Warm Weather Quick Picks at Atlanta Eateries

Good riddance outerwear, hello tank tops and Top-Siders. Atlanta restaurants hear your roar, and they’re ready with tall cocktails and summery fare. Here’s a punch list of some newbies:
  Article 14 in Midtown has an invigorating melon cooler featuring Double Cross vodka, watermelon, lime and a red pepper flake ($12).
  The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill offers beach-house seafood favorites such as lobster egg rolls with mango sweet chili sauce; a house-made, quarter-pound crab and shrimp burger; Coca-Cola BBQ grilled salmon topped with house-made barbecue sauce; and a Buffalo fried shrimp po’boy ($9.95-$20.95).
  FLIP burger boutique adds a shrimp po-boyger, a fried shrimp patty served with shredded lettuce, tomato, pickleback slaw and spicy rémoulade ($12.50). (Not available at Poncey-Highlands.)
  Marlow’s Tavern boasts a tasty trifecta -- a warm Brie fondue starter consisting of melting Brie, Swiss, mascarpone, Chardonnay and buttery ciabatta ($8) and a grilled turkey burger featuring Golden Legacy Farms turkey ($9.50) or crisp red snapper with udon noodles, Thai basil and miso soy broth ($17.50) as entrées.
  Ray’s Restaurants (Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek) are places to lunch on lobster, as in the luscious lobster cobb salad or the lobster roll featuring Maine lobster salad ($19 each).
  SkyLounge atop the Glenn Hotel serves an intoxicating duo of a skyline view and their basil lemon margarita made with tequila, agave syrup, fresh basil leaves, lemon and salt ($8).
Umi in Buckhead adds another reason to claim status as Atlanta’s best sushi restaurant with madai carpaccio -- Japanese red snapper carpaccio, sea salt, lemon, olive oil and yuzu kosho ($15).

Whether You’re Into Beef or Not, Downtown Steak Week is a Meaty Proposition June 9-15

Carve out a lunch or dinner slot in your June 9-15 agenda to fork into Downtown Steak Week, presented by Central Atlanta Progress and Creative Loafing. Downtown restaurants will feature specialty steak dishes that showcase their talents and unique attributes. Glenn’s Kitchen will offer flat iron steak and smoked Gouda potato gratin and broccolini ($25) at both lunch and dinner. Enjoy dinner then venture up to SkyLounge atop the Glenn Hotel for a city view. Ray’s in the City is known for its seafood that’s flown in fresh daily, so they are serving up a seafood stuffed swordfish ($28), along with a Manhattan strip steak ($29), a 32-34-ounce tomahawk rib eye steak for two ($65) and stuffed Portobello mushroom appetizer ($12). Ted’s Montana Grill in downtown Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District stakes claim to Ted’s bison filet ($32), bison Delmonico ($29) and bison Kansas City strip ($28). Available at lunch and dinner, Ted’s hand-cut bison steaks are gently seasoned and seared in olive oil then finished with lemon butter and a choice of vegetable and potato. Be sure to jump on this rare event.

Live at SkyLounge Raises the Bar on Friday and Saturday Night Entertainment

Sunset skyline views, live entertainment, small bites and $5 signature infusions fill Live at SkyLounge forecasts every Friday and Saturday night through summertime. If you’re looking for a weekend high point, SkyLounge rooftop bar at the Glenn Hotel packs in the vibe from 5-10 p.m. Fridays and 6-11 p.m. Saturdays. Share small bites such as roasted warm pecans with sea salt, farm-fresh deviled eggs, sweet potato chips with blue cheese fondue, smoked trout dip with lavash crackers, pimento cheese, marinated and spiced olives, bacon-wrapped dates with Parmigiano-Reggiano, an artisan cheese and charcuterie plate or a Southern Sampler for indecisives or dabblers ($1-$16). Cap the night with coffee or a liqueur and flourless chocolate cake or blood orange panna cotta ($8). For updates on who's performing check Facebook. See why SkyLounge was voted one of the “Top 23 Best Rooftop Lounges in the World” by ABC.com.

Downtown Eateries Put the Icing on Ice Skating Fun at Centennial Olympic Park

Ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park's Ice Rink in downtown's Luckie Marietta District is already a beloved holiday tradition, but the adventure just isn't complete for us without a way to refuel all those calories we will burn gliding around the ice. Luckily, some of the city's best restaurants or nearby and ready to be pre- and post-skating destinations. For hearty German fare and beers, slide into Der Biergarten. Just getting warmed up? Keep the momentum going with games, beverages and American fast-casual fare at Game-X. Hot pizzas warm cold hands and fill hungry tummies at Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria while sporty STATS satisfies with classic American favorites and thirst-quenching brews. Date night deserves a visit to the Glenn Hotel where Glenn's Kitchen exudes sophisticated ambiance and drinks flow at SkyLounge, its rooftop hangout. Add south of the border Latin and Mexican flavors to your polar experience with a visit to Alma Cocina for roasted chicken mole Oaxaca, pork pibil tamale, beef brisket enchiladas and many other savory dishes, including bowls of hot tortilla soup. Or, go coastal at Ray's in the City where a wide variety of seafood selections dock alongside a classic cheddar cheeseburger, hand-cut steaks and other landlubber temptations. Can't fit them all in? These restaurants will welcome you even after the ice rink closes for the season on January 20.

Atlanta Restaurants Cook Up Delicious Dishes for U.S. Veterans on November 11

No amount of thanks will ever do our appreciation for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services justice; those who selflessly provide protection and freedom every day so that we are able to live peacefully in this great nation. On Monday, November 11, Atlanta restaurants celebrate Veterans Day by cooking up small, but delicious, tokens of gratitude for these heroes. 

Those both retired and active are invited to the tables of Article 14, Der Biergarten, Game-X, Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, STATS and Glenn's Kitchen or SkyLounge at The Glenn Hotel for half-off savings with a U.S. military ID. Marlow's Tavern in Midtown is also saluting these individuals by offering 50 percent off the price of an entrée with U.S. military ID. As for the rest of us? Continue the celebration by cheering veterans on when the Georgia Veterans Day Parade steps off from Peachtree Street near Ralph McGill at 11:11 a.m. on Saturday, November 9 and ends up in Centennial Olympic Park around lunchtime. If you can't make it to the parade, remember to thank a veteran with a few words of kindness whenever you see them, considering we wouldn't have the same prosperous lives without them. 

Chef Chris Blobaum Gets Fresh at Piedmont Park this Saturday, November 2

Begin your weekend with fresh local foods and fall flavors at the Piedmont Park Green Market, Saturday, November 2. Chris Blobaum of Legacy Restaurant Partners mans the chef demo booth on the Community Center patio from 11 a.m.-noon. Stop by and gather up some exciting new ways to serve up the season's harvest. Legacy Restaurants is parent to Article 14, Der Biergarten, Game-X, Glenn's Kitchen, Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, Olmsted, SkyLounge, STATS and more!

Article 14 and SkyLounge Please Palates at ACAC Art Party: Nourish

Nourish your appetite and prepare your taste buds for edible creativity because this year's Art Party: Nourish promises to be the mac-daddy gathering of the year on Saturday, October 19. The American Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) hosts the sense-stimulating party in celebration of its 40^th anniversary and the unveiling of its newly renovated facility. ACAC offers guests multi-media entertainment, open studios, art exhibits, food and craft cocktails. SkyLounge mixologists shake things up for party-goers, while Article 14 dishes out crowd palate pleasers. Tickets are $50/advance, $60/door and $25/members. For convenience, purchase tickets online now. 

Leave the Labor to Your Fave ATL Restaurants this Labor Day Weekend

 

You have to love the devoted chefs and wait staff at these Atlanta restaurants. They're laboring in hot kitchens on the last holiday weekend of summer, making sure all of those farm-fresh finds and cold brews find their way to your table. When you love what you do, it's not really work anyway.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland will remain open late on Sunday, September 1 for pre-Labor Day enjoyment. The neighborhood favorite plans a special Labor Day brunch feature on Monday, September 2. Over on the Westside, Ormsby's almost pulls an all-nighter, staying open until 3 a.m. as Sunday becomes Monday, then naps through lunch before opening again at 5 p.m. on Labor Day evening.

If you're "chicken" to dine out because you just want something comfy and family friendly, head over to Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Get it to go if you are envisioning a picnic or patio supper at your place. Fast and casualChick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station will be open for its usual weekend brunch menu and lunch and dinner. Both eateries offer regional, all-natural and pastured poultry dishes plus loads more down-home goodies and cold libations.

Inspired and wood-fired describe the pizzas at Hearth Pizza Tavern just outside the perimeter in Sandy Springs. Salads, sandwiches and burgers round out the menu while wine, draft and bottled beer, plus other beverages keep everyone hydrated and happy.

There are lots of reasons to head downtown, one of them being that with many offices closed for the holiday there will be less traffic! Located in the Glenn Hotel, Glenn's Kitchen is a casual-yet-sophisticated spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. SkyLounge, also at the Glenn, is a lovely place to coddle a cocktail while taking in a skyline view. With more than 60 games and lots of sports-viewing screens, Game-X is headquarters for an active and fun holiday. A full bar and lots of nourishing nosh options keep everyone's adrenalin pumping.

On this all-American holiday weekend, meet up with friends for a labor-less meal at an American classic, Marlow's Tavern. With 10 locations around Atlanta (and two in Florida), there's a Marlow's Tavern near your neighborhood.

Fifth Group Restaurants La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco will be open in Virginia-Highland, and Ecco will please those heading to Midtown.

That beachy getaway is as close as the deck and seafood-laden menu at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead. Margaritas, cold brews, and eat-in or to-go cantina fare are all yours at Tin Lizzy's Cantina Buckhead, Grant Park and Perimeter locations.

Those craving sushi and cocktails will be glad to know that RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown will be open on Labor Day.

If you've been meaning to try Ray's on the River, Ray's on the Creek or Ray's in the City (or if they're already your loves), take note that all three Ray's Restaurants will be open and offering 20 percent off meal checks on Labor Day, September 2.

Celebrate the Glenn Hotel's 90th Anniversary with August Specials

 

There are some milestone occasions that you go all out for, and the Glenn Hotel in Downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District is doing just that for its 90^th anniversary. To celebrate, the Glenn has planned a month full of specials and surprises, from mini-cupcakes at check-in and a signature birthday cocktail to a getaway deal. For $90, book the Glenn's 90^th Anniversary Package through August 30 and enjoy an overnight stay in a historic guestroom and special welcome package. While you're there, don't forget to visit the SkyLounge rooftop bar and check out the city views with a handcrafted cocktail and Glenn's Kitchen for some seasonal, American South comfort food.

Ferris Wheel Riding Makes You Hungry

 

Photo Credit: The Partnership/SkyView Atlanta

Wheeeee! The big wheel is turning in the Luckie Marietta District and you're gonna work up an appetite after the ride. While you're up there, scan the horizon for some spots to grab a bite. Might we suggest Der Biergarten for an authentic German dining experience, Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria with its coal-fired pizzas and Italian specialties, STATS for sports viewing and Game-X for an eat-and-play combo? If you're up for a short walk, head to nearby Fifth Group Restaurant Alma Cocina, or for hand-cut steaks, seafood and sushi, Ray's in the City serves it all in a casual, yet elegant setting. Or stay the weekend at the Glenn Hotel and go to them all. Be sure to check out their American comfort-food restaurant Glenn's Kitchen and more sky views at SkyLounge upstairs. Clearly you're going to need to come ride that Ferris wheel more than once!

The Best Fourth of July Celebrations are in Atlanta

Travel plans won’t be necessary this Independence Day because patriotic parties are taking over ATL. Spirited cocktails, festive foods and rooftop celebrations will make this Fourth of July unforgettable!

Atlanta has everything patrons need to pregame the holiday. At Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland, a live band and bubbling brews will keep everyone entertained the night before the Fourth. Come back the next day for the restaurant’s Sixth Annual Go Whole Hog or Go Home Fourth of July Party, where $15 feeds guests a meat-and-three meal for lunch or dinner. Stick around for Backyard Beer Olympics beginning at 3 p.m. Watch the action or sign up with a partner for some friendly competition that could win the team $500. Woodfire Grill is also starting the party on July 3 with a “BBQ & Beer” party to benefit the “Save the Hooch” campaign. Gobble down on a barbecue feast full of Southern classics like skillet cornbread and peach cobbler for $38.

Speaking of peaches, the Fourth of July is the perfect day to bite into a juicy, organic peach from Watsonia Farms. Add it to homemade cobbler or top with ice-cream for a tasty dessert after grilling up free-range beef and poultry from White Oak Pastures. What’s more American than that? Well, John Wayne charcoals and rubs from Fire & Flavor! The all-natural, gluten-free line adds authentic flavor to any meat.

Looking to spend the holiday dining on good-ole-American grub? Plenty of Atlanta restaurants are serving dishes to keep guests full during the festivities. No. 246 in Decatur is serving an all-day lunch menu with cocktail specials guests can enjoy while playing backyard ping-pong. For the early risers, say “good morning” to America and the Peachtree Road Race runners at Olmsted. They’ll be open at 7 a.m. and are serving up an a la carte menu along with endless mimosas and bloody marys for $14.

If plans are already set in stone, Marlow's Tavern, Gunshow and Bantam + Biddy will make satisfying those food cravings easy. Pick up a family food pack from Bantam+Biddy with options like pork loin or rotisserie chicken. It's served with salad, jalepeno cheddar bread, three sides and sweet tea. This take-out-only package feeds 3 to 5 people and is just $42. Gunshow is also putting together packages for patriotic folks on the go, with Southern classics like pulled pork, coleslaw, Brunswick stew and fresh baked cookies. Order in advance and pick ‘em up on July 4 for $50, it feeds four! If the gang will be out of town for the Fourth, stop by Marlow’s Tavern later in the month. They're celebrating more than a day of America with a “Red, White and Brew” menu from June 18 through July 29. Is the term “grill master” a common phrase in your household? If so, be sure to enter the Fourth Annual Marlow’s Grilling Recipe Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes.

It'll be nothing short of a party when the sun goes down at Ventanas, SkyLounge and Game-X. Ventanas is teaming up with Q100 for a night of music, food and dazzling drinks. A $26 ticket will grant access, food and a $10 play card to use at Game-X. Play away and snack on finger foods at Game-X before heading downtown to enjoy the fireworks from the heights of the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel. If you love the view from up top, then check out the party at SkyLounge in the Glenn Hotel. The rooftop is the ideal spot to watch the fireworks from Centennial Olympic Park!

Sit Rooftop at SkyLounge for Patio Launch Party on May 31

  

Tomorrow, the sun sets around 8:45 p.m. and the view from the patio launch party at SkyLounge, atop the Glenn Hotel, is a breathtaking one. ABC.com honors SkyLounge as one of the "Top 23 Rooftop Bars in the World." Sink into one of the low, cushioned couches on the 11th floor patio of this historic building. The shimmering ATL skyline and the lush greens of Centennial Olympic Park make the perfect scenery. Backing up the view are party-exclusive cocktails crafted with Patron Tequila or Ultimat Vodka, DJ tunes and giveaways from 7-9 p.m. You may not want to come down off the roof!