Appetizing Aperture: Ray’s Restaurants White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Photo by Timothy Thiel

As springtime approaches and Atlanta temperatures rise,  time is quickly running out for the chance to taste Ray’s Restaurants’ warm white chocolate bread pudding! This comforting bread pudding is prepared with a caramel anglaise and served alongside a cooling scoop of High Road burnt sugar ice cream. This dessert is served on  the three-course winter menu, but it won’t last long, so hurry in to Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek for a taste.

Taste Test Tin Lizzy's Taco Contest Finalists

Tin Lizzy's Cantina has selected the top taco finalists to move on to the final round of its annual taco contest. Taco-ficionados, it's all up to you now. Tin Lizzy's locations will feature a different taco finalist each week in March. The top-selling taco nabs a place on the menu plus $500 and 10 VIP passes to Tin Lizzy's Cinco de Mayo party for its creator. Gift cards go to second- and third-place winners. Tacos are $3.69. Terrapin drafts make choice compadres at $5, or pair up one contest taco and one Terrapin for $7.99. Taco finalists, cantina of origin and feature weeks are as follows: March 3-9 --The Green Machine by Abby Ruffner and Brittney Proper Grilled tilapia, lettuce, guacamole, cucumbers, green peppers and feta cheese topped with citrus lime vinaigrette. Pairs with Terrapin Golden. March 10-16 -- Cheese Too Pretty by Morgan Brasher and Hannah Dean Fried Buffalo shrimp in between cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, queso and goat cheese. Pairs with Terrapin Golden. March 17-23 -- Steak Out by Gabrielle Fleming Steak, crispy onion strings, lettuce, blue cheese crumbles and drizzled with garlic aioli. Pairs with Terrapin Rye. March 24-30 -- Big Island Taco by Mike Smith Fried chicken dressed with hot Hawaiian coleslaw, pineapple mango salsa and shredded coconut. Pairs with Terrapin Rye.

#Foodgram of the Week: @chocolatesouth

Enjoy some calorie-free browsing on the @chocolatesouth Instagram profile, where you’ll stay up to date on new creations by Amy Stankus. You won’t be able to resist the urge to venture into the brick and mortar location for a taste. Opt for a tea-infused bonbon for a twist on the classic candy.

Vote Atlanta for Best Convention City

It’s time to stuff that ballot box, Atlanta! Voting will close for 10Best’s and USA Today Travel’s Best Convention City award on Monday, March 10. Click here to vote once a day and share on Facebook and Twitter to turn Atlanta’s nomination into a sure thing. We know Atlanta is the place to be for any convention, with world-class dining, attractions and accommodations to boot! This week is your chance to make it known.

Atkins Park is 92 - Party Today

Ah, the Roaring 20s. What a great time to party. In case you missed the opening back in '22, be sure you don't miss the birthday tonight! Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in historic Virginia-Highland is Atlanta's oldest continuously licensed tavern. And when you're 92, you just keep doing what got you there - serving up more brews. Stop by, reminisce and celebrate tonight, March 5 at 6 p.m. Enjoy a limited open bar and tasting station and take home a complimentary anniversary T-shirt. Only 8 more years til they are 100!

Gather the Krewe for Mardi Gras Revelry Plus More in this Week's Dish

Les bons temps are rolling through the streets of Atlanta, culminating in the biggest party night of the year. We have the inside scoop on all of the hottest restaurants to hit for tonight's Fat Tuesday celebration. The party doesn't stop there - Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland commemorates its 92nd anniversary on Wednesday, March 5 with a limited open bar, tasting station and complimentary t-shirts. Meanwhile, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown blows out the candles for its fourth anniversary and is offering up $4 milkshakes, $4 cobblers and more from 5-11 p.m. through Thursday, March 6. Let the revelry begin with this week's Dish!

Let the Good Times Roll Across Atlanta Today for Mardi Gras

Today is Fat Tuesday, and we're not about to miss out on the opportunity to live it up on one of the greatest days of the year for foodies. Honor the occasion with all of the food, frivolity, sweets and spirit(s) of a NOLA native. These Atlanta establishments are doing just that!

Call it Mardi Gras or call it Fat Tuesday. Either way, the annual day of decadence before Lent has "all you can eat and drink" written all over it. 10^th & Piedmont is more than happy to oblige on Tuesday, March 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. They're coupling an all-you-can-eat low country boil and an all-you-can-drink deal on select premium beers. Local singer/songwriter James Patrick Morgan performs. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.  

The Fat Tuesday celebration at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland promises a full day of beads, beers (including Abita Restoration), hurricanes, oysters, gumbo, king cake and po'boys. Go ahead, parade down Highland Avenue with your krewe.

Mardi Gras knows (almost) no time constraints at Marlow's Tavern locations, where Bayou 'n Bourbon emphasizes New Orleans tastes through March 31. Fill up on "Mo' Betta" specials such as roasted chicken and shrimp gumbo, fiery spice lump crab cake, Honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread, N'awlins-style po'boy, a Bayou burger packing andouille sausage and crispy crawdads, deconstructed jambalaya and Sweet Bourbon St. rib-eye steak ($6.50-$26). Jack Daniel's Honey douses the honey bourbon bread pudding ($7). Marlow's upholds Bourbon Street's beverage traditions and spins its own twists: the (not Pat's) Marlow's hurricane jazzes up Pat O'Brien's recipe with Bacardi Light rum and a floater of 151, and Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade and a Cajun cosmo are just as heady ($8-$9.50). Louisiana "home brew" Abita Restoration and malty Abita Amber pair perfectly with all things Cajun ($5.50); Sokol Blosser Evolution from Oregon keeps wine lovers in the loop ($11/$44).

Are your feet on Bourbon Street, NOLA or in Ray's in the City on Peachtree Street, ATL? Ray's in the City plants Mardi Gras merrymaking right into the heart of downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, March 4. From 5-8 p.m., Ray's in the City rocks the Mardi Gras vibe with fun drink specials, live music and Cajun-inspired appetizers. Bust out your gold, purple and green beads! It's time to party hearty, and there's no cover charge.

If clamoring that Cajun-French expression "Laissez les bons temps rouler" or "let the good times roll" sends visions of rich and round bonbons twirling through your head, roll right into Chocolate South. The artisan chocolate shop on Atlanta's Westside is crafting Mardi Gras sweets. Key lime balls are as colorful as Mardi Gras beads, and Kona coffee with Gran Marnier beauties look a bit like the fleur de lis worn by the New Orleans Saints, don't you think? These tasty baubles are a steal at $3 each.

Pizza with Punch: Hearth Pizza Tavern Unveils Signature Cocktail Menu

Pink Sea Breeze at Hearth Pizza Tavern

Wash down a slice of the Ring of Fire pizza or any pie with one of Hearth Pizza Tavern’s new signature cocktails. For a summertime sip, try the Darker & Stormier, a refreshing blend of Myer’s dark rum, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, ginger beer and fresh lime juice. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, we recommend Hearth’s chocolate martini, which features a combination of amaretto, Kahlua Midnight, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Razzmatazz, cola, cream and chocolate syrup ($8). If a Manhattan is more your style, Hearth’s White Manhattan is a safe bet with a twist — think a dash of Luxardo Maraschino liqueur mixed with American Spirit Whiskey and Bianco vermouth ($10). Any cocktail you choose will start you off on the right foot or help you wind down your meal at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs.

Chow Down on HOBNOB $4 Anniversary Specials B4 They're Gone

HOBNOB's official anniversary was on Sunday, and the Midtown hot-spot celebrated accordingly. But they love their neighbors and friends so much that they're not letting the fun stop there. Four is a big number, so the anniversary specials continue through the week. Gobble up the good deals while you can: $4 milkshakes, $4 cobblers, $4 Tavern burgers and $4 SweetWater 420s from 5-11 p.m. Hurry in now until Thursday, March 6!