Fifth Group Restaurants Puts Pricey Pours in Their Place and Offers Wines for Our Times

After a long day, everyone deserves a glass of wine - and we deserve to not have to pay an arm and a leg for one. Luckily, all five Fifth Group Restaurants (South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco) feel our pain and are offering a "Screw This!" promotion featuring five different high-quality, top-notch wines for only $5 a glass through July 30. The list includes Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay; Cellar #8 Pinot Noir, California; Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc, California; Campanile Pinot Grigio, Italy; and Souverain Merlot, Alexander Valley, California.

Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555.
La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.
South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358.
South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway; 770-435-0700.
The Original El Taco: 1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656.

Aqua Blue Hosts Yelp Elite Group

Last night, the Yelp Elite group headed OTP to Aqua Blue in Roswell. The little treck outside the Perimeter seemed well worth it when I discovered it was also "Ladies Night" - $5 wine, mojitos and select apps at the bar. While I waited for Yelpers to arrive, I hung out with Elbie (bartender) who talked up all of the wonderful wines the restaurant had to offer.

Okay, so on to the event! Close to 90 people attended this outside event, so you can say the patio was packed! Aqua Blue offered Yelpers complimentary wine, beer and a Lake Lanier cocktail (quite tasty and refreshing). Two to three different types of freshly-made sushi was on the food table, along with fried calamari. Unfortunately, I was too full to stay for dinner, but I'll certainly make another trip up there sometime soon!

Atlanta Represents on Top Chef Las Vegas

Bravo TV has announced the contestants for season 6 of "Top Chef: Las Vegas" and you may recognize a few names. Three chefs from Atlanta will be on the show that premieres Wednesday, August 26 at 9 p.m. We are happy to share that our friend, Woodfire Grill's Executive Chef and Partner Kevin Gillespie will be joining 17 other contestants including Pura Vida's Hector Santiago and Eno's Eli Kirshtein on the show.

As a huge fan of the show, I will certainly be tuning in to watch the competition with host Padma Lakshmi alongside judges Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons and Toby Young. Can't wait!

Whole Foods Market Eat Local Challenge

Are you ready to take on the Whole Foods Market Eat Local Challenge during the week of July 13 - 20? If you're up to the challenge, start checking out local foods from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and some parts of Florida, homegrown local land. This is home for the foods you'll be eating next week if you accept the challenge. Not only will you be eating fresh foods that took a very short trip to your shopping bag, you'll be helping local farmers and economies as well. Register for the Eat Local Challenge on Saturday, July 11 at your local Whole Foods Market. At week's end, jot down your thoughts on the Whole Foods Market summary sheet, turn it in and you'll have a chance to win a $100 Whole Foods gift card!

Sushi and Drink Specials at RA

Tokyo Tea and Jade Lotus

Ever since my first visit to RA Sushi in Midtown, I have been craving more. Hearing about the half-priced select sushi and appetizers from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day was like music to my ears. But a visit isn't complete without a signature drink and the restaurant's Tokyo Tea, Rising Sun, Jade Lotus, and a Chang beer and sake bomb mix are $5 each. $4 buys select wine and margaritas; $3 snags lemon drops, mango martinis or Chang beer and $2 will get you PBR or hot sake. I know where the next post-work hangout will be.

Open everyday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a late night menu available until midnight. 1010 Midtown at 1080 Peachtree Street; 404-267-0114.