Saturday, April 2, 2016

Roll into Willy’s Mexicana Grill for “Willy Good” Burritos, Tacos, Salads and More

There are burritos. And then there are “Willy Good” burritos. The kind Willy’s Mexicana Grill rolls around choice ingredients like adobe and Sinaloa chicken, chipotle pork, cilantro-garlic steak, Sinaloa tofu, homemade guac and pico de gallo and fresh veggies galore. It’s all “Willy Good” – whether folded into the soft corn tortilla of a Charolita street-style taco, a quesadilla or heaped onto nachos, a burrito bowl or into a Southwest chicken salad, fajita steak or Willy’s salad. Can’t omit refreshing drinks, including homemade lemonade, iced tea, fountain and bottled drinks plus domestic and imported beers. Margaritas chill on the menu at Howell Mill, Midtown, Edgewood, Brookhaven and Peachtree City locations. Something else that’s “Willy Good”? Knowing that with locations all over Atlanta, Athens and Peachtree City, there’s a distinctly personable Willy’s near you.

Bachelors and Bachelorettes, Shimmy to Johnny’s Hideaway for the Final Fling before the Ring

An Atlanta tradition since 1979, Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead has long said “I do” to bachelor and bachelorette groups partying it up before the big plunge. That saying, Johnny’s is passing along some helpful tips for girls who just want to have fun and guys looking to “Shout!” at “Atlanta’s only nightclub for big kids.” 
  • Come early in the evening to book a large table or space for the party group.
  • Reservations are accepted until 8:30 p.m.; call 404-233-8026.
  • Full bar offers everyone’s celebratory beverages -- beer, wine, cocktails and sodas.
  • Party-pleasing new menu rings true with shareable starters, wings, sliders, hearty sandwiches and burgers, soups, salads, desserts and daily specials.
  • Open late seven nights a week for toasting and dancing the night away.
  • Wednesday is Ladies Night.
  •  Live music starts at 8:30 p.m. Sundays, and a DJ spins dance tunes nightly.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Master Pasta and Risotto Making or Savor a Spring Dinner, Wines and Cheeses at Bellina Alimentari during April

Bellina Alimentari reminds us that spring is a season of new beginnings -- learning new skills, acquiring knowledge about cheeses and wines, and trying new recipes of tender, fresh ingredients prepared the authentically Italian way. The April class and event roster for the Italian restaurant, market and Culinary Club in Ponce City Market provides a fantastico place to accomplish this worthy goal. Unless otherwise noted, classes occur from 6-7:30 p.m. and cost $45 per person; sales tax will be added at checkout. Register and pay online through each class topic or call 404-330-9933.
  • Fresh Pasta, the Italian way -- Mama mia, impress guests with fresh pasta the Italian way in this always popular basic, hands-on cooking class that follows a make/roll/cook/taste (and take home) format Tuesday, April 5 and Wednesdays, April 13 and 27.
  • Filled Pasta Making – it’s so easy once you learn techniques in this hands-on class. Plus, students taste and take home their yummy creations. Offered Wednesday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 12. $48 per person.
  • Saffron Risotto – discover the art of turning out perfect risotto, a classic Italian dish, on Tuesday, April 19.
  • Many Fold Farm Cheeses and Orange Wines are on the night’s menu when multi-award winning cheesemaker Rebecca Williams from Many Fold Farm leads a class pairing her cheeses (some of the best in the U.S.A.) with unique orange wines from Italy on Wednesday, April 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; $28 per person.
  • The Bellina Alimentari Spring Dinner celebrates the season’s goodness over a three-course meal featuring a starter, entrée and dessert paired with three delicious natural wines on Tuesday, April 26 from 7-9 p.m. $65 per person.
  • Three Wine Three Cheese guided tasting explores some of Italy’s finest natural wines paired with local artisanal cheeses on Thursday, April 28 from 6-7 p.m., $28 per person.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Last Day to Register for Cornhole ATL Spring League. Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Games Begin Tuesday, April 5

Cornhole connoisseurs, today’s the day --- the last day for teams and solo “free agents” to register for the seven-week Cornhole ATL competitive and social spring league season. Citywide competition begins Monday April 4, tossing Tuesday night competitions to Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland from April 5 through May 24. Players, you know the drill: three to six players per team, Atkins Park sets cornhole boards and bags in the ready position on the patio and drink specials flow throughout the evening. One lucky registrant from all spring registrations will win a pair of VIP tickets to the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival on May 21. Visit www.cornholeatl.com for complete rules.

A Tisket, A Tasket, Doug Turbush has Smoked Brisket in His Basket at Smoke and Glory "Battle of the Beasts” Cook-Off April 3

There’s a boatload of brisket to smoke on the road to Smoke and Glory, and Seed Kitchen & Bar chef/owner Doug Turbush is going for the glory. Turbush joins other top Atlanta chefs in a head-to-head “Battle of the Beasts” cook-off on Sunday, April 3 from noon-4 p.m. at Steinbeck’s Ale House in Decatur. Each chef receives a raw beef brisket and must follow one rule: smoke the beef. Otherwise, anything goes! While the day starts early for chefs vying for tenderness, doors open to guests, bands start playing and brisket tasting begins at high noon. Judging enters the scene at 3:30 p.m., and the event closes out at 4 p.m. When briskets are polished off, smoke subsides and glory is deemed, two worthy charities will benefit – The Giving Kitchen and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Buy tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com; $60 for guests 21 and up, $20 for ages 12-20 years, $10 for kids 5-12 years, and free for the under-five set. Everyone enjoys the full afternoon of live music and food tastings, and guests over age 21 are privy to unlimited beer tastings from craft brewery sponsors. Good luck, Doug!






Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Sublime Doughnuts Fools Around with Flavors like Jalapeño Cheddar Fritter and More for April 1st Fooling


Watch out. On Friday, April 1 (a.k.a. April Fools’ Day), sweetly innocent glazed, frittered and filled darlings at Sublime Doughnuts will pack some heat. There’s nothing mild mannered about these altered egos:  

  • jalapeño cheddar fritter
  • Sriracha and white chocolate doughnut
  • scotch bonnet and caramel doughnut
  • Buffalo chicken mousse-filled doughnut with powdered ranch dressing.

Imagine the fun of setting these intensely delicious treats in the breakroom and watching faces light up in sweet surprise over unexpected flavor combinations. Priced at only $2 each, this low-dough prank is easily doable, but only doable on April 1. Come on. Be bold. Open 24 hours for your April Fooling pleasure.

Revival Heeds Grandma’s Advice to “Go Outside and Play,” Creates Communion Backyard Bar


Revival gives you a new reason to hang outside with its newest backyard extension, Communion. This soon-to-open outdoor bar allows guests to either unwind over a cool drink before dining at Revival, continue the conversation with post-dinner Old World-style wines or settle in with a European-style session beer and snacks on a laid-back weekend afternoon. Need a stretch? Try your hand at horseshoes or cornhole. No reservations needed to enjoy this outdoor bar. Keep an eye out on Revival’s FacebookTwitter and Instagram feeds to see when this new hotspot opens. Cheers!  

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

LOL with Atlanta’s Best Comics at The Blind Pig Comedy Session March 31


Atlanta’s wittiest comics will definitely shift your focus from a pollen-coated day to a laughter-laden night when The Blind Pig Parlour Bar hosts the third installment of its Comedy Session on Thursday, March 31. This month’s hilarious headliner is Brian Moote, co-host of “The Bert Show,” with comic compadres Ismael Loutfi, Andrew Markle, Damon Sumner and show host Neal Reddy. In true speakeasy fashion, The Blind Pig is a small, intimate setting. Thus, it’s no joke that the January and February shows sold out. Nab a $12 ticket, available online, while you can and prepare to laugh your head off between sips of your favorite libations. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8:30 p.m. The Blind Pig is located behind Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead.

Atkins Park Mario Kart Tournament Drivers Roar toward DragonCon Tickets March 30


Yoshi, Luigi, Princess Peach and the rest of the pack, start your engines and let the drinkin’ and kartin’ begin at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland on Wednesday, March 30. The tavern shifts gears into Mario Kart Tournament mode beginning at 10 p.m. Entrants compete for a chance to win two four-day passes to DragonCon. Show up, sign up, start your virtual engine and get pumped for the fast track over nearby Avondale Estate’s own Wild Heaven craft brews. Atkins Park will fuel competitors with a Wild Heaven emergency drinking beer for each race. Call 404-876-7249 for more information.

Monday, March 28, 2016

What’s New on Pinterest


Easter Sunday comes early this year, rising up March 27. Poke around our Easter Brunch board for centerpieces, tablescapes and a basket full of recipes, and you’re ready to host in a flash. Welcome guests with sparkling strawberry limoncello and prosecco spritzers or a DIY mimosa bar. Easter hams, sides and fluffy pies and cakes please traditionalists. The eggy edge goes to pull-apart sausage, egg and cheese rolls; French onion and bacon or asparagus Gruyere tarts; goat cheese quiche with a sweet potato crust; gluten-free, crustless caprese quiche; and a roasted beet, baby kale and brie quiche. See bunnies galore in kid-pleasing deviled eggs, fruit platters, two-tone pancakes and more. Cinnamon roll cake pops, no-bake mini carrot cake cheesecakes, Easter egg Oreo truffles and mini Easter egg cakes top Peeps in the sweet and cute category.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

#Foodgram


Just goes to show there’s a niche for every nosh. The BrunchBoys capture the brunch-loving lifestyle in photos, videos, brunch maps and blogs for NYC, the ATL and everywhere else. Second helping at thebrunchboys.com