Helping Make the Workday Delicious: Chicken and the Egg is Now Serving Lunch!

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, after being open just one week Chef/Owner Marc Taft and Executive Chef Joseph Ramaglia are now offering lunch at Chicken and the Egg!  With their “meat and three” format and a variety of à la carte options there’s something to satisfy every appetite.  Ranging from $7 to $12, each lunch includes seasonal ingredients from local farms and purveyors as well as sustainable beef, poultry, and seafood.  Pair that with hand-crafted cocktails by Mixologist Brandon King and an indulgent dessert by Pastry Chef Karie Brown and you’ve got a tasty trifecta to help you get through your workday.  Chicken and the Egg is open for lunch weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., brunch on weekends and dinner nightly.

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

Piera Jolly out of Lawrenceville, Ga. is one of Nielsen's 50 Power Moms!  The wife/mom/wannabe photographer and cookbook author founded her Jolly Mom blog as an outlet for her passions.  Jolly tweets (@jollymom) save-ry tips on giveaways, bargains and food finds.  


Her blog passes on more details on the latest trends for moms and kids, crafts, parenting info and child-friendly activities.  Oh yeah, and recipes to help you crank those meals out!

Next Food Network Star Finale is Sunday

Yeah, yeah, we already know that Atlantan Justin Balmes is not going to win in Sunday night's finale but that doesn't mean he's not destined to be a Food Network Star! Justin is way more than a flash in the pan, having spent the last 13 years working in the restaurant industry as executive chef, caterer, food stylist, educator/presenter, team leader at Whole Foods, fishmonger and most recently, butcher.

Tune in at 8 p.m. to see Justin on the Reunion Show and to catch the Finale. Show your support for our hometown contestant by *liking* Justin on his Facebook page. You'll be glad to say you knew him before he got famous!

Back To School Meals And Summer Weekends Are Extra Special In August

Even though school buses are rolling, there's still six weeks of summer to go. New York Butcher Shoppe has August specials to calm hectic school night meal planning, to make weekend cookouts a cinch and to even ease you out the door for end-of-summer getaways. Early week specials earn an A+ in fast oven-to-table skills with marinated chicken, cheddar/bacon- or Greek-flavored boneless stuffed pork chops, mac 'n' cheese and all-natural frozen veggies. Weekend grill fests and gatherings cry out for C.A.B. ribeye steaks, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, the Americana Grill Master package or the new finger lickin' good Ribs package with Causey's BBQ sauce. If you can't get away, the August Xplorador Wine promo at the Sandy Springs and Alpharetta locations brings the vineyards of Chile to your glass. Concha Y Toro Xplorador Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet are $7.99 a bottle.

New York Butcher Shoppe: Dunwoody at 2458 Mt. Vernon Road; 770-399-6328. Sandy Springs at 4969 Roswell Road; 404-303-0704. Alpharetta at 5354 McGinnis Ferry Road; 678-624-0047.

Smash. Sizzle. Savor. Smashburger In Johns Creek Is Now Open!

Get “smashed” at Johns Creek newest addition, Smashburger, today! Smashburger has opened its doors for lunch and dinner to offer sizzling burgers, sandwiches, fries and more. These savory dishes are perfect for going out for a “fast-casual” meal with your family or friends.

Smashburger takes pride in its Certified Angus Beef burgers that are “smashed” on the grill to sear in the juices. For all Georgia locations, guests can indulge in the Atlanta burger that includes peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimina cheese, grilled jalapenos and vidalia coleslaw all on an egg bun. Along with its savory burgers, Smashburger also serves marinated Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and Smashsalads ($3.99-$6.99). Kids meals are $3.99 and Smashsides (including my favorite: sweet potato smashfries with rosemary, olive oil and garlic) run from $1.99- $2.99. Kids of all ages can also enjoy Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats. For the adults, beer and wine are sold as well. Check out the Buckhead location's menu to tempt your taste buds. Smashburger is destined to be a "smash" hit!

Smashburger - Johns Creek: 9775 Medlock Bridge Road; 770-497-6274.

Atkins Park Tavern Takes Ping Pong to a Whole New Level

If you're a ping pong pro, Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland has the perfect event for you. New Belgium Brewing Company has joined forces with the neighborhood tavern to host a six-week ping pong tournament that starts tomorrow. The only casualties will be pride, and spoils include $1,000 in cash and prizes. Balls fly at 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday night until the big final showdown and party on September 14. Weekly winners take home points to apply toward the finals along with house cash and New Belgium Brewing Company gear. Practice pong makes perfect -- the ping pong table is set up Monday to Wednesday from 10:30 p.m. until closing. Whether you're winning or watching, you won't want to miss the action!

Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249.

Aqua blue Toasts to Ten Years at Anniversary Party on Wednesday

Tomorrow marks the end of the 10-day anniversary celebration at Aqua blue in Roswell, and the restaurant has saved the best for last. The finale features groovy tunes from Atlanta's own FunkyStuf 70s band and complimentary cake and champagne in addition to the $20.01 prix fixe menu and $5 small plates and drink specials. Guests can also register to win a free meal a week for a year! Ten percent of the night's sales will be donated to Special Olympics Georgia, so you can have your cake and help out a good cause, too. Visit Aqua blue on Facebook for more details.

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

Counter Culture Gets A Whole New Meaning at No. 246

Photo Credit: Helena Peixoto

The bite about reality cooking shows is that you watch the chefs…then the “experts” get to eat.  You get nothing. Not so when you sit down to the new Chef’s Counter dining option at newly opened No. 246.  Watch Chef Drew Belline in action?  Check.  Close-up views?  Check.  Eat?  Five courses, coming your way, Tuesday through Sunday each week! 

For $50 per person, Chef’s Counter guests dine on a five-course menu of Italian-inspired cuisine served directly to them by the chefs who prepared the dishes, who can answer questions and who can make drink pairing suggestions.  No. 246 usually doesn’t take reservations… in this instance reservations can be made for two or four people at 6:30 p.m. or 9 p.m.   Note any dietary restrictions when making your reservation.