It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @Elle1955

Atlanta's own soap opera sultress, Evelyn Mims (@Elle1955), tweets about these melodramas and more as the "Ultimate Social Connector/Community Relations Specialist for 11-Alive and producer for Atlanta & Company." Tag along with Evelyn and stay in the know.

Atlanta's Krewes Bring a Flavor of N'awlins to You

Mardi Gras has no borders. Right here in the ATL, several fun-loving restaurants are throwing beads and bashes right along with the best of Bourbon Street. On Fat Tuesday, February 21, RA Sushi suggests you don your beads and favorite Mardi Gras apparel to whoop it up with DJ beats, $8 Southern juleps and HurRAcanes along with other lively libations. Asian-Cajun treats include the spicy chicken and shishito peppers ($7), chili shrimp roll ($8) and spicy kalbi beef ($9). Festivities run 7 p.m. to close.

In Smyrna, Atkins Park Tavern launches a five-day Mardi Gras Oysterfest starting today, February 17. New Orleans-style fare, live music and entertainment for children and adults lay on the lagniappe through Fat Tuesday, February 21. Oyster specials roll as oyster beignets, po'boys, Rockefeller style as well as grilled, raw and fried. The Patrick Scott Band plays on Friday night. On Saturday, there's brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The musical lineup begins at 2 p.m. with Wesley Cook, Soul Hound with blues and soul outside at 6 p.m. and Todd Wells from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Saturday cover is $10 advance/$15 at the door and includes a ticket for Sunday's events. Sunday's "Cure-All" hangover brunch hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with more great live music in the afternoon. Monday focuses on a celebration of New Orleans faves and entertainment for all ages from 5 - 10 p.m. Tuesday parties on with beads, beer and The Andrew Black Band from 9:30 p.m. to close at 2:30 a.m. Free admission on Monday and Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday is king on February 21 at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Stop by for a full day of fun with beers such as Restoration Pale Ale, hurricanes, gumbo, po' boys, oysters and king cake. The band Homefront plays at 10 p.m.

Downtown, Ray's in the City pleases with New Orleans-inspired specials beginning at 11 a.m. on Fat Tuesday. It's a full-fledged party from 5 - 7:30 p.m. complete with live music, specialty cocktails, Ray's famous gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell and a Low Country boil-style buffet.

If you can't make it out on Fat Tuesday, then don't fret. This year's Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern brings Mardi Gras flavors to your table. There's no cutesy masquerading here -- these dishes are Louisiana through and through for you and your "krewe" until March 26.

Get Your Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tickets and Save

Last year this event was a blast so hurry and buy your tickets before the word gets out (and while you can save some dough). All our favorite chefs will be there! Check out Atlanta Food & Wine Festival for details on the May 10 - 13 event. If mom's a foodie, then this is the perfect way to spend Mother's Day weekend!

The South has never tasted so good, and the prices will not be lower this festival season. Several ticket options satisfy a variety of desires whether you're looking for a couple of learning experiences and tastings to total submersion in Southern culinary classes, foods, wines and dinners. Per person options with early bird (now) and full pricing after March 29 (later) include a tasting tent pass ($85 now/$100 later); day pass ($135 now/$185 later); three-day pass for Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($375 now/$500 later); and the connoisseur day pass, per day ($565 now/$700 later). The all-out lavish three-day connoisseur pass features three connoisseur breakfasts, private dinners Thursday and Friday, Blackberry Farm dinner on Saturday and Anne Quatrano's closing supper on Sunday, plus access to the connoisseur lounge on Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($1,500 now/$2,000 later). Ticket specifics and purchasing information are on the website.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival donates a portion of its proceeds toAtlanta History Center, Les Dames d' Escoffier International,Oxford American, Wholesome Wave Foundation and James Beard Foundation. In 2011, the festival contributed more than $150,000 in tickets to nonprofit organizations. Follow along on Facebook andTwitter.

Uncle Julio's Reveals New Drink Menu The Night Before Fat Tuesday

No need to wait for Cinco de Mayo!  Uncle Julio’s is here to satisfy your taste for tequila just in time for Mardi Gras with a few new additions to their beverage lineup. On Monday, February 20, Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food will introduce new cocktails ($8.50-$9.95) like the Patron-Cosmo Rita, (Patron Silver, Julio’s fresh lemon/lime sour and splash of cranberry juice) and the oh so tropical, Mango Passion Rita (1800 Reposado, peach schnapps and a fresh mango-passion fruit blend).  Margaritas not your thing?  Uncle Julio’s has you covered with their take on the classic mojito.  Their Cuervo Gold-laced Mexican mojito will bring a fiesta to your mouth by using tequila instead of rum.  And for those out there watching their waistlines, the Patron Skinny Margarita (120 calories) and the Julio’s Skinny Guava-Rita (130 calories) allow you to sip guilt-free.  You can sample these drinks at either the Buckhead or Sandy Springs location.

Double Zero Invites Guests to Taste Some of Italy’s Top Wines

The holidays are far gone and spring is still out of reach. For those who are feeling like they are stuck in limbo and need to take a break, there is a glimpse of hope in the near future. How does tasting some of Italy’s top wines sound? 

Double Zero Napoletana is welcoming Lucio Mastroberadino, owner of Terredora di Paolo Winery, on Tuesday, February 21 for a first-class wine dinner at 7 p.m. Terredora di Paolo has the reputation of being one of the most elite wineries in world because of their superior wines and quality standards. Wine dinner guests will get to enjoy some of Terredora’s award-winning wines, including their Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Aglianico d'Irpinia and Taurasi while enjoying veal hangar steak, braised lamb cheeks and much more. Guests will be able to get a break from their everyday routine and get a taste of Italy for only $59 per person excluding tax and tip.  To look at the full menu and learn more about Terredora di Paolo, please visit Facebook. Spots are highly coveted so be sure to get your reservation at 404-991-3666.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Valentine's Edition

It's no secret that we at MLA have a passionate love for uber-indulgent red velvet cake. So we're hoping our significant others see this Valentine's Day hint. We'd love for this slice of red velvet from Alpine Bakery & Trattoria to magically appear! Cupid, the ball's in your court...

Let The Good Times Roll with The Dish

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our Dish readers! Enjoy our latest edition, full of great ideas like last minute Valentine's Day dinners (we won't tell) and upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations you won't want to miss. If you're not feeling the Dish love every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page. 

Mardi Gras Season Means Bayou 'N Bourbon at Marlow's Tavern

Forget the masquerades and beads - for us, Mardi Gras means the annual Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern. All eight locations of the neighborhood tavern are serving up dishes that are Louisiana through and through from tomorrow, February 15 through March 26. "Mo' Betta Specials" include chicken and shrimp gumbo; fiery crawfish fondue (pictured right); bayou flatbread; a N'awlins-style po' boy; the bayou burger jazzed with andouille sausage, craw daddies, cheddar cheese and Creole mustard; "deconstructed" jambalaya; and the sweet Bourbon St. ribeye ($7-$26). Save room for the honey bourbon bread pudding splashed with Jack Daniel's Honey ($7). You can also toast Bourbon Street with a Marlow's hurricane (borrowed from Pat O'Briens), a Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade, a Cajun cosmo and Abita Jockamo ($5-$9). Marlow's regular menu is also available for those who can't handle the celebratory kick.

Last Chance to Hop Aboard the Valentine's Day Train, Choo Choo!

Looking to fill up that love tank?  Atlanta restaurants are pouring on the love with special Valentine's menus for singles, couples and BFFs -- follow this heart-y link to our blog for more details and consider a couple more below.

Spin the bottle is too chancy. Smashburger shakes are a sure thing, especially with two straws. Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry Häagen-Dazs ice cream is handspun into a dreamy concoction...and the limited-time coffee flavor could pass for coffee and dessert in one tall cup.

Love Valentine's Day at Ormsby's where the holiday's three-course dinner menu is only $35 per person (not including tax or gratuity). Choose from four appetizers including a citrus spring mix salad, oysters Rockefeller, crab and avocado salad and fennel and leek soup. Heartwarming entrée choices are chicken Marsala with butternut squash polenta cakes and wilted mustard greens; filet mignon Oscar style with au gratin potatoes and asparagus; and lobster tail with garlic red bliss mashed potatoes and a veggie medley. Follow up with one of three desserts: red velvet cake lollipops, red wine-poached pear tartlet or chocolate covered strawberries. Ormsby's combines flowers and spirits in two sweet cocktails ($10 each) -- "The Only Bee in My Bonnet" with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey and lavender undertones and "Blushing Cupid" marrying Adami Prosecco and hibiscus syrup plus a smatter of edible flower petals. Wine specials include sparkling Gruet Blanc de Noir ($40 bottle), The Crusher Chardonnay ($8 glass/$28 bottle) and Colio Chianti ($7 glass/$24 bottle). Remember, Ormsby's has games for good times after dinner...or go home and make up your own.