Appetizing Aperture: Graduation Celebrations At Spice Market

Graduation celebrations are a class act at Spice Market in the W Atlanta-Midtown. The details for Spice Market's private dining celebrations for six guests or more are on Facebook, providing parental food for thought and fuel food for graduates before entering "the real world."

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

Amy Wallas Fox, aka @AmyonFood, tweets on Atlanta and Charlotte eats and goes longhand online with her Amy On Food blog. Look her up for tasty photos and tips on where to eat if you're looking for someplace new to try!

Show Mom You Care, Make Restaurant Reservations For Mother's Day

We've no reservations about crowning mom queen on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13. She raised us right though, and we know that without reservations, we might not get a table at the queen's choice of restaurants for a relaxing Mom's Day brunch or dinner.

Aqua blue in Roswell will be starting Mother's Day out with a brunch buffet featuring a carving station, made-to-order omelets, blue ribbon sushi, a chocolate fountain, $15 bottomless mimosas and their famous Bloody Mary bar from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cost will be $29.95 for adults, and children aged 4 to 12 will be $9.95. Children under 4 are free. For dinner, Mom can enjoy the à la carte menu from 5 - 10 p.m. For reservations, call 770-643-8886.

The brunch buffet at Alon's Bakery and Market in Dunwoody gifts mom with a take-home treat and features an omelet station. Available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. $29.99 per person, $12.99 for kids 12 and under and free for children 5 and under. Reservations required for hourly seating, 678-397-1782.

Chef's specials and those daily favorites are on the menu at Double Zero Napoletana in Sandy Springs from noon - 9 p.m. on Mother's Day. Reservations, 404-991-3666.

Moms who dine at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar on May 13 will receive a $25 gift card. A three-course brunch menu will be offered from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. $34.95 for adults, $16.95 for children ages 12 and under (plus tax and gratuity). Toast mom with the day's Blood Orange Fizz cocktail for $6.95. Reservations are a must, 770-698-8112.

Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub in Brookhaven is offering free bottomless mimosas to any mom who dines at brunch, and a free dessert or drink for mothers celebrating at dinner. For reservations, call 404-474-9600.

Moms dreamy over Virginia Highland will especially like strolling into La Tavola Trattoria for a brunch of ricotta gnocchi, panini and poached egg bruschetta from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Regular dinner service will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations, 404-873-5430.

In Decatur, No. 246 is cooking up delicious brunch offerings including Kumamoto oysters with prosecco horseradish mignonette; French toast with wood oven-roasted peaches, pecans, local honey and cinnamon cream; and a breakfast pie with poached eggs, bacon, cheddar, potatoes and mozzarella. Reservations, 678-399-8246.    

Moms sweet on sushi will thrill over sushi and appetizers starting at $2 at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant where the Flying Fish Lounge will be open from 11 a.m. until close on Mom's Day. More info:  404-267-0114.   

All three locations of Ray's Restaurants are open on Mother's Day. Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta (770-649-0064) is offering a special brunch buffet from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. priced at $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children ages 4 and under. The regular dinner menu will be available from 5 - 9 p.m. From 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs (770-955-1187) is offering a special brunch buffet priced at $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children ages 4 and under. Ray's in the City (404-524-9224) is offering a special brunch buffet priced at $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 5 to 10 and free for children ages 4 and under from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. A bottomless mimosa bar sports freshly squeezed juices for $15 per person. Reservations are recommended at all locations.   

Both locations of South City Kitchen are celebrating Mother's Day with a brunch and dinner menu full of Southern favorites. The three-course brunch is priced at $29 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and is available from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. From 5 - 9 p.m., guests can enjoy the three-course prix fixe dinner for $39 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations:  South City KitchenVinings, 770-435-0700; South City Kitchen Midtown, 404-873-7358.


Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food offers Mom a platter she'll love with their Plato de Madre, available served May 7 - May 20 at their two Atlanta locations. The Plato de Madre features delicious Salmon Campechito with Crab Stuffed Shrimp, a mesquite grilled filet of salmon served over tequila cream sauce and crab stuffed shrimp with cilantro rice. Call ahead for your group at 404.350.6767 (Peachtree Road) or 678.736.8260 (Sandy Springs).

A four-course tasting menu is a Mother's Day option at Woodfire Grill, priced at $62 per person. The regular à la carte menu also will be available for diners. Reservations are recommended, 404-347-9055. 

With Pencil In One Hand And Fork In The Other, Sign Up For The Southern Food Writing Conference May 17-18 in Knoxville

Like honey on a hot biscuit, the Southern Food Writing Conferencejust goes with the International Biscuit Festival. The two roll out together in Knoxville, Tenn. on May 17 and 18. Biscuit Boss John Craig extends a "y'all come" to food enthusiasts, professional food writers, food bloggers and lovers of all things Southern for a mix of educational, artistic and vocational topics relating to Southern culture. Some of the South's most noted food and culture editors, chefs, authors, cookbook authors, columnists and bloggers will be there. Alton Brown headlines the pre-conference entertainment on May 16. Conference registration is $325. Read more online or contact John Craig, (865) 384-7290 or john@biscuitfest.com.

Alon's Is Like Their Fine Cheeses And Wines, They Keep Getting Better With Time

Alon’s Bakery and Market has been an Atlanta staple for fine foods and beverages, artisan breads, decadent desserts, gourmet prepared foods, catering and so much more. On Thursday, May 3, Alon’s will be celebrating two decades of serving Atlanta’s residents. It may be hard to believe, but twenty years ago Alon Balshan charged up credit card loans, bought some used equipment and brought his dad Maurice and three bread recipes into a little shop in Virginia Highland. Now a day, whether patrons are picking up a cappuccino and a Cinnamon Stick before work; grabbing a cup of warm Tomato Basil soup and Roast Beef sandwich for lunch; or buying some Alon’s prepared foods and a couple desserts for dinner, one thing still holds true – guests receive the same personal service that Balshan and his father Maurice gave clients back in May 1992. To celebrate their 20^th Anniversary, Alon’s Bakery and Market has special promotions to offer customers throughout the rest of the year. This birthday party merits songs, so next week Balshan will be on WRFG 89.3 FM’s “What the Folk” discussing food and folk music. Pick up a little something at Alon’s and listen in on Tuesday, May 8 from 8 -10 p.m.

Aria and The Optimist Help Kick Off the Food & Wine Festival on May 10

Sure signs of spring are here. Foodies are filling Midtown Atlanta streets during the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival taking place May 10 - 13. On Thursday night, May 10, Aria and The Optimist host dinners centering around Southern food and chef talent. Aria Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala and his guests James Boyce (AL) and Frank Lee (SC) are honing in on a Georgia Grown Cream of the Crop theme using Vidalia onions, pecans, blueberries, peaches and more in the night's menu. The Optimist, which opens in Atlanta's Westside this month, swims with an Oceans 6 theme as chefs Ford Fry (GA), Bryan Caswell (TX), Mike Lata (SC), Dean Max (FL), Brandon McGlamery (FL) and Norman Van Aken (FL) with Master Sommelier Kathy Morgan (DC) gather to delight diners with fish dishes from the Gulf and South Carolina coasts. Both dinners begin at 7 p.m. and are priced at $150 per person, including beverages, tax and gratuity. Click here to order tickets.

Spring has Sprung Just in Thyme for Dinner!

Those photos that show folks chowing down at tables out on a farm, passing heaping bowls, laughing, smiling, clinking wine glasses - can be you. Georgia Organics is planning a big family style farm supper spread at Planted Rock Farm in Chattahoochee Hill Country, on Sunday, May 6 at 3 p.m.  E. J. Hodgkinson of Woodfire Grill, Shaun Doty of soon-to-open Bantam & Biddy and Craig Richards of Ecco, along with a dozen other top Atlanta chefs, will provide the fixings at the Spring Thyme Farm Dinner. Bread for breaking comes from Alon's Bakery and Market. Mixologists will make sure there are plenty of beer, wine and cocktails to quench farm thirsts. Doria Roberts and the Blackeyed Susans bring folk and soul tunes to the table. $200 per person/$185 for Georgia Organics members. To save a seat at the table, click here.

Don't Blink-o or You'll Miss Out on Cinco de Mayo Fun

With Cinco de Mayo (May 5) falling on a Saturday this year, you've got every reason to don your poncho and take advantage of all the Mexi-specials around town. Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub in Brookhaven, known by friends as Kpub, knows how to throw a food and drink fiesta. Starting at noon and continuing on until 3 a.m. on May 6, Kaleidoscope will serve up Mexican favorites such as pulled pork, salsa verde, queso fresco; posole rojo with chicharrones, pork shanks, hominy, radishes and queso Oaxaca; boleos stuffed with carnitas, red onions, pickled jalapenos and carrots; and homemade enchiladas. Wash those tasty dishes down with a $5 blueberry margarita, tequila sunrise, Mexican beers or jalapeno pineapple infused cocktails. The Original El Taco, Fifth Group Restaurant's fun-loving cantina in Virginia Highland, pours on bar bargains, including $12 22-ounce El Jimador margaritas and $4 pineapple-infused tequila shots. Taking the heat out of dishes like the smoked trout taco with sweet lime mayo, red habanero cabbage and yellow pico de gallo are $9 22-ounce Dos Equis Lager drafts in a souvenir cup and $12 buckets of Dos Equis Amber. Another Virginia Highland favorite, Atkins Park Tavern, is embracing the day with plenty of cerveza (beer), tequila, pozole rojo, taquitos, chile rellenos, palomas and margaritas. All three Ray's Restaurants - Ray's on the River, Ray's at Killer Creek and Ray's in the City - are celebrating with $5 margaritas. Wet your whistle with a passion fruit margarita made with tequila, passion fruit purée and lime juice, a pomegranate margarita or a skinny margarita served on the rocks with tequila, orange liqueur and agave nectar. And of course, Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food has two Atlanta locations that are always a great place to celebrate with their signature Swirl or your favorite margarita! With so many fiestas on Saturday, we predict a Sunday siesta in your future! 

T Is For Tomatoes… And Tickets

          

Anybody who knows me well knows that I LOVE tomato season. You’ll find me outside happily nurturing multiple tomato varieties in my garden, eating tomato sandwiches for days on end (only white bread will do) and of course, making plans to attend Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival at JCT. Kitchen & Bar! This annual tomato celebration and fundraiser for GeorgiaOrganics lands on Sunday, July 22 this year and I can hardly wait to see what Atlanta’s best chefs and mixologists will whip up with my favorite summer crop. Add a fun afternoon of live music, celebrity judges & mingling with friends and it’s a no-brainer.  Tickets go on sale today and always go quickly, so head over and pick yours while they’re ripe for the picking. 

Map Out Your Culinary Calendar for May with The Dish

It's a doozy of a Dish this week! It's an exciting month to be out and about in Atlanta - catch all the newest events in this week's Dish and get ready to fill your calendar! If you're not receiving the Dish every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page.

Bring Your Crew To Drink A Brew At Woodfire Grill's Beer Dinner

Tomorrow’s forecast calls for a high of 88 degrees. And as we all know – the temperatures will continue to rise with summer right around the corner. What’s better than a cold beer to ease the heat? A cold beer paired with a savory dish from Woodfire Grill. Moreover, tomorrow’s four-course Beer Dinner promises to introduce guests to some new kinds of beer that will come in handy to beat the summer heat. On May 1, Woodfire Grill opens up its beer dinner with an Avery White Rascal Beer Cocktail during their 6:30 p.m. reception. Four courses and dessert are then paired respectively with Schneider Weisse Mein Nelson Sauvin Weizenbock, limited edition from Germany; Dogfish Head Midas Touch from Rehoboth Beach; Saison DuPont Belgian Farmhouse Ale from Belgium; Ayinger Ur-Weisse Dunkelweizen from Germany; and Belgian Brasserie Caracole Nostradamus Belgian Brown. $120 per person, not including tax or gratuity. For reservations, call 404-347-9055.

Last Chance to Get Schooled in Sake and Sushi This Season!

If you've been contemplating learning some new culinary tricks or are in need of a creative date night idea, RA Sushi is giving you one last chance to attend the restaurant's Sake Sushi Social tomorrow. The Midtown restaurant is rolling out one more class this week and then taking a break until fall. We've tested the waters and can assure you that it's a great way to break the ice on a first date or spend some QT with longtime loved ones while learning something new. This last Sake Sushi Social for the season takes place on Tuesday, May 1 beginning at 7 p.m. $35 per person or $60 per couple includes the informative sushi-rolling lesson and a four-course sampling menu paired with the perfect sake. Space is limited so reserve a spot now by calling 404-267-0114. If the Tupac hologram were here, he'd picture you rollin'.