What's cooking this week? 

ALPHARETTANS, STOP FRETTIN' -- SMASHBURGER OPENS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

SmashburgerSmash yourself over hump day!  The Atlanta area's third Smashburger, the nation's fastest-growing "better burger" restaurant, opens at 5530 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta on Wednesday, September 28.  Hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. cover hunger pangs from lunch through dinner.  What will you have?  Try the regional signature Atlanta Smashburger featuring 100 percent Certified Angus Beef, peach BBQ sauce, Wicked� Pimena cheese, grilled jalape�os and Vidalia coleslaw on an artisanal egg bun; the Atlanta Smashdog topped with Wicked� Pimena cheese, grilled jalape�os and Vidalia coleslaw; a grilled or crispy chicken sandwich or a signature salad, veggie frites or Smashfries.  For good measure, throw in a handspun H�agen-Dazs shake, an IBC root beer float in a frosted mug or maybe a glass of wine or a local beer.  


Smashburger - Alpharetta
:  5530 Windward Parkway; 770-754-0554. 

SUMMER'S FINAL FLING OR FALL'S FIRST?  No. 246 HOSTS SEASON'S LAST COCKTAILS IN THE GARDEN ON SEPTEMBER 29

Cocktails in the GardenThis is it.  It's your last chance this season to sip, nibble and stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden after hours during Cocktails in the Garden on Thursday, September 29 from 6 - 10 p.m.  No. 246 of downtown Decatur will load up the appetizer tables with tastes of their southern Italian specialties.  September's theme is "Skylines and Spirits."  The view and spirited DJ tunes are free with your admission; spirits in a glass will cost you a little at the full cash bar.

KRISPY KREME FREE COFFEE AND DOUGHNUT IS AN "ON THE HOUSE" EYEOPENER FOR COLUMBUS GUESTS ON NATIONAL COFFEE DAY  

Krispy KremeIn the case of National Coffee Day, "on the house" really does refer to a free 12-ounce cup of House Blend Coffee and one free Hot Original Glazed� Doughnut from Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Columbus, Ga.  (And you thought cops were on top of the shop again.)  Cops, residents, travelers...if you're passing by, stop in or drive through for a complimentary cup and its ideal go-with, Krispy Kreme's sweet signature doughnut. 

 
The offer is limited to one complimentary coffee and doughnut per customer on September 29; no purchase necessary. This special is only at the Krispy Kreme at 6761 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, Ga.

VIRGINIA WILLIS LAUNCHES NEW COOKBOOK RELEASE TOUR WITH SEPTEMBER 30 "HOOTENANNY" PARTY AT THE COOK'S WAREHOUSE IN ANSLEY MALL -- BENEFITS ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOODBANK 

 

Virginia WillisVirginia Willis has penned a new cookbook for our times:  Basic to Brilliant, Y'all: 150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company.  The celebrity chef's flair for simplifying Southern elegance and refined regional cooking is perfect for modern home chefs looking to entertain with ease, enjoying their guests without being tied to the kitchen.  Her new book is hot off the stove, releasing on September 27.  An official "Hootenanny" kicks off a 10-city book tour for the Atlanta-based Willis on Friday, September 30 from 7 - 9 p.m. at The Cook's Warehouse in Ansley Mall.  You might want to pre-register; Willis' first cookbook, Bon App�tit, Y'all: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking, has gone through five printings, and this one's primed to follow!  The event is a fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. For more info, contact Wendy Allen at 404-492-9015 or [email protected].

 

The Cook's Warehouse - Ansley Mall:  1544 Piedmont Road, NE (behind Pet Supermarket); 404-815-4993.

BRING 'EM ON!  ATKINS PARK TAVERN AND NEW YORK BUTCHER SHOPPE "MEAT" UP FOR BATTLE OF THE BURGERS ON OCTOBER 1   

Battle CandidRunners hit the road at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 1 for the Battle of the Burgers "Burger-Eating 5K Run" at John Howell Park in Virginia Highland.  Meanwhile, back at the park's grilling headquarters, Atkins Park Tavern and the New York Butcher Shoppe experts will be warming up to compete against other Atlanta restaurants for bragging rights for either the "People's Choice, Best Burger" or the "Judge's Choice, Best Burger."  Last year, Atkins Park Tavern won the "People's Choice" for their meatless entry.  Could they repeat?  The party sizzles with beer and burgers from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.  Start training now by taking the Battle of the Burgers Burger Tour to earn entries into a raffle for adventurous prizes.   All proceeds support Embraced in its mission to collect and share gently used medical equipment locally and globally.

FAD� IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT PUTS IRISH STREET FESTIVAL SPIN ON OKTOBERFEST DURING OCTOBER 1 FAD�KTOBERFEST


FadoktoberfestPerhaps Fad� Irish Pub & Restaurant feels a bond with Oktoberfest because both came from "the old country."  After all, Fad� is the first Irish pub to be designed and constructed in "the old country" and put together in Atlanta.  Just maybe it's because the pub staff and regulars like to party with quality pints, food and big fun.  Hence, Fad�ktoberfest took the party to the street six years ago and now averages 2,000 guests in attendance! Good thing that stretch of Buckhead Avenue affords lots of pavement.  Doors open at 8 a.m. for live English Premier League action.  Music by the Astral Freaks starts the street fest at 6 p.m., U2 cover band Desire takes over at 9:15 p.m., and a DJ keeps things rockin' until the party draws to a close -- moving totally inside the pub from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.  At 8 p.m., strong-armed partygoers can test their strength in the Strongman Stein Holding competition while those with strong stomach muscles can show off their prowess in a bratwurst eating contest.  Lederhosen and dirndl skirts encouraged!  Tickets are available through Spiral Entertainment; $10 in advance or $15 at the door. 

 

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

GET PSYCHED FOR RA SUSHI SAKE ON INTERNATIONAL SAKE DAY, OCTOBER 1 
RA Sushi
With 13 kinds of sake (12 from Japan and one from California) and two different sake flight options, RA Sushi in Midtown is the place to honor International Sake Day on Saturday, October 1.  RA Sushi's sushi rolls and Japanese-fusion specialties are proper companions to the sake menu options, as are your fellow sake-sipping friends!


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

PICK IT, AND THEY WILL COME.  FIELD OF GREENS BECKONS FARMERS, CHEFS AND FOODIES ON OCTOBER 2 

Field of GreensThe Chef's Tent is legendary.  The "Meals from the Market" talk and tasting with farmers and an Iron Chef-like competition are new activities.  Will Harris from White Oak Pastures will be on hand to decide "whose cuisine reigns supreme!"  Come see what else is sprouting for adults and children at this year's Field of Greens on Sunday, October 2 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Chefs from Woodfire Grill, No. 246, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Chicken and the Egg and Briza will be among the more than 50 food artisans in attendance.  Slow Food Atlanta will again host the outdoor event at Whippoorwill Hollow Farm, a 74-acre certified organic farm located in Walnut Grove that's a short 45-minute drive east of the Atlanta.  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate, and children 12 and under are admitted free!  Sorry, Rover has to stay at home.    


Picturing a big salad or baseball diamond on a farm?  A YouTube video from 2010 presents a flavorful preview for newcomers, and Facebook has more details. 

CORNHOLE ANYONE? TOURNAMENT TAKES OVER ATKINS PARK TAVERN - VIRGINIA HIGHLAND ON OCTOBER 2 

 

Cornhole TournamentBeaches, backyards, bars...they've even been spotted entertaining athletes between competitions at sporting events.  The cornhole craze has made its way to the back parking lot of Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland for a cornhole tournament from 2 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 2.   Live music from Homefront and SweetWater Brewery beer set the pace.  Registration fees for the two-man teams are $25 per person/single or $50/team of two.  Participants will receive one complimentary SweetWater beer with registration, and the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training "wins" 100 percent of the proceeds.  First place wins $400 and other prizes include a Krups Kegerator, restaurant and bar gift certificates, a SweetWater cornhole set and SweetWater Brewery tour passes.  Call 404-876-7249 or stop by the restaurant to pre-register with the manager on duty.   


Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland: 
794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249.

WE CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU'LL CATCH A FISH AT BONEFISH GRILL WHEN IT OPENS IN COLUMBUS ON OCTOBER 3 

Bonefish GrillColumbus, Ga., you've met your catch.  On any given day, eight species of market-fresh, inspected and hand-cut fish are flown in for the "Fresh Fish Experts" at Bonefish Grill to prepare to your order over a wood-burning grill.  We use the "almost" qualifier because you might opt for a juicy hand-cut steak, chicken, pork or pasta.  The newest Bonefish Grill will open at 4 p.m. on Monday, October 3 at 6763 Veterans Parkway in Columbus.  

The polished, casual seafood restaurant is known for its generous portions, signature sauces and its creative use of ingredients such as hearts of palm, pine nuts, artichokes, goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes to highlight, not hamper, the flavorful fish.  Popular menu items include Mussels Josephine, Cajun chicken egg rolls, Bang Bang shrimp, scampi-topped sirloin steak, ahi tuna with warm mango salsa and pecan/Parmesan-crusted rainbow trout. A big city bar offers cocktails and an affordable, interesting wine list to complete the dining experience.  Dinner will be served nightly.  Reservations, although not required, are available by calling 706-321-2015.  Follow Bonefish Grill on Facebook or Twitter.

Bonefish Grill Columbus: 6783-2 Veterans Parkway; 706-321-2015. 

DRINK PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS AT DOUBLE ZERO NAPOLETANA  

 

Pink CocktailOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that time of the year when dedicated individuals and groups put their rubber sneakers on the road for the 60-mile trek known as the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.  Double Zero Napoletana in Sandy Springs is serving pink cocktails throughout October and donating drink proceeds to the cause.  

 

Double Zero's Nancy and Stephanie Castellucci are walking on Team Gingersnap, honoring two close family members who both lost their fights against breast cancer. Donations to the cause can be added to your restaurant check or made online. Doesn't matter which walkers you support, but please support "the girls."


Double Zero Napoletana:  5825 Roswell Road; 770-817-8000.

YELPER HAS BEEN SO BUSY "HEARTING" Le Petit March� IN KIRKWOOD SHE FORGOT TO YELP ABOUT IT 

 

YelperIt's not like Sari H. has been hogging the place to herself, but she's a gal with things to do, people to meet and places to go.  A girl's got to eat, especially a healthy breakfast and lunch, and Le Petit March� in Kirkwood is her spot-on place for huge wraps and super soups! 


I've been one of Marche's biggest fans for over 3 years now (my pre-yelping days...lol), and I'm past due for a review...

From the sandwiches to the homemade soups, I love it all...my fave sandwich is the Caribbean chicken sandwich ($7.95) with the spicy jerk mayo, red onions, lettuce and tomatoes. Just enough spicy kick, and simply delish!

The homemade soups are typically spot-on, with lots of chunky veggies and plenty of spice. Both impressive and imaginative, Marche's soups always have such a creative spin on whichever traditional soup that's spotlighted for that day. In fact, I had the chicken soup one day, and I was amazed @ the variety of healthy veggies that were included with that particular batch of "chicken" soup... yeah, the soup creativity is pretty amazing.

Okay, anyway, I've severely digressed..... I actually popped in for a breakfast sandwich today (1st time here for breakfast), and I ordered the egg sandwich in a wrap with Monterrey jack cheese, chicken sausage, and sauteed spinach...Totally yum, served with fruit, and all for $5.00...Oh yeah, my wrap was HUGE! I could only eat half of that bodacious breakfast sandwich. My suggestion: buy one sandwich and split it with your sweetie....plenty of food....really, it is!

Marche's has been a neighborhood fave for over 3 years now...and it's not hard to understand why...She prepares good, healthy creative food @ decent prices; and she and her staff are always pleasant while doing it. I heart Le Petit Marche.....:)


Le Petit March�:
  1963 Hosea L. Williams Drive; 404-371-9888.

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  DATE NIGHT MAG KEEPS IT FRESH FOR SINGLES AND MARRIEDS 

Tweep of the WeekAtlanta singles and couples needn't succumb to ho-hum dates with Date Night Mag on their Twitter radar.  The Atlanta-based online magazine is your complete dating resource, covering advice, restaurants, activities, he said-she said and even ways to date when you have kids. Follow Date Night Mag on Twitter (@datenightmag).


Sample Tweet:
  Natasha Burton co-author of The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags answers dating ?'s: www.datenightmag.com/stories/qa @BigRedFlags
OUR APPETIZING APERTURE OF THE WEEK 

 

Spice Market Vegetarian Bento Box

 

  Did you know this Saturday, October 1 is World Vegetarian Day?  While you can usually only enjoy the deliciously satisfying Vegetarian Bento Box on Monday nights at Spice Market in Midtown, guests can also enjoy one this Saturday in honor of the day!  
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.
 
For information about these and other great Atlanta restaurants, go to www.melissalibbypr.com, check out our Facebook fanpage, follow AtlantaDish on Twitter, or call 404-816-3068.
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