Restaurants Band Together at Taste of East Cobb May 6

March over to the Taste of East Cobb on Saturday, May 6 and support the Walton High School band in its annual fundraiser held in the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church south parking lot from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sample menu favorites from Marlow’s Tavern, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and other fine area restaurants and vote for the “Best of Taste of East Cobb.” Youngsters will pull toward the Kids’ Zone to jump in huge bouncy inflatables and to get artsy with face painting plus sand and spin art. Everyone will enjoy the live music, entertainment, raffle tickets and tempting items up for bid in the silent auction. Admission is free; tickets for restaurant bites are $1 each with offerings priced at one to five tickets each. Buy tickets online or at the event.

Winter's Finest Wows on Marlow's Tavern Menu

Interesting how seasonal eating complements our hankerings. Winter's cold spells send us seeking foods entrenched with depth and flavors that warm souls and bellies yet light enough to entice a brisk walk rather than entering hibernation mode. Marlow's Tavern is winter ready, showcasing seasonal ingredients in revamped classics and new menu items. The crispy chicken stack, long a favorite, now snuggles alongside Parmesan-barley risotto with caramelized mirepoix, seared wild mushrooms, sautéed spinach and roasted thyme gravy. Beef eaters will rave over the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of the crispy short rib with jalapeño and corn grits, sautéed kale and red wine demi reduction; and the grilled "center cut" filet with roasted fingerling potato, seared butternut squash and a red wine shallot reduction. Cold seas yield more riches for this time of year: pan-seared snapper with celeriac purée, asparagus, tomato fondue and parslied olive oil; and Marlow's popular lump crabcake, served with baby arugula, grapefruit, pickled onion, fresh avocado and jalapeño to heat up your palate. Sweet and zesty citrus shines in the new lemon olive oil cake -- a moist, spongy cake topped with fresh grapefruit, vanilla syrup and candied orange. Rumor has it that an old family recipe inspired this slice of sunny Italy on a plate. Iffy that Santa's leaving a Cancun escape in your stocking? Who cares! Get away to your neighborhood Marlow's Tavern where the glad-to-see-you vibe, a new menu to explore and a full bar shaking up tricky drinks warm your heart, and you won't have to try on swimsuits in winter. 

Fall for the New Menu at Marlow's Tavern

Craving the intense, rich flavors that roasting and searing develop? Marlow's Tavern is right with you, rolling out a new fall and winter menu to appease cool weather appetites. A quick peek points to wild mushroom toast bearing seared oyster, shiitake and button mushrooms with roast thyme brandy cream; lump crabcake with baby arugula, grapefruit, fresh avocado and jalapeño; Asian ahi tuna on mixed greens with miso-soy vinaigrette and crispy wonton; pan-seared snapper; BBQ blazed lamb; crispy short rib with jalapeño and corn grits, sautéed kale and red wine demi reduction; and perfectly seasoned, grilled "center cut" filet with roasted fingerling potato, seared butternut squash and a red wine shallot reduction. Bird lovers the crispy chicken stack of grilled Prestige Farms chicken, Parmesan barley risotto, caramelized mirepoix, seared wild mushroom, sautéed spinach and roasted thyme gravy. There's a Marlow's Tavern location near you, and this is the perfect excuse to visit the newest one at Avalon in Alpharetta.

Marlow's Tavern is Spicing Things Up During Bayou 'n Bourbon

Bayou 'n Bourbon is back at all Marlow's Tavern locations and the New Orleans style grub has everyone in a frenzy! The celebration of bold NOLA flavors, cocktails and brews is happening now until March 31. Join the party over lunch or dinner with menu items like roast chicken and shrimp gumbo or the fiery spice lump crab cake. Honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread are making a sweet and spicy landing on the menu along with the infamous Jack Daniel's Honey-splashed honey-bourbon bread pudding. A Louisiana-style party wouldn't be complete without drinks that pack a punch like  "Pat's" Marlow's Hurricane, Ramos Gin Fizz and the Cajun Cosmo. This celebration only comes along once a year, so come on in and let the good times roll!

John C. Metz, Jr. is Good as Gold

www.ifmaworld.com

Great service, delicious food and industry advancement must run in the family of John C. Metz, Jr. As the CEO, executive chef and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, Metz was named winner of the Gold Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufactures Association (IFMA). This award was much deserved, as he is also the mastermind behind the concepts of Marlow's Tavern and Aqua Blue. Metz followed in the footsteps of his father as he took his turn being chosen as one of eight operator executives to receive the prestigious IFMA Silver Plate Award, one of the most honored awards in the foodservice industry. Congrats, Metz men!  

Dine Out For No Kid Hungry with Marlow's Tavern and Aqua blue

Love it when someone has a dinner idea for every night of the week... and adding a way to nourish others in the process ups the yum factor.  Join Americans across the country in dining out in the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry through Saturday, September 24.  More than a thousand restaurants nationwide are participating in Share Our Strength's fundraiser to help alleviate childhood hunger in our nation by 2015.   Here in the metro area, Aqua blue in Roswell and all Marlow's Tavern locations are among the fabulous and friendly restaurants on the 75+ list.  They'll ask guests to donate $1 or more toward the cause.  In return, guests will receive one $5 bounce-back card to use on their next purchase at the restaurant.