Dive into Caribbean Specials at The Big Ketch – for a Limited Time Only

Need a tropical getaway but short on time and cash? Throw on the flip-flops, shades and some coconut-scented lotion and set sail for The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead or on Canton Street in Roswell. During the months of June and July, open the limited-time-only menu to a tasty treasure trove of Caribbean-themed fare. Lunch beaches coconut fried shrimp, butterflied with fresh coconut shavings and calypso sauce, served over a bed of mango-jicama slaw ($8.95); coconut shrimp po’boy with mango-jicama slaw and calypso sauce ($11.95); and Island lobster Cobb salad of chopped romaine, mango, goat cheese crumbles, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, island bean trio, Maine lobster tail and jerked ranch dressing ($19.95). In addition to coconut fried shrimp and the Island Lobster Cobb, dinner guests can savor jerked red snapper with Caribbean-style red beans and rice and calypso sauce ($24.95) and macadamia nut- and coconut-crusted grouper, pan-fried green beans, red peppers and onions served with mango-jicama slaw and jerked honey ($24.95). The regular menu still stands tsunami tall, but time’s fleeting on these cool Caribbean specials.

Peachy! Derek Dollar and Doug Turbush Serve Tastes of Southern Hospitality at James Beard House Georgia Grown Dinner June 18

The boys from the Peach State travel to the Big Apple for dinner next week. Chefs Derek Dollar and Doug Turbush are two of the Atlanta-area chefs commencing to fix a Georgia Grown dinner at the famed James Beard House in New York City on Saturday, June 18. Sure, we’ll brag on our state. Fruits, vegetables, seafood, fish, meat, poultry and game on the menu will have been grown, raised or caught in Georgia. Likewise for the beer, distilled spirits and wines complementing reception hors d’oeuvre and the six-course tasting dinner menu. Dollar, of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in Crabapple and The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill – Roswell, contributes hors d’oeuvre of bourbon-braised pork belly tacos with green tomato chowchow and radishes for the opening reception. When guests progress to dinner, they’ll enjoy Milton’s Acre produce in Dollar’s summer squash casserole with wood-grilled plantation quail, lipstick pepper Romesco, charred scallion oil and chorizo bread crumbs -- just like the folks dining back home at Milton’s. Turbush, of Marietta restaurants Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar, adds his own Georgia Grown specialties to the menu -- pickled Georgia shrimp with lemon mayonnaise on heirloom rye toasts and Georgia mountain trout with field pea succotash, roasted lemon vinaigrette and mushroom confit. No seats remain for this night of Southern hospitality. No worries, we can savor the creations of these fine chefs right here, without even crossing state lines.

What do Lobster and Lavender Have in Common? The Big Ketch Lobster Rolls Rock at 6th Annual Roswell Lavender Festival June 11

There are lobsters in the sweet-smelling pot-pourri of lavender-centric activities at the sixth annual Roswell Lavender Festival blooming Saturday, June 11 on the grounds of historic Barrington Hall. Roswell’s The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill and Gate City Brewing Company are pairing up to anchor a booth amid the food trucks where guests can buy lobster rolls and lavender beer. Set claws on those goodies before watching demonstration classes, exploring aromatherapy at the Zen Zone and sampling lavender-laced foods such as cookies, popsicles, bread pudding, fudge and both honey and lemon lavender ice cream. Live music, vendors selling arts, antiques, foods and garden goodies, yoga and children’s activities stock this 10 a.m.-5 p.m. field of fun.

Catch The Big Ketch at Alive in Roswell May 19

Ahoy, mateys! Drop anchor at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell during this Thursday night’s Alive in Roswell festivities. The Big Ketch crew will be selling cold lobster rolls, beer, wine and cocktails out on the front lawn at the Canton Street port o’ call during the 5-9 p.m. multi-block party. Live music, kids games, face painting and other family friendly and free activities will run concurrently on historic Canton Street and in Roswell Square, and many shops and businesses will remain open for the evening. Jump on the free trolley to tootle back and forth.

Roswell Lands The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Opening Today

Beachfront property sighting in Roswell. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, delighting Buckhead seafood lovers for the past five years, is casting its sea-to-table line into the heart of Roswell. The second Big Ketch location for Southern Proper Hospitality Group opens today, October 27 at 1105 Canton Street. Guests cruising to the easygoing eatery for lunch, dinner or drinks will feel like they’re visiting a laid-back beach town along Gulf or eastern shores anchored among the street’s array of restaurants. Executive chef Derek Dollar’s casual, chef-driven menu is quite a lure with choices such as Charleston curry seafood quinoa bowl, spicy cioppino with mixed grilled seafood, "beach balls" (surf and turf fritters with bacon, shrimp and green onions), an ahi tuna banh mi sandwich, drunken sailor's rib-eye, jerked pork chops, the “Greuben” (grouper Reuben) or a hot-buttered or chilled lobster roll. Dive in to half-off a dozen oysters during oyster hour (Monday through Friday from 5-6 p.m.) -- a real catch when paired with any of the bar’s “boat” or “yacht” drinks, $5 lime, coconut or mango mojitos or favorites from the treasure trove of beer and wine selections. Mondays, hook the “Burger and Brew” duo of a $10 steak burger royale and draft beer; “Ketch a Cork” on Tuesdays reels in a free appetizer with the purchase of any bottle of wine. Net dinner here seven days a week; lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. Open Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For more information, call 770-993-5749 or visit Facebook.