Sunday, July 13, 2008
Food, "Dish"
Cool it
A trio of beat-the-heat treats
James Steidl
Hit up your favorite bartender at Spoon for coolness in a glass. By Kirsten Ott
ONE
Dreamy creative treats are being served now through July 20 at Rosa Mexicano’s Festival de Helados, featuring a delicious assortment of ice creams, sorbets and postres de helado (ice cream desserts) that celebrate the traditional flavors of Mexico. Highlights include chocolate oaxaqueno (oaxacan chocolate with rum, raisins and almonds), mango flameado (mango and rum) and fruity and refreshing sorbets, such as the chia con limon (Mexican chia seed and lemon). Don’t miss the guacamole de postre, dessert guacamole prepared tableside for two: Salted avocado butter ice cream is served in a frozen molcajete and combined with fresh strawberries, white chocolate shavings, Mexican wedding cookie crunch and chopped mint leaves and then served with chocolate dusted sweet tortilla chips and two dipping sauces. Rosa Mexicano is located in Atlantic Station, 245 18th St. NW. 404-347-4090. www.rosamexicano.com.
TWO
You might like to spice things up with Thai cuisine at Spoon, but you can cool right off with bartender Aaron Chamberlain’s canary-yellow paradise martini, a summery concoction of all-the-rage lychee liqueur, Grey Goose pear and pineapple juice. Just one is likely enough to put you in the passenger seat on the way home, but at least you’ll be refreshed. It might also serve as a segue for some summer lovin’ … lychees are Asian heart-shaped fruits that have a centuries-old reputation for love and romance. Spoon is located at 768 Marietta St. 404-522-5655. www.spoonatlanta.com.
THREE
In the early morning hours before the sun creeps up, it’s still cool enough to venture outside without instantly melting. On any given Saturday, Piedmont Park holds its Green Market, which is spread out along the dogwood-lined streets of Midtown’s backyard. Green Market is an open-air farmer’s market featuring locally grown produce, artisan cheeses, fresh-cut flowers and natural merchandise. Ripe fruits are in abundance—perfect for frosty smoothies, ice cream toppers and healthy snacks. Don’t miss the cool-as-a-cucumber veggies. In season right now: heirloom tomatoes, shell beans, summer squash, melons, peppers, peaches, blueberries, figs and corn. Green Market encourages sustainable communities in the most basic of ways—by providing shoppers with direct access to local farmers and merchants. Now through Dec. 13, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Along the 12th St. entrance to Piedmont Park. 404-876-4024 x23. www.piedmontpark.org. SP
When she’s not checking out restaurants, interviewing chefs or sleepily nodding off after her fifth glass of well-chilled sangria, Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott dishes culinary and cocktail insights. E-mail her at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.