Atkins Park Virginia Highland Celebrates 91st Anniversary with March 6 Patio Oyster Roast

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland is celebrating 91 years! With 12,981,696 beers sold, the restaurant is firing up the Big Green Egg, pulling out the huge charcoal grill, tapping into the kitchen and bar and bringing in bushels of oysters on Wednesday, March 6. From 5:30-11 p.m., you can down "6 for $10" specials of smoked oysters with tomato jam, roasted oysters with melted Vidalia onions and pecorino Romano and bacon-wrapped BBQ oysters along with your favorite cool brews and beverages. Fried oyster sliders with kimchi at two for $8 will also be provided for munching. Don't miss out!

Bantam + Biddy + Baking: Lance Gummere Helps Out at 6th Annual Baking Contest for No Kid Hungry on March 5

A little sugar and a little spice will make for a lot of nice at the 6^th Annual Share Our Strength Baking Contest for No Kid Hungry. Join Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 5 as professional and amateur pastry chefs, culinary students and children bake-off to fight childhood hunger. Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall is lending a pastry-making hand in this year’s competition. The annual fundraiser has become a key ingredient in the national nonprofit organization’s goal of abating childhood hunger in the U.S.A. Jenn Hobby of Kicks 101.5 FM hosts the 6:30-8:30 p.m. wine and dessert reception. Guests will sample tastes from some of Atlanta’s top pastry chefs and contest entrants. Event tickets are $35 each and may be purchased online. The college is located at 1927 Lakeside Parkway in Tucker.

What's new on Pinterest: Glad for Green

March has us thinking green! Maybe you're looking for great green ideas for St. Patrick's Day, spring greening or the annual filing for some green on Tax Day in April. Park yourself on our Pinterest board where we've posted recipe keepers such as Matcha green tea ice cream, Key Lime pie mojitos, shamrock macaroons with Baileys chocolate ganache, collard rolls, kale chips and more. It's March and we're Glad for Green! 

Appetizing Aperture

Did you know March is National Caffeine Awareness Month? This is a GREAT excuse for us coffee lovers to branch out and try a different blend, coffee shop or restaurant. If you have yet to try Seven Lamps in the Shops Around Lenox, or even if you're a regular, it's worth the visit to grab a cup of Joe from their extensive coffee program. Featuring Batdorf & Bronson coffee, the restaurant offers "bottomless" mugs, iced, café au lait or steamer-style and in various espresso modes. Don't forget to nibble on one of their pastries while you're at it! 

Eat it and Tweep: Sprint2theTable for Fitness and Food Tweets

Laura is into NPC. Not to be confused with NPR. Preparing for National Physique Competitions dictates careful attention to nutrition and getting physical - the two mainstays of her tweets(@Sprint2theTable). Her tweets and blog posts send out some fun and useful food and fitness help for the average Jane and Joe Gymgoer as well.

Sample Tweet:  What new things have you tried to get outside your safety box? Don't be scared to embrace your weird!http://ow.ly/hUhso#beweird...

MLA My Ride: AmeriPark Valets for Free March 8 at Phipps, Lenox and Perimeter with Code "Melissa Libby"

 

Count on Atlanta Dish to steer you in the right direction for food and wine matters -- and now, for free valet parking compliments of AmeriPark at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza and Perimeter Mall. Friday, March 8 is "Melissa Libby Day" at these AmeriPark locations. Pull up to the valet, name drop "Melissa Libby" and parking is on the house. Indulge in shopping, lunch, dinner or people watching, knowing your car is in safe hands and AmeriPark valets will bring it 'round when you're ready to leave.

Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs Hosts All-Belgian Beer Dinner on March 6

Are you a fan of Belgian-style beers? If so, you don't want to miss out on this beer dinner. On Wednesday, March 6, Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs is hosting a five-course all Belgian beer dinner. The night begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. with complementary items from the restaurant's menu. Beers from all around Belgium will be served as well as U.S.-crafted Belgian-style beers. Liefmans Fruitesse, Maredsous 6 Blonde, Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, Ovila Dubbel, Ommegang and Art of Darkness will all be paired with delicious food. Space is limited for this beer dinner and a reservation is required; call 404-252-5378.

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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Grill Like a Legend -- Fire & Flavor Saddles Up with John Wayne Enterprises to Create All-American Grilling Collection

Timeless, on screen and off, John Wayne embodied the American spirit of authenticity, honesty, optimism and devotion to his country. The Duke loved a good steak, grilled to perfection, according to Ethan Wayne, John Wayne's son and president of John Wayne Enterprises. Athens, Ga.'s own Fire & Flavor is collaborating with John Wayne Enterprises to create a new collection of John Wayne Stock & Supply grilling items -- all made in the good ole' U.S.A. Home grillers will be able to purchase the all-natural, highest-quality spices and charcoal in March. Seasonings lead to bolder chicken, pork and beef. Oak and hickory briquette charcoals allow for quick lighting and sustain long burn times for slow cooking of larger cuts of pork and beef. Saddle up partner and head to this link to round up your posse of grilling items.

Bantam + Biddy and Ansley Wine Merchants Host First of Monthly Wine Tasting Series Tonight

 

    

No plans tonight? Remedy that by coming out to Bantam + Biddy for a wine tasting and appetizers. The restaurant is teaming up with Ansley Mall neighbor Ansley Wine Merchants to host a wine tasting series on the last Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. For a mere $10, you'll sample four different wines and a variety of signature appetizers from Bantam + Biddy, like the pastured deviled eggs with bourbon smoked paprika, pimento cheese with veggies and toast and chopped pastured chicken liver with toast. 

For this month's tasting, Ansley Wine Merchants is featuring SOHO wines of New Zealand, including White Label and Black Label Sauvignon Blanc, White Label Pinot Noir and McQueen Pinot Noir. Found a new favorite? Stop by the store after the tasting to receive a discount on any of the sampled wines.    

Bantam + Biddy is also offering a special perk - stay for dinner and apply the tasting fee toward your meal. 

Get Your Game on at New Game-X Opening Soon in Downtown ATL Plus More in this Week's Dish

Atlantans get ready! Game-X, Legacy Property Group's newest concept, is set to open in late March across from the Georgia Aquarium. Young professionals can let loose with specialty drinks, cocktails and food while having playtime on more than 60 interactive and old-school games. In the meantime, join Pier 213 in Marietta for a crawfish and crab boil or hit up RA Sushi for their spring pairing. There's plenty to do in the "A" this week, plus more in the Dish!

Dive into Crawfish and Crab Boils at Pier 213 Seafood

Feeling a little beach-bummed? The fresh catch at Pier 213 Seafood will satisfy any seafood craving with this unbeatable offer. For a limited time, guests to this fast-casual lunch and dinner restaurant in Marietta can dive into a crawfish boil for $4.50 per pound or a crab boil for $3 per pound. Crack open those shells, and enjoy tender meat alongside satisfying potatoes and sweet corn on the cob. Pier 213’s seafood is sourced from the Gulf, ensuring the freshest, highest quality seafood for their sandwiches and plates. Hurry in while it lasts! 

10th & Piedmont Pours Wines at Half Price on Mondays

Wine lovers unite at 10^th & Piedmont on Monday nights! As if there was any better way to start off the week, the Midtown restaurant is offering full bottles of their "by the glass" wines at half price. There is no need to settle for just a glass when you can get the bottle without breaking the bank. Drink up!

Appetizing Aperture

Share or indulge alone off of the "Chip Shop" snack menu at Fadó Irish Pub in Buckhead. Choose from thick or natural thin-cut chip options. Then pick out sauces from the seven-sauce list. Or, if you prefer, go all out with topping options such as black pudding and chimichurri, pulled lamb and peppercorn sauce or the Harp Lager cheese sauce and bacon (shown above). Right now, the restaurant even has  special online offers for a free snack menu item with boxty purchase or bottomless chips and sauces at the bar. Don't forget to like Fadó on Facebook and sign up for the newsletter for exclusive offers!

What's new on Pinterest: Snack Time

We’re no strangers to a snack or two (or three) throughout the day, and why not? Not only do they provide a nutritional boost to help fuel you between meals, they also enhance workout recovery and are just plain fun to eat. We’ve pinned ideas for your snack mode, offering homemade granola bars and pre-portioned snack ideas to make and stash, mini BBQ vegan pizzas, hot Caprese dip, baked “fried” pickles and other tongue ticklers. Maybe we’ll grab one of each and turn snack time into meal time.

Win Big by Entering the Sinners and Saints Photo Contest at Marlow's Tavern

Say cheese! Take a picture on your smartphone during Marlow's Tavern  “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” and you could win BIG! Show your best side by uploading a photo to the Marlow's Tavern Sinners & Saints photo contest before the contest ends on March 14. The top 10 vote-grabbing photos will become finalists. One first-prize winner will receive dinner for four ($100 value). Second place nabs a $50 gift card, and third takes home a $25 gift card. Encourage friends and family members to vote on Marlow's Facebook page, and you may end up a winner. Don’t miss the food and drink specials at every Marlow’s Tavern location, highlights include chicken and shrimp gumbo, a bayou burger, and honey bourbon bread pudding.  Sinners & Saints can continue to mingle throughout "Bayou 'n Bourbon" until the food and drink fest blows out of town on March 25. 

Sign Up Now -- Cornhole ATL Spring League Starts March 12 at Atkins Park Virginia Highland

Spring is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate the warm weather than by signing up for Cornhole ATL's spring league? Hit the patio at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland starting March 12 for the seven-week season. Tuesday evening competitions are at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. So, toss back some brews and toss out some corn bags! Register at CornholeAtl.com. Yes, there are cornhole rules. Read up on them here.

Fourth Generation Italian Winemaker Joins New Executive Chef Tyler Williams at Woodfire Grill Demarie Wine Dinner on February 26

Imagine 14 hectares of beautiful vineyards spread along the sun-kissed gentle slopes in the heart of the Roero region, all cared for by a family that has passed down their winemaking heritage into the fourth generation. It’s not a romance novel cliche; for the Demarie family, it is a way of life. Winemaker Paolo Demarie brings all of his experience and knowledge, as well as wines, to the table at Woodfire Grill's Demarie Wine Dinner on Tuesday, February 26. A 7 p.m. reception includes sparkling Arneis, followed by a five-course dinner prepared by the restaurant's new executive chef Tyler Williams at 7:30 p.m. and featuring pairings of 2010 Arneis Roero DOCG, 2008 Barbera D'Alba Superiore DOC, 2007 Barbaresco DOCG, 2007 Barolo DOCG and NV "Birbet' Brachetto." $105 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Call 404-347-9055 to make reservations.

Atkins Park Smyrna Holds "First" Last Supper Wild Heaven Dinner and Beer Pairing

Only twelve lucky souls will fit around the table for the "First" Last Supper Wild Heaven Paired Dinner at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Smyrna on Sunday, February 24. Sponsored by The Stout Brothers Smyrna Beer Market, this month’s dinner is the inaugural meal in the series of Last Supper events to be held on the last Sunday of each month. Guests will sing praises for Chef Sarah Rothwell after partaking in the five-course menu complete with Wild Heaven Craft Beer pairings. Look forward to prosciutto-wrapped mushroom and "Heywood's" smoked almond pesto, paired with Invocation (Belgian-style golden ale); fennel and grapefruit salad with orange and pomegranate and a lavender and honey agave dressing, paired with Let There Be Light (American ale); Cornish hen stuffed with "Heywood's" Italian sausage and wild rice pilaf, paired with Eschaton (Belgian-style quadruple ale aged with Pinot Noir oak chips); and veal tornado wrapped in lardo with celery root purée, wild mushroom demi and potato crisp, paired with Ode to Mercy (imperial brown ale). The beer-blessed meal concludes with bourbon foie gras crème brûlée paired with Ode to Mercy Winter (imperial brown ale aged in bourbon barrels). Dinner includes two promotional Wild Heaven glasses. $75 per person, not including tax and gratuity. For reservations, call 770-435-1887.

Walk the Red Carpet at 10th & Piedmont Oscar Party Plus More in this Week's Dish

Cornhole junkies - don't forget to sign up for the Cornhole ATL spring league so you can spend Tuesday evenings at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland. Cornhole player or not, join Fadó Irish Pub in Buckhead for the Great Guinness Toast and for the chance to win some great prizes! Read every little must-know detail, plus more in this week's Dish!

Get the Red Carpet Treatment at 10th and Piedmont This Sunday

 

If critics can be believed, there are some sure bets for this year's 85th Annual Academy Awards, like Daniel Day-Lewis nabbing the statuette for Best Actor for his incredible portrayal of our 16th president in Lincoln. (Side note: If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend - Day-Lewis really is incredible in it and Tommy Lee Jones provides some unexpected laughs while playing a cranky and outspoken politician.) Another sure bet for this Sunday is the food and drink specials you'll enjoy while watching the Oscars at 10th and Piedmont in Midtown. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the restaurant is offering special menu items for the occasion including "Les Misérables" French onion soup with house-made croutons and Swiss cheese ($6.50); golden fried chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes, fried corn and house-made pepper gravy ($12); champagne ($3) and red carpet punch ($7). And while this is an A-list party, no need to get all glammed up. Just come prepared to eat, drink and cheer on your favorites!

Atlanta BBQ Club Monthly "Meatings"

 

Satiating a BBQ craving can be a daunting task. It's not easy to find that perfect combination of  sweet and tangy sauce, covering tender, juicy  meat. But now there's a club to help you discover the best BBQ in the city.  The "meatings" are downright delicious and members are into trying out every kind of tender, barbecued pork butt, brisket or chicken they can muster up in the metro area.  Atlanta BBQ Club members meet up at various barbecue places each month for a little pork barrel spending of their own combined with a healthy serving of socializing. Their next get together (a.k.a. official business "meating") will take place on Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. at Spoon's Smokehouse BBQ, 5040 Old National Highway in College Park. Purchase tickets online and get ready to share some divine swine and finger-lickin' chicken.

What's new on Pinterest: Chocolate Cravings

We know Valentine's Day is over, but that doesn't mean the chocolate-y fun has to stop! Check out our Pinterest board for ideas such as tofu chocolate pudding, a giant Kit Kat bar, or the ultimate decadently dense, flourless chocolate cake. There is always a right time to eat chocolate!

Appetizing Aperture

 

 

We're thinking seafood! Enjoy delicious crab cakes hand crafted by Marietta's newest seafood restaurant, Pier 213 Seafood. Just look at this beauty. Hunks of fresh, tender crabmeat from the Gulf, seasoned, pattied and seared to a luxurious golden brown hue. Dress casual, ride the tide to Marietta and place your order at the counter to get yours for lunch any day or dinner Monday through Saturday.

Read It and Tweep: TravelGirl Magazine Just Wants to Have Global Fun

  

In its fifth year of publication, Atlanta's own TravelGirl Magazine enthralls women 25-65 who love all things travel related. The magazine covers the senses: sense of humor, sense of adventure, sense to catch Twitter tips (@TravelGirlMag) on the go, and the most important of all, the sense to pack stylish, comfortable shoes.

Sample Tweet: Take time this holiday wknd to plan ur 2013 travels. NOLA is hot: Mardi Gras, Super Bowl, Jazz Fest@TravelgirlSteph will keep us posted!

Aqua blue and Marlow's Tavern Dish It Out for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at 10th Annual Taste of Dunwoody

Taste of Dunwoody sells out each year, which is no surprise considering guests can sample specialties from more than 25 of the area's top restaurants such as Marlow's Tavern and Aqua blue. The event, which benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, celebrates its 10^th anniversary on February 15 at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North in the Concourse complex on the Perimeter's top end. Guests will dance off their noshing to music by Yacht Rock Revue and bid on silent auction deals.
 

Weeknights at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern

 

Look no further for weeknight plans. HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown takes daily specials to a whole new level. Mondays are "Date Night" where $19.95 buys a three-course dinner for two (go ahead, call your date today). Pop in on Tuesdays for all-you-can-eat sliders for $12.95 from 5-11 p.m. and show off your smarts when trivia begins at 8:30 p.m. On Wednesdays, stake your claim to surf and turf with a complementary beer pairing, all for only $15. HOBNOB rocks with live music on Thursdays from 8-11 p.m., perfect for toe tapping and finger snapping out any workweek tensions. With all of these succulent and social weeknight opportunities, you'll need the weekend to rest!

5 Chefs + 5 Pigs + 5 Winemakers = Cochon 555 -- Coming Home to Atlanta February 17

Brady Lowe began Cochon 555 five years ago right here in Atlanta to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs. Stopping in 10 cities across the United States, the culinary competition and tasting event is returning home to Atlanta with a stop at the Sheraton Atlanta Downtown on Sunday, February 17. Joe Schafer of King + Duke is one of the five chefs preparing a snout-to-tail menu using one of five pigs in the pork-centric competition. The lineup of 20 event judges includes Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist, Drew Van Leuven of Seven Lamps and Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina. Guests and judges will determine the “best bite of the day” and send the winner on to the June 16 Grand Cochon competition at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, Colo. Seven Lamps Mixologist Arianne Fielder will compete against five other mixologists in the new “Punch Kings” cocktail competition open to VIP guests. All guests will pig out on pork and sample five bourbons in addition to the wines from five family wineries. And there’s more action in the pen: a butcher demonstration from Rusty Bowers of Pine Street Market, a raffle, ice-cold brews and a champagne toast, Fernet Branca digestifs and pork-spiked desserts. VIP ($200/person) admitted at 4 p.m.; general admission ($125/person) at 5 p.m. Purchase tickets online.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tickets Go On Sale February 14

Save the date! Tickets for the 2013 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival in Midtown go on sale this Thursday, February 14. This year's special events, speakers, demonstrations and food and wine tastings span the weekend of Thursday, May 30-Sunday, June 2. These tickets would make an amazing addition to any Valentine's Day gift, so don't forget to purchase them for your love!

200 Words about Ray's Restaurants Could Win You $200

So you know that story you've told your friends and family a hundred times about the time you were at a Ray's Restaurant and that really awesome/life-changing/mind-blowing thing happened? Well, here's your chance to win a $200 dining card just for sharing it with the restaurant. Jot down that memorable moment in 200 words or less and send it to myraysstory@gmail.com by February 28 and you could have another great tale to tell, courtesy of your friends at Ray's.   The winner will be announced on March 1. No purchase necessary. Read complete details online and on Facebook. Follow along on Twitter (#myraysstory) and visit Pinterest for updates.

Take a Bite Out of the Big Easy with Marlow's Tavern "Bayou 'n Bourbon" Menu Plus More in this Week's Dish

Last minute Valentine's Day planners - you're in luck! With just two more days to make an impression on your loved one, be sure to check out our list of ATL restaurants with delicious V-Day specials. Ahead of the game on those dinner plans? Check out all the Mardi Gras fun and other events around the city, plus much more in this week's Dish! 

Fat Tuesday Fun at Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub

 

Celebrate Mardi Gras by enjoying Bourbon Street festivities right here in Brookhaven. Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub is loading up on beads, classic NOLA foods and adult beverages for Fat Tuesday fans on February 12. Specials such as red beans and rice, jambalaya, and gumbo with chicken, andouille sausage and tasso ham comfort Cajun cravings. Hurricane and Hand Grenade cocktails and shot specials put the whole krewe in a party attitude. More on Facebook.

Marlow’s Tavern is Ready to Let the Good Times Roll During “Bayou ‘n Bourbon”

Can’t travel to NOLA this week? No worries! Head to Marlow’s Tavern for the annual “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” menu! Get a bite of the Big Easy with delicious dishes like roast chicken and shrimp gumbo ($6.50); fiery crawfish fondue ($9); honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread ($9.50); “Nawlins-style” po’ boy of shrimp and crawfish ($12.50); bayou burger spiked with andouille sausage, crawdaddies and cheddar cheese ($12); deconstructed jambalaya ($14); sweet Bourbon St. rib-eye blackened and blazed with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey ($26).

Ready for dessert? A honey bourbon bread pudding made with honey and vanilla crème brûlée, soaked ciabatta and a splash of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey ($7) closes the spirited meal. And you can’t forget the adult beverages… Marlow’s takes on New Orleans’ classic cocktails including “Pat’s” Marlow’s Hurricane ($8), Ramos Gin Fizz ($8.50), Cajun Cosmo ($9) with Absolut Mango and Pepper ($9) and Louisiana’s own Abita Restoration ($5.50), the ideal companion for spicy Cajun dishes. “Bayou ‘n Bourbon” pours it on through March 25!

Eat it and Tweep: Ellen at Fadó Irish Pubs Follows Futbol, 6 Nations and More

 

Ellen Peacock(@fado_ellen), the marketer for Fadó Irish Pubs, is THE person to follow with St. Patrick's Day just around the corner and heavy sports seasons not too far off. She knows all the happenings at Fadó Irish Pub, so you'll want to add her to your list!

Sample Tweet:  On a cold Winter's day: Try Corned beef & cabbage @fadoatlanta Hearty, warm & deee-licous. Photo courtesy- Kelsey Orr pic.twitter.com/OHYm8T0C

What's new on Pinterest: Relishing Romance

(Photo from Little Cake Bakery)

Relishing Romance is the topic du jour with Valentine's Day right around the corner! Looking for sweet treats for your honey or a Valentine's Day Party? We've got you covered with all sorts of sinfully delicious recipes! Find the perfect recipe from our heart-felt inspirations on our Pinterest board. 

Appetizing Aperture: Aria's Valentine's Day Dessert

Looking for the perfect way to end the night after a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner with your special someone? Aria Pastry Chef Kathryn King has you covered with this dreamy chocolate dessert. If this photo is enough to give you butterflies, just image what sharing the real thing could do for your love life. Embrace more Valentine’s Day dining options here on the Atlanta Dish.

Lure Hosts Atlanta Community Food Bank Supper Club on February 19

Head to Lure Tuesday, February 19 to be a part of The Atlanta Community Food Bank Supper Club which will reel in 20 percent of the day's sales at Lure in Midtown. Join them for lunch or dinner -- the more you eat, the more they give. Easy enough, considering Lure's menu is loaded with grilled fresh seafood and meats in shareable or sizeable portions, plus a whole menu section of "Raw, chilled and really fresh" selections. And then there's dessert. Reserve your place online or call 404-817-3650 and be sure to say "I'm dining out for ACFB."

The Mill Adds Southern Farmhouse Dinner Chic to Historic Roswell

  

The Mill Kitchen and Bar, opening February 18 by brothers Scott and Randy McCray with Chicken and the Egg owner Marc Taft, adds southern farmhouse dinner chic to Historic Roswell! Located at 590 Mimosa Boulevard, the quintessential Southern neighborhood spot wears easygoing farmhouse appeal. Taft gives a nod to modern tastes with culinary inspired cocktails, bourbons, wines and microbrews. There is truly a dish for everyone, so be sure to head their way this February!

Dine at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 or The Optimist on February 9 to Benefit Team Hidi

Make a difference with your weekend plans! Join JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246 and The Optimist Saturday night, February 9, to help Ryan Hidinger fight stage 4 gallbladder cancer. The restaurants are teaming up to host a Ryan Hidinger Benefit and donating 5 percent of dinner service profits to Team Hidi to help cover medical expenses. Bring your friends and eat delicious food for a great cause!

RA Sushi Lets Loose with "Mardi RA" Fat Tuesday Party

  

On Tuesday, February 12, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is celebrating Fat Tuesday with "Mardi RA", giving Atlantans a much shorter trip from home and more money for food and drink specials to go along with the festivities and DJ entertainment. Go all out by spending some of your short-trip savings on Mardi Gras beads and attire. "Mardi RA" Big Easy specials heat up the party. Sriracha amps up noodle-laden spicy chicken and shishito green necklace ($7) and the chili shrimp roll ($8) while three beef kushiyaki skewers with teriyaki sauce ($9) appease mild-mannered souls. "Mardi RA" cocktails speak the NOLA language, translating to a Southern Julep with Southern Comfort and Maker's Mark ($8) and the HurRAcane storming with Southern Comfort and fresh fruit juices ($8). 

Atkins Park Smyrna Mardi Gras/Oyster Festing Begins This Friday

 

Oyster fans, get ready to head to Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Smyrna as they roll out their 2^nd Annual Oyster/Mardi Gras Fest this Friday, February 8 through Tuesday, February 12!  The fun starts on Friday night when live music from Dixie Duncan band starts up beginning at 11 p.m. Buy tickets online for Saturday's tented band fest and Sunday events, $5 in advance and $10 day of event at the door. There's a heap more hoopla at Monday's family friendly Lundi Gras and Tuesday's Mardi Gras mask party with band Andrew Black & Friends!

Peachtree-Pine Street Homeless Shelter Rooftop Garden Needs Your Seed Money to Grow

  

Help the Peachtree-Pine Street Homeless Shelter Rooftop Garden raise $2,500 to get off the ground and grow. The organic garden is part of the 100 Urban Gardens goal to build 100 urban gardens across 100 cities in the U.S. Partners PACT. Whole Foods Foundation and Indiegogo are behind the drive, pointing out that only 2 percent of our children eat enough fruits and veggies! The Peachtree-Pine space can accommodate a minimum of 40 rectangular beds plus vertical beds growing almost as many benefits as veggies. Learn about urban food production, sustainable technologies and all the benefits they bring. Don't forget to donate here!

New Pier 213 Seafood Brings Gulf-to-Plate Goodness to Marietta

Chances are Gulf Coast vacationers have heard of Irvington Seafood in Mobile, Alabama - or enjoyed their premium seafood at Atlanta-area restaurants over the past eight years. Now, owners and Marietta residents Kevin and Kammie Sakprasit are bringing their experience and expertise to their own community with the opening of their own eatery, Pier 213 Seafood on Wednesday, February 13. Located just a few blocks from the historic Marietta Square at 35 S. Marietta Parkway, the new venue is a family friendly, fast-casual restaurant where the brother and sister team can share their passion for seafood with their own neighbors. Guests contemplate the variety of fried, grilled, and steamed plates, po’ boys, sandwiches and the signature crab cake dish ($6.99-$15.99) before ordering at the counter. Shareable appetizers, sides and homemade desserts round out the menu delivering five-star flavor without five-star prices.

Take Your Next Lunch Break to Try the New Menu at No. 246

By: Jaimie Goss

One of the perks of working in Decatur is the abundance of terrific lunch options at nearby restaurants. The new menu at No. 246 was designed for all the office workers out there who want to take a break from tacos or a footlong sub, enjoy a midday meal and still have time to make it back to their desk on time. 

Most of the new menu items are around $10, so no need to break out the company credit card. Get the meal started with fried calamari with lemon, garlic knots or some crispy cheese for the table ($5-$9). Sandwiches include the eggplant or chicken Parm, sausage and peppers (pictured above), porchetta and the No. 246 burger ($8-$11). And while you aren't running a race, you are climbing the corporate ladder, so fuel up with pasta selections like the spaghetti and shrimp, wood-baked ziti and meatballs, agnolotti, carbonara and manicotti ($9-$14). To show your co-workers you're a team player, order pizzas like the salami, mushroom, Margherita or fattoria-style to share ($10-$16). Chopped, flatbread or house salads can be made for meat lovers as well ($9-$12). Finally, don't forget to add side dishes, like ceci peas, roasted beets, fries, Brussels sprouts, braised greens, fried polenta and crispy onions. Happy lunching! 

Let the Good Times Roll at Atkins Park Smyrna & RA Sushi Mardi Gras Festivities and More in This Week's Dish!

This month is full of celebrations! Get steamed, grilled and fried with the Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna Mardi Gras/Oyster Fest on February 8-12. Celebrate Fat Tuesday in style at RA Sushi's "Mardi RA" party February 12 and enjoy great food and drink specials. February is a happening month so don't miss out on all the fun festivities in this week's Dish!