Atlanta Food & Wine Festival – Preview!

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A Southern Favorite

Last week I mentioned that Ryan and I will be heading to the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (details below) in June and that we could NOT be any more excited! 

In preparation for the food coma that will surely be in our future, we decided to hop on over to one of our favorite local spots for some good ole’ Southern cooking. Chefs James and Julie Petrakis (husband and wife team) are responsible for more than a few Southern-inspired culinary hot spots in Orlando including Cask & Larder and The Ravenous Pig.

Speaking of Cask & Larder, it has long been one of our favorite date spots in town! You can always count on delicious Southern comfort food, cocktails to be shaken to perfection, and for the vibe to be hoppin’. You’ll also enjoy the BEST bbq chicken you’ve ever eaten! Every time we go to C&L we try and switch up what we order to experience something new on their seasonal menu (with the exception of the bbq chicken, we will FOREVER order the bbq chicken!). The best thing about Cask & Larder is that their Southern food is truly an art form and each visit we fall more in love with Chef James and Julie’s work.  

If you are like me then you probably love a good recommendation on what to order, so write this down people… this is good stuff!

Cocktails:

Gin & Tonic:  C&L is know for its “on tap” Gin & Tonic. For good reason, it’s pretty much the best cocktail you’ll ever have. Made with Ransom dry gin & Jack Rudy small batch tonic. 

Bourbon Old Fashioned: Um, if you like whiskey, this will make you VERY happy. Brown-butter-infused Old Forester bourbon, smoked simple syrup, angostura & orange bitters. Also, I am pretty sure I saw the bartender carve the ice cube from a block of ice, so there’s that. 

Appetizers & Fixin’s:

Oysters: If you like oysters, you will love C&L’s with hot sauce and crackers!

Mac & Cheese: I can’t with this one, I have no words.

Salads:

Kale Salad – I have ranted and raved over this salad since the first time I had it. If you go to Cask & Larder and don’t get the kale salad, I’m not sure we can be friends! (peaches, avocado, beets, almond granola, bacon vinaigrette)

Plates:

Nashville Hot Chicken – This will forever be my favorite dish. So. Good. 

Desserts:

Ice Cream Sandwiches – I mean, who doesn’t love an ice cream sandwich?! (spiced honey cookie, blood orange semifreddo, grapefruit marmalade, honeycomb bark).

Deconstructed Napoleon – AKA the best thing I’ve ever had. (brûléed banana, citrus cream, chocolate-bourbon ice cream, passion fruit).

Chef James Petrakis will be attending as talent at The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival in June, and I can’t wait to see what he will be cooking up! 

If you are looking to get a little Food & Wine Festival preview, hop on over to Cask & Larder! 

This will be my first year attending the Food & Wine Festival but I have heard so many wonderful things about the event! One thing everyone raves about is how truly educational it is. Not only are you able to enjoy all the good things, but there are classes you can attend (Wine & Flowers, I’m looking at you!) on pairings, wine and whiskey tastings, how to’s, and the history on certain foods. I feel like this is going to be a weekend that we won’t forget! 

I’d love for you to come and toast to what I have been told is the best weekend all year!!

So, treat yo’ self and buy your tickets here —> Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tickets

Photographed by: Daniel Nichol Photography

 Chef James and Julie Petrakis – Food

Amanda Gibbons – Cocktails

Esther Rodriguez – Pastries