Nicky’s Week – The Fun Begins at RA Sushi

RA Sushi, Midtown's favorite spot for sushi, sashimi, fusion and fun-loving lounge action, will join the other 24 RA Sushi's across the nation for Nicky's Week, May 30-June 5.  This is the sixth year the restaurants have designated a week where proceeds from the sales of various beverages and menu items will go straight to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  

Nicky's Week was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient and 13-year-old Nicky Mailliard of Scottsdale, Ariz., who lost a long fight against brain cancer in 2005. Nicky was the nephew of one of RA Sushi's founders.  Since its start, yearly Nicky's Weeks have brought more than $500,000 to St. Jude's.  Guests who chow on edamame, tootsy maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, tuna tataki and chicken yakitori, and those who tilt back FIJI, Red Bull and Sugar Free Red Bull, The Republic of Tea, and other select beverages will be helping St. Jude's provide healthcare and continue research to help children from across the U.S. and around the world fight cancer and other life-threatening diseases. 

It’s Follow Friday – Meet Our Tweep of the Week @ksolo22

For Kisha Solomon (@ksolo22), the essence of living the good life is doing something you love. She's made this a serious pursuit...yet not so serious that she can't have a little fun along the way. The witty and wisecracking ksolo22 writes about food, travel, art, cultural events, recipes and (drum roll), craft beer. What a line up! Read all on her blog BonVivant Online or skim the Twitter short version.

Party like it's 1965 with the Atlanta Classics Bar Tour!

Atkins Park circa 1922

You remember all those boring field trips to ancient, historical, dusty places when you were a kid? History, who needs it, right? You’re all about the present, man! Well, listen up, because we’re about to show you that history can be fun!

Pubs and taverns have long been American gathering places, from the days of our nation's founding fathers to the celebratory toasts of victories. History and beer mugs come together again over Memorial Day weekend at the 2nd Annual Virginia Highland's Classic Bar Tour from 1 - 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. Gallivant through the in-town neighborhood's oldest and wisest bars at this event sponsored by Miller High Life and benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You’ll get the chance to really soak in history when you’re having fun at Atkins Park Tavern (originally a 1922 deli; tavern in 1983), George's Restaurant and Bar (1961), Limerick Junction Irish Pub (1988), Manuel's Tavern (1956) and Moe's & Joe's Tavern (1947)!

You can visit each for food, adult beverages, prizes and a historic peek at Atlanta's oldest neighborhood bar scene along North Highland Avenue. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door and cover admission, t-shirt and drink refills at a discounted price at participating bars. Stops also will offer menu specials priced the same as they were back in the 1960s.

See? Knowledge is power. And fun. Now to make it even more fun, we have TWO SETS of tickets to give away. Woohoo! To win, email a picture of yourself at any of the fine establishments taking part in this event and we’ll pick two at random. We’ll show your smiling mug on our site and send you packing to the Bar Tour with free tickets!

I'll take my cocktails in the garden please

Looking for a reason to make it out to the Atlanta Botanical Garden? Have no fear, Atlanta Dish is here to provide such reasons. Pacci Ristorante will be at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Thursday Night Canopy & Cocktails. Enjoy an evening of complimentary Italian bites and light appetizers from Pacci while enjoying the Atlanta views from the Canopy Walk.

So pick up a cocktail at the full cash bar and relax under the mesmerizing spell of falling water in Cascades Garden or DJ tunes from 6 - 10 p.m. tonight, May 27. Just consider it a head start to your Memorial Day weekend. Guests $15; free for Garden members.

Sex and the City 2 + $5 Martinis = Perfect Girls' Night Out!

We may be in the Big Peach instead of the Big Apple, but that doesn’t mean your inner Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte can’t come out to celebrate the release of the newest Sex and the City movie tonight! Heading to the movie theatre? Steer your stilettos to Ray’s Killer Creek tonight for a martini for just $5 to make the evening even more fabulous!
Stay traditional like Charlotte with a Cosmo (White Cranberry, Absolut Citron, Triple Sec) or be sensible like Miranda with The Big Apple (Absolut, Apple Schnapps). Commit like Carrie to new concoctions like the Mr. Big (Absolut, Olive Juice, Blue Cheese Olives), Sex and the City (Absolut, Peach Schnapps, Orange & Cranberry), or Blue City Lights (Absolut, Blue Curacao, Pineapple). Feeling flirty like Samantha? Indulge in a Flirtini (Absolut, Champagne, Pineapple) or Tartini (Absolut Raspberry, Chambord, Cranberry & Lime).
What better way to kick off a chic evening out with your girls to see the summer’s first big movie? Like many summer romances, these martini deals are fleeting, so make sure to stop by before this Sunday!

Grocery Shop with A Gourmet!

Still haven't had a chance to meet Woodfire Grill Executive Chef/Partner and "Top Chef" star Kevin Gillespie in person? Well, now is your chance!!

This week, he's giving a cooking demo at the Apron's Cooking School in Publix at Alpharetta Commons. Gillespie will share how to make a savory and sweet summer supper at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 28. His menu is made up of four simple courses: sweet corn soup with almond butter, watermelon and lime zest; yogurt-marinated skirt steak with roasted garlic and cilantro puree; skillet-roasted green onion, carrots and small tomatoes with green chili sauce; and strawberry and banana pudding.

For those trekking OTP just for Kevin, Publix at Alpharetta Commons is located at 4305 State Bridge Road. Grab your grocery cart and your camera and go wild!

Bar Hop for a Good Cause!

Looking for things to fill up your long weekend? At the very least, you can fill up your glass to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on Saturday, May 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Atlanta Classics Bar Tour. Guests can gallivant through Virginia-Highland's oldest bars -- Atkins Park Tavern (originally a 1922 deli; tavern in 1983), George's Restaurant and Bar (1961), Limerick Junction Irish Pub (1988), Manuel's Tavern (1956) and Moe's & Joe's Tavern (1947) -- to get discounted adult beverages and menu specials priced the same as they were back in the 1960s. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door and include admission, a Classic Bar Tour mug, t-shirt and drink refills at a discounted price at participating bars.

Morton’s The Steakhouse Wins Over Wine-Lovers With a New By-The-Glass Menu

Wine-lovers rejoice! Morton's The Steakhouse is now offering a new Wine by the Glass menu at both the Buckhead and downtown Atlanta locations. The menu pours it on with a selection of 27 wines that complement the existing award-winning variety of more than 200 bottles. Spring/Summer 2010 selections by the glass include: the 25th release of 2010 Vintner's Hall of Fame inductee Randall Grahm's Bonny Doon "Le Cigare Volant" (This California vintage is offered as a special label "Morton's Cuvee."); a single vineyard Pinot Noir from Tony Soter's Willamette estate; and a rich Chardonnay from Dan Goldfield at Dutton Goldfield (Russian River).

Morton's The Steakhouse - Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535.

Morton's The Steakhouse - Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.