Back To School Meals And Summer Weekends Are Extra Special In August

Even though school buses are rolling, there's still six weeks of summer to go. New York Butcher Shoppe has August specials to calm hectic school night meal planning, to make weekend cookouts a cinch and to even ease you out the door for end-of-summer getaways. Early week specials earn an A+ in fast oven-to-table skills with marinated chicken, cheddar/bacon- or Greek-flavored boneless stuffed pork chops, mac 'n' cheese and all-natural frozen veggies. Weekend grill fests and gatherings cry out for C.A.B. ribeye steaks, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, the Americana Grill Master package or the new finger lickin' good Ribs package with Causey's BBQ sauce. If you can't get away, the August Xplorador Wine promo at the Sandy Springs and Alpharetta locations brings the vineyards of Chile to your glass. Concha Y Toro Xplorador Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet are $7.99 a bottle.

New York Butcher Shoppe: Dunwoody at 2458 Mt. Vernon Road; 770-399-6328. Sandy Springs at 4969 Roswell Road; 404-303-0704. Alpharetta at 5354 McGinnis Ferry Road; 678-624-0047.

Smash. Sizzle. Savor. Smashburger In Johns Creek Is Now Open!

Get “smashed” at Johns Creek newest addition, Smashburger, today! Smashburger has opened its doors for lunch and dinner to offer sizzling burgers, sandwiches, fries and more. These savory dishes are perfect for going out for a “fast-casual” meal with your family or friends.

Smashburger takes pride in its Certified Angus Beef burgers that are “smashed” on the grill to sear in the juices. For all Georgia locations, guests can indulge in the Atlanta burger that includes peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimina cheese, grilled jalapenos and vidalia coleslaw all on an egg bun. Along with its savory burgers, Smashburger also serves marinated Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and Smashsalads ($3.99-$6.99). Kids meals are $3.99 and Smashsides (including my favorite: sweet potato smashfries with rosemary, olive oil and garlic) run from $1.99- $2.99. Kids of all ages can also enjoy Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats. For the adults, beer and wine are sold as well. Check out the Buckhead location's menu to tempt your taste buds. Smashburger is destined to be a "smash" hit!

Smashburger - Johns Creek: 9775 Medlock Bridge Road; 770-497-6274.

Atkins Park Tavern Takes Ping Pong to a Whole New Level

If you're a ping pong pro, Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland has the perfect event for you. New Belgium Brewing Company has joined forces with the neighborhood tavern to host a six-week ping pong tournament that starts tomorrow. The only casualties will be pride, and spoils include $1,000 in cash and prizes. Balls fly at 10:30 p.m. every Wednesday night until the big final showdown and party on September 14. Weekly winners take home points to apply toward the finals along with house cash and New Belgium Brewing Company gear. Practice pong makes perfect -- the ping pong table is set up Monday to Wednesday from 10:30 p.m. until closing. Whether you're winning or watching, you won't want to miss the action!

Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249.

Aqua blue Toasts to Ten Years at Anniversary Party on Wednesday

Tomorrow marks the end of the 10-day anniversary celebration at Aqua blue in Roswell, and the restaurant has saved the best for last. The finale features groovy tunes from Atlanta's own FunkyStuf 70s band and complimentary cake and champagne in addition to the $20.01 prix fixe menu and $5 small plates and drink specials. Guests can also register to win a free meal a week for a year! Ten percent of the night's sales will be donated to Special Olympics Georgia, so you can have your cake and help out a good cause, too. Visit Aqua blue on Facebook for more details.

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

Counter Culture Gets A Whole New Meaning at No. 246

Photo Credit: Helena Peixoto

The bite about reality cooking shows is that you watch the chefs…then the “experts” get to eat.  You get nothing. Not so when you sit down to the new Chef’s Counter dining option at newly opened No. 246.  Watch Chef Drew Belline in action?  Check.  Close-up views?  Check.  Eat?  Five courses, coming your way, Tuesday through Sunday each week! 

For $50 per person, Chef’s Counter guests dine on a five-course menu of Italian-inspired cuisine served directly to them by the chefs who prepared the dishes, who can answer questions and who can make drink pairing suggestions.  No. 246 usually doesn’t take reservations… in this instance reservations can be made for two or four people at 6:30 p.m. or 9 p.m.   Note any dietary restrictions when making your reservation.

Raise Your Glass to International Beer Day!

Lord beer me strength, today is International Beer Day! There’s nothing better than getting your friends together for this celebration. For some of the best beer lists around town, be sure to hop into Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland and Smyrna, Ormsby’s, Fadó Irish Pub and Restaurant or any of the eight Marlow’s Tavern locations. Each restaurant is stocked with short stouts, sweaty long necks, blonde pilsners, dark ales, domestic and international labels and microbrews for your selection. With all these choices, you’ll be able to pick out an old favorite or draft something completely different.

While you’re there, don’t forget that each of these places has some delicious bites too. From beer-infused dishes to sandwiches, burgers and more, you will definitely be able to find a tasty dish to go great with your beer of choice. With your fork in one hand and a beer in the other, you can’t go wrong. Cheers!

Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249. Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna: Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road; 770-435-1887.
Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant: 273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066.
Marlow's Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033; East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store), 770-977-7747; and Cumming at 410 Peachtree Parkway, 770-886-3666.
Ormsby's: 1170 Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-968-2033.

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @BBQgeek

You might say BBQgeek takes his cues from 'cue, and his tweets are smokin' with spicy comments from top chefs. Obviously there's a BBQ cult out there that's more than happy to pull up the good stuff and toss it on to the rest of us. 


Butt in on the action on Twitter (@BBQgeek) and look for links to area BBQ joints, BBQ sites, blogs and scoop on local BBQ happenings on his BBQgeek blog.

Have a Peachy Month!

Spice Route Supper Club's Peach Chutney

If you haven't bitten into a sweet, juicy Georgia peach yet this summer, then put down the mouse and head to your nearest farm stand or favorite restaurant. It's National Peach Month in the Peach State, for goodness sakes!

As you might have guessed, we even have a handy list for you, plus a recipe. Enjoy!

Spice Market in the W Atlanta-Midtown is incorporating the luscious fruit into a roasted peach financier with peach and shiso salad and ginger ice cream for a cool $7. (In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14th Street, NE; 404-724-2550)

Smashburger crushes the juicy fruits into peach BBQ sauce for its Atlanta burger, which is dolled up with Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw on an egg bun. Regular Smash is $5.99 and $6.99 for the Big Smash. Buckheaders are good to go at their Smashburger and things will be peachy for Johns Creek residents when their neighborhood Smashburger opens August 10. (Buckhead: 2625 Piedmont Road, NE; 404-237-2374. Johns Creek: 9775 Medlock Bridge Road; 770-497-6274.)

JCT. Kitchen & Bar dresses up the house-smoked pork chop with potato purée, Vidalia onion and grilled peaches for $26. (In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road; 404-355-2252)

Asha Gomez of Spice Route Supper Club and soon-to-open Cardamom Hill embraces Georgia peaches and works them into her flavorful Kerala, India cuisine. One of her favorite ways to use them is to make peach chutney (inspired by the flavors of Kerala):

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. fresh Georgia peaches (cored and cut into bite-size pieces)
• 20 white pearl onions
• 3 fresh bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon ginger (julienned)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 star anise
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions:

• Sauté pearl onions, ginger in the coconut oil until they are golden brown
• Add bay leaves, cinnamon, star anise, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, paprika, salt and sugar and cook for about 3 minutes.
• Add the peaches and cook for 5 minutes.
• Serve with grilled chicken or grilled fish.

Find Tropical Paradise at Atkins Park in Smyrna This Weekend

What’s on your calendar for this weekend? Hula your way over to Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna this weekend for their Luaupalooza celebration this Saturday, August 6. Whether you want to party inside or out, they’ve got something for everybody, including live music from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m., beer trucks, whole hog pig roasts, plus a cornhole tournament and hulu hoop contest.


The party will set off with a bang with the huge fireworks show that Atkins Park has planned for y’all! Sounds like summer fun to us… check it out for yourself this Saturday!

It’s A Hole In One! Enter to Win Truffles Grill’s PGA Championship Giveaway

The crowd has gone deadly silent and it’s a Cinderella story outta nowhere… they’re all watching YOU win 2 ground passes to the PGA Championship. This could be reality if you head to Truffles Grill this week and drop your business card to register to win!


The restaurant will be giving four chances to win tickets to the coveted event coming up at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek from Thursday, August 11 to Sunday, August 14.


Drawings will be held nightly at 9 p.m. at Truffles Grill on Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7. Check out their Facebook page for more details and start practicing your best happy gopher dance in case you win!

Shake Up the End of Your Summer by Entering the Mayfield Below Zero Hero Contest

Summer days have been so hot lately that it’s almost too hot to go outside. One way to cool down is by creating your very own delicious milkshake. Mayfield Dairy is hosting its Second Annual Mayfield Dairy Millkshake Recipe Contest until August 15. By submitting your recipe at www.belowzerohero.com, you have the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize and enjoy your ultimate milkshake creation. The Atlanta-based dairy churned out a survey that should provide some helpful tips for you when you create your milkshake masterpiece. The shakedown discovered that Americans prefer to blend their shakes with fresh fruit such as strawberries (#1) and bananas (#2) over candy. Contrary to stereotypes about women and chocolate, slightly more males than females go for chocolate add-ins. Make sure you submit your recipe by August 15 and visit the contest's website, Facebook or Twitter (@IceCreamFun) pages for recipes and tips!

A panel of culinary judges will pick the top 10 recipes nationally based on overall appeal, originality and taste. The recipes will be posted online on August 25 for consumers to taste test and vote on, and winners will be announced in early September. First place winner slurps up $10,000, second place $3,000 and third place $1,000, so grab your ice cream, milk and a little creativity and start shaking up your kitchen!

Smash into Johns Creek’s Newest Burger Joint, Smashburger

Smashburger joins the Metro-Atlanta Burger scene on Wednesday, August 10 – this time in Johns Creek! This fast-causal, “better burger” restaurant will open at the corner of Medlock Bridge Road and State Bridge Road allowing you to smash, sizzle and savor the flavors of this delicious burger. Denver-based Smashburgers are spreading across the nation, tailoring menus that reflect each region. For us, that means Southern flavors including an Atlanta burger with peach BBQ sauce, Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw on an egg bun and an Atlanta Dog with Wicked® Pimena cheese, grilled jalapeños and Vidalia coleslaw. Burgers begin with 100-percent-fresh, never-frozen Certified Angus Beef smashed on a flat grill to sear in the juices then served on toasted artisan buns and dressed with real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments. Going beyond burgers, marinated chicken sandwiches, grilled and seared hot dogs, signature salads, veggie frites and garlicky Smashfries are smash hits. Beer, wine, Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats are liquid delights.

Smashburger - Johns Creek: 9775 Medlock Bridge Road; 770-497-6274.
Smashburger - Buckhead: 2625 Piedmont Road, NE; 404-237-2374.

Time to Celebrate 10 Years at Aqua blue

It’s party time! Today kicks off the 10-year anniversary celebration at Aqua blue in Roswell with a special $20.01 prix-fixe dinner menu plus $5 small plates and drink specials through Wednesday, August 10. On the last night, the restaurant is celebrating with Atlanta's own FunkyStuf 70s band plus complimentary cake and champagne for guests!

The $20.01 menu reads like a delicious timeline spanning the last decade with choices of a tasting plate of Asian Delight or butter lettuce wedge with vine-ripe tomato, crispy applewood smoked bacon, candied pecans and sweet Gorgonzola dressing; Maine lobster ravioli, wild shrimp and scallop grits or grilled beef tenderloin; and classic crème brûlée or a trio of sorbet. Selected small plates and cocktails are $5 during the celebration. Register to win a free meal a week for a year! Special Olympics Georgia receives a gift of 10 percent of the last night's sales. Visit Aqua blue on Facebook for more details. RSVP to 770-643-8886.

Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.

It's Follow Friday; Meet our Tweep of the Week @DrPrincessJulia

Ya gotta love DrPrincessJulia's joie de vivre -- finding something fun-loving and positive in every situation. The Atlanta physical therapist and Gator fan doubles as Mrs. Lioness on Weddingbee when she's not tweeting at @DrPrincessJulia or blogging.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant Hosts Totally Tubular “Ladies ‘80s” Party on July 30 to Benefit Team in Training

If you’re ready to get ‘Footloose’ and dance like you’re the star of Flashdance, than put on your best acid wash jeans, tease your hair and join the “Ladies '80’s” party at Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant on Saturday, July 30. This particular theme night steps out at 7 p.m. as a Totally 80s fundraising party for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Atlanta Chapter of Team in Training. Top 80s tunes and classic 80s cocktails will flow -- think Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaiian at $5 each for the ladies. Pull on some 80s garb and count on Fadó to hand out some 80s accessory party favors to complete the look. Costume contest with a $100 prize, raffle (donations requested for participation) and a silent auction will all go toward drumming up funds for the Atlanta members of Team in Training. Ultimately, the monies go toward finding a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma. Fadó keeps the party going with a DJ starting at 10:30 p.m. And don’t forget, if you round of five or so of your friends and get to the pub before 10:30 p.m., each of you receive $10 in Fadó bucks good for Saturday night!

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant: 273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066.

Ecco Pairs Its European Menu with Fine Wine at the Zind-Humbrecht Wine Dinner

Fifth Group Restaurants Mediterranean-influenced Ecco is hosting a Zind-Humbrecht Wine Dinner on Thursday, August 4 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. The dinner includes a four-course menu paired with a variety of latest Zind-Humbrecht wines. The Humbrecht family has long winemaking traditions that have been passed down from father to son since Europe’s Thirty Years War in 1620.

The four-course menu begins with an onion and bacon tart with farmer's cheese, speck ham and smoked rainbow trout paired with 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling, 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris, 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Blanc and 2009 Zind-Humbrecht Gewurtztraminer. The second course brings forth roasted pork belly, rye spatzle, cucumber and cherries paired with 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Brand, 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Hauserer and 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Heimbourg. Seared duck breast, foie gras, Sungold tomatoes and ginger make up the third course, paired with 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Windsbuhl VT, 2004 Zind-Humbrecht Hengst, 2005 Zind-Humbrecht Herrenweg and 2007 Zind-Humbrecht Goldert Muscat. The meal ends with a course of Alsatian muenster and pickled watermelon rind.

Only $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Seating is limited; call 404-347-9555 today for reservations.

"I don't know what is more mind-boggling: the quality of Zind-Humbrecht's wines or Olivier Humbrecht's complete dedication to quality. This tall, powerful and intellectual man may well be the finest winemaker in the world. It is the wine of genius." --Robert Parker (Wine Advocate)

Ecco: 40 7th Street, NE; 404-347-9555.

Take Time to “Linger and Learn” at South City Kitchen this Thursday

South City Kitchen Vinings gives you all the tips you need to be a top summer chef at this Thursday’s "Linger and Learn" cooking demos at 5:30 p.m. During the interactive class, “students” will learn how to prepare (and of course, get to taste!) pickled Georgia peach salad with arugula, pecans, goat cheese and pecan vinaigrette; summer ceviche Georgia shrimp with Roma tomatoes and cucumbers; chilled roasted tomato soup with house made crackers; seared sea scallops in Romesco-style pan sauce; and Georgia peanuts and okra.

They’ll get to pair these Georgia summer dishes with summer-perfect wines including Crios Torrontes Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Chard, Vietti Arneis Stephen Vincent Crimson, Janasse Cotes du Rhone, Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul Mathews TNT Pinot Noir, Byron Chardonnay Chehalem Inox Chard, Eroica Hangtime Arroyo Pinot Noir, Le Cengle Montevina Barbera and Nopa Vinho Verde Cims de Porerra. Only $30 per person, including tax and gratuity! Limited space; buy tickets today at http://tinyurl.com/sckvlingerlearn.

South City Kitchen Vinings: 1675 Cumberland Parkway SE; 770-435-0700.

It's Lovely in the Park with RA Sushi

Going fishing for fun with Moonflowers and Moonshine in the Atlanta Botanical Garden?  Awesome!  Hook up with friends and snag some delicious tastes when RA Sushi provides the hors d’oeuvre for Cocktails in the Garden from 6 - 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 28.  Full cash bar (actually, there’s no moonshine), complimentary appetizers.  Guest admission is $18.95; free for ABG members.  Guest passes accepted.  And, hey, if you want to keep the party going, RA Sushi is only a few blocks away and open until 1 a.m. for an after the garden party party.

Return to nearby Piedmont Park Green Market on Saturday morning, July 30 when Bryan from RA Sushi leads the chef’s demo at 11 a.m.  Market hours are 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for your oohing, aahing and buying pleasure. No squeezing the tomatoes.

RA Sushi:  Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

Scoop Up The Fun at Spice Market this Wednesday

Ice cream lovers, scoop up this doubly sweet tweet-up at Spice Market's Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, July 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Try several delectable new ice cream creations and sample other complimentary light bites with your hosts Laura of @favthingsATL and A Few Of My Favorite Things Atlanta blog as well as Melissa Libby & Associates' own @AtlantaDish.  Come out and say hello!

Spice Market, in the W Atlanta Midtown, is home to "The 90 Degree Freeze" promotion this summer. When the Weather Channel confirms the outside temp is 90 degrees or above, Spice Market churns out complimentary ice cream to patrons with a $5 minimum purchase. These are not your grandma's flavors either: Vietnamese coffee, banana cashew, and fresh mint ice cream and mango, passion fruit and coconut sorbets.  (Dine-in guests only, one ice cream per person, not valid with any other offers.)

School Employees Get A Delicious Deal Before Back-To-School Rush

The recently opened Buckhead restaurant, Smashburger, is honoring school employees with a delicious deal during their last week of summer break. Starting today, Monday, July 25 through Friday, July 29, any school employee that brings in their employee badge, card or pay stub will receive a free side item when they purchase a burger, chicken sandwich, salad or hot dog. Smashburger sides include Smashfries, french fries, sweet potato Smashfries, haystack onions, fried pickles, veggie frites, beefy chili, chili cheese fries and a small wedge salad. This offer is limited to one per person and only valid during store hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., during the selected dates. The only thing better than a Smashburger is a FREE side with your Smashburger!

Smashburger: 2625 Piedmont Road NE Atlanta, GA 30324