When you’re watching the tide roll in and watching it roll away again...in your daydreams... it’s time for lunch and the Georgia shrimp roll ($15) at 101 Steak. Fresh shrimp from Georgia’s coastal waters and lemon dill aїoli on a butter-grilled roll ease lunchers back to beach mode -- for the afternoon, anyway.
The chefs do it all, from fixing sides to mains to desserts,
and beverages are turned over to mixologists. Just buy tickets,
and show up hungry, thirsty and ready to chow down at the seventh annual Southern
Chefs Potluck for Wholesome
Wave Georgia taking place from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 11, on the
pastoral grounds of the Inn at Serenbe. Top Atlanta chefs, including Andreas
Müller of Revival, share side
dishes with guests at the family style event held under the Inn’s open-air
pavilion. The chefs' creations will complement main dishes provided by White Oak Pastures and
Jim N' Nicks Bar-B-Q. Mercedes O’Brien of Gunshow and
other Atlanta mixologists will shake, stir and pour libations, along with wines
and craft beers. New to the table of events this year is the VIP after party
where chefs and VIP ticket holders will segue to one of Serenbe’s residential
“Farmettes” for live music, cocktails and small bites from chefs not
participating in the general Potluck. Buy tickets online:
$150/individual; $300/VIP (one ticket for Potluck with VIP chef table seating
and VIP after party); $600 VIP Package (VIP privileges above, for two); or VIP
Overnight Package ($1500, VIP privileges for two plus one room for the night at
the Inn at Serenbe). Additional online service fee added at checkout. The Potluck
is one the biggest fundraising events of the year for Wholesome Wave Georgia,
whose mission is to increase access to fresh, healthy and locally grown food
for all Georgians. Money raised goes right back into the community, helping
low-income families eat more healthily and providing income for Georgia
farmers.
“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like,” advises The Southern Gentleman. When Southern-inspired food is your love but you find yourself drawn to lighter selections, especially during summer, culinary conflict arises. The Southern Gentleman diplomatically diffuses the mealtime dilemma with new selections that lean deliciously toward the light side. The gracious gastropub in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is adding refreshing, modern renditions of traditional Southern fare, including smoked Carolina mountain trout, Georgia peach and heirloom tomato salad and wine-poached calamari. As on the regular menus, executive chef Matthew Ridgway draws upon local sources for garden-fresh produce and farm-fresh ingredients to compose lush green and chopped salads with fresh herbs and vinaigrettes, along with sides of marinated, grilled or charred vegetables. Items carry light price points, falling in the $6-$12 range so guests can simply order a salad or easily combine several sides for a veggie-laden lunch or supper. Strongholds like the “chicken fried” chicken salad sandwich, shrimp and grits and Dixie bacon carbonara unabashedly rule the menu. And because Ridgway’s motto is “everything in moderation,” he’s dishing out his version of a tried-and-true Southern specialty: buttermilk-marinated fried chicken and sawmill gravy.
Ormsby’s in West Midtown welcomes executive chef Nick Anderson to its friendly fold. Growing up in Marietta, teenage Nick decided he’d rather cook for his family than mow the lawn or wash the dishes. His choice of “chores” turned into one of his greatest pleasures and propelled him to graduate from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and into culinary positions at several of Atlanta’s fine dining establishments including Spice and Canoe. He moved on to hold chef de cuisine roles at Tomo and Rathbun’s. At a holiday party, Anderson formed a friendship with two of Ormsby’s owners, Michael Goot and Leslie Battle, and their Westside restaurant became a favorite stop for Anderson, his wife and friends. Now, Anderson is thrilled to be a part of the Ormsby’s team and plans to add more local meat and produce to the menu offerings. He’s looking forward to inspiring the staff and welcoming guests when they drop by for a craft beer, his tempting pub fare and some bar game merriment.
Oenophiles, take heed and pick up the phone. Ray’s at Killer Creek is planning an exquisite Silver Oak Cellars Vintage Release dinner featuring five courses and wine pairings on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jeff Flood, southeast regional manager for Silver Oak Cellars, will be on hand to chat with guests throughout the special evening. The dinner menu, created by Ray’s at Killer Creek executive chef Mike Fuller, starts with compressed Georgia peach and Georges Bank scallop crudo with basil foam paired with Twomey sauvignon blanc, 2015 followed by wood oven-roasted pork belly, cauliflower-goat cheese gratin and pickled onion served Twomey Russian River pinot noir, 2014. Guests will then be treated to magret duck prepared two ways: smoked breast with pickled summer white cherries and blood orange syrup joined by Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2007 and five-spice confit with stir-fried cabbage, barrel-aged soy and toasted black sesame paired with Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2012. Next up, dry-aged, Painted Hills beef served with caramelized foie gras and grilled, local chanterelles joined by Sonoma Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2011. Sweet Grass Dairy aged cow’s milk cheese, macerated strawberries and benne biscuit close out the night paired with Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch merlot, 2012. $135 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations secured by a credit card are required; call 770-649-0064.
Braselton celebrates its 100th birthday on Saturday, August 20, and Cotton Calf Kitchen is in a prime location to enjoy the festivities. Live music, games, fireworks and more will take place on the new Town Green right next to Braselton’s classic American steakhouse. That said, tables are sure to book up fast so plan ahead and make advance reservations on OpenTable or by calling 706-684-0401. Before or after dinner, toast the town with a spirited drink from the cash bar in the Cotton Calf Kitchen tent on the new Town Green.
Ray’s at Killer Creek pulls out the stopper to unleash a Whole Hog Whiskey Dinner, a.k.a. WhistlePig Whiskey Feast Head-to-Tail Dinner, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. WhistlePig master distiller Dave Pickerell and executive chef Mike Fuller have knocked noggins to curate a divinely swine-filled menu paired with the Vermont distillery’s small batch whiskies. Squeal over the night’s lineup: crispy ears with fried green heirloom tomatoes served with WhistlePig Straight Rye; chicharrón with creamed rice grits and pepper jam joined by WhistlePig Straight Rye 15 Year; “Bacon and Eggs” with Benton’s smoked pork belly lardons, grilled brioche, poached farm egg, red-eye reduction and house-made hot sauce with WhistlePig Old World Madeira Finish; Big Green Egg slow-roasted leg with hand-pressed corn maize, Silver Queen corn, avocado mousse and hot and sweet maple syrup served with Hillrock Solera aged bourbon; and baked apple and Georgia pecan cracklin’ with butter-caramel gelato paired with Hillrock Port Cask Finish. Cost is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064 and have a credit card ready to buy tickets to this high-proof event.
Join Modern Luxury - The Atlantan for their annual To Live & Dine event, where luxurious living and delectable dining entwine at ADAC - Atlanta Decorative Arts Center on Monday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. Ooh and aah over exquisite, custom-designed tablescapes while dining on cuisine from popular restaurants such as 5Church Atlanta, The Southern Gentleman and Smokebelly BBQ. Purchase tickets online through August 12 for $50 per person (plus small service fee).
Unlimited food from top Atlanta restaurants, open bars, live entertainment by Yacht Rock Review, a wow-some wall of wine and unique silent auction items. All this good stuff and chef bands, too, when the fifth annual Eats & Beats shakes The Buckhead Theatre on Thursday, August 11 from 7-10 p.m. Gypsy Kitchen, Smokebelly BBQ, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill and The Southern Gentleman are a smattering of the more than 25 restaurants participating in this benefit for Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen. General admission is $85 per person and includes restaurant tastings, open bar and entertainment. VIP admission, $175 per person, allows for 6:30 p.m. entry, private VIP suite access with wine tastings, premium bar, additional restaurant offerings with wine pairings for each dish and access to the private balcony viewing the theatre. Buy tickets online.
Even if you came in short on making Team U.S.A. and heading to Rio, there’s still a place for you to rev team spirit and show off your amazing prowess right here in the ATL. Summer Olympics competitions are underway at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Highlight your sport date so you don’t miss out: Golden Tee golf, August 9; cornhole, August 10; ladder toss, August 11; putting challenge, August 15; Giant Jenga, August 16; Kan Jam, August 17; and Ping-Pong, August 18. Games begin at 10 p.m. Champs win prize packs from Boulevard Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Orpheus Brewing, Terrapin Brewing Company, SweetWater Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada and Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits.
Would you rather slather, stack or spread Between the Bread? We master all these techniques on our Pinterest board saluting National Sandwich Month. Homemade pimento cheese sandwiches and a fried green tomato and bacon grilled cheese pay homage to the South. Branch out to a blackberry bacon grilled cheese, classic lobster roll, guacamole breakfast sandwich, banh mi with lemongrass pork or a spicy shrimp sandwich with chipotle avocado mayo. Garden girls and guys will plow into the ultimate veggie sandwich, the very vegan jalapeño pesto sandwich or the California with avocado, tomato, sprouts, pepper jack and chive spread. No more loafing around the kitchen. Start sandwiching.
Popeye the Foodie, a.k.a. Popeye The Foodie Dog, is a rescue mutt in the Los Angeles area that is doubly blessed to dine out at restaurants with his owners. He’s one lucky dog and lapping it all up. Or at least we think he does that after he poses for these adorable pictures.
