Eat It and Tweep: Tyler Williams Tweets at Woodfire Grill

 

As executive chef at Woodfire Grill, Tyler Williams is constantly thinking out loud about how to show off the season's freshest and best ingredients. Or he's sharing about how we can help with causes such as Team HIDI and Taste of the Nation for Share Our Strength. Or he's showing where you can learn a new cooking skill or menu idea at one of his chef demos. Keep up with this busy chef on Twitter (@tylerjamie79).

Sample Tweet: Foie torchon. Cocoa puffs. Malted foie powder. Burnt bread. Pickled strawberry. Cocoa berry bubbles....http://instagram.com/p/XPfAJ1JDOR/

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!