ONE ROAD, TWO DAYS, WAY TOO MUCH FUN -- 3RD ANNUAL TASTE & TOUR OF CHESHIRE BRIDGE ON JULY 20 & 21

The 3rd Annual Taste & Tour of Cheshire Bridge is a fantastic way to delve into the eclec-nicity that ties together some of Atlanta's best restaurants (including Woodfire Grill), high-end businesses and unique boutiques all on one stretch of pavement. Hop the tour trolley or stroll the street. Restaurant tastings, exhibits, product samples, discounts, raffle prizes and more are all part of the deal from 5 - 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20 and Thursday, July 21. The event is accessible via the MARTA Lindbergh Station and bus route 27, which stops at multiple locations on Cheshire Bridge Road. Designated parking locations are at Antiques & Beyond (1853 Cheshire Bridge Road) and The Center for Spiritual Growth & Meditation (1893 Piedmont Road, NE). Buy tickets online for $20 per person per day or $35 per person for both days. Children ages 12 and under are free. Attendees also can follow the fun on Twitter (@tourofCB) or "like" the Facebook page for regular updates. The Lindbergh-LaVista Corridor Coalition (LLCC), a nonprofit corporation, will use event proceeds to fund a feasibility study for the establishment of a Community Improvement District (CID) in the area.

BOOK A CULINARY PASSAGE TO KERALA -- SPICE ROUTE SUPPER CLUB HOLDS DINNER JULY 23

Asha Gomez is hosting one of her tantalizing Spice Route Supper Club dinners at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. Hurry and you may be able to book passage and join the table of 20 guests. This month's five-course dinner menu tours the flavors of Kerala in southwestern India's spice route. Gomez begins the dinner with a Keralan trio of vegetables: green beans and carrots thoren (stir-fry with freshly grated coconut), beetroot pachadi (a creamy yogurt-based dish) and sweet potato verrakku (traditional sauté with mustard seeds and curry leaves). Delicate fish cakes follow, seasoned with ginger and green chile and served with green papaya pickle. Third course is a savory duck roast with pan-roasted potatoes served with Gomez's fresh mango chutney. Kerala beef curry, redolent with ginger, cinnamon and curry leaf served with coconut rice, comes next. Finally, when you think you've covered all the spices, out comes vattayapam, a steamed cake, light in texture like angel food cake, with a custard-like pudding of ripe plantains, coconut milk and cardamom. (Reminds us, Gomez is opening her first restaurant, Cardamom Hill, on Northside Drive in Midtown this fall!) Seats at the Spice Route Supper Club table are $85 per person, which includes unique wine and beer pairings. Email spiceroutesupperclub@gmail.com for reservations. Stories and conversation are plentiful and free! The supper club location is in northwest Atlanta off I-285; guests will receive directions two days prior to the event. 

RAY'S AT KILLER CREEK PLANS "PIG & PINOT" EVENT BY THE CHATTAHOOCHEE ON JULY 23

On Saturday, July, 23, Ray's at Killer Creek is popping corks and roasting pork for the "Pig & Pinot" tent party and they are heading over to sister restaurant Ray's on the River for the festivities. Come to the 1 - 4 p.m. riverside party and receive a special wine-tasting glass to try five different Pinot Noir wines. You'll also be armed with a party plate to fill with more pork dishes than you can imagine! Ray's is roasting a whole pig along with dishing out pork belly tacos, pork & beans, fingerling potato salad with warm bacon vinaigrette, bacon bit brownies and much more. Between bites, dance to beach music by A1A featuring Jeff Pike, shop the silent auction of wines and more, and enter the raffles for dinner for four customized by Ray's at Killer Creek Executive Chef Tracey Bloom with wines selected by Sommelier Phillip Cooper and for a Fat Tire 2011 cruiser. The silent auction and raffles will benefit the Primus Sanders Foundation. Sanders is a six-year employee of Ray's at Killer Creek who experienced a tragic fall that left him in a wheelchair and recovering at Atlanta's Shepherd Center. Tickets to the event are $35 each and must be purchased in advance by calling Ray's at Killer Creek at 770-649-0064. 

MARLOW'S TAVERN IS COMING TO CUMMING ON JULY 26 WHEN NEWEST LOCATION OPENS IN THE AVENUE FORSYTH

Only one more week until Forsythians have a tavern to call their own...on the way home. On Tuesday, July 26, Sterling Hospitality will open its eighth and newest Marlow's Tavern location in The Avenue Forsyth.  Marlow's American tavern menu boasts categories such as "Start, Snack, Share," "Crisp, Cool Salads," "Tavern Favorites," "Classic Tavern Burgers," "Big Bar Sandwiches," "Kids' Fun Foods" and "Sweet Stuff." Plus there's a tremendous variety of wines, brews and cocktails. With its bar, booths and big communal table, Marlow's is set to become the meeting place for those shopping 'til they drop, meeting for after-the-commute cheer and for Forsyth neighbors wanting a nearby night out. Super friendly Marlow's Tavern is a perfect fit for the open-air shopping destination loaded with premier national retailers, select local merchants and specialty restaurants. Come try it out!  The new Marlow's Tavern in The Avenue Forsyth is located at 410 Peachtree Parkway, just east of Georgia 400 at Peachtree Parkway/Highway 141 in Cumming.

In other Marlow's news, this is the last week to get your fill of the limited-time "Red, White & Brew" selection. On July 25, Marlow's Tavern will put away their patriotic menu and grilling contest until 2012. Hurry in for "Red, White & Brew" menu items like firecracker deviled eggs ($3/$5), the Red, White and Bleu Burger ($11), backyard blackened swordfish ($14) and honey-glazed grilled chicken with chili-slathered corn on the cob ($17). While you're there, submit your favorite recipe in the Second Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest for a chance to win a Big Green Egg and other prizes. Winners will be announced in August.

Marlow's Tavern: 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; East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store), 770-977-7747; and Cumming at 410 Peachtree Parkway, 770-886-3666.

GO AHEAD, PLAY FAVORITES. CREATIVE LOAFING "BEST OF 2011" VOTING IS OPEN

Vote for as many as you want or as few as five categories on this year's Creative Loafing "Best of Atlanta" ballot. Those short on time can save their ballot and come back to it later. Facebook and Twitter buttons mean you can let friends know you've voted and nudge them to do likewise. Voting closes at midnight on July 31.

YELPER AND HUBBIE ARE GLAD BIG TEX CANTINA MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Usually, the old-timers take the newcomer's dinner, a loaf of bread or maybe a six-pack. But hey, Decatur has its own style, and maybe Big Tex Cantina has a bigger kitchen than Yelper Laura M. After dropping into the cantina for dinner and cold brews on a hot summer night, this Yelper's glad Big Tex is in her neighbor.

Big Tex Cantina is close to my apartment and a welcome addition to the neighborhood. My first visit was a pleasant one. The place was hoppin' but not completely packed when we arrived at 6:30 on a weeknight -- a nice mix of Decatur residents: families with kids, professionals still in their work clothes, and eclectically-clad hipsters.

I decided to try the veggie burger, which may have been a mistake at a place like this. It was fine, but the veggie patty had a kind of unappealing mushy texture, and I found myself wishing for more crunchy veggies to mitigate that. Topping it with some kind of coleslaw would be a big improvement. I had a side of turnip greens, which were excellent. The drink list was also impressive, with appealing beers on tap, more varieties in bottles, and a wide array of tequilas for margarita times. My cold New Belgium Somersault hit the spot on a 95 degree night.

My husband raved about his tacos, especially the Tex taco, which is made with the excellent brisket that we love to order from Fox Bros. He declared the fried avocado taco to be "kind of weird," but still good.

Our server was fine, though a little slow at times (not surprising, considering that they were pretty busy!), and the manager/owner(?) circulated the dining room and checked in with all the patrons. The general atmosphere was friendly, inviting, a little loud, and very casual. I'll definitely be back to try other items on the menu, the margaritas, and maybe the outdoor seating on a cooler night.

Big Tex Cantina: 308 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite I, Decatur.