Wednesday, May 3, 2017

TGIF AND Cinco de Mayo Friday, May 5




Get ready to “Cinco” into the weekend this year because Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday and Saturdays are meant for sleeping in. And, at some restaurants, the celebrations kick in early in the week and carry on through the weekend!

Communion Cantina throws open its backyard bar and eatery for the warm weather season on Cinco de Mayo. Cantina? Si! Kevin Gillespie has transformed the outdoor gathering place behind Revival, his popular Decatur restaurant, into a casual Mexican cantina -- just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrating. The cantina food truck, with a menu driven by executive chef Andreas Müller, will sell five different varieties of tacos, chips and salsa, cheese dip and other Mexican staples. Border heat calls for cocktails, margaritas, sangria, frozen drinks like frosé and frozen mint juleps along with bottled and draft beer featuring West Coast and Mexican brews. Hours are Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 1-10 p.m., Sunday 1-9 p.m. and Thursday 5-10 p.m. (beginning May 11).

 “Drinko de Mayo,” going on through May 7 at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, syncs sipping celebratory Cincoritas and pouring donations into a great cause. The FlexMex gang is donating 50 cents from every Cincorita purchased to Bert’s Big Adventure, a non-profit providing chronic or terminally ill children and their families with five-day, all-expenses-paid adventures to Disney World. Drink specials, music and more round out the weeklong “fiestivities.” Say “Ole!” to Corona Light on draft ($4.25/$7), Grand Marnier and Jager floaters ($3) and shots ($5), 1800 Tequila shots ($5) and 1800 Cincorita -- small ($8) or large ($13). On May 5, DJs supersize the party music at each restaurant, and guests can buy cans of Corona and Modelo ($5) at locations with outdoor bars. Southside Steve from Rock 100.5 broadcasts live from the Mall of Georgia Tin Lizzy’s at 5 p.m. followed by Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi cover band) turning up courtyard party volume at 7 p.m.

In Town Brookhaven, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta rollicks at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila starting at 2 p.m. There’s no cover charge for this party that salsas out onto the patio with live music and food and drink specials. Please your crowd with an assembly of tacos with personality, bearing names like Pinche Pollo, Trailer on Fire, Redneck, Mamacita and Bravocado or Jefe’s Mexi-spun faves such as smoked chicken taquitos, Nacho Daddy, crispy calamari and crispy smoked wings with Jefe’s hot sauce.

For a new take on the classic margarita, visit your neighborhood Marlow’s Tavern and enjoy one of Rick Blumberg’s cocktail creations. Previously the beverage director of Bacchanalia Restaurant Group, Rick’s signature Blood Orange Margarita featuring Herradura tequila and Pür Spice Blood Orange liqueur or “Secret Recipe” Red or White Sangria are sure to put you in the Cinco spirit! Cinco de Mayo-ish bites include Marlow’s rave-worthy Shrimp and Crab “Nacho” Plate and “Infamous” Fish Tacos.

Taco Mac is turning this weekend into a two-day celebration. Between Cinco on Friday and the Derby on Saturday, Taco Mac has invented “Derby de Mayo,” featuring $4 select Mexican beers with new Brewniversity credits, a Herradura Barrel Select flight and traditional, black cherry, watermelon and strawberry margaritas. Cheers to this weekend!

All three Ray’s Restaurants swing into Cinco de Mayo mode, resurrecting the beloved Ray’s Rio Bravo chile con queso recipe for guests to spoon up in bar and lounge areas on May 5. Pop into Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek to dip into this delish dish.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill makes it easy to squeeze some Cinco de Mayo flavor into your day at 30 locations covering Atlanta and reaching out to Athens and Columbus. Me, oh “Mayo,” can’t get out? Willy’s catering brings the “Cuatro de Mayo” party to you on May 4, offering free cheese dip for up to 20 people on all deliveries made May 4. Minimum $250 catering order and 24-hour notice required; must call 404-422-7107 and mention the offer to redeem. On May 5, live music plays from 6-9 p.m. at the Howell Mill store and 5-8 p.m. at Willy’s - Piedmont Park. Want a margarita? There’s one with your name on it at the Howell Mill, Midtown, Edgewood, Brookhaven and Peachtree City Willy’s locations.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is always ready to celebrate, and Cinco de Mayo is no exception. Stop into the Midtown watering hole for beers from around here and around the world, including Corona, a Cinco de Mayo classic. Mixologists stand ready to craft your margarita or perhaps a Spanish Inquisition signature cocktail starring Medieval tequila ($11). Share some of HOBNOB’s popular starters such as braised short rib tacos (2/$8.95 or 3/$11.95); New Generation duck nachos ($11.95) topped with duck confit, fontina cheese, Fresno peppers and HOBNOB’s own date-fig jam and roasted tomato pesto; spicy chipotle cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes ($8.50); or braised short rib lettuce wraps with chimichurri sauce ($11). Does a Margherita pizza count ($12.75)?

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