SOHO is heading to Italy for flight night on Wednesday, September 30, and for every flight night in October! This week we will showcase the regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeast Italy.

 

 Veneto vineyards. © Hillary Steckbauer

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region appeals to wine enthusiasts because most of the producers in the region are small, but make fine quality wines. The region is well-known for its white wines, but also produces appealing light reds. The Veneto region is home to one of Italy’s leading wine schools, Conegliano, and one the nation’s most important wine fairs, Vinitaly. The region produces numerous celebrated wines, such as Soave and Amarone. SOHO, influenced by the wines and cuisines of these renowned Italian regions, will offer the following wine and tapas this week:

 

2005 Allegrini La Grola Red Blend, Veneto

Gnocchi, gorgonzola with pancetta and spinach

 

2006 Schiopetto Tocai Friulan, Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Risi e Bisi risotto with sweet peas, prosciutto and roasted peppers

 

2003 Fratelli Recchia Amarone, Veneto

Slow braised pork cheeks over soft polenta, with asiago and a natural reduction

 

Guests can sample the entire Italian flight for $18 (three three-ounces glasses and a cheese plate). Or guests can pair a wine and tapas for $12. The wines and tapas are available individually as well ($10/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon for a taste of Italy!

Rather than dedicate this post to one topic, I thought I’d present some of the fun events and menu items SOHO is currently whipping up.

 

Last Thursday, Chef Joe and I journeyed to the Marietta Country Club for the March of Dimes Signature Chef Auction. It was a great evening dedicated to a great cause. If you’re interested in this fantastic charity, here’s the link to their site – it's full of plenty of info on upcoming events and ways to get involved. SOHO will also be involved in another charity event in late October.  We’ll be part of the 4th Annual Aqua Vino at the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, October 29. The evening features more than 200 fine wines from around the globe, gourmet fare from top Atlanta restaurants and two auctions. All proceeds support the Aquarium’s Veterinary Services through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Here’s the link for more event info. We hope to see you there!

 

SOHO has recently added three delectable new sliders to our appetizer menu. First up: The beef slider, made with Sweet Water Farms Angus beef, Vermont cheddar, shaved romaine, red onion, and chipotle 1000 island. Next: The crab cake slider, composed of a mini lump crab cake, fresh spinach, sliced tomato, and basil mayonnaise. Finally: The fried green tomato BLT slider, featuring a goat’s cheese fried green tomato, applewood smoked bacon, arugula and red pepper remoulade. The sliders are available for $3.75 each or guests can choose any three for $10.00. All I can say is – yum!

 

Finally, we’ve added a few new cocktails to our cocktail list. Two of my favorites are the John Daly (Firefly sweet tea vodka, lemonade and iced tea) and the Hemingway Daiquiri (Bacardi Rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and simple syrup). I hope you’ll let our bartenders shake up one of these concoctions for you soon!

This week SOHO will complete its French tour, finishing with a taste of the Bordeaux region.

It is believed that wines have been produced in Bordeaux for more than two thousand years, and the area is arguably one of the greatest wine producing regions in the world. Located in the southwest corner of France, the region produces approximately 850 million bottles of wine each year. The exceptional wines of the region pair well with a variety of food, such as duck and veal. Exploring the legendary Bordeaux region, SOHO offers the following wine and tapas this week:

2005 Chateau Haut-Beausejour, St. Estephe

(52% Merlot / 40% Cabernet Sauvignon / 5% Petite Verdot / 3% Côt)

Braised veal cheek with honey roasted parsnips and a natural reduction

 

2004 Chateau Carmes de Rieussec, Sauternes

Seared duck foie gras en croute with fresh peach and a black truffle jus

 

2008 Chateau Graville-Lacoste, Graves

(60% Semillon / 35% Sauvignon Blanc / 5% Muscadelle)

Bacalao and potato puree with extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs

 

The tapas and wine above will be featured on SOHO’s menu until September 29. Guests can choose to try a flight for $17 (three three-ounce tastings and a tapas plate) or pair a tapas and wine for $12. The wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas).

 

Please join us soon!

 

Final note: If you’re interested in learning more about the Bordeaux region, HowStuffWorks.com has a fantastic article.

One of my favorite things about working at SOHO is introducing people to the restaurant’s signature dishes and watching the food quickly become a guest’s favorite treat. SOHO regulars and new diners alike continually rave about the Salmon Thai, a salmon fillet rubbed with pesto sauce and wrapped in rice paper, then topped with a citrus ponzu sauce. 

Served as an entrée at lunch and appetizer at dinner it has been a guest favorite for years. One of the great things about the Salmon Thai is that it is healthy as well as remarkably tasty. I invite you to try it at SOHO– or whip it up at home for a great night in. Here’s the recipe:

Salmon Thai

(Preparation time: 30 minutes. Serves 4)

 

Ingredients:

4 pieces rice paper

4 (4-ounce) salmon fillets

Salt and pepper

 

For the Thai pesto mix:

2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled

2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons fresh lemon grass

2 tablespoons peanuts

2 tablespoons garlic

1 serrano pepper, stemmed and seeded

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Continue reading →

SOHO’s French tour continues this week! Flight night on Wednesday, September 16, will feature wines from the Rhone Valley.

 Rhone Valley (Photo Credit: Inter Rhone)

The Rhone Valley is often recognized for its full red wines, but it produces excellent white and rose wines as well. The north and south ends of the valley are geographically and climatically different, allowing for the diverse production. The region is also renowned for creating some of France’s finest food. This week, SOHO delves into the Rhone tradition and presents the following wine and tapas:

NV Saint Cosme, Little James Basket, Grenache

Crisped duck leg confit with wine poached cherries and toasted brioche

 

2008 Perrin et Fils, La Vieille Ferme, Cotes du Luberon

Chilled chicken ballantine stuffed with black truffle and pistachio, served with a marion blackberry sauce

2004 Domaine du Pesquier, Gigondas

Sauteed escargots with roasted garlic and puffed pastry, served with a mornay sauce

 

The Rhone Valley wine and tapas will be available at SOHO through September 22. Guests can sample a full flight for $17 (three three-ounce tastings and a cheese plate). Or, guests may pair a tapas and glass of wine for $12. The wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas).

See you soon!

Guests at SOHO will often find their eyes captivated by the artwork gracing the restaurant’s walls. Works by local artists Emmy Dudley, L. Renay Kabus and Laura Bowman each add to the restaurant’s atmosphere. This Saturday a new series of paintings by Emmy Dudley will be installed at the restaurant, so I figured it was a good time to chat with her about art and food.

 

Martini Drinkers by Emmy Dudley

The new series you have created for SOHO focuses on themes of martinis and jazz. What draws you to those themes?

I enjoy that they have a fun and lively energy. They focus on enjoying time with one another. I really like to paint themes that are positive and uplifting. I’ve actually explored the themes in the past, so this time the challenge was to re-envision the topics. As an artist, it was interesting to see what my imagination brought forth at this point in time.

 In what institution would you love to see your art hang?

Locally, the Mason Murer gallery. Eventually, I’d love to be shown in different cities, such as San Francisco, London and Amsterdam.

Do you ever get ‘stage fright’ when displaying your work?

In the beginning of my career I did get nervous. Now I have tougher skin. I struggle with my work in the studio. If I consider it finished then I am generally happy with it. I’ve learned that not everyone is going to like what I create and I can’t take it personally. However, most people are very complimentary. And, of course, if I am proud of what I’ve created that’s really the key to confidence.

 

You’re essentially a self-taught artist. Any advice for other artists? What was your biggest learning experience?

If you have a passion – just go for it. When I started I just had this passion for painting. I didn’t think it would become my career. Then I started putting my energy behind it and it evolved. The first year I dedicated to forming a style all of my own. Soon galleries were showing my work and it began to sell. I really enjoy seeing how my work keeps changing and growing.

 

Since you paint martinis and display your work in restaurants, I have to ask – what are you eating and drinking now?

I love a good glass of red wine. And, I’m actually a vegan, so any vegan foods – I love them all.

 

Any upcoming shows in the Atlanta area?

I’ll be at the Norcross art festival on October 3 and 4.

Ready to check out Emmy's latest work over a great dinner? Please join us at SOHO soon!

This week SOHO travels to Alsace, France, for flight night on Wednesday, September 9.

Maison Trimbach

 

Renowned for its white wines, such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer, Alsace is a distinctive French region due to the German influence found in its wine and food. Each of the wines SOHO will showcase this week come from the Maison Trimbach winery, which has been producing wine in Alsace since 1626. SOHO's Chef Joe has tapped into the unique flavors of the Alsace region to create tapas to complement each varietal. The following wines and tapas will be available on SOHO’s menu through September 15.

 

2007 Maison Trimbach Riesling

Grilled veal sausages served with sauerkraut, salt pork and red bliss potatoes

 

2006 Maison Trimbach Gewurztraminer

Tarte flambe with crème fraiche, bacon and caramelized onions

 

2006 Maison Trimbach Pinot Blanc

Springer Mountain chicken liver and mushroom pate with sliced baguette and wine poached figs

 

Guests can sample each wine by purchasing the flight ($17 for three three-ounce tastings and a cheese plate). Or, you may pair a glass of wine with a tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas).

 

See you soon!

With the passing of Labor Day, fall has officially begun – and so has football season. With kickoff comes tailgating and whether you follow the game closely or not it’s a great excuse to spend time with family and friends. And, any football party needs good food, so I wanted to pass along the recipe for SOHO’s steak tacos – a great tailgate food. Of course, if you decide to stop in at SOHO’s bar for a drink and a few appetizers before the games begin on Saturday and Sunday, that’s a great way to celebrate fall as well!

SOHO Steak Tacos (serves 4)

4 corn or flour tortilla shells

4 oz hanger steak (grilled)

½ head lettuce (shredded)

1 tomato (diced)

 

Wrap shells in foil and warm in 350 degree oven until hot and softened. Top with 1 oz hanger steak. Add lettuce, tomato, guacamole, sour cream and tomatillo sauce.

 

Guacamole (serves 4)

2 ripe avocados

¼ onion (minced)

1 serrano chile (remove stem) (minced)

1 tablespoon cilantro (chopped)

1 tablespoon lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Cut avocado in half. Remove seed. Scoop from peel and put into mixing bowl. Mash the avocado. Add onion, serrano, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mash. (Note: You can add more or less serrano chiles depending on your desired level of hotness).

 

Continue reading →

Having finished our Spanish tour, SOHO is heading north to France for the month of September. Our French tour begins in the Loire Valley, often called the “Garden of France.” Flight night on Wednesday, September 2, will feature wines and flavors from this enchanting region.

Vineyards in the Loire Valley

Home to a wide array of varietals, the Loire Valley produces wine in every possible style. The wines complement the classic French home cooking and high quality produce for which the region is known. The following Loire-inspired tapas and wine will be offered on SOHO’s menu through September 8:

 

2007 Domaine Cherrier et Fils, Sancerre, Loire Valley

Grilled vegetables and goat cheese terrine

 

2008 Domaine de la Fruitiere, Muscadet, Loire Valley

Seared baby shrimp and scallops with lentil ragout and lemon buerre blanc

 

2006 Marc Bredif, Chinon, Chinon

Duck rillettes with cornichons, dijon mustard and sliced bread

 

Guests can sample all the Loire flavors through a flight (three three-ounce tastings for $17) or chose to pair a glass of wine and tapas for $12. The featured tapas and wine are available individually as well ($9/per glass and $6/tapas).

 

See you soon!

Over the next few months I’ll be posting a number of interviews – exploring the viewpoints and interests of SOHO staff and restaurant friends. If there’s anyone you’d like to see profiled, please let me know in the comments section!

First up, an interview with Jeff Haeger, SOHO’s sous chef. Jeff will celebrate his two year anniversary with SOHO this week, so it seems a fitting time to get his perspective on life in the kitchen.

 

You’ve come a long way from your first restaurant job washing dishes at Ruby Tuesday. Why did you decide to stay in the restaurant business?

I enjoy the controlled chaos of the kitchen. At some point, it becomes a game – to emerge from a busy night relatively unscathed is winning. Plus, I just love cooking food.

 

What is your biggest kitchen nightmare?

Not being prepared. It sets off this avalanche of problems. Then the controlled part of the chaos is gone. And, of course, there’s Murphy’s law, so if you’re not prepared the first customer will always order something that’s not prepped at all – and it’s downhill from there.

 

When you’re cooking for friends and family what’s on the menu?

Barbecue, particularly baby back ribs or pork shoulder. I love the simplicity of barbecue. I’ve really only thought of leaving cooking twice in my life and both times I ended up in barbecue restaurants – and stuck with the profession. So it’s one of my favorites.

 

What’s SOHO working on that you’re excited about?

In the industry there’s been a trend toward working with lots of local and farm fresh products. It will – and should – become the norm. I’m glad to say SOHO is part of this trend and often working with these types of ingredients.

 

Ok, it’s your last meal – what are you eating?

I would have a Cajun feast. Gumbo, shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, and banana cream pie. Yum.

 

Ready to try some of Chef Jeff's cooking? Then please join us at SOHO soon.