Who Do You Love? The Communitas Loyalty Club Woos 10th & Piedmont, HOBNOB and G’s Midtown Guests

Love you more, and it’s not even Valentine’s Day yet.Communitas Hospitality Group is introducing the Communitas Loyalty Club (CLC) as a way of saying, “Thank you for your support” to friends who frequent their Midtown restaurants --10th & Piedmont, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and G’s Midtown. To join, pick up a card at any of the three eateries, register it here and start earning points toward house cash with no limits or expiration dates. Gotta love it!

Michelle Matlock is New Executive Chef at 10th & Piedmont

Louisiana-born and reared chef Michelle Matlock is mum on the secret to the gumbo she’s prepared and doled out from New Orleans to Hollywood. Not so good at keeping secrets,Communitas Hospitality is spilling the beans that Matlock will be serving up her savory version as executive chef for 10th & Piedmont. From toddlerhood on, family matriarchs had much to do with Matlock’s kitchen schooling, and her fisherman father instilled rod-and-reel skills. She completed her formal culinary education through the American Culinary Federation Apprenticeship Program at Delgado Community College followed by an apprenticeship under French master chef René Bajeux at New Orleans’ renowned Windsor Court Hotel Grill Room. NOLA welcomed Matlock to the kitchens of some of its finest restaurants, including the Royal Café, Acme Oyster House and Cobalt, a trendy restaurant she opened in the Hotel Monaco for famed chef Susan Spicer. Hollywood called Matlock to pack up her pans and head west to become executive chef for Element Film’s restaurant division. Now, Matlock brings her piscatorial passion for fresh and sustainable seafood, the intrigue of international tapas and borderless cuisine, and bounty from local farms to the menus of 10th & Piedmont. She enjoys tinkering with Communitas’ new smoker to turn out delights from well-respected barbecue to the unexpected smoked caprese salad. Perhaps her greatest joy is training and encouraging her staff and teaching them what she knows. That is, except for the seven-generation gumbo secret.   

Executive Chef Javier Viera Demos 10th & Piedmont Heirloom Tomato Salad at Piedmont Park Green Market on May 17

Javier Viera is the executive chef for all three Communitas Hospitality restaurants: 10th & Piedmont, G’s Midtown and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. His gorgeous heirloom tomato salad at 10th & Piedmont is a crowd favorite, and you can learn how to make it at this Saturday’s Piedmont Park Green Market. With tri-colored heirloom tomatoes, hydroponic cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, it’s destined for your own “heirloom” recipe file. Viera leads the demo on the Community Center patio at 11 a.m.

Hit the Red Carpet for 10th & Piedmont Oscar Party on March 2 and Mardi Gras Party on March 4

And the award for the best week of parties goes to... *drumroll* 10th & Piedmont! Two star-studded phenomena -- the Academy Awards and Mardi Gras occurring in the same week -- catapult the midtown hot spot into revelry mode and put two big bashes on the can't-miss calendar. Strike a pose at the Red Carpet Oscar Party on Sunday, March 2 from 7 p.m. until who knows when. Host Angelica D'Paige leads the evening where suspense unfolds on the jumbo screen and $15 bottomless Champagne enables congratulatory toasts and drowns disappointments. Bust out your black tie or favorite designer dress to compete in the best-dressed contest, then make your own award picks on your personal Oscar ballot. Winners in both contests take home cash and prizes (better, we think, than a dust-catching statue). Reservations and information: 404-602-5510.

On Tuesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m., the red carpet comes up and Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold roll out for a Fat Tuesday Bash featuring all-you-can-eat low country boil and all-you-can-drink select premium beers. Local singer/songwriter James Patrick Morgan performs. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. Book a table for your krewe today and let the good times roll!

G's Midtown Celebrates American Classics with Ribs & Ryes Menu Through January 21

Two American legacies - rye whiskey and succulent ribs - come together for Ribs & Ryes at G's Midtown, January 8-21. Baby back ribs glazed in Georgia peach rye barbecue sauce come with sides of smoked baked beans, coleslaw and Parmesan truffle "chips." Bone-in beef short ribs are slow braised with red wine and whiskey and joined by roasted carrots, celery and onions over creamy whipped garlic mashed potatoes. Hearty pork ribs in a plum and rye glaze are accompanied by skillet mac and cheese and green beans. Rib dishes are priced from $10-$16. Menu loyalists, the regular menu is still in play. From the "Ryes" menu, tip back a Catcher in the Rye or honey rye old fashioned incorporating Doc Holiday Double Barrel rye, Diamondback with Doc Rittenhouse rye or try Bulleit rye whiskey in the Sazerac. All cocktails are priced at $9 or at $4 for rye shorties. Do the rye thing and reserve a table: 404-872-8012.

Small Business Saturday Pairs Great Eats with Local Company on November 30

The annual post-Thanksgiving shopping traditions are within our grasp. As the city gears up for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, local shops and restaurants are celebrating their originality with Small Business Saturday on November 30. Instead of spending all of your savings at the mall and chain restaurants, support the local men and women of Atlanta and their unique products and fare offered. American Express has a special "Shop Small" promotion for those who register their cards and use them at select businesses on Saturday. It's a way to say, "thank you," to your neighbors and friends who work relentlessly to keep the city new and interesting.  Plenty of our favorite restaurants are dishing out delightful choices to indulge in. Vinings residents can explore Southern warmth and fare at Old Vinings Inn for brunch or dinner on Saturday, while Midtown crowds enjoy Communitas Hospitality restaurants HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and 10th & Piedmont for lunch, brunch or dinner. Late night drinks and noshes are also a must for these fun hangouts. Ray's Restaurants has the city covered by serving mouthwatering cravings in Alpharetta (Ray's on the Creek), on the top-end (Ray's on the River) or Downtown (Ray's in the City). Need something different for the palate? Tin Lizzy's Cantina locations provide fun FlexMex options with tantalizing margaritas and brews. End your small-town tour with sweets and treats at Sweet Dee's Bakeshop in Tucker, where cupcakes, ice cream, baked goods and more please the sweet tooth in us all. If you'd rather start the morning on the sweet side, they'll be open early at 8 a.m. and serving the night owls until 9 p.m. Small-town life isn't that bad, especially when you're in great company.