Tasting Boutique Exposes Extra Virgin Olive Oil's Loss of Virginity

ATLANTA, Ga. - A new tasting boutique attracted locals and tourists and tested tasters' knowledge about the olive oil market.

Oli & Ve is a tasting boutique for Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars. Suzanne Davidson, a co-owner of the tasting boutique, said she came across an oil and vinegar tasting boutique during one of her food frenzy travels and knew it was what she wanted to do. Just after meeting one time, Davidson and Deborah Harder became co-owners of this business which did so well in the first few months after it opened in Roswell, that they opened a second shop in Buckhead Monday.

"We work so well together," said Deborah. "I'm the realistic one in charge of everything operational. Suzanne is the creative one, the dreamer. For Suzanne, even the flowers on the center table have to match the season."

According to Oli & Ve’s website, "Our oils range from Single Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils to fused/infused Flavored Oils and a selection of Gourmet Oils. Our aged Balsalmics not only include the Traditional but also flavors such as Raspberry, Espresso, Pomegranate, Chocolate, Fig and Cranberry Pear among other."Tasters can taste the different oils with breads and the balsamic vinegars with vanilla ice cream. Oil & Ve also hosts events such as birthday parties, book clubs, bridal showers, etc. and also offers cooking classes which use their products.

Both Davidson and Hardee said they believe they consumers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars have been lead astray in the food products. According to Hardee, there are not stringent rules in the production of Olive Oils and Vinegars. The industry has become quite "scandalous." Both owners encourage customers to taste, experiment, and even read about their products between the health benefits and even the "virginity of the scandalous..., a book available for purchase in the boutique.

"Products in grocery stores claim to be from Modena, Italy or Santotini, Greece, but they're not. Its not until you taste the real thing that you can recognize the difference " said Hardee.

Vegan Restaurant Tests Athens' Taste Buds

ATHENS, Ga. – A new “almost-vegan” restaurant opened on West Broad Street in Athens hoping to change Athens food culture.

Vanessa Molina, owner of Broad Street Coffee and Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurant, opened the “almost-vegan” restaurant with her husband Juan and hired vegan chef, Michelle Berzack, to be the head chef and manager of the restaurant.

The term “almost vegan” is used precisely because Molina serves no cheese, eggs, or other animal products; however, she does serve coffee creamers and milk for the coffee. Even the creamers and milk are only bought from farmers who treat their cows ethically. “I won’t buy it if it isn’t ethical, but I think a lot of vegans appreciate that,” Molina said in an interview with Nick Coltrain, a reporter from Online Athens. Molina said that they only buy organic. If the ingredients needed in a dish aren’t top quality (organic), then the dish will not be on the menu.

Hayden Wilson, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, said she doesn’t know how successful this new “almost-vegan” restaurant will be. “I have a lot of friends who eat very healthy – kale, brussels sprouts, bean sprouts, quinoa, lentils – the whole shebang, but they aren’t 100% vegan. I don’t know if many people in Athens are 100% vegan either. It’s nice to eat healthy, but I think sometimes the whole vegan thing is a little much. So we’ll see how they do.”

Emma Price, another sophomore student at the University of Georgia, commented on the combination of coffee and food. “I think perhaps they are trying to do too much. The title alone is confusing: a coffee and vegan restaurant? What is that? It’s intriguing, no doubt, but if they’re purpose was to go vegan, they should have done it all the way.”

Reactions to the new restaurant were mixed, but a general tread among responses was similar to Price’s last words, “Either forget the food, and focus on the coffee, or forget the coffee and stick to the food."

New Steak ‘n Shake Welcomes Students, Residents, and Even Police

ATHENS, Ga. – New Steak ‘n Shake opened in Athens Thursday, welcoming hundreds of students, local residents and even police who were directing the lines of the traffic.

Previously to the opening, the nearest Steak ‘n Shake to Athens was 32 miles away in Buford – not exactly around the corner for Athens residents. Signs outside of the Athens Steak ‘n Shake had been up for weeks letting future customers know when the opening date would be. Considering the number of nearby Steak ‘N Shake restaurant, the number of customers opening day doesn’t seem so shocking – even if a police barricade was required.

Wayne Robinson, the franchise owner and a graduate of University of Georgia, said in an interview with Online Athens that “I’ve always had a fondness for Athens, so I’m just glad to be back.”

Lauren Palmer, a sophomore student at UGA, was driving to her apartment from school when she passed the restaurant opening day. “I was planning on going there with my friends opening night before the Twilight premiere, but there was no way we were going to get a table, let alone make it into the parking lot!”

The franchise is famous for their hamburgers and milkshakes. While there are other restaurants in Athens that serve the same foods, “There’s no comparison,” said Palmer. “I always get the Frisco melt with cheese fries. It’s the best there is.” 

Country Music Star is Now Cooking

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Country music star officially turned to the kitchen in April where she succeeded in her first season of her cooking show Trisha's Southern Kitchen, now starting its second season this fall. 

According to foodnetwork.com, Trisha Yearwood has won three Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, three Country Music Association honors and 19 top 10 singles. She has written two best-selling cookbooks: Oklahoma Kitchen and Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood. Trisha's Southern Kitchen is on Food Network and has just started its second season. 

In an interview with Nancy Durham of ourstage.com, Yearwood said, "For me, cooking is very connected to my family and friends. Every recipe on the show carries wonderful memories with my loved ones... I really see this asa tribute to my mom."  

Lauren Jean, a fan of Yearwood's music and food, said, "I love Trisha Yearwood. Always have, always will. She's country alright, a perfect blend of the south in one strong, southern woman." 

Yearwood is from Monticello, GA. She has a home in Owasso, Okla. and a home in Nashville, Tenn. with her husband Garth Brooks and his three daughters. 

Jean said, "Her food is as good as her music. And if you know her music, then you know that's saying something." 

Mexican Street Food on Alpharetta Highway

ROSWELL, Ga. – New restaurant opens in Roswell near Canton Street welcoming more people than even restaurant managers expected.

Pure, located on Alpharetta Highway less than a mile from Roswell’s popular Canton Street, opened its doors Monday. Manager Chris Supinski said the restaurant still has two phases to go before it is complete. Phase 1 was the kitchen and main restaurant area itself, however phase two consists of an outdoor patio and bar, and phase three will be the butcher shop next door, which will supply many meats for Pure. 

“This restaurant isn’t a typical tex-mex restaurant like we see so much in Roswell. Our food is true Mexican Street Food with no American take on it,” Supinski said. “The atmosphere of Pure is unique. It stands out from other restaurants nearby especially with its modern approach, garage doors, and many windows.”

Supinski said they chose to built on Alpharetta Highway instead of Canton street because of the demographics, lower costs, more parking, less city requirements, and tax breaks. “Alpharetta Highway has been going through a revitalization period, and hopefully Pure, along with a few other restaurants, can bring about a good change for the area,” Supinski said. According to Supinski, there are 6 Pure restaurants total. Five are in the state of Georgia and the other in North Carolina. The original Pure was in Alpharetta, Ga, converted from an old Pure Filling Station from the 1900s. Thus, the garage doors stayed and became an icon for other Pure restaurant locations.

When asked how business is going and what Pure’s best dish is, he said without hesitation, “Since our opening, we haven’t had many empty tables. We have a valet service just to handle the flow of customers. And our best dish? Hmm… Definitely our fish tacos. Those seem to be a big hit with the margaritas.” 

Cheesewell is the Tastier Creswell

ATHENS, Ga. - Two University of Georgia students started a food business in the most unexpected places – their dorm room in the residence hall Creswell, soon to be known as Cheesewell.

Chaz Gunning, a freshman student studying Environmental Engineering, and Andrew Kapusta, a freshman student studying Civil Engineering, have just started a $1 grilled cheese business called Cheesewell freshman students living in Creswell, a freshman dorm at the University of Georgia.

The idea came one night when Gunning and Kapusta were sitting in their room watching TV. Gunning said, “I was so tired, hungry, and lazy. I didn’t want to walk all the way down to Bolton Dining Hall for a grilled cheese. I said to my roommate, ‘Man I wish someone could make me a grilled cheese for now,’ and that was when the idea hit us.” With 980 students living in Creswell, there would be plenty of business, especially with students staying up late studying or returning from downtown, said Gunning.

Both Gunning and Kapusta said they want to make this business as simple as possible, with as little cost to Gunning and Kapusta and students. “Everyone wants a good deal,” Gunning said. “The key to this business is the simplicity and the cost.”

Last week, they put business cards with their website information underneath each student’s door. If anyone wants a grilled cheese, all they have to do is go to their website and put their order in with the online order form. An email with the order will be sent to Gunning and Kapusta’s phones. Gunning and Kapusta make the grilled cheese and deliver it to the customer’s door. Grilled cheeses are wrapped in wax paper and sealed with Gunning and Kapusta’s company label.

Gunning and Kapusta said they call themselves “The Grilled Cheese Guys.” Both said they hope this business will not only help them learn business, marketing, and new media skills, but it could help them meet some peers – especially the ladies.

A New Sense of “Fresh” in Athens

ATHENS, Ga. - New specialty food store opened its doors to customers with tasteful treats and free giveaways.

The Fresh Market had its Grand Opening on Wednesday and welcomed hundreds of local customers into its store. Customers were warmly welcomed by The Fresh Market’s 90 person staff with an array of free samples at their fingertips from freshly made French toast and Bacon to Pumpkin Yogurt Pretzels. The first 1,000 customers received reusable shopping bags, a free sample of coffee, and Jelly Beans. Customers could also enter a chance to win a  $100 gift card, Chef Demonstrations, and more. With 11 other Georgia locations, The Fresh Market has placed Athens, Ga. on the map - now making a big statement for the Athens community. Its 24,000 square feet store in Athens sells products from 50 - 100 local venders.

When asked about how she felt about The Fresh Market, Mason Burril, a sophomore Public Relations and Consumer Journalism student at the University of Georgia, said that she is thrilled The Fresh Market has come to Athens. “The experience itself is so fun! My friends and I got to watch a deli employee cut open a huge wheel of Parmigiano and give samples to the crowd of customers. I’ve been to Italy, and I never got to eat Parmignano directly from the wheel!”

The Fresh Market is located at 196 Alps Road. Its location is prime for traffic of local residents and especially students. However, it is not the only grocery store in town. Within a few miles, there are grocery stores such as Kroger, Publix, Earth Fare, Trader Joe’s and Wal-Mart. Earth Fare and Trader Joe’s are The Fresh Market’s biggest competitors in the “specialty food store” category. While Earth Fare’s slogan is “The Healthy Supermarket,” The Fresh Market’s slogan is “Experience the food.” On Wednesday that is just what customers did.

 “I’ll definitely buy some of my groceries here since I can’t find some of my favorite foods in regular grocery stores,” said Burril. “At The Fresh Market, it’s like rediscovering food all over again and bringing a fresh perspective to not only your diet, but your life as well.”