#Foodgram: Salad for President

You know it’s coming. The holiday greenery and garlands will give way to post-holiday salads to make up for all those cookies and eggnog treats. We vote to refer to Salad for President, where Julie Sherman makes creative “salading” a daily practice. Iceberg, don’t even think about floating here.

Pig Out on BOGO Sandwiches during Lunch, Monday-Thursday through Dec. 28

BOGO sandwiches at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead? Channel the impulse to order a sandwich for each hand (they’re that good). Focus on an even more delicious idea. Invite a friend to join you for a lunchtime sammie, compliments of Smokebelly. Buy one sandwich and get one sandwich free (of equal of lesser value) Monday through Thursday between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and only until Dec. 28. Every sandwich on the menu is BOGO: sliced smoked turkey; pulled pork; smokedhouse Cuban; pulled smoked chicken with avocado, tomatoes, arugula and barbeque ranch; Southern fried chicken (regular, Nashville hot or “damn hot”); the Smokebelly signature burger blending ground brisket and short rib topped with smoked Gouda, crispy bacon, tobacco fried onions and more; the Smokebelly Stack of smoked pork and lean sliced brisket; or the Angus beef brisket with pickles ($9.50-$12.50). Sure, there’s fine print, but nothing compared to the mighty fine and meaty bites of ‘cue and chicken that you and your BOGO sandwich buddies will inhale and extol. Dine in only. Maximum allowed is three per table. Not valid with any other offers or promotions.

Sumptuous Living’s Mandy Landefeld Serves Top Picks for Holiday Wish Lists

Bowed up over what to give family or friends this season? Sumptuous Living’s lifestyle expert Mandy Landefeld shares her list of thoughtful and practical presents in all price ranges, just in time to relieve gift-giving anxiety attacks. Instead of a tie, tie one on with a Mason jar shaker and barware set and cocktail crafting books “How to Drink French Fluently” or “Mrs. Lilien’s Cocktail Swatchbook.” For shutterbugs, choose a stylish and durable scarf camera strapthat’s picture perfect. Give a Martha Stewart Dutch oven to cast-iron cookware aficionados, and maybe they’ll invite you over for a low-and-slow oven-to-table specialty. Show you value time together by giving handcrafted Jord wood watches. A Cangshan knife set is a luxurious gift sharp home chefs will cherish. Visit sumptuousliving.net to find more ways to fill life with more fun, flavor and ease during and after the holiday rush.

Hoppy Holidays! Taco Mac Beer of the Month Spotlights Two Top U.S. Breweries -- Founders and Lagunitas Brewing Co.

Taco Mac ups the cheer quotient for beer lovers by featuring two of the most highly recognized breweries in the U.S., Founders Brewing Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company, as December’s Beer of the Month honorees. Raise a glass of Founders All Day 4.7% ABV, a well-balanced and aromatic IPA; the seasonal Founders Azacca IPA 7% ABV; the well-rounded and “ruthlessly delicious” Lagunitas IPA 6.2% ABV; and Lagunitas 12th of Never 5.5% ABV, a tropically hoppy, bright and citrusy ale. On Thursday’s Pint Night, beginning at 5 p.m., enjoy a pint of the evening’s featured beer and take home a different glass each week. Santa takes flight Christmas Eve, but you can enjoy a flight of these beers all month long.

Whisk Away to Winter in Spain Savoring Bulla Gastrobar’s Seasonal Specialties

An epicurean vacation in sunny Spain is so close you can taste it. Jet to Bulla Gastrobar in Midtown, where the “Winter in Spain” menu simmers, stuffs and slow roasts a Spanish tapas bar excursion you won’t want to miss. Bring friends and share small plates of shishito peppers fashioned after the Spanish dish “padrones rellones,” stuffed with Mahón cheese, panko and spicy tomato ($8). Inspired by Caldo Gallego, warming Galician soup rewards those who spoon into its flavorful broth with mouthfuls of white beans, pork shank, chorizo and good-for-you kale ($9). Mull over tender morsels of slow-roasted pig with pork demi, Bulla’s take on lechon asado, along with its side of melt-in-your-mouth panadera potatoes ($23). Piquillo peppers Vizcaina-style, stuffed with ground beef and pork with béchamel and black currants ($11), and meaty lamb chops basking in honey beer reduction with kale and potato foam ($23) offer more incentive to leave baggage behind and head Spain-ward. To celebrate your mini vacation, enjoy an imaginative cocktail like the Mariposa Negra (made with Old Forester 100, butterfly pea powder syrup, lemon juice and St-Germain), housemade sangria, craft beer or glass of Spanish (or American) wine. Relaxation to the max.

Order Christmas Ho, Ho, Ho To-Go: Milton’s Bourbon-Glazed Hams, Smoked Turkeys and Southern Sides

Spend more time making merry at exciting Atlanta holiday activities and devote less time hovering around the oven during upcoming days. Executive chef Derek Dollar and his staff at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails are already planning to prepare 12- to 14-pound Applewood-smoked turkeys and spiral hams with bourbon-orange glaze. Let them throw one or two on for your crowd. They’ll gladly pack up some irresistible Southern sides as well. Each ham or turkey comfortably feeds six to eight guests for $85. Each turkey comes with a quart of Madeira gravy and another side of your choice; each ham comes with a quart of bourbon-orange glaze and a choice of side. You’ll want to add more sides when you see the list: mashed potatoes, green beans, asparagus, cheddar grits and smoked Gouda mac and cheese. Order online by Dec. 18 and pick up Dec. 22 or 23 between 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the historic Crabapple restaurant.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights Cozy Up to Free Pretzel and Warm Cheese and Beer Dip at HOBNOB Midtown

How does your holiday garden glow? With hot yummies and a wintry mix of frosty beers, cocktails and wine from HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown anchoring your visit to the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights extravaganza at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Show your same-day Garden Lights, Holiday Nights ticket at HOBNOB Midtown and receive a free order of its popular soft pretzel with warm cheese and beer dip. Warm innards with a selection from the extensive selection of bourbons, whiskeys, ryes and such. Thaw out over shareable snacks, burgers, tavern specialties or pizzas from the crowd-pleasing menu. For kids in the party, HOBNOB offers a $6 kids menu, and kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée Sunday-Thursday from 5-7 p.m. For a sweet ending, spoon into HOBNOB’s hot cobbler or an adult milkshake spiked with spirits or the straight-up (non-alcoholic) chocolate shake. There’s more than one way to get your glow on.

Let the Reindeer Graze and Head to these Atlanta Restaurants for Christmas Eve Dining

Welcome Christmas by sharing brunch, lunch or dinner with loved ones on Christmas Eve. Atlanta restaurants provide welcome respite amid the last-minute shopping frenzy and festive feasting before or after Christmas Eve services. Santa’s helpers will appreciate the “no assembly required” aspect of dining out before settling in with instruction manuals. “Yule” have to check our list to see which jolly restaurant will serve dinner on Christmas Day.

Multiple Locations
Jingle all the way to Henri's Bakery & Cafe's Westside location on Christmas Eve. While the newest outpost is open from from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., sister locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Both locations of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern will be open during regular hours on Christmas Eve, welcoming guests with tavern fare with a Southern flair. The Brookhaven location will be closed on Christmas Day but the Midtown location will open at 3 p.m., serving up a limited menu of burgers, pizzas and wings. 

Celebrating the holidays with Ray’s Restaurants is an Atlanta holiday tradition, and reservations are recommended. All three restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve offering an a la carte dinner menu from 5-9 p.m. While Ray’s in the Citywill be closed during brunch and lunch hours Christmas Eve, it’s a perfect place to sit down for dinner when downtown for a Christmas Eve service or other festivities. Ray’s on the River will serve a brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. priced at $45.95/adult, $22.95/child on Dec. 24. Welcome Christmas Eve at Ray’s at Killer Creek and enjoy a brunch buffet from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. for $42.95/adult, $21.95/child. The Ray’s trio will be closed on Christmas Day so staff can spend the holiday with family.

These Southern Proper Hospitality restaurants will follow their regular opening hour schedules and offer menu specials on Christmas Eve: The Big Ketch - Canton Street, Milton’s Cuisine + Cocktails and Gypsy Kitchen. On Dec. 24, pop into The Southern Gentleman for lunchtime comfort and joy -- delicious bites, beer or bourbon -- when shopping for that last gift at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta.

Feliz Navidad! Santa loves tacos. Luckily, Tin Lizzy's Cantina locations in Buckhead, Grant Park, Perimeter, Kennesaw, East Cobb and Augusta will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Dec. 24 so the jolly elf can take in some tacos before his flight. (Better watch the margaritas, Santa.)


Midtown and Around

In Midtown, 5Church will be open and offering its regular menus on Christmas Eve. Enjoy favorites from executive chef Scotley Innis like short rib pappardelle ($28), rabbit pot pie ($21) and truffle mushroom risotto ($18).

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland hosts a special Christmas Eve brunch on Dec. 24 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and will close at 6 p.m. The merry brunch menu includes breakfast egg rolls ($8), country ham, grits and red-eye gravy ($14) and eggnog pancakes with bacon or pesto chicken sausage ($12). They promise “special gifts for all of the good boys and girls.” On Christmas Eve, all customers will have an opportunity to win a $50 Atkins Park gift card. Atkins Park is the neighborly place to be on Christmas Day, opening at 6 p.m. and offering plenty of holiday fixings: Big Green Egg smoked turkey breast with caramelized apple and sage stuffing and cider gravy, braised pork shoulder, roasted root veggies with bourbon glaze, green bean casserole, crispy onions and roasted mushrooms, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry Grand Marnier compote, sweet potato biscuits, Southern pecan pie and eggnog cheesecake. $30 adults, $18 for young adults and $10 for ages 10 and under. Reservations recommended.

On Christmas Eve day or night, gather friends for tapas, craft cocktails and Spanish specialties around communal tables at Bulla Gastrobar in Midtown, which will follow its regular hours on Dec. 24.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown and Brookhaven will honor their regular business hours on Christmas Eve for yuletide greetings and eatings then close for Christmas Day.

Revival, chef Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur restaurant, will serve beloved Southern brunch specialties on Christmas Eve from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. As is its custom, the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Count Gunshow out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; the Glenwood Park restaurant will be closed Sunday and Monday as usual, reopening Tuesday and serving dinner from 6-9 p.m.


Buckhead and Sandy Springs

Glitzy American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta will be open on Christmas Eve until 10 p.m. Dinner service begins at 5:30 with the last seating at 8:30 p.m. Head home for a celebratory nightcap as The Regent Cocktail Club will be closed on Christmas Eve.

Cherish an elegant Christmas Eve dinner at Aria. Chef Gerry Klaskala’s acclaimed Buckhead restaurant is usually closed on Sundays so this is an especially sweet opportunity to celebrate this special night.

Rein in the busyness preceding Christmas Eve and be present in calm, exquisite moments at Umi. The celebrity-favored Buckhead sushi restaurant, normally closed on Sundays, will be open for dinner service on Christmas Eve for the first time this year.

Incentive to complete the gift wrapping and stocking stuffing early: Johnny's Hideaway plays jolly jingles and dance tunes well past midnight on Christmas Eve, staying open until 2 a.m. (Hear that, Santa?) The Buckhead hideaway will be closed Christmas Day and night. Psst. Word’s out they’re having a holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 21, so finish that shopping and tootle on over.

Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar in Sandy Springs sustains Santa’s helpers with Christmas Eve brunch and dinner options. Peruse the regular brunch menu from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. From 5:30-9 p.m., savor a special limited dinner menu featuring starters such as “New England-style” smoked haddock chowder, Blue Point oysters stuffed with smoked bacon and kale and braised beef short rib petite Wellingtons with red wine demi-glace ($9-$16). Chef Ron Eyester’s main plates that night include pan-roasted Florida grouper with eggplant purée, haricot vert and tomato jus; crab-stuffed lobster tail with asparagus gratin, new potatoes and hollandaise; smoked chicken risotto with wild mushrooms, herbs and foie gras jus; seared tuna with braised white beans, fennel and olive jus; Santa’s burger with Kobe beef, St. Andres cheese, balsamic onion relish, baby arugula and foie gras mayo; and braised beef short rib with creamed kale, grained mustard and whipped potatoes ($24-$32). Closed Christmas Day.

Outside the Perimeter

Come Christmas Eve in East Cobb, dine on chef-driven seasonal specialties at Seed Kitchen & Bar or go coastal for the “Best Seafood in Atlanta” per the AJC at Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar. Both of chef/owner Doug Turbush’s restaurants will be open for dinner as usual on Christmas Eve.

What’s New on Pinterest

We’re using our noggins to whip up Eggnog Delights just for you and yours. Traditionalists will adore punchbowls and pours of peppermint-eggnog punch, spiked and spiced bacon eggnog, eggnog chai smoothies or Martha Stewart’s eggnog martini (hold the olive, please). Go ahead, spike that eggnog French toast bake (we won’t tell) for an eye-opening breakfast. Prefer to chew instead of raising a glass of the brew? Try eggnog arroz con leche and cranberry parfaits, gingerbread trifle, eggnog pound cake and cake rolls, fudge, meltaways and frosted cookies to jolly-fy the office cookie exchange.

#Foodgram

Hello? Patrick in Toronto calling to Feed My Phone. According to this PR strategist, smartphones hunger for gingerbread men riding croissants, cute and colorful doughnut bites, burrata pizza and aperitivo -- and a gourmet gallery of other photogenic eats. Click -- and wish you could lick as well as like.