This Weekend's Must-Do: Pedals and Produce

Ready, Set, Go!! With the sun promising to show its face again in Atlanta this weekend, it’s the perfect time to wheel out your bike and have an agricultural adventure with Pedals & Produce!

Georgia Organics, Slow Food Atlanta and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition have teamed up for a great fall ride to get a first hand (or first-wheel) view of our wonderful local produce markets and gardens. On Saturday, October 17 at 9 a.m., riders will get started at Piedmont Park’s Green Market, followed by a trip over to the Peachtree Road and Morningside Farmers Markets, before returning to Piedmont Park for lunch after the 15 mile roundtrip excursion.

Sunday’s bike trip takes a different route, starting at 9 a.m. from Dunbar Recreation Center. Cyclists will head out on the open road to explore various community gardens, small farms and school gardens in both East & West Atlanta, ending up back at Dunbar after 20 miles of roundtrip veggie sightseeing.

Registration is $15 per person/ per day for Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Georgia Organics members, or $20 per person/ per day for non-members. Box lunch is included – you’re sure to work up an appetite with all that pedaling and produce perusing! For more details, click here or call 678-702-0400 ext. 205. To register, click here.

This Brew is for You

Aqua blue in Roswell is hosting its First Annual Beer Festival this Saturday, October 17, for only $26 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), and you won’t want to miss out on this amazing deal! The price includes live music along with a prix fixe tapas menu of nine dishes paired with nine different beers like Dominion Oktoberfest Lager, Hoptober Golden Ale, Roxy Rolles Autumn Seasonal, Drifter Pale Ale, Fat Tire and Magic Hat #9. Aqua blue opens for dinner at 4 p.m., and The Moonlight Band starts playing at 7 p.m. Some of the menu items will include bbq beef sliders, smoked gouda fried ravioli, spicy pumpkin soup and a caramelized onion duck wrap. This truly is going to be the ultimate fall celebration. Thrillist Atlanta agrees -- Aqua blue's Beer Festival is recommended in The List this week!

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Via Elisa Fresh Pasta Shop to Close

Elisa Gambino is closing her Via Elisa Fresh Pasta shop on Saturday, October 17. Though this news is crushing to many of the pasta-loving people in Atlanta, it’s good to know that Via Elisa sauces will continue to be sold in Whole Foods Markets. Now is the time to stock up on her pastas while you still can -- they freeze well. Visit the store through closing day on October 17, or place your order by the 16th. The store is open Tuesday through Friday from noon until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Via Elisa Fresh Pasta: 1750C Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-605-0668.

Also, don't forget about the pasta truck that will be at 1945 Colland Drive from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and at 97 Brighton Road from 6 p.m.-6:45 p.m. tomorrow. It may be a good idea to call ahead and place your order since this will be the truck's last night.

Eat On $30

Ever thought about the amount of money you spend on food in any given day? Atlanta bloggers are thinking about it! Some of our favorite bloggers, Tami from Running With Tweezers and Jimmy from Eat It, Atlanta, have taken the challenge of eating on the tight budget of $30 for the week.

Some of us may see $30 as negligible, and I know I've spent way more than that on a single dinner. Yet, $30 is a luxury to hundreds of people all over the world who have nothing to eat each day. Tami, Jimmy and everyone partaking is raising awareness as well as creating delicious ways to watch the wallet and still savor meals. A list of all the bloggers participating can be found on Tami's blog. Be sure to follow and gain some wise tips!

Cheers to Ray's!

The Ray's on the River 25th Anniversary Celebration keeps the month-long party rolling with "A Toast to Ray's Week." Signature martinis are $5, and 10 wines are available for $25 a bottle through October 18. Cheers to that!

Remember the $25 three-course dinner menu I shared with you last week? Well, they are extending the offer throughout the entire month of October, so you can still take advantage of the delicious deal!

Ray's on the River: 6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs; 770-955-1187.