Ray’s at Killer Creek Special Killer Cuts Menu Pleases Early Birds and Sunday Night Diners with Two Courses for $23.95

Ray’s at Killer Creek is promoting a special Killer Cuts two-course menu for $23.95 per person, Monday through Saturday from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday from 5-9 p.m. Greens come first -- opt for an artisan field greens salad with candied pecans, dried cranberries, Statesboro blue cheese and roasted onion balsamic dressing or a baby gem lettuce Caesar salad. Entrée choices include a 10-ounce center-cut, 28-day wet-aged New York strip; six-ounce barrel-cut, 21-day wet-aged filet mignon; 10-ounce herb-rubbed and slow-roasted prime rib au jus with horseradish cream; wild salmon Oscar with jumbo lump crab meat and béarnaise sauce; or herb-roasted Springer Mountain Farms chicken. Your preference of Yukon Gold whipped potatoes or local baby French beans slide into the side spot. Two-course dinner may not be split; price does not include tax, gratuity or beverage.

JP Atlanta Selects Ritz-Carlton Veteran Julio Delgado as Executive Chef

Executive chef Julio Delgado will drive the culinary aesthetic for JP Atlanta -- Downtown Atlanta’s newest fine dining destination and the creation of architect-developer John C. Portman, Jr. The seasoned chef is already preparing for the restaurant’s December opening. Delgado, a veteran of The Ritz-Carlton and most recently engaged as executive chef of Château Élan Winery & Resort, will establish the cuisine standard and sophisticated menu for the contemporary, elegant restaurant in the newly re-imaged mixed-use building at 230 Peachtree Street. Delgado has led a distinguished career at Château Élan and with The Ritz-Carlton, serving as executive chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta; as executive sous chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, and as fine dining chef at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. The winner of four American Culinary Foundation gold medals is honored to be selected to interpret Portman’s vision.

Guy Wong Reveals Personal Interpretations of Vietnamese Flavors on New Le Fat Fall Menu

At West Midtown Vietnamese brasserie Le Fat, Guy Wong’s new fall menu diverges from the classic traditional dishes inspired by his mother’s cooking to reflect Wong’s personal interpretation of Vietnamese food. Chili garlic prawns, anew entrée, features local Georgia prawns stir-fried with roasted garlic, onions and chili oil. Thit kho bowl brims with caramelized pork belly, pickled mustard greens, braised egg and grilled scallions. Wong’s take on drunken noodles, one of his childhood favorites, brings in Angus beef flank steak and fresh noodles from a mom-and-pop shop in Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood. From 5-7 p.m. nightly, diners can snatch the banh mi bao appetizer filled with pork belly, carrot and daikon accented with cilantro and jalapeño, a dish Wong initially created while at Miso Izakaya, his Old Fourth Ward Japanese tapas and sushi spot. Traditionalists, take comfort. Wong is keeping the ones you love, including clay pot chicken, bo luc lac “shaking beef,” the fabulous pho noodles and his famous rotisserie half chicken with lemongrass, ginger scallion oil and jasmine rice. Makes mom proud -- and diners extremely satisfied. Dinner nightly, lunch weekdays; 404-439-9850. Photo credit Andrew Thomas Lee.

Ray’s on the River and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina are Up for Distinguished Service Award at GRACE Gala November 1

Hard to go unnoticed when you’re as involved in the community as debonair Ray’s on the River and fun-loving Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Restaurant peers couldn’t let a year go by without nominating the two philanthropic eateries for the 2015 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards in the Distinguished Service category. What a sweet honor in itself! The icing comes when the GRACE Academy announces GRACE award winners during its annual GRACE Awards Gala taking place Sunday, November 1 in The Foundry at Puritan Mill. GRACE Academy consists of all past GRACE nominees and current Georgia Restaurant Association members. Talk about a grace-filled room. The Giving Kitchen, another GRACE-ful do-gooder, is an Industry Partner of the Year finalist. 

Graze Away an Afternoon in the Country with Atlanta’s Best Chefs and Les Dames d’Escoffier International on November 8

Slip away from the urban jungle and head south to Chattahoochee Hills to nibble, nip and while away an Afternoon in the Country with Les Dames d’Escoffier International - Atlanta Chapter (LDEI|ATL). Continuing a 15-year tradition, autumn’s most eagerly anticipated gourmet gathering will draw Atlanta’s top culinary and local farm talent to big-top tents set on the beautiful grounds of the Inn at Serenbe on Sunday, November 8. A sampling feast awaits attendees perusing the 100 tasting stations for creations by Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Joey Ward of Gunshow, Andreas Müller of Revival, Olivier Gaupin of Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar, Doug Turbush of Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar, and Matthew Ridgway of The Southern Gentleman -- not to mention the fine wines and premium micro-brews. Entertainment spans all ages with live music, a cake raffle featuring sweets from the city’s most talented pastry chefs, hayrides, children’s activities and an extensive silent auction offering exclusive dining and travel packages, food and wine merchandise and original art from prominent local artists. Event proceeds benefit Georgia Organics, Wholesome Wave, Global Growers Network, The Giving Kitchen, The Wylde Center, The Atlanta Community Food Bank and LDEI|ATL’s scholarship fund for women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality arts. Idyllic Serenbe will be clean and serene after the anticipated 2,000 attendees head home because LDEI|ATL is committed to sustainability and zero-waste practices. Tickets cost $125 for adults, $50 for ages 16 to 20 and $35 for ages 13 to 15. Tickets for children 12 and under are free. Add a dash of tech by downloading the Afternoon in the Country app for iPhones and smartphones. 

Sunday Supper South Sizzles for James Beard Foundation at Ponce City Market November 1

Bellina Alimentari executive chef David Berry is one of the Ponce City Market chefs hosting Sunday Supper South, a Friends of James Beard benefit dinner on November 1, and their “Beetlejuice” decor theme isn’t scaring any chefs (or guests) away. Quite the contrary. James Beard Award-winning chefs, nominees and semi-finalists from across the South, including local favorite Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, are coming together to cook up a formidable family style feast. Following a 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour, guests will dine in the historic mixed-use center’s courtyard, spookily attired for the post-Halloween happening. Friends of James Beard benefit dinners raise funds for the James Beard Foundation (JBF), a 501(c)(3) organization supporting JBF scholarships and other culinary programs. $275 per person; $250 for JBF members. Call 404-365-0410 ext. 22 to buy tickets or for more information.

Dawgs and Gators Agree: Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails is the Place to Meet and Eat in JAX on “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” Weekend October 30-November 1

Dawgs will be heading south to Jacksonville, Florida this weekend for one of SEC football’s fiercest rivalries as UGA battles the Florida Gators on Saturday, October 31 at 3:30 p.m. on EverBank Field. Some call it “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” We call it prime time to visit Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails for some of the city’s best eats from the kitchen of James Beard Award-nominated chef Tom Gray. Relish his locally sourced, authentic American menu for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. The strong cocktail menu features artisan and small-batch liquors, house-made fruit shrubs and cocktail classics. The well-curated beer list taps Jacksonville-based breweries and more, a Cal-centric wine list woos vineyard followers and handmade sodas offer bubbles without the alcohol buzz. Moxie extends special 4.B4.5 pricing on handcrafted cocktails every day, offering select pours for $4 between 3-5 p.m. and regular happy hour pricing form 5-7 p.m. and again on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m.-12:30 a.m. closing time. Other specials include $4 craft drafts, $6 wines by the glass and $5.50 premium wells. 

Go, Dog Go to Costumes on the Woof and Fetch Dinner at Saltwood on October 29

See what dogs are wearing for Howl-oween this year when the lovable mutts strut their stuff for Costumes on the Woof benefiting Angels Among Us Pet Rescue on Thursday, October 29 from 6-8 p.m. at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Drop into Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar on the front or tail end of the evening for cocktails and a carnivore’s dream of local charcuterie and cheese, Alabama grass-fed beef rib-eyes, cornbread- and apple-stuffed Southeast Farm pork tenderloin or pan-roasted lamb sausage. Omnivores, drool-worthy Southern paella, farro bowls and Moroccan couscous call to you. Upstairs at Costumes on the Woof, pups will parade before celebrity judges from B98.5, CNN, WSB Radio and HLN to win tail-wagging prizes. Guests can down two cocktails and hors d’oeuvre; dogs munch at the doggie snack bar and take home goodie bags filled with trinkets, samples and treats -- including the new all-natural dog chews from White Oak Pastures. Event tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Shhh. Don’t tell Poochie, but he can’t join you at Saltwood. You’re welcome to ask for a doggie bag -- so satisfying it’s doubtful you’ll leave anything on your plate! 

Sear-iously. Kevin Gillespie Judges Big Green Egg Cook-off for The Farmer Fund October 29

Talk about being in the hot seats. Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow, Revival and Terminus City and Rusty Bowers of Pine Street Market will judge smoky sensations at a Big Green Egg Cook-off to benefit The Farmer Fund on Thursday, October 29 from 6-9 p.m. Ten Atlanta-area farmers will provide the veggies and meats for 10 “eggers” to sear and smoke in hopes of winning a brand new Big Green Egg. Second Self Beer Company brews cool things off. Showdown takes place at the Big Green Egg Culinary Center in Doraville. Buy tickets here, $60 per person (plus small service fee).

Roswell Lands The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Opening Today

Beachfront property sighting in Roswell. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, delighting Buckhead seafood lovers for the past five years, is casting its sea-to-table line into the heart of Roswell. The second Big Ketch location for Southern Proper Hospitality Group opens today, October 27 at 1105 Canton Street. Guests cruising to the easygoing eatery for lunch, dinner or drinks will feel like they’re visiting a laid-back beach town along Gulf or eastern shores anchored among the street’s array of restaurants. Executive chef Derek Dollar’s casual, chef-driven menu is quite a lure with choices such as Charleston curry seafood quinoa bowl, spicy cioppino with mixed grilled seafood, "beach balls" (surf and turf fritters with bacon, shrimp and green onions), an ahi tuna banh mi sandwich, drunken sailor's rib-eye, jerked pork chops, the “Greuben” (grouper Reuben) or a hot-buttered or chilled lobster roll. Dive in to half-off a dozen oysters during oyster hour (Monday through Friday from 5-6 p.m.) -- a real catch when paired with any of the bar’s “boat” or “yacht” drinks, $5 lime, coconut or mango mojitos or favorites from the treasure trove of beer and wine selections. Mondays, hook the “Burger and Brew” duo of a $10 steak burger royale and draft beer; “Ketch a Cork” on Tuesdays reels in a free appetizer with the purchase of any bottle of wine. Net dinner here seven days a week; lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Open Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call 770-993-5749 or visit Facebook.

Scary Good Halloween Happenings

Ghosts, tombstones, jack-o’-lanterns and gargantuan spiders creep across our town foretelling Halloween’s rise into full view this week. Haunting thoughts gnaw at your gut. Who knows which bars and restaurants are conjuring up spooky food and drink specials, costume contests and giveaways? Head over to Atlanta Food News for the full list of devilishly good specials. 

What’s New on Pinterest

Chili cook-offs champion this time of year, evidence that one and all seem to have chili recipes. Sometimes that ladle gets stuck in a beanie rut. Chili for the Soul enlightens the spoon and its stirrer with ideas like pulled pork and butternut squash chili; braised short rib chili with bacon; pumpkin chili with avocado cream; and vegetarian sweet potato and black bean. Butternut squash chili and spaghetti chili blur the soup-chili border while mango-black bean-chipotle-Coke chili wins the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink award.  

#Foodgram

Rubber hits the road when it comes to finding fine foods in unorthodox places on Eat Me Speak Me, a.k.a. “Michelin Tire Dining.” For chef Jarrett Stieber’s local food and leisurely dining, visit Gato or join the mailing list for chef and mixologist collaborative dinners scattered around town. 

Appetizing Aperture

Eagle’s Nest of Thorns is equally powerful whether you’re perched at the Article 14 bar or parked at a table. The stronghold on the Midtown restaurant’s new cocktail menu twirls Four Roses Yellow Label, Fernet Branca and Kronan Swedish Pumsch with punches of rich syrup, tart lemon juice, egg white and nutmeg for spice. 

Boogie Down to Live Music at Johnny’s Hideaway

Guilt-free way to indulge in all of fall’s comfort foods? Get out and dance to live music Sunday nights at Johnny’s Hideaway, Atlanta’s nightclub for big kids. This week, Cold Draft Beer rocks on October 25. Shimmying ahead, Legacy Music commands the floor on November 1, Rockaholics on November 8, Stephen Lee Band on November 15, Cold Draft Beer on November 22 and Band X closes out Thanksgiving weekend on November 29 so you can twist away the stuffing and pie. When you’re ready to sit out a dance, Johnny’s full bar is ready with classic cocktails, wine and frosty brews. $5 cover; bands begin at 8:30 p.m.