Yikes! Only three more days to scarf down the $4 anniversary specials at HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern in Midtown. As you recall last week, we foretold of HOBNOB's fourth anniversary plans, and now we're in the thick of them: $4 milkshakes, $4 cobblers, $4 Tavern burgers and $4 SweetWater 420s from 5-11 p.m. Such a deal - but only through Thursday, March 6.

Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Turns 92! 

Party on March 5

Where were you in '22? Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in historic Virginia-Highland was opening its doors for the first time, and it's been open for business every year since then. Yep. Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar is Atlanta's oldest continuously licensed tavern. And when you're 92, you just keep doing what got you there - serving up more brews. Stop by, reminisce and celebrate on Wednesday night, March 5 at 6 p.m. Enjoy a limited open bar and tasting station and take home a complimentary anniversary T-shirt.

From Bonbons to Bon Temps, Mardi Gras Rolls Across Atlanta Today

Today is Fat Tuesday. Live in the present and honor the day with all of the food, frivolity, sweets and spirit(s) of a NOLA native. These Atlanta establishments are doing just that!

Call it Mardi Gras or call it Fat Tuesday. Either way, the annual day of decadence before Lent has "all you can eat and drink" written all over it. 10^th & Piedmont is more than happy to oblige on Tuesday, March 4 beginning at 6:30 p.m. They're coupling an all-you-can-eat low country boil and an all-you-can-drink deal on select premium beers. Local singer/songwriter James Patrick Morgan performs. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door.

The Fat Tuesday celebration at Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland promises a full day of beads, beers (including Abita Restoration), hurricanes, oysters, gumbo, king cake and po'boys. Go ahead, parade down Highland Avenue with your krewe.

Mardi Gras knows (almost) no time constraints at Marlow's Tavern locations, where Bayou 'n Bourbon emphasizes New Orleans tastes through March 31. Fill up on "Mo' Betta" specials such as roasted chicken and shrimp gumbo, fiery spice lump crab cake, Honey Jack chicken and andouille flatbread, N'awlins-style po'boy, a Bayou burger packing andouille sausage and crispy crawdads, deconstructed jambalaya and Sweet Bourbon St. rib-eye steak ($6.50-$26). Jack Daniel's Honey douses the honey bourbon bread pudding ($7). Marlow's upholds Bourbon Street's beverage traditions and spins its own twists: the (not Pat's) Marlow's hurricane jazzes up Pat O'Brien's recipe with Bacardi Light rum and a floater of 151, and Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade and a Cajun cosmo are just as heady ($8-$9.50). Louisiana "home brew" Abita Restoration and malty Abita Amber pair perfectly with all things Cajun ($5.50); Sokol Blosser Evolution from Oregon keeps wine lovers in the loop ($11/$44).

Are your feet on Bourbon Street, NOLA or in Ray's in the City on Peachtree Street, ATL? Ray's in the City plants Mardi Gras merrymaking right into the heart of downtown Atlanta on Tuesday, March 4. From 5-8 p.m., Ray's in the City rocks the Mardi Gras vibe with fun drink specials, live music and Cajun-inspired appetizers. Bust out your gold, purple and green beads! It's time to party hearty, and there's no cover charge.

If clamoring that Cajun-French expression "Laissez les bons temps rouler" or "let the good times roll" sends visions of rich and round bonbons twirling through your head, roll right into Chocolate South. The artisan chocolate shop on Atlanta's Westside is crafting Mardi Gras sweets. Key lime balls are as colorful as Mardi Gras beads, and Kona coffee with Gran Marnier beauties look a bit like the fleur de lis worn by the New Orleans Saints, don't you think? These tasty baubles are a steal at $3 each.

Which Top Taco Finalist Has Your Vote? Tin Lizzy's Cantina Wants to Know

After some delicious due diligence, Tin Lizzy's Cantina has selected the top taco finalists to move on to the final round of its annual taco contest. Taco-ficionados, it's all up to you now. Tin Lizzy's locations will feature a different taco finalist each week in March. The top-selling taco nabs a place on the menu plus $500 and 10 VIP passes to Tin Lizzy's Cinco de Mayo party for its creator. Gift cards go to second- and third-place winners. Tacos are $3.69. Terrapin drafts make choice compadres at $5, or pair up one contest taco and one Terrapin for $7.99. Taco finalists, cantina of origin and feature weeks are as follows:

March 3-9 --The Green Machine by Abby Ruffner and Brittney Proper

Grilled tilapia, lettuce, guacamole, cucumbers, green peppers and feta cheese topped with citrus lime vinaigrette. Pairs with Terrapin Golden.

March 10-16 -- Cheese Too Pretty by Morgan Brasher and Hannah Dean

Fried Buffalo shrimp in between cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, queso and goat cheese. Pairs with Terrapin Golden.

March 17-23 -- Steak Out by Gabrielle Fleming

Steak, crispy onion strings, lettuce, blue cheese crumbles and drizzled with garlic aioli. Pairs with Terrapin Rye.

March 24-30 -- Big Island Taco by Mike Smith

Fried chicken dressed with hot Hawaiian coleslaw, pineapple mango salsa and shredded coconut. Pairs with Terrapin Rye.

Small Donations Catalyze Big Change when Shoppers Contribute to Whole Planet Foundation's 2014 Prosperity Campaign to Alleviate U.S. and Global Poverty

You've probably benefitted from a microloan yourself...remember the $1 you borrowed to cover that lunch tab? But then lunch ended and you drove off to your next event du jour. It was only a dollar. Through its Prosperity Campaign, Whole Planet Foundation (a private non-profit organization established by Whole Foods Market) turns that dollar into a microloan to help people start businesses, rise out of poverty and create better lives for their families. The foundation already channels microloans to alleviate poverty in areas where Whole Foods Market sources products. Now, through partner Grameen America, the foundation is committing $5 million to similar programs of a domestic scope to help U.S. women break free of poverty. Why be a spectator to the campaign's goal of raising $7 million by March 31, 2014? Become involved. Donate $1, $25, $250 or other "good cents" amounts to the Prosperity Campaign at Whole Foods Market checkouts, fundraisers and online. Skip over to Facebook to enter to win a trip for two to Mexico, courtesy of Intrepid Travel (no purchase necessary). Trip winners will see the impact of microcredit firsthand as they meet borrowers supported by the foundation during a six-day expedition. Whether or not you win the trip, you can read about success stories and know your donation will help someone become victorious over poverty.

She Wanted Pink Sea Breezes. It was a Dark & Stormier Night for Me. Luckily, Hearth Pizza Tavern's Signature Cocktail Menu Saved Us 

Photo: White Manhattan 

Light and fruity or tall, dark and handsome, new signature cocktails are all the buzz at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs. On the dark side, Hearth's chocolate martini is a heavenly blend of Amaretto, Kahlua Midnight, Bailey's Irish Cream, Razzmatazz, cola, chocolate syrup and cream ($8). Go Darker & Stormier still with a Caribbean crush of Myer's Dark rum, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, ginger beer and fresh lime juice ($8). Pretty and powerful, Pink Sea Breeze swizzles Belvedere Pink Grapefruit vodka, organic pink grapefruit juice and cranberry juice ($9.50). Bulleit Rye American whiskey takes command over simple syrup, Angostura bitters, orange twist and a maraschino cherry in the rye old fashioned ($9), and the White Manhattan sports a dash of Luxardo Maraschino liqueur in a clear mix of American Spirit Whiskey and Bianco vermouth ($10). Pure class in a glass.

Vote for Atlanta in 10Best's and USA Today's Best Convention City Contest

Atlanta grabs our votes for 10Best's and USA Today Travel's Best Convention City award. And we'll vote again tomorrow. Cast your vote online. You can vote once a day through March 10. Share the news via Facebook and Twitter. Come on Atlanta, let's do this thing and make every day count. Stuff that virtual ballot box!

Have a Drink at St. Cecilia and Support 

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee

Buckhead dwellers: Stop into St. Cecilia and drink for a cause from now until Saturday, March 8. For every Wooden Ships cocktail sold, 100 percent of the proceeds are donated to support the 30^th annual Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Walk/Run being held on Sunday, March 9. A refreshing blend of Solerno blood orange liqueur, Aperol, ruby red grapefruit, prosecco, soda and blood orange ($12) will have you ready to sail into the sunset. Bottoms up!

An advantage of drooling over chocolates and bonbons on @chocolatesouth is that they won't melt on your keyboard or screen while you're scrolling and trolling for ideas. Thus, when you stop by the Chocolate South brick and mortar (or in this case, cocoa and sugar), you'll be more purposeful and focused in your bonbon-buying mission. In theory, anyway.

Appetizing Aperture

Photo by Timothy Thiel

Ray's Restaurants -- Ray's in the City, Ray's on the River and Ray's at Killer Creek -- is sending warm thoughts and spoonfuls your way. The warm white chocolate bread pudding pictured here is on each restaurant's three-course winter menu. You know what that means. Comforting bread pudding, caramel anglaise, High Road burnt sugar ice cream and all...this baby's outta here when spring arrives. Spoon in now.

What's New on Pinterest

This is your Pinterest wake-up call. We're Cooking with Coffee and having a jovial time whipping up all things java, from sugar and coffee bacon to Mexican-inspired tequila coffee. Pour another cup (regular Joe or with tequila) and pin on.