Best of Atlanta Party 2015

We ventured out to the Cobb Galleria last week to attend the Best of Atlanta Party, hosted by Atlanta Magazine. Oh man, did we have a blast and enjoyed so many memorable bites and sips!
The Best of Atlanta is an annual party featuring signature dishes & drinks from a diverse group of Atlanta restaurants, food trucks, and wineries and beverage companies. Atlanta Magazine did an amazing job, along with all the volunteers....the venue looked gorgeous, the Yacht Rock Schooner band was jamming, and everything was so organized and efficient {ya'll know I'm all about organization!}

 
This year the event proceeds will benefit the Giving Kitchen, a local non-profit that provides crisis grants to members of Atlanta’s restaurant community facing unanticipated hardship.
I have followed the story of the Giving Kitchen for some time and been touched by how Chef Ryan Hidinger's journey through cancer garnered an outpouring of support and love from the Atlanta community and inspired this terrific organization. As a cancer survivor myself, I am touched by their mission and wholeheartedly support it. You can find out more about TGK here.
 

Ok, let's talk food. 
You have to know that I did a little happy dance when I walked into BOA and saw the owners of Dutch Monkey Donuts. I've been a fan of this local donut shop for some time. 
For me, they make the best donuts around. You can taste every bite of love in their awesome creations. 
I did a second happy dance when I saw what they were serving...passionfruit! One of my top five favorite dessert flavors. Paired with the warm hazelnut date donut, it was heaven and my vote for best sweet treat of the night!
Thank you DMD for showing up and doing what you do!

There were so many great bites during the evening, it's hard to pick out just a few to highlight. 
But here goes....

• Dutch Monkey Donuts - Hazelnut Date Donut with passionfruit curd and ganache
• The Wrecking Bar - Pork with house-made pickles and a grainy mustard
• Bhojanic - Biryani {and the coolest booth design ever}
• Chai Pani - Dahi Puri
• Queen of Cream - hand crafted ice cream {I can't remember the full name of my sample, but I know it had brown butter in it, which is swoon-worthy}
• Second Self Beer Company - Thai Wheat beer
• Fogo de Chao - tasty meats
• Barnsley Resort - Lamb shank in potato cups with bone marrow vinaigrette

What a fun night. I ate way too much, but it was totally worth it. And I came home with a Giving Kitchen t-shirt that may be too tight {husband is pretty happy about that one}.
If you didn't get to the Best of Atlanta party this year, put it down on your calendar for next year. 
I know I will.

Note: As a member of the Atlanta Food Bloggers’ Society, my tickets were complimentary. The opinions expressed herein are genuine and unsolicited.