The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Say hello to holidays at December food events
December abounds with events that herald winter and the holidays as well.
A ski lodge pop-up
Yebo Beach Haus anchors a corner of Buckhead nine months of the year. But, for the holidays, it has been transformed into Yebo Ski Haus, a ski lodge-inspired retreat with wooden skis, antler decor, plaid blankets and fire pits. Try one of the specialty cocktails like the Alpine Dreams — homemade hot chocolate spiked with green chartreuse and garnished with Italian meringue, Yebo chocolate and a cookie straw. All guests go home with “hausmade” hot chocolate. 5-10 p.m. Sundays, 5-10:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 5-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Yebo Ski Haus, 111 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-869-1992, yebobeachhaus.com.
Miracle pop-up bar
Continuing the theme of restaurant transformations, until Dec. 24 Atlanta is one of the 30 cities with a Miracle holiday pop-up bar. All Miracle locations serve the same 11 holiday drinks, including the Muletide (aquavit, oloroso sherry, ginger, lime, pumpkin) and the Christmopolitan (vodka, elderflower, fig, spiced cranberry sauce, lime), all served in festive, custom Miracle glassware. Miracle started in 2014 in New York City and this year expanded to London, Athens, Vancouver and, yes, Atlanta. 6 p.m.midnight. Miracle on Monroe, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta. facebook. com/budetheelfsbar.
Holiday tea with Santa
Santa is a busy fellow, but you can join him and Mrs. Claus while he relaxes at the St. Regis with a pot of tea and a selection of holiday treats. A harpist keeps the mood serene and St. Nick his wife are happy to pose for pictures as well. Seatings at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 14-24. Adults, $75; children ages 4 to 12, $52. Children 3 and under, free. St. Regis, 88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. stregisatlanta. com/holiday-tea.
Kids learn construction skills
This year, Davio’s pastry chef Qiana Davis is teaching kids how to make gingerbread houses. Come for the afternoon, leave with a decorated gingerbread house and a tummy full of treats prepared by the restaurant’s executive chef. Each reservation is good for one child and attending adult. It’s a fundraiser for Toys for Tots and everyone is asked to bring one unwrapped toy. noon-2 p.m. Dec. 4. $40 per child. Davio’s, Phipps Plaza, Atlanta. 404844-4810. Make your reservation at kina@davios.com.
Holiday dishes, wines that work with them
Cook’s Warehouse founder Mary Moore and sommelier Don Hackett of Avant Partir Wine are on board for their annual class benefiting the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Moore will demonstrate pear comte purses and fresh pasta with boar ragu, among other dishes, and Hackett will provide perfect wine pairings and the reasons for each. You’ll dine on what Moore cooks and you’ll sample Hackett’s wine selections. 7-9 p.m. Dec. 5. $55. Cook’s Warehouse, 1544 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. engage.acfb.org/site/ calendar?id =109566&view= detail&_ ga=1.227631967.394519001.14782 18079.
They’re making whiskey in Kennesaw?
Not only are they making whiskey, they’re making beer and bourbon. Every month, the Kennesaw Craft Beer and Whiskey Tour introduces folks to five breweries and distilleries in the Kennesaw area. For December, you’ll visit Lazy Guy Distillery, Dry County Brewery, Southern Sky Brewery, Burnt Hickory Brewery and the Grille at Legacy Park. Park your car at Depot Park and take the free shuttle between venues. The shuttle is free, most venues offer tours of their operations, and you can pay for the samples you try at each stop. noon-7 p.m. Dec. 10. Depot Park, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. kennesawcrafttours.com.
Have cocoa with a reindeer
Yes, Virginia, there are reindeer. And they’re coming to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. It’s time for the sixth annual Reindeer Day, an afternoon with reindeer visits, reindeer games, wild animal yoga and hot cocoa with Camp Kingfisher. noon-4 p.m. Dec. 11. Event is included with admission to the Chattahoochee Nature Center, $10 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children 3 to 12. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, Ext. 238; chattna-turecenter.org/events/event/reindeer-dayy-2.
Celebrate Japanese-style
Many Japanese celebrate the New Year with osechi, multi-tiered bento boxes filled with dishes that present good wishes. Nakato has been offering osechi since it opened in 1972. This year’s box, for example, will hold anago yawatamaki, slow cooked sea eel wrapped over burdock and carrot root, representing wishes for a healthy and stable life. Nakato Executive Chef Yoshifusa Kinjo creates each box, and the process takes more than two weeks of preparation. Order by Dec. 22. $300. Nakato, 1776 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta. Fax your order to 404-874-7897 or call 404-8736582 to reserve your osechi box. drive .google.com/file/ d/0BwxrB 5ic5x1EOHd XeVVnQXNBR0k/ view?usp= sharing.
Build your own latkes
City Winery in Ponce City Market is presenting Latkes & Vodkas on Hanukkah eve. There’ll be a buildyour-own latke bar featuring a wide range of toppings, vodka samplings and live music from Sammy Rosenbaum. A share of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 24. $15. City Winery, 650 North Avenue N.E., Atlanta. 404-WINERY1, citywinery.com/atlanta/latkes-andvodka-12-24.html.