Monthly Archives: August 2010

Taste the Flavors of South America at SOHO

31 Tuesday Aug 2010

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This September, SOHO will explore the wines and flavors of South America. The South American tour begins this week on flight night, Wednesday, September 1.

425px-South_America_satellite_orthographic 

First, SOHO will pour a 2009 Sur de Los Andes Torrontes from Mendoza, Argentina. This white wine features a very floral nose, with lots of citrus on the palate. Next, SOHO will pour a 2008 TanTerra Tannat-Syrah from Uruguay. This blend of Tannat and Syrah offers tastes of ripe fruit with a touch of white pepper and currant.

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Clos de los Siete from Tunuyan, Argentina. This wine is a blend of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It offers a complex nose and plum and currant flavors. Overall, the Clos de los Siete is big and rich, with light tannins, according to SOHO’s resident wine expert, Lars Snavely.

SOHO’s Chef Joe has created three tapas plates inspired by South America to pair with each wine. The following will be available until Wednesday, September 8.

2009 Sur de Los Andes Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina
100% Torrontes
Tuna Carpaccio with fresh citrus and Chilean extra virgin olive oil

2008 TanTerra Tannat-Syrah, Uruguay
Grilled mini pizza with dry-aged chorizo

2008 Clos de los Siete, Tunuyan, Argentina
48% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 12% Syrah and 12% Cabernet Sauvginon
Charred hanger steak with yucca and chimmi churri

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

SOHO Recipe: Roasted Garlic and Mascarpone Cheese Dip

31 Tuesday Aug 2010

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September begins this week and Labor Day parties, football parties, and other fall celebrations are kicking off. If you’re hosting family and friends this fall and looking for a new recipe to try, here’s one from SOHO’s executive chef, Joe Ahn. It’s sure to be a tasty hit.

597px-Vineyard_in_Napa_Valley 
 
Roasted Garlic and Mascarpone Cheese Dip
Ingredients:
3 heads of garlic
1 lb. Mascarpone cheese
1/3 lb. Parmesan cheese (grated)
1 tablespoon parsely
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions:
– Wrap each head of garlic individually with a piece of aluminum foil. Roast in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until the garlic is very soft (the cooking of the garlic will mellow the harshness of it).
– Cool the garlic and then cut it in half, squeeze out the cloves in to a mixing bowl and smash the cloves with the back of a fork. Then add all other ingredients and mix vigorously (use a food processor or an electric hand mixer if available).
– Serve dip chilled in a decorative bowl and with warm pita bread, tortilla chips, or vegetable crudités.

Enjoy!

 

SOHO Spotlights Napa Valley

24 Tuesday Aug 2010

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SOHO finishes a tour of California wines and flavors this week on flight night, Wednesday, August 25, when the featured region will be Napa.

 

Vineyards Monticello Vineyards in Napa
 

First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Monticello Chardonnay. This wine has aromas of pears, apricots, figs, vanilla and light butterscotch. On the palate, the Monticello Chardonnay is rich and bright.

 

Next, SOHO will pour a 2007 Osso Anna Merlot. The Osso Anna Merlot is complex with plenty of dark, berry fruit, vanilla, and licorice flavors balanced by great acidity. Finally, SOHO will pour a 2006 Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, the 2006 Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon offers flavors of berry and black cherry, with a touch of dark caramel and coffee.

 

SOHO executive chef Joe Ahn has created three new tapas plates to complement each California wine. The following will be available until Wednesday, September 1.

 

2008 Monticello Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California

100% Chardonnay

Sauteed baby shrimp and scallops with lemon-dill cream over orzo

 

2007 Osso Anna Merlot, Napa Valley, California

100% Merlot

Grilled skirt steak with roasted vegetables and cherry balsamic jus

 

2006 Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Braised beef short ribs with truffled potato chips and rosemary jus

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Join SOHO for Cobb County Restaurant Week

24 Tuesday Aug 2010

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Mark your calendars! SOHO is excited to participate in the 2010 Cobb County Restaurant Week from September 11 – September 18. The week-long event allows diners celebrate the delicous cuisine and vibrant atmosphere of Cobb County's restaurants. Each restaurant will offer diners a three course menu for $20.10 per person.

 

Restaurant_Week_Logo_with_TAG-Web 

Here’s what SOHO will be serving up for restaurant week guests. For the first course, diners can choose a tomato basil soup garnished with a mini goats’ cheese sandwich or a house field green salad (greens, tomatoes, and blue cheese with a white balsamic vinaigrette).

 

For the second course, diners have a choice of three exceptional entrees – an herb roasted chicken breast served with tarragon mashed potatoes, green beans and picatta sauce; the Salmon Napoleon (salmon layered with roasted peppers, spinach and portabella mushrooms) served with tomato-basil risotto; or the beef Bolognese featuring traditional meat sauce over bow-tie pasta.

 

Finally, for dessert, diners can choose from two decadent options – SOHO’s signature chocolate bread pudding served with warm vanilla bean ice cream and two caramel sauces or SOHO’s Belgian Waffle served with toffee ice cream and chocolate sauces.

 

We hope you’ll join us for Cobb County’s Second Annual Restaurant Week. Please click here to make reservations.

Enjoy a Taste of Monterey at SOHO

17 Tuesday Aug 2010

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This week, on flight night, Wednesday, August 18, SOHO Atlanta will feature the wines and flavors of Monterey, California.

 

Sawbuck vineyards Vineyards in Monetery, California, at the Crew Winery (producers of Sawbuck) 

 

First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Scott Family Estate Chardonnay. This wine offers aromas of apple pie and butterscotch. On the palate, the wine offers flavors of pear, carmel apple and pineapple, as well as a long and balanced finish.

 

Next, SOHO will pour a 2008 Sawbuck Malbec. This wine, a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, offers aromas of red apples, blackberries and vanilla. The Malbec has a smooth and long finish, with hints of spice and leather.

 

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Talbott Logan Pinot Noir. Blueberry, ripe cherry and floral aromas are found in this wine . On the palate the Pinot Noir is rich and silky, with flavors of blueberry and cherry-cola.

 

SOHO’s Chef Joe has created three new tapas plates, inspired by Monterey, to be paired with each wine. The following will be available until Wednesday, August 25.

 

2008 Scott Family Estate Chardonnay, Arroyo Seco, California

100% Chardonnay

Crab fritters with shaved green mango salad and lemon aioli

 

2008 Sawbuck Malbec, Mendocino, California

76% Malbec, 19% Cabernet, 5% Syrah

Grilled pizza with sopressata, roasted red peppers and fresh basil

 

2008 Talbott Logan Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

100% Pinot Noir

Pappardelle with duck ragout and shaved pecorino

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses) for $13.50. Or, pair the flight with a tapas plate for $18. Try a full glass of wine and tapas plate for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Delight Your Taste Buds: New Menu Items and Specials at SOHO

17 Tuesday Aug 2010

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The chefs at SOHO continue to create great culinary experiences for our guests – the latest is a new item for our lunch menu, a curry chicken salad sandwich. The sandwich features a curry chicken salad made of red grapes, toasted pecans, mustard, mayonnaise, curry and dill. The curry chicken salad is stuffed inside a fresh pita, along with arugula and tomato – and it is simply delicious. The sandwich is available Monday through Friday on SOHO’s lunch menu. Please stop in and try it soon!

 

Peach salad SOHO's peach salad

 

This week, SOHO’s chefs will be offering two tasty and light summer dishes as specials at dinner. The first dish is a fresh peach salad featuring balsamic glazed peaches, pecans, sweet potato chips and mixed greens tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette.

 

Next, SOHO will offer prosciutto e melone. This classic Italian dish features prosciutto di parma layered over fresh cantaloupe and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. The saltiness of the prosciutto blended with the sweetness of the cantaloupe makes this a can't miss dish.

 

The peach salad and prosciutto e melone will be available at dinner beginning Wednesday evening and lasting through the weekend. We hope you’ll dine with us soon!

Travel West with SOHO

10 Tuesday Aug 2010

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SOHO continues to explore the wines and flavors of California on flight night, Wednesday, August 11. This week SOHO heads to Sonoma.

 

Armida winery Armida winery 

 

First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Patz and Hall Chardonnay. This wine combines fruit from Sonoma’s most renowned vineyards. The Chardonnay offers apple, pear, peach and honey on the nose and good acidity on the palate. Next, SOHO will pour a 2006 Souverain Merlot. The Alexander Valley Merlot offers aromas of black plum, black currant, and blueberry, and ripe fruit on the palate.

 

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2007 Armida Castelli-Knight Pinot Noir. This wine earned 93 points from Wine Spectator and offers flavors of savory herb, dried currant and black cherry, and great complexity.

 

Chef Joe has created three new tapas plates to pair with each California wine. The following will be available until August 18.

 

2008 Patz and Hall Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California

100% Chardonnay

Seared bass, julienne of vegetables and key lime buerre blanc

 

2006 Souverain Merlot, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California

89% Merlot, 8% Cabernet, 3% Malbec

Chimmi churri flat iron steak, soft polenta, and roasted peppers

 

2007 Armida Castelli-Knight Pinot Noir, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California

100% Pinot Noir

Cinnamon duck leg confit with marinated cherries

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a tapas plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Cool Down with Creative Cocktails

10 Tuesday Aug 2010

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With the summer heat still scorching and the days still long, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a refreshing cocktail with friends and family. The staff at SOHO is mixing up some great ones – including one of my favorites, the Pomegranate Lava Lamp. Made with Prosecco, Pomegranate Liqueur and Fresh Lemon Juice, the Lava Lamp is full of bubbly goodness.

 

One other tasty cocktail on SOHO’s list is the Spiked Watermelon martini – Square One Cucumber Vodka and Watermelon Liqueur are mixed to create a delicious drink. If you need a pick-me-up, why not consider an Expresso martini featuring Stoli Vanilla, Kahlua, Baileys, a shot of expresso and a splash of cream?

 

317px-Mojito 

 

Finally, another great cocktail choice is the classic mojito. Nothing cools you off on a hot day quite like a mojito. SOHO’s bartenders mix ours with fresh mint. If you’re interested in whipping up a batch of mojitos at home, here’s a great recipe:

 

Classic Mojito (serves 4)

Ingredients:

Ice

6 ounces light rum

12 mint leaves, 8 broken apart

6 tablespoons fresh lime juice

4 tablespoons sugar

Club soda

4 slices lime

 

Directions:

Place ice in shaker. Add rum, 8 broken mint leaves, lime juice and sugar. Shake well and serve over ice in a high ball glass. Top of each glass with a splash of club soda. Garnish each drink with a slice of lime and mint leaf.

 

Enjoy!

Explore the Flavors of California at SOHO

03 Tuesday Aug 2010

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This August, SOHO will explore the wines and flavors of California. SOHO will feature tastes of Santa Barbara on flight night, Wednesday, August 4.

 

Lincourt-windmill-small Lincourt vineyards

 

First, SOHO will pour a 2006 Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Chardonnay. Produced from the Bien Nacido Vineyard, this lively and clean wine offers juicy and ripe fruit flavors.

 

Next, SOHO will pour a 2007 Demetria Estate Pantheon. The Demetria estate is family-owned and farmed biodynamically. The wine is red blend composed of 65% Syrah and offers dark fruit notes and complex earthiness. Finally, SOHO will pour a 2007 Lincourt Pinot Noir. This elegant and complex wine offers flavors of ripe plums, blackberry and tea on the palate.

 

SOHO’s Chef Joe has created three California-inspired tapas to pair with each wine. The following will be available until August 11.

 

2006 Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, California

100% Chardonnay

Panko and Dijon encrusted pork loin with browned butter applesauce

 

2007 Demetria Estate Pantheon, Santa Inez Valley, California

65% Syrah blend

Moroccan lamb tagine with cous cous and cucumber raita

 

2007 Lincourt Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, California

100% Pinot Noir

Hot smoked salmon, jicama slaw and avocado vinaigrette

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Recipe: Chef Joe’s Grilled Tomato and Onion Soup

03 Tuesday Aug 2010

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The chefs at SOHO have been featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients in dishes all summer – from a summer primavera to a peach salad. For cooks working with seasonal vegetables at home, SOHO’s executive chef, Joe Ahn, is passing along another summer recipe, this one featuring the state vegetable of Georgia, the Vidalia Onion.

 

Ga_vidalia 
  

Grilled Tomato and Vidalia Onion Soup with mini Goats’ Cheese Grilled Cheese (Serves 4)

 

Ingredients:

1 quart San Marzano Italian canned tomatoes (slightly crushed)

1 Vidalia onion (or any sweet onion) (peeled and lightly oiled)

1 oz. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 oz. fresh basil

Salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste)

 

2 slices sourdough bread

1 oz. goats’ cheese (or your favorite cheese)

1 teaspoon butter or olive oil

 

Directions:

Slice onion into large rounds and grill well on both sides. Sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add tomatoes and bring mixture to a boil. Add basil and salt and pepper to taste. Blend mixture until smooth and serve.

 

Spread cheese in between two slices of bread and lightly brown on both sides in medium-heated non-stick pan. Cut sandwich into four pieces and use to garnish soup.

 

Enjoy!