ABOUT THE DISH
Looking for the latest restaurant openings, 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.
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up-to-date on new and ongoing restaurant events around Atlanta!
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Dine Out For Life On April 25 To Help Open Hand Deliver 5,500 Meals A Day
While Santa was delivering presents in December, Open Hand delivered its 20 millionth meal since its founding in 1988. Dining Out for Life (DOFL) is one of the non-profit organization's largest annual fundraising events, helping deliver more than 5,500 nutritious meals daily, providing nutrition education, therapy and coaching, and empowering area residents battling chronic disease and disability to live healthier, more independent lives. When Atlantans DOFL over breakfast, lunch or dinner this Wednesday, April 25, 20 percent or more of their bill will be donated to Open Hand. Aria and Fifth Group Restaurants -- Alma Cocina, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, The Original El Taco and South City Kitchen Vinings -- are participating. Make reservations now and help Open Hand serve its next millionth meal.
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Crawl, Y'all. Dresden Crawl For A Cure On April 25 Ends Up At Kaleidoscope, Benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Don't run, crawl for a cure this Wednesday in Brookhaven.
Cocktails 4 A Cause presents a night of drink and food specials, live music and much-coveted raffle items at the 2nd Annual Dresden Crawl for a Cure on Wednesday, April 25. All event proceeds go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its work to fight blood cancers and to help patients and their families. The starting point is Haven, where registration takes place from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Guests set off for Valenza, Verde Taqueria, POUR Bistro and Library Coffee Company, then wind up at Kaleidoscope for the after-crawl party. $20 donation at the door. Can't make it? No worries; you can make a donation online.
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Take On Tequila & Tacos Dinner at Atkins Park Tavern In Virginia Highland On April 26
This Thursday night's Tequila & Tacos dinner menu at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland will knock you out of your usual taco and margarita rut. For the evening's special four-course menu, the tavern takes the lowly taco to new realms and pairs each taco type with a unique, refreshing Herradura tequila cocktail. A starter course teams avocado and chicharrones taquitos, shrimp and bay scallop ceviche and roasted jalapeño chili rellenos with a paloma cocktail made with a citrusy mix of Herradura Silver, grapefruit soda and lime juice. Duck confit tostadas with habanero slaw arrive next paired with "Cha Cha Charley," made with Herradura Reposado, Grand Marnier plus mint, lemon and agave over crushed ice. Roasted tomato-braised beef cheek tacos with grilled Vidalias follow, cooled by a margarita using Herradura Silver. The meal ends with sweets of churros and mango paired with lightly chilled Herradura Añejo, salt and lime. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and costs $45 per person (plus tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 404-876-7249.
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It's A Party On The Patio At Market Street Café
On Thursday, April 26, Market Street Café is taking it outdoors with a patio opening party. Starting at 5 p.m., the Buckhead farm-to-fork eatery will offer $5 food plates and specialty drinks, music and dancing on their patio. A Caribbean-themed menu includes conch fritters, yucca fries, a crab, shrimp and avocado stack and more. There will be door prizes, too. Spread the word!
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Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Explores Spanish Wines At Wine Dinner On April 27
Spanish winemakers are secretive about their art. Chris Elam, now of Prestige Wine, was fortunate to spend the past 15 years getting to know Spanish winemakers, exploring Spain's vineyards and tasting little-known Spanish wines. He'll share pointers on choosing, appreciating and pairing Spanish wines when he hosts the five-course tapas dinner with wine at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Dunwoody on Friday, April 27 at 7 p.m. Fleming's Chef and Partner Kenneth Bills' menu includes five tapas with four wine pairings: deep fried rice balls with saffron and serrano ham paired with Mas Fi, Brut Cava, Spain, NV; citrus-marinated seafood and shellfish with Bodegas Naia, Naia Verdejo, Rueda, Spain, 2010; marinated pork and vegetable skewers served with Bodegas Luzon, Luzon Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2010; Andalusian beef stew with Vinas Del Cenit, Venta Mazzaron Tempranillo, Zamora, Spain, 2009; and ending with classic Spanish flan. $85 per person (not including tax and gratuity). For reservations, call 770-698-8112.
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Get Down On The Bayou As Atkins Park Smyrna Hosts 10th Annual Crawfish Boil For LLS Team In Training This Weekend
Swamp foxes and bayou boys, Atkins Park Smyrna Business Partner and Zac Brown Band Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin is firing up the big pots this weekend and filling them with crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, corn, onions, garlic and mushrooms. Party starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 and runs on over through Sunday, April 29. A bowl of crawfish and a few brews are mood food for Saturday's live music lineup of The Squirrelheads at 2 p.m., Soulhound outside at 6 p.m., and Patrick Scott performing inside from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. There are more crawfish and bands on Sunday as jazz musician Zack Graddy performs at 1 p.m., and The Mar-Tans take over the stage from 4 - 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. Saturday tickets are $10 at the door and $5 in advance and include a ticket for Sunday admission. Sunday admission price is $5 per person. Atkins Park Valued Guests may use Valued Guest points to purchase admission for 500 points. Get more info and purchase tickets online. |
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Chicken And The Egg Crosses The Road So You Can Sample Modern Farm Fare At Taste Of Marietta On April 29
Every year on the last Sunday in April, the historic Marietta Square draws thousands of taste-seekers, coming to sample fare from Cobb County's popular restaurants at Taste of Marietta. This year, nearby Chicken and the Egg is one of the 70 restaurants participating in the family friendly event that runs from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. Marietta Square will rock with four different entertainment stages, a Sports Corner, fun and games in Kids Alley, plus the square's array of shops, eateries and museums. Admission is free; attendees pay cash at restaurant booths for samples ($.50 - $4.00) and buy drinks at concession stands. Park off-site and ride the trolley to the square. Schedule and FAQ details are on the website. Leave Rover at home for this one.
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UMG Country Music Stars Duet With Vidalia Onions For Sweet Seasonal Promotions And Vidalia Onion Festival Sweetens Your Weekend
America is sweet on Vidalia onions and country music. In a match that could only be made in Vidalia, Ga., the Vidalia onion folks and Universal Music Group Nashville (UMG) are partnering for music-based Vidalia onion season promotions. In the works: coupons to purchase Vidalia onions, modern renditions of favorite Southern recipes and a recipe photo contest to win autographed country music CDs (with the top winner taking a trip to Nashville). Onion fans who "like" the Vidalia Onions Facebook fan page can download a free song from more than 400,000 in the UMG catalog. Some of the stars participating in the promotion are Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, South Carolina's own "Time Is Love" Josh Turner, "I Hope You Dance" artist Lee Ann Womack and hot new male vocalist Easton Corbin. Learn more about Vidalia onions at VidaliaOnion.org.
Peeling back the calendar to find this weekend free means you can skip down to the 35th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival, Thursday, April 26 through Sunday, April 29 in Vidalia. The Food Network's been there - how about you? Count more activities on the schedule than onions in a bushel bag including a carnival (buy unlimited-ride wristband), parade, Civil War re-enactment, Strait Jacket Monster Truck rides, car and motorcycle shows, kazoo band, bike stunts, chainsaw carvers, cornhole tournament and more. Off-site events include a "Movie Under the Stars," rodeo, a gospel sing, onion sales and Sweet Onion Antique Fair, Vidalia Onion Run, arts and craft show, recipe contest and still more. Where else can you experience all of this in one weekend and take home Vidalia onions as souvenirs?
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Krispy Kreme Fruit Stand Flavor Treats Are Fresh For The Pick'n In Columbus
Strawberries are excellent this year and are especially tasty in the new light and fruity Fruit Stand Flavor doughnuts and Chillers at the Krispy Kreme store in Columbus, Ga. (6761 Veterans Parkway, 706-320-2124). New Strawberry Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and filled Strawberry KREME Pie doughnuts are available through May 20. Click here for mouthwatering pictures. Double up on fruitiness by pairing them with Krispy Kreme's Very Berry and new Frozen Lemonade Chillers that use real lemons for pucker and only cane sugar for a sweet punch. Smart app for Krispy Kreme lovers: KrispyKreme.com/HotLightApp, so you'll always know when the "Hot Now" light's on!
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Jump To July By Voting for Jezebel "Best Of"
July is just around the corner and with it comes Jezebel magazine's annual "Best of" issue where readers cast their votes for the best restaurants of 2012. Add your votes to the tally before time slips away. A couple of suggestions to get you started: Ray's on the River for "Best View" (pictured) and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar for "Best Wine Bar." Voting is as simple as clicking here.
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Three New Courses For $25 On Aqua Blue"Blue Plate" Menu
The $25 price point is awesome, and the new menu items will have you salivating while anticipating how soon you can partake of Aqua blue's "Blue Plate" menu. Choose one item from each menu category through May 28, when the Roswell restaurant changes the menu again. Appetizers include calamari, tempura green beans, a handmade sushi roll and traditional Caesar salad. House-made cioppino, hand-battered fish and chips and hardwood-grilled N.Y. strip are tempting entrées. Desserts revolve around High Road sorbet in fresh seasonal fruits and flavors or the chocolate-y riches of flourless chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream or chocolate mousse in a crunchy cookie crust. |
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Eats & Beats Rocks The Buckhead Theatre
On May 7
More than 20 Atlanta restaurants and four great chef bands take over the Buckhead Theatre on Monday, May 7 for eats & beats - all in the name of wildlife conservation and the children of sanctuary workers. Jam to the tunes of amazing chef bands including Five Bone Rack featuring Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar, then savor culinary creations from top-notch restaurants including Chicken and the Egg, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Kaleidoscope, No. 246 and Spice Market. Tickets to the 7 - 9:30 p.m. event are $60 for general admission and $125 for VIP (early entry at 6 p.m. and access to private premium bar, wine tastings and additional restaurants). The event benefits Children of Conservation, an organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of endangered species in third world countries through education, habitat preservation and wildlife sanctuary support.
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Eat It And Tweep: Insatiable Antoinette Of StarChefs.com Tweets From Tastings
As one chews, so must one tweet - with mouth closed. After all, it's the fingers doing the talking when Antoinette Bruno of StarChefs.com tweets (@antoinette_b) live from her tastings. The editor-in-chief of the online magazine is surely up on all of her eating and tweeting etiquette. The magazine offers up bigger helpings.
Sample Tweet: Food Porn of the Day: Chef Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina - Atlanta, GA http://bit.ly/I2auo4
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Appetizing Aperture
National Prime Rib Day is Friday, April 27. Hold that thought until Sunday when Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers its weekly Prime Rib Dinner special -- prime rib with a trio of sauces, your choice of The Wedge, Fleming's or Caesar salad, one side dish and dessert.
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