Tin Lizzy’s Cantina introduced Senor Mojito to Senorita Margarita, and they hit it off so well a Margarit-O was born. The hybrid mixes the best of both cocktails: 1800 Silver, Agavero orange liqueur, house-made mint simple syrup and sour mix. Join the family for $8 a glass, $29 for a pitcher.
Marlow’s Tavern welcomes Rick Blumberg as manager of adult beverage, research and development and purchasing. The former beverage director for Bacchanalia Restaurant Group totes 23 years of restaurant management and beverage experience to the neighborhood tavern bar program. Blumberg looks forward to getting to know guests in Marlow’s more casual and relaxed atmosphere after his years in the fine dining scene. Along with creating new beer, wine and cocktail menus, he will assist Georgia and Florida locations with beverage purchasing, beverage purveyor relationships, budgets and inventory systems. Blumberg delights in training staff on new products and rolling out creative cocktails, and he’s already hard at work adding unique spirits and upgrading the “soon-to-be-classic” cocktail program and beer and wine selections. The industry veteran wears an impressive résumé including management positions at The Optimist, King + Duke, Woodfire Grill, Abattoir, Restaurant Eugene, Holeman and Finch Public House, Emeril’s and Morton’s The Steakhouse in Atlanta. He’s fine on wine, having completed the first two levels of certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Visit your favorite Marlow’s Tavern location and raise a toast to adult beverages today.
It’s year three for Harvest for a Cure, an extravaganza of gourmet food, vintage wines and a luxury raffle benefiting the Georgia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, an organization that supports research to help treat and end MS globally. Eighteen of Atlanta’s most talented chefs and pastry chefs, 15 sommeliers, three mixologists and at least a dozen Atlanta wine collectors are already collaborating to pair culinary creations with wines from the personal cellars of top local wine collectors for the delicious evening. Guests will sample food and wine pairings at stations spread throughout the contemporary galleries of Mason Fine Art. Returning participants include chef Derek Dollar of Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Gunshow mixologist Mercedes O’Brien and Aria chef Gerry Klaskala and general manager/wine director Andrés Loaiza. Aria pastry chef Kathryn King joins her teammates. By using the all new MS Wine Event app, attendees will be able to access event details and raffle item information throughout the evening. All funds raised help improve the lives of those living with MS by sponsoring local programs and services and accelerating worldwide research programs to eradicate the debilitating disease. Visit the Harvest for a Cure website for sponsorship and donation opportunities.
Shining like a glistening beacon, Better with Bacon proudly prepares the cured meat crowd for National Bacon Lovers Day on August 20. It’s nigh on impossible to refrain from building a bacon-Tater Tot breakfast pizza, sweet potato bites with bacon and avocado or bourbon-bacon meatballs. The flexible, smoky swine rolls and crisps around carrots and asparagus, cannoli tubes for ricotta and chocolate-stuffed baconnoli and hops aboard with chicken inside lasagna rolls. Bacon jam – you’ve seen it on restaurant menus, now make your own! Those honoring Elvis’ departure day on August 16, should make something “The King” would love: Elvis bacon bites with bacon, bananas and peanut butter. Hard to keep that bacony goodness under wraps, unless you’re putting it in one.
Pin up a local chef or farmer and get first dibs on seeing and buying The Farmer Fund 2017 calendar by attending the 2017 Calendar Launch Party on Monday, August 22, at The Cathedral of St. Philip. Can’t miss the cover shot of Andreas Müller, executive chef of Revival. Inside, more local chefs and farmers pose for intriguing monthly views. Sales of the annual tongue- and toque-in-cheek calendar provide ways for the Atlanta-based organization to support and keep farmers farming in the face of natural disaster. Guests at the 5:30-10 p.m. launch will fill up on chow and beer from local restaurants and breweries, while flipping through their own copies of the 2017 calendar. Plus, they’ll be the first in town to have a chance to buy more calendars for $20 each, and they’ll be privy to the outtakes and fundraising auction. Buy tickets at brownpapertickets.com, $65 per person ($68.27 with service fee).
Eddie’s Attic in Decatur is resurrecting the classic Gospel Brunch this Sunday, August 21. Otis Redding III and Atlanta blues legend Mudcat & the Atlanta Horns croon while guests swoon over a buffet table of Southern faves from Kevin Gillespie’s nearby Revival restaurant. Buffet is priced at $20 per person (beverages, tax and gratuity not included). Doors open at noon; show begins at 12:30 p.m. For the show, general admission tickets are $20 each or purchase table seats in multiples of four for $20 per seat (tables filled day of show on first-come, first-served basis). Praise be, you’ll find the menu and more info on our blog.
Joey Ward has been a Gunshow kitchen dude ever since chef Kevin Gillespie opened the Glenwood Park restaurant in 2013. While Ward is now Gunshow’s executive chef, he’s still a kitchen dude at heart, and he loves to share his creative culinary passions with restaurant guests, other restaurant chefs and farmers market-to-home-table shoppers and chefs. Ward leads the 9 a.m. chef demo on Saturday, August 20 at Morningside Farmers Market. Want more? Make reservations to sup on Ward’s innovative cuisine at Gunshow that evening.
The “King of Rock and Roll,” 20th century icon Elvis Presley, left this earth on August 16, 1977. Yes, we know. We’re all shook up, too, thinking back to the legacy of hit singles, albums and films this sideburn-studded dude cranked out during his hip-swiveling career. Relive the King’s glory days by visiting the “Elvis Room” at Johnny’s Hideaway in Buckhead. Visit the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling memorial whenever Johnny’s is open. It’s a heck of a lot more ATL Uber accessible than Graceland in Memphis. To really honor Elvis, order a cheeseburger (one of his favorite foods) and ask the DJ to spin “Jailhouse Rock” or “Hound Dog” – we’re pretty sure “Are You Lonesome Tonight” doesn’t cut it on Johnny’s rocking dancefloor.
For Ray’s Rio Bravo, a cupcake and candle don’t do justice to anniversary numero uno. Half-price house margaritas? Now you’re talking fiesta. Through August 31, Ray’s Rio Bravo guests can down 12-ounce house margaritas for $3.50 each – all day, every day. And how about some tacos to go with the toasting? Two-way tacos and a plate of three shredded chicken tacos, both priced at $9.95, top the list of anniversary menu specials. Chicken and steak sizzle in 2-way fajitas served over a bed of sautéed onions and peppers with lettuce, guac, pico, El Machino flour tortillas, rice and refried beans for $19.95. Those preferring Southern to Southwestern can delve into the Southern fried chicken and crispy salad fixings of the Church Lady fried chicken salad with cool buttermilk ranch dressing and a little fried jalapeño heat ($9.95) or gnaw on a half rack of baby back ribs, slow-smoked and glazed with house-made barbecue sauce and sided by rice and refried beans ($14.95). Bravo for this boatload of lunch and dinner specials, available in the dining room and bar – and let’s not forget those half-price house margaritas.
First dinner, then lunch, now 5Church Atlanta adds weekend brunch to its mouthwatering Midtown agenda. Brunchers get the added benefit of choosing morning-ish fare or lunch menu favorites. Settle in and share the cured and smoked fish platter, which also nets crunchy oatmeal crackers, Vidalia onion whipped cream cheese and lemon ($14). Preacher’s Breakfast blesses traditionalists with three eggs, stone-ground grits, house-made sausage and braised greens ($12). Those raising hands for lunchy options can hoist a 5Church lamb burger decked out with red onion marmalade, Gorgonzola fondue and arugula plus hand-cut fries ($14) or cut into the Southern fried steak with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, two eggs sunny and wild mushroom-black pepper gravy ($14). Sippers range from mimosas and sangria by the glass or carafe to bloody marys. Saturday and Sunday brunch hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and 5Church validates parking in the Colony Square deck.
Watch out Mr. Stay Puft, National S’mores Day is August 10, and we’re busting out the marshmallows, chocolate and grahams to make More S’mores, Please. These three lowly ingredients are s’more than hot in nachos or a skillet cookie cake and equally at home frozen in s’more ice cream. They’re elegant in no-bake s’more truffles, warm and gooey in three ingredient turnovers and diet savvy in gluten-free miniature pies. Hot days, sip them in milkshakes and segue to s’mores hot chocolate cocktails by the fire pit this fall. Send campers off with s’more party goodie bags and welcome them home with a two-tier camping cake complete with a graham cracker tent. Campfire optional, happy campers guaranteed.
Have fork, will travel. New Fork City stimulates appetites for delectably doughy treats and all kinds of good eats. Browsing this gobbler of a gallery on an empty stomach is living dangerously, kind of like shopping the grocery when hungry.
When you’re watching the tide roll in and watching it roll away again...in your daydreams... it’s time for lunch and the Georgia shrimp roll ($15) at 101 Steak. Fresh shrimp from Georgia’s coastal waters and lemon dill aїoli on a butter-grilled roll ease lunchers back to beach mode -- for the afternoon, anyway.
The chefs do it all, from fixing sides to mains to desserts,
and beverages are turned over to mixologists. Just buy tickets,
and show up hungry, thirsty and ready to chow down at the seventh annual Southern
Chefs Potluck for Wholesome
Wave Georgia taking place from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, September 11, on the
pastoral grounds of the Inn at Serenbe. Top Atlanta chefs, including Andreas
Müller of Revival, share side
dishes with guests at the family style event held under the Inn’s open-air
pavilion. The chefs' creations will complement main dishes provided by White Oak Pastures and
Jim N' Nicks Bar-B-Q. Mercedes O’Brien of Gunshow and
other Atlanta mixologists will shake, stir and pour libations, along with wines
and craft beers. New to the table of events this year is the VIP after party
where chefs and VIP ticket holders will segue to one of Serenbe’s residential
“Farmettes” for live music, cocktails and small bites from chefs not
participating in the general Potluck. Buy tickets online:
$150/individual; $300/VIP (one ticket for Potluck with VIP chef table seating
and VIP after party); $600 VIP Package (VIP privileges above, for two); or VIP
Overnight Package ($1500, VIP privileges for two plus one room for the night at
the Inn at Serenbe). Additional online service fee added at checkout. The Potluck
is one the biggest fundraising events of the year for Wholesome Wave Georgia,
whose mission is to increase access to fresh, healthy and locally grown food
for all Georgians. Money raised goes right back into the community, helping
low-income families eat more healthily and providing income for Georgia
farmers.
“Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like,” advises The Southern Gentleman. When Southern-inspired food is your love but you find yourself drawn to lighter selections, especially during summer, culinary conflict arises. The Southern Gentleman diplomatically diffuses the mealtime dilemma with new selections that lean deliciously toward the light side. The gracious gastropub in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is adding refreshing, modern renditions of traditional Southern fare, including smoked Carolina mountain trout, Georgia peach and heirloom tomato salad and wine-poached calamari. As on the regular menus, executive chef Matthew Ridgway draws upon local sources for garden-fresh produce and farm-fresh ingredients to compose lush green and chopped salads with fresh herbs and vinaigrettes, along with sides of marinated, grilled or charred vegetables. Items carry light price points, falling in the $6-$12 range so guests can simply order a salad or easily combine several sides for a veggie-laden lunch or supper. Strongholds like the “chicken fried” chicken salad sandwich, shrimp and grits and Dixie bacon carbonara unabashedly rule the menu. And because Ridgway’s motto is “everything in moderation,” he’s dishing out his version of a tried-and-true Southern specialty: buttermilk-marinated fried chicken and sawmill gravy.
Ormsby’s in West Midtown welcomes executive chef Nick Anderson to its friendly fold. Growing up in Marietta, teenage Nick decided he’d rather cook for his family than mow the lawn or wash the dishes. His choice of “chores” turned into one of his greatest pleasures and propelled him to graduate from Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and into culinary positions at several of Atlanta’s fine dining establishments including Spice and Canoe. He moved on to hold chef de cuisine roles at Tomo and Rathbun’s. At a holiday party, Anderson formed a friendship with two of Ormsby’s owners, Michael Goot and Leslie Battle, and their Westside restaurant became a favorite stop for Anderson, his wife and friends. Now, Anderson is thrilled to be a part of the Ormsby’s team and plans to add more local meat and produce to the menu offerings. He’s looking forward to inspiring the staff and welcoming guests when they drop by for a craft beer, his tempting pub fare and some bar game merriment.
Oenophiles, take heed and pick up the phone. Ray’s at Killer Creek is planning an exquisite Silver Oak Cellars Vintage Release dinner featuring five courses and wine pairings on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jeff Flood, southeast regional manager for Silver Oak Cellars, will be on hand to chat with guests throughout the special evening. The dinner menu, created by Ray’s at Killer Creek executive chef Mike Fuller, starts with compressed Georgia peach and Georges Bank scallop crudo with basil foam paired with Twomey sauvignon blanc, 2015 followed by wood oven-roasted pork belly, cauliflower-goat cheese gratin and pickled onion served Twomey Russian River pinot noir, 2014. Guests will then be treated to magret duck prepared two ways: smoked breast with pickled summer white cherries and blood orange syrup joined by Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2007 and five-spice confit with stir-fried cabbage, barrel-aged soy and toasted black sesame paired with Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2012. Next up, dry-aged, Painted Hills beef served with caramelized foie gras and grilled, local chanterelles joined by Sonoma Valley cabernet sauvignon, 2011. Sweet Grass Dairy aged cow’s milk cheese, macerated strawberries and benne biscuit close out the night paired with Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch merlot, 2012. $135 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations secured by a credit card are required; call 770-649-0064.
Braselton celebrates its 100th birthday on Saturday, August 20, and Cotton Calf Kitchen is in a prime location to enjoy the festivities. Live music, games, fireworks and more will take place on the new Town Green right next to Braselton’s classic American steakhouse. That said, tables are sure to book up fast so plan ahead and make advance reservations on OpenTable or by calling 706-684-0401. Before or after dinner, toast the town with a spirited drink from the cash bar in the Cotton Calf Kitchen tent on the new Town Green.
Ray’s at Killer Creek pulls out the stopper to unleash a Whole Hog Whiskey Dinner, a.k.a. WhistlePig Whiskey Feast Head-to-Tail Dinner, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 20. WhistlePig master distiller Dave Pickerell and executive chef Mike Fuller have knocked noggins to curate a divinely swine-filled menu paired with the Vermont distillery’s small batch whiskies. Squeal over the night’s lineup: crispy ears with fried green heirloom tomatoes served with WhistlePig Straight Rye; chicharrón with creamed rice grits and pepper jam joined by WhistlePig Straight Rye 15 Year; “Bacon and Eggs” with Benton’s smoked pork belly lardons, grilled brioche, poached farm egg, red-eye reduction and house-made hot sauce with WhistlePig Old World Madeira Finish; Big Green Egg slow-roasted leg with hand-pressed corn maize, Silver Queen corn, avocado mousse and hot and sweet maple syrup served with Hillrock Solera aged bourbon; and baked apple and Georgia pecan cracklin’ with butter-caramel gelato paired with Hillrock Port Cask Finish. Cost is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Reservations are required; call 770-649-0064 and have a credit card ready to buy tickets to this high-proof event.
Join Modern Luxury - The Atlantan for their annual To Live & Dine event, where luxurious living and delectable dining entwine at ADAC - Atlanta Decorative Arts Center on Monday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. Ooh and aah over exquisite, custom-designed tablescapes while dining on cuisine from popular restaurants such as 5Church Atlanta, The Southern Gentleman and Smokebelly BBQ. Purchase tickets online through August 12 for $50 per person (plus small service fee).
