What Would Rhett Drink Today? Find out in Battle of the Bottles

Fiddle dee dee! The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is burning to know your opinion on what Rhett would drink if he were cruising through Atlanta's hot cocktail spots today? All over town, mixologists are shaking up entries for the ACVB Battle of the Bottles, a contest themed to mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Atlanta and the 75th anniversary of the movie "Gone with the Wind." Your job is to circle friends 'round said thirst slakers, drink up and vote through May 26. Whet your whistle on Aqua blue's "It's About Bourbon, Thyme & Scarlett," the Meyer lemon whiskey sour at Bantam + Biddy, "Rhett's Southern Pecan Pie" at Nikolai's Roof, the "Apple Chai Manhattan" at Ray's on the River and "Ted's Huckleberry Derby" at Ted's Montana Grill. To know what you're getting into ingredient-wise, read the lowdown on these highballs and martinis on the ballot. Strong stuff for a powerful city!

St. Cecilia -- In Your Kitchen! Garnish & Gather's "Be the Chef" Series Preps Craig Richards' Charred Octopus Dish for Home Chefs

"A textural marvel," St. Cecilia's charred octopus with sun-dried tomatoes and white bean and arugula salad plates up on the AJC's 2014 Dining Guide list of "25 Must-Try Dishes." Impress family and friends by preparing chef Craig Richards' dish in your own kitchen. Garnish & Gather pulls the recipe and locally sourced (where possible) ingredients together for home cooks to order through May 21. In case you're an arm short of claiming octopus status and can't pick up your package, they'll even deliver it to your home for a small fee. Garnish & Gather's "Be the Chef" series provides a new restaurant menu each week. Feed your Facebook and find out more.

Gunshow Fires Up for Hired Guns Series Targeting One-Year Anniversary

Pardon me, but is there a fork in your holster? Hope so, because four "Hired Guns" are preparing to take to the range and open kitchen of Gunshow, and you'll want to get ready. The culinary marksmen are actually some of the Southeast's most buzz-generating chefs, all helping to ring in the one-year anniversary of Kevin Gillespie's much-lauded restaurant. May 8 was the official anniversary date, but Gillespie takes a broader view to carry the celebratory Hired Guns series through summer. During Gunshow's dinner hours on appointed dates, each award-winning chef will create dishes of his or her own to pal with the restaurant's own featured items, and each will sign cookbooks and share stories while in house. Our viewfinder shows chef Chris Shepherd (2014 James Beard Best Chef: Southwest award winner) from Houston's Underbelly planting his feet in the kitchen on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28. Later this summer, Chef John Currence (2009 James Beard Best Chef: South award winner) from City Grocery in Oxford, Miss. visits on July 15 and 16; Chef Tandy Wilson from Nashville's City House stops in August 12 and 13 and chef Jeremiah Bacon from Charleston's The MacIntosh and Oak Steakhouse cooks September 30 and October 1. Best go ahead and load up on reservations before another fan scores them all. To make a reservation, call 404-380-1886 or visit seatme.yelp.com/gunshow.

St. Cecilia Hosts Atlanta Community Food Bank Supper Club on May 13

No cooking. No cleaning. No developing a menu. Leave those details to chef Craig Richards and his talented staff when St. Cecilia hosts the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) Supper Club on Tuesday, May 13 from 5-10 p.m. Immerse yourself in the Buckhead restaurant's menu inspired by the fresh seafood, pasta and other delights found in coastal Italy, France and Spain. The entire menu is your oyster, and 20 percent of your tab goes straight to the ACFB. Hint from chef-owner Ford Fry: this combo of cuisine and community caring is hard to resist, so make reservations.

Lime is on Their Side as Tin Lizzy's Cantina Takes on Creative Loafing Margarita Wars  

on May 14

Photo by Jeremy Adamo

What lime shortage? Not in Midtown! On Wednesday, May 14, 15 Atlanta bartenders will brandish lime juice, its tequila compadre and top-secret modus operandi to out maneuver one another in Creative Loafing Margarita Wars, presented by Stivers Subaru at Park Tavern from 7-11 p.m. Tin Lizzy's Cantina wades right up in the lime-laden battle to prove its salt in Atlanta's margarita market. Tin Lizzy's fans, show up, taste and pass judgment. $20 tickets cover admission and six tasting tickets. Guests can buy more tickets as well as Bud Light Lime, Lime-a-Ritas and a light summer menu. And oh yes, the DJ tunes will rock.

Terrapins Come Out for Spring Beer Dinner at Atkins Park on May 15

Diamondback terrapins are native to the U.S., but we're talking about the Athens, Ga. native -- Terrapin Beer. Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland pairs up five different Terrapin brews with four courses at its Spring Beer Dinner on Thursday, May 15. Chef Andrew Smith stokes his dinner menu with spring taste sensations: shaved spring vegetable salad; steamed buns with green chili-smoked pork belly, pickled cucumber and pineapple; wood-grilled hanger steak with duck fat potato cakes, grilled Vidalia onions and roasted local mushrooms; and a fine finish of dark chocolate and cashew tart. Terrapins include Hi-5 Westcoast IPA, Maggie's Cask Peach Farmhouse ale, Pineapple Express Helles lager, Hopzilla double IPA and Moonray Chocolate Orange Weizenbock. A reception, three courses and dessert, each one paired with a different Terrapin beer. $50 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Reservations recommended for this 7 p.m. event: 404-876-7249.

It's a Shore Thing -- Ray's on the River Wine & Cheese Tasting Along the River on May 16

Style those sunglasses and watch the Chattahoochee River shimmer at Ray's on the River's Wine & Cheese Tasting along the shore on Friday, May 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. $20 per person, all inclusive.Call 770-955-1187 for more information or to reserve seats. Sun sets around 8:30 p.m. Stick around for dinner and watch the sun sink over the horizon, you know, somewhere west of Alabama.

Eat. Out. Buckhead Restaurant Week is

May 17-25

May is so busy. Spare a moment and look ahead to Saturday, May 17 through Sunday, May 25. Feast your eyes on $15, $25 and $35 prix fixe menus at all Buckhead Restaurant Week stars including Aria, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill and Ted's Montana Grill. Aria will be offering a special $35 dinner menu. Ted's Montana Grill plans a $25 dinner menu. Land lunch for $15 or $25 and dinner for $25 or $35 at The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. Prices exclude tax, gratuity and beverages. Live in the present and make reservations today so you won't be shut out of next week's appetizing opportunities!

Executive Chef Javier Viera Demos 10th & Piedmont Heirloom Tomato Salad at Piedmont Park Green Market on May 17

If you think that's a mouthful, consider that Javier Viera is the executive chef for all three Communitas Hospitality restaurants: 10th & Piedmont, G's Midtown and HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern. His gorgeous heirloom tomato salad at 10th & Piedmont is a crowd favorite, and you can learn how to make it at this Saturday's Piedmont Park Green Market. With tri-colored heirloom tomatoes, hydroponic cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar, it's destined for your own "heirloom" recipe file. Viera leads the demo on the Community Center patio at 11 a.m.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Atlantic Station then Flock to Chick-A-Biddy on May 18

Atlantans flock to Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch -- all aflutter about its healthy and affordable pastured-poultry dishes, sirloin burgers, fish tacos, falafels and other specialties. Guests can even specify white or dark meat chicken. This weekend, let's focus on legs and thighs -- the ones crossing the 9:30 a.m. start line and walking 1.5 miles in Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Atlantic Station. This organization is near and dear to Chick-a-Biddy chef-owner Shaun Doty, and his eatery is an event sponsor. Brunch service begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Stop in after the walk for cold libations, almond pancakes, a protein scramble or something equally satisfying on the brunch menu.

Back by Popular Demand: Ray's at Killer Creek Sunday Brunch Buffet

Who's in your brunch bunch? Family (younger or older)? Friends from across town or one pew over? The new Sunday brunch buffet at Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta bodes well for all ages and appetites. No rush. Brunch hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. extend lazy mornings into lingering over afternoon conversation. $19.95 per person; $8.95 for children ages 5-10; free for ages 4 and under.

King + Duke Crowns Year One with Royal Patio Party on May 18

Chillin' and grillin' are how folks spend Sunday afternoons on the patio at King + Duke in Buckhead. This Sunday, May 18 proves worthy of more fanfare as Ford Fry's American hero of a restaurant marks its first anniversary. Drop in from 3-7 p.m. for Three Taverns Craft Brewery beers and live music from Matt Palmer! Chefs are grilling up finger-friendly bites for $4-$6: the Mini Duke on a soft bun with coal-roasted onions; angus steak skewers with salsa verde and spring onion; charred cherry tomatoes with garlic, blue cheese and toast or the octo dog with kimchi slaw to name a few.  

Eats & Beats Bash at The Buckhead Theatre Benefits Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen on May 19

Great causes, fabulous night out! Eats & Beats gathers Atlanta's hottest restaurants to serve up a memorable evening of unlimited food tastings, drinks and entertainment at The Buckhead Theatre on Monday, May 19 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Eat to the beat of King + Duke, The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Smokebelly BBQ and other premier Atlanta restaurants and visit open bar stations for cocktails, wine and specialty beers. Chef bands led by Ford Fry and others lead into Yacht Rock Revue playing Beatles cover songs. Silent auction must-bids include a private dinner party for you and your friends at the home of Ford Fry! Proceeds benefit Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen.Tickets are $70 general admission; $150 VIP ticket includes early entry and access to private VIP suites.

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Sail off into spring hoisting the Jolly Roger, The Optimist's featured spring cocktail. The glass blushes with Pimm's No. 1, Dolin Blanc vermouth and raspberries. Basil and lemon are jewels in its cap.   

What's New on Pinterest

May is National Barbecue Month. Are you prepared? Pin 'Cues & Brews, our sauciest Pinterest board yet. Better bring a napkin if you're going to grill or smoke these babies. More 'cue and A's address brew pairing advice, a slew of skewers and slow cooker timesavers.