Reserve Seats? Neat! Southern Proper Hospitality Restaurants Join OpenTable

To quote the late Tom Petty, “The waiting is the hardest part.” So don’t. Now you can use OpenTable to reserve seats at your favorite Southern Proper Hospitality restaurants including The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Smokebelly BBQ, Gypsy Kitchen, The Southern Gentleman, Beni’s Cubano, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Guests can quickly and easily reserve a table online and avoid using precious time waiting for seats during peak business hours. Whether you’re looking ahead or time-strapped and checking last minute for seats, making online reservations eases any hesitations about heading out, wait-time unknown.  And, the process couldn’t be easier. Just visit the restaurant’s website and click on “reservations” to check your preferred date and time. The convenient, stress-free process is the most direct route to skipping the wait and sitting right down to dining and drinks at your favorite Southern Proper Hospitality restaurant. Yes, now time is on your side…but that’s another song for another day.

Dine with Gratitude and Help The Giving Kitchen Aid Hospitality Workers in Need, Aug. 20-23

Dine out and show your support for The Giving Kitchen and the hospitality workers who provide the amazing meals, drinks and food services we enjoy in Atlanta. All you have to do is dine at participating restaurants over the Dining with Gratitude dates of Aug. 20-23. Each restaurant will donate 10 percent of sales to The Giving Kitchen to further the nonprofit’s ability to aid Atlanta-area restaurant and hospitality workers facing crisis situations. Can’t decide where to eat out? Fine options include Marlow’s Tavern locations in Vinings, Midtown, Emory, Northlake, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Dunwoody; The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead and on Canton Street; Gypsy Kitchen; Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails; Smokebelly BBQ; The Southern Gentleman and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Eat and give thanks for the hands that prepare, serve and clean up our abundance of ATL dining options.

Party with The Big Ketch at Buckhead Anniversary Party or Canton Street Front Lawn Party September 25

Party inside, party outside, party on both sides of the Perimeter at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill this Sunday, September 25. The Big Ketch Buckhead celebrates six years on the coast by hosting an Anniversary Party from 1-9 p.m. The weeklong celebration began Monday, September 19 (think $6 appetizers and $6 drink specials). The big six shindig settles in this Sunday afternoon with more drink specials and live music from Jason Pomar and the Cothern Miracle Band. Dine here during the anniversary week for a chance to win a $500 gift card. Our blog toes the party line of details.

Across the mighty Chattahoochee in Roswell, The Big Ketch Canton Street unfurls a Front Lawn Party to celebrate fall’s moderate temperatures. Stoke autumnal appetites with $3 fish tacos, $1 grilled oysters, $3 local canned beer and $5 mojitos and margaritas. Don’t sit down – rock to live music, try your hand at lawn games and enjoy a casual afternoon packed with family fun.

Buy Taste of Atlanta Tickets Now and Save

Tickets for the 15th annual Taste of Atlanta are now on sale. Atlanta’s must-do food festival is already on your calendar for October 21-23 so jump on buying tickets before prices rise August 1. General admission is $20; fork over $65 for tickets to the VIP Grand Tasting Experience with exclusive tasting opportunities. Starting August 1, ticket prices rise to $25 general admission and $75 VIP. Enjoy more, save more by purchasing tickets now for the special Friday night kickoff party featuring drool-worthy bites from The Optimist, Marlow’s
 Tavern and Colletta. Pay $55 for general admission tickets and $70 for VIP access to this event through July 31 or $65/$85 starting August 1. For those new to Atlanta, Taste of Atlanta is an unforgettable food, craft beer, wine and cocktail festival where guests savor tastes and spirits from Atlanta’s hottest restaurants and trendsetting chefs. Admission to the festival nets each guest 10 “Taste Points” to purchase nibbles, bites, sips and samples. Additional “Taste Points” are available for $1 each. Nibble on the list of participating restaurants, including Seed Kitchen & Bar, The Big Ketch and Smokebelly BBQ and start craving! Visit TasteofAtlanta.com and follow updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Get Tee’d Off about Leukemia and Lymphoma and Do Something About It at Southern Proper Golf Tournament Benefitting LLS June 6

Golfers, take a shot (or a few more) at stopping the paths of leukemia and lymphoma blood cancers by helping the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).  Sign on for the Southern Proper Golf Tournament to Benefit LLS at the Polo Golf & Country Club in Cumming on Monday, June 6. Registration begins at 11 a.m.; shotgun start for the four-person scramble is at 1 p.m. Tickets are $150 for individuals and $600 for foursomes and include greens and cart fees, practice balls, hot grill station lunch, awards reception dinner, on-course beverages and a chance to win tournament prizes. Shop the silent auction to raise more funds for LLS. The Southern Proper Hospitality Group restaurant family includes Gypsy Kitchen, The Southern Gentleman, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Smokebelly BBQ and The Blind Pig Parlour Bar so players can start salivating for good grub like roasted corn and black bean salad, chipotle sweet potato salad, three chile Vidalia onion slaw and a burger bar with chorizo, Asian shrimp and beef burgers for lunch. Post-tournament reception features street tacos of mojo-braised pork, jerk chicken and three chile stout-braised beef; salsa bar and toppings and sides of mac and cheese and charro beans. Stop putting around and sign up today!

Who’s In? Bert’s Big Adventure Launches Restaurant Week September 14-19

Sante Fe steak tacos, lobster cakes, baby back ribs and fried chicken and waffles pave the way to Walt Disney World for children with chronic or terminal illnesses during the inaugural Bert’s Big Adventure Restaurant Week, Monday, September 14 through Saturday, September 19. Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Smokebelly BBQ and Bantam + Biddy are among the Atlanta eateries contributing 10 percent of sales toward the charity’s annual trip -- an all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World to add joy and laughter to the lives of these children and their families. Skip a home-cooked meal for a magic teacup ride? Do it. 

Pry Yourself Away for a Day of Half-Off Raw Oysters at The Big Ketch on National Oyster Day August 5

The steamy love affair began when the mythological Greek goddess Aphrodite rose from the sea on an oyster shell. Now oyster lovers slurp down nearly two billion pounds of the briny bivalves each year. Many of these slippery guys come out of their shells during oyster happy hour at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Every Monday through Friday from 4-6:30 p.m., Buckhead’s local beach house shaves half off the price of a dozen raw oysters on the half shell. On National Oyster Day, Wednesday, August 5, the half-price deal extends from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and chef-crafted oyster specials spread mollusk mania across the day’s menu.

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill Reels in Anniversary Celebration on September 29

It’s a keeper! The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill is hosting a weeklong anniversary celebration beginning on Monday, September 29 and going out with a bang on Sunday, October 5. To kick off the festivities, $4 specials on featured appetizers and select wines and draft beers sail on through Saturday, October 4. Along with these delectable deals come the restaurant’s usual nightly specials. Trade out your boat shoes for dancing shoes on October 5. Live music all day, a free half-basket of hushpuppies for every table, $3 fireball shots, $4 wine and draft beer selections will surely make this Sunday a fun day. 

"Leaf" it to Atlanta Mixologists to Create Colorful Autumnal Cocktails

Atlanta mixologists harvest colorful concoctions for diners to indulge in this season. "Leaf" it to the best to combine fall flavors for a spectacular cocktail combination for locals and not to enjoy. 

A sampling of libations that restaurants are adding to menus is as followed: 

No need to wish for warm weather because Ray's Restaurants puts a seasonal spin on a tropical favorite. Ray's Fall Mai Tai incorporates Ray's spiced rum, apricot-infused brandy, triple sec, house-made pumpkin spice orgeat syrup and cranberry juice for holiday happiness. Available at Ray's on the River, Ray's on the Creek and Ray's in the City.  

King + Duke keeps it to the classics with its Sherry Cobbler.

South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings find inspiration in apple country for their Moonlit Orchard, cobbling together bourbon and apple pie moonshine with local apple cider, a splash of apple bitters and a smoked apple slice.

No. 246 conquers all with a Fall of Rome and Useless Precaution.

Pumpkin lovers, enjoy the fall favorite long after Halloween is gone. Old Vinings Inn captures the Pumpkin Harvest, smooth and sweet with Crop Harvest Pumpkin vodka, Irishman cream, vanilla vodka, a little half-and-half and a smidge of nutmeg.

At Seven Lamps, fly the Crimson Eagle, a blend of Eagle Rare bourbon and fig-infused red wine honey. Other newbies include My Sunup Girl and Shelter from the Storm with a cast of High West double rye, Gran Lusso vermouth, nocino and apple bitters.

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill fires up Buckhead in the cool of the night. No pain, just Fireball Cinnamon whisky, grapefruit juice and soda.

Over at Ormsby's on Atlanta's westside, the Heavenly Manhattan takes off with Angel's Envy, broVo Amaro No. 1 and Antica Formula sweet vermouth. 

At JCT. Kitchen & Bar, sip The Alpine, Mother Vine or The Boulevard, made with George Dickel Barrel Select whisky and Campari.

Bacon lovers, you won't be disappointed. The Tipsy Pig unites three of The Mill Kitchen & Bar's favorite "Bs" in life -bourbon, brown sugar and bacon. Not to divulge too much, but local Georgia Riverview Farms bacon does hold its own in this Manhattan-style cocktail topped with a house-candied cumin bacon and cherry garnish.

Ecco pulls off The Red Wedding, in which Olivares Dulce Monastrell marries house-made sweet vermouth under the tutelage of Fidencio Mezcal Clasico. How romantic. 

No need to be shy. A cure for being one, Wallflower from The Optimist speaks up with Le Reviseur Cognac VS, Nux Walnut liqueur and Fleur Elderflower liqueur. The Mutiny sails smoothly with beer shrub, George Dickel Barrel Select and Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur.

At Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails, bar manager Ali Davis blends a sweet Fall Bourbon Apple featuring Ridgemont Reserve bourbon and amaretto.

Appetizing Aperture: Hushpuppies from The Big Ketch

Did Discovery's Channel's Shark Week leave you craving seafood? Head to The Big Ketch to satisfy that appetite! Whether its the shrimp and grits, Charleston-style lump crab cakes or a big salad, pair your order with a basket of their famous hushpuppies with remoulade dipping sauce ($2.95 half/$4.95 full basket). Crispy, warm and oh so delicious, these hushpuppies make for the perfect appetizer or side item. Check out their lunch and dinner menus and plan your visit now! 

"Get Hooked" at The Big Ketch Deck Party on August 15

Ahoy, mateys! Grab your captain and crew and head to the deck party at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead. This Thursday, August 15, coast into The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill where a "Get Hooked" deck party washes away that workday stress from 5-7 p.m. Find your hidden treasure with $2 Sam Adams Whitewater IPA, $4 Montevina wine, a party-special summer cocktail for $5 and two-for-$2 grilled garlic-Parmesan oysters. Kontraband will be delivering your favorite tunes live, letting you succumb to the beachfront vibe. So don't become a cast away -- head to the deck on Thursday for food and fun!

Get Hooked at The Big Ketch Deck Party August 15 Plus More in this Week's Dish

It's the perfect time of the year to enjoy the outdoors, and this week The Big Ketch in Buckhead is celebrating the warm weather at their "Get Hooked" deck party. Music, food and drinks will be flowing from 5-7 p.m on August 15. Check out the delicious details, plus all the other culinary fun in this week's Dish!

Eat It and Tweep: Reel in The Big Ketch's Deals from a Sea of Tweets

Buckhead may not be on the coast, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the salt-watery action. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill is tweeting about refreshing cocktails and daily specials to ensure that you reel in all the deals. Check out the menu online for all the delicious details or drool over photos on Instagram.

Sample Tweet: Come get your crab fix. It's King Crab Tuesdays!! @ The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill http://instagram.com/p/absXnVj-F3/