Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, renowned for its mouth-watering desserts and daily helpings of fresh veggies, announces its expanded new dinner menu, new hours and a new chef.

Chef Brian Charles has joined the culinary team at Gabriel’s Restaurant. Brian, along with owner and cookbook author Johnnie Gabriel, has developed an expanded dinner menu that debuts this week. Rotating dinner specials will include Shrimp and Grits, Chipotle Maple Barbeque Beef Brisket, Fried Tilapia Over Cheese Grits and Fried Chicken. Gabriel’s will also offer such favorites as meatloaf, roasted chicken, and country fried steak and salmon cakes nightly.

Brian graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta’s Culinary Program and gained popularity during his time as a chef at Marietta Country Club and Pinetree Country Club. His followers will be pleased to know his culinary creations can now be found at Gabriel’s.

“Our goal is to provide a warm, friendly restaurant where you can bring your entire family for delicious, southern comfort-food at a good price,” says owner Johnnie Gabriel.

Gabriel’s will now serve dinner Tuesday – Saturday nights until 9 pm.

Johnnie Gabriel, along with her husband, Ed, opened Gabriel’s in 1996. They started with a small bakery which has since tripled in size and evolved into a full-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts six days a week.

Gabriel’s reputation for mouth-watering desserts and homemade southern cuisine has been recognized with numerous awards in Atlanta Magazine’s Best of Atlanta editions along with publication of recipes in national magazines such as Cooking with Paula. Johnnie has cooked with Paula Deen, America’s beloved chef and Johnnie’s cousin, on Paula’s Best Dishes and Paula’s Party. Johnnie’s cookbook, Cooking in the South with Johnnie Gabriel, is in its second printing, and Johnnie just announced her second cookbook, Second Helpings, would be available in the fall.

Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bakery, located at 800 Whitlock Avenue in Marietta, is open Mondays from 7 am – 6:30 pm and Tuesdays – Saturdays from 7 am – 9 pm. They can be reached at 770-427-9007 or found online at www.gabrielsdesserts.com

If you’ve been on the Marietta Square lately, you’ll notice the new front to the Theatre in the Square. They’ve put a lot of money into the project and I’m guessing it’s complete. What do you all think of the new front to the Theatre in the Square?

Comments? Leave them below!

Cobb Christmas operates solely on donations of money, toys and food from the community. Making a financial contribution to Cobb Christmas is one of the best ways you can help us achieve our mission.

$25 buys one child gifts, toys and a stuffed stocking
$50 buys two children gifts, toys and food for their family
$100 buys gifts, toys, stockings and food for two typical client families

Nearly $0.90 of each dollar you donate to Cobb Christmas is used to directly benefit our clients. Because Cobb Christmas is a 100% volunteer operated organization, our overhead and fund-raising expenses are kept to a minimum. The ONLY limit we have to providing assistance to the low-income and working-poor families in Cobb County each year are self-imposed based on the amount of money we raise. Help us make sure that no child wakes up on Christmas morning without a stuffed stocking and something new and special under the tree.

Don’t feel comfortable making your donation online? They will gladly accept a check.

Join Cobb Christmas on Facebook today!

REMINDERS:  There is a lot going on this weekend. 
Tonight is the First Friday Art Walk.
We will have Live entertainment and a
Beer Tasting beginning at 5. Saturday
the Marietta Daze Festival and
Farmers Market. Sunday May
3^rd  is our
North GA Wine Trip. (Note: Our bus
will have 58 seats- I have room for 4-5 more
people- Call ASAP if interested 770-919-1574. DETAILS
BELOW.   P.s. Saturday is also Derby Day. Pick up some cold
wine , beer, and cheese or  come watch it with us at the Marietta
Wine Market.

FRIDAY, MAY 1st  “First Friday on the
Square & Art Walk 2009” (6pm-9pm)
First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of the
Marietta Square’s galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants and
businesses on the first Friday of every month, April  October
(except for July), rain or shine.  New this year is “Artist’s
Alley” an area where artists can exhibits their works.  The Artist’s
Alley will be in the courtyard outside the Marietta Welcome Center &
Visitors Bureau, in the historic train depot at 4 Depot Street.

Participating shops and galleries are open late and offer in-store events
and so much more. Art Walk Maps available at the Marietta Welcome Center
& participating shops.  Get your map stamped at Art Walk
locations along the way and earn a free gift bag at the last
stop.

FRIDAY, MAY 1st  “First Friday/Art Walk at
the Marietta Wine Market ” (6pm-9pm)

Featured Tasting: “Specialty Beers” $10pp. (5pm-8pm)
Christopher M’s Work will be on display from the Vining Gallery or Join
us for wine by the glass from our wine list.  Complimentary
hors’dourves served from 5pm-9pm

Featured Vocal Artist: Tracey Adams .
(5pm-8pm).

FRIDAY. MAY
1^st
Scary-etta Trolley Ghost Tour” (8:00-9:30pm)
Step aboard the trolley for a spirited 90 minute
fully-narrated ride through Marietta.  Learn the history of Marietta
though the eyes of the dearly departed.  Hear stories of the ghosts
residing in the Kennesaw House and the story of the haunted Mary Meinert
statue at the St. James Episcopal Cemetery.  Walk briefly around the
Marietta City Cemetery and hear the story of Marietta’s most famous ghost
the “Lady in Black.” The ride concludes with a haunting at a local pub
and former fire house that is full of spirits, both supernatural and
intoxicating. Call 678-290-9193 to make your reservation or go to

www.ghostsofmarietta.com
for more information

SATURDAY, May 2nd  “Marietta Square
Farmers Market”( 9 a.m.- 12 noon) 
located on the Historic Marietta Square. 
The market will take place every Saturday  rain or
shine  from May 2^nd through August
2009  . The market has products that are Georgia grown, made or
produced.  That include fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, plants,
flowers, honey, breads, garlic, cheese and other such items.

SATURDAY, MAY 
2^nd
& Sunday May
3^rd
“May-retta Daze Festival” (10:00 AM -
6:00 PM) On The Marietta Square  May-retta Daze is an
annual, two day Arts and Crafts festival held the first weekend in May.
The festival draws artists and craftspeople from many southern states, as
well as local Georgia artists.  In addition to a wide variety of
arts and crafts items, the festival also includes children’s activities
and free entertainment on the stage.

The show setting is at Glover Park in the Historic Marietta Square. The
Square is the home of many antique and specialty stores, excellent
restaurants and interesting things to do. Our local history is recounted
at the Marietta History Museum just off the Square in the historic
Kennesaw House.

The Marietta Fire Museum is located just 2 blocks from the Square on
Haynes Street. The museum houses historical fire equipment and several
older vehicles including the 1879 steam powered engine, the Aurora. The
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art is also located just off the Square. The
museum has an excellent permanent collection and hosts traveling
exhibitions.
An exciting new addition to the square is Scarlett on the Square, Gone
With the Wind Museum and a gift shop. The museum is home to a wonderful
collection of movie memorabilia.

SATURDAY, MAY  2nd (2:00- 4:00pm) Wine
Tasting at the Marietta Wine Market.  “TBA” (Open to the Public)
Cost: $ Charity Donation:  Marietta
175^th

Sunday, May 3rd  (10am- 7:00 pm) “BUS
TOUR ON THE GEORGIA WINE HIGHWAY” 
$85pp Join us May 3rd for a day
on the North GA Wine Trail. We will meet at the Marietta Wine Market at
10am. and begin the day with pastries, coffee & mimosas. Then off to
Dahlonega, GA and our first stop the Wolf Mountain Winery. There we will
enjoy their Sunday  Brunch and take a tour of their winery. 
From there it’s off to visit and tour the Frogtown  & Montaluce
Wineries. Below is a list of optional events you can participate in while
on this tour. Arrival back at the Marietta Wine Market expected 7:00pm.

Don’t delay in making your reservations, as seating is
limited  to 50 and will fill up quickly. If you would like to attend
simply call us at 770-919-1574 to make your reservation.  We look
forward to seeing you. Visit our web site for more information about
these wineries, Sunday brunch and their wines.

Optional Events:
Wolf Mountain Wine Makers Tasting -$10.00 per person
includes a sampling of their seven estate wines and a souvenir tasting
glass.
Frogtown Winery- $10.00-$10.00 per person includes a sampling ten
of their wines.
Montaluce Winery- $10.00pp includes a sampling of 4 wines or
simple purchase a glass of wine and enjoy the view.

Directions from I-75 S: Exit 265 North Marietta Loop,
Go West (RIGHT at end of ramp), You will cross over HWY 41. Turn left on
Church Street, this leads you to the Square, then turns into Old Powder
Springs at Marietta Pizza (Roswell Rd / Whitlock).  We are located
between Marietta Pizza and the Alley Stage Theatre on the Square. 

Thanks again for all of your support. Please feel free to send this
e-mail on to your friends. If you want to be added to our weekly event
e-mail list or need to be removed. Visit our web site

www.mariettawinemarket.com or send me back an
e-mail.   Thanks again – Randall, Karen and
Bentley

This week the Marietta Wine Market will have a port & dessert tasting Wed night and a Champagne Tasting scheduled for the 14th of February. Both tasting will have a new house favorite. “Choc-A -Bloc” – Skip the box of chocolate for Valentine’s Day and just give be a bottle of this Chocolate Port.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day the Marietta Wine Market is teaming with Entrée Vous to bring you a sweetheart of a deal. These complete dinners can be ordered by calling the Entrée Vous kitchen at 678-354-5221 and will be delivered to the Marietta Wine Market for pick up. Each Valentines Special Entrée is paired with a wine and comes with a rose for your sweetheart. Why fight the crowds and pay extra $$ when you can celebrate in the comfort of your home with a gourmet meal and the perfect bottle of wine.

Note: The Feb 18th Wine Class is filling up. Space is limited to 20 so don’t delay and guarantee a spot today. If you would like to attend simply call the Marietta Wine Market at 770-919-1574 to make your reservation.
Note: A glass of wine and light hors’dourves served beginning at 6:30 prior to each class for participants. This will give you time to wind down from that busy workday, and mix and mingle with Anita before your class begins.

It’s the new year so we’re all about helping you to get reorganized. We wanted to let you know that Murphy’s Popcorn is putting on an event that might be just up your alley. Lindy Jones of Sort it Out!! will give you those great tips, suggestions and ideas on organizing your kitchen, your bedrooms, your pantry, the garage, you name it .

THE DATE: Saturday, January 10th, 2009

THE TIME: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

THE LOCATION: Murphy’s Popcorn Store (View Location of Murphy’s Online)

THE EVENT: Do you need ideas to help organize your life and your home? Do you have rooms that overwhelm you? Do you need direction as to where to begin?

Lindy Jones of Sort it Out!! will give you those great tips, suggestions and ideas on organizing your kitchen, your bedrooms, your pantry, the garage, you name it .

Lindy will show you the storgage units she finds most effective, where to buy them and how to best use them. She will show you how to begin the processes of cleaning out and organizing your room or how to get a budget started. Come by and ask Lindy her advise about your problem.

We will see you Saturday, January 10th. Our flavor’s of the week are Sour Cream and Onion and Blueberry/Cherry!

Their chef and staff welcome both new and returning customers by preparing authentic Mexican entrees such as succulent enchiladas, juicy and tender fajitas, quesadillas, burritos and nachos all cooked to perfection and served in a beautiful atmosphere just like in sunny Mexico.

It is also their pleasure to now offer a fantastic Catering Service. Their wonderful personnel will create an entertaining Latin Fiesta in your home or office. Whatever the occasion, the authentic Mexican favorites are always crowd pleasures and they serve it up in a festive style to spice up your event.

Don’t wait, go and eat some La Parrilla today!

They not have have a great menu but also offer catering for parties and events.

Sam and Dave’s Hours:
Open Monday-Thursday 11:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M

Open Friday-Saturday 11:00 A.M. TO 9:00 P.M

or until the BBQ runs out!

CLOSED Sunday

TELEPHONE (770)792-2272

Here’s a quick look at what Sam and Dave’s has to offer:

In 1996, seven years after their baking venture began, Johnnie and Ed made the decision for Johnnie to leave her day job and open “Gabriel’s Desserts”. They started with 2 bakers, along with the talented team of Johnnie and Ed. Growth each year led Gabriel’s to hire professionally trained pastry cooks, cake decorators, bakers, a pastry chef and customer service personnel to meet demands for a made-to-order quality ingredient, freshly baked from scratch, homemade cake just like your grandmother used to have time to bake.

Since 2003, Gabriels has tripled their space and expanded their list of desserts and savory foods, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner six days a week. Today, a customer can dine in or take home gabriel’s freshly prepared food all from quality ingredients! It’s a family tradition!

Melding an American family tradition of homemade desserts and professionally trained staff has brought forth wedding and special occasion cakes, originally designed for each customer, and desserts for all occasions filling the bake list each week. Holiday bake lists overflow with home style, made from scratch cakes and pies that Johnnie and Ed used to bake at home. Cakes are shipped weekly to various parts of the USA and daily during the Holiday Seasons.

Chosen best of Atlanta 7 times by Atlanta magazine, Gabriels has been called “The Little Shop of Wonders.” You can also find some of our dessert recipes in cousin Paula Deen’s Desserts cookbook, “Cooking With Paula” magazine and on The Food Network’s web site found links to Paula’s various television shows. Also, you can enjoy some of Paula’s recipes when you dine in or pick up at Gabriels.

From Johnnie and Ed and the talented staff at Gabriel’s Desserts, ‘Thank You’ for your continued business and loyalty – you have made Gabriel’s a local favorite!

Visit Gabriel’s Desserts

Our favorite is the yellow cheddar, but other include Parmesan garlic, Apple, and a Chicago-style mix that is really tasty! Murphy’s has a great selection of Gourmet Tins that are great for a gift, or for yourself. A small bag is $4; a large one, $6. Party bags, gift boxes and tins are also available.

The shop has a great feel and is very inviting. We love the selection of flavors available at Murphy’s –

Flavors of the Month!!

In addition to their wonderful everyday delicacies, Murphy’s Popcorn proudly features two special flavors each week.

Check out the tasty offerings for the month of October:

October 6th – Red Cinnamon/Sour Cream and Onion
October 13th – Luscious Blueberry/Spicy Cajun
October 20th – Sweet Orange/Old Bay Seasonings
October 27th – British Toffee/Pizza (not Domino’s)

Here are some quick pictures of the inside of Murphy’s

Murphy’s is located at:
107 Church St NE
Marietta, GA 30060
(678) 355-1733
Get directions to Murphy’s Popcorn in Marietta