Beer writer (which means he has tasted plenty and ought to know), travel journalist and editor Ale Sharpton keeps his life as full as a draft foaming over the mug rim. He even has his own beer show. 
Not to turn up the heat or apply pressure when you're chillin', but if you have one hot grilling recipe, send it in to the Second Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest. The contest runs hand in hand with Marlow's summertime "Red, White and Brew" menu. Submit your favorite recipe through July 25 at www.marlowstavern.com or complete an entry form at one of the seven tavern locations. First prize winner bags a Big Green Egg, and his/her winning recipe will be featured on Marlow's Tavern's fall/winter menu. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the winning menu item will be donated in the winner's name to Special Olympics Georgia. Second prize is a $50 Marlow's Tavern gift card, and third prize is a Marlow's Tavern "Red, White and Brew" limited-edition t-shirt. Marlow's Tavern Executive Chef and Co-Founder John C. Metz Jr. will review all recipes, and winners will be announced at the end of August. There's no purchase necessary to enter, and entries are limited to one per person or email address. According to Steve Hartsock, last year's first prize winner, "Marlow's Tavern always provides a fun atmosphere, genuine service and the most incredible American tavern fare around. It goes without saying that it was an honor to be chosen as the Grand Prize winner in the First Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest."
Gather up your girls for an amazing night out at Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant! That’s right ladies, Ladies 80’s Night at Fadó is back on Saturday, June 25. Pull out those leg warmers, slap bracelets and jelly shoes and dance the night away (well at least from 10 p.m. to close)! While the DJ’s spinning 80’s tunes all night, enjoy a classic 80’s cocktail like Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai or Blue Hawaiian. Fadó is also offering new beer-based cocktails and Guinness Mixers on their summer menu. Why not try a Black and Gold made with Guinness and Stella Artois? Or how about my new favorite, the fruity Sweet Hoe cocktail made with Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka, sour mix, strawberry purée and Hoegaarden over ice? Totally wicked.
Two of my faves - Chef Gerry Klaskala and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market - come together on Saturday morning for a yummy and educational treat.Local blueberries, tomatoes, beans and more are spilling over the tables at the market. You know Gerry (owner/exec chef of Aria) will whip up something awesome. See what he's creating from summer's bounty when he demos at 10 a.m. this Saturday, June 25. The market opens at 8:30 a.m. so you can get a little shopping done before the heat sets in. By the way, Klaskala also is the defending champ of best-tasting tomato dishes at the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 17. Get your tickets before the price goes up on July 1!Peachtree Road Farmers Market: The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW.
It’s going to be another great night in the city! Next Thursday, June 30, Ray’s in the City is hosting a Duckhorn Wine Company wine tasting from 5 – 7 p.m. Founded in 1976, the Napa Valley winery has been crafting Bordeaux varietals for more than 30 years. The wine tasting features a selection from Duckhorn’s Decoy collection. Decoy wines have established a loyal following for their distinctive style, great quality and remarkable price. The event is $25 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres from Executive Chef Ugo Okpareke, a $20 credit toward dinner and a discount on wine purchased with dinner.
Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts officially opened its doors in the Edgewood Shopping District on Saturday, June 18, no doubt leading kids to treat dads to the milkshake bar and sundae bar on Father's Day!(Did you hear the ice-screams of glee?) Dads surely felt like kings perched on the ice cream sandwich banquette and ice cream cookie bar stools -- and you can, too. 
Summer officially begins today, and since the temperatures continue to rise, we thought we'd share one of our "chill out" secrets with you: Woodfire Grill's new summer cocktail menu. Created by bar manager and beverage genius Blake Morley, the new menu features seasonal cocktails like Bitter End with Goslings rum, Aperol, Cocchi Americano and Peychaud's bitters; Portland Spitfire, which adds citrus flavors to Ransom gin and Dolin dry vermouth; and The Nicky Q with Captain Morgan's rum, tart cherry liqueur, Cointreau, and lime. Other enticing concoctions include Farmer's Daughter (our favorite - pictured left), Dr. Ernest's Romanian Dragon Tonic, The Napier, New Amsterdam, Peruvian Kiss and The Three Amigos. If you just can't decide, order the Bartender's Choice, choose "white" or "brown" and let them craft a cocktail for you. Most cocktails are $10-$11, and there are plenty to keep you cool all summer long.
JCT. Kitchen & Bar. Don’t forget to grab your tickets to the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival before Friday, July 1, when prices go up to $70 per ticket. You definitely don’t want to miss when tomato forces roll into JCT. on Sunday, July 17. There will be no tomato-fortified drink or dish left standing when the battle is over. JCT. Executive Chef/Owner Ford Fry is behind the shindig, hosting more than 40 of the Southeast's best chefs, farmers and mixologists to join forces to benefit Georgia Organics. The Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack will provide the live-music soundtrack to this summer epic.
