Friday, June 7, 2013

What's New on Pinterest? Palatable Pins for Dear Old Dad


Dad may not know what that Pinterest thing is, but he’ll love the ideas we’ve racked up on our board dedicated to Dear Old Dad himself. Treat the early rising dad to breakfast in bed with bacon-filled pancakes or chocolate swirl buns. We’ve got pins piled high that lead to sweet and savory recipes and links to gifts and cocktail shakers for the not-so-foodie father, too.  

Eat it and Tweep: Old Vinings Inn is Not Too Old to Tweet


Built in the 1880s, Old Vinings Inn is one of the oldest sites in quaint Vinings. Old age doesn't stop this charming place from coming alive alive with bands, The Attic Bar, special dinners, weddings, meetings and more! Keep up with it all on Twitter (@Old_Vinings_Inn).

Sample Tweet:  This Weekend at the Vinings Inn -eepurl.com/ztvy9

Appetizing Aperture


Watermelons are rolling into RA Sushi Bar Restaurant for their refreshing cocktail and entrĂ©e pairing ($18). Watermelon kiwi shrimp piles shrimp atop layers of watermelon, kiwi, orange slices and lychee ($10). For the ultimate match try the watermelon margarita, an exotic fusion of Patron Silver tequila and Cointreau orange liqueur with fresh watermelon, lime juice and just a dash of Grand Marnier ($8).

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Atlantans are Saying "Yes, Please!" to Pastured Poultry


Atlanta restaurants are never too chicken to try something new, and this week is no exception. Pastured Poultry Week is upon us, and ATL’s hottest spots are cooking up dishes that will make mouths water from June 10-16. Diners have the chance to taste the difference that pastured poultry offers, including enhanced flavor, health and environmental benefits. The entire city, including restaurants like Seven Lamps and No. 246, is clucking with excitement! Check out the list of participating restaurants and learn more about pastured poultry at Compassion in World Farming

Munch and Mingle at People's Fest on June 22


Eat, drink and be merry with the peoples on June 22! People's Fest is throwing a party in the heart of Atlanta to celebrate all things delicious. Munch and mingle the night away with peace of mind that your $25 ticket is benefiting City of Refuge, a non-profit company that directly helps the Atlanta community. Ford Fry’s got the food and Marc Broussard’s got the music. All People’s Fest needs now is, well, the people! 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Set Sail for Heavy Seas Beer Dinner at The Optimist on June 11

Time for beer lovers to hop aboard an adventure! The Optimist is setting sail with a five-course dinner and Heavy Seas beer pairing on Tuesday, June 11 beginning at 6:30 pm. Come on deck for cocktails in the Oyster Bar then cruise into the dining room where co-captains Executive Chef Adam Evans and a Heavy Seas expert will guide you through the various beers selected from this Halethorpe, Md. craft brewery. On the beer tasting horizon that night are Riptide White IPA, Small Craft Warning uber pils, Gold Golden ale, Loose Cannon American IPA and Holy Sheet uber abbey ale. Portage for dinner and pairings is $50 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations: 404-477-6260.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland hosts Cornhole ATL Summer League beginning June 11

Feeling a little cornfused about where to perfect your cornhole toss this summer? Set your sights on Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland for the third year of the Cornhole ATL Summer League. Kicking off on Tuesday night, June 11, the seven-week season features intense playoffs, prizes, specials, t-shirts and plenty of complimentary Newcastle Brown ale after games. Warm up your tossin' arm and register at cornholeatl.com.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Feed Your Mind (And Stomach) With Father's Day Ideas


Digging for ways to show the old man you care on Father’s Day? Well, look no longer! There are plenty of ways to celebrate, no matter what dad dabbles in. Any grill master will love preparing his favorite meats with John Wayne rubs and charcoals from Fire & Flavor. But, if he’s more into cold brews, treat him to a day at Der Biergarten. He’ll be all smiles with a Stein Club membership. Don’t worry, ensuring dad doesn’t go hungry is easy since RA Sushi Bar, Old Vinings Inn and Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar are cooking up manly specials for dad all day.

John C. Metz, Jr. is Good as Gold


Great service, delicious food and industry advancement must run in the family of John C. Metz, Jr. As the CEO, executive chef and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, Metz was named winner of the Gold Plate Award by the International Foodservice Manufactures Association (IFMA). This award was much deserved, as he is also the mastermind behind the concepts of Marlow's Tavern and Aqua Blue. Metz followed in the footsteps of his father as he took his turn being chosen as one of eight operator executives to receive the prestigious IFMA Silver Plate Award, one of the most honored awards in the foodservice industry. Congrats, Metz men!  

Chow Down on Dad-elicious Ideas for Father's Day Plus More in this Week's Dish!

Join Atlanta restaurants in celebrating dear old dad this Father’s Day! Preparations have been made to celebrate more than just a day of dad, with dinners featuring creative cuisines that are paired perfectly with wines and frothy brews. Get those creative juices flowing and explore all the festivities Atlanta has to offer, from cornhole competing to sundae sampling, in this week’s Dish!

Chill Out at the Slow Food Ice Cream Social June 8

 

Scoopers, they have. Spoons, however, are a bring-your-own necessity to taste all of the frozen concoctions at Slow Food Atlanta's 7th Annual Ice Cream Social coming up Saturday, June 8 from noon-2:30 p.m. at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. Professionals and amateurs will churn 'til they burn to crank out classic, wild or wacky flavors for tasting, including the likes of Bantam + Biddy, The Optimist, Seven Lamps and Woodfire Grill. Tickets are $15 each ($5 for ages 5 to 10 and free for the under-5-year set). Proceeds benefit the Atlanta Chapter of Slow Food International and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market.

Farm-to-Table-to-Ray's on the River Wine Dinner on June 6

 

Kick off your weekend early by idling away a Thursday evening on the event lawn at Ray's on the River. You know you want to give in to the Chattahoochee River's lull and an ideal mix of farm-to-table foods thoughtfully paired with global wines. The June 6 event begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception offering a selection of local charcuterie, Basque olive mix, Marcona almonds and grouper fritters with pimento aioli along with Piper Sonoma Select CuvĂ©e. Grapefruit vinaigrette tops a cool salad of local greens with pickled vegetables and goat cheese fritters joined by Whitehaven sauvignon blanc. Smoked Georgia shrimp ceviche paired with Chamisal Stainless chardonnay follows. The third course brings out cedar-planked king salmon with roasted sweet fingerling potatoes, watermelon, local feta, cucumber and dill paired with Anne Amie CuvĂ©e A pinot noir. A fourth course plates Coca-Cola braised short rib, Sweet Grass Dairy Georgia Gouda, Logan Turnpike Mill grit cake, charred Vidalia spring onions and Ashland Farms herb salad and pours Simi cabernet sauvignon. This riverside respite costs $65 per person ($60 per person for Dining Club member), not including tax or gratuity. Credit card required to hold reservations; 770-955-1187.