Let’s Party! The Nook’s MARVELous 9th Anniversary Celebration

A 9th anniversary for The Nook? How MARVELous! Join fellow Nooksters March 23-25 for The Nook’s MARVELous 9th Anniversary weekend filled with celebratory events and specials. The fun-filled weekend will feature surprise giveaways, a variety of food and drink specials including $5 Nookster’s drafts, $3 Smirnoff Vodka cocktails, $20 mystery buckets of beer and select $1 Nook shots.

The fun begins with Fishbowl Friday!  Friday, March 23 is The Nook's Annual Fishbowl Contest.  A new Nook Fishbowl will be added to the menu, and it could be yours.  Submit your entry to info@thenookatlanta.com by Wednesday, March 21.  Your Nook Fishbowl recipe must include unflavored, orange, pineapple, apple or peach-flavored vodka. Nook's team of judges will pick the winner on March 23 at 8 p.m.  The winner will get his or her fishbowl and name on the menu and will walk away with a $50 Nook gift card.

Saturday, March 24 brings Totcho Saturday and the  MARVELous Anniversary Costume Party. 

Do you have what it takes to be The Macho Totcho?  Email info@thenookatlanta.com by March 22 to have a shot to compete in the Macho Totcho Contest, the first six entries will be selected. Contest starts Saturday at 5 pm.  Winner gets a $50 Nook gift card, T-shirt, a photo on the Macho Totcho Wall of Fame and the title of The Macho Totcho!
All day Saturday you can enjoy The Nook's Special Totcho menu featuring favorites from the past!  Plus, The Nook is also adding a new Totcho to the menu. Submit your recipe by March 22 to info@thenookatlanta.com. The winner gets his or her name and Totcho on the Nook menu plus a $50 Nook gift card.

Saturday night is party time with drink and food specials, giveaways and a DJ spinning tunes starting at 7 p.m.   All day long, come dressed as a favorite MARVEL Comics hero or villain and get 10 percent off your meal.  Awards for best costumes! 

Sunday March 25th the Nook launches it's Sunday night feature - The Parkside Playlist.  Come sing-a-long with live music from Joe Baia.  The Parkside Playlist Anniversary Edition begins at 5 p.m. Enjoy drink specials, $5 small plates, and more giveaways!  

It’s a true party with a purpose: The Nook is donating a portion of the weekend’s proceeds to its neighbor The Piedmont Park Conservancy.

Catch a Lift to The Nook for Apres Ski Sunday Specials, Live Music and S’mores

After plowing through a week of uphill climbs, bumpy downhills and working hard to stay on course with the moguls, come unwind Sunday evenings at The Nook on Piedmont Park. Every Sunday from 5 p.m.-12 a.m., the heated, covered patio transforms into “Nookenridge Ski Lodge” for Apres Ski drink specials and socializing. Live music drifts in from 6-9 p.m. Thick blankets are available to keep everyone toasty if there’s a chill in the fresh air -- just like at the ski resorts. Makes no difference if you’re a bunny slope bumper, black diamond expert or a ski lodge lounger. Apres Ski at The Nook is all about the mindset as one settles in for $2 Hamm’s tallboys, $5 Fugu vodka mules, $5 Caribbean spiced mules, $5 hard cider and $10 Nook Shot Ski (4). For the full post-ski effect, build your own s’mores for $15. Just saying, you don’t have to have a red-suited man with reindeer to have a jolly good time…The Nook spreads a warm-hearted wintry mix of Sunday fun unlike any other place in Atlanta. Park your skis and come on in.

National Nacho Day Reigns Supreme!

Now you have an official reason to enjoy a big plate of supremely satisfying nachos –today is National Nacho Day! For a fun Friday treat, make up a plate at home or check out some of our favorite options around Atlanta:

• At Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food in Buckhead, you can get them buried under refried beans and a blend of cheeses or order them up “Especial” to pile on mesquite-grilled chicken or beef fajitas. For little ones, Uncle Julio’s Niño Nachos come two ways and include a cup of fruit.

• All six Marlow’s Tavern locations have Atlanta covered with a fabulous shrimp and crab nacho plate. No matter where you are, there is sure to be a Marlow’s Tavern nearby.

• For a unique twist on nachos, head to The Nook on Piedmont Park for their Totchos™, which are tater tots smothered with a variety of toppings. Options range from the Redneck variety (mesquite smoked pork, barbecue sauce, jalapeno and cheese sauce) to Creole Totchos (shrimp, andouille sausage, onions, peppers, Creole seasoning and cheese sauce). These are a great way to satisfy midnight munchies since The Nook is open until 2:30 a.m. tonight!

Don't Miss Midtown Restaurant Week

The fourth annual Midtown Restaurant Week is coming up soon! It starts this Saturday, August 29 and ends Sunday, September 6. Don’t miss three-course meals for just $25 at some of Midtown’s top restaurants including Dogwood, Ecco, The Nook, On Piedmont Park, Pacci Ristorante, RA Sushi, South City Kitchen Midtown and WaterHaven. Special pricing does not include alcohol, tax or gratuity. Reservations are easy to make -- click on the restaurant links on the event Web site.

Cocktails in the Garden with Aqua blue

Last night I finally checked out the popular "Cocktails in the Garden" event at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Over 400 people were there to taste yummy food from Aqua blue, sip some wine or a cocktail, and stroll through the gardens and view the Henry Moore sculpture exhibit. It was tons of fun. Aqua blue's food was a huge hit. They served hangar steak on endive and these little crispy cups of tuna and avocado. YUM. Of course I wanted to leave enough for the other guests which required an after-event run to The Nook for totchos. Oy.

Cocktails in the Garden is every Thursday night from 6 - 10. It goes through September. The Moore exhibit goes through Oct. 31.

4th of July Happenings Around Town

If you're looking to take a break from the kitchen this holiday weekend, here are a few places that will be serving out deals for the 4th of July.

Opening for the first time for the 4th, Aria is offering all Facebook fans a killer deal. Make reservations through OpenTable and put "Facebook" in the notes section or mention Facebook when phoning in and receive 50% off the food bill. The restaurant opens at 5:30 p.m. for dinner. 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.

Stop by Aqua blue on Friday, July 3 and enjoy one free 1.5 pound steamed whole lobster appetizer with your dinner purchase. One freebie per table (tax and tip not included). Aqua blue will be open from 4-10 p.m.; mention this offer when making your reservation. 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road; 770-643-8886.

EVOS will be open serving healthy, slow-roasted steakburgers, Airfries, wraps, salads, and cool fruitshakes. And for the runners taking part in the Peachtree Road Race, EVOS is offering a FREE organic milk shake. Just drop by and show your t-shirt or bib number to receive the special offer. 5590 Roswell Road, NE at The Prado;404-252-4022.

All six Marlow's Tavern locations are open as usual on July 4th. Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.

The Nook, On Piedmont Park will open for brunch at 9 a.m. for runners and their fans to enjoy the terrific Piedmont Park view. 1144 Piedmont Avenue in Midtown; 404-745-9222.

Head over to Panera Bread bakery-cafes for your 4th of July picnic goodies. Each Atlanta location will be open on the holiday during regular business hours providing good eats for firework watchers. Go online to find out which of Atlanta's 21 Panera locations is closest to you.

Midtown's newly opened RA Sushi will be serving light, cool sushi and sashimi on the hot, hot July 4th. Plus, it's convenient for Peachtree Road Race fans and for those heading to view the Centennial Olympic Park fireworks. 1010 Midtown at 1080 Peachtree Street; 404-267-0114.

Toast to the holiday with a Swirl at Uncle Julio's Casa Grande. The restaurant's signature drink is the perfect blend of frozen margarita and sangria. 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. To go line: 404-974-2991.

Woodfire Grill will be offering a threee-course dinner for $35 per person from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. that includes Chef Kevin Gillespie's roasted whole hog with his own Terminus City barbeque recipe. A $5 suggested donation for the all-you-can-drink SweetWater beer, and proceeds will go to "Save the Hooch."1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Atlanta Knows Brunch!

I love brunch-- I truly believe a perfect weekend begins with a scrumptious brunch and giant cup of coffee. So this weekend, sleep in a tad then rise and shine because here are some places for you to go, dishes for you to eat and drinks for you to tilt at these weekend brunch destinations.

Enjoy a classic Italian-style brunch? Begin your morning at La Tavola Trattoria in Virginia Highland. Enjoy a range of items from house-made challah French toast; chicken sausage with potato-leek hash and spicy cherry pepper chutney; poached eggs with warm bruschetta, crispy pancetta and sautéed spinach; stuffed egg “cannelloni” and many more options.

Need to get out of the city? Head up to the mountains--Wolf Mountain that is! Monthly themes and seasonal finds reward those who head for the hills to Sunday’s brunch buffet at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery outside Dahlonega. This month’s Seafood Festival is net-worthy! You’ll definitely want to add a glass or bottle of Wolf Mountain’s European estate-style wines. Reservations are required so plan in advance for either the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. seating; call 706-867-9862.

Wearing your Sunday’s best? Check out the new Pacci Ristorante adjacent to the chic new Hotel Palomar. Brunch is a Saturday and Sunday affair here and is served from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. both days.

If you need to add a little spice to your weekend, check out Uncle Julio’s Casa Grande! Prepare for an egg-ceptionally lively at brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eggs are king on the menu, scrambled and peppered with Mexican flair.

Look out over Piedmont Park from your perch at The Nook . . . if you can peel your eyes off the scrumptious menu! Wander around the farmer’s market on Sunday in the park and run over here to complete your morning by parking yourself on the porch!

Panera is a popular meeting place for brunch favorites anytime of day. The variety of bagels and cream cheese flavors keeps everyone smiling. On the bakery menu, pastries and sweets, granola parfaits, baked egg soufflés and bagel sandwiches join the parade of freshly baked breads that smell heavenly and taste even more divine. Can’t stay? Grab brunch to go!

Marlow’s Tavern is another easy choice for Sunday brunch, especially with six locations around Atlanta. Order from the brunch menu at Marlow’s Alpharetta, and don’t forget your $14.99 bottomless mimosa! In Duluth, Marlow’s offers a brunch menu and $3 mimosas (per glass). Marlow’s Midtown, Northlake and Kennesaw spread out full brunch buffets for $14.99 per person and pour bottomless mimosas for $15 each. And Marlow’s Vinings also sets forth a sumptuous full buffet for $14.99 for west siders.

Tuesday Trivia at The Nook

Not only will The Nook, On Piedmont Park begin hosting Tuesday night Trivia tomorrow, but the restaurant just started serving Fat Tire Beer! Trivia starts at 8 p.m. and Fat Tire is served all day long. Gotta love it! The fun happens at 1144 Piedmont Avenue, NE in Midtown; 404-745-9222.

Sunday Paper Reader's Choice Awards

The Sunday Paper has announced the winners of the Reader's Choice Awards and a few of our favorite places around town have received recognition. Congratulations to everyone - click here to view the complete list of winners in the categories of Food and Drink, Style and Shopping, City Living, Arts and Entertainment, Health and Body and Sports.

Best Tapas: Eclipse di Luna

Best Southern: South City Kitchen

Best Restaurant to See and be Seen runner-up and Best Wine List runner-up: Ecco

Best Fried Chicken runner-up: JCT Kitchen & Bar

Best Patio runner-up: The Nook

Best Health Food, Best Eco-Friendly Goods and runner-up for Best Buffet: Whole Foods Market

First Look at The Nook, on Piedmont Park

A fried Twinkie? I knew before I had it that it was going to be a hit in my book. I mean honestly who can turn down fried desserts- I for one, can not. Imagine funnel cake with a creamy filling… it was scrumptious! The fried Twinkie wasn’t the only highlight of my meal at The Nook, the meal as well as the ambience was perfect for a relaxing Monday evening.



I was fortunate enough to visit The Nook prior to their opening and used my visit as a chance to get a sneak peek at their upscale tavern food. I started my meal with the seared scallops Napoleon- two scallops topped with roasted corn guacamole. The guacamole was a great balance to the sweet taste of scallops and had a smoky southwestern flavor that I ate right up. My chicken wrap didn’t disappoint either. My wrap was made up of warm chicken, goat cheese and spinach paired with tots. And from my prior confession- you know I couldn’t turn down a fried Twinkie to top the whole meal off. The meal was fun and the menu had character.



I can’t wait to visit The Nook, on a warm spring day and sit outside on the patio overlooking the park. The view combined with a cool beverage could make anyone’s day. Next up on my list to try out… the “Totchos” and sweet tea ice cream!