Hey Ladies, Lets Party at Fadó Like It’s the ‘80s

Big hair, check! Legwarmers, check! Headband, check! A Rubik’s cube and your man? Leave them at home. On Saturday, February 25, Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant in Buckhead will be hosting their monthly Ladies ‘80s night. The party will get “totally rad” at 10 p.m. with a DJ pulling an all-nighter packed with ‘80s tunes. All of you Dancing Queens out there get ready to disco the night away during the Atlanta Dance Marathon from 7 - 10 p.m. The Shepherd Center Foundation benefits from your participation in this month's fun-raiser. Of course, every ’80s lady knows a party isn’t complete without an array of drinks. Tasty drink options include the Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaiian only $6 each for the kitsch and cocktail. Ladies looking for a more wintry mix can order off the winter drink menu that features whiskey favorites, winter warmers and seasonal ales at $5.50-$10.50 each. Ladies, it’s time to let loose and party like it’s the ‘80s. 

BYOB To "Open That Bottle Night" This Saturday At Double Zero Napoletana And Spice Market

No need to wait for a birthday or anniversary... There's no time like the present to savor that bottle of wine you've been saving for some special occasion! Carpe diem and bring your wine to Double Zero Napoletana and Spice Market for "Open That Bottle Night" on Saturday, February 25! 


On that night, there's no corkage fee to pop open your bottle. Who can operate those flimsy corkscrew bottle openers anyway?  Let the pros tackle it while you tackle the menu. Those leaning toward Italian small plates and Neapolitan pizza will find Double Zero Napoletana in Sandy Springs has plenty to love. Worldly spices and complex Southeastern Asian flavors tie in nicely with your wine at Spice Market located in the W Atlanta-Midtown. Cheers!

BYOB, Buckhead Restaurant Week and Blue Plate Menus... It's All In This Week's Dish

Get your Fat Tuesday rolling with this week's edition of The Dish!  Not letting the good times roll in your inbox every Tuesday morning? Don't fret - you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page!

More Blue for Your Buck in Roswell

Tonight marks the debut of a new blue plate special menu at Aqua blue in Roswell, and you can select an appetizer, entrée and dessert from the menu for only $25 (not including tax or gratuity). Begin with either AB calamari with sweet chili sauce, tempura green beans with sweet mustard dipping sauce, a hand-made sushi roll or a crisp Caesar salad. Hot and hearty entrée choices include cioppino with jumbo shrimp, sea scallops, clams and mussels in a rich tomato broth with crunchy risotto hoisin; glazed baby back ribs served with slaw and black bean cassoulet; or seafood en papillote with Alaskan cod, jumbo scallop and shrimp with julienne of vegetables and potatoes steamed in parchment with fresh herbs and white wine broth. Dessert options include house-made ciabatta bread pudding served with cinnamon ice cream, milk and dark chocolate molten cake with by vanilla ice cream or the daily sorbet, house-made from seasonal fruits. Be sure to get to the restaurant by March 12 to try this menu before another one rolls out!

Stand Up and Holler - Spice Market Has Sips for a Dollar!

Honestly, it's a challenge to even buy a twist-top water or soft drink from a vending machine for that price, let alone try wines from glass bottles. The popular Sip and Save series returns to Spice Market, located inside the W Atlanta-Midtown, for a second dollar-savvy evening from 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22. Head to the restaurant's lounge area for complimentary light appetizers and exclusive wine tastings (sample three to four wines for just $1) poured by Quality Wine Distributors. A representative can answer any questions about the different wines being sampled. Spend a little more, save a lot more -- attendees will receive 50 percent off the wines tasted that night when dining at Spice Market. Spice Market's globally inspired menu has lots of options to complement your favorite wine of the night. 

Rafer Guest Blogs

I'm a big fan of eating just like everyone else over here at MLA. And the snacks I get when I sit under the conference room table are amazing. Trust.

I just had to tell everyone about a cool event coming up this weekend - The Golden Gala on Saturday, Feb. 25. And Wednesday is the last day to buy tickets!! This party is important to me because it benefits Adopt a Golden Atlanta, the people who found me this great home (see note about amazing snacks above). It's gonna be from 7 - 10 p.m. at Mason Murer Fine Art Gallery. There is food (yes!), drinks, music and shopping. The attire is casual, as most people will be covered in dog hair anyway. Here's the link for tickets. And check out Facebook for more scoop.

I really hope you'll considering going and supporting other pups like me. Maybe you can help one get a cozy, delicious food-filled office like I did. Now, back to the conference room for a snack. Woof!

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It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @Elle1955

Atlanta's own soap opera sultress, Evelyn Mims (@Elle1955), tweets about these melodramas and more as the "Ultimate Social Connector/Community Relations Specialist for 11-Alive and producer for Atlanta & Company." Tag along with Evelyn and stay in the know.

Atlanta's Krewes Bring a Flavor of N'awlins to You

Mardi Gras has no borders. Right here in the ATL, several fun-loving restaurants are throwing beads and bashes right along with the best of Bourbon Street. On Fat Tuesday, February 21, RA Sushi suggests you don your beads and favorite Mardi Gras apparel to whoop it up with DJ beats, $8 Southern juleps and HurRAcanes along with other lively libations. Asian-Cajun treats include the spicy chicken and shishito peppers ($7), chili shrimp roll ($8) and spicy kalbi beef ($9). Festivities run 7 p.m. to close.

In Smyrna, Atkins Park Tavern launches a five-day Mardi Gras Oysterfest starting today, February 17. New Orleans-style fare, live music and entertainment for children and adults lay on the lagniappe through Fat Tuesday, February 21. Oyster specials roll as oyster beignets, po'boys, Rockefeller style as well as grilled, raw and fried. The Patrick Scott Band plays on Friday night. On Saturday, there's brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The musical lineup begins at 2 p.m. with Wesley Cook, Soul Hound with blues and soul outside at 6 p.m. and Todd Wells from 10:30 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Saturday cover is $10 advance/$15 at the door and includes a ticket for Sunday's events. Sunday's "Cure-All" hangover brunch hours are 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. with more great live music in the afternoon. Monday focuses on a celebration of New Orleans faves and entertainment for all ages from 5 - 10 p.m. Tuesday parties on with beads, beer and The Andrew Black Band from 9:30 p.m. to close at 2:30 a.m. Free admission on Monday and Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday is king on February 21 at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Stop by for a full day of fun with beers such as Restoration Pale Ale, hurricanes, gumbo, po' boys, oysters and king cake. The band Homefront plays at 10 p.m.

Downtown, Ray's in the City pleases with New Orleans-inspired specials beginning at 11 a.m. on Fat Tuesday. It's a full-fledged party from 5 - 7:30 p.m. complete with live music, specialty cocktails, Ray's famous gumbo, peel-and-eat shrimp, oysters on the half shell and a Low Country boil-style buffet.

If you can't make it out on Fat Tuesday, then don't fret. This year's Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern brings Mardi Gras flavors to your table. There's no cutesy masquerading here -- these dishes are Louisiana through and through for you and your "krewe" until March 26.

Get Your Atlanta Food & Wine Festival Tickets and Save

Last year this event was a blast so hurry and buy your tickets before the word gets out (and while you can save some dough). All our favorite chefs will be there! Check out Atlanta Food & Wine Festival for details on the May 10 - 13 event. If mom's a foodie, then this is the perfect way to spend Mother's Day weekend!

The South has never tasted so good, and the prices will not be lower this festival season. Several ticket options satisfy a variety of desires whether you're looking for a couple of learning experiences and tastings to total submersion in Southern culinary classes, foods, wines and dinners. Per person options with early bird (now) and full pricing after March 29 (later) include a tasting tent pass ($85 now/$100 later); day pass ($135 now/$185 later); three-day pass for Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($375 now/$500 later); and the connoisseur day pass, per day ($565 now/$700 later). The all-out lavish three-day connoisseur pass features three connoisseur breakfasts, private dinners Thursday and Friday, Blackberry Farm dinner on Saturday and Anne Quatrano's closing supper on Sunday, plus access to the connoisseur lounge on Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($1,500 now/$2,000 later). Ticket specifics and purchasing information are on the website.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival donates a portion of its proceeds toAtlanta History Center, Les Dames d' Escoffier International,Oxford American, Wholesome Wave Foundation and James Beard Foundation. In 2011, the festival contributed more than $150,000 in tickets to nonprofit organizations. Follow along on Facebook andTwitter.

Uncle Julio's Reveals New Drink Menu The Night Before Fat Tuesday

No need to wait for Cinco de Mayo!  Uncle Julio’s is here to satisfy your taste for tequila just in time for Mardi Gras with a few new additions to their beverage lineup. On Monday, February 20, Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food will introduce new cocktails ($8.50-$9.95) like the Patron-Cosmo Rita, (Patron Silver, Julio’s fresh lemon/lime sour and splash of cranberry juice) and the oh so tropical, Mango Passion Rita (1800 Reposado, peach schnapps and a fresh mango-passion fruit blend).  Margaritas not your thing?  Uncle Julio’s has you covered with their take on the classic mojito.  Their Cuervo Gold-laced Mexican mojito will bring a fiesta to your mouth by using tequila instead of rum.  And for those out there watching their waistlines, the Patron Skinny Margarita (120 calories) and the Julio’s Skinny Guava-Rita (130 calories) allow you to sip guilt-free.  You can sample these drinks at either the Buckhead or Sandy Springs location.

Double Zero Invites Guests to Taste Some of Italy’s Top Wines

The holidays are far gone and spring is still out of reach. For those who are feeling like they are stuck in limbo and need to take a break, there is a glimpse of hope in the near future. How does tasting some of Italy’s top wines sound? 

Double Zero Napoletana is welcoming Lucio Mastroberadino, owner of Terredora di Paolo Winery, on Tuesday, February 21 for a first-class wine dinner at 7 p.m. Terredora di Paolo has the reputation of being one of the most elite wineries in world because of their superior wines and quality standards. Wine dinner guests will get to enjoy some of Terredora’s award-winning wines, including their Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Aglianico d'Irpinia and Taurasi while enjoying veal hangar steak, braised lamb cheeks and much more. Guests will be able to get a break from their everyday routine and get a taste of Italy for only $59 per person excluding tax and tip.  To look at the full menu and learn more about Terredora di Paolo, please visit Facebook. Spots are highly coveted so be sure to get your reservation at 404-991-3666.

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week: Valentine's Edition

It's no secret that we at MLA have a passionate love for uber-indulgent red velvet cake. So we're hoping our significant others see this Valentine's Day hint. We'd love for this slice of red velvet from Alpine Bakery & Trattoria to magically appear! Cupid, the ball's in your court...

Let The Good Times Roll with The Dish

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our Dish readers! Enjoy our latest edition, full of great ideas like last minute Valentine's Day dinners (we won't tell) and upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations you won't want to miss. If you're not feeling the Dish love every Tuesday morning in your inbox, you can sign up either here on our blog or on our Facebook page. 

Mardi Gras Season Means Bayou 'N Bourbon at Marlow's Tavern

Forget the masquerades and beads - for us, Mardi Gras means the annual Bayou 'N Bourbon menu at Marlow's Tavern. All eight locations of the neighborhood tavern are serving up dishes that are Louisiana through and through from tomorrow, February 15 through March 26. "Mo' Betta Specials" include chicken and shrimp gumbo; fiery crawfish fondue (pictured right); bayou flatbread; a N'awlins-style po' boy; the bayou burger jazzed with andouille sausage, craw daddies, cheddar cheese and Creole mustard; "deconstructed" jambalaya; and the sweet Bourbon St. ribeye ($7-$26). Save room for the honey bourbon bread pudding splashed with Jack Daniel's Honey ($7). You can also toast Bourbon Street with a Marlow's hurricane (borrowed from Pat O'Briens), a Ramos gin fizz, Bourbon St. lemonade, a Cajun cosmo and Abita Jockamo ($5-$9). Marlow's regular menu is also available for those who can't handle the celebratory kick.