to have you checked in ahead of time for seating rotation. Two you can sit at the bar and get a craft cocktail from one of the knowledgeable bartenders.  So we sit down and order our meal. Everyone starts with homemade biscuits and jam. And a course of devil eggs. Our biscuits came out late due to running out (they are that good) and the first round of the biscuits where over cooked but replaced quickly! The eggs are fantastic all what you need and just like moms only a lot better!...

Living in Atlanta does offer the ability to travel to many of the South's great cities by car. A few hours in a car with friends and you can have a mini vacation without the stress of the airport.  My friends and I decided to take some time and drive up to Nashville, is under 4 hours from us and the group was split between the 'been there before' and the 'my first time'. First, we rented a big dang truck! Large suitcases and all! Bluetooth the phone for all the music needs of the group and off we went!  We landed in Nashville early enough to drop the bags make a change and get off to dinner! We started the night at Tavern. A local place with a fresh menu and a large selection of craft beer and cocktails.  Not bad prices a little high however the sever was excellent! We then headed out in to the bars. There are several within walking distance of our hotel. We stayed near Broadway and Division so lots to walk to. Sliders had live music cheap beer and great service. Th...

There is so much going on during the holidays and as you can tell I've been bad on posting so here is a recap and highlights of my food in November. I hope you all are enjoying eating and cooking this year!  My first stop was Food 101 they have a great spin on what country food is. We started w my favorites fried chicken skin and chicken fried quail! So yummy you might smack your grandma  Now this plate of meatloaf may look simple but all that it may look like is not that! Creamy potatoes and a Demi glaze the perfect bite with a crispy green bean.  Derek went with a classic! Buttermilk fried chicken! Juicy and sweet and with a touch of spice. Tender chicken I could not make better. I know JCT Kitchen says they have the number 2 fried chicken in the country but I would say that Food 101 is giving them a run for their money!  For a nice night quiet in town that's classic in all ways this is for you. By the way try the flights of bourbon!!! Oh yes sir that's what you sh...

I'm There are times in your life where it seems you are at someone's going away party. Friends get new jobs, they marry, or even leave for school. All kinds of reasons for a move. Some friends you throw a party some friends you take to a bar and some its a nice dinner. My friend Laurie is moving out of state for a new job. I wanted to give her a foodie night out so I did some research and found a new place Endive Publik House at 1468 Mecaslin St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.  It's new opened in March and is only open Thursday thru Saturday. I recommend making reservations this place is smaller and has few seats. The menu is inventive and fresh. Some foodie plates for those of you that want to expand your palette and some go tos for those of you that would never eat 'that'. What ever that may be.  We started with a bottle of red wine a Pinot Nior recommended by our sever.  Two appetizers a Trio plate of dips with homemade chips and pickled vegetables. We also had a Fig and ...

By a raise of hands how many of you are "mobile geeks"? Did you really just raise your hand? I hope not. Well, I have no shame in telling you that I am! I love all tech and all the geek that comes along with it. Im new to the technology world of selling, less than 5 years. And while that may sound bad to some, others would say, "good means you have no bad habits". The world of mobile has changed drastically over the last few years. Ill go over a few highlights in case you have been in a cave somewhere. The hype of the "Phablet" is at an all high. Between Apple and Samsung they have not only changed the way we look at our phones, such as how much we spend on them and how often, to what abilities we require in them. Examples, without Samsung we would not have the size of the phones we do. Lets be honest who would have thought we would be going backwards in how big they are. Also, when was the last time you carried a camera in your pocket along ...