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.
Follow us online to keep
up-to-date on new and ongoing restaurant events around Atlanta!
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ATL Mixologist Movers and Shakers Vie for ACVB Centennial Cocktail Contest -
The Votes Are Up to You
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau's Centennial Cocktail Contest is driving mixologists all over town to crush, slap, twist, muddle and shake things up. Then, they pour it in a glass. It's up to you to taste their ATL-inspired concoctions then vote for the one you think should be dubbed Atlanta's "Centennial Cocktail." Cast your vote for your favorite before June 14. We have our own short list beginning with Atlanta's own Fifth Group Restaurants. Alma Cocina's The Centennial Gentleman hits up Bacardi Light with lime juice, hibiscus syrup and "slapped" basil. Destination South, at Ecco in Midtown, muddles blueberries and agave nectar before shaking with Lillet, basil leaves, Hangar 1 Vodka and Bluecoat Gin. Ecco's (Hartsfield-Jackson Terminal F) Atlanta Beltline encircles Absolut Vodka with kiwi and lime. La Tavola Trattoria's Centuplicate Julep spikes a lemon and mint muddle with Art in the Age Root Organic Liqueur, Jack Daniel's Honey and a soda splash. Lure opts for A Picnic at Piedmont inspiration of Bombay Sapphire, peanut orgeat syrup, Bacardi spiced rum, lime juice and Luxardo Bitter dust to the shaker. The Original El Taco's La Centanario congregates El Jimador Reposado Tequila, freshly squeezed lime and agave nectar then introduces a sliced ruby red grapefruit. Ray's in the City introduces the Atlantamaker with Jack Daniel's Honey and SweetWater Pale Ale plus a bit of lemon. Atlanta Rosewood blossoms at South City Kitchen employing Woodford Small Batch Bourbon, apple cider, Monin Apple Pie Syrup, rosemary and lemon. Don't sip the days away without voting!
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Wake Up, Atlanta! Weekday Breakfasts are
Half Off at Bantam + Biddy
Beating the rooster out on wake-up calls this month, Bantam + Biddy gives Midtowners cause to rise and shine early on May mornings -- a breakfast promo of 50 percent off on Monday through Friday breakfast tabs. Eye openers include local farm eggs, Riverview Farms pork sausage, Patak bacon, chicken sausage, Anson Mills grits, warm farro cereal with vanilla sorghum milk, build-your-own biscuits, protein scramble, fried chicken and waffles, fried chicken tenders with wasabi honey (that will wake you up) and more. Gluten-free bread and vegetarian options also are available. The Ansley Mall eatery serves weekday breakfast from 7:30-11:30 a.m. In case those reading glasses aren't handy, here's the fine print: Monday through Friday breakfast only, excludes alcohol, one discount -- $10 max -- per table, and not valid with any other offer. Enough said. Let's eat. |
Vote with Your Mouth Full for Jezebel's 100 Best Restaurants
Not to incite food gulping, but the poll closes May 31 to add your votes to Jezebel's 100 Best Restaurants 2013 tally. Input your personal top 10 then scroll down the list of more than 60 categories to add other top spots as you desire. We have some "bests" on the tips of our tongues for categories such as new restaurant, rising-star chef, sweet spot, burger, barbecue, 'wich, new OTP eatery, Italian, romantic dinner, taqueria, people watching, neighborhood pub, farm-to-fork, outside patio, group dining, mobile eats, barkeep and catch (seafood). It's okay to vote with your mouth full.
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Hallelujah! It's Prime Time for Patio Perching
Mama said there'd be days like this - days and nights when you just want to park yourself in a chair on the patio and catch up with friends. Atlanta restaurants are ready to oblige with plenty of outdoor seating for quick bites, cocktail sipping or dinner by sunset and starry nights. Excuse us, we're outta here and headed there!
Midtown sister restaurants Article 14 and Olmsted share Atlanta's best garden patio, complete with comfy chairs, umbrella tables and a metropolitan view. Leave cubicle behind for a patio lunch, a 5 o'clock bourbon at Article 14 or a leisurely mimosa with Olmsted's weekend brunch.
Within the Shops Around Lenox in Buckhead, Bhojanic invites guests to walk on up and sit down on its trellised patio. Kick back for Khush Time and enjoy food and drink specials and live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
A stone's throw outside the perimeter in Sandy Springs, Hearth Pizza Tavern could easily become the homebound detour for pizza fired in a 600-degree oven (don't worry, the 50-seat patio is chill) and craft brews, wine by the glass or bottle or a signature cocktail.
A rooftop escape calls your name at JCT. Kitchen & Bar, overlooking the Atlanta skyline on the city's Westside. Come for comfortable lounging on the terrace plus live music Thursday nights from 6-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. A Southern small plates menu and an extensive selection of refreshers await.
Just opened, King + Duke is Buckhead's "hot spot" to make the most of a nice day over food and drinks. Think about it. With a name inspired by Huck Finn, Ford Fry's new restaurant has outdoor karma written all over it.
In historic Roswell, The Mill Kitchen & Bar boasts a 2,000-square-foot patio equipped with arbor, fans, heaters and a fireplace. Pick an Orange Blossom Special off the enticing cocktail menu - Hangar One Mandarin Blossom Vodka, Pür elderflower liqueur, pomegranate juice and champagne.
Stroll Decatur's quaint sidewalks and stop in at No. 246. You might not guess it from the front, but the backyard features an herb garden, strings of lights, generous seating and high-top tables, plus Ping-Pong! Sneak away for lunch, dinner, desserts and de-stressing drinks at Ford Fry's fresh-air hideaway.
Midtown, there's a seat for you on the patio at RA Sushi Bar Restaurant and cold drinks and shareable sushi headed your way. Besides, where else can you devour a Tomahawk Chop before the Braves roll out at Turner Field?
The spacious "Creek Room" (a.k.a. patio) at Ray's on the Creek looks out over Foe's Killer Creek and the Upper Chattahoochee Natural Forest Preserve. The covered outdoor room seats 70 guests (private-party perfect) and can take on the elements with fans and heaters. All this and so close by in Alpharetta.
With a fire pit, herb garden and Adirondack chairs for lounging, the Seven Lamps patio is an oasis in the heart of Buckhead within the Shops Around Lenox. Tremendous way to enjoy a craft cocktail by "head mixtress" Arianne Fielder, artisanal coffees or a house-made soda and a bite.
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Barks & Beers Sets Tails Wagging at
Der Biergarten on May 18
Bring your woofer! Wet nose nudges and tail wags are proper behavior at Barks & Beers at Downtown's Der Biergarten on Saturday, May 18 from 4-8 p.m. While the pups are busy wagging, their owners can cool off with $5 Weihenstephan Hefe (sales benefits Georgia SPCA) and $9 liters of Konig Ludwig and play beer pong, foosball and shuffleboard. Die Kurtzbaum provides live music from 5-8 p.m. Come casual. We're thinking Rover should probably wear his best collar or harness and leash, and you should have a hair-of-the-dog strategy for the day after.
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"Beers Across Georgia" and a Big Green Egg BBQ Anchor Ray's on the River May 18 Saturday Lawn Party
The grass is always greener on the Ray's on the River side of the Chattahoochee, and the egg is bigger and greener as well. Ray's Big Green Egg is stoked for barbecue at this weekend's Saturdays on the River event, May 18 from 1-4 p.m. Take advantage of the flood of locally brewed beers on hand to become an expert in "Beers Across Georgia." Ray's Saturday lawn parties always pack in plenty of drink specials, wide river views, plus good times outdoors for the whole family.
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Eat it and Tweep: Now Open, Gunshow Right on Target with News Tweets
Kevin Gillespie's new restaurant Gunshow is open and getting the word out on all the excitement, weekly menus and media coverage via Twitter (@GunshowATL). Sneak a peek via snapshots and links to Facebook and their website.
Sample Tweet: The Daily South from @Southern_Living named Gunshow a "cutting edge kitchen in Atlanta." Come and see us! http://ow.ly/kYhWM
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Appetizing Aperture
Crates full of field-fresh strawberry bliss are heading out from Watsonia Farms in Monetta, S.C. and are bursting with the sweetly intense flavor only certified organic berries can yield. Organic farming forerunner Watsonia bears organic certification from Clemson University and the USDA. Strawberry fields forever? With Watsonia's cutting-edge farming practice, you bet!
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What's New on Pinterest?
Photo By Little Cake Bakery
Super Strawberries are thick as jam on our Pinterest board this month. Rightly so, since May is National Strawberry Month, it's a berry, berry good month to pick yums such as pistachio meringue stack with rose cream and strawberries, strawberry mousse cake, strawberry basil jam and strawberry and goat cheese flatbread - and wash it down with a strawberry thyme cocktail or rhubarb strawberry smoothie. |
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