Memorial Day Openings and Closings

Gearing up for a nice "staycation" this upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but don't feel like spending time in the kitchen on your day off? Here's a list of restaurants that will be open and ready to take care of the cooking on Monday.

• Alon's Bakery & Market (Open from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.) 
• Alpine Bakery and Trattoria 
• Atkins Park Tavern (Smyrna & Virginia Highland) 
• Double Zero Napoletana 
• Ecco 
• The Original El Taco 
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 
• La Tavola Trattoria 
• Marlow's Tavern (All locations) 
• Ormsby's (Opens at 5 p.m.) 
• RA Sushi 
• Ray's Restaurants (Open from 12:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.) 
• Ray's in the City and Ray's at Killer Creek will have "Buy One, Get One" entrees during dinner. 
• Ray's on the River will feature half price wine during dinner.
• Spice Market
• Uncle Julio's (Buckhead & Sandy Springs)

Restaurants that will be closed Monday: 

• Alma Cocina 
• Aqua Blue Restaurant & Bar 
• Aria 
• Chicken and the Egg 
• JCT Kitchen & Bar 
• Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub 
• Market Street Cafe 
• No. 246 
• South City Kitchen (Midtown & Vinings) 
• The Optimist & Oyster Bar at The Optimist 
• Woodfire Grill

Whatever your plans may be, have a safe and relaxing holiday!

Join Alpine Bakery and Smashburger at Taste of Alpharetta on May 10

 

Up for sampling dishes from 50 different Alpharetta restaurants? Come out to Taste of Alpharetta from 5 - 10 p.m. in historic downtown Alpharetta on Thursday, May 10 and try all the different bites being offered. Just make sure to save room for a couple of our favorites, Alpine Bakery and Trattoria and Smashburger before filling up on all the other  appetizers, entrées and desserts that will be featured at the 22nd annual event. Food tickets are $.50 each, and restaurants will charge $1 - $3 per sample. It's sure to be a fabulous evening of sidewalk grazing, enjoying retro-themed bands and radio stations, watching chefs compete and playing in the Fun Zones at the event's new location across from Alpharetta City Hall at 2 South Main Street.

Our Picks for Easter Eats and Sweets

With Easter less than two weeks away, we've got some great ideas for celebrating with family and friends over brunch and ways to fill up that special someone's Easter basket. You can get the full scoop in Atlanta Dish, but here are a few ideas to nibble on:

Make any Easter basket a happier one with treats from Alon's (located in Dunwoody and Virginia-Highland), including chocolate bunnies, PB&J filled chocolate eggs (my personal favorite!) and more.

For Italian fare and the most extensive bakery you've ever seen, Alpine Bakery & Trattoria in Alpharetta will begin serving a special Easter menu along with the regular menu at noon (although you can peruse the bakery beginning at 10 a.m.).

Aqua blue in Roswell will have an Easter buffet from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including a carving station and made-to-order omelets. Pricing is $29.95 for adults, $9.95 for kids ages 4-12 and free for children under 4.

In Dunwoody, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is serving an elegant three-course Easter menu from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost is $34.95 per adult, and there is a children's version for $16.95 (tax and gratuity not included). Be sure to try the new Blood Orange Fizz cocktail($6.95) while you are there!

At Ray's on the River, brunch is served all day long from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., complete with a riverside view. Cost is $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids ages 5-10 and free for children 4 and under.

Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta is serving Easter brunch from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cost is $29.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids ages 5-10 and free for children 4 and under. Guests also may order off the regular dinner menu from 5 - 9 p.m.

Cooking at home? Grass-fed lamb from White Oak Pastures is the perfect entree for a traditional dinner. You can order online or by calling 229-641-2081, but don't forget that orders must be placed by Monday, April 2 for delivery before Easter.

Appetizing Aperture

"Pi" Day is limited to March 14, but every Wednesday is Pie Day at Alpine Bakery. Pi (p) is a key ingredient in mathematical formulas, but alas, lacking in flavor. Fresh baked pies -- apple, peach and blueberry crumb -- are the answer every Wednesday at Alpine Bakery & Trattoria in Alpharetta. Pie baking is not a formula but an art here, and the usual array includes rustic apple, delicious banana cream, rich peanut butter, creamy chocolate mousse, authentic Key lime, sweet coconut cream and more. When the problem calls for pie, Alpine Bakery is the answer, no matter how you slice it.    

Have Your Cake and Help Others Too - Alpine Bakery & Trattoria Teams Up with North Fulton Community Charities on Feb. 28

Do something to help your neighbor before the love month comes to an end. Alpine Bakery & Trattoria in Alpharetta shares the love Tuesday, February 28 by donating 10 percent of the day’s proceeds to Have a Heart for North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC). Italian food, NY-style pizza, sweet desserts, cupcakes and helping thy neighbor -- that’s finger-licking love. The fundraiser caps a month of awareness events for the non-profit human service agency dedicated to preventing homelessness of individuals residing north of the Chattahoochee River in Fulton County and to assisting families with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities and clothing during short-term emergencies. In 2011, NFCC distributed food more than 20,500 times, provided clothing vouchers to 2,000 families and gave $1.2 million to those in need of financial assistance. And hey, if you miss out tonight, NFCC also needs your help during the other 11 months of the year.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Valentine's Edition

It's no secret that we at MLA have a passionate love for uber-indulgent red velvet cake. So we're hoping our significant others see this Valentine's Day hint. We'd love for this slice of red velvet from Alpine Bakery & Trattoria to magically appear! Cupid, the ball's in your court...