Get into the Halloween Spirit at these Atlanta Restaur”Haunts”

For more information:

 Emily Connolly or Morgan Lanier

Melissa Libby & Associates

404-816-3068

emilyc@melissalibbypr.com

morgan@melissalibbypr.com

GET INTO THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT AT THESE ATLANTA RESTAUR”HAUNTS”

Spooky Specials and Creepy Contests Highlight October Offerings

ATLANTA (Oct. 19, 2016) – Atlanta’s most bewitching bars and restaurants are getting into the Halloween spirit. Whether you’re looking for a creepy costume contest, frightfully good food or some spellbinding seasonal drink specials, these horrifying hotspots are serving up plenty of tempting treats.

Midtown/Virginia-Highland

With its arresting neo-Victorian décor and chef-driven modern American menu, 5Church Atlanta is the perfect spot for a Halloween weekend party. Enjoy plenty of both on Saturday, Oct. 29 starting at 10 p.m. as 5Church hosts a costume contest with a $500 prize. DJ Black Box Disco will keep the joint jumping. Admission and valet parking are free. 404-400-3669; 5churchatlanta.com.

Atkins Park Restaurant and Bar in Virginia-Highland offers a full lineup of events. On Wednesday, Oct. 26, any child in costume at dinner receives a free kids’ meal. Thursday, Oct. 27 brings the annual pumpkin carving contest, with scary movies playing on TVs throughout the bar. As if that weren’t chilling enough, each participant receives a complimentary Pumking beer from Southern Tier Brewing, and the staff will tap a special cellared keg of Southern Tier’s Warlock imperial stout. Registration starts at 9 p.m. with festivities beginning at 10 p.m. Pumpkins are limited, so make sure you arrive early. On Saturday, Oct. 29, DJ Lion hosts and performs at Atkins Park’s annual Halloween party and welcomes the Halloween in the Highlands pub crawl with a complimentary shot for each crawler. Halloween night on Oct. 31 brings a costume contest with a $500 cash prize. 404-876-7249;atkinspark.com.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, Hand in Hand hosts a Halloween pumpkin carving party beginning at 8 p.m. with KBS from Founders Brewing Co. on tap. On Saturday, the Virginia-Highland area’s quintessential neighborhood tavern and restaurant greets the Halloween in the Highlands pub crawl with a complimentary shot for participants. 404-872-1001; thehandinhand.com.

All Halloween weekend (Friday through Monday), HOBNOB offers food and drink specials including the “Mold and Mildew” appetizer (duck nachos with corn tortillas, date and fig jam, Havarti cheese and tomato pesto, $12), the “Murderous Meatloaf” entrée (with basil mashers, tomato and red pepper relish and Bloody Mary sauce, $14), a pumpkin spice cheesecake dessert ($6) and pumpkin ale beer specials. There’s also a “Night of the Drinking Dead” Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 30 with a live DJ and a costume contest with fun prizes. Event starts at 7 p.m. 404-968-2288; hobnobatlanta.com.

Buckhead/Sandy Springs

Wander over to Gypsy Kitchen on Saturday, Oct. 29, for a free “Day of the Dead”-themed bash featuring shocking drink specials (including $5 El Jimador pumpkin spice margaritas), a live DJ and an out-of-this-world costume contest. Starts at 9 p.m. 404-939-9840; gypsykitchenatl.com.

There’s nothing scarier than missing out on the annual Halloween party at Johnny’s Hideaway, which takes place on Thursday, Oct. 27. Buckhead’s favorite happening haunt will once again feature a costume party with $500 in prizes. 404-233-8026; johnnyshideaway.com.

The Southern Gentleman invites you to come dressed as your favorite bloodsucker for its vampire costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 29. Rub elbows with Draculas or “Twilight” characters while enjoying complimentary blood punch, grab bags and screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” from 5-9 p.m. and “Interview With the Vampire” at 9 p.m. 404-939-9845; thesoutherngentlemanatl.com.

Multiple Locations

Marlow’s Tavern is serving Gourd Vibrations, a devilishly delicious chocolate pumpkin porter from Gate City Brewing, as a perfect complement to its menu of classic sandwiches, salads, burgers and entrées. Available at Marlow’s Avalon, East Cobb, Northlake, Roswell, Sandy Plains, Woodstock and Vinings locations. Availability is limited, so call your local tavern for more information.marlowstavern.com.

Bring your little ghouls and boys to Willy's Mexicana Grill from Saturday, Oct. 29 through Monday, Oct. 31 for a special Halloween treat. Kids 12 and under who show up in costume will receive a free kids’ combo with each adult entrée purchase. Valid for one per child per adult entrée. This offer is good at all locations except the airport. willys.com.

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Book Holiday Parties Now at 5Church, American Cut, Ray’s Restaurants and More

Holiday parties begin with The Dish. Surely you’ve noticed…the holiday bling, party fashions and decorations emerging in stores and jostling for position amid tailgate gear and Halloween candies. Take the hint and shop for holiday party venues -- we’ve already curated a list for you. Procrastinating only adds stress as your preferred spots will be booked…by someone else. Conveniently, all of these venues accept plastic -- accumulate points and put them to good use in the new year. 5Church Atlanta 5Church Atlanta sets the scene for swanky holiday parties at Peachtree and 14th streets in Midtown, beginning with the moment guests step out of their cars to complimentary valet parking. Cutting-edge design and sophisticated private and semi-private settings welcome intimate dinners or all-out galas for 250 guests or more, and the rooftop patio accessorizes sparkly attire with the dazzling lights of Peachtree Street. Plush banquette seating hugs the walls around The UFO Room, a private dining area set back from the main dining room. Large-scale artwork lends a dramatic air. The Buffalo Room opens off the UFO Room, offering generous space in its own right (and a conversation-inviting central tree sculpture) or a nice flow for large parties. Get an idea of 5Church hors d’oeuvre and menu packages here, including multi-course menus such as the Saucier ($45 per guest), the Sous Chef ($57 per guest), the Chef de Cuisine ($65 per guest) and the Executive Chef ($75 per guest). Email Miranda Miranda,sales@5churchatlanta.com or call 404-400-3669 to start the ball rolling. 1197 Peachtree Street, NE. Ray’s Restaurants  Name drop “Ray’s” at the water cooler and listen to the conversation buzz in eager anticipation. Everyone already knows about the award-winning chefs, mouthwatering cuisine and impeccable service at all three Ray’s Restaurants -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek. And, to keep the party planner in a jolly mood, each Ray’s Restaurant location boasts a dedicated events manager who cuts stress right out of the picture. In the heart of downtown Atlanta, Ray's in the City welcomes guests into private and semi-private rooms and areas glowing with rich woods and ambient lighting. Consider breakfast or brunch buffets, lunch, pre-selected dinner menus or exciting dinner buffets with stations for stir-fry, pasta, salad, carving or made-to-order sushi. Toast to a full range of bar ideas including mimosa or bloody mary bar add-ons. The Atlantic Room seats up to 50 guests and features a flat screen TV for presentations or slideshows. The flexible, semi-private Chef’s Area dining room seats up to 30 guests for a small dinner party or serves as a cocktail area before a party in the Atlantic room. Host up to 16 guests for an intimate dinner in the Wine Cellar, where three walls of wine surround a large dining table. The Peachtree Room seats 75 guests and presents panoramic views of Peachtree Street. Contact sales and events manager Mandy Hall,mandy@raysrestaurants.com or 404-524-9224. 240 Peachtree Street. Overlooking the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs, Ray's on the River can host riverside events “outside” in the Grand Pavilion, a covered, temperature-controlled environment accommodating up to 120 guests seated or 150 guests for cocktails, as well as a band or DJ and a dance floor for rocking or waltzing the night away. Inside the restaurant, the Private Dining Room pleases up to 70 guests for a formal dinner or a cocktail/buffet reception and the River Room seats up to 30 guests in a semi-private dining space. Opt for pre-selected lunch and dinner menus and consider appetizers, platters, hors d’oeuvre, full buffets and chef-attended carving stations to wow guests. Sounds like what you’re looking for? Contact sales and events manager Nisha Khana and associate Corinne Zucallo at nisha@raysrestaurants.com or 770-952-4209. 6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs. In Alpharetta, Ray's at Killer Creek encompasses several space options to accommodate up to 70 guests. Twenty-six guests can be seated for dinner in the private Cellar with its warm woods, stone hearth and fireplace. The dividable Wine-Jordan room seats 60 amid towers of fine wines as well as opening into the private outdoor courtyard. Both rooms house 52” flat screen, satellite dish-equipped TVs for presentations or viewings. Take it outside and celebrate in the Creek Room, a covered and heated outdoor patio overlooking Foe’s Killer Creek and the Upper Chattahoochee Natural Forest Preserve, that easily serves up to 70 guests seated family style or formally at long tables or in smaller groupings. Contact Jessica Savant at 770-649-0064 orjessicasavant@raysrestaurants.com. 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta. Thinking fabulous fiesta? Red and green as in salsa, guac and margaritas? Look to Ray’s Rio Bravo for a casual and spirited gathering place to host or cater your holiday event. Call 770-612-2829 to find out how Ray’s “Rio Fresh Rio Fun” Tex-Mex can send your party into the jolly “olé” St. Nicholas zone. 6540 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs. Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar Beyond the Perimeter, Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in East Cobb provide lunch, dinner and cocktail party options – and oodles of free parking. At Seed, planners for groups of 15 guests or more can select from prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menu options or mix and match from the menus to suit. Gather in a private dining room seating up to 25 guests, a semi-private room for 10-25 guests or on the patio, which accommodates 50 guests for a seated meal, more for a cocktail reception. Download Seed’s Event Planning Guide for more space details and a sample menu. Stem Wine Bar is a mighty vine option, whether for a private lunch event Monday through Saturday or a restaurant buyout reserving the entire space for groups of up to 40 seated or 60 for cocktails. Think about hosting a private wine dinner for a memorable holiday gathering. Learn more in Stem’s Event Planning Guide. For events at Seed Kitchen & Bar or Stem Wine Bar, contact Chris McNeill, general manager, at cmcneill@eatatseed.com or 678-214-6888. 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar Taking the office on an ocean cruise might not be practical, but cruising to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar at The Avenue in East Cobb makes for a deliciously doable venture that will thrill seafarers and landlubbers alike. Seat up to eight guests in the Wine Room, Oyster Bar or at a Chef’s Table. Groups of up to 20 guests can be seated at one table or 28 at multiple tables in the Shiplap Room. Outside, host 26 guests in the covered patio area or up to 50 on the full patio. Follow this link to more information or call 770-635-7641. 4475 Roswell Road, Marietta.

Red Beard Restaurants Red Beard Restaurants -- Gunshow in Glenwood Park and Revival in Decatur – offer private and semi-private rooms to accommodate small and large groups. Anticipating a sizeable crowd? Buy out one of the restaurants! Whatever the size, the expert staff will tailor the details to suit, from customizable menus and bar packages to wines by the glass or bottle, beer, specialty cocktails and more. Both restaurants happily accommodate special requests including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and food allergy sensitive needs. Gunshow‘s open kitchen, shared dining room and family style menu lends itself to groups of 50-70, corporate buyouts or a group reservation for 13-24 guests. The menu changes daily, and Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward will select eight savory and two dessert items from that night’s menu for guests to enjoy family style. Individual chefs will visit guest tables with serving platters bearing their creations. Revival’s versatile floor plan can morph from seating lunch for 10, a seated dinner for 25 or a holiday party for 50. Family style menus for groups of 20-50 guests give a choice of soup or salad, entrée, chef-selected trimmings and a dessert. Contact Red Beard Restaurants events manager JR Zincone at JR@redbeardrestaurants.com. Gunshow, 924 Garrett Street; Revival, 129 Church Street, Decatur. American Cut/The Regent Cocktail Club Nostalgic glamour meets modern glitz at American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. The new upscale steak restaurant offers three floors of top-notch party options: private dining in the American Cut Bar & Lounge on street level, small and large private dining rooms with seating capacities of 14 and 42 guests within the second floor main dining level, and an airy indoor/outdoor rooftop experience at The Regent Cocktail Club. Enjoy local Atlanta executive chef John Adamson’s bold takes on American classics throughout. For a night “out” on the town, book The Regent Cocktail Club, where starry skies and striking views of Peachtree Street and the Atlanta skyline add drama to selfie shots and a sexy backdrop for an evening of handcrafted cocktails. Mid-century modern cocktail club lounge seating invites conversation, and there’s even space for a jazzy trio or other live entertainment. Guests at American Cut and The Regent Cocktail Club enjoy three hours of complimentary covered and convenient deck parking. Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com. 3035 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 140. Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Host the holiday shindig in Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern. Lively Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland welcomes guests into an unpretentious environment where an upstairs room accommodates 30 guests for a sit-down dinner or 50 guests for a cocktail reception. Call 404-876-7249 for more information. 794 North Highland Avenue. HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern sets a casual environment perfect for large groups desiring to party in Midtown. Enjoy a mouthwatering menu of appetizers, gourmet pizzas, burgers and other favorites in the laid-back dining room, or kick back with a high-gravity craft beer on the heated and covered patio. Want it all? Consider a buyout to use the entire restaurant or patio. To discuss your visions, fees and menus, call 404-968-2288. 1551 Piedmont Avenue, NE. Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar Those in the Windward Parkway area of Alpharetta won’t have far to go to find a holiday celebration venue. Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar becomes your private restaurant when your group buys out the entire place. Chef Boyd A. Rose’s amazing not-so-secret menus center around Southern American cuisine made from locally farmed ingredients complemented by a bar program of handcrafted cocktails, beers and wines. Secreto can even help companies and individuals conquer holiday wish lists with a gift card promotion that adds a $20 bonus card for every $100 of gift cards purchased. Email Shelly Ball at shelly@secretokitchen.com or call 770-752-0922 for more details. 6195 Windward Parkway, Suite 102, Alpharetta. Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple provides a charming setting for your social gathering or corporate event. Milton’s can accommodate parties of eight to 200 guests, and each event can be specially tailored by request. Download the Events and Catering Menu for a taste of what’s in store when hosting an event in the restored areas of the farmhouse including the Breezeway (16 guests), the Milton Room (40 guests), the Mayfield Room (24 guests), the Broadwell Room (12 guests), the Banquet Porch (40 seated), or the Bar (32-50 guests). Contact sales and events manager Jill Hayes, Jill@miltonscuisine.com or 678-431-8753. 800 Mayfield Road, Milton. Bellina Alimentari The Culinary Club, a private and versatile event space at Bellina Alimentari, is the perfect place to host an intimate dinner party with authentic Italian fare, have fun making fresh pasta in a private cooking class followed by dinner, learn about natural Italian wines in a private wine tasting or just enjoy social time together. For larger groups, the entire bar area can be reserved for an elegant cocktail party where guests can savor cheeses, olive oil and fresh bread, Italian and local charcuterie and more. To book your group’s holiday experience, contact Bethany Thompson at 404-330-9933 or email events@bellina-alimentari-com. Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., NE, N-131.

The Blind Pig Parlour Bar With Victorian era decor and ambiance, The Blind Pig Parlour Bar provides an intimate and sophisticated environment for dining and drinking for up to 80 guests. The 1920s-inspired Buckhead speakeasy features craft cocktails, small plates and live entertainment -- all in a smoke-free facility -- and is available as an event space any day of the week. Contact sales and events manager April Pitman, april@sphospitality.com or 404-931-1251. 128 East Andrews Drive, NW. Dolce Italian Host your holiday party “la dolce vita” style. Dolce Italian offers private and semi-private rooms to accommodate small and large groups. Seat up to 110 in the mid-century dining room or opt for al fresco dining on the wrap-around, covered outdoor terrace overlooking The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Executive chef Paolo Dorigato’s handcrafted pastas, bold seafood specialties, Neapolitan-style pizzas and more will leave your guests asking for “amore!” Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com. 3035 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 201. The Southern Gentleman The Southern Gentleman celebrates the essence of the South, and relaxed, yet polished, entertaining plays a major role. Treat guests to a fresh, modern and locally sourced take on Southern cuisine from executive chef Matthew Ridgway along with handcrafted cocktails. Expansive space accommodates up to 150 guests, and dinner menus begin at $35 per person. Patio parties, group dinners and private, customized bourbon, rye or whiskey tastings are perfectly delightful ideas. Contact Simone Dyson, Simone@sphospitality.com or 404-964-9243. The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite A208. Ormsby’s Located on the Westside under the White Provisions building, Ormsby’s feels like one of the city’s best-kept secrets. But it’s a leading destination for gatherings and celebrations of all sizes and stripes, thanks to a variety of games (shuffleboard, darts, bocce ball, board games and pool) perfect for socializing. With a wide selection of craft beers and a menu of classic and creative gastropub favorites, it’s a casual crowd-pleaser. Contact Leslie Battle,lbattle@ormsbysatlanta.com or 404-968-2033. 1170 Howell Mill Road. Gypsy Kitchen An event at Gypsy Kitchen transports guests to a beautiful, out of the ordinary destination where Spanish cuisine mingles with foods inspired by the spice trade of India, Morocco and other countries. Executive chef Matthew Ridgway and staff can create tasting menus, elaborate spreads or passed appetizers matched by a splendid bar program rich in Old World-style wines, craft cocktails and European beers. Contact Simone Dyson at events@gk-atl.com or call 404-939-9840. The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite A209. 101 Steak 101 Steak in Vinings offers multiple private dining settings to suit the needs of holiday events large or small. The Overlook Room accommodates up to 50 guests, while The Board Room sits 12 and The Tasting Room can seat up to eight guests. Executive chef Joe Ahn’s chef-driven catering menu features menu selections that include family style appetizers and side dishes, salads, entrees and desserts. Custom menus are available upon request. Order for the table using their special Thanksgiving Day group menu this year featuring a holiday entree, sides and desserts. $45 per person, $18 for children. Call 770-805-8855. 3621 Vinings Slope SE, Vinings.

Ham It Up at Hand in Hand Pig Roast

Trot over to Virginia-Highland and Hand in Hand for the neighborhood pub’s fifth annual Pig Roast on Saturday, October 22. Enjoy live music from local band Bluegrass Flash Mob while devouring plates of pulled pork and refreshing peach bourbon lemonades. Party starts at 4 p.m. Hand in Hand is located at 752 North Highland Avenue. 

Inbox Alert: Special Holiday Private Dining Edition of The Dish Coming October 20

As the holiday to-do list starts to take shape, mark dining plans off the list early. The Dish takes the hassle out of Thanksgiving and Christmas dining with a special holiday dining edition chock full of special menus and events, group options, reservation info and much more – all coming to an inbox near you on Thursday, October 20.  

Dock at The Big Ketch Canton Street for Alive in Roswell October 20

Don’t let this last Alive in Roswell of 2016 be the one that got away. Head to the monthly free festival on Thursday, October 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. for live bands, food trucks, games and activities for the kiddos and participation from area boutiques, small businesses and restaurants, including The Big Ketch Canton Street. Alive in Roswell is held concurrently at Historic Canton Street and Historic Roswell Square with free trolley service connecting the two areas.

Taste of Atlanta Takes over Midtown this Weekend

Get primed for this weekend’s Taste of Atlanta. You’ll not want to miss a morsel of the city’s signature culinary fest spreading through Midtown’s Tech Square, October 21-23.  Foodies will enjoy samplings from more than 90 of the Southeast’s most popular restaurants -- including The Big Ketch, HOBNOB, Marlow’s Tavern, Seed Kitchen & Bar and Smokebelly BBQ -- and a full schedule of events such as VIP Grand Tasting Experience options, Barcraft Competition, Big Green Egg Grilling Stage, The Chef’s Table, Family Food Zone, The Kitchen Workshop, silent auction and more. Buy tickets for individual days or in two- or three-day packages and view the full schedule online.

Harvest for a Cure Rakes in Atlanta’s Top Chefs, Vintage Wines, Raffle and More on October 20

A bountiful evening awaits as the Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society hosts Harvest for a Cure on Thursday, October 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Mason Fine Art. Join chef chair Gerry Klaskala of Aria, 18 of Atlanta’s most talented chefs and pastry chefs and 18 sommeliers and mixologists as they prepare culinary creations to pair with wines from the personal cellars of at least a dozen local wine collectors. Other notable participants include Aria pastry chef Kathryn King and general manager and wine director Andrés Loaiza, chef Derek Dollar of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, chef Matthew Ridgway of Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman and mixologist Mercedes O’Brien and pastry chef Billy Cole of Gunshow. Buy admission tickets ($250 each) and raffle tickets ($100 each)online. Reap more details on our Atlanta Dish blog.

Hunter’s Moon Leads Way to Milton’s Harvest and Vine Dinner October 27

What’s a Hunter’s Moon? The first full moon after the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon rising closest to the Autumnal equinox. Swoon over the big and bold Hunter’s Moon on October 16, then follow this astronomical sighting with a gastronomical sighting at Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails – a Harvest & Vine Dinner featuring the wines of Frank Family Vineyards on Thursday, October 27. The 6:30 p.m. multi-course dinner with wine pairings will be served out on Milton’s banquet porch and middle-tier deck. $90 per person (includes gratuity, excludes tax). We’ll shine more light on the subject as October progresses. Call Milton’s at 770-817-0161 for more information.

Georgia Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hosts Harvest for a Cure October 20

Gourmet food from Atlanta’s top chefs? Vintage wines? Luxury-laden raffle? Enjoy a bountiful Harvest for a Cure on Thursday, October 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Mason Fine Art, all to benefit the Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society and its global MS research projects to stop disease progression, restore function and end MS. Eighteen of Atlanta’s most-talented chefs and pastry chefs and 18 sommeliers and mixologists are collaborating to pair culinary creations with wines from the personal cellars of at least a dozen Atlanta wine collectors for the top-notch evening. Harvest for a Cure chef chair Gerry Klaskala of Ariahas a personal connection to the cause: lifelong friend Mike has struggled with MS since the age of 27. Klaskala is participating in chef mode, along with Aria associates pastry chef Kathryn King and general manager and wine director Andrés Loaiza, chef Matthew Ridgway of Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman, chef Derek Dollar of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and pastry chef Billy Cole and mixologist Mercedes O’Brien of Gunshow. Buy admission tickets ($250 each) and raffle tickets ($100 each) online. Learn more about MS at nationalmssociety.org.

Bellina Alimentari Rolls Pasta Class Outdoors to The Shed on the BeltLine October 17

Perhaps you’ve dined on pasta al fresco but have you drummed up your own durum delights in the great outdoors? Leave it to Bellina Alimentari to carpe diem a fall evening by leading a BeltLine Pasta Making class at The Shed at Ponce City Market from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 17. Don’t wait for the pasta water to boil; snag complimentary tickets before they run out.

Catch Drift, Seed and The Big Ketch at Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 5th Annual Harvest on the Hooch on October 16

Wise owls are hooting about the fifth annual Harvest on the Hooch fest at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 16. Pounce on this opportunity for the whole family to spend an afternoon outdoors enjoying autumn’s splendor along with samplings from top local chefs, wineries and craft breweries, live bluegrass music, corn hole, hula hoops, scavenger hunts and other garden games. Be sure to join in a complimentary tour of the CNC between bites of tasty specialties from Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Seed Kitchen & Bar and The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill – Canton Street. Harvest on the Hooch highlights the vital connections between garden and plate while raising funds for the CNC’s Unity Garden, which supplies more than four tons of fresh produce annually for North Fulton Community Charities. This rain-or-shine event inevitably sells out. Snatch your tickets now: $45 adult; $15 child over 10; no admission charge for children under 10. VIP options available on ticket purchase page.

Appetizing Aperture: Sublime Doughnuts' Cloud Coffee

Sublime Doughnuts’ Cloud Coffee uplifts when that morning sluggishness or afternoon sinking spell threatens to slow you down. Foamed milk has milk-stache potential unless licking upper lips to catch every drop of these coffees in “Cloud” flavors of vanilla, caramel, chocolate and salted butter or served Bangkok-style with sweetened condensed milk and foamed milk or in a Swizzle cloud with a little bit of everything. Choose your temperature – Cloud Coffees can be enjoyed hot or iced.

#Foodgram: Life and Thyme

Life and Thyme documents food culture around the globe. Peek at Instagram or watch “The Migrant Kitchen,” a life-and-times docu-series, here.

The Gospel Truth: Revival and Eddie’s Attic Come Together, Host Gospel Brunch October 16

Raise hands and shout for joy! Eddie’s Attic is hosting a Gospel Brunch on Sunday, October 16, and Revival is fixing the victuals. Sway to the sounds of Wolf Pack ATL, featuring Kebbi Williams of Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Harold Holloway & Company, direct from The Gospel Tent in NOLA. Give thanks for the jazz-influenced tunes, which also are inspiring the brunch buffet selections Revival executive chef Andreas Müller and crew are preparing. The bountiful buffet boasts wild mushroom and smoky greens breakfast casserole; ham, roasted onion and cheddar cheese strata; breakfast sausage links and crispy bacon; buttermilk biscuits with gravy; fruit salad with boiled dressing; corned beef hash; fried catfish bites (people’s choice from last brunch); breakfast potatoes; and French toast casserole. Buffet is priced at $24 per person and includes coffee, soda and tea (tax and gratuity not included). Doors open and buffet begins at noon; music starts at 1 p.m. General admission tickets for the show are $20 each or purchase table seats in multiples of four for $20 per seat (tables filled day of show on first-come, first-served basis).

The Big Ketch Canton Street Turns One, Celebrates with a Splash October 16

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill on Canton Street in Roswell is passing the one-year buoy marker and celebrating its first anniversary with waves of fun, food and drink specials on Sunday, October 16 from 2-8 p.m. A special $1 menu features oysters and other tasty bites to munch on while enjoying live music and lawn games. Choose your toasting beverage: $5 mojitos, $5 margaritas, $8 Tiki cocktails or $3 local canned beer. Be sure to enter the raffle for a $250 The Big Ketch gift card. Perhaps your ship will come in and you’ll win!

What's New on Pinterest: Save Room for Dessert

Stuffing? Thanks, but we’re going to Save Room for Dessert during National Dessert Month. The larder is full of desserts -- boozy, sweet, baked, frozen, moussed and mixed from homemade brownie mix. Pumpkin pecan cobbler satiates the gobblers, Italian lemon olive oil cake with berries draws out the oohs and aahs, and pies are everyone’s pals -- peach hand pies, peanut butter pie, individual frozen Key lime pies...do apple pie fries count? Three-ingredient Nutella mousse is your easy breezy go-to, and no-bake mint chocolate lasagna, well, that’s in a category all its own.  

Ormsby’s is All In for First Freedom Farmers Market Pig Pickin October 15

This little piggie went to market, where he was promptly smoked and pulled for the $25-a-plate Freedom Farmers Market Pig Pickin fundraiser on Saturday, October 15. Pine Street Market’s Rusty Bowers wrestles the pig meat. Ormsby’s chef Nick Anderson handles the veggie sides spilling over into the pulled pork on big ol’ plates. Buy tickets online or on site for the 9 a.m.-1 p.m. family friendly event. 

American Cut, Smokebelly BBQ and The Southern Gentleman Burgermaster Their Way into Atlanta Magazine’s Best Burger Battle October 15

Infiniti and Atlanta magazine join forces to back their first Best Burger Battle, a showdown of almost two dozen of the best local burger joints, bourbon, blues and brews in the ATL. American Cut, Smokebelly BBQ and The Southern Gentleman are practicing their patties and flips for the action heating up The Shops Buckhead Atlanta on Saturday, October 15 from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $50 each, inclusive of unlimited tastes, beer and bourbon. Cast votes for the People’s Choice Best Burger and see if the Atlanta magazine judges panel chooses the same as Best Burger Battle 2016 victor. Buy tickets online for this epic burger-rama. Open to ages 21 and over.

Ever Been to a 150th Anniversary Bash? Carpe Diem: White Oak Pastures 150th Anniversary Celebration is October 15

After 150 years of family farming, there’s no way to keep the anniversary party cooped up. On Saturday, October 15,White Oak Pastures is taking its 150^th Anniversary Celebration off the farm and into Bluffton to coincide with the grand opening of the White Oak Pastures General Store at 101 Church Street. When you’re hungry, buy lunch, supper or chef Reid’s surprise 150^th anniversary burger at the White Oak Pastures food truck and chase it down with wine or beer from the cash bar. Cap the day dancing to live music by the Bo Henry Band, an Albany, Georgia favorite. And that Southern Foodways Symposium we mentioned? Well, you can’t be in Oxford, Mississippi and Bluffton, Georgia at the same time, but you can watch the symposium on live stream in Bluffton. Free admission to all of these events. Farm cabins are available for overnight lodging or guests can opt to sleep under the stars and camp in a nearby field. More details on our blog, plus information on Sunday’s farm brunchin the White Oak Pastures Pavilion.

Biscuits vs. Cornbread -- Hot Debate Item at Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium October 13-16

What are the odds the Lincoln-Douglas Biscuit-Cornbread Debate at the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium (SFA) will have pollsters tallying and he-said, she-said sound “bites” flying across the airwaves? Could happen when Alabama biscuit roller Jennifer V. Cole and chef Kevin Gillespie, a Georgia skillet licker, exchange heated perspectives in the grand tradition of SFA debates over Pie vs. Cake and Traditional vs. Competition Barbecue. Batters up and butter pats at the ready for the debate at the SFA in Oxford, Mississippi, 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. Surely those biscuits are flaky and tender, but Gunshow/Revival Gillespie’s cornbread is backed by grandma.

#Foodgram: One More Dish

There’s always room for One More Dish on the table…especially when there’s more than one chef in the kitchen. Follow the foodies as they traipse their taste buds and cameras through the kitchens and eateries of NYC and beyond.