Warm Up this Weekend with Fireplaces and Fire Pits at Atlanta Restaurants

Usually when we talk about Atlanta's fired-up cuisine scene, we're referring to open-hearth cooking, coal-fired pizza ovens and smoking-hot Big Green Eggs. The advent of colder weather draws us closer to another kind of flame, that radiating from interior dining room fireplaces and heat-packing fire pits on restaurant patios and rooftops. Dine out and get it to glow.

At Buckhead's Seven Lamps, a courtyard fire pit warms hands as they tip a glass of Low Winter Sun or another handcrafted cocktail dispersing liquid sunshine. At nearby King + Duke, newly installed fire pits entice guests outside for a hot toddy or fiery spirits at the winter bar. 

Midtowners can heat up as they eat up at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. Outdoor dining is a go for breakfast, lunch or dinner as the fire pit evicts cold while welcoming friends to gather.

Sunsets come early in winter months, providing more time to soak in the twinkling cityscape from a rooftop perch at STATS located in downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District. Cozy up near the blazing fire pit and stoke winter cravings with a hearty salad, sandwich, salmon or steak or a powerful libation from the fully stocked bar. Those fired up about a wedding, corporate party or private event will light into Ventanas where 360-degree views of the city below and stars above ignite a huge wow factor for guests seated fireside on the rooftop patio.

Traditionalists will love the two large fireplaces at Old Vinings Inn: one casts a welcoming warmth into the lobby as the other invites guests to settle into the Bear Room for comfort food or a feel-good cup of hot caramel apple cider. A towering stacked-stone fireplace anchors the patio at The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell. Craft cocktails, warm desserts and regionally inspired favorites lift winter's gray cloud. In historic Crabapple, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails' indoor fireplace casts a cheerful glow over the dining room.

Savor the contrast of windows on winter and dining by a crackling fire at Ray's on the Creek. The Alpharetta restaurant keeps Big Green Egg ribs and pulled pork on the menu as well as offering Ray's Restaurants' seafood favorites year round.

Appetizing Aperture: White Wine-Braised Pork at The Mill Kitchen & Bar

The change of season calls for new palate pleasers. With a white wine-braised pork shank paired with roasted Georgia apples, buttered turnips and rutabaga with a red wine agrodolce ($20), The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell does not disappoint. The new fall menu offers a quintessential selection of southern favorites. Make a reservation today to enjoy the delicious dishes tonight. 

Five Courses Plus Five French Wines at The Mill Kitchen & Bar on September 25

Take a tour of France without ever leaving Roswell with the five-course menu with wine pairings at The Mill Kitchen & Bar on Wednesday, September 25. Chef Ben Castro is teaming up with professional wine writer and certified sommelier Joe Herrig and manager and certified sommelier Ryan Bayliss to organize this special event featuring wines from all of the major French wine regions. $60 a person or $100 per couple. Call 770-817-9345 to make reservations.

The Mill Kitchen & Bar Brings Monday Night Brewing Specials to Alive After Five in Roswell on August 15

The kids are back in the classroom and the daylight hours are dwindling fast. Summer is drawing to a close, so savor it while it lasts at Roswell's family friendly Alive After Five event, coming up on the third Thursday of the month, August 15. The streets will come alive with revelers strolling through the shops and galleries of Roswell's historic district to the sounds of live music from 5-9 p.m. Check out the evening's craft specials at The Mill Kitchen & Bar - the handcrafted brews of Monday Night Brewing. This local brewery operates under the mantra of "brewing for the weeknights." Last time we checked, Thursday nights qualify. The Mill will offer its regular menu of farm-to-fork regional fare served in smaller tastes and bar snacks on up to full entrée plates. Can't make it to this week's Alive After Five festivities? Don't forget that kids eat free from the kids' menu from 5-8 p.m. on weeknights, so the whole clan can stop by for some family fun any night of the week.

The Mill Kitchen & Bar hosts Wine Dinner on July 24 and "Alive After 5" on July 18

The monthly "Alive After 5" celebrations in Roswell's historic district take place each third Thursday from 5-9 p.m., April through October, and The Mill Kitchen & Bar loves to take part in the festivities. With both restaurant and outdoor tent specials planned for the July 18 event, The Mill will be the place to party in Roswell. In conjunction with SweetWater Brewing Company's "Shoot the Hooch" fundraiser, The Mill will feature SweetWater beers in the restaurant and outside in the tent. A trout special with brew pairing prepared by Chef Castro will be featured, and a portion of sales will be contributed to the cause. Guests will receive a special SweetWater-branded pint glass to take home when they purchase SweetWater beer at the event's special reduced rate. On Thursday, July 24, the restaurant will host a wine dinner featuring five courses. Joe Herrig of Atlanta Beverage Company will be there to pair up the wines and answer guests' questions. For reservations, call 770-817-9345 or use OpenTable.

The Mill Kitchen & Bar joins Rockin' Roswell for a Terrapin Beer and BBQ Dinner

The The Mill Kitchen & Bar is joining the third annual Rockin' Roswell for a CURE and is hosting a "Light the Night" Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) fundraiser on Thursday, June 11. Terrapin beer, Vixen Vodka cocktails and a "Picnic BBQ" dinner made by the Mill's executive chef Benjamin Castro is sure to keep the night bright while raising money for blood cancer research. There will be plenty of variety to keep things exciting with four terrapin beers and a three-course meal. Twenty percent of all sales and 100 percent of all Vixen Vodka sales will benefit LLS, so party on while giving to charity. Clear Channel Broadcasting will be on the patio to keep the night rockin'!

Bottoms up at The Mill Kitchen & Bar for Wine Dinner on June 26

Chef Ben Castro is taking visitors on a culinary tour without ever leaving Roswell at The Mill Kitchen & Bar on Wednesday, June 26. The six-course menu with wine pairings begins with a duo of oysters -- chickpea crusted and fried with lemon, crème fraîche mousse and micro wasabi accompanied by raw half-shelled oysters with crispy hog jowl, glass shallots and a liquid nitrogen pomegranate granita. Next up, a pasta course of country ham, butter bean and fromage blanc ravioli in a Georgia peach and thyme brown butter sauce followed by salad of seasonal baby field greens with local radishes, goat cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers and an heirloom tomato tartlet in a preserved lemon and pink peppercorn vinaigrette. Course four brings tilefish with a cornmeal and thyme dumpling, sautéed fiddlehead ferns, onion and golden raisin foam, and a salad of mixed micro greens and pickled ramps. A red meat course features lamb lollipops with basil and mint roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower purée, garlic and chili oil. A fresh sampling of rhubarb rounds out the evening for dessert. Each course comes paired with a complementing wine. $60 per person and $100 per couple; tax and gratuity are not included. Menu items subject to change due to seasonality. For reservations, please call 770-817-9345.

Weeknight Specials at The Mil Kitchen & Bar

 

Here's some parental guidance for moms and dads looking for a kid-friendly dining deal. At The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell, children 12 years old and under eat free from the kid's menu on Tuesday nights from 5-8 p.m. with the purchase of an entrée from the regular menu. Tyke-tempting menu options include a mini burger made from White Oak Pastures grass-fed beef and served with American cheese on a brioche bun; Ashley Farms hormone- and steroid-free chicken fingers with honey mustard; fried Georgia shrimp; mac and cheese; grilled American cheese on buttered challah; a PB & J made from organic peanut butter and house-made jam on crustless challah; and buttered noodles with Parmesan. Mouthwatering full-sized entrées include options such as fried Ashley Farms chicken with cast iron-baked mac and cheese and local greens; Georgia shrimp and Alice's Red Mule Gouda grits; barbeque Niman Ranch pork belly served with not-yo-mama's potato salad and creamed green beans; and seared trout with a creamy cornmeal cake and a radish and micro green salad ($17-$24). Those who can't make up their minds should go back Wednesday night for another special - half-off on select bottles of wine. And every day, every night, Chef Ben Castro draws upon local farms, ranches and artisans for sustainably raised meats and organic fare.

Atlantans are Saying "Yes, Please!" to Pastured Poultry

Atlanta restaurants are never too chicken to try something new, and this week is no exception. Pastured Poultry Week is upon us, and ATL’s hottest spots are cooking up dishes that will make mouths water from June 10-16. Diners have the chance to taste the difference that pastured poultry offers, including enhanced flavor, health and environmental benefits. The entire city, including restaurants like Seven Lamps and No. 246, is clucking with excitement! Check out the list of participating restaurants and learn more about pastured poultry at Compassion in World Farming. 

Rise and Shine for Easter Brunch, Lunch, Dinner and More

 

Easter springs up early this year on Sunday, March 31. We have a sunny list of Easter feasts for you to choose from. Hop down our list to find the golden egg that's right for you and be sure to make your reservation soon. We wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Roswell residents have plenty to eat this Easter. From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Aqua blue is serving up everyone's favorites for brunch, including a carving station with roasted strip loin and bone-in ham, entrée station, shrimp cocktails, salad, assorted sushi, smoked salmon, breakfast and omelet station and desserts. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas are available for $15 for any thirsty guests. Adults eat for $29.95, children 4-12 for $9.95 and children under 4 eat free. Reservations: 770-643-8886

The cluck at Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall is about an Easter Sunday feast featuring corned Brasstown ham and gravy, stewed organic black-eyed peas, braised collard greens, Anson Mills grits and sweet potato pie for $20. Bottomless bloody marys and mimosas are poured until 4 p.m. for $10. Regular and special menus are available from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; brunch is available until 3 p.m.

Marietta's Chicken and the Egg is providing brunch all day long this Easter Sunday. From 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., the restaurant is offering their regular brunch menu with starters such as crawfish and artichoke bake and pimento cheese. Diners with a sweet tooth can choose bananas Foster French toast or a strawberry waffle. Egg lovers can pick from items like eggs Benedict, "green eggs and ham" or pork belly hash. Reservations: 678-388-8813.

A not-your-mother's Mediterranean-style Easter Sunday brunch is in the plans at Ecco in Midtown from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Choose from a variety of meat and cheese options, one for $4.75, three for $14 or five for $22. Taste-and-share items for the table range from chocolate strudel to mixed olives, and crab fritters with a poached egg and pickled peppers ($4-$13). Appetizers of mixed lettuces, radishes, almonds and tarragon-mustard vinaigrette ($9), grilled red romaine, smoked char, poached eggs and romesco ($14) and potato, leek and chervil soup with poached Georgia shrimp ($9) supplement the wood-fired pizzas, pastas and main dishes, including the San Marzano tomatoes, house-made mozzarella and basil pizza ($13), lasagna with mushroom ragu, béchamel and arugula ($18) and the butcher steak with polenta, asparagus and salsa rosso ($20). Reservations: 404-347-9555.

Sandy Springs dwellers can hop on over to Hearth Pizza Tavern for an Easter meal. Opening at 4 p.m. on Easter day, the restaurant is offering plenty of holiday specials. For more information, call 404-252-5378.

For Passover, Lure Executive Chef David Bradley is making gefilte fish using fresh pollack and Georgia rainbow trout. Enjoy this special dish at the Midtown seafood sensation through April 2. 

Across the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, The Mill Kitchen & Bar invites guests to enjoy an Easter Sunday brunch menu in a farmhouse-style setting. Reservations: 770-817-9345. 

Family-friendly Easter brunching and lunching is in store for Decatur residents at No. 246. Chow on a chicken Parm sandwich, wood-baked ziti and meatballs, mushroom pizza and much more. Children's Easter egg hunts roll out at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with "waves" for toddlers and adult-free children at each hunt. Lucky locators will win prizes such as a free kids' spaghetti and meatballs plate and more. Reservations: 678-399-8246.

At Olmsted in Midtown, the regular brunch menu and special holiday ham or prime rib entrées will please the Easter Sunday crowd. Starters include lobster bisque, fresh-baked biscuits or the breakfast meat sampler. Mains include a wild mushroom omelette with aged Gruyère, tarragon and fingerling potato hash; brioche French toast with seasonal fruit compote and vanilla bean cream; and eggs Olmsted with poached eggs, toasted English muffin, shaved house-cured Canadian bacon and citrus scallion hollandaise. Wee ones can munch on buttermilk pancakes with a choice of maple, blueberry or banana walnut syrup. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations: 404-443-8431.

After all of the egg hunting and hopping around, grown ups can rabbit trail over to RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown for Sunday night Flying Fish Lounge specials. From 8 p.m. on, choose from more than 35 sushi, appetizer and tapas selections ($2.25-$7.25), plus a wide variety of beer, wine and signature cocktails ($3-$7). Popular Flying Fish Lounge dishes will be served until 11 p.m., and a variety of discounted creative cocktails will be served until midnight.

Bring on the buffet! This Easter, Ray's on the River in Sandy Springs is offering their award-winning Easter buffet from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. Guests can enjoy assorted breads, a salad bar, omelette station during brunch hours, Virginia ham, prime rib, homemade desserts and plenty more. The buffet is $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids ages 5-10. Children 4 and under eat free. Reservations: 770-955-1187. In Alpharetta, Ray's on the Creek is serving a buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and the regular menu will be available from 5-9 p.m. Adults can dine for $29.95 and kids ages 5-10 can dine for $14.95. Children 4 and under eat free. Reservations: 770-649-0064.

Sunday brunch is always important at South City Kitchen in Midtown and Vinings, and the longtime favorite is serving a three-course prix fixe Easter brunch menu from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For $32 for adults and $16 for children under 12 (plus tax and gratuity), guests can choose from appetizer options such as house-made pecan granola, fried green tomatoes or a strawberry salad; entrées including buttermilk fried chicken, crab cake hash, BBQ pork Benedict and farmstead vegetables; and dessert of peach cobbler, chocolate velvet Elvis cake or orange buttermilk chess pie. Reservations: 404-873-7358 for the Midtown location; 770-435-0700 for the Vinings location.