Garden Lights, Holiday Nights Cozy Up to Free Pretzel and Warm Cheese and Beer Dip at HOBNOB Midtown

How does your holiday garden glow? With hot yummies and a wintry mix of frosty beers, cocktails and wine from HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown anchoring your visit to the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights extravaganza at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Show your same-day Garden Lights, Holiday Nights ticket at HOBNOB Midtown and receive a free order of its popular soft pretzel with warm cheese and beer dip. Warm innards with a selection from the extensive selection of bourbons, whiskeys, ryes and such. Thaw out over shareable snacks, burgers, tavern specialties or pizzas from the crowd-pleasing menu. For kids in the party, HOBNOB offers a $6 kids menu, and kids 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée Sunday-Thursday from 5-7 p.m. For a sweet ending, spoon into HOBNOB’s hot cobbler or an adult milkshake spiked with spirits or the straight-up (non-alcoholic) chocolate shake. There’s more than one way to get your glow on.

Kids Eat Free when Grown-ups Dine Sunday-Thursday Nights at HOBNOB

Mom and Dad, add dinner at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern to your holiday plans -- and bring the kids. Both the Midtown and Brookhaven locations of the casual eatery are running a Kids Eat Free promo from 5-7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings. Limit one free kids meal per adult entrée purchased. Available to kids ages 12 and under ordering from the kids menu. Dine in only. HOBNOB Midtown is a fabulous place to convene or cap a family outing to the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights Holiday Nights extravaganza. Stop at HOBNOB Town Brookhaven on the way home from visiting Santa at a nearby mall or viewing holiday lights from the family sleigh, err, car.

Appetizing Aperture: HOBNOB's Mulled Wine

Mugs of smoked cinnamon mulled wine ($8) at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern are just the thing to warm holiday hands and hearts after a stroll through the fascinating Garden Lights Holiday Nights display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Members Reap Discounts at Saltwood and Bantam + Biddy During September

How does your garden grow? Appreciation goes a long way, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) nurtures members with special opportunities around town during Member Appreciation Month. During September, ABG members can save some green when dining at Bantam + Biddy and Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar. Flash the membership card to shear 10 percent off tabs at Bantam + Biddy's Ansley Mall location and 20 percent off tabs at Saltwood at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown. (Discounts exclude alcohol.) Saltwood is pitching in the grand prize for a membership month drawing of an overnight stay for two at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Those tilling thoughts about joining the ABG can follow through here. 

Master Smoked S'more Macarons with The Pig & The Pearl Pastry Chef Megan Brent at Atlanta Botanical Garden Chocolate-Covered Weekend

You don't need a campfire to get that smoky s'more deliciousness. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is hosting The Pig & The Pearl pastry chef Megan Brent on September 14 from 2-2:30 p.m., where she will whip up some smoked s'more macarons. 

Christopher Blobaum of Article 14 Fills Atlanta Botanical Garden Fresh Plate Series on August 6

If you've never been to the big outdoor kitchen within the Edible Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, now's your chance. On Wednesday, August 6, chef Christopher Blobaum of Article 14 will prepare some of his signature dishes for guests attending the Atlanta Botanical Garden Fresh Plate Series. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., Blobaum will talk shop, chop and dollop his specialties as guests sip, chat and dine on a four-part small-plate menu. Cost is $59 per Fresh Plate session for nonmembers or $54 for Atlanta Botanical Garden members.

10th & Piedmont and HOBNOB Light Up the Holidays with Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Photo from http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org The city starts to dazzle as the sun goes down, and a million energy-efficient LED lights turn on the throughout the Atlanta Botanical Garden in what has become the South's brightest holiday tradition, Garden Lights Holiday Nights. The event runs nightly from 5-10 p.m. through January 4. Midtown neighbors HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and 10th & Piedmont offer up some suggestions for a spectacular evening: pick your night, buy tickets online, bundle up and wear your walking shoes. Guests can redeem their 2013 season Garden Lights tickets for 50 percent off their tab at either restaurant through January 4 (up to $15 off; one ticket or promotional offer per table). For those who want to keep their glow on, 10th & Piedmont offers a late-night bar menu Tuesday-Saturday until 2 a.m., and HOBNOB offers late-night food until 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch are all options as the offer is good any day through January 4, not just on the day of your Garden Lights visit. Both restaurants offer free parking or complimentary valet parking to guests.

The Well-Seasoned Chef Series registration begins tomorrow, April 17

The Atlanta Botanical Garden has an awesome series of cooking classes each year and you'll want to check it out!  The Well-Seasoned Chef Series usually sells out so nab your seat when registration opens up tomorrow, April 17.  Phone registration only at 404.876.5859 ext. 2559. While the chef line-up is amazing, we're partial to Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Kevin Gillespie of Gunshow, Drew Belline from No. 246 and Adam Evans from The Optimist!

Atlanta Chefs Show Off Pumpkin Carving Prowess This Thursday

Thinking about carving your pumpkin but need a little inspiration? Watch local chefs battle it out for the top pumpkin carver crown at the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Fest-of-Ale on Thursday, October 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. We'll be cheering for Chef Janine Falvo of Briza as she cuts her way through the competition during the 25-minute contest (and if you miss seeing her at the pumpkin carving contest, you can catch her on Bravo's Top Chef Season 9, which starts on November 2). Guests are encouraged to clap loudly for their favorites as audience applause determines the winner. Once a winner has been picked, all of the chef-carved pumpkins will be sold in a silent auction to benefit the Garden, giving you another chance at an eye-catching jack-o-lantern for your own home.

Last Chance for Cocktails in the Garden This Season!

We like to think of it as a great way to greet this lovely fall weather, but truthfully, it's the last chance to sip, nosh and stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden after hours during one of our favorite summer cocktail parties known as Cocktails in the Garden. Get your fix tomorrow, September 29, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. when No. 246, Decatur's hottest new restaurant, provides tastes of their Italian-inspired specialties. This month's theme, which pairs a specialty cocktail with a plant or garden feature, is "Skylines and Spirits." Admission costs $18.95 per person (free for Garden Members) and also includes DJ tunes. A full cash bar is available as well.

It's Lovely in the Park with RA Sushi

Going fishing for fun with Moonflowers and Moonshine in the Atlanta Botanical Garden?  Awesome!  Hook up with friends and snag some delicious tastes when RA Sushi provides the hors d’oeuvre for Cocktails in the Garden from 6 - 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 28.  Full cash bar (actually, there’s no moonshine), complimentary appetizers.  Guest admission is $18.95; free for ABG members.  Guest passes accepted.  And, hey, if you want to keep the party going, RA Sushi is only a few blocks away and open until 1 a.m. for an after the garden party party.

Return to nearby Piedmont Park Green Market on Saturday morning, July 30 when Bryan from RA Sushi leads the chef’s demo at 11 a.m.  Market hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for your oohing, aahing and buying pleasure. No squeezing the tomatoes.

RA Sushi:  Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

Get Your Briza Fix at Cocktails in the Garden on July 14

If you’re looking for an event where you can enjoy the outdoors, delicious food and cool cocktails, then this Thursday’s Cocktails in the Garden event is just for you! From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy complimentary appetizers along with cash-bar cocktails from Briza. The restaurant, located in the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, is practically a stone’s throw away from the Garden gates. $18.95 guests; free for ABG members. Guest passes accepted.

See Chef Ford Fry at the Atlanta Botanical Garden Well-Seasoned Chef Series on July 12

You don’t want to miss the Atlanta Botanical Garden Well-Seasoned Chef Series on Tuesday, July 12 when Ford Fry takes the stage. As owner and executive chef of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and owner of the soon-to-open No. 246 in Decatur, he’s got a lot to share with event attendees. Fry will prepare a four-part tasting menu in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen using ingredients freshly harvested from the Edible Garden along with other locally grown items. The timing is perfect -- from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- not too hot and summer daylight lingers later. The price for the evening’s event is $115 per person; register by phone at 404-876-5859, ext. 2558.

Speaking of Fry, don’t forget to get tickets to JCT.'s upcoming event on Sunday, July 17: The Third Annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. Tickets are $55 per person for Georgia Organics members and $60 for non-members until this Thursday, June 30. Prices go up to $70 this Friday, July 1. Purchase tickets online. For more information, visit the festival's Facebook page.

Cocktails in the Garden and Piedmont Park's Green Market Start This Week

Even though it was a little chilly this morning, rest assured that it's Springtime in Atlanta and your favorite outdoor activities are back! Tonight kicks off the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Thursday night Cocktails in the Garden. Spice Market, in the W Atlanta-Midtown, will provide the yummy, complimentary appetizers for the season opener May 5 from 6-10 p.m. I love this event! Mingle around in the beautiful garden grounds, listen to the DJ, enjoy a cocktail and nosh on delicious nibbles. Free for garden members; guests are $18.95. Guest passes will be accepted. Join the Atlanta Botanical Garden's email list to receive Evites to future events.

Saturday, May 7 is the day for another Midtown staple to come back for the season - Piedmont Park Green Market, Enjoy checking out the fresh produce, catch up with your favorite vendors and then head over to the culinary demo area to watch RA Sushi General Manager Bryan Benavidez and a RA Sushi sushi chef demonstrate how to make one of RA's sensational sushi rolls so you can wow friends with your prowess.The roll-down takes place at 11 a.m. at the Piedmont Park Green Market chef demo area. It's opening day for the market's eighth year; hours are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. every Saturday.

Pumpkins Galore!

Fun was had by all last night at the Great Chefs Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Enjoy some pictures -- just in case you missed out!


Executive Chef/Co-owner of Woodfire Grill, Chef Kevin Gillespie.


The winning pumpkin pirate! It was made by Victor from the Ritz-Carlton. Pretty incredible!


All of the chefs!

Cocktails in the Garden with Aqua blue

Last night I finally checked out the popular "Cocktails in the Garden" event at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Over 400 people were there to taste yummy food from Aqua blue, sip some wine or a cocktail, and stroll through the gardens and view the Henry Moore sculpture exhibit. It was tons of fun. Aqua blue's food was a huge hit. They served hangar steak on endive and these little crispy cups of tuna and avocado. YUM. Of course I wanted to leave enough for the other guests which required an after-event run to The Nook for totchos. Oy.

Cocktails in the Garden is every Thursday night from 6 - 10. It goes through September. The Moore exhibit goes through Oct. 31.