TWEET ABOUT NICKY'S WEEK FOR A CHANCE TO WIN SUSHI FOR A YEAR 

RA Sushi fans are all a-Twitter about the Nicky's Week contest to win sushi for a year (12 $50 RA Sushi gift certificates)!  Follow RA Sushi on Twitter (@RAsushi) and re-tweet Nicky's Week tweets to be entered into the contest, which ends at midnight on Saturday, June 4.  You already know about the RA Sushi Nicky's Week fundraiser.  Through Saturday, June 4, 100 percent of proceeds from Nicky's Week menu items go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  Nicky's Week menu items include edamame, Tootsy Maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, tuna tataki, chicken yakitori and select beverages.  Since 2005, RA Sushi's Nicky's Week has raised more than $700,000 for the hospital in memory of St. Jude patient Nicholas "Nicky" Mailliard who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005.  The 13-year-old nephew of one of RA Sushi's founders inspired restaurant employees with his courage.  Please click here to learn more about Nicky and his story. 

RA Sushi:  1080 Peachtree Street at 1010 Midtown; 404-267-0114.

RAY'S IN THE CITY FILLS YOUR PLATE NINE WAYS FOR $35 DURING DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK THROUGH JUNE 5   

We've got a yummy dinner game idea for you and your friends to make the most of Ray's in the City and Downtown Restaurant Week, which runs through Sunday, June 5.  Draw up a tic-tac-toe grid.  Each row becomes a course -- appetizer, entrée or dessert -- that you fill with a selection from Ray's $35 prix-fixe Downtown Restaurant Week menu.  Your appetizer options include a cup of the day's soup or seafood gumbo; field green salad with blue cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries and balsamic dressing; or crispy calamari with sweet hot peppers and tomato marinara.  For an entrée, choose among grilled trout Oscar with crabmeat and tomato béarnaise served with mashed potatoes and asparagus; barbecued salmon with roasted corn sauce and crispy onions served alongside mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach; or grilled flat iron steak with wild mushroom demi glaze accompanied by mashed potatoes and asparagus.  Topping off dinner are refreshing dessert choices of New York cheesecake with strawberry compote and whipped cream; Key lime pie in a macadamia nut crust with raspberry and mango coulis; or chocolate mousse cake accented by raspberry and chocolate sauce with seasonal berries. Wow!  With three options for each of three courses, you have nine ways to dine...and only six more days to do it.  Better bring friends and start checking off Ray's mouthwatering combinations!  $35 per person, not including beverage, tax or gratuity.  Make Downtown Restaurant Week dinner reservations online.

Ray's in the City:  240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224.

IT'S SHOWTIME FOR ATLANTA CULINARY STARS WHEN RAY'S RESTAURANTS CHEF TOM MCEACHERN AND JUSTIN BALMES OF HARRY'S FARMERS MARKET CHALLENGE IN FOOD NETWORK KITCHEN COMPETITIONS   

It's a big week for locals on The Food Network!  Ray's Restaurants Corporate Executive Chef Tom McEachern takes on three competitors on The Food Network's popular chef competition show "Chopped" on Tuesday, May 31 at 10 p.m.  Who knows what will be in his chopping basket or how he'll wow the judges with a three-course meal on a moment's notice.  Meanwhile, back in Atlanta and only on that night, Ray's on the River is featuring special dishes incorporating the ingredients given to Chef McEachern on the show.  

On Sunday, June 5, Justin Balmes goes blade to spoon against the other finalists in the running for "The Next Food Network Star."  The 32-year-old Atlanta native and Art Institute of Atlanta Culinary Arts grad works at Harry's Farmers Market in Marietta, utopia for a chef who loves to develop recipes using organic ingredients! When he's not cooking, Balmes dabbles in fish mongering, butchery, culinary instruction and cycling.  Will his personality and skills garner the votes he needs to win?   

SPICE MARKET "90 DEGREE FREEZE" INCREASES COOL FACTOR DURING HOTLANTA SUMMER MONTHS   

The Weather Channel will eat this one right up and so can you.  Beginning Wednesday, June 1, Spice Market, located inside the W Atlanta-Midtown, is entering "The 90 Degree Freeze" zone.  In lay terms, they're giving away complimentary ice cream with a $5 minimum purchase when temperatures reach or exceed 90 degrees during June, July and August.  The Weather Channel actually will function as the approved weather gauge during "The 90 Degree Freeze" promotion that continues through August 31.  Confirm hot flashes on www.weather.com or The Weather Channel broadcasts.  Spice Market churns an ever-changing variety of ice creams including green tea, Vietnamese coffee, banana cashew, fresh mint and caramel plus sorbets of mango, passion fruit and coconut.  The ice cream offer applies to dine-in guests only, and only one ice cream per person will be given with a purchase of $5 or more. Not valid with any other offers. 

WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT GLAZED LOOK ON YOUR FACE? EVERYONE GETS A FREE KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT ON NATIONAL DOUGHNUT DAY   

On Friday, June 3, everyone who stops by a Krispy Kreme store scores a free hole-in-one...doughnut, that is.  As a thank you on National Doughnut Day, Krispy Kreme stores are doling out one free doughnut of choice to each person who stops by this Friday.  The designation has sweetened calendar pages ever since being established in 1938 -- not by a doughnut maker but by The Salvation Army as a fundraiser to help people in need.  No purchase is necessary to snag the offer so order up your favorite, try something new or go with the signature Original Glazed.  Check out the store locator page to find a participating Krispy Kreme near you.

MORELLI'S GOURMET ICE CREAM & DESSERTS' NEW EDGEWOOD SHOP WILL HAVE ICE CREAM SANDWICH BANQUETTES AND ICE CREAM COOKIE BARSTOOLS

Chill the tush on these cool seats and order up a gelato, sorbet, ice cream or frappé at the new Morelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts, opening Saturday, June 4 in the Edgewood Shopping District.  Owners Donald Sargent and Clarissa Morelli are opening their second location, a cheerful, family friendly shop destined to become a community hub as neighbors stop by for their daily dose of gourmet goodies.  Feel like a milkshake?  Morelli's milkshake bar is manned by a shakeologist who churns up signature shakes.  Do-it-yourselfers can build their own along the sundae bar with seasonal rotating selections created by Woodfire Grill Executive Chef and Morelli's Edgewood Partner Kevin Gillespie.  A menu peek reveals ice cream, gelato and sorbets in flavors that change daily ($1.70-$8.25); shakes and sundaes ($3.95-$6.99); signature shakes ($4.62-$5.40); smoothies and juices ($5.49) and frappés ($4.90).  Big crave?  Purchase ice cream to go in pints ($8) or quarts ($12.75) or an ice cream cake ($39 and up).  Sweet no-cal deal?  Free Wi-Fi for guests.  Scoop? Check Twitter (@morellis) for daily ice cream flavors.  The new Morelli's is open noon - 10 p.m. daily.  Be sure to visit Morelli's during the first two hours of opening day to score free ice cream.

ASHA GOMEZ BRINGS TOUCH OF KERALA, INDIA TO JUNE 4 PIEDMONT PARK GREEN MARKET

This Saturday, June 4, Spice Route Supper Club Creator and Chef Asha Gomez will put those fragrant spices of Kerala, India to work amplifying the tastes of fresh produce and finds at the Piedmont Park Green Market.  Gomez is the chef behind the demo counter at Saturday's free 11 a.m. class.    

The 12th Street market gates open at 9 a.m.  Come early and bag some straight-from-the-farm produce and locally made goods before taking an edu-break in the demo area.

WIN TICKETS TO THE 2011 GEORGIA FINE WINE FESTIVAL, JUNE 4 - 5 AT BLACKSTOCK VINEYARDS AND WINERY IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS

A picture caption may be worth 60 Georgia wines when you visit BlackStock Vineyards and Winery on Facebook and add your perspective to the 2011 Georgia Fine Wine Festival photo caption contest.  The photo was handpicked from the photo album of all the fun at the 2010 festival.  This year's festival is fast approaching on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 on the grounds of the picturesque winery covering the North Georgia Mountains outside Dahlonega.  Need a little push?  A glass of Georgia wine will get those creative juices flowing!  Don't dilly-dally because this short, sweet contest closes Thursday, June 2.  Two winners will receive two tickets each to attend the signature wine festival on Sunday, June 5, where they'll be able to sample more than 60 Georgia-grown and produced wines. Wine is the draw, but folk craft demonstrations, art, live music by the Kip Dockery Jazz Quartet, a complimentary petting zoo for the children and tractor-pulled vineyard tours (additional fee) will entertain all ages.  Entry includes a festival glass for wine sampling and two food tickets to try tapas servings from 25 North Georgia restaurants.  One-day tickets are $50 per person; children and designated drivers are admitted free.  For questions, call 706-219-2789 ext. 223.

IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR YOU TO ATTEND THE EURO BEER DINNER ON JUNE 9 THAN IT WAS FOR FADÓ TO PLAN IT 

When Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant drafted us to tell you about their upcoming Euro Beer Dinner, they told us the prep work had been grueling.  Tasting all of those beers to be sure they chose the ultimate four proved more challenging than anticipated.  The chosen ones inspired a four-course-dinner menu and the idea to invite a passionate and educated beer professional to head up the fork-and-glass discussion.  Dan Kahn, senior brewmaster for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., is their man, having grown up down the street from two breweries.  He earned a B.S. in Fermentation Science (Brewing emphasis) at U.C. Davis and has racked up 27 years brew-world experience.  "Beering" all this in mind, you can't possibly pass up the event on Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m.  Upon arrival, you'll be handed a welcoming pint of Bass Pale Ale to enjoy with BBQ applewood-smoked shrimp over colcannon mashed potatoes and veggie slaw.  Dinner starts with Stella Artois paired with summer strawberry spinach salad.  Next comes blackened chicken and shrimp boxty with tomatoes and mushrooms in a spicy cheese sauce served with a side of fresh vegetables and joined by Leffe Blonde.  Hoegaarden is ideal with Eve's pudding dessert that brings together sweet and tart rhubarb in a sugar cookie crust served with vanilla ice cream, mint and rhubarb syrup. 

Come fill your mouth with marvelous food, your belly with amazing beer and your mind with enough facts to champion any pub quiz.  Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits and Anheuser-Busch InBev join Fadó in sponsoring the exciting evening.  Purchase tickets online for $45 each.

Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant:  273 Buckhead Avenue; 404-841-0066.

CAST YOUR VOTE FOR "100 BEST RESTAURANTS" AT JEZEBEL MAGAZINE

Everybody has their favorites, even if you like everything.  Share your opinion on Atlanta's best restaurants by visiting Jezebel magazine's "100 Best Restaurants 2011" tally site and offering up your thoughts in any of a variety of edible categories.  "Best" Bang for Your Buck, Celebrity Sightings and Singles Scene categories are right up there with "Best" Power Lunch, Vibe, Vegetarian, Martinis and Desserts.   

If you can eat it in Atlanta, it's probably a vote-able option!   Results will be published in the July issue of Jezebel.

FOR GORGING AND GAUCHOS, YELPER SAYS FOGO DE CHãO IS HER LUNCHTIME FAVE   

Yelper Michelle B. lays it all out, plain and simple.  The white elephant in the room is about businesses cutting corners where they can to accommodate the economy and their guests.  She finds Fogo de Chão in Buckhead still puts out a top-quality experience even at lunch...which can be more cost effective than dinner. 

With the state of the economy these days, we all see our favorite (and not so fav) places cutting corners; the key is the subtlety of the changes, and how they affect overall quality of the experience. Fogo has done a great job.

They've picked up the pace at lunch time; perhaps catering to biz folks on a tight schedule, or to turn the restaurant more quickly; I didn't find it rushed, but rather a nice tempo...the gauchos were on point and it gave me more time to gorge on lamb chops before my stomach caught up with the excitement my other senses were experiencing before it screamed "STOP EATING PIGGY!!!"

There have been some changes at lunch...no more beans and rice (more room for lamb),  artichoke hearts have been replaced with artichoke bottoms, but given the overall quality of the food and service, if you didn't know, you wouldn't notice a difference. The price has gone up a bit since the last time I was here, but that's to be expected. The quality of all the meats is still fantastic. This is still my Red Carpet Special Treat destination.

BTW-This lunch was a surprise from the BF for my birthday. Even though it was "just" lunch, we got Grade A service, and Happy Birthday flan for dessert...and no singing. Perfect! Now, can I get a skewer of lamb to go...?!

Fogo de Chão:  3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  BIG DATE, LITTLE WALLET.  BETTER DEFER TO WHO KNOWS ATLANTA

You don't even have to be dating someone; you can just be on the prowl for something new to do in Atlanta without taxing your budget.  How many times have you been psyched up about an activity until you get to the fine print listing the fees?  Add Who Knows Atlanta on Twitter (@WhoKnowsAtlanta) to your activity planning arsenal and get on with getting out.  Also check out the extended version on the Who Knows Atlanta website.

Sample Tweet:  Love @RAsushi! Been here 2 nights in a row. Yesterday with friends, tonight to celebrate my "half birthday"