"STEELER" AWAY AND "PACKER" IN A WINNING LINEUP OF FOOD, DRINKS AND VIEWS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
 

Is it the game?  The commercials?  The social camaraderie around the food and drinks?  You can achieve your personal Super Bowl Sunday goals at fun area restaurants.  Just don't ask us which team will emerge as the victor!

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar's "Big Game" offerings roll over for their final night of the season on Sunday, February 6.  For noshing, Fleming's popular "5 for 6 'til 7" bar menu sporting five premium cocktails, five award-winning wines by the glass and five signature appetizers -- all $6 each -- will be available all night, way beyond the usual 5 - 7 p.m. time zone.  For more of a fine dining experience, hunker down over Sunday's prime rib dinner at a special price of $29.95 per person (excluding tax and gratuity or wine).  The three-course dinner brings on 12 ounces of succulent prime rib served with a trio of sauces; choice of the Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar salads; one side dish and dessert.  (4501 Olde Perimeter Way in Perimeter Place Village; 770-698-8112)
 

Marlow's Tavern has a home-field advantage when it comes to flat-screen viewing, meaning that with seven metro-Atlanta locations, there's sure to be one near your home turf.  The all-American tavern hits all the sweet spots for cheering on the game, whether your group is staked out at a large, communal table, huddled in a cozy booth or if you're a stadium-stander, standing to cheer "field side" at the bar.  (Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033; and East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 208, 770-977-7747)

When the party is at your "casa," call Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food and pick up a Party Pack to-go.  Order up for at-home tailgating groups small or large.  Uncle Julio's makes sure all entrée Party Packs include rice, frijoles a la charra, chips and salsa. The Plato Gordo Party Pack has something for everyone: beef and chicken fajitas, pork ribs, shrimp brochette, tortillas, guacamole and pico de gallo.  Tackle a Fajita Party Pack with beef, chicken or combo fajitas along with tortillas, guac and pico de gallo or fill up with the Enchilada or Taco Party Packs.  Appetizers and tamales round out your party-to-go options, and for a couple of extra bucks, they'll throw in a serving ware and plate package.  Sorry, no margaritas to go.  (In Buckhead at 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767.  To-go line:  404-974-2991.  In Sandy Springs at 1140 Hammond Drive, NE, Building K, Suite 100; 678-736-8260. To-go line: 678-736-8261.)
 

LADIES IN HIGH HEELS ARE SHOE-INS FOR TALL DISCOUNTS ON SATURDAY NIGHTS AT ATKINS PARK TAVERN IN SMYRNA
 

Gals, don't play footsie with this deal; go for it!  Every Saturday night at 10 p.m., Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna steps into "High Heel Night" mode.  Every inch of heel on your skyscraper-high shoes knocks a 3 percent discount your way.  Toss back $3 shots and female-friendly drinks sponsored by BACARDI when you're not out on the dance floor.  All of this fun under your feet, music and no cover charge to boot!
 

Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna:  Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road; 770-435-1887.

 "YOU COOKED A STEAK DINNER?  OH VALENTINE, HOW ROMANTIC!"  (AND EASY ON YOU AND YOUR WALLET WITH HELP FROM NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE)
 
It's a classic scene:  the sweetheart walks in and is wooed and wowed by a romantic candlelight dinner for two.  Live that scene after you visit your nearby New York Butcher Shoppe, home to "Rare Quality. Well Done Service."   Share a marvelous meal for two for a gotta-love-it $29.99.  You cook the steak and heat up the sides (well, maybe not the salad).  The Valentine Day Meal Deal includes two eight-ounce filets aged a minimum of 21 days, two loaded potatoes, salad for two and a loaf of bread.  Upgrade to USDA Prime filet for $5 more or make it a surf and turf by adding two four-ounce lobster tails for $15.  Grab a bottle of wine and some red velvet or chocolate torte cake to complete the dreamy meal.
 

New York Butcher Shoppe: Dunwoody at 2458 Mt. Vernon Road, 770-399-6328; Sandy Springs at 4969 Roswell Road, Suite 215, 404-303-0704; Alpharetta at 5354 McGinnis Ferry Road, Suite 226A, 678-624-0047.

VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIALS, OH HOW WE LOVE THEE!

Loves me, loves me not...forget that, we love all of these Valentine's opportunities!

Aqua blue in Roswell is offering a special four-course menu from Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14 for $50 per person (plus tax and gratuity).   The regular a la carte menu also is available.  For reservations, call 770-643-8886. 

Aria will offer a four-course Valentine's menu for $85 per person with wine pairings available at an additional cost.  For reservations, call the restaurant at 404-233-7673.

For those not so fond of the day of love, Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna is hosting an Anti-Valentine's Day party on Saturday, February 12 beginning at 10 p.m.  The lovelorn can lift their spirits with Sam Adams and Grey Goose drink specials.  The restaurant also will offer a $38 four-course Valentine's Day menu with complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries and prosecco on Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14.  Reservations are recommended; call 770-435-1887.

Enjoy Valentine's Day weekend at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse.  The Phipps Plaza restaurant is offering Executive Chef Bennett Hollberg's holiday prix fixe menu for $48 a person from Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14.  For reservations, call 404-844-4810. 

Enjoy Ecco's European-inspired ambiance and cuisine in the heart of Midtown.  For Valentine's Day, Ecco is offering a $50 three-course prix fixe menu.  Highlights include appetizer choices of fried goat cheese, honey and black pepper; seared scallops with fennel, tarragon and curry; and local pork belly, salted cabbage and cranberry bean salad.  Among the entrée choices are mushroom risotto with fontina val d'aosta; sautéed halibut cheeks with white wine and fingerling potatoes; and grilled lamb ribs with roasted mushrooms and tomato.  For dessert, choose between the chocolate truffle tasting and walnut and chocolate semifreddo with caramel-espresso.  For reservations, call 404-347-9555

Share a romantic menu for two at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar from Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14.  The restaurant also is giving a $25 Fleming's card to Valentine's Day guests.  For reservations, call 770-698-8112. 

JCT. Kitchen & Bar dishes up Executive Chef/Owner Ford Fry's Southern favorites on a "taste" + three, four-course menu for $55 per person on Monday, February 14 only.  For reservations, call 404-355-2252. 

Celebrate Valentine's Italian style with La Tavola Trattoria's $49 three-course, prix fixe menu. Among the appetizers are grilled calamari with cannellini beans, celery, harissa and lemon agrumato oil and burrata with caviar and arugula.  Entrée selections include wild striped bass with sunchoke puree, crispy pancetta and salsa verde; Saltimbocca alla Romana, veal scallopine with prosciutto and sage, roasted fingerling potatoes, frisée and anchovy vinaigrette; and wild mushroom agnolotti with chive flowers and black truffle butter.  Sweet endings include Meyer lemon-olive oil cake with stewed huckleberries and fresh cream and mascarpone cheesecake with pecan streusel, candied pecans and pomegranate curd.  Call 404-873-5430 for reservations.  Now that's amore!

Bring a date, or not, to the annual "Queen of Hearts" Valentine's social at Pacci Ristorante on Thursday, February 10 from 6 - 9 p.m.   The event is free of charge and will feature complimentary appetizers, cocktail specials, raffle prizes, a tarot card reader and a Q & A session with Atlanta-based author and syndicated advice columnist Blane Bachelor, who also is The Sunday Paper's resident romance expert.  Then Friday, February 11 through Monday, February 14, Executive Chef Keira Moritz has planned a special three-course menu for $40 per person plus tax and gratuity.  The restaurant's regular menu also will be served.  For reservations, call 678-412-2402.

Pinkberry has a way to say "You Make My Heart Swirl" between February 11 and February 14.  Select from three Valentine's-themed combos of Pinkberry yogurt and toppings packaged for Valentine's Day and decorated with balloons, ribbons and hearts.  They'll even hand deliver the treat -- free of charge -- to that someone special's home or office.  Pinkberry Swirly Grams are swoonable gifts to send to a loved one farther away and are available through Pinkberry's website.  Order online through February 9 and in stores through February 10.

Saturday, February 12 through Monday, February 14, all three Ray's Restaurants -- Rays on the River, Ray's at Killer Creek and Ray's in the City -- are offering three-course Valentine's Day menus for $65 (excluding tax, gratuity and alcohol).  Each restaurant's regular menu also will be available. Make reservations online or call Ray's on the River at 770-955-1187, Ray's at Killer Creek at 770-649-0064 or Ray's in the City at 404-524-9224.

For a taste of the South on Valentine's Day, South City Kitchen Midtown and South City Kitchen Vinings are each offering prix fixe menus for $39.95.  Guests get a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert.  View the complete Midtown menu and Vinings menu online.  For reservations, call Midtown at 404-873-7358 and Vinings at 770-435-0700.

Spice Market in the W Hotel-Midtown spreads the Valentine's Day celebration over two days, Sunday, February 13 and Monday, February 14.  On those days, guests may choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert for just $30 (with an up charge of $8 for lobster or steak).  Each guest will receive a special red fortune cookie that could include an offer for a free dessert or free appetizer.  For reservations, call 404-724-2550. 

SIT ON THE FLOOR, EAT WITH BANANA LEAVES AND EXPERIENCE DINNER ON INDIA'S SPICE COAST AT AN EVENING IN KERALA ON FEBRUARY 18

Once known as the Malabar Coast, Kerala, India is better known for the harmony of diverse cultures and the treasure trove of spices grown there.  Spice Route Supper Club and Dinner Party Atlanta are two supper clubs combining these intoxicating elements for An Evening in Kerala, featuring traditional music, dance, cuisine and unique cocktails on Friday, February 18.  Dinner will be a 21-dish vegetarian feast usually experienced only on India's southern coast.  Adding to mealtime authenticity, guests will sit on floor cushions and eat with their hands using traditional banana leaves.  Wear comfortable clothes and easy-to-remove shoes!  Cocktail hour starts at 8 p.m. followed by dinner at 9 p.m.  The event is being held at the Grand Atrium at 200 Peachtree Street.  Tickets are $100 each, and seating is limited so purchase now.  The event supports Raksha, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization that addresses social and protection issues within the metropolitan area's South Asian community.

ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK -- YELPER FEELS GIGI'S CUPCAKES IS A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR A SWEET TOOTH

Yelper Elizabeth H. has a serious problem.  She has to pass Gigi's Cupcakes on Roswell Road on her daily commute.  Every day.  She rests her case.

This place is dangerous~ especially since I pass it everyday on the way to and from work!!  I stopped by last weekend for my first time- the space is cute and small with a few places to sit.  The girls inside were super helpfully with explaining what exactly was in each cupcake!
 

After much deliberation, I chose the Banana Pudding Cupcake~ I'm salivating just thinking about it!! It was vanilla cake with a dollop of banana pudding in the center, toppend with buttercream banana pudding frosting and a vanilla wafer!!
 

These cupcakes will definitely put you into a "sugar coma"! It was mostly frosting (which I love) and a small cupcake... at $2.50/each it's affordable when you are looking to treat yourself!!! 

Gigi's Cupcakes:  3655 Roswell Road; 404-846-4400.

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  SPICE ROUTE SUPPER CLUB AND @SPICEROUTEATL TWEET, SHARE FOOD INFO ON KERALA AND OTHER INDIAN STATES

Exploring other cultures is fascinating, and the Spice Route Supper Club (@spicerouteATL) is hot stuff when it comes to delving into the foods and cultures of Kerala and other Indian states.  We've talked about their upcoming Kerala Supper Club event above.  Follow their tweets and website to discover more fascinating opportunities and learn more!