Atlanta Restaurants Salute Memorial Day Weekend

Celebrate Memorial Day with ceremonies and salutes honoring our armed forces. Lighter traffic. Fewer lines. More brunch time. All-American restaurant specials, dance parties and live music abounding. Exploring Atlanta and nearby cities like Roswell over the Memorial Day weekend has its own set of perks. Remember to throw your flip-flops, sunscreen and dancing slippers in your car!

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland serves its mouthwatering brunch menu all weekend long and on Monday featuring all-American classics such as the fried chicken pancake sandwich, short rib and eggs, fried green tomato Benedict, numerous skillets and even avocado toast from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

It’s not every Monday you can enjoy a relaxing brunch, so why not go for it? HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern will offer its regular brunch menu on Saturday, Sunday AND Monday from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. HOBNOB also is one of the closest places to catch a bite when heading to the Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park over Memorial Day weekend.

Johnny’s Hideaway boogies into the unofficial start of summer with a pre-Memorial Day party on Sunday, May 28. Dance to the music of the Cold Draft Beer band and DJ Spin. Want to stay out late? Johnny’s hours accommodate.

Celebrate Memorial Day weekend and National Burger Day (May 28) wiping burger juice off your chin -- the result of biting into the Royale with Cheese, a classic tavern burger, available at your favorite Marlow’s Tavern locations. Wagyu beef is seared perfectly and stacked with American cheese and dill pickle on a buttery sesame brioche bun. Open on Memorial Day. Check website for location hours.

There’s a whole lotta Whole Hog Hootenanny going on at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails from 12-2 p.m. on Monday, May 29. Pile plates with pulled pork, ribs, smoked chicken, sides and sweets at this all-you-care-to-eat shindig going hog wild on Milton’s Acre along with a cash bar, live music and games to please all ages. Tickets are $30/adult and $15 ages 12 and under. Buy tickets and read details here.

Enjoy an all-American meal of steaks, seafood and signature dishes at all three Ray’s Restaurants over the holiday weekend. On Memorial Day, May 29, Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek will offer all veterans and active military a 20 percent discount.

Roswell Remembers Memorial Day, May 29 at the Roswell City Hall complex, reminds visitors why we cherish this special day honoring those who have served our nation in the armed forces. Visit ExploreRoswell.com to find out what’s going on in the historic city then plan a Roswell staycation over the holiday weekend or on down the road.

Smokebelly BBQ tickles ribs with four days of Red, White & Q festivities over the dates of May 26-29. Drink specials span the weekend, including $5 mules, $5 Tito’s drinks and $3 Bud Light and Miller drafts. Live music plays Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m.-midnight and Sunday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday brunch kicks things up a notch with a bloody mary bar and bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Smokebelly empowers Memorial Day gatherings with to-go packages. Dog-friendly patio! Call 404-848-9100 for more information. Open Memorial Day from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Atlanta’s closest beach is only a few miles away. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill -- Buckhead or Canton Street -- primes for summer with live music, cold drinks and seafood dishes galore throughout the Memorial Day weekend. Stay cool on flip-flop-approved covered decks or within air-conditioned interiors. 

Ray’s Restaurants Offer Military Discounts and Double Dining Club Points on Memorial Day, May 30

An all-American holiday deserves an all-American meal of steaks, seafood, signature dishes or even some Tex-Mex. All Ray’s Restaurants -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River, Ray’s at Killer Creek and Ray’s Rio Bravo will be open and eager to serve from noon-9 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 30. As a token of appreciation, the restaurants are extending a 20 percent discount to all veterans and active-duty military plus one guest. Additionally, Dining Club members will receive double points for Memorial Day purchases.

What’s New on Pinterest

Saturday, May 28 is a very busy day – opening Memorial Day weekend, carving open National Brisket Day and uncorking National Wine Day. Come along with us as we Wine Down for National Wine Day. Find a magnum of keen-o vino ideas: tipsy, chillable and floatable wine glasses; tips on pairings, including unpretentious wine and popcorn pairings; and for the desperate house wines of Atlanta, ways to open a wine bottle without using a corkscrew. Cook with wine (in recipes as well as your glass) and turn out red wine spaghetti, merlot meatballs, wine and chocolate cake bites, red wine ice cream, white wine mojitos, peach or raspberry wine slushies, sangrias and more. This board is a veritable wine-o-pedia, and a very fine vintage, indeed.

Basque in the (Memorial Day Weekend) Sun at Gypsy Kitchen on May 29

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. What better way to welcome the al fresco season than to “Basque in the Sun” on the open-air patio at Gypsy Kitchen? On May 29, the Spanish restaurant in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is hosting a special Memorial Day weekend edition of the popular Sunday social. Enjoy live music by a flamenco guitarist, flavorful paella, $4 tinto de verano, $5 glasses of rosé and half-off select bottles of wine. Flamenco and specials begin at 4 p.m.; DJ takes over from 7 p.m. until who knows when. Gypsy Kitchen will be closed on Monday, May 30, in honor of the Memorial Day holiday.

Johnny’s Hideaway Unfurls Pre-Memorial Day Bash May 29

How much fun can one squeeze into a holiday weekend?Johnny’s Hideaway packs a dance floor full -- and then some -- in a pre-Memorial Day bash on Sunday, May 29 beginning at 8:30 p.m. Band X, Atlanta’s favorite high-energy party band, provides adrenaline-pumping music, and cover is only $5. Hospitality workers enjoy Sunday night industry specials. Open into the wee hours of Memorial Day morning. Can we rank a salute for that?

Atlanta Restaurants Honor Memorial Day Weekend with Star-Spangled Specials May 22-25

Travels, festivals, memorial celebrations -- Atlanta restaurants post hours to accommodate your Memorial Day weekend plans.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland stays open late on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (past midnight) and will serve lunch and dinner during regular hours on Monday.

All Bantam + Biddy locations will be open over the holiday weekend with all-natural poultry and regional fare -- can’t get more American than this!

Casual Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station will be open as usual for weekend brunch plus lunch and dinner on all three days of the holiday weekend.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern will open at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, doing their duty to serve their regular lunch menu and tossing in a few brunchy items to boot.

Stop by Kabob Land for pita and hummus, tabouli salad or wraps and plates bearing slow-roasted lamb, shawarma (gyro) and charbroiled meat, chicken, veggie or salmon kabobs. Dine in or order and go to be a holiday picnic hero. The Buckhead eatery honors regular hours across the weekend.

Ormsby’s on Atlanta’s Westside keeps Sunday’s party rolling past the usual midnight hour until 3 a.m. Monday morning, then stays opens as usual on Monday from 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown fires up its Nicky’s Week fundraiser on Memorial Day Monday and keeps the special menu rolling through May 31. Regular hours prevail throughout the weekend.

On Memorial Day, all three Ray’s Restaurants -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek -- will be open from noon until 9 p.m. and will offer double points for all Dining Club members. Additionally, active duty military and veterans -- and one guest -- will receive a 20 percent discount at all three Ray’s Restaurants on Monday, May 25.

Brunch spreads over all three days of the holiday weekend at 10th & Piedmont. The Midtown restaurant will extend its Saturday-Sunday brunch menu to Memorial Day and will open early at 10 a.m. to welcome Monday brunchers.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill locations will be open over the weekend with the exception of Willy’s in Peachtree Center, AT&T Center, AT&T Lindbergh and at Georgia State. Take Willy’s wrapped-to-order burritos along on your weekend adventures.

What’s New on Pinterest: Memorable Recipes

Patriotic plates begin with Memorable Recipes. Our latest Pinterest board honors Memorial Day with American classics, cocktails, groovy grillers and red, white and blue all-stars.

Salute Memorial Day with a Memorable Meal Out or Grab Burgers to Grill

 

There’s a lot going on over Memorial Day weekend. Perhaps you’re remembering those who’ve served our nation, enjoying an all-American baseball game or zipping back into town after a mini-vacay to welcome summer fun. Atlanta restaurants are open on Monday, May 26 to help cover meals, and Whole Foods Market stores have a Memorial Day meal bundle for those of you who just want to grill and chill.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland will be open late on Sunday night, May 25 to welcome the holiday and will follow up on Monday with regular hours beginning at 11:30 a.m.

G’s Midtown will be open as usual for hearty gastro pub favorites, small plates, salads, sandwiches and a well of ice-cold craft beer, wine and cocktails. Monday is trivia night from 8-10 p.m., and bottles of wine are half-price from 5-11 p.m.

HOBNOB in Midtown will be open during regular hours so drop in for lunch or dinner. On Date Night Mondays, a three-course dinner for two is $19.95 (with the purchase of two beverages) and includes a salad, entrée of a Margarita or veggie pizza or a regular or Piedmont burger plus a homemade cobbler of the day.

Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs is ready to bake signature, crispy-crusted pizzas. Eat in and enjoy cold brews or cocktails or call for delivery. Remember, on Mondays, mouthwatering mussels and all bottles of wine are half price!

In Midtown, both Bantam + Biddy locations in Ansley Mall and on Crescent Avenue will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Monday. Flock-sibling Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station will be open for lunch and dinner.

In downtown Atlanta, Legacy Restaurant Partners Der Biergarten, Glenn’s Kitchen, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria and Skylounge will all be open for business as usual. Game-X will open early for lunch at noon. All are terrific stopovers following the afternoon Braves vs. Red Sox game.

All 11 Atlanta-area Marlow’s Tavern locations will be open for lunch and dinner on Memorial Day. Stop in for a bite to eat after your weekend celebration!

In Buckhead, newly opened Smokebelly is sending up signals that something special is going in the smoker on Memorial Day. Lunch or dinner anyone?

10^th & Piedmont in Midtown extends its 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekend brunch through Memorial Day Monday, or stop in later for regular dinner service.

Ted’s Montana Grill opens at 11 a.m. for lunch on Memorial Day and keeps on satisfying guests with powerful salads, sandwiches, burgers, hand-cut steaks and classics such as bison meatloaf or pot roast, cranberry roasted chicken, cedar plank salmon and pecan-crusted trout. Full bar, veggie burgers and a kids menu put Ted’s on everyone’s hero list.

All six Tin Lizzy’s Cantina locations are open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Memorial Day to satisfy afternoon and evening taco and margarita cravings.

On Memorial Day, Ray’s Restaurants will follow normal hours. Ray’s on the River hours are noon-8 p.m. Ray’s in the City and Ray’s at Killer Creek will be open from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Are you on Ray’s Restaurants’ e-newsletter list? Look for their e-blast offering a 20 percent discount on Memorial Day. Must show email (paper or smartphone) to redeem.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown will be open as usual on Memorial Day. It’s an ideal opportunity to order from the Nicky’s Week menu to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Hit the deck for lunch, dinner or drinks on Monday at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Buckhead’s beachy-est property. Aren’t there waves over that next dune?

Burritos have their place on your Memorial Day menu, thanks to select Willy’s Mexicana Grill locations being open on Monday, May 26. At Willy’s, each hand-rolled burrito is made to order. You decide whether to eat in or pack them up and head out on your next adventure. These Willy’s locations will be closed on Memorial Day: Peachtree Center, BellSouth, Hapeville, AT&T Lindbergh and Georgia State University.

On Atlanta’s Westside, Ormsby’s opens at 5 p.m. on Monday, which allows plenty of time for some cold brews or spirits, pub menu of hefty burgers and sandwiches, and games such as backgammon, bocce, darts, pool and shuffleboard.

On the lookout for a cookout? Over the dates of May 23-26, Whole Foods Market stores are offering a Memorial Day bundle deal: eight dry-aged burgers from Brasstown Beef, eight buns, eight slices of Cabot cheese and two pounds of smoked mozzarella pasta salad – all for just $20! That’s a savings of $15 to spend on something else, say some ice cold craft brews to go with your burgers.

What's New on Pinterest: Beachy Bites

Make this Memorial Day one to remember with flavorful foods that will leave everyone feeling stress-free and satisfied.  Celebrate those who have served while serving up summer-style foods from our Beachy Bites Pinterest board. Watermelon krispie treats, margarita cookies and tomato salad will keep everyone refreshingly full while kicking off vacation season!

Get Memorial Day Weekend Started Off Right With a Fish Fry and Anniversary Bash at The Optimist

The Optimist is celebrating two biggies -- its one-year anniversary and Memorial Day -- on one party-perfect day, Saturday, May 25. The polished fish camp and oyster bar is hosting a fish fry beginning at 1 p.m. Keyboardist Ben Tanner of the Grammy-nominated Alabama Shakes will perform with bands Belle Adaire and The Bear starting at 4 p.m. The year has sailed by with regatta speed since Ford Fry opened The Optimist to give Atlantans the ocean edge they crave. The fresh catches and cool tunes will help cure any landlocked woes.

Cast Off for a Reel-y Good Time at The Optimist's One-Year Anniversary Party Plus More in this Week's Dish

Don’t let this summer sail by without saving time for some ATL-style celebrations. Memorial Day just so happens to coincide with the anniversary of one of Atlanta’s hottest spots, The Optimist, and they’re throwing city-goers a deliciously fun party. Get the details and see what else the city is celebrating in this week’s Dish!

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!

Perfect Memorial Day Grilling with New York Butcher Shoppe

There's no mystery to meat selection when the New York Butcher Shoppe experts help you choose the right cuts for a mouthwatering Memorial Day weekend cookout.  The three-day holiday weekend honoring those who died while serving our country in the military has unofficially come to mark the start of the summer grilling season.  The professionals at the three New York Butcher Shoppe locations -- Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs -- are ready with fresh-cut Premium Angus aged steaks, high-quality ground beef, tender chops, chicken, veal, lamb and homemade sausages.  Take advantage of the stores' new "Weekend Getaway" packages available just in time the holiday weekend.  

Whether you're looking for the perfect combination of savory steaks or a heaping helpin' of hotdogs and hamburgers, the New York Butcher Shoppe has everything you need.  Both packages also include an assortment of breakfast rolls, deli meats, chips, pimento cheese dip and choice of side dish options, so you won't have to pick up the extras on the way!  The stores also are offering a "Just the Meat" package option that includes an assortment of baby back ribs, burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts and wings and a bag of charcoal.  Packages are priced from $64.99 to $94.99.

The stores also carry White Oak Pastures sustainably raised, Certified Organic grass-fed beef in cuts such as tenderloin, ribeye, flat iron, petite tenders and ground grass-fed beef that is ground fresh daily.  New York Butcher Shoppe will custom cut, season and/or marinate your selections, offer cooking and grilling tips and round out your menu with sides, desserts and wines.  New York Butcher Shoppe is all about high-quality meat and service.   For more information on events and promotions, visit New York Butcher Shoppe's Facebook page.

A Sch'Wheat Way to Kick Off Your Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend doesn't have to mean spending a fortune on filling up your gas tank to head down to the beach. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar welcomes the weekend with a culinary adventure that won't break the bank. The Perimeter restaurant is hosting a special SweetWater beer dinner on Friday, May 27 at 6 p.m. outdoors on its newly renovated patio. A SweetWater Brewing Company brewmaster will be there to share info on the night's beer pairings, starting with a round of SweetWater Sch'Wheat. The three-course dinner includes sweet chili calamari paired with SweetWater Blue; entrée choice of Fleming's Prime Burger or marinated chicken burger teamed up with SweetWater 420 and SweetWater IPA; and walnut turtle brownies alongside SweetWater Georgia Brown. Dinner also includes cucumber and tomato salad, coleslaw, potato salad and sweet corn on the cob served family style. Cost is $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reserve your spot now by calling 770-698-8112.

Restaurants and Stores Stay Open On Memorial Day So You Can Honor More, Cook and Clean Less

Memorial Day marches in each year on the last Monday in May, giving us a chance to pause and honor our servicemen and women, hang out our flags, and unofficially dive into summer with a bevy of outdoor activities. Take in one of Atlanta’s many Memorial Day activities -- reflect on the hundreds of mini-flags posted on soldiers’ graves at the Marietta Cemetery, cheer at Stone Mountain’s Salute to the Troops laser show or chill out to the sounds of the Atlanta Jazz Festival in Woodruff Park. Keep things simple on the food front by choosing to dine out or pick up something deliciously portable at these fun restaurants and stores strategically located around town and definitely open on Memorial Day.

Bonefish Grill –Johns Creek: 11705 C. Jones Bridge Road; 770-475-6668.Buford: 3420 Buford Drive; 678-546-8240.Gwinnett, The Avenue Webb Gin: 1350 Scenic Highway 124; 678-344-8945.

Chipotle -- 12 Atlanta-area locations.

Ecco -- 40 7th Street; 404-347-9555.

Fogo de Chão -- 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

La Tavola Trattoria -- 992 Virginia Avenue, NE in Virginia-Highland; 404-873-5430.

Marlow’s Tavern – Kennesaw: 745 Chastain Road, NW; 770-425-8777. Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770- 475-1800. Vinings: 2355 Cumberland Parkway; 770-432-2526. Midtown: 950 West Peachtree Street; 404-815-0323.

Whole Foods Market – Buckhead: 77 West Paces Ferry Road, NW; 404-324-4100.Briarcliff: 2111 Briarcliff Road; 404-634-7800.Duluth-Johns Creek: 5945 State Bridge Road; 678-514-2400.Sandy Springs: 5930 Roswell Road; 404-236-0810.Ponce: 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE; 404-853-1681.Harry’s Farmers Market in Alpharetta: 1180 Upper Hembree Road; 770-664-6300.Harry’s Farmers Market in Marietta: 70 Powers Ferry Road, SE; 770-578-4400.

Vajra Stratigos Pairs Wines With BBQ Meals

I don't know about you but I've been planning my Memorial Day weekend since March. This is my favorite time of the year (and not just because my birthday is around the corner). I love the warm weather, summer dresses, outdoor dinner parties and barbeque is a must. Which brings me to the most recent segment of Vajra Straight Up where Vajra Stratigos, Beverage Director of Fifth Group Restaurants, gives suggestions on which wines to serve at your next BBQ get-together.



First things first - the wines need to be "B.B.Q." - Big, Bold and Quaffable. Second, choose your wine's color (red or white) and Vajra will tell you which one goes best with the meal. Now you're all set for a weekend of wine and barbeque.