In This Issue

Feudi di San Gregorio Wine Dinner at Ink & Elm

Taste of Buckhead with Gypsy Kitchen & Smokebelly

Chick-a-Biddy Volunteers At Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation Race

Chris Blobaum Demos at Serenbe

Ray's on the River Pig Raost

Open Streets DeKalb with Ink & Elm

16th Annual Marlow's Tavern Golf Classic & Aqua blue Dinner

Sing for your Supper at G's Midtown

"Dinner On Us!" Sweepstakes

#foodgram

Appetizing Aperture

What's New on Pinterest

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!

Get Bacchus to Basics at Feudi di San Gregorio Reception and Wine Dinner at Ink & Elm on September 17

Back in the day, Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, probably romped in the same hills of Southern Italy's Campania region where Feudi di San Gregorio now perches. Fruit trees, olive trees, woods, herbs and grapevines grace the idyllic setting close to the Amalfi Coast and about 25 miles from Mt. Vesuvius. Varietals have been grown in the area's rich, volcanic soils for 2,000 years. Considering that timeline, 25-year-old Feudi di San Gregorio winery may seem a young upstart. Burst that bubble. The modern winery is revered as one of the region's leaders, and its head winemaker is roamin' on over to Ink & Elm, bringing along wines, food and enlightening vino lectures on Wednesday, September 17. A Feudi di San Gregorio wine reception opens the evening at 6:30 p.m. Sip four of the winery's fine varietals, including a sparkler not sold stateside, and interrupt the sipping with canap�s, imported charcuterie and items from the winery's Michelin-starred restaurant. Procure your spot, $45 a person, on Scoutmob. At 8 p.m., a wine dinner pairs four fine wines from Feudi di San Gregorio with a four-course menu expertly crafted by Ink & Elm executive chef Stephen Sharp. Reserve your place at the table, $125 per person, on Scoutmob. Might as well say it now, both events are for the 21-and-over crowd. Bambinos don't drink wine anyway.

Sandy Springs, Smile and Say, "Queso!" Willy's Mexicana is Now Open OTP on Roswell Road

Hola, Sandy Springs! Willy's Mexicana Grill is now open at 6309 Roswell Road, NE. Direct thoughts toward burritos and tacos for lunch or your dinnertime roll out. Marinades influence grilled meats: chicken in spicy red chile adobe sauce or Sinaloa marinated in orange juice, garlic and spices; sirloin in cilantro-garlic; or barbecued pork in smoky chipotle adobe sauce. These mouthwatering meats also can land in burrito bowls or pile on top of crisp salads maxed out with Tex-Mex toppings. Tofu turns up Sinaloa-style, and veggies pile on more meatless options. Broiler-melted Jack cheese, jalape�os, beans, salsa, sour cream and guac top Willy's nachos. Add grilled chicken or steak or smother them in Willy's queso then chip in! Sandy Springs, Willy's catering can wrap up all of your office parties and game-day spreads just as easily as they can wrap up that lunchtime burrito. After 20 years in Atlanta, Willy's sure knows how to wrap and roll.

Smokebelly and Gypsy Kitchen Feed Crowd at 10th Annual Taste of Buckhead on September 18

This week's Taste of Buckhead promises more than 50 wine and beer tastings, celebrity chef demonstrations and silent and live auction bidding on trips, gift baskets and restaurant gift certificates. The Thursday, September 18 event fills The Buckhead Theater on Roswell Road from 5:30-10 p.m. While there, be sure to pounce on Smokebelly's smoked meat prowess in pork sliders and Brunswick stew prepared by chef Sean Munk and spoon up a cup of Gypsy Kitchen chef Randy Lewis' two "cherry"' gazpacho. Event proceeds benefit the Buckhead Heritage Society and Livable Buckhead. Buy tickets online, $75 per person.

Chick-a-Biddy Juices Up Runners at Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation Race for Research on September 20

Saturday morning, about 2,000 runners and walkers will congregate in Atlantic Station's Central Park, toe-ing the start line of the 15th annual Race for Research for the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. Event sponsor Chick-a-Biddy will provide juice for racers checking in at 6:30 a.m. and will continue the juice flow until 9 a.m. The annual 5K, 2K run/walk and a tot-trot raise funds for brain tumor research. Rise with the rooster and join in. Register online.

Looking to Get Out of the City? Chris Blobaum Demos at the Serenbe Farmers and Artists Market on September 20

You'll usually find Chris Blobaum, corporate executive chef for Legacy Restaurant Partners, advising and creating in the kitchens of Article 14, Glenn's Kitchen, Game-X, Der Biergarten, Max's Coal Oven Pizzeria, STATS and SkyLounge. He's a country boy on Saturday, September 20, bound for Serenbe Farmers and Artists Market where he'll lay claim to the cooking demo tent at 11 a.m. Come on down, learn something new and see what more than 20 local growers and artisan vendors have to offer at this 9 a.m.-noon market.

Ray's on the River Squeals Over Riverside Pig Roast on September 20

The squeal on this gig is that, from snout to tail, the whole pig is going down, slow roasting to fall-off-the-bone perfection. With 30 years of pleasing Atlanta under its belt, Ray's on the River knows how to go whole hog on its Riverside Pig Roast on Saturday, September 20 from noon-3 p.m. Executive chef Josh Warner is mixing up gobs of homemade barbecue sauce for slathering and sopping on the aforementioned tender hog, and he's planning a trough load of sides. Sturdy plates take on spoons of baked mac 'n cheese, baked beans with sausage, jalape�o coleslaw, jalape�o-cheddar cornbread, black-eyed pea salad, Southern-style potato salad, marinated garden-fresh cukes and tomatoes, braised collard greens, peach cobbler, banana pudding and Key lime pie. Our advice for unabashed, high-on-the-hog feasting alongside the Chattahoochee River? Hit up your closet for Saturday casual (i.e. skip the spikes and white pants) and be prepared to lick your fingers. $35 per person (not inclusive of beverages, tax or gratuity). Reservations secured by credit card required; please call 770-955-1187.

This Little Piggie is Going to Open Streets DeKalb and Ink & Elm for a Pig Roast, Craft Beers and Cocktails on September 21

Credit: Chris Watkins

Open Streets DeKalb is all about reclaiming busy streets and giving way to pedestrian pleasures, albeit for just a few hours. No cars -- strictly feet, street performers, music and a whole lot of fun fill Emory Village on Sunday, September 21 from 3-7 p.m. If you're taking it to the street, stop by Ink & Elm where they're tackling the smokin' hot job of roasting a whole pig as something a little special for that afternoon. The convivial gathering spot will offer a slew of ice-cold craft beers and bourbon cocktails to quell afternoon thirsts. Ready to pull in and park your seat? The tavern and main dining room will be open as usual with air conditioning, seats, sips and eats!

Aqua blue Dinner Caps 16th Annual Marlow's Tavern Golf Classic for Special Olympics Georgia

Sterling Spoon Culinary Management and Marlow's Tavern are pros at teeing golfers off -- they've done so for the past 15 years. Their streak continues when golfers drive balls down Country Club of Roswell greens on Monday, September 22 at the 16th annual Marlow's Tavern Golf Tournament benefiting Special Olympics Georgia. Over the years, Sterling Spoon and Marlow's Tavern have raised around $474,000 for Special Olympics Georgia, and this year's tournament will push the figure over a half-million dollars. Ball-gone-awry and what-a-putt stories are bound to surface that night when golfers gather at Aqua blue restaurant in Roswell for a reception, dinner, awards, prizes and a silent auction.

Sing for your Supper in G's Midtown Karaoke Contest through November 19

Wednesday night high notes are reaching a new level now that G's Midtown raises the curtain on a 12-week karaoke contest. Sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones and monotones are all welcome to take to the mic in hopes of winning each Wednesday night's prize of $25 house cash. Every wannabe can have their moment in the spotlight from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. with karaoke assists by DJ Audjo Prism. Audience favorite wins! When the final note sounds on the 12-week contest on November 19, all weekly winners will compete for a grand-prize dinner for six guests. To sing or not to sing? Either way, you can croon over G's $4 well cocktail specials.

Drumsticks, Please! Enter the Farm Star Living - Springer Mountain Farms "Dinner On Us!" Sweepstakes for $100 Restaurant Dining Certificates

A little bird tells us that Farm Star Living and Springer Mountain Farms are linking up again this year for the Springer Mountain Farm "Dinner on Us!" sweepstakes. Register to win on the Farm Star Living website. Monthly through December 2014, two lucky winners will each win a $100 gift card to a participating restaurant in Atlanta, Charlotte or Nashville. See the list of restaurant options here. Won't take long to peck your way through the short entry form. Afterward, set off on a few internet farm roads and marvel at interesting national and local farm news and events. Come on, eat chicken, don't be one.

#foodgram

Let's have some pun now. Slice of Pai food and lifestyle photographer, blogger and Instagrammer Joann Pai does. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Forbes.com taps this talented gal for Best of Instagram photography, and she lists scads more accolades on her website.

Appetizing Aperture

Credit: Whole Foods Market

Learn the fonduementals of fall cheeses at Whole Foods Market. Agreed, Grandma slaps together comforting grilled cheese sandwiches. Whole Foods Market, however, jacks toasting cheese to the next level at its Free Cheese Night: Grilling Cheese 101 demo and cheese tasting on Tuesday, September 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. Grill cheese experts about cheese grilling, try extra-ordinary grilled cheese sandwiches and taste top seasonal cheeses including Le Gruy�re Reserve, creamy Berliner Der K�se, and Halloumi from Cyprus. Walk away with the skills to make your cheese board a gridiron favorite. You'd be crackers to miss it.

What's New on Pinterest

Feeding the chickies is challenging on busy weekdays, and weekends parade their own set of sports and entertaining needs. This week's Chow Down on Chicken board ruffles up new ways with parts, portions and the whole darn bird. Easy fajita chicken bake, smoked paprika and oregano chicken, sticky sesame chicken, chicken and couscous salad and a fast-grab chicken and waffle sandwich are a few of the chicken feeds here, all sure to fly off your family table.