Appetizing Aperture

Glistening under a SweetWater Blue-honey barbecue glaze, HOBNOB baby back ribs are the ultimate finger food. Be gentle, the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. Keep one hand on the fork to spear every morsel of rib mates jalapeño mac and cheese, garlic green beans and the onion ring, which is way too big for your finger ($16). Offered after 5 p.m. on the dinner menu.

Father’s Day is June 21. Atlanta Restaurants Do Dad Proud

Day in, day out, dads are do-gooders. Flip the tables and give them a day off from manning the grill, smoking pork butts and mowing the lawn by tying an Atlanta restaurant experience onto the Father’s Day tree.

Land or sea? Dad nets both at Aqua blue in Roswell. Choose the Aqua blue Surf & Turf featuring grilled N.Y. strip and tempura shrimp with potato au gratin, asparagus and natural glaze ($32) or the prix fixe menu of fresh lobster salad, Aqua blue Surf & Turf and house-made bread pudding ($38). Available only on June 21; no substitutions or combinations with other offers. 770-643-8886.

Paleo papas are ravenous for the Father’s Day Meat Lover’s Cook Out ($22.95 per person) at 10th and Piedmont and G’s Midtown. A streetside grill turns out a churrascaria-style all-you-can-eat lineup with mouthwatering options such as bourbon-marinated flank steak with chimichurri; artisanal sausage; Sweetwater Blue barbecue chicken; Southern-style dry-rub pork tenderloin; and slow-roasted barbecue pulled pork. Includes sides. Regular à la carte brunch menu available. 404-602-5510.

“Herr” and now, Der Biergarten is offering its Konig Ludwig platter, which serves six, for $75 (normally $98). Feed the family with this hearty assortment of Jägerschnitzel, Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinshaxe, four sausages, sauerbraten, potato salad, sauerkraut, braised red cabbage and spätzle. No substitutions. 404-521-2728.
 
FLIP Burger boutique pulls dad off grill duty this Sunday, offering a FL-IPA and the manly rBQ burger of angus beef, pulled brisket, coleslaw, rBQ sauce and smoked mayo for $12 on Father’s Day. Available at all FLIP locations.

Would dad fix chicken-fried lobster at home? Why try when MAX's Wine Dive masters the dish, along with father-friendly specials like steak and eggs and innovative bar food. And then there’s MAX’s superior wine list. 404-249-0445.

Just north of the ATL in historic Crabapple, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails’ chef Derek Dollar presents a Father’s Day brunch menu -- think chicken and waffles, blackened Atlantic salmon, shrimp and grits -- from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $32 per person for adults and $16 per person for children 12 and younger. Cap dad’s day with a dinner celebration. Reserve a table and enjoy the regular menu plus "meat-tacular" features such as bone-in rib-eye and pork chops between 5-9 p.m. 770-817-0161.

Switch up the traditional Father’s Day grill out and experience authentic sushi and seafood; no passport required! RA Sushi has your Father’s Day all planned out. From open to close on Father’s Day Sunday celebrate dad with cocktails, great food, and good conversation!
 
Ray’s Restaurants fills dad’s love tank, morning, noon or night. Ray’s on the River offers a brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($39.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids ages 5 to 10), and its regular dinner menu from 5-9 p.m. 770-955-1187.Ray’s at Killer Creek sets out its signature brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($29.95 for adults, $15.95 for kids 5 to 10), along with its regular dinner menu (5-9 p.m.). 770-649-0064. Ray’s in the City offers special à la carte brunch, lunch and dinner menus from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 404-524-9224.

Finally, let chef Kevin Gillespie’s Terminus City experts chop the pork butt this weekend and bag a signature Father’s Day barbecue package to go (feeds 4-6). Includes 2 pounds of barbecue pork, 1 pint of Revival potato salad, 1 pint of shaker-style coleslaw, 6 chocolate chip cookies, 6 sandwich rolls, barbecue sauce and pork cracklings. Pay $50 for food alone or $75 to include a personalized copy of Gillespie’s new cookbook, “Pure Pork Awesomeness.” Orders must be received by Tuesday, June 16, at midnight to ensure availability. Cookbook buyers, include name for personalization. Place order: 404-380-1886 or emailterminuscity@gunshowatl.com. Pick up orders Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at Gunshow.

Catch Lobsters at the Creek: Maine Lobsters Move onto Ray’s at Killer Creek Summer Menu

Nab this summer special before it scoots away! Ray’s at Killer Creek plates a 1.25-pound whole Maine lobster with drawn butter and your choice of both a salad and a side dish for $24.95. Ray’s handles the hard part, catching and cooking. The luxuriously succulent meat is all yours. Lobsters claw their way south from Alpharetta to join the menus at Ray’s on the River and Ray’s in the City in July. (Subject to availability; tax and gratuity not included.)

Matthew Ridgway Returns to Atlanta as Executive Chef at Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman

A nationwide search to fill the dual role of executive chef for Southern Proper Hospitality restaurants Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman turned up someone who is already familiar with Atlanta -- chef Matthew Ridgway. Having cheffed in New York City, Philadelphia and France, Ridgway is ecstatic to return to Atlanta where he has already unpacked his own simple style, diverse techniques, passion for teamwork and immense desire to create memorable dining experiences for guests. Backstory, Ridgway worked under chef Joel Antunes at JOËL and served as sous chef of Pricci and Veni Vidi Vici before moving to NYC to re-open New York’s Oak Room as chef de cuisine. He later made his own mark on the culinary map, creating his own restaurant The Pass as well as Porcsalt, a charcuterie. Trained at Johnson & Wales in Providence, Rhode Island, Ridgway counts as a mentor chef Jean-Marie Lacroix, whom he worked with at The Fountain Room in Philadelphia’s Four Seasons Hotel and Lacroix at the Rittenhouse in Philadelphia. Ridgway credits Chef Lacroix with sending him to France to hone his skills at George V, a Michelin three-star restaurant in Paris, and Le Relais Sainte Victoire in Aix-en Provence. Long story short, Ridgway is home and he welcomes Atlantans to join him soon at the Buckhead Atlanta restaurants.

Top Toques Tell All at ATL industree Heart of the House June 29

Trials. Tribulations. Even though life behind the kitchen doors is no Easy Bake Oven, local chefs and restaurateurs are fired up about their field. Six of Atlanta’s #bestinthebusiness will convene at the ATL industree Heart of the House on Monday, June 29, to chew the fat about their F & B treks. Gerry Klaskala, owner and chef of Aria, moderates a panel discussion for these culinary veterans to share “war” stories about persevering, overcoming obstacles, building their brands and striving to be the best. Panelists include Todd Rushing (Concentrics), Robby Kukler (Fifth Group), Nick Leahy (Saltyard), Zeb Stevenson (Watershed), Terry Koval (Wrecking Bar), and Imani Greer (Seven Lamps). The event squeezes in between lunch and dinner hours, from 2-5 p.m., at The Marianna in Little Five Points. Buy tickets online, priced at $10 for current culinary and hospitality students, $20 for F & B industry “insiders,” and $40 for the general public. A portion of the ticket sales goes to The Giving Kitchen to assist those in Atlanta’s restaurant and hospitality industries who are struggling under the weight of health or life crises. 

Are They Tough Enough to Go Raw? Ward and Walk are A-Team for Monday Night Raw June 15

Executive chefs Layla Walk of Last Word and Joey Ward of Gunshow prove their mettle on the mat during “Monday Night Raw” at Last Word on June 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. Employing knives and a cutting mat, instead of punches over a wrestling mat, the two will knock out a selection of raw items -- from crudos to ceviches to tartares -- and offer them Gunshow-style in the dining room. Guests will stay on the edge of their seats, crooning to see what’s next from the two pros. On the B-Team (“B” for behind-the-bar), Gunshow cocktail cart conductor Mercedes O’Brien and Last Word beverage director Cole Younger Just churn out craft cocktail hits. WWE may corner RAW on TV, but these are some  raw and real live action crowd pleasers, right here, in the ATL. Reservations suggested; call 404-343-1274 for more information.

Crowing about a Good Cause: Bantam + Biddy Avalon Give Back Night Aids North Fulton Community Charities June 15

“Together we can help” is the North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) motto. Bantam + Biddy Avalon is reaching out to its North Fulton neighbors, asking them to come together to dine out to benefit the restaurant’s give back night partner on Monday, June 15. The charitable organization will receive 10 percent of restaurant proceeds after 5 p.m. NFCC assists over 5,000 families, providing food, clothing vouchers, financial aid and classes designed to help these North Fulton residents move forward to financial stability and self-sufficiency. 

Dine Al Fresco in Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails Garden Dinner June 14

Put this event on your “Honey, be there” list -- the monthly Garden Dinner at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails on Sunday, June 14. Only butterflies alight closer to the veggies at this true seed-to-table dining experience in historic Crabapple. Chef Derek Dollar and his crew plant tablescapes amid the peas and beans of Milton’s Acre -- a source of garden-fresh produce and herbs for Dollar’s four-course dinner with wine pairings. Arrive at 5 p.m. for a reception with hors d’oeuvre, libations and a garden tour led by resident grower Peter Kohm then settle in for a communal meal as the sun sets and stars rise. If this month’s off the table, zero in on future dates: July 19, August 23, September 20 or October 11. $125 per person (includes tax and gratuity). Purchase tickets online. More information? Call 770-817-0161. 

Meet Nature’s Harmony Farms Owners and Head Cheesemaker at Article 14 Monthly Cheese Dinner June 10

Nature’s Harmony Farm owners Mark and Julie Schoen roll their handmade artisanal cheeses into Article 14 for the Midtown restaurant’s monthly cheese dinner on Wednesday, June 10. The two are leaving their Elberton, Ga. farm that afternoon to open the evening at 6:30 p.m. and present an overview of their Old World-style craft. Head cheesemaker Turner Reynolds knows the “whey” and he’ll be there to answer questions and discuss the various cheeses featured in the night’s four-course dinner with wine pairings. You’ll want to be there to savor appetizers of bacon-wrapped dates with Elberton Blue, pimento cheese fritters with Clothbound Cheddar, cheddar cheese straws and ditalini macaroni and cheese bites with Cherokee Rose and Clothbound Cheddar. A seasonal salad transitions into roasted Fatback Pig Project pork tenderloin with Elberton Blue, figs and port wine served with wilted Bloomsdale spinach and cheese biscuits. Apricot tart, Elberton Blue and local honey deliver sweet closure. Reservations: 404-443-8432.

Creative Juices Flow during Canvas by U Art Wednesday Night at 10th & Piedmont June 10

You’ve bottled up your inner artist far too long. Let loose and PYOB (Paint Your Own Bottles) at 10th & Piedmont. Canvas by U will lead an Art Wednesday class on June 10 from 7-9 p.m., guiding potential Rembrandts and van Goghs, brush stroke by stroke, through the completion of a wine bottle still life on canvas. $25 per person covers art supplies and class. We suggest dispelling any palette anxiety by priming with a specialty cocktail or glass of wine. Order dips, dabs, drinks and anything else that floats your fancy from the 10th & Piedmont menu at an additional charge. This is not a BYOB painting venue. Because creating a masterpiece requires a little prep work, you’ll need to reserve your seat before 4 p.m. on June 10 and arrive by 6:45 p.m. to gather paints. Class begins promptly at 7 p.m. 

Follow FIFA Women’s World Cup Action at Der Biergarten and STATS through July 5

Follow FIFA Women’s World Cup action like the Germans do -- congregating around outdoor screens in plazas or beer gardens. Der Biergarten, a block off Centennial Park in Atlanta’s Luckie Marietta District, broadcasts FIFA action through July 5 on multiple flat screens strategically placed throughout its indoor/outdoor beer garden. When the action becomes heated, cool off with Konig Ludwig Hefeweizen, specially priced at $9 a liter. Those following every kick, dive and goal will work up an appetite that only Zigeuner schnitzel, the schnitzel of the month, will defray. The lightly breaded pork is served with a red sauce made with mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers. With views, food and beer, flag Der Biergarten as your Atlanta FIFA fortification station.

Seventy high definition viewing screens capture every play and replay at nearby STATS. Buckets loaded with five Budweiser longneck bottled beers are $14 -- great teammates for a field of American food favorites. 

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It’s not summer in the South without a platter of Deliciously Deviled Eggs beaming up from the buffet spread at outdoor barbecues and potluck picnics. Hardboiling, chilling and filling the eggs ahead of time frees the cook to socialize rather than slave away last minute in a hot kitchen. Egg-strapolating some easy new fillings from our board -- spicy Sriracha-style, beet and avocado dollops, Buffalo blue cheese, dill and goat cheese, curry, shrimp, crabmeat and bacon. Want more? Cutesy deviled eggs decked out as owls or hatching chicks will walk off the table in an instant.

#Foodgram

EOO Jimmy S. is the sole provider for the Jwsobeck Instagram page as well as for Eat It, Atlanta. EOO stands in for Eats Out Often, which Jimmy accomplishes with aplomb, capturing the moments through the wonders of phone photography. Follow his adventures and vents as well as some darn cute pics of his little guy. 

Appetizing Aperture

Whatever your zodiac sign, G’s Midtown has a star-struck zodiac cocktail to match and priced at $10 each. If your birthday falls between May 21 and June 20, you’re a Gemini. “The Twins,” as they’re often referred to, show both creative and intellectual tendencies and dual personalities -- kind of like G’s Gemini specialty cocktail that exhibits a positive balance of Deep Eddy Grapefruit vodka and Deep Eddy Lemon vodka.

Why the Grass is Greener: White Oak Pastures Pastured Poultry Workshop June 13

Take a gander at what the broilers, laying hens, guineas and ducks are doing to stay healthy, happy and busy at White Oak Pastures by attending the Pastured Poultry Workshop on Saturday, June 13. At 9 a.m., during the cool of the morning, tour the poultry fields to scratch the surface of pastured practices and see the farm’s mobile housing for 60,000 broilers and 9,000 layers. The tour then shifts to the Animal Welfare Approved, zero-waste abattoirs where humane processing takes precedence over volume. Escape the midday heat by lunching in the covered Pavilion then settling into lecture time from 1-3 p.m. Dig deeper into topics such as brooding, nutrition, pasture raising, processing, egg production, what has worked for the farm and what White Oak Pastures seeks to improve. $80 per person, includes lunch. Class size limited to 25. Reserve a spot online or call 229-641-2081.

Article 14 Monthly Cheese Dinner Presents Nature’s Harmony Farm Handmade Cheeses June 10

Article 14 spreads the word on Georgia cheesemaker Nature’s Harmony Farm at this month’s cheese dinner on Wednesday, June 10. Using Old World techniques, the farm handcrafts cheeses that earn global recognition here in the home state and as far away as England and South Africa on championship circuits. The Elberton farm first forayed into artisanal cheesemaking in 2010. Taking time to hand stir and hand hoop the raw milk cheeses and letting them age slowly and develop natural rinds turns out the distinctive cheeses guests will savor during Article 14 executive chef Chris Blobaum’s four-course dinner with wine pairings. An American Cheese Society certified cheese expert will be at the dinner to answer questions. $45 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations: 404-443-8432.

Bantam + Biddy Ansley Give Back Night Helps Lost-n-Found Youth June 8

Monday’s coming around again, and those leftovers aren’t going anywhere fast. Clean out the fridge another night. Instead, wing it to Bantam + Biddy Ansley Mall on Monday, June 8 where Lost-n-Found Youth will receive 10 percent of Bantam + Biddy proceeds for orders placed after 5 p.m. Lost-n-Found Youth is Atlanta’s only non-profit organization dedicated to providing safety and shelter to homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth ages 13-25. For this tasty multitasking meal, pick your poultry -- rotisserie chicken, fried chicken tenders with wasabi honey, fried chicken and cheddar waffles or rotisserie chicken on powerful salads. Go for meatloaf made from White Oak Pastures’ grass-fed beef, or if you maintain a meatless Monday tradition, choose a fresh vegetable plate or penne pasta with San Marzano tomatoes, veggies and basil. Solo, duo, family -- there’s a place for everyone here. 

Ride On! Annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride is the Wheel Thing on June 7

Did you heed the call? A couple of weeks ago, we mapped out the details for the annual Warren Bruno Summerfest Celebration Ride coming up this Sunday, June 7. Time for the rubber to hit the road to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and to remember Warren Bruno, owner of the flagship Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Bruno’s beloved “VA-HI” and Ormsby’s founder. Consider the family friendly cruise a warm up for the day’s Virginia-Highland Summerfest activities. Get a handle on all the info on our Atlanta Dish blog. 

Dave Berry of Bellina Alimentari among WonderFarm Dinner Chefs at Ponce City Market June 6

In a twist on the farm-to-market theme, WonderFarm highlights the kinship of Atlanta’s local farm, food, art and community at Ponce City Market on Saturday, June 6 from 7-11 p.m. The benefit for WonderRoot and Community Farmers Markets affords guests a sneak preview of the extensively renovated and not-yet-open-to-the-public Midtown landmark. WonderFarm appeals to all five senses. Delicious aromas and mouthwatering bites greet guests at the cocktail reception and seated dinner, courtesy of Bellina Alimentari executive chef Dave Berry and a slew of top culinary and mixology talent. Interactive demonstrations, performances and art installations complete the picture, punctuated by live and silent auctions. Event tickets are $250 per person or $3,500 for a table of 10. Ponce City Market is home turf for Bellina Alimentari, which opens late summer in the market’s Central Food Hall. With a market, eatery, wine bar and culinary club, Bellina Alimentari will be the place to find Italian provisions, sip Italian wines and savor healthy, Tuscan-inspired dishes created from fresh, locally sourced ingredients (such as those from White Oak Pastures, Brasstown Beef and Many Fold Farms). Catch glimpses of this Italian beauty and follow the progress on Facebook. 

Smokebelly BBQ Rocks the Cure at SweetWater Brewery June 6

Smokebelly BBQ had so much fun doling out a whole hog’s worth of roasted meat at its first birthday celebration last week that the Buckhead barbecue joint is rolling its succulent smoked meats and American eats into another good-time event -- Rock the Cure at SweetWater Brewery on Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The annual brews and blues event overflows with a continuous pour of local brews, mouthwatering eats, live music and ooh- and aah-generating raffle prizes, all to benefit the Georgia Chapter of JDRF. Rock the Cure has raised more than $400,000 for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research since holding its first event at SweetWater in 2007. Eighty-five percent of those with T1D are adults, prompting the non-profit research organization to shorten “Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation” to JDRF to better reflect its “all ages, all stages” commitment to curing T1D. Buy tickets online; general admission $50, VIP $75. Prior commitment that night? Rock those donations online anytime.

Wake Up Call: 10th & Piedmont and G’s Midtown Turn the Tables on Tuesdays, Serve Breakfast for Dinner

10th & Piedmont and G’s Midtown wake up Tuesday nights by offering Breakfast for Dinner -- especially nice for those who are flat out overcommitted on weekends. From 5-10 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, the entire brunch menu and $6 sangria are on at these two Midtown gathering spots. That means the Southwestern sunrise burrito, vegetable panini, Southern-style steak Benedict, 10P Salad, 10P signature chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, garden omelet, Morningside burger, the Feel Good Plate and the rest of the brunch bonanza is all “fare” game. For the record, the dinner menu is not an option during the Breakfast for Dinner special. Pajamas and fuzzy slippers? Wouldn’t go that far...but that’s your call. Information: 404-602-5510.

Twin Smokers BBQ Monthly Meat & Greet Welcomes Brasstown Beef and Gum Creek Farms on June 4

When was the last time you grilled a local cattle farmer? Asked questions about raising Berkshire pigs or Angus and Braunvieh beef cattle? Chased the conversation with meaty samples testifying to these extraordinary meats, raised nearby without added hormones or antibiotics? Twin Smokers BBQ comes through as your meaty mentor, hosting its monthly Meat & Greet night on Thursday, June 4. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., meet farmers from Gum Creek Farms, located southwest of Atlanta, and Brasstown Beef, a few hours north in Brasstown, North Carolina -- and savor morsels of their naturally raised meats. The Luckie Marietta District restaurant with a passion for regionally inspired meats and barbecue styles beefs up the evening even more with great specials. Carve out more information by calling 404-698-4707. 

T. Fable Jeon Shakes and Stirs as Director at New Himitsu Lounge

Parched on Peachtree? Relief is coming -- straight up. Atlanta cocktail artisan T. Fable Jeon takes the shaker as director of Himitsu, the upscale Japanese-inspired lounge from the team behind Umi in Buckhead. Jeon will oversee and execute creative director Shingo Gokan’s signature beverage program. Catch a glimpse of the pimento-stuffed-cocktail-olive-speared-with-a-plastic-cocktail-sword-pic tattoo on the forearm of this cocktail craftsman as he pours Japanese showmanship, Southern culture and classic American barkeeping into his shaker. His handiwork has already stimulated area cocktail culture at Sound Table, The Pinewood Tippling Room and Guy Wong’s Le Fat. Tattooed arm aside, it’s no wonder Beverage Media magazine name Jeon one of 10 Mixologists to Watch in 2011. 

The Carnitas Shreds FLIP burger-ito of the Month

FLIP burger boutique refuses to confine tender pork carnitas to tacos, tamales and burritos. Not even an option at the burger boutique where The Carnitas carries head-hauncho status as June’s “burger of the month” ($14). The specially seasoned pork patty sits atop cilantro-lime mayo, crowned with shredded pork carnitas and green tomato ketchup. Shredded cabbage, pickled red onions and cilantro sprigs are the three amigos alongside the bun-bound burger. 

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Cuisine from Around the World is a veritable passport on a plate. Venture north for Canadian poutine, south for Aussie party pies and Brazilian brigadeiro (chocolate truffles), east to Chinese cha siu bao (BBQ pork buns) then westward, ho, for an In-N-Out copycat burger. Ireland? Baileys Irish Cream pound cake. Greece? Easy chicken gyro and tzatziki sauce. India? Crock-Pot Indian lentils. Get the picture? Not a bad idea -- snapshots for a vacation victuals photo album before these culinary landmarks disappear. 

Appetizing Aperture

Lunch with Mark Twain. The Southern Gentleman is his usual Atlanta lunch spot -- his larger-than-life portrait watches over the lunch crowd at the gastropub on Buckhead Atlanta’s top floor. Bet he’s wishing he could jump out of the canvas for modern versions of Southern beloveds such as this Low Country shrimp boil with spiced andouille sausage, corn on the cob, sweet onions and fingerling potatoes ($16). He’s so jealous of y’all, sipping classic Southern cocktails by the seersucker-curtained windows and lunching there Monday through Sunday on pimento beer cheese and cracklings, field lettuces with crispy black-eyed peas and grilled peaches, lacquered Virginia duck breast or crispy fried shrimp and oysters on a baguette with house-made hot sauce. Fiction? No, siree. Delicious reality, every day.

#Foodgram

Be your own seasonally driven chef, aided and abetted by Garnish & Gather. Pick a chef-created recipe from their weekly repertoire, and G & G gathers the ingredients, includes the 30-minutes-‘til-done recipe with cooking techniques and packages all for pick up at one of many designated Atlanta pick-up points or throw in some extra dough for home delivery. Garner a glimpse of their photos, and you’ll say, “Sign me up!”

Shout Out to Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, TripAdvisor 2015 Certificate of Excellence Winner

Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails is a winner of a 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence thanks to consistently great reviews form TripAdvisor travelers. Executive chef Derek Dollar and his staff have a shout out as well -- a heartfelt “THANKS” to everyone who has dined at Milton’s and shared how much they enjoyed their meal at the seed-to-table restaurant in historic Crabapple.

Stem Wine Bar Hosts Five-Course Wine Dinner Featuring New Zealand’s Esk Valley Estate June 11

Stem Wine Bar on the upside of the Perimeter in Marietta, showcases Esk Valley Estate, a boutique winery from down under in New Zealand at a five-course wine dinner with pairings on Thursday, June 11 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Esk Valley Estate senior winemaker Gordon Russell travels northward for the evening to discuss the wines paired with Stem chef/owner Doug Turbush’s sumptuous spring menu. Pairings include yellowtail hamachi with grapefruit, ginger, kaffir lime and toasted sticky rice served with 2013 Esk Valley sauvignon blanc; crispy stuffed squash blossoms filled with house-made ricotta, nasturtium and salsa verde paired with 2012 Esk Valley Hawkes Bay chardonnay; pan-roasted Carolina quail with Carolina Gold rice and Sea Island red pea griddle cake with pepper jelly alongside Villa Maria Taylors Pass pinot noir; Wagyu beef short rib romesco with pinot noir onions and chanterelles served with Reserve pinot noir; and dessert of chocolate ganache tarte with Bing cherries and pistachio ice cream enjoyed with 2012 Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels red blend. Reserve and purchase seats in advance, $119 per person (includes tax and gratuity). 

Willy’s Mexicana Grill Unwraps #SummerOfWillys $20K or 20 Days of Giving Anniversary Celebration

Gold for 50th, silver for 25th. Twenty-year anniversary? $20K of green. On June 1, Willy’s Mexicana Grill kicks off #SummerOfWillys, a season-long 20th anniversary celebration, by presenting a $5 Willy’s coupon to customers who donate to Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Through the $20K or 20 Days fundraiser, Willy Bitter, founder and namesake of Willy’s Mexicana Grill, flips the gifting to support the community that has kept Atlanta’s first burrito restaurant in the forefront for 20 years. The goal is to raise $20,000 for Positive Sprouts, the Boys & Girls Clubs’ healthy-eating initiative, in 20 days or less. When guests stop in for Willy’s fresh-made favorites like the popular new Baja burrito or Frito burrito, they can add a $5 donation to their tab. In return, they’ll receive a $5 cash coupon to use on their next visit. The fundraiser runs through June 20 at Atlanta- and Athens-area Willy’s locations. Coupon expires July 12, 2015 and is valid at all locations except Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 

Bantam + Biddy Crescent Avenue Supports Georgia Conservancy through Giveback Night June 1

Since frying up its first chicken, Bantam + Biddy has drawn from local and regional sources for produce, products and all-natural, pastured poultry. The Crescent Avenue location of this community-oriented eatery is hatching a way to give back to a like-minded organization, the Georgia Conservancy. After 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 10 percent of restaurant proceeds will go to this foundation that strives to protect Georgia’s natural resources by advocating environmental policies, sustainable growth practice and common-ground solutions to environmental challenges. 

Outsmart Pests After Attending White Oak Pastures’ Organic Pest Management Workshop May 30

Oh, bother. Seems those nasty pests love lazy summer days as much as you do. Learn the basics of integrated pest management at White Oak Pastures’ Organic Pest Management Workshop on Saturday, May 30. Identify nasty garden pests, discover how to prevent the voracious villains from establishing residency in your small veggie garden or larger farm, review commercial and homemade solutions and see how beneficial insects fit into the mix. Already bugged by pests? Bring insect damage examples from your home garden for identification and eradication suggestions. A farm tour opens the day at 10 a.m., and the workshop wraps up around 4:30 p.m. with lunch in the Pavilion filling the noon hour. Class size limited to 20 participants. $65 per person, includes lunch. Reserve a spot online or call 229-641-2081.

Smokebelly BBQ Barrels Past One-Year Mark with Anniversary Shindig May 30

A year has blown by faster than smoker clouds for Smokebelly BBQ, and the Buckhead barbecue joint is cueing up an anniversary party Saturday, May 30. They’re roasting a whole hog and divvying out portions for free from 3-4 p.m. (while grub lasts). Toss back drink specials such as $3 Curious Traveler Shandy and Angry Orchard drafts and $4 specialty cocktails throughout the afternoon and evening. Games, giveaways and live music continue the festivities until 12:30 a.m. On the patio, Anthony Crane strums out acoustic tunes from 5-7 p.m., and Bluegrass Flashmob Trio picks and grins from 7-9 p.m. Convoy takes the tunes inside for a full band stage experience from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

MAX’s Wine Dive Serves Samples in AF&WF Tasting Tents and Restaurant Discount with Festival Ticket

Scout out MAX’s Wine Dive along the Southern and global “tasting trails” curated through Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tasting Tents, Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31. Nosh samples from more than 100 restaurants, food, wine and libations exhibitors during the hours of 3-6 p.m. Friday (VIP entry 2:30 p.m.), 2-5 p.m. Saturday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Tasting Tent wristbands are a must-wear accessory to enter. Buy a wristband for your day of choice online, $100 a pop. VIP pass holders enjoy access to the exclusive Connoisseur Lounge for socializing, eating, drinking and relishing private food and beverage classes. MAX’s Wine Dive will be there, serving samples of popular dishes plus wine pairings. Hours are Friday, May 29 from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, May 30 from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

Max out your Atlanta Food & Wine Festival experience by capping the day at MAX’s Wine Dive. Flash your AF&WF ticket or badge at the Midtown restaurant over the festival weekend and slice 10 percent off your food tab. Chef Patric Bell-Good loads the menu with large plates for the table and small plates for soloists or duos. Lunch is served until 4 p.m. Friday, then it’s on to dinner or weekend brunch. Dine in only; excludes alcohol.

Kevin Gillespie Presents Pork Awesomeness Sunday Class at Atlanta Food & Wine Festival on May 31

Admittedly, Kevin Gillespie -- Gunshow owner, chef and”Pure Pork Awesomeness” cookbook author -- is obsessed with all things pork. His quest to raise awareness about the versatile Southern staple continues during Pork Awesomeness, an Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Sunday Classslated for May 31 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Cuts, breeds, flavors, recipes and cooking techniques are all “fare” game in this class that’s stuffed tighter than a pig in a poke. For tickets and class registration information, click here.

Shaun Doty, John Currence Throw Big Bad Pop-Up at Bantam & Biddy During Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

“Big Bad Chef” John Currence of City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, Mississippi is inbound for the May 28-31Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, and he’s spending the evening of Friday, May 29 with fellow chef and restaurateur Shaun Doty. The two chefs are throwing Big Bad Pop-Up dinners that night at Doty’s Bantam + Biddy on Crescent Avenue in Midtown. In high-energy and quick-serve fashion over the night’s four casual dinner seatings, Currence, Doty and visiting chefs Vishwesh Bhatt, Kelly English and Duane Nutter will delight guests with chef-inspired street food and cocktails with menu items ranging from $5-$15. Currence launched the Big Bad Pop-Up dinner series three years ago as a “rad” way for chefs and guests to meld and help out local charities such as The Giving Kitchen and The Piedmont School, beneficiaries of the Bantam + Biddy pop-up. $20 reservation fee holds a seat and will be credited to the night’s bill. Buy tickets online.

Holy Smoke and BBQ! The HOBNOB Patio is “Smoke’n” Mondays and Thursdays Starting May 28

The mouthwatering smell of grilled meats and those all-telling smoke signals hovering over the corner of Monroe Drive and Piedmont across from Piedmont Park speak the truth, barbecue time is here. HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is stoking its grills and going “Smoke’n on the Patio” Monday and Thursday evenings beginning Thursday, May 28. They’ll start slicing and serving a variety of smoked meats and Southern sides from 5 p.m. while the supply holds. Guests can dine inside, on the patio or grab take out -- and they’re welcome to order off HOBNOB’s regular menu of popular dishes. Call 404-968-2288 for more information.

Ray’s in the City Hosts Duckhorn Wine Reception May 28

The duck’s handsome, the wine winsome as all get out.Duckhorn Vineyards, founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn 40 years ago, has established itself as one of North America’s premium Napa Valley wine producers. Ray’s in the City validates the winery’s reputation at a Duckhorn wine and hors d’oeuvre reception on Thursday, May 28 from 5-7 p.m. Savor fine Duckhorn varietals along with hickory bacon-wrapped oysters with pepper cheese, braised short rib and crab Wellington and pan-roasted sea scallop with Parma ham and melon. $35 per person (excludes tax and gratuity). Call 404-524-9224 for reservations. 

Sail into Tin Lizzy’s Parrothead Patio Parties May 28 for Chances to Win Tickets to the Jimmy Buffett Sold-Out Concert

“If life gives you limes, make margaritas,” advises Jimmy Buffett. Change your latitude and attitude to match his outlook on life at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina’s Parrothead patio parties on Thursday, May 28. “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” and these patio parties cruise from 5-8 p.m. at Tin Lizzy’s Emory Point, Perimeter and Buckhead locations. Tin Lizzy’s offers a house full of margaritas including Top of the House, Fall Off the House, Beach House, Skinny House, Desert Pear, Chipotle Pineapple, Thai and a whole grove of fruity ‘ritas including grapefruit, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, mango and sangria. Don’t spill your ‘rita of choice as you sway away to live music and jump on chances to win prizes and tickets to the sold-out Jimmy Buffett concert on June 2 at Gwinnett Arena. Parrothead attire is encouraged. “Come Monday,” you’ll be glad you went and besides, you must be present to win.  

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We’re enthused about infusions -- infused beverages to quench summer cravings. Become Infusingly Inspired and master infusing vodka and other liquors with jalapeños to pack a wallop in summer’s Moscow Mules and bloody marys, fruit for adults-only popsicles or herbs that take classic cocktails for a spin. Non-tipsy infusions include rosemary-infused cucumber lemonade, Earl Grey infusion with ginger ale and lemon iced tea, peach green tea and pitchers of hydrating infused water recipes.

Appetizing Aperture

That Pie Place doesn’t believe in pressing the heck out of a Cuban sandwich. Their tender pocket pie version folds slow-roasted pulled pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickle and a touch of yellow mustard into a flaky crust ($5.49). Swoop your sandwich into the pool of mojo dipping sauce before each bite.