Show your spirit by slipping on your favorite team jersey and soccer socks before running to Der Biergarten to catch FIFA World Cup soccer when the mania begins on Thursday, June 12. During the 4-7 p.m. party, flag down half-priced appetizers and score a 16-ounce beer mug when you purchase a beer for $10 -- then replenish your mug with $5 refills during the party. Starting during the first game and continuing through the last match on July 13, Warsteiner will offer one-liter beers for $8. Each beer comes with a raffle ticket leading up to a big drawing during the last match. Grand prize winner wins a trip for two to Europe, and second place snags a genuine team Germany soccer shirt.

For a Fungi Time, Hit G's Midtown for Mushrooms & Merlots June 11-25 

The morel moral of this story is that the more Mushrooms & Merlots pairings you try, the merrier the evening will be during this June 11-25 promotion at G's Midtown. Earthy mushrooms take on heavenly dimensions in Chef Javier Viera's hands, especially when paired with wines by the glass or bottle from Washington State or California's Mendocino County, Napa Valley, Paso Robles or Sonoma regions. The fungi begins with shareables and pairings such as jumbo lump crab-stuffed caps ($8) paired with Angeline Reserve merlot ($9 glass/$32 bottle); Sizzling Skillet Shrooms with truffle butter, fresh herbs and French baguette crostini paired with Purple Cowboy merlot ($9/$32) or merlot-marinated mushrooms coated Italian-style, crispy fried and accompanied by caper rémoulade and lemon, paired with Rolling Stones Forty Licks merlot from Wines that Rock ($11/$42). A beefy plate of Shrooms & Sirloin unites an eight-ounce top sirloin steak with potato hash browns, caramelized onions, herb butter and sautéed portobello mushrooms ($18) to pair with Franciscan merlot ($12/$45). Twirl forkfuls of linguine al funghi ($16), fresh-made pasta studded with sweet peas and crispy pancetta in Asiago cream sauce, divine alongside Castle Rock merlot ($8/$30). Cap the meal with chanterelle rice pudding ($6). Righteous.

Chick-A-Biddy Hatches DJ Series on Friday and Saturday Nights in June

Tune out the work week at Chick-A-Biddy on Friday and Saturday nights in June. DJs are landing at the Atlantic Station restaurant, tunes in tow, every Friday and Saturday night this month from 9 p.m. until midnight. This weekend, Cozy Shawn spins on Friday followed by Dookie Platters on Saturday. Be an early bird and come for a dinner of all-natural poultry or plan on ordering some "Itty Biddies" and wings to share with friends while the music plays. Heck, you can even get a jump on brunch by ordering up some fried chicken and waffles or the "Southern Breakfast All Day." Turn up!

Join the Stein Club at Der Biergarten and Attend Buffet and Beer Tasting on June 14

 

Father's Day is Sunday, June 15. Gift Dad or a fellow beer-lover (self included) with a Der Biergarten Stein Club membership for a beery-good year. The German restaurant is hosting an event for current Stein Club members on Saturday, June 14 from 4-6 p.m. with complimentary heavy hors d'oeuvre and half-liter beers and plenty of FIFA World Cup action when England takes on Italy at 5 p.m. Receive an invitation to this special event when you join the Stein Club this week and mention The Dish. An annual $60 membership comes with food and merchandise discounts, VIP invites, seminars, tastings and pilsner privileges including a personal, European-made stein that's stored at Der Biergarten, always ready to hold $8 liters of any beer on draft. Hoisting one really works those arm muscles!

Charge to The Last Brigade Supper at Love is Love Farm, Gaia Gardens on June 15

Working side by side on a kitchen line can develop tight bonds, even as chefs move on to head up their own staffs. Reuniting can be so appealing, for both chefs and dinner guests. Brian Horn (JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246, The Optimist) and others who worked on chef Gary Mennie's line at Canoe are joining forces for The Last Brigade Supper, a fundraising dinner at Love is Love Farm at Gaia Gardens this Sunday, June 15. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-dinner reception, tour of the Decatur farm and dinner with wine pairings. Tickets are $125 per person ($130.37 including online service fee). Proceeds benefit Wholesome Wave Georgia and its mission of increasing access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food at producer-only farmers markets across Georgia. The organization currently doubles the value of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, a.k.a. food stamps) in 22 markets statewide. Joe Reynolds and Judith Winfrey own Love is Love Farm, a certified organic farm whose mantra is good food starts with mindful land stewardship. 

Three Cheers for the USA in World Cup Play at Atkins Park Virginia-Highland Party on June 16

 

Team USA lines up against Ghana on Monday, June 16 at 6 p.m., and Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland is the place to watch, jump, shout and toast -- and maybe win a raffle prize. During the first three USA games, beer drinkers will receive a raffle ticket with each Budweiser, Bud Light or Monday Night Brewing purchase. A drawing for prizes at the conclusion of each game promises to extend the evening's excitement. 

From Moxie, Has Moxie. Tom Gray is Gunshow Hired Guns Guest Chef June 17-18

Southern upbringing, extensive travels and a heavy dose of experience influence chef Tom Gray of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails in Jacksonville, Fla. Gray will share his penchant for American flavors from coast to coast with Gunshow dinner guests when he steps up to the range as Hired Guns guest chef on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 17 and 18. Gray is the recipient of two Best Chef: South James Beard Award nominations. To catch his zest for life and cooking, follow @ChefTomGray on Twitter. For Kevin Gillespie and Gunshow, Hired Guns is like having a slew of summer visitors drop in for a short but much-anticipated and relished visit. And, what could be better than having chefs drop in and cook along with your crew (i.e., Gillespie's regular menu also will be available). Make a reservation online or call 404-380-1886.

Hooray for the Red, White & Brew at Marlow's Tavern, June 17-July 28 

As sure as the Fourth of July, the Red, White & Brew summer menu is popping up at all Marlow's Tavern locations, running from Tuesday, June 17 through Monday, July 28. A special star-spangled bill of fare explodes with all-American flavors offered in addition to Marlow's regular menu. Spoon into a light beer and cheese soup ($6) or go the finger-food route with Firecracker deviled eggs, packing heat from pimento cheese and Firecracker sauce ($3/$5). To cool off, dive into a watermelon and buffalo mozzarella salad ($8.50) or the Beach House bruschetta wearing fresh shrimp, lump crab, avocado, Granny Smith apple, fresh jalapeño and more ($13.50). Marlow's shows its stripes on a Wild West bison burger with bacon, cheddar and BBQ ranch ($13.50); a backyard blackened mahi sandwich paired with red, white and blue potato salad ($15) and the grilled Kansas City strip steak blazed with Montreal spice and chili-slather then served with a twice-baked, salt-crusted Burbank potato and grilled jumbo asparagus ($25). It's okay to simply order the Burbank potato or red, white and blue salad as sides ($3 each). Sweet victory! Campfire s'mores are a spectacular dessert layering house-made milk chocolate and peanut butter, graham cracker and burnt marshmallows in a jar ($6). Don't hold back! 

The Battle of Atlanta took its toll on our city 150 years ago, and Margaret Mitchell immortalized the sights and sounds in her epic novel "Gone with the Wind," which was released as a movie 75 years ago. The ACVB Battle of the Bottles commemorates both timeline events, posing the question "What would Rhett drink?" of Atlanta restaurants and bars. Visitors and residents cast 3,200 votes and narrowed the pouring field down to 14 contenders, two for each spirited category. Will Roswell restaurant Aqua blue win the bourbon category pitting "It's About Bourbon, Thyme & Scarlet" against Tap's entry? What about Nikolai's Roof (Hilton Atlanta), vying for the whiskey top spot against Thrive, using Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey whiskey in Rhett's Southern Pecan Pie? The final showdown takes place at the Connect event at Opera on Wednesday, June 18. Who knows? If these crafty cocktails had been around in Atlanta 150 years ago, those Yankees might have spared this town. 

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Whatever the occasion, in the South, pimento cheese is always appropriate. Bantam + Biddy blends up its own heirloom version and serves a generous scoop with sturdy crackers and veggie slices ($5). Gobble or share some with your tablemates (they're probably lusting after it anyway). Ansley Mall or Midtown on Crescent Avenue.  

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Pool, lake, beach or mountains. Our Picnics that Please board is ready to go wherever summer paths lead. Portables, potables, slimmed-down picnic favorites, strawberry shortcake-packed Mason jars and nifty accessories for picnic panache. This board ranks high on our summer spontaneity list!