What's New on Pinterest: Great Grilled Cheese

In honor of April being National Grilled Cheese Month, we're pinning Great Grilled Cheese ideas. The ultimate comfort food that's a cinch to make - what could be better? Whether you're in the mood for a honey truffled grilled cheese or want to get fancy with a balsamic Brussels sprout variation, we've got enough pins to last you through this month and even into May!

Appetizing Aperture

 

Shrimp Bhojanic shows off jumbo shrimp, sautéed with garlic and curry leaves then served in a tangy tomato and onion masala sauce at Bhojanic in the original Decatur restaurant and the newly opened Buckhead location in the Shops Around Lenox. Feeling bold? They're glad to turn up the spice factor on this plate for those who dare.

Lawyers Need Love Too

  

Did you hear the one about the lawyer and the light bulb? Oh, wait. No lawyer jokes allowed next Tuesday, April 9, for National Be Kind to Lawyers Day!  And since it's already a lawyer hangout, Article 14 suggests you come in and buy your favorite attorney a Manhattan and some bacon-wrapped dates. While there, check out the "legends on the wall," a series of portraits of prominent Atlanta lawyers. Case closed. 

Can Your Bracket Hack It? Big RA Sushi Showdown Pits Man vs. Sushi

It's live, uncut RA Sushi Tootsy Maki roll action, and it's all going down at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant's third Sushi Showdown on Sunday, April 7 from 3-6 p.m. With eyes fixed on the uncut Tootsy Maki rolls set before them, two heats of 12 competitors will race the three-minute clock and each other to see who can put down the most sushi and move up the brackets. Three competitors from each heat will advance to the Championship Sushi Showdown where they'll vie to devour as many Tootsy Maki rolls as they can in five minutes. The consummate winner takes home a "RA Sushi for a Year" package containing 12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates. RA Sushi gift certificates of $100, $50 and $25 go respectively to second, third and fourth place winners. All participants receive a complimentary appetizer or lunch card and a RA Sushi sweatband. Fans partake in the action as well, scoring Throwdown and Tokyo Tussle sushi rolls ($6-$7) and powerful drink specials such as Free Throw Bombs ($5), Kirin and Kirin Light ($5) plus sake ($1), Half Court Bombs of Red Bull with a shot of fruity vodka or Jägermeister ($6), or the Rim "RA"cker, a Skyy Vodka and Red Bull cocktail ($7). Flying Fish Lounge specials kick in Sundays at 8 p.m. Whether you're competing or eating and drinking, give RA Sushi your best shot.

Bring It On -- Dick Vitale Signing Event at STATS on April 5 and Game-X on April 8

Even if your team didn't make it to the Final Four, March Madness continues into April's on- and off-court hoopla when STATS and Game-X both host Dick Vitale for afternoon greet and autographing sessions. The basketball coach turned ESPN sportscaster will be at STATS on Friday, April 5 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and at Game-X on Monday, April 8 from noon-1 p.m. Fans may bring in anything that they would like to have Vitale sign, or they can purchase merchandise at STATS and Game-X. Take an early timeout from the office to sideline at STATS for Friday afternoon fun and multi-screen sports viewing along with seriously hearty American fare, pull-your-own drafts or staff-served beer, cocktails and wine. For a Monday match-up, stay on after the Vitale signing to sneak in a few rounds of "Nothing but Net" followed by a champion gourmet burger and a beer or cocktail at Game-X. It's a win for everyone!

BurgerFication of the Nation® Reaches Atlanta as BurgerFi® Opens April 16 in Emory Point

Taking the classic roadside burger on a healthier ride straight to Atlanta, BurgerFi® will stamp its BurgerFication of the Nation® imprint on Decatur's Emory Point when it opens on Tuesday, April 16. Within the iconic bun lies juicy grass-fed Angus beef burgers, sustainably and humanely raised on a vegetarian diet, right here on the good old U.S.A. These patties are freshly made, never frozen. Missing, but definitely not missed, are antibiotics, additives and added hormones. Offerings include a variety of beef burgers and build-your-owns, the VegeFi® quinoa burger, a Hippie burger, natural hot dogs fixed NY-, Chicago- or Texas-style, and Wagyu Kobe beef or chicken-apple dogs. Accessorize with hand-cut fries or crispy onion rings, freshly prepared frozen custards, Coca-Cola and Boylan cane sugar sodas, wine or craft beer. Treat yourself to an extra helping of the snooze button in the morning, because the Breakfast All Day Burger will be waiting for you no matter when you arrive. Featuring a beef burger, cheese, bacon, maple syrup, fried egg, hash browns, onions and ketchup, the “B.A.D.” Burger is nothing but a good time in a bun. Dine in good conscious because this EarthCraft-certified, environmentally friendly BurgerFi® recycles it all, from containers to oils, provides furniture made from recycled soda bottles and runs low-electricity fans.

Park It On the Patio for Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Thursday Specials Plus More in this Week's Dish

Get ready for some delicious and juicy burgers! BurgerFi®, serving all-natural burgers, dogs and custards is soon to open up in Emory Point. Can't wait until April 16 to get your eat on? Visit Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland on Thursday nights for pizzas cooked on the Big Green Egg. Yum! There is plenty to eat up plus more in this week's Dish!

Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Primes for Patio Season with Thursday Night Big Green Egg Pizza and Beer Specials

 

Hibernation season is over. Peel off the parka and prepare to park yourself on the patio at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland for even more personal attention than usual. On Thursday nights, the Atkins Park crew is stoking up the Big Green Egg to turn out personal pizzas. These chefs are experienced BG Eggers, and guests are in for a crispy-gooey and little-bit-smoky treat. Share or just go ahead and order another one or two for the table. How cool that they're highlighting a different Sierra Nevada craft brew each week? Live music begins at 10 p.m. making this patio a fantastic place to soothe a case of spring fever.

Appetizing Aperture: Could we pull-eeze have a decent tomato?

We long for Killer Tomato season to attack. We'll be ready with napkins in hands to catch every juicy drip. Ford Fry is on it, strategizing for this July's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival.

 

Tickets go on sale April 1, so be sure to purchase yours stat! Heirlooms, Romas, Better Boys...with so much at stake, you'd best follow The Dish for vine-breaking news.

Check out Pinterest for our Top Final Four Finger Foods

Pinterest: March Madness is about more than fancy footwork. Let the players take care of that. With our brackets set, we're concentrating on Final Four Finger Foods for our Pinterest board. Some dunks, some fowls, some for all four corners of your snack table. Bring on overtime!

Eat it and Tweep: Tweet to End Child Hunger

Elizabeth Baker (@NoKidHungrySE) has her priorities, and a big one is getting the word out about the Southeast regional culinary events going on to help Share Our Strength end child hunger. Follow her and find out how you can help. 

Sample Tweet: Missed the Baking Contest for @nokidhungrysegment on @cbsatl? No problem, we have it here for your viewing! http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8508723 ...

Party with 790 The Zone at STATS this weekend

 

Your man cave may be great, but nothing beats STATS for watching a game. Starting tonight and going through Saturday (March 28-30) 790 The Zone will host prize-packed viewing parties where fans can register to win a Big Green Egg, Braves opening day tickets and Final Four Championship tickets. Yes, Final Four Championship tickets. With 70 high definition TVs strategically angled inside STATS, every view is a slam dunk. Modern American fare and signature beer tap tables keep winners (and losers) happy. As does a chance to win those Final Four tickets. Pretty sure you don't have that back at the cave!

Last Weekend for $25 Prime Rib Dinner at Ray's Restaurants

Only one weekend left to take advantage of the $25 prime rib dinner deal at all three Ray's Restaurants. Paired with mashed potatoes and au jus, the slow-roasted prime rib dinner is available Friday through Sunday, March 29-31, from 4 p.m. until close (subject to availability; first come, first served). Tax and gratuity not included in special price. Click here to reserve a table at Ray's on the Creek, Ray's in the City or Ray's on the River. Can't get enough? Go for the prime rib hat trick and stop at a different Ray's each night.

New Monday Night Bites at Bantam + Biddy: $3 Sliders Starting April 1

  

As someone who is a fan of the $3 sliders at The Shed at Glenwood, I was a little bummed to hear that the restaurant was saying farewell to the special soon. Turns out my sadness was supremely short-lived since Bantam + Biddy is offering $3 sliders on Monday nights from 5-9 p.m. starting Monday, April 1. This makes me happy for several reasons. Not only can I still get my slider fix, I'll be doing it a lot more regularly since Bantam + Biddy is so close to me in Ansley Mall. Also, Bantam + Biddy Co-owner Lance Gummere was behind the original slider night at The Shed, so I have no doubt these sliders will be delicious! Each week will feature a new chef's selection of sliders. The line-up for this Monday includes:

• chicken fried steak with country gravy
• fried green tomato and goat cheese
• fried Mississippi catfish with lemon aioli
• pork Schnitzel with pear compote 
• house smoked pork shoulder with cabbage

And if those weren't good enough reasons to join me on Monday night, I'm betting the seven-ounce Miller High Life bottles for $1 and beer punches for $3 will win you over. 

Get the How-To from Woodfire Grill Executive Chef Tyler Williams at Piedmont Park Green Market

 

Learn how to cook something new this Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. with Woodfire Grill Executive Chef Tyler Williams. He is teaching the Green Market in Piedmont Park shoppers how to prepare lamb kheema, feuilles de brick, house-made yogurt and fava bean agrodolce salad. Stick around and shop for fresh produce, sauces and baked goods from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the 12th Street entrance gate.

Bhojanic Opens Sister Location in Buckhead

Atlantans searching for traditional, home-style Indian fare blended with cosmopolitan ambiance have turned to Bhojanic in Decatur for the past 20 years. Buckhead, your turn is here. Located next to Crate & Barrel in the Shops Around Lenox, the second Bhojanic location brings all the thalis, curries, street food, chapati and cocktails guests devour at the Decatur restaurant to the Buckhead area. Owner and Chef Archna Becker grew up in an Indian kitchen, learning the ways of Indian cooking from an expert - her grandmother - before setting off to travel the world and settle in Atlanta with her own family and open a restaurant. Start out with a specialty drink, martini, beer, wine or chai and open the menu, which is slightly smaller than India in scope. No worries, you're in good hands. The staff steers novices through it comfortably and into naan nirvana. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Book a table online and try out the new location.

New Aqua blue Menu Signals Springtime

 

Whether you're a landlubber or a seasoned adventurer of the high seas, the versatile new spring menu at Aqua blue in Roswell will satisfy all your cravings. Go by land and order braised lamb shank, steamed dumplings, BBQ St. Louis-style ribs, stuffed pork chop and other turf toppers. Take a trip to the shore without ever leaving your table with lemon sole, grilled shrimp ravioli, lobster sushi roll or tempura lobster tail and shrimp. Can't decide? Straddle the deck and dock and share shrimp and veggie spring rolls or sautéed Little Neck clams and add tomato mozzarella salad or black & blue steak salad. You see, this place has a way of keeping everyone happy and well fed in the dining room, on the patio or at the bar.

Rise and Shine for Easter Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and More

 

Easter springs up early this year on Sunday, March 31. We have a sunny list of Easter feasts for you to choose from. Hop down our list to find the golden egg that's right for you and be sure to make your reservation soon. We wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Roswell residents have plenty to eat this Easter. From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Aqua blue is serving up everyone's favorites for brunch, including a carving station with roasted strip loin and bone-in ham, entrée station, shrimp cocktails, salad, assorted sushi, smoked salmon, breakfast and omelet station and desserts. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas are available for $15 for any thirsty guests. Adults eat for $29.95, children 4-12 for $9.95 and children under 4 eat free. Reservations: 770-643-8886

The cluck at Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall is about an Easter Sunday feast featuring corned Brasstown ham and gravy, stewed organic black-eyed peas, braised collard greens, Anson Mills grits and sweet potato pie for $20. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas are poured until 4 p.m. for $10. Regular and special menus are available from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; brunch is available until 3 p.m.

Marietta's Chicken and the Egg is providing brunch all day long this Easter Sunday. From 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., the restaurant is offering their regular brunch menu with starters such as crawfish and artichoke bake and pimento cheese. Diners with a sweet tooth can choose bananas Foster French toast or a strawberry waffle. Egg lovers can pick from items like eggs Benedict, "green eggs and ham" or pork belly hash. Reservations: 678-388-8813.

A not-your-mother's Mediterranean-style Easter Sunday brunch is in the plans at Ecco in Midtown from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Choose from a variety of meat and cheese options, one for $4.75, three for $14 or five for $22. Taste-and-share items for the table range from chocolate strudel to mixed olives, and crab fritters with a poached egg and pickled peppers ($4-$13). Appetizers of mixed lettuces, radishes, almonds and tarragon-mustard vinaigrette ($9), grilled red romaine, smoked char, poached eggs and romesco ($14) and potato, leek and chervil soup with poached Georgia shrimp ($9) supplement the wood-fired pizzas, pastas and main dishes, including the San Marzano tomatoes, house-made mozzarella and basil pizza ($13), lasagna with mushroom ragu, béchamel and arugula ($18) and the butcher steak with polenta, asparagus and salsa rosso ($20). Reservations: 404-347-9555.

Sandy Springs dwellers can hop on over to Hearth Pizza Tavern for an Easter meal. Opening at 4 p.m. on Easter day, the restaurant is offering plenty of holiday specials. For more information, call 404-252-5378.

For Passover, Lure Executive Chef David Bradley is making gefilte fish using fresh pollack and Georgia rainbow trout. Enjoy this special dish at the Midtown seafood sensation through April 2. 

Across the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, The Mill Kitchen & Bar invites guests to enjoy an Easter Sunday brunch menu in a farmhouse-style setting. Reservations: 770-817-9345. 

Family-friendly Easter brunching and lunching is in store for Decatur residents at No. 246. Chow on a chicken Parm sandwich, wood-baked ziti and meatballs, mushroom pizza and much more. Children's Easter egg hunts roll out at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with "waves" for toddlers and adult-free children at each hunt. Lucky locators will win prizes such as a free kids' spaghetti and meatballs plate and more. Reservations: 678-399-8246.

At Olmsted in Midtown, the regular brunch menu and special holiday ham or prime rib entrées will please the Easter Sunday crowd. Starters include lobster bisque, fresh-baked biscuits or the breakfast meat sampler. Mains include a wild mushroom omelette with aged Gruyère, tarragon and fingerling potato hash; brioche French toast with seasonal fruit compote and vanilla bean cream; and eggs Olmsted with poached eggs, toasted English muffin, shaved house-cured Canadian bacon and citrus scallion hollandaise. Wee ones can munch on buttermilk pancakes with a choice of maple, blueberry or banana walnut syrup. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 404-443-8431.

After all of the egg hunting and hopping around, grown ups can rabbit trail over to RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown for Sunday night Flying Fish Lounge specials. From 8 p.m. on, choose from more than 35 sushi, appetizer and tapas selections ($2.25-$7.25), plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails ($3-$7). Popular Flying Fish Lounge dishes will be served until 11 p.m., and a variety of discounted creative cocktails will be served until midnight.

Bring on the buffet! This Easter, Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs is offering their award-winning Easter buffet from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. Guests can enjoy assorted breads, a salad bar, omelette station during brunch hours, Virginia ham, prime rib, homemade desserts and plenty more. The buffet is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids ages 5-10. Children 4 and under eat free. Reservations: 770-955-1187. In Alpharetta, Ray's on the Creek is serving a buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and the regular menu will be available from 5-9 p.m. Adults can dine for $29.95 and kids ages 5-10 can dine for $14.95. Children 4 and under eat free. Reservations: 770-649-0064.

Sunday brunch is always important at South City Kitchen in Midtown and Vinings, and the longtime favorite is serving a three-course prix fixe Easter brunch menu from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For $32 for adults and $16 for children under 12 (plus tax and gratuity), guests can choose from appetizer options such as house-made pecan granola, fried green tomatoes or a strawberry salad; entrées including buttermilk fried chicken, crab cake hash, BBQ pork Benedict and farmstead vegetables; and dessert of peach cobbler, chocolate velvet Elvis cake or orange buttermilk chess pie. Reservations: 404-873-7358 for the Midtown location; 770-435-0700 for the Vinings location.

Get Cracking on Reservations for Egg-ceptional Easter Feasts Plus More in this Week's Dish

This week, head up to Roswell to nosh on new spring menu items at Aqua blue and then hit up Buckhead to experience the new location of Bhojanic. Also, don't forget to make your Easter brunch reservation - yes, it's almost Easter! There are plenty of places to celebrate the holiday, plus much more in this week's Dish!

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar Celebrates 10 Years and Braves Baseball

Can you believe Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Smyrna is already a decade old? Share in the celebration of the big "one-zero" on Wednesday, March 27 beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees receive a complimentary limited-edition anniversary t-shirt and have access to the limited open bar, tasting station and live music from Michelle Enix. This is a party you won't want to miss out on!

If for some reason you can't make the 10th anniversary party, or if you just cant get enough of Atkins Park - do not fret! Both Atkins Park locations in Virginia-Highland and Smyrna are taking you out to the ball game for the Atlanta Braves home opener. Take the field trip on Monday, April 1 for $50 per person. Atkins Park covers all the bases of pre-game hot dogs, ice cold Jägermeister and beer, bus transportation to and from Turner Field and a ticket to the game. Busses leave each restaurant at 5:30 p.m. Be sure to call your preferred Atkins Park location to reserve your spot!

What's New on Pinterest: Picnic Perfection

Picnic Perfection is as close as our Pinterest board, which happens to be as crammed full as a picnic basket with finger-licking recipes. Potent potables. Check. Packable finger foods and fork fillers. Check. Cute and useful tchotchkes such as ant-imated napkins. Oh yes.

RA Sushi Showdown: More Delicious Than March Madness

Sports competitions are alright, but over here we care more about food. So here's a competition we can really sink our teeth into: the RA Sushi Showdown on April 7. Athletes, sign up now and start training! Fans, mark your calendar and get ready for the show. The competition is from 3 - 6 pm and involves elimination rounds, timed Tootsy Maki eats, and prizes! One grand-prize eater will win "RA Sushi for a Year" (in the form of 12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates - $600 value) as well as a year's bragging rights. Second, third and fourth place winners will take home $100, $50 and $25 gift certificates respectively. All participants receive a complimentary appetizer or lunch card for use at another time, and a RA Sushi sweatband for sweating it out in the competition. Limited to the first 24 entries so sushi lovers over age 18 should snag an application at RA Sushi in Midtown pronto. All are welcome to watch the competition and enjoy food and drink specials including Tokyo Tussle and Throwdown rolls ($6-$7), Free Throw Bombs ($5), sake ($1), Half Court Bombs ($6) and the Rim "RA"cker ($7). This is so much more fun than basketball.

10th & Piedmont Brings Big Table Big Screen Tuesday Tradition to Midtown

 

On Tuesday, March 26, 10th & Piedmont is rolling out Big Table Big Screen Tuesday to the Midtown crowd. With the high prices of movie tickets, popcorn and a drink, the restaurant brings a steal of a deal with dinner and a movie on the restaurants big screen every Tuesday night. On BTBS Tuesdays, guests shell out a modest $15 each (not including tax and gratuity) for a 10P salad, choice of two small plates from the selected menu and the dessert of the day. Drink specials include $6 Absolut cocktails. The fun doesn't have to stop there - the place stays open until 2 a.m. To reserve a table, call 404-602-5510. You know you want to! 

Ready. Set. GO! Game-X Opens in Downtown Atlanta on March 27

7..6..5..4..3..2..1..And they're off! Gamers are zeroing in on Game-X, a 12,000 square-foot home to more than 60 of today's most exciting games as well as fun food and beverages for all ages. Multi-faceted Game-X serves as an energizing in-town destination for families, a convenient play-scape for young professionals and downtown office workers, and an ideal location for parties and team building activities. The spot is easy to find on the ground floor of the Park Pavilion Building, directly across from the Georgia Aquarium and overlooking Centennial Olympic Park. Once inside, guests can purchase and load X-Cards with dollar amounts to play state-of-the-art games including The Big One Crane Game, Nothin' But Net, Big Bass Wheel, Dark Escape 4-D, Pac Man Smash, Connect 4, SnoCross, NBA Hoops, Temple Run, Space Ballz, Dead Heat, QuadAir Hockey, Fruit Ninja, Monster Drop Extreme and many more. X-Cards also store e-ticket wins, which can be redeemed for prizes such as electronics, mountain bikes and local attraction packages. Fast-casual food, mixologist-created cocktails and craft microbrews play a big part in the Game-X experience. For a true gaming getaway, plan to "stay and play" by booking a room at the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn or another nearby hotel. Great idea for a not-so-typical meeting site! 

Game-X opens on Wednesday, March 27, and is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Convenient and validated self-parking for three hours is available at the parking deck within the Game-X building. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and guests must be at least 21 years old to remain in the building after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Score more details on the website, Facebook or by calling 404-525-0728.

Get Ready to Sniff, Sip and Swallow at Seven Lamps Whiskey Dinner on March 26

  

Learn to sip whiskey like a pro at  Seven Lamps on Tuesday, March 26. The Buckhead restaurant is teaming up with Heaven Hill Distilleries, America's largest independent and family-owned producer of distilled spirits and the second-largest holder of aging bourbon whiskey in the world, to host a five-course whiskey dinner from 7-9 p.m. A few reasons you'll be kicking yourself if you miss out on this: 

• This isn't your typical whiskey dinner. Not only will you get a half-ounce pour of whiskey or bourbon, you'll also get a cocktail specially crafted by beverage manager Arianne Fielder with each course.  
• The food. Just to give you an idea of what you're in store for, the first course is baked clams with andouille, jalapeno and fried bread. Check out the rest of the menu for more details.
• Whiskey professor Bernie Lubbers will be there to guide you through every sniff and pour, making sure you get a little knowledge to go with that buzz.

The cost is $65 per person. While experts might recommend taking your time when tasting whiskey, seating is limited for this dinner, so don't put off on reserving your spot. Call 404-467-8950 and make that reservation today! 

Atlanta Restaurants Provide Tasting at High Museum Wine Auction Vintners' Reception on March 23

Dinners, tastings and seminars frame this week's 21^st High Museum Wine Auction. Capping the week is the magnum event of them all, this Saturday's Vintners' Reception and live auction. Many of the world's top wineries will be appreciated by wine aficionados sampling generous pours. Dozens of Atlanta's best restaurants -- including Chicken and the Egg, Seven Lamps and Aqua blue -- will be there with choice morsels from their mouth-watering menus. Tickets to both of these events are only available to High Museum Benefactors. Find out how that could be you by calling 404-733-4543.

Chow Down and Win at RA Sushi Championship Showdown Plus More in this Week's Dish!

There is plenty to do this week in ATL! 10th & Piedmont launches a brand new Midtown tradition of dinner and a movie that you won't want to miss out on, while The Optimist hosts famed food writers Matt and Ted Lee for a book signing and menu feature. Check out all of the city's offerings plus more in this week's Dish!

Charleston's Matt & Ted Lee Join The Optimist for a Cookbook Signing and Dinner

Looking for something fun and delicious to do next Tuesday night? Join Matt and Ted Lee at Esquire magazine's Best New Restaurant of 2012, The Optimist, for a distinctly Southern dinner and signing of their newly released cookbook on Tuesday, March 26. "The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen" is filled with the brothers' favorite recipes and provides Optimist Executive Chef Adam Evans with a wellspring of offerings for the night's menu. Guests can enjoy a kumquat-tini, Low Country limoncello, moonshine martini and muscadine sangria when cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m. Dinner, served family style, follows at 8 p.m. Tickets are going fast - buy yours online now for $65 per person, including tax and gratuity. Purchase the cookbook that night for $35 plus tax and let Matt and Ted Lee personalize your copy.

That Nutty Pinterest Board

From peanut butter and bacon cookies to Thai peanut pork noodles, our Pinterest board is nuts! Check it out if you have a nutty craving this weekend. Watch out for squirrels!

John Metz of Sterling Hospitality Receives 2013 IFMA Silver Plate Award

Pop the champagne and give a round of applause to Sterling Hospitality for receiving this year's International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Silver Plate award. John Metz, CEO, executive chef and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, has been recognized for excellence in the Independent Restaurants/Multi-Concept category. Metz, along with Silver Plate award honorees from seven other foodservice operations categories, is up for the coveted Gold Plate award. One of the eight will be awarded the foodservice world's Oscar at the 59^th Annual Gold & Silver Plate Celebration, May 20 in Chicago. Congratulations, John, and best wishes toward winning the gold to sit next to the silver!

Smile and Go Green, It's St. Patrick's Week in Atlanta

St. Patrick’s Day greens are sprouting up all over town this week, from cabbage and green beer to emerald fountains and outdoor shindigs. No wonder shades of green are topping the Pantone color chart this season. We are so ready for the wearin' of the green and the cheer that goes along with it.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Smyrna is Dublin’ down for two days of St. Pat’s festivities with the Smyrna St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Market Square this Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17. Mayor Max Bacon will be dyeing the fountain green, which makes for a nice photo op to go with the lineup of live music, a redhead contest, games and rides for children and adults, beer pong, cornhole, a 65-foot inflatable obstacle course - plus magically delicious foods, Guinness, Harp and Irish Car Bomb drinks. Friendly toward Irish setters and other pups looking to get in on the festivities. Buy tickets online for $5 or pay $10 at the door. The traditional Irish classics are also conjured up across town in the dining room and bar at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland, including Guinness and Magners to mark St. Pat’s Day.

Midtown restaurants 10th & Piedmont, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and Gilbert's Cafe & Bar are all part of the Communitas Hospitality family, and on St. Patrick's Day, they are coming together to offer the same food and drink specials in addition to their regular menus. Green $3 Miller Light beer, $6 Lucky Leprechaun cocktails that leap to your lips with Midori, vodka, OJ and Sprite, and plates of rib-sticking corned beef brisket with mashed potatoes, braised cabbage and Pommery mustard ($13.95) will all put a little Irish spirit in your step. Visit one or all three for a rollicking good time.

In Buckhead, Fadó Irish Pub colors the whole week green with activities and food and drink specials each day, building up to the St. Practice Day celebration on Saturday, March 16. Of course, the biggest blowout comes on St. Patrick's Day itself with a party that starts inside Fadó in the morning and spills out into the street by afternoon. Bookmark our blog for more detailed information on this biggie so you won't miss a drop of the fun or the chance to win the trip to Dublin, Ireland.

Looking for a way to sweeten up your St. Pat’s weekend? The charming cupcakes at locally owned The Little Cake Bakery come richly endowed in top-shelf ingredients, and are sized right for grown-up leprechauns. Stop in the shop this Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, to nab some slightly tipsy Baileys Irish Cream chocolate cupcakes and the regular menu’s Guinness cupcakes made with Guinness beer. The new spring menu is in play at the Buckhead bakery with different flavors each day. Stop in on Saturday for Guinness, s'mores, cookies and cream and strawberry varieties. At $2.50 each or 12 for $27.50, these little treasures won't eat much of your cash stash. Minis are $11/dozen. More prices on the website.

Atlanta Magazine Stirs Up March Madness with Final Fork Voting

    

Before basketball brackets start making their way around the office, cast your vote for your favorite Atlanta restaurant in Atlanta magazine's Final Fork competition. The tournament started with 64 of Atlanta's top restaurants divided into four categories - "Gastropubs and Bars," "High Rollers," "Global Eats" and "Southern, Dressed Up or Down Home." Help your picks advance by voting for Round 2 contenders by 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. Our personal picks to go all the way include JCT. Kitchen & Bar, The Optimist and South City Kitchen.
Final round of voting concludes at 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 11. To vote, sign up to be an Atlanta magazine Insider. Each week you vote, you'll be entered to win one of four $100 gift certificates to the Final Fork restaurant of your choice. One grand-prize winner will score a Big Green Egg smoker and a bottle of Richland Rum.

Go Green with Plenty of Rollicking St. Patrick's Week Fun Plus More in This Week's Dish!

This week, fill your belly with sweet treats from Little Cake Bakery. They offer different seasonal flavors each day of the week -- just in time for the spring! Also in time for the season, Ray's on the Creek in Alpharetta is celebrating it's grand re-opening. Don't miss out on all the fun around Atlanta this week, plus much more in this week's Dish!

Shaun Doty Leads Bantam + Biddy Favorites Cooking Class at The Cook's Warehouse in Ansley Mall on March 12

 

Instead of borrowing a cup of sugar from Ansley Mall neighbor Bantam + Biddy, The Cook's Warehouse is borrowing their chef, Shaun Doty. The cluckmeister is coming over to share "Favorites from Bantam + Biddy" on Tuesday, March 12 from 7-9 p.m. Doty will prepare and share some of the eatery's trademark chicken recipes including chopped liver on toasts, chicken schnitzel and market salad with pastured chicken jerky. Class size is limited; sign up online. $45 per person.

Melissa Libby & Associates is Searching for Summer 2013 Interns

Are you a student who is passionate about food/wine culture and public relations? Melissa Libby & Associates is currently seeking two interns for summer 2013. Interns who join the MLA team will work with and learn directly from all agency functions, including media communications, social media, special events and client services. Creativity, positive energy, strong work ethic and great writing skills are important traits for this internship. 

The ideal candidate will also receive school credit for his or her experience with MLA. Internships are 15-22 hours per week from May to August and interns will be paid a $500 stipend at the completion of the program. Schedules are fairly flexible, although Monday mornings are required. Local candidates only. To find out more about Melissa Libby & Associates, please visit our website and our Facebook page.  If you are interested, please send your resume and availability to InternshipMLA@gmail.com.