Sunday, February 24, 2008
Food, "Dish"
What’s new?
Celebrations take the cake, while beef recall provokes more concern
CREDIT:Courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen
By Kirsten Ott
HAVE YOUR CAKE
Leap Year babies have it rough, what with only getting a “real” birthday just once every four years. Whole Foods Market feels your pain; hence, the natural-foods store is giving away free birthday cakes on Friday, Feb. 29, to all those celebrating their birthday that day (proper ID required). You’ll also get a free $10 gift certificate to go buy some ice cream with that cake. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
SLICE OF THE GOOD LIFE
Giving is far better than receiving. When California Pizza Kitchen opens its newest store at Pine Straw Plaza in Marietta on Monday, Feb. 25, it will donate 100 percent of all dine-in pizza sales to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama, which is headquartered in Marietta. The nonprofit organization grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Past wishes have included trips to Walt Disney World, meeting celebrities and sports stars, going on shopping sprees or being an airline pilot or ballerina. Try our fave: the Thai chicken pizza, which features chicken breast marinated in a spicy peanut-ginger and sesame sauce, mozzarella cheese, green onions, bean sprouts, julienne carrots, cilantro and roasted peanuts. Forget your diet for a day. Do it for the children. 4250 Roswell Road. 770-971-7950. www.cpk.com.
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Virginia-Highlands’ Alon’s Bakery and Market is revving up for round two. After 15 solid years and national popularity for their homemade tarts, cakes, pastries, cookies and breads, Alon and Janine Balshan have opened a second location across from Perimeter Mall in the old Eatzi’s location. This expansive new shelter gives the gourmet foodies more than 11,000 square feet in which to spread their wings, er, baked goods, cheese, wine and even cooking demos. www.alons.com.
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
After the recent recall of nearly 150 million pounds of beef (which coincidentally represents the 34th recall of beef by the USDA in the last 12 months), we here at SP are feeling a little wary of ordering that next juicy cheeseburger. Kathy Stevens believes it’s time for American consumers to reject a diet based on animal products and to embrace a safe and compassionate vegetarian diet. Stevens, founder of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary and author of “Where the Blind Horse Sings: Love and Healing at an Animal Sanctuary,” speaks openly about animal suffering, emotions and feelings in her book. Catskill Animal Sanctuary is a New York–based haven for abused and abandoned farm animals. Since its inception in 2001, CAS has saved the lives of more than 1,200 needy farm animals. In addition to rescue, CAS raises public awareness of the impact of agribusiness on animals, humans and the planet. Its cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys and geese are even available for adoption as pets. www.casanctuary.org. www.blindhorsesings.com. For additional information on the recall and food safety, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org. SP
When she’s not checking out restaurants, interviewing chefs or nodding off after her fifth glass of wine, Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott dishes culinary and cocktail insights. E-mail her at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.