Make a Splash at Aqua Vino 2015 on October 8

Socialites and sea life mix and mingle during Aqua Vino 2015 on Thursday, October 8, at the Georgia Aquarium. Hosted by television personality, chef and author Alton Brown, this 10^th annual benefit is the aquarium’s premier wine and food fundraiser featuring more than 200 wines from around the world, live and silent auctions and food tastings from more than 30 of the city’s leading restaurants including Article 14, Glenn’s Kitchen, Twin Smokers BBQ, Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar and Stem Wine Bar. Event runs 7-10 p.m. Purchase tickets online ($125-$150 grand tasting; $300-$325 VIP tasting). VIP tasting tickets net a 6 p.m. red carpet arrival, meet and greet with Alton Brown on the red carpet, complimentary valet parking, access to the exclusive VIP lounge with reserve wines and featured tastings and a VIP gift bag valued at $200. Proceeds benefit Georgia Aquarium’s southern sea otter conservation and research initiatives.

Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry Fills Tanks at Georgia Aquarium May 7

The Georgia Aquarium aquatic tanks are full, and the fish are well fed. The issue is filling the tummy tanks of hungry children across the U.S. with nourishing food -- the ultimate goal of Share Our Strength’s Atlanta Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry on Thursday, May 7. While guests in the Georgia Aquarium Oceans Ballroom are there to help raise funds for this mission, they’ll be able to sample their fill of signature dishes and drinks prepared by 50 of Atlanta’s top chefs and mixologists including those from Aria, Marlow’s Tavern, Ray’s Restaurants, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar and Umi, and they’ll enjoy more than a splash of fine wines from around the world. Great “see” life as well: looking at life through the ballroom’s huge water window, absorbing live music vibes, and auction bidding on wines, world-class trips, dining and culinary experiences and other luxury items. Event honorary chair is Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and CNN chief medical correspondent. Buy tickets online: VIP is $350, for 6-10 p.m. admission; General is $250 person, for 7-10 p.m. admission. Attendees must be 21 years or older.

Der Biergarten Brings Holiday Cheer at Nikolaustag on December 9

Did you know that the stockings that are hung by the chimney with care were actually first filled back in the fourth century by St. Nicholas with care? Yes, indeed. In his honor, friends at Der Biergarten are saying thanks for letting us borrow his tradition by hosting a Nikolaustag party on Monday, December 9 from 5-9 p.m. It's a family friendly celebration, so come one, come all. With more than 9,500 ornaments, 72 nutcrackers, 48 stockings and 26 Christmas trees, Der Biergarten is throwing the party of the season, no it's the party of the year. Music, entertainment and a special appearance by the always jolly Santa will bring holiday cheer to the youngsters. Don't worry, those 21 and up, we'll let you have the honor of saying "cheers" with $8 liters of draft Krombacher pilsner and Warsteiner dunkle and $5 glühwein. If you're an honorable member of Stein Club, save 50 percent on your individual tab. Der Biergarten’s proximity to Centennial Olympic Park puts Nikolaustag on the post-ice skating rink radar, and those at Georgia Aquarium Festival of the SEAson can enjoy the jingle and jangle after the aquarium closes at 5 p.m.

Georgia Aquarium Hosts Eighth Annual Aqua Vino with Water, Wine and Atlanta's Best Restaurants on October 10

Swimsuit weather may be long gone by now, but that doesn't mean it's too late to have some aquatic fun. Just visit the eighth annual Aqua Vino at the Georgia Aquarium on October 10 to mingle with friends, family and your favorite sea creatures, all while sampling from more than 200 global wines and incredible tastes from Atlanta's premier restaurants such as Article 14 and Glenn's Kitchen. Upscale live and silent auctions round out the evening's entertainment for the over-21 crowd. The main event fills the Oceans Ballroom, and guests are free to venture out to view Georgia Aquarium exhibits. Grand Tasting is $150 per person; VIP Tasting is $325 per person and adds 6 p.m. admission, red carpet arrival and media splash photo op with hosts plus access to the VIP lounge with exclusive wines and behind-the-scenes tours. Proceeds benefit Georgia Aquarium's whale shark conservation and research initiatives. This event is ages 21 and up only.

Join Aria, Woodfire Grill and Many More for Taste of the Nation at Georgia Aquarium on April 11

Chefs from more than 50 of Atlanta's top restaurants, including Aria and Woodfire Grill, will serve their specialties at the 25th Annual Taste of the Nation Atlanta filling up the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, April 11. A nationwide culinary benefit, Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation plays a huge part in achieving the organization's goal to end childhood hunger in America. Guests will have plenty of opportunities to bid in live, silent and wine auctions while enjoying unlimited food, wine and beverage tastings and live music. Honorary chairs are Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal and John Mariani, Esquire food and travel columnist for the last 30 years. VIP ticket holders enter at 6:30 p.m.; general admission ticket holders enter at 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online: VIP tickets are $350 each, and general admission tickets are $250 each. Black tie optional for guests, however, not for the penguins.

A "Barcade" for Downtown

Get ready to play  Nothin' But Net, QuadAir Hockey, Pac-Man Smash, full-size versions of Fruit Ninja and Temple Run, a 10-foot-high Connect 4 board, a life-sized giant crane game and more when Game-X opens across from the Georgia Aquarium in late March. It's 12,000 square feet of fun, y'all. Especially when you factor in the adult beverages and tasty snacks. And fear not, parking's validated nearby for 3 hours. Game-X provides the perfect night out with friends, date night, lunch break or add-on to a concert or sporting event. Go here to get $10 of free play and use your prowess to turn that into a prize that is way better than a stuffed animal.

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Join RA Sushi on Thursday for Aqua Vino at the Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium's 7th Annual Aqua Vino is all about saving the bird - the African Penguin - by raising funds for the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. In the process, guests can dive into enjoying an ocean of yummy food and wine tastings and live and silent auctions. RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is one of more than 30 top restaurants and 200 wines represented at the 7-10 p.m. (6 p.m. VIP tasting) event on Thursday, November 8. Guests secure another treasure: aquatic viewing opportunities through the water wall in the Oceans Ballroom and crowd-free Aquarium gallery time (ahhhem, no nose prints and sticky fingers on the glass). What's stopping you? Dive in and purchase tickets (ages 21+ only) for $180 per person/$160 members and $325/person VIP tasting.

Learn About Going Green at the 2010 Visionary Dinner Gala

If you’re green-minded, the 2010 Visionary Dinner Gala on Wednesday, March 31 at the Georgia Aquarium is for you! Plant funds and grow awareness for green job training, affordable housing, clean energy and high-performance building practices at the 5 – 10 p.m. event. We know of three green-conscious chefs heating up the evening: Chef Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Sous Chef E.J Hodgkinson from Woodfire Grill and Mary Moore of The Cook’s Warehouse. These three will join other star chefs to prepare a five-course feast featuring fresh, local items and ingredients from Whole Foods Market. Network, learn about profitable new ideas for greening the world, and listen to inspiring Jigar Shah of the Carbon War Room. Leave filled with good food, wine and visions of improving our world for future generations.

Sipping, Savoring & Sea-ing at the Georgia Aquarium

Last night I attended the 4th annual Aqua Vino event at the Georgia Aquarium and enjoyed some excellent wines and bites from Atlanta restaurants. My food favorites of the evening were Pacci Risotrante’s crab fondue with crostini (Chef Keira Moritz pictured above on the right at her table in the Georgia Explorer Gallery), Il Mulino’s mushroom ravioli and WaterHaven’s mussels. Memorable wine finds included Orogeny Pinot Noir and Twomey Sauvignon Blanc. There was a great turnout – 1,000+ attendees supporting the Georgia Aquarium and the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health!

Milk And Cookies With Martha

Only Martha Stewart would serve milk and cookies at a book signing. And not just any cookies.....soft ginger snaps, divine chocolate chip, chocolate thumbprint, traditional sugar cookies and shortbread. I waited in line for hours, eating warm cookies and drinking milk, at the Georgia Aquarium for a chance to meet my crafty idol Martha. When I finally reached the domestic goddess, she signed my cookbook with perfect posture and a wide friendly smile. Her cookbook Cookies will be my new go-to baking book. Tune in to the Martha Stewart Show March 5th to watch her special on "Atlanta" featuring the Georgia Aquarium.

Getting Ready for Taste of the Nation '09

For the second year in a row, I will be co-chairing the restaurant committee for Share Our Strength's annual Taste of the Nation event. Talk about fun volunteer work! This has always been one of my favorite events to attend - all the best restaurants are there, the Aquarium is a killer setting and they always have a fun honorary chef (last year was Tom Colicchio!).

Last night was the first planning meeting of the year. There are some great new restaurants attending the event for the first time this year and an honorary chef that I am excited to meet (stay tuned to find out who...)! So mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the Georgia Aquarium.

Next up for the restaurant committee - getting 40+ chefs to show up on the same day and time for a group photo. No easy feat I assure you!

Aqua Vino at The Georgia Aquarium

Last night I attended the 3rd annual Aqua Vino event at the Georgia Aquarium. The event invited guests to enjoy the entire Aquarium and the Grand Oceans Ballroom from 7-9:30 PM. Throughout the night, guests were invited to sample from more than 200 exceptional wines from around the world and gourmet fare from some of Atlanta's top restaurants.

One of my favorite samplings was from Dogwood restaurant -- they served up the best shrimp and grits I've had in awhile. Guests were also able to bid at the remarkable Silent and "Get Hooked" auctions. Proceeds went to benefit the Aquarium's state-of-the-art Veterinary Services facility and the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health.