Appetizing Aperture

When it’s fall and the mercury’s not falling, Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila’s garden fresh burrito bowl spans the gap between a veggie-laden salad and a hearty burrito. One of Jefe’s “Especiales de la Casa,” the senor- and senorita-satisfying bowl holds a healthy helping of chef’s choice seasonal vegetables, red rice, black beans, fajita onions and peppers, pico de gallo and guacamole ($12). Omnivores, say “Ole!”

Enjoy Oregon and California Wines of Alexana & Revana Wineries at American Cut Wine Dinner Oct. 6

Savor a five-course meal with wine pairings as American Cut hosts its Alexana & Revana Wine Dinner on Friday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. Explore the nuances of white and red Alexana wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley along with a premium Revana cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley, California. Executive chef John Adamson reveals a menu loaded with sumptuous tastes and signature dishes: chili-infused oysters paired with Alexana “Revana Vineyard” riesling, 2014; grilled octopus with fennel, arugula and roasted garlic lemon dressing paired with Alexana “Terroir Series” chardonnay, 2014; wagyu carpaccio with horseradish cream, egg yolk, caviar and chives paired with Alexana “Terroir Series” pinot noir, 2015; grilled 20-ounce bone-in ribeye with rosemary thyme red wine reduction joined by Revana “Estate” cabernet sauvignon, 2014; and crème brûlée and candied yellow beets paired with Alexana Late Harvest riesling, 2013. The cost is $150 per person. To reserve a seat for the 7-10 p.m. event email Adam Pucillo or call the restaurant at (770) 415-9766. 

Passion for Paella? Swooning for Sangria? Bulla Gastrobar Now Open in 12th & Midtown

The energetic, communal atmosphere of Madrid’s stimulating tapas scene is flourishing in Midtown now that Bulla Gastrobar has opened its first Atlanta location at 12^th & Midtown on Peachtree Street. Bulla (pronounced “boo-ya") takes its name from the Spanish slang term for “chatter” -- encapsulating the gastrobar’s easygoing atmosphere and the enthusiastic chatter about its menu of small plates and larger signature entrees that satiate two. Amiable Bulla Atlanta joins its three South Florida siblings in pleasing guests with an imaginative cocktail program alongside contemporary renditions of traditional Spanish tapas. Menu highlights include paella (Valencia-style rice, seafood, red sofrito and saffron), braised short ribs (with tetilla cheese, potato foam, cipollini onions and red wine sauce) and Iberian pork tenderloin (with sautéed apple and wild mushrooms in a rosemary demi-glace). A monthly Market Menu showcases a rotating selection of five to six unique dishes, desserts and a cocktail of the month. On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy the three-course weekend brunch tasting menu that features $3 mimosas. Open for dinner and weekend brunch, Bulla sweetens the offerings with a special menu of desserts, sherries and dessert wines. Hang out at the gather-around bar and explore the imaginative drink menu flowing with handcrafted cocktails boasting made-from-scratch syrups, top-shelf beer and wine selections and three types of made-to-order sangrias. A second-floor event space transports parties and company dinners to sunny Spain. Validated parking available at 12^th & Midtown. For more information, call 404-900-6926.

Ray’s Restaurants Serves Irresistible Deal -- Free Enrollment to Dining Club

Loyal Ray’s Restaurants devotees love their Ray’s Dining Club incentives, and Ray’s has recently added one more tempter -- eating the usual $10 enrollment fee (i.e., join for free) now through the end of the year. What’s in it for diners? Ray’s Dining Club members receive one point for every one dollar spent (excluding tax and gratuity) at Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River or Ray’s Killer Creek. For every 300 points earned, Ray’s will automatically load $30 onto the card. Ray’s piles on “gimmes” galore: a $10 activation bonus for registering your card, a $10 birthday month bonus for those visiting Ray’s at least once before their birthday month, plus exclusive promotional offers and invitations to VIP events. Additionally, Dining Club members can accumulate double or triple points when dining at Ray’s on special bonus days and holidays.

Dining Club points, rewards and promotions may not be combined with other promotions or discounts. Read complete details about the Dining Club here. Sign up today and be prepared to start earning points on your next helping of Ray’s renowned succulent steaks, ocean-fresh seafood, signature salads, handhelds and holiday buffets, not to mention those mesmerizing Chattahoochee River views at Ray’s on the River.

Gypsy Kitchen is Buzzin’ about Kissing Bee’s Knees and Saving Bees with Special Cocktail through Oct. 1

Here’s one for the “honey do” list. Alight at Gypsy Kitchen this week, buzz through the cocktail list and land on the Bee’s Knees ($11) as your libation of choice. Through Oct. 1, every Bee’s Knees purchase at Gypsy Kitchen in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta fortifies efforts to raise awareness and fund Save the Bees. Small bees. Big impact. Without bees to pollinate plants, we’d be out of luck for our coffee, avocado and potato frites fixes -- as well as many of the other fruits, veggies and nuts we enjoy on a daily basis. Ouch. That stings. Help cure the situation one sip at a time by ordering Gypsy Kitchen’s “Bee’s Knees” classic Prohibition-era cocktail combining gin, lemon and honey. Worker bees, if your queen becomes enamored with this citrusy-sweet sipper, learn how to craft your own here.

Outdoor Concerts Rock, Roll and Reggae Cumberland and Perimeter Malls, Thursday Nights through Oct. 26

Music filled Midtown earlier this month. Now the tunes are traveling to Atlanta’s top shopping destinations – Cumberland Mall and Perimeter Mall. Discover the sultry rhythms of jazz, the hip-shaking sounds of classic rock and the familiar and energetic beats of pop music at the free weekly music series at each mall on Thursday nights from 5-7 p.m. featuring the best of Atlanta’s local musicians (and Austin Adams, now a Nashville-ian). The Perimeter Live Music Series plugs into the streetscape in front of The Cowfish; the Cumberland Live Music Series will drum up toe-tapping crowds near the fountain. Plenty of free parking and lots of places to grab a bite to nosh while nodding along with the tunes. Want to know who’s performing where and when? Copy our list and flag the dates.

Cumberland Mall

Sept. 28 – Austin Adams

Oct. 5 – Robin Latimore and Friends

Oct. 12 – The Mar-Tans

Oct. 19 – Latitude Adjustment Steel

Oct. 26 – Joe Gransden Trio

Perimeter Mall

Sept. 28 – The Todd Wells Band

Oct. 5 – Latitude Adjustment Steel

Oct. 12 – Nick Longo Trio

Oct. 19 – Last 5 Standing

Oct. 26 – Lilac Wine

Passion for Paella? Swooning for Sangria? Bulla Gastrobar Now Open in 12th & Midtown

The energetic, communal atmosphere of Madrid’s stimulating tapas scene is flourishing in Midtown now that Bulla Gastrobar has opened its first Atlanta location at 12^th & Midtown on Peachtree Street. Bulla (pronounced “boo-ya") takes its name from the Spanish slang term for “chatter” -- encapsulating the gastrobar’s easygoing atmosphere and the enthusiastic chatter about its menu of small plates and larger signature entrees that satiate two. Amiable Bulla Atlanta joins its three South Florida siblings in pleasing guests with an imaginative cocktail program alongside contemporary renditions of traditional Spanish tapas. Menu highlights include paella (Valencia-style rice, seafood, red sofrito and saffron), braised short ribs (with tetilla cheese, potato foam, cipollini onions and red wine sauce) and Iberian pork tenderloin (with sautéed apple and wild mushrooms in a rosemary demi-glace). A monthly Market Menu showcases a rotating selection of five to six unique dishes, desserts and a cocktail of the month. On Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy the three-course weekend brunch tasting menu that features $3 mimosas. Open for dinner and weekend brunch, Bulla sweetens the offerings with a special menu of desserts, sherries and dessert wines. Hang out at the gather-around bar and explore the imaginative drink menu flowing with handcrafted cocktails boasting made-from-scratch syrups, top-shelf beer and wine selections and three types of made-to-order sangrias. A second-floor event space transports parties and company dinners to sunny Spain. Validated parking available at 12^th & Midtown. For more information, call 404-900-6926.

What’s New on Pinterest: Magnificent Margaritas

Magnificent Margaritas handle every occasion. Blackberry champagne margaritas toast with ease. A strawberry basil batch uses up the last of summer’s fragrant herb. Brewsters and cocktailers come together over tailgating beer margaritas. Soothe prickly situations with a prickly pineapple concoction. Blood orange screams Halloween boo-zing. Leave it to Paula Deen to turn this cocktail into a strawberry mousse dessert all ages can enjoy (read tequila-free). Unplug the watermelon and you can whirl up watermelon margaritas. And, there’s always a place at the table for classic lime margaritas, with chips or solo.

#Foodgram: Cookie and Kate

Celebrate food, whole and pure, with Kathryne Taylor at Cookie and Kate. Relieve picture-induced cravings by clicking over to find recipes at cookieandkate.com or order Taylor’s cookbook, “Love Real Food.” Oh, we wish her happy dog Cookie could jump off the screen and lick faces while we’re bow-wow-browsing.

Star Grazing

Clear skies or not, stars continue to appear at some of our favorite restaurants and sweet spots. Band members from heavy metal Black Label Society were recently spotted at The Katharine brasserie in downtown Winston-Salem, NC. Rapper and hip-hopper Waka Flocka Flame dropped in on Sweet Charlie’s in Buckhead. Yes, he downed his hand-rolled, made-to-order ice cream before his famed name of “Flame” could melt it.