Chick-a-Biddy Opening this Week in Atlanta Station

 

What fun for Atlantic Station-goers looking for farm-fresh chicken served up in an energetic modern diner! Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere, co-owners of Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall, open Chick-a-Biddy on Thursday, July 11 in the space that formerly housed The Grape. The healthy menu is full of chicken dishes, simple sides and cocktails to cackle about. And this just scratches the surface. Read more about it on our Chick-a-Biddy Atlanta Dish blog post.

Little Cake Bakery Serves up Small Treats and Big Smiles

Now that Little Cake Bakery is serving up its bite-sized bundles of joy at Buckhead Pizza locations in Buckhead (3324 Peachtree Road) and Cobb Galleria (One Galleria Parkway), there are more ways than ever to indulge your sweet tooth. With take-out, dine-in and catering menus available, you can take a Little Cake with you anywhere you go. These tasty treats are baked fresh every single day with all-natural ingredients that are sure to put a smile (and maybe a little frosting) on your face. Available seven days a week from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. at Buckhead Pizza.

Instagram Friends #foodgram

 

Yes, we are currently obsessed with Instagram. So many fun pictures of food, babies, food, architecture, food, graffiti, and well, more food! Finding photos good enough to eat is our Instagram hobby. We're loving our friends at BurgerFi in Emory Point who have just jumped on the bandwagon. Check 'em out! @burgerfi_emorypoint. 

What’s New on Pinterest: Summertime Sweets

Easy treats from our Summertime Sweets board will brighten your day instantly. Find delicious uses for your summer fruit with recipes for grilled peaches, lemon parfaits and strawberry cream cheese cobbler. Enjoy your dessert guilt-free with skinny raspberry swirl cheesecake, frozen Greek yogurt bars and homemade frozen yogurt. Save a trip to the ice cream store by learning how to make your own ice cream sandwich or a banana split cupcake with a cherry on top. For the ultimate guilty pleasure, whip up a dish using your favorite candies and sweets by making a creamy Twinkie pie, OREO cheesecake, or cheesecake bars with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Visit our board for easy recipes to add a touch of sweetness to your summer fun. 

Happy 4th of July from Melissa Libby & Associates

Happy 4th of July from Melissa Libby & Associates! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. If you're in Atlanta, enjoy the star-spangled celebrations the city has to offer! 

Hearth Pizza Tavern Pours Berry Cold Cocktails From New Menu

Summers in Atlanta can be real scorchers, and we're already shouting for relief. Luckily, the mixologists at Hearth Pizza Tavern heard our cries and have developed a refreshing new summer drink menu featuring the wonderfully sweet fruits of the season. The Sandy Springs hot spot is now serving up the Strawberry Fields cocktail featuring a muddle of strawberries, cilantro, fresh-squeezed lime juice, simple syrup and Absolut Cilantro vodka. The Orange Fizz brings Svedka Orange Cream Pop vodka together with ginger ale and a slice of orange for a refreshingly cool summer treat. Other bright newcomers to the drink menu include the Hummingbird, abuzz with peach and basil, and the Key Lime Pie martini that packs a Florida vacation in a glass. The St. Rita, featured in Simply Buckhead's May/June "Margarita" section, brings St. Germain to the Tequila Blanco and lime party. The Old Fashioned keeps things classic while the Simply White margarita drips with modern elegance. Can't decide which to try? Stop by on Tuesdays when any of the five martinis on the menu are $5, or visit on Thursdays for the same deal on margaritas. This way, you can try them all without even breaking a sweat (or the bank).

Sunday Funday Just Got Better with Ping-Pong Tournaments at No. 246

Still got that competitive spirit or looking to continue to the weekend fun? Then join in the table tennis action on Sunday afternoons at No. 246. There's a spot for you on the roster when outdoor Ping-Pong play takes over the Decatur restaurant's backyard area from 5-8 p.m. Sign up by emailing Clarke Anderson at canderson@rocketfarmrestaurants.com. Dust off that paddle and get working on those drop shots, lobs and spikes, if you want to win the weekly tournament. This is No. 246, not Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, so chef/co-Owner Drew Belline backs a training table menu of bites and beverages for Ping-Pongers and their guests. No. 246 is open until 10 p.m. on Sunday nights, so stick around afterwards for dinner.

Hit No. 246 for Ping-Pong Action and Italian Fare Plus More in this Week's Dish

It's summertime in Atlanta, and the city is serving up too much excitement to be sitting on the sidelines. Sunday Funday is taken to a whole new level at No. 246, with nights full of ping-pong play, Italian bites and bubbling brews. Check out their training table menu and get the scoop on all the action in the “A” in this week’s Dish!

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.