Saturday, January 23, 2016

Appetizing Aperture


Eat some salads and hunger hits again in an hour. Not so with the Black & Blue steak salad ($13) at Marlow’s Tavern. This energizing plate of leafy field greens bears slices of grilled beef tenderloin and a cloud of blue cheese crumbles along with the bright pop of ruby red Roma tomatoes and slivered red onions. Those other salads...rendered green with envy. 

Friday, January 22, 2016

Atlanta Restaurants: Winter Weather Status


It may be cold outside but it's warm in the kitchen of these Atlanta restaurants! Avoid the grocery store and dine at these eateries who will be operating during normal business hours. #ATLopen


  • 10th & Piedmont
  • Aria
  • Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar - VA Highland
  • Bantam + Biddy (all locations but Avalon is closing at 8 p.m.)
  • Chick-a-Biddy
  • FLIP burger boutique
  • Gunshow
  • Gypsy Kitchen (closing at 9 p.m.)
  • JP Atlanta
  • Le Fat
  • Marlow's Tavern
  • Ormsby's 
  • Ray's Restaurants 
  • Revival
  • Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar
  • Seed Kitchen & Bar
  • Smokebelly BBQ (closing at 9 p.m.)
  • Stem Wine Bar
  • Tin Lizzy's Cantina
  • The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill (closing at 9 p.m.)
  • The Southern Gentleman (closing at 9 p.m.)
  • Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails (closing at 8 p.m.)
  • Article 14 (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • Glenn's Kitchen (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • Der Biergarten (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • Twin Smokers BBQ (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • Game-X (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • STATS (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)
  • Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria (closing at 9 p.m., opening at 1 p.m. tomorrow)

Aqua blue Answers “What’s for Lunch?” with All-You-Can-Eat Sushi and a Free Lunch Offer


Launch into the new year with lunch at Aqua blue where all-you-can-eat sushi is $15 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday (dine-in only). Join the Roswell restaurant’s new lunch diners club by asking for a membership card and receive a free lunch after the purchase of six lunches. Must present lunch diners club card to earn and redeem offer.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Run with Game-Day To-Go and Eat-In Specials, Now through the Super Bowl at Smokebelly BBQ


College bowl games are over, but there’s still plenty of pro football action to go, including the Super Bowl on February 7. That means heavy-duty viewing, noshing and the need for game-day grub to go and big-screen viewing to watch while dining in. Pass through Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead and grab 25 wings, celery, carrots and sauce for $20 (order in 25-wing increments). Smart couch coaches will add two pounds of pulled pork, slider buns, one quart of a side item and a pint of sauce for $40 -- that’s plenty to feed four fans. Order more if there are some fullbacks in the house to fill up. This special to-go promotion is only available on game days through the Super Bowl. To place an order, call 404-848-9100. Those watching the playoffs and Super Bowl on Smokebelly’s big screens can tackle their 25-wing and five-beer bucket deal for $35 and quaff down $3 draft specials and $5 well drinks.

Give Winter the Cold Shoulder, Slurp Soup


When it’s raw outside, nothing thaws hands and mellows the soul like a bowl of steaming hot soup. Join us as we lift lids and peek into stockpots to see what’s simmering at, stewing around metro Atlanta.

Blow off downtown’s wind chill by ducking into JP Atlanta and savoring a bowl of onion soup “1967” served au gratin ($12) -- a starter on the All-Day Dining menu.

Looking for a rosy glow in Midtown? It’s found in Article 14’s lycopene-rich tomato bisque with whipped crème fraîche and basil ($7).

Zucca, may rhyme with Bazooka, but the golden butternut squash soup with winter pesto and mascarpone ($5) at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market is oh so much more satisfying and good for you.

Brace yourself with homestyle chili dolloped with sour cream and cheddar ($5) at Chick-a-Biddy before total immersion in an adrenaline-pumping movie or shopping at Atlantic Station.

Expect a heated debate over which Vietnamese soup is best when slurping with friends at Le Fat in Midtown. Three top competitors: Le Fat Pho (beef noodle, $12), Pho Ga (chicken noodle, $10) or Bún Bo Hue (spicy beef, $12).

A cup or bowl of tomato bisque ($4.95/$6.95) at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern hits home after a brisk walk or jog around Piedmont Park. Even better, order the grilled cheese and tomato bisque combo ($11.95) sporting a sandwich oozing havarti, Parmesan and fontina cheeses for dunking.

Pining for that something smoky in a bowl, not on a bun? Get stoked for vegetarian smoked tomato bisque at 10th & Piedmont ($4/$6) with buttermilk biscuit croutons, Parmesan cheese and fried basil. A gluten-free option is available.

At Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar in Midtown, enjoy a bowl of butternut squash soup with chicharrones (pork rinds), lemon and cilantro ($6) before sharing a board laden with locally made cheese or charcuterie.

In Virginia-Highland, Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar OKs “playing with your food,” i.e., toying around with the crisp garlic croutons floating atop their creamy tomato basil soup ($3/$5).

Like everything about Aria in Buckhead, creamless celery root soup with Umbrian black truffles and Parmigiano-Reggiano reflects pure elegance in every detail
 ($12).

True Southerners chowing down at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead can’t pass up a meaty bowl of Brunswick stew with house-made crackers for crumbling or dipping ($4.50).

When you’re craving a bit of soothing FlexMex mojo, stop by the closest Tin Lizzy’s Cantina for a cup of chicken tortilla soup, seasoned tomato broth dancing with chicken breast, corn, jack cheese, tortilla strips, avocado and chopped cilantro ($2.69).

Scuba-doobie-do dive into Caribbean lobster bisque at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead or Roswell. Each cup or bowl of this slightly sweet and island-spicy bisque swims with lobster and blue crab in a tomato sea ($4.95/$6.95).

Heady roast chicken and vegetable stew, available at all Bantam + Biddy locations, sustains souls for the long haul with fresh herbs, tender potatoes and a cheery cheddar biscuit topper ($12.50).

Even if “Burrito” is your middle name, tortilla soup calls out at Willy's Mexicana Grill locations. A favorite by the bowl ($4.75) or as an entrée add-on ($2.95).

Sushi may be on your mind at Roswell’s Aqua blue but don’t overlook the miso soup rich with fresh vegetables, tofu and mushrooms for $5. Hearty soup du jour choices alternate between loaded baked potato soup and clam chowder ($5).

Spoon into a cup or bowl of seafood gumbo with white rice ($7/$9) at Ray’s on the River and watch the Chattahoochee carry your cares away.

Across the river in East Cobb, Seed Kitchen & Bar spikes its nourishing roasted butternut squash soup with maple cream and sprinkles on toasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy contrast ($7.95).  

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Say, “I Do!” to a Milton’s Acre Wedding at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails


Ah, that holiday sparkle. Eyes, lights, champagne, engagement rings. Congrats! Now there’s a wedding to plan, and Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails turns dreams of a unique event into a beautiful and stress-free reality. Picture all of this vintage Southern charm in one convenient place: a gorgeous, restored 155-year-old farmhouse in historic Crabapple, sprawling lawn, spacious patio and the one-acre “Milton’s Acre” garden for a true seed-to-fork outside reception if desired. Executive chef Derek Dollar orchestrates amazing receptions of passed hors d’oeuvre, “action” stations and an open bar, brunch, dinner and other celebratory options. Lean on the event planner for a serene, turnkey event including tables, linens, candles, servers, set up, clean up and a vetted list of photographers, officiants, musicians, florists, bakeries and more. Brides, perhaps you won’t let the groom see your dress, but do share Milton’s blog and online brochure and invite the lucky guy to come along on a grounds tour. Contact Milton’s events and marketing manager Jill List at jill@miltonscuisine.com to set up a tour or find out more information. 

Devour Roswell Restaurant Week Specials at Aqua blue, Marlow’s Tavern, The Big Ketch and Willy’s January 25-31


Those Roswell restaurants you’ve been meaning to visit? Start working out a dining strategy to eat your way through prix fixe menus and other specials -- at very digestible prices -- during Roswell Restaurant Week, January 25-31. Rekindle the flame with longtime favorites and become acquainted with Roswell newcomers like Willy’s Mexicana Grill, which will roll $5 chicken (not steak) Baja or Frito burritos all day, every day during Roswell Restaurant Week. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, which opened this fall, sweeps away seafood lovers with their $29.95 dinner featuring choices of Caribbean lobster bisque or house salad; hot buttered lobster roll, Creole shrimp and grits or Charleston curry seafood quinoa bowl; and dreamy dessert choices of Boston cream pie trifle or mango Key lime pie. Award-winning Aqua blue delights dinner guests with three courses for $28, starting with a first course of Louisiana-style seafood gumbo with crawfish, crab meat and shrimp or AB house salad; entrée of grilled beef tenderloin with Parmesan risotto cake and spinach black currant whiskey sauce or almond-crusted halibut with grilled shrimp and seasonal vegetable couscous with merlot beurre blanc; and ending with crème brûlée topped with fresh berries. Make reservations hereMarlow’s Tavern offers two choices for each of three courses on its $29 dinner menu: salt and pepper calamari or winter salad; pan-seared rainbow trout with Creole crab hash and balsamic brown butter or grilled pork chop with jalapeño corn grits, fresh tomato chutney and Southern green beans; and petite chocolate cake with warm pecan and Jack Daniels syrup and vanilla ice cream or house-made crème brûlée. For reservations, call 770-643-1330 or make reservations online. Regarding prix fixe menus, prices are per person and do not include tax, gratuity or drinks. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Blind Pig Parlour Bar Comes of Age, Celebrates First Birthday with Speakeasy Drink Specials and Live Music January 23


Totally legit for this 1-year-old to celebrate in a bar, because it is the bar. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar, Atlanta’s swankiest Prohibition-inspired hideaway, is throwing a humdinger of a one-year anniversary party on Saturday, January 23. Complimentary bites and batched cocktails feed the party from 7-8 p.m., and drink specials prevail throughout the evening. Flappers and rappers, live music revs up at 7:30 p.m. and keeps on keeping on until the DJ takes over at 11 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served after 9:30 p.m.

Bite into $5 Burritos and Spin the Prize Wheel at Willy’s Mexicana Grill - Crossville Road Grand Opening Celebration January 20


Roswell residents have been munching out at their new Willy’s Mexicana Grill at 660 West Crossville Road since the doors opened in December. Since the holiday season is slam full of festivities, founder and chief burrito roller Willy Bitter chose to hold off on throwing a fun-filled official opening celebration until January 20. Yes, Burritoheads, $5 burritos are yours, wrapped just the way you like them from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Wednesday. Between bites, spin the prize wheel for a chance to win Willy’s swag and taste samples of Willy’s favorites from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and again from 4-7 p.m. Be sure to enter to win a $50 Willy’s gift card. Willy himself will be there for the 11 a.m. ribbon cutting, returning to make guac and to say “Queso!” in fan photos from 4-5 p.m. One more “mucho grande” reason to stop by Wednesday -- 10 percent of the day’s proceeds will be donated to STAR House Foundation to help provide after-school tutoring and mentoring, plus summer camp opportunities to enrich and change the lives of at-risk children in Roswell. 

Monday, January 18, 2016

What's New on Pinterest: Pack a Healthy Lunch


On flip-open-the-lunch-box days -- school or office -- Pack a Healthy Lunch by drawing upon the huge idea bank on our Pinterest board. Inspirations abound for dibs and dabs to fill those cute compartmentalized containers. Go against the grain with bread-free sandwiches and packables such as lettuce wraps with Thai meatballs or Buffalo chicken. Those game for bowls will latch on to cauliflower cashew lunch bowls, burrito bowls and steamy chicken-avocado-lime soup. Clean eating in 2016? Pack guilt-free baked salmon and asparagus in foil or Thai baked salmon. Suddenly, that long-lost lunch box is your new best friend.  

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Foodgram: Cooking Light Magazine


CookingLight, the Instagram album for Cooking Light magazine, is a tasty, heavyweight champ in the categories of shaving fat, calories and meal prep time. Not a lick of cottage cheese, canned peaches and iceberg lettuce in sight on this healthy-eating site worth following to stay light on your plate and feet. The nation’s largest epicurean brand shows off gourmet wonders along the lines of flattened chicken with almond and paprika vinaigrette, tomato ravioli and mini BBQ meat loaves with smashed blue cheese potatoes. More, with less.