What's New on Pinterest: Your July 4th Menu!

Raise the flag (cake). Light the night with glow cotton candy. Shoot off “fire rocket” cocktails. Our 4^th of July board is red, white and blue to the core and absolutely the place to muster up party plans, patriotic decorations, Old Glory-themed treats and timesaving BBQ hacks for kitchen independence, such as skewer doers and make-ahead shrimp boil foil packets. When air and grill temperatures rise, douse them with doses of spiked iced tea for grownups and fizzy watermelon ice cream floats and patriotic punch for the young ‘uns. And this might seem like an American folktale, but it’s true and beaming on our board: a Paula Deen fast-and-easy peach cobbler recipe calling for only two tablespoons of butter for each cup of fresh peaches.

What’s New on Pinterest

Independence Day reminds us to appreciate our many freedoms, including the freedom to seek out and pin red, white and blue ways to celebrate the 4th of July. Tote a strawberry, blueberry and feta salad to the potluck. Amaze your friends by slicing into a vanilla layer cake and unfurling a flag fashioned by its layers. Hand out popsicles stacking stripes of raspberry red, vanilla Greek yogurt and blueberry. Display Old Glory -- carved into a watermelon or as flag bandanas tied into bunting. Paint stars on your grass for a dazzling lawn. Fire rocket cocktails, pop rock shots, spiked buzzed cherry bombs and cotton candy that glows add oomph to any pyrotechnic display. 

Happy 4th of July from Melissa Libby & Associates

Happy 4th of July from Melissa Libby & Associates! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. If you're in Atlanta, enjoy the star-spangled celebrations the city has to offer! 

Where to Feast on the Fourth

Do you think our founding fathers would run the Peachtree Road Race to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence? It might be a bit hot in the jackets, hosiery and wigs of their day. We're pretty sure that they would be up for a friendly meal and a libation or two in air-conditioned comfort to mark the historic event. Put them here and now, and we can show them who's open and serving in their honor with a click on our blog.

Declare Independence from the Kitchen this 4th of July

The Peachtree Road Race along with other patriotic festivities will surely work up a July 4^th appetite. No need to add even more heat to this summer day by cooking; allow Atlanta restaurants to do all the work for you with these eating out options.

Start Independence Day early with Woodfire Grill’s annual “BBQ & Beer” event on July 3 from 5:30-11 p.m. Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie’s three-course, all-American menu includes an appetizer, main course of BBQ, Brunswick stew and sides, and banana pudding for dessert. Beer from Atlanta's own SweetWater Brewery will star alongside the food, and all proceeds from SweetWater beer sales will benefit the brewery's campaign to "Save theHooch." Dinner cost is $38 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required as seating is limited. Call 404-347-9055.

Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland celebrates July 4^th with their “Go Whole Hog or Go Home” lunch and dinner special. A meat-and-three-sides menu is the food of champions for $15 per person (excluding beverage, tax and gratuity). Cheer for beer and a chance to win some of the $500 in prizes at the tavern's Backyard Beer Olympics beginning at 4 p.m.

Baseball-bound Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna and Ormsby's are running their hit ballpark bus trip to the Atlanta Braves versus Chicago Cubs game. Get the whole shebang for $55 per person: beer, Jäger, hot dogs, roundtrip bus ride, ticket to the 7:10 p.m. game and plenty of time to watch the post-game fireworks show. Sure to sell out so call Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna at 770-435-1887 or Ormsby's at 404-968-2033 to reserve your ticket(s).

Open for you on the Fourth are:

*  Alon's Bakery and Market in Virginia Highland and Dunwoody, open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

*  Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland and Smyrna

*  Ecco, European-inspired bistro, open for dinner in Midtown

*  Fleming'sPrime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Dunwoody

*  La Tavola Trattoria for an Italian dinner in Virginia Highland

*  All eight Marlow's Tavern locations

*  No. 246 for Italian in Decatur

*  The Original El Taco in Virginia Highland

*  Ormsby's on Atlanta's Westside, dinner only

*  RA Sushi Bar Restaurant for Japanese fusion, sushi and fun drinks in Midtown

*  Ray's in the City, Ray's at KillerCreek and Ray's on the River open from 4 - 9 p.m.

*  Smashburger, all five Atlanta-area locations will be open

*  South City Kitchen Vinings for Southern fare in Vinings

*  Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food for a July 4th fiesta in Buckhead and Sandy Springs

Who's taking the day off?  Closed for the holiday are: Alma Cocina, Aqua blue, Aria, Chicken and theEgg, JCT. Kitchen &Bar, KaleidoscopeBistro & Pub, The Optimist, South City Kitchen Midtown and Woodfire Grill. 

4th of July Happenings Around Town

If you're looking to take a break from the kitchen this holiday weekend, here are a few places that will be serving out deals for the 4th of July.

Opening for the first time for the 4th, Aria is offering all Facebook fans a killer deal. Make reservations through OpenTable and put "Facebook" in the notes section or mention Facebook when phoning in and receive 50% off the food bill. The restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.

Stop by Aqua blue on Friday, July 3 and enjoy one free 1.5 pound steamed whole lobster appetizer with your dinner purchase. One freebie per table (tax and tip not included). Aqua blue will be open from 4-10 p.m.; mention this offer when making your reservation. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886.

EVOS will be open serving healthy, slow-roasted steakburgers, Airfries, wraps, salads, and cool fruitshakes. And for the runners taking part in the Peachtree Road Race, EVOS is offering a FREE organic milk shake. Just drop by and show your t-shirt or bib number to receive the special offer. 5590 Roswell Road, NE at The Prado;404-252-4022.

All six Marlow's Tavern locations are open as usual on July 4th. Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.

The Nook, On Piedmont Park will open for brunch at 9 a.m. for runners and their fans to enjoy the terrific Piedmont Park view. 1144 Piedmont Avenue in Midtown; 404-745-9222.

Head over to Panera Bread bakery-cafes for your 4th of July picnic goodies. Each Atlanta location will be open on the holiday during regular business hours providing good eats for firework watchers. Go online to find out which of Atlanta's 21 Panera locations is closest to you.

Midtown's newly opened RA Sushi will be serving light, cool sushi and sashimi on the hot, hot July 4th. Plus, it's convenient for Peachtree Road Race fans and for those heading to view the Centennial Olympic Park fireworks. 1010 Midtown at 1080 Peachtree Street; 404-267-0114.

Toast to the holiday with a Swirl at Uncle Julio's Casa Grande. The restaurant's signature drink is the perfect blend of frozen margarita and sangria. 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. To go line: 404-974-2991.

Woodfire Grill will be offering a threee-course dinner for $35 per person from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. that includes Chef Kevin Gillespie's roasted whole hog with his own Terminus City barbeque recipe. A $5 suggested donation for the all-you-can-drink SweetWater beer, and proceeds will go to "Save the Hooch."1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!