Appetizing Aperture

Although Cotton Calf Kitchen’s strawberry-stuffed French toast would be comfy on a dessert menu, this sweetheart woos Sunday brunch guests at the Braselton restaurant. Chef Javier Viera stuffs challah bread with sweet strawberries and creamy mascarpone cheese then adds a drift of powdered sugar, a smatter of maple syrup and colorful fresh fruit ($13). Cotton Calf Kitchen serves Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See you there.

Stem Wine Bar Showers April with Australian Wine Tastings

Atlanta springtime, Australian autumn. Stem Wine Bar general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill shifts the focus down under to Aussie wine cellars for the Marietta wine bar’s April wine tasting series. Owner/chef Doug Turbush is on board, preparing six small bites to pair perfectly with McNeill’s Australian wine selections for the 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday night events. Expect unpretentious ambience and a lively flow of wines and conversation but no kangaroos. Still, better hop to buying tickets! A limited number of seats are available, and these events sell out quickly. Buy event tickets by clicking on your preferred wine tasting date below. $40 per person (not including gratuity or small online purchase service fee).

• April 6
• April 13
• April 20
• April 27

Send the Tax Return Up in Smoke – Ray’s at Killer Creek Lights Big Green Egg for Cooking Class April 16

Truth be told, chef Mike Fuller already has enough charcoal to fire up his Big Green Egg. Nonetheless, your personal balance sheet will get a positive boost from learning BGE skills and savoring the results at Ray’s at Killer Creek’s Big Green Egg cooking class on Saturday, April 16 – and that’s certainly something to look forward to after hitting the “send” button or mailing in the tax return. Chef Fuller’s mouthwatering tasting menu features wood-grilled and crab-stuffed artichokes, wood-grilled Silver Queen corn and watercress salad, slow-roasted pork shank “osso buco” and chilled strawberries with white chocolate whipped cream, along with iced tea, soda and coffee. The 11 a.m.-1 p.m. class and meal costs $35 per person/$60 per couple (not including tax or gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064. Have a credit card handy to make reservations; card will be charged prior to the event.

Land Free App with Entrée at The Big Ketch Roswell during Roswell Azalea Festival – Dig this Deal Sunday-Wednesday beginning April 11

Spring festivals bloom outside the perimeter as well as inside, and the Roswell Azalea Festival is a biggie, sprouting activities and specials citywide throughout the entire month of April. The event calendar bursts with garden tours, art and photography exhibits, musical entertainment, nature hikes – and a delicious way to get to know one of Roswell’s most-welcoming restaurants, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Canton Street’s casual port of call for fresh seafood is offering a special complimentary appetizer with entrée purchase on Sundays through Wednesdays beginning April 11 and continuing through April 27. Entrée ideas? Signature entrée salads and quinoa bowls can be topped with seafood or chicken for an additional charge. Fresh fish, shrimp and scallop, and chicken entrées are available grilled, blackened or jerk style. Reel in Creole barbecued shrimp and grits, Coca-Cola BBQ salmon, island grouper and jumbo lump crab cakes as other entrée options. Come enjoy the Azalea Festival and The Big Ketch appetizer special, delights only available in Roswell.

Snap Up Spring’s Freshest Veggies at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market – Opening Day is April 10

Savvy Westside shoppers on the prowl for tender spring veggies will strike green at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market on opening day, Sunday, April 10. Artisan goods, locally prepared food, music, festivities and more complete the picture during market hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The farmers market at 1100 Howell Mill Road, NW is a stone’s throw from Ormsby’s, where doors are open from noon until midnight on Sundays. Ah ha, a plan unfolds. Gather farm-fresh goodies then slide into a seat at the classic tavern for brunch or lunch along with a classic cocktail or a cool craft beer from their extensive selection. Bloody marys count as vegetables, right?

Smokebelly BBQ Pulls and Chops for Backyard Barbecue & Brews at Atlanta Dogwood Festival

‘Tis the spring festival season and none is more colorful than the 80th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival sprawling throughout Piedmont Park Friday, April 8-Sunday, April 10. Smart weekend fest-goers will plan ahead and buy tickets to the Backyard Barbecue & Brews VIP Experience going on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10 from 1-5 p.m. Ticketholders can hang out in the cordoned “Backyard” area commanding excellent Main Stage views and a spacious tent with lots of picnic-style seating. “Backyard” perks frame an afternoon of beer and wine tastings as well as barbecue and picnic fare from Atlanta’s favorite restaurants – including mouthwatering ‘cue from Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead. More good stuff: activities such as cornhole and always appreciated convenient, private bathrooms. Additionally, Platinum VIP Experience ticketholders will receive four drink tickets for beer, wine or cocktails. Saturday VIP tickets are already sold out, and the others are sure to follow suit for the popular party and refreshment zone. Buy tickets here ASAP, $30-$50 each. Children 12 and under enter free of charge.

Go Beachin’ in Buckhead at The Big Ketch Patio Parties Every Thursday in April

April patio parties at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead carry high SPF ratings for Super Patio Fun. Slap a beach emoji on the smartphone calendar every Thursday night, noting that live music opens each party at 5:30 p.m. Deep Eddy cocktails priced at $5 each soothe the day’s crazies. Beer drinking beach-ers can chill with cold ones from Georgia’s own Athens-based Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Seafood? You bet your sand dollar! Start hankering for these features:

• Oyster Roast on April 7
• Crawfish Boil on April 14
• Fish Fry on April 21
• Low Country Boil on April 28

Double-dip in The Big Ketch “Oyster Hour” specials by ordering half-priced oysters on the half shell from 4-6:30 p.m.

Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Tees Off Complete Masters Tournament Coverage April 7-10

It’s 143 miles from the first tee at Augusta National to the patio at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. You’d need one heck of a driver to master that shot. Or, use your putter and putt into Atkins Park for complete Masters Tournament coverage from the first tee off on Thursday, April 7, until the champion slips into the green jacket on Sunday, April 10. Golfers and spectators alike entertain chances to win raffles, putt for prizes, sip specialty cocktails such as the John Daly, Sand Wedge, Tiger Bomb and Green Jacket ($6-$7), quaff domestic or imported drafts ($3 and $5), collect commemorative cups and munch on Masters-centric food. Egg salad, pimento cheese, barbecue, chicken breast and turkey sandwiches ($5-$6) are just like on the course, except no pollen, no lines. And, you don’t have to carry your own chair. Atkins Park upgrades the concession chip option by offering fries and sweet potato fries ($3) and field greens salad ($3).

A little golf trivia: Which has been around longer, the Masters Tournament or Atkins Park? The first Masters Tournament teed off in 1934. Atkins Park opened its doors in 1922, establishing itself as Atlanta’s oldest continually licensed tavern. Bobby, you’re just a young ‘un.

What’s New on Pinterest

Head into National Garlic Month (April) smelling like a rose with so many ways to transform the pungent cloves into fragrant wonders of Garlic Goodness. Snack attacks call for buttery garlic ranch pretzels (a.k.a. crack pretzels) and garlic naan. Mellow out over roasted mushrooms with garlic and thyme or roasted garlic and spinach white pizza. Accessorize with “Better than Papa John’s” garlic dipping sauce, pickled garlic and other novelties. Garlic wins best supporting role in Cajun shrimp with garlic Parmesan cream sauce, garlic basil chicken with tomato butter sauce, sticky garlic chicken bites, garlic rosemary pork tenderloin and rosemary garlic butter steak. Share the clove love for this healthy powerhouse with your nearest and dearest.

#Foodgram

Hot dogs, pickles, onion and mustard signal take me out to the ballpark or hot dog pizza toppings for the masterminds behind The Food in my Beard. This Instagram source for comfort food twists and mash-ups guarantees there’s never a dull meal. Who can sleep when a maple-Sriracha sauce and sausage gravy cheeseburger with a fried egg on an English muffin awaits at the breakfast table?

Appetizing Aperture

The Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots,” featuring a score by Cyndi Lauper, kicks into the Fabulous Fox Theatre Tuesday, March 29 through Sunday, April 3. Sublime Doughnuts in Midtown is partnering with Broadway in Atlanta to create a special Sublime Kinky Boots Red Hot Doughnut that will be available only over the Atlanta show dates. Pull on your best boots and saunter over to 10^th Street for a pre- or post-show treat.