Bocce Ballin': Sign up for the Spring League at Double Zero Napoletana and Ormsby's by March 1

Good thing it's a Leap Year, because that means you have an extra day to sign up for the Atlanta Bocce League. The spring season gets rolling on Sunday, March 11 and tomorrow at 10 p.m. is the deadline to sign your team up! In Sandy Springs, Double Zero Napoletana tournaments are on Wednesday nights on the restaurant's two regulation bocce courts. Grab five of your best bocce balling friends to play. If you'd rather be a spectator on the sidelines, come enjoy the food and drink specials. On the Westside, Ormsby's court (pictured on the left) hosts bocce games on Monday nights. Sign up for singles, doubles or four-person team tournament play on the restaurant's website.

Got the Luck of the Irish? Win a Trip to Ireland from Fadó!

Lads and lassies, your eyes will be smiling after you sign up for Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant's newsletter. At least two reasons why: you might win a trip for two to Ireland, including flights, hotel and a tour of the Guinness Brewery at St. James Gate in Dublin, and you'll keep up with all of the events and specials at Fadó via e-news. With St. Pat's Day on the horizon, that's really important. Sign up online through St. Patrick's Day or at the Paddython party at Fadó on March 17. Winner will be announced on March 30, 2012.

Who Remembers Prohibition? Atlanta's Oldest Continuously Licensed Tavern Does -- Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland Hosts 1920s-Themed Prohibition Dinner and Party

Anyone remember prohibition?  Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland does, because next month Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern turns the big 9-0 on Wednesday, February 29. That’s right; this tavern has been serving up great drinks and great food since the prohibition days of 1922. But unlike back in the day, this Prohibition dinner is no secret, so feel free to tell the whole gang! Guests will go bold with four cocktails and four plates including speakeasy snacks such as Devils on Horseback, Welsh rarebit, deviled eggs and salt roasted nuts paired with a Black Velvet cocktail; clams casino with Terrapin cask-conditioned rye pale ale (brewed with orange peel by Terrapin Owner/Brewmaster Spike Buckowski); medallions of lamb with sauce chasseur and asparagus au gratin with an Old Fashioned; and Chocolate Charlotte with burnt almond caramel and a Mint Julep. It’s no wonder there are only a few seats left; you get all this for only $40 per person! Hurry and call 404-876-7249 to secure your spot!

If you do miss out on the dinner, you get a second chance to join in on the fun! On Thursday, March 8 Atkins Park is hosting a Prohibition Party at 6 p.m. with a limited, open bar and a complimentary buffet until 7 p.m. A special Prohibition menu will replace the regular menu during dinner with specials including Scotch eggs, oysters Rockefeller, stuffed broiled lobster and suckling pig porchetta ($5-$24). Blair Crimmins & The Hookers will perform 1920s jazz, ragtime and blues beginning at 9 p.m. Want to win cash and prizes? Then wear roaring '20s attire and take part in the 10:30 p.m. costume contest. Prizes include $100 cash, a $25 Atkins Park gift certificate and 90^th anniversary bags will be awarded to the best-dressed male and female.  Then you can look good and feel good in the Photobooth sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LSS). Each $5 photo donation will go to the 2012 Georgia Chain Gang and the team's endurance Race Across America for LLS. Visit this flapper-happy website or take a peek at some 1920s Atlanta photos to help prep yourself for this evening of fine, old-fashioned fun!

March Into The Week's Best Culinary News with Atlanta Dish

It's time to corral that coffee and head to The Dish for your weekly fix of culinary news around town! If you're not receiving the Dish every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page. 

Have Your Cake and Help Others Too - Alpine Bakery & Trattoria Teams Up with North Fulton Community Charities on Feb. 28

Do something to help your neighbor before the love month comes to an end. Alpine Bakery & Trattoria in Alpharetta shares the love Tuesday, February 28 by donating 10 percent of the day’s proceeds to Have a Heart for North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). Italian food, NY-style pizza, sweet desserts, cupcakes and helping thy neighbor -- that’s finger-licking love. The fundraiser caps a month of awareness events for the non-profit human service agency dedicated to preventing homelessness of individuals residing north of the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County and to assisting families with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities and clothing during short-term emergencies. In 2011, NFCC distributed food more than 20,500 times, provided clothing vouchers to 2,000 families and gave $1.2 million to those in need of financial assistance. And hey, if you miss out tonight, NFCC also needs your help during the other 11 months of the year.

Just Say No to Sloppy Joes: Lunch Break for a Good Cause at JCT. Kitchen & Bar Tomorrow

On Wednesday, February 29, JCT. Kitchen & Bar Executive Chef/Owner Ford Fry and the makers of Hidden Valley® Salad Dressings will host a Lunch Break for Schools fundraiser to help schools stock up on fresh veggies and fruits rather than Sloppy Joes and French fries. Lunch guests who dine in at JCT. Kitchen or get it to go can enjoy Fry's $26 specialty lunch featuring crudités served with Original Ranch® Light, Maine lobster chopped salad with Meyer lemon “ranch” vinaigrette and a brown bag “afternoon snack” of Hidden Valley® Ranch oyster crackers. The fundraiser is one in a weeklong effort by restaurants across the U.S. to host Lunch Break for Schools events with net proceeds going to American Culinary Federation's Chef & Child Foundation (CCF) and the Chefs Move to Schools program. As a father of two, Fry is excited about contributing to this program that will increase nutrition education and lunchroom options for American children. Learn more online and join the Lunch Break for Schools discussion on Twitter (#LunchBreakForSchools).

Buckhead Restaurant Week Has Spirit, Yes They Do! How 'Bout You?

We know this will be a "spirited" week in Buckhead because American Spirit Whiskey is sponsoring Buckhead Restaurant Week February 25 - March 4, and Aria is participating with a special $35 menu. Dinner at Aria on East Paces Ferry is an epicurean experience not to be missed -- especially at the bargain price of $35 per person for the three-course, prix fixe menu (tax, gratuity and drinks not included). Make reservations online. American Spirit Whiskey pours their enthusiasm for the event into a signature Cherry Classic cocktail. You can find the recipe for the stirring mix of American Spirit Whiskey, Cherry Heering, Fernet Branca and Coca-Cola on the Buckhead Restaurant Week website.

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep Of The Week @ttobat88

 

Teresa Tobat (@ttobat88) is in the Zen zone with a healthy balance of publishing, puppy parenting and yoga poses in between her travels. Her upbeat tweets and pix will spin a positive view on your chilly winter days. Delve into the full-blown version on her blog.

Now Pinning - Atlanta Dish

 

It's official -- we've joined the fun on Pinterest. Be sure to follow us there for pins both sweet and savory, including recipes, dish ideas, cocktail inspiration and upcoming events we're pumped about. See you on Pinterest -- and bring your fork.

Hey Ladies, Lets Party at Fadó Like It’s the ‘80s

Big hair, check! Legwarmers, check! Headband, check! A Rubik’s cube and your man? Leave them at home. On Saturday, February 25, Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant in Buckhead will be hosting their monthly Ladies ‘80s night. The party will get “totally rad” at 10 p.m. with a DJ pulling an all-nighter packed with ‘80s tunes. All of you Dancing Queens out there get ready to disco the night away during the Atlanta Dance Marathon from 7 - 10 p.m. The Shepherd Center Foundation benefits from your participation in this month's fun-raiser. Of course, every ’80s lady knows a party isn’t complete without an array of drinks. Tasty drink options include the Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaiian only $6 each for the kitsch and cocktail. Ladies looking for a more wintry mix can order off the winter drink menu that features whiskey favorites, winter warmers and seasonal ales at $5.50-$10.50 each. Ladies, it’s time to let loose and party like it’s the ‘80s. 

BYOB To "Open That Bottle Night" This Saturday At Double Zero Napoletana And Spice Market

No need to wait for a birthday or anniversary... There's no time like the present to savor that bottle of wine you've been saving for some special occasion! Carpe diem and bring your wine to Double Zero Napoletana and Spice Market for "Open That Bottle Night" on Saturday, February 25! 


On that night, there's no corkage fee to pop open your bottle. Who can operate those flimsy corkscrew bottle openers anyway?  Let the pros tackle it while you tackle the menu. Those leaning toward Italian small plates and Neapolitan pizza will find Double Zero Napoletana in Sandy Springs has plenty to love. Worldly spices and complex Southeastern Asian flavors tie in nicely with your wine at Spice Market located in the W Atlanta-Midtown. Cheers!

BYOB, Buckhead Restaurant Week and Blue Plate Menus... It's All In This Week's Dish

Get your Fat Tuesday rolling with this week's edition of The Dish!  Not letting the good times roll in your inbox every Tuesday morning? Don't fret - you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page!

More Blue for Your Buck in Roswell

Tonight marks the debut of a new blue plate special menu at Aqua blue in Roswell, and you can select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the menu for only $25 (not including tax or gratuity). Begin with either AB calamari with sweet chili sauce, tempura green beans with sweet mustard dipping sauce, a hand-made sushi roll or a crisp Caesar salad. Hot and hearty entrée choices include cioppino with jumbo shrimp, sea scallops, clams and mussels in a rich tomato broth with crunchy risotto hoisin; glazed baby back ribs served with slaw and black bean cassoulet; or seafood en papillote with Alaskan cod, jumbo scallop and shrimp with julienne of vegetables and potatoes steamed in parchment with fresh herbs and white wine broth. Dessert options include house-made ciabatta bread pudding served with cinnamon ice cream, milk and dark chocolate molten cake with by vanilla ice cream or the daily sorbet, house-made from seasonal fruits. Be sure to get to the restaurant by March 12 to try this menu before another one rolls out!