#Foodgram of the Week: @atlantamagazine

Atlanta magazine has been buzzing about town since 1962, well before Instagram was the new hotness. Fortunately for us, Atlanta's trusted digest hasn't rested on its laurels; These days, the latest trends and happenings are only a click away. Check them out on Instagram at @atlantamagazine, then flip through more even more online.

Halloween Haunts Guests with Tricks and Treats at Atlanta Restaurants

Tricks and treats are lurking in the shadows. Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, inviting frightfully fun happenings to take place at Atlanta restaurants. They're offering up ghoulishly good times, so plan ahead...or else. 

Dance the night away with a guest DJ and spook-tacular food and drink specials as RA Sushi Bar Restaurant unmasks Boo Bash 2013 on Thursday, October 31 from 7 p.m. until close. You won't want to miss these monstrously good "Boo Bites," such as crispy Vampire Chicken with Japanese pumpkin, tossed in a sesame chili sauce and served over crispy ramen noodles ($8). Pair them with any of the "Potent Potions," like Grape Ghoulade made with Three Olives Grape Vodka ($6). Don't forget your costume because the top three winners will add a little magic to their night with a $100, $50 or $25 gift certificate to Ra Sushi. 

Chilling locals three days in a row is Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. The thrills begin Saturday, October 26 at 10 p.m. for a classic costume contest. The restaurant teams up with Jägermeister and entertains all night long while DJ Lion spins tunes and big prizes are awarded to the best-dressed individual and group costumes. To continue the week with a howling good time, join friends for scary movies and an on-site pumpkin-carving contest on Tuesday, October 29 at 8 p.m., sponsored by Terrapin and Jack Daniel's. Bring your creativity for a chance to win a cash prize, as well as Terrapin and Jack Daniel's swag. Thursday, October 31 wraps up the festivities with a Halloween Hangover party. Atkins Park screens the cult favorite "Rocky Horror Picture Show" and guests can pick their poison from -you guessed it- Terrapin and Jack Daniel's. 

Game-X in Downtown's Luckie Marietta District haunts guests with gaming visions on both safe and scary ground. Mask your munchies with delicious food and drinks while you compete in games like Dark Escape 4D. A mad man's sick and twisted game invites players to shoot their way out with weapons that he provides. Have no fear, this is all make believe...or is it? Just kidding. 

Be the first of your friends to sip the boo-rita elixir. All five locations of Tin Lizzy's Cantina have designs on spooky decorating, and the staff costumes up on October 25, 26 and 31. Ghouls and guys following the Scary Party Pub Crawl on October 25 will stop by the Midtown location! Are you feeling in the "spirit" yet? 

Ray's Restaurants Sponsors 12th Annual Derek Rackley Golf Classic on October 27-28

Sponsoring the 12^th annual Derek Rackley Golf Classic at Berkley Hills Country Club in Duluth on October 27 and 28, Ray's Restaurants will be sustaining golfers with good eats while they raise funds to help Fragile Kids Foundation. Ray's Restaurants and the R.A.C.K. Foundation have raised more than $450,000 for Fragile Kids since partnering in 2005. On Sunday night, participating golfers and celebrity golfers will be treated to a delicious pre-tournament dinner prepared on the Big Green Egg by Ray's chefs, spirited drinks created by Ray's, live music, a silent auction plus putting and chipping competitions. Monday morning registration begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. tee-off. Ray's will be there with pre-tee breakfast and midday lunch for golfers. Tournament tickets are $250 per person and may be purchased online.

Fragile Kids Foundation strives to create safer, healthier lives for children living with a wide range of diagnoses including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, mitochondrial disorder, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome and other genetic/traumatic injuries.

Taste of Atlanta 2013 Invites Foodies to Indulge October 25-27

Foodies, get your tummies and taste buds ready because it's almost time for the city's best eats fest. Taste of Atlanta heats up Midtown at Tech Square this Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27. You'll indulge in premier food, wine, beer and cocktails- just a few of our favorite things. We've got the dish on all the deets, so check out our blog post to find out more information. See you there. 

Seven Lamps' Kevin Bragg and Article 14's Arianne Fielder Interact with Cocktails at Sixth Annual AiMA Awards on October 23

 

AiMA stands for Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association. Established in 2008, the AiMA award program is dedicated exclusively to interactive marketing in the ATL (i.e. video, website, search, social media and mobile campaigns). Fittingly, "Made in the ATL" is this year's theme. Seven Lamps beverage manager Kevin Bragg maintains the local, interactive bent by mixing up generous amounts of his Mexican Prescription cocktail of tequila, Dancing Goats coffee, lime and vanilla at the sixth annual AiMA Awards on October 23. Bragg and Arianne Fielder of Article 14 are two of several Atlanta mixologists and chefs who will delight guests at the Buckhead Theatre during the 6-11 p.m. event.

"Foodies Show Heart" in Charity Sushi-Rolling Competition at RA Sushi

Atlanta's top food bloggers and media are rolling up for a good cause at the first-ever "Foodies Show Heart" charity sushi-rolling competition hosted by RA Sushi Bar Restaurant. The competition is sure the be fierce as contestants pair up with a RA Sushi chef to create and name their own signature roll at the Midtown restaurant on Thursday, October 24 from 7-9 p.m. Guests will sample the creations at the tasting event and allocate their token of approval to their favorite sushi roll. A live DJ and special food and drink pricing make this event even more spectacular. Once the votes are tallied up and a champion is crowned, their winning roll will join the menu for 30 days, and a portion of the proceeds from its sale will benefit the winner's charity of choice. Contestants participating and charities represented include: Chris Watkins ("eat. drink. repeat." blog) for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Sandy (Atlanta food blogger, "Bella Vivere" author) for Susan G. Komen; Da Vinci ("Your Life After 25" blog) for Wellspring Living; Mara Davis (co-host of "Atlanta Eats") for Ruffus Rescue; and Sonia Chopra (editor of "Eater Atlanta") for Camp Twin Lakes. Let the sushi games begin!

Tap into Beer, Food and Fun During Atlanta Beer Week Plus More in this Week's Dish

                             

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for beer! Celebrate Atlanta Beer Week with special dinners, craft drafts and more through Saturday, October 26 with some of the city’s favorite restaurants. The beer will also flow on Thursday, October 24 at RA Sushi's “Foodies Show Heart” charity event featuring local bloggers’ sushi creations. Stop by from 7-9 p.m. for a taste, and decide who you think rolls and who’s got to go. Plan out your week with these events and more in this week's Dish.

Local Restaurants Invite You to "Beer" Present for Atlanta Beer Week

Calling all brew lovers! Atlanta restaurants are toasting to limited-edition craft drafts, beer events, dinners and parties during the annual Atlanta Beer Week flowing through Saturday, October 26. Whether you live in Midtown, Virginia-Highland or another city patch, plenty of Atlanta's favorite joints want you to "beer" with them for the week's events. 

Red Hare Brewing Company hops on the four-course menu at Ford Fry's JCT. Kitchen & Bar on Wednesday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m. Reserve your seat at the table of pairings of buttermilk-marinated fennel and crunchy bread with Long Day Lager; Gangway-battered haddock paired with Gangway IPA; hickory-grilled lamb belly and spicy roasted roots with Watership Brown Ale; and apple tart with malted vanilla ice cream, pumpkin butter and granola paired with Forbidden Fruit. Only $60 per person. For reservations, call 404-355-2252.

Virginia-Highland celebrates at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar with a Fall Harvest Celebration on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30-11 p.m. Sailing to Denver will entertain the ears while à la carte food and Brewery Ommegang beer pairings entertain the palate. Also on the menu are limited-edition beer samplings like Scythe & Sickle, the extremely rare “Game of Thrones” Take the Black Stout and chef Andrew Smith's brew of choice, the the Hennepin. 

Pizza pies pair with a different brew for each night of the week at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs. Ommegang Seduction will be available all week. Other featured picks are New Holland Ichabod Pumpkin Ale on Tuesday, October 22; Mother Earth Old Neighborhood Oatmeal Porter on Wednesday, October 23; SweetWater Crank Tank on Thursday, October 24; and Terrapin Monk’s Revenge Belgian IPA on Friday, October 25.

No. 246 heats up Decatur on Wednesday, October 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy some Ping-Pong action and hop to the bar for Red Hare specials. One night not enough to drink your favorites? Red Hare appears on the menu at The Optimist in West Midtown to round up the week, including a special IPA "Hoptimist" cask and live music on the patio, on Saturday, October 26. 

October 22: Save the Snark for Another Day

Monday blues are almost done so you don't have an excuse to unleash the snark any longer. Leave the sarcasm and under-your-breath comments at home because tomorrow, October 22 is Snark Free Day. Take a moment to absorb this enlightening YouTube video, visit www.snarkfreeday.com or follow @jonathansnark on Twitter. Maybe you fall prey to oblivion or maybe you know your tongue delivers the S-word fairly often. Either way, tomorrow is dedicated to kindness and you should probably join... just sayin' (had to get one last snarky comment in). See you on the kind side! 

Pinteresting Potions to Celebrate Halloween

Forget the tricks, and treat your taste buds to a plethora of spooky spirits this Halloween. Pick Your Potion from one of the many chilling cocktails awaiting you on our Pinterest Board. Sip the mysterious Black Cat martini, Dead Man-Go, Ghostbuster or one of the other enchanting elixirs. Not for the faint of heart, these wicked libations are sure to haunt your sobriety. Dare to delight? 

Appetizing Aperture: White Wine-Braised Pork at The Mill Kitchen & Bar

The change of season calls for new palate pleasers. With a white wine-braised pork shank paired with roasted Georgia apples, buttered turnips and rutabaga with a red wine agrodolce ($20), The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell does not disappoint. The new fall menu offers a quintessential selection of southern favorites. Make a reservation today to enjoy the delicious dishes tonight. 

Tin Lizzy's Cantina Spices Up Mall of Georgia On November 15

The Mall of Georgia is already one of the premier shopping destinations in the country, but it's about to get a whole lot hotter when Tin Lizzy's Cantina opens its sixth location on Friday, November 15. Tin Lizzy's is bringing its menu of gourmet soft tacos, dips, fresh salads, hot skillets and an extensive list of margaritas, cocktails and beers to OTP fans in a 7,442 square-foot location complete with an outdoor patio. Since they'll be open daily for lunch, dinner and late-night dining, it's going to be the perfect spot to refuel during those marathon holiday shopping sessions.

King + Duke Named to Esquire's Best New Restaurants List

Courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee Photography

So, the King asked the Duke, "Did you see that we're included in Esquire magazine's list of Best New Restaurants of 2013?" With Joe Schafer at the helm of King + Duke's  24-foot hearth and Chrysta Poulos dishing out the desserts, we're sure the Duke and guests can both agree that this award is well-deserved. Add in a beverage program under the direction of Lara Creasy and you have a formidable team that Ford Fry has put together. Fry is no newcomer to this restaurant list -- The Optimist made last year's roster and was named "Restaurant of the Year." Congrats to the team at King + Duke!

Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails Creates Autumnal Dishes from On-site Garden

Give thanks to the season for providing another reason to explore the historic Crabapple district. Wine and dine over the new fall menu at Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails. Executive chef Derek Dollar creates perfect autumnal dishes from fresh seasonal ingredients courtesy of Milton's Acre. Debuting on the menu is a baby kale salad with crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans and dried cranberries; an herb-marinated plantation quail breast with apple butter, roasted parsnips, smoked bacon, toasted pecans and pomegranate molasses; Gorgonzola, country ham and rosemary fritters with bourbon peach jam; and applewood smoked pork shank accompanied by smoked Gouda and bacon grits, wilted mustard greens and green apple mignonette. Don't forget Milton's favorites such as Charleston crab bisque, Southern fried chicken, sesame-crusted mountain trout, sweet potato shrimp fritters and warm carrot cake. See you for dinner!   

Hit 'Em with Your Best Shot to Win the Marlow's Tavern Ribs & Whiskey Photo Contest

Photo by: Paul R. (Photo contest entry)

Food, cocktails, friends and good times await at Marlow's Tavern. Capture those unforgettable moments and upload them to the Marlow's Facebook page during the Ribs & Whiskey photo contest. During each week of Ribs & Whiskey, Marlow's will announce one winner on Facebook to receive a $25 gift card. On October 28, the grand-prize of two tickets to the New Year's Eve Widespread Panic concert at Philips Arena will be awarded to one lucky winner! You must be 21 or over to enter and the last day to submit entries is October 26. Good luck!

Special Olympics and No Kid Hungry Get Big Boost from Marlow's Tavern and Aqua blue

Guests and staff at Marlow's Tavern locations and Aqua blue Restaurant & Bar in Roswell have big hearts, and they're sharing the love with others in need. In September, the restaurants teamed up with Sterling Spoon Culinary Management to host the 15th annual Marlow's Tavern Golf Classic and raised $52,729.88 for Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA). Golf tournaments and restaurant openings have brought in more than $477,000 to SOGA since 1999, and Marlow's Tavern has been designated as a SOGA 2013 Statewide Platinum Partner. In September, Aqua blue and Marlow's Tavern locations held weeklong donation campaigns for Share Our Strength: No Kid Hungry. Each guest who made a donation received a $5 restaurant coupon for future use. Bottom line: $22,884.00 for the cause. Well done!

Snippy, Snappy or Snide Need Not Show Up: Snark Free Day, October 22

A day devoted to eliminating rude, harsh or sinister sarcasm, do you have what it takes? Join us on Tuesday, October 22 to celebrate Snark Free Day and find out what all the kindness is about. Snippy, snappy or snide need not show up. Often doled out at a high cost, snarky comments swarm conversations like bees ready to sting exactly where it hurts the most. Watch this YouTube video and see for yourself. Ouch. Convicting, right? Have no fear though, fellow snarksters, we're joining forces to eliminate the snark from the start of the day 'till its finish. What's the saying? If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all? Repeat this one more time for good measure. If you think you can't go an entire day without backfiring on your co-worker or leaking sarcasm into every conversation, visit www.snarkfreeday.com or follow @jonathansnark on Twitter for help. 

Atlanta Foodservice Expo Serves Delicious Success Stories from Ford Fry and Robby Kukler

They say if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. At the Atlanta Foodservice Expo next week, meet four foodservice and hospitality industry leaders responsible for bringing the heat to the kitchen. Hear their delicious success stories on launching some of Atlanta's most popular restaurants from 9-10 a.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center on Tuesday, October 22. Texan-turned-Georgia chef and managing partner of Rocket Farm Restaurants, Ford Fry, is the creative mind behind the delicious eats of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, King + Duke, No. 246 and The Optimist restaurants plus JCT.'s Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival for Georgia Organics and People's Food Truck. Does South City Kitchen, La Tavola Trattoria, Ecco, The Original El Taco, Alma Cocina and Lure ring a bell? Robby Kukler, co-founder and partner of Fifth Group Restaurants not only ensures the success of the group's operations, marketing and recruiting teams, but serves on the board of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Is there anything these culinary chiefs can't do? Join us and find out. 

Ride the Party Tide to The Big Ketch Third Anniversary Party Plus More in this Week's Dish

Tin Lizzy’s makes moves at Mall of Georgia on Friday, November 15. Treat yourself to delicious dips, tacos, margaritas and more at the new sixth location. Flex-Mex not your thing? Capture your favorite rib-tingling time at Marlow’s Tavern by entering the Ribs & Whiskey photo contest for a chance to win two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Widespread Panic concert. Celebrate these great eats, read about snark free tweets and more in this week’s Dish. 

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill Celebrates 3 Years with $3 Thrills

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill turns three this week and is celebrating with $3 food and drink specials through Thursday, October 17. Head to Atlanta's beachiest property and dig into a $3 hushpuppy basket or toss back $3 draft beers and specialty cocktails. The anniversary big bash makes landfall Thursday night from 5 p.m. until close, doling out a yummy $3 deal for three grilled garlic-parmesan oysters as well as $3 pricing on a Fireball shot, a glass of Montevina pinot grigio, draft beers, a Grey Goose strawberry-basil cooler or mango margarita. Dig the treasure trove of live music, giveaways and good times, and there’s no shelling out clams for a cover charge!

Article 14 and SkyLounge Please Palates at ACAC Art Party: Nourish

Nourish your appetite and prepare your taste buds for edible creativity because this year's Art Party: Nourish promises to be the mac-daddy gathering of the year on Saturday, October 19. The American Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) hosts the sense-stimulating party in celebration of its 40^th anniversary and the unveiling of its newly renovated facility. ACAC offers guests multi-media entertainment, open studios, art exhibits, food and craft cocktails. SkyLounge mixologists shake things up for party-goers, while Article 14 dishes out crowd palate pleasers. Tickets are $50/advance, $60/door and $25/members. For convenience, purchase tickets online now. 

Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails Sets the Final Table for Last Harvest Garden Dinner

 

Enjoy a night under the stars with luminaries and libations as Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails sets the table one last time for the final Harvest Garden Dinner. The historic Crabapple restaurant invites guests to relax in the tranquility as an autumn afternoon of hors d'oeuvre fades to a four-course seated dinner on Sunday, October 20 from 4-7:30 p.m. Take time to soak in the beauty of Milton's Acre and strawberry fields prior to dinner with an evening stroll with friends and other guests. Reserve your seat for this unique dining experience for $95 per person (excludes tax and gratuity) online before Milton's table is full. Call 678-431-8753 or email heather@miltonscuisine.com with any questions; rescheduled if raining. 

#Foodgram of the week: @bellavivere

Eat your way around and through Atlanta with @bellavivere as your virtual tour guide. This Instagrammer has a penchant for pretty cookies…remember this when holiday cookie decorating time rolls around. Living a beautiful food life and blogging at http://www.bellavivere.blogspot.com/.

Ray's Restaurants Host Fall Chef's Dinner October 10 and 11

Wine and dine your way through five delicious courses at Ray's on the River on Thursday, October 10 and Ray's on the Creek on Friday, October 11. Inspired by wines from Taste of the NFL, cabernet, chardonnay, zinfandel and prosecco are the starlets of the evening. Treat your palate to Big Green Egg-smoked oysters with cucumber mignonette served with La Marca Prosecco; Marcona almond-dusted striped bass with olive and roasted red pepper tapenade and parsnip purée paired with William Hill Bench Blend Chardonnay 2008; seared duck breast with sweet potato mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon served with William Hill Bench Blend Cabernet 2009; and braised brisket with wild mushroom bread pudding, rapini and bourbon jus paired with Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet 2008. Treat yourself with assorted cheeses and balsamic and fig ice cream for dessert accompanied by Louis Martini Gnarly Vine Zinfandel 2010. Tickets are $75 per person or $65 for Dining Club members. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Ray's on the River at 770-955-1187 or Ray's on the Creek at 770-649-0064. Come one, come all; we're wining to dine with you. 

Bantam + Biddy Celebrates First Anniversary with Fall Festival on October 13

We love farm-to-table restaurants, but we just found the next big thing: farm-to-festival! Help Bantam + Biddy celebrate its first anniversary with their fall festival on Sunday, October 13 in the Ansley Mall courtyard. Live music from Lily and the Tigers will be the soundtrack to a full afternoon of family fun. A bevy of local vendors such as  Nottingham Nector, Souvei, Riverview Farms, Tiny Buffalo, Deck Specks, Doux South, Capra Gia and Georgia Organics will be in attendance as well. The celebration begins at 11 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m., but the good times don't end there. Take a seat at Bantam + Biddy for a four-course prix fixe meal prepared by chefs Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere. The limited-seat dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., costs $50 per person and even includes a one-year Georgia Organics membership. For more information and to make a reservation, call 404-907-3469.

Gobble White Oak Pastures' Turkey Day Deals Now

'Tis the season for giving thanks and gobbling turkeys. Ensure you celebrate both with a delicious bird from White Oak Pastures. Starting now, pre-order small ($75), medium ($100) or large ($125) birds for your Thanksgiving meal. Reared on White Oak Pastures' certified organic pastures and rated a Step 5+ with the Global Animal Partnership, all poultry are Heritage Birds, American Standard Bronze and Black. Place your order online and have your turkeys delivered to your feast November 18-21.

Appetizing Aperture: Say Hola to the Three Amigos from Tin Lizzy's

  

There are plenty of tough decisions you have to make everyday. Should you hit the snooze button again? (Probably not, but you're going to anyway.) Do you want fries with that? (Ok, maybe that one doesn't count since the answer is always yes.) And a question that never fails to stump my group of friends: queso, salsa or guacamole? Fortunately, Tin Lizzy's offers a three amigos appetizer that comes with all three, saving us from the dilemma of having to pick just one. That way, we can spend more time deciding which margarita we're going to have next! 

Block Boring Eats with Pinteresting Game Day Favorites

It's almost the weekend again, and we're sending in our Pinteresting Game Day Favorites for the big game. Intercept your usual hamburgers and bagged chips for grilled pepper poppers and Maryland crab dip. Sure to be a touchdown with tailgating fans, the Commissioner's jambalaya and spinach artichoke dip mini bread bowls will make the crowd go wild with your victory. Block the boring treats and add creativity to your tailgate with a personalized cookie cake or other delicious desserts, too! The plays are endless on the food field. 

Cooking Off Some Chili This Saturday

 

MLA to Chef Drew: So, have you participated in a lot of chili cook-offs?
Drew: Nope.
MLA: Do you make a lot of chili?
Drew: Nope.
MLA: So, why are you in the Brookhaven Chili Cook Off this weekend?
Drew: Because it sounds like fun!

And that, my friends, is a great reason to attend this Saturday's Brookhaven Chili Cook Off. Head over and cheer for Chef Drew and his beginner's luck as Seven Lamps competes for votes from taste testers (like you) and celebrity judges at the festival in Brookhaven's warehouse district just north of Dresden Drive on Apple Valley Road. The short walk from Brookhaven MARTA will prep you for the taste fest and perhaps for some of the cold adult beverages available for purchase at this Beano bonanza running 11 a.m.-7 p.m. This family friendly event belongs on your radar with its three bands, kid zone, arts and crafts, cornhole and a hearty welcome for Fidos on leashes. What not to bring: outside food and coolers.Tickets, $5 in advance or $10 at the gate, carry entitlements of a spoon and unlimited chili tastings from noon-4 p.m. or whenever supplies run out. Proceeds benefit Atlanta Fundraising Foundation.

Here's to many more, Drew!

Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Battle for a Cure on Thursday, October 10

Thursday night means it's basically the weekend, right? Since we're in agreement on this and you need a fun and delicious activity now, head down to the historic Georgia Freight Depot for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Next Generation Celebration: Battle for a Cure restaurant competition on October 10. From 7-10 p.m. there's going to be a culinary showdown between JCT. Kitchen & Bar, King + Duke, No. 246, The Optimist, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant and more with the hopes of being named the champion that evening. Along with eating your way through all of the action and silent auction bidding, guests will experience an all-inclusive tasting with beer and wine for $75 ($36 tax deductible). All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction go back to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, so you'll be happy to know all that eating is for a great cause! Buy tickets online and prepare for the battle. More on Facebook.

"Like" the Buffalo Wild Wings Atlanta Airport Facebook Page

 

Add Facebook to all the things to "like" about the new Buffalo Wild Wings location in Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Which do you like more: Buffalo Wild Wings' oasis of big-screen football, 24 beers on tap, boneless wings with 24 sauces, sandwiches and even breakfast . . . or airport parking, security lines and baggage fees? Thought so. Let your "Like" shine on Facebook!

Georgia Aquarium Hosts Eighth Annual Aqua Vino with Water, Wine and Atlanta's Best Restaurants on October 10

Swimsuit weather may be long gone by now, but that doesn't mean it's too late to have some aquatic fun. Just visit the eighth annual Aqua Vino at the Georgia Aquarium on October 10 to mingle with friends, family and your favorite sea creatures, all while sampling from more than 200 global wines and incredible tastes from Atlanta's premier restaurants such as Article 14 and Glenn's Kitchen. Upscale live and silent auctions round out the evening's entertainment for the over-21 crowd. The main event fills the Oceans Ballroom, and guests are free to venture out to view Georgia Aquarium exhibits. Grand Tasting is $150 per person; VIP Tasting is $325 per person and adds 6 p.m. admission, red carpet arrival and media splash photo op with hosts plus access to the VIP lounge with exclusive wines and behind-the-scenes tours. Proceeds benefit Georgia Aquarium's whale shark conservation and research initiatives. This event is ages 21 and up only.

Experience a Food Lover's Dream at Taste of Atlanta Plus More in this Week's Dish

Fall means an abundance of food festivals and events around Atlanta. Whether it's the Cystic Fibrosis Next Generation Celebration: Battle for a Cure, Aqua Vino at the Georgia Aquarium or Taste of Atlanta, there is plenty of fun happening in the city. Check out all the other events and specials going on in this week's Dish! 

Buy Your Tickets Today for Taste of Atlanta October 25-27

No need to list your credentials, Taste of Atlanta. We know all about the legendary festival featuring over 90 restaurants and four live cooking stages. We dream about the VIP food-wine-cocktail experience all year long, so we're eagerly awaiting the culinary sprawl to take over Tech Square Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27. We're looking forward to the barcraft competition, the Big Green Egg Grilling Experience, the Family Food Zone, workshops, cookbook signings, silent auction and so much more. We'll be on the lookout for some of our favorite chefs and mixologists from participating restaurants such as Alma Cocina, Article 14, Der Biergarten, Glenn's Kitchen, Gunshow, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, King + Duke, Lure, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails, No. 246, The Optimist and Seven Lamps. A variety of ticket options are available online priced from $30 each on up. Buy now. Chances are there won't be leftovers.

Fall Three-Course Menus Arrive at Ray's Restaurants

Fall has arrived and the chefs at each of the Ray’s Restaurants locations have crafted a delicious three-course menu to celebrate the season. Each menu pairs gracefully with carefully selected wine recommendations and offers guests three choices to consider for appetizer, entrée and dessert. Available for a limited time, each menu is $29 per person; add $15 for wine pairings (excludes tax and gratuity). A quick peek at the menus reveals items such as fried green tomatoes, hazelnut-rolled pork tenderloin, smoked chili-chocolate bread pudding and white chocolate and pumpkin crème brûlée at Ray’s on the Creek; barbecued shrimp, a 10-ounce pork chop with maple bourbon whipped sweet potato and apple chutney, and chocolate-raspberry mousse cake at Ray’s on the River; and crab Rockefeller-stuffed mushroom, spicy tuna roll, barbecued Atlantic salmon, pumpkin cheesecake and apple cobbler at Ray’s in the City.