Lucky Alpharetta-ites Get a BurgerFi Today

 

If you work or live anywhere close to 5475 Windward Parkway, check out BurgerFi asap - it opens today! We're big fans of their all-natural, farm-raised beef burgers, specialty Wagyu Kobe beef hot dogs, fresh-cut French fries and onion rings. The VegeFi quinoa burger, desserts such as frozen custards, natural cane sugar sodas, craft beer and wine are all on the Alpharetta menu as well. The farm-to-tray eatery is perfect for both time-crunched and leisurely lunch and dinner schedules, and offers indoor and patio dining. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Maybe you have a package to mail or some copies to make? FedEx is right next door! 

Spend Delicious Quality Time with Mom on Mother's Day Plus More in this Week's Dish

Looking for a way to celebrate mom this year? Don’t forget, the way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach! Whether her faves are omelets and mimosas or sushi and steak, Atlanta restaurants are ready to make this Mother’s Day one to remember. Specials, treats and tasty eats for this Sunday, plus much more in this week’s Dish!

Atlanta-Area Restaurants are Ready to Make Mom's Day

Photo from Little Cake Bakery

Mom has a hectic schedule 365 days a year. Treat her to something special this Mother's Day with a relaxing cocktail and brunch, lunch or dinner out at one of Atlanta's fine restaurants. It's the perfect way to show her you care! Check out the restaurants that are celebrating the special day. 

In Roswell, Aqua blue spreads a special brunch buffet with carving stations, made-to-order omelets, sushi, assorted desserts and more from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Adults dine for $29.95 each, children ages 4-12 eat for $9.95 and children under 4 years old eat free. Those over 21 can indulge in $15 bottomless mimosas and the famous bloody mary bar. The regular dinner menu is available from 5-10 p.m. Tax and gratuity are not included. Reservations: 770-643-8886.

Bantam + Biddy in Midtown's Ansley Mall has a special $25 three-course menu for Mother's Day guests. Choose starters of tomato gazpacho or English pea salad with goat cheese; a second course of chicken and dumplings or salmon with asparagus and caper egg vinaigrette; and assorted pies, cupcakes and cookies make tempting dessert choices. Mom leaves with a favor bag of sweet treats for later. Tax and gratuity are not included. Info: 404-907-3469.

Treat mom to a special North Indian Punjabi brunch at both Bhojanic locations -- Buckhead and Decatur -- from noon-4 p.m. on Mother's Day. Reservations: Buckhead, 404-841-8472; Decatur, 404-633-9233.

Bless her heart with a four-course Southern supper at West Midtown's JCT. Kitchen & Bar. She'll love the regular Sunday supper menu and Mama's Day featured items. Reservations: 404-355-2252.

Stop by Little Cake Bakery in Buckhead on Saturday, May 11 and sneak a few cupcakes into mom's weekend. Along with its usual sweet selections, the bakeshop has three special flavors honoring mom: strawberry champagne, pink lemonade and lemon lavender. Call 404-841-8856 to place an order.

Complimentary flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries are Olmsted's brunch gift to moms on Mother's Day, and a photographer will be on site to take family portraits. Sit inside or on the patio for the Midtown restaurant's special brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  Regular menu and featured items also are available. Reservations: 404-443-8431.

So she loves sushi? RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown loads its menu with more than 35 sushi, appetizer and tapas items on special ($2.25-$7.25) including Tootsy Maki, pineapple cheese wontons and "RA"ckin' shrimp. Celebrate the day with a signature cocktail ($3-$7) such as the Absolut Asian Flirtation, Pinnacle Strawberry-Kiwi Saketini or Absolut Tokyo Peach. The Mother's Day special is available from open to close for dine-in orders only. Info: 404-267-0114.

All three Ray's Restaurants honor mom over the weekend. Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs pours Spanish-themed drinks, including sangria, and serves tapas on Saturday, May 11. Love that live Spanish guitar music. On Mother's Day, the restaurant is open from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., offering a buffet meal all day long priced at $39.95 per adult and $19.95 for kids ages 5-10. Kids ages 4 and under eat free. Reservations: 770-955-1187. From 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ray's on the Creek in Alpharetta is serving brunch for $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids ages 5-10. Kids 4 and under eat free. The regular dinner menu is available from 5-9 p.m. Reservations: 770-649-0064. Downtown's Ray's in the City serves Mother's Day brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids ages 5-10. Kids 4 and under eat free. The regular dinner menu is offered from 5-9 p.m. Reservations: 404-524-9224. Tax and gratuity are not included in the prices at each restaurant.

In the Shops Around Lenox, Seven Lamps offers Mother's Day brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. À la carte offerings include citrus-cured salmon sammie, Seven Lamps eggs Benedict and Georgia shrimp with South Carolina grits. Shake or stir up her day with a special Mother's Day brunch cocktail. Info: 404-467-8950.

Not usually open on Sundays, Woodfire Grill makes a special case for Mother's Day and offers a four-course prix fixe dinner for $58, plus tax and gratuity. The menu offers local greens with blackberry vinaigrette, purple basil, raw beets and smooth cheese; Georgia white shrimp and grits with smoked tomato gravy and green tomato jam; wood-grilled skirt steak with chimichurri, braised beans, root beer BBQ and fried Vidalia onions; and blueberry cobbler served with vanilla ice cream. Reservations are recommended: 404-347-9055.

Appetizing Aperture

 

 

Pasta, peas and lobster look so pretty on the pasta plate at No. 246 and are indicative of the other new seasonal delights at the Decatur restaurant. Menu companions include a salad of local strawberries, shaved fennel, arugula, pistachio, stracchino, aged balsamic and EVO; jumbo asparagus soup with Gulf blue crab; spaghettini with Georgia white shrimp, spinach, sugar snap peas, garlic and pequin chilies; cavatelli plus North Georgia ramps, morels, asparagus and house-cured pancetta tesa; and lamb sausage with braised spring onions, wheat berries, rhubarb mustardo and red watercress ($9-$26). Couples can share veal osso buco for two with spring veggies and polenta ($49). For even more "ahh," begin with a spring-y cocktail such as the Fair Verona, Everything Nice, Pimm's Cup for the Spring, Southbound Spritz or the tequila and chili Aperol doused "Where There's Smoke" ($9-$12).

Help Make "Real Food for a Change" a Reality

Thomas Spravka is a major foodie. Not only is he a freelance food photographer and videographer, but he's also staff photographer for the Georgia Restaurant Association. For the past year, he's been traveling, learning and meeting people with his eye on developing his own travel/food television program - "Real Food for a Change." During this time, he's discovered that America's food growing, breeding and distribution system no longer feeds us - it just fills us up. Spravka is raising funds for the show's pilot, which will reveal America's broken food system by telling the stories of those of who have dedicated their lives to fixing it. Contribute and be a part of this groundbreaking endeavor to educate and help change the health profile of our nation.

Marlow's Tavern Anticipates Warm Weather Appetites with New Menu

There are plenty of warm and downright hot spring and summer days ahead in Atlanta, and our forecast calls for refreshing new dishes to help us get through them. Luckily, Marlow's Tavern is on point with new menu items that will satiate even our appetites. Look for fresh lump crab and lobster dip with toasty pita points ($10.50); Peking duck sliders with hoisin BBQ duck, pickled julienne vegetables and fresh cilantro ($9); the Tavern salad with field greens, Granny Smith apple, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds with sweet Gorgonzola dressing ($6); a "house-made" black bean veggie burger with house-pickled beets on a whole wheat bun ($8); pan-seared Carolina trout with quinoa fried rice, snow pea shoots, scallion, cabbage, carrot and soy glaze ($17); pineapple upside-down cake with warm maple and vanilla syrup, hand-scooped vanilla ice cream and crisp pineapple ($6) and more. Summery cocktails include the Hemingway Hand Shake, a chilled combination of strawberry-infused Denizen rum, fresh lime and Royal Rose Cardamom syrup; or the Gin Job crisply made with Hendrick's Gin, cucumber, basil syrup, fresh lemon and lime juice and a splash of tonic. Hot weather wonders from the wine and beer list include Fritz Zimmer Riesling, Chateau Laulerie Malbec, Concordia Rioja, Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale, Ommegang Rare Vos and Anchor Liberty Ale.

Dine Out for the March of Dimes on May 3

   

Some of Atlanta's favorite restaurants are hosting private dining tables for the 29th Annual March of Dimes Dining Out benefit on Friday, May 3. Aria, Article 14, Lure, Seven Lamps, The Optimist and Woodfire Grill are each hosting a table that will accommodate from six to 10 guests at prices varying from $1,000 to $1,500 per table. Enjoy a unique four-course VIP menu with wine pairings. There's still time to reserve a table, but many are already sold out! Check the event website for availability.

Margaritapalooza

 

The only thing I like better than a good margarita is a whole day devoted to drinking them! And amigos, that day is this Sunday! In the off chance that you need a suggestion for sipping, we've got you covered:

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is offering a special Cinco de Mayo menu featuring four different entrées. Pozole rojo is a chile-braised pork and hominy stew garnished with cilantro, cabbage, radish and queso anejo. Chiles rellenos burst open with Oaxaca cheese, roasted tomato salsa, crema and refried black beans. Taquitos de pollo boast shredded chicken and are joined by jalapeño slaw, queso anejo, crema and salsa verde. Their own classic Huachinango a la Veracruzana, a.k.a. snapper Veracruz, tops pan-roasted snapper with tomatoes, olives, capers and jalapeños and comes with saffron rice.

Communitas Hospitality restaurants -- Gilbert's Cafe & Bar,Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern and 10th & Piedmont -- have all gone hook, line and cinco for fish tacos and are wrapping up tilapia, cilantro, red onion, lettuce and chipotle mayo for $3 each. Add a $5 margarita for that Baja feel.

Party in or out at The Original El Taco in Virginia-Highland. The cantina celebrates the "hola!" weekend long with $4 pineapple-infused tequila shots, $12 buckets of Dos Equis, $12 El Jimador margaritas and $7 Dos Equis lager drafts in 22-ounce souvenir cups. For margarita connoisseurs, El Taco mixes up Reales margaritas with Partida Blanco Tequila and O'rangville Grand Fine Orange Liqueur along with house-made sour, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. The La Rosalita starts with El Jimador Reposado and adds fresh grapefruit and lime juices plus sweet agave nectar. Pick up Cinco-To-Go packs for a fiesta at your casa. Each pack feeds eight to 10 hungry gringos, and you'll find mucho more info here.

Ban the basic margarita for the holiday and try out a novel rendition (see more on our Pinterest board). Cactus pear juice tempers the tequila in Bantam + Biddy's cactus pear margarita. For a cinco de-tini celebration, Ecco strains a potion of Herradura Blanco Tequila, lime juice and a squeeze of blood orange juice into a chilled martini glass. Hearth Pizza Tavernoffers two on-the-rocks versions: a spicy jalapeño margarita with Tanteo Jalapeño Tequila and the St. Rita, a nectar of St. Germain and Tequila Blanco. Say "Sensei Ole!" at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown to order their high-power Asian-Tex-Mex-fusion margarita featuring Don Julio 70^th Anniversary Tequila, Canton Ginger Liqueur and Cointreau. Margaritas are hot stuff at Seven Lamps where a sous vide margarita mellows a mix of Reposado Tequila, lime zest and juice, agave nectar and cayenne in a sous vide for 48 hours, and "Going Back to Cali" blends jalapeño-infused tequila, Shrub & Co. grapefruit shrub and SweetWater IPA in a sea salt-rimmed glass. Visit Uncle Julio's for the restaurant's signature drink, the Swirl, layering a chilling blend of frozen margarita with homemade frozen sangria.  

Salud!

Join Seven Lamps for Bodegas Carrau of Uruguay Wine Dinner May 1

The winemaking heritage of the Carrau family can be traced back to Catalonia, Spain (circa 1752), and in 1930, they carried it across the Atlantic to Uruguay. When your winemaking experience spans 10 generations and two continents, you know a thing or two about wine. No wonder Bodegas Carrau is one of Uruguay's leading wine exporters. Seven Lamps in the Shops around Lenox welcomes winemaker Francisco Carrau (who carries a PhD in chemistry and is a professor of oenology at the Universidad de la Republica de Uruguay) for the Bodegas Carrau wine dinner on Wednesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. The four-course dinner and wine pairing from Executive Chef Drew Van Leuvan features smoked Bramlett trout with spring peas, almond, mint and goat's milk; caramelized globe artichokes, dried artichokes, curried hazelnuts and shiso; slow-roasted beef flatiron with roasted carrots and shallot confit with red wine bacon jus; and don't forget about dessert. Wines include Sust Vintage 2009, Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2012, Chardonnay de Reserva and Amato 2007. The cost is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Tickets are required and seating is limited. Call 404-467-8950 to purchase a ticket.

Bottoms Up with Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo Plus More in this Week's Dish!

Cinco de Mayo may fall on a Sunday this year, but that does not stop the party at Atlanta-area restaurants. Plenty of places are offering food and drink specials to celebrate the holiday. So, put on your sombrero, kick back with your favorite margarita and check out what else Atlanta has to offer in this week's Dish!

Eat It and Tweep: People’s Food Truck Keeps on Tweeting

Locate your next meal by following Ford Fry's latest endeavor on Twitter. People’s Food Truck (@PeoplesFoodATL) is officially out and about, selling “feel good food” to Atlantans and helping train and feed those in need. Does your lunch location jive with theirs? Follow along to find out!

Sample Tweet: People's covered in the AJC today... http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2013/04/23/ford-frys-non-profit-food-truck-to-roll-out-soon/ … #foodtruck #atlanta

FAQ on Ryan Hidinger and Staplehouse and an Inspiring Documentary

 

What's going on with Chef Ryan Hidinger and wife Jen and their dream restaurant Staplehouse? And what's this new non-profit called The Giving Kitchen? Flashback. At the first of this year, Ryan was diagnosed with stage IV gallbladder cancer. All of the love and support from Team Hidi friends, family, the community and the Cancer Treatment Center has changed their perspective on life. Time out. Watch this short documentary then read on. The Hidingers are designing Staplehouse to be a purpose-driven restaurant, serving hope and help as a by-product of the casual fine-dining experience. Along with several friends, Ryan and Jen have started The Giving Kitchen, a 501(c)(3) initiative that will support the Atlanta restaurant community and give a hand to industry members impacted by medical or other unanticipated hardships. A historic two-story brick building in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward will house Staplehouse on street level while The Giving Kitchen office and a private dining space will occupy the top floor. Anyone can share the dream by contributing to the cause and becoming a recognized "founding member" with a donation. Give what you can, whether it's $1, $100 or more. Good stewards that they are, the team has posted their budget breakdown online, and it's an eye-opener for anyone wondering what it takes to start up a restaurant. So far, with about a month left in their capital campaign, about $45,000 out of the $651,035 needed has been raised. Donate and you could be recognized with a name posting, a bar stool marked with your name, or the pure, intrinsic satisfaction of sharing a little bit to help a lot.

What's New on Pinterest

Better than Your Average Burgers are earning grill stripes across America. Our burger board primes you with a herd of ways to pretty up a patty for spring and summer grill sessions. Vegetarians and cluck-o-tarians, hold your beef. We can fill your buns just as easily.

Eat it and Tweep: BurgerFi® Tweets with Burger in Hand

 

Develop a personal relationship with the burgers and burger masters at BurgerFi® (@BurgerFi). Besides keeping up with quips, see who's heading over to the new Emory Point location and get a feel for the local faves to cut down on your own decision-making time.

Sample Tweet: @advtastes You can tell a lot about a person by looking at what they order. We have decided you are awesome!

MLA At Large

 

  

We had a blast at the Emory Point BurgerFi® opening last week and just couldn't resist getting a photo with the extra large burger out front! Stop by there soon - the burgers are delicious!

Croon a Tune at Gilbert's on Wednesday Karaoke Nights

Sing your heart out at Gilbert's Cafe & Bar in Midtown on Wednesday nights from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Whether you're an aspiring professional or you just lost a bet with friends, you're guaranteed to have fun performing for the lively crowd at Gilbert's. Got a touch of stage fright? Craft cocktails, brews and wine from the bar will have you believing you're "The Voice" in no time. Warm up those vocal cords and call 404-872-8012 to make your reservation!

People's Food Truck Revs Up to Hit Streets Following April 27 Launch Party

     

Have you heard who's driving into the A? People's Food Truck is arriving this weekend and is ATL's new "feel good food" truck. This truck runs on compassion for saving and building lives and desires to help a community develop itself through sustainability and stability. People's, the mobile arm of non-profit City of Refuge (COR), will teach skills, provide jobs for and help feed people. People's rolls out, COR community staffing will sell items from a menu created by Ford Fry (JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246,The Optimist and Oyster Bar at The Optimist), and every meal purchased will help feed those in need. Saturday's launch celebration begins with COR's "Refuge Run 5K" in the morning and shifts gears to the People's Food Truck party at City of Refuge from 5-7 p.m. that evening. Grammy award-winner Micah Massey provides musical entertainment. To attend the free event, RSVP to tony@cityofrefugeatl.org with your name and number of guests. People's, start your engine and let the "feel good food" roll. 

Kick-Start the Spring with Article 14's Patio Opening Party on April 24

   

Claim your perch on the patio at Article 14 on Wednesday, April 24, or you'll be guilty of missing a fantastic night out. Shelve the workday at 5 p.m. when the party begins and stay on for cocktails, wine and ice cold beer until it ends at 9 p.m. Big clue on where to look in Midtown: the patio is upstairs, outside of Olmsted. Capping the day with a drink and appetizer at Article 14 could easily become an amendment to your after-work routine.

Help Cover Bantam + Biddy Windows with Autism Speaks Puzzle Pieces

April's window treatment at Bantam + Biddy uses colorful puzzle pieces interlocking in support of the Autism Speaks puzzle piece fundraising campaign. Midtown neighbors already know of the Ansley Mall eatery's devotion to assisting local charities, and Autism Speaks occupies a special niche in Co-owner/Executive Chef Shaun Doty's heart. If you're in the area to eat, shop, visit Piedmont Park or the Atlanta Botanical Garden this month, Doty and Co-owner Lance Gummere encourage you to stop in and purchase an Autism Speaks puzzle piece. You'll receive a brightly hued puzzle piece -- with a place to write a name and a message -- to add to the window's $1,000 puzzle-building goal. Nothing puzzling about where the money goes. All money raised goes to nonprofit Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, for funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. Will you be a part of the process in finding the missing piece?

Benefit Your Taste Buds and Open Hand at Dining Out For Life Plus More in this Week's Dish

The MLA team has been out and about this week, eating up delicious burgers and fries from BurgerFi® at Emory Point. Can't seem to get burgers off the brain? Check out our Pinterest board for better than your average burger recipes and create your own. There are burgers galore, plus much more in this week's Dish!

Dining Out for Life on April 24 Assists Open Hand

As if we needed an excuse to say “let’s dine out,” grab a friend or pick a date and attend the 21st Annual Dining Out for Life event on Wednesday, April 24 benefitting Open Hand. This is one of the largest fundraising events of the year for Open Hand. Restaurants all across Atlanta will donate 25 percent or more of each table's tab -- breakfast, lunch or dinner -- to the community nutrition programs of Open Hand. Suggestions? Enthusiastic participants include Aria, Bantam + Biddy, Communitas Hospitality restaurants Gilbert's Cafe & Bar, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and 10th & Piedmont, and Fifth Group Restaurants Alma Cocina, Ecco, Lure, The Original El Taco and South City Kitchen Vinings. Make reservations online for some restaurants. Nonprofit Open Hand has delivered more than 20 million meals since its start in 1988. By Dining Out for Life, you can help the organization continue its work in our community: delivering more than 5,000 nutritious meals every day, providing nutrition education, therapy and coaching, and empowering folks battling chronic disease and disability to live more healthily and independently. So be sure you dine out for breakfast, lunch and dinner to contribute to this great cause!

Atlanta Restaurants Take Going Green Beyond Salads on Earth Day and Every Day

We're happy to be celebrating Earth Day today, but why on earth would we limit it to one day out of 365 when Atlanta restaurants have already made the commitment to going green year round? 

 

At Midtown's Ansley Mall, Bantam + Biddy minimizes pasture to plate time by gathering its pastured poultry from regional sources. Their "honey do" list includes raising their own bees to produce honey for the eatery.

BurgerFi® takes the "better burger" movement beyond the kitchen's 100 percent hormone and antibiotic free beef from humanely and sustainably farmed cattle. The Emory Point location follows green practices and kitchen oil recycling to minimize environmental impact. The soon-to-be EarthCraft certified restaurant uses energy, water and resource-efficient building design practices including using sustainably harvested wood, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures and low-VOC paints and finishes. And your bottom's perched on a bottle. Those chairs you're sitting on while enjoying your burger are made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles.

The sky's the limit for green practices at Midtown's popular Ecco. The Fifth Group Restaurant is the state's first dumpster-free restaurant and the first Georgia restaurant to receive Green Foodservice Alliance certification. Ecco's rooftop garden incorporates cold frame structures covered with Agribon, a material that guards plants from wind, frost, cold and insects, allowing earlier planting dates and a wider variety of produce to be grown. Cedar beds, custom-built by Farmer D Organics, use a drip irrigation system harnessing air conditioning condensation and timer-managed watering. Produce raised goes directly into the restaurant's seasonally inspired menu.

The largest solar barn in the Southeast resides on the largest Certified Organic farm in Georgia -- White Oak Pastures, 2,000 acres strong in Bluffton, Georgia. Owner and fourth-generation cattleman Will Harris follows sustainable practices all around, from the pasturelands' 100 percent Georgia native sweet grasses to the zero-waste processing plant that follows Dr. Temple Grandin's humane animal handling process. Harris' determination to farm a better way is an inspiration to farmers, restaurants and food producers. The farm is Certified Grassfed, Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Organic and follows Good Management Practices approved by Silliker, Inc. Recognitions for setting farming standards and being dedicated to the sustainability of organic farming in Georgia are many, including 2012 Distinguished Conservationist and the 2012 Les Dames d'Escoffier International Green Ribbon.

Pizza Perfection - Made by You!

 

Ah, pizza. Who doesn't love a good pie? But to make your own from scratch - well, that's scary.  Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, baking with the only genuine coal-fired pizza oven in Georgia, wants to calm your fears by way of two-hour interactive pizza making classes led by pizza masters. Learn the secrets of mixing, stretching and tossing the perfect crust, selecting ingredients so as not to cause a tragic mozzarella slide off, and baking the whole masterpiece to optimum crispness. Get fired up learning about the legendary coal-burning process used up in NYC. Upcoming class dates are May 6, 13 and 20, and June 3, 10, 17 and 24. Classes sell out quickly, so don't wait for your dough to rise before reserving your place! To sign up, call 404-974-2941. Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria is located in the heart of the Luckie Marietta District Street in Downtown Atlanta. You can do it! 

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da. Eats & Beats Covers the Beatles, Fab Food, Drinks and Chef Bands on April 22

  

Baby, you can drive my car to the fabulous Buckhead Theatre for Eats & Beats, an unforgettable evening of unlimited food, open bars, Beatles covers by Yacht Rock Revue, chef bands and a silent auction crammed with exotic goodies. Mark the date -- Monday, April 22 from 6:30-9 p.m. Be there at the start for the chef band openers, including one led by Ford Fry! JCT Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and Chicken and the Egg are among the host of premiere restaurants serving up specialties that night. Open bars slake sing-a-long thirst with mixed drinks, wine and craft beers. Don't miss this benefit for Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen. Purchase tickets online. General admission ($70) includes it all; VIP ($150) adds 6 p.m. entry and private access to VIP suites with exclusive entertainment, wine tastings, premium bar, additional restaurants with food and wine pairings and a private balcony stage view. 

Party It Up on the Patio Tomorrow at The Optimist

Make plans to visit The Optimist on Saturday for a patio party filled with delicious food, lots of drink options and live music. For $17, you can skip the utensils and fill up on an authentic, Louisiana-style crawfish boil prepared by Executive Chef Adam Evans. 

Obviously you'll need some cold beverages to go with all that crawfish, and the restaurant has plenty to keep you from getting thirsty. Drink specials include New Orleans-style punches for $8 and $5 pints of the specially brewed cask of “Hoptimist” from Red Hare Brewing Company. This is also the perfect opportunity to try the spring cocktail menu with newly added drinks like the Scurvy Scoundrel made with Deep Eddy Vodka, lime and house-made grapefruit cordial and the Mermaid’s Crossing with pisco, passion fruit, lime, sugar, paprika and egg whites. Cocktails range in price from $8-$10.

So sleep in and come by at 3 p.m. when the event kicks off with live music from singer/songwriter Justin Borgman and stay for Stefan Cashwell at 7 p.m.! 

SweetWater 420 Fest Taps Bands, Brews and Seminars April 19-21 in Candler Park

Going to SweetWater 420 Fest this weekend? You won't want to miss Arianne Fielder, head mixtress at Seven Lamps, guest speaking and doing a beer cocktail seminar on Saturday, April 20 at the Fest in Candler Park. Fielder whips out some mean craft cocktails involving craft beers, so you could call her the "proof-fessor" of the beer cocktail seminar. Pop open the schedule at the SweetWater 420 Fest website to scope out the many bands, comedy acts, talks and kids activities, plus more details. See ya there!

Gunshow Opens May 8th -- Make Reservations Now

Just a few weeks until Gunshow opens to the public -- May 8 to be exact! Kevin Gillespie spills the word on Facebook that the dinner reservation line is open, 404-380-1886. Reservations are mandatory during week one (no walk-in seating available); Gunshow will accept both reservations and walk-ins to dine beginning May 14. Guests can book "Kevin's Table" as well. Carpe diem to dine and be on the cutting edge of cutting edge dining when the excitement begins at the Glenwood Park restaurant. Come hungry!

Still Need a Hotel for the T. Swift Concerts? Be Swift and Head to The Glenn

Taylor Swift appeals to all ages. So does the Glenn Hotel, a boutique hotel just steps away from Phillips Arena that is completing the big night out with a $199 "Be Swifty" package. Some of Taylor's favorite things, such as chocolate chip cookies and Diet Coke, will greet "Be Swifty" guests arriving for the concert on Thursday, April 18 or Friday, April 19. Enjoy early check in (based on availability), late check out until 1 p.m., breakfast for two at Glenn's Kitchen (buckwheat crepes with ham and parmesan topped with a fried egg) and more. Did we mention that it's a short, swift trip on foot from the Glenn Hotel to Phillips Arena and back? Way to be special and avoid to and fro traffic tensions. Book rooms by calling 404-521-2250.

Bhojanic Khush Time Specials Beat Rush Hour at Shops Around Lenox

Photo by Ian Rawn

 

For many of us, the 5:30-7:30 p.m. time slot is spent inching through traffic on our commute home. Not your idea of a good time? Bhojanic Buckhead in the Shops Around Lenox has the answer on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with Khush Time! Live music and food specials are ready to join your favorite cocktail, beer or wine selections at the popular Indian restaurant and meeting spot. Central location and plenty of free parking.

Eat It and Tweep: This Rebecca Lang Tweets Around a Southern Table

 

There are multiple Rebecca Langs on Twitter, but only one is Athens' own Rebecca Lang, mom of two as well as contributing editor for @southern_living, author of Around the Southern Table, food writer, cooking instructor and heir of cast iron skillets. Rebecca is also this year's Vidalia Onion spokesperson and you won't want to miss her! Follow her tweets at @rebeccalangcook. Full reads athttp://rebeccalangcooks.blogspot.com/.

The Well-Seasoned Chef Series registration begins tomorrow, April 17

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has an awesome series of cooking classes each year and you'll want to check it out!  The Well-Seasoned Chef Series usually sells out so nab your seat when registration opens up tomorrow, April 17.  Phone registration only at 404.876.5859 ext. 2559. While the chef line-up is amazing, we're partial to Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow, Drew Belline from No. 246 and Adam Evans from The Optimist!

What's New on Pinterest: Sweet Vidalia Onion Inspiration

 

Sweet Vidalia Onion season is finally here, and we’re ready to put our 10-lb. bag of these beautiful Georgia jewels to good use. We’ll be feasting on Vidalias in salads, tarts, sandwiches and more. Peel back the posts on our Pinterest board to see how we'll be feasting, then get your own bag and follow suit.

Appetizing Aperture: Sweet Vidalia Onions Now in Season

Sweet blooming onion! Vidalia onion season is now upon us, as yesterday marked the official start. "Souper," exclaims Marc Taft, chef/owner at Chicken and the Egg in Marietta and executive chef/general manager of The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell. Get your chef on and  celebrate this beloved vegetable by making his creamy Vidalia onion soup. Don't forget to check out all the other delicious Vidalia recipes on the Vidalia Onion Committee website. Pure spring bliss.

Creamy Vidalia Onion Soup:

6 tablespoons butter

5 pounds Vidalia onions, sliced

2 thyme sprigs

1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons sugar

2 celery ribs, finely diced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 cup sherry

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 quarts chicken stock or vegetable stock

1-2 cups of white country bread, crumbled

Kosher salt & fresh cracked black pepper

Method: 

1. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a heavy pot.

2. Add the onions, thyme and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until onions are softened.

3. Add sugar, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized.

4. Remove onion to a bowl and set aside.

5. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in pot and add celery, garlic and bay leaf and cook for 2-3 minutes. Increase heat and add sherry. Reduce by half.

6. Add back onion and add chicken stock. Cook for about 30 minutes.

7. Add heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.

8. Add bread to soup and stir until incorporated.

9. Puree the soup in a food processor or blender.

10. Season with salt and pepper. 

Photo by Hope Philbrick. 

The Word's Out -- BurgerFi® Is Open in Emory Point

 

Hey ATL, your better burger go-to is here! BurgerFi® is now open in Emory Point and pleasing guests with mouthwatering grass-fed Angus beef burgers and customizable burger options, the VegeFi® quinoa burger, natural hot dogs fixed NY-, Chicago- or Texas-style, and Wagyu Kobe beef or chicken-apple dogs. Great go-withs include hand-cut fries, crispy onion rings, freshly prepared frozen custards, Coca-Cola and Boylan cane sugar sodas, wine and craft beer. All-American BurgerFi® beef is sustainably and humanely raised on a vegetarian diet without additives and added hormones. Craving a burger yet? That's what we thought...see you tonight! 

Will Harris of White Oak Pastures Is Nominated for Real Food Award

 

Our Bluffton, Georgia hero of sustainable farming and humanely raised cattle is on the "Producer" award nominating block for the Real Food Awards. Nominees are farmers or food producers demonstrating exceptional commitment to their community, consumers and the earth through campus and community relationships and selling high-quality real food to institutions. Bingo, that's Will Harris of White Oak Pastures exactly. Read his bio and vote here! 

Go Green with Atlanta Restaurants for Earth Day Plus Much More in this Week's Dish

Kevin Gillespie's new restaurant Gunshow is set to open on May 8, and now YOU can officially reserve a table. In the meantime, hit up Bhojanic Buckhead on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights for " Khush Time," with plenty of food and drink specials and live music. You don't want to miss out on all the fun, plus much more in this week's Dish!