Let’s Party! The Nook’s MARVELous 9th Anniversary Celebration

A 9th anniversary for The Nook? How MARVELous! Join fellow Nooksters March 23-25 for The Nook’s MARVELous 9th Anniversary weekend filled with celebratory events and specials. The fun-filled weekend will feature surprise giveaways, a variety of food and drink specials including $5 Nookster’s drafts, $3 Smirnoff Vodka cocktails, $20 mystery buckets of beer and select $1 Nook shots.

The fun begins with Fishbowl Friday!  Friday, March 23 is The Nook's Annual Fishbowl Contest.  A new Nook Fishbowl will be added to the menu, and it could be yours.  Submit your entry to info@thenookatlanta.com by Wednesday, March 21.  Your Nook Fishbowl recipe must include unflavored, orange, pineapple, apple or peach-flavored vodka. Nook's team of judges will pick the winner on March 23 at 8 p.m.  The winner will get his or her fishbowl and name on the menu and will walk away with a $50 Nook gift card.

Saturday, March 24 brings Totcho Saturday and the  MARVELous Anniversary Costume Party. 

Do you have what it takes to be The Macho Totcho?  Email info@thenookatlanta.com by March 22 to have a shot to compete in the Macho Totcho Contest, the first six entries will be selected. Contest starts Saturday at 5 pm.  Winner gets a $50 Nook gift card, T-shirt, a photo on the Macho Totcho Wall of Fame and the title of The Macho Totcho!
All day Saturday you can enjoy The Nook's Special Totcho menu featuring favorites from the past!  Plus, The Nook is also adding a new Totcho to the menu. Submit your recipe by March 22 to info@thenookatlanta.com. The winner gets his or her name and Totcho on the Nook menu plus a $50 Nook gift card.

Saturday night is party time with drink and food specials, giveaways and a DJ spinning tunes starting at 7 p.m.   All day long, come dressed as a favorite MARVEL Comics hero or villain and get 10 percent off your meal.  Awards for best costumes! 

Sunday March 25th the Nook launches it's Sunday night feature - The Parkside Playlist.  Come sing-a-long with live music from Joe Baia.  The Parkside Playlist Anniversary Edition begins at 5 p.m. Enjoy drink specials, $5 small plates, and more giveaways!  

It’s a true party with a purpose: The Nook is donating a portion of the weekend’s proceeds to its neighbor The Piedmont Park Conservancy.

Steady Spoons for Atlanta Food & Wine Festival June 2-5

Music lovers revel in Shaky Knees and Boots. Food and drink lovers, however, dare not jostle shaky spoons or glasses lest they waste coveted tastes of some of the South’s best bites and beverages at this year’s Atlanta Food & Wine Festival(AFWF). The 2016 festival spills out from Midtown June 2-5 and introduces a new Southern spring sport -- Friday Night Bites -- underneath big-top tents in Piedmont Park. For the first time, tasting tents will be open on Friday evening from 3:30-9:30 p.m. as well as on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Key tastemakers include Atlanta chefs Gerry Klaskala (Aria), Kevin Gillespie (Gunshow, Revival, Terminus City), Joey Ward (Gunshow), Matthew Ridgway (Gypsy Kitchen, The Southern Gentleman) and Reid Harrison of White Oak Pastures. RJ Cooper of Midtown newcomer 5Church Atlanta is chomping to let attendees sample some of his dishes, too. The soon-to-open restaurant is located at 14th and Peachtree streets, pretty much at the AFWF epicenter. Buy Friday Night Bites tickets online and peruse the mouthwatering schedule of other day and class passes and ticket options.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill is Hot on the Heels of Salsa, Salsa for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta July 15

Salsa, Salsa for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) peppers Piedmont Park’s Magnolia Hall with salsa eats and beats for fun and fitness from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15. Young chefs representing various BGCMA will offer their healthy salsa creations for sampling and judging. Some recipes use ingredients raised in Boys & Girls Club gardens. While judges deliberate, professional salsa dancers show how it’s done then call everyone out onto the dance floor for some fancy footwork lessons. Event sponsor Willy’s Mexicana Grill provides burritos and chow to refuel bodies in motion, and Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders toss their own blend of pep into the celebration. Before leaving, guests will know who dominates the dance floor and which BGCMA salsa creation wins a spot on a Willy’s salsa bar for a day. Attendance is limited; click here to RSVP. 

Holy Smoke and BBQ! The HOBNOB Patio is “Smoke’n” Mondays and Thursdays Starting May 28

The mouthwatering smell of grilled meats and those all-telling smoke signals hovering over the corner of Monroe Drive and Piedmont across from Piedmont Park speak the truth, barbecue time is here. HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is stoking its grills and going “Smoke’n on the Patio” Monday and Thursday evenings beginning Thursday, May 28. They’ll start slicing and serving a variety of smoked meats and Southern sides from 5 p.m. while the supply holds. Guests can dine inside, on the patio or grab take out -- and they’re welcome to order off HOBNOB’s regular menu of popular dishes. Call 404-968-2288 for more information.

Frame Your Piedmont Park Arts Fest Outing with Food and Drink at 10th & Piedmont, G’s Midtown and HOBNOB, August 16-17

If you’re looking for painting, photography, sculpture, leather or metal work, blown glass, jewelry or anything handcrafted, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival is where you’ll want to be. Over the weekend of August 16-17, more than 250 artists will be in Atlanta’s largest park from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Grab a bite to eat beforehand or go for dinner and drinks afterwards at G’s Midtown, HOBNOB and 10th & Piedmont. Brunch at G’s Midtown starts on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or catch dinner beginning at 5 p.m. HOBNOB serves brunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday and dinner starting at 5 p.m. Let the fun begin!

Soak Up Orpheus Brewing Craft Brews at Atlanta Seafood & Craft Beer Festival on August 9

Enjoy local craft brews, seafood, barbecue and live musical entertainment from 12 p.m.- 8 p.m., at the Atlanta Seafood & Craft Beer Festival (ASCF) on August 9 at Piedmont Park. Orpheus Brewing, known for its unique-to-the-South saisons, sours, hops and barrels, joins nine other Atlanta-area craft breweries in the beer garden. For one 16-ounce beer and clearance to purchase other beers and beverages in the beer garden, wristbands can be purchased for $10. A VIP wristband ($35 advance/$45 at the gate) guarantees 10 five-ounce pours from any beer or tap plus covered seating in a VIP tent. (Small service fee applies to online wristband purchases.) Live band music begins at 12:45 p.m. Admission is free; no pets allowed. 

The Truck Stops Here: Bar Meatball and More at Atlanta Street Food Festival in Piedmont Park on July 12

                                      Credit: Marco Alarcon

More than 40 food trucks, local artisans, a family fun zone and musical entertainment by live bands and DJs will gather at Piedmont Park for the Atlanta Street Food Festival from noon until 8 p.m. on July 12. Make a beeline to the Bar Meatball food truck and order classic meatballs with sauce, meatball sliders with fries and Italian-American pasta topped with meatballs. Combo plates are $7 and single sliders are $3 each. Sauce options include classic tomato, arugula walnut pesto, fredo or mushroom gravy. Cool off from the heat with made-to-order ice cream sandwiches ($5) or the signature Zeppole Joey’s “bag o donuts” with Nutella ($3). The event is free, but a wristband is required to buy food from the food trucks and to buy beer. Purchase your wristband ($10.50 each or 4 for $25) online before Saturday and receive $1 off each menu item over $6 at each truck. Kids ages 12 and under get in free, and event proceeds benefit The Giving Kitchen. Download the Atlanta Street Food Festival app to buy tickets, view food truck menus and get directions.

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!

RA Sushi Chef Heads Down the Block to Piedmont Park Green Market Demo on September 1

A RA Sushi Bar Restaurant chef has ideas for that fresh produce filling your shopping bag at this Saturday's Piedmont Park Green Market. The chef demo falls in the 10 - 11 a.m. hour, which is frontloaded with shopping time. Look and learn before you head out or home to lunch. You did buy ingredients for lunch, didn't you? If not, RA Sushi is only a few blocks away on Peachtree Street and opens for lunch at 11 a.m.

Aria Serves a Lovin' Spoonful at Summer In The City Benefit

Enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Clara Meer at Piedmont Park during Summer in the City benefitting the Shepherd Center, Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. Chefs from Buckhead beauty Aria will join associates from 11 other top ATL restaurants at specialty tasting stations. Wine tastings and a mixology bar keep spirits soaring. Attire is dressy casual. Click here to purchase general admission tickets at $80 each.

It's Follow Friday! Meet Our Tweep of the Week @BocceAtlanta

Bocce has become a fun pastime in Atlanta thanks to restaurants like Ormsby's and Leon's Full Service, and now the Atlanta Bocce League is turning it into some friendly competition. Find them at Piedmont Park or on Twitter.

The season starts up September 15, and you can still register this weekend if you're joining an existing team that has already been started by a friend. Bocce fans who want to cheer on the players can "Like" the league on Facebook to recieve updates.

Ormsby's is a league sponsor and the spot to end up after the weekly Wednesday night games at Piedmont Park's new bocce courts.

Save Atlanta Farmers Markets!

We had intended this post to be an excited update about Chef Gerry Klaskala doing a chef demo (we do love those!) at the Piedmont Park Green Market tomorrow. My, how things change in a few days! Atlanta Dish received word yesterday that our farmers markets are in need of our help as the city evaluates their policies regarding the markets – specifically, there aren’t any currently. If current city event rules were applied to Atlanta farmers markets, it would create expenses that most markets cannot afford since most of them are a labor of love run by volunteers.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t and don’t want to imagine an Atlanta without our farmers markets. The Atlanta City Government is generally supportive of the markets which is much appreciated, but they do need to hear our voices against these extended policies that would financially cripple or close down the markets. To find out more about the policies involved and about how you can contact the mayor to let him know how important these farmers markets are, please visit the Facebook event page!

Dogwood Festival Restaurant Week Finds Atlanta Diners With Appetites Blooming

Now that most of the pollen has been washed away, hopefully Atlantans can look forward to all the beauty of spring without the sneezing! It wouldn’t be spring in Atlanta without the pollen, or without the Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park for that matter! The festival hits the park Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18 and we’re excited to enjoy it during its 74th year.

Does April 16 seem too far away? Well, don’t worry, you can start the springtime fun earlier! Monday, April 12 in fact, is when Dogwood Festival Restaurant Week starts up offering great deals at select Atlanta restaurants through Sunday, April 18.

RA Sushi will be offering a $25 sharing menu for two that will appeal to Asian fusion fans with a Viva Las Vegas roll, pineapple wontons, a spicy tuna roll and bowl of green tea ice cream. A tall glass of colorful Dogwood Punch celebrates festival finds and might even influence future festival art purchases!

Spice Market will be presenting a delicious three-course menu for $25 per person and includes a first course choice of chicken and coconut soup; green papaya salad with apples and candied ginger; or Market green salad with radishes, cherry tomatoes and sesame seed vinaigrette. Entrée choices include a choice of salmon in a lemongrass, peanut and noodle broth with herb salad; char-grilled chicken with kumquat-lemongrass dressing; or vegetables in green curry. Finally, choose between two desserts -- Ovaltine kulfi with caramelized banana and spice milk chocolate sauce or Vietnamese coffee ice cream.

Tonight is the Night!

Will Kevin win the Top Chef season finale tonight? We certainly hope so, but even after tonight's final episode Woodfire Grill Partner and Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie has a full plate. Be sure to visit Bravo TV's "Top Chef" web page and vote for Kevin as fan favorite! If he wins he gets $10,000, plus, every time you vote, you have a chance to win a "sinfully delicious" trip to Las Vegas. Let's help Kevin add this to his growing list of achievements! Atlanta magazine recently named him "Best of Atlanta Rising Star" and "Best of Atlanta/Top Chef," saying he "has the potential to lead our twenty-something generation of cooks into Atlanta's next level of dining greatness." And if those weren't accolades enough, Atlanta magazine Restaurant Critic Bill Addison listed Woodfire Grill as one of his top-12 favorite restaurants.

Don't forget, you can follow Kevin's live tweets during tonight's finale @topchefkevin.

Want to see Kevin in action? Check out his cooking demo this Saturday at Piedmont Park's Green Market at 11 a.m.

Tuesday Trivia at The Nook

Not only will The Nook, On Piedmont Park begin hosting Tuesday night Trivia tomorrow, but the restaurant just started serving Fat Tire Beer! Trivia starts at 8 p.m. and Fat Tire is served all day long. Gotta love it! The fun happens at 1144 Piedmont Avenue, NE in Midtown; 404-745-9222.

First Look at The Nook, on Piedmont Park

A fried Twinkie? I knew before I had it that it was going to be a hit in my book. I mean honestly who can turn down fried desserts- I for one, can not. Imagine funnel cake with a creamy filling… it was scrumptious! The fried Twinkie wasn’t the only highlight of my meal at The Nook, the meal as well as the ambience was perfect for a relaxing Monday evening.



I was fortunate enough to visit The Nook prior to their opening and used my visit as a chance to get a sneak peek at their upscale tavern food. I started my meal with the seared scallops Napoleon- two scallops topped with roasted corn guacamole. The guacamole was a great balance to the sweet taste of scallops and had a smoky southwestern flavor that I ate right up. My chicken wrap didn’t disappoint either. My wrap was made up of warm chicken, goat cheese and spinach paired with tots. And from my prior confession- you know I couldn’t turn down a fried Twinkie to top the whole meal off. The meal was fun and the menu had character.



I can’t wait to visit The Nook, on a warm spring day and sit outside on the patio overlooking the park. The view combined with a cool beverage could make anyone’s day. Next up on my list to try out… the “Totchos” and sweet tea ice cream!

Saturday Green Market Sprouts Up With This Year's Bounty at Piedmont Park--Gerry Klaskala of Aria Leads Chef's Demo June 7

It's a beautiful time of the year and the last thing you want is to be stuck inside a crowded grocery store checking off your weekly list. This Saturday, skip the store and head to the market, The Green Market that is, at Atlanta's beautiful Piedmont Park.

Rise and shine early Saturday morning and make your way to Piedmont Park’s 12th Street entrance for the 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. market. Sip your coffee, browse the stalls, chat with area farmers and producers and fill your shopping bags with their field-fresh pickings, organic meats, cheeses, pastas and other goodies. Aria Owner/Chef Gerry Klaskala will lead a cooking demo and hand out samples this Saturday at noon at the Chef’s Warehouse mobile kitchen. Klaskala is the man with plans and recipes turning the bounty in your bags into won’t-last-long dishes.
Aria is located at 490 E. Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.