Appetizing Aperture: Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante

Summer light, summer right. Fresh, homemade spinach pasta at Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante dresses lithely for hot summer days wearing the season’s best chanterelle mushrooms, asparagus, farm-fresh golden egg yolk and Grana Padano ($18). Buckhead’s home for authentic Italian food served in-house or grab-and-go was recently featured on Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise: Noodle Nirvana” episode.

Star Grazing

Atlanta Braves baseman Freddie Freeman is back in the game following a wrist injury. Therapy possibly included ice cream because the ball slugger was recently seen catching the hand-rolled creams at Sweet Charlie’s in Buckhead. Could inspire a new flavor, “batter up!”

Seed Kitchen & Bar Recognized as Cobb County Top 25 Small Business

East Cobb standout Seed Kitchen & Bar proudly displays its newest accolade signifying recognition as a 2017 Top 25 Small Business by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber applauds Seed for excellence in entrepreneurship and industry and its contributions to the vitality of the community. Chef and owner Doug Turbush and his family are longtime East Cobbers. He feels “there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the people of East Cobb making lifelong memories right here in our restaurant.” Turbush and his team are honored and grateful to be recognized, and they give an appreciative shout-out to the Cobb Chamber for its work to support Cobb County businesses and community.

The Federal Tops “The Atlantan’s” List of Exciting New Restaurants

The Federal, chef Shaun Doty’s French-inspired bistro, sits in the shadow of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and perches in the top spot of “The Atlantan” magazine’s list of the “10 Most Exciting Openings in Atlanta.” The magazine snippet and digital synopsis tease appetites, mentioning The Federal’s antipasto made with Iowa prosciutto, mozzarella, Ligurian olives, deviled egg, duck, ham and fresh ricottas as well as the classic 14-ounce dry-aged Kansas City strip cooked in cast iron and topped with your choice of sauce, loup de mar served with farinata (chickpea pancake), and steak frites. Exercise the freedom to choose what time of day you want to visit The Federal. The Midtown bistro serves weekday breakfast and lunch, dinner Tuesday-Sunday and weekend brunch.

Seek Weeknight Trivial Pursuits at Atlanta’s Bars and Restaurants

Those asking what to do weeknights to flex brain muscles have numerous options in the metro-Atlanta area. Pick your spot by night, location or food of choice. Or, heck, why not take a trivia staycation and visit every one? A question only you and your trivia team can answer.

Johnny’s Hideaway pops the questions Monday nights when Team Trivia begins at 7:30 p.m., giving way to DJ Spin at 9 p.m. Food and drink specials throughout.

The question: How to cure the Monday blues in Brookhaven? The answer: Monday night trivia at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila starting at 7:30 p.m. with $2 Tacate, $5 margaritas on the rocks and $6 frozen margaritas all night long.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern answers the “What’s up on Tuesdays?” call by hosting Trivia Night at the Midtown location every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Smokebelly BBQ waits until Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. to unleash a barrage of Team Trivia questions. First through third place winners will squeal over $20-$50 house cash prizes. Everyone can quench their thirst for knowledge with $3 select drafts.

“¿Qué pasa?” Dirty South Trivia, 8 p.m. on Thursdays at Communion Cantina in Decatur. Corral the team in the backyard cantina behind chef Kevin Gillespie’s Revival restaurant to answer life’s questions. This lively version of trivia is sure to entertain your crew and incite some friendly competition. Communion serves beer, cocktails and a menu of Mexican food truck snacks from 5-10 p.m.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill answers the multiple-choice questions of where and when to tackle trivia with multiple answers: Wednesday nights at Willy’s Howell Mill, North Druid Hills and Kennesaw locations and Thursday night at the Howell Mill Willy’s. North Druid Hills begins inquisitions at 7:30 p.m. with Howell Mill and Kennesaw beginning at 8 p.m. All participating locations will award house cash prizes each night. Willy’s serves domestic and imported beer -- and margaritas at the Howell Mill Willy’s -- along with made-to-order burritos, tacos, bowls, salads, quesadillas and more.

Taco Mac Brewniversity Rush Week Doubles the Credits July 16-23

What’s the rush? Taco Mac Brewniversity Rush Week doubles credits for just one week, Sunday, July 16-Sunday, July 23. During Brewniversity Rush Week, all Brewniversity credits are worth as much, i.e. all full-size beers and pitchers are worth two credits and all nooners rake in one credit. Earn a maximum of 12 credits per day while “rushing” at all Taco Mac locations. Greek letters and pledging not required…unless you’re pledging to enjoy Taco Mac’s diverse variety of bottled and draft beers, amass extra credits and jumpstart your move to the next Brewniversity milestone.

Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Blossoms with Chefs and Mixologists July 16

Better Boys and Early Girls, the ninth annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival is your kind of fruit fest, ripe with tomato-rich treats and concoctions created by dozens of Atlanta’s best chefs and mixologists and 50 local farmer friends. A few plum personalities to look for at the Georgia Organics benefit: 5Church Atlanta chef Scotley Innis; Aria owner/chef Gerry Klaskala and mixologist Stefano Gandossi; Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward and mixologist Mercedes O’Brien; Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails executive chef Derek Dollar; Ormsby’s chef Nick Anderson; The Southern Gentleman executive chef Matthew Ridgway; and chef Tomas Lee of Midtown Takorea & Ssam Bar. Ford Fry’s tribute to summer’s revered heirlooms plants itself at Park Tavern in Midtown this Sunday, July 16 from 1-5 p.m. Like killer tomatoes, this festival flourishes rain or shine. Buy tickets in advance: $45 general admission; $40 Georgia Organics members; $125 Lexus VIP (early access and VIP area exclusives); and $74.95 “Good Grit” package including six issues of “Good Grit” magazine. A limited number of $75 general admission tickets will be available at the door. Killer tomatoes, we surrender already.

Find Polar Perfection and Honor National Ice Cream Month at Sublime Doughnuts and Sweet Charlie’s

Coveting an arctic blast to relieve July’s steamy hot days? Lucky for you it’s National Ice Cream Month. Lick those longings spooning scoops and rolls of frosty confection perfection at Sublime Doughnuts and Sweet Charlie’s. Find ice cream in a doughnut shop? Got that right. Sublime Doughnuts churns delightful ice cream with the same creative energy it mixes into its thrill-filled doughnuts. Scoops of mango moscato, peach riesling, crème brûlée, butter pecan caramel, mega chocolate and other polar delights are delish in a dish, cone or as an ice cream burger plopped between doughnut buns. Both Midtown and Druid Hills locations are open 24/7, ready whenever you cave to the crave. Can’t get enough of Sublime’s creative concoctions? Check out Sublime’s YouTube channel for a glimpse of owner Kamal Grant’s latest doughnut adventures or catch a rerun of the doughnut shop’s feature on
"Food Network’s Incredible Edible America".

Philadelphians and Mid-Atlantic beachgoers rave about Sweet Charlie’s. Atlantans are experiencing the same ‘screamy sensation with the spring opening of Atlanta’s first Sweet Charlie’s shop at 3872 Roswell Road in Buckhead. The Sweet Charlie’s pros hand roll ice cream and frozen sensations to order and serve in a multitude of base, flavor and topping combinations. Hand rolling on a super cold surface (below 20 degrees Fahrenheit) gives the cold shoulder to the need for added stabilizers, emulsifiers or preservatives. Opt for a base of premium ice cream, nonfat yogurt or vegan Nada-Moo. Choose flavor themes such as Rise & Shine Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Off Duty coffee and doughnut, Kiss & Tell mint Oreo, Wonder Filled Oreo, S’more Please, Namaste strawberry cheesecake, Love Park chocolate/pretzel/peanut butter, So Cal acai/honey/coconut/banana, Monkey See Monkey Do Nutella/banana or sinful Death by Chocolate. Next, decide between rolled and slipped into a cup or laid out on a signature Sublime glazed doughnut. Go top-it crazy (they’re included) with blueberries, bananas, strawberries, roasted marshmallow, honey, chocolate or caramel drizzles, whipped cream, sliced almonds, Oreo cookies, graham crackers, M&M’s or rainbow sprinkles. The Thai-inspired frozen phenomenon wears a $7 price tag, including tax and unlimited toppings. The Buckhead store rolls its signature creams beginning at 12:30 p.m. daily until 10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

What’s New on Pinterest: Pack the Perfect Picnic

Sandwiched between June and August comes National Picnic Month, packed from the start with cookouts, outdoor concerts and lazy days at the beach or lake. Pack the Perfect Picnic for any setting using ideas and recipes from this week’s board such as string-tied pressed Italian sandwiches, baked cheesy pepperoni pizza sticks and turkey and spinach pinwheels. Eat more veggies in fresh summer rolls and tangy wraps or toasted caprese sandwiches oozing melted mozzarella and parsley pesto. Sub wonton wrappers for pasta to turn out muffin tin lasagna cups. Gotta hand it to you, they’ll love your Mason jar desserts, especially the banana pudding.

#Foodgram: Marie Saba

Marie Saba of Austin, Texas, takes food seriously…seriously fun. Real food doesn’t have to be boring. Follow her lead and play with your food. Your kids (and inner child) will love you for it. More at cocinamarie.com.

Appetizing Aperture: HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern

Did you champion the AJC Peachtree Road Race…by finishing or pacing a personal best? Reward yourself with The Champion burger at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown or Town Brookhaven (opening July 10). A brioche bun cradles pork belly, provolone and house-cured kimchi topping your choice of burger -- 100 percent Angus choice beef, grass-fed beef, turkey, lamb, veggie, chicken or salmon ($11-$15) -- prepared as you like it. Choose house-cut french fries or seasonal veggies. Gluten-free buns available.

Star Grazing

Actor Mark-Paul Gosselaar popped into Sublime Doughnuts for a box of doughnuts, the best doughnuts in town, we might add. Eating one (or a box full) is worth it!