#Foodgram of the Week: @OccupyMyFamily

For a quick link to free and inexpensive family fun in the metro-Atlanta area, touch base with @occupymyfamily on Instagram. More time? Head to the website.

Take a Tour of our Pinterest Pumpkin Patch

Grab your carving kit, your baking sheet and head to the nearest farmers market or Georgia pumpkin patch because it's time to harvest delicious meals, y'all. Our Pinterest board is Pumped About Pumpkin everything. Pumpkin pie white hot chocolate, pumpkin fudge and even pumpkin smoothies. The cooler weather pairs perfectly with one of fall's favorite treats, and there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Attention Artisanal Sausage Lovers

Check out the rosemary and citrus spiced pork sausage made by the artists at White Oak Pastures this week. They make up small batches of artisanal sausages from grass-fed beef, lamb, pork or pastured chicken every week and offer it up to the lucky ones on their list. Cost is $8.99/pack of five links, approximately one pound. Sign up here to be added to the weekly specials email update or check back each week on the Artisan Goods section of the website. Can't wait to taste mine!

Appetizing Aperture: Blushing Geishas Buzz Atlantans at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

October may bring candies and frights, but for the 21 and up crowd, it also brings delicious liquid delights. Cheers to the season with beautiful Blushing Geishas until October 31. These gorgeous cocktails will be hanging out exclusively at Midtown's RA Sushi Bar Restaurant. Dressed with SKYY Infusions Raspberry vodka, Chambord, fresh lemon sour and a splash of soda, she's buzzing Atlantans for only $5 a glass. Dare to try her?

Paddle to Ping-Pong Victory and Celebrate Oktoberfeast at No. 246 on Oct. 20

Rally pals for a single elimination, Ping Pong showdown at No. 246 for a chance to win fun prizes. This Sunday, October 6 kicks off the first of four preliminary rounds, which will continue each Sunday until the Oktoberfeast final four round on October 20. Sign up for Ping-Pong tournament preliminary #2 opens at 4 p.m., and tournament action flies beginning at 5 p.m. for a maximum of eight players. Housemade sausage ($10) and Red Hare beer ($5) specials are available for spectators and players to enjoy. Championship play takes place on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 p.m. Red Hare doles out prizes including brewery tours to winners and a tournament grand prize VIP brewery tour for 10 people with a custom cask blending experience.

Two Nights of Top-Shelf Tequila Experiences at Alma Cocina on October 10 and 11

Leave those well drinks at the bottom of the shelf where they belong. Next week, Alma Cocina is going top shelf with two separate tequila appreciation events. On Thursday, October 10, "A Night of Tequila" will fill the atrium of 191 Peachtree Tower from 7-10 p.m. Herradura and other tequila favorites will be used to create "Latin-," "American-,: and "Alternative-" themed cocktails which will accompany the delectable food pairings from executive chef Chad Clevenger and team. Butternut squash and mushroom sopes, charred octopus al pastor, pork cheek mondongo tostadas and more are all making much appreciated appearances. $50 per person and you must purchase tickets in advance online. But wait, the tequila love doesn't stop there! On Friday, October 11 from 7-10 p.m., it's a "Dinner of the Seven Barrels" -- a four-course dinner and tequila tasting commemorating the seven custom barrels of Herradura tequila that were personally tasted, approved and brought back to Atlanta by Fifth Group Restaurants solely for Alma Cocina, and using a few bottles reserved especially for this one-of-a-kind event. Herradura's global brand ambassador, Ruben Aceves, will be there to talk tequila with guests during the tasting. Clevenger's  menu reveals a Latin and Mexican culinary heritage, right down to the decadent tres leches and pumpkin churros dessert. $65 per person and advance purchase online is a must.

Field of Greens Festival Features 30 Top Atlanta & Athens' Farm to Table Restaurants

Come early and stay all day for a chance to support local sustainable food production. Friends will be green with envy when you experience the 8th Annual Field of Greens Festival at Whippoorwill Hollow Organic Farm on Sunday, October 6. The feast fest includes 30 of Atlanta and Athens’ best farm to table restaurants including Bantam + Biddy, King + Duke, JCT. Kitchen and Bar, Seven Lamps and Chicken and the Egg. Gather to greet the farmers and chefs at "Meals from the Market" and don't forget to taste the delicious recipes made with seasonal vegetables they sell. The tasting is from noon until 2:30 p.m., or until the food runs out. Other attractions include a vendor market, interactive kids' village, local music, a pig roast and craft demonstrations. The festival is from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door.

National Seafood Month Hooks Atlantans on Coastal Favorites

Grab your appetite and dive into National Seafood Month. October serves up coastal favorites for Atlantans in many of the city's treasured eateries. Get caught up in a well-balanced diet of seafood, as it hauls in plenty of health benefits. 

Executive chef David Bradley, of Lure, catches guests' attention with his saltwater classics prepared fresh daily. Whether one is feeling Blue Hill Bay mussels ($14) or grilled Block Island Swordfish ($32), make sure to taste the Southern flavors of Vidalia onion hushpuppies, coleslaw and corn on the cob, which comes with fried North Carolina catfish ($19). 

How about make your dish the fish? Ray's Restaurants promises always fresh seafood, flown in daily from Atlantic and Pacific fishing fleets. Delicious Georges Bank scallops, grouper and Georgia mountain trout will have one reminiscing on beach eats by the water. Visit Ray's in the City in downtown Atlanta, Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs and Ray's on the Creek in Alpharetta for all of your guilt-less sea pleasures. 

The Optimist brings sustainable seafood to west Midtown. Executive chef Andrew Evans shells out fresh entrées like East and West coast oysters and crispy whole black fish with fried shallots for guests to indulge in.  

Kick it dockside with oysters on the half shell, lump crab cake and calamari fries at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Open for lunch and dinner, take a taste of the shrimp and grits for $12.95 or the "dry pack" sea scallops for $20.95. 

Hands Down Best Ice Breaker: Sushi and Sake Socials at RA Sushi

 

Dinner and a movie sound so stationary once you consider the Sushi and Sake Socials at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant. They're so hands on. Guests learn sushi rolling and sake pairing and have the opportunity to create two different rolls during the private event. After class, guests enjoy a three-course meal starting off with an appetizer followed by guests' own sushi creations and ending with a mochi trio for dessert. Sake pairings accompany each course. Favors include a sushi rolling mat to keep and a card for one free appetizer or roll on another visit. All of the above is only $50 per person. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 404-267-0114, and a minimum group of 15 is required.

Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy's Shaun Doty Thinks Fast at October 5 Peachtree Road Farmers Market Mash-Up

It takes a little more than produce and local wares to host a successful farmers market. One of those requirements? A police presence. To foot the cost of this requirement, Peachtree Road Farmers Market is hosting a Market Mash-Up on Saturday, October 5 from 9 a.m.-noon. Four chefs, including Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy's own Shaun Doty, will have 200 market dollars to create a dish that shows off the season and market ingredients. Ticket holders choose the Mash-Up Ruler during a 9:45 -10:45 a.m. tasting and can shop at the silent auction. All proceeds go toward cop coverage. $10 per ticket and only 200 tickets are available. 

Take Your Tailgate to the Next Level with Ray's on the Creek's Big Green Egg Class

 

Help your tailgate score the extra point with Ray's on the Creek's Big Green Egg class on October 5. Block out the 11 a.m.-1 p.m. time slot (still plenty of time to watch the games afterward) and reserve a spot by calling 770-649-0064. Tuition is $15 per person. Find out what's cooking here. 

"Sea" What's on Menus During National Seafood Month Plus More in this Week's Dish

Get your taste buds ready for two top-shelf tequila events. Alma Cocina hosts “A Night of Tequila” on Thursday, October 10 and “Dinner of the Seven Barrels” on Friday, October 11, both events from 7-10 p.m. Led by executive chef Chad Clevenger and team, cocktails are paired with delectable eats consumed of Latin and Mexican flavors. Cocktail cravings continue at RA Sushi with the Blushing Geisha drink special, made with SKYY Infusions raspberry vodka and other liquid treats. See why we cheers to October and more in this week’s of the Dish. 

Support Tacos for Tatas at Tin Lizzy's October 4

Photo credit: Jeremy Adamo

Join Tin Lizzy's on Friday, October 4th for Tacos for Tatas to benefit It’s the Journey. They're kicking off October, National Breast Cancer Awareness month, by inviting you to fill up on their tasty tacos and support a good cause on National Taco Day. Ten percent of the proceeds from all tacos sold at all locations on that day will walk right over to It’s the Journey. The Atlanta-based nonprofit organizes the annual Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, a fundraiser that helps women in metro Atlanta receive breast cancer screenings and treatment. Watch out for this year’s walkers as they trek from downtown Decatur to Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6. 

Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails Dishes Up Favorites at Crabapple Fest on October 5

A tradition since 1969, historic Crabapple will be consumed once again with antique dealers from hundreds of juried vendors, live music from touring and local acts, activities for kids and delicious eats from local favorites this Saturday, October 5. Joining Crabapple Community Association (CCA) in the mix to host Crabapple Fest is Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails. The 5,000-person Milton Roundup and 10,000-person Crossroads at Crabapple Antique and Arts Festival deliver an upbeat atmosphere for an old-fashioned festival. Activities and sights for all ages, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails will have a food booth for all palates to enjoy. It's this weekend's best destination festival. Beer and wine will be available for the first time on festival grounds. Admission is free; festival hours are 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Shuttles will be available to transport festival-goers from satellite parking lots continuously from 9 a.m. -7 p.m. Click here for additional information. See you there!