#foodgram: Bantam + Biddy is Picture Perfect

Sandwich yourself between mouthwatering pictures of juicy, $3 sliders and seasonal beer punch posted on Bantam + Biddy's Instagram (@bantamandbiddy). If those filtered beauties don't have your flock running over like headless chickens, the bakery pictures will! 

What's New on Pinterest: We've Gone Nuts!

Feeling a little nutty? So are we - and our Pinterest board proves it! Pins of nutty proportions come one after another, with recipes and links that follow. Southern pralines, pistachio-crusted cod and fried almonds are some of our favorites to satisfy salty, sweet or savory cravings. Browse through our board and whip up one (or two, or ten..). It's the tastiest way to go nuts!  

RA Sushi Sends Taste Buds on Vacation with Tropical Pairings

The recent Atlanta weather has left everyone yearning for a warm, sandy vacation. Travel plans, bag packing and an overnight stay won't be necessary to take yourself, and your appetite, on a Caribbean getaway. With RA Sushi Bar Restaurant's Tropical Pairing from August 1 - September 30, calling a cab to Midtown is all the planning you'll need. RA Sushi's combinations of cocktails and entrees will take your taste buds straight to a beach. Flavors of fresh lime and sweet coconut shine in the Coco Kanpai cocktail, especially paired with a plate of spicy shrimp, pineapple, peppers and jalapeno. Ditch the swim trunks and leave the sunscreen behind, a trip to paradise is just down the road! 

Michael Jones of Seven Lamps Named 2013 Merlet Sidecar Champion

Photo by Eduardo Simeon

Seven Lamps bartender Michael Jones has been crowned the 2013 Merlet Sidecar Cocktail champion at this year's "Tales of the Cocktail" event in New Orleans on July 20. There was stiff competition from bartenders who were asked to create two different drinks using Merlet Cognac and another spirit from the Merlet collection - one celebrating the classic spirit of the sidecar and the other a drink entirely of their own creation. Merlet liqueurs took center stage in Jones' winning drinkings - the Cuvee du Merlet and the Brennus Suppressor #3 - earning him and a guest a trip to Paris and the Borderies/Fins Bois French countryside area of Cognac to visit the Merlet distillery, spend time with the Merlet family and learn how to distill Cognac. Congratulations, Michael!

Drew Van Leuvan of Seven Lamps Says Good "Morning" to Fresh Produce and Market Shoppers

The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, some killer produce and recipes from Drew Van Leuvan. As executive chef and managing partner of Seven Lamps, he'll be sharing recipes and tips that are too delicious to miss. Van Leuvan will be making his appearance at the Morningside Farmers Marker on Saturday, August 3 at 9 a.m. While you're there, shop the market for farm-fresh, organic products. Get ready to rise, shine and prepare the coffee maker, the market opens at 7:30 a.m. and will be open until 11:30 a.m.!

Celebrate the Glenn Hotel's 90th Anniversary with August Specials

 

There are some milestone occasions that you go all out for, and the Glenn Hotel in Downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District is doing just that for its 90^th anniversary. To celebrate, the Glenn has planned a month full of specials and surprises, from mini-cupcakes at check-in and a signature birthday cocktail to a getaway deal. For $90, book the Glenn's 90^th Anniversary Package through August 30 and enjoy an overnight stay in a historic guestroom and special welcome package. While you're there, don't forget to visit the SkyLounge rooftop bar and check out the city views with a handcrafted cocktail and Glenn's Kitchen for some seasonal, American South comfort food.

MLA Out and About at 2013 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival

MLA's Tuan Huynh gets ready to crown the winners!

In the middle of one of the rainiest summers we've ever seen, the clouds parted and the sun beamed bright for the July 21 Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival at JCT. Kitchen & Bar. We had a blast basking in the sun and tasting delicious tomato dishes and cocktails while grooving to the tunes of The Spazmatics and Five Bone Rack. Luckily, our camera didn't get splashed by the action in the dunk tank, so we have plenty of pics to prove how great the day was. Check out our Facebook photos for a taste of #AKTF2013!

Get Juiced for TomatoFeast! at La Tavola Trattoria and South City Kitchen - Vinings Plus More in this Week's Dish

The never-ending Atlanta rain has made the grass greener, the river deeper and the produce plumper  – and just in time to continue the tomato celebration! La Tavola Trattoria and South City Kitchen-Vinings are making these red beauties the star of specialty menus that are kicking off the month of August. The tomatoes aren’t the only thing being celebrated in the city, all the juicy details on farm-fresh fare and foodie festivities are in this week’s Dish!

Milton's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" Take 2

Sometimes you have to yell "CUT!" and give it another go. That's what last week's rain storm did to movie night at Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails. So here's the retake: Milton's Fork & Screen on the Green outdoor showing of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" is rescheduled for Wednesday, July 31. Toss your lawn chairs in the car, order up a picnic ($25 per person/no outside food or drink) and head on over. Cash bar features Vixen Vodka cocktails and FIJI water. Movie begins at dusk; no advance reservation needed. Planning for a group of eight or more? Contact Heather Testerman at 678-431-8753. Follow Milton's onTwitter and Facebook for updates or call 770-817-0161 for more information. See you there!

Congrats to Will Harris of White Oak Pastures Named 2013 Georgia Farmer of the Year

 

Fourth-generation farmer Will Harris always wanted to be a cattleman, and he stuck with his vision. Now, White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Ga. is the state's largest organic farm and the only farm in the nation to house both beef and poultry abattoirs on the same property. Not only that, Harris is the Georgia state winner of the 2013 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. He joins a lineup of nine finalists, one from each of nine Southeastern states. The overall winner will be announced in October at the Sunbelt Ag Expo farm show in Moultrie, Ga. White Oak Pastures' sustainably farmed, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised poultry are available to purchase online, at Whole Foods Market and at more than 1,000 Publix supermarkets throughout the Southeast.

TomatoFeast! Celebrations at South City Kitchen - Vinings and La Tavola Trattoria Will Have You Seeing Red

TomatoFeast! celebrations will have you seeing red at two Fifth Group Restaurants, La Tavola Trattoria and South City Kitchen - Vinings. In Virginia-Highland, La Tavola Trattoria's TomatoFeast! is 11 years strong and fills this year's calendar from July 31-August 10. Executive chef Brent Banda showcases the versatile tomato in a menu that is available à la carte or as a three-course prix fixe meal for $35. Tomatoes hit all course options from appetizers ($8-$12) to entrées ($17-$24) to dessert ($6.50), and you can salivate over the entire menu on the trattoria's Facebook page. Reservations suggested, call 404-873-5430 or visit OpenTable. South City Kitchen - Vinings' menu, available August 1-10, invites heirloom tomato devotees to dabble in an array of small plates including appetizers, chilled soups, sandwiches, salads and even individual tomato pies ($5-$14). Large plates bring out entrées of blistered Sun Gold tomatoes with pecan-smoked scallops and Red Mule grits; Creekstone Farms flat iron steak with summer corn and tomato salad; Jambalaya Jaune with Gulf shrimp, chicken thighs, andouille, okra, tarragon and caramelized tomato jam, and heaps more ($17-$26). Plant your reservation on OpenTable and visit Facebook for more info.

Appetizing Aperture: Who says a flatbread sandwich has to be flat?

Get acquainted with the new lunch menu at  Aqua blue in Roswell! Today marks the official launch of their delicious new menu that includes salads, sandwiches and seafood options. One of our favorites is this mouthwatering chicken club sandwich. See how the bacon, lettuce and ripe tomatoes cozy up next to grilled chicken and all stack up nicely between flatbread handholds? We can’t wait to get a grip on this one -- plus plenty more from the new lunch menu!