The Dish December 16 2000

Events
Soho Bar presents Flight Nights, a wine-tasting seminar, every Wednesday night starting at 5:30 p.m. The bar manager and wine connoisseur selects three to four wines that fit into a "flight," or share common characteristics. Next up: A walkabout Down Under for a sampling of wines from Australia and New Zealand. $17-$19. Vinings Jubilee, 4300 Paces Ferry Road. 770-801-0069.
Barley's Billiards opens its doors Dec. 14 with a charity fund-raising event for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, in association with Bar Hunger. Ewa Mataya-Laurance, a two-time world champion, will give an exhibition and play challenge games to raise money for the charity, and Barley's will provide complimentary food. 5-10 p.m. 338 Peachtree St. 404-522-2522.
Openings
The creators of Planet Smoothie have opened a new line of restaurants. The first of seven, Moe's Southwest Grill in Buckhead is preparing fresh, healthy Mexican fare, served in a Southwestern setting with a hint of music mania (paintings of musical greats like Frank Sinatra line the walls). Open Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. from 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 2915 Peachtree Road. 404-442-8932.
Hal's of Atlanta has opened a new location in Duluth. The upscale restaurant that boasts Continental flair with a Creole-Italian influence is open Mon.-Sat. from 5-11 p.m. The new location is at 10305 Medlock Bridge, in the Shops of St. Ives. 770-418-0448.
This and that
Chef Martin Gagné, formerly of Hedgerose in Buckhead and Opus in Swissotel Atlanta, was recently named consulting chef of Blackstone restaurant in Vinings, where he will team up with Chef Todd Paige to create a new menu. Dinner is served Mon.-Thurs. 5:30-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. from 5:30-11 p.m. 4686 Atlanta Road. 404-794-6100.
Classes
Learn how to turn your holiday leftovers into new creations at Class III of the Cook's Warehouse Survive the Holidays Series with Ray Overton on Dec. 13. Enjoy turkey quesadillas with apple salsa and Hectic Holiday Soup. $55 per class or $135 for the series. Bring the kids for a cookie decorating class on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m.-noon. $35 for kids, parents are free. 549-I Amsterdam Ave. 404-815-4993.
The Dish is an occasional column covering cuisine-related news and events. Send submissions to thedish@creativeloafing.com.