The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill crab and shrimp dip ($8.95) hits the spot for those still feeling a little crabby from clawing their way through tax forms. Plowing through this dip, served hot with pita chips, is pure pleasure. Hmmm. Can’t quite say the same for the taxes.
Fathom chomping into 50+ burgers in one week? Hard to show restraint when a meaty multitude of juicy, beefy burgers are $5 each at more than 50 Atlanta restaurants during ATL Burger Week, April 23-29. HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, Ormsby’s, Sublime Doughnuts and the rest of the herd are fervently perfecting their ATL Burger Week recipes before carnivores set to savoring and voting their favorites into bun-derful glory and bragging rights. Ormsby’s has leaked that they’re grilling a brat burger with kraut and spicy mustard. Sublime Doughnuts plans to lick the competition by featuring all of its ice cream burger flavors, and HOBNOB promises a juicy, flavorful burger for all ATL Burger Week-goers. Since burgers are only $5 a bun full, spring for a beer, some sides…and remember to tip your server. The whole week of meat-sweatin’ and flippin’ is presented by Georgia Beef Board, Creative Loafing and Red Brick Brewing Company.
Shopping outdoor markets for the freshest ingredients is a way of life in Italy. Just ask Nona. Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante, ever true to its Italian heritage, carries on the tradition. The Buckhead trattoria and Italian grocery is taking its authentic, fresh-made specialties to two of Atlanta’s most popular Saturday farmers markets: Freedom Park Farmers Market and Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Philip.
Twenty-five years ago, ex-SoCal siblings moved to Atlanta and queried themselves, “What would be more fun than looking for jobs?” Opening a bar (and performing every role required to run it). The Vortex still fulfills Atlanta’s desires for champion burgers (think Zombie Apocalypse and Classic Coronary), beer, booze and ridiculously indulgent bar food. Michael Benoit and his co-founding siblings Suzanne and Hank are spinning a weeklong party April 17–23, giving away gift bags, pint glasses and more (while supplies last) at both the Midtown (878 Peachtree Street, NE) and Little Five Points (438 Moreland Avenue, NE) locations. Red Brick Brewing Company is in on celebratory collaborations, crafting a special peanut butter, bacon and banana imperial stout inspired by The Vortex Fat Elvis burger, a burger like no other. The weeklong festivities are already underway. Whirl in Thursday, April 20 and receive a gift bag with various items like a Vortex-branded shirt, 25th anniversary buttons, stickers and more. Plus, April 20-23, guests who order the limited-edition Fat Elvis imperial stout or any Laughing Skull draft will receive a custom “beer can-style” pint glass to take home. As the godfather of all Atlanta burger joints, The Vortex has churned out more than a fair share of “best burger” awards and accolades for “best beer selection,” “best neighborhood bar,” and “best bar food.” Ages 21 and over only, and “official idiot-free zone” policies stand as house rules. Get pumped for the partying by following Vortex Radio podcast (available on iTunes).
Atlanta’s annual Taste of the Nation is always one of the city’s most highly anticipated culinary events. This year promises an even greater abundance of chefs, restaurants, surprises and an intimate VIP Dinner Experience at the Thursday, April 20 extravaganza filling downtown Atlanta’s Southern Exchange at 200 Peachtree. TV personality and restaurateur Cat Cora, who opened Cat Cora’s Kitchen at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in partnership with Hojeij Branded Foods, will serve as the event’s honorary chef. Aria chef Gerry Klaskala, Umi chef Fuyuhiko Ito and Gunshow chef Kevin Gillespie take their talents to the tables for the ultra-exclusive VIP Dinner Experience featuring a multi-course dinner prepared tableside by the chefs and fine wine pairings. Guests opting for the 7-10 p.m. Grand Tasting experience will sample signature fare and spirits from more than 50 of Atlanta’s premier restaurants -- including Cat Cora’s Kitchen, Chicken and the Egg, 5Church, Gypsy Kitchen, Marlow’s Tavern, Seed Kitchen & Bar and Umi -- along with the excitement of auctions, wine tastings and live entertainment. “Cat Cora’s California Trip” is sure to stir a feeding frenzy of hot bidding in the live auction. Taste of the Nation events are held in more than 30 cities across the nation. Proceeds support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in the U.S.A. Buy Grand Tasting experience tickets here, $250 per person.
Oh, to be one of the lucky first 50 guests at the newest Willy’s Mexicana Grill, located in Smyrna’s Jonquil shopping center at 2995 Atlanta Road, SE. When the store opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, Willy’s will treat each of these first 50 fans to a free burrito and drink! Everyone else, hey, life’s still grand…and so are Willy’s burritos, tacos, bowls, salads and the rest of the menu. Each item is made to order while you watch using all fresh, natural and never frozen ingredients. There really is a Willy -- Willy Bitter -- and he’s passionate about spreading burrito joy across Atlanta and beyond. Smyrna’s new Willy’s is one more roll in the right direction.
“KFC” is short for Korean fried chicken -- the new Wednesday night special Korean food cravers are clucking about at Midtown Takorea & Ssam Bar. Starting April 19, chef Tomas Lee’s mid-week special promises a whole fried chicken (all-natural chicken, twice fried to a golden brown in a gluten-free rice flour batter) served with fried rice, tempura-citrus Brussels sprouts and an assortment of house-made kimchi and pickled veggies, enough for four friends, all for $60. Reservations for KFC Night (via OpenTable or by calling 404-532-1944) are strongly encouraged. Lee is adding more sit-down dinner menu options, inspired by family recipes, for sharable dining among family and friends. The new build-it-yourself Ssam Bar enables DIY-ers to construct their own ssam (Korean for “wrapped”) with marinated Kalbi Angus beef short rib, bulgogi pork, Dragon pork and more in crisp green-leaf lettuce wraps, all paired with bowls of flavorful banchan sides, kimchi, sauces and spicy bean paste. Fun on the yum – and hey, why go through life eating more of the same when you can fill up on more of the ssam and KFC at Midtown Takorea?
There’s a Grilled Cheese to Please cheese hounds of all ages during National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month. Colorful sprinkles melting into a rainbow grilled cheese set little eyes to smiling -- as will pizza grilled cheese. Grown-up versions sandwich sweet and spicy caramelized onions, crispy bacon or roasted apple and brie, balsamic Brussels sprouts, pulled pork, meatball marinara and other unique filling combos. Yesterday’s spaghetti sees new life in a carb-loading spaghetti and garlic toast grilled cheese. Carb counters, cauliflower crust grilled cheese cuts out bread. Wake from grilled cheese dreams to blueberry breakfast grilled cheese or strawberry jam and brie on chocolate chunk bread. More fun than fondue and a lot less drippy.
Ray’s Restaurants is featuring four Orin Swift Cellars wines at special pricing through April 30. The limited-time opportunity includes select varietals of these fine California wines from Ray’s cellar: Palermo cabernet sauvignon, $20 per glass or $60 per bottle; Machete petite sirah, $24 per glass or $65 per bottle; Papillon Bordeaux blend, $85 per bottle; and Mercury Head cabernet sauvignon, $140 per bottle. Come “Swift-ly” to savor this exquisite wine deal at Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek. Cellared wines are subject to availability. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Ale Sharpton tags all the major bases – beer, food, sports, cars, travel, music and, yes, even bro’ fashions. Back to beer…cans, bottles, crafts and drafts flow to add to your list of brews to try. Catch Sharpton’s top shots inside new SunTrust Park.
Revival’s giant, old-fashioned cinnamon roll ($8) generously feeds a family of four or a really hungry dough boy or girl. The scintillating, super-sized spiral pans out plenty for Revival brunch guests to share, and a video feature on Insider Dessert is generating Facebook shares like crazy. Ooey, gooey, butter-slathered dough rolls around cinnamon sugar and comes to the table warm and crowned with oodles of buttermilk frosting spilling over its cast-iron skillet baker. Knife and fork it or rip into it with bare hands. Warning: once you start, there’s no stopping until the last frosted finger is licked clean.
