WHICH CHEF WILL BE CROWNED TOP PUMPKIN CARVER AT THE ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN FEST-OF-ALE ON OCTOBER 27? 

Local celebrity chefs will turn into real cut-ups as they show off their pumpkin-carving prowess during Fest-of-Ale at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Thursday, October 27 from 7 - 8 p.m. Chef Janine Falvo of Midtown neighbor Briza will be one of the chefs jostling giant jack-o-lanterns during the 25-minute Pumpkin Carving Contest. Clap loudly for your favorite -- audience applause determines the winner. Once a winner has been picked, all of the carved pumpkins will be sold in a silent auction benefiting the Garden. 

URBAN PICNIC -- NEW FARM-TO-KITCHEN FOOD CENTER -- LAUNCHES OCTOBER 29 WITH PARTY AT BELLA CUCINA IN EAST POINT

Wait until you see the spread Alisa Barry, creator of Bella Cucina, and social entrepreneur Donna Toepfer have for you at Urban Picnic, a new farm-to-kitchen food center the two are opening in East Point. Down the street from Bella Cucina, Urban Picnic will serve a wide variety of opportunities for community engagement -- kitchen space for local food businesses, classes for consumers and businesses, an edible learning garden and an abundance of events. The opening celebration is Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. See the garden handiwork of Crop Mob Atlanta, tour the kitchen facility, enjoy savory discounts on Bella Cucina products (made in East Point) during a sample sale and find out what's on the menu for this new community food center. Woodfire Grill Executive Chef/Partner Kevin Gillespie will be preparing lunch outside on Tuscan grills and sharing grilling tips with those who stop by to chat. While there, take an enlightening gardening class taught by Sustenance Design, sample mead from local meadery Obec Medovina and view the award-winning documentary "GROW!." Purchase tickets for $45 per person ($5 discount for Georgia Organics members) and enjoy the kitchen tour, lunch, garden class and movie (sample sale purchases are separate). All proceeds go toward opening the community food center. Bring your curiosity, enthusiasm and a picnic blanket!  

DON'T BE CAUGHT DEAD STAYING AT HOME. THERE'S PLENTY OF SPINE-TINGLING CHILLS THIS HALLOWEEN

Ready to haunt the streets of this city? It's all treats and no tricks when it comes to finding something fun to do in Atlanta this Halloween!

All three Smashburger locations are featuring a special Halloween deal for children under age 12. If they wear their Halloween costume to Smashburger on Friday, October 28 through Monday, October 31, they'll be treated to a free meal when their parent purchases a meal.

Get two for one at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna on Saturday, October 29 when they host both the Smyrna Beer Fest and their own 9^th annual Halloween celebration. From 1 - 6 p.m., there will be more than 100 beers to sample, live music, costume and pumpkin carving contests, bobbing for apples and more. The Halloween celebration kicks in from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. with a live DJ in the bar, more costume contests and other Halloween-inspired activities and decorations.

Over in Virginia Highland, Atkins Park Tavern kicks off Halloween with their annual pumpkin carving contest on Thursday, October 27 at 8 p.m. Join friends for a night of pumpkin carving, beer drinking, scary movie watching on the big screen and a chance to win great house prizes. On Saturday, October 29, DJ Lion spins tunes beginning at 9 p.m. followed by the Tavern's annual costume contest at the witching hour. You might just win cash and prizes for best individual costume and best group. And on Monday, October 31, get ready for the Halloween Hangover when Atkins Park serves up a trio including the "Rocky Horror Picture Show," Terrapin Big Happy Monster and Monday Night Football.

Dig those skeletons out of the closet and party your bones off at your nearest Marlow's Tavern on Saturday, October 29. All eight locations are hosting Halloween shindigs from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. There's no cover charge to attend, but you definitely want to come up with a costume -- you might win cash, gift certificates or other prizes. Music? You bet your bones there's a DJ or live music, depending on the location. Partying can make a ghoul hungry. No fear, Marlow's full menu is available all evening!

At Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant , the "Thriller Monster Bash: A Retro 80s Halloween Party" brings the 80s to life on Saturday, October 29. A spooky holiday and a kooky decade (fashion-wise) go together like tricks and treats when Fadó gets tricked out in full Halloween décor for the spooktacular event. Specialty cocktails come at a $5 treat of a price, and a DJ spins 80s tunes (i.e. "Thriller," "Monster Mash" and more) from 9 p.m. into the wicked wee hours. Why be shy about dressing up? Costumes are expected, and all are encouraged to enter the midnight costume contest for a chance to take home $1,001 in cash. For this party, Fadó is partnering with ALT Pink Foundation, a charity devoted to easing the financial burden of those suffering from breast cancer and educating the public about inflammatory breast cancer. The charity event starts at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. There's a $5 cover charge for the 9 p.m. bash, although ladies get in free.

Aqua blue dresses up as "Aqua Boo!" for their 10^th annual Halloween Monster Bash on Saturday, October 29. So what are you going to wear? Decisions, decisions! Do you go all out or do your best to be the worst for the 11 p.m. costume contest? Aqua blue is awarding some scary-good prizes including $200 for best overall costume and an Aqua blue gift certificate for second place, $100 for the sexiest costume, and an Aqua blue gift certificate for the worst costume designation. See, even if you're bad, you can walk away with the goods! Dressed up or down, you can still imbibe in specially priced creepy cocktails and gobble up ghoulish appetizers. The regular á la carte menu is available from 4 p.m. on into the witching hours. A DJ spins dance hits starting at 9 p.m.

RA Sushi doles out Boo Bites and Potent Potions at their Halloween night "Boo Bash 2011" on Monday, October 31. Don't miss out on ghoulish Boo Bites of voodoo crispy chicken, spicy vampire shrimp and plump spider rolls ($6-$10). What could be scarier than chasing them down with Potent Potions ($8)? Try wicked concoctions of Grape Ghoulade - Three Olives Grape Vodka, lychee juice, blue curacao, cranberry and fresh lemon; Manic Mango - Absolut Mango Vodka mixed with Bols Pumpkin Spice Schnapps, mango liquer, orange juice and a splash of soda; or Sinners Sangria - a devilish mix of red wine, fruit flavor and a large dose of sake. The fun starts at 8 p.m. as the DJ spins his haunting mix and thrills guests until closing. Dress up and enter the "Boo Bash" costume contest. Those decked out to win may bag a $100 RA gift certificate for first place and a $25 certificate for second place. Now those are some serious treats! Scared? Read up and RSVP on Facebook.

The Iberian Pig is a true party animal this Halloween night, lining up Decatur restaurants and bars for a Halloween Pub Crawl at 8 p.m. on Monday, October 31. The cost is $45 per person, which covers one featured drink at each stop. Look for a smoking punchbowl at the Iberian Pig along with snacks. Wear a costume and take part in the Brickstore's annual costume contest (hint, prizes) at tour's end. Other participating restaurants and bars include Square Pub, Mac McGee's, Eddie's Attic and Leon's Full Service.

DOUBLE ZERO UNMASKS FIRST HALLOWEEN WINE DINNER

Feel free to come in costume, or not, because anything goes at Double Zero Napoletana's first Halloween Wine Dinner slated for Monday, October 31 at 7 p.m. Enrico Faccenda won't be dressing up as a vintner, he actually is the owner of featured winery, Italy's Cascina Chicco Estate. He will award a bottle of his prized Barolo to the best-costumed guest. 

The three-course dinner with pairings features Pesche di Ferrara, wood oven-fired oysters and rock shrimp paired with Cascina Chicco Arneis 2010; quattro stagioni pizza served with Cascina Chicco Barbera Granera 2007; pan-roasted quail with brioche-soppresata stuffing paired with Cascina Chicco Langhe Nebbiolo 2005; and a special Halloween dessert cocktail stirred up by bar chef Chris Dobson. Note, vegetarian and gluten-free courses are options with advance notification. Cost is $45 per person; call 404-991-3666 for reservations.

Double Zero Napoletana:  5825 Roswell Road, NE; 404-991-3666.

LAST CHANCE FOR RAY'S IN THE CITY OYSTER PROMOTION 

Each day brings a new haul to the Oysterfest at Ray's in the City. This is the last week you can take in Ray's pearl of an event that pairs ocean fresh oysters with New Belgium Brewery brews out of Fort Collins, Colo. 

Pairing examples are, say, Blue Point oysters from New York waters paired with New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale; Fanny Bay oysters out of British Columbia's western waters paired with New Belgium's 1554 Black Ale; and Pine Island oysters out of New York paired with New Belgium's Ranger IPA. The oysters are so fresh we don't even know what's coming until the haul arrives. We do know that there's plenty of New Belgium Hoptoberfest to keep you and your friends afloat!  

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

DROP BY MARKET STREET CAFÉ FOR DRINKS AND APPETIZERS ON THURSDAYS   

Here's useful news for those in the Buckhead business community looking for a place to extend Thursday's talk time -- the time between Wednesday hump nights and Friday's weekend jumpstarts -- without partying all night. (Face it, you still have to get up early on Friday mornings.) The Market Street Café in Buckhead is now open past breakfast, past lunchtime -- from 5-9 p.m. every Thursday. Guests have more time to unwind, slow down and socialize while enjoying the new cocktails and starters menu. 

Fun, "soon-to-be classic" libations at the Café include the Ginger Sidecar -- Germaine Robin Craft Method Brandy, ginger syrup, fresh lemon juice and candied ginger ($10); the Market St. Manhattan ---High West Double Rye Whiskey, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, orange flower water, orange bitters and orange peel ($10); and the Caramel Appletini -- Smirnoff Vodka, apple pucker, orange and sour mix in a caramel-drizzled glass ($8.50). Red and white wines also can be purchased by the glass or bottle along with beer ($2.50-$40). Let those at your table order a variety of small plates to share, perhaps Market Street's famous hummus with toasty pita points, fresh veggies and marinated feta ($6.50); tempura-style firecracker chicken with spicy Japanese sauce ($9) and Colorado lamb sliders with tomato bacon jam, caramelized cipollini onion and gorgonzola on a brioche onion bun ($13). Small plates and cocktails are a perfect cap to a Thursday shopping trip in Buckhead or a way to wrap up a meeting outside office confines.

Market Street Café:  In the Prominence in Buckhead building at 3475 Piedmont Road; 404-816-4911. 

STERLING HOSPITALITY RAISES ALMOST $50,000 FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS GEORGIA -- THANKS TO YOU    

Thumbs up to everyone who helped Sterling Hospitality raise $49,104.94 for Special Olympics Georgia through a combination of Marlow's 13th Annual Golf Classic and the Market Street Café opening party and VIP reception. Thanks, everyone!

NEW MENUS WARM CHILLY FALL DAYS AND NIGHTS AT ORMSBY'S AND ATKINS PARK TAVERN IN VIRGINIA HIGHLAND 

Considering you may be reading this right before mealtime, we'll cut to the mouthwatering chase:  new menus are out at Ormsby's on Atlanta's Westside and Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Here's just a taste of what's in store.    

Among Ormsby's warm-you-up starters and cool salads, you'll find lamb sliders with arugula goat cheese and red onion ($7) and roasted beets with arugula, goat cheese and walnut vinaigrette ($6). Entrées available from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. include short rib pot roast with root veggies and mashed potatoes ($16).    

Are you ravenous yet?  Hold on -- there's more in store at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland with Chef Andrew Smith's regional specialties, including "always available" small bites, big bites, and soups and salads. Among these you'll find Guinness-dipped pretzels, smoked brisket tacos, fried green tomatoes with spicy pimento cheese and black mussels with garlic confit and grilled bread ($3-$10). At lunch and dinner, entrées include Southern fried chicken, pan-fried crab cake, pesto-roasted chicken with roasted root vegetables, chicken and dumplings, grilled wild salmon, grilled flank steak salad and the local vegetable plate ($10-$12 lunch; $12-$22 dinner). Dinner expands on lunch options adding grilled Eden Farms pork chop, pork ragu with house-made pappardelle and grilled Painted Hills strip to name a few. Atkins Park also has a soft spot for sweets and offers desserts such as Georgia apple tart with bourbon caramel and vanilla bean ice cream, olive oil pound cake with roasted figs and buttermilk ice cream, and chocolate cherry bread pudding ($4-$6).     

Atkins Park Tavern - Virginia Highland:  794 North Highland; 404 -876-7249.
Ormsby's:  1170 Howell Mill Road, NW; 404-968-2033.

BEST FOOD, BEST PRICE -- CHEPE'S MEXICAN GRILL IN MARIETTA IS BEST PLACE FOR YELPER TO MEX OUT

Yelper Taylor A. knows where to go in Marietta for maximum Mexican flavor and mucho friendly staff:  Chepe's Mexican Grill on Shallowford Road. This new place stands out among the multitude of Mexican places in the area, giving us reason to say muchas gracias for the advice, Taylor A.

In this area you won't be able to find basic Mexican food with great service at such a great price. You can certainly match the price at a dozen Mexican places within a few mile radius, but the food is better and the service is exponentially better.

I work nearby, so I have no idea about the adult drinks, but the amount and quality of the food is great. $6 lunch specials will definitely fill you up unless you're Adam Richman.

Everyone here is very friendly and I must commend management for hiring fantastic staff. This place is new, so I hope everything stays as good as it is now.

-Fellowship of the Taco

EAT IT AND TWEEP:  SKINNY PEACHES HELPS YOU STAY OUT OF THE PIT

You know the pit where you drown in your sorrows because you skipped the workout, overindulged or human-trash compacted the Halloween leftovers.  Self-professed workout and health food nut Zoë Levine tweets (@SkinnyPeaches). She's the little voice inside your smartphone steering you gently toward dietary corrections, suggestions and righteous workouts. She's a little bit louder on her Skinny Peaches blog.

Sample Tweet:  Healthy & active places to take your out of town guests @piedmontpark @souperJenny @Metrofresh @WorldofCocaCola + more http://skinnypeaches.blogspot.com/2011/10/out-of-towners.html