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After a week of being under the weather, it’s time that we get things back up to speed.  Fortunately, today is Friday, and that means another edition of Inside The Chef’s Kitchen.  Since this is still a new feature, I’ll point ya’ll to the introductory post so that you can familiarize yourself with what this is all about.

For this installment of the weekly interview series, we scored some time with Georgia native Keira Moritz.  Moritz, who hales from Valdosta, currently runs the show at both Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Lounge.

In addition to having a vibrant and warm personality, Moritz knows her food.  Her prowess in the kitchen helped Pacci land on Esquire’s list of best new restaurants in 2009.

If you want to go visit Keira, all you have to do is make a reservation!  If you see her walking the floor, don’t hesitate to say hello. I’m sure she’ll charm you with some of her Southern hospitality.  And with that, welcome to ITCK!

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  Harvest Midtown hits Sunday, Oct. 4 from 1pm to 5pm (that’s tomorrow as of this writing).  The event will be hosted at the Georgian Terrace in Midtown and runs from 1pm to 5pm.  This fall festival features a lot of food, wine, and entertainment from around the city.

If ya’ll are looking for full on details, check out Harvest Midtown’s website.  In the meantime, here’s a little summary of what to expect in the food & wine department.

Winemaker Mark Davidson will be hosting mini seminars on organic bio demonic wines.  They run once an hour on the 30s.  If you get a sip of something you like, head over to the Barrelman Wine & Cheese Booth to score some grape juiz.

Meanwhile, there will be food tastings from a number of nearby restaurants.  According to the HM Website, you’ll be able to score some grub from ENO, Chow Baby, Muss & Turner’s, Holy Taco, The Melting Pot, The Sun Dial, Spice Market, Rosa Mexicano, Livingston, Baraonda, Pacci, Pura Vida, The Oceanaire, Nickiemoto’s, Noni’s Deli, Dolce, Geisha House, Flat Creek Lodge, and Ri Ra Irish Pub.  If you’re interested in going, you have a couple of ticket options. General admission tix will run you $55 while VIP cost $85.  You can save $10 if you purchase tickets before tomorrow.  You can do that online.  Last but not least, the event is a fundraiser for Camp Twin Lakes.  Details on the tickets after the jump!

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Another week comes, another “restaurant week” hits.  Atlanta’s Midtown Restaurant Week, which drops for the 4th time, starts tonight (August 29) and runs through Sunday, September 6th.  This one features a whopping 43 restaurants (if my math is correct).  In what has become formulaic normalcy, you show up at one of the participating restaurants, ask for and order off a special prix-fixe menu, and get three courses for $25.  Don’t forget: alcohol isn’t included, and neither is tax and gratuity.  If you want the full on onslaught of information, check out the Midtown Restaurant Week official website.  Otherwise, just keep reading for the list of menus and restaurants!

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There is something unsettling about working on the internet at 30,000 ft.  Maybe it’s the inordinate amount of pre-pubescent children that are wailing in my ear or the 40-something behind me who doesn’t know how to chew with his mouth closed (what’s he eating anyway?).  Okay, enough with the kvetching, I can’t expect a chill session at Octane Coffee.  Still, I persevere (I know – poor me .. right?).

Yesterday, a small group of us skedaddled over to Pacci Ristorante at the Palomar Hotel.  While this was my first foray into their Sunday brunch, I already have several meals there and an impromptu chat with head chef Keira Moritz under my belt.  Though I’ve had the desire for some time to inspect the brunch offerings, our jaunt yesterday was most certainly motivated by the little special they have running.  Though I think it ends August 30th (meaning you only have one more shot), Pacci is offering up a flip for your brunch promotion.  The specifics are simple: if you order from a select menu (roughly eight items), you have a chance to get a free meal.  When you’re all wrapped up, the chef will show up table side and flip a coin.  Call it correctly – you walk out there sans check.  Get a run of bad luck? No biggie, the worst that happens is that you are only responsible for what you’d have to pay anyway.  A heck of a deal, especially for those of us that have found our way into a game of credit card roulette during a Vegas binge (or two or three).

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A few months ago, I was turned on to a new supper club touted as “Prelude To Staplehouse.”  Since then, Jenifer and Ryan Hidinger have made quite an impression.  As other bloggers begin to catch wind of this thang, I myself am getting in on the fun.  I’m off to see what this couple has in store.  I’ll be in touch shortly on it.  Also, I made my way over to Pacci for brunch this morning.  Expect some notes on that shortly.

While you wait, check out this post on Adventurous Tastes about her experience.

It’s late, I’ve knocked back a few, and there’s a game on … so I’m calling uncle for this evening.  I just rolled back in from the opening night at Abattoir, the new restaurant from those behind Atlanta favs Bacchanalia and Star Provisions.  The meal was knock me on my ass good.

This comes hot on the heals of last nights jaunt over at Pacci Ristorante.  After my unplanned chat with executive chef Keira Moritz, I was really looking forward to checking out the restaurant.  It didn’t disappoint.  To kill some time until I get my first impressions post up, check out my post about that conversation.  It was great to have a chat with a chef without having to worry about them knowing I might post something about it!

I’ll get at least one of the posts up tomorrow, with the other to follow shortly.  In the meantime, enjoy this phallic adaptation of the potted chicken liver and foie gras.  Topped with Armagnac and served with a side of grain mustard and a gherkin … it was freaking delish (though Paces 88’s take was a smidge better).   The decision to insert said pickle into the pâté was Mrs. Harrell’s and not the kitchens!!!!  Anyway, enjoy the eye candy … and a little peace from Adam’s better half.

My head is spinning.  Yesterday, I visited Verde Taqueria for lunch and the soft opening of  Five Seasons Brewing Company for dinner.  Both events were forgettable to say the least.  While Verde was disappointing, Five Seasons was infuriating.  Needless to say, I planned on using those experiences as the basis for my next two posts.  However, you never know what you’re gonna get out of an evening with Adam [the guest blogger dude].  Thus, I find myself writing a post that was anything but planned.

After serving time over at Five Seasons, Adam and I left the crew and headed back to our neck of the woods.  As it turns out, Adam spent last weekend at the Palomar with his lovely wife.  He enjoyed his meal at Pacci Ristorante and his time at AltoRex, the Palomar’s outdoor bar.  Given the hotel’s proximity to Adam’s domicile, his previous experience there, and the beautiful weather, we elected to stop in for a few drinks over at AltoRex.

After a handful of libations and a few cringes (the Hawks were getting a beat down), my sad culinary day took a sharp u-turn.  Throughout the evening, I noticed a young woman darting about the bar.  Dressed in a chef’s jacket and a pair of black pants, the woman was clearly up to something.  Adam informed me that she was the Executive Chef of Pacci, the hotel’s flagship restaurant.  And here’s where it got interesting! [more after the jump]

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