Appetizing Aperture

The pork schnitzel plate at Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails in Jacksonville, Florida is a testimony to locally sourced and house-made goodness. This dish stars range-raised pork, brought up specifically for Moxie at Cognito Farm in Starke, Florida. Pounded thin, coated in house-made cornbread crumbs and pan fried until golden, this Moxie star hangs with "redneck risotto" creamy with house-made pimento cheese and chow-chow. Snitch some at lunch or dinner, $18. 

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Turning the tables on global eats this week. Pick your dream destination @travelandleisure. Visualize doing the shore thing, drifting in a crystal blue lagoon, rounding the corner and discovering a secret Mediterranean courtyard or whatever floats your boat. If you hunger for more, sleuth out the local cuisine in recipes, carryout or dine-in restaurants here in the ATL. 

Article 14 Docks Prices on Two Renowned Wines on Wine Wednesdays

Photo Credit: Dan Carmody

You be the judge, but we think this is a super deal for Midtown wine aficionados. Turning Wednesdays into Wine Wednesdays, Article 14 offers bottles of Jordan Vineyard & Winery cabernet for $35 (regularly $110 per bottle) and Cakebread Cellars cabernet for $65 (regularly $150 per bottle). Toast savings of 60-70 percent as you share a bottle or two with friends. Small plates and entrées on the Article 14 menu are delicious go-withs!

Enter to Win Tin Lizzy's Annual Taco Contest

Photo Credit: Jeremy Adamo

Caught you playing with your tacos again. Using that tortilla as a blank plate to capture Sriracha'ed shrimp and pineapple slaw, barbecued bison or roasted cauliflower and calamari. Now that's flexing your Mex-ination! Don't be taco shell-fish. Enter your "A" game ideas in the sixth-annual taco contest now underway at all eight metro-Atlanta Tin Lizzy's Cantina locations. Tin Lizzy's fans rave about this yearly opportunity to share their taco-coctions. Through February 27, customers can visit any Tin Lizzy's location and submit their creations online. By scanning the QR code on a Tin Lizzy's server's nametag, participants will be directed to the entry page. On February 28, Tin Lizzy's will select four finalists' tacos to debut on the March menu. The grand prize winner receives $500 cash and may even have his or her taco featured on the next menu. Second place wins $300 cash, third place takes home $150 cash and fourth place will be awarded a $75 Tin Lizzy's gift card.  Last year's winning taco, the Steak Out, corralled steak, crispy onions, lettuce and blue cheese crumbles drizzled with garlic aioli. Other winners have included the Southern Comfort taco and Big John's Low Country Boil taco.

Soar to Bluffton for White Oak Pastures' Bald Eagle Workshop on January 31

Sprawling White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia is home to more than grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and organically raised produce. America's bird, the majestic and strong bald eagle, finds this sustainable, idyllic habitat to its liking. Georgia Department of Natural Resources Eagle Coordinator Jim Ozier leads an all-American day of educational talks, bird watching walks and observations of bald eagle natural habitats on the farm on Saturday, January 31. The morning takes wing with a White Oak Pastures tour at 10 a.m. that nests at the Pavilion for a noon lunch before buckling down for the bald eagle workshop at 1 p.m. $65 per person includes lunch. Groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate of $50 per person. For more information or to make reservation, please call 229-641-2081.

Once Upon a Time at Atkins Park Story Could Win $50

Everyone has a story. Think back over your life. Does Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar occupy a dot on your timeline? You know, did you meet your true love there, tie the knot on the Atkins Park patio or throw in a relationship towel (spare the messy parts) on the way out the door? Perhaps that's where you bumped into a long-lost friend, shared cornhole love or fell head-over-heels for a cause such as the Santa bike ride. Share your "Atkins Story" between Monday, January 26 - Wednesday, February 11 and you might win a $50 gift card toward Valentine's dinner at Atkins Park in Virginia-Highland. Email your story to info@atkinspark.com. The Atkins Park team will post stories on the tavern's Facebook page. There's a $50 happy ending for the storyteller gathering the most "likes" and "shares."

Atlanta Restaurants Have Your Back for Super Bowl Action and Home Viewing Parties

Now that we know the teams competing in NFL Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, February 1, the next tackle involves the real "bowl" game -- as in what's going to be on the game-day table for the 6 p.m. showdown and Katy Perry/Lenny Kravitz halftime glitz. Atlanta restaurants are kicking off a slew of game-night carryout options, so delish your guests will go running back to the table for seconds. Those drawn to a big fan base will find a full roster of viewing screens, cold drinks, appetizers and hearty eats right here in the ATL.

Draft a Super Bowl platter to carry out from Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Key players include Atkins Park jumbo chicken wings, two dozen either smoked on the Big Green Egg or confit with your choice of sweet chili, spicy BBQ or Atkins Park wing sauce and backed by veggies and ranch and blue cheese dressings ($30); two full slabs of Big Green Egg pork spare ribs with tomato BBQ sauce ($35); one dozen bacon cheeseburger sliders ($12); house-made guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips ($25); and a veggie crudité platter with ranch dressing ($25). Call 404-876-7249 to place your order before Thursday, January 29.

Go big and go home. The Sunday Big Game Package, available at all four Bantam + Biddy locations and Chick-A-Biddy in Atlantic Station, feeds 10 people for $95. Package brings on Sunday night fried chicken (a mix of gluten-free white and dark meat), 50 buffalo wings with blue cheese and celery; mac n' cheese, a dozen pieces of gluten-free jalapeño-cheddar cornbread and a quart each of hummus and pimento cheese with oven-baked pita wedges. Place your order at wecater@bantamandbiddy.com before 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 and pick up at the location of your choice on Sunday, February 1 by 2:30 p.m. Jump on this -- limited availability. 

Super Bowl XLIX will run on all TV screens and the big projection screens at G's Midtown and 10th & Piedmont. Game-day highlights at the two Midtown gathering places involve $2 sliders, $2 shorty cans of beer and $10 pitchers of Miller draft. 

It's wings between the uprights at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, i.e. wings are half-price all day for guests dining in the Midtown restaurant -- whether you're watching the game on their big screen or just want a wing-it Sunday. Team those wings up with $15 SweetWater pitchers and $2 shorties for an all-star experience. Home screening parties, HOBNOB's full menu also is up for grabs as to-go or catering options. For information, call 404-968-2288. 

Terminus City is offering chef Kevin Gillespie's award-winning Southern fare for game day grazing. The menu of traditional barbecue pork and chicken ($15 per pound), sandwiches ($8), Brunswick stew ($7) and sides ($5) will be available, as well as the restaurant's Lunch Boxes ($12 per box), which include choice of sandwich, one side and a sweet treat. All orders must be placed by Wednesday, January 28. For more information, please contact Gunshow at 404-380-1886 or email terminuscity@gunshowatl.com to place an order.

Catch the action from the ­50-yard line at your neighborhood Marlow's Tavern. Watch every pass (or fumble) on bar-area screens while filling up on game-day specials. Marlow's menu wins points for satisfying appetites, sweet petite to linebacker size, and for keeping a steady stream of cold brews and cocktails moving down the sidelines.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown is in for the long haul, offering happy hour sushi and appetizer specials all day long to cover pre-game, kickoff and post-game conversations. Sushi platters to go score extra points for home teams and include salmon, yellowtail, tuna, and shrimp nigiri as well as a wide range of sushi rolls and vegetarian delights. Customized platters are available, and all platters are served with a full roster of wasabi, soy sauce, ginger and chopsticks. Orders must be placed at least 24 hours before pick up. For more information, call 404-267-0114.

Smokebelly in Buckhead fires up a Super Bowl to-go package that pits pulled pork lovers against smoked wing fans. Or maybe they'll compromise and share the two pounds of pulled pork (substitute turkey or brisket for an additional cost), 25 smoked wings (all flats or all drums add $3), three quarts of sides, 12 signature sandwich rolls and two pints of barbecue sauce ($99, serves seven to eight people). Call 404-848-9100 to place an order.

Pigskin action prep begins with a meaty lineup of Game Day and Family packages at The Pig & The Pearl in Atlantic Station. Game Day packages feed 10 fans and include two bags of pork skins with sauces. The Slider Pack ($65) features two quarts of pork, pulled smoked chicken or Sloppy Joe and 10 cookies. The Rib Pack ($90) lines up two full racks of St. Louis-style ribs, two quarts vinegar slaw and a half pan of mac and cheese. Smoked chicken pack ($75) has two and a half chickens, quartered, plus two quarts vinegar slaw and 12 deviled eggs. Wing Pack ($75) loads up 50 wings and two quarts each of vinegar slaw and Sea Island red pea "baked beans." Family packages are training table ready (24-hour notice, please) to feed four to six folks with four family style sides, cornbread and choice of meat. Choose whole smoked pork butt (5-7 lbs., $130), whole smoked brisket (11-13 lbs., $180) or whole smoked turkey breast (5 lbs., $140). Call 404-541-0930 to place your order.

Twin Smokers BBQ is providing double coverage for game-day get-togethers. The barbeque restaurant's call-ahead catering system is available for mouthwatering meats such as brisket, pulled pork or pork ribs, satisfying sides and delectable desserts. Guests who take advantage of call-ahead ordering (24-hour notice required) will receive $10 off every $100 spent - SCORE! Call 404-698-4707 to place an order.

Ray's at Killer Creek Hosts Woodford Reserve Wine Dinner

Small batch bourbon lovers, Ray's at Killer Creek has four blissful hours in store for you on Monday, January 26. Chris Morris, the seventh master distiller in Brown-Forman Corporation's 140-year history, will be in the Alpharetta restaurant's bar area from 5-9 p.m. If you've poured a glass of Woodford Reserve, you may have noticed his signature on the "Approved by" label. The Louisville native knows volumes about bourbon. Absorb his stories and pour out your own bourbon questions while enjoying Ray's complimentary hors d'oeuvre and sipping Woodford Reserve craft cocktails, available to purchase for $7 each. Please let Ray's know you're coming by calling 770-649-0064.

Gerry Klaskala is Celebrity Chef at Naples Winter Wine Festival

Photo Credit: Atlanta Headshots

Winter in Naples, Florida? Twist our sweater-encased arms and hand us a few glasses of fine wine at the Naples Winter Wine Festival spanning the weekend of January 23-25 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. You won't find grapes growing in Naples, but you will find one of the most successful charity wine auctions in the nation according to Wine Spectator. Since 2001, this mélange of many of the world's top vintners, chefs, wine collectors and philanthropists has raised more than $123 million to improve the physical, emotional and educational lives of at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County through the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF). Aria executive chef and owner Gerry Klaskala is one of the 18 celebrity chefs sailing in from all corners of the U.S.A. to prepare signature dishes at festival vintner dinners in private homes and Naples venues on Friday, January 23. Direct ticket inquiries to Barrett Farmer, barrett@napleswinefestival.com.

The Shed at Glenwood's "Baby, It's Cold Outside Reds" Wine Class

Read any good labels lately? Be well "red" and well fed on Saturday, January 24 by attending "Baby, It's Cold Outside Reds," an informal wine class with food pairings at The Shed at Glenwood beginning at 3 p.m. Over the course of about two hours, sip your way through eight different big red wines from world-renowned growing regions and munch companion specialties from executive chef Todd Richards. $60 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Wines tasted in class will be available to purchase by the bottle at 3 Parks Wine Shop, just down the street from The Shed at Glenwood. Class size is limited. To reserve your glass, call 404-835-4363 or email toddmartin@theshedatglenwood.com.

Appetizing Aperture

Warm your innards with a mug of cider at G's Midtown and 10th & Piedmont. It's okay to play with the cinnamon stick swizzlers. Pick one or more through January 31. 

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Devote Pritchard is a culinary specialist, nutrition consultant and personal chef for Ludacris. His meals and music man make it onto Instagram at @devotefood (and snapchat de_vote). About raps that up.