Who Let the Tomatoes Out of Their Cages?

When Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival takes command of Westside Provision District on Sunday, July 19, “JCT” in JCT. Kitchen & Bar could become an acronym for “Just Consume Tomatoes.” Dozens of Atlanta chefs and mixologists woo guests with an arsenal of tomato-ey bites and shooters while live bands jam. Restaurateur Ford Fry oversees the seventh annual fundraiser for Georgia Organics and The Giving Kitchen. Squeeze out juicy details on our blog and pluck tickets from the vine here. 

Savor the Savings of Prix Fixe Menus during Downtown Restaurant Week July 18-26

Centennial Olympic Park, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia Aquarium...Atlanta boasts lots to see and do. And eat. From July 18-26, Downtown Restaurant Week zeroes in on the eats. Reservations are suggested for these popular dining destinations offering $15 and $25 prix fixe lunch and dinner deals.

The $25 lunch and dinner menu at Der Biergarten offers choices between two appetizers and three authentic German mains plus apple strudel with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Available for lunch only on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations: 404-521-2728.

Noon or night, the Game-X $25 special includes a $10 Game Play card along with a choice of chips-n-queso or Mexico City rolls; double burger stack, Buffalo wrap or vegetarian California wrap. Reservations: 404-525-0728.

Opt for a three-course lunch for $15 or a four-course dinnerfor $25 at Glenn’s Kitchen. Both begin with a farm-fresh deviled egg and a choice of Little Gem lettuce or Tuscan kale salad. Lunch adds grilled lemon-marinated chicken on ciabatta, GK organic grass-fed beef hamburger or grilled vegetable sandwich. Pecan-crusted Georgia trout or grilled flat-iron steak are followed by red velvet cake come dinnertime. Reservations: 404-469-0700.

A $25 lunch and dinner menu for two pans out at Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria and includes a choice of garden or Caesar salad; Margherita, classica, bianca or tradizionale 12-inch pizza and zeppoli for dessert. Reservations: 404-974-2941.

Visit Ray’s in the City to enjoy a lunchtime entrée and dessert for $15 or three-course dinner for $25. On the menu, look for entrées of a shrimp and lobster roll, Ray’s sushi combo and chopped steak at lunch; seafood pasta, steak Oscar, horseradish-crusted grouper or roasted half Prestige Farms chicken for dinner. Make reservations online.

Score three courses for $15 at lunch and $25 at dinner on STATS prix fixe menus. Both feature apps of Hail Mary hummus or Jorge Junior’s nachos and chocolate tres leches or lemon icebox pie for dessert. Grab today’s catch, Messi double stack or the Dirty Bird for lunch; the Angler, Fan Favorite or the Big Win for dinner. Reservations: 404-885-1472.
 
Twin Smokers BBQ cues up a $15 lunch and dinner menufeaturing sandwiches with Creekstone brisket, pulled Springer Mountain chicken or pulled Cheshire pork plus a chocolate chip cookie or Rice Krispies treat for dessert. Includes non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations: 404-698-4707.

Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub Stay-Cations to Expand Space, Add Wood Stone Pizza Oven and More, Reopens July 18

Instead of using a spa vacation to shed a few inches, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub stay-cations this week to expand its girth by an additional 1,200 square feet, increase food and drink selections and build upon an already rewarding bar and dining experience. When the Village Place Brookhaven restaurant reopens Saturday, July 18, patrons will notice more light, dining space, bar seating, restrooms (always appreciated when enlarging bar space), live music space, televisions and more menu items coming from an expanded kitchen area. The larger kitchen will house a new wood stone pizza oven turning out nine different 12” specialty pizzas during dinner hours. Guests will be able to build their own from the restaurant’s palette of toppings and slake thirsts with the six new beers on tap, including a signature Kaleidoscope brew from Red Brick Brewing Company. More space, seats, beer, pizza et al. Now that’s a more, eh? As always, there’s plenty of free parking in the adjacent lot and complimentary valet parking.

Seas the Days: Riverside Lobster Boil at Ray’s on the River July 17-18

This weekend’s Riverside Lobster Boil at Ray's on the River overflows from Friday, July 17 to Saturday, July 18 -- and we’re boiling glad because that means two nights to go crazy over the love-me-tender crustacean. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a treasure trove of succulent lobster tails, lobster claws, peel-and-eat shrimp, andouille sausage, savory red potatoes, roasted corn, coleslaw and more -- all capped by a chef’s selection of house-made desserts. Cash bar. Shell out $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) to attend the 6:30-9 p.m. bash. Space is limited; call 770-955-1187 to make reservations.

Hang Ten! Point Break Beach Party Crests at Atkins Park Virginia-Highland July 17

Wax your board, throw on your best Hurley or Quicksilver and dig a presidential head mask out of the costume closet. Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland stokes the Friday night summer fun pipeline with a Point Break Beach Party on July 17. Jump on at 9 p.m. to ride the adrenaline rush of watching the classic 1991 thriller, shaking out the muscles to DJ tunes and exclaiming “Whoa, dude!” to costume contest winners (could be you). Wipe out your thirst with Even Keel Session IPA ($6 can), Longfin lager ($6 bottle) or Grunion pale ale and Habanero Sculpin drafts ($7); chilled horchata or Opah shots ($6-$7); or cocktails as crafty as Bodhi, Johnny Utah, Warchild, Ex-President or 50 Year Storm ($6-$8). Epic. At least until the Point Break remake releases December 2015.

Melissa Libby & Associates is Searching for Fall 2015 Interns!

Are you a student who is passionate about food/wine culture and public relations? We want to meet you! Melissa Libby & Associates is currently seeking interns for the fall 2015 semester. Interns who join the MLA team will work with and learn directly from all agency functions, including media communications, social media, special events and client services. Creativity, positive energy, great writing skills and a strong work ethic are important traits for this internship.

Internships are 15-22 hours per week from August to December. Schedules are fairly flexible, although Monday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to noon are required. Local candidates only! The ideal candidate will also receive school credit for his or her experience with MLA. Interns will be paid a $500 stipend at the completion of the program. To find out more about Melissa Libby & Associates, please visit our website and our Facebook page. If you are interested, please send your resume, cover letter and availability to brandon@melissalibbypr.com. We're looking forward to hearing from you!

Willy’s Mexicana Grill is Hot on the Heels of Salsa, Salsa for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta July 15

Salsa, Salsa for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) peppers Piedmont Park’s Magnolia Hall with salsa eats and beats for fun and fitness from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. Young chefs representing various BGCMA will offer their healthy salsa creations for sampling and judging. Some recipes use ingredients raised in Boys & Girls Club gardens. While judges deliberate, professional salsa dancers show how it’s done then call everyone out onto the dance floor for some fancy footwork lessons. Event sponsor Willy’s Mexicana Grill provides burritos and chow to refuel bodies in motion, and Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders toss their own blend of pep into the celebration. Before leaving, guests will know who dominates the dance floor and which BGCMA salsa creation wins a spot on a Willy’s salsa bar for a day. Attendance is limited; click here to RSVP. 

Explore Georgia via Fork and Knife during Georgia Restaurant Week July 13-19

Find a new favorite or revisit an old friend during the inaugural Georgia Restaurant Week July 13-19. That’s seven days to take advantage of $15, $25 or $35 prix fixe menus at more than 90 restaurants. We can help you whittle down the list. Plan to dine at these Atlanta restaurants: Article 14, Der Biergarten, Game-X, Glenn’s Kitchen, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, Ray’s at Killer Creek, Seed Kitchen & Bar, STATS, Twin Smokers BBQ and Willy’s Mexicana Grill. Remember, reservations are a smart idea. 

Feeling the Heat? Chill with Summery Fare at Atlanta Restaurants

Honor your summer appetite by noshing and dining on lighter fare at Atlanta restaurants. Ditch lunch and dinner doldrums with these tasty perks:

Senf schnitzel (mustard schnitzel) lands the coveted schnitzel of the month spot at Der Biergarten. Dijon mustard and a light breading coat a tender pork cutlet that’s gently fried and accompanied by a side for $23. Crisp Spaten lager, beer of the month, refreshes without overwhelming ($9/liter).

The raw tuna tartare burger at FLIP burger boutique foils summer heat with a cool and colorful topping of Asian pear, pine nuts, soy dressing, wasabi mayo, compressed veggies, mango sphere and avocado ($14).

The savory-spicy yin yang of kimchi, gochujang and scallions dress Korean pork sliders ($7) at Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub. Dwelling on half-priced appetizers 5-6 p.m. Monday through Friday -- and your cold beverage of choice -- saves a hot-under-the-collar kind of day. Slide in for sliders and check out Kaleidoscope’s new renovations and expansion when the restaurant reopens on July 18.

Marlow's Tavern mixes a watermelon and buffalo mozzarella salad that’s pure chill with European cucumber, radish, fresh mint, olive oil and balsamic glaze ($9). Available through August 3 as part of Marlow’s Midsummer Cocktail Party. (Not available at Waterford Lakes or Woodstock locations.) While there, snap a pic of your summer fun and upload it to Marlow’s Midsummer Cocktail Party photo contest for a chance to win dinner for four (#marlowsmidsummer).

Sized right for summer appetites, small plates of fried chicken and champagne meatballs with champagne gravy ($10) are always in season at MAX’s Wine Dive in Midtown.

All three Ray’s Restaurants bring the Maine coast to metro Atlanta through their summer lobster promotion. Select a 1.25-pound whole Maine lobster with a choice of salad and side, served with drawn butter for $24.95 at Ray’s at Killer Creek, Ray's on the River and Ray's in the City.

Seed Kitchen & Bar sears Maine scallops and serves them alongside poblano creamed corn and chanterelles with truffle vinaigrette.

At Tin Lizzy's Cantina, a skewer of seasoned grilled shrimp reclines on a bed of seasoned rice, grilled red peppers and onions, Monterey Jack cheese and crispy tortilla strips, all drizzled with creamy avocado sauce ($9.99). Ask for the shrimp fajita skillet, and while you’re at it, add a margarita or ice-cold beer. 

Stem Wine Bar has a sweet spot for Georgia peaches, pairing Marcona almond panna cotta with riesling-poached peaches from Pearson Farm.

The Southern Gentleman’s dessert menu chills with a strawberry financier ($8) with rhubarb, white chocolate ice cream and brown butter crumble and a blueberry upside-down cake ($8) topped with salted vanilla ice cream with Fruit Loop dust and cornmeal crumbs.

Kevin Gillespie Launches Red Beard Restaurants

Red-bearded Atlanta chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Kevin Gillespie is launching Red Beard Restaurants to oversee his Atlanta dining concepts and provide consulting services to other food and beverage start-ups. The company was created to maintain consistency at both Gunshow and Revival, Gillespie’s second restaurant slated to open in Decatur this month, but also will offer its leaders’ restaurant development experience to help other restaurateurs get off the ground. Red Beard’s executive team includes longtime friend, restaurateur and business associate Marco Shaw as director of food and beverage and M. Blake Morley as director of development. Morley first worked with Gillespie at Woodfire Grill and has helped the celebrity chef turn ideas into reality as Gunshow’s opening general manager. In addition to employing a small sales team to coordinate events at Gunshow and Revival, the company will oversee all of Gillespie’s merchandise.

What’s New on Pinterest

We’re on a roll with our newest Pinterest board. Roll It Upunfurls a “wrapper’s delight” of rolled and wrapped eats perfect for on-the-go meals and picnics. Click over and uncover handy recipes for chicken pad thai spring rolls, fruit sushi, spiced shawarma chicken wraps, spicy bean and rice burritos, baked apple pie rollups and more. 

#Foodgram

Selfies, food, travel, a pig’s head and more are all chronicled by Hugh Acheson, the self-proclaimed “man who cooks things. man who writes stuff. man who gets by.” Seems Acheson “gets by” just fine with three cookbooks, restaurants in Athens, Atlanta and Savannah, a James Beard award for Best Chef Southeast, a judging gig on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and numerous other accolades under his toque.

Appetizing Aperture

Crisp, cool salads are always on the menu at Marlow’s Tavern. Fork into the flavors of summer with the new watermelon and buffalo mozzarella salad joining vine-ripe watermelon and creamy buffalo mozzarella cheese with Euro cucumber, radish and fresh mint drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

Save the Hooch One SweetWater Pint at a Time at Ormsby’s

In July, Ormsby’s invites guests to drink beer and help clean up our drinking water. Throughout the month, this Westside neighborhood tavern will donate $1 from each pint of SweetWater 420, IPA and Waterkeeper to the Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper through SweetWater Brewery’s Save the Hooch campaign. Guests also can purchase $5 raffle tickets for a chance to win a SweetWater tie-dyed paddleboard and paddle. Drawing takes place July 30 at Ormsby’s.