In This Issue

Ring in the New Year with Atlanta Restaurants

Sushi into the New Year at Umi's

HOBNOB is Popping Out Pot Pies

#goldengiver at Marlow's Tavern

Catch Santa at Ray's on the Creek

Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria Classes

#foodgram: @gsuhospitality

Appetizing Aperture: Rick's Rocket Pizza at Hearth

What's New on Pinterest? Dear Santa

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.

up-to-date on new and ongoing restaurant events around Atlanta!

Atlanta Restaurants are Ready to Take Care of Your Christmas Dish Wish

Does your holiday wish list include ways to squeeze dinner in while out and about, planning for a party, picking up dessert or trying to decide where to dine on Christmas Eve (or get out of the house on Christmas Day)? Santa has enlisted Atlanta restaurants to help fulfill those mouthwatering wishes. Check our blog for details!

Where to Celebrate What's Out (2013) and in (2014) on New Year's Eve and Day

Adios, twenty-thirteen! 2014 is nipping at your heels. Join in the chase and welcome the new year over dinner, brunch and bubbly at these Atlanta restaurants.

10^th & Piedmont serves its regular menu on New Year's Eve, abundant with sharables for before-party dining. The Midtown restaurant will serve a New Year's Day brunch buffet for $19 per person. Info: 404-602-5510.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is hosting a New Year's Day brunch beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1. Reservations are recommended: 404-876-7249.

Aqua blue in Roswell is offering a three-course menu for $49 per person including Maine lobster bisque, five-spice New York strip and crispy shrimp, classic cr�me br�l�e, plus much more. The restaurant is also serving an � la carte menu. Ring in the new year with a champagne toast and party favors. Reservations: 770-643-8886.

Aria in Buckhead is celebrating New Year's Eve with a $90 per person four-course meal. Diners have options for their second, third and fourth courses. Reservations: 404-233-7673.

G's in Midtown is serving a New Year's Day brunch buffet for $19 per person. Info: 404-872-8012.

Gunshow celebrates New Year's Eve with a special ticketed dinner event. On Tuesday, December 31, the restaurant pulls out all the stops with eight dishes, two sweets and wine and champagne pairings with an option of beer available. Seating reservations can be made for 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8:45 or 9:15 p.m. The dinner is $200 per person (including tax and gratuity), and tickets must be purchased by Saturday, December 28 by phone or in person at the restaurant. Tickets are non-refundable; however, if guests need to cancel, tickets are accorded gift card status for a future visit. Reservations: 404-380-1886.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown is celebrating New Year's Eve with all-you-can-eat pizza and all-you-can-drink beer and champagne for $25 per person. Info: 404-968-2288.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar rings in the holidays in West Midtown with a four-course menu offering multiple options per course; supplemental items also are available for an additional fee. $65 per person. Reservations and info: 404-355-2252.

Buckhead's King + Duke hosts a four-course prix fixe New Year's Eve dinner on Tuesday, December 31. Three to four selections per course are offered, and a wine pairing with each dish is an option. At midnight, toast to 2014 with a complimentary glass of champagne. Dinner is $70 per person. Reservations and info: 404-477-3500.

The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell hosts a New Year's Eve bash beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, complete with live music, a champagne toast and a midnight balloon drop that encompasses Mill dollars, discounts and freebies. Info: 770-817-9345.

In historic Crabapple, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails rings in a stylin' new year beginning with a special prix fixe menu from 5-10 p.m. for $65 per person. Live music starts at 8 p.m. and plays until the party stops. Toast midnight with a complimentary glass of champagne and party favors. To reserve a table, call 770-817-0161. For parties of eight or more, email Heather@miltonscuisine.com or call 678-431-8753.

On New Year's Eve, Decatur's No. 246 hosts a four-course dinner that lets guests choose from multiple rustic Italian dishes. $60 per person with 20 percent gratuity for parties of six or more and a $10 corkage fee per bottle. Reservations and info: 678-399-8246.

The Optimist hosts a four-course dinner on New Year's Eve that gives guests multiple options per course. Supplemental items are available for an additional fee. $65 per person. Reservations and info: 404-477-6260.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant celebrates a RAckin' New Year's Eve party on Tuesday, December 31 from 7 p.m. to close. Look forward to a DJ spinning party-worthy beats plus food and drink specials such as bonfire shrimp, the crunchy shrimp tempura roll, Tootsy Maki and edamame dip joined by Kirin/Kirin Light bombers, hot sake and more. Info: 404-267-0114.

Ray's Restaurants offers diners three warm holiday gathering spots. Ray's on the Creek's dining room is open from 5-11 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 for New Year's Eve, and the bar will remain open until 1 a.m. On Wednesday, January 1, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Reservations: 770-649-0064. Ray's on the River's dining room is open from 5-11 p.m. for New Year's Eve, and the bar will remain open until 1 a.m. on New Year's morning. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1. Reservations and info: 770-955-1187. Ray's in the City is celebrating New Year's Eve from 4-11 p.m. on December 31. Reservations and info: 404-524-9224.

Sweet Dee's Bakeshop in Tucker helps hosts uphold their resolution to serve delectable desserts over the holidays. New Year's Eve orders must be picked up before or on Tuesday, December 31. For orders and special holiday hours, call 770-696-4461.

Sushi into the New Year at Umi's First

New Year's Eve Dinner

Chefs Fuyuhiko and Lisa Ito invite you to celebrate a sushi New Year's Eve with them at Umi. The combination of ocean-fresh sushi and modern Japanese flavors paired with the streamlined, earthy elegance of this Buckhead restaurant will inspire you to enter the new year with serenity and peace. The night marks Umi's first New Year's Eve with an eight-course UMI-Kase including one bottle of red or white wine or champagne per couple. $175 per person. Limited seating. For details, please call 404-841-0041 or email info@umiatlanta.com.

HOBNOB is Popping Out Pot Pies -

Hurry In Because They'll Soon Be Gone

Somehow, pot pie season evaded The Weather Channel's radar app. Atlanta is definitely in the thick of it with frosty temps and early darkness sending us searching for this steaming hot combo of savory gravy and tender, flakey crust. Raise your spoon (fork tines leak) and prepare to descend on HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern's hearty pot pie laden with smoked chicken, bacon, lots of veggies and well-seasoned with herbs. It's our dining pick to warm up before or after any outdoor holiday or wintry activities. Hurry in, because the Midtown restaurant is only serving this favorite for a limited time!

Nominate a #goldengiver and You Both Could Win Marlow's Tavern $100 Gift Cards

In Charles Dickens' novel "A Christmas Carol," Scrooge gives in to the giving spirit and does a 180 into a joyful and mindfully generous new life. Do you know a cheerful giver who honors the giving spirit of the holidays throughout the year? Marlow's Tavern has a way to honor him or her. Nominate this special person to win a $100 Marlow's Tavern gift card, and if he or she wins, you'll be eligible to win a $100 gift card yourself! Enter on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by tagging your entry with #goldengiver, briefly tell why this person deserves to win and upload their picture. Of course, if you're looking for a delicious gift idea, look into Marlow's Tavern gift cards, which are available to purchase at restaurant locations or online.

Santa Touches Down at Ray's on the Creek for Lunchtime Photo Ops on December 22

Charge up the camera and smart phones to snap photos with Santa during lunch hours at Ray's on the Creek this Sunday, December 22. Order off Ray's regular lunch menu where succulent seafood, freshly made sushi, soups, salads and sharable sides join Big Green Egg specialties such as smoked salmon, St. Louis-style ribs or pulled pork piled on Texas toast. Ray's offers plenty of hearty sandwiches including juicy beef or salmon burgers, a prime rib dip, a lobster roll and chicken or grouper sandwiches. Doors open for lunch at 11 a.m.

Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria Class on December 23 Busts Two Holiday Myths: Not All Dough Leads to Cookies and Coal Belongs in an Oven,

Not a Stocking

The holiday season conjures up visions of dough making, shaping, sprinkling and biting into warm goodies exiting hot ovens. The talented "pizzaiolos" at Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria agree that not all holiday dough making leads to sugar cookies and that lumps of coal are better suited to firing up an oven than bah-humbugging a stocking. The team is eager to share the nuances of dough stretching, tossing and topping during an interactive pizza-making class taking place Monday, December 23 at 8:30 p.m. Participants will learn about Max's legendary coal-burning process, create their own pizzas and sample everyone's creations. $30 per person includes meal and two drinks (drinks choices are wine by the glass, beer, soda or tea; excludes tax and gratuity). Class size is limited to 16 guests and advance reservations are necessary: 404-974-2944 or mjs@legacyrestaurantpartners.com. What a fabulous gift idea to share with your favorite baker!

#foodgram

Downtown in our hometown, the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration at Georgia State University is celebrating 40 years of educating the next generation of leaders. See all about it @gsuhospitality.

Appetizing Aperture

Rick's Rocket pizza at Hearth Pizza Tavern is decked out with red tomatoes, bright green salad rocket (arugula) and gifted with glistening black olives. With a foundation of pizza dough made from 100 percent organic flour, these Sandy Springs pizzas are a top choice for season's eatings. Psst. Dine-in pizzas are half-price from 4-6 p.m. every Monday-Friday.

What's New on Pinterest?

White Oak Pastures BBQ Spice Rub - $7.99

Those of you out there shopping for foodie-oriented gifts, check out our Dear Santa Pinterest board. Tools, pans, gadgets, books, foods...our elves know their way around a kitchen, and they are scampering to share the where-abouts for these tasty wares.