Sweet Dee's Bakeshop Treats Tucker Residents to Baked Goods and More

Treat your sweet tooth to cupcakes, cookies, cakes and other baked items at Sweet Dee's Bakeshop in Tucker. Other favorites include ice cream, which of course pairs perfectly with any baked good...or by itself. For something more savory, feast your eyes on this puff pastry cradling spinach, eggs and two cheeses. Yum! Breakfast items adorn the menu, so you have plenty of choices to try before announcing your favorite. For store hours, click here.

Pinterest Goes Nuts for National Peanut Butter Lovers Month and Georgia Pecan Month

There are few foods that go with just about anything. One of our favorites? Peanut butter. Dip your apples in it, combine it with jelly on bread to make a classic or eat straight from the jar for a tasty snack. Whichever way you decide to indulge, you can't go wrong. The same goes for another nut we can't get enough of. Whether you pronounce it "pee-can" or "puh-kahn," the tastiness doesn't change. Georgians everywhere take pride in leading the nation in pecan production, so no wonder we're Nutty for Nuts on Pinterest since November is Georgia Pecan Month and National Peanut Butter Lovers Month. Try your hand at a homemade pecan pie, peanut butter bars or here's a thought-- combine the two for an irresistible treat. The possibilities are endless and the results, oh so delicious!

Article 14's Arianne Fielder Wins Atlanta Woodford Reserve Manhattan Contest

Arianne Fielder has that knack. Last year, Fielder placed second, and this year the Article 14 mixtress won top honors in the Manhattan Experience bartender regional exhibition sponsored by Woodford Reserve craft bourbon and Esquire magazine. Her winning cocktail, the "Kentucky Sundress" had strawberry- and rosemary-infused vermouth blanc, orange bitters, elderflower liqueur, a green chartreuse rinse and a strawberry rose garnish. This all-star libation achieved Fielder's goal of creating a variation of the Manhattan that caters to the female palate. She heads off to NYC in January 2014 to compete in the national finale! Go Arianne!

Casseroles, Turkeys & Pies, Oh My! Atlanta Restaurants Make Thanksgiving a Success

Whether you're in charge of the turkey or you think cooking and cleaning is for the birds, Atlanta's gracious restaurants are ready to accommodate with dine-in and take-away solutions. If cooking the main is your main thing, White Oak Pastures can send a farm-fresh bird and seasonings your way. No matter how you slice this meal, with these tips, you'll leave the table pleasantly stuffed.

Plate up at 10th & Piedmont  in Midtown where tradition calls for a traditional Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Enjoy holiday favorites and dessert for $29 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Wine specials add to the festivities. Reservations: 404-602-5510

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland breaks bread beginning at 4 p.m., offering a prix fixe menu for $28 for adults, $18 for young adults ages 11 to 16 and $10 for children 10 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Choose between Big Green Egg-smoked turkey breast or braised pork shoulder with sides of green bean casserole, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry Grand Marnier compote and sweet potato biscuits. Dessert includes pumpkin cheesecake or Southern pecan pie. Reservations: 404-876-7249.

Chicken and the Egg in Marietta is all about the South with a meat-and-three menu plus dessert available from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Choose either roasted turkey with cornbread dressing or glazed ham plus sides such as mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and green bean casserole and desserts of pecan pie, pumpkin pie or apple cobbler. Meal includes rolls with butter, cranberry relish, soft drinks, iced tea or coffee. $24.99 for adults, $11.99 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations: 678-388-8813. 
 
Executive chef Ben Castro at The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell is fixing a farm-fresh Thanksgiving dinner for your homestead. His traditional turkey dinner includes roasted turkey breast, gravy, dressing, The Mill mac and cheese, green bean casserole, cranberry relish and pumpkin pie. Dinner for six to eight people is $95; dinner for 10 to 12 guests is $145. No substitutions; however, additional sides may be purchased. Place orders by Monday, November 25 by calling 770-817-9345. Pick up on Wednesday, November 27.   

Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails is smoking apple-brined turkeys and packing each one up with Madeira gravy and sage-corn spoonbread to carry to your house or grandma's house for $75. Additional sides are available upon request, and Milton's includes reheating instructions. Each 12-14 pound turkey feeds six to eight people. Place orders online by Friday, November 22. Pick-up after noon on November 26 and 27 at the historic Crabapple restaurant. Call 770-817-0161 for more information.  

The Thanksgiving Bounty Buffet at Old Vinings Inn will please the whole family. Hot classics include curry-pumpkin bisque, herb-roasted leg of lamb, roasted and fried turkey, shrimp and grits, BBO potato gratin, green bean casserole with porcini cream, apple and andouille corn bread dressing, whipped sweet potatoes, plus much more. A cold buffet offers cocktail shrimp with bloody mary horseradish, chow-chow devils, pimento cheese spread with sea salt and olive oil flatbread and roasted spaghetti squash salad with basil and pine nuts. On the dessert table, find pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple strudel and petit fours. $50 per person; $25 for children ages 10 years and younger (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are available 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; call 770-438-2282.  

Ormsby's, located in West Midtown, is staying open on Thanksgiving Eve until the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning. Sip away until 3 a.m. on Thursday, November 28 and try drinks from the fall menu, Monday Night Brewing's Drafty Kilt, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and more pours.  

Black Friday shoppers, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown is planning its version of "RA Retail Therapy" with extended food and drink specials from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on November 29. More than 30 appetizers, tapas and sushi selections ($2.25-$7.25) including Tootsy Maki, the Viva Las Vegas roll and other popular dishes await to fortify shoppers. Hydrate with beer, wine and signature cocktails ($3-$7) such as the Absolut Asian Flirtation, Pinnacle Strawberry Kiwi Saketini or Cuervo yuzu margarita.  

All three Ray's Restaurants locations welcome Thanksgiving guests. Ray's on the River is offering a buffet from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. priced at $39.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 7 to 12 and free for children 6 and under. Ray's on the Creek is offering an à la carte menu from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Ray's in the City is offering an à la carte menu from noon-8 p.m.  
 
Spend time at the table, not in your kitchen, at both South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings  where a three-course menu brings choices and Southern classics your way. Dine Thursday, November 28 from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Midtown location and from 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Vinings location. The meal is $45 for adults and $22.50 for children 12 and under (tax and gratuity not included). Reservations are recommended at both locations: South City Kitchen Midtown - 404-873-7358; South City Kitchen Vinings - 770-435-0700.
Appreciate the difference of a home-cooked American Standard Bronze turkey ordered from White Oak Pastures. Raised in open-pastures, these birds are free of antibiotics and added hormones. Three sizes: small (8-12 pounds) for $75, medium (12.1-16 pounds) for $100 and large (16+ pounds) for $125. Order onlineor by phone at 229-641-2081 by Saturday, November 23. Shipping costs are calculated per mile per pound. Spice up that bird by adding White Oak Pastures' very own house-made poultry spice rub made of salt, garlic, black pepper, oregano, paprika, cayenne, white pepper and allspice for $7.99.

#Foodgram of the Week: @gamexatl

 

You can only watch so many football, hockey and basketball games before you want to get up and compete yourself. Lucky for you, Instagram's @gamexatl provides the latest temptations to get you making moves to the complex. With no "bye" weeks, our picture-perfect plays happen every day of the week. Plus, we have a great eats too. Have your couch beat that. 

Snuggle Up With Ormsby's New Cool Weather Menu

The mercury is dropping and we're piling on layers upon layers to stay warm. Our next trick? Snuggling up with a brand new menu Ormsby's menu featuring a plethora of dishes aimed at satiating cool weather appetite. Crack open the menu online for pages of food, cocktail, beer and wine tempters. A few teasers? Sure. For starters, there are Guinness-dipped pretzels with stout mustard, hand-cut fries with pot roast gravy or other sauces, flank steak salad and a hand-dipped corn dog with Sriracha mayo. Entrées run wild from grilled fish tacos to veal meatloaf, coffee-rubbed prime rib, hefty sandwiches served with house-cut fries or ale-battered onion rings or bangers and mash with house-made brats. Ormsby's has a treat for sweet lovers, too, with chocolate bread pudding, chai tea crème brûlée and baked apple dumplings. Thirsty for more? Devour the descriptions and origins for more than 60 offerings of bottled beer, 16 draft beers and the carefully compiled wine menu. Slip into the West Midtown hangout and ask the friendly staff for a copy of of the menu to experience firsthand. 

Marlow's Tavern Adds New Dishes and Flavors to the Menu

 

Want to add something new to your palate? Because we do. Check out the newest additions on the menu at  Marlow's Tavern locations. With the new season, it's only appropriate to give guests new flavors too. Grab some friends and dive into the Start/Snack/Share plates such as lump crab beignets, sizzlin' feta crostini, hoisin BBQ ribs, killer calamari or beet, quinoa and goat cheese. Of course, we can't forget the classic burger "Royale" of Wagyu beef with cheese on buttery brioche or a grilled chicken "BLT" panini. The talk of the tavern include the grilled salmon with pearl couscous and sautéed kale or grilled "center-cut" filet mignon. Don't forget to treat your sweet tooth with Tavern treats like the milk chocolate-soaked chocolate cake with pecan and "Jack" syrup and a jolt of vanilla ice cream. Rather drink down your dessert? Marlow's mixologists have been busy creating delicious concoctions for those 21 and up. Have a sip of The Fly Bye with Aviation gin, Fire on Ice or Kicked by the Mule. Have little ones? Marlow's has them covered too. They can choose from chicken fingers, pita pizza, "Big Kid Steak" and cheese quesadillas. Yum! 

Gobble Up a Heaping Helping of Thanksgiving Day Dining Options Plus More in this Week's Dish

                               

The weather may be cold but the city is on fire with the awards being raked in by Atlanta’s finest. Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen and Bar, No. 246, The Optimist and King + Duke is the 2013 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Restaurateur of the Year. Winning top honors in the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience bartender regional competition is Article 14's Arianne Fielder. In addition to all of the award winning, it is time to gather family and friends for Thanksgiving get-togethers with restaurants like The Mill Kitchen & Bar, Ray’s Restaurants and Chicken and the Egg to name a few. Enjoy great eats, tasty treats and more in this week’s issue of the Dish. 

Osteria Cibo Rustico Brings Italian Fare to Toco Hills

Cancel reservations at your usual dining spot for this weekend, and head to Toco Hills for new Italian fare. Osteria Cibo Rustico offers a variety of traditional dishes for those looking for a warm and inviting atmosphere with hearty meals that will have you mistaken the North Druid Hills restaurant for a quaint Italian eatery in the heart of Rome. Dip into antipasti ($4.95-$10.95) of warm polenta fritta (Parmesan-crusted polenta fingers), polpettine (house-made meatballs) in tomato-basil sauce or share an antipasto plate with friends. Order any of the four insalate ($6.95-$8.95) topped with blue cheese, grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon for an additional $1-$4. Of course, don't forget about the pasta plates ($8.95-$14.95) with gigli primavera with grilled asparagus, onions, mushrooms and scallions, hearty rigatoni alla Bolognese or fusilli with fennel sausage and pistachios. Truly something delicious for every person on the menu, the extensive list of wine, beer, coffee, tea, soft drinks and bottled water pair perfectly with every meal. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. starting November 18. In the meantime, try Cibo for dinner Sunday- Thursday from 5:30- 10:30 p.m. and Friday- Saturday from 5:30- 11 p.m. 

Melissa Libby & Associates is Searching for Spring 2014 Interns

Are you a student who is passionate about food/wine culture and public relations? Melissa Libby & Associates is currently seeking two interns for spring 2014. Interns who join the MLA team will work with and learn directly from all agency functions, including media communications, social media, special events and client services. Creativity, positive energy, strong work ethic and great writing skills are important traits for this internship. 

The ideal candidate will also receive school credit for his or her experience with MLA. Internships are 15-22 hours per week from January to May, and interns will be paid a $500 stipend at the completion of the program. Schedules are fairly flexible, although Monday mornings are required. Local candidates only! 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 InternshipMLA@gmail.com.

Toast to Locally Brewed Beer at Bantam + Biddy on November 14

Not that anyone needs a reason to enjoy a pint of Georgia-made craft beer, but in case you need to justify it, we're happy to provide you with one. On Thursday, November 14, join friends at Bantam + Biddy for regional fare and delicious brews all for a great cause. The Ansley Mall fast-casual eatery gives guests a wide variety of chicken, salads, soups and sandwiches to choose from. But back to the beer (the real reason for celebration) -- for every pint ordered, $1 will be skimmed of the sale and donated to the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild to promote and protect locally brewed beer. Cheers! 

Gobble Up Thanksgiving Traditions on Pinterest

With the holidays approaching, aprons are out and recipes adorn kitchen counter tops around the country. Whether this if your first Thanksgiving on your own, or you've been preparing delicious feasts for years, it's never too early or too late to start new traditions. Our Thanksgiving Traditions Pinterest board is stuffed with classic dishes, as well as some not-so-traditional items to add to your turkey day festivities. Your company is sure to gobble them up!

#Foodgram of the Week: @eatdrinkrepeat

Chris Watkins keeps Atlanta informed about the latest happenings in the food world, all while supplying a steady stream of appetizing food shots on @eatdrinkrepeat. Thankfully, he also found time to craft a winning roll in RA Sushi Bar Restaurant's October sushi-making for charity event. His "This is the Way We Roll" roll graces the restaurant's November menu, and sales proceeds will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That's just the way he rolls.

Seven Lamps Offers $3 PBR and Koozie Duo

What's more American than a PBR (monogram for Pabst Blue Ribbon, in case you've, you know, forgotten) in hand? Sipping it in a collapsible koozie, of course. And since every beer lover knows you can't have too many koozies in your collection, make plans to head over to Seven Lamps to get your hands on this dynamic duo for only $3. Trust us, it'll look great for every tailgate and fun event in between. Cheers!

The Optimist Sets Sail for 6th Annual Oyster Cook-Off in Gulf Shores on November 9

Summers at the beach? Amateur hour. We're all about fall excursions with cool breezes and no crowds. For example, while we're here raking up seemingly endless waves of fallen leaves, the folks in Gulf Shores, Alabama, are hauling in bushels of fresh oysters. Thankfully, The Hangout cracked open a way to share all of these good things with the rest of us, creating its first Oyster Cook-Off six years ago. This year's eat-fest, presented by Alabama Gulf Seafood and hosted by The Hangout on Saturday, November 9, shows how far the popularity has spread with celebrity chefs coming in from as far afield as Hawaii. The Optimist joins more than 70 notable chefs and restaurants from the Southeast and beyond participating in the event. Chefs will create their own "Rockefeller," "Cajun" or "raw" oyster dishes as they compete for more than $10,000 in prizes. Beginning at 11 a.m., oyster connoisseurs can ante up tasting tickets ($2 each or $30 for a book of 20) to sample the fixins. An Absolut bloody mary buffet, live music, cooking demos, football viewing, oyster-shucking contests, games and prizes keep the party flowing. Friday, November 8 pre-party runs from 7:30-11 p.m. for early comers.

Atlanta Restaurants Cook Up Delicious Dishes for U.S. Veterans on November 11

No amount of thanks will ever do our appreciation for the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services justice; those who selflessly provide protection and freedom every day so that we are able to live peacefully in this great nation. On Monday, November 11, Atlanta restaurants celebrate Veterans Day by cooking up small, but delicious, tokens of gratitude for these heroes. 

Those both retired and active are invited to the tables of Article 14, Der Biergarten, Game-X, Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, STATS and Glenn's Kitchen or SkyLounge at The Glenn Hotel for half-off savings with a U.S. military ID. Marlow's Tavern in Midtown is also saluting these individuals by offering 50 percent off the price of an entrée with U.S. military ID. As for the rest of us? Continue the celebration by cheering veterans on when the Georgia Veterans Day Parade steps off from Peachtree Street near Ralph McGill at 11:11 a.m. on Saturday, November 9 and ends up in Centennial Olympic Park around lunchtime. If you can't make it to the parade, remember to thank a veteran with a few words of kindness whenever you see them, considering we wouldn't have the same prosperous lives without them. 

Barks & Beers at Der Biergarten

 

Bark-toberfest? In a November way. From 4-9 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, Der Biergarten in Downtown's Luckie Marietta District is hosting a Barks & Beers afternoon of $5 Weihenstephan Hefeweizen to benefit the Atlanta Humane Society. Slip that leash on Buddy and Bella and bring them along to complete the picture. Pupless? The Atlanta Humane Society will be there with dogs and puppies for adoption by those serious about adding a canine friend to their household. Human distractions include beer pong, shuffleboard and foosball, plus live music from 6-9 p.m. It's enough to set your tail a-wagging.

Brew Your Cask Off at SweetWater Cask Ale Festival Plus More in this Week's Dish

                                      

Vodka, beer and wine, oh my! No time to be parched with the drinks flowing in some of the city’s best restaurants. Arianne Fielder pleases palates with her delicious Purity Vodka cocktail, plus appetizers at Article 14 on November 7. And, of course, for the brew lovers, dish out $3 for a classic PBR and collapsible koozie duo at Seven Lamps. Atlanta is a libation station, so see what else we’ve got on tap in this week’s Dish. 

Brew Your Cask Off Cask Ale Festival Invites You to One 'Ale' of a Sweet Time, November 9

It's that time of year again -- get your brew buds ready for one "ale" of a sweet time for the Brew Your Cask Off Cask Ale Festival hosted by SweetWater Brewery on Saturday, November 9. SweetWater brewmasters challenge teams from Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland, Ormsby’s, Marlow’s Tavern and South City Kitchen Vinings to create casks of ales for guests to sample and enjoy. Those not floating the mainstream, have no fear! SweetWater will brew something special of their own to add to the mix. The party cranks up at 6 p.m. and continues on until 10 p.m. The brewery will bring out all the stops for the event, including big tents, brewery tours and jams from The Vegabonds. $35 in advance online or $40 day of will let you enjoy the sweet life with unlimited cask samples. The party is open to those 21 and up, sorry kiddos. Boost your cask-ale cred beforehand at www.cask-ale.co.uk. Cheers to great beer!

Purity Vodka Vamps Up Article 14 for Tasting on November 7

From her home in Ellinge Castle in the south of Sweden, there's one vixen that loves to give Americans a thrill, and Article 14 hosts her on Thursday, November 7 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Her name, you ask? Ultra-premium Purity Vodka, of course. The crystal-clear spirit undergoes 34 distillations and gives up 90 percent of its original liquid. Overseen by master blender Thomas Kuuttanen, Purity Vodka mingles with the tantalizing flavors stocked behind Arianne Fielder's bar. The mixtress will create two specialty cocktails, paired with heavy appetizers for guests to enjoy in between sips. For fans of the vodka, bring a bottle or two for Kuuttanen to sign. Perfect for an early holiday gift or "just because" occasion. Although the event is free, space will be limited, so vodka connoisseurs should call 404-443-8432 to reserve a spot. Remember, only guests 21 and up are invited to meet the star of the show -- the rest will have to hear about her through the grapevine.