It's Follow Friday; Meet our Tweep of the Week @andrewzimmern

We're flattered that Andrew Zimmern, chef, writer, traveler and Travel Channel "Bizarre Foods" host started following @AtlantaDish!  Turn about is fair play, so here's the tweet-spot for this Minneapolis male: @andrewzimmern.  

For more food oddities, hit up his website and "Bizarre Foods," Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. on the Travel Channel.

Saturdays Are Looking A Little Greener On Peachtree Road

See all of those green shoots poking up?   As azaleas and dogwoods are perking up landscapes, local farmers are eager to brighten our tablescapes with arugula, asparagus, bok choy, spinach and a host of other tender spring greens.  Time to toss the market basket over your arm and head to the opening of the Peachtree Road Farmers Market's fifth season!  Bring a kazoo and be a part of the first morning buzz at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9 in the parking lot of The Cathedral of St. Philip. 

Twelve vendors peddled locally grown food when the market opened in 2007, and 65 vendors are anticipated to rotate through during the 2011 season.  The Peachtree Road Farmers Market has blossomed into the largest producer-only market in metro Atlanta. Buy from farmers, Savannah shrimp sellers, meat and dairy purveyors, chefs and prepared food specialists and artists.  And if you forget your shopping bags, the market now uses biodegradable and compostable biobags.  The market accepts Georgia food stamps and doubles the value in partnership with Wholesome Wave Georgia to help make healthy food more accessible to all.

Chef demos, music, kids' activities and other special events are more reasons to trade muzak and fluorescent lights for the outdoor market's festival atmosphere.  We're looking forward to seeing JCT. Kitchen & Bar mixologist Lara Creasy in the demo tent on May 21, to poring over kitchen finds at the Les Dames Culinary Yard Sale on June 11, to licking up the Slow Food Ice Cream Social on June 18, and to witnessing chef demos by Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest chefs on June 25 and July 2, 9 and 16.  And there's still half of the summer left to shop after that! 

Open 8:30 a.m. - noon, come rain or shine, through December 17.  Visit the market's website for chef demo recipes, in-season calendars, a vendor listing and much more.

Peachtree Road Farmers Market:  The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW.

It's Called Fondue Not Fon-don't!

To dip is divine, but to double dip is atrocious. Besides, there will be plenty of fondue and dippers to go around at the April 11 Les Dames D'Escoffier "Fondue Fun-Raiser" at The Cook's Warehouse - Ansley Mall. Plunk down a $20 contribution and fill your pot with good stuff: a glass of wine, tastings of three different cheese fondues with bread and veggie dippers, tastings of chocolate fondue with fruit dippers, recipes for the fondues, a chance to win one of four "gently used" fondue pots that are worth up to $150, and 10 percent off most items in the store. Murray's Cheese counter at Kroger and Alon's Bakery and Market are helping out with the cheese and dipping bread for the night's recipes. The "Fondue Fun-raiser" will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. RSVP to local Les Dames President Stacy Zeigler at szeigler@boldamerican.com.

The Cook's Warehouse - Ansley Mall: 1544 Piedmont Road, NE (behind Blockbuster); 404-815-4993.

Cooking Tips on Your Shopping Break

If you're planning a little shopping in Buckhead this weekend, stop by Williams-Sonoma at Phipps to get some great cooking tips for your Easter feast. Pastry Chef Kathleen Miliotis of Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse will be there Saturday at noon to demonstrate some of her favorite Easter brunch dishes. Should be a fun and informative shopping break!

Speaking of Easter, Davio's is now accepting reservations for Easter brunch on Sunday, April 24. Call 404-844-4810.

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810.

Home Run Tickets with Atkins Park Smyrna for the Braves Home Opener

With spring time rolling around, that means only one thing—baseball season! That also means a headache when trying to get to the Atlanta Braves game with traffic jams and filled up parking lots. Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna is here to help and have a blast on the April 8 Braves home opener. Tickets are $55 each which covers the round-trip bus ride, beer and Jägermeister, hot dogs, club level seats and a 755 Club pass. Score a home run with these tickets by calling 770-435-1887. 


Get your Braves hat and tomahawk ready for this anticipated game!

Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna:  Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road; 770-435-1887.

Spice Route hosts "Kerala by Sea and by Land" Dinner on April 9

Experience one of Spice Route Supper Club’s unique dining extravaganzas on Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. at their “Kerala by Sea and by Land” dinner. The club encourages gastronomical destination dining setting but at the relaxed feel of eating in the home of a local, and this week it’s Kerala! To give you a bit of background on Kerala … it's the lush, tropical state on India's southern coast where spices infuse business and cuisine. Kerala native Asha Gomez chefs the night of regional flavors and a menu featuring crispy Kerala-style fish cakes with ginger, green chile and green papaya relish; uthappam savory pancakes with two-shrimp curry; a pork vindaloo slider on H&F Bread Company buns and tempered by mango and blood orange salad; classic beef biryani rice dish with traditional accompaniments of pappadam, spiced yogurt, cucumber salad, boiled egg and lemon pickle; and vattayapam, a steamed cake with a texture similar to angel food cake with a custard pudding of ripe plantains, cardamom and coconut milk. $85 per person includes wine pairings, beer or tea. The supper club's Westside location is revealed to guests upon sign up.

Hot Diggity Dog! Wiener Wednesday is Finally Here!

While we are sad to see "Burgers 'n Brew" go, we couldn't be more excited for "Wiener Wednesdays" at JCT. Bar. Beginning today, the West Midtown restaurant is serving up three different specialty hot dogs for only $2 apiece on Wednesdays. These dolled up dogs will be available every other day Tuesday through Saturday as well, but for the regular price of $4 apiece. The selections will vary but these drool-worthy dogs include options such as a smoked Coca-Cola BBQ wiener with Vidalia onion relish; cider-braised fennel and onion wiener with Sweet Grass Dairy Asher Bleu cheese; chicken liver wiener with apple butter, house mustard and tiny pickles; and the "corn dog" wiener with hush puppy crispies, green tomato relish and rémoulade.

Remember, these dandy dogs are not available downstairs in JCT. Kitchen...only upstairs in JCT. Bar and out on JCT. Bar's terrace. JCT. Bar is open Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. If you're interested in meating and tweeting, JCT. Bar's "Wiener Wednesday" Tweet-up will take place next Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m. with hosts @ATL_Events and @AtlantaDish.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar: In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18; 404-355-2252.

Today is the Last Day to Buy Tickets to GROW!

“GROW!”, a new documentary film by Anthony-Masterson, makes its Atlanta-area debut on Saturday, April 9, at a special screening hosted by Parsley’s Catering and The Gardens at Kennesaw Mountain, in Marietta sponsored in part by Whole Foods Market. Enjoy a farm-fresh, family-style dinner, musical entertainment by Little Country Giants (also featured on the film’s soundtrack), and of course a showing of “GROW!”

The cost is $50 per person. Seating is limited to 100. Tickets are available through Georgia Organics by clicking here and must be purchased no later than Tuesday, April 5th (that is TODAY!).

Details: Saturday April 9th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Gardens at Kennesaw Mountain, 1127 White Circle NW Marietta, GA

Aria Hosts Tablas Creek Vineyard Wine Dinner this Wednesday

If you’re looking for an exciting evening of fine wine and delicious cuisine, don’t miss this Wednesday’s wine dinner at Aria. Enjoy five courses by Executive Chef and Owner Gerry Klaskala paired with wines from Tablas Creek Vineyard. Pairings include Patelin de Tablas Blanc 2010, Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc 2009, Cotes de Tablas Red 2008, Esprit de Beaucastel Red 2008 and Vin de Paille "Quintessence" 2006. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and is priced at $100 per person, all inclusive. Tablas Creek Vineyard National Sales Manager Tommy Oldre will also be in attendance to give you the scoop on each wine you are experiencing. Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673