Saturday, July 25, 2015

Appetizing Aperture

Zoom in on zodiac cocktails at G’s Midtown -- light years closer than a Pluto flyby. Twelve star-struck sippers, priced at $10 each, embody the unique characteristics of each sign. Cancer, the nurturing traditionalist, is true blue to Stoli Blueberry, lemon juice, simple syrup and blue curaƧao. Leo is loyal to a generous blend of SweetWater 420, Absolut Peach vodka, peach puree and orange juice. Time for a lunar landing in Midtown.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Enter Farm Star Living and Springer Mountain Farms Menu Mania Sweepstakes

Scratch chicken feed, big clucks and bucks are on the line. Enter the Menu Mania sweepstakes, presented by Farm Star Living and Springer Mountain Farms for a chance to win a $100 gift card to a farm-to-table restaurant. Two runners-up will receive $50 gift cards to buy Springer Mountain Farms chicken. Could be you, feeding your flock -- if you enter before July 31. Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub in Brookhaven and MAX’s Wine Dive in Midtown are two Georgia restaurants featuring all-natural Springer Mountain Farms chicken on its menus.

Loosen Those Ties, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina Opens in Downtown Atlanta

Tin Lizzy’s Cantina is open in The Mall at Peachtree Center, just a quick salsa away from the College Football Hall of Fame, the Georgia World Congress Center, convention hotels, marts and offices. Now downtown visitors can easily enjoy FlexMex favorites at the 10th location of Atlanta’s hometown cantina, and the extensive margarita list gives the starched shirt set an incentive to loosen up a bit. A menu boasting shareable dips, signature tacos, salads and sensational cast-iron skillets, as well as multiple TVs for sports viewing, keep everyone happy. The over-21 crowd will find clever cocktails and more than 30 beer selections to temper the heat of summer’s city streets. Tin Lizzy’s downtown is open daily for lunch, dinner and late-night dining. For information, call 404-671-9450 or visit the downtown cantina’s Facebook page.   

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Cotton Calf Kitchen Herds Dry-Aged Steak and Classic Cocktails into Historic Braselton Brothers Department Store Building

The August debut of Cotton Calf Kitchen in the 111-year-old Braselton Brothers Department Store building circles the storefront back to its origins as a community hub satisfying appetites for good taste and providing attentive service. This time, however, groceries and dry goods give way to a classic American steakhouse where dry-aged steaks sizzle and cocktails and conversation flow. Partners Matt Ruppel, Hudson Tang and Cindy Green want Cotton Calf Kitchen to become an integral part of Braselton’s balance of historic preservation and a live/work/play/dine environment. To this point, the restaurant sits across Davis Street from a turn-of-the-century cotton gin building yet the patio will overlook the town’s anticipated new amphitheater. Open daily for cocktails and dinner from 4-11 p.m., Cotton Calf Kitchen will feature quality dry-aged beef, heirloom vegetables and tapas-style appetizers. Watch the progress unfold on Facebook.

Ray’s Rio Bravo Hosts “Fiesta for Wishes” Marking 20 Years of Make-a-Wish Georgia July 30

Ray’s Rio Bravo is back with its famous tortilla press and beloved Mexican cuisine. The Powers Ferry Road icon is raising the roof and mucho dinero in honor of Make-A-Wish Georgia on Thursday, July 30 from 7-10 p.m. Buy a ticket, $25 and up, to take in mariachi music and a fiesta buffet of tasty tacos and fajitas with all the trimmings, chips and salsa, chili con queso, tamales and non-alcoholic beverages. Cash bar and drink specials will be available. Georgia’s Make-A-Wish chapter founder Debbie Tillman shares “wish” stories more heartwarming than salsa. 100 percent of ticket sales goes to Make-A-Wish Georgia. Complimentary valet parking. No can go? Donations are mucho encouraged.

Do the Local Motive: Skylight Farm Supper Benefits Westside Provisions District Farmers Market July 30


Lovin’ local, four area chefs are banding together with Skylight Farm founder Justin Aiello to host “Skylight Supper,” a five-course farm-to-table feast benefitting Westside Provisions District Farmers Market (WPDFM), on Thursday, July 30 at Skylight Farm in Douglasville, Georgia. Chefs Nick Leahy (Saltyard), Jarrett Stieber (Eat Me Speak Me), Jason Assenmacher (Dine With Jason) and Kenan Hill (Kitchen 1204) cull a local larder for the fundraising dinner, including organic produce from WPDFM purveyors and Skylight Farm, Riverview Farm pork, craft brews from Atlanta’s own Monday Night Brewing, and MOSCAI all-natural craft cocktails. Farm tour and five-course dinner follow 5 p.m. cocktail hour, all for $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity). A limited number of tickets are available here

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

MAX’s Wine Dive Chef Patric Bell-Good Cuts Up at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market July 26

This weekend, MAX’s Wine Dive chef Patric Bell-Good does the demo honors at the Westside Provisions District Farmers Market going on from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Bell-Good is a finalist in the Georgia Voice “Best of Atlanta 2015” competition (winners will be announced July 24) -- and a key component in MAX’s Wine Dive nominations in the “Best Restaurant,” “Best New Restaurant,” “Lunch Spot” and “Bar Spot.” The market is about two miles away from MAX’s Wine Dive at 12th and Crescent in Midtown.

Never Too Early for a Holiday Photo Op -- Christmas in July Party at Atkins Park July 25

Halfway to Christmas Day 2015, and there’s trending news about an anticipated Santa sighting at this Saturday’s Christmas in July party at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Santa’s summer hangout glows with spiked eggnog, a gift giveaway, SweetWater Festive ale and a secret Santa you won’t want to miss. Starts at 9 p.m. on July 25 -- six months ‘til the big day, but who’s counting?

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

No Ice Bucket, Plenty of Cold Beer at STATS ALS Fundraiser Night July 23


The Ice Bucket Challenge has run its course, but you can have a splash or two of your favorite beverages and raise money for the Atlanta ALS Association at STATS on Thursday, July 23. Join Cook’s Crew, a non-profit group honoring Alphonso "Prune" Cook, who lost his battle with ALS, for drinks, appetizers or dinner at the Luckie Marietta District restaurant and sports bar between 6-9 p.m. when 10 percent of sales goes to ALS research.

Padding Thai with Champagne: Honeymoon Inspires Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar “Frenchman in Thailand” Dinner July 22


Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar will host a “Frenchman in Thailand” reception and four-course dinner with champagne pairings on Wednesday, July 22. Why Thai? In May, Saltwood executive chef and Master Chef of France Olivier Gaupin honeymooned in Thailand. Returning enamored with Thai cuisine (and his bride), Gaupin called upon Saltwood sous chef Chris Espanol, award-winning Thai chef Dee Dee Niyomkul (Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft) and Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne expert Olivier Zorel to create an intriguing cuisine and French Champagne pairing melding Thai flavors with the tastes and techniques of his own native France. $75 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Limited seating. Reservations: 404-745-5745. Complimentary valet parking.

Gold Cup Soccer Gleams at Der Biergarten and STATS July 22


Cheer on the U.S. Men’s National Team as they square off against Jamaica in CONCACAF Gold Cup 2015 semifinals on Wednesday, July 22. Just around the corner from the Georgia Dome action, Der Biergarten pulls liter drafts of Spaten Lager for $9 and tunes in multiple flat-screened TVs throughout the indoor/outdoor beer garden. The STATS All-American Combo ($10), available through July 22, unites a Budweiser and a Messi double-stack burger with American cheese, lettuce, onion and a pickle. Seventy viewing screens, five bars and pour-your-own-beer tables kick in extra points.  

Monday, July 20, 2015

What’s New on Pinterest


With outside temps in the 90s, we’re roasting like hot dogs. Probably why July is National Hot Dog Month. Relish the prompt to unleash the good old dogs and teach them some new Hot Diggity Dog tricks such as mummy or octopus dogs, bacon-wrapped with pineapple salsa, Thai-style, corn dog mini muffins, pretzel dogs, Mediterranean chickpea wraps and healthier beach hot dogs.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

#Foodgram


Every bottle has a story in The Liquor Cabinet, be it in a martini, highball or hurricane glass. Open the cabinet and look for a virtual happy hour, no hangover. 

Appetizing Aperture

Turn your phone sideways and pump the volume before tapping this link to watch Seed Kitchen + Bar mixologist David Peek shake up a cool Summer Pisco cocktail then blowtorch the top. Talk about fanning the flames of desire.