Show Pops He's Tops with These Father's Day Ideas

   

Food and beverages are the way to go for the king of everything on Father's Day, June 17. There are numerous advantages to treating dad to a special meal out or gourmet food and drink items to enjoy with his pals. Family time for starters, everyone gets to try something new, and you won't see that tie or tool in the donation or re-gifting box.

Gourmet-on-the-go dads have places to go and want epicurean foods to eat. Alon's Bakery and Market is a superhero in this department with decadent desserts, artisan breads, chocolates and lots more fit-for-a-king food and beverage items. Locations in Virginia Highland and Dunwoody.

Spirited dads who already have the golf clubs and tennis accessories will appreciate receiving a gift they can enjoy after the action - a cool summer cocktail made from your gift of American Spirit Whiskey (ASW), available to purchase at area package stores. Start his mixology ideas flowing with recipes from the ASW website.

Sleep in or church first? Afterward, head to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar for a special three-course Father's Day brunch offered from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. $34.95 per adult and $16.95 for children ages 12 and under (plus tax and gratuity). Besides covering taste bud bases from filet mignon to New Orleans-style French toast, guests can celebrate with Blood Orange Fizz cocktails for $6.95 each. Dads receive a $25 gift card for marking the day at Fleming's. Make reservations by calling 770-698-8112.

Calling all grill daddies and Big Green Egg aficionados. Marlow's Tavern locations are ready to thrill with grilled skirt steak and backyard blackened swordfish - all offerings on the hit "Red, White and Brew" menu available Tuesday, June 12 through Monday, July 23 at all eight Marlow's Tavern locations. Dad prefers his eggs big, green and smoking hot?  Suggest he enter the third annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest, same dates. He could win a Big Green Egg and get his recipe on the menu! Stay tuned for more details on Facebook.

Burger-meisters will relish lunch or dinner at Smashburger, where they can create their own burger or choose the wedge club burger, Atlanta burger or another juicy specialty beef burger or chicken sandwich. Thick, handspun Häagen-Dazs milkshakes might lead to a new mustache look for dad. With five Atlanta-area locations, there's a Smashburger near you.

Grill-it-yourselfers will salivate in anticipation when receiving grass-fed beef, lamb or free-range poultry from White Oak Pastures. It's okay. Let dad show off his grill-stripe patterns and save with the White Oak Pastures Father's Day sale running June 8-12. Sale prices include ribeyes for $10.09/pound, New York strips for $8.49/pound, filets for $10.89/pound, ground chicken for $4.99/pound and duck for $12/pound. Place an order online or call 229-641-2081. 

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Smashburger's Wedge Club Burger

National Salad Month AND National Burger Month share the merry month of May. No prob. Smashburger's new Wedge Club burger puts both between the buttered bun: 100 percent Certified Angus Beef topped with applewood smoked bacon, blue cheese crumbles, iceberg lettuce wedge, tomato, red onion and blue cheese dressing. The big and beefy burger is $5.99 while the chicken sandwich take is $6.99. Pull out the napkins, you're gonna need them.

Join Alpine Bakery and Smashburger at Taste of Alpharetta on May 10

 

Up for sampling dishes from 50 different Alpharetta restaurants? Come out to Taste of Alpharetta from 5 - 10 p.m. in historic downtown Alpharetta on Thursday, May 10 and try all the different bites being offered. Just make sure to save room for a couple of our favorites, Alpine Bakery and Trattoria and Smashburger before filling up on all the other  appetizers, entrées and desserts that will be featured at the 22nd annual event. Food tickets are $.50 each, and restaurants will charge $1 - $3 per sample. It's sure to be a fabulous evening of sidewalk grazing, enjoying retro-themed bands and radio stations, watching chefs compete and playing in the Fun Zones at the event's new location across from Alpharetta City Hall at 2 South Main Street.

Sweet Relief for Tax Day at RA Sushi, Ray's in the City and Smashburger

With tax day right around the corner, we are all thinking of ways to save without having to give up dining out. Because let's face it, that's just not an option. RA Sushi is where we're headed first tomorrow; the Midtown restaurant is offering special pricing on food and beverages on Tuesday, April 17. The $2-$7 "Tax Day Tuesday" specials include more than 35 sushi, appetizer and tapas selections. You've done enough itemizing this month so we won't list out all the menu options, but let's just say the Kaisen ceviche (pictured right) has your name on it. And so does the Stawberry-Kiwi Saketini, obviously.

For those who find themselves in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Johns Creek, Kennesaw or Sandy Springs on Tuesday and are looking to grab a quick meal, Atlanta-area Smashburger locations are offering Text VIP and Smashclub members a $2 discount on orders of an entree, side and drink. This is a refund you don't have to wait by the mailbox to receive. Sign up to be a Smashclub member online, and become a Smashburger Text VIP member to get great deals and special announcements sent right to your phone. Text SmashburgerATL to 90210 to join.

For the downtown work crowd, Ray’s in the City is hosting a Tax Day Lounge Party from 3 – 7 p.m. on April 17. The downtown restaurant can’t pay your federal and state taxes, but they will pay the tax on small plates and cocktails for you. Go forth and save.

Olé! Smashburger Introduces the Fresh Mex Burger for a Limited Time!

To top the new Smashburger Fresh Mex Burger, one really needs a sombrero. Smashburger, who's always building a better burger, employs a cushy Mexican roll. It excels in absorbing the juicy runoff from a 100 percent Certified Angus Beef burger dressed with a juxtaposition of cool avocado, chopped cilantro, onions, lettuce, tomato and sour cream against pepper jack cheese and spicy chipotle mayo, and served with a wedge of lime. A marinated chicken sandwich has equal olé with the same toppings. The choice beef and chicken chomper comes to the ATL from the sleepy California border town of San Diego, where it was created for locals who love their regional Fresh Mex combinations. Hold your siesta until after you partake in this flavorful fiesta because the visiting dynamic duo heads out of town on April 29. Maybe the peachy Atlanta Smashburger will pay an exchange visit to San Diego. We'll have to wait and see.

Last Chance to Hop Aboard the Valentine's Day Train, Choo Choo!

Looking to fill up that love tank?  Atlanta restaurants are pouring on the love with special Valentine's menus for singles, couples and BFFs -- follow this heart-y link to our blog for more details and consider a couple more below.

Spin the bottle is too chancy. Smashburger shakes are a sure thing, especially with two straws. Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry Häagen-Dazs ice cream is handspun into a dreamy concoction...and the limited-time coffee flavor could pass for coffee and dessert in one tall cup.

Love Valentine's Day at Ormsby's where the holiday's three-course dinner menu is only $35 per person (not including tax or gratuity). Choose from four appetizers including a citrus spring mix salad, oysters Rockefeller, crab and avocado salad and fennel and leek soup. Heartwarming entrée choices are chicken Marsala with butternut squash polenta cakes and wilted mustard greens; filet mignon Oscar style with au gratin potatoes and asparagus; and lobster tail with garlic red bliss mashed potatoes and a veggie medley. Follow up with one of three desserts: red velvet cake lollipops, red wine-poached pear tartlet or chocolate covered strawberries. Ormsby's combines flowers and spirits in two sweet cocktails ($10 each) -- "The Only Bee in My Bonnet" with Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey and lavender undertones and "Blushing Cupid" marrying Adami Prosecco and hibiscus syrup plus a smatter of edible flower petals. Wine specials include sparkling Gruet Blanc de Noir ($40 bottle), The Crusher Chardonnay ($8 glass/$28 bottle) and Colio Chianti ($7 glass/$24 bottle). Remember, Ormsby's has games for good times after dinner...or go home and make up your own.

Have No Fear, Smashburger's Coffee Shake is Here

Super Bowl Sunday is the perfect excuse to eat, drink and spend time with friends and family. Football rivalries are played out; TV commercials get more elaborate by the year; the half-time show always leaves us gasping and to top it all off, we get to eat and drink like it doesn’t count because it’s a “holiday.”

Reality check… Monday is a work-day! But have no fear folks, Smashburger always has our backs and have created the perfect pick-me-up, the coffee shake, to help us face the day. New to the menu on Monday, February 6, this java-nated treat is hand-spun using Häagen-Dazs ice cream and a jolt of the strong stuff. The $4.29 shake will be on the menu through March 25.

This time Atlanta-area Smashburger locations have outdone themselves. Not only have they created the perfect coffee shake, but they also have a great money-saving cling-on ad on the front page of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. Any purchase more than $5 saves $2!

Mooove Over - There's Another Crispy Chicken Sandwich in Town

A lot of people think Smashburger only has burgers. Logical, yes. Accurate, no. They have lots of other items, including a super delicious crispy chicken sandwich. The all-white-meat chicken is hand-breaded on site, crisped to perfection and dressed signature style or however you like it. Rumor has it that following Smashburger on Twitter(@SmashburgerATL) and joining the text club (text SmashburgerATL to 90210) are two great ways to get deals on these and the other yummy offerings. See you at one of their 5 Atlanta mashlocations!

It’s National Soup Month – Start Slurping!

The MLA team just finished a two-day juice detox and after 48 hours of drinking nothing but cold, tart fruit juice, all I am craving is a hot bowl of soup. Luckily, it happens to be National Soup Month AND, despite the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having, the weather reports for the rest of this week finally point to colder temperatures. I can’t think of a better time to sample our city’s selection of body-warming bowls of goodness. Check out a list of our favorites around town in the latest edition of The Dish. My must-haves are Aria’s creamless celery root and black truffle soup (you will not believe this soup doesn’t have cream in it!) and Spice Market’s spicy chicken and coconut soup (pictured above). Both of these feel totally luxurious and are super satisfying on a cold day.

Smash Your Way Into Winter!

Sizzling hot Smashburgers, chicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and veggie burgers send cold packing, if you catch our drift. If, however, cold calls you to the slopes, Smashburger again comes to the rescue with the Smashburger Winterfest sweepstakes. Enter online through January 27. One grand-prize winner will ski away with a trip for two to Colorado including hotel accommodations, a pair of Icelantic skis and a private tour of the Icelantic factory. Other prizes include Icelantic skis, a snowboard, 686 snowboard jackets, Winter Park lift tickets, Colorado Avalanche tickets and Smashgear. While you’re on the website, enter your preferred Smashburger location -- Alpharetta, Buckhead, Johns Creek, Kennesaw or Sandy Springs -- and receive news on specials and events.

Smashburger Comes to Sandy Springs Tomorrow

Smashburger has been spreading the better burger love all over metro Atlanta these past few months and now it is Sandy Springs' turn. Check it out - opening on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 6080 Roswell Road. I'm a big fan of Smashburger's juicy burgers and those yummy thick Häagen-Dazs shakes! Smashburgers all begin with 100 percent fresh, never-frozen Certified Angus Beef smashed on a 400 degree flat grill to sear in flavorful juices. Try the Atlanta Smashburger with peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw and served on an artisan egg bun - it's got quite a kick! And if you want something healthier, they have great chicken and huge salads. Plus wine and beer! See you in Sandy Springs!

Smashburger - Sandy Springs: 6080 Roswell Road; 404-257-1557.

Double Your Fun at Smashburger Today

Hot and juicy "better burgers" are the buzzwords in Kennesaw this week as Smashburger opens its fourth area location on Wednesday, December 7 at 440 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway. Heed our advice and grab a few napkins to catch the juice from your first bite into the signature Atlanta Smashburger loaded with peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw on an egg bun. Smashburger "smashes" its fresh, never frozen 100 percent Certified Angus Beef burgers and Smashdogs on the grill to seal in those flavorful juices for your chomping pleasure. More flavor-rich fuel includes marinated chicken breasts served grilled or crispy on artisanal buns, handcrafted black bean burgers and salads plus sides such as Smashfries, chili cheese fries, sweet potato fries, haystack onions, fried pickles, flash-fried veggie frites and even steaming bowls of beefy chili with jalapeños and cheese. Kennesaw parents note, Smashburger makes the perfect place to meet friends for lunch or dinner because the fast casual eatery covers the spectrum from kids' meals, hand-spun shakes and IBC root beer floats to buckets of beer and wine by the glass. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Don't forget to chow at the Kennesaw store or any one of the other three Atlanta Smashburger locations on Wednesday, December, 7. Each Atlanta-area Smashburger will donate a percentage of sales to DreamWeavers of Georgia. The group creates extracurricular opportunities and produces resources that promote the educational, emotional and social well-being of foster children in Georgia. For Smashburger's complete menu and Atlanta-area locations, click here.

Book Your Favorite Rockin' Room For A Private Party

It happens every year. The grateful calm of Thanksgiving gives way to Black Friday retail frenzy. Then low and behold, the holiday party and gifting season is here. Whether or not you are an advance planner, Atlanta restaurants are ready to help out with warm and friendly seasonal settings, large and small spreads, private dining options and generous gift card promotions.

In Virginia Highland, lively Atkins Park Tavern has historical charm -- and a room upstairs ready to host 30 guests for a sit-down dinner or 50 guests for cocktails. To reserve, call 404-876-7249.

Fabulous global cuisine, personalized menus and lots of space are yours in Roswell at Aqua blue. A semi-private back room accommodates 60 guests, and up to 200 guests can party in the main bar. Available for bookings seven days a week for lunch and dinner; call 770-643-8886.

Marietta’s Chicken and the Egg serves up modern farmstead fare and can throw a Southern dinner party with ease. Host an intimate chef’s table for up to 28 guests in a separate corner of the restaurant -- guests will love the chef’s table menu of Chicken and the Egg specialties. Contact Elizabeth Taft at 678-388-8813.

Across Midtown and into Vinings, Fifth Group Restaurants gives a wide variety of options for private and group dining. At 7th and Cypress streets in the heart of Midtown, Ecco offers seasonal, European-inspired dining seven nights a week. For an evening of contemporary Southern fare, book South City Kitchen Vinings. More Fifth Group possibilities include South City Kitchen Midtown, La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco. Bold American and Studio 887 offer off- and on-premise upscale catering for other event options. For group party planning assistance, call 678-302-3264. For more information, visit the company’s private dining page.

In Dunwoody, special occasions call for Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Book your party by Thursday, December 1 and receive a $50 gift card for every $500 you spend. Thrifty gifters, receive a $20 bonus card for every $100 gift card purchased from now until December 31 (bonus card valid on food and beverage only, January 1 through February 10). Call 770-698-8112.

The Westside party “junction” is JCT. Kitchen & Bar at Howell Mill and Huff roads in Atlanta’s Westside Urban Market. Up to 200 guests can celebrate on its 2,000-square-foot skyline terrace that looks out over the historic neighborhood; up to 165 people can dine downstairs in the main dining room. Discuss private event options with Valerie Mosley, 678-536-6506.

Don’t overlook your lunch spot when looking for a dinner party venue. Market Street Café in Buckhead can seat up to 125 people for dinner inside and 75 guests on the patio. Need more? Rent the whole place after 4 p.m. weekdays and anytime on weekends. For private event information, contact Sabrina Rosenberg or Lauren Hradek at 770-643-5990.

Reindeer games in West Midtown’s White Provision complex? Not quite, but Ormsby’s lounge space with its comfy couches, cocktail tables and game room access is ideal for up to 40 grownups. Better snatch it up by calling Leslie Battle at 404-968-2033.

Wildly fun RA Sushi in Midtown can seat up to 10 guests in its semi-private dining space and host up to 100 guests in its upstairs area. Call 404-267-0114.

From downtown to the Chattahoochee to Alpharetta, Ray’s Restaurants provides three unique party settings and a variety of menu options. Ray’s on the River (770-955-1187) can accommodate parties of up to 200 guests. Ray’s at Killer Creek in Alpharetta (770-649-0064) has several different room options and accommodates parties of up to 300 people. For intimate gatherings in town, look into private and semi-private spaces for up to 45 people at Ray’s in the City (404-524-9224).

The Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel epitomizes Atlanta with its modern design and Southern hospitality. Host guest lists from 30 to 400 in the hotel’s three ballrooms. Up to 300 guests can sip cocktails and admire the skyline view at Rooftop 866, the chic rooftop bar adjacent to the hotel. Briza, the hotel’s signature restaurant, also can be reserved for private events seating up to 110 guests or 200 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvre. Call 678-412-2400.

Here’s a smashing gift idea! At Smashburger, receive $5 Smashbucks for every $25 gift card purchased through December 31. Smashbucks expire on January 31. There are three metro-Atlanta locations with a fourth opening in Kennesaw on November 30.

Go for a glamorous midday or evening event at the W Atlanta-Midtown Hotel’s Spice Market restaurant. Spice Market’s Pond Room, Trellis Room and main dining room are three options, and the entire restaurant space accommodates up to 200 for a seated dinner and 350 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvre. For private event information, contact Cristina Perry at 404-724-2550.

Atlanta’s trend-setting farm-to-table restaurant, Woodfire Grill, houses multiple private dining spaces from "The Mezzanine," seating 50 or divisible into three private rooms; “The Loft," a cozy upstairs hideaway for up to 16 people; and a covered patio where up to 75 guests can gather for cocktails or 30 can sit down for dinner. Call Rick Blumberg at 404-347-9055 for more information.

A Smashing Good Time in Kennesaw

On Wednesday, November 30, the fourth Atlanta-area location of Smashburger will arrive in Kennesaw at 440 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway, giving Cobb County residents and visitors a chance to sink their teeth into the restaurant's "better burger." Smashburger's signature method of "smashing" burgers on a flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor is one we've come to know and love. Their 100 percent Certified Angus Beef Atlanta Smashburger and Atlanta Smashdog -- both topped with Wicked Pimena cheese and Vidalia coleslaw -- are sure to be smash hits in Kennesaw, too. Local beer, wine, hand-spun Häagen-Dazs shakes and IBC® root beer floats in frosted mugs complete the dining experience.

If you just can't wait that long to get "smashed," visit one of Atlanta's other three Smashburger locations in Buckhead, Johns Creek or Alpharetta in the meantime.

Treat Yourself To Halloween Debauchery This Weekend!

Ready to haunt the streets of this city? It's all treats and no tricks when it comes to finding something fun to do in Atlanta this Halloween!

All three Smashburger locations are featuring a special Halloween deal for children under age 12. If they wear their Halloween costume to Smashburger on Friday, October 28 through Monday, October 31, they'll be treated to a free meal when their parent purchases a meal.

Get two for one at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna on Saturday, October 29 when they host both the Smyrna Beer Fest and their own 9th annual Halloween celebration. From 1 - 6 p.m., there will be more than 100 beers to sample, live music, costume and pumpkin carving contests, bobbing for apples and more. The Halloween celebration kicks in from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. with a live DJ in the bar, more costume contests and other Halloween-inspired activities and decorations.

Over in Virginia Highland, Atkins Park Tavern kicks off Halloween with their annual pumpkin carving contest on Thursday, October 27 at 8 p.m. Join friends for a night of pumpkin carving, beer drinking, scary movie watching on the big screen and a chance to win great house prizes. On Saturday, October 29, DJ Lion spins tunes beginning at 9 p.m. followed by the Tavern's annual costume contest at the witching hour. And on Monday, October 31, get ready for the Halloween Hangover when Atkins Park serves up a trio including the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," Terrapin Big Happy Monster and Monday Night Football.

Dig those skeletons out of the closet and party your bones off at your nearest Marlow's Tavern on Saturday, October 29. All eight locations are hosting Halloween shindigs from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There's no cover charge to attend, but you definitely want to come up with a costume -- you might win cash, gift certificates or other prizes. Music? You bet your bones there's a DJ or live music, depending on the location.

At Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, the "Thriller Monster Bash: A Retro 80s Halloween Party" brings the 80s to life on Saturday, October 29. A spooky holiday and a kooky decade (fashion-wise) go together like tricks and treats when Fadó gets tricked out in full Halloween décor for the spooktacular event. Specialty cocktails come at a $5 treat of a price, and a DJ spins 80s tunes from 9 p.m. into the wicked wee hours. Why be shy about dressing up? Costumes are expected, and all are encouraged to enter the midnight costume contest for a chance to take home $1,001 in cash. There's a $5 cover charge for the 9 p.m. bash, although ladies get in free.

Aqua blue dresses up as "Aqua Boo!" for their 10th annual Halloween Monster Bash on Saturday, October 29. So what are you going to wear? Decisions, decisions! Do you go all out or do your best to be the worst for the 11 p.m. costume contest? Dressed up or down, you can still imbibe in specially priced creepy cocktails and gobble up ghoulish appetizers. The regular á la carte menu is available from 4 p.m. on into the witching hours. A DJ spins dance hits starting at 9 p.m.

RA Sushi doles out Boo Bites and Potent Potions at their Halloween night "Boo Bash 2011" on Monday, October 31. The fun starts at 8 p.m. as the DJ spins his haunting mix and thrills guests until closing. Dress up and enter the "Boo Bash" costume contest. Read up and RSVP on Facebook.

The Iberian Pig is a true party animal this Halloween night, lining up Decatur restaurants and bars for a Halloween Pub Crawl at 8 p.m. on Monday, October 31. The cost is $45 per person, which covers one featured drink at each stop. Look for a smoking punchbowl at the Iberian Pig along with snacks. Wear a costume and take part in the Brickstore's annual costume contest (hint, prizes) at tour's end. Other participating restaurants and bars include Square Pub, Mac McGee's, Eddie's Attic and Leon's Full Service.

For those in Marietta, Cumming and Suwanee, kids eat free at all four Chepe's locations on Halloween! Kids in costume on Monday, October 31, will receive one free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

Visit The Dish for more Halloween details.

Knocking Out Breast Cancer One Smashburger At A Time

There's still time to help "smash" breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Wednesday, October 26, metro Atlanta's three Smashburger locations will donate a percentage of the day's sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Chances are that you know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease. Knock it out, one Atlanta Smashburger, avocado club or spicy Baja at a time!

A Burger That Will Blow You Away

If you're like me, you love everything about Chicago except the painfully cold weather. Lucky for us, a taste of Chicago is coming to our very own Smashburger locations this month with the Windy City Burger. This limited-time burger comes to us straight from Smashburger in Chicago and will be available at all three Atlanta-area Smashburger restaurants until the end of October, so get some Windy City flavor in while you can. The layers of melted cheddar cheese, haystack onions, lettuce, tomato and Gulden's spicy mustard are sure to be a smash hit among Atlantans. You can also check out Smashburger's website to enter to win a three-day, two-night trip to Chicago for two people in the restaurant's Windy City Sweepstakes. Head to Buckhead, Johns Creek or Alpharetta to get a taste of Chi Town before time runs out - and don't forget to visit Smashburger's Facebook page first to get coupons.

Get Ready to Get "Smashed" in Alpharetta

Smashburger's newest Atlanta-area addition is on its way and will be landing in Alpharetta on Wednesday, September 28. The restaurant will open its doors at 5530 Windward Parkway for lunch and dinner to offer sizzling burgers, sandwiches, fries and more. This is the third of 20 plus Atlanta-area Smashburgers that local franchisee Phil Wilkins is slated to open over the next seven years.

Named for the cooking method used to create the perfect burger, Smashburgers are 100-percent—fresh, never frozen, Certified Angus Beef smashed on a flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor. For all Georgia locations, guests can indulge in the Atlanta burger that includes peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimina cheese, grilled jalapenos and vidalia coleslaw all on an egg bun (pictured above). Along with its savory burgers, Smashburger also serves marinated Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs, Smashsalads and Smashsides. Kids of all ages can enjoy Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats, while beer and wine are available for adults. Check out another Atlanta-area location's menu to gear up your taste buds.

What's Cooking This Labor Day Weekend?

Do it. Face the weekend before it swallows you.  

Maybe you have big plans (that don't involve cooking), house guests (not the kind of catering you had in mind) or you'll be pulling back into town after holiday travel (please no more drive thru, and I can't deal with the groceries). 

Keep this open-on-Labor Day list of restaurants handy.  Tackling meal and party decisions suddenly became much less laborious!

·  Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna and Virginia Highland:  Late night note -- Atkins Park Virginia Highland stays open later, until 2:30 a.m., on Sunday due to the Monday holiday.

·  Briza: Farm-to-table Southern fare in a stylish setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.

·  Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant:  Aye, Buckhead's favorite Irish pub always has sports on the screens, cold drinks and hearty fare.

·  Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: The Fleming's 100 wine list is on!

·  Marlow's Tavern:  Ideal meeting place for friends.  All eight locations will be open.

·  Ormsby's:  Come in on Sunday for Brews, chews and games until 2:30 a.m.

·  RA Sushi:  Cool off with $8 Summer Sips specialty drinks, sushi and Japanese fusion dishes. 

·  Smashburger:  Smashing time to try either the Buckhead or Johns Creek locations.

·  Spice Market:  In the W Atlanta-Midtown for exotic eats near at hand.

·  Truffles Grill:  Lunch, dinner and drinks located right across from Lenox Square.

Smash. Sizzle. Savor. Smashburger In Johns Creek Is Now Open!

Get “smashed” at Johns Creek newest addition, Smashburger, today! Smashburger has opened its doors for lunch and dinner to offer sizzling burgers, sandwiches, fries and more. These savory dishes are perfect for going out for a “fast-casual” meal with your family or friends.

Smashburger takes pride in its Certified Angus Beef burgers that are “smashed” on the grill to sear in the juices. For all Georgia locations, guests can indulge in the Atlanta burger that includes peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimina cheese, grilled jalapenos and vidalia coleslaw all on an egg bun. Along with its savory burgers, Smashburger also serves marinated Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and Smashsalads ($3.99-$6.99). Kids meals are $3.99 and Smashsides (including my favorite: sweet potato smashfries with rosemary, olive oil and garlic) run from $1.99- $2.99. Kids of all ages can also enjoy Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats. For the adults, beer and wine are sold as well. Check out the Buckhead location's menu to tempt your taste buds. Smashburger is destined to be a "smash" hit!

Smashburger - Johns Creek: 9775 Medlock Bridge Road; 770-497-6274.