Oenophiles, take heed and pick up the phone. Ray’s at Killer Creek is planning an exquisite Silver Oak Cellars Vintage Release dinner featuring five courses and wine pairings on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jeff Flood, southeast regional manager for Silver Oak Cellars, will be on hand to chat with guests throughout the special evening. The dinner menu, created by Ray’s at Killer Creek executive chef Mike Fuller, starts with compressed Georgia peach and Georges Bank scallop crudo with basil foam paired with Twomey sauvignon blanc, 2015 followed by wood oven-roasted pork belly, cauliflower-goat cheese gratin and pickled onion served Twomey Russian River pinot noir, 2014. Guests will then be treated to magret duck prepared two ways: smoked breast with pickled summer white cherries and blood orange syrup joined by Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2007 and five-spice confit with stir-fried cabbage, barrel-aged soy and toasted black sesame paired with Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2012. Next up, dry-aged, Painted Hills beef served with caramelized foie gras and grilled, local chanterelles joined by Sonoma Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2011. Sweet Grass Dairy aged cow’s milk cheese, macerated strawberries and benne biscuit close out the night paired with Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch merlot, 2012. $135 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations secured by a credit card are required; call 770-649-0064.
Braselton celebrates its 100th birthday on Saturday, August 20, and Cotton Calf Kitchen is in a prime location to enjoy the festivities. Live music, games, fireworks and more will take place on the new Town Green right next to Braselton’s classic American steakhouse. That said, tables are sure to book up fast so plan ahead and make advance reservations on OpenTable or by calling 706-684-0401. Before or after dinner, toast the town with a spirited drink from the cash bar in the Cotton Calf Kitchen tent on the new Town Green.
Ray’s at Killer Creek pulls out the stopper to unleash a Whole Hog Whiskey Dinner, a.k.a. WhistlePig Whiskey Feast Head-to-Tail Dinner, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. WhistlePig master distiller Dave Pickerell and executive chef Mike Fuller have knocked noggins to curate a divinely swine-filled menu paired with the Vermont distillery’s small batch whiskies. Squeal over the night’s lineup: crispy ears with fried green heirloom tomatoes served with WhistlePig Straight Rye; chicharrón with creamed rice grits and pepper jam joined by WhistlePig Straight Rye 15 Year; “Bacon and Eggs” with Benton’s smoked pork belly lardons, grilled brioche, poached farm egg, red-eye reduction and house-made hot sauce with WhistlePig Old World Madeira Finish; Big Green Egg slow-roasted leg with hand-pressed corn maize, Silver Queen corn, avocado mousse and hot and sweet maple syrup served with Hillrock Solera aged bourbon; and baked apple and Georgia pecan cracklin’ with butter-caramel gelato paired with Hillrock Port Cask Finish. Cost is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064 and have a credit card ready to buy tickets to this high-proof event.
Join Modern Luxury - The Atlantan for their annual To Live & Dine event, where luxurious living and delectable dining entwine at ADAC - Atlanta Decorative Arts Center on Monday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. Ooh and aah over exquisite, custom-designed tablescapes while dining on cuisine from popular restaurants such as 5Church Atlanta, The Southern Gentleman and Smokebelly BBQ. Purchase tickets online through August 12 for $50 per person (plus small service fee).
Unlimited food from top Atlanta restaurants, open bars, live entertainment by Yacht Rock Review, a wow-some wall of wine and unique silent auction items. All this good stuff and chef bands, too, when the fifth annual Eats & Beats shakes The Buckhead Theatre on Thursday, August 11 from 7-10 p.m. Gypsy Kitchen, Smokebelly BBQ, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill and The Southern Gentleman are a smattering of the more than 25 restaurants participating in this benefit for Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen. General admission is $85 per person and includes restaurant tastings, open bar and entertainment. VIP admission, $175 per person, allows for 6:30 p.m. entry, private VIP suite access with wine tastings, premium bar, additional restaurant offerings with wine pairings for each dish and access to the private balcony viewing the theatre. Buy tickets online.
Even if you came in short on making Team U.S.A. and heading to Rio, there’s still a place for you to rev team spirit and show off your amazing prowess right here in the ATL. Summer Olympics competitions are underway at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Highlight your sport date so you don’t miss out: Golden Tee golf, August 9; cornhole, August 10; ladder toss, August 11; putting challenge, August 15; Giant Jenga, August 16; Kan Jam, August 17; and Ping-Pong, August 18. Games begin at 10 p.m. Champs win prize packs from Boulevard Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Orpheus Brewing, Terrapin Brewing Company, SweetWater Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada and Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits.
Would you rather slather, stack or spread Between the Bread? We master all these techniques on our Pinterest board saluting National Sandwich Month. Homemade pimento cheese sandwiches and a fried green tomato and bacon grilled cheese pay homage to the South. Branch out to a blackberry bacon grilled cheese, classic lobster roll, guacamole breakfast sandwich, banh mi with lemongrass pork or a spicy shrimp sandwich with chipotle avocado mayo. Garden girls and guys will plow into the ultimate veggie sandwich, the very vegan jalapeño pesto sandwich or the California with avocado, tomato, sprouts, pepper jack and chive spread. No more loafing around the kitchen. Start sandwiching.
Popeye the Foodie, a.k.a. Popeye The Foodie Dog, is a rescue mutt in the Los Angeles area that is doubly blessed to dine out at restaurants with his owners. He’s one lucky dog and lapping it all up. Or at least we think he does that after he poses for these adorable pictures.
Springer Mountain Chicken Under a Brick ($22) is a smash hit on the new menu at Gypsy Kitchen in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. The dish is flat out delish with sherry vadouvan sauce, heirloom tomatoes, Moroccan couscous and fresh figs. Good thing this entrée is meant to share, otherwise, there would be some unhappy campers at the table.
Fantasy footballers, are you feeling a virtual draft coming on? The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is tossing out an August fantasy football special rallying everything you and your fantasy football associates need to conduct a seriously fun draft party. For $150, your group of 10-15 fans can hunker down in a private room for two hours of strategizing and completing player acquisitions. Wi-Fi and a 65-inch big screen TV are available for online drafts. Yes, it’s an intense process. Instead of nail biting over picks, gnaw on 100 wings chased by four pitchers of beer (Miller Lite, Bud Light or Coors Light). Start the process by calling and booking your draft party today. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is tucked away behind Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead at 128 E. Andrews Drive. Book your draft party today by calling 404-931-1251.
Umlauts, double consonants, gothic letters. Perhaps the words on German wine labels are challenging to pronounce. The wines themselves are oh so easy to enjoy. Explore the wine regions and varietals of Germany during August with Stem Wine Bar sommelier Chris McNeill. Each Wednesday night tasting features six different German wines paired with small bites prepared by Stem owner/chef Doug Turbush. Events begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each (plus small service fee). Twenty percent gratuity will be added at in-store checkout on event night. Buy tickets, advance sales only, by clicking the desired date: August 3, August 10,August 17, August 24 or August 31.
Feeling a little wilted lately? Fresh salads to go are on the ready at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market. Incredibly cool news for Chastain concert goers and picnickers headed to Piedmont Park or the BeltLine...especially when one considers that HOT Atlanta temps have topped 90 degrees more than 50 days this summer. Build a meal around refreshing salads such as marinated artichokes, tuna pasta salad, chicken salad, local lady pea salad, roasted vegetables (chilled), cippoline onions in agrodolce, marinated peppers and farro salad giardiniera. Remember, the Market at Bellina is well stocked with imported Italian foods, Italian and locally cured charcuterie, cheeses and gracious plenty more to complete your idyllic dining scene. Bellina’s salads also win raves on the potluck and dinner party circuit.
Hallelujah! Eddie’s Attic in Decatur brings back the classic Gospel Brunch on Sunday, August 21. Otis Redding III, son of the late, great Otis Redding, joins Atlanta blues legend Mudcat and the Atlanta Horns to perform Redding’s smash hits including “Dock of the Bay,” “Hard to Handle” and “Dreams to Remember.” Come for the music and come hungry for grub from Kevin Gillespie’s nearby restaurant,Revival. Executive chef Andreas Müller and crew will serve up a buffet of Southern faves like fried catfish bites, green tomato casserole and succotash. Buffet is priced at $20 per person (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; show begins at noon. For the show, general admission tickets are $20 each or purchase table seats in multiples of four for $20 per seat (tables filled day of show on first-come, first-served basis). Miss this brunch and you’re just wasting time.
The majority of metro Atlanta-area students are heading back to school this week and next. Adults, what about you? Keep on learning by attending the Simple Abundance cooking class 5Church Atlanta chef RJ Cooper is leading Monday, August 8 from 7-9 p.m. at The Cook’s Warehouse Midtown. The James Beard Award-winning chef will demonstrate how to prepare Mangalitsa ham with sourdough and peach mostarda; compressed watermelon with heirloom tomato water, pickled rinds and Humboldt Fog cheese; wreckfish with foraged mushrooms and Aussie truffle butter in paper; and cornmeal shortcake with bourbon pickled peaches and sweet corn ice cream. Simple Abundance class participants enjoy food and wine tastings, a chance to win yummy door prizes all the while knowing 100 percent of ticket proceeds benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Register online; $55 per person. More on our blog.
Old MacDonald had a farm, but nowhere does the song mention Farmyard Chowdowns like the outdoor dining fests at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple. Chowhounds of all ages will sing praises for Milton’s low country seafood boil, fried chicken, oysters, live music and lawn games at the 7 p.m. family friendly party on Sunday, August 7. Buy tickets online for $40 per person (plus tax and small service fee), including meal, music and lawn games. Alcohol not included. The two remaining 2016 Farmyard Chowdowns squeal in at 6 p.m. on September 11 (“Patriotic Edition”) and October 2.
Keeping it all in Decatur, Andreas Müller will have to walk a bit farther on Saturday, August 6, if he wants to clock mega Fitbit mileage. It’s less than a mile from Müller’s Revival home base to The Decatur Farmers Market, where he will lead the Saturday morning chef demo. Childhood access to homegrown veggies and fruits ignited a passion for cooking in this Sweden-born-gone-Southern chef. No doubt, the colorful array of field-fresh, locally grown produce will inspire his Saturday lesson. A Community Farmers Market, the Decatur Farmers Market fills the front lawn of First Baptist Church on the corner of Clairemont Avenue and Commerce Street Wednesday nights from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. through December 21. Free parking.
Suck down a bevy of bivalves without blowing a wad of cash on National Oyster Day. Down the magnificent mollusks for half the moolah at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill on National Oyster Day, Friday, August 5. Join in the celebration and take advantage of half-priced oysters from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. this Friday at both locations of the local beach house (Canton Street and Buckhead). More wise pearls: enjoy this offer at either location every Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. during oyster happy hour.
Heard you’ve been keeping a super taco recipe under wraps. Time for the big reveal. Tin Lizzy’s Cantina is holding its seventh annual Taco Contest August 1-31. This year, they’re picking 12 winning tacos -- one for each of the FlexMex taqueria locations in Georgia and South Carolina. Submit recipes online and align with a specific Tin Lizzy’s location for the competition. The Tin Lizzy’s team of amigos will choose one winning taco recipe at each of the 12 locations, and that tasty taco will occupy the menu until next year’s contest rolls around. Fittingly, Tin Lizzy’s will announce the lucky dozen on National Taco Day (October 4). Each restaurant -- Buckhead, Grant Park, Midtown, Perimeter, Emory Point, Mall of Georgia, Kennesaw, Duluth, downtown Atlanta and Augusta, as well as Tin Lizzy’s South Carolina locations in Columbia and Greenville -- will host a release party featuring its winning taco, available at that location only. Each winning chef also receives a $500 Tin Lizzy’s gold card.
Elliott refers to himself as a “semi-decent home bartender” and a content creator in Phoenix, Arizona. Look up @Apartment_Bartender and see what you think. Looks pretty darn professional to us.
Bellina Alimentari tolls the August school bell for all those interested in picking up new culinary skills beyond pasta making. All classes take place in the Ponce City Market restaurant and market Culinary Club area. Click on the class links to register.
Distill, your beating heart when experts from locally based Old 4th Distillery clarify the essence of the fine art of distilling. Build a bank of high proof knowledge by learning basic distilling techniques, sipping through a guided tasting and watching Corey Philips demo mixology. Tuesday, August 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; $28.
Add three Italian staple pasta dishes to your repertoire -- cacio e pepe, carbonara and red Sicilian pesto -- by attending Bellina’s Classic Italian Pasta Sauces chef demo/class on Wednesday, August 17 from 6:30-8 p.m.; $38. Spoons-on learning means tasting creations after class.
Lime sherbet is green. Arugula, however, might color green gelato and chocolate brown could be pure frozen chocolate bliss when chef Philip Meeker mans the churn during a Gelato Making Class ($35) on Tuesday, August 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. Make two flavors and take a pint home to share with family and friends.
