Break Out the Green for a Weeklong St. Paddy’s Celebration!

Why only celebrate St. Patrick’s Day for one day? Come to Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant for a whole week of celebrations! Fadó is throwing the biggest party in Atlanta for St. Patrick’s Day with Irish food, Irish drinks, and live music throughout the week. You won’t want to miss this event.

Make your reservations for the Bushmills Whiskey Dinner, an Irish whiskey-inspired four course dinner on Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. with Master of Whisky, Kevin Calihy; $45 per person. On Friday, March 11, come out for the 10^th Annual St. Baldrick’s Charity Event to help raise for money for childhood cancer research, where the brave to have their heads shaved in order to help fund St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Wondering where to go after the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12? Come over to Fadó after the parade to enjoy lunch and 6 Nations Rugby live as Ireland and Wales goes head to head. The DJ will play some tunes at 10:30 p.m. to end the night. Sunday, March 13 is the Day of Rest, where you can relax with a Fadó brunch and $10 bottomless mimosas or bloody marys. Monday, March 14 is the Traditional Irish Session where you can get your groove on with Irish musicians starting at 8 p.m. until whenever you get too tired to dance!

After recovering your body from a night of dancing, come out on Tuesday, March 15 for Perfect Pint Night to test your perfect pint-pouring skills in 119.5 seconds. This may be an “easier said than done” kind of task, so come find out for yourself! To put your Irish trivia to the test, come to the Annual St. Paddy’s Pub Quiz starting at 8 p.m. with Quizmaster Rob Kiely on Wednesday, March 16. There will be tough questions but great prizes!

For the big bang on Thursday, March 17, there is only one place to be on St. Patrick’s Day! Fadó opens their doors at 7 a.m. for you to start the day off right with a pint and a traditional Irish breakfast. The Street Festival starts at noon with beer tents in every direction and Bagpipers and Irish Dancers to provide you with authentic Irish entertainment. Live music hits the stage at 2 p.m. including ‘Justin’, Into the Mystic, and ‘Desire’, Atlanta’s best U2 cover band. You must be 21 and up to be in the event area after 2 p.m. You can buy your tickets in advance; $15 at the door.

Don’t miss this week-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day at Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant—you won’t regret it! For more information about the event, visit the Fadó’s event page on their website.

Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant – 273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066.

It’s time to shine and swirl at Pinkberry

On your mark, get set, swirl!  Pinkberry officially opens in Buckhead tomorrow at 3637 Peachtree Road, NE.  The newest location (the third in Georgia) is in the shopping center just north of the two-story Target and diagonally from Phipps Plaza.  Rather than spin on and on about the all-natural, tart and sweet, creamy dreamy fro-yo, we recommend you stop by this Friday. 

You can also join us tonight from 6 - 10 p.m. for the Grand Opening party to enjoy free servings of the soft and swirly frozen yogurt!  

For directions, up-to-the-minute news and discounts, become a Pinkberry Groupie or check in on Facebook and Twitter (@pinkberry).  The store will be open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Aria's Klaskala is the Talk of the Town at Publix Apron's Cooking School

Gerry Klaskala, Executive Chef and Owner of Aria, one of the finest restaurants in Atlanta, is hosting the Publix Apron’s Cooking School on Thursday, March 3 in Alpharetta. Klaskala has surely made his mark in the Atlanta area by using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to create Aria's simple, yet refined dishes, and he will now be teaching you how to prepare a few of his signature menu items. Come, watch and be impressed as he divulges some of his tricks of the trade during the 7 p.m. demonstration.

Cost is $40 per person, and reservations can be made online.

Publix Apron's Cooking School: Publix at Alpharetta Commons, 4305 State Bridge Road in Alpharetta; 770-751-8560.

Celebrating 28 Years at Atkins Park in Virginia Highland

The good times have been rollin’ at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland for a while...28 years to be exact. The neighborhood eatery is celebrating this milestone and has themed the anniversary party simply, "28 - A February of Years and an Untold Number of Bruno Burgers Sold." You can join the party from 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2 for a limited open bar and tasting station. It’s sure to be a night to remember for the next 28 years!

Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 794 North Highland Avenue; 404 -876-7249.

Come One, Come All and Celebrate Carnaval!

Intense and immense describe Carnaval, Brazil's most famous holiday. For one week, daily routine gives way to non-stop festivities and partying. The Original El Taco is channeling their Carnaval spirit and adding specials ($3.95-19.25) to its regular menu March 2-6. Samba your way over to the Virginia Highland cantina and get a taste of Carnaval and drink in the lively atmosphere. And if you want to take the Brazilian holiday to the max, come back the next day and do it again!

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

Last Day to Vote for Kevin Gillespie for Food & Wine's "The People's Best New Chef"

For all the procrastinators out there, it's your last chance to vote for Woodfire Grill Executive Chef/Co-owner and "Top Chef" contestant Kevin Gillespie in Food & Wine's "The People's Best New Chef 2011" competition -- voting closes on March 1. Show your support for Kevin today!

The newly established contest is an offshoot of Food & Wine's "Best New Chef" title that's doled out to the nation's most promising up-and-coming chefs who have run their own kitchens for five years or less. The contest divides the nation into 10 regions with 10 nominees per region; voters may cast one vote per region. The chef receiving the most votes in a region will be that region's finalist, and the one garnering the most votes overall will win the title of "The People's Best New Chef 2011."

Food & Wine announces "The People's Best New Chef" on March 2 and "The 10 Best New Chefs" in early April on their website, on Facebook and via Twitter.

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @kristinagill

Kristina Gill (@kristinagill) is the editor for "In the Kitchen With" (ITKW) on Design*Sponge.  Her tweets dialogue design and food thoughts from the U.S. to the U.K. that can lead to some interesting conversations. 

One link leads to another, and pretty soon you're on to her photography and food tweets and then engrossed in foodie fodder.  So much to absorb, so little time.

Roll with the best this spring at Ormsby's

Roll, baby, roll.  Ormsby's is hosting an indoor bocce ball tournament for the Atlanta Bocce League on Monday nights starting March 14.  Singles, doubles and four-player groups can participate.   

Be a part of the spring season action!  Register for $45 per person at www.atlbocce.com and receive an official team shirt plus food and drink specials!

And the winner is - Uncle Julio's!

You're going to need plenty of fuel to make it through the 83^rd Academy Awards Sunday night. So be a winner and let Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food supply you and your guests with the delicious dishes to see you through to the "Best Picture" announcement. Uncle Julio's convenient Party Packs To-Go menu can satisfy whatever size audience you have with a variety of options including the Plato Gordo Party Pack, Fajita Party Pack, Enchilada Party Pack and Taco Party Pack, all with frijoles a la charra, chips and salsa. Two other options include the Appetizer Party Pack and pork or chicken tamales. Call either Atlanta Uncle Julio's location to place your order then pick it up before the show.

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food: In Buckhead at 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767. To-go line: 404-974-2991. In Sandy Springs at 1140 Hammond Drive, NE, Building K, Suite 100; 678-736-8260. To-go line: 678-736-8261.

Make Your Beloved Bottle of Wine the Star on Saturday Night

Although we are all anticipating the upcoming Oscars, Atlanta restaurants are looking foward to a different kind of opening night: "Open That Bottle Night" (OTBN). This Saturday, February 26, local restaurants are honoring your personal bottle of wine that you've been saving for a special occasion. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar welcomes guests to bring their own wine, and corkage fees will be totally waived that night. Usually, Fleming's pops open the first bottle for free and charges $20 per bottle after that. Nationally acclaimed Pacci Ristorante in Midtown never charges for corkage and always has plenty of wine-friendly Italian cuisine on Executive Chef Keira Moritz's menu. Spice Market, in the W Atlanta-Midtown is waiving its $15 corkage fee from Saturday, February 26 through Sunday, March 6. Once your bottle is opened, raise a toast to OTBN founders Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, who came up with the idea in 2000.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: 4501 Olde Perimeter Way in Perimeter Place Village; 770-698-8112.
Pacci Ristorante: 866 West Peachtree Street, NW, adjacent to the Hotel Palomar; 678-412-2402.
Spice Market: In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14th Street, NE; 404-724-2550.

First Restaurant Week of the Year!

This Saturday (Feb. 26) kicks off the first of many restaurant weeks that take place throughout the year and I, for one, am looking forward to the good deals and great dining options! This first one is a celebration of all things delicious in Buckhead. Aria and Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse are two participants in the week long good eats extravaganza. For a sneak peak at their three course, prix fixe menus or to make reservations (hurry, you know they will fill up fast), visit brwatlanta.com. Lobster and sweet potato soup anyone?

Cast Your Vote!

Sunday, February 27 is the last day to make your voice heard for the “Best of Metromix Atlanta 2011” contest. Categories such as milkshakes, sushi, restaurants and bars are all fair game, along with a bit of this and that. We’ll be voting for our favorites on the ballot:

• Best New Restaurant - Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse
• Best Burger - YEAH! BURGER
• Best Hotel Bar - AltoRex Rooftop Lounge
• Best Italian Restaurant - La Tavola Trattoria
• Best Local Chef - Shaun Doty and Kevin Gillespie
• Best Milkshake - YEAH! BURGER
• Best New Bar - Ormsby’s
• Best Restaurant - Woodfire Grill
• Best Sushi Restaurant - RA Sushi

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @atlbargains

Lauren Davidson has a knack for uncovering bargains, deals and money-saving tips, and she freely passes them on via tweets and on her AJC blog, Atlanta Bargain Hunter.  Bank what you save or spend wisely on more deals. The sharing goes both ways -- send her your tips at ldavidson@ajc.com!

Good Times, Great Ales Are Brewing at SweetWater Brewery on March 5

If you love great beer and intense creativity, you won’t want to miss "Brew Your Cask Off" on Saturday, March 5 at SweetWater Brewery from 6 - 10 p.m!  Managing Partner Kyle Taylor of Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland is one of 80 guest brewmasters crafting their own secret ale. Taylor will brew an American Pale Ale.

Who knows what's up the sleeves of his competitors from other restaurants, media outlets, retailers, charities and home brewers?  Your $35 online/$40 day-of-event ticket entitles you to unlimited cask samples. SweetWater brews will be on tap, and brewery tours will flow all day.  The benefits are big -- tasting, bragging rights and raising funds for event charity winner, the Atlanta Humane Society.  The top four winning brews and the people's choice will be recreated and served at SweetWater 420 Fest in April. See you there!

Pinkberry Coming To Buckhead!

Hey Buckhead! Hold on to those spoons for two more weeks! Pinkberry, the number-one tart frozen yogurt brand, will open its Buckhead store at 3637 Peachtree Road, NE on Friday, March 4. This store will be Pinkberry's third Georgia location, joining the original Akers Mill store and the recently opened Marietta store. In case you haven't been to one yet, here's what's in store: six distinctive flavors of tangy yet sweet premium frozen yogurt made with real nonfat yogurt and nonfat milk that is rBST hormone free and fresh ingredients. Joining the signature Original flavor on the menu are pomegranate, coconut, chocolate, mango and a surprise feature flavor. Get it to lick then or to go (back to your office or home). We'll pass on the scoop about free yogurt day soon. For up-to-the-minute news and discounts, become a Pinkberry Groupie or check in on Facebook and Twitter. The store will be open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Pinkberry Buckhead: 3637 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-949-0459.

Test Your Knowledge at Davio’s Italian Wine Education and Dinner Series

It’s time for school—except this session, you’ll be learning about wine and dinner. Come to Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse for their newest Italian wine dinner series on Thursday, February 24. Your wine knowledge will expand with Prestige Wine Imports Regional Director David Harmon and Davio’s Sommelier Robert Evans as they guide you through Executive Chef Bennett Hollberg’s five-course menu and Italian wine pairings.

The dinner series menu includes: a selection of canapés including smoked salmon, prosciutto toast and shrimp with citron aioli paired with Rotari, Brut Rose Riserva, 2003; seared scallop with parsnip puree and apricot glaze paired with Fuedo Arancio Chardonnay, Sicily 2008; Maple Leaf Farms duck breast with polenta, roasted pears and currant raspberry compote paired with Querceto, Chianti Classico Riserva, Toscana 2005; roasted lamb loin with celery root-apple puree, golden raisins, olive-sundried tomato bread and lamb jus paired with Luigi Rhigetti, Amarone della Valpolicella, 2006. As a treat for your success through class, you will get the buttermilk panna cotta with caramelized blood oranges paired with Mezzacorona Moscato di Asti, 2009.

Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuition is $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Make sure you call 404-844-4810 to reserve your spot today! Davio’s will bring more of their Italian wine dinner series in March and April in case you can’t make this one. Leave your books at home; this school trip is going to be fun!

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse:  Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810. 

An Evening In Kerala

India has always been high on my list of places to visit, and, this Friday night, two Atlanta supper clubs, Spice Route Super Club and Dinner Party Atlanta, are coming together to bring a taste of India to us Atlantans. Specifically, An Evening in Kerala focuses on a traditional 21-dish vegetarian feast traditional in this part of the world. Comfortable clothes and easy-off shoes are a must for this evening of traditional music, dance, cuisine and unique cocktails.

Cocktail hour starts at 8 p.m. followed by dinner at 9 p.m. at the Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree Street. Tickets are $100 each, and only a few seats are left so don't wait to buy your tickets. The event supports Raksha, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization that addresses social and protection issues within the metropolitan area's South Asian community.

The People's Best New Chef: Cast Your Vote!

In case you missed the news yesterday, we the people can vote for Woodfire Grill Executive Chef/Co-owner and "Top Chef" contestant Kevin Gillespie during Food & Wine's "The People's Best New Chef" competition!  The newly established contest is an offshoot of Food & Wine's "Best New Chef" title, an honor given annually to the country's most promising up-and-coming chefs who have run their own kitchens for five years or less.   

On February 15, the magazine announced the 100 nominees for the "People's" version of this honor on eatocracy.com/foodandwine.  The contest divides the nation into 10 regions with 10 nominees per region.  Anyone can vote, and voters may cast one vote per region.  The chef receiving the most votes in a region will be that region's finalist; the chef receiving the most votes overall will win the title of "The People's Best New Chef 2011," and their bio will be featured in the July issue of Food & Wine.   

Voting ends on March 1; Food & Wine will announce the winner of "The People's Best New Chef" award on March 2 and "The 10 Best New Chefs" in early April. Look for the announcement on the Food & Wine website, Facebook as well as via Twitter. 

Add a Little Spice in Your Life at Marlow’s Tavern

“Bayou ‘n Bourbon” is back at Marlow’s Tavern and spicier than ever! Beginning Tuesday, February 15 through Monday, March 28, choose from a variety of flavors from the Deep South on this limited-time menu. You can munch on the traditional Roast Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo ($6) or the “jazzed up” Bayou Burger ($10) paired with a Louisiana-style drink such as Pat’s Marlow’s Hurricane ($8) or the Cajun Cosmo ($8).

Don’t miss this celebration! Marlow’s Tavern will offer this six-week long promotion daily at all seven locations. For more information about Marlow’s Tavern and their locations, visit www.marlowstavern.com. Laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)

Pinot Noir Wine Dinner at Aria with Brian Loring on Feb. 23

If you have an obsession with Pinot Noir, then Brian Loring of Loring Wine Company could perhaps be your new favorite companion. Loring has been making wine for 11 years in California and Oregon vineyards and is most known for his fascination with Pinot Noir. Therefore, On February 23, Aria is hosting a Loring Winemaker Dinner, which will focus on 2009 vintage Pinot Noirs from Santa Lucia Highlands and the Russian River Valley. The wine dinner opens with a 6:30 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

The reception is accompanied by Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Chateau Guiraud, Bordeaux 09. An amuse of ginger prawn with madras curry aioli clears the palate for the four-course dinner featuring warm smoked breast of duck with chicories, toasted walnuts and Pecorino Toscano served with Russian River Valley 09 and Santa Lucia Highlands 09; slow braised shoulder of veal with cipollini, sweet red peppers and parsnips paired with Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast 09 and Graham Family Vineyard, Green Valley of Russian River Valley 09; Cervena venison chop with black trumpet, hedgehog and oyster mushrooms and yellow finn and sweet potato gratin served with Rosella's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands 09 and Keefer Ranch Vineyard, Green Valley of Russian River 09; and dessert of Arborio rice pudding with caramelized mango and coconut ice cream.

$130 per person, including tax and gratuity. Reserve your seats by calling Chris Soluri of Fine Wine Connection at 770-984-9663.

Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead; 404-233-7673.

Ray’s at Killer Creek Gives You A Break on Brunch and Lunch on Sundays

From Sunday, February 20 through Sunday, April 10, Ray’s at Killer Creek is offering its brunch and lunch menu items at half-price on Sundays. Take your pick of Chef Tracey Bloom’s delicious menu items like the house made corned beef hash with poached eggs; ham, egg and cheese sandwich made with Spanish pulled pork, fried egg and Vermont cheddar; mascarpone-stuffed French toast topped with fresh berries; shrimp and grits; jumbo lump crab cakes; and salmon BLT. Ray’s at Killer Creek serves brunch and lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant is located at 1700 Mansell Road in Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.