Atlanta Restaurants Woo Mom on Mother’s Day, May 8

 “Mom!” upside down spells “Wow!” Honor all those “Wow!” times she came through for you and made sure you were loved by wowing her, and perhaps spoiling her a little, with a special “thank you” visit to one of Atlanta’s best restaurants. Reservations? Like mom always (lovingly) says, “Do it now!”

Downtown/Midtown

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern serves its regular brunch menu and $17 bottomless mimosas from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and has live music from 1-4 p.m. and half-price wings from 4-10 p.m. It's also Family Sunday Funday meaning kids eat free with an adult entrée purchase from 4-10 p.m. Call 404-968-2288 for reservations.

Indulge her culinary bent with a gift from the Market at Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market. Choose from a range of balsamic vinegars, sea salts and olive oils, beautiful handmade pottery and aprons, specialty gift baskets or cooking classes.

Spell “MOM” in doughnuts with help from Sublime Doughnuts. A-Town Cream and A-Town Mocha doughnuts will be offered in the shape of an "M." Insert any regular “O” doughnut for a sweet mom-umental treat.

Twelve Eighty, located in the Woodruff Arts Center, has a Mother’s Day brunch with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Cost is $34.95 for adults and $16.95 for children ages 4 to 10. For reservations, call 404-897-1280.

Decatur

Revival, chef Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur restaurant, hosts a buffet-only Mother’s Day loaded with its signature fresh twist on family style Southern classics such as lamb, ham and fried chicken and a major dessert table. Buffet offered 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; $39 for adults, $12 for children. Call 470-225-6770.

Buckhead

Surprise mom with Mother’s Day dinner at newly redecorated Aria. Typically closed on Sundays, the Buckhead restaurant will open its doors at 5 p.m. so mom can enjoy chef/owner Gerry Klaskala’s avant-garde take on fine American cuisine. For reservations, call 404-233-7673.

Gypsy Kitchen (404-939-9840) and The Southern Gentleman (404-939-9845) are hosting an epic joint celebration themed “Spain & Twain Await You.” Savor a hot buffet served from the chef’s table, including special Mother’s Day desserts. A raw bar, salad, soup and hors d’oeuvre offerings are also available. Live music and dining, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $54.95 per person for adults, $19.95 for kids 12 and under. Moms receive a complimentary confection.

North Fulton

Aqua blue in Roswell is celebrating Mom’s big day with a sumptuous Mother’s Day brunch. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m., treat her to $15 bottomless mimosas, a Bloody Mary bar and a brunch buffet featuring carving stations, made-to-order omelets, blue ribbon sushi, desserts and more. $34.95 for adults; $9.95 for all children under 12. Already busy over brunch? Come through with dinner from the à la carte menu, served from 5-9 p.m. Call 770-643-8886 for reservations.

The queen of quaint will love historic Crabapple with its beautiful scenery and the 150-year-old farmhouse and 1930s cottage Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails calls home. Opt for special Mother’s Day menus offering favorites such as chicken and waffles, French toast and prosciutto eggs Benedict for brunch or New York strip, sesame-crusted mountain trout or blackened Atlantic salmon for dinner. $32 for brunch; $45 for dinner. Call 770-817-0161.

Braselton

Take mom for a Sunday drive to Cotton Calf Kitchen in Braselton for a contemporary classic steakhouse experience where she’ll also be treated to a complimentary dessert and glass of Champagne. Sunday brunch is served 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner service starts at 5 p.m. Make reservations by calling 706-684-0410.

Multiple Locations

All four locations of Ray’s Restaurants know how to treat mom like royalty, be it a lavish buffet in elegant surroundings or a fun fiesta. Ray’s on the River (770-955-1187) in Sandy Springs serves its award-winning buffet, with breakfast, brunch and dinner options as the day progresses, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. for $45.95 per adult and $22.95 for children ages 5 to 10. In Alpharetta, Ray’s at Killer Creek (770-649-0064) is also open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. with a buffet that’s $37.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 5 to 10. Take mom downtown to Ray’s in the City (404-524-9224) for a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. or regular à la carte dinner menu from 5-8 p.m. The buffet is $37.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 5 to 10. Finally, tell mom "gracias" with Tex-Mex at Ray's Rio Bravo (770-612-2829), open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Mother's Day.

All moms visiting any Willy's Mexicana Grill location May 7-8 receive a coupon for $5 off any order of $15 or more to use during a future visit through May 31.


Want more? Delight mom at any of these Atlanta-area Sunday dining spots on Mother's Day or any other weekend:
 

• Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland serves brunch classics such as deviled eggs and stylish chorizo and egg tacos. Bring mom on May 8 to brunch on specials like pesto breakfast strata and lamb pot pie, and she’ll take home a gift. Call 404-876-7249.
• Sail over to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar in East Cobb and treat mom to delicious seafood classics like Atlantic grouper, Georges Bank scallops, iced shellfish towers and more. 770-635-7641.
• The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell and Buckhead reel in seafood-loving moms with such signature entrées as Creole shrimp and grits, island grouper and Coca-Cola BBQ salmon.
• Marlow’s Tavern has 15 perfect neighborhood spots for classic American fare with an upscale twist.
• Seed Kitchen & Bar in East Cobb shows off a Sunday brunch menu of delicious dishes including smoked salmon, crab eggs Benedict and smoked brisket hash. Chef Doug Turbush will offer specials specifically for Mother's Day. Call 678-214-6888 for reservations.

$1 Beers and Sliders Dominate Dollar Down Thursdays at Smokebelly BBQ Starting April 21

Drop a dollar, raise a beer. Another George secures a slider. During Dollar Down Thursdays at Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead, $1 will buy one of their succulent pulled pork sliders from 5-7 p.m. every Thursday. Wash that down with drink specials like an eight-ounce draft Bud Light or a Miller High Life pony beer while you listen to live acoustics from 6-9 p.m. out on the patio. So, plan a lively weeknight wind-down or weekend prequel with Lincoln, Hamilton or Jackson and a few friends. Yep. Dollar Down Thursday deals are a steal. To miss out would be a crime.

Field a Spring Farm Tour, Dinner and Entertainment at White Oak Pastures’ May Day Event on May 14

Celebrate May Day, White Oak Pastures style on Saturday, May 14. Traditionally, May Day is May 1, but Will Harris and the team at White Oak Pastures are not ones to follow conventions – they start them. See the successful, sustainable farming practices that others now model by visiting Bluffton for a spring farm tour followed by dinner and live musical entertainment. May Day opens at 3 p.m. with a meet and greet, appetizers and drinks at the Pavilion and then segues to a farm tour from 4-6 p.m. Farm life builds appetites, and a buffet dinner awaits back at the Pavilion, offering a choice of whole hog roast or Cajun-roasted guinea with farm-fresh fixings. Carry on with live music and a cash bar until 9:30 p.m. Thankfully, come morning, you won’t have to rise with the roosters like the White Oak Pastures crew. Buy tickets through White Oak Pastures’ online store, $40 per person. Choose “On-Farm pickup” to avoid shipping charge.

Real Men and Women Drink Pink at Stem Wine Bar Rosé Tasting May 4

Think rosé wines are a sweetish blend of red and white wines? Red hot wrong. Rosé wines are made from red grapes, and they’re not sweet. Rosé wines rise up in their own special Rosé tasting session at Stem Wine Bar on Wednesday, May 4. Novices and those in the know will explore and learn about these underrated warm weather-perfect wines at a lively 6:30-8 p.m. event. Drink pink selections from around the world chosen by Stem general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill and paired with small bites prepared by owner/chef Doug Turbush. Seats go quickly for Stem wine tastings so buy tickets ASAP to reserve seats. $40 per person (plus $3.19 service fee; gratuity will be added at in-store checkout).

Why Wait for the Weekend? Seed Kitchen & Bar Hosts Monday Night Brewing Beer Dinner May 2

Respect the weeknight in lieu of living for the weekend.Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in Marietta draft an ideal way to start, a beer dinner featuring Atlanta’s own Monday Night Brewing on Monday, May 2 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Chef/owner Doug Turbush, general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill and beverage manager David Peek shape a marvelous evening pairing a five-course menu and Monday Night beer selections, and a brewery rep will be on hand to talk beer. Eyeballing pairings sets mouths to watering long before Monday night: Alaskan halibut escabeche with Fu Manbrew Gose sour ale; pale ale-battered soft shell crab with Mom Jeans chardonnay barrel-aged Belgian-style ale; soy caramel Riverview Farms pork collar with sticky rice and tamarind dipping sauce paired with Slap Fight IPA; ras el hanout-spiced lamb loin with ramp top pesto, fava beans, cipollini onions and olives joined by Blind Pirate double IPA; and a sweet finale of vanilla bourbon mille feuille served with Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt scotch ale. Due to limited space, guests must reserve seats by purchasing tickets in advance. $79 per person (including tax and gratuity). 

Aria Makeover Turns Heads – Make Reservations to Experience Fresh New Look and Feel at Re-Opening May 2

Atlanta, your girlfriend of 16 years is getting a makeover.Aria is taking some R & R (renew and redecorate) April 24-May 1 and will open doors to show off its new look on Monday, May 2. One key ingredient won’t change. Chef-owner Gerry Klaskala, Aria’s heart and soul, will still be in the kitchen preparing his critically acclaimed dishes when the Buckhead restaurant re-opens. Since Aria opened in 2000, Klaskala has seen dining out transition from a special occasion to a more daily experience with restaurants becoming the family table, business desk or place to unwind. Keeping this trend in mind, formalities bow out of the picture. Aria’s refresh reaches out to a younger diner. The exterior’s iconoclastic white hue takes on new black accents, and a new sign has been commissioned. Inside, the new look wears warm gray walls and bright canary yellow drapes, backlit custom mirrors, white oak table tops and new leather banquettes, all planned by Stacey Kirby of Seiber Design to align with the artistry of Klaskala’s cuisine. The bar area opens up with no-reservation-required seating for casual diners and features a signature white marble bar top along a rich walnut bar displaying premium and small-batch liquors. As far as artwork goes, we can’t spill all of the surprises. See what’s new firsthand by making reservations today.

Cast Away Cares as The Big Ketch Roswell Reels In Lawn Party May 1

Hey, land sharks! All-you-can-eat crab legs, seafood kebabs, oysters, pork “wings,” jerked corn, sides, sweet treats and more lure those looking for a “reely” entertaining Sunday afternoon to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell on May 1. The Great Fin Reel In lawn party welcomes flip-flop and pedicure season to the beachiest spot on Canton Street from 1-4 p.m. Jam to live music and try your hand at lawn games while enjoying the aforementioned abundance of land and sea fare (included in ticket price). Wouldn’t be complete without Tiki drinks – available to purchase along with spirits, wine and beer favorites. Hook tickets online, $45 per person (plus service fee).

Patio “Ho!” for Fritto Misto at Bellina Alimentari May 1

May Day, May 1, is a national holiday in Italy and a precursor to numerous spring festivals. Bellina Alimentari upholds its Italian roots by celebrating springtime with a Fritto Misto party on the patio at Ponce City Market this Sunday, May 1 from 4-6 p.m. Drop by to relish Italian carnival food and drinks created especially for the occasion, listen to live blues performed by Italian artist Tito Esposito and watch a MudFire pottery-making demo. No cover charge; food and drinks will be available to purchase. Aperitivo, anyone? 

Buy Certified Organic Seedlings at The Veggie Patch Sale April 30

Did you miss the seedling sale at The Veggie Patch last weekend? You’re in luck—the sale continues this Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to noon. Certified organic seedlings are priced at $3 a pot or a flat of 10 for $28. Located right off I-85 in Commerce, Georgia, The Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms is convenient to Atlanta, Athens and Gainesville. Available seedlings include: tomatoes (heirloom, cherry and hybrid slicers), cucumbers, eggplant, squash/zucchini, sweet corn, Chinese cabbages, Swiss chard, greens, kale, broccoli, lettuces, peas/beans, watermelon, okra, herbs, peppers (hot and sweet), leeks, onions and flowers.

Rio Bravo, Tin Lizzy’s and Willy’s Mexicana are Hot Stuff at the Atlanta Taco Festival May 1

Tequila me pink, the Atlanta Taco Festival will fold itself around Candler Park like a big tortilla on Sunday, May 1 from 1-7 p.m. Taco teams from Ray’s Rio Bravo, Tin Lizzy’s Cantina and Willy’s Mexicana Grill are competing in what may be the largest taco competition and celebration on the East Coast, according to taco techies behind the festival. Even though the taco tourney headlines, the fiesta boasts more goodies than a well-hit piñata, including taco eating, beer, craft cocktails, local bands, DJs, “Gringo Bingo,” salsa dancing and Lucha Libre wresting. A post-fest donation goes to CHRIS Kids. Pick your wristband “ticket,” based on your passion level for tacos and libations, from the various options available online.

Top Chefs and Restaurants Flood Atlanta’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry at the Georgia Aquarium April 28

This is the biggie. Taste of the Nation for Share Our Strength - No Kid Hungry, now in its 28^th year, is one of Atlanta’s most prominent benefits drawing major culinary talents and their restaurants, including Aria, Gunshow, Gypsy Kitchen,Himitsu, Revival, Seed Kitchen & Bar, Umi and others. In all, guests will sample dishes from more than 50 restaurants while sipping a global selection of award-winning wines and craft cocktails. Wait, there’s more. Silent and live auctions tempt guests to bid on rare wines, world-class trips and remarkable dining and culinary experiences while music flows from the Joe Gransden Quartet. All the nibbling and bidding will ultimately take a bite out of hunger and poor nutrition in Georgia through Share our Strength and the helping hands of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters, Our House, The Georgia Citizens’ Coalition on Hunger, The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and Captain Planet Foundation. Buy tickets online through 8 p.m. April 27 or at the door: $350 VIP, $250 general admission. VIP ticketholders enter at 6:30 p.m. for a VIP cocktail hour; general admission ticketholders enter at 7:30 p.m., and everyone parties until 10 p.m. Fish have to sleep sometime.

What’s New on Pinterest

Shelve the rice bowl and roll with us through our Rice Ball-ooza Pinterest picks from around the globe. Learn how to make Japanese rice balls onigiri, salmon and avocado rice balls and brown rice sushi balls; pori urundai, an Indian version of Rice Krispies Treats; and Iraqi rice and potato balls. Put pasta aside in favor of Italian arancini cheesy rice balls and swap baked rice balls with avocado cilantro dip for the usual chips and salsa. Rice quills poke out from porcupine meatballs lounging in rich tomato sauce. Leftover rice in the fridge? Have a ball!

#Foodgram

22K followers are on to something, and that’s not even counting Big Green Egg-ers who open their BGE but not laptops. If you’re a #EGGhead4Life, Big Green Egg is hot for your photos. Go ahead and light their fire.

Appetizing Aperture

The mighty swordfish stakes claim to being a fish whose steaks are moist and meaty — like the steak landlubbers favor. Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar executive chef Brendan Keenan wood grills Block Island swordfish to bring out these steak-y qualities and serves the flavorful fish with caponata, anchovy herb garlic butter, mint and basil ($24). Drop anchor at Drift in The Avenue East Cobb, Marietta to savor this dinner specialty any night of the week.

Yee Haw! Milton’s Farmyard Chowdown Season Begins April 24

Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple is opening Milton’s Acre for the first Farmyard Chowdown of the official 2016 Chowdown season on Sunday, April 24 from 6-8 p.m. Feast on oysters, fried chicken, a low country seafood boil and more in Milton’s backyard garden. Live music and lawn games entertain everyone from wee chicks to strong farmhands. In other words, all ages are welcome. Buy ticketsonline, $40 per person (plus small service fee; tax, alcohol not included). Chowhounds, mark those calendars for the rest of the Chowdown season: June 5, July 24, August 7, September 11 and October 2.

Revival Chefs Müller and Granger Jump into Atlanta and Jekyll Island Events April 23-24

Looks like Revival executive chef Andreas Müller and executive sous chef Rémi Granger are caving to spring fever. Join the gents as they sneak out of their own Decatur kitchen to stir up wildlife on Jekyll Island, pop into a DeKalb kitchen tour and pair bites and brews for the Atlanta Community Food Bank in Decatur. Revival-ist road trip!

Müller smokes ‘em, along with some of the South’s leading chefs, during Whiskey, Wine & Wildlife  (W3), 1-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 at Jekyll Island Beach Village Green. Müller will participate in “Smokin’ Hot South” at 2:30 p.m. on the Atlanta Magazine stage and in “Wings, Q & Brews Alley” presented by Springer Mountain Farms and Blue Point Brewing Company. Beverages, tastings, demos, discussions, live musical entertainment, talks by Jekyll Island wildlife experts and a silent auction are a smattering of event activities. Purchase W3 main event tickets online, $65-$125 per person.

While Müller basks at the beach on Saturday afternoon, Granger will man the kitchen – one of the three exquisite kitchens on display along the April 23 Junior League of DeKalb Tour of Kitchens, going on from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Buytickets online for tour day will-call pick up or buy at a tour home on April 23. General admission is $15; VIP admission is $25 and includes six beer or wine tastings at the Mary Gay House at tour’s end.

Müller hurries back from Jekyll to help raise funds for the Atlanta Community Food Bank at the eighth annual Feed the Food Bank on Sunday, April 24. Decatur’s top breweries and local chefs partner to create beer and food pairings at the 1-4 p.m. event filling Twain’s Brewpub and Billiards. Guests will put that commemorative beer glass to good use as they eat, drink, shuffle to the Dusty Roads Band and shop the silent auction. Tickets are $45 each in advance or $50 at the door.

Sample Favorites from Seed Kitchen & Bar and High Road Ice Cream at Taste of Marietta April 24

Those looking for a “square” meal this weekend should make a beeline to the Historic Marietta Square for a Taste of Marietta on Sunday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Seed Kitchen & Bar and High Road Craft Ice Cream will both host tasting booths among the mouthwatering showcase of
Cobb County restaurants and caterers. There’s no admission charge to enjoy the food fest’s culinary demonstrations, entertainment, sunset concert and Kids Alley fun and games or to browse the unique shops open around the square. When hunger strikes, expect to pay $1-$5 for samples at restaurant booths and purchase drinks at concession stands. One more thing, please don’t bring Rover over to this dog-gone delicious, people-only event.

5Church Atlanta Holds Hiring Fair at Colony Square April 24

Opening in May, 5Church Atlanta is looking for restaurant lovers to join its team. The Midtown restaurant at the intersection of 14^th and Peachtree streets is holding a hiring fair for all positions, including management, April 25 - 29 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Interested? See you at the fair – in the Colony Square food court adjacent to the restaurant. 

Sow, What? Buy Certified Organic Seedlings at The Veggie Patch Sale April 23

Whether you intend to “farm” a raised bed, patio container, straw bale or tilled plot in the yard, our local frost date has passed – let the planting begin! First, choose your certified organic seedlings at The Veggie Patch sale on Saturday, April 23. All are priced at $3 a pot or a flat of 10 for $28. Located right off I-85 in Commerce, Georgia, The Veggie Patch at Bouchard Farms is only a few bunny hops up the road from Atlanta, Athens and Gainesville. Don those overalls and dig this list of available seedlings:

●      Tomatoes (heirloom, cherry and hybrid slicers)
●      Cucumbers
●      Eggplant
●      Squash/zucchini
●      Sweet corn
●      Chinese cabbages
●      Swiss chard
●      Greens
●      Kale
●      Broccoli
●      Lettuces
●      Peas/beans
●      Watermelon
●      Okra
●      Herbs
●      Peppers (hot and sweet)
●      Leeks
●      Onions
●      Flowers

Buy Tickets Starting April 22 for May 22-23 “Hired Guns” Dinner Featuring Nashville Chef Brian Baxter

Gunshow’s 2016 “Hired Guns” series has already hit the mark with two award-winning guest chefs, and more chefs are coming into view. Chef Brian Baxter will shoot over fromHusk in Nashville to command the Glenwood Park restaurant’s kitchen on Sunday and Monday, May 22 and 23. Poise that trigger finger because a limited number of tickets for the sought-after dinners will go on sale via Xorbia on Friday, April 22 at 8 a.m.  The cost is $95 per person (not including drinks, tax and gratuity). Chef Kevin Gillespie, along with executive chef Joey Ward and Gunshow's “kitchen dudes,” will join Baxter in the kitchen both nights. The three chefs share a passion for the South’s local and ingredient-driven cuisine. In fact, foraging in Tennessee is one of the Nashville chef’s hobbies, about as local as one can get. Baxter’s culinary heritage taps into a boyhood love of cooking, baking and gardening (thanks, Mom) that was furthered at The Culinary Institute of America and adds a mastery of low country cuisine at McCrady’s in Charleston, South Carolina, before being called to open Husk. Jump on tickets to Baxter’s dates and mark calendars for other upcoming “Hired Guns” events:

• June 12-13: Kenny Gilbert of Gilbert's Underground Kitchen in Fernandina Beach, Florida (Tickets on sale May 12 at 8 a.m.)
• September 11-12: Brooke Williamson of Hudson Housein Redondo Beach, California (Tickets on sale August 11 at 8 a.m.)
• October 23-34: Vivian Howard of Chef & the Farmer in Kinston, North Carolina (Tickets on sale September 16 at 8 a.m.)

For more information, visit gunshowatl.com or call 404-380-1886.

The Blind Pig Parlour Bar Comedy Session Pours Libations and Laughter April 21

Grin and beer it, nurse a classic cocktail or sip a glass of wine — just be sure not to chortle through the nose when laughing uncontrollably at the fourth installment of Blind Pig Comedy Sessions at The Blind Pig Parlour Bar on Thursday, April 21. The Buckhead speakeasy prides itself on cracking up audiences with Atlanta’s best comics. This month, headliner Mia Jackson from "Last Comic Standing" is joined by funny guys Chris Marler, Wellington Juku, Nick Alexander and host Neal Reddy. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8:30 p.m. show. Due to the intimate setting, a limited number of tickets are available so act fast and buy a $12 ticket online while you can. The Blind Pig is located behind Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead.

Go Crackers for Many Fold Farm Cheese and Orange Wine Class April 20

White wine and orange cheese tasting? Flip that to Italian orange wines, creamy American artisanal cheeses and culturing knowledge as award-winning cheesemaker Rebecca Williams pulls back the rind on the world of cheese crafting, all at Bellina Alimentari on Wednesday, April 20. Williams, of Many Fold Farm in West Georgia, will lead the 6:30-7:30 p.m. class where “students” taste some of the best artisanal cheeses produced in the USA accompanied by Italy’s unique orange wines. Buy tickets online; $28 per person (plus tax) or call 404-330-9933. Read more about Culinary Club classes at Bellina Alimentari in Midtown’s Ponce City Market.

Forecasting a Perfect Weekend for Communion – Now Open at Revival in Decatur

The outlook is sunny for Friday, Saturday and Sunday socializing at Communion, the newly opened backyard scene at Revival, chef Kevin Gillespie’s delightful dining homestead in Decatur. Communion grows its own unique style of garden party where guests stretch computer-weary wrists by pitching cornhole and horseshoes and purchase $5 tokens to swap for drinks and executive chef Andreas Müller's German beer garden-style snacks — served from a food truck. Communion playtime begins at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, weather permitting. Find out what’s happening on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What’s New on Pinterest

April Showers and Edible Flowers grow a veritable Monet’s Garden of incredible, edible gardens. Eye-catching tall stick floral ice cubes and flower cocktail toppers give drinks reason to blossom. Petals push pretty little cast-iron skillet pizza, springtime zucchini tart, cherry tomato and mozzarella ball salad and mushroom, ricotta and goat cheese ravioli to prize bloom status. Pick a dessert from shortbread cookies with pressed flowers, Earl Grey panna cotta tarts with dried flowers, a blueberry lemon vegan cheesecake and other gourmet garden varieties. Goes to show, bloom where you’re planted, even if it’s in the kitchen.

#Foodgram

Buford Highway boasts an astounding array of businesses, cultures, cuisines – and followers. We Love BuHi covers the food, the stories and the street. Share finds through marian@welovebuhi.com. BuHi newbies (and veteran fans) can explore Doraville’s mother road on the April 27 Ride & Dine: BuHi Bus Crawl. Park here for more information and tickets.

Appetizing Aperture

Some may waffle, but we flip over pancakes! At The Southern Gentleman, the Sunday brunch bunch goes gaga over ricotta and cornmeal pancakes ($13). These fluffy cakes soak up nectar from the stewed heirloom apple, dried plum, cinnamon and sugar topper so not one precious drop goes to waste. Southern comfort, redefined. And if you won’t waver on waffles, find them right below the pancakes on the brunch menu, served Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at this gastropub in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta.

Lick Wanderlust via High Road Craft Ice Cream Global Flavors

Pack lightly. You’ll only need a spoon to travel the world with High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet. The local premium ice cream crafter is churning out the Wanderlust Collection of global flavors inspired by worldly travel experiences. In less time than it takes to purchase an airline ticket, order this collection of cool creations for delivery to your front door:
 

• Thai Street Coffee addresses serious java fiends through super-dark coffee ice cream spiked with sweetened condensed milk.
• Aztec Chocolate churns cinnamon, sugar-roasted chilies, toasted almonds and chocolate into a creamy offering worthy of the Aztec gods.
• Vanilla Fleur de Sel enhances Madagascar Bourbon vanilla with delicate flakes of French sea salt.
• Cherry Almond Chip unites sweet, dark cherries from Washington State, roasted almonds grown in California and High Road’s “liquid chip” made in Marietta, Georgia, from couverture chocolate for an all-American winner.

 

Embark on a tongue trip today. Find High Road Craft Ice Cream at Whole Foods Markets, other fine natural retailers and restaurants. Made in Atlanta. Enjoyed everywhere. Even on your couch.

New Restaurants Blossom this Spring

Atlanta is abloom with azaleas, dogwoods – and new restaurants. Lift up the sunglasses and glimpse what’s growing and opening on Atlanta’s dining horizon and in nearby Greenville, South Carolina and Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this spring.

 

101 Steak, an innovative, chef-driven steakhouse from the team behind 101 Concepts (Food 101, Meehan's Public House, Cibo e Beve, Smoke Ring, Restaurant Paradis), will beef up Vinings’ dining scene with high-quality steaks, seafood, a raw bar and more than 100 wines by the glass when it opens in mid-June at 3621 Vinings Slope, SE. Chef Joe Ahn’s locally sourced, seasonal menu hints of Asian, Southern and Italian influences and features locally sourced à la carte meat and seafood specialties to pair with a variety of creative side dishes. Follow 101 Steak on Facebook.

 

5Church opens at the intersection of 14^th and Peachtree streets in May, completing a Southern triangle with points in Charlotte, Charleston and Atlanta. Guests can expect casual-yet-refined menus from executive chef Jamie Lynch including 5Church favorites such as the “60 second” NY strip steak and 5Church hamburger with red onion marmalade and Gorgonzola fondue. Look for Atlanta-specific locally sourced dishes, a 200-bottle wine list, specialty cocktails, craft beer, rooftop bar, sidewalk patio and artwork created by local artists. Follow 5Church Atlanta on Facebook.

 

In May, Marlow’s Tavern, Atlanta’s favorite neighborhood tavern, will welcome its newest location in Marietta's Sandy Plains Centre at 2960 Shallowford Road. Guests can enjoy classic tavern favorites or new menu selections such as the Chopped Chicken Salad with grilled Prestige Farms chicken or “AB” Firecracker Shrimp with tempura fried shrimp, red bell peppers, pepperoncini, sweet chili and cracklin’ spicy sauce. Keep up with Marlow’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

The Katharine Brasserie & Bar opens late April on the ground floor of the renovated R.J. Reynolds building at Fourth and Main in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Executive chef Ed Witt builds a traditional brasserie menu upon a foundation of seasonal ingredients, French techniques, classic Southern cooking and modern polish. Downtowners and The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel guests can sit down to breakfast, lunch, dinner or selections from the bar’s extensive wine list as well as craft beers and cocktails. “The Katharine” borrows its name from Katharine Smith Reynolds. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Greenville, South Carolina, is the newest city to go loco with Tin Lizzy’s Cantina’s second outpost in the Palmetto state. Opening later this month, the Atlanta-based taqueria brings its lively atmosphere, chilled margaritas and FlexMex cuisine to Magnolia Park Town Center at 1025 Woodruff Road. Now that’s something to taco-bout! Catch Tin Lizzy’s on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

Sublime Doughnuts rises up in a second Atlanta location this month to roust those in the Druid Hills area with more than 30 varieties of yeast-risen doughnuts, Octane Sublime blend coffee, teas, homemade ice cream and specialty bakery items. Eyes will glaze at the sight of founder/creative director/chef Kamal Grant’s beauties including A-Town Cream, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Fresh Strawberry & Cream and Orange Dream Star. Pretty sure the new Sublime at 2566 Briarcliff Road, NE will be your new happy place. Lick your fingers and roll with Sublime (and their fan club president, Baby Blue) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and drool.  

 

Chef Kevin Gillespie will soon open Communion, a German beer garden-inspired outdoor space, to welcome guests to his popular Revival restaurant in Decatur. The backyard social scape invites guests to have fun playing games -- like cornhole and horseshoes -- and whet appetites at a food truck offering executive chef Andreas Müller's inspired takes on German beer garden snacks. Guests will purchase $5 tokens from the Communion cashier to spend on drinks and food truck noshes. Plan to play in Revival’s backyard on Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 4 p.m., 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, weather permitting. Keep up with Communion and Revival on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Wave Hello to Weekday Lunch at The Big Ketch Roswell Beginning April 18

Those in need of a midday seafood fix can sail away to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell any day of the week. Doors open for lunch daily beginning April 18. What was a Roswell weekend treat is now a daily can-do for a workday quick bite, casual lunch meeting or a leisurely lunch with friends. Cast your eyes over the whole menu here, knowing The Big Ketch Roswell uses the highest quality seafood available and locally sourced ingredients when possible. Set sights on refreshing selections such as fresh tropical salad; “sweet & spicy” or Buffalo shrimp po’boy; citrus seafood Cobb salad with chilled shrimp, blue crab and Meyer lemon vinaigrette; Creole shrimp and grits; sandwiches like ahi tuna banh mi and TBK “greuben;” and fresh fish grilled, blackened or prepared jerk style. Landlubbers will delight in marinated and grilled, blackened or jerk chicken, steak burger Royale or signature salads and low-cal Mediterranean quinoa or Asian cous cous bowls. For more information, call 770-993-5749.

Hold on Tight! HOBNOB Piles on the Beef and Bacon for $5 during Atlanta Burger Week April 17-23

There’s a 50-50 chance of chomping into juicy beef or crisp bacon and a 100 percent chance of sinking teeth into both -- in one jaw-stretching bite -- when burger lovers clutch the Atlanta Burger Week $5 special at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. HOBNOB in Midtown is serving its hefty 50/50 Steak House burger (50 percent beef and 50 percent bacon) for only $5 from Sunday, April 17 through Saturday, April 23. The eight-ounce Angus beef burger supports bacon strips, bacon tomato ketchup, onion ring, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato, all resting easy on a brioche bun and joined by a choice of house-cut French fries or seasonal veggies. (Gluten-free buns available). The 50/50 is hard to pass up at its regular price of $13 and totally irresistible at $5 during Atlanta Burger Week. Go ahead. Squeeze the burger, not the wallet.

Pig Out on ‘Cue, Sample Beer and Wine at Cork ‘n Pork Festival in Dunwoody April 17

Make the most of Sunday afternoon by combining strolling and sampling at Cork ‘n Pork, an indoor/outdoor, walk-around tasting extravaganza at Vino Venue in Dunwoody on April 17. The spring wine, beer and barbecue festival follows in the footsteps of Discover South America and Discover Spain previously hosted by Vino Venue, home of the Atlanta Wine School. A unique aspect of these festivals is the option to buy favorites by the bottle, six pack or case to take home, surely a tough decision considering that Vino Venue executive chef Daniel Rivers is selecting upward of 50 barbecue-friendly beers and wines for tasting. Cogitate on the decision while migrating back and forth, sampling beverages inside Vino Venue and barbecue outside in the parking lot, where Smoke Ring chef Jordan Wakefield and Smoke Ring’s rigs stay stoked. Wakefield will dole out a boatload of barbecue including smoked whole hog, smoked chicken, baby back ribs, pulled barbecue as well as pickled shrimp, sauces and fixings, and Rivers adds more sides including a build-your-own tater tot station. Buy tickets in advance for either the 2-4 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. tasting sessions. General admission prices are $59 per person/$89 per couple and include unlimited sampling of wine, beer, barbecue and fixings, plus handy plates with wine-stem holders to keep it all together. Add on $20 for a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. The guest count is limited to ensure an uncrowded afternoon for all, and previous “Discover” events have sold out. Hint, hint.

Jump on Prix Fixe Deals at Aria and The Big Ketch during Buckhead Restaurant Week April 16-24

Between Easter and Mother’s Day comes another can’t-pass-this-up dining-out event -- Buckhead Restaurant Week -- spanning Saturday, April 16 through Sunday, April 24. Nine days of $15, $25 and $35 prix fixe menus provide a gourmet goldmine for bargain seekers gung ho on dining at more than two dozen of the city’s most-talked-about restaurants. Forks up, Aria and The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead are at the top of the list. Salivating already? Plan your dining strategy and make reservations early. In the case of Buckhead Restaurant Week, there are few plates for those who wait. Follow Buckhead Restaurant Week on Facebook for more details. 

Ever Seen an Oyster Fly? Oyster Flight Night Takes Off at The Big Ketch Roswell April 14

Oyster Flight Night at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Roswell is the ticket to a fast seaside getaway. Luckily, one takes off at 7 p.m. this Thursday, April 14. Oyster Flight Night #2 pulls in eight oysters (four varieties) and four (four-ounce) pairings of local beer or wine as well as hushpuppies and boiled peanuts, all for a mere $35 per person (excluding tax or gratuity). There are no TSA lines to maneuver and oceans of elbow and leg room, but space is limited so reserve a seat by emailing Nicole at nicole@tbkroswell.com.

Hallelujah! Revival Georgia Beer Dinner Series Opens with Wild Heaven Craft Beers April 12

Well bless our hoppy hearts, Revival launches its 2016 Georgia Beer Dinner Series today, April 12, knitting together true Southern brew and chow. Turns out Kevin Gillespie had only to peer into the Decatur restaurant’s backyard to latch onto a brewery run by Georgia native, Wild Heaven Craft Beers in nearby Avondale Estates. Wild Heaven’s mantra, appropriately, is “Serve your neighbor!” That’s the plan as dinner guests enjoy four savory dishes and one dessert paired with six-ounce pours of five different Wild Heaven beers. Friendly fellowship ensues as everyone gathers around communal tables for dinner. Buy tickets on Xorbia, $95 per person (excluding gratuity). We pour out more details plus dates and breweries for June, August and October Georgia Beer Dinners on our blog.

What’s New on Pinterest

Hello, Georgia strawberry season! Our local season begins in late April, and while we dream about Strawberry Fields Forever, reality is Georgia pickings are ripe until just shy of July 4. U-pick-um, farmers market and grocery berry buyers will find a bevy of strawberry-laden recipes on our board. Greet morning with banana-oat muffins, super easy chia seed jam and coconut protein smoothies. For lunch or dinner, find strawberry spinach salad, balsamic chicken and cilantro-lime grilled chicken with strawberry salsa. Happy hour calls for pineapple mojitos, Moscow mules and lava flow piña coladas. Icebox cake, no-bake cheesecake bites, homemade frozen yogurt and easy ice cream are cool anytime. Lastly, stretch the season by oven drying berries or making fruit leather…if you can resist instant gratification.

#Foodgram

The Naughty Fork is one of those Instagram pages that wreaks havoc on your diet plans, as in “I’ll start my diet tomorrow,” knowing full well tomorrow never comes. Fill up on photos of Miami’s best eats but plow through a stellar workout first.

Appetizing Aperture

Although Cotton Calf Kitchen’s strawberry-stuffed French toast would be comfy on a dessert menu, this sweetheart woos Sunday brunch guests at the Braselton restaurant. Chef Javier Viera stuffs challah bread with sweet strawberries and creamy mascarpone cheese then adds a drift of powdered sugar, a smatter of maple syrup and colorful fresh fruit ($13). Cotton Calf Kitchen serves Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See you there.

Stem Wine Bar Showers April with Australian Wine Tastings

Atlanta springtime, Australian autumn. Stem Wine Bar general manager/sommelier Chris McNeill shifts the focus down under to Aussie wine cellars for the Marietta wine bar’s April wine tasting series. Owner/chef Doug Turbush is on board, preparing six small bites to pair perfectly with McNeill’s Australian wine selections for the 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday night events. Expect unpretentious ambience and a lively flow of wines and conversation but no kangaroos. Still, better hop to buying tickets! A limited number of seats are available, and these events sell out quickly. Buy event tickets by clicking on your preferred wine tasting date below. $40 per person (not including gratuity or small online purchase service fee).

• April 6
• April 13
• April 20
• April 27

Send the Tax Return Up in Smoke – Ray’s at Killer Creek Lights Big Green Egg for Cooking Class April 16

Truth be told, chef Mike Fuller already has enough charcoal to fire up his Big Green Egg. Nonetheless, your personal balance sheet will get a positive boost from learning BGE skills and savoring the results at Ray’s at Killer Creek’s Big Green Egg cooking class on Saturday, April 16 – and that’s certainly something to look forward to after hitting the “send” button or mailing in the tax return. Chef Fuller’s mouthwatering tasting menu features wood-grilled and crab-stuffed artichokes, wood-grilled Silver Queen corn and watercress salad, slow-roasted pork shank “osso buco” and chilled strawberries with white chocolate whipped cream, along with iced tea, soda and coffee. The 11 a.m.-1 p.m. class and meal costs $35 per person/$60 per couple (not including tax or gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064. Have a credit card handy to make reservations; card will be charged prior to the event.

Land Free App with Entrée at The Big Ketch Roswell during Roswell Azalea Festival – Dig this Deal Sunday-Wednesday beginning April 11

Spring festivals bloom outside the perimeter as well as inside, and the Roswell Azalea Festival is a biggie, sprouting activities and specials citywide throughout the entire month of April. The event calendar bursts with garden tours, art and photography exhibits, musical entertainment, nature hikes – and a delicious way to get to know one of Roswell’s most-welcoming restaurants, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Canton Street’s casual port of call for fresh seafood is offering a special complimentary appetizer with entrée purchase on Sundays through Wednesdays beginning April 11 and continuing through April 27. Entrée ideas? Signature entrée salads and quinoa bowls can be topped with seafood or chicken for an additional charge. Fresh fish, shrimp and scallop, and chicken entrées are available grilled, blackened or jerk style. Reel in Creole barbecued shrimp and grits, Coca-Cola BBQ salmon, island grouper and jumbo lump crab cakes as other entrée options. Come enjoy the Azalea Festival and The Big Ketch appetizer special, delights only available in Roswell.

Snap Up Spring’s Freshest Veggies at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market – Opening Day is April 10

Savvy Westside shoppers on the prowl for tender spring veggies will strike green at Westside Provisions District Farmers Market on opening day, Sunday, April 10. Artisan goods, locally prepared food, music, festivities and more complete the picture during market hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The farmers market at 1100 Howell Mill Road, NW is a stone’s throw from Ormsby’s, where doors are open from noon until midnight on Sundays. Ah ha, a plan unfolds. Gather farm-fresh goodies then slide into a seat at the classic tavern for brunch or lunch along with a classic cocktail or a cool craft beer from their extensive selection. Bloody marys count as vegetables, right?

Smokebelly BBQ Pulls and Chops for Backyard Barbecue & Brews at Atlanta Dogwood Festival

‘Tis the spring festival season and none is more colorful than the 80th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival sprawling throughout Piedmont Park Friday, April 8-Sunday, April 10. Smart weekend fest-goers will plan ahead and buy tickets to the Backyard Barbecue & Brews VIP Experience going on Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10 from 1-5 p.m. Ticketholders can hang out in the cordoned “Backyard” area commanding excellent Main Stage views and a spacious tent with lots of picnic-style seating. “Backyard” perks frame an afternoon of beer and wine tastings as well as barbecue and picnic fare from Atlanta’s favorite restaurants – including mouthwatering ‘cue from Smokebelly BBQ in Buckhead. More good stuff: activities such as cornhole and always appreciated convenient, private bathrooms. Additionally, Platinum VIP Experience ticketholders will receive four drink tickets for beer, wine or cocktails. Saturday VIP tickets are already sold out, and the others are sure to follow suit for the popular party and refreshment zone. Buy tickets here ASAP, $30-$50 each. Children 12 and under enter free of charge.

Go Beachin’ in Buckhead at The Big Ketch Patio Parties Every Thursday in April

April patio parties at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead carry high SPF ratings for Super Patio Fun. Slap a beach emoji on the smartphone calendar every Thursday night, noting that live music opens each party at 5:30 p.m. Deep Eddy cocktails priced at $5 each soothe the day’s crazies. Beer drinking beach-ers can chill with cold ones from Georgia’s own Athens-based Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Seafood? You bet your sand dollar! Start hankering for these features:

• Oyster Roast on April 7
• Crawfish Boil on April 14
• Fish Fry on April 21
• Low Country Boil on April 28

Double-dip in The Big Ketch “Oyster Hour” specials by ordering half-priced oysters on the half shell from 4-6:30 p.m.

Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Tees Off Complete Masters Tournament Coverage April 7-10

It’s 143 miles from the first tee at Augusta National to the patio at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland. You’d need one heck of a driver to master that shot. Or, use your putter and putt into Atkins Park for complete Masters Tournament coverage from the first tee off on Thursday, April 7, until the champion slips into the green jacket on Sunday, April 10. Golfers and spectators alike entertain chances to win raffles, putt for prizes, sip specialty cocktails such as the John Daly, Sand Wedge, Tiger Bomb and Green Jacket ($6-$7), quaff domestic or imported drafts ($3 and $5), collect commemorative cups and munch on Masters-centric food. Egg salad, pimento cheese, barbecue, chicken breast and turkey sandwiches ($5-$6) are just like on the course, except no pollen, no lines. And, you don’t have to carry your own chair. Atkins Park upgrades the concession chip option by offering fries and sweet potato fries ($3) and field greens salad ($3).

A little golf trivia: Which has been around longer, the Masters Tournament or Atkins Park? The first Masters Tournament teed off in 1934. Atkins Park opened its doors in 1922, establishing itself as Atlanta’s oldest continually licensed tavern. Bobby, you’re just a young ‘un.

What’s New on Pinterest

Head into National Garlic Month (April) smelling like a rose with so many ways to transform the pungent cloves into fragrant wonders of Garlic Goodness. Snack attacks call for buttery garlic ranch pretzels (a.k.a. crack pretzels) and garlic naan. Mellow out over roasted mushrooms with garlic and thyme or roasted garlic and spinach white pizza. Accessorize with “Better than Papa John’s” garlic dipping sauce, pickled garlic and other novelties. Garlic wins best supporting role in Cajun shrimp with garlic Parmesan cream sauce, garlic basil chicken with tomato butter sauce, sticky garlic chicken bites, garlic rosemary pork tenderloin and rosemary garlic butter steak. Share the clove love for this healthy powerhouse with your nearest and dearest.

#Foodgram

Hot dogs, pickles, onion and mustard signal take me out to the ballpark or hot dog pizza toppings for the masterminds behind The Food in my Beard. This Instagram source for comfort food twists and mash-ups guarantees there’s never a dull meal. Who can sleep when a maple-Sriracha sauce and sausage gravy cheeseburger with a fried egg on an English muffin awaits at the breakfast table?

Appetizing Aperture

The Tony Award-winning musical “Kinky Boots,” featuring a score by Cyndi Lauper, kicks into the Fabulous Fox Theatre Tuesday, March 29 through Sunday, April 3. Sublime Doughnuts in Midtown is partnering with Broadway in Atlanta to create a special Sublime Kinky Boots Red Hot Doughnut that will be available only over the Atlanta show dates. Pull on your best boots and saunter over to 10^th Street for a pre- or post-show treat.