Get Your Feast on at Old Vinings Inn SummerFeast

  

Executive Chef Don Diem at Old Vinings Inn wants to feed you all summer long with the Old Vinings Inn SummerFeast! Kick-back, relax and take a break from kitchen duty in July and August. This special $30 dinner for two includes an appetizer, entrée, side dish and dessert -- with a menu that changes weekly. Through July 7, enjoy pimento cheese spread with sea salt and olive oil flatbreads; smoked, dry-rubbed baby back ribs with Chef Don's barbecue sauce; fingerling potato salad; and white chocolate chip shortcakes with strawberry coulis and vanilla crème. Dine in or drive by and grab it to go. Quantities limited, so no dilly dallying on decision making. Call 770-438-2282 to nab one of those dinners now! 

Fourth of July Fireworks and Fun

This Thursday, light sparklers and raise a flag to say, "Happy Birthday, U.S.A."! Year #237 deserves more than cake and candles, and Atlanta restaurants eagerly oblige with celebrations ranging from backyard Olympics to barbecue, beer and bands to bloody marys for Peachtree Road Race viewers. Have backyard plans and picnics of your own? Purveyors are ready with pastured meats, flavorful grilling blends and bushels of fresh fruit. Your bill of righteous good times is one click away on our Atlanta Dish blog. Find your fun with fireworks and food in your neighborhood now!

Fire & Flavor's John Wayne Spice Rubs are a Summer Grilling Essential

  

Fire up the grill and pull out the t-bone steaks! Fire & Flavor is your summer grilling headquarters. You'll love the new John Wayne Stock & Supply spice rubs offered through a collaboration of Fire & Flavor and John Wayne Enterprises. Think about what you're throwing on the grill and choose accordingly for heat, smokiness or exotic nuances with spice rubs for  beef (espresso, cocoa and chilies); pork (paprika, garlic and guajillo chili); chicken (cumin, curry and chilies); or Bar-B-Q (ancho chile, garlic and oregano). Rubs retail for $5.99-$6.99 per 2.3-oz. jar and are available online and at select retailers. Summer just got hotter! 

What's New on Pinterest: All-American Appetizers

Trips to the lake, picnics in the park and hot nights by the grill all cause cravings for one thing: good 'ole American grub. Our All-American Appetizers board on Pinterest is complete with U.S.A style snacks and apps to keep everyone satisfied during the summer festivities. Kick back with a bowl of sweet Vidalia onion dip and lift your glass to the red, white and - did someone say sliders?

The Best Fourth of July Celebrations are in Atlanta

Travel plans won’t be necessary this Independence Day because patriotic parties are taking over ATL. Spirited cocktails, festive foods and rooftop celebrations will make this Fourth of July unforgettable!

Atlanta has everything patrons need to pregame the holiday. At Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia Highland, a live band and bubbling brews will keep everyone entertained the night before the Fourth. Come back the next day for the restaurant’s Sixth Annual Go Whole Hog or Go Home Fourth of July Party, where $15 feeds guests a meat-and-three meal for lunch or dinner. Stick around for Backyard Beer Olympics beginning at 3 p.m. Watch the action or sign up with a partner for some friendly competition that could win the team $500. Woodfire Grill is also starting the party on July 3 with a “BBQ & Beer” party to benefit the “Save the Hooch” campaign. Gobble down on a barbecue feast full of Southern classics like skillet cornbread and peach cobbler for $38.

Speaking of peaches, the Fourth of July is the perfect day to bite into a juicy, organic peach from Watsonia Farms. Add it to homemade cobbler or top with ice-cream for a tasty dessert after grilling up free-range beef and poultry from White Oak Pastures. What’s more American than that? Well, John Wayne charcoals and rubs from Fire & Flavor! The all-natural, gluten-free line adds authentic flavor to any meat.

Looking to spend the holiday dining on good-ole-American grub? Plenty of Atlanta restaurants are serving dishes to keep guests full during the festivities. No. 246 in Decatur is serving an all-day lunch menu with cocktail specials guests can enjoy while playing backyard ping-pong. For the early risers, say “good morning” to America and the Peachtree Road Race runners at Olmsted. They’ll be open at 7 a.m. and are serving up an a la carte menu along with endless mimosas and bloody marys for $14.

If plans are already set in stone, Marlow's Tavern, Gunshow and Bantam + Biddy will make satisfying those food cravings easy. Pick up a family food pack from Bantam+Biddy with options like pork loin or rotisserie chicken. It's served with salad, jalepeno cheddar bread, three sides and sweet tea. This take-out-only package feeds 3 to 5 people and is just $42. Gunshow is also putting together packages for patriotic folks on the go, with Southern classics like pulled pork, coleslaw, Brunswick stew and fresh baked cookies. Order in advance and pick ‘em up on July 4 for $50, it feeds four! If the gang will be out of town for the Fourth, stop by Marlow’s Tavern later in the month. They're celebrating more than a day of America with a “Red, White and Brew” menu from June 18 through July 29. Is the term “grill master” a common phrase in your household? If so, be sure to enter the Fourth Annual Marlow’s Grilling Recipe Contest for a chance to win awesome prizes.

It'll be nothing short of a party when the sun goes down at Ventanas, SkyLounge and Game-X. Ventanas is teaming up with Q100 for a night of music, food and dazzling drinks. A $26 ticket will grant access, food and a $10 play card to use at Game-X. Play away and snack on finger foods at Game-X before heading downtown to enjoy the fireworks from the heights of the Skyview Atlanta Ferris Wheel. If you love the view from up top, then check out the party at SkyLounge in the Glenn Hotel. The rooftop is the ideal spot to watch the fireworks from Centennial Olympic Park!

Flock to Atlantic Station this July for the opening of Chick-a-Biddy

Get ready, poultry peoples, because it’s almost time to fly over to Atlantic Station for the grand opening Chick-a-Biddy. The spot that was formerly The Grape will be serving farm-fresh dishes that will have guests clucking. Owners Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere have revamped the space and are introducing a menu that will satisfy all food lovers, including vegetarians and gluten-free guests. Crafty cocktails, juices and smoothies will have the whole flock feeling refreshed!

Price of tickets for Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival increase on Monday, July 1

Cocktail cravers, food lovers and fun chasers, beware! The Westside of Atlanta will be under a delectable attack on July 21 from 1-5 p.m. The fifth annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival, held at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, features prominent chefs, mixologists and farmers who are uniting in a culinary front to create fresh, innovative dishes. Right now, tickets can be purchased online for $55. But hurry, because after Monday, July 1 tickets increase to $70. To make things juicier, this day of live music and tomato-inspired dishes will benefit Georgia Organics. So foodies: wake up, smell the tomatoes and get tickets while they last!

Big Green Egg-citement smokes up Cook's Warehouse on June 29

The Big Green Egg has been grilling, smoking and baking crowd-pleasing dishes for over 30 years.The Cook's Warehouse in East Cobb is showing off the wonders of this green machine throughout the day on June 29 and is inviting BGE masters and admirers to join the fun. Demonstrations and special appearances, like Jessie Lysiak of "MasterChef", will go on from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. with meats provided by Brasstown Beef, Thompson Farms and Springer Mountain Farms. Plus, love for the BGE will be egg-pressed in the form of prizes and giveaways - what could be better! 

Blues & BBQ on the menu at Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails on June 30

 

Chef Derek Dollar is bringing some soul to Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple. From 5-9 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, Chef Derek is sharing his homemade barbecue specialties while the Full House Band ends the weekend on the right note. Heads will nod and toes will tap while you dig in to classic BBQ dishes including pulled pork, smoked hens and ribs. Pimiento cheese mac and coleslaw just might make a special guest appearance. No cover charge; just cost for food and drinks. 

Fire Up the Fourth at the ATL's Hottest Restaurants Plus More in this Week's Dish

Atlanta restaurants and bars are ensuring that the sky won’t be the only thing lighting up this Fourth of July. Drink specials and festive foods are on the agenda at the most fiery spots in the city. Plus they've got views, tunes and celebrations that won’t disappoint. Pair up with patriotic pals and check out the spots that are red, white and brewing it up in this week’s Dish! 

Ray's on the Creek Offering $19.95 Lobster Dinner

 

You don't have to travel to New England to enjoy a classic lobster dinner. Ray's on the Creek in Alpharetta is bringing the deliciousness to you. This summer promotion lands lobster, red potatoes and green beans with a well of drawn butter on the side for $19.95. Wipe your chin and fingers. Ray's has plenty of napkins to go around. Make reservations online or by calling 770-649-0064.

The Optimist Named One of the World's Best New Restaurants

  

Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee

Chef Ford Fry's award-winning restaurant, The Optimist, has reeled in yet another accolade. It has landed onto Condé Nast Traveler's list of Hot Tables of 2013: The 70 Best New Restaurants in the World representing the American South region. Up against some tough competition, The Optimist has come out on top. Conde Nast's editors turned to their most-trusted food critics, bloggers and writers for recommendations of their favorite new restaurants in foodie destinations worldwide. In his nomination, John Kessler, The Atlanta Journal Constitution's dining columnist described The Optimist as a "nouveau seafood restaurant" with "sustainable fish smartly and simply prepared." If you haven’t dined at The Optimist, you’ll want to add it to the top of your summer to-do list! The Optimist is an authentic coastal seafood experience with sustainable ingredients and a well-stocked oyster bar, so it’s no surprise that it’s a foodie favorite!

Peachy Pinterest Picks

It's been a long wait, but everything is peachy on Pinterest these days and we couldn't be happier. Peaches are hitting the stands at markets and produce departments across the region, and we've been filling our bags with these sweet Southern treats. We've pinned some perfect peach ideas for you to try with your fresh batch: Georgia peach pound cake, grilled peaches, peach margaritas, peach ice cream, peach mango pops and cornbread shortcake with ham and fresh peach salsa. Power to the peaches!

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/

Marlow's Tavern in Dunwoody Dishes Out Deals for Restaurant Week

 

Marlow's Tavern in Dunwoody going above and beyond during Dunwoody Restaurant Week to ensure that no diner goes hungry - or broke! From Saturday, June 22 to Saturday, June 29, lunch goers can enjoy a prix fixe menu offering an appetizer and entree course for $10. Having trouble deciding between the firecracker shrimp and Peking duck sliders? Stop by later for dinner and choose dishes from Marlow's three course prix fixe menu for $20. The only thing better would be nutella and oreo cheesecake - and that's on the menu, too! 

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.

Join Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails for Moonlight Garden Dinner in Historic Crabapple

You can't get any closer to fresh garden pickings than the Moonlight Garden Dinner hosted by Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails in Crabapple's Historic District on Sunday, June 23. Join Milton's for a reception at 5 p.m. with tasty hors d'oeuvre and drinks. Guests will be taken on a scenic tour of Milton's Acre and Strawberry Fields before being seated at a table in the Acre for a four-course dinner with wine pairings. The menu, by Executive Chef Derek Dollar, includes a colored baby romaine salad with teardrop tomatoes, roasted pistachios, goat cheese and white balsamic vinaigrette; pan-seared diver sea scallop with heirloom tomato and purple basil risotto; smoked leg of beef, spring Vidalia onions, braised carrots, roasted asparagus, mushroom and bacon bordelaise; and a sweet conclusion of buttermilk and Strawberry Fields panna cotta. As the menu relies on the garden harvest, dishes are subject to change. $79 per person with a non-refundable $95 deposit (including tax and gratuity) required when booking a reservation. Event will be rescheduled if a rain out occurs. To make a reservation, call 678-431-8753. 

Farm Fresh Fare Continues with the Opening of Chick-a-Biddy at Atlantic Station

Chefs Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere of Bantam + Biddy are finally answering the age-old question of, “why did the chicken cross the road?” Well, the answer is to open a new restaurant serving healthy, all-natural poultry. Chick-a-Biddy, which is set to open at Atlantic Station, will have menu options for eaters of all kinds, including those with dietary restrictions. Fresh pressed juices, smoothies and signature cocktails are making a landing onto the menu. Gather up the flock and fly over for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch! 

Appetizing Aperture: Celebrate International Sushi Day at RA Sushi

There is no shame in dedicating an entire day to food, and International Sushi Day is here to prove that. Celebrate this scrumptious holiday on Tuesday, June 18 by rolling the crew over to RA Sushi Bar Restaurant. Rejoice in sushi bliss with signature items like the Tootsy Maki, pictured above, or the Mango Lobster Roll. Pair it with a drink from the cocktail menu and celebrate all night long!

Melissa Libby & Associates is Searching for Fall 2013 Interns

Are you a student who is passionate about food/wine culture and public relations? Melissa Libby & Associates is currently seeking two interns for fall 2013. Interns who join the MLA team will work with and learn directly from all agency functions, including media communications, social media, special events and client services. Creativity, positive energy, strong work ethic and great writing skills are important traits for this internship. 

The ideal candidate will also receive school credit for his or her experience with MLA. Internships are 15-22 hours per week from August-December and interns will be paid a $500 stipend at the completion of the program. Schedules are fairly flexible, although Monday mornings are required. Local candidates only! To find out more about Melissa Libby & Associates, please visit our website and our Facebook page.  If you are interested, please send your resume and availability to InternshipMLA@gmail.com.

Celebrate the Season at Bantam + Biddy's Summer Festival June 23

Soak up summer and flock to Bantam + Biddy for their Summer Festival in the courtyard of Ansley Mall on Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Shop the farmers market for local products from vendors such as Tiny Buffalo, Miller's Artisan Sodas and Frozen Pints. Check out culinary demos by co-owners Shaun Doty at 11 a.m. and Lance Gummere at 2:30 p.m. Games and face painting will amuse children, and the band Christ, Lord performs for all from noon-4 p.m. This is a cash-only event. Yes, Bantam + Biddy will be open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. offering a menu slam full of locally and regionally sourced all-natural ingredients in a friendly fast-casual and air-conditioned setting.

Enjoy a Night of Food, Drinks and Music at People's Fest

Party down at Atlantic Station with People's Fest 2013 on Saturday, June 22 at 6 p.m. “Feel good food” tastings will drive away hunger while rocking all night to live music from Marc Broussard, Sonia Leigh, Ben Deignan and Jameson Elder. Sip drinks throughout the night while rooting on chef favorites in a friendly cook-off. Tickets are $25 and benefit City of Refuge!

Party in the Streets During People's Fest Food and Music Festival Plus More in this Week's Dish

There's never a dull moment in the "A", and this week the people are in charge. People’s Fest is taking over the streets this weekend, and is throwing a party for all to join. Southern-style samplings, cool brews and live music make for a night of excitement -- and all for a good cause. So grab those party pants and get a taste of everything Atlanta’s cooking up this week. All the details are in this week’s Dish! 

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.

Big Patio Party at The Big Ketch Thursday

Let's pretend we live at the beach. Bright sunny skies, plenty of cold beer, and your favorite seafood.  Now keep that dream alive by bringing your friends to the patio party this Thursday, June 20 at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead. The laid-back seafood grill is hosting a flip-flop perfect patio party from 5-9 p.m. and is offering complimentary oysters for partygoers from 5-7 p.m. Throughout the event, they have live music, $3 Sol and $5 Montevina pinot grigio. If only every day could be like Thursday.

What's New on Pinterest: Seafood Sensations

Summer is crashing in and flooding the land with seafood fresh from the water.Traveling to the coast won’t be necessary with our Seafood Sensations board loaded with recipes like grilled New England seafood “bake”. Mouthwatering pictures from Lure, The Optimist and RA Sushi will have seafood lovers traveling by land, air and sea to get a bite! 

Appetizing Aperture: Rebecca Lang Serves Up Summer, Salmon-Style!

Experience just how delicious summer can be with Rebecca Lang’s recipe for salmon topped with fresh mango and Vidalia onions. This flavorful dish can be served hot or made ahead and chilled for those on the go. Touches of mint and ginger will have taste buds soaring!

Eat It and Tweep: Downtown Atlanta Has Tweets You Won't Want to Miss!

Downtown Atlanta is more than blocks of tall buildings and heavy traffic; the city is full of enthusiastic people who are eager to share what’s happening. Follow along via Central Atlanta Progress tweets (@downtownatlanta) to see what everyone’s chatting about, from the scoop on sports to appetizing eateries.  

Sample Tweet: Central Atlanta Progress announces new Downtown Partner program for businesses, nonprofs, HOAs and individuals http://bit.ly/15lqihH

Celebrate the Longest Day of the Year at Southface Summer Solstice Party on June 19

It's almost the longest day of the year which means there's plenty of time to power up solar-churned ice cream for the Southface Summer Solstice party rising up on Wednesday, June 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Southface Energy Institute in Midtown. Southface members and friends will toast the impending arrival of summer and celebrate the biannual solstice with Southface Sangria and refreshing ice cream. With recipes provided by King + Duke Pastry Chef Chrysta Poulos, The Optimist Executive Chef Adam Evans and The Cook’s Warehouse Founder and CEO Mary Moore, there are sure to be plenty of summer sweets and savories to enjoy. These three top Atlanta foodies will be preparing dishes for the annual Southface Visionary Dinner at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on September 25. Come celebrate summer by attending one or both events. Southface members receive complimentary Summer Solstice party admission. By signing up for a membership on or before the party you'll get special perks such as a $25 discount per individual for a ticket to the Visionary Dinner, entry into a drawing for a free Visionary Dinner ticket and free admission on first visit to Sustainable Atlanta Roundtable. This day of fun is open to non-members too with a $25 Southface Fund donation. 

Stop and Smell What Ray's Restaurants are Cooking Up this Father's Day

Ray's Restaurants are preparing more than just a gift for dad this year, they’re ready to give him a flavorful experience. For the father that needs a day to relax and enjoy good conversation with the family, Ray's on the River is preparing a special brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Be the first ones there or sleep ‘till noon, either way the food will be deliciously fresh all day. If celebrating two days of dad is more his style, come into Ray's on the Creek on Saturday, June 15 for a Big Green Egg cooking class. Beer, food and cooking tips make for a day he’ll never forget! 

Don't Let this Week Fly By Without Playing Chicken!

Pastured Poultry Week is here, meaning it’s time to leave the hen house and fly over to one of the many participating Atlanta restaurants. If you’re asking, “Where should I go? What are the benefits? Pastured what?” well, we have answers! No need to get your feathers in a ruffle because our Atlanta Dish blog has all the information on this flavorful week, including links to restaurants and dad-approved presents. 

Flock to ATL Restaurants During Pastured Poultry Week Plus More in this Week's Dish

Sure, trying something new can be a little scary. But this week is no time to be chicken! Pastured Poultry week has landed in Atlanta, and the city’s best restaurants are rising to the occasion. Hit the town with your flock and experience all the excitement that pastured poultry brings. Check out which restaurants are serving up farm fresh plates, plus Father’s Day dining, summer parties and more in this week’s Dish! 

Get More Bang for Your Buck at Ray's Restaurants

 

Receive 20 percent more on gift card purchases during the Ray's Restaurants summer gift card promotion! That's an extra $20 for every $100 gift card purchase made between June 15 and August 15. Purchases of $1000 or more will gain an additional 25 percent in value! Buy gift cards online or at any of the three Atlanta Ray's Restaurants - Ray's on the Creek, Ray's on the River and Ray's in the City. This could be the easiest Christmas in July, June or August shopping idea in town. And, let's not forget about wedding and anniversary gifts, birthdays and selfie-days.

What's New on Pinterest? Palatable Pins for Dear Old Dad

Dad may not know what that Pinterest thing is, but he’ll love the ideas we’ve racked up on our board dedicated to Dear Old Dad himself. Treat the early rising dad to breakfast in bed with bacon-filled pancakes or chocolate swirl buns. We’ve got pins piled high that lead to sweet and savory recipes and links to gifts and cocktail shakers for the not-so-foodie father, too.  

Eat it and Tweep: Old Vinings Inn is Not Too Old to Tweet

Built in the 1880s, Old Vinings Inn is one of the oldest sites in quaint Vinings. Old age doesn't stop this charming place from coming alive alive with bands, The Attic Bar, special dinners, weddings, meetings and more! Keep up with it all on Twitter (@Old_Vinings_Inn).

Sample Tweet:  This Weekend at the Vinings Inn -eepurl.com/ztvy9

Appetizing Aperture

Watermelons are rolling into RA Sushi Bar Restaurant for their refreshing cocktail and entrée pairing ($18). Watermelon kiwi shrimp piles shrimp atop layers of watermelon, kiwi, orange slices and lychee ($10). For the ultimate match try the watermelon margarita, an exotic fusion of Patron Silver tequila and Cointreau orange liqueur with fresh watermelon, lime juice and just a dash of Grand Marnier ($8).

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. 

Munch and Mingle at People's Fest on June 22

Eat, drink and be merry with the peoples on June 22! People's Fest is throwing a party in the heart of Atlanta to celebrate all things delicious. Munch and mingle the night away with peace of mind that your $25 ticket is benefiting City of Refuge, a non-profit company that directly helps the Atlanta community. Ford Fry’s got the food and Marc Broussard’s got the music. All People’s Fest needs now is, well, the people! 

Set Sail for Heavy Seas Beer Dinner at The Optimist on June 11

Time for beer lovers to hop aboard an adventure! The Optimist is setting sail with a five-course dinner and Heavy Seas beer pairing on Tuesday, June 11 beginning at 6:30 pm. Come on deck for cocktails in the Oyster Bar then cruise into the dining room where co-captains Executive Chef Adam Evans and a Heavy Seas expert will guide you through the various beers selected from this Halethorpe, Md. craft brewery. On the beer tasting horizon that night are Riptide White IPA, Small Craft Warning uber pils, Gold Golden ale, Loose Cannon American IPA and Holy Sheet uber abbey ale. Portage for dinner and pairings is $50 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations: 404-477-6260.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland hosts Cornhole ATL Summer League beginning June 11

Feeling a little cornfused about where to perfect your cornhole toss this summer? Set your sights on Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland for the third year of the Cornhole ATL Summer League. Kicking off on Tuesday night, June 11, the seven-week season features intense playoffs, prizes, specials, t-shirts and plenty of complimentary Newcastle Brown ale after games. Warm up your tossin' arm and register at cornholeatl.com.

Feed Your Mind (And Stomach) With Father's Day Ideas

Digging for ways to show the old man you care on Father’s Day? Well, look no longer! There are plenty of ways to celebrate, no matter what dad dabbles in. Any grill master will love preparing his favorite meats with John Wayne rubs and charcoals from Fire & Flavor. But, if he’s more into cold brews, treat him to a day at Der Biergarten. He’ll be all smiles with a Stein Club membership. Don’t worry, ensuring dad doesn’t go hungry is easy since RA Sushi Bar, Old Vinings Inn and Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar are cooking up manly specials for dad all day.

John C. Metz, Jr. is Good as Gold

www.ifmaworld.com

Great service, delicious food and industry advancement must run in the family of John C. Metz, Jr. As the CEO, executive chef and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, Metz was named winner of the Gold Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufactures Association (IFMA). This award was much deserved, as he is also the mastermind behind the concepts of Marlow's Tavern and Aqua Blue. Metz followed in the footsteps of his father as he took his turn being chosen as one of eight operator executives to receive the prestigious IFMA Silver Plate Award, one of the most honored awards in the foodservice industry. Congrats, Metz men!  

Chow Down on Dad-elicious Ideas for Father's Day Plus More in this Week's Dish!

Join Atlanta restaurants in celebrating dear old dad this Father’s Day! Preparations have been made to celebrate more than just a day of dad, with dinners featuring creative cuisines that are paired perfectly with wines and frothy brews. Get those creative juices flowing and explore all the festivities Atlanta has to offer, from cornhole competing to sundae sampling, in this week’s Dish!

Chill Out at the Slow Food Ice Cream Social June 8

 

Scoopers, they have. Spoons, however, are a bring-your-own necessity to taste all of the frozen concoctions at Slow Food Atlanta's 7th Annual Ice Cream Social coming up Saturday, June 8 from noon-2:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. Professionals and amateurs will churn 'til they burn to crank out classic, wild or wacky flavors for tasting, including the likes of Bantam + Biddy, The Optimist, Seven Lamps and Woodfire Grill. Tickets are $15 each ($5 for ages 5 to 10 and free for the under-5-year set). Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market.

Farm-to-Table-to-Ray's on the River Wine Dinner on June 6

 

Kick off your weekend early by idling away a Thursday evening on the event lawn at Ray's on the River. You know you want to give in to the Chattahoochee River's lull and an ideal mix of farm-to-table foods thoughtfully paired with global wines. The June 6 event begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception offering a selection of local charcuterie, Basque olive mix, Marcona almonds and grouper fritters with pimento aioli along with Piper Sonoma Select Cuvée. Grapefruit vinaigrette tops a cool salad of local greens with pickled vegetables and goat cheese fritters joined by Whitehaven sauvignon blanc. Smoked Georgia shrimp ceviche paired with Chamisal Stainless chardonnay follows. The third course brings out cedar-planked king salmon with roasted sweet fingerling potatoes, watermelon, local feta, cucumber and dill paired with Anne Amie Cuvée A pinot noir. A fourth course plates Coca-Cola braised short rib, Sweet Grass Dairy Georgia Gouda, Logan Turnpike Mill grit cake, charred Vidalia spring onions and Ashland Farms herb salad and pours Simi cabernet sauvignon. This riverside respite costs $65 per person ($60 per person for Dining Club member), not including tax or gratuity. Credit card required to hold reservations; 770-955-1187.