Chef Kevin Gillespie’s Red Beard Restaurants and Meriwether Companies Form RedWether Collaborative to Help Chefs Get Started in the Biz

Talent and exciting food culture spread across the U.S. The challenge is helping new chefs reach diners so more folks can enjoy the experience. Enter RedWether Collaborative, a partnership between chef Kevin Gillespie’s Red Beard Restaurants and innovative hospitality developers Meriwether Companies that takes the food hall trend to a new level by encouraging chefs to try a new concept or open their first restaurant. In a nutshell, “I have been wanting to help chefs try a new concept or open their first restaurant, and I finally have the right partner to do this,” says Gillespie. “As a restaurateur, I think mostly about food and service. Meriwether thinks about the setting and the overall experiences. Together, we envision a curated, micro-restaurant environment where aspiring entrepreneurs get to take the next step toward their dreams with RedWether as a support structure behind them. It’s a unique hybrid of restaurant and incubator.” Noting that our nation’s progressive food culture extends beyond major cities, RedWether Collaborative is choosing Nashville and Kansas City for initial ventures. The company’s first location is slated to open in Kansas City in mid-2018 with Nashville’s Germantown Union mixed-use development next on the horizon. RedWether will control service and bars inside each space, giving chef tenants the ability to focus on their food without other restaurant and bar burdens. Red Beard Restaurants is the parent company that oversees Atlanta chef, restaurateur, speaker and cookbook author Kevin Gillespie’s food and beverage ventures, including his restaurants Gunshow and Revival, all of his merchandise and Red Beard Special Events, which operates Communion Cantina, his BBQ pop up Terminus City and Gamechanger, opening in August 2017 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Meriwether Companies is a multi-disciplined, experiential real estate development and investment firm focused on designing distinctive and interesting hospitality and residential projects located in resort communities and select urban settings.

Free Margaritas and Fun Galore for Father’s Day, June 18

He’s king of the hill, top dog at the grill and ruler of the remote. Give Dad a break from kingly duties by whisking him away for a Father’s Day outing involving eating and drinking at Atlanta’s fun-loving and fancy restaurants. Specials are popping up all over town on Sunday, June 18.
 
Intown

Indulge Dad with an elegant prime rib dinner at American Cut. The upscale steakhouse in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta serves this Sunday special from 4-9 p.m. for $52 per person (excludes tax and gratuity). Dad can choose either the OG 1924 Hotel Caesar salad or Beeler’s Farm bacon to whet his appetite. For the second course, slice into a tender cut of 12-ounce dry-aged prime rib served with beef jus, horseradish sauce and a choice of one menu side dish. Lucky dad, Father’s Day falls on a Sunset Sunday, a monthly after-brunch party hosted by American Cut’s upstairs neighbor, The Regent Cocktail Club. On the third Sunday of each month from April through September, the rooftop cocktail lounge is open from 3-11 p.m. From 3-6 p.m. enjoy $35 mimosa carafes and $10 tequila cocktails. Just the place to let Dad know he’s “tops” in your book.

 5Church Atlanta has a dad-friendly weekend brunch and à la carte dinner menu featuring hearty options such as the “60 second” prime New York strip, the bistro steak “a la brasa,” the 5Church lamb burger, Atlantic diver scallops (dinner only) and the A-5 Kagushima wagyu rib-eye (dinner only). For a more intimate option, Dad can share the 60-day dry-aged porterhouse for two with his special someone. Call 404-400-3669 or visit 5churchatlanta.com for reservations.

Dad’s well worth his salt, soJefe’s Tacos & Tequila in Brookhaven is treating Dad to one free margarita on Father's Day. He’ll enjoy the icy concoction while building a taco playlist from Jefe’s multitude of creative handfuls. Another margarita or favorite brew? There in a jiff, at Jefe’s.

Dad can sleep in and still make it to Sunday brunch at Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub. The Brookhaven eatery stands by its usual hours and menu with offerings such as Springer Mountain chicken wings, herb-crusted salmon, shrimp and grits, steak frites and, of course, the award-winning Kaleidoscope burger. Secure your Father’s Day reservation -- available all through brunch (versus the usual protocol of accepting reservations only for first 30 minutes of opening). Reservations: 404-474-9600.

Take Dad out to play in the backyard on his special day -- to Communion Cantina, the outdoor gathering spot behind Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur restaurant Revival. Dad’s assured a laid-back afternoon or evening flush with cold beer, cocktails, a small menu of Mexican food truck snacks and games such as cornhole. Open Sunday from 1-9 p.m. -- no reservations needed.

 The Federal serves Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m., so you can treat that special man in your life to traditional American steakhouse favorites. The famous 50-day dry-aged steak is sure to compete with even his grill skills. Call 404-343-3857 for reservations.

Delight Dad with a delicacy fromSublime Doughnuts on Father’s Day morning! Sublime will be rolling all his favorites into one delicious treat with their bourbon-glazed apple butter doughnut. Pick up this breakfast fit for a king at Sublime’s Georgia Tech location all day on June 18. Just in case Dad prefers sleeping in, they’re open 24 hours!   

 Midtown Takorea & Ssam Bar on Juniper Street is a fun alternative for Sunday dining, open noon-10 p.m. Executive chef Tomas Lee’s BBQ pork sliders are a Korean spin on dad’s favorite backyard barbecue meal.

 HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is serving up their new Champion burger this Father’s Day weekend. Featuring pork belly, provolone, house-cured kimchi and served on a brioche bun with a side of house-cut french fries or seasonal veggies, this burger is sure to be a winner.
 
OTP

Dads who like to putz around in the garden will thrill to see Milton’s Acre, the backyard garden and a source of ingredients at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails. The historic Crabapple restaurant offers a three-course Father’s Day brunch menu priced at $32 per person. Among the enticing offerings are sticky toffee pecan beignets, shrimp and grits, blackened Atlantic salmon, a truffle-salted petite filet mignon and maple-bacon bread pudding. Additionally, Milton’s will offer its regular menu and “Milton’s Prime” menu of prime cuts of signature steaks, including grass-fed Delmonico rib eye, served with a choice of three sauces. For reservations, call 770-817-0161.

Craving fresh seafood? Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar features a fresh Maine lobster bar that will reel in dads from all over town. Call 770-635-7641 for reservations.

For all-day fun, go explore Vickery Creek Park, head over to Gate City Brewing to cool down and then finish it off with a patio dinner at The Big Ketch on Canton Street. For more information to plan Dad's perfect Father's Day in Historic Roswell, visit ExploreRoswell.com.

 Multiple Locations

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill knows Dad is quite a fine catch, and they’re offering a Father’s Day feast in his honor. The $34.95 per-person haul features a crabcake, lobster tail and a skewer of grilled, blackened or jerk-style shrimp or scallops accompanied by two sides. Sail into either port, Buckhead or Canton Street in Roswell, to net this bounty.

Whether Dad’s a morning person, afternoon adventurer or night owl,Ray’s Restaurants has Father’s Day meals covered. Dad can relax while looking out on the Chattahoochee River at Ray’s on the River (770-955-1187), serving Father’s Day brunch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For $45.95 per adult or $22.95 per child (age 5-10), scope out generous buffets tailored to morning and afternoon/evening tastes. In Alpharetta, Ray’s at Killer Creek (770-649-0064) spreads a Father’s Day buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for $39.95 for adults or $19.95 for kids (ages 5-10). Family favorites include peel-and-eat shrimp, rosemary-roasted leg of lamb and roasted prime rib. Families planning an in-town Father’s Day adventure can launch or cap the day with a special Father’s Day meal at Ray’s in the City (404-524-9224). Brunch, offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., is priced at $39.95 per adult and $19.95 for children (ages 5-10). Stations are waiting for guests offering carved beef steamship round and pork shoulder, sushi, smoked salmon, charcuterie, chopped beef brisket, herb-roasted chicken and a dessert and pastry bar. Each restaurant offers its own à la carte dinner menu from 5-9 p.m., with appetizing steak options.

 Gift Idea

For the king of the grill, theKUDU Safari Braai is the ideal gift for Dad this Father’s Day. He is sure to rule the backyard barbecue season with this portable grill boasting elevated grates providing a range of heat levels that can simultaneously sauté, sear, fry, boil, smoke and steam all over an open flame.

Want to see a KUDU in action and eat some great food? Come out to Yebo Beach House on Father's Day from 12:30 - 4 p.m. and join Atlanta restaurateur Justin Anthony and his father Derek Anthony as they combine forces for an exclusive KUDU Safari Braai Cookout! Tickets are $30, and you can buy them here!

Kevin Gillespie Plants Chef Demo and Cookbook Signing at Peachtree Road Farmers Market May 13

Chef Kevin Gillespie always has new ideas up his sleeve (in addition to his famously colorful tats). Gillespie, of Gunshow, Revival, Communion Cantina, Terminus City and Gamechanger, opening soon at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, leads the 10 a.m. chef demo at the Saturday, May 13 Peachtree Road Farmers Market. His culinary excitement will set mouths watering for more cooking tips to go. No ‘cue quandary here. Buy one of his cookbooks that morning and snag a signature and maybe a splash of barbecue sauce to mark the page. Shop from 8:30 a.m.-noon and enjoy live music by Bailey Diamond.

TGIF AND Cinco de Mayo Friday, May 5

Get ready to “Cinco” into the weekend this year because Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday and Saturdays are meant for sleeping in. And, at some restaurants, the celebrations kick in early in the week and carry on through the weekend!

Communion Cantina throws open its backyard bar and eatery for the warm weather season on Cinco de Mayo. Cantina? Si! Kevin Gillespie has transformed the outdoor gathering place behind Revival, his popular Decatur restaurant, into a casual Mexican cantina -- just in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrating. The cantina food truck, with a menu driven by executive chef Andreas Müller, will sell five different varieties of tacos, chips and salsa, cheese dip and other Mexican staples. Border heat calls for cocktails, margaritas, sangria, frozen drinks like frosé and frozen mint juleps along with bottled and draft beer featuring West Coast and Mexican brews. Hours are Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 1-10 p.m., Sunday 1-9 p.m. and Thursday 5-10 p.m. (beginning May 11).

 “Drinko de Mayo,” going on through May 7 at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, syncs sipping celebratory Cincoritas and pouring donations into a great cause. The FlexMex gang is donating 50 cents from every Cincorita purchased to Bert’s Big Adventure, a non-profit providing chronic or terminally ill children and their families with five-day, all-expenses-paid adventures to Disney World. Drink specials, music and more round out the weeklong “fiestivities.” Say “Ole!” to Corona Light on draft ($4.25/$7), Grand Marnier and Jager floaters ($3) and shots ($5), 1800 Tequila shots ($5) and 1800 Cincorita -- small ($8) or large ($13). On May 5, DJs supersize the party music at each restaurant, and guests can buy cans of Corona and Modelo ($5) at locations with outdoor bars. Southside Steve from Rock 100.5 broadcasts live from the Mall of Georgia Tin Lizzy’s at 5 p.m. followed by Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi cover band) turning up courtyard party volume at 7 p.m.

In Town Brookhaven, the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta rollicks at Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila starting at 2 p.m. There’s no cover charge for this party that salsas out onto the patio with live music and food and drink specials. Please your crowd with an assembly of tacos with personality, bearing names like Pinche Pollo, Trailer on Fire, Redneck, Mamacita and Bravocado or Jefe’s Mexi-spun faves such as smoked chicken taquitos, Nacho Daddy, crispy calamari and crispy smoked wings with Jefe’s hot sauce.

For a new take on the classic margarita, visit your neighborhood Marlow’s Tavern and enjoy one of Rick Blumberg’s cocktail creations. Previously the beverage director of Bacchanalia Restaurant Group, Rick’s signature Blood Orange Margarita featuring Herradura tequila and Pür Spice Blood Orange liqueur or “Secret Recipe” Red or White Sangria are sure to put you in the Cinco spirit! Cinco de Mayo-ish bites include Marlow’s rave-worthy Shrimp and Crab “Nacho” Plate and “Infamous” Fish Tacos.

Taco Mac is turning this weekend into a two-day celebration. Between Cinco on Friday and the Derby on Saturday, Taco Mac has invented “Derby de Mayo,” featuring $4 select Mexican beers with new Brewniversity credits, a Herradura Barrel Select flight and traditional, black cherry, watermelon and strawberry margaritas. Cheers to this weekend!

All three Ray’s Restaurants swing into Cinco de Mayo mode, resurrecting the beloved Ray’s Rio Bravo chile con queso recipe for guests to spoon up in bar and lounge areas on May 5. Pop into Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek to dip into this delish dish.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill makes it easy to squeeze some Cinco de Mayo flavor into your day at 30 locations covering Atlanta and reaching out to Athens and Columbus. Me, oh “Mayo,” can’t get out? Willy’s catering brings the “Cuatro de Mayo” party to you on May 4, offering free cheese dip for up to 20 people on all deliveries made May 4. Minimum $250 catering order and 24-hour notice required; must call 404-422-7107 and mention the offer to redeem. On May 5, live music plays from 6-9 p.m. at the Howell Mill store and 5-8 p.m. at Willy’s - Piedmont Park. Want a margarita? There’s one with your name on it at the Howell Mill, Midtown, Edgewood, Brookhaven and Peachtree City Willy’s locations.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is always ready to celebrate, and Cinco de Mayo is no exception. Stop into the Midtown watering hole for beers from around here and around the world, including Corona, a Cinco de Mayo classic. Mixologists stand ready to craft your margarita or perhaps a Spanish Inquisition signature cocktail starring Medieval tequila ($11). Share some of HOBNOB’s popular starters such as braised short rib tacos (2/$8.95 or 3/$11.95); New Generation duck nachos ($11.95) topped with duck confit, fontina cheese, Fresno peppers and HOBNOB’s own date-fig jam and roasted tomato pesto; spicy chipotle cornmeal-crusted fried green tomatoes ($8.50); or braised short rib lettuce wraps with chimichurri sauce ($11). Does a Margherita pizza count ($12.75)?

Communion at Revival “Tacos” On a New Vibe, Opens as Communion Cantina on Cinco de Mayo

Cutting-edge Atlanta chef, restaurateur, speaker and cookbook author Kevin Gillespie loves to shake things up, things like restaurants and margaritas. Gillespie is opening Communion Cantina, a Mexican watering hole and eatery behind his popular Revival restaurant in Decatur on Friday, May 5 at 4 p.m. “By changing Communion every year, we can keep being creative and try new things,” says Gillespie. Last year’s German beer garden-inspired backyard gathering spot crosses borders, reopening as a casual, outdoor Mexican cantina. A backyard food truck will sell five different varieties of tacos along with other Mexican staples such as chips and salsa, cheese dip and guacamole. Beer and cocktails, including margaritas, sangria and frozen drinks like frosé and frozen mint juleps (a nod to Southern traditions) are ready to slake thirsts during warmer days and nights. The beer selection, both bottled and draft, features West Coast, domestic, local and Mexican brews. Cash and credit cards both work here – no pesos needed. Communion Cantina’s hours are Thursday from 5-10 p.m. (with Dirty South Trivia starting at 8 p.m) and Friday from 5-10 p.m., Saturday from 1-10 p.m. and Sunday from 1-9 p.m. Groups may reserve tables or the whole backyard for parties.