Appetizing Aperture: Jefe's Tacos & Tequila

Sitting on the patio at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila and wondering…”Why stop at one?” Cave to the crave and order a basket full of Jefe’s carnitas tacos for yourself or for the table. Priced at $3.50 each, these corn tortilla handfuls hold twice-cooked pork, roasted poblano-tomatillo sauce, onion and cilantro.

Drink to Great Causes at Dolce Italian, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Gunshow, Gypsy Kitchen and Marlow’s Tavern during Negroni Week, through June 11

As they have done each year since launching Negroni Week in 2013, Imbibe Magazine and Campari are again partnering with restaurants and bars around the world to celebrate one of the world’s great cocktails and raise money for a wide range of charitable causes. Atlanta is well stocked with participants for Negroni Week 2017, which runs through Sunday, June 11, and we have our favorites. Gypsy Kitchen and Dolce Italian in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta and Marlow’s Tavern locations in Avalon, Brookhaven, Alpharetta and Midtown are making donations to The Giving Kitchen. Marlow’s Tavern is mixing a special Negroni Week “Left Coast Negroni” cocktail containing Aviation Gin, Giffard Pamplemousse, Grand Poppy and Bittercube Jamaican bitters #2. Sip on a three-week barrel-aged Negroni cocktail with Aviation Gin, vermouth and Campari at Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar and you’ll support No Kid Hungry. Gunshow, chef Kevin Gillespie’s Glenwood Park restaurant, will donate to SHARE, which provides dedicated experienced support for women facing breast and ovarian cancers. Enjoy a Negroni cocktail “on the rocks” knowing you’re helping smooth life’s rocky places for those aided by these charities.  

The Stars are Out, Dining Out – Celeb Sightings at Atlanta Restaurants

Hit the brakes! Here in Atlanta, you never know who will be supping one table over. Several celebs were spotted dining around town during the month of May. Umi always shines, and several May visitors added their glow. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk spun into the Buckhead restaurant early in May. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher dined at Umi on May 22, enjoying chef Fuyuhiko Ito’s sophisticated, modern Japanese cuisine centered on showcasing the freshest fish from the world’s finest markets. The two were presumably in town while Kunis films “A Bad Moms Christmas,” the sequel to “Bad Moms.” Pro basketballer Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves beefed up on tender Miyazaki wagyu strip, a specialty cut at American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Earlier this year, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and wife Samantha pulled into 5Church Atlanta in Midtown -- making one delicious “pit stop” for the restaurant’s chef-driven, regional cuisine. The couple has been to 5Church Charlotte and thought they’d give the Atlanta location a spin. Perhaps a cruise down Peachtree was next on their GPS?   

Surrender to Beer Pairings during Creature Comforts Tap Takeover at Marlow’s Tavern Sandy Springs, Benefiting The Giving Kitchen June 8

For the record, we’re expecting a friendly and hospitable coup when Athens’ own Creature Comforts Brewing Co. commandeers Marlow’s Tavern in Sandy Springs for a Creature Comforts Tap Takeover on Thursday, June 8 beginning at 5 p.m. The Giving Kitchen receives the “spoils” of this congenial takeover in the way of 10 percent of the event’s proceeds. Sip and savor one Pint & Plate pairing for $10 or three Pint & Plate pairings for $27. Pairings include Athena Berliner weisse paired with seared scallops, fennel, orange, radish slaw and candied grapefruit; Bibo pilsner paired with house-made bratwurst, potato cake, caramelized onions and Reclaimed Rye mustard; Tritonia Cucumber-Lime gose paired with ceviche, blistered cherry tomatoes and mint; Tropicalia IPA paired with spicy lemongrass-ginger shrimp, green papaya salad and Sriracha lime dressing; Reclaimed Rye paired with pork belly slider, Eastern Carolina BBQ sauce, arugula, tomato and fried shallot; and Blue Star Kettle Sour paired with house-made fritter with Blue Star whipped cream. Already booked? Marlow’s is featuring the event’s special small plates and beers June 8-10.

Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffle Sliders, New Burger Creations, Stout Milkshakes and More Tempt on HOBNOB’s Summer Menus

What’s new on the menus at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern? Sit down while we share the scoop. New salads include “good-for-you” kale and wheatberry salad ($12.50) and classic panzanella salad ($12.95). Chomp into juicy Champion, Triple B and Perimeter burgers or slice into tender hanger steak ($22.95), flavorful lamb meatballs ($12.95) or Tavern salmon ($18.95). “Pig and Grits” ($13.95) and roasted cauliflower ($12.95) add more options. Be on the lookout for weekend brunch menu newcomers such as chicken and waffle sliders stashing Nashville hot chicken between cinnamon roll waffles dolled with powdered sugar, maple syrup and grits on the side ($12); and cauliflower and celery root soup with a grilled cheese sandwich sporting date and fig jam and Thomasville tomme cheese between slices of country loaf ($12). Thursdays, in addition to the regular dinner menu, the BBQ menu touts classic chicken wings, baby back ribs and pulled pork, all smoked and served with HOBNOB’s homemade “BeerBQ” sauce. Leave it to HOBNOB to work spirits onto the dessert menu in bourbon pecan pie ($6), chocolate stout and hazelnut mudslide milkshakes ($8.50-$9.50) as well as after-dinner drinks like The 1551 HOBNOB Old Fashioned and Southern Charm ($12 each).

Count on Johnny’s Hideaway for Sunday through Thursday Nightly Specials

Every night’s a fabulous night to shimmy into Johnny’s Hideaway, “Atlanta’s ONLY Nightclub for Big Kids.” The Atlanta original has extra-good reasons to visit the Buckhead party zone Sunday through Thursday. Hospitality nights treat industry workers to food and drink specials Sunday through Tuesday. Live bands perform beginning at 8:30 p.m. Sundays -- check the music schedule to see who’s playing among Band-X, Cold Draft Beer, The Stephen Lee Band and more. Without question, Team Trivia rules Monday nights from 7:30 p.m. on, and Johnny’s reveals hints each week through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Wednesdays and Thursdays open with “Happy Hour” and DJ Spin. Later, Wednesdays woo the gals with Ladies Night and DJ Happy Jack. Thursdays, DJ Happy Jack is back to carry the party into Late Night mode. Open 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday, noon-3 a.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday.

Thank a Vet with a Sam Adams Beer during Taco Mac “Pour One Forward” Event through July 4

Our veterans poured out their hearts, souls and energies for our freedoms over the years and deserve our gratitude on patriotic holidays and EVERY day. Taco Mac and The Boston Beer Company are partnering to launch “Pour One Forward,” a spirited way we can toast veterans and say thanks for their dedicated service to our nation. Visit your favorite Taco Mac location and pre-purchase a Sam Adams beer for a U.S. military veteran; the amount will be added to your tab. For each $6 “Pour One Forward” donation, receive a special thank you card to complete and give back to a Taco Mac team member to display in the restaurant. Vets will be able to see the thank you cards and request to redeem one for a free Sam Adams Boston Lager or Light Lager. Orders are limited to one beer per veteran per visit; military or veterans ID required to redeem. Duck into your local Taco Mac -- and there are 30 across Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee -- to choose from more than 100 beers on draft, the Southeast’s Original Buffalo wings and 50+ HD TVs tuned to sports.

“Reely” Enticing News! Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar Weekly $29 “Chef’s Catch” Three-Course Dinners Hook Summer Appetites

Landlocked locals need only cruise as far as Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar in East Cobb to catch right-off-the-boat seafood on a chef-driven menu that’s new each week. “The Chef’s Catch” three-course dinner menu highlights the best and freshest in-season fish, shellfish and locally sourced ingredients in ways that are both imaginative and affordable,” says chef/owner Doug Turbush. Guests can choose from a menu featuring two small plates, two entrées and two dessert options from executive chef Brendan Keenan. And though the menu changes weekly, this week’s lineup includes first course choice of blue crab beignets or Pearson’s Farm peach salad; second course choice of wood-grilled arctic char or Georges Bank monkfish; and choice of sweet finishes including Key lime pie or Georgia peach crisp. Available Monday through Thursday, the menu changes each week and is announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page and via email every Sunday. Treasure it all for $29 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Add wine pairings for $10 per person.

Chillax with a Jolt, $3 Shaken Cold-Brew Coffees at The Federal

Want to give summer heat the jitters? Chefs Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere are on it. The Federal, their Midtown Atlanta bistro, conquers hot Atlanta days with ice-cold caffeinated blasts to subdue summer’s sizzle. Cool down and rev up with $3 shaken cold-brew coffees during breakfast and lunch service (8 a.m.-2 p.m.) throughout the month of June. Icy, shaken specialties feature Batdorf & Bronson’s Dancing Goats blend and include iced coffee (cold brew over ice); Café Sua Da (cold brew with sweetened condensed milk); The Wilson (cold brew with coconut milk, palm sugar and lime); and Café Cielo (cold brew with sorghum cinnamon and vanilla).   

Searching for that Lost Shaker of Salt? Try The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill Margaritaville Beach Bash June 11

Wasting away, looking for that elusive lost shaker of salt could be challenging due to being “Buffeted” with so much fun at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill– Buckhead Margaritaville Beach Bash on Sunday, June 11. Parrotheads can sing along as the live band covers favorite Jimmy Buffet and beach music hits at the 3-7 p.m. beach ball of a party. Quarter-pound cheeseburgers are $5 each. Chase ‘em with ice-cold $3 Coronas and $5 flavored margaritas. Wear that loud and proud Hawaiian shirt. Really, what else would you wear?

#Foodgram: Julie's Kitchen

First, Julie dabbled in food collages showcasing seasonal and local offerings at her neighborhood farmers markets. Julie’s Kitchen evolved and now fans can sign up for the L.A. blogger’s Skillshare photography classes and learn how they can take marvelous photos on smartphones and more. Get the picture? 

What’s New on Pinterest: Get Glazed

Get Glazed, jellied, powdered and funfettied for National Doughnut Day, June 2. We show you how to DIY and turn out doughnuts galore such as old-fashioned buttermilk, vanilla cream, baked fluffernutters, jolly jelly, ombre-hued, triple chocolate or triple coconut and copycat Krispy Kremes. Gluten free? You’re included. This Pinterest board’s a doughnut hole-in-one.