Are You in NYC? Check Out Chef Drew Belline at City Grit July 25

Photo by Richie Arpino

Are you lucky enough to be in the Big Apple on Thursday, July 25? You won't want to miss Chef Drew Belline cooking up a rustic Italian feast at City Grit, a NYC culinary salon. The No. 246 chef and co-owner will put on his culinary show on Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m. Dinner and Belline's culinary show are $85 for one, $150 for two; buy tickets online. 

Three Cheers for Broccoli (and Learning How to Cook It)

Nutritional powerhouse broccoli boasts more vitamin C than an orange, phytochemicals, fiber, a skinny portion of calories -- and it's in season locally at Woodland Gardens in Winterville near Athens, Ga. This Saturday, October 27, No. 246 Chef Drew Belline will show Morningside Farmers' Market shoppers some sweet ways to prepare this emerald gem (and keep it that color). Shop 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays at 1393 N. Highland. Super Broccoli for Halloween, anyone? 

How 'Bout Them Apples? They're All Good at No. 246 Backyard Apple Festival on September 23

 

Before autumn leaves turn, the apples fall and a whole bunch have fallen into the hands of the No. 246 staff in Decatur. "How 'Bout Them Apples?" they asked and immediately planned a backyard festival with apples at its core. Join No. 246 and its Decatur neighbors Leon's Full Service and Brick Store Pub on Sunday, September 23 from 2-7 p.m. for an apple-solutely fantastic afternoon of food, cocktails and fun. 

No. 246 Chef Drew Belline will roast a whole pig while Chef Eric Ottensmeyer of Leon's Full Service fixes sides. Apple sweets will abound, including caramel apples, apple upside down cake, caramel apple cake, apple-powdered kettle corn and apple candies. Beverage Director Lara Creasy will mix up a cider punch with fresh-pressed cider, Italian brandy, vermouth di Torino and spices (could get apple-soused with several of these). 

Leon's is creating an apple cocktail, and the over-21 crowd can go for a six-cider tasting. Everyone can enjoy fresh-pressed cider made from North Georgia apples, and Georgia farmers will educate guests by sharing samples of their apple varieties. Bobbing for apples, face painting and twisting balloon animals will keep kids happy.

Purchase tickets at No. 246 for $35 per person ($10 for children age 12 and under). Tickets include food and cider tastings; additional alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at No. 246, Leon's Full Service and Brick Store Pub. Reservations are recommended as space is limited; call 678-399-8246 to reserve a spot.

No. 246 Chef Drew Belline Peps Up Weeknight Family Suppers

 

Knowing family dinners are so important, time is precious and dollars are dear, No. 246 Chef Drew Belline has drawn up a special family style supper menu for early diners. On Monday through Thursday evenings, diners seated between 5 - 6:30 p.m. can order a four-course meal served family style (with the exception of the entrée) for $18 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. 

The Italian-inspired menu begins with toast with local roasted sweet peppers, local basil, shaved heirloom garlic, EVOO and sea salt, and a salad of local greens with house-dried oregano vinaigrette, pepperoncinis, small tomatoes, shaved local red onions and feta. Choose one pasta entrée per person: tagliatelle carbonara with bacon, local herbs and Parmesan; spaghetti and meatball with Parmesan, San Marzano and basil; squid ink tagliatini with Bemis and James bottarga, bread crumbs, chilies and mint; or spaghetti with arugula, basil and almond pesto. Tiny, doughnut-like zeppole with anise sugar is a classic dessert. The children's menu includes spaghetti with meatball, spaghetti with butter and cheese pizza.

Help Crown Decatur as the South's Tastiest Town

If you love the deliciousness of Decatur as much as we do, you'll want to show some favoritism. Decatur has been nominated as one of the South's Tastiest Towns in Southern Living magazine and it's time to cast your vote. Our favorite thing about Decatur? No.246 and Chef Drew Belline's Italian-inspired, locally driven menu. If you haven't already tasted Belline's cuisine for yourself, stop by the restaurant (located at 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue) for lunch or dinner and you'll find one more reason to love Decatur. Then cast your vote daily through January 31. Added bonus: voters are entered for a chance to win a $2,500 visit to the tasty town of their choice.

Decatur's No. 246 Adds New Brunch & Lunch Delights

Executive Chef Drew Belline of No. 246 adds weekend brunch to the list of tempting reasons to visit the intriguing shops in downtown Decatur. He's adding three new Italian-inspired brunch items to the restaurant's weekend lunch menu: wood-oven poached eggs with Georgia white shrimp, San Marzano tomato, toasted garlic, butterbeans, thyme and toast; breakfast pizza with fingerling potatoes, baked eggs, smoky bacon, Gruyere and farm herbs; and pan-fried brioche with cranberry maple syrup, toasted pecans and fresh cream. Weekend lunch/brunch "hour" extends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant also serves lunch Monday through Friday and dinner nightly.

Come Watch No. 246's Drew Belline at the Morningside Farmers Market

Drew Belline, executive chef at No. 246 in Decatur, welcomes Sequatchie Cove Farm, a Morningside Farmers Market product newbie, this Saturday, November 5. Belline will be working with ground lamb from the Sequatchie, Tenn. farm at his 9:30 a.m. demo. Make sure to stick around for a tasting and pick up some fresh produce for the week. Sequatchie Cove Farm is about 35 miles northwest of Chattanooga. Livestock, including Katahdin lamb, root and roam stress-free on grassy pastures.


Morningside Farmers Market, located at 1393 N. Highland Avenue, is open Saturdays 8 - 11 a.m.

Our Appetizing Aperture Of The Week

Chef Drew Belline's Backyard Honey Gelato Cone With Fennel Pollen

Honey, this amazing gelato cone from Chef Drew Belline of Decatur's No. 246 is truly the bee's knees!