Southern Proper Hospitality to Open Chido + Padre’s in April, Bringing Baja to Buckhead

This year, when Baja beckons for a spring break, Atlantans can zip to Buckhead where Chido + Padre’s, the newest concept from Southern Proper Hospitality (SPH), will deliver the bold flavors, traditions and spirit of the Baja Peninsula’s vivacious culture. Set to open in early April, the restaurant will fill the Smokebelly BBQ space at 128 East Andrews Drive. “From Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas, we have visited Western Mexico often and have fallen in love with the food, people and way of life there. We wanted to create an authentic concept that would transport some of these customs to Atlanta in a modern way,” says SPH CEO Tony Bartlett. “Chido + Padre’s will celebrate Mexico’s fresh, coastal cuisine and bring a fun and festive party to Buckhead.”

What’s in a name? Chido and Padre personify the notion that opposites attract -- Chido being the mischievous risk taker, while Padre is the do-gooder voice of reason -- purposefully pleasing foodies and families with fresh, elevated Baja-Mex fare, festive atmosphere (think birthday celebrations with sombreros) and convenient parking while tequila-ing the fancies of the after-work and party crowd with strong drinks, modern food and a high-energy vibe. Executive chef Benjamin Meyer, also SPH’s corporate chef, will employ a mesquite wood-burning grill and fresh flavor combos on the lunch and dinner menus. Look for mesquite-grilled meats and seafood, campechana, vegetarian tamales, chicken mole, smoked brisket tacos, enchiladas and other authentic dishes, along with a wide variety of botanas (dips) such as queso, house salsas and made-to-order guacamoles. An upscale yet approachable beverage program will feature margaritas, cocktails, tequilas, wine and a variety of Mexican, domestic and craft beers. Appealing to guests’ Chido side, the edgy Bandida Bar will emphasize tequila and mezcal varietals and off-the-menu cocktail creations. Chido + Padre’s continues the SPH tradition of providing a “short-term escape” for diners by appealing to a sense of adventure -- in this case, it’s that authentic Baja-Mex experience, right here, and almost right now. Can’t wait until April brings this “spring break.”  For more information, visit chidoandpadres.com. 

Joey Ward of Gunshow is a 2018 StarChefs Rising Star; Taste His Talent at Gala Feb. 20

Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward is on the 2018 class roster for StarChefs Atlanta Rising Stars. The honor comes with spoon, fork and swizzlers attached: Ward and his talented classmates -- Atlanta’s top chefs, sommeliers and bartenders -- will prepare tastings and pour drinks for guests to savor while sauntering around the 2018 Atlanta Rising Stars Gala at SunTrust Park on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Preview the tempting menu here. A VIP reception opens the evening at 5:45 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and the Tasting Gala from 7-9:30 p.m. Ward plans to wow gala guests with Lone Mountain Wagyu tartare, brioche, white truffle emulsion and egg yolk. He’s not going it alone. Compadre and Cocktail Cart Conductor Mercedes O’Brien joins him, treating imbibers to a smooth, java-ish cocktail of Grey Goose vodka, faux’presso, coffee liqueur, Chinese black bean vermouth and burnt sugar. Buy tickets online and come taste why these men and women are Atlanta’s StarChefs. General admission is $85 per person; VIP tickets are $125 per person (plus small service fee). A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency assistance to Atlanta restaurant workers.

Earn Points, Discounts through New HOBNOB Loyalty Program

Frequenters of HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern joining the restaurant’s new loyalty program will be rewarded with a lagniappe (even when it’s not Mardi Gras season) in the way of points and dollar discounts. For each dollar spent, guests will rack up one point. Upon accumulating 100 points, they’ll receive $5 off their purchase. The program is already underway at HOBNOB in Midtown and Town Brookhaven. Enjoy a people-pleasing menu of refined tavern fare with Southern flair, cold brews, a satisfying wine collection and handcrafted cocktails at both locations.

It’s 10 “o’guac” Somewhere! Social Hours and Late-Night Specials Flow at Babalu

Check your clock and get ready to guac and roll with the new afternoon and late-night Flights & Bites menu and specials at Babalu Tapas & Tacos in Midtown. Come hungry and thirsty. Leave happy and quenched. Chime in from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, Thursdays from 10 “o’guac” p.m. until midnight and Friday and Saturday from 10 “o’guac” until 1 a.m.

Savor a flight of three tequilas for $10 or a $10 sangria flight featuring house-made white, red, rosé and seasonal sangrias. For a buck more ($11), buy a specialty margarita flight with your choice of any four margarita flavors. Settle in over $4 pours of sangria or draft beers, $5 glasses of house wines or well drinks, or a house margarita for $6.

Bite into your choice of Babalu’s eight taco flavors for $3; queso blanco fries ($6); Babalu’s best dips -- guacamole, pico de gallo, black-eyed pea hummus -- and chips ($7); black bean fritters ($8); crab bites ($10); a Baba burger, crispy pork belly, and lamb and goat cheese slider trio ($10); or a dessert sampler of chocolate cayenne truffle, dulce de leche cheesecake bite and cinnamon bread pudding ($5). Night owls, it’s time.

American Cut Hosts Intimate Domaine Select Wine Dinner Feb. 24

Two names synonymous with excellence in their own right -- American Cut and Domaine Select Wine & Spirits -- comprise a dynamic dine-and-wine duo as they come together to host an exceptional Domaine Select Wine Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 24. American Cut executive chef John Adamson and head sommelier Adam Pucillo design a fabulous dinner featuring three savory courses plus dessert astutely paired with wines from Domaine Select and priced at $200 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Only 16 guests will be able to attend this intimate event, which starts at 6 p.m. at the upscale restaurant in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta on Peachtree Street. Call the restaurant to reserve seats, 770-415-9766.

What's New on Pinterest: Sweets for your Sweetie

Hand over your heart on Valentine’s Day, along with a super-duper heart-shaped box of Sweets for your Sweetie. Show your sweetie you’re not triflin’ with his/her heart (unless you’re making little fruit and brownie trifles), you’re truffling, as in brownie truffles and chocolate Baileys truffles. Keep them wrapped around your pinky finger with perfectly pink Valentine’s Day popcorn, pink heart-shaped macarons, s’mores snack mix and raspberry chocolate chip cookies. Looking for a love drug that’s FDA-approved (Food Definitely Adored)? We prescribe Valentine’s crack, a variation on that addicting cracker toffee, irresistible as you. That could lead to saving the budget-friendly DIY wedding favors pin…you never know.

Tune in to Lively Entertainment at The Regent Cocktail Club

Live the high life at The Regent Cocktail Club, made even sweeter by lively DJs mixing tunes and mixologists creating keen craft cocktails for imbibing while sinking into comfy seating overlooking Peachtree Street and the Atlanta skyline. DJ Grace, Atlanta’s leading female DJ, takes the stage for the best singles party in the city on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. She returns Feb. 15 and 22 from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. and Feb. 17 and 24 from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. “A force to be reckoned with,” DJ Grace prides herself on open-format, cross-genre prowess and seamless set selections and has rocked Atlantans for more than 11 years. Hearts will flutter for modern-day maestro and master-remixer Joey Casanova on Friday, Feb. 16 and 23. Casanova sets a party tempo at the rooftop lounge atop American Cut in Buckhead from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. both nights.

Tin Lizzy’s Taco Tuesday Takes Over after 2 p.m.

Time it right and you’ll be able to fill up on $2 tacos on Tuesdays at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. A hot menu of two-buck tacos kicks in after 2 p.m. and keeps on filling friends until closing time at Atlanta-area Tin Lizzy’s locations. Mix or match grilled, fried or Buffalo chicken tacos, chicken con queso tacos, fried fish tacos and chicken club tacos. Patrón shorties priced at $5 each stoke the festive feeling throughout the afternoon and evening. Specials are good all day at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina locations in Augusta, Georgia, Tallahassee, Florida, and Greenville and Columbia, South Carolina. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.

What’s New on Pinterest: Sweet Sips to Love

Get all kissy-kissy with Sweet Sips to Love, right on target for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Find libations to put a “Sparkle in Her Eye” (and maybe a ring on her finger). Sweetie martinis, Cupid’s Pink Arrow and Love Potion distill your affections into cutie cocktails. Strawberry sangria, vodka ginger twist and cranberry-ginger mimosa say, “I care about your whole being” by working those help-ya-stay-healthy fruits and spices into the menu. Gals, snag some ways to share the love with your special guy here. And while wine dummies and Jell-O shooter hearts thrill grownups, your young Valentines will love sipping strawberry Cupid floats through pink-striped straws.

#Foodgram: Feed the Swimmers

When Jill Fergus’ kids began swimming competitively, she realized how nutrition, performance, growth, overall health and emotional well-being must be in sync. The recipe developer/food stylist-photographer and editor dove into feeding that passion with a blog feedtheswimmers.com and Instagram album Feed the Swimmers.