ATL Mixologist Movers and Shakers Vie for ACVB Centennial Cocktail Contest - The Votes Are Up to You

There's no better time than summer for sipping a cocktail on the patio of your favorite Atlanta restaurant. But which mixed drink outshines the rest? You be the judge! Whether your favorite is tequila, vodka or whiskey, ATL-inspired cocktails are taking over the city as mixologists strive to win your vote and have their drink crowned as Atlanta’s “Centennial Cocktail”. We've got a list of must-try cocktails, including some of our favorites like Ecco's Destination South and Ray's in the City's newest concoction, the Atlantamaker. Don’t forget to give your winner the recognition it deserves!

Let the Eating Begin at Midtown Festival of the Arts

I'm pretty excited about checking out the brand new Midtown Festival of the Arts this weekend. Of course, the best part sounds like the food. There are street food vendors like Yeah! Burger (hello, sliders!), JCT, El Taco and South City Kitchen. And there is a cool restaurant area called Plates on Peachtree with the likes of Ecco, RA Sushi and Shaun's. While the rest of the event is free, Plates is $30 ($40 at the door). It's definitely worth it - lots of great restaurants and cooking demos on the Culinary Stage. I'll see you there!

Who's Open on Labor Day?

Forgot to clean the grill? Don't have a staff? No worries! Here's a list of restaurants that will gladly cook for you and yours on Labor Day. Hope it's a great day!

Ray's Killer Creek will be open and serving its signature seafood, beef and chicken dishes to Alpharetta diners. Both the Buckhead and Sandy Springs locations of Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food will dole out their generous plates of Mexican specialties and chilling margaritas in a mucho lively atmosphere. Spice Market, in the W Atlanta Midtown, will be open on Labor Day to welcome guests to a globally inspired holiday. Have the gang meet you at Marlow's! With six locations conveniently located in neighborhoods all over town, Marlow's Tavern will be serving their classic American tavern fare that's sure to whet any appetite.



In Virginia Highland, La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco will respectively serve up authentic Italian and plenty of fiesta fare. Both Atkins Park locations -- Virginia Highland and Smyrna -- will be open on Labor Day with staples such as Big Green Egg-smoked all-natural chicken breast, wild Georgia shrimp and grits, fresh North Georgia trout and lots of cold libations and brews. Atkins Park Virginia Highland starts the holiday early by staying open late on Sunday, September 5.




In Midtown, RA Sushi will be keeping folks happy on Labor Day with their deliciously fun menu of sushi, like their fan favorites Tootsy Maki and Viva Las Vegas roll. Buckhead residents can satiate themselves after a full day of Labor Day sale shopping with an incredible dinner at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse featuring menu items such as a grilled porterhouse veal chop or pan-roasted Maine lobster.




Westsiders can sidle into YEAH! BURGER for all-natural beef, bison, turkey or veggie burgers, toppings, sauces and sides, as well as shakes made with organic milk. Night owls, note Ormsby's is open late the night before Labor Day as well as being open on Labor Day to quench beer thirsts and provide classic game action like darts, for instance. West Egg Café, near the White Provision complex on Atlanta's Westside, will be open Labor Day, serving breakfast and locally roasted Batdorf & Bronson coffee from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Fifth Group Rocks at Hotel Help

Congratulations to Fifth Group Restaurants for winning the Concierge Society of Atlanta's "Affiliate of the Year" award for 2009. This award is a members' choice award and it goes to the affiliate member who best understands and supports the concierge of Atlanta. Whether it is hosting a business luncheon at Atlanta's iconic South City Kitchen for a visiting guest or coordinating a bachelorette's visit to the always rockin' El Taco, Atlanta's concierge know they can count on Fifth Group to make each visit spectacular, and, luckily for us, all of us in-town diners can count on Fifth Group to take care of us too. Affiliate of the year, indeed!

Trick-or-Treat

The days of trick-or-treating might be behind you but you're never to old to dress-up and enjoy Halloween. Don't get left in the dark this year -- we've got the scoop on frighteningly fun events going on Halloween night at Atlanta restaurants and bars. So rock that costume and head out on the town.

Boo Bash 2009: A Night of Freakish Fun at RA Sushi corners the crypt on freakin' good times in Midtown from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Halloween night. The hip hotspot features beverages such as a Vampire's Kiss and "Boo Bites" such as the Creepy Cali Roll ($6). Dress out -- RA Sushi gift certificates go to the top three costume contest winners. Horror movie theme songs and Top 40 tracks make up DJ Scott's monster mix. Late night goblins note, RA's kitchen will stay open until 1 a.m. No cover charge. (1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114)

Some good-looking witches have been sighted brooming it out beyond the perimeter to Roswell. Our guess is they're in flight to try for the $3,000 in cash and prizes going out to costumed guests at Aqua blue's 8th Annual Halloween Monster Bash on October 31. The spell-binding evening takes off with à la carte dining from 4 - 10 p.m. and flows until the witching hour with cocktails from the Bacardi- and Dos Equis-sponsored bar and three DJs spinning tunes starting at 9 p.m. If you're spooked by cover charges, be there before 10 p.m. -- $10 cover after that. (1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886)

When small things start getting under your skin, do as the skeletons do and party your bones off Halloween night at Marlow's Tavern. From 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. on October 31, guests can order from the full restaurant menu of ghastly good appetizers, enticing entrées and deliciously wicked desserts. $5 cocktails, $500 costume contest and no cover charge all night long make your nearby Marlow's location a hellacious Halloween haunt.

Dress like a boo-rito? A terrifying taco? You don't have to dress Tex Mex but do come creatively costumed to The Original El Taco from 6 until 10 p.m. on Halloween night so you can be photographed for the restaurant's Facebook page costume contest. Photos will be posted, and guests can vote on Sunday, November 1; winners will be announced on Monday, November 2. First place eeks out a $100 dining card, and second snags a $50 card. Costumed kids who come to the restaurant on Halloween between 4 - 6 p.m. will eat FREE! (1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656)

Costumed characters in Sandy Springs should head to EVOS. Any child who comes to EVOS in costume before 8 p.m. on Halloween night will be treated to a free kid's meal. Adults, you'll get a free milkshake following the same tricks. (5590 Roswell Road, NE; 404-252-4022)

This is no trick. Aria is treating its Facebook fans to 30 percent off their food tab on Halloween night! (490 East Paces Ferry; 404-233-7673)

So Many Choices, So Little Time! Here's a Peek at What's Coming Up for Cinco de Mayo Next Week!

It's time for margarita mayhem! Cinco de Mayo is just a week from today and it's time to make plans. From drink specials to Mexican mega-meals, Atlanta restaurants are giving us plenty of reasons to head out and enjoy the holiday! Check out what's happening around town!
Marlow's Tavern in Alpharetta celebrates "Marlow's de Mayo" with a cantina party on Saturday, May 2. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. with fiesta food favorites including carne asada, carnitas and grilled chicken and south of the border drink specials of $3 beer and $5 margaritas and sangria. Live music follows from 2-5 p.m. Marlow's Tavern Alpharetta: 3719 Old Alabama Road; 770-475-1800.

The Latin beat comes on strong for Cinco de Mayo festivities at Eclipse di Luna at Park Place on Tuesday, May 5. Always lively, the pulse kicks up a notch or two at 5 p.m. as Fernando Fernandez jockeys up the tunes, and the Winton Peck Band plays throughout the evening. Traditional tortas and burritos are some of the $5 Mexican tapas to devour while gathering $3 Dos Equis, $4 margaritas and $6 Herradura margaritas at the multiple bar locations. There's no cover, but there will be plenty of prizes! Eclipse di Luna - Park Place: 4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Suite 11; 678-205-LUNA (5862).

Say "El Yeah" to the festivities at El Taco in the Highlands. You can't go wrong with buckets of Dos Equis (5 for $15). Or try the "EL-a Tasty!" -- the bartender's special margarita of the day, combining Sauza Blanco tequila, strawberry flavor and house made sour mix -- just $7.25. After a couple of those, your high school Spanish will come right back to you. Add in El Taco's great tacos, some chips and salsa, and a bunch of amigos and you're guaranteed one 'el of a good time! The Original El Taco: 1186 N. Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656.

Uncle Julio's Casa Grande will be home base for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Buckhead this week. Come casual to this eclectic eatery with its big patio and be ready to imbibe in some of Uncle Julio's signature margaritas, such as the Swirl (frozen margarita swirled with frozen sangria). Go your own way by choosing from more than 15 different tequilas for your margarita or try different Mexican beers from the "grande" selection. For authentic, border-style go-withs, dig into smoky grilled fajitas, sizzling shrimp brochettes or marinated grilled quail served with roasted fresh vegetables and spicy salsa. Uncle Julio's Casa Grande: 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767.

We've been waiting with anticipation and the time is finally here! Five Seasons Brewing is opening its newest location at the intersection of Howell Mill Road and Marietta Street with a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Georgia Organics will benefit from "Five Alive on the Westside" from 5 - 10 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. Come help the party grow! There will be plenty of hors d'oeuvre made from farm ingredients to enjoy. Your $5 donation goes straight to Georgia Organics. Five Seasons Brewing: 1000 Marietta Street, NW.

Chef Party at El Taco Sunday

Feeling a little let down now that all the holiday parties are over? Don't despair! There's a great party on Sunday night at El Taco - and you're invited. A while back, Kirsten Ott from The Sunday Paper named her top 25 chefs in the city and Shaun Doty has invited them all to come celebrate with him. And you know there's nothing more fun than partying with a bunch of chefs!

Sunday night, Dec. 28, starting at 9 p.m. El Taco will be serving $1 tacos and $2 beer. No deals on the FroMos though - boo! Nevertheless, it will be tons of fun. All the chefs have been invited and we know for sure that Joe Truex/Repast, Craig Richards/La Tavola Trattoria, Micah Willix/Ecco, Shane Touhy/Dogwood, Riccardo Ullio/Beleza, Cuerno, Sotto Sotto and Fritti and of course Shaun will be there.

I can't wait!

Midtown Shop and Dine Week November 14-21

Two of my favorite past times, eating and shopping, come together this week during Midtown Shop and Dine Week. Two can dine for $25 at The Original El Taco and other casual restaurants. At fine dining spots such as Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, South City Kitchen Midtown and VITA, guests can sit down to three courses for $25 per person. Making reservations is so convenient through opentable.com. What a deal?!

Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555.

The Original El Taco: 1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656.

La Tavola Trattoria: 992 Virginia Avenue, NE; 404-873-5430.

South City Kitchen Midtown: 1144 Crescent Avenue; 404-873-7358.
VITA: Vita: 2110 Peachtree Road; 404-367-8482.

El Taco Preview Party

Last night I attended one of the preview parties for Fifth Group Restaurant's newest venture, The Original El Taco (which translates as The Original The Taco). As expected, this place was packed with people who couldn't wait to try out this new Mexican joint. Menu selections included lime-salted corn chips with salsa, "just-crushead" avocado guacamole, Mexican pizza, fajita salad and tacos. Cocktails that were served included beer, wine, margaritas and the favorite of the evening -- a frozen mojito. Fun, funky and fresh are all words I would use to describe this new eatery. Oh, and the best part -- they have a prize wheel! Upon entering, we were handed a chip with a number on it. Every 30 minutes, a server would spin the wheel and call out the winning chip. Customers won items such as a cup of queso, fajitas and I believe they were giving away beer as well. To my surprise, I learned that the prize wheel is going to be part of the restaurant every day.