Uncork Half-Priced Wine on Fridays at Table 1280

All bottled up after a long workweek? Pop the cork on half-priced bottles of wine all summer long at Table 1280 in the Woodruff Arts Center. For lunch, dinner or before an Atlanta Symphony performance or Alliance Theatre production, slip into Table 1280 for “Wine Down Fridays” and a menu brimming with local, farm-to-fork fare. Open Fridays from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Make reservations online or call 404-897-1280.

Geoff Morrill Promoted to Head Honcho at Gunshow

Chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Kevin Gillespie has promoted a key employee at his acclaimed Glenwood Park restaurant, Gunshow. A member of the Gunshow family since opening day, former beverage and front of house manager Geoff Morrill will now serve as the restaurant’s general manager. In his new role, Morrill will continue to coordinate the service staff, oversee the books, handle ordering and create fluid, food-friendly wine and beer lists to match the ever-changing dinner menu. His goal each night is to marry the fine dining precision of the kitchen with the restaurant’s casual atmosphere. “His ability to juggle so many responsibilities while keeping the restaurant running smoothly each night is indispensable,” says Gillespie. Congratulations, Geoff!

Matter Matters. Learn Why at White Oak Pastures’ Soil Health Workshop August 1

Will Harris knows that what goes into the soil matters. At a farmer meeting in 1946, Will Bell Harris was introduced to and fell in love with chemical nitrogen fertilizer, which was used at White Oak Pastures for the next 50 years. Will Harris shifted gears to take a more holistic approach to managing the 150-year-old family farm, and for the last 15 years, natural practices including composting, cover crops and multi-species rotational grazing have taken over resulting in a 10-fold increase in organic matter in the soil. Dig in on Saturday, August 1 at White Oak Pastures’ Soil Health Workshop and learn more about White Oak Pastures’ natural management process. The day begins with a tour at 10 a.m. followed by lunch in the Pavilion at noon. From 1-3 p.m., Will Harris shares his family’s full-circle journey from local, humane and sustainable food production to centralized, commoditized and industrialized production and back again. Cost is $80 per person; make reservations online. Class size limited to 25.

Boogie into Johnny’s Hideaway for a Post-Chastain Concert Nightcap

If concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheatre leave you wanting more, bee-bop over to nearby Johnny’s Hideaway for dining, drinks and dancing into the wee hours. Atlanta’s best DJs spin tunes from the 1950s ‘til now, and an always lively crowd promises no shortage of dance partners or people-watching. Stop in after Hall and Oates on July 10, Rob Thomas on July 21 or Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on July 29. Full concert schedule is available online. 

Pastured Poultry Week Rules the Roost July 13-20

Pasture-raised birds exhibit a not-so-paltry list of virtues spanning human and flock health, environmental sustainability and flavor. During Pastured Poultry Week, July 13-20, restaurants in Georgia, South Carolina and New York will offer dishes featuring pastured poultry to raise awareness and afford guests opportunities to taste the merits of these birds over factory-farmed chicken. Whether you’re already a pastured poultry devotee or if someone’s henpecking you to try it, note that these Atlanta restaurants will each feature a special dish during Pastured Poultry Week: Aria, Article 14, Bantam + Biddy, Chick-a-Biddy,Glenn’s Kitchen, Gunshow, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar and The Southern Gentleman. Check out our blog for more details.

Get Juiced for the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival July 19

Tomatoes take over Atlanta’s Westside on Sunday, July 19 for the 7th annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. Flee to Westside Provisions District from 1-5 p.m. as restaurateur Ford Fry brings together dozens of chefs and mixologists – including Aria’s Gerry Klaskala, Gunshow’s Mercedes O'Brien, Derek Dollar from Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Tom Gray from Moxie Kitchen & Cocktails in Jacksonville and Scotley Innis from Ormsby’s -- to concoct tomato-based food and drinks all for two worthy causes. Last year’s event squeezed out $120,000 for beneficiaries The Giving Kitchen and Georgia Organics, and this year’s festival looks to squeeze even more. In addition to tomato-ey concoctions, guests also will rock to live music from Ill Communication and Fry’s all-chef band Five Bone Rack. Purchase tickets online before they sell out.

#SummerOfWillys continues with 20th Anniversary Party and $5 Burritos July 13 at North Buckhead Location

Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder and CEO Willy Bitter is throwing a 20th anniversary party and you’re invited. On Monday, July 13 at the very first Willy’s located at 4377 Roswell Road, stop in for $5 burritos all day, a spin of the prize wheel (11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.) for a chance to win Willy’s swag and to enter to win a $50 Willy’s gift card. At 11:30 a.m., Bitter will present a $20,145 check to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta resulting from Willy’s $20K or 20 Days fundraising event, which took place at all Atlanta-area and Athens locations in June. Willy’s will continue to thank guests at all locations throughout the #SummerOfWillys celebration with a new limited-time-only habanero peach salsa beginning July 13 and a special anniversary collectors' cup ($2.95 to purchase; $1 refills with entrée purchase through October 31). Guests who purchase an anniversary cup now through August 31 will receive a Zoo Atlanta coupon for $5 off a ticket or $10 off a zoo membership while supplies last.

Kick Back at MAX’s “Sunday Supper at the Chef’s Table”

MAX’s Wine Dive puts a new spin on the usually pretentious chef’s table with its laid-back “Sunday Supper at the Chef’s Table.” On Sundays beginning July 12, four guests will be privy to a four-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by executive chef Patric Bell-Good. The inaugural supper menu boasting classic summer ingredients features chilled butterbean soup with corn relish; heirloom tomato and peach salad with mint; grilled flank steak with watermelon salsa and grilled corn with basil pesto; and buttermilk panna cotta with cantaloupe consommé for dessert. “Sunday Supper” runs 7-9 p.m. with a new menu each week. Cost is $55 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 404-249-0445.

T.G.I.F.! Bantam + Biddy Pours Acoustic Cocktails on Crescent

Ease into the weekend with Bantam + Biddy’s Acoustic Cocktails on Crescent. On Fridays from 6-9 p.m., release workweek stress with live music and cocktail specials. Guest bartender Derrick Norris shakes up cocktails from Independent Distilling Co. including $4 Biddy Marys, mimosas and Jameson shots and pours $2 draft beers. Weekend, here we come!

What’s New on Pinterest

Independence Day reminds us to appreciate our many freedoms, including the freedom to seek out and pin red, white and blue ways to celebrate the 4th of July. Tote a strawberry, blueberry and feta salad to the potluck. Amaze your friends by slicing into a vanilla layer cake and unfurling a flag fashioned by its layers. Hand out popsicles stacking stripes of raspberry red, vanilla Greek yogurt and blueberry. Display Old Glory -- carved into a watermelon or as flag bandanas tied into bunting. Paint stars on your grass for a dazzling lawn. Fire rocket cocktails, pop rock shots, spiked buzzed cherry bombs and cotton candy that glows add oomph to any pyrotechnic display. 

#Foodgram

Those who belong to the Atlanta Food Bloggers’ Society eat their words daily and expose readers to a smorgasbord of articles and appetite-provoking photos -- like lining up a powerful flight of Daily Greens juice instead of the expected wine pours. Gotcha! Just their way of connecting the dots between the Atlanta food community and bloggers to promote good taste. After sampling the Instagram album, sink your teeth into the all-you-can-eat version on their website.

Appetizing Aperture

Cowabunga, dude. FLIP burger boutique is stoked about its Surf ‘n Turf burger ($19), the July burger of the month. FLIP’s special beef blend is hand pattied and perfectly seared to keep juices in check until the first bite sends a wave of juicy flavor trickling down your chin. Tender lobster sautéed in garlic butter rides the burger-like raft along with house-made Green Goddess dressing, mustard caviar and alfalfa sprouts. Earth ‘n Turf? Now that’s a whole different burger.

Vote for MAX’s Wine Bar, Chef Patric Bell-Good and Chef Javier Viera in Georgia Voice “Best of Gay Atlanta 2015”

Only a few more days to cast votes for your favorite chefs and restaurants in Georgia Voice’s ”Best of Gay Atlanta 2015” finals. Voting ends July 4. Scroll down the list to “Eats” to find MAX’s Wine Dive under multiple categories: “Best Restaurant,” “Best New Restaurant,” “Lunch Spot” and “Bar Spot.” MAX’s Wine Dive chef Patric Bell-Good and chef Javier Viera of 10th & Piedmont and G’s Midtown rub elbows in the competition for best “Local Chef.” Georgia Voice will reveal the winners at their 2015 Best of Atlanta awards show on Friday, July 24. Click here to vote. Ten time’s the charm -- it’s fair and square to vote up to 10 times per day in this election. 

Matt Deckard of Glenn’s Kitchen Promises Fried Green Tomatoes at AmericasMart Southern Traditions Cooking Demo July 8

Along with nifty gift ideas and furnishing orders, buyers and merchandisers in town for the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market at AmericasMart will take home mouthwatering memories of shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes and other Southern favorites thanks to Matt Deckard, executive chef of Glenn’s Kitchen in downtown Atlanta. Deckard leads a Southern Traditions cooking demo on Wednesday, July 8 from 11 a.m. until noon in the Demonstration Kitchen (Building 2, Floor 8), and he promises those stopping by his demo won’t leave hungry!

Get Mooovin’ to Article 14 for Sweet Grass Dairy Cheese Dinner with Cheese Expert Gabe Goodlatt July 8

More than 15 years ago, Sweet Grass Dairy founders Al and Desiree Wehner decided to let cows be cows on their family run Thomasville, Georgia farm. Their Jersey girls continue to graze their way through a rotation of grassy pastures, yielding pure, sweet-tasting milk at day’s end. Now cheese lovers -- locally and nationally -- enjoy these world-class cheeses crafted from the ground up. Article 14 in Midtown invites you to savor the pure flavors of these artisan cheeses and meet Gabe Goodlatt of Sweet Grass Dairy at this month’s four-course cheese dinner with wine pairings on July 8. $45 per person (not including tax or gratuity). The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: 404-443-8432.

Bantam + Biddy Party Kicks Off Pastured Poultry Week July 8

Pasture-raised birds exhibit a not-so-paltry list of virtues spanning human and flock health, environmental sustainability and flavor. During Pastured Poultry Week, July 13-20, restaurants in Georgia, South Carolina and New York will offer dishes featuring pastured poultry to raise awareness and afford guests opportunities to taste the merits of these birds over factory-farmed chicken. On board with pastured poultry since the get go, Shaun Doty and Bantam + Biddy are kicking off Pastured Poultry Week with a party for chefs from participating restaurants and supportive community members at the Lenox location on Wednesday, July 8 from 7-9 p.m. A limited number of spaces are available for the general public; contact Rebecca.Portman@ciwf.org.

Whether you’re already a pastured poultry devotee or if someone’s henpecking you to try it, note that these Atlanta restaurants will each feature a special dish during Pastured Poultry Week: Aria, Article 14, Bantam + Biddy, Chick-a-Biddy, Glenn’s Kitchen, Gunshow, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar and The Southern Gentleman.

Stop Floundering and Claw Your Way to Ray’s Restaurants for Lobsterfest

Ray’s Restaurants and Rockland, Maine share a common denominator. Lobsters. While Rockland is the self-proclaimed “Lobster Capital of the World,” the king of crustaceans rules at Ray’s Restaurants’ Lobsterfest. Currently at Ray’s at Killer Creek and beginning Monday, July 6 at Ray's on the River and Ray's in the City, select a 1.25-pound whole Maine lobster served with drawn butter and a choice of salad and side for $24.95. All three restaurants salute Independence Day by presenting a one-pound whole Maine lobster, drawn butter and a choice of side for just $16.95 on July 4. The celebration continues over a lobster boil spread at Ray’s at Killer Creek on Saturday, July 11 and at Ray’s on the River on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18. The all-you-can-eat buffet boasts succulent lobster tails, lobster claws, peel-and-eat shrimp, andouille sausage, savory red potatoes, roasted corn coleslaw and more plus house-made desserts. Cash bar. All three spreads are from 6:30-9:00 p.m. and cost $50 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited; for reservations, call 770-955-1187 (Ray’s on the River) or 770-649-0064 (Ray’s at Killer Creek). Hurry in or you’ll miss Lobsterfest by a tail. 

Scotley Innis of Ormsby’s Leads Chef Demo at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market July 5

See what kind of farm-fresh inspiration Ormsby’s chef Scotley Innis has up his sleeves at the Westside Provisions District Farmers Market this Sunday, July 5. The market sets up a stone’s throw from Ormsby’s cool environs (and cold brews) near Howell Mill and 14th Street. After picking up tips from Innis and picking out locally grown produce, dairy, eggs, artisan breads, baked goods and other delicacies at the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. market, skip over to Ormsby’s where there’s a cold beer for you and air conditioning to keep your produce perky. Market updates on Facebook.

Flag these Atlanta Restaurants for July 4

You have to eat sometime amid the cavalcade of July 4 activities, or you’ll fizzle out before the fireworks begin. Blast off to our blog where we’re taking the liberty of listing Atlanta restaurants paying tribute to the holiday with their own stars -- dine-in brunches, lunches and dinners, to-go meals, live music and drink specials -- and stripes, fresh from the grill. 

Peachtree T-Shirts Past or Present Run Away With $5 Burritos at Willy’s Mexicana Grill July 4

Dash into Willy’s Mexicana Grill wearing the Peachtree Road Race shirt of the day -- July 4, 2015 -- or proudly don your well-earned vintage model and bag a burrito for $5. On Saturday, July 4, those wearing a prized Peachtree T-shirt from any race year can walk the burrito wrap line at any Willy’s (excluding airport location) and refuel on fillings such as Sinaloa or adobe chicken, cilantro-garlic steak, chipotle pork, Sinaloa tofu, Monterey Jack cheese, veggies, corn salsa, pico de gallo, beans, rice and Southwest coleslaw. Hydrate with your beverage of choice (additional charge) including homemade flavored lemonades, iced tea, bottled drinks, FIJI Water or a celebratory beer (plus margaritas at some locations). Stiff competition for the post-race bottled water and banana combo.