Star Grazing

Celebs continue to gravitate to Umi for chef Fuyuhiko Ito’s incredible sushi, nigiri, sashimi and signature rolls. Samuel L. Jackson (“Star Wars,” “The Incredibles”) was spotted dining at Umi on July 20. The King of Cool has appeared in more than 100 films and holds the rare distinction of being eaten by both a shark and a dinosaur in his occupation. At Umi, Jackson played diner, not dinner, with four other guests and enjoyed himself so much he returned for a second visit on July 22.

Book The Blind Pig Parlour Bar for Fantasy Football Draft Parties

Fantasy football drafting is heady stuff, best tackled under utmost concentration in surroundings with few distractions…other than beer, wings and a 65-inch big screen TV for picking drafts online. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar checks all the boxes and more. Book the hidden speakeasy as a private room for a two-hour time block. Huddle up with 10-15 guests, Wi-Fi, four pitchers of beer and 100 wings for $150. Opt in on the 65-inch TV so everyone can view online drafting. To book your fantasy football draft party, email April@sphospitality.com or call direct, 404-931-1251.

Open Now -- $100 Gift for Booking Holiday Parties at Ray’s Restaurants by Sept. 30

Perhaps the event planning elves at Ray’s Restaurants crisped on the beach and started longing for the cool holiday party season. Their desire to jumpstart the holidays at Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek rewards early bird party planners with the gift of a $100 Ray’s Dining Card to be enjoyed in the new year. All three Ray’s Restaurants come through with extraordinary cuisine and service, and The Grand Pavilion at Ray’s on the River provides an especially spectacular event space. Surrounded by lush landscaping, The Grand Pavilion affords panoramic views of the Chattahoochee River and direct access to a lighted path meandering along the riverbank. The temperature-controlled pavilion with its own private entrance accommodates up to 180 guests, a band, DJ and a dance floor. To take advantage of Ray’s holiday party gift card incentive, book and confirm your Dec. 1-30, 2017 party with signed contract by Sept. 30, 2017. Food and beverage minimum of $1,500 is required to qualify for the $100 Ray’s Dining Card. Ray’s Dining Card will be mailed in January 2018 provided event invoice has been paid in full.

Be In the Know Before You Go -- Insider Tips for New Babalu Tapas & Tacos

Midtown neighbors are embracing Babalu Tapas & Tacos, which opened June 26 in Midtown’s 33 Peachtree Place mixed-use development at West Peachtree Street and Peachtree Place. They’re buzzing about the fresh flavors of Babalu’s Latin-inspired dishes tweaked with a tad of Southern influence, the fabulous cocktails made with freshly-squeezed juices and a natural sense of hospitality -- right down to welcoming pups on the patio. Even the neighborly grapevine may not know all of Babalu’s captivating traits.

Take the Chef’s Table, for instance, where guests are privy to the best seats in the house -- at no extra cost. Chef’s Table diners order off the same menu as guests seated at other tables, with the bonus of being able to interact with Babalu chefs. Prime food-entertainment here, surveying kitchen action while sharing starters ($4.95-$10.95) like guacamole made tableside and yellowfin tuna ceviche. Or, head straight for tapas ($9.25-$13.50) including braised chicken tamales, pan-seared jumbo lump crab cakes, enchilada of the day, “Fierce” shrimp, pan-roasted redfish or the shrimp and chorizo skillet. Order three of the same tacos for $9 or mix them up ($3.25-$3.75 each) choosing among beef tenderloin Carne de Vaca, smoked Niman Ranch pork belly Carne de Cerdo, veggie-full Vegetal, Atun (spiced seared saku tuna), duck confit De Pato and others. Salads, sandwiches, shareable sides and desserts round out the menu. Sometimes “extras” are thrown into the meal mix for lucky Chef’s Table diners. Although Babalu doesn’t take reservations, guests can request Chef’s Table seats upon arrival. 

Bogey and Boogie for New Story Charity at Southern Proper Hospitality’s Golf Tournament Aug. 14 and The Blind Pig’s Great Gatsby Party Aug. 19

Golfers, Southern Proper Hospitality invites you to kick up your heels on the greens for New Story Charity, an organization that builds homes for impoverished families around the developing world. Swing through a day of golf and socializing at Cumming’s Polo Golf & Country Club on Monday, Aug. 14. Tee up for a day inclusive of all green and cart fees, range balls, practice facilities, on-course hosted beverages, event prizes, hot lunch, awards reception dinner and silent auction. Registration is at 11 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Try your hand at the Trick Shot Expo and Beat the Pro Competition with Golf Entertainer Brad Denton. Secure your spot here, $750 per foursome or $200 single player.

On Saturday, Aug. 19, Gatsby’s back in town, dining and partying hard at The Blind Pig Parlour Bar. Buckhead’s discreet speakeasy steps back to the Roaring ‘20s for its third annual and much-adored Gatsby Party. At 7 p.m., a lavish four-course dinner opens the door to a lively evening followed by a rollicking after-party with limited open bar, passed hors d’oeuvre, live entertainment, a tarot card reader and gambling at 10 p.m. Choose your ticket, depending on your revelry capacity. The All-Access Gatsby Pass ($200) includes dinner, wine pairings and access to the Gatsby Party. Golden Ticket Party Pass ($75) includes Gatsby Party with limited open bar from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Proceeds also benefit New Story Charity.

Half-Off Half-Shells Honors National Oyster Day at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill Aug. 5

Saturday’s special is “shore” grabbing attention among the bivalve set at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. On National Oyster Day, Aug. 5, the local beach house satiates oyster slurpers with half off the price of a dozen oysters from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at both locations (Canton Street and Buckhead). If Saturday’s sunk for you, reel in this offer every Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. during Oyster Happy Hour.

Friday Night Blues and Orpheus Tap Takeover Hit HOBNOB Midtown Aug. 4

Trend watchers, summertime blues are out, Friday Night Blues are in at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown. Do bop into this neighborhood fave for its new weekly series promising top-notch blues music by notable local bands. Expect some takeovers, too, by way of local breweries and beer-and-a-shot specials showcasing local whiskey distilleries. British blues music by the Backyardbirds launches the series this Friday, Aug. 4 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Look out for Midtown’s own Orpheus Brewing to take command of the taps. Team an Orpheus draft selection with a shot of American Spirit Whiskey for $9. Friday Night Blues and beer pairings continue through the month:

Aug. 11 - The Hollidays and Scofflaw Brewing Co.
Aug. 18 - The Wild Hares and Eventide Brewing
Aug. 25 - Tiki Tonk and Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Follow The Dish for upcoming blues, brewery and distillery lineups.

Auction Bidding Ends Aug. 2 for a Coveted Table at Gunshow’s Sold-out Aug. 6 “Hired Guns” Dinner

Urgent action required! Use this link and bid today because tomorrow, Aug. 2, is the last day to vie for a chance to win a table for four at the 8:30 p.m. seating of Gunshow’s Aug. 6 “Hired Guns” dinner. Specifically, the benefit auction closes at 11:59 p.m. ET Wednesday night. New Orleans sensation chef Justin Devillier blows into the Glenwood Park restaurant to unleash a storm of culinary creations along with Gunshow chef/owner Kevin Gillespie, executive chef Joey Ward and the talented Gunshow kitchen crew. Devillier is the chef/owner of La Petite Grocery and Balise in New Orleans and winner of the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South. The charity auction proceeds go to Hogs for the Cause Atlanta, an annual fundraising music festival and barbecue competition that raises money for families with children fighting pediatric brain cancer. Notice we’re not giving a ticket purchase link? We did mention the event is sold out, didn’t we?

Worm Your Way into Taco Mac Casa Herradura Tequila Dinner Aug. 2

Your first tequila tip from Ruben Acevas, brand ambassador from Mexico’s Casa Herradura: take sips, not shots of Casa Herradura’s legendary handcrafted, barrel-aged tequilas. Sense 145 years of tequila-producing history flowing across your palate, the results of a dedication to craft that has earned Casa Herradura the recognition as the “World’s Most Gold Medal-Awarded Tequila.” Acevas will enlighten guests at a four-course Casa Herradura Tequila Dinner hosted by Taco Mac at The Prado in Sandy Springs on Wednesday, Aug. 2. Explore four unique tequilas -- Reposado, Double Reposado, Blanco and Ultra -- at the 6-9 p.m. dinner in The Georgia Chapter Room. Buy tickets on Xorbia, $45 per person.

Claw-a-Bunga! Ray’s Lobsterfest Traps $29.95 Lobster Dinner Beginning Aug. 1

Perhaps you’ve heard the deep discussions -- the table talk about Maine lobsters at Ray’s Restaurants. How deep were those lobster cages anyway?  Way down where Maine’s coastal waters raise up the most tender, succulent lobsters to be found. During Ray’s Lobsterfest at Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek, delve into this delectably weighty matter, enjoying a 1.25 pound whole Maine lobster for dinner served with your choice of artisan field greens or Caesar salad and a side choice of Yukon Gold whipped potatoes or chef’s vegetable du jour for $29.95 per person (excludes tax, gratuity, beverages). Clawing for more? Two- and three-pound lobsters are also available. Limited time only; subject to availability.

What’s New on Pinterest: Under the Sea

Some swim with sharks and risk being bitten, we prefer doing the biting...into riches from Under the Sea. Scuba, dooba do into an ocean of recipes including the South’s best oyster recipes. Master perfectly seared scallops then swim toward Sriracha or apple cider-balsamic glaze, brown butter with Parmesan risotto or cauliflower purée with pine nuts and raisins. Be selfish and serve all the shellfish in Italian seafood pasta, paella or a sheet pan clam bake. Claw for crabcake burgers, lobster bakes, grilled tails and toasts. No scrimping on shrimp: go pesto-grilled, risotto-ed or coconut-baked. Calamari? Fish? Oh, mahimahi. You, po’boy, are landing way too big a catch.  

#Foodgram: Hungry Girl 325

Hungry Girl 325 eats her way from San Fran to L.A. on a regular basis. She’s dealt with anxiety and eating disorders and offers encouragement to those hesitant to jump out of their comfort zones and into beneficial opportunities. How else would she be able to share bread bowl breakfasts in London and queen-worthy Peggy Porschen tea and cake with us?