Know someone who embodies the holiday spirit by living generously throughout the year? Inspiring! Nominate them in the Marlow’s Tavern Golden Giver Contest underway through Sunday, December 20. They might win a $100 gift card to Marlow’s Tavern, and you’ll be eligible to win a $100 gift card if your candidate wins. Nominate your Golden Giver here by briefly sharing a bit about why they deserve to win and uploading a picture. Who knows? Their story may reward someone else with ideas on how to live a magnanimous life. To enter on Twitter or Instagram, tag your entry #goldengiver.
Skip fancy paper and bow tying, simply bring a new, unopened, unwrapped toy to Der Biergarten through Saturday, December 19 and receive a free pretzel for your good works. The authentic German restaurant’s giant, warm Riesenbretzels deliver the carbs a body craves this time of year. That said, selecting and giving a toy to delight a child stuck in the hospital over the holidays -- even cheery Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta -- carries a greater feel-good factor. If your body thirsts for more holiday spirits, a lager, marzen, dunkelweiss or glüwein amid Der Biergarten’s fa-la-la-la-lovely decked halls will do the trick.
Walk the walk while the Savory Institute’s Allan Savory and Georgia’s own Will Harris talk the talk about holistic land management at White Oak Pastures on Saturday, December 12 at 1 p.m. Already a leader in sustainability practices, educational outreach and a provider of pasture-raised meats and organic produce, the Bluffton, Georgia farm is now a Southeastern U.S. regional Hub for the Savory Institute. Allan Savory also will speak at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Georgia on Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m. Trek over to our blog for more details and tickets ($30 per person/event).
Tip your hat to The Southern Gentleman for satisfying Sunday dining desires with the addition of brunch way before the dinner bell rings. Executive chef Matthew Ridgway plans the gastropub’s 11 a.m.-3 p.m. brunch to allow folks time to relax, enjoy their Sunday morning routines, meet for a leisurely meal and still have the afternoon free to putz around. Ridgway’s varied brunch menu acknowledges some guests are in morning mode while others have moved on toward noontime fare. Samples include smoked trout rillettes on griddled benne seed toast with crushed field pea hummus, mustard anglaise and smoked caviar ($10); crispy anadama toffee waffles with caramelized bananas ($13); pimento cheese-Dixie bacon omelets with home-fried potatoes ($15); a traditional triple-decker Monte Cristo sandwich with Southern ham, roasted turkey, Swiss cheese and bourbon barrel maple syrup ($16); Maryland deviled crab sandwich ($16) and dessert of caramelized banana and hazelnut bostock French toast ($8). The Southern Gentleman, in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, also serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner nightly. Make reservations online or by calling 404-939-9845. Valet parking is available.
- Sunday, December 13: Kids 12 and under eat free all day with a new toy donation for For the Kid in All of Us. Free meal from the kid’s menu only.
- Monday, December 14: Receive a free gluten-free chocolate oatmeal cookie with purchase of an entrée.
- Tuesday, December 15: Flip a coin after your meal for a chance to receive 25 percent off the food bill; excludes alcohol.
- Wednesday, December 16: Vegas Steak Night features a $12 steak and baked potato plate; while supplies last.
- Thursday, December 17: Toast to $2 poinsettia cocktails at all locations plus Chick-a-Biddy celebrates its second anniversary with DJ music until 12 a.m.
- Friday, December 18: Fork into a free slice of German Black Forest cake with your chicken schnitzel purchase.
- Saturday, December 19: Nab half-priced wings all day.
- Sunday, December 20: Enjoy free pimento cheese with the purchase of an entrée; one per table.
- Monday, December 21: Savor half-priced appetizers all day.
- Tuesday, December 22: $14 buys all-you-can-eat fried chicken tenders with wasabi honey and one side.
- Wednesday, December 23: Fried chicken biscuits are $5 each, all day long.
- Thursday, December 24: Stuff in some $3 sliders, available all day. (Christmas Eve closing times: Bantam + Biddy Crescent - 2 p.m.; Ansley Mall - 3 p.m.; Avalon, Lenox and Chick-a-Biddy - 6 p.m.)
Spin through Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods with Santa(s) and elves in the 10th annual Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar Santa Ride. Wheeling out from Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m., the jaunt’s not about dashing all the way. The social cycling event celebrates both the holiday season and Atkins Park owner Warren Bruno, who lost his battle to lymphoma in 2012. There’s no official entry fee, but a $25 minimum donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Bruno’s charity of choice, is suggested and goes toward the Race Across America (RAAM) Georgia Chain Gang’s fundraising efforts for LLS. Donate to the cause and receive a ticket for a free beer at Atkins Park. While Santa spans the globe on his big night out, Atlanta traffic limits cyclists to a doable eight-mile route that starts and ends at Atkins Park in Virginia-Highland. Because, hey, ride organizers elfishly want to leave plenty of time for toasts, cheer and the post-ride costume contest where one decked-out cyclist will win the coveted Warren Bruno holiday bike. Jingle all the way wearing bells, Santa hats, elf ears, glowing Rudolph noses, reindeer antlers on helmets as well as headlights and handlebar holiday lights. Details, tickets and registration are available online.
Twinkling with more sparkle and shine than the tree, jewelry and accessory boutique Kendra Scott in the Shops Around Lenox is hosting a “Kendra Gives Back Party” on Wednesday, December 9. Enjoy an evening of sips, sweets and shopping knowing 20 percent of all sales during the 6-8 p.m. party will benefit Share Our Strength. Ideal time to pick out a special gift or just the jewels to complete that party outfit. Kendra Scott focuses on “Family, Fashion and Philanthropy” and has an inspiring story to share.
If you’re anxious about choosing gifts for everyone on your list, Atlanta restaurants are offering gift card deals to soothe frazzled shopper nerves. Appetizing gift cards are always the right size and color, and you can treat yourself to a soul-soothing snack and spirit to celebrate a mission accomplished and dollars saved.
Aqua blue adds green: receive a $20 bonus card with purchase of a $100 gift card.
Pastured poultry presents are always welcome for dining in or busy night takeaways. Bantam + Biddy locations (Ansley, Avalon, Crescent, Lenox) as well as Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station add a $10 gift card to every $50 gift card purchase through December 30.
Communitas Hospitality restaurants 10th & Piedmont and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern are throwing in an extra $20 for every $100 gift card purchased in the restaurants. They’ll add in the extra $20 or put it on a separate gift card to keep or give to someone else. Cards cannot be used the day of purchase.
FLIP burger boutique gift cards and chef Richard Blais’ lighthearted menu thrill traditional and adventurous burger lovers alike. Gift givers also are happy because, during the holidays, FLIP is offering half off $25 gift cards or an added 20 percent value on gift cards more than $25.
Legacy Ventures is offering a limited-time online deal that will be at the top of everyone's wish list. Friday, Dec. 18 through Thursday, Dec. 24, score a $100 gift card for every $100 gift card purchased. Available online only, this offer includes Legacy Ventures restaurants Der Biergarten, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, STATS and Twin Smokers BBQ.
Marlow’s Tavern tacks a bonus $20 onto the purchase of every $100 gift card during December. With restaurant locations near so many Atlanta neighborhoods, a Marlow’s gift card is a surefire solution for anyone on your list.
All four Ray's Restaurants -- Ray's On The River, Ray's At Killer Creek, Ray's In the City and Ray's Rio Bravo -- are including a special gift ($25 value; while supplies last) with all in-restaurant gift card purchases of $100 or more. Additionally, the restaurant group is offering a 20 percent bonus on all gift card purchases of $25-$975 and a 25 percent bonus on all gift card purchases of $1,000 or more now through Jan. 31, 2016. Bonuses will be valid from Feb. 1 through Sept. 30, 2016 (excluding major holidays).
Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in East Cobb top off in-store gift card purchases of $50 or more with an added 20 percent value (not valid online). Gift cards are accepted at both Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar.
Southern Proper Hospitality restaurants offer cards for all tastes. For every $50 gift card purchased until December 31 at The Big Ketch Buckhead, The Big Ketch Roswell,Smokebelly BBQ, Gypsy Kitchen, The Southern Gentleman and Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails, receive a $10 gift card at that restaurant valid through February 29, 2016.
Tin Lizzy’s Cantina Flex-Mex is a much-loved find in every stocking. Every $25 gift card purchase at Tin Lizzy’s earns a $5 off coupon. Give the coupon away to friends or keep for yourself; we won’t tell.
Tonight’s the night to bolster your holiday bag of culinary tricks with a delectable new skill -- pasta making. Bellina Alimentari chef David Berry’s students will learn how to crank out their own fresh pasta with ease during the 6-7 p.m. class. Everyone samples a tasting of the pasta and sauce made in class, and students take home their creations. $20 per person. Sign up for the class, held in the Ponce City Market restaurant and shop’s Culinary Club area, by calling 404-330-9933 or emailing events@bellina-alimentari.com.
Jingle all the way to Redbeard Restaurants to find squeals, steals, meals and more gifts for the foodies on your list during the 12 Days of Beardsmas. Gunpowder finishing salt, Revival’s top-secret fried chicken rub and a private dinner made by chef Kevin—say no more! Stay tuned to Instagram,Twitter and Facebook for #Beardsmas deal-of-the-day videos. And while you’re checking out these sweet deals, don’t forget to donate to Quality Care for Children, a Georgia resource for information, assistance and support in securing high-quality early learning experiences for infants and young children.
Bottle up holiday cheer they can open now or later on in the new year. Foodie Gifts in a Jar are easy to assemble and well appreciated. Mason jar heads unite to prep pasta fagioli, red beans and rice, rosemary focaccia, beer bread, apple pie, Andes Mint dark chocolate cookie mix and 472 meals...in jars.
The Minimalist Baker, home-base Oregon, confirms that simplicity fulfills. On trend requiring 10 ingredients/30 minutes max. Something to ponder over a cup of tea when the inbox bombards you with more, more, more.
