#Foodgram: I Quit Sugar

More and more folks are sweet on skipping out on sugar. Contemplating the jump? I Quit Sugar features recipes, ideas and an eight-week program that makes going sugarless better, not bitter.

Appetizing Aperture: OMG Hot Pocket

Pick the pocket. Order the OMG Hot Pocket ($12) at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. Smoked pulled pork, mac and cheese and HOBNOB honey sauce plump this flaky “Tavern Specialty.” It’s nigh on impossible to refrain from inhaling the smoky-cheesy-carb combination. And yes, mom, it comes with salad.

Field a Hall of Fame-Worthy Football Feast with Atlanta Restaurants on Your Team

Football season is here, and football parties rack up the first down on any game day. Atlanta restaurants are key players, taking the field with everything you need to host the perfect tailgate or home-front pigskin party.

For antipasti and panini platters and primi, secondi and dolci courses, Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market will definitely score points with discerning guests. Place orders at least 48 hours in advance; allow 72-hour notice for parties of 30 or more. For information and ordering, call 404-330-9933.
                                                          
Go for the gusto of the gourmet meat and cheese sandwich platter Ray’s in the City builds with domestic house-cut deli meats and artisanal cheeses, house-made pickles, vine-ripened tomatoes, Bibb lettuce and assorted breads. Two side displays (choose from whole fruit, artisan field greens salad, red bliss potato salad, Southern-style macaroni salad and house-made kettle chips) and one dessert display (graham cracker lemon squares, house-baked cookies, a seasonal fruit platter or chocolate fudge brownies) are included. Serves 12 for $80; $6.75 per additional person. To order, call 404-524-9224.
 
Smokebelly BBQ, Atlanta’s top destination for chef-crafted barbecue, offers three mouthwatering catering options complete with barbecue sauce and buns:  “The Baron of BBQ” ($14 per person) with pulled pork and two sides of your choosing; “The Duke of Smoke” ($17 per person) with choice of two meats and three sides; and “The King of ‘Cue” ($19 per person) with choice of three meats and three sides. To place an order, call 404-848-9100.

Yell a cheer and spell out your favorite team with custom letter-shaped doughnuts (select flavors only) from Sublime Doughnuts. Requires 24-hour advance notice; 404-897-1801.

Georgia pigskin calls for Southern-style barbecue from Kevin Gillespie. Terminus City is serving up an unbelievable whole hog barbecue cooked on-site by chef Andreas Müller with four sides, dessert and paper products. Requires a two-week lead time. Visit the Facebook page for more information, and place orders by emailing terminuscity@gunshowatl.com or calling 404-380-1886.

Let Tin Lizzy's Cantina turn your big-game bash into a spicy FlexMex fiesta with the stacked taco bar, which includes two soft flour tortillas per person, choice of grilled chicken, grilled steak or seasoned pork, and lettuce, rice, black beans, pico de gallo, jack cheese, grilled onions and peppers, sauce, guacamole, chips and salsa fresca for $11 per person. You also can’t go wrong with the ever-popular chicken finger platter ($4 per person), cantina salads, margarita mix (sorry, tequila not included) and other fiesta faves. Deliveries require a $100 minimum order; delivery fee applies outside 10-mile radius. Prices exclude taxes and gratuity, and 24-hour notice is appreciated. For more information, email catering@tinlizzyscantina.com or call 404-668-8757.

Sack those stale chips and dull dips and send in crowd-pleasing catering all-stars from Willy's Mexicana Grill: Willy’s build-your-own taco, fajita or nacho bars, cheese dip, guacamole, salsa, chips, burritos and more. Ten-person minimum on catering orders. Read the whole roster of Tex-Mex flavors on the menu at willys.com/catering-menu. Order online or call 404-422-7107.

Master Italian Basics and Classics at Bellina Alimentari during September

“Ciao” time! Bellina Alimentari culinary classes and tastings give boring Tuesday and Wednesday evenings the boot. Learn, eat, sip and shop at the Italian eatery’s Culinary Club in hip Ponce City Market. Reserve a spot before they’re all snapped up. Sales tax added to ticket price during online checkout.
  

• Experience the thrill of the fill by making your own fresh, filled pasta in this hands-on class. Taste class projects and take home your own creation at this 6:30-8 p.m. class on Wednesday, September 7. Tickets are $45 per person.

• Say, “Mama, mia!” to healthy, simple recipes to pack an Italian-inspired lunch box. You’ll move to the head of the class with the kids thanks to this Back-to-School Lunch Box class led by Bellina owner Tal Baum. Each guest takes home the delicious lunch box prepared in the 7-8:30 p.m. class on Tuesday, September 13.Tickets are $32 per person.

• Amaro, Italian for “bitter,” is an herbal liqueur sipped as an after-dinner digestif – or mixed into a cocktail.  Explore Italy’s amaro culture with bar selections and nibbles during an Introduction to Amaro class, 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20. Tickets are $28 per person.

• When it comes to food and libations, “local” is Italy’s middle name. Learn about local craft beer paired with seasonal bites from the Bellina kitchen at a Three Taverns Brewery session, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27. Tickets are $28 per person.

• Whiskey and Italian charcuterie go hand in hand. Come explore whiskey essentials along with local and Italian charcuterie at 3 Whiskey 3 Meats, 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28. Tickets are $28 per person.

Relax. It’s Labor Day. Let Atlanta Restaurants Do the Cooking for You

Labor Day arrives Monday, September 5, signaling the unofficial start of fall activities. Might as well squeeze in one last weekend of summer fun! Spend it in the grocery store and kitchen? We think not, because some of our favorite eateries are open over the holiday. Keep these Atlanta restaurants in mind if you’re returning from vacation, beat from a day of outdoor activities or just ready to let someone else labor over the stove.

For high-quality steaks and seafood, head to 101 Steak. Vinings’ newest chophouse is open regular hours all weekend and will be open for dinner on Monday from 4-9:30 p.m., offering mouthwatering dishes like the 32-oz. tomahawk chop, East and West Coast oysters and more than 100 wines by the glass.

Newcomer 5Church carries its weekend brunch service over to Monday for a special holiday treat. Cornmeal waffles, Southern fried steak, duck confit with cabbage pancake and more will be on the menu from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., with dinner service in the evening.

Out late on Sunday? Celebrate into the wee hours at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland or Ormsby’s in West Midtown. Both are staying open until 3 a.m. Monday morning. Atkins Park will cure your hangover with its full brunch menu available on Monday starting at 11:30 a.m.

Ponce City Market favorite Bellina Alimentari continues its monthly Bluesin’ Bellina live music series on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy food, libations and great music from the Cody Matlock Band. Regular Monday hours stand.

Bid summer a final farewell with a special edition of Basque in the Sun on Sunday at Gypsy Kitchen. Enjoy paella on the patio, $5 glasses of rosé, $4 tinto de verano and half off select bottles of wine, as well as a live flamenco guitarist from 4-7 p.m. and a DJ starting at 7 p.m. Closed on Monday.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is open regular hours all weekend and Monday. Stop by and enjoy the brunch menu and $17 bottomless mimosas. Order half-price wings on Sunday from 5-11 p.m. and return for Monday’s date night special -- dinner for two for $24.95.

Johnny’s Hideaway, Atlanta’s favorite neighborhood nightspot, is open late on Sunday for a pre-Labor Day bash with live music from Cold Draft Beer. Monday regulars, Johnny’s is open for you as usual.

Whether you’re attending the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Saturday or going sci-fi at Dragon Con, be sure to make Ray’s in the City part of your itinerary – the downtown restaurant is open all weekend. Come Monday for the two-course 1.25-pound whole Maine lobster dinner available all day for $24.95. More? That dinner also is available on Labor Day atRay’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek. If you’re craving Mexican food, visit Ray's Rio Bravo on Monday for half-priced drinks all day.

Smokebelly BBQ turns the corner from summer to fall by honoring barbecue and the start of college football season. Friday through Monday specials include $3 Bud Light drafts, $10 Bud Light pitchers, $15 Bud and Bud Light buckets and $5 Tito’s drinks. The Whispering Gypsies start in with live music at 8 p.m. Friday. Saturday, enjoy gridiron action on 16 TVs, along with enough barbecue to feed every college team in the country. Smoked brisket and an Irish whiskey are just the ticket for catching Sunday’s Texas vs. Notre Dame game. Cap off the weekend on Monday with waffle fries, mac and cheese and pulled pork as FSU faces off against Ole Miss. Beginning September 5, Monday’s mean 25-cent wings starting at 4 p.m.

Additional restaurants open regular hours on Monday, September 5:

• Affairs in Alpharetta
• Marlow’s Tavern (all locations)
• Sublime Doughnuts (both locations)
• The Big Ketch Buckhead and Canton Street (Roswell)
• Tin Lizzy’s Cantina (all locations) 

Cheeky Sells #MORETHAN4 T-shirts and Cups for CURE Childhood Cancer during September

Childhood cancer is the number one cause of death by disease in kids, yet according to CURE Childhood Cancer, the National Cancer Institute currently allocates less than 4 percent of its budget to pediatric cancer research. Cheeky hopes to channel more funds toward childhood cancer research by selling #MORETHAN4 T-shirts and color-changing cups. Buy the colorful shirts ($15.04 each) and cups ($5.04 each) at any Cheeky location (except Chastain) during September. Support the cause even further by purchasing donation cards in $1 increments.

September Live Music Calendar Rocks Ray’s at Killer Creek

The acoustic sounds of live music in the bar and lounge of Ray’s at Killer Creek in Alpharetta provide an intimate alternative to loud and crowded big concert venues. Date night potential? We think so, because sometimes you want to have a conversation. Plus, Ray’s food and drinks are spot on. Music plays 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, and 7-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Who and when: Brandon Cocker on September 1, 17, 23 and 30; Marty Manous on September 2, 3, 8, 15 and 22; David Pretlow on September 9; Lauren Jordan on September 10, 16 and 29; and Lee Gamble on September 24.

Marlow’s Tavern Rewards September Dine Out for No Kid Hungry Donations with $5 Come-back Coupon

The kids have been back in school for a few weeks. For some students, concentrating on schoolwork is a challenge because hunger pangs echo louder than lessons. Marlow’s Tavern has a way to help, and even non-math majors will see this win-win adds up. Visit any Marlow’s Tavern location in September and join in Dine Out for No Kid Hungry by making a donation to No Kid Hungry. Throw it on your tab when anteing up for that juicy Tavern Burger or ice-cold handcrafted beverage. Any size donation qualifies, although supersizing is always appreciated. Marlow’s will return the kind-hearted action with a $5 coupon redeemable October 1 through December 31, 2016. One coupon per donation per person per visit. Come again and donate again throughout September. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger by ensuring kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and helping families learn the skills they need to shop and cook healthy meals on a budget. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength.

Stem Wine Bar Segues to Sunny Spain for September Wine Tastings

Stem Wine Bar steers the oenophile train from August’s tour of German wines to sunny Spain for September’s Wednesday night wine tasting series. Owner and chef Doug Turbush will prepare six small bites to pair perfectly with sommelier Chris McNeill's selections of wines from Albariño to Rioja. No passport needed, but you will need a reservation to come along for the easy-going trip packed with sips and tidbits to eat and learn. Seats go fast for these 6:30-8 p.m. events; reserve yours today. Purchase tickets online by clicking on your preferred date: September 14 or September 28. Cost is $40 per person (plus small service fee; gratuity added at in-store checkout).

#Foodgram: Melina Hammer

Photographer, stylist, recipe developer and cook Melina Hammer transforms simple ingredients into sensational creations that entice grown-up and kid chefs alike. Along the same thought train, this past April Melina released her new cookbook, “KID CHEF: Healthy Recipes & Culinary Skills for the New Cook in the Kitchen.” Nifty gifty for young kitchen Padawans. Adults, go ahead and peek. Scouts honor, we won’t tell.

What’s New on Pinterest: Lunchbox Love

Send ‘em off to face the day knowing noontime Lunchbox Love is coming their way. Healthy snacks and trail mixes, pineapple coconut energy balls and no-bake s’mores protein bars fill fuel tanks for the afternoon. Surprise the sandwich set with rainbow veggie pinwheels, wraps, rolls and “copycat” sandwiches. Cool bento box stackers, kid-approved vegan lunch box ideas and cultural crossovers like Italian sub sandwich tortilla pinwheels add diversity. Made-you-laugh edible animal look-alikes devour a youngster-sized case of the back-to-school blues. 

Milton’s Patriot Day Chowdown Salute to America Honors Local First Responders on September 11

First responders put others first on a daily basis. The tables turn on Sunday, September 11 when Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails executive chef Derek Dollar transforms the traditional Farmyard Chowdown into a Patriot Day Chowdown as an expression of gratitude to these selfless heroes. Milton’s invites the entire community – along with the city of Milton’s firefighters, police officers and Milton mayor Joe Lockwood – to enjoy an afternoon of family fun. Dollar calls this month’s chowdown a “low country boil on steroids,” thick with shrimp and corn. His kitchen team pulls out the stops by serving piles of lobster, crab legs, pickle-fried chicken, pulled pork, pastrami-rubbed ribs, side dishes and other goodies as well as kid favorites like chicken fingers, french fries and cotton candy. Every corner of the lush grounds will celebrate good works with awesome entertainment from 4-8 p.m. including fire truck tours in the parking lot, live music in the garden, lawn games, a balloon release and a lively children’s play area in the backyard with a bounce house, face painting and more. The $40-per-adult and $20-per-child price includes food, music and entertainment (tax, small online service fee, alcoholic beverages are extra). Buy tickets online. Plenty of parking!