Sit and Sip with Ray’s on the River and Shafer Vineyards

Once the craziness of Halloween is over, the idea of a quiet and delicious night at Ray’s on the River sounds fantastic to ease into November! Good thing that on Thursday, November 3, Ray’s on the River will be hosting an intimate wine dinner with Quality Wine & Spirits’ Master Sommelier Michael McNeill from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The four-course dinner includes mouth-watering dishes like rosemary roasted veal tenderloin with sautéed cherries, farro and raspberry red wine reduction paired with Napa Valley Merlot! Dinner is $95 per person (including tax and gratuity) and will include a selection of wines from Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley. There are only 4 seats left as we write this, so pick up the phone and call for your reservation at 770-955-1187. Cheers!

Saturday Fun with Urban Picnic in East Point

Wait until you see the spread Alisa Barry, creator of Bella Cucina, and social entrepreneur Donna Toepfer have for you this Saturday at their new farm-to-kitchen food center the two are opening in East Point. Down the street from Bella Cucina, the center will serve a wide variety of opportunities for community engagement -- kitchen space for local food businesses, classes for consumers and businesses, an edible learning garden and an abundance of events. The opening celebration is Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. See the garden handiwork of Crop Mob Atlanta, tour the kitchen facility, enjoy savory discounts on Bella Cucina products (made in East Point) during a sample sale and find out what's on the menu for this new community food center. While there, take an enlightening gardening class taught by Sustenance Design, sample mead from local meadery Obec Medovina and view the award-winning documentary "GROW!." Purchase tickets for $45 per person ($5 discount for Georgia Organics members) and enjoy the kitchen tour, lunch, garden class and movie (sample sale purchases are separate). All proceeds go toward opening the community food center. Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm and a picnic blanket! The Farm-to-Kitchen Urban Picnic will take place at Bella Cucina's kitchen located at 1870 Murphy Avenue, SW. Take I-85 to Langford Parkway. Take Langford Parkway west to the Fort McPherson exit and follow the Urban Picnic signs.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

We love Halloween... and we think even Slimer would be tempted to take a sip of this delicious Ecto-Cooler at Briza, one of the many ghastly delights the restaurant will have on the cocktail menu from October 26 to 31! 

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

You know the pit where you drown in your sorrows because you skipped the workout, overindulged or human-trash compacted the Halloween leftovers.  Self-professed workout and health food nut Zoë Levine tweets (@SkinnyPeaches). She's the little voice inside your smartphone steering you gently toward dietary corrections, suggestions and righteous workouts. She's a little bit louder on herSkinny Peaches blog.

Last Call for Oysterfest at Ray's in the City!

A new day means a new haul for Oysterfest at Ray’s in the City. This is the last week you can take in Ray’s pearl of an event that pairs ocean fresh oysters with New Belgium Brewery brews out of Fort Collins, Colo. Pairing examples are, say, Blue Point oysters from New York waters paired with New Belgium’s Fat Tire Ale; Fanny Bay oysters out of British Columbia’s western waters paired with New Belgium’s 1554 Black Ale; and Pine Island oysters out of New York paired with New Belgium’s Ranger IPA. New Belgium Hoptoberfest is also available to keep you and your friends afloat!

Ray’s in the City:  240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

Fall and Spring Internship Opportunities at MLA

Are you a student who is passionate about food/ wine culture and public relations? Melissa Libby & Associates is currently seeking an intern for the remainder of fall 2011 and also for our spring 2012 program.  Interns will join the MLA team to work directly with all facets of agency life, including media communications, social media, events and client services. Creativity, positive energy and great writing skills are very important.

The ideal candidate will receive school credit for their experience with MLA.  Our internships are unpaid and 15 hours per week.  We strive to make it a hands-on experience that our interns can definitely benefit from in the future.  To find out more about Melissa Libby & Associates, please visit our website and our Facebook page.  If you are interested, please send your resume and availability to atlantadish@gmail.com. Please be sure to specify which semester you are interested in – fall or spring. Good luck!

Treat Yourself To Halloween Debauchery This Weekend!

Ready to haunt the streets of this city? It's all treats and no tricks when it comes to finding something fun to do in Atlanta this Halloween!

All three Smashburger locations are featuring a special Halloween deal for children under age 12. If they wear their Halloween costume to Smashburger on Friday, October 28 through Monday, October 31, they'll be treated to a free meal when their parent purchases a meal.

Get two for one at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna on Saturday, October 29 when they host both the Smyrna Beer Fest and their own 9th annual Halloween celebration. From 1 - 6 p.m., there will be more than 100 beers to sample, live music, costume and pumpkin carving contests, bobbing for apples and more. The Halloween celebration kicks in from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. with a live DJ in the bar, more costume contests and other Halloween-inspired activities and decorations.

Over in Virginia Highland, Atkins Park Tavern kicks off Halloween with their annual pumpkin carving contest on Thursday, October 27 at 8 p.m. Join friends for a night of pumpkin carving, beer drinking, scary movie watching on the big screen and a chance to win great house prizes. On Saturday, October 29, DJ Lion spins tunes beginning at 9 p.m. followed by the Tavern's annual costume contest at the witching hour. And on Monday, October 31, get ready for the Halloween Hangover when Atkins Park serves up a trio including the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," Terrapin Big Happy Monster and Monday Night Football.

Dig those skeletons out of the closet and party your bones off at your nearest Marlow's Tavern on Saturday, October 29. All eight locations are hosting Halloween shindigs from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There's no cover charge to attend, but you definitely want to come up with a costume -- you might win cash, gift certificates or other prizes. Music? You bet your bones there's a DJ or live music, depending on the location.

At Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant, the "Thriller Monster Bash: A Retro 80s Halloween Party" brings the 80s to life on Saturday, October 29. A spooky holiday and a kooky decade (fashion-wise) go together like tricks and treats when Fadó gets tricked out in full Halloween décor for the spooktacular event. Specialty cocktails come at a $5 treat of a price, and a DJ spins 80s tunes from 9 p.m. into the wicked wee hours. Why be shy about dressing up? Costumes are expected, and all are encouraged to enter the midnight costume contest for a chance to take home $1,001 in cash. There's a $5 cover charge for the 9 p.m. bash, although ladies get in free.

Aqua blue dresses up as "Aqua Boo!" for their 10th annual Halloween Monster Bash on Saturday, October 29. So what are you going to wear? Decisions, decisions! Do you go all out or do your best to be the worst for the 11 p.m. costume contest? Dressed up or down, you can still imbibe in specially priced creepy cocktails and gobble up ghoulish appetizers. The regular á la carte menu is available from 4 p.m. on into the witching hours. A DJ spins dance hits starting at 9 p.m.

RA Sushi doles out Boo Bites and Potent Potions at their Halloween night "Boo Bash 2011" on Monday, October 31. The fun starts at 8 p.m. as the DJ spins his haunting mix and thrills guests until closing. Dress up and enter the "Boo Bash" costume contest. Read up and RSVP on Facebook.

The Iberian Pig is a true party animal this Halloween night, lining up Decatur restaurants and bars for a Halloween Pub Crawl at 8 p.m. on Monday, October 31. The cost is $45 per person, which covers one featured drink at each stop. Look for a smoking punchbowl at the Iberian Pig along with snacks. Wear a costume and take part in the Brickstore's annual costume contest (hint, prizes) at tour's end. Other participating restaurants and bars include Square Pub, Mac McGee's, Eddie's Attic and Leon's Full Service.

For those in Marietta, Cumming and Suwanee, kids eat free at all four Chepe's locations on Halloween! Kids in costume on Monday, October 31, will receive one free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

Visit The Dish for more Halloween details.

Knocking Out Breast Cancer One Smashburger At A Time

There's still time to help "smash" breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Wednesday, October 26, metro Atlanta's three Smashburger locations will donate a percentage of the day's sales to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Chances are that you know someone who has been affected by this terrible disease. Knock it out, one Atlanta Smashburger, avocado club or spicy Baja at a time!

Atlanta Chefs Show Off Pumpkin Carving Prowess This Thursday

Thinking about carving your pumpkin but need a little inspiration? Watch local chefs battle it out for the top pumpkin carver crown at the Atlanta Botanical Garden's Fest-of-Ale on Thursday, October 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. We'll be cheering for Chef Janine Falvo of Briza as she cuts her way through the competition during the 25-minute contest (and if you miss seeing her at the pumpkin carving contest, you can catch her on Bravo's Top Chef Season 9, which starts on November 2). Guests are encouraged to clap loudly for their favorites as audience applause determines the winner. Once a winner has been picked, all of the chef-carved pumpkins will be sold in a silent auction to benefit the Garden, giving you another chance at an eye-catching jack-o-lantern for your own home.

Gear Up For Atkins Park Smyrna's Wii Bowling Tournament

Atkins Park is once again taking bar games to the next level. Get a crew together and find out who's kingpin (or queen) of the Wii bowling alley when Atkins Park - Smyrna rolls out a six-week Wii bowling tournament beginning at midnight on October 25. Anyone who wants to join in on the fun is welcome to participate in the tournament.

There's no sign up or league fee, and bowling shirts and shoes are optional. Best of all, each night's first- and second-place victors will walk away with house cash! Your points will add up week by week, and at the end of the six week bowling brouhaha, a tournament winner will be announced. The grand prize winner will receive a Fat Tire Cruiser bike, so get your team together now and start practicing your virtual bowling game so you can win this sweet ride! Follow along on Facebook.

Atkins Park Tavern: 2840 Atlanta Road SE, Smyrna; 770.435.1887

Aria's Kathryn King at Sunday Supper South This Weekend

Sunday Supper South, a regional version of the successful NYC Chelsea Market event, was awesome last year and it's already time for round two! This year's event includes Pastry Chef Kathryn King from Aria as one of the visionary chefs and artisans participating in the family-style Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner. More than 25 James Beard Foundation award-winning and prominent chefs from across the Southeast will gather to honor Southern cooking in the revitalized Westside Provisions District. The evening has a philanthropic goal: to raise money for the culinary scholarship program funded by the not-for-profit James Beard Foundation (a 501 (c)(3) organization.) Following a 5 p.m. reception, 150 guests will gather around a very long communal table for an evening planned by hosts Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison of Bacchanalia, Quinones at Bacchanalia, Abattoir, Floataway Café and Star Provisions. Chew more details on Facebook.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

Who says Halloween has to be all about candy? We have our eyes on these spooky doughnuts that we spotted at the Columbus Krispy Kreme on 6761 Veterans Parkway. The Krispy Skremes! Jack-o-lantern, chocolate iced with Halloween sprinkles, spider web and pumpkin spice cake doughnuts are available for a limited time only! 

Come Enjoy the Cooler Weather in No. 246’s Backyard

No. 246 has opened the restaurant’s backyard just in time for you to drink and dine as you enjoy the fall weather. With a deck built around a tree, guest seating and an herb garden, this is not the standard restaurant backyard. Diners should also make plans to come back once the new ping pong table arrives. The Italian-inspired eatery does not accept reservations for outdoor dining, but guests are welcome to make a reservation for the main dining room.

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

This sweet thing has a long short list of things she wants to do. Her mantra: life is full of sugar and spice and trying to find the time to taste it all is short and sweet. Read Betsy Clay's tweets (@shugartandspice), and you'll note that waiting for planes seems to eat up a bit of her clock.  When she has more time to write, she taps out "the busy girls guide to food in a flash" sweetly and succinctly on her Shugart & Spice blog.

When The New York Butcher Shoppe & Swine Are Involved, How Can It Not Be Dandy?

No butts about it, this weekend's smokin' contest is going to be one Swine & Dandy Charity Cookoff with New York Butcher Shoppe as a sponsor and participant! Pro and "backyard" teams will compete in chicken, ribs, pork butt and brisket categories with a $7,500 purse to be awarded to top entries in overall and individual categories. Attendees purchasing barbecue samples may vote for the "People's Choice" award.

The mouthwatering barbecue event takes place on Friday and Saturday, October 21-22 at Rogers Bridge Park in Duluth and is open to the public from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday. Event entry is free and includes cooking demonstrations and live country and blue grass music. Purchase food, barbecue samples, brews and beverages, and access to family-friendly activities including inflatables, small carnival rides, a cakewalk and a pumpkin patch. Click here for Atlanta New York Butcher Shoppe locations.

Taste of Atlanta Returns and The Big Grill Premiers: It's a Foodie Weekend You Won't Want to Miss!

The age old dilemma of wanting to order everything on the menu is solved, at least temporarily, with Taste of Atlanta this weekend, a foodie’s heaven on earth. Those friends who always "just want a taste" of whatever you ordered will love Taste of Atlanta and so will you. The city’s biggest sampling bacchanalia kicks off its 10th anniversary celebration with The Big Grill - A Midtown Block Party in Tech Square on Friday, October 21 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. (VIP entry 6:30 p.m.). Birthday cake, beer and some of the best bites in the ATL rock this party benefiting Georgia Organics. Among the stellar chefs at the grill gig are Andrew Smith of Atkins Park and Ormsby's, Todd Annis of Bold American Events & Catering, Janine Falvo of Briza, Joshua Warner of Ray's on the River, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Drew Belline of No. 246. Tickets are $50 each for general admission and $65 each for VIP early entry.

The Taste of Atlanta eat-a-palooza begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, and keeps on dishing it out until 6 p.m. both evenings, so pace yourself for a full afternoon of food sampling paradise. More than 80 of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants will be represented including Atkins Park, Briza, Double Zero Napoletana, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Iberian Pig, No. 246, Ormsby's and Ray's on the River.

On the Home Plate Main Stage on Saturday, Chef Janine Falvo from Briza will whip up chicken pot pie and red kuri squash soup at 12 p.m. Chefs Drew Belline (No. 246) and Ford Fry (JCT. Kitchen & Bar) will be leading a "Simply Southern Thanksgiving" class with Angie Mosier of the Southern Foodways Alliance inside the Food Studio at 4 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., they'll take on Rosebud's Ron Eyester and Nick Melvin in the Team Chef Challenge, an "Iron Chef"-style competition, on the Home Plate Main Stage. Also on Sunday, Iberian Pig Chef Chad Crete will prepare farro risotto, roasted delicata squash, piquillo-hazelnut Romesco and fall vegetable sauté on the Global Flavors stage at 2:15 p.m. And Andrew Smith from Atkins Park and Ormsby's battles it out against Food 101's Justin Keith in the Dueling Chefs event at 1:15 p.m. Don’t fret mom and dad, there’s something for the kids too! Even picky eaters will devour Taste of Atlanta -- the Family Food Zone loads up on food-focused crafts, educational demos and kid chef competitions!

Snap up your tickets early for this wristband-access, gated event. Buy a general admission ticket voucher with 10 taste coupons for $25 in advance online or at The Cook's Warehouse stores or Whole Foods. "Day of" gate price is $35 each.

Take a Bite at Tapas & Wine and Lend a Helping Hand for Primus Sanders at Ray's at Killer Creek October 21 and 22

What better way to explore the flavors of Spain than with a spread of tapas and six different wines to indulge in at Ray’s Killer Creek on Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m.

Chef Tracey Bloom is crafting casual tapas such as pork belly with quail egg, pernil (roasted Spanish pork), chorizo and manchego quesadillas, stuffed piquillo peppers and much more. To top it all off, Sommelier Phillip Cooper has paired these scrumptious Spanish snacks with six different wines. The whole team at MLA can vouch for this menu after tasting a preview of the tapas this week – deeeelish! The Tapas & Wine event at Ray’s is $35 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Seating is limited, so call 770-649-0064 to purchase tickets ahead of time.

Can’t get enough of Ray’s at Killer Creek? Come back on Saturday, October 22 when Ray’s at Killer Creek holds a fundraiser at the restaurant to benefit Primus Sanders, a six-year employee of Ray's at Killer Creek who experienced a tragic fall in April that left him wheelchair bound. Since then, the Ray's at Killer Creek staff and community have rallied to raise funds to help cover his medical care and rehabilitation. Seize the opportunity to help out on Saturday, October 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Alpharetta restaurant holds a car wash and yard sale at Ray's at Killer Creek. All proceeds will assist Primus' recovery program through the Primus Sanders Foundation. And while you're there, come inside for lunch!

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

A Final Supper with Spice Route Supper Club

There are only 50 seats available for the final Spice Route Supper Club event filling Café Jonah on Saturday, October 22 at 7 p.m. No crying over onions or spice during the Kerala, India meal served family style. It may be the last “Supper Club” event; however, the menu will be a slice of what to expect when Asha Gomez opens Cardamom Hill restaurant in Midtown later this year. Two things to do when reserving your seat at spiceroutesupperclub@gmail.com:  prepay $150/person and give a heads up if you’re vegetarian. 

Get Crafty at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna Tomorrow Night

No need to channel Martha Stewart, we're talking about craft beers. You won't want to miss out on this chance to celebrate the crafty side of American brews at the American Craft Beer Dinner tomorrow, October 18, at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna. Starting at 7 p.m., the event features a five-course menu paired with five of the nation’s leading craft-style brews. Gear up your taste buds for dishes like Vidalia onion tarts with chèvre cheese and peach jalapeño jam paired with Terrapin Golden Ale; seared duck with glazed cherry reduction and sweet potato and pumpkin risotto served with Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison; and caramel and espresso torte with sea salt paired with Abita Turbodog. Cost is $45 per person; call 770-435-1887 to save a spot.

Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna is located in Market Village at 2840 Atlanta Road.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

Cheers! This October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Fleming's is pitching in.  Try the "Stiletto" -- 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the drink will be donated back to theAvon Breast Cancer Crusade. You also can feel good when you choose to sip on Cline Cashmereat Fleming's.  Cline is making a $25,000 donation to Living Beyond Breast Cancer during the month of October in conjunction with the sale of Cashmere.