Medal in Ping-Pong, Putting or Giant Jenga during Atkins Park Summer Olympic Games

Even if you came in short on making Team U.S.A. and heading to Rio, there’s still a place for you to rev team spirit and show off your amazing prowess right here in the ATL. Summer Olympics competitions are underway at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Highlight your sport date so you don’t miss out: Golden Tee golf, August 9; cornhole, August 10; ladder toss, August 11; putting challenge, August 15; Giant Jenga, August 16; Kan Jam, August 17; and Ping-Pong, August 18. Games begin at 10 p.m. Champs win prize packs from Boulevard Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Orpheus Brewing, Terrapin Brewing Company, SweetWater Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada and Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits.

Delicious Maneuvers Tackle Game Day Appetites February 7

Watching the year’s biggest game, even sideline QBs, linemen and cheerleaders work up stadium-sized appetites. Atlanta restaurants conquer those cravings with food and drink specials, catering packages and pigskin parties that will put points on your scoreboard during the NFL championship on Sunday, February 7.
 
Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland fields an MVP carry-out menu lining up two dozen jumbo chicken wings, confit or smoked in a Big Green Egg, with your choice of sweet chili, spicy BBQ or Atkins Park’s classic wing sauce (ranch, blue cheese and veggies included) for $30. Other winning plays include 12 pulled pork sliders; house-made guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips; and a vegetable crudité platter with ranch dressing, each $25. Call 404-876-7249.
 
FLIP burger boutique has drawn up a special to-go menu so you can order your favorite sliders ($37.50 for 10), including the classic stack, turkey or the rBQ with angus beef, pulled brisket and coleslaw. Don’t forget appetizing starters and sides like baked beans ($25 feeds four to six fans), braised brisket empanadas, FLIP chips and kale slaw ($20 for four to six). Call and order ahead of time to guarantee availability. FLIP will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 7, so pick up orders before 4:30 p.m.
 
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern posts a slate of “Super Sunday” specials for dine-in, to-go or delivery (viaGrubhub.com). Order 50 chicken wings for $49 and get 25 pretzels and beer cheese dip free. An order of 24 chicken tenders merits 12 free pretzels for $69, and HOBNOB’s party-size chili, which feeds 12 people for $79, also comes with 12 free pretzels. Place to-go orders at least 24 hours in advance, 404-968-2288.

Victory dance? Johnny’s Hideaway will broadcast the game in full house sound. A DJ spins Johnny’s signature mix of classics and contemporary dance hits immediately afterward.

If wings is your thing, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails has the perfect to-go option to watch the big game at home. They're offering 50 smoked wings and white chocolate chip brownie bites for $50 plus tax. Flavors include traditional medium, espresso rubbed with pomegranate molasses or Kentuckyaki with sesame seeds. Order by February 5 at 5 p.m. Available for pick up on February 7 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. miltonscuisine.com 

Snap up Smokebelly BBQ game-day specials. Hosting at home? Through February 7, order two pounds of pulled pork, a one-quart side, one pint of sauce and a package of slider buns to feed four of your hungriest friends for $40 or field a platter of 25 wings with celery, carrots and sauce for $20 per platter. Smokebelly game viewing opens the door to specials such as 25 wings and a bucket of five beers for $35, $3 draft specials and $5 well drinks. Also through February 7, dine-in customers can register to win a 50” TV courtesy of American Born Moonshine. The winner will be announced during the third quarter of the big game and must be present to score the prize. Call 404-848-9100.
 
STATS offers the ultimate viewing party with more than 70 TVs. Watch with up to five of your friends (six people total) in the main dining area for $250 or enjoy delicious draft beer right at your fingertips at one of the restaurant’s tap tables (seats six to eight) for $500. For a VIP experience, kick back in one of four semi-private suites ($500 for up to 10 people) or super suites ($750 for up to 15). Ticket purchase includes reservation and food and beverage minimum for your desired section. To reserve a spot today, click here or call 404-885-1472.

Flex muscles, FlexMex. Tin Lizzy’s Cantina catering options include the taco bar ($9 per person), the stacked taco bar ($11 per person), chicken tender platters ($4 per person) and Tin Lizzy’s FlexMex salad ($2.50 per person). Order at least 24 hours in advance. Free delivery within a 10-mile radius; $100 minimum order for delivery. Email catering@tinlizzys.com for all catering inquiries.
 
Twin Smokers BBQ has a smokin’ hot package for February 7 that includes a choice of three meats (one pound each), three one-quart sides, cornbread, BBQ sauces and sweet tea or lemonade for $75. Drop-off catering for parties of 25 or more with 48-hour advance notice (delivery fee may apply). Call 404-698-4707. 

Give Winter the Cold Shoulder, Slurp Soup

When it’s raw outside, nothing thaws hands and mellows the soul like a bowl of steaming hot soup. Join us as we lift lids and peek into stockpots to see what’s simmering at, stewing around metro Atlanta.

Blow off downtown’s wind chill by ducking into JP Atlanta and savoring a bowl of onion soup “1967” served au gratin ($12) -- a starter on the All-Day Dining menu.

Looking for a rosy glow in Midtown? It’s found in Article 14’s lycopene-rich tomato bisque with whipped crème fraîche and basil ($7).

Zucca, may rhyme with Bazooka, but the golden butternut squash soup with winter pesto and mascarpone ($5) at Bellina Alimentari in Ponce City Market is oh so much more satisfying and good for you.

Brace yourself with homestyle chili dolloped with sour cream and cheddar ($5) at Chick-a-Biddy before total immersion in an adrenaline-pumping movie or shopping at Atlantic Station.

Expect a heated debate over which Vietnamese soup is best when slurping with friends at Le Fat in Midtown. Three top competitors: Le Fat Pho (beef noodle, $12), Pho Ga (chicken noodle, $10) or Bún Bo Hue (spicy beef, $12).

A cup or bowl of tomato bisque ($4.95/$6.95) at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern hits home after a brisk walk or jog around Piedmont Park. Even better, order the grilled cheese and tomato bisque combo ($11.95) sporting a sandwich oozing havarti, Parmesan and fontina cheeses for dunking.

Pining for that something smoky in a bowl, not on a bun? Get stoked for vegetarian smoked tomato bisque at 10th & Piedmont ($4/$6) with buttermilk biscuit croutons, Parmesan cheese and fried basil. A gluten-free option is available.

At Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar in Midtown, enjoy a bowl of butternut squash soup with chicharrones (pork rinds), lemon and cilantro ($6) before sharing a board laden with locally made cheese or charcuterie.

In Virginia-Highland, Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar OKs “playing with your food,” i.e., toying around with the crisp garlic croutons floating atop their creamy tomato basil soup ($3/$5).

Like everything about Aria in Buckhead, creamless celery root soup with Umbrian black truffles and Parmigiano-Reggiano reflects pure elegance in every detail ($12).

True Southerners chowing down at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead can’t pass up a meaty bowl of Brunswick stew with house-made crackers for crumbling or dipping ($4.50).

When you’re craving a bit of soothing FlexMex mojo, stop by the closest Tin Lizzy’s Cantina for a cup of chicken tortilla soup, seasoned tomato broth dancing with chicken breast, corn, jack cheese, tortilla strips, avocado and chopped cilantro ($2.69).

Scuba-doobie-do dive into Caribbean lobster bisque at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead or Roswell. Each cup or bowl of this slightly sweet and island-spicy bisque swims with lobster and blue crab in a tomato sea ($4.95/$6.95).

Heady roast chicken and vegetable stew, available at all Bantam + Biddy locations, sustains souls for the long haul with fresh herbs, tender potatoes and a cheery cheddar biscuit topper ($12.50).

Even if “Burrito” is your middle name, tortilla soup calls out at Willy's Mexicana Grill locations. A favorite by the bowl ($4.75) or as an entrée add-on ($2.95).

Sushi may be on your mind at Roswell’s Aqua blue but don’t overlook the miso soup rich with fresh vegetables, tofu and mushrooms for $5. Hearty soup du jour choices alternate between loaded baked potato soup and clam chowder ($5).

Spoon into a cup or bowl of seafood gumbo with white rice ($7/$9) at Ray’s on the River and watch the Chattahoochee carry your cares away.

Across the river in East Cobb, Seed Kitchen & Bar spikes its nourishing roasted butternut squash soup with maple cream and sprinkles on toasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy contrast ($7.95).  

Falcons vs. Saints Tailgate Party and Backyard Games on December 21

Hold up on the reindeer games. At Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland, a tailgate party, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints football viewing and backyard games will be going strong on Sunday, December 21 beginning at 1 p.m. Hoisting Goose Island beer at the pre-game tailgate and during the game keeps your throwing arm limber for the cornhole, ring toss and KanJam competitions that kick off in the tavern's backyard when gridiron action ends. Winning teams take home an official Falcons smoker, a Bud Light cooler and a KanJam set. No cover or fee to play games.

Cinco de Mayo Fiestas for a Muy Bueno Monday

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year, thus elevating the day from ho-hum to “Hola!” status as it caps a weekend of food and drink fiestas. Tilt back the sombrero and say “si” to so many ways and days to celebrate. Save the siesta for later.

Atkins Park is serving up three days of Cinco de Mayo celebrations with cervezas, tequila, palomas and margaritas to drink and pozole rojo, taquitos and chile rellenos to eat. Stop in May 3-5 for fiesta-style feasting.

HOBNOB stretches the Mexicana theme all the way from Monday, May 5 through Sunday, May 18 via their annual Tacos & Tequilas round up of specially prepared tacos matched with tricky tequila drinks. Taco and beverage pairing suggestions include carne asada and a Herradura skinny margarita; al pastor with Devil in a Blue Dress; blackened tilapia and HOBNOB Paloma Brava; slow-roasted chicken paired with a siesta martini; and blackened shrimp with mango salsa paired with Vampira. Choose one taco for $4, two for $7 or three for $10; tequila drink pairings are $8 each. Tacos & Tequilas tacks onto HOBNOB’s regular menu for this two-week time slot. 

Buckhead, Mall of Georgia and Perimeter Tin Lizzy’s Cantina locations are throwing Season de Cinco block parties with live music and contests over the Cinco de Mayo weekend. The three cantinas are all offering drink specials of Camarena tequila “Best House” margaritas ($6/16 oz. and $10/24 oz.), Corona Light drafts ($9/24 oz.), Grand Marnier shots ($3) and jolts of Deep Eddy vodka and Kill Cliff drinks ($6). Party with a purpose: all three locations are charging a $10 cover charge with a portion benefitting Bert’s Big Adventure. Buckhead amigos and amigas can get a running start on the fiesta-ivities by joining in the third Stache Dash 5K at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 3. It’s “nacho” average race, and 100 percent of proceeds benefit One Love Generation. Each runner receives a goodie bag with a cover-waiving wristband and coupon for one free drink at the Buckhead cantina’s 11 a.m.-2 a.m. block party (open to ages 21 and over). In Buford, the Mall of Georgia cantina cranks in the courtyard and amphitheater with giveaways and musical acts, such as Mario Diaz and Jacob Blazer from noon on Saturday until 2 a.m. Salsa on over to Tin Lizzy’s Perimeter for their Sunday Funday party on May 4 from 12:30 p.m. through midnight.

Offer up your casa or covey of cubicles for a cinco-sational gathering. Willy’s Mexicana Grill Catering can set you up with nacho, fajita or taco bars, burrito or quesadilla platters, sopapillas, beverages and gallons of Willy’s own margarita mix (spike with your own tequila).

Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Spring Music Series Amps Up with Trailing Tinsley and Monday Night Brewing on April 24

Local brother-sister duo Trailing Tinsley goes acoustic at this Thursday night’s Spring Live Music Series session at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. Music starts at 10 p.m. on April 24. Get there early for Monday Night Brewing specials.

Come Party on the Porch at Atkins Park on April 17

Trifecta! Music, brews and great grilling align for a fine Southern porch party at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland on Thursday, April 17, beginning at 7 p.m. Flip over food specials searing on the grill, Monday Night Brewing beer deals and live music by Homefront. The night also opens Atkins Park’s spring music series, which reappears with Trailing Tinsley on April 24 and Kyle Seitz on May 1.

Raise your Pint on Wednesday Nights at Atkins Park

Join Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland this month for Wednesday Night Pint Nights! Buy a pint of New Belgium and the glass is yours. Also, for each New Belgium pint sold, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition receives $1 to help fund Atlanta Streets Alive. Wednesday is only two days away, so make plans now to stop by and have a mid-week pint for a good cause.

Taste New Holland Brewing Company's Summer Cocktails at Atkins Park

New Holland Brewing Company has perfected their bubbly, beer-kissed cocktails and is eager to show them off. Grab a seat on the patio at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar on Wednesday, May 29 to taste all of their summery spirits. Chef Andrew Smith of Atkins Park ensures that no drinker goes hungry with a menu of bites that pair perfectly with its brewed counterpart.