Cheers to $5 and $8 Drinks, $20 Bottles of Wine during Food 101 Weekday Happy Hour

Atlanta weekdays, 4-6 p.m. Say no more. Break from the brake lights and fill this time slot at the Food 101 happy hour, Monday-Friday afternoons. Commute from bar to table, enjoying wine selections priced at $5 a glass or $20 a bottle or sip any of the day’s rotating menu of $5 vodka drinks. Feeling playful? Mess around with $8 mix n’ match margaritas, choosing straight-up strawberry, blood orange, melon, blackberry, mango or kiwi flavors, mix flavors or ask for a jolt of Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur to kick up the spiciness. Shareable triple-grind beef sliders ($12), charcuterie butcher blocks and cheese boards ($15-$28) and heartier fare like the Red Dragon burger ($17), smoked pulled pork enchiladas ($19), Georgia peach and fennel halibut ($36) and blackberry balsamic short ribs ($32) look really tempting. Give in and stay on for dinner.

#Foodgram

Every bottle has a story in The Liquor Cabinet, be it in a martini, highball or hurricane glass. Open the cabinet and look for a virtual happy hour, no hangover. 

Boogie into Johnny’s Hideaway for a Post-Chastain Concert Nightcap

If concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheatre leave you wanting more, bee-bop over to nearby Johnny’s Hideaway for dining, drinks and dancing into the wee hours. Atlanta’s best DJs spin tunes from the 1950s ‘til now, and an always lively crowd promises no shortage of dance partners or people-watching. Stop in after Hall and Oates on July 10, Rob Thomas on July 21 or Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga on July 29. Full concert schedule is available online. 

T.G.I.F.! Bantam + Biddy Pours Acoustic Cocktails on Crescent

Ease into the weekend with Bantam + Biddy’s Acoustic Cocktails on Crescent. On Fridays from 6-9 p.m., release workweek stress with live music and cocktail specials. Guest bartender Derrick Norris shakes up cocktails from Independent Distilling Co. including $4 Biddy Marys, mimosas and Jameson shots and pours $2 draft beers. Weekend, here we come!

Creative Juices Flow during Canvas by U Art Wednesday Night at 10th & Piedmont June 10

You’ve bottled up your inner artist far too long. Let loose and PYOB (Paint Your Own Bottles) at 10th & Piedmont. Canvas by U will lead an Art Wednesday class on June 10 from 7-9 p.m., guiding potential Rembrandts and van Goghs, brush stroke by stroke, through the completion of a wine bottle still life on canvas. $25 per person covers art supplies and class. We suggest dispelling any palette anxiety by priming with a specialty cocktail or glass of wine. Order dips, dabs, drinks and anything else that floats your fancy from the 10th & Piedmont menu at an additional charge. This is not a BYOB painting venue. Because creating a masterpiece requires a little prep work, you’ll need to reserve your seat before 4 p.m. on June 10 and arrive by 6:45 p.m. to gather paints. Class begins promptly at 7 p.m. 

Article 14 Raises a Glass to Prohibition Repeal Day on December 5

Not pulling your bootleg, Prohibition was repealed on December 5, 1933, meaning after 13 years of Prohibition, Americans enjoyed the right to legally raise a glass of cheer for the holidays. The date became known as Repeal Day, a day to applaud the laws that guarantee our rights as Americans. That's reason enough for Article 14 in Midtown to offer celebratory specials on Friday, December 5, including an old-fashioned cocktail ($12), Waldorf salad ($10), and an entrée of filet en croute bouquetiere de legumes with Madeira sauce (served old school on a silver platter for $29). Celebrate this freedom, because you can!

Enjoy a Night of Food, Drinks and Music at People's Fest

Party down at Atlantic Station with People's Fest 2013 on Saturday, June 22 at 6 p.m. “Feel good food” tastings will drive away hunger while rocking all night to live music from Marc Broussard, Sonia Leigh, Ben Deignan and Jameson Elder. Sip drinks throughout the night while rooting on chef favorites in a friendly cook-off. Tickets are $25 and benefit City of Refuge!

What's New on Pinterest? Palatable Pins for Dear Old Dad

Dad may not know what that Pinterest thing is, but he’ll love the ideas we’ve racked up on our board dedicated to Dear Old Dad himself. Treat the early rising dad to breakfast in bed with bacon-filled pancakes or chocolate swirl buns. We’ve got pins piled high that lead to sweet and savory recipes and links to gifts and cocktail shakers for the not-so-foodie father, too.  

Croon a Tune at Gilbert's on Wednesday Karaoke Nights

Sing your heart out at Gilbert's Cafe & Bar in Midtown on Wednesday nights from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Whether you're an aspiring professional or you just lost a bet with friends, you're guaranteed to have fun performing for the lively crowd at Gilbert's. Got a touch of stage fright? Craft cocktails, brews and wine from the bar will have you believing you're "The Voice" in no time. Warm up those vocal cords and call 404-872-8012 to make your reservation!

Marlow's Tavern Midtown Invites You to Celebrate Anniversary #5

  

Who's going to share in the swag and shenanigans when Marlow's Tavern Midtown throws its 5th Anniversary shindig on Saturday, August 25? They're counting on you being there for all of the fun: appetizer and drink specials, freebie bites from 7 - 8 p.m., sweet treats and a DJ mixing the hits. Party starts at 6 p.m. -- no telling when it will go to bed. While you're there, ask your server how to win free dinner for a year. (Must be present to win; $30 gift card each week for a year; only one gift card may be used in a seven-day period.) With you at the party, there's more to cheer, more to be merry!

MLA Taste and Tell: Drink Up!

MLA Client Services Manager Tuan tells us his top three favorite places to pick up pleasing summer beverages. Watch on YouTube as he spills all the details on where to find the best adult slushies and reusable tiki glasses. Bottoms up!

Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food Helps You Drink the Heat Away

This spring might be one of the warmest we've had in Atlanta, but luckily Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food is offering a remedy to beat the heat. We already know how wonderful the Swirls are but now the restaurant has added five new non-alcoholic teas and lemonades. Each one is handcrafted and made with fresh fruit, and only $3.75 apiece with $1 refills. Check out the flavors: 

• Mango Passion Lemonade - lemonade and Uncle Julio’s fresh mango passion fruit
• Strawberry Guava Lemonade - hand-shaken blend of real strawberries, guava nectar and lemonade 
• Cherry Limeade - sweet cherry with a tart lime flavor
• Raspberry Iced Tea - freshly brewed tea with raspberries 
• Raspberry Palmer - a refreshing blend of lemonade, freshly brewed tea and real raspberries 

Leave a comment below and tell us which one sounds best to you!

Sushi in the RA

This Friday, I was in a sushi-state-of-mind. I have been craving some delectable sushi and hadn't found a good time to get out. Luckily, I had the chance to attend RA Sushi's friends and family dinner. My fellow diner and I spared no calories in the process and hence checked out a wide variety of items off of the menu. Check out some of my favorite menu items!


The Spinach Gyoza was just the beginning for us, but I loved these spicy pot stickers. The sesame-mustard sauce that accompanied gave the perfect hint of heat.


The Viva Las Vegas Roll was my favorite of the night. As one of RA Sushi's signature menu items it isn't your traditional roll, but it is VERY tasty! Paired with my Sea Monkey martini--there was no disappointment here!

RA Sushi is open to the public today and is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a late night menu available until midnight.

MLA Hearts JCT

It’s the time when I brag about how much I love my job, then flaunt our fun in front of all who dread sitting in traffic to head to an office they are still not quite sure they like. Last night’s episode: Drinks at JCT Kitchen. We got together to partake in the fun cocktails and catch up on the week’s events. JCT has a great bar on the second floor, which has both indoor and outdoor seating. Unfortunately for us, the weather was a little too chilly for us to sit outside, but as it gets nicer, I am sure this’ll be our second home (it’s only 3 ½ minutes from our new office – not that I was counting…) While a few of the girls took the safe route (wine), several of us tried the cool cocktails. Melissa and Caryn had the JCTea -- ice-tea infused gin, Grand Marnier, lemon, orange bitters, served up.

I had the Rough Rider -- vanilla-infused 10Cane rum, Mexican Coca-Cola, velvet falernum, served on the rocks – which, despite my girlish embarrassment from the name, was definitely strong enough for a man! Then, just to make sure we were hooked for life, the truffle fries came out. All I can say is I think we may need to do some studies to test the addictive properties of those fries…(In my best Schwarzenegger voice “I’ll be back!”)

Til the next episode, champagne wishes and cognac dreams! Don’t you wish your job was hot like mine!?!

Morton's The Steakhouse Rocks the Vote

We all deserve a drink after this very long campaign comes to an end tomorrow. Both locations of Morton's the Steakhouse in Buckhead and Downtown are offering election-tinis to turn the long awaited results into a party... whatever your party may be. On the night of Tuesday, November 4, Repulicans go red, Democrats drink blue and if you are undecided, mix it up with red and blue layers. Each drink is $11. Check out the recipes below.

Republican-tini: 1 1/2 oz. Absolut Citron Vodka, 1 oz. PAMA, 1/2 oz. sour mix. Place all ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake 15 times and strain into a martini glass.

Democratini: 1 1/2 oz. Absolut Citron Vodka, 1 oz. Blue Curacao, 1/2 oz. sour mix. Place all ingredients in a shaker and add ice. Shake 15 times and strain into a martini glass.

Undecided-tini: 1 1/2 oz. Blue Curacao, 1 oz. PAMA, 1/2 oz. pomegranate syrup. Place Blue Curacao into shaker and add ice. Shake 15 times and strain into martini glass. Pour PAMA and pomegranate syrup into shaker. Shake 15 times and slowly strain down the side of the martini glass so that the mixture floats to the bottom. You should have half red with half blue floating on top.

Morton’s The Steakhouse-Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Morton’s The Steakhouse-Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

Cheers!