Appetizing Aperture

Make like a banana and split, hurrying over to your nearby Marlow’s Tavern to devour Marlow’s Fried Banana Split ($9). The crispy phyllo-wrapped, panko-crusted banana poses with a vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream trio, caramel sauce and salted caramel whipped cream. Share? That would be the nice thing to do

Pick Up a Chef-Packed Picnic Basket and Spend the Afternoon at Wholesome Wave’s Picnic in the Park May 7

Sunday afternoon promises a walk in the park…to a perfect picnic spot in historic Fourth Ward Park for Wholesome Wave’s Picnic in the Park taking place Sunday, May 7 from 1-4 p.m. Atlanta chefs curate the contents of delicious picnic baskets packed for two ($35) or four ($70). Your responsibility is bringing a blanket and friends. Reserve and pay for your basket in advance then grab it at the picnic. Plop down and nosh on sandwiches, salads and desserts while enjoying refreshing beer and wine, live music, dancing, fun and games. Your picnic will help Wholesome Wave Georgia fund its mission to increase access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food for all Georgians.

Atlanta Restaurants Run for the Roses with Kentucky Derby Specials May 6

The Kentucky Derby gallops ‘round the bend this Saturday, and while we can’t all travel to Churchill Downs, we can throw on our big hats and jockey up to the bar for a mint julep and grand views right here at Atlanta restaurants.
 Food 101 in Sandy Springs saddles up spiffy specials for the three big Triple Crown races, centering on each race location. May 6, all eyes focus on Kentucky-themed cocktails: Bulleit bourbon mint juleps, The Oaks Lily, The Crown of Roses flush with Crown Royal and amaretto, and a strong Kentucky B&B teaming bourbon and Benedictine. Louisville-style eats include Benedictine tea sandwiches, bourbon-glazed hot sausage links, Kentucky burgoo, those famous Kentucky Hot Brown open-face turkey sandwiches with tomato, bacon and Mornay sauce and wedges of deep-dish Kentucky Derby chocolate pecan pie. Dress to impress! Remaining Triple Crown special events will be the Preakness (May 20) and Belmont Stakes (June 10). Watch all three races in Food 101’s Barrel Bar. Taco Mac tethers Cinco de Mayo and Derby Day into a two-day “Derby de Mayo” holiday featuring $4 select Mexican beers with new Brewniversity credits, a Herradura Barrel Select flight and traditional, black cherry, watermelon and strawberry margaritas. Catch a selfie in your best Derby and/or Cinco hat to enter in the “Derby de Mayo” hat social media contest. Winning photo scores a Taco Mac party for up to 20 people.  The Southern Gentleman doesn’t horse around when it comes to hosting a Derby Party. Wager in at $35 per person (plus tax) for the 3:30-7 p.m. party for two tickets for spirited drinks and a buffet spread including confit chicken Hot Brown, pickled shrimp toast, chicken salad slider, shrimp and grits, cheddar cheese pimento pork rinds and more. Excitement builds through multiple screen viewing, giveaways and the thoroughly delightful Derby Day hat contest with prizes. Add a little horseplay to the day by sampling the Elijah Craig Bourbon Smash snow cone. Get your genteel on with a mint julep, Brown Derby or bourbon punch. Purchase advance tickets here. Valet parking is available. Guests may redeem $5 off an Uber ride either to or from the event in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta by clicking this link.

Restaurants Band Together at Taste of East Cobb May 6

March over to the Taste of East Cobb on Saturday, May 6 and support the Walton High School band in its annual fundraiser held in the Johnson Ferry Baptist Church south parking lot from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sample menu favorites from Marlow’s Tavern, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and other fine area restaurants and vote for the “Best of Taste of East Cobb.” Youngsters will pull toward the Kids’ Zone to jump in huge bouncy inflatables and to get artsy with face painting plus sand and spin art. Everyone will enjoy the live music, entertainment, raffle tickets and tempting items up for bid in the silent auction. Admission is free; tickets for restaurant bites are $1 each with offerings priced at one to five tickets each. Buy tickets online or at the event.

Victual Vibe: Food that Rocks Stars Bands, Rize, Marlow’s and 20+ Sandy Springs Restaurants May 6

Food that Rocks carries Sandy Springs’ Cinco de Mayo momentum forward into Saturday, May 6. VIP First Taster tickets gain 6:30 p.m. access, and general admission ticket holders join the party at 7:30 p.m. Beat it to tasting stations hosted by Rize Artisan Pizza + Salads, Marlow’s Tavern and more than 20 of Sandy Springs’ favorite restaurants for food, beer, wine and cocktail tastes. Enjoy the food and dessert tastings until 9:30 p.m., but don’t call it a night then…live music from local musicians jams until 11 p.m. Age matters: you must be 21 or older to partake of this rain-or-shine outdoor event. No smoking, please. Buy tickets online: $55 general admission, $70 VIP First Taster plus additional small service fee. Proceeds stay local, going to Sandy Springs-based charities Second Helpings, Ian’s Friends Foundation and the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance.

What’s New on Pinterest: A Flavorful Fiesta

No can rest-a, we’re pinning A Flavorful Fiesta of Cinco de Mayo-themed bites and bevs. Our tacos rock-o filled with carnitas, sweet corn and black beans, and chili lime shrimp or try filling a FRITOS bag for walking tacos. Who needs a cone when you can make ice cream tacos? Master Cinco de Mayo necessities, from mole sauce to margarita cupcakes as well as thirst-quenching coconut lime frozen margaritas, skinny margaritas, Palomas and other best-a fiesta treats.

Discover Havana in Buckhead Every First Thursday at The Regent Cocktail Club

Sail to Cuba with Havana Nights at The Regent Cocktail Club every first Thursday of the month, starting May 4. Soak in the sunset views from 5 p.m. to close on top of Buckhead’s best rooftop cocktail bar while dancing the salsa to live music from Ritmo Atlanta. Sip on crisp $10 mojitos or make your own with Bacardi’s interactive muddle-your-own mojito station for $25 (includes two tickets for raffle giveaways). Grab the catch of the day with shrimp cocktail batch 22 and other bar menu favorites like honey Sriracha wings, tuna tartare, littleneck clams and more. Consider this staycation booked.

TGIF AND Cinco de Mayo Friday, May 5

Get ready to “Cinco” into the weekend this year because Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday and Saturdays are meant for sleeping in. And, at some restaurants, the celebrations kick in early in the week and carry on through the weekend!

Communion Cantina throws open its backyard bar and eatery for the warm weather season on Cinco de Mayo. Cantina? Si! Kevin Gillespie has transformed the outdoor gathering place behind Revival, his popular Decatur restaurant, into a casual Mexican cantina -- just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrating. The cantina food truck, with a menu driven by executive chef Andreas Müller, will sell five different varieties of tacos, chips and salsa, cheese dip and other Mexican staples. Border heat calls for cocktails, margaritas, sangria, frozen drinks like frosé and frozen mint juleps along with bottled and draft beer featuring West Coast and Mexican brews. Hours are Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 1-10 p.m., Sunday 1-9 p.m. and Thursday 5-10 p.m. (beginning May 11).

 “Drinko de Mayo,” going on through May 7 at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, syncs sipping celebratory Cincoritas and pouring donations into a great cause. The FlexMex gang is donating 50 cents from every Cincorita purchased to Bert’s Big Adventure, a non-profit providing chronic or terminally ill children and their families with five-day, all-expenses-paid adventures to Disney World. Drink specials, music and more round out the weeklong “fiestivities.” Say “Ole!” to Corona Light on draft ($4.25/$7), Grand Marnier and Jager floaters ($3) and shots ($5), 1800 Tequila shots ($5) and 1800 Cincorita -- small ($8) or large ($13). On May 5, DJs supersize the party music at each restaurant, and guests can buy cans of Corona and Modelo ($5) at locations with outdoor bars. Southside Steve from Rock 100.5 broadcasts live from the Mall of Georgia Tin Lizzy’s at 5 p.m. followed by Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi cover band) turning up courtyard party volume at 7 p.m.

In Town Brookhaven, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta rollicks at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila starting at 2 p.m. There’s no cover charge for this party that salsas out onto the patio with live music and food and drink specials. Please your crowd with an assembly of tacos with personality, bearing names like Pinche Pollo, Trailer on Fire, Redneck, Mamacita and Bravocado or Jefe’s Mexi-spun faves such as smoked chicken taquitos, Nacho Daddy, crispy calamari and crispy smoked wings with Jefe’s hot sauce.

For a new take on the classic margarita, visit your neighborhood Marlow’s Tavern and enjoy one of Rick Blumberg’s cocktail creations. Previously the beverage director of Bacchanalia Restaurant Group, Rick’s signature Blood Orange Margarita featuring Herradura tequila and Pür Spice Blood Orange liqueur or “Secret Recipe” Red or White Sangria are sure to put you in the Cinco spirit! Cinco de Mayo-ish bites include Marlow’s rave-worthy Shrimp and Crab “Nacho” Plate and “Infamous” Fish Tacos.

Taco Mac is turning this weekend into a two-day celebration. Between Cinco on Friday and the Derby on Saturday, Taco Mac has invented “Derby de Mayo,” featuring $4 select Mexican beers with new Brewniversity credits, a Herradura Barrel Select flight and traditional, black cherry, watermelon and strawberry margaritas. Cheers to this weekend!

All three Ray’s Restaurants swing into Cinco de Mayo mode, resurrecting the beloved Ray’s Rio Bravo chile con queso recipe for guests to spoon up in bar and lounge areas on May 5. Pop into Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek to dip into this delish dish.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill makes it easy to squeeze some Cinco de Mayo flavor into your day at 30 locations covering Atlanta and reaching out to Athens and Columbus. Me, oh “Mayo,” can’t get out? Willy’s catering brings the “Cuatro de Mayo” party to you on May 4, offering free cheese dip for up to 20 people on all deliveries made May 4. Minimum $250 catering order and 24-hour notice required; must call 404-422-7107 and mention the offer to redeem. On May 5, live music plays from 6-9 p.m. at the Howell Mill store and 5-8 p.m. at Willy’s - Piedmont Park. Want a margarita? There’s one with your name on it at the Howell Mill, Midtown, Edgewood, Brookhaven and Peachtree City Willy’s locations.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is always ready to celebrate, and Cinco de Mayo is no exception. Stop into the Midtown watering hole for beers from around here and around the world, including Corona, a Cinco de Mayo classic. Mixologists stand ready to craft your margarita or perhaps a Spanish Inquisition signature cocktail starring Medieval tequila ($11). Share some of HOBNOB’s popular starters such as braised short rib tacos (2/$8.95 or 3/$11.95); New Generation duck nachos ($11.95) topped with duck confit, fontina cheese, Fresno peppers and HOBNOB’s own date-fig jam and roasted tomato pesto; spicy chipotle cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes ($8.50); or braised short rib lettuce wraps with chimichurri sauce ($11). Does a Margherita pizza count ($12.75)?

Look Up to The Regent Cocktail Club for New Weekly Specials and Live Music

New weekly specials spring into gear in May at The Regent Cocktail Club, the rooftop cocktail lounge above American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. See and be seen on the open-air patio or under the covered bar area while living the cocktail culture life, enjoying conversation, handcrafted drinks and bar snacks menu noshes like wagyu sliders, oysters, soft-baked pretzels and more. Catch the sunset with Deb Bowman performing live music from 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday evening with her soulful vocals accompanied by the acoustic guitar. Join Wednesday night’s DJ Greg Picciano playing old school hits and indulge in Whispering Angel bottle specials ($45/750 ml; $100/1.5 L; $250/3 L). Thursdays, give it up for live music with Lilac Wine from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wine lovers can count on Sunday nights for half-off bottles of wine (for bottles up to $150 value), and DJ Picciano returns with tunes from 3-6 p.m. May Day! All hands on deck for Mixology Mondays, pouring it on starting May 15. Planning your next private event or social gathering? The Regent Cocktail Club is the ideal spot for mingling and skyline views. Contact the venue for more details at (770) 415-9961.

Last Chance! Bid to Win Coveted Table at Gunshow’s Sold-Out May 7 “Hired Guns” Dinner

Bid like your Sunday supper depends on it! One lucky bidder will win four tickets to Gunshow’s “Hired Guns” dinner on May 7 featuring guest chef Grae Nonas, Food & Wine’s Best Chef 2015 and James Beard Foundation semifinalist from Minneapolis. A four-top ($400 value, drinks and gratuity not included) for the 8:30 p.m. seating is up for grabs to the top bidder in a special online auction running through May 3. All proceeds from the auction will benefit Grae’s chosen charity, Immigrant Justice Corps, an organization that seeks to expand access to immigration counsel and a group close to Nonas’ heart.

What’s New on Pinterest: Cool Cocktails!

Spring and summer socializing calls for Cool Cocktails! Our Pinterest bar floats colorful, spirited concoctions like the Caribbean Sea-hued Blue Ocean, Fishbowl Punch and Miami Ice. Something light, like a pomegranate and lime white wine spritzer, strawberry basil sangria or a low-cal sip refreshes while going easy on waists and hips. Gussy up a lowly six-pack of beer with a can of frozen pink lemonade and vodka or mix a shandy beer cocktail. Blackberry lemon gin fizz, a blueberry lemon lavender mojito and peach Bellini are spiffy fruit cocktails, and the Thyme to Kill cocktail occupies those with extra time and thyme on their hands. 

Locations, Locations, Locations -- Ray's at Killer Creek Hosts Locations Wine Dinner May 11

Soil, climate, vines. Sounds simple. Taste and learn how each combination uniquely reflects a specific location in the world of Locations wines, from Corsica to Washington and points in between at the Ray’s at Killer Creek Locations Wine Dinner on Thursday, May 11.

Executive chef Mike Fuller presents a globally inspired seven-course menu complementing Locations wines like a perfect traveling companion, and Locations general sales manager Mick Roberts shares wine wisdom during the tasty tour.

As the 6:30 p.m. dinner unfolds, guests will enjoy Thai basil lobster roll paired with F, French rosé; Ace Basin oysters with apple-ginger granita paired with Corse, Corsican white wine; orange peel smoked Magret duck breast with pear butter, pomegranate and arugula paired with OR, Oregon red wine; slow-cooked wagyu short rib prepared on the Big Green Egg paired with E, Spanish red wine; lamb shank with black currant gastrique and mascarpone tortelloni paired with I, Italian red wine; dry-aged rib-eye cooked over an open-pit fire with chimichurri and paired with AR, Argentinian red wine; and chocolate ganache torte with smoked sea salt and pickled blackberry paired with P, Portuguese red wine for dessert.

$95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations are required with credit card to hold; call 770-649-0064.

Appetizing Aperture

Finding yourself in a pretty pickle has an upside when dining at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails. Dipping Southern fried pickles ($7) into spicy remoulade sauce is one hum-dilly-icious pickle. Relish the opportunity.

“Huevo” Heck of a Sunday-Funday Brunch with Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila New Menu

Sunday sleepyheads, wake up and smell the fajita frittatas on the new brunch menu brewing at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila in Brookhaven. Sunday-Funday brunch is 100 percent fiesta, 0 percent siesta. Doors open at noon. First things first: order a bottomless mimosa, $14.99 each from noon to 3 p.m., to imbibe while contemplating brunch “Especiales.” Share “Munchies,” $5 each, of avocado toast topped with goat cheese and pico de gallo or fruit empanadas with mixed berries, queso fresco and dulce de leche. Move on to a basket of tacos: The Pobrecito serves scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon and maple syrup on a pancake ($3.25 each), and salmon tacos fold in black beans, corn, pico de gallo and hollandaise sauce ($4 each). Substantial entrées like the fajita frittata, Benedict tostado, three-egg arroz con huevos and the breakfast burrito with chorizo, cheese and guac pack in the protein power of eggs and beans and the zest of spices, salsas or pico de gallo ($5-$10). And for those who think a fiesta is not worth its salt without a salt-rimmed margarita: relax, Jefe’s serves its popular margaritas and cold beer on Sundays, too.