Saturday, August 8, 2015

Appetizing Aperture


Forking into a small plate of wild-caught shrimp and lemon risotto with mascarpone and mellow Parmigiano Reggiano ($11) at Article 14 is like savoring a postcard from a friend’s coastal vacation. Each bite invokes images of ocean breezes and sunny citrus, and the overall message is just the right size to digest on a hot summer night. 

Friday, August 7, 2015

Order Up Tickets to Southern Chefs Potluck Supper at Serenbe September 13 -- Before It Sells Out


History bears witness that the annual Southern Chefs Potluck at Serenbe sells out in advance. Tip: buy tickets ASAP to the 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 13 throwdown on the pastoral grounds of the Inn at Serenbe. White Oak Pastures is providing meats for the main dishes, top Atlanta chefs will knock out the sides. Homemade pickles, relishes and desserts will complete the groaning board of good eats, along with a bevy of beverages including local craft beers, wines and mixologist-made cocktails. Sliding their sides into the prolific potluck: Joey Ward of Gunshow, Andreas Müller of new Revival, Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, and Virginia Willis, author of “Lighten Up, Y’all.” Keep a hand free for bidding on one-of-a-kind chef experiences at the live auction. Wholesome Wave Georgia benefits from this sixth-annual fundraiser, presented this year by Bond Intelligent Care. Buy tickets here, $150 per person (plus small service fee).

James Beard Award Rising Star Semifinalist Chef Joseph “JJ” Johnson Hits Gunshow for Hired Guns Dinners August 11-12


Chef Joseph “JJ” Johnson of award-winning The Cecil and Minton's in the Harlem neighborhood of NYC shares his mix of West African and Caribbean cuisine during a Gunshow Hired Guns dining event Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12. For his Hired Guns series, Kevin Gillespie invites innovative chefs from around the nation to share their talents with Atlanta diners. The Dish is right on target with details for this month’s event and upcoming Hired Guns dates -- including the number to call for reservations: 404-380-1886. 

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails Opens the Week with Monday and Tuesday Night Dinner Specials


A Monday or Tuesday night supper at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails flavors the rest of your week with Southern graciousness. Executive chef Derek Dollar starts a new tradition at the historic Crabapple restaurant, presenting two special dishes each Monday and Tuesday night for $18. On Meatloaf Monday, beef up your week with Chef Derek’s “Black & Bleu” meatloaf accompanied by tangy buttermilk mashed potatoes, garlic broccolini and caramelized onion gravy. Pickle Fried Chicken Tuesday plates half a chicken, pickle-brined and crispy, with jalapeño honey, cracked mustard coleslaw and white cheddar-bacon mac. Could become your weekly saving grace through October 20. 

Flag Your Calendar for a Dancing Date Benefit at Johnny’s Hideaway August 24


We’re giving you a couple of weeks to break in your dancing shoes for a special dance party at Johnny’s Hideaway, Atlanta’s original nightspot for big kids, on Monday, August 24 from 7-10 p.m. Owner Chris Dauria is donating 20 percent of gross sales from the evening to The Giving Kitchen, which provides emergency assistance grants to members of Atlanta's restaurant community facing unanticipated hardship. Dance to DJ spins and enjoy food and drink favorites from the menu while helping a good cause. Since the night’s all about helping those in the hospitality industry, those “in the biz” will enjoy the specials of hospitality night, which include $3 beer, $5 cocktails and half-priced appetizers. 

The Farmer Fund Launch Party Reveals Chefs and Farmers Wearing Only Aprons August 10


The Farmer Fund, an Atlanta nonprofit founded this year to assist metro Atlanta farmers recovering from natural disasters, is hosting a launch party on Monday, August 10 from 6-9 p.m. at The Cathedral of St. Philip. Guests stay cool as cucumbers at the indoor event while enjoying food from local restaurants and beers from local breweries. Joey Ward of Gunshow and Jenni Harris of White Oak Pastures will be at the event, and Patric Bell-Good from MAX’s Wine Dive is helping out with victuals. A chef-emceed live auction, Hedley & Bennett apron fashion show, live music from the Darnell Boys and a reveal of The Farmer Fund 2016 calendar featuring chefs and farmers wearing only Hedley & Bennett aprons keep the party buzzing more than bees in a pollinator garden. Tickets cost $65 (plus small service fee) and cover food, beer and one copy of the limited-edition Farmer Fund 2016 calendar. Additional calendars will be available for $20 each.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

ATL industree’s “Hail to the V” Salutes Women in the Restaurant Industry While Benefitting The Farmer Fund August 10


Attend “Hail to the V” and discover what drives the women in Atlanta’s thriving restaurant industry -- servers, staffers, chefs and owners -- as they face unique challenges. Hosted by the hospitality networking group ATL industree, the afternoon of cocktails and conversations at Gypsy Kitchen promises story sharing, candid discussion and opportunities to connect with some of the city’s most accomplished women. Femme-cee Mara Davis of ATL Eats leads a panel of speakers including Mercedes O’Brien, beverage director of Gunshow; Asha Gomez, owner and executive chef of Spice to Table; Shireen Herrington, general manager of The Optimist – Rocket Farm Restaurants; Jenny Levison, owner and executive chef of Souper JennyJuicy Jenny and Café Jonah; and Chrysta Poulos, creative director – pastry at Rocket Farm Restaurants. Tickets to the 2-5 p.m. event on Monday, August 10 are $15 for industry folks, $30 for non-industry when you use the code “MLPRVIP.” For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to The Farmer Fund, a nonprofit safety net for metro-Atlanta farmers facing hardships from natural disasters. Want to support The Farmer Fund even more? Read on and segue to The Farmer Fund Launch Party taking place that night at The Cathedral of St. Philip.

“Try This at Home” and Foam that Cheese -- Richard Blais Signs Cookbook at FLIP Buckhead August 9


Siphon novel ideas, such as how to cheese foam your burger, off the pages of the ultimate guide to playing with food.FLIP burger boutique creative director Richard Blais will sign copies of his James Beard Award-nominated cookbook “Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate” on Sunday, August 9 from 1-3 p.m. at FLIP burger boutique in Buckhead. Bookless? Buy one there for $30. Tell mom that if Blais, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef, restaurateur and television celebrity, can toy with his food, you can, too. 

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Pry Yourself Away for a Day of Half-Off Raw Oysters at The Big Ketch on National Oyster Day August 5


The steamy love affair began when the mythological Greek goddess Aphrodite rose from the sea on an oyster shell. Now oyster lovers slurp down nearly two billion pounds of the briny bivalves each year. Many of these slippery guys come out of their shells during oyster happy hour at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Every Monday through Friday from 4-6:30 p.m., Buckhead’s local beach house shaves half off the price of a dozen raw oysters on the half shell. On National Oyster Day, Wednesday, August 5, the half-price deal extends from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and chef-crafted oyster specials spread mollusk mania across the day’s menu.

Monday, August 3, 2015

What’s New on Pinterest


Frankly, there's no faster way to extinguish summer heat than to pop an ice pop into your mouth. Why let your brain freeze on boxed grocery versions? Come along as we Cool Down with Popsicles. Chunky peanut butter cup pudding or s'mores pops are "cool" with all ages. Soothing creamy avocado chocolate pops, Thai iced tea and mint watermelon lemonade kiss parched throats goodbye. And, the soiree set will approve of mango margarita, blueberry mojito or popsicles with sparkling wine.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

#Foodgram


Stay abreast of food trends and ways to break out of the same-old-same-old meal rut. Learn to "live deliciously" @tastingtable or sign up for daily prompts at tastingtable.com.