Vidalia Onion Festival Sweetens Your Weekend

 

Yeah, yeah, there are a lot of festivals going on this weekend. But how many of them celebrate our state vegetable? Only one! Head down to the 35^th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival for some good, old-fashioned festival fun in Vidalia. The Food Network's been there - now it's your turn. Count more activities on the schedule than onions in a bushel bag including a carnival (buy unlimited-ride wristband), parade, Civil War re-enactment, Strait Jacket Monster Truck rides, car and motorcycle shows, kazoo band, bike stunts, chainsaw carvers, cornhole tournament and more. Off-site events include a "Movie Under the Stars," rodeo, a gospel sing, onion sales and Sweet Onion Antique Fair, Vidalia Onion Run, arts and craft show, recipe contest and still more. Sweet!

Appetizing Aperture: National Prime Rib Day

Today is National Prime Rib Day! Hold that thought until Sunday when Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers its weekly Prime Rib Dinner special -- prime rib with a trio of sauces, your choice of The Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar salad, one side dish and dessert. 

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

As one chews, so must one tweet - with mouth closed. After all, it's the fingers doing the talking when Antoinette Bruno of StarChefs.com tweets (@antoinette_b) live from her tastings. The editor-in-chief of the online magazine is surely up on all of her eating and tweeting etiquette. The magazine offers up bigger helpings.   

Chef Bands Take the Stage for Charity at Eats & Beats on May 7

Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Joey Riley of Kaleidoscope Bistro and Pub have something in common that you might not expect. We all know they're skilled chefs, but did you know that they're talented musicians as well? Fry's band is called Five Bone Rack and Riley is one third of The Right Way Trio. On Monday, May 7, they'll take the stage and perform with two other chef bands at the Buckhead Theatre for Eats & Beats. Along with great music, you can also expect plenty of tasty treats to go along with those tunes. Sample dishes from top-notch restaurants including Chicken and the Egg, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Kaleidoscope, No. 246 and Spice Market. Tickets to the 7 - 9:30 p.m. event are $60 for general admission and $125 for VIP (early entry at 6 p.m. and access to private premium bar, wine tastings and additional restaurants). Not only will this be the most fun you've had on a Monday night, you'll also be doing your good deed for the day. The event benefits children of sanctuary workers and Children of Conservation, an organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of endangered species in third world countries through education, habitat preservation and wildlife sanctuary support. 

What Happens When the Chicken Crosses the Road? He Ends Up at The Taste of Marietta!

This week may have been chilly, but Mother Nature changed her mind just in time for the weekend! What better way to enjoy a perfect spring day than strolling around the Marietta Square, sampling delicious eats from local restaurants at Taste of Marietta on Sunday, April 29! You’re sure to find something yummy this year, especially since Chicken and the Egg is participating, along with 70 other town favorites. The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 7 p.m., and with four entertainment stages, a Sports Corner, a Kids Alley filled with fun games, and numerous shops and museums, there is sure to be something for everyone. Enjoy free admission, and only pay between $.50 - $4.00 for food samples at booths. Concession stands will be set up to purchase drinks and for your convenience, you can park off-site and ride the trolley to the square. For a complete schedule and FAQs, visit the website. You have to leave Rover at home for this one, but take back a tasty sample and I’m sure you’ll be forgiven!

Great Food Awaits, Indulge in Aqua Blue’s “Blue Plates”

If three courses sound great, and you love Aqua Blue – then their “Blue Plate” menu is perfect for you! For only $25 per person, guests can choose one appetizer, entrée and dessert.

Appetizers include calamari, tempura green beans, a handmade sushi roll and traditional Caesar salad. House-made cioppino, hand-battered fish and chips and hardwood-grilled N.Y. strip are filling entrées. Be sure to end the journey on a sweet note by indulging in a dessert.  They revolve around High Road sorbet in fresh seasonal fruits and flavors or the chocolate-y riches of flourless chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream or chocolate mousse in a crunchy cookie crust. The “Blue Plate” menu only goes through May 28, when the Roswell restaurant changes the menu again. 

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Explores Spanish Wines At Wine Dinner On April 27

Spanish winemakers are secretive about their art. Chris Elam, now of Prestige Wine, was fortunate to spend the past 15 years getting to know Spanish winemakers, exploring Spain's vineyards and tasting little-known Spanish wines. He'll share pointers on choosing, appreciating and pairing Spanish wines when he hosts the five-course tapas dinner with wine at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Dunwoody on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. 


Fleming's Chef and Partner Kenneth Bills' menu includes five tapas with four wine pairings:  deep fried rice balls with saffron and serrano ham paired with Mas Fi, Brut Cava, Spain, NV; citrus-marinated seafood and shellfish with Bodegas Naia, Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain, 2010; marinated pork and vegetable skewers served with Bodegas Luzon, Luzon Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2010; Andalusian beef stew with Vinas Del Cenit, Venta Mazzaron Tempranillo, Zamora, Spain, 2009; and ending with classic Spanish flan. $85 per person (not including tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 770-698-8112!

Help Kaleidoscope Crawl for a Cure on April 25

Don't run, crawl for a cure this Wednesday in Brookhaven. Cocktails 4 A Cause presents a night of drink and food specials, live music and much-coveted raffle items at the 2nd Annual Dresden Crawl for a Cure on Wednesday, April 25. All event proceeds go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its work to fight blood cancers and to help patients and their families. The starting point is Haven, where registration takes place from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Guests set off for Valenza, Verde Taqueria, POUR Bistro and Library Coffee Company, then wind up at Kaleidoscope for the after-crawl party. $20 donation at the door. Can't make it? No worries; you can make a donation online.

From the Bayou to Mexico, Get a Taste of It All at Atkins Park Tavern

This Thursday night's Tequila & Tacos dinner menu at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland will knock you out of your usual taco and margarita rut. For the evening's special four-course menu, the tavern takes the lowly taco to new realms and pairs each taco type with a unique, refreshing Herradura tequila cocktail.  Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs $45 per person (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 404-876-7249.

For those looking for a weekend activity, Atkins Park Smyrna Business Partner and Zac Brown Band Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin is firing up the big pots this weekend and filling them with crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, onions, garlic and mushrooms. Party starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 and runs on over through Sunday, April 29. A bowl of crawfish and a few brews are mood food for Saturday and Sunday's live music lineup of The Squirrelheads, Soulhound, Patrick Scott , Zack Graddy,  and The Mar-Tans. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. Saturday tickets are $10 at the door and $5 in advance and include a ticket for Sunday admission. Sunday admission price is $5 per person. Atkins Park Valued Guests may use Valued Guest points to purchase admission for 500 points. Get more info and purchase tickets online.

Patio Parties, Pub Crawls & Much More In This Week's Dish

We've got patio parties, fun benefits, tasty festivals, sweet downloads and much more in this week's 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.

Dine Out for Life at Aria and Fifth Group Restaurants This Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 25, Open Hand is hosting Dining Out for Life (DOFL), one of the organization's largest fundraising events to help deliver more than 5,500 nutritious meals daily to Atlanta-area residents battling chronic disease and disabilities. Open Hand was founded in 1988 and delivered its 20 millionth meal this past December.

All you have to do is dine out (breakfast, lunch or dinner) at one of the participating restaurants this Wednesday, and 20% or more of your bill will be donated to Open Hand. Some participating eateries that are on the top of our must-visit list include Aria and Fifth Group Restaurants -- Alma Cocina, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, The Original El Taco and South City Kitchen Vinings. Find a full list of DOFL participants and make reservations here to help Open Hand serve its next millionth meal.

Watch Justin Balmes on Chopped All-Stars Sunday Night

Justin Balmes and Jon Hamm already have a lot in common. They are both tall, dark and handsome. And this week they are both on TV Sunday night! Watch Atlanta's adventure-loving Chef Justin Balmes as he flexes his competitive muscles again on a special edition of "Chopped All-Stars" airing this Sunday, April 22 on the Food Network. He'll wield spoon and spatula against "Food Network Star" Season 7 finalists Penny Davidi, Vic "Vegas" Moea and Chris Nirschel as he vies for a prize for his charity, SafePath Child Advocacy Group. We don't know what happens but hopefully there are no mad men on this set!

Appetizing Aperture: A Picnic with Alon's

Alon's asks, "What's going into your basket on National Picnic Day, Monday, April 23?" Hint. Hint. With locations in Dunwoody and Virginia Highland, Alon's has it all, from prepared entrées, salads, sides and sandwiches on homemade breads to cheeses, chocolates, pastries, desserts, wines and beverages. Gelato while you decide? 

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

The Sassy Radish is all over the board. This food writer and recipe lover is Russian expat Olga Massov who passed through New England as a child, went to college in Pittsburgh and ended up in Brooklyn. Somewhere along the way, she picked up a Southern penchant for pickles and bourbon. Fine dining, casual, mountain or beach, it's hard to pigeonhole this one, so best follow along on Twitter (@sassyradish). Lots of links, photos and reading on her Sassy Radish blog.

Share Your Favorite Maritime Memories with The Optimist

Swimming pigs (photo courtesy of Kimberly McCollum)

As thankful as I am to have such nice weather in Atlanta, a part of me can't help but long for a trip to the beach. Sunny skies, blue water and toes in the sand sound like paradise to me. Until my next vacation, I'll be submitting my favorite beach pictures to The Optimist. Chef Ford Fry's sustainable seafood restaurant is scheduled to open in mid-May and is looking for maritime memories to add to the coastal decor. You can submit pictures of you surfing, fishing, playing water sports, or building a sandcastle - whatever your idea of surfside fun is! Mail pictures to JCT. Kitchen & Bar (1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18, Atlanta GA 30318), attention Kimberly Powell or email them to theoptimistatlanta@gmail.com. Don't be a beach bum and miss out, the deadline to submit your photos is Monday, April 30.  

Be an Early Bird this Saturday for the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market

You won’t want to sleep in this Saturday, because on April 21 The Cathedral of St. Phillip in Buckhead will be hosting local farmers and purveyors for the always exciting Peachtree Road Farmers Market! The market lasts from 8:30 a.m. until noon, but make sure you catch Woodfire Grill Chef de Cuisine E. J. Hodgkinson at 10 a.m. as he cooks up spring recipes that will be sure to delight your taste buds! Want a sneak peek of Hodgkinson in action? You can check out his fall demo from the market archives. The early bird may normally get the worm, but this Saturday, it’s tasty springtime veggies and more!

Evening of Hops and Trivia at Ray’s on the River

Wild Card Question: “What’s happening at Ray’s on the River on April 20 at 6:30 p.m.?”

Answer: “They are hosting a Craft Beer Chef's Dinner along with a casual evening of trivia and fun prizes.”

Ray's on the River has hand-picked three craft brews from across the U.S. and one from Japan to pair up with four delicious courses.

First course: Arancini di roso with pimentón aioli

Beer pairing: Stone IPA from Escondido, Calif.

Second course: Tempura prawns with sweet chili glaze and Asian slaw

Beer pairing: Hitachino Nest White Ale from Japan

Third course: Seared duck breast with Vidalia spring onions and raisin port reductio

Beer pairing:Dogfish Head, Raison D'Etre from Rehoboth Beach, Del.  

Fourth course: Coffee and chocolate-braised beef short rib with celery root purée and glazed baby carrots

Beer pairing: Duck-Rabbit Porter from Farmville, N.C.

Don’t miss out on this fun evening;it is sure to be anything but trivial. The cost is $30 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Menu subject to change based on availability. 
RSVP to Mandy Carlos at 770-955-1187 or mandy@raysrestaurants.com

I'll Have a Glass of Wine, Please!

Starting this Thursday, April 19, Woodfire Grill is introducing a winning wine tasting series for spring and summer months. First up are cava, Dom Pérignon and six other champagnes and sparkling wines. These wines actually complement more foods than any other wine type, according to Woodfire Grill Wine Director Nicolas Quinones and Sommelier Catherine Hatch. The two wine experts hone in on a different type of wine at monthly tastings planned for the third Thursday of each month through August. At each tasting, eight carefully selected wines will be available to dining room guests from 6 - 8 p.m., concurrent with dinner service but not served as pairings. The tastings are $15 per person and are limited to 30 guests each month. Reservations are in order to guarantee a spot; call 404-347-9055 and specifically mention the wine tasting when booking.

For Chardonnay lovers, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is offering the elusive Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010 for a limited time. Most is sold via the winery's private mailing list, and what does make it to restaurant wine cellars is seemingly sold for a king's ransom. Maeve Pesquera, director of wine at Fleming's, has an "in" on procuring this ultra-premium Chardonnay from one of California's most-sought-after producers. Leveraging a strong relationship with Kistler, Pesquera has obtained this king of the California Chardonnays, and Fleming's is able to offer it as an "Icon Wine" to guests at an exceptional price of $60 a bottle (excluding tax and gratuity) beginning April 18 and continuing while supplies last.

"Tax Day Tuesday" Specials Keep Tax Day From Being So Darn Taxing - And More - In This Week's Dish

The dreaded April 17 is here! Be sure to get those last minute taxes filed so you can kick back and read this week's Atlanta 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.

And the Golden Onion Goes To...

A dozen Georgia chefs will compete in the inaugural Golden Onion professional cooking competition preceding the 35th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival April 26-29 in Vidalia, Ga. Our personal favorites in the April 22 recipe creation competition are Marc Taft, owner and executive chef of Chicken and the Egg in Marietta, and Chef Richard Wiggins, executive chef at Spice Market in the W Atlanta - Midtown. All eyes and cleavers will be on the star of the cutting board - the Vidalia onion, the prominent ingredient in every recipe. Chefs Taft and Wiggins both sing praises about Georgia's mild and gentle state vegetable. Taft appreciates that their "flavor profile makes them easy to blend into dishes because they complement other ingredients so well; they're also fantastic alone." Wiggins enjoys "the sweetness and ability to manipulate the flavor" of Vidalia onions. First-place winner takes home the Golden Onion trophy for one year plus $500. Second-place winner receives $250, and third place receives $100. Competition takes place in the Vidalia Community Center and opens to the public at 12:30 p.m. Purchase $5 tickets in advance at the Vidalia Onion Museum; $10 at the door.