My Kind of Value Meal

Gotta say, there are times when I really want a fast food burger and fries. But of course I can't bring myself to actually eat a meal of mystery meat and high fat. Enter EVOS Feel Great Fast Food. Yay! Their meat is antibiotic and hormone free, and it's cooked in an oven, not on a greasy grill. And the fries. Oh. my. They are airbaked and taste as delicious as any fried fry I've ever tasted. I was delighted when they opened in Atlanta, but the Prado is a bit of a drive for me. Now, as of 11 a.m. today, they are open in Midtown! Check it out in the new Viewpoint building. Ask for Andy -he's the owner and he'll want to know your thoughts.

Enjoy!

Consider a Holiday Celebration

Put your holiday party pants on! We have compiled some great ideas for hosting holiday shindigs this month, so check out the Melissa Libby & Associates Web site for a list of holiday hot spots around Atlanta. This year more than ever, it’s important to celebrate making it through these challenging times and to show appreciation for friends, relatives and colleagues. We’ve even done all the leg work for you – these restaurants are ready to accommodate groups of all sizes, so go forth and spread some holiday cheer!

Give Back This Holiday

This year we know there are lots of organizations in need of volunteers and money, but we found this organization to be pretty special and hope you do too!

Help Portrait is an organization that is putting a smile on people's faces this December. Help Portrait is a movement of photographers who are using their time, equipment and expertise to give back to those who are less fortunate this holiday season.

Professional photographers are already donating their time and equipment, but $10 covers the cost of printing the photos and providing a frame. For just $10 you are able to provide a family with something they may have never had before -- a family portrait.

Put Lobsters & Libations on Your To-Do List

It’s finally here. Marlow’s Tavern™ is offering a four-week-long "Lobsters & Libations" special at all six locations and it starts today! Menu items include soothing New England-style lobster and shrimp chowder ($6); tasty Parmesan lobster and crab dip with toasted pita points ($12); Maine lobster pot pie in a flakey herb crust ($15); tempura-battered lobster tail with roasted lump crab potatoes, Pommery grainy mustard cream, jumbo asparagus, citrus herb sauce and drawn butter ($23); and Maine tail and turf, combining a tempura lobster tail, shrimp and grilled filet mignon, potato cake, jumbo asparagus and sauce béarnaise ($25). Don’t forget about dessert -- Napa Valley cheesecake, with rich layers of chocolate butter cake, chocolate mousse, cheesecake and chocolate ganache ($6).

Drink specials are also on the agendas with an Angeline Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley '08 ($9.50); Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River '07 ($12); Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale ($4.50); or Marlow's Holiday Spice martini ($8). Lobsters and libations -- catch them while you can at all Marlow's locations!

Aria Has A 100% Chance Of Amazing Events This Week

We certainly hope you didn’t get your fill of good eating over Thanksgiving, because there are a couple of delicious events going on at Aria this week that you won’t want to miss!

First things first - the weather may be getting cooler, but Aria’s temperature will be rising with the arrival of Chris Hastings, Chef/Owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama and author of The Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook. The restaurant will be hosting a very special dinner on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 p.m., featuring the author and a five-course menu of his own creation. Dinner is $125 per person and a signed cookbook, or $100 per person without the book (includes tax and gratuity).

It doesn’t slow down from there – on Wednesday, December 2, be prepared for the heady air of truffles and fine wines with the evening’s special “Truffles and Chadderdon” menu. This exclusive menu pairs five luxuriously truffle-centric courses with the restaurant’s favorite wines from highly esteemed Robert Chadderdon Selections. Wine selections include: Billecart-Salmon Brut; Peter Dipoli Sauvignon Blanc; Rocche dei Manzoni “Sorito Masconi” Barbera; Bovio, Barolo Vigna Gattera; Rocche dei Manzoni “Quatr Nas;” and Forteto della Luja Moscato Passito. Reception is at 7 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. $125 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.

If you’re interested in either of these special event dinners, we recommend making reservations today by contacting Andres Loaiza, 404-233-7673 or andres@aria-atl.com.

And finally (no, we’re not done yet!), make sure to have your TV tuned into The Weather Channel this upcoming Thursday morning – there’s a 100 percent chance you’ll see Aria’s Gerry Klaskala beaming from 8 a.m. until noon as he demonstrates his own special holiday twist on recipes twice an hour. You can’t always accurately predict the weather, but you can most certainly predict some scrumptious dishes!

Aria: 490 East Paces Ferry Road; 404-233-7673

Santa is Coming to Town

Once Thanksgiving is over -- the holiday rush sets in. In light of the season, here are some events we think will make you jolly!

WaterHaven is hosting their first annual tree trimming today and is helping support Atlanta Children's Shelter. Just bring in an ornament and receive 25% off your total food bill. In addition, donate any amount to the Atlanta Children's Shelter and receive an additional 25% off your food bill. That's 50% off your food check just for helping start the holiday and aiding a great cause. WaterHaven will open for dinner at 5:30 p.m. today.

Santa is coming to town...Ray's Killer Creek that is! Santa has enjoyed such popularity at Ray's Killer Creek over the past few years that he's gone ahead and scheduled two Sunday stopovers this year on November 29 and December 20. He'll be there over brunch hours of 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Space is limited and seats will fill faster than you can say his reindeer names so call 770-649-0064 now to save your seat!

Harald Wüsthof knife event at The Cook's Warehouse in Atlanta

Harald Wüsthof, managing partner of Ed. Wüsthof Dreizackwerk, visited Ansley Mall's The Cook's Warehouse on Sunday, November 22. He met with fans and customers during his visit.(L-R) Lois Berthaume, a customer at The Cook's Warehouse-Ansley Mall; Ronda Higgins Thornton, store sales associate; Mary S. Moore, founder and owner, The Cook's Warehouse, and Harold Wüsthof. Berthaume proudly brought in a set of Wüsthof knives to show Mr. Wüsthof that she received as a wedding gift 30 years ago and still uses today; he autographed the blades of the knives for her.

Mary S. Moore, founder and owner, The Cook's Warehouse with Harald Wüsthof.

Marlow's Tavern Alpharetta Celebrates 5 Years Today, And You're Invited!

Looking for reasons to be thankful? Marlow’s Tavern Alpharetta is giving you a great reason one day early at their 5th anniversary celebration today!

Starting at 5 p.m., there will be complimentary passed appetizers and drink specials, followed by live music at 8 p.m. You can even register to win a free dinner every week for a year – you must be present to win the prize, which consists of one $30 Marlow’s Tavern gift card every week for one year. (Only one gift card may be used in a seven-day period and gratuity is not included).

We here at Atlanta Dish will be off tomorrow, enjoying our favorite seasonal delights with our families and friends, and we know what we’re thankful for – you, our readers! We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Atlanta’s Top Tailgating Stops and Spots

This Saturday, November 28, the University of Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at one of the biggest showdowns in the city. For those folks heading to the big game or just looking to be near all the action, we’ve got the scoop on Atlanta’s prime tailgating places!

A few blocks away from the Georgia Tech campus, Marlow's Tavern™ - Midtown is closing down the street and throwing a block party that is sure to get fans barking and buzzing all afternoon. The good folks at Marlow's have it all planned with a hot grill, cold drink specials and prize giveaways three hours before game time. No game tickets, no problem. Marlow's will pump up the game volume after kick off. (950 West Peachtree Street; 404-815-0323.)

If you usually park and pull out your Dawg or Jacket awning and cache of paraphernalia, swing by Pacci Ristorante beforehand. Atlanta's new Italian steakhouse has a special pre-game, take-out menu studded with champion items such as five flavors of wings, three flavors of ribs, Pacci chili, Brunswick stew, pork and beans, pulled pork sandwiches, jalapeño cornbread and a healthy veggie tray. Items are priced from $4 to $14; orders must be placed at least 24 hours before pick-up time. Fans burning with football fever can head upstairs, atop Pacci Ristorante, to AltoRex Rooftop Lounge (left) beginning at 2 p.m. for spirited drinks and football favorites including Johnsonville brats, Italian sausage, soft pretzels and more. (866 West Peachtree Street, NW; 678-412-2402.)

Before every Georgia Tech Saturday home game, WaterHaven has welcomed both the home team and guests (go figure on this showdown) to park and tailgate before and after the game -- and this weekend's showdown is no exception. The restaurant will open at noon so fans can power up on sandwiches and BBQ as well as regular menu items such as lamb sliders, fried green tomatoes, crab cakes and WaterHaven's classic burger, plus $5 mimosas and Bloody Marys. Cheer inside or outside on the 100-seat patio! WaterHaven will validate guests' parking tickets from the AT&T parking deck, located at Fifth and West Peachtree streets, with a minimum purchase of $25. (75 Fifth Street, NW; 404-214-6740.)

We can already hear both teams applauding for the freebie food offer that EVOS Feel Great Fast Food in Sandy Springs is kicking out there this game day. On November 28, Yellow Jacket fans who don gold and white or UGA fans wearing red and black will receive free Airfries™ and a drink with the purchase of a burger or wrap at the Sandy Springs EVOS restaurant in The Prado. (Open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. at 5590 Prado Place off Roswell Road, Suite 140; 404-252-4022.)

Even though the game clock runs for 15 minute quarters, the clock keeps running for 16 hours of tailgating merriment at The Cypress Street Pint & Plate Rivalry Weekend Tailgate Party 2009, sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, on November 28. From 10 a.m. until 2 a.m., Cypress Street Pint & Plate is extending its patio, rolling out the grills and screens, going long with giveaways and quenching cheer-parched throats with $4 Fat Tire drafts. Rock on after the game with crowd pleasing tunes from the Francisco Vidal Band. (817 West Peachtree Street at the corner of 6th and Cypress streets behind the Biltmore; 404-815-9243.)