Star Grazing

Celebrities scream for ice cream just as much as the rest of us, especially when there’s a Sweet Charlie’s nearby. Chad Michael Murray and family recently stopped by the Buckhead Sweet Charlie’s store, and his wife and son split an order of the handmade vanilla ice cream rolls all spiffy with sprinkles. Seems Ludacris is ready for S’more Please, his combo of choice when ready to rap and roll on two recent Sweet Charlie’s visits with his wife and daughters.

Intercept Tailgating Wisdom for your SEC Championship Playbook

Digest Mandy’s Tailgating Wisdom on Sumptuous Living, and you’ll be voted MVP of your SEC Championship fan league. “Top 10 Game Day Recipes” scores extra points in the munchy, meaty mouthful zones, and coach Mandy points out sideline secrets such as “Tin foil is your best friend when packing a tailgate. Don't forget paper towels or baby wipes -- especially when chicken wings are involved!”

Rib in on SEC Championship Action at Smokebelly BBQ

SEC game faces and fingers wear suds and barbecue sauce at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, football fans can cheer on UGA and Auburn over $3 Bud Light drafts, $10 pitchers of Bud Light, $15 buckets of Bud/Bud Light and $5 Tito’s cocktails. Smokebelly’s menu is always “game on,” sporting smoked and barbecued beef, pork, chicken, wings and ribs. Sixteen televisions accommodate tracking multiple games simultaneously. Views, brews and ‘cues -- the ultimate Southern gridiron trifecta.

Scratch That…and Win with Ray’s Restaurants Scratch-Off Card Game

Ray’s Restaurants knows days and nights are super busy with holiday activities and festivities and that after the rush and gatherings, January and February can be rather, hmm, low key. Solution, dine at Ray’s during December and receive a scratch-off prize card that gifts something to look forward to savoring in 2018. Over Dec. 1-31, Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek will hand out scratch-off cards to all paying guests (while supplies last). Hold on to those cards until returning to any Ray’s location during January or February, then have at it and see what 2018 deliciously beholds. Might be a complimentary appetizer or dessert, entrée BOGOs, 10-20 percent discounts or a 55-inch flat-screen television. One really lucky scratcher will win the grand prize, a cruise for two.

Caravan to Gypsy Hour at Gypsy Kitchen for Wine and Tapas Specials

We’re predicting good fortune for fun seekers traveling through Buckhead weekdays from 4:30-6 p.m. Adopt the carefree Spanish gypsy mindset and prioritize unwinding with friends, wine and tapas while rush hour traffic subsides. Gypsy Kitchen in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta hosts Gypsy Hour every Monday through Friday, offering a rotating selection of premium wine vintages, unique varietals and a sparkling option at $5 a glass and a sampling of small plates priced at $4-$5 each. Enjoy Gypsy Hour specials in the bar, patio and patio lounge area. Street, deck and valet parking available.

Chef Ron Eyester Cracks Open Mother Shucker Oyster Roast at Food 101 Dec. 3

Fill your Sunday afternoon with unlimited oysters during Mother Shucker at Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar on Dec. 3. Chef Ron Eyester is clamoring to host a mess of oyster lovers from 3 p.m. on at Eyester’s first big event at the helm of the Sandy Springs landmark. Shell out a mere $25 per person (plus service fee) to buy tickets online and enjoy raw, roasted and stewed oysters. Cathead vodka cocktails and beer are optimum oyster chasers. And shucks, get into the holiday spirit and make a donation to VH1-Save the Music while you’re there.

Mingle and Jingle with Santa at The Southern Gentleman Santa Brunch Dec. 10

The jolly gent from the North Pole heads south to visit his gracious friend, The Southern Gentleman for The Southern Gentlemen Santa Brunch on Dec. 10. The gastropub in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta pulls out all the stops for this festive Sunday outing going on from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dress snappy for sensational Santa pics captured by a professional photographer. Fill up on fa la la and the bounteous buffet spread pleasing big kids (guests over 10 years old) with omelet and carving stations, waffles, shrimp and grits, frittatas, eggs, bacon, sausage, salads, a meat and cheese board, and sweets and hot chocolate stations. Santa is making sure there’s a kids buffet with their favorites including mac ‘n cheese, breakfast corn dogs and chicken fingers. The $35 price for adults covers the buffet and one mimosa or spiked eggnog cocktail; kids ages 10 and under enjoy the kids’ buffet and beverages for $18. (Prices exclude tax and gratuity.) Buy tickets on Eventbrite. 

Perks Coffee Gives Cumberland Area a Wake-Up Call Beginning Nov. 28

Caffeinators and decaf-ers, your Windy Hill Road route is looking pretty perky with the opening of Perks Coffee (3000 Windy Hill Road, SE near Orange Theory) on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Stop by between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on opening day to get a free cup of the good stuff. This new local coffee shop stop promises to energize Cumberland/Powers Ferry roadies, residents and office workers with morning java jolts, midday cuppas with friends or evening pours. Perks supports local coffee and food purveyors, working with Smyrna-based Rev Coffee Roasters to create Perks blends, and offers bagels, pastries and oatmeal along with a light menu of fresh, gourmet salads and sandwiches. Drink selections include steaming hot coffees, ice coffee with freshly roasted coffee ice cubes, café glacé (coffee and ice cream blend) and 15 types of herbal teas for the decaf set. Perks will be open from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily with parking and easy in-and-out access for I-75 bound customers. Follow Perks Coffee on Facebook for the latest updates and promotions.

What’s New on Pinterest: Crazy For My Cast Iron

 

Cast-iron skillets are a rare breed, equally useful in kitchen and campsite. Crazy For My Cast Iron shows off this wonderful workhorse in appetizers of hot smoked salmon dip, green chile queso and desserts like apple crisp and peach crostata. Skillets turn out amazing breads -- garlic naan, maple cinnamon scones, no-knead rosemary Parmesan bread and giant cinnamon rolls. Campers yearn for campfire pizza nachos, and couples find skillet pizzas just the right size. This pan works 24/7 in breakfast skillets, perfecting steak cookery and turning out chicken pot pie, turkey sweet potato skillet, enchiladas and frittatas. Can’t go wrong putting cast iron under the tree.

Appetizing Aperture: Gypsy Kitchen's Queso Frito

Tap fried goat cheese as a “must order” at Gypsy Kitchen in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. New on the tapas menu, Queso Frito tangos in with pan-seared Cana de Cabra goat cheese, Basque apple cider purée and arugula with toasted za’atar bread ($12).

Food 101 becomes Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar as Chef Ron Eyester Returns, Refines Focus and Menu

Food 101 is expanding its name to Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar to reflect an exciting emphasis on “renewed American” cuisine under the direction of Ron Eyester. Sous chef for 101 Concepts restaurant group at the original Food 101, Eyester comes full circle in a rich culinary career to take the restaurant’s menu back to its thoroughly American roots. Eyester enriches the Food 101 vision with his depth of experience in NYC and Charleston, South Carolina, owning and operating his own restaurants, helping colleagues plan and rebrand, and launching I Dig Food, an event and consulting brand in which he partners with other restaurateurs to curate food-inspired events. His Food 101 menu features lighter items in addition to comfort food faves such as 101 Meatloaf ($15) and buttermilk fried chicken ($15) and “low and slow” savories like braised lamb shank with butternut squash purée, slightly pickled mushrooms and natural jus ($28). Look for new lunch and dinner items such as honey and lemon glazed smoked chicken wings with fresh herbs and slightly pickled carrots ($10), “Green Goddess” glazed Brussels sprouts with scallions and toasted almonds ($9.50) and Red Hare root beer BBQ St. Louis-style ribs with chopped Southern slaw and house-made steak fries ($26). Weekend brunch woos sleepy heads with tempters of skillet pancake with sorghum-sea salt butter and Vermont maple syrup ($10); fried cheese grits with smoked pineapple aioli ($7) and “Skinny Brunch” with sliced organic tomatoes, grilled asparagus, leeks, fresh herbs and soft-poached eggs ($13).

The restaurant’s beverage program features a comprehensive selection of classic cocktails,wine and beer, and The Barrel Bar pours from an impressive list of small-batch bourbons and ryes as well as barrel-aged Manhattans and craft cocktails. Metropolitan atmosphere and urban polish contribute to a “New Age Diner” feel within both the dining room and The Barrel Bar. Established in 1999 and having marked its 18^th birthday on Nov. 16, the restaurant has become a perennial favorite and landmark, well anchored before Sandy Springs became a city in 2005. Reservations can be made online or by calling (404) 497-9700. Self-parking is available in the adjacent lot.