National Nacho Day Reigns Supreme!

Now you have an official reason to enjoy a big plate of supremely satisfying nachos –today is National Nacho Day! For a fun Friday treat, make up a plate at home or check out some of our favorite options around Atlanta:

• At Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food in Buckhead, you can get them buried under refried beans and a blend of cheeses or order them up “Especial” to pile on mesquite-grilled chicken or beef fajitas. For little ones, Uncle Julio’s Niño Nachos come two ways and include a cup of fruit.

• All six Marlow’s Tavern locations have Atlanta covered with a fabulous shrimp and crab nacho plate. No matter where you are, there is sure to be a Marlow’s Tavern nearby.

• For a unique twist on nachos, head to The Nook on Piedmont Park for their Totchos™, which are tater tots smothered with a variety of toppings. Options range from the Redneck variety (mesquite smoked pork, barbecue sauce, jalapeno and cheese sauce) to Creole Totchos (shrimp, andouille sausage, onions, peppers, Creole seasoning and cheese sauce). These are a great way to satisfy midnight munchies since The Nook is open until 2:30 a.m. tonight!

Changing it up at RA Sushi with new menu items

The season has changed, the weather has changed, now RA Sushi is bringing in some delicious changes of their own with some new menu items! Executive Chef Tai Obata is not afraid to venture out of the realms of the traditional sushi world, and is constantly introducing new categories, dishes, and cocktails to the normal favorites on the menu. He’s even added a new Latin-influenced tapas section!

There are lots of new ways to get your night started off right at RA Sushi with new appetizers like grilled Kalbi beef short ribs ($7.50) and Japanese Kaisen ceviche with shrimp, scallops and squid ($9.50).


"RA"llipop sushi roll

The “What’s New” portion of the menu includes some delicious additions like the “RA”llipop sushi roll with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, spicy tuna mix, lettuce, asparagus and cucumber wrapped lobok (Asian radish), skewered and served with garlic ponzu sauce ($15); “Hot Mess,” crispy rice balls topped with a spicy king crab mix, baked and finished with jalapeño and cilantro ($14); spicy rice crispy treats of crispy rice balls filled with spicy tuna mix, cucumber, avocado, lettuce and sautéed nuts, served with a soy chili sauce ($7.25); and RA chips and salsa of spicy tuna tartare mixed with cucumber, avocado and fresh salsa, served with wonton chips ($8.50).


tapas time!

If you’re a tapas fan, try one of the “RA Tapas”, which feature small plates of thinly sliced sashimi -- sweet onion salmon, sesame lemon whitefish, garlic citrus yellowtail, crispy onion albacore or seared tuna -- served with organic micro greens ($7.50). As guests move on to selecting entrées in the “Getting Busy” section, they’ll find pork katsu with wasabi mashed potatoes ($13.75).

Those stopping in for lunch will be intrigued by the pork katsu bento box with miso soup, uchi no salad, rice, a pork gyoza and a vegetable spring roll ($8.50); and the chicken or beef teriyaki bowl ($8.25-$8.75). Adding a sushi touch to dessert is the decadent banana split maki: fried banana maki topped with whipped cream, strawberries, kiwi fruit and mandarin oranges, sliced like sushi and drizzled with chocolate and raspberry sauces ($6.75).


Cheers to the Bangin' Blueberry Mojito!

The Flying Fish Lounge adds some sexy new cocktails to its offerings including the Shiso Naughty martini, the Bangin’ Blueberry mojito, Strawberry Soju Sunrise and a Strawberry Gingerita ($7.50-$8.50). There’s also white and red wine to choose from, along with sake varietals of Hakutsuru Sayuri “Little Lily” Junmai Nigori and Tozai “Living Jewel” Junmai have been added to the wine list.

RA Sushi is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, with a late night menu available until midnight for those craving late night snacks. The Flying Fish Lounge is open until 1 a.m. or later Monday through Saturday and until midnight on Sunday. Find RA Sushi on Facebook, Twitter and in the 1010 Midtown building.

RA Sushi: 1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

My Fave Food Event

Atlanta has tons of great food events and I enjoy attending them all. I must say that my personal favorite, year after year, is the Les Dames d'Escoffier* "Afternoon in the Country" at Serenbe. The chefs are top-notch and they really bring out their best dishes. There's lots of wine. Micro-brew beer. Great music. Beautiful setting. And the ticket price ($95) supports culinary scholarships and organic farmers. Some of our clients will be there: Aria, Ecco, JCT Kitchen, La Tavola and Woodfire Grill. This year's event is Sunday, Nov. 8. They appear to still be selling tickets so you might want to nab one now.

*I'm a member of Les Dames.

Join the Club

Pacci Ristorante is hosting this month’s Atlanta Community Food Bank Supper Club on Tuesday, November 10, and the only skill you’ll need to join this club is eating. On this night, 20 percent of your dining tab at Pacci goes directly to Atlanta’s Table, a project of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Through Atlanta’s Table, more than 40,000 pounds of perishable food is collected from the local hospitality industry each month and delivered to more than 40 nonprofit aid agencies for people in need. Pacci was recently named one of the “Top 20 Best New Restaurants in America” by Esquire magazine, so seats at this upscale Italian steakhouse will go fast. Make your reservation today by calling 678-412-2402.

Pacci Ristorante is located at 866 West Peachtree Street, NW. Complimentary valet parking is available in front of the restaurant.

Do You Deserve a Girls' Night Out?

Do you deserve a night out with your friends? Tell us about it on Aqua blue’s Facebook page. Now through November 8, speak up about why you and up to 20 of your friends deserve a Girls’ Night Out at Aqua blue. A winner will be randomly selected on November 9. Blue no more, the lucky gal and her friends will party for two hours on Wednesday, November 18, enjoying unlimited appetizers from the Girls’ Night Out menu and $5 drink specials.

It's Easy Being Green

We all know that we have to do our part to make Atlanta a greener city, but there’s no reason we can’t have a party while doing it! Join non-profit organization Green Plate for a great event Eat Green/ Drink Local tonight at SweetWater Brewing Company.
Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, Georgia Organics and quite a few well-loved Atlanta restaurants, the night will feature great bands, door prizes, and of course delicious food and drinks to sample – all in the name of encouraging and educating restaurants and consumers to use greener alternatives when it comes to everything from plastic to composting.
It all starts at 4 pm with a special party for foodservice industry employees only, then opens to the public from 6 to 9 pm. Tickets can be found online at www.greenplate.org/eatgreen.

Trick-or-Treat

The days of trick-or-treating might be behind you but you're never to old to dress-up and enjoy Halloween. Don't get left in the dark this year -- we've got the scoop on frighteningly fun events going on Halloween night at Atlanta restaurants and bars. So rock that costume and head out on the town.

Boo Bash 2009: A Night of Freakish Fun at RA Sushi corners the crypt on freakin' good times in Midtown from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Halloween night. The hip hotspot features beverages such as a Vampire's Kiss and "Boo Bites" such as the Creepy Cali Roll ($6). Dress out -- RA Sushi gift certificates go to the top three costume contest winners. Horror movie theme songs and Top 40 tracks make up DJ Scott's monster mix. Late night goblins note, RA's kitchen will stay open until 1 a.m. No cover charge. (1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114)

Some good-looking witches have been sighted brooming it out beyond the perimeter to Roswell. Our guess is they're in flight to try for the $3,000 in cash and prizes going out to costumed guests at Aqua blue's 8th Annual Halloween Monster Bash on October 31. The spell-binding evening takes off with à la carte dining from 4 - 10 p.m. and flows until the witching hour with cocktails from the Bacardi- and Dos Equis-sponsored bar and three DJs spinning tunes starting at 9 p.m. If you're spooked by cover charges, be there before 10 p.m. -- $10 cover after that. (1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886)

When small things start getting under your skin, do as the skeletons do and party your bones off Halloween night at Marlow's Tavern. From 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. on October 31, guests can order from the full restaurant menu of ghastly good appetizers, enticing entrées and deliciously wicked desserts. $5 cocktails, $500 costume contest and no cover charge all night long make your nearby Marlow's location a hellacious Halloween haunt.

Dress like a boo-rito? A terrifying taco? You don't have to dress Tex Mex but do come creatively costumed to The Original El Taco from 6 until 10 p.m. on Halloween night so you can be photographed for the restaurant's Facebook page costume contest. Photos will be posted, and guests can vote on Sunday, November 1; winners will be announced on Monday, November 2. First place eeks out a $100 dining card, and second snags a $50 card. Costumed kids who come to the restaurant on Halloween between 4 - 6 p.m. will eat FREE! (1186 North Highland Avenue, NE; 404-873-4656)

Costumed characters in Sandy Springs should head to EVOS. Any child who comes to EVOS in costume before 8 p.m. on Halloween night will be treated to a free kid's meal. Adults, you'll get a free milkshake following the same tricks. (5590 Roswell Road, NE; 404-252-4022)

This is no trick. Aria is treating its Facebook fans to 30 percent off their food tab on Halloween night! (490 East Paces Ferry; 404-233-7673)

Pumpkins Galore!

Fun was had by all last night at the Great Chefs Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Enjoy some pictures -- just in case you missed out!


Executive Chef/Co-owner of Woodfire Grill, Chef Kevin Gillespie.


The winning pumpkin pirate! It was made by Victor from the Ritz-Carlton. Pretty incredible!


All of the chefs!

Sipping, Savoring & Sea-ing at the Georgia Aquarium

Last night I attended the 4th annual Aqua Vino event at the Georgia Aquarium and enjoyed some excellent wines and bites from Atlanta restaurants. My food favorites of the evening were Pacci Risotrante’s crab fondue with crostini (Chef Keira Moritz pictured above on the right at her table in the Georgia Explorer Gallery), Il Mulino’s mushroom ravioli and WaterHaven’s mussels. Memorable wine finds included Orogeny Pinot Noir and Twomey Sauvignon Blanc. There was a great turnout – 1,000+ attendees supporting the Georgia Aquarium and the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health!

Pumpkins Beware: Atlanta's Finest Chefs Are Coming For You!

Tis the season to get spooky! Atlanta is full of fabulous Halloween festivities this week, but if you find yourself with nowhere to haunt tonight, you’ll want to check out the Great Chefs Pumpkin Carving Contest at the Atlanta Botanical Garden tonight!
It’s a great opportunity to see your favorite Atlanta chefs, including Woodfire Grill Executive Chef/ Partner and Top Chef contender Kevin Gillespie, let their creative inspiration loose on 100-plus pound pumpkins as they carve jumbo orange masterpieces.
Here’s the catch: they only have 25 minutes to get the job done before the crowd picks the winner by applause! If you happen to fall for a particular pumpkin creation, you’ll have an opportunity to bid on the pumpkins at the post-contest silent auction.
The Pumpkin Carving Contest will be from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight , and it comes at the end of the garden’s month-long and always popular Scarecrows In The Garden series. It’s $15 for adults; $12 for senior citizens and children ages three to 17; free to garden members and children under age three.
The event will also mark the last night of Fest-of-Ale, the garden’s October Thursday night brew-fest that’s rocking with live music, beer school by Hop City and lots of harvest-themed brews from 5 to 10 p.m. Pumpkins, beer, and your favorite chefs in the beautiful setting of the Atlanta Botanical Garden – it’s a can’t miss combination!

Wednesday Round-up

This Wednesday is truly a day of tasty proportions! Today from 12 - 1 p.m. stop by the new EVOS Viewpoint location in Midtown and enjoy free samples of their Airbaked Chicken Strips & low-fat real Fruitshakes.

Also, today is National Chocolate Day! Visit our website to see our favorite places to grab a decadent chocolate treat! Remember to save a little room for all that Halloween candy this weekend.

Lastly, it's Top Chef night! Tune into Bravo tonight at 10 p.m. to support your favorite Atlanta chefs, Eli and Kevin!

My kind of recipe

We all know I'm not much of a cook. Okay, I'm no kind of a cook. But when it comes to cocktails, I'm not half bad at mixing up something delicious. I guess I just embrace my inner mixologist more than my inner chef.

So when these recipes for Halloween cocktails from the folks at SKYY vodka made their way into my inbox, I was pretty happy. I would have been happier if they had sent some samples too. Sigh.

Can't wait to try these out this weekend!

Jack-O-Lantern
2 oz. SKYY Infusions Citrus
1 oz. mango nectar or juice
0.5 oz. orange juice
0.5 oz. fresh sour*

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and pour into a goblet glass and garnish with a slice of orange and a mint leaf laid flat on top. (*Combine 0.25 oz. fresh lime juice and 0.75 oz. simple syrup.)

Vampire’s Elixir
1.5 oz. SKYY Infusions Raspberry
0.75 oz. white chocolate liqueur
1 oz. half and half
Strawberry syrup

Dress strawberry syrup on the inside and rim of a chilled martini glass. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into martini glass. Garnish with vampire teeth.

Beer + Bread = Delish

Two of my favorite things (beer and fresh baked bread) have come together to make one tasty treat. Whole Foods Market and SweetWater Brewing Company have teamed up to create hearty SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale bread using spent grains from the SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale brewing process. The grains from this award-winning ale are taken from the Midtown Atlanta brewery to the Whole Foods Market bake house. The pumpkin seed-studded loaf with a nutty texture is selling for $3.49 a loaf at Whole Foods Markets across the Southeast. Whole Foods also offers an awesome beer and cheese fondue recipe featuring SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale bread, perfect for your next fall get-together.

Ingredients
3 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
1/4 pound Gruyère cheese, shredded
1 rounded tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale
1 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
A few drops Worcestershire sauce
A few drops of hot sauce or horseradish (optional)
1 SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale bread loaf

Directions
Combine cheeses in a bowl with flour. Add beer to a small pot and bring up to a bubble over medium heat. Reduce the heat to simmer and add cheese in handfuls. Stir constantly, melting the cheese in batches. Stir in a figure-eight pattern with wooden spoon. When the cheese has been incorporated fully, stir in the mustard, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Hollow out the SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale bread to form a bread bowl. Pour the fondue into the bowl.

Make cubes from the leftover bread that was hollowed, dip cubes into the fondue and enjoy.

Salsa & Sustainability

What do salsa and sustainability have in common? Tierra Atlanta is hosting an evening of "salsa and sustainability" from 7 - 10 p.m. to raise funds for EARTH University Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Atlanta, that supports the educational vision of Costa Rica-based EARTH University.

It's a no-brainer that EVOS will serve up tasty eats to the estimated 600 attendees at the October 24 Tierra Cosecha fundraiser at Atlanta's SweetWater Brewing Company. And needless to say Sweetwater will provide the tasty beverages.

EARTH offers educational programs encompassing agriculture, science, technology and entrepreneurship in Guacimo, Costa Rica.

EVOS: 5590 Roswell Road, NE; 404-252-4022.
SweetWater Brewing Company: 195 Ottley Drive; 404-691-ALES (2537).

This Weekend’s Must-Do: Hot Stuff

If you’re feeling a little spicy this Saturday, October 24, we advise you find your way over to the Virginia Highland Chili Pepper Festival, at the intersection of Highland and Amsterdam, from 4 to 11 p.m.!
The cooling fall temperature will be no match for the heat from delicious dishes offered up by The Original El Taco, DBA Barbecue and Mali Thai & Sushi Bar. A chili pepper-eating contest and smokin’ hot live music from Delta Moon, My Friend Ian’s band, El Scorcho and Shark Fighter will also be on hand to light your fire! Don’t worry – it’s not all spicy – there will be specialty cocktails and icy cold brews to douse the flames.
Tickets are available for $5 in advance or $10 at the gate, and do not include the cost of food or alcohol. You must be 21 or older to enter, and please leave Fido at home (since he can’t enjoy the chilis anyway).

Pinot noir for dinner tonight? Yes please.

Did watching Atlanta's Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill win last week's Top Chef episode "Pigs and Pinot" make you thirst for pinot? Then quench your thirst and head over to Toulouse, an American bistro, for a pinot noir wine tasting tonight, October 21, for $30. The price includes at least 15 wines to be tasted and light appetizers. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling the restaurant at (404) 351-9533. Toulouse offers monthly wine tastings, so check out their website for details about the next wine tasting.

And it's Wednesday, so you know what that means. Don't forget to watch Top Chef to cheer on Atlanta's own Eli and Kevin on Bravo at 10 p.m.

Toulouse: 2293 Peachtree Road NE, Suite B - 404.351.9533

Shop, Save & Benefit Camp Twin Lakes

Spend $60 for a Camp Twin Lakes Partners Card, and you'll help children with serious illnesses and life challenges experience priceless fun at Camp Twin Lakes. Not only is it for a good cause, it also encourages you to shop! With the Partners Card enjoy savings of 20 percent October 17 - 25 at area restaurants and retailers including Aqua blue, Ecco, The Original El Taco, La Tavola Trattoria, Marlow's Tavern, South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings, The Cook's Warehouse, Toulouse, WaterHaven, Woodfire Grill and Young Chefs Academy. To see the complete list of participating shop and dine partners and to purchase and print your card, click here.

Eat Like It's 1984!

In 1984, Atlantans were flocking to Ray’s on the River, which had just opened along the Chattahoochee. Now, the restaurant is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and the month-long celebration continues with “1984 Week” at all three Ray’s locations. This week, guests can savor history as they dine on the day’s special item from the 1984 lunch or dinner menu at 1984 prices. On Ray’s on the River’s official birthday, this Sunday, October 25, each guest will receive a complimentary glass of champagne or slice of birthday cake. Reserve your table online or by calling a Ray’s located listed below. Cheers to 1984!

Ray’s on the River: 6700 Powers Ferry Road; 770-955-1187.
Ray’s Killer Creek: 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.
Ray’s in the City: 240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

This Weekend's Must-Do: Pedals and Produce

Ready, Set, Go!! With the sun promising to show its face again in Atlanta this weekend, it’s the perfect time to wheel out your bike and have an agricultural adventure with Pedals & Produce!

Georgia Organics, Slow Food Atlanta and the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition have teamed up for a great fall ride to get a first hand (or first-wheel) view of our wonderful local produce markets and gardens. On Saturday, October 17 at 9 a.m., riders will get started at Piedmont Park’s Green Market, followed by a trip over to the Peachtree Road and Morningside Farmers Markets, before returning to Piedmont Park for lunch after the 15 mile roundtrip excursion.

Sunday’s bike trip takes a different route, starting at 9 a.m. from Dunbar Recreation Center. Cyclists will head out on the open road to explore various community gardens, small farms and school gardens in both East & West Atlanta, ending up back at Dunbar after 20 miles of roundtrip veggie sightseeing.

Registration is $15 per person/ per day for Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and Georgia Organics members, or $20 per person/ per day for non-members. Box lunch is included – you’re sure to work up an appetite with all that pedaling and produce perusing! For more details, click here or call 678-702-0400 ext. 205. To register, click here.

This Brew is for You

Aqua blue in Roswell is hosting its First Annual Beer Festival this Saturday, October 17, for only $26 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), and you won’t want to miss out on this amazing deal! The price includes live music along with a prix fixe tapas menu of nine dishes paired with nine different beers like Dominion Oktoberfest Lager, Hoptober Golden Ale, Roxy Rolles Autumn Seasonal, Drifter Pale Ale, Fat Tire and Magic Hat #9. Aqua blue opens for dinner at 4 p.m., and The Moonlight Band starts playing at 7 p.m. Some of the menu items will include bbq beef sliders, smoked gouda fried ravioli, spicy pumpkin soup and a caramelized onion duck wrap. This truly is going to be the ultimate fall celebration. Thrillist Atlanta agrees -- Aqua blue's Beer Festival is recommended in The List this week!

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