Atlanta Restaurants Woo Mom on Mother’s Day, May 8

 “Mom!” upside down spells “Wow!” Honor all those “Wow!” times she came through for you and made sure you were loved by wowing her, and perhaps spoiling her a little, with a special “thank you” visit to one of Atlanta’s best restaurants. Reservations? Like mom always (lovingly) says, “Do it now!”

Downtown/Midtown

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern serves its regular brunch menu and $17 bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and has live music from 1-4 p.m. and half-price wings from 4-10 p.m. It's also Family Sunday Funday meaning kids eat free with an adult entrée purchase from 4-10 p.m. Call 404-968-2288 for reservations.

Indulge her culinary bent with a gift from the Market at Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market. Choose from a range of balsamic vinegars, sea salts and olive oils, beautiful handmade pottery and aprons, specialty gift baskets or cooking classes.

Spell “MOM” in doughnuts with help from Sublime Doughnuts. A-Town Cream and A-Town Mocha doughnuts will be offered in the shape of an "M." Insert any regular “O” doughnut for a sweet mom-umental treat.

Twelve Eighty, located in the Woodruff Arts Center, has a Mother’s Day brunch with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $34.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 4 to 10. For reservations, call 404-897-1280.

Decatur

Revival, chef Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur restaurant, hosts a buffet-only Mother’s Day loaded with its signature fresh twist on family style Southern classics such as lamb, ham and fried chicken and a major dessert table. Buffet offered 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; $39 for adults, $12 for children. Call 470-225-6770.

Buckhead

Surprise mom with Mother’s Day dinner at newly redecorated Aria. Typically closed on Sundays, the Buckhead restaurant will open its doors at 5 p.m. so mom can enjoy chef/owner Gerry Klaskala’s avant-garde take on fine American cuisine. For reservations, call 404-233-7673.

Gypsy Kitchen (404-939-9840) and The Southern Gentleman (404-939-9845) are hosting an epic joint celebration themed “Spain & Twain Await You.” Savor a hot buffet served from the chef’s table, including special Mother’s Day desserts. A raw bar, salad, soup and hors d’oeuvre offerings are also available. Live music and dining, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $54.95 per person for adults, $19.95 for kids 12 and under. Moms receive a complimentary confection.

North Fulton

Aqua blue in Roswell is celebrating Mom’s big day with a sumptuous Mother’s Day brunch. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., treat her to $15 bottomless mimosas, a Bloody Mary bar and a brunch buffet featuring carving stations, made-to-order omelets, blue ribbon sushi, desserts and more. $34.95 for adults; $9.95 for all children under 12. Already busy over brunch? Come through with dinner from the à la carte menu, served from 5-9 p.m. Call 770-643-8886 for reservations.

The queen of quaint will love historic Crabapple with its beautiful scenery and the 150-year-old farmhouse and 1930s cottage Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails calls home. Opt for special Mother’s Day menus offering favorites such as chicken and waffles, French toast and prosciutto eggs Benedict for brunch or New York strip, sesame-crusted mountain trout or blackened Atlantic salmon for dinner. $32 for brunch; $45 for dinner. Call 770-817-0161.

Braselton

Take mom for a Sunday drive to Cotton Calf Kitchen in Braselton for a contemporary classic steakhouse experience where she’ll also be treated to a complimentary dessert and glass of Champagne. Sunday brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner service starts at 5 p.m. Make reservations by calling 706-684-0410.

Multiple Locations

All four locations of Ray’s Restaurants know how to treat mom like royalty, be it a lavish buffet in elegant surroundings or a fun fiesta. Ray’s on the River (770-955-1187) in Sandy Springs serves its award-winning buffet, with breakfast, brunch and dinner options as the day progresses, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. for $45.95 per adult and $22.95 for children ages 5 to 10. In Alpharetta, Ray’s at Killer Creek (770-649-0064) is also open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. with a buffet that’s $37.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 5 to 10. Take mom downtown to Ray’s in the City (404-524-9224) for a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. or regular à la carte dinner menu from 5-8 p.m. The buffet is $37.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 5 to 10. Finally, tell mom "gracias" with Tex-Mex at Ray's Rio Bravo (770-612-2829), open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Mother's Day.

All moms visiting any Willy's Mexicana Grill location May 7-8 receive a coupon for $5 off any order of $15 or more to use during a future visit through May 31.


Want more? Delight mom at any of these Atlanta-area Sunday dining spots on Mother's Day or any other weekend:
 

• Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland serves brunch classics such as deviled eggs and stylish chorizo and egg tacos. Bring mom on May 8 to brunch on specials like pesto breakfast strata and lamb pot pie, and she’ll take home a gift. Call 404-876-7249.
• Sail over to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar in East Cobb and treat mom to delicious seafood classics like Atlantic grouper, Georges Bank scallops, iced shellfish towers and more. 770-635-7641.
• The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell and Buckhead reel in seafood-loving moms with such signature entrées as Creole shrimp and grits, island grouper and Coca-Cola BBQ salmon.
• Marlow’s Tavern has 15 perfect neighborhood spots for classic American fare with an upscale twist.
• Seed Kitchen & Bar in East Cobb shows off a Sunday brunch menu of delicious dishes including smoked salmon, crab eggs Benedict and smoked brisket hash. Chef Doug Turbush will offer specials specifically for Mother's Day. Call 678-214-6888 for reservations.

$1 Beers and Sliders Dominate Dollar Down Thursdays at Smokebelly BBQ Starting April 21

Drop a dollar, raise a beer. Another George secures a slider. During Dollar Down Thursdays at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead, $1 will buy one of their succulent pulled pork sliders from 5-7 p.m. every Thursday. Wash that down with drink specials like an eight-ounce draft Bud Light or a Miller High Life pony beer while you listen to live acoustics from 6-9 p.m. out on the patio. So, plan a lively weeknight wind-down or weekend prequel with Lincoln, Hamilton or Jackson and a few friends. Yep. Dollar Down Thursday deals are a steal. To miss out would be a crime.

Field a Spring Farm Tour, Dinner and Entertainment at White Oak Pastures’ May Day Event on May 14

Celebrate May Day, White Oak Pastures style on Saturday, May 14. Traditionally, May Day is May 1, but Will Harris and the team at White Oak Pastures are not ones to follow conventions – they start them. See the successful, sustainable farming practices that others now model by visiting Bluffton for a spring farm tour followed by dinner and live musical entertainment. May Day opens at 3 p.m. with a meet and greet, appetizers and drinks at the Pavilion and then segues to a farm tour from 4-6 p.m. Farm life builds appetites, and a buffet dinner awaits back at the Pavilion, offering a choice of whole hog roast or Cajun-roasted guinea with farm-fresh fixings. Carry on with live music and a cash bar until 9:30 p.m. Thankfully, come morning, you won’t have to rise with the roosters like the White Oak Pastures crew. Buy tickets through White Oak Pastures’ online store, $40 per person. Choose “On-Farm pickup” to avoid shipping charge.

Real Men and Women Drink Pink at Stem Wine Bar Rosé Tasting May 4

Think rosé wines are a sweetish blend of red and white wines? Red hot wrong. Rosé wines are made from red grapes, and they’re not sweet. Rosé wines rise up in their own special Rosé tasting session at Stem Wine Bar on Wednesday, May 4. Novices and those in the know will explore and learn about these underrated warm weather-perfect wines at a lively 6:30-8 p.m. event. Drink pink selections from around the world chosen by Stem general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill and paired with small bites prepared by owner/chef Doug Turbush. Seats go quickly for Stem wine tastings so buy tickets ASAP to reserve seats. $40 per person (plus $3.19 service fee; gratuity will be added at in-store checkout).

Why Wait for the Weekend? Seed Kitchen & Bar Hosts Monday Night Brewing Beer Dinner May 2

Respect the weeknight in lieu of living for the weekend.Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in Marietta draft an ideal way to start, a beer dinner featuring Atlanta’s own Monday Night Brewing on Monday, May 2 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Chef/owner Doug Turbush, general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill and beverage manager David Peek shape a marvelous evening pairing a five-course menu and Monday Night beer selections, and a brewery rep will be on hand to talk beer. Eyeballing pairings sets mouths to watering long before Monday night: Alaskan halibut escabeche with Fu Manbrew Gose sour ale; pale ale-battered soft shell crab with Mom Jeans chardonnay barrel-aged Belgian-style ale; soy caramel Riverview Farms pork collar with sticky rice and tamarind dipping sauce paired with Slap Fight IPA; ras el hanout-spiced lamb loin with ramp top pesto, fava beans, cipollini onions and olives joined by Blind Pirate double IPA; and a sweet finale of vanilla bourbon mille feuille served with Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt scotch ale. Due to limited space, guests must reserve seats by purchasing tickets in advance. $79 per person (including tax and gratuity). 

Aria Makeover Turns Heads – Make Reservations to Experience Fresh New Look and Feel at Re-Opening May 2

Atlanta, your girlfriend of 16 years is getting a makeover.Aria is taking some R & R (renew and redecorate) April 24-May 1 and will open doors to show off its new look on Monday, May 2. One key ingredient won’t change. Chef-owner Gerry Klaskala, Aria’s heart and soul, will still be in the kitchen preparing his critically acclaimed dishes when the Buckhead restaurant re-opens. Since Aria opened in 2000, Klaskala has seen dining out transition from a special occasion to a more daily experience with restaurants becoming the family table, business desk or place to unwind. Keeping this trend in mind, formalities bow out of the picture. Aria’s refresh reaches out to a younger diner. The exterior’s iconoclastic white hue takes on new black accents, and a new sign has been commissioned. Inside, the new look wears warm gray walls and bright canary yellow drapes, backlit custom mirrors, white oak table tops and new leather banquettes, all planned by Stacey Kirby of Seiber Design to align with the artistry of Klaskala’s cuisine. The bar area opens up with no-reservation-required seating for casual diners and features a signature white marble bar top along a rich walnut bar displaying premium and small-batch liquors. As far as artwork goes, we can’t spill all of the surprises. See what’s new firsthand by making reservations today.

Cast Away Cares as The Big Ketch Roswell Reels In Lawn Party May 1

Hey, land sharks! All-you-can-eat crab legs, seafood kebabs, oysters, pork “wings,” jerked corn, sides, sweet treats and more lure those looking for a “reely” entertaining Sunday afternoon to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell on May 1. The Great Fin Reel In lawn party welcomes flip-flop and pedicure season to the beachiest spot on Canton Street from 1-4 p.m. Jam to live music and try your hand at lawn games while enjoying the aforementioned abundance of land and sea fare (included in ticket price). Wouldn’t be complete without Tiki drinks – available to purchase along with spirits, wine and beer favorites. Hook tickets online, $45 per person (plus service fee).

Patio “Ho!” for Fritto Misto at Bellina Alimentari May 1

May Day, May 1, is a national holiday in Italy and a precursor to numerous spring festivals. Bellina Alimentari upholds its Italian roots by celebrating springtime with a Fritto Misto party on the patio at Ponce City Market this Sunday, May 1 from 4-6 p.m. Drop by to relish Italian carnival food and drinks created especially for the occasion, listen to live blues performed by Italian artist Tito Esposito and watch a MudFire pottery-making demo. No cover charge; food and drinks will be available to purchase. Aperitivo, anyone? 

Buy Certified Organic Seedlings at The Veggie Patch Sale April 30

Did you miss the seedling sale at The Veggie Patch last weekend? You’re in luck—the sale continues this Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to noon. Certified organic seedlings are priced at $3 a pot or a flat of 10 for $28. Located right off I-85 in Commerce, Georgia, The Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms is convenient to Atlanta, Athens and Gainesville. Available seedlings include: tomatoes (heirloom, cherry and hybrid slicers), cucumbers, eggplant, squash/zucchini, sweet corn, Chinese cabbages, Swiss chard, greens, kale, broccoli, lettuces, peas/beans, watermelon, okra, herbs, peppers (hot and sweet), leeks, onions and flowers.

Rio Bravo, Tin Lizzy’s and Willy’s Mexicana are Hot Stuff at the Atlanta Taco Festival May 1

Tequila me pink, the Atlanta Taco Festival will fold itself around Candler Park like a big tortilla on Sunday, May 1 from 1-7 p.m. Taco teams from Ray’s Rio Bravo, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina and Willy’s Mexicana Grill are competing in what may be the largest taco competition and celebration on the East Coast, according to taco techies behind the festival. Even though the taco tourney headlines, the fiesta boasts more goodies than a well-hit piñata, including taco eating, beer, craft cocktails, local bands, DJs, “Gringo Bingo,” salsa dancing and Lucha Libre wresting. A post-fest donation goes to CHRIS Kids. Pick your wristband “ticket,” based on your passion level for tacos and libations, from the various options available online.

Top Chefs and Restaurants Flood Atlanta’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry at the Georgia Aquarium April 28

This is the biggie. Taste of the Nation for Share Our Strength - No Kid Hungry, now in its 28^th year, is one of Atlanta’s most prominent benefits drawing major culinary talents and their restaurants, including Aria, Gunshow, Gypsy Kitchen,Himitsu, Revival, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Umi and others. In all, guests will sample dishes from more than 50 restaurants while sipping a global selection of award-winning wines and craft cocktails. Wait, there’s more. Silent and live auctions tempt guests to bid on rare wines, world-class trips and remarkable dining and culinary experiences while music flows from the Joe Gransden Quartet. All the nibbling and bidding will ultimately take a bite out of hunger and poor nutrition in Georgia through Share our Strength and the helping hands of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters, Our House, The Georgia Citizens’ Coalition on Hunger, The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and Captain Planet Foundation. Buy tickets online through 8 p.m. April 27 or at the door: $350 VIP, $250 general admission. VIP ticketholders enter at 6:30 p.m. for a VIP cocktail hour; general admission ticketholders enter at 7:30 p.m., and everyone parties until 10 p.m. Fish have to sleep sometime.

What’s New on Pinterest

Shelve the rice bowl and roll with us through our Rice Ball-ooza Pinterest picks from around the globe. Learn how to make Japanese rice balls onigiri, salmon and avocado rice balls and brown rice sushi balls; pori urundai, an Indian version of Rice Krispies Treats; and Iraqi rice and potato balls. Put pasta aside in favor of Italian arancini cheesy rice balls and swap baked rice balls with avocado cilantro dip for the usual chips and salsa. Rice quills poke out from porcupine meatballs lounging in rich tomato sauce. Leftover rice in the fridge? Have a ball!

#Foodgram

22K followers are on to something, and that’s not even counting Big Green Egg-ers who open their BGE but not laptops. If you’re a #EGGhead4Life, Big Green Egg is hot for your photos. Go ahead and light their fire.

Appetizing Aperture

The mighty swordfish stakes claim to being a fish whose steaks are moist and meaty — like the steak landlubbers favor. Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar executive chef Brendan Keenan wood grills Block Island swordfish to bring out these steak-y qualities and serves the flavorful fish with caponata, anchovy herb garlic butter, mint and basil ($24). Drop anchor at Drift in The Avenue East Cobb, Marietta to savor this dinner specialty any night of the week.