This is a temple to fine dark chocolate. Worthy of only the truly serious. First of all, it's not an easy place to find...wind down Highland drive towards Sotto Sotto and The Old Fourth Ward (which puts you a bit south of Freedom Parkway)...you'll soon see the flagrant purple color scheme on The Grape...turn! Tucked at the back of a non-descript two-story building is the lovely Cacao. Master Chocolatier Kristin Hard is working on creating her own chocolate (bean to bar baby), which is impressive in and of itself, but she also crafts ice cream, cupcakes, and gorgeous truffles. My personal favorites? Raw Honey, Aztec Spice, Passion Fruit and Coriander. These bad boys are at minimum three-bite chocolate experiences and worth every $2.25 you'll need to fork over.  Intimate with seating for a handful of admirers you may just decide to stick around for a hot chocolate and enjoy the heady aromas of chocolate wafting from the 'laboratory'  404-221-2626

When our kids produce good grades, do chores with a smile and generally don't make us crabby we feel it is always best to appreciate them with a wee celebration every now and then.  Problem is coming up with something more original than a trip to Brusters. Now don't get me wrong, we love the fresh, creamy ice cream thingy, but it loses its lustre after a while.

Then I remembered the joy of fondue. Interactive dining at its finest. Of course the full monty at a place like the Melting Pot can run you a bundle so we decided that until this economy turns around to our liking we'd just go for the dessert.   Chocolate fondue...heaping pots of melted chocolate served along with platters of cookies, fruits, breads and marshmellows.  Joy, bliss, an interactive dessert!  Do expect a few stray fingers to dip into the pot...and messy, did I say messy?  No matter, someone else does the cleaning and remember, it's a celebration.  Melting Pot, $15 per person for chocolate fondue.  Monday nights is Girl's Night Out with $25 three course meals (inlcuding dessert)  www.meltingpot.com

After receiving a second mailer from the Big Apple Circus (offering tickets at a mere $15 per person) I decided to make it a family event. This was our first ever Big Apple experience and frankly after years of the Ringling Brothers at Phillip's Arena I was a trifle concerned that the intimate tent set up at Stone Mountain might not cut it. How refreshing to be so very wrong.

The venue is small (I'd guess it seats 500 people?) which means that everyone has a bird's eye view of the action (and it's likely that you might even be invited into the ring to participate). We were so close to the trapeze artists I could see plumes of chalk dust coming off their hands as they glided across the tent. The Big Apple was the whole package: clowns, horses, tighrope walkers, jugglers, even a fabulous dog show featuring animals rescued from the pound (my son was certain he saw smiles on those dog's faces). It felt more like a family party than a gargantuan production and the kicker?  It's a non-profit organization devoted to community outreach such as bringing in clowns to hospitalized children.   You'll have a fabulous outing with your family for under $100 (easily) while donating to the greater good...sounds like a perfect evening. Take note, they change the circus every year to bring in new and different acts...it will be an annual event in our household from now on.

Hungry with kids is a state-of-being I often find myself in. Immediate gratification can be found at Shorty's Pizza. Smaller people will love the thin crust pizza, small burgers and carrots and dip (no fries here!).  Bigger folks will appreciate the decent wines by the glass, fresh tasty salads and even a salmon on a cedar plank.  Best part is the pricing....recession proof at $8 bucks for a small pizza and most everything coming in under $10. Before you leave order the warm chocolate chip cookies with cream cheese frosting...sinful reward.

Shorty's

2884 N Druid Hills Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 315-6262

CONTACT: 404-581-4000 or www.georgiaaquarium.org

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I spend far too much time thinking about and aquiring chocolate.  I love it more than wine or caffeine.  Hence I fancy myself a bit of an expert when it comes to the ultimate expression of all that is chocolate:  The Truffle.  I've sampled Atlanta's offerings over the years and have been less than overjoyed.  Then The Chocolate Bar appeared.  Whatever magic pastry chef Aaron Russell is performing back in the kitchen with his dark Tanzanian chocolate must be powerful. Each glossy, gorgeous truffle snaps with proper perfection giving way to hedonistic filings such as Southern Comfort and lime, Porto, peanut butter and of course my personal favorite...dark chocolate.  He changes up the menu daily, so I try not to get too attached to any one truffle, but it's hard.  Of course you can order from the extensive menu complete with sweet and savory options, but in a pinch, when you demand the best bite of chocolate in the ATL, just pop in and order a dozen to go.  The price can't be beat: $1.50 a piece.  Walk across the street and grab a bottle of Champagne from Sherlock's well-stocked selection and you're set.

Sherlocks Wine Merchant www.sherlocks.com, 180 W Ponce De Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, 404-377-4005

Indeed, that scion of southern cooking (Linton Hopkins) is sharing even more of his talent with the rest of us in the newly minted Holeman and Finch. Adjacent to his wildly popular Restaurant Eugene, this public house is all about small bites savored in a relaxed, casual setting.  The crunchy gentleman is just about the most amazing ham sandwich with melted cheese I've ever eaten.  But that's just the beginning: consider the farm egg and pancetta carbonara, griddled hen of the woods mushrooms with polenta and parmesan or just the platter of house cured meats.  Wines are reasonably priced, desserts keep up the good work and I'm only thankful that this place is 15 minutes away or I'd be popping in far too often for my wee budget.

Tired of the same old same old?  In Atlanta there's no excuse for dining in the same restaurant twice.  Here''s my list of new and worth a try:  Cuerno, Peasant Bistro, Spice Market, Taverna Fiorentina, Little Alley, Cakes and Ale, Zaya, Parish, FAB's rooftop (okay, it's not new, but it's so sexy) and of course Holman and Finch Public House.  Any other suggestions are welcome!

Check out Camp Destiny (usually offered at Oglethorpe University).  A warm, welcoming camp run by the Atlanta Workshop Players.  The focus is on being yourself, gaining confidence in front of an audience and having fun with theatre....with a bit of juggling and stage combat thrown in.  My son loved his one-week session so much he wanted to go for the overnight one this year.  At the end of camp scouts visit and interview kids who may be interested acting opportunities that pay (read: television)  Regardless, this camp is a refreshing alternative to the endless array of sports camps. 

I know there is great debate about just exactly how old your daughter should be to own an American Girl Doll...believe me, my 4 year-old has a firm opinion about this.  But, whether or not you are in the market, you should check out these events this spring/summer:

Be Your Best Workshop---all about taking care or yourself

Gor For It---hour-long program dedicated to activities that build confidence in young girls

A Smart Girls Guide To Manners---Can I bring my son! 

These are beign offered at the North Point Mall store, call 888-777-0100 for info

Whenever we hike as a family water must be involved.  Not the kind you sip necessarily, but the kind you can swim, fish and explore in.  My kids love the water feature and it makes a fine carrot to dangle out there as a reward for finishing the hike without whining.  Hard Labor Creek State Park not only has water, they have a boat ramp, dock and the lovely 275 acre Rutledge Lake.  We hiked the two 1-mile loops (Brantley and Beaverpond).  The woods are quiet and lovely here, absent are the swarms of people vyiing to see everything. The gentle topography was easily manageable for our 4 year old.  Afterwards we drove to the lake nearby and fished a bit while the kids hunted for freshwater clams.  Expect a 45 minute drive from downtown Atlanta.  Stop in the Caboose for a sandwich and a Coke in historic (but very small) Rutledge.

Yesterday I spent the better part of my morning crouched on my hands and knees feverishly trying to locate my son’s AWOL hamster. Things are all the more urgent because my cat has been lurking around all morning looking hungry. As the dust bunnies spiraled in front of me, I began to have…a Date Night Flashback. Date Night is good for many things and one of them is to provide fond memories to recall during ridiculous crises such as my current Code Red Hamster Rescue Mission.

And suddenly there we are (my husband and I, not the hamster), on the patio at Ecco in Midtown, sipping a gorgeous Mediterranean wine that I’ve never heard of before while the breeze gently blows. We love this place with its casual elegance and tasteful menu of simple but delicious food. I’m a big fan of the unique wine selection (there are so many unusual varieties by the glass). Often just the cheese platter and a bite of dessert suffice for a meal. Afterwards we take a spin around Midtown to see what new buildings have popped up. Then it's time to stop for a night cap at the Four Seasons lounge (where I feel compelled to order a plate of the ahi tuna, crab cake and Kobe beef sliders to go with my yummy glass of Moillard (a Pinot Noir from France). We have a running list of romantic/chic last stops for Date Night: The Globe, the rooftop at F.A.B., Octane Coffee Bar and of course the Bar at Trois. But I always need more material, so feel free to share!

I'm sure I'll continue to find dozens more affordable Holiday happenings, but for now let me add this one as well: Theatre Works The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.  At the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe Univeristy in Brookhaven.  Tickets are $7 with a maximum charge of $25 per family, now that's a deal.  Enjoy!

After making a few phone calls to various popular venues around town (which will remain unnamed) trying to find a fun family Christmas concert/show to attend I determined that there must be places in the ATL that offer traditional holiday programs at a palatable price point.  Surely I can take my sweet daughter to a showing of the Nutcracker for less than $50 a ticket?  I'm all about taking the family to see professional performances of the Messiah, A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker, but my kids are still young enough to get bored and restless.  We need less formal options. 

Alas, one appeared.  The Nutcracker in a Nutshell at Pace Academy. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5 -10 and $5 for ages 2 -4.  The performance is a truncated version of the original with additional holiday songs and such at the end.  Sounds like a winner.  Dec. 8th, 3 - 5 pm. Call Dance South Studio at 404-321-4474 or visit info@dancesouth.net  Ho! Ho! Ho! You might also try Theatre in the Square in Marietta. This year's performance is Christmas at Sweet Apple, tickets range from $20 -$35, call 770-422-8369 or visit www.theatreinthesquare.com

If taking the kids out to dinner sounds as appealing as chewing aluminum foil, you have not taken them to the restaurant at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel. The menu is a round up of the usual suspects: pasta, steak and seafood…but the runway view is like none other in the ATL. The two story windows in the lounge look out over two of Hartsfield-Jackson’s main runways. So while you sip on your cosmopolitan, the kiddies can gawks at the jumbo jets in full roar headed for the skies. I must admit, I too spent most of the meal staring out the window, but I did enjoy every bite of shrimp meuniere and my beef carpaccio with a tickle of truffle oil.