Ray's on the River Recycles Prom Dresses

Ah, prom season. Hoping for a cute date, planning a fun night with all your friends, and yes, shopping for the perfect dress. It's a right of passage for many girls. But some don't have the funds to splurge on a prom dress that will likely only be worn once (you know you aren't really going to shorten it and wear to a cocktail party when you're 21!). We have the solution! Take gently used prom dresses and evening dresses in current styles and drop them off at Ray's on the River before April 30. They'll be donated to Fairy Tale Endings, a local organization that provides prom makeovers for girls who might not be able to attend their proms due to financial limitations. Sweet ending for you: a complimentary appetizer or dessert at Ray's on the River. And if you need a memorable place to celebrate prom night, check out their special prom menu. There's a $30 - $50 price range (including tax and gratuity and choice of coffee, tea or soda) with entrée choices of vegetable stir fry, oven-roasted chicken, slow-roasted prime rib, broiled cold water lobster tail and charbroiled filet mignon. Guests may select a starter of field green salad or classic Caesar salad, and except for the vegetable stir fry, which comes with white rice, the other entrées are joined by goat cheese and chive whipped potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Dessert is available for an additional charge. For reservations, call 770-955-1187.

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

SocietySocial tweets it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring. Do we hear an "amen" for that? Cut loose and incorporate some shop humor in your life, as in shopping, shopping, shopping. Get the quick tweet (@societysocial), or for serious shopping news out of NYC, peruse the Society Social website and blog.

Appetizing Aperture

Double dipping is so tempting when you're facing RA Sushi Bar Restaurant chips and salsa today for National Chips & Dip Day. Pinwheels of wonton chips hug a mound of spicy tuna tartare mixed with cukes, avocado and fresh salsa and sprinkled with bell pepper confetti. Dip once and devour entirely, lest someone get a chip on their shoulder over your brash behavior.   

Celebrate Spring Break with Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Now that we're two days into spring, it's only fitting that we start discussing spring break plans. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Spring Break Celebration is helping everyone celebrate the return of warm weather. This deal certainly won't "break" your bank. For $34.95 (excluding tax and gratuity), the Spring Break Celebration includes your choice of The Wedge salad or French onion soup; filet mignon AND North Atlantic lobster tail for the entrée; and French green beans or Fleming's mashed potatoes on the side.


This offer is not on the regular menu so mention the special when calling 770-698-8112 for reservations or reserve online. The Spring Break special is available through April 7. Traveling on your spring break? Stop by Fleming's Sandestin location for the same great deal!

When the Spirit is Right, You'll Have Fun All Night

Both Atkins Park Tavern locations in Smyrna and Virginia Highland invite you to come try their newest spirit, privately labeled Atkins Park Tavern Vodka. Not yet sold in package stores, Atkins Park Tavern Vodka comes in two flavors - house vodka and black pepper vodka. These special spirits are produced by Terressentia, a distillery located in Charleston, S.C.

Ray's at Killer Creek is creating its own refreshing liquor infusions for lounge and restaurant enjoyment. The $10 libations are shaken over ice and served in a glass -- perfect for spring sipping. Kiwi-cucumber infusion contains Fris Vodka, kiwi, cucumber and melon liquor. Pineapple infusion unites Fris Vanilla Vodka, coconut rum, simple syrup and pineapple. Chill, bro.

New England Country Soup Hosts a Southern Souper Battle

On Saturday, March 24, Southern soup lovers will compete for the chance to win the New England Country Soup Challenge. With the all-natural New England Country Soups available on Publix shelves, the Vermont-based creator of healthy, "tastes as good as homemade" soups has extended its Soup Challenge contest to the Southeast. The five regional finalists were chosen based on their original and family soup recipes, which they submitted online. This Saturday local souper-stars Jenny Levison of Souper Jenny and Chef Jim Gallivan of The Art Institute of Atlanta will help judge the 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. stockpot showdown at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta. The finalist who comes closest to matching the taste and nutrition of New England Country Soup offerings will win a foodie weekend getaway at The Hob Knob Eco Boutique Hotel on Martha's Vineyard. You do not want to miss out on this Southern Soup Showdown. This event is free and the aroma is certainly tempting. All you have to do is email info@soupchallenge.com to receive a free ticket that will hold your seat.

Everything's Bigger in Texas...Including the Flavor of Whisky

Texas is coming to town, and it's time to greet her with an Atlanta-sized appetite. Double Zero Napoletana is bringing the flavor of the Lone Star State to Atlanta-area diners next Tuesday, March 27, with a Balcones Distillery Dinner at 7 p.m. The Waco, Texas distillery produces small batches and uses blue corn; it's also the first-ever craft distillery "Icons of Whisky" award recipient. To complement the evening's whisky selections, Double Zero's Executive Chef Chad Crete is lining up a delicious series of small plates such as sautéed Brussels sprouts with bacon lardons and brown sugar peaches; a biscuit BLT with pancetta, spicy tomato jam and arugula; and smoked sweet potato puree, apple braised crispy pork belly and orange-mint marmalade. Cost is $59 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 404-991-3666.

No.246 Gets Its 15 Minutes (Or Five Days) Of Fame As It Closes Temporarily For Filming

What’s better than dinner and a movie? Having dinner at a restaurant where a movie was filmed, of course! Unfortunately, you can’t dine during filming, meaning that No. 246 in Decatur will be closed to all of us regular, non-A-listers starting Sunday, March 25 until 6 p.m. on Friday, March 30. But with celebs like Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Jessica Alba, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jane Lynch starring in this upcoming comedy (called A.C.O.D., standing for “Adult Children of Divorce”), we’d say it’s worth the wait. No. 246 Owners Ford Fry and Drew Belline apologize to fans for the inconvenience, and they'd love for guests to come enjoy live music at the restaurant when it re-opens to the public. Music starts at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, but you don’t have to wait until then to start planning your meal; your mouth can water while reading the menus online! So even though you have to wait almost a week to dine out at No. 246, being able to say “Oh yeah, I ate there,” after the movie’s release, just might be worth it!

Good Morning, Atlanta - It's Time For The Dish

Fancy a little pollen with your coffee? It's time to grab the allergy meds, sit down and enjoy the week's best culinary news in The Dish. If you're not receiving the Dish every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page!

Grab Your Hula Skirt and Coconuts – It’s Time for a Luau at RA!

Spring has sprung, and all this warm weather calls for a celebration! On March 22, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant is throwing a Spring Luau that will have you doin’ the hula in no time! Say “aloha” to tropical drink specials ($8 each):  Bikini Martini, layering Blue Curaçao, Kai Young Coconut Shochu, vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and a splash of lemon-lime soda; Pineapple Express featuring Kai Young Coconut Shochu, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, pineapple juice, lemon juice and some bubbly prosecco; and Baby Umami Punch mixed with Southern Comfort, cold sake and tropical fruit juices. Memorize some of the menu specials: the Tropical Roll with cucumber, mango and avocado ($8); spicy shrimp mixed with masago and mango salsa ($8); pineapple cheese wontons ($7); and spicy pineapple chicken with ramen noodles, bell peppers, spicy chili sesame sauce and black sesame seeds ($8). Tiki torches and a guest D.J. keep things fired up at the 8 p.m. until close party. Wear a Hawaiian shirt or lei and you’ll fit right in at this big beach bash. Check out Facebook for more info!

New Season, New Reason to Visit Ray’s

Spring is so close we can practically taste it! The chefs at Ray's Restaurants are giving us a chance to enjoy spring flavors with their new three-course menus, by pulling from this season’s freshest market offerings. Guests can choose one selection for each course; wine selections, tax and gratuity are not included in the menu prices. These prix fixe menus are available every day and vary by restaurant:

• At Ray's at Killer Creek, Executive Chef Tracey Bloom's $30 menu boasts entrée choices of roasted chicken breast with bacon risotto and porcini mushroom sauce, Atlantic salmon with herb butter sauce and hand-cut pasta with grilled shrimp and garlic butter.
• A few miles south on the Chattahoochee, Ray's on the River Executive Chef Josh Warner's menu includes entrée choices of goat cheese- and fennel-stuffed airline chicken breast with celery root purée and watercress salad or Moroccan spiced hangar steak joined by Lyonnaise potatoes and Vidalia spring onion. Cost is $39.99 per person.
• Downtown, Executive Chef Ugo Okpareke at Ray's in the City offers entrée choices of mango grilled salmon with a mango BBQ glaze, sesame sautéed spinach and crispy Asian noodles or flat iron steak with blue cheese whipped potatoes, grilled asparagus and wild mushroom demi glaze. Cost is $35 per person.

To round out your dining experience, sommeliers are ready to help you choose complementing wines, and each restaurant has appetizer and dessert selections that are guaranteed to be as delicious as the entrées. 

Ray's at Killer Creek is also offering new Sunday lunch options. Customers can embark on their lunch journey by indulging in a $5 Bloody Mary from Sunday's available-all-day Bloody Mary list. Menu offerings include: 

• Classic French onion soup, crab bisque or soup du jour ($5-$7)
• Meal-worthy salads such as tuna niçoise salad and Chinese chicken salad ($15-$17)
• A soup and salad combo ($12)
• Soy flounder sandwich with spicy Sriracha aioli ($13)
• Jumbo lump crab cake with roasted corn salsa, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus ($17)
• Shrimp and grits prepared with bacon, mushrooms, red peppers and Gouda and Asiago cheeses ($15).

Guests who want to keep their lunch short and sweet can try Ray's $10 lunch menu. Selections include a cheddar burger, hickory burger, vegetarian pasta, chicken sandwich, Caesar salad with calamari or grilled chopped Black Angus beef steak. Iced tea, coffee or sodas are included in the set price.

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

She's graduated from swing sets to the college set, although cereal is still her favorite after-dinner meal. Sami Rivard likes to play around in the kitchen, and she has some darn good, darn easy ideas for home and dorm diners. Feast on her tweets (@SamiRivard) or her blog, A Teenage Gourmet .  

Feel The Luck O’ The Irish at Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna

Are you feeling the luck of the Irish yet? If not, you better start picking some four-leaf clovers because St. Patrick’s Day is only a couple days away! For some traditional Irish festival fun, head on over to Atkins Park Tavern, host of the Smyrna St. Patrick's Day Fest! Get caught up with the March Madness tournaments while tossing back some ale, or bring the whole family out for some outdoor Irish festivities. Your little leprechauns will enjoy carnival-style rides, a Redhead Contest, Mayor Max Bacon’s annual green dyeing of the fountain and loads of delicious food from Atkins Park Tavern Smyrna, Zucca Pizza an the Village Café. Tons o’ live music will get you in the mood, starting with Homefront from 2-6 p.m., Andrew Black & Pine City from 6-10 p.m. and Elizabeth Reece from 10:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Four-legged friends are welcome, but ditch the strollers, backpacks and coolers, please! Tickets are only $15 at the door but you can save $5 by buying them online in advance. Come on out, and maybe you can find a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow!

Fadó Irish Pub Has Your St. Patrick's Day Party Plans Covered With Paddython 2012

If you're a true St. Patrick's Day partier, you know the only way to say "top o' the morning" to this special day is to start out with a pint and an Irish Breakfast from Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant in Buckhead and stick around for the pub's huge festival. Doors open at 7 a.m. on March 17 so rugby fans can catch the final match of the RBS 6 Nations Rugby tournament, Ireland vs. England, live. There's a $10 cover charge starting at 8 a.m. for access to the special viewing area (no cover charge for the rest of Fadó until noon). When the noon hour arrives, the authentic Irish pub continues its tradition of hosting Atlanta's biggest St. Patrick's Day party as doors open out to the Fadó street festival with beer tents, bagpipers, Irish dancers and live music by Van Morrison cover band Astral Freaks, U2 cover band Desire, and Justin. A DJ will spin inside Fadó until the wee hours. We recommend purchasing pre-sale tickets for $10 online as they usually sell out fast. Tickets will be $15 at the door while they last.

And if you're looking for some pre-St. Pat's action on Friday, March 16, the Irish pub will be hosting its 11th annual St. Baldrick's Foundation charity event at 1 p.m. to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Before going under the blade, shavees seek donations from friends and family who can agree to sponsor their shave. Last year's event raised more than $102,000 for St. Baldrick's, and it's a great way to get geared up for St. Patrick's Day while contributing to a good cause.

Appetizing Aperture

"Pi" Day is limited to March 14, but every Wednesday is Pie Day at Alpine Bakery. Pi (p) is a key ingredient in mathematical formulas, but alas, lacking in flavor. Fresh baked pies -- apple, peach and blueberry crumb -- are the answer every Wednesday at Alpine Bakery & Trattoria in Alpharetta. Pie baking is not a formula but an art here, and the usual array includes rustic apple, delicious banana cream, rich peanut butter, creamy chocolate mousse, authentic Key lime, sweet coconut cream and more. When the problem calls for pie, Alpine Bakery is the answer, no matter how you slice it.    

Weather Oh So Fine Calls for Some Wine

Are you ready for spring? Alon's Bakery & Market, located in Dunwoody's Park Place, prepares you for the picnic and patio season with a sampling of warm weather wines and light fare on Thursday, March 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. Alon's is a staple for gourmet prepared foods, cheese, wines, artisan baked goods and European pastries, chocolates, coffees, gelato and much more. Become familiar with all that Alon's offers at the tasting and stash that info for easy entertaining and relaxing this spring and summer. $20 per person; purchase tickets online. Tucked away off Ashford Dunwoody Road, Alon's has an expansive covered patio of its own that's well situated for people watching over coffee and sweets, a sandwich or something more substantial.

Rock Your Shamrocks With This Week's Culinary Happenings in Atlanta Dish

The coffee is hot and the Dish is here! If you're not receiving the Dish every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page.

No Politics Needed to Cast Your Vote for Jezebel and About.com Polls

You have two more days to let Jezebel know which Atlanta restaurants deserve a "Best of" award. Nominations are due on Wednesday, March 14 and there are tons of categories for you to voice your choice. Some of our picks include Alma Cocina for Best New Restaurant, Ormsby's for Best Bar Games, and JCT. Kitchen & Bar's Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival for Best Annual Event and Best Festival. If you're just as handy in the kitchen as you are at ordering off the menu, check out the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Best Cooking Equipment. Atlanta's very own culinary headquarters, The Cook's Warehouse, is in the running for Best Kitchenware Retailer.

Crustacean Nation -- Prep For National Crabmeat Day With Cookbook Featuring South City Kitchen Chef Chip Ulbrich's Recipes

Surimi (or imitation crab) is absent from the ingredient list from all of South City Kitchen Executive Chef Chip Ulbrich's crab-centric recipes. The award-winning chef uses fresh lump crabmeat in his recipes for crab and shrimp ceviche with watermelon relish, South City Kitchen crab hash, crab cakes and she-crab soup. You'll find all of these recipes alongside Ulbrich's anecdotes in Judy Colbert's book "Chesapeake Bay Crabs." With National Crabmeat Day skedaddling in today, this book and Ulbrich's recipes will cause more swooning than Jack Sparrow. Go ahead and get crabby with Ulbrich's recipe for crab and shrimp ceviche with watermelon relish:

Relish: 

4 cups seedless watermelon, finely diced

½ cup red onion, finely diced

1 cup red bell pepper, finely diced

l jalapeño or poblano chile (depending on your spice level), finely diced

2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger, peeled and grated

2 limes, juiced and zested

¼ cup champagne vinegar

¼ cup garlic, chopped

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. ground coriander

¼ cup honey

salt & pepper to taste

2 lb. fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined 

1 lb. lump crabmeat, picked clean

Relish: Mix all relish ingredients and allow to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Shrimp: To blanch shrimp, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season with a healthy dose of salt. The water should taste like seawater. Add shrimp and cook for no more than 10 seconds. Remove shrimp and shock in ice water to cool rapidly; shrimp should still be a little raw on the inside. Once cool, drain well.

Assemble:  Toss shrimp, crab and relish in a bowl and allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes but no more than 30 minutes. Serve with fresh watermelon and lime wedges.

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep Of The Week @ahamburgertoday

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, we just want A Hamburger Today. This is the tweet spot for the bold burger crowd.  More than 7,000 burger-meisters and misses follow the latest on hot burger spots and meaty news "with ketchup, mustard and opinion" on Twitter (@ahamburgertoday). For more meat, bite into the juicy blog.