Aria and The Optimist Help Kick Off the Food & Wine Festival on May 10

Sure signs of spring are here. Foodies are filling Midtown Atlanta streets during the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival taking place May 10 - 13. On Thursday night, May 10, Aria and The Optimist host dinners centering around Southern food and chef talent. Aria Executive Chef Gerry Klaskala and his guests James Boyce (AL) and Frank Lee (SC) are honing in on a Georgia Grown Cream of the Crop theme using Vidalia onions, pecans, blueberries, peaches and more in the night's menu. The Optimist, which opens in Atlanta's Westside this month, swims with an Oceans 6 theme as chefs Ford Fry (GA), Bryan Caswell (TX), Mike Lata (SC), Dean Max (FL), Brandon McGlamery (FL) and Norman Van Aken (FL) with Master Sommelier Kathy Morgan (DC) gather to delight diners with fish dishes from the Gulf and South Carolina coasts. Both dinners begin at 7 p.m. and are priced at $150 per person, including beverages, tax and gratuity. Click here to order tickets.