The Dish February 17 2001

Events
Snuggle up to your valentine Italian-style at Maggiano’s Perimeter with a meal of tenderloin and Atlantic salmon served Fontina style, a strawberry almond parfait for dessert, complimentary champagne and more. $42.95 per person. 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road. 770-804-3313.
Atlanta Grill at the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta (downtown) invites sweethearts to a “Lover’s Retreat” Feb. 14, including a velvet-curtained booth with candles and an ice carving, a six-course meal with caviar, a champagne presentation with keepsake Baccarat crystal flutes and a bottle of champagne. Seatings are 6, 8 and 10 p.m. $200 per person. 181 Peachtree St. 404-221-6550.
Enjoy live entertainment at Eclipse di Luna Tuesday through Sunday, featuring the Trio Latino Band, Charlie Williams acoustic swing band and the Kim Rushing Band Jazz Quartet. 7:30 p.m. 764 Miami Circle. 404-846-0449.
Join Derek Lawford Pubs (Rose & Crown, Fox & Hounds, Prince of Wales, Hand in Hand) and beer lovers around the globe for the “Great Guinness Toast,” an attempt to break the world record for the largest worldwide simultaneous toast. Feb. 23 at 11 p.m. 404-233-8168.
Classes
The Art Institute of Atlanta presents participation classes in hors d’oeuvres and Cajun-Creole cuisine on Feb. 17. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. $85. 6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road. 770-394-8300, ext. 2420.
Chef Andy Badgett from Asher will demonstrate a four-course meal of halibut and artichoke fondue, homemade green garlic ravioli and more at Simple Abundance Feb. 19. 7-9 p.m. Kroger School of Cooking, 12460 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta. 404-892-1250 ext. 246.
Openings
Eat, drink and be merry is the not-so-original tag line of Commune, a venture by chef/restaurateur Matthew Kenney and partner Mark Wood. The New York duo has teamed up with Atlantan Govantez Lowndes to open the Midtown West branch of the NYC celebrity haunt at the end of March, including a menu of classic and contemporary fare; a wine list of more than 150 wines; and a highly polished but plush interior with a communal table that seats 24, an upstairs bar and courtyard cafe. Open daily 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. with brunch served on weekends. 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-355-4554.
This and That
C.K.’s Grilled Pizza of Norcross has once again won the award for best “Exotic Pizza” at the Pizza Festiva competition. The Grilled Jamaican pizza will go on to the Pizza Expo in March to compete for the distinction of “Pizza of the Year.” The restaurant also serves ciabatta sandwiches, salads and gelato. 3375 Holcomb Bridge Road. 770-441-1254.