It's a Cookie Cutter World Out There

December is already filled with exciting events to celebrate the holidays. Just to give you another reason get festive this season, go ahead and roll out the dough and baking tools. If you're a social butterfly, you're going to want to bring out the big guns with this news. This week is National Cookie Cutter Week, established in the 1990s for the Cookie Cutter Collector's Club.  We're always Living in a Cookie Cutter World so roll with us on Pinterest. Don't let the timeline limit you to just these seven days of sweet sensations, though. If you keep baking all month long, we promise not to tell!

Appetizing Aperture: Chicken and Waffles Make a Statement at 10th & Piedmont

Who loves chicken? What about waffles with hot syrup as a breakfast staple or late night treat? Our friends at 10^th & Piedmont have their hands raised and are concocting a delicious meal to combine the sweet and salty flavors. Skewering marinated chicken dipped in applewood smoked bacon waffle batter and served with North Georgia sorghum syrup, hot sauce and stone-ground grits ($10), this ain't like mama cooked 'em. Make plans for brunch where the chicken and waffles beckon your selection from the menu, along with other specialties such as the Hair of the Dog, The Champion, the Feel Good Plate that just so happen to pair perfectly with bellinis, mimosas and other brunch-y cocktails. It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right? 

Vidalia Onions Appear at the Georgia Grown Christmas Showcase December 13-14

Santa, are those Vidalia Onions in your sack? Everyone knows the real Vidalia onion season stretches from late April through mid September. Ah, but consider the multitude of delicious goods made right here in Georgia from sweet Georgia-grown Vidalia onions. They’ll be among the other Georgia-grown treasures -- along with chef demos, Christmas trees, carolers harking and heralding plus a Santa meet and greet -- at this weekend’s first Georgia Grown Christmas Showcase filling the expo center at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park. On Friday, December 13, the event welcomes restaurants, retailers, distributors and others in the food service industry. Shoppers, look for Vidalias at the holiday market on Saturday, December 14. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Free admission.

#Foodgram of the Week: @foodandwinemag

For an all-access Food & Wine pass, click over to @foodandwinemag. They're sprinkling our Instagram feeds with photo links to party peeks, fast food fixes and test kitchen marvels in between stalking the latest and greatest restaurants.

Famed Nikolai's Roof Set to Wow Guests with New Renovations and Updated Menu

 

Famous for panoramic city views, an award-winning menu and impeccable dining staff, Nikolai's Roof reopens in January following a $1 million renovation. Located on the 30^th floor of the Hilton Atlanta, the iconic 7,500 square-foot restaurant boasts a more contemporary design to accompany the ambiance and view, and chef Stephanie Alderete delivers an updated menu with fresh, vibrant ingredients while retaining the Russian influences of the restaurant's signature dishes. Nikolai's Roof has been wowing diners and garnering awards for more than 35 years. Awards include Wine Spectator's 2012 Best of Award Excellence; DiRoNA - 2012 Distinguished Restaurants of North America and Open Table's 2012 Most Romantic and Best View. 

Der Biergarten Brings Holiday Cheer at Nikolaustag on December 9

Did you know that the stockings that are hung by the chimney with care were actually first filled back in the fourth century by St. Nicholas with care? Yes, indeed. In his honor, friends at Der Biergarten are saying thanks for letting us borrow his tradition by hosting a Nikolaustag party on Monday, December 9 from 5-9 p.m. It's a family friendly celebration, so come one, come all. With more than 9,500 ornaments, 72 nutcrackers, 48 stockings and 26 Christmas trees, Der Biergarten is throwing the party of the season, no it's the party of the year. Music, entertainment and a special appearance by the always jolly Santa will bring holiday cheer to the youngsters. Don't worry, those 21 and up, we'll let you have the honor of saying "cheers" with $8 liters of draft Krombacher pilsner and Warsteiner dunkle and $5 glühwein. If you're an honorable member of Stein Club, save 50 percent on your individual tab. Der Biergarten’s proximity to Centennial Olympic Park puts Nikolaustag on the post-ice skating rink radar, and those at Georgia Aquarium Festival of the SEAson can enjoy the jingle and jangle after the aquarium closes at 5 p.m.

Sweet Dee's Bakeshop Provides Sweet Treats for Christmas on Main Street

Christmas on Main Street is coming to downtown Tucker on Thursday, December 5. From 5-9 PM the Old Town Tucker Merchants Association is transforming downtown into a holiday block party with music, food, Santa sightings and lighting of the Great Tree. And we all know that it wouldn't be Christmas without some treats! To get your fix, visit Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop at the vendor stalls lining Main Street for peppermint bark, mini cupcakes and small stocking stuffer items. If you still can't get enough, Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop is conveniently located at 2316 Main Street. Inside the display case boasts an array of baked goods, cupcakes and full-sized cakes that are sure to bring cheers!

Chef Kevin Gillespie Leads Gallery Talk at High Museum of Art on December 5

Already have Thirsty Thursday plans this week? Good, ditch them and instead, enjoy a cultural night of better drinks,  beautiful art and excellent company at the High Museum of Art from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5. Gunshow owner, chef, Fire in My Belly cookbook author and Bravo “Top Chef” star Kevin Gillespie will be there too, so you know it's going to be a rocking good time. He'll be creating a sculpture using the freshest ingredients from his kitchen with...OK, just kidding. Gillespie actually joins Dr. Pegah Zamani, Southern Polytechnic State University professor of architecture, to lead Dialogue, an informal gallery talk of their favorite High pieces. For those coming straight from work, receive half-price admission after 4 p.m. With extended hours, a DJ and a bar (hence the "Thirsty Thursday" reference), plus the company of the talented and tattooed chef Gillespie, there's no excuse good enough to miss this. Seriously.  

Share the Joy of the Season at Der Biergarten's Nikolaustag Party on December 9 Plus More in this Week's Dish

                        

Holiday cheer is in the air and Atlanta eateries are celebrating with tons of events. Join Sweet Dee's Bakeshop at Christmas on Main Street sponsored by the Old Town Tucker Merchants Association. The partying doesn't stop there - Der Biergarten in Downtown's Luckie Marietta District brings the holiday spirit with the fourth annual Nikolaustag celebration. There are plenty of parties plus much more in this week's Dish! 

Old Vinings Inn Hosts "Happy Hour for Hope" on December 4

'Tis the season for giving and doing it often. Instead of indulging in the gluttonous tendencies that seem to surface around the holidays, extend a helping hand to those who need it the most. On Wednesday, December 4, Old Vinings Inn hosts a "Happy Hour for Hope" where guests can make a difference in the lives of those experiencing difficult times. Spread cheer to a child by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, a bag of canned goods for MUST Ministries' food pantry, where you could provide a family's only meal of the day and/or a $10 donation to The Attic Bar at Old Vinings Inn beginning at 6 p.m. As a thank you for your kindness, enjoy an array of complimentary appetizers to go along with your favorite drinkable desserts. Get your family, neighbors and even coworkers on board to participate. And remember, each day and circumstance is not set in stone; you never know when you'll be the one needing help. Food for thought, eh?