Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar Throws Weeklong Oysterfest to Celebrate First Anniversary March 1-7

Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, East Cobb’s premier destination for chef-driven seafood, is hosting a weeklong Oysterfest first birthday bash March 1-7. Chef/owner Doug Turbush plans a week of daily specials, chef demos and two pairing dinners making the most of the magnificent mollusk -- both to celebrate and to show some guest appreciation. Slide in for oyster happy hour from 5-7 p.m. weekdays (March 1-3 and 6-7) and from 3-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (March 4-5) and enjoy half-priced, half-shell oysters, “buck-a-shuck” oyster of the day and $5 house punch. Additionally, “buck-a-shuck” oysters and $5 Terrapin Hi-5 IPA will be offered all day, every day during Oysterfest. Those wanting to go whole hog oyster will find their pearl lies with the $35 Oysterfest prix fixe menu offered each day, featuring an appetizer choice of cold smoked oysters, beef carpaccio and fried oysters or wood-oven oysters Rockefeller; entrée selection of Jonah crab roll on a toasted H&F bun, wild-caught shrimp over saffron bomba rice or wood-grilled Bay of Fundy salmon; and a dessert choice of Key lime pie, caramel apple bread pudding or chocolate chess pie. Store up pearls of wisdom by attending “Oyster 101” chef demos from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5 when Turbush and sous chef William Puryear open up the world of oysters, oyster farming, oyster etiquette and how to pair oysters with wine and beer. Guests also will enjoy a selection of raw oysters, oyster hors d’oeuvre and sparkling wine. $25 per person (plus service fee); buy tickets online.

Ray’s on the River Cracks Open Oysterfest 2015 September 12. “R” You With Us?

September has an “R” in it, and Ray’s on the River has three. Know what that means? According to folk wisdom, prime oyster feasting season is here. Come aboard Oysterfest 2015 at the Chattahoochee riverside restaurant the afternoon of Saturday, September 12 from noon-3 p.m. Pile fresh Gulf, East Coast and pilsner-roasted oysters on the plate, being sure to save room for buffet sides of jalapeño coleslaw, fingerling potato salad, roasted andouille sausage, corn on the cob, homemade sauces, rolls plus Key lime pie cups for dessert. Includes iced tea and sodas to wash everything down; buy more spirited adult beverages at the cash bar. $40 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations, with credit card, required: 770-955-1187. Ray’s at Killer Creek is hosting their Oysterfest on Saturday, September 19 from noon-3 p.m. Good to know in case you can’t dive in this weekend or if you live to slurp oysters! 

Atlanta's Krewes Bring a Flavor of N'awlins to You

Mardi Gras has no borders. Right here in the ATL, several fun-loving restaurants are throwing beads and bashes right along with the best of Bourbon Street. On Fat Tuesday, February 21, RA Sushi suggests you don your beads and favorite Mardi Gras apparel to whoop it up with DJ beats, $8 Southern juleps and HurRAcanes along with other lively libations. Asian-Cajun treats include the spicy chicken and shishito peppers ($7), chili shrimp roll ($8) and spicy kalbi beef ($9). Festivities run 7 p.m. to close.

In Smyrna, Atkins Park Tavern launches a five-day Mardi Gras Oysterfest starting today, February 17. New Orleans-style fare, live music and entertainment for children and adults lay on the lagniappe through Fat Tuesday, February 21. Oyster specials roll as oyster beignets, po'boys, Rockefeller style as well as grilled, raw and fried. The Patrick Scott Band plays on Friday night. On Saturday, there's brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The musical lineup begins at 2 p.m. with Wesley Cook, Soul Hound with blues and soul outside at 6 p.m. and Todd Wells from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Saturday cover is $10 advance/$15 at the door and includes a ticket for Sunday's events. Sunday's "Cure-All" hangover brunch hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with more great live music in the afternoon. Monday focuses on a celebration of New Orleans faves and entertainment for all ages from 5 - 10 p.m. Tuesday parties on with beads, beer and The Andrew Black Band from 9:30 p.m. to close at 2:30 a.m. Free admission on Monday and Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday is king on February 21 at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Stop by for a full day of fun with beers such as Restoration Pale Ale, hurricanes, gumbo, po' boys, oysters and king cake. The band Homefront plays at 10 p.m.

Downtown, Ray's in the City pleases with New Orleans-inspired specials beginning at 11 a.m. on Fat Tuesday. It's a full-fledged party from 5 - 7:30 p.m. complete with live music, specialty cocktails, Ray's famous gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell and a Low Country boil-style buffet.

If you can't make it out on Fat Tuesday, then don't fret. This year's Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern brings Mardi Gras flavors to your table. There's no cutesy masquerading here -- these dishes are Louisiana through and through for you and your "krewe" until March 26.

Last Call for Oysterfest at Ray's in the City!

A new day means a new haul for Oysterfest at Ray’s in the City. This is the last week you can take in Ray’s pearl of an event that pairs ocean fresh oysters with New Belgium Brewery brews out of Fort Collins, Colo. Pairing examples are, say, Blue Point oysters from New York waters paired with New Belgium’s Fat Tire Ale; Fanny Bay oysters out of British Columbia’s western waters paired with New Belgium’s 1554 Black Ale; and Pine Island oysters out of New York paired with New Belgium’s Ranger IPA. New Belgium Hoptoberfest is also available to keep you and your friends afloat!

Ray’s in the City:  240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.