Better than Santa in the Kitchen - Chefs in Restaurants for Your Holiday Dinners and Parties

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are drawing near, and Atlanta's best restaurants are ready with options, whether you're looking for a place to carry out for a home gathering or an elegant dinner out. Here is a list of restaurants with holiday happenings: Roswell dwellers can gather at Aqua blue for their Christmas Eve dinner. From 4-9 p.m. on December 24, a special three-course menu will be offered at $29 per person in addition to the full à la carte menu. The special menu includes the Aqua blue daily soup, 12 oz. rib-eye with horseradish sauce and house-made warm chocolate cake. For reservations, call 770-643-8886. Atkins Park in Virginia Highland and Atkins Park in Smyrna are open on Christmas Day, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Highland location and 5 p.m. at Smyrna. At Atkins Park Virginia Highland, dinner is priced at $22 for adults, $15 for young adults and $8 for children under 10 years old. The main course boasts Big Green Egg smoked turkey breast, braised pork shoulder with roasted root vegetables, green bean casserole, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry Gran Marnier compote and sweet potato biscuits. Save room for pumpkin cheesecake and Southern pecan pie for dessert. Dinner at Atkins Park Smyrna costs $20 for adults, $15 for young adults and $8 for children under 10 years old.  The meal starts off with pimento cheese, deviled eggs and pickled beets. Main courses include deep-fried Creole turkey breast and Dr. Pepper spiral-glazed ham along with squash casserole with cracker topping, herbed bread stuffing, sweet potato soufflé with streusel topping, southern-style green beans, cranberry orange relish and pull-apart rolls. Dessert tops off the meal with a pumpkin and mascarpone cheese roll. Reservations: Virginia Highland, 404-876-7249. Smyrna, 770-435-1887. The holiday-hurried can pick up Bantam +Biddy's family meals. For $42, three to five family members or friends can take home a whole rotisserie chicken, meatloaf or herb-roasted pork loin, served with a family-sized organic green salad, jalapeño cheddar bread (gluten-free bread upon request), choice of dressing, three family-sized sides and a half-gallon of fresh brewed tea. Family meals are take-out only; 30 minutes notice required. Phone in your order to 404-907-3469 and pick it up curb-side. Host an easy "down home" Christmas dinner by ordering the whole feast from Buckhead Barbecue Company. Offering selections for any size party, the restaurant is cooking classics such as hickory honey and cracked pepper smoked turkey, apple-brandy and brown sugar smoked ham and all-natural Black Angus brisket. Sides and desserts feed between 12 to 15 people and include squash casserole, cornbread dressing, sweet potato soufflé and macaroni and cheese sides and desserts of the Buckhead cobbler (peach, apple, blueberry, blackberry and chocolate) or a traditional pumpkin pie. They're taking holiday meal orders until 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 22. Stop in or call 404-792-9388 On Christmas Eve, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub turns two. Celebrate with their special three-course menu for $20.12 in addition to the regular menu. Reservations optional. Closed Christmas Day. Reservations: 404-474-9600. Little Cake Bakery in Buckhead has holiday cupcakes galore! Eggnog, peppermint, German chocolate and Black Forest cherry flavors are available for order and pick up before Santa arrives. For more information or to place orders, call 404-841-8856. Ray's Restaurants offers diners a warm place to gather this holiday season. Ray's on the Creek in Alpharetta is open from 4-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Reservations: 770-649-0064. Ray's on the River is open from 5-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Reservations: 770-955-1187. Ray's in the City is not open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. On December 24, South City Kitchen Midtown is open for a three-course prix fixe Christmas Eve feast priced at $42 for adults and $21 for children under 12. Each guest can choose one appetizer, entrée and dessert. Some menu options include fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and sweet pepper coulis, smoke-roasted filet of beef with celery root potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts and truffle jus, and Southern chocolate pecan pie. Reservations: 404-873-7358. For easy holiday meals, call on Market Street Café or Bistro 191 to cater anything from breakfast and lunch gatherings to fine dining affairs. As a bonus, guests booking a catered event for 10 or more people will receive a complimentary $10 Market Street Café gift card. Place pre-orders for take-home treats, such as holiday breads and pies. To schedule a catered event or for pre-orders, call Market Street Café at 404-816-4911 and Bistro 191 at 404-233-0500.

A New Restaurant Opening in Midtown Brings Sustainable Food and Upbeat Atmosphere

Brothers Sean and Gilbert Yeremyan are bringing a new restaurant and lounge to the Midtown community called 10th & Piedmont, taking the place of the former Outwrite bookstore space. The brothers have created an eclectic atmosphere with diverse flair to continue the tradition that Gilbert's Cafe and Bar and the former bookstore brought to the iconic corner. On December 10th the restaurant begins serving dinner and lunch service begins on December 12th. 

Executive Chef Brett Ring brings fresh, seasonal and organic produce and artfully designed plates to match guest's cravings for brunch, lunch, dinner or late night meals. Tasty offerings include Southern arancini with blue cheese grits and tomato marmalade; lamb meatballs with red currants, tomato glaze and pickled cucumber spaghetti; and SoCo cured salmon roulade with whipped goat cheese, roasted red peppers, lemon vinaigrette and fried capers atop a bagel crisp. The extensive beverage menu is sure to quench your thirst with a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, worldly vodkas, an international red and white wine list and craft bottled or canned beers. 


Sunday offers patrons a little fun with a Bellini brunch from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. followed by an afternoon tea dance with a live DJ from 4 p.m. to close. Lunch is offered with counter service Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and with table service on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 10^th & Piedmont serves dinner nightly followed by a late-night menu offered daily once dinner service has ended and lasting until 2 a.m. Monday-Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. 

The Yeremyan brothers also own and operate HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern and Gilbert's Café & Bar as part of their restaurant group, Communitas Hospitality. For more information: Facebook or call 404-602-5510.

Appetizing Aperture: @lilcakebakery's Holiday Cupcakes

 

A shortage of Ho Hos and Twinkies needn't Grinch your holiday season. Little Cake Bakery's holiday cupcakes outshine all in flavors of eggnog, peppermint, German chocolate and Black Forest cherry. Now who has a twinkle in their eye and more ho-ho in their step? 

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

Rebecca Gomez Farrell "chases dragons, dissects cocktails, ponders dishes, and contemplates television by fingertip." Translation: the author, blogger and freelance editor tweets (@thegourmez) and types longhand on her blog.

Give Green. Get Green.

A Georgia Organics membership makes a great gift for anyone on your list. It has immediate and long-term benefits, and it is easy to email, mail or tuck in a compostable gift bag along with some gardening gloves. Plus it comes in all sizes. Purchase a membership before December 31 and receive a free one-year subscription to Organic Gardening magazine. Membership levels range from $25 for students to $1000 for the Seeds and Soil Society. Now that's a green gift!

What's New on Pinterest: Forever Food for Great Weddings

 

Gorgeous - red velvet heart cake. Fun - Caprese pops. Frivolous - cotton candy on glow sticks. Brides and grooms looking for unique wedding party foods will find their heart's desire on our Pinterest board.

White Oak Pastures Hosts Farm Tour and Open Air Dinner for Flint Riverkeeper on December 8

Photo by Angie Mosier

When the family farm has been in the family for five generations, you're doing something right.  "We take care of the land and the herd, and they take care of us" is a Harris family core value that drives much of life down on Will Harris' sustainably run farm where pastured poultry and stock roam and land stewardship and water conservation rule the roost. 

See for yourself. Head to Bluffton, Ga. on Saturday, December 8 and tour White Oak Pastures, enjoy a pastured poultry dinner and shop a silent auction benefitting Flint Riverkeeper. 

The festivities start at 4 p.m. with local fare and libations under the new open-air pavilion. Set off on a farm tour at 4:30 p.m., then return to the pavilion for a pasture-to-plate dinner featuring White Oak Pastures' free-range chicken and comfort foods at 5:30 p.m. Gordon Rogers of Flint Riverkeeper follows dinner with award presentations, remarks and announcement of silent auction winners. The evening wraps up around 8 p.m. Dress cozy casual for outdoors. 

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at www.flintriverkeeper.org or reserved for payment at the event by calling Jayme Smith at 229-220-9796 (jayme@flintriverkeeper.org). 

To keep wear and tear to a minimum, two shuttles will run from satellite parking lots in Albany and Ft. Gaines. A $20-per-person shuttle reservation fee can be added to your ticket purchase.

Breakfast at Bantam + Biddy? Don't Mind if I Do!

Photo by Angie Mosier

Rise up! A hot breakfast has your name on it at Bantam + Biddy in Ansley Mall. The casual, family friendly eatery now opens at 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday to plate up all-natural pastured poultry and egg dishes for breakfast. Regionally raised chickens and Georgia eggs have a short commute to this kitchen and your table or carry-out bag. Eye-opening, reasonable prices range from $5-12 for morning selections such as the pastured three-egg burrito, fried chicken and waffles or that French-Canadian favorite, poutine with local cheese curds and chicken gravy. Add freshly squeezed OJ, vegetable juices, freshly brewed teas, locally roasted coffee and you're good to go. Owners Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere give a shout out to Bantam + Biddy guests putting in requests for table service: it is now here. Come in and enjoy at breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Cook Alongside Former Top Chef Contestant Kevin Gillespie at Salud! Cooking School

Where else can you say you’ve had the opportunity to cook with a former Top Chef contestant? Salud! Cooking School hosts Chef KevinGillespie, who is eager to share his passion for preparing organic and sustainable food at his “Fire in My Belly” cooking demonstration. Guests will get a chance to taste several menu items from the Woodfire Grill executive chef’s new book – “Fire in My Belly: Real Cooking” including buttermilk-marinated fennel with satsumas and jalepenos; sage-battered mushrooms with cheddar fonduta; butter-basted scallops with Romanesco; slow-roasted pork chops with apples and redeye gravy; and warm banana pudding. Besides this delicious tasting menu, the $79 class price includes a signed copy of Gillespie’s new cookbook. Space is limited, so make sure you register in-store or by calling the customer service desk: 770-442-3354 ext.1 or 770-664-6300. Note: No coupons, discounts or student cards are being accepted for this class.

'Tis the Season for Specials at Aqua blue

Reach out and message, Facebook or even Bluetooth call a friend or two who you have had good intentions about getting together with this past year. Pick a night and meet at Aqua blue Restaurant and Bar in Roswell for budget-saving nightly specials. Sundays feature half-price bottles of wine; Tuesday serves up half-price sushi specials such as $1 nigiri and sashimi, $5 large sake and $3 Japanese beers. Thursdays "Ladies Night" offers the gals $5 cocktails all day, complimentary appetizers in the bar only from 5:30-7 p.m. and live music from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Friday nights, live music fills the restaurant and lounge -- instant party. 

Bonefish Grill in Emory Point Hosts Free Charity Event on December 8 to Celebrate Grand Opening

The Emory area becomes an "eat coastal" destination with the opening of Bonefish Grill in the new Emory Point development on Monday, December 10. Succulent wood-grilled fish, seafood and chops, innovative sauces and indulgent desserts fill the menu of this ZAGAT award-winning restaurant. Polished yet casual, Bonefish Grill is a beacon for those in the mood for the popular ahi tuna sashimi, PEI Mussels Josephine, "American-style" Kobe beef burgers or market-fresh daily seafood specials. Liquids are equally inviting, encompassing inventive "bar-fresh" cocktails, unique craft beers and interesting wines. Every Wednesday is Bang Wednesday, when signature crisp-tender Bang Bang Shrimp comes with a spicy sauce for just $5. The community-oriented restaurant reaches out to help both its nearby and global communities. On the evening of Saturday, December 8 from 5:30-8 p.m., Bonefish Grill will host a tasting event to benefit Friends of Music at Emory. Entry is free, but seating is limited. Tickets can be acquired online and donations are welcomed. An open kitchen, large bar, hand-blown glass lamps and big, three-dimensional art all add to the welcoming ambience of the Florida-based restaurant. Dinner service begins at 3 p.m. daily; Sunday brunch is offered from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations welcome, 404-235-4024.

Keep Some Jingle in Your Pocket with Holiday Gift Cards and More in this Week's Dish

This holiday season give the gift card that keeps on giving with bonus cards for friends, family or to enjoy yourself. Gift a Georgia Organics membership or enjoy a ladies night out at Aqua blue. There are plenty of ways to gift-give this holiday and much more in this week's Dish.

Buying Holiday Gift Cards is a Smart Financial Move for Savvy Shoppers

  

The sound of Salvation Army bells reminds us that every little bit adds up when you're planning holiday and year-end spending and giving. Take advantage of these restaurant gift card promotions for friends, family or yourself -- and keep some jingle in your pocket for saving, giving or enjoying down the road.

Go global in Roswell by giving gift cards to Aqua blue Restaurant and Bar.  The restaurant is throwing in a $25 bonus gift card with every $100 gift card purchased. 

In Dunwoody, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar  is offering a bonus gift card of $20 for every $100 spent on cards. Guests can enter to win a trip for two to Napa Valley by purchasing the customizable gift cards online through December. The bonus cards are valid for food and beverage only and can be redeemed from Tuesday, January 1 through Sunday, February 10, 2013.

Get a bigger pizza with a smaller slice into your wallet at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs. Purchase $100 gift cards for only $75.

Diners and shoppers at No. 246 in Decatur will receive a $20 bonus card with each $100 gift card purchased.  Bonus gift cards cannot be redeemed the same day as purchased.

Roll your friends into the New Year with RA Sushi Bar Restaurant gift cards and receive a $10 bonus card with every $50 of gift cards purchased online or in the restaurant. Bonus promotion runs through Monday, December 31; bonus cards are valid from Wednesday, January 2 to Sunday, March 31, 2013.

Ray's Restaurants -- Ray's on the River, Ray's in the City and Ray's on the Creek are throwing in a bonus $10 gift card with every $50 gift card purchased through January 31, 2013. In addition, all locations will be giving out scratch-off gift cards during the holidays that may reveal 15 percent or 25 percent off of a meal, valid in January and February. Gift cards can be purchased either online or in restaurants.

Have a very, merry margarita using the gift card promotion at Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food. Through December 24, diners will receive a $10 reward card with every $50 gift card purchase. The reward card is valid from Tuesday, January 1 to Thursday, February 28, 2013.

Appetizing Aperture: Getting Cheesy This Christmas With A Cabot Christmas Cheese Tree

Oh Christmas cheese tree, oh Christmas cheese tree, you're so ravishing on our table. Our guests will cheer, tip wine or beer, and devour you while watching cable. Cabot Cheese posts this and more merry dairy recipes to make this your cheesiest holiday season ever! 

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

Raleigh News & Observer journalist Andrea Weigl covers culinary action equilaterally in all three corners of N.C.'s Research Triangle - Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill (beyond Wolf Pack, Blue Devils and Tar Heel tailgates). If you're headed there or trying to hone in on some Carolina recipes, follow her on Twitter (@AndreaWeigl). For more, visit the News & Observer Mouthful blog.

What's New on Pinterest: Dear Santa, Please Check Out This Culinary Wish List

Hey Santa, gift givers and recipients are drooling over a wonderland of kitchen gifts and gadgets. For those who have been extra good, we posted a few selections on Pinterest.

From the Mountains to Cheshire Bridge: Sierra Nevada Beer Dinner at Woodfire Grill

It was the late 70s. Two guys start a microbrewery in Chico, Calif. One guy is an avid backpacker so they named their venture after his favorite hiking place, the Sierra Nevada Mountains. And now the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. beers enjoy landmark quality akin to their namesake. Come see for yourself on Thursday, December 6 as Woodfire Grill Chef de Cuisine E. J. Hodgkinson crafts a four-course dinner paired with Sierra Nevada brews  -- Torpedo Extra IPA, Ovila Quadruple, Ovila Golden Ale and Narwhal Imperial Stout. The evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception followed by dinner at 7 p.m. $80 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Call 404-347-9055 to reserve your spot.

Aria hosts Chef Thomas Keller for Bouchon Bakery Book Tour and Tasting

Mondays during the holiday season are reminiscent of weekend shopping and cooking. Not many have motivation and plowing through work seems to drag out the day. Why not take a mid-morning break to meet and taste with one of America’s finest chefs, Thomas Keller (of French Laundry, Per Se, Ad Hock, Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery.) Aria was specifically chosen by Keller as his only Atlanta Bouchon Bakery book signing because of the outstanding baking abilities of Pastry Chef Kathryn King. This Monday December 3 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., sample a variety of pastries and desserts straight from the pages of the book , prepared by Keller, King and Sebastian Rouxel, co-author and executive pastry chef for Thomas Keller Restaurant Group. A perfect way to start your week, the midday meet and greet is $35 a person and includes sweet treats, coffee, and mimosas. Copies of the book are available for purchase for $50. Tickets are available online.

Check out Virginia Willis Tonight on "Chopped"

As exhilarating as the experience was, Virginia Willis says being a "Chopped" chef-testant was one of the hardest things she's ever done. This coming from one of the South's grand dames of cheffing, a hard worker who has worked her way up through the culinary world since age 16! We're sure Virginia handles the challenges of this high-pressure competition with true southern grace and some fast-thinking chutzpah. We hope you'll join us in cheering her on to victory! The episode premieres tonight at 10 p.m. on the Food Network. 

Grab a Cup of Cheer with Fleming's New Holiday Cocktails and More in this Week's Dish

Thanksgiving quickly came and went, leaving us full of turkey and holiday cheer. Now, it is time to gear up for the holiday fun around Atlanta, with Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar holiday-inspired cocktails, Chef Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery book tour and tasting at Aria and much more, all in this week's Dish.