Tips for the Perfect Tailgate is the mack daddy of playbooks for fumble-free game-day entertaining. Organize your offense with borderline-genius tailgate tips, portable and potable games for all ages, recipes for football-shaped treats, glorious game-day snacks, manly munchies and make-ahead drinks. Follow our lead on building a cornhole board, a DIY ladder toss or a college-themed football wreath. If the guys are engrossed in stats, let tailgating with the girls begin.
Sigh. Just as Labor Day Monday, September 7 signals summer’s end, it puts the cap on summer’s daily progressive happy hour at Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails in Jacksonville, Florida. This is the last week to enjoy progressive pricing on craft draft beer, select wines by the glass and happy hour cocktails including classics such as a martini, sloe gin fizz, daiquiri, cucumber Collins, Midwest mule, Pimm’s Cup, French 76, prosecco and Nueva Moda. During Progressive Summer Happy Hour, these drinks are priced at $3 from 3-4 p.m., $4 from 4-5 p.m. and $5 from 5-6 p.m. The bar menu’s regular happy hour pricing resumes from 6-7 p.m. each night. On Friday and Saturday, however, regular happy hour pricing is in effect from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. closing time. Could be Moxie’s way of saying not to let time slip away while sipping away.
Midtown Atlanta takes the destination dining prize next week when restaurants participating in the 10th annual Midtown Restaurant Week post special prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus for $15, $25 and $35. Article 14, Bantam + Biddy, Chick-a-Biddy, 10th & Piedmont, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar are in the pool of restaurants offering specials over the dates of Saturday, September 5 through Sunday, September 13. Chick-a-Biddy, for example, will offer a $15 three-course dinner menu of pimento cheese with veggies and crackers or home-style veggie chili, a quarter of fresh Carolina chicken (piri piri, jerk or fried) and any dessert on the menu. Article 14’s prix fixe menu shows off a $15 lunch with an entrée and dessert or a three-course dinner for $35 with entrée choices of whole wheat spaghetti with kale and walnut pesto and sheep’s milk feta, grilled Georgia trout or grilled flat iron steak. View menus then make those reservations right away for this popular let’s-eat-out event.
Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead tackles football season opening day in a pig way, lining up a Buds, Burgers & Bellies party with live music, games, prizes and food and drink specials from noon until closing time Saturday, September 5. Jot a playbook note that this Buckhead barbecue joint is loaded with 16 screens for game-day viewing from the first kickoff to the last bowl game. Buds, Burgers & Bellies scores a full day of football action, live music and DJ spins beginning with Jacob & the Good People performing on the patio from 3-5 p.m. followed by a DJ from 5-6 p.m. and the Dean Dollar Band from 6-9 p.m. Meanwhile, inside, the Auburn game takes the stage from 3:30-6:30 p.m., and The Park Band parties from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Loosen up that throwing arm over cornhole, ladder ball, darts and a Bud Light table basketball hoops game. The Bud Light Rita sampling team cheers on fun times with prizes and samples for adults. Pound down a bucket of 20 wings for $15 or a bucket of Bud or Bud Light for $15; a Budweiser or Bud Light with Smokebelly’s 50/50 burger of ground bacon and pork with ghost pepper cheese and onion strings on a Holeman and Finch bun plus a side for $9.99; Jack and Coke for $6 or Goose Island IPA Tall Boys or Shock Top Aluminums for $5.
All roads lead to MAX’s Wine Dive for nightly comfort food meal specials. The Midtown eatery offers a different entrée and sides every night of the week after 4 p.m. MAX’s plates up Monday meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy; Tuesday street tacos plus refried beans and spicy red rice; a half slab of baby back ribs with coleslaw and potato salad on Wednesday; a Thursday Low Country boil with shrimp and smoked sausage; Friday fish and chips; Saturday prime rib with mashed potatoes and veggies; and lasagna with garlic bread and salad on Sunday. A long list of wines available by the glass or bottle, craft and draft brews and a burgeoning spirit selection quench thirsts. Pull in and chow down -- MAX’s is open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday.
School busses and bells ring in the start of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, reminding us that feeding tummies goes a long way to nourishing young minds.Aqua blue in Roswell and Marlow’s Tavern locations are on the bus, joining restaurants nationwide in the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry annual September fundraising event. Hop aboard by dining at Aqua blue or your favorite Marlow’s Tavern location. During September, any guest making a donation to the cause will receive a $5 coupon to use on an upcoming visit between October 1-December 31, 2015. Think about it. According to Share Our Strength, one dollar helps feed a child 10 meals, and breakfast in the classroom sustains focus on schoolwork instead of hunger pangs.
How does your garden grow? Appreciation goes a long way, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) nurtures members with special opportunities around town during Member Appreciation Month. During September, ABG members can save some green when dining at Bantam + Biddy and Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar. Flash the membership card to shear 10 percent off tabs at Bantam + Biddy's Ansley Mall location and 20 percent off tabs at Saltwood at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown. (Discounts exclude alcohol.) Saltwood is pitching in the grand prize for a membership month drawing of an overnight stay for two at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Those tilling thoughts about joining the ABG can follow through here.
Two more Southern traditions unfold at Revival: patio dining and Sunday dinner (that’s the noon meal on Sunday, for those not raised in the South). With the completion and opening of the patio, Revival can now accommodate more walk-in dining guests and give diners the option of indoor or outdoor seating. By offering the dinner menu beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Kevin Gillespie and staff uphold another Gillespie friends-and-family tradition, gathering at grandma’s house for a big meal around noontime on Sunday. Some might come with friends after church, some might sit down for a real meal with delicious conversation before the time-crunched weekday schedule rears its head. Evening diners, no worries. Sunday’s evening meal, whether you want to call it supper or dinner, is on as usual.
All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. Or scotch. Or rye. The new whiskey flight menu at Article 14distills the nuances down even further by curating a dozen flights featuring small batch bourbons, ryes and scotches, as well as one flight each of tequila and cognac for good measure. Flight prices vary from $15 for a Rosy Sampler of Four Roses Yellow Label, Small Batch and Single Barrel to $52 for 12-, 15- and 18-year Macallan with the option of adding 30-year Macallan for an additional $70. Additional groupings include Third Seat (bourbon), Great White Buffalo or Western Blend (rye), Orphan Barrels, Glenlivet, Dalmore, Islay Sampler or Malted in Japan (scotch) and After Dinner Noir of Cointreau Noir, Grand Marnier and Grand Marnier 150. Flights land at the Article 14 bar in Midtown. Take your seat, please.
Punting it right out there. In the South, we worship football. We embrace the social scene surrounding each game. We feast on rivalries, team colors, mascots, stats, touchdowns, viewing parties and especially tailgating. Do we hear an “Amen?” Yes, from Atlanta restaurants tossing catering ideas and gridiron action our way. Aah. Sweet victory.
Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is ACC/SEC ready with a roster of college game-day cocktails. Cheer on the old alma mater or quaff down the opponent from a list including the Georgia Salty Dawg, Roll Tide, Tech Buzz, Hotty Toddy, Fightin’ Tiger and Grinning Gator ($6-$8).
Falcons-loving chef Shaun Doty is flapping his wings to cater tailgate parties with Bantam + Biddy’s famous Southern-inspired, farm-to-plate entrées and sides. Rise up for fried chicken tenders with wasabi honey sauce, meaty sliders, homemade creamy macaroni and cheese, Anson Mills Sea Island red peas and rice and so much more. Find catering prices and locations here. Sister restaurant, Chick-a-Biddy, guards the “fowl” line over in Atlantic Station and offers to-go and catering options for many menu favorites.
Sliders, burgers, sides, chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake and beverages from FLIP burger boutique rock the tailgate or man cave meat-up. Coming at you: one side and two sliders for $10 per person; two sides and two sliders or one full burger for $15 per person; or two sides and two sliders or one full burger for $20 per person. Slider choices include classic, chicken or turkey. Burgers include classic, chicken, turkey, stack, fauxlafel and Oaxaca. For sides, choose kale slaw, Caesar salad, caprese salad, FLIP chips or the vegetable of the day. Add “stack” sliders, RBQ and chorizo burgers and beet salad, caprese and hummus of the day options for the $20-per-person package. Packaging, delivery fees and 18 percent gratuity will be added. Place orders before 6 p.m. on the day prior to event.
Hunker down over soft pretzels and warm cheese and beer dip, braised short rib tacos, wings, even more substantial eats and a comprehensive craft beer list at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. The Midtown eatery has your back with catering, too. Complimentary valet parking. Call 404-968-2288 for more information.
MAX’s Wine Dive keeps action fluid with $4 well drinks and two screens. Huddle up over MAX’s weekend brunch to prepare for midday game action.
Smokebelly BBQ is football’s new home stadium in Buckhead, broadcasting college and pro games over 16 televisions boasting screen sizes up to 70 inches. Both kitchen and bar craft great plays: 36 craft beers, craft cocktails and chef-crafted barbecue, as well as plating one of Buckhead’s best burgers, barbecue tapas and lighter fare.
Those hosting viewing parties because “We must protect this house!” can look to Kevin Gillespie’s Terminus City to-go catering options of signature, down-home cuisine. Select items include whole-hog barbecue and country-fried steak along with sides like fried okra, Brunswick stew, shaker-style slaw, squash casserole and creamed corn. Visit the Facebookpage for more information, and call 404-380-1886 or email terminuscity@gunshowatl.com to place orders.
Draft your own team of smoked meats and sides to carry out from Twin Smokers BBQ in Falcons territory -- downtown’s Luckie Marietta District. Buy brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, sausage and chicken by the pound or half pound. Throw in sides of mac ‘n cheese, collards, potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, “Burnt Ends” chili, garden salad and seasonal items in single, pint or quart sizes. Choose “Oak” for one meat and one side ($13 per guest), “Hickory” for two meats and two sides ($15 per guest) or “Mesquite” for three meats and three sides ($17). See full catering menu here. Drop-off catering available with 48-hour notice for parties of 25 or more; call 404-698-4707.
Field “The Tin Essentials” on the Tin Lizzy’s Cantina catering menu to fill up on grilled chicken and/or pulled pork (add $1 per person for steak), fajita fixings, salsa and chips for $10 per person. Add fried chicken tenders and other hot or cold à la carte items, cantina salads and drinks including Tin Lizzy’s margarita mix (sorry, they can’t provide the tequila). $100 minimum order for delivery, $25 delivery fee within 10 miles. Prices exclude taxes and gratuity; 24-hour notice appreciated.
Linemen, cheerleaders and number-one fans all love queso dip, guac, salsa, chips and burritos from Willy’s Mexicana Grill. Draw upon Tex-Mex catering options to create your own unique spread that might include a build-your-own taco, fajita or nacho bar. Full catering playbook here.
Labor Day marks the last weekend for the boys of summer. The “Oh, boy. I forgot to marinate the chicken, buy the charcoal, fill in the blank.” The “Oh, boy. I’m too wiped out to cook after that long drive back from...” No worries. Atlanta restaurants are ready to send those boys packing on good terms by providing dine-in and take-home meal options for smooth sailing over the Labor Day holiday. Oh, boy! Our informative blog link has the details.
Peachy Keen! August is National Peach Month. Hard to beat a sun-kissed ripe peach, unless the blushing stone fruit is in our new crop of peachy recipes. Summer peach and balsamic pizza; caramelized peach caprese salad with smoked sea salt; basil, bacon and peach baked brie; and grilled pork porterhouse with peach agrodolce lend themselves well to entertaining. Paleo peach coconut smoothies, five-minute healthy peach frozen yogurt and peach margaritas send peachy keen chills down our spines. Peaches? Yep, we’re plum crazy about them.
Lucky Peach tags food funnies, fantasies, rarities and second glances, like larger-than-life NYC bagels or a wedding cake crafted of mashed potatoes and topped with a hot dog bride and groom. Sister journal Lucky Peach, a quarterly publication, adds essays, art, video, recipes and oodles more.
