DON'T MISS THE CELEBRATION. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO RSVP TO RENAISSANCE ATLANTA MIDTOWN HOTEL'S OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY
 Today, Tuesday, September 13, is the last day to RSVP to attend the Official Afterparty celebrating the opening of the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel. The Official Afterparty will be held at the hotel on Thursday, September 15 at 10 p.m. Guests will groove as DJ Tabone spins a mix of R&B/Hip-Soul driven dance vibes. Be sure to RSVP via email at atlantamidtown@renaissancersvp.com if you're up for the party!
Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel: 866 W. Peachtree Street, NW; 678-412-2400.
|
RAISE A GLASS TO CAMP TWIN LAKES AT SUGO CHARITY WINE DINNER FEATURING TRINCHERO WINES
 Thanks to caring patrons and benefit events, Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Ga. has helped more than 30,000 special needs children experience the joys of childhood and summer camp cost free. One such opportunity to bring smiles to young faces is to attend Sugo's Charity Wine Dinner on Thursday, September 15. The dinner features Trinchero Family Estates' highly prized California wines as well as those from Joel Gott, Napa Cellars and Terra d'Oro. Certified Specialist of Wine Michael Venezia and a guest speaker from Camp Twin Lakes will have plenty to share -- and let's not forget the fabulous wine and food! The evening of five dishes and five wines costs $75 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis; call 770-641-9131 now so you're not left out.
Can't come, but love California wine? Buy Trinchero wines during September, and a percentage of every bottle sold goes to Camp Twin Lakes!
Sugo: 408 S. Atlanta Street in Clock Tower Place, Roswell; 770-641-9131.
|
GO WITH THE FLOW OF SILVER OAK AND TWOMEY CELLARS WINES AT FLEMING'S WINE DINNER ON SEPTEMBER 17
 "Twin sister" wineries -- Silver Oak Cellars and Twomey Cellars -- are double dating for a big night at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar this Saturday, September 17 at 6:30 p.m. Come along and experience the delicious adventure, a five-course Silver Oak Wine Dinner with pairings for $125 per person (excludes tax and gratuity). Five wines from these two wineries will be poured, and guests will be able to compare the 2006 and 2007 vintages of the Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley in a side-by-side vertical tasting during their meal. Here's the menu flow: passed hors d'oeuvre of roasted red pepper and arugula flatbread with goat cheese served with Twomey Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2010; tuna carpaccio with crispy capers, red onion, baby greens and Dijon vinaigrette paired with Twomey Merlot, Napa Valley, 2006; petite lamb chops with polenta fries, mint pistachio pesto and Fleming's proprietary F-17 sauce served with Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2006; Newport Club ribeye with thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, sautéed mushrooms and bacon-shallot butter accompanied by a Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley vertical tasting of the 2006 and 2007 vintages. A truffle trio caps the evening in flavors of white chocolate-Meyer lemon, Valencia orange and dark chocolate-Cabernet. Make your reservation now before the seats are all taken!
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: 4501 Olde Perimeter Way in Perimeter Place Village; 770-698-8112.
|
ROAD TRIP! ATKINS PARK TAVERNS AND ORMSBY'S KICK OFF PRE-GAME PARTY PACKAGE WITH TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM FALCONS VS. EAGLES GAME
 This Atlanta Falcons home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles is sold out, but we know of a way 48 more fans can get in for Sunday's 8:20 p.m. kick-off action. Ormsby's, Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland and Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna are planning their first Falcons road trip package of the season on Sunday, September 18. Starting at 4:30 p.m., each is throwing a pre-game tailgate party at their respective location with plenty of food, beer and Jägermeister -- and a ticket for 48 lucky sports fans ($120 lower-level seat value). Since you can't take food and beverages into the Georgia Dome, you might as well fill up on good eats and cold brews before the game. Hop the coach bus for a comfortable ride to the Georgia Dome and root for your team, knowing your "coach" will be there afterward to transport you back to your starting line. Total package cost is $160 per person. Go for it and call your preferred location to reserve your ticket.
Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249.
Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna: Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road; 770-435-1887.
Ormsby's: 1170 Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-968-2033.
|
BONE UP ON RIBS & WHISKEY SPECIALS AT MARLOW'S TAVERN LOCATIONS
 Fall is overtaking summer. So long, cold plates; hello heady flavors and stick-to-your-ribs dishes that herald autumn. It's time for Marlow's Tavern to bring out the Ribs & Whiskey specials Atlanta diners have come to love over the years. From September 20 through October 24, all eight Marlow's locations will offer the special saucy menu that involves Maker's Mark Whiskey in the secret sauce and rib ticklin' cocktails. Look for menu selections next week.
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.
|
SPICE MARKET PLANS NIGHT OF COCKTAILS, HORS D'OEUVRE AND SHOPPING FOR THE LADIES ON SEPTEMBER 21
 Ladies' Night with retail therapy AND a discount? Too much fun! On Wednesday, September 21 from 6-9 p.m., Spice Market in the W Atlanta-Midtown is hosting a Ladies' Night that has more of what the ladies are looking for: drinks, noshes and shopping with a 20 percent discount in the The W Hotels Store. Get the girls together at Spice Market, try one or both of the night's two signature cocktails at $5 apiece and enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvre before browsing in The W Hotels Store. Ladies' Night attendees will receive a discount card good for 20 percent off a purchase in the store, which will remain open until 10 p.m. that night. Ooh and aah over the new W Hotel exclusive Global Glam fall line and use your discount to add a piece to your collection or apply it to any of the jewelry, accessories, apparel, travel gear, home furnishings and other neat items in the store.
Spice Market: In the W Atlanta-Midtown, 188 14th Street, NE; 404-724-2550.
|
|
SKYLINES & SPIRITS & SPICE MARKET AT COCKTAILS IN THE GARDEN ON SEPTEMBER 22
 Framed by pleasant temps and starlit skies, September is the last month -- and maybe the best month -- to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden for a Thursday night Cocktails in the Garden. This month's theme is "Skylines & Spirits."
On September 22, Midtown's own Spice Market in the W Atlanta-Midtown will provide the complimentary light bites, while "spirits" will be available to purchase at the full cash bar. Lethal Rhythms Atlanta DJs provides background music for the 6-10 p.m. event. Admission is free for Garden members; $18.95 for everyone else. Guest passes accepted.
|
ATLANTA BAR-B-Q FESTIVAL LIGHTS UP WITH BACKYARD DIVISION SPONSOR NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE
 In a deal sealed over grill and flames, New York Butcher Shoppe is sponsoring the Backyard Division cooking competition in this year's Atlanta Bar-B-Q Festival on Saturday, October 1. Sure, there's a pro league, but New York Butcher Shoppe's heart is into helping aspiring BBQ pitmasters grill to their greatest potential with top-quality meats. New York Butcher Shoppe is providing all of the meat and a $25 gift card for each of the 20 teams that may make up the Backyard Division. They're even judging teams for the most creative name and will pick up the $200 entrance fee for their winning choice. The New York Butcher Shoppe also is providing the meat for the "Anything Butt" competition on Friday, September 30. For more information on the festival and competition, visit the event website. The New York Butcher Shoppe has three locations in Alpharetta, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, and they're on Facebook, too.
New York Butcher Shoppe: Dunwoody at 2458 Mt. Vernon Road; 770-399-6328. Sandy Springs at 4969 Roswell Road; 404-303-0704. Alpharetta at 5354 McGinnis Ferry Road; 678-624-0047.
|
|
ALPHARETTA, BE ON THE LOOKOUT -- SMASHBURGER IS COMING YOUR WAY ON SEPTEMBER 28
 Let the salivating begin! Smashburger will open its third metro-area location on September 28 at 5530 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. Add the sizzling spot to your lunch and dinner list -- especially for those busy school nights when fast-casual and to-go are key phrases. On the menu: Certified Angus Beef Smashburgers "smashed" on the grill to sear in the juices; marinated Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs and Smashsalads ($3.99-$6.99), kids' meals ($3.99), and Smashsides ($1.99-$2.99). Wine, beer, Häagen-Dazs shakes and root beer floats complete the thought.
Smashburger - Alpharetta: 5530 Windward Parkway; 770-754-0554.
|
AQUA BLUE MENU CHANGES WITH SEASON TO WELCOME FALL
 Bye, bye beach; hello, mountain lures. Fall is calling at the kitchen door, and Aqua blue is answering with a delicious line up of new dishes. Starters of handcrafted flatbread, seared pork dumplings, Colorado lamb sliders with tomato-bacon jam, caramelized cipollini onion and gorgonzola, and new sushi rolls replace spring rolls and other light fare. Warm-you-up mains include roasted chicken with Parmesan farro, carrots, celery, caramelized onion, Brussels leaves, Meyer lemon and thyme-scented wild mushroom jus; Niman Ranch pork chop with habanero sauce, Swiss chard and loaded red bliss potato; soy-glazed Georgia mountain trout with shiitake mushrooms, baby corn, zucchini, snow peas and carrots with teriyaki sauce; the "AB House" burger topped with fontina cheese, caramelized onion and oven-dried tomato; and thyme-seared ahi tuna with chickpeas and basil ratatouille. Even crisp salads hint of fall -- the Aqua blue house salad tops field greens with Granny Smith apples, asparagus, toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and sweet herb dressing. Fall colors and jack-o-lanterns can't be too far off with dinner choices such as these in the forecast!
Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell; 770-643-8886.
|
YELPER LUNCHES AT REYNOLDSTOWN'S HOME GROWN, AGAIN, AGAIN...AND AGAIN
 Three times in, and she's still going back for more -- it's that divine, according to Yelper Erin H. Her only complaint? Home Grown in Reynoldstown is only open for lunch, no din-din.
This place is a divine hole in the wall! I just came back from my third visit to Home Grown and I can say with a full belly that it was another happy one.
The wait staff is beyond helpful if you feel conflicted about what to get on their ever changing menu. The girl today helped me narrow down my choice to the Grant's stack, which has melted pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, and bacon on grilled Texas toast. Thanks to her I found my new favorite sandwich! I also picked up a Coca-Cola chocolate cupcake on my way out the door that was super moist and delish! I devoured it just before starting my review.
My boyfriend opted to get the chili slaw dogs which are served on wheat buns with chili, jalapeno slaw, and cheddar cheese. He loved it and after taking a bite I must admit I fell in love too.
Their ingredients are so fresh! We've never been disappointed by anything we've had there. You can't beat it for the price. Too bad they aren't open for dinner service as well!
Home Grown: 968 Memorial Drive; 404-222-0455.
|
EAT IT AND TWEEP: THIS SOUTHERN BELLE HAS NEVER MET A PIECE OF TARNISHED SILVER OR CUPCAKE SHE DIDN'T LIKE
 Wow! That confession almost says it all about this proud Southern Belle! Like Margaret Mitchell's Melly, Kate S. rejoices in all things "sweetly southern." Besides cupcakes and silver, she has a penchant for story telling and junk store shopping. Her tweets (@sthrnbellesimpl) are a delightful pop of Southern culture on a smart phone, and her Southern Belle Simple blog tells more of the story, y'all.
Sample Tweet: As if there were any doubt that she isn't a southern belle, Madonna 'absolutely loathes hydrangeas' http://bit.ly/mYD6e5 #MannersMatter
|
OUR APPETIZING APERTURE OF THE WEEK
Chef Drew Belline's Backyard Honey Gelato Cone With Fennel Pollen
Honey, this amazing gelato cone from Chef Drew Belline of Decatur's No. 246 is truly the bee's knees!
| |
| Looking for the latest restaurant opening, weekly wine tastings and drink specials, or other culinary happenings? Whatever makes your mouth water, Melissa Libby & Associates will point you in the right direction. Our monthly calendar, blog, flickr, Facebook page and Twitter feed will keep you up-to-date on new and ongoing restaurant events around Atlanta. |
|
 Melissa Libby & Associates is an Atlanta-based public relations firm specializing in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industries.
| |
