Glory Be! Fourth of July Sparkles at Atlanta Restaurants

Fly the flag, find the sparklers and pick a parade and fireworks to watch. Our nation’s founders had no idea we’d make such a party out of their fight for freedom, liberty and independence, but if they were here, they’d probably be celebrating in red, white and blue right along with us. Atlanta restaurants are equally patriotic, declaring they’re open for dining in or packing up meals to grab and go. Some are closed for the day, but hey, even restaurateurs love going to picnics and firework displays.

Saturday night is for sparklers and Roman candle displays, Friday night is for candle-light dinners at Aria. The Buckhead restaurant will be closed on Saturday so staffers can celebrate Independence Day with friends, family and fireworks.

Hurray for the “Red, White and Boil” Low Country boil and brunch at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland on July 4. Brunch hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. are ideal for Peachtree Road racers, and the Low Country boil and oyster roast will be ready to devour at noon. In the boil: wild Georgia shrimp, snow crab legs, black mussels, andouille sausage, new potatoes, sweet corn and Vidalia onions steamed in beer with Old Bay. Rip into one pound for $17.76 -- the price and year our great nation was officially founded. Includes okra fritters plus spicy remoulade, pepper vinegar and cocktail sauce. Pay $10 for a half-dozen smoked Gulf oysters on the half shell with melted leeks and Parmesan.

All four Bantam + Biddy locations (Ansley, Crescent, Lenox and Avalon) will be open for business as usual. Peachtree Road racers, celebrate your accomplishment over food and drinks at Ansley Mall, Crescent Avenue and Lenox locations. Free up your day for holiday parade watching and pool time -- order a Bantam + Biddy family meal to go ($52, feeds 3-5 folks). If Lenox fireworks are on your horizon, picking up dinner at the Lenox location is a tailgating no-brainer. Meal includes your choice of a whole roast chicken, meatloaf or pork loin (24 oz.) served with an organic green salad, choice of dressing, cornbread (gluten-free bread upon request +$3), three generous sides and a half gallon of fresh-brewed tea. Family meal rules: take-out only, allow 30 minutes to prepare, no substitutions, 5 percent eco-friendly packaging fee added. Remember dessert! After all, it’s a holiday.
 
Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station will remain open, serving brunch and dinner during its normal hours. Go all-American with waffles, healthy smoothies, chicken dishes (grilled or fried), Southern breakfast all day and your favorite cold beverages.

Raise a glass of sangria ($5) or tinto de verano ($4) to cheer Spain’s part in U.S. history and dine on fare influenced by the nation’s diverse cultural areas at Gypsy Kitchen. Basque in the sunset on the Buckhead Atlanta restaurant's patio; open for dinner July 4 from 5-11 p.m.

Twenty-one bun salute? Close. Marlow's Tavern is sending Insiders an email for a free burger with the purchase of an entrée. Sign up for the Insider’s Club online. Shout out: the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade sets off at 9 a.m. Saturday and concludes right outside the Dunwoody Village Marlow’s Tavern.
 
MAX's Wine Dive in Midtown is extending weekend brunch from Friday, July 3 through Saturday and Sunday. Peachtree Road Race fans, chicken and champagne call your names and numbers.

All three Ray's Restaurants -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek -- are open noon-8 p.m. For a tastes-rich, costs-little coastal treat, order the $16.95 lobster special featuring a one-pound whole Maine Lobster joined by drawn butter and side of your choice.

On July 4, Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead waves the Red, White and Q flag, pulling pork from a whole hog roast starting at 4 p.m. (while supplies last) followed by live music from 6-9 p.m. Cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon are $2 each. Reminiscent of a spiked watermelon, From the Vine mixes vodka, watermelon juice, lime juice and simple syrup for $5 (usually $7).

The Fourth of July barbecue pack from Kevin Gillespie’s Terminus City satisfies four to six of your most-spirited friends with two pounds of barbecue pork, one pint each of coleslaw and Revival potato salad, six sandwich rolls, barbecue sauce, pork cracklings and six chocolate chip cookies for $50. Throw in a copy of Gillespie’s new cookbook “Pure Pork Awesomeness” for just $25. Orders can be placed the day of, but orders placed by July 1 are guaranteed. Pick up orders at Gunshow. To place an order or discuss catering for a larger party, call the restaurant at 404-380-1886. More info: terminuscity@gunshowatl.com.

Skipping beach-bound traffic over the holiday weekend? Sub in Buckhead-bound. Flip-flop over to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill for Berry United cocktails -- New Amsterdam vodka, strawberries, lemonade, simple syrup and blueberries ($7.50) -- and live music from 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.
 
The Southern Gentleman is a patriotic gent. The gastropub atop Buckhead Atlanta serves its modern take on Southern dish and libation traditions at lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5-11 p.m. on July 4. Foil the hot day with a few $2 Miller Lites, especially refreshing post-Peachtree Road Race or pre-Lenox fireworks.

Fire up the grill and toast land stewardship, sustainability, American entrepreneurship and independence from factory-farmed meats. Order White Oak Pastures’ grass-fed meats and pasture-raised poultry online or look for them at local stores including Atlanta-area Whole Foods Markets.

Wear your 2015 Peachtree Road Race T-shirt to Willy’s Mexicana Grill locations on July 4 and buy a burrito for $5 (excludes airport eatery).