Restaurant of the Week

I have worked across from the new W Hotel since it was more than just a letter, and I was as excited to try the restaurant as I was to walk back and forth (and back and forth) in from the of the interactive digital wall at the entrance. Spice Market, the restaurant on the second floor of the über-chic hotel, provided me a meal that was as attractive and tasteful as the décor. I joined some friends (both old and new) for dinner at Spice Market on Wednesday, and sat down to a magical wine glass that never seemed to be empty. We started with what I assume was everything on the menu - Shrimp Tod Mon Pla, Chili-rubbed Beef Skewers and - my favorite - Spiced Chicken Samosas (pictured, center left). If you haven't had a samosa, this might be the place to break the streak.

Our salad was a salad (though it wasn't bad) - bring on the meat! I'll start with my favorite - Char grilled Chicken with Kumquat Lemongrass dressing. I joked on the radio today that I thought they were funny tasting tomatoes, but after your waiter pours the wine like mine, you might mistake them yourself. Anything cooked with kumquats has a special place on my list. This was delicious and just tart enough. We also tasted the Red Curried Duck. Curries are different based on the region, and you can find more information about them here. All you need to know was this one was good. I had to avoid the pea side dish because of my allergies, but the ginger friend rice was a nice substitution.

I wish I could say I passed on dessert, but I didn't. I even took home some of the cookies for the next day to help me enjoy cleaning. I was pleasantly surprised that Ovaltine could be combined with bananas and spiced milk chocolate. I believe my sentiments were best summed up by, "More Ovaltine, please!" The Thai Jewels and Fruit (pictured, right, bottom) was interesting and not to miss. It is crushed coconut ice, mango, passion fruit and palm seed.

Spice Market is the perfect spot for a date - the atmosphere, service and food are all top notch. You will need to plan ahead if you are on a budget, but it is worth the spend.

With Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's permission, I share these recipes here. Notice my favorite, Char grilled Chicken with Kumquat Lemongrass, is there. Enjoy!

Spice Market
188 14th Street (in the W Hotel)
404.549.5450
www.spicemarketatlanta.com

What's Going on?

Friday, June 13, 2008 – Thursday, June 19, 2008
Coming out with Hot Gay Joe

Mamma Mia!

• Fox Theatre
• Nightly through Sunday
• $35.00 - $64.00
• ABBA’s best songs told on the big stage
• 404-817-8700
• www.FoxTheatre.org

True Colors

• Chastain Park Amphitheatre
• Monday, June 16 @ 7:00 p.m. (doors @ 5:30 p.m.)
• $39.50 - $79.50
• Time to drop names, Cyndi Lauper, B-52’s, Rosie O’Donnell and Carson Kressley
• A great show that also benefits the Human Rights Campaign (www.HRC.org)
• www.turecolorstour.com

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall

• Ball fields at Heritage Park (101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough)
• All weekend (see website for times)
• FREE
• Regardless of your political views on the current wall, this is a powerful memorial
• 3/5 scale of the monument in Washington, D.C.
• https://hcwebb.boca.co.henry.ga.us/news/articles.aspx#924

Summer @ Zaya

• 240 Highland
• $1.00 Ketle One Drinks ALL SUMMER (I didn’t stutter)
• 1/2 price appetizers during the week
• Stay tuned for a review of the food
• 404.477.0050
• www.zayarestaurant.com

Taste of Brookhaven

• Oglethorpe University
• Saturday, June 14, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• $40.00 in advance, $50.00 @ the door ($350 gets you a table for six)
• Food and wine from Bones, Hudson Grille, Nava, Four Seasons Hotel, Repast, Spice Market, W Hotel and more
• Live jazz music, silent and live aution and chef demonstrations
• http://www.brookhavenartsalliance.com/tob/tobMain.html

Where in the World is Hot Gay Joe?
Martinis & Imax

• Fernbank Museum
• Fridays 5:30 – 10:00 p.m.
• $15.00, $10.00 for members
• What is there to explain – drink a martini and watch an Imax
• This week is Antarctica
• 404.929.6400
• www.fernbankmuseum.org

Restaurant of the Week – Parish

• 240 N. Highland (in Inman Park)
• I had the duck (and about three martinis)
• Alex had the (amazing) gumbo
• 404.681.4434
• www.parishatl.com

Think you know what is hot in Atlanta? Have a favorite restaurant for me to try? Submit it here or send me an e-mail and let me know about your upcoming event or favorite restaurant @ HotGayJoe@gmail.com.
Want to know what’s going on when I am not on the air? Check out my blog at http://lifesabechely.blogspot.com – leave me a voicemail, send me a message or make me your homepage.

Lunch for $1

I told you about FREE chicken breakfast sandwiches earlier this week, but they are back! Go into any McDonald's today and buy a medium or large drink (they all happen to be $1 right now) and you can try a FREE Southern Style Chicken Sandwich. Tell 'em Joe sent you.

Ultimate Restaurant Week

If you haven't heard, get your head out of the sand (or just listen to me on Fridays @ 4:30 on Star 94.1) - it is Ultimate Restaurant Week (part 1). Through Friday, May 16 you can get a great three-course prix-fixe meal for only $29.00 (that isn't a typo). Alex and are headed to Nava, but you can hit up any of the Buckhead Life Restaurants. If you miss it this week, they repeat next week (Monday - Friday) with a new menu everywhere.