Dish-Tested, Lent Approved at Atlanta Restaurants

Those Friday night fish fries are a Lenten staple, but what about some other ideas for those opting out of meaty menus for Lent?  Rejoice!  Our Atlanta restaurant friends will tempt your taste buds and fill you up without beef, pork or chicken through Lent and beyond.

On Mondays, Spice Market offers its vegetarian bento box created by Executive Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for only $24 per person.  Each bento box includes white or brown rice, the chef's soup of the day and your choice of three dishes from the varied list:  market green salad with radishes, cherry tomatoes and sesame seed vinaigrette; fragrant mushroom egg rolls with galangal emulsion; vegetables in green curry; spicy Shanghai noodles with chilled silken tofu, garlic and herbs; wok-charred eggplant with sweet chili glaze and peanuts; or spicy Thai slaw with Asian pear, crispy shallots and mint.  (In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14^th Street, NE; 404-724-2550)  

Woodfire Grill stays true to its farm-to-table mantra with a five-course vegetarian tasting menu for $65 (excluding tax and gratuity). Some items in season now that may show up on the menu are sunchokes, micro spring greens, baby red potatoes, arugula, baby Vidalia onions, fennel, turnips and green onions.   (1782 Cheshire Bridge Road; 404-347-9055)

Aqua blue's Crabfest will turn hungry crabs into happy clams, so to speak, through April 18.  Executive Chef John C. Metz and Chef de Cuisine Kien Sam created the limited-time Crabfest menu featuring she-crab soup; jumbo lump crab cakes with avocado, mango, chili aioli, rice wine vinegar and wasabi honey mustard;  soft shell crab rolls made with thin asparagus, crab cake, sweet herb, futomaki, soy paper and red tobiko served with wasabi honey mustard and fresh lemon; a chilled Florida stone crab claw taster served with traditional mustard sauce; drunken king and snow crab legs or large Florida stone crab claws served with green peppercorn cocktail sauce, tri-color tiny potatoes, corn on the cob slather and jicama slaw.  (1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886) 

RA Sushi is always swimming with fish, and they've recently added two more meat-free dishes:  vegetable tempura roll with lightly battered asparagus, sweet potato and Japanese eggplant rolled and topped with colorful crunchy tempura bits and drizzled with a sweet eel sauce and the Tropical roll that rolls cucumber, mango and avocado together and tops them off with spinach tempura bits and spicy shrimp mixed with masago and mango salsa. (1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114)

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

Jessica is a recent Georgia Tech graduate moving on through GT grad school, but her food-techie story starts way back with her first elementary school science fair project when she compared soda pop leavenings in 7-Up cake.  

Now, a fan of Alton Brown's "Good Eats," she professes to "cook stuff and eat out, and then I write about it" on her blog First Bite.    Do you think she wrote about it on her college essays?  Look for shorter bites on Twitter (@firstbite).

New Season, New Delights at Atkins Park in Virginia Highland

Spring's gorgeous days have us hankering for fresh new tastes to match the season.  Who can get enough tender asparagus this time of year? Always obliging, Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland pops up with new brunch, lunch and dinner menu items to satiate spring equinox-driven cravings.  Blooming on all menus are the chilled asparagus salad with house pancetta, shaved Parmesan, sherry vinaigrette and a soft-poached farm egg ($8) and a Southern classic cheese plate topped with Flat Creek cheddar, Sweet Grass Asher Blue, Sweet Grass Green Hill, local honey, house preserves and grilled bread ($12).  

A spring lunch fave is the chicken salad sandwich on toasted sourdough ($10).  More lunch and dinner offerings include a pan-fried crab cake with mashed potatoes, asparagus and tomato jam ($12 lunch/$18 dinner), lemon-rosemary roasted natural chicken with preserved lemon and roasted new potatoes ($11 lunch/$16 dinner), grilled hanger steak ($12 lunch/$18 dinner) and farm egg carbonara with spring peas ($10 lunch/$14 dinner). Dinner adds a grilled Painted Hills New York strip steak ($22) and lamb two ways -- grilled porterhouse and sausage ($20).   

A weekend stroll leads to new brunch offerings of Kentucky hot brown ($6); bruschetta of spring peas, ricotta, local radish and garden mint ($6); biscuits and gravy ($6); chorizo potato hash with asparagus, roasted peppers and poached eggs ($10); fried egg sandwich with house bacon, avocado and tomato jam ($10); flank steak Benedict ($12), fried green tomato Benedict ($9); and the Highland brunch of three eggs any style, applewood smoked bacon or house-made pork sausage ($8).  

And about that brunch, it's one of Open Table's Diners' Choice "Top 10"  places to go for brunch in Atlanta on the reservation-taking website.  Pop open your laptop to take a look-see and reserve your seat! 

Get "Hooked Up" with RA Sushi

Make you sure you pick up a capture card next time you’re at RA Sushi so you can get in with “The Hook Up” preferred customer email program. After signing up, you’ll receive lots of great incentives such as a complimentary appetizer or roll certificate for up to $8 and a $20 gift certificate on your half birthday each year. You’ll always know what’s going on at RA Sushi from the frequent newsletter that keeps you up to date with everything RA. In a hurry to sign up? Don’t sweat it! Just visit RA Sushi’s website and select the “email list” icon in the upper right corner to join now. If you already receive their newsletter, you will automatically receive the new one after signing up. Go ahead and get “hooked up” with RA Sushi today!

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

Dine with four of the "Top Chef" contestants at Ray's at Killer Creek on March 27

Four of "Top Chef" Season 7 chef-testants have been invited by Ray's at Killer Creek Executive Chef Tracey Bloom to cook a feast for friends and families alike on Sunday, March 27. Assisted by Bloom's Sous Chef Robert Rambo, the contestants - Andrea Curto-Randazzo, Tiffany Derry, Kenny Gilbert and Arnold Myint - will serve a six-course meal with wine pairings. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., starting with appetizers in the bar. The dessert course will be prepared by Heather Hurlbert, a contestant on "Top Chef Just Desserts" and the pastry chef at Atlanta's Cherokee Town and Country Club.

The dinner costs $150 per person (including tax and gratuity) with a portion of the proceeds going to the Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Call to reserve a table with friends or make new friends at the communal style setting. Visit www.raysrestaurants.com to complete the sign-up form, and either E-mail or fax it back to the restaurant.

Ray's at Killer Creek: 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.

Bayou n' Bourbon, I Thought We Had More Time!

Who said the party's over? Bayou n' Bourbon is still going strong at all seven Marlow's Tavern locations around town. Plant your feet in Marlow's for "Mo' Betta Specials" including roast chicken and shrimp gumbo, fiery crawfish fondue, N'awlins-style po' boy, deconstructed jambalaya, pecan-crusted trout, Sweet Bourbon St. ribeye and a bayou burger of beef jazzed up with andouille sausage. Maker's Mark splashes into honey bourbon bread pudding and the Creole Lady cocktail. Other cooling beverages include Marlow's hurricane, Ramos gin fizz, Cajun cosmo and Abita Jockamo. Hurry though, the Louisiana lagniappe heads back to Cajun country on Monday, March 28.

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; and East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store); 770-977-7747.

Don't Miss "The Ultimate Collection" at the High Museum Wine Auction This Week

This year's High Museum Atlanta Wine Auction is dubbed "The Ultimate Collection," and after 19 years of successful wine auctions, you know you can't go wrong with this event. We can certainly promise tremendous food, art, wine and auction opportunities. Restaurants participating in this year's four-day fete (March 23 - 26) include Aria, La Tavola Trattoria, Pacci Ristorante, South City Kitchen Midtown and Vinings , Spice Market, Aqua blue and Woodfire Grill. La Tavola Executive Chef Craig Richards will feature Cass Winery and Row Eleven with a prix fixe menu as the Virginia-Highland trattoria takes part in Wednesday night's Toast the Tastemakers Dine Around Dinner; call 404-873-5430 for reservations. For the entire schedule, visit "The Ultimate" website.

Don’t Miss the Stags’ Leap Wine Dinner at Davio’s This Wednesday

Photo by Sara Hanna

Make your reservation today for the Stags’ Leap wine dinner at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. The Phipps Plaza restaurant continues its wine dinner series with special hosts Christophe Paubert, winemaker and general manager of Stags’ Leap Winery, and Robert Evans, Davio’s sommelier. The four-course menu includes: seared diver scallop with beet carpaccio, micro arugula and yuzu emulsion served with 2009 Stags’ Leap Viognier – Napa Valley; pan-seared halibut with apple-hazelnut chutney paired with 2009 Stags’ Leap Chardonnay – Napa Valley; Wagyu beef short rib with king oyster mushrooms, baby carrots and black truffle jus paired with 2006 Stags’ Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown – The Leap Napa Valley; dark Tanzania chocolate panna cotta with petite syrah-glazed blackberries and frosted almonds served with 2006 Stags' Leap Petite Syrah Estate Grown – Ne Cede Malis Napa Valley. Dinner is $95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 404-844-4810.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse: Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810.

Keep Warren Bruno Riding Healthy

If you've ever participated in a walk, run or biking fundraiser that takes you to your limit for three days, two days or straight up a mountainside, you know the challenge of keeping your eyes focused down the road. You bear the blisters and cramps, pressing on toward the goal of finding a cure and helping those who battle life-threatening diseases. And that's you, healthy, on a good day. Imagine the challenge of someone like Warren Bruno, owner of Ormsby's and Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland and Smyrna. Bruno has battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma for seven years; yet, he continues to step up to the challenge of pushing himself to reach the goal and encouraging others to come along with him, financially if not physically. Bruno is training with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team in Training for a Century Ride at Lake Tahoe on June 5. If you'd like to help him reach his fundraising goal of $7,500, visit his fundraising page. Ride on, Warren. We've got your back!

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

Amanda Harley is the coordinating producer for Better Mornings Atlanta on CBS Atlanta.  The former "Today Show" intern and Clemson sports fan has traded the cold Midwestern skies of Ohio University for Atlanta's sunnier days and knows how to fill them with sports, food, events and all kinds of activities around the ATL.  She shares all this and more on Twitter (@aharleyCBS)!

St. Patrick's Day, Fadó Style

Hope everyone had an epic St. Patrick's Day!  Here are a few of our pics yesterday from the festivities at Fadó. Sláinte!

A Fiesta, Fajita Style!

Sunday's have always been one of my favorite nights of the week for dining out. It's a little quieter than other nights, it's an excellent way to end the weekend, and, let's be honest, who wants to deal with dishes on a Sunday?! For all these reasons and more, I am loving Uncle Julio's new Fajita Fiesta on Sunday nights.

Served family-style for a party of two or more peeps, you can celebrate Sundays with an order of chips and salsa served with your choice of guacamole or queso; a combo of mesquite-grilled chicken and beef fajitas served sizzling on a platter alongside fresh guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, frijoles a la charra and homemade flour tortillas; and (my fave) hand-made puffed sopapillas sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar and served warm with ice cream for dessert. The best part is that all of this is only $15.95 per person ($5.95 for kids 12 and under). I'm guessing I'll be seeing you there?

Get your calendars and phones ready, it’s Prom time!

You’ve got everything—the dress picked out, hair appointments scheduled, and your date, so what’s next? Dinner at one of these perfect Prom eateries! All meals include tax, gratuity, and tea or fountain drinks.

Ray’s on the River starts with a choice of mixed field green or classic Caesar salad and offers five entrees accompanied by whipped potatoes and seasonal veggies at three price points: Gulf shrimp scampi ($35), grilled chicken breast ($35), garlic and herb roasted prime rib ($45), broiled or fried cold water lobster tail ($45) or charbroiled filet mignon ($50). Ray’s at Killer Creek in Alpharetta has the same menu, except fried shrimp and French fries instead of the shrimp scampi. Desserts can be ordered for an additional charge. Make sure you call the restaurant to make reservations. (Ray's on the River: 6700 Powers Ferry Road; 770-955-1187. Ray's at Killer Creek: 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.)

In Buckhead, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is the place to be on prom night. The three-course prom menu ($45 per person) begins with a choice of field greens salad or Davio’s classic Caesar salad; the pan-seared organic salmon, free-range Statler chicken breast or slow-braised beef short rib for the entrée; and Davio’s classic tiramisu or warm chocolate cake for dessert. For prom party reservations, contact Davio’s Sales Manager Kellie Douzuk at 678-500-1054. (Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-844-4810)

If you’ve got a prom party of eight or more, come to Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar to take advantage of the three-course menu for $99 per couple. The menu includes Fleming’s salad for the first course; filet mignon, barbecue Scottish salmon filet or double chicken breast with thyme sauce for the second course; and crème brûlée for dessert. Parmesan peppercorn mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus are served on the side with the meals. To make a reservation, contact Fleming’s Private Dining Director Jenny Whyte at 770-698-8112. (4501 Olde Perimeter Way in Perimeter Place Village; 770-698-8112)

You Can Find Me On The Patio... It's Almost Spring!

Spring is finally here after a cold and wet winter.  Kiss cabin fever goodbye and take to these fabulous patios at our fair city's restaurants.  Use our GPS -- Great Patio Sensor -- to find your way!   

Upstairs or downstairs, Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food in Sandy Springs has a double dose of fresh air with upper- and lower-level patios overlooking Peachtree Dunwoody Road.  

The huge patio fronting Uncle Julio's in Buckhead sweeps a vista of Atlanta's longest landmark, Peachtree Road.  Add margaritas, chips and guac and paradise is found. 

See what's new in patios when Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Perimeter Place Village opens their newly revamped patio this Sunday, March 20.  Fleming's is easy to get to, just off Ashford Dunwoody Road and across from the Dillard's end of Perimeter Mall.   

Aqua blue's patio is crisply set with white tablecloths and dashes of blue glassware.  A metal roof covers the expanse so guests can dine or drink outside even during spring showers.  What an ideal spot to dig into Aqua blue's Crabfest this spring!   

Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna is another restaurant that's recently performed patio spring cleaning and renovations.  Settle in for a drink and some chow and be inspired to tackle your own spring tasks.  Ultra-efficient types, kick back and toast your innate efficiency.   

RA Sushi's spacious patio throws a curve, curling around the building's exterior and giving so many sidewalk views! Actually, the patio is on the sidewalk -- distinguished by a low railing, heaters, subdued lighting, umbrella-topped tables and RA Sushi's wild and crazy drinks and delectable sushi and sashimi rolls.   

Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse has patio expansion plans in the works.  Located in Buckhead's fashionable Phipps Plaza, this one's a must for people watching, shopping breaks and popping over after work.

A Festival Just For Crabs?! I'm Hungry!

Atlanta commutes can make you crabby. Let it roll off your shell by taking any frustrations out on crab legs and claws during Aqua blue's Crabfest, where good and crabby days are filled with delicate crabmeat prepared a myriad of ways. The "crab-tastic" menu is available through April 18 and features she-crab soup ($7); jumbo lump crab cakes with avocado, mango, chili aioli, rice wine vinegar and wasabi honey mustard ($15); soft-shell crab rolls made with thin asparagus, crab cake, sweet herb, futomaki, soy paper and red tobiko and served with wasabi honey mustard and fresh lemon ($14); chilled Florida stone crab claws (market price); drunken crab legs ($30); and large Florida stone crab claws served with green peppercorn cocktail and traditional mustard sauces, tri-color tiny potatoes, corn on the cob slather and jicama slaw (market price).

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

Bob for Jäger and Show Off Your Jigging Skills at Ormsby's This St. Patrick's Day!

Jäger, Jameson, and jigs - oh my! Ormsby's is the place for leprechauns over the age of 21 to play on St. Patrick's Day. This Thursday, guests can bob for Jägermeister and enjoy $5 Imperial Pint Guinness, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Irish Car Bombs and Michael Collins. At this point, you'll feel free enough to do a jig in the Irish dance contest for the chance to win some house cash. Ormsby's kitchen is also turning out some Irish favorites including corned beef and cabbage with soda bread and traditional shepherd's pie made with lamb. Ormsby's is open until 3 a.m. so stay until the top o' the morning if you'd like!

Ormsby's: 1170 Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-968-2033.

Don’t Miss Chef Tracey Bloom in Action this Month

With the weather finally warming up around Atlanta, farmers market season is about to be in full bloom! Come out to High Meadows School for their Indoor Farmers Market from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 and shop, hop into family fun activities, and see what Ray's at Killer Creek Executive Chef Tracey Bloom is chopping and stirring at the chef demo. You can sign up for her cooking demonstration by emailing kbeneduci@highmeadows.org. Bloom's demonstration is sponsored by Harris Family Heritage Beef from Georgia's own White Oak Pastures. Admission to the event is free; however, you can bring a canned good to donate to North Fulton County Charities. High Meadows School is located at 1055 Willeo Road in Roswell.

Also, don’t forget about the upcoming "Top Chef" dinner at Ray's at Killer Creek on Sunday, March 27. The five former cheftestants- Arnold Myint, Tiffany Derry, Kenny Gilbert, Andrea Curto-Randazzo and Ray's at Killer Creek Executive Chef Tracey Bloom - are putting together a six-course meal with wine pairings. Dinner begins at 6 p.m.; $150 per person (inclusive of tax and gratuity). Only 200 spots are available so reserve your spot today online or by calling 770-649-0064. A portion of the proceeds benefits AFLAC Cancer Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Ray's at Killer Creek: 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta; 770-649-0064.

Fifth Group Lassos A New Downtown Spot for Tex-Mex

Downtown is ready for some serious Tex-Mex, and the One Ninety One Peachtree Tower is the spot for it, according to Robby Kukler, Steve Simon and Kris Reinhard, the three partners behind Fifth Group Restaurants.  Business folk, visitors and party planners won't have long to wait for this fresh lunch, dinner and catering option -- the trio will open their newest chef-driven restaurant in fall 2011. 

Fifth Group Restaurants already operates several Atlanta food and bar favorites:  South City Kitchen Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, La Tavola Trattoria, Ecco and The Original El Taco, as well as Bold American, a catering and events company with onsite services at Studio 887 and the Event Gallery at the King Plow Arts Center.  We're excited about their latest addition and will keep you posted as Atlanta's own Ai3 and Peace Design work traditional, booth and communal table seating for 195 plus two bar areas into the 5,200-square-foot space!

Summer 2011 Internships Now Available at MLA

Spring hasn’t even sprung yet and we’re already looking ahead to summer!  Melissa Libby & Associates is currently searching for a couple of great interns to join our team this summer 2011 to work directly with media communications, social media and client services. Our internship is a great way to learn the ins and outs of agency life, as well as gaining experience with events and video production.  We strive to make it a hands-on experience that our interns can definitely benefit from in the future!  

College students who have a passion for PR and a fanaticism for food and wine culture are encouraged to send in their resume and summer availability to atlantadish@gmail.com.  Creativity, positive energy, a strong work ethic and great writing skills are a plus!    The ideal candidate will receive school credit for their experience with MLA.  The internship is unpaid and 15 hours per week. 

To find out more about Melissa Libby & Associates, please visit our website and our Facebook page.  Good luck!