Friday, June 24, 2011

It's Follow Friday; Meet our Tweep of the Week @alesharpton



Ale SharptonBeer writer (which means he has tasted plenty and ought to know), travel journalist and editor Ale Sharpton keeps his life as full as a draft foaming over the mug rim.  He even has his own beer show.   

Does he have a six-pack?  We don't know.  Maybe he'll tweet (@alesharpton) about it!

 

When The Grillin's Good Get Yourself A Green Egg!

Not to turn up the heat or apply pressure when you're chillin', but if you have one hot grilling recipe, send it in to the Second Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest. The contest runs hand in hand with Marlow's summertime "Red, White and Brew" menu. Submit your favorite recipe through July 25 at www.marlowstavern.com or complete an entry form at one of the seven tavern locations. First prize winner bags a Big Green Egg, and his/her winning recipe will be featured on Marlow's Tavern's fall/winter menu. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the winning menu item will be donated in the winner's name to Special Olympics Georgia. Second prize is a $50 Marlow's Tavern gift card, and third prize is a Marlow's Tavern "Red, White and Brew" limited-edition t-shirt. Marlow's Tavern Executive Chef and Co-Founder John C. Metz Jr. will review all recipes, and winners will be announced at the end of August. There's no purchase necessary to enter, and entries are limited to one per person or email address. According to Steve Hartsock, last year's first prize winner, "Marlow's Tavern always provides a fun atmosphere, genuine service and the most incredible American tavern fare around. It goes without saying that it was an honor to be chosen as the Grand Prize winner in the First Annual Marlow's Tavern Grilling Recipe Contest."

Marlow's Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033; and East Cobb at 1311 Johnson Ferry Road (across from the movie theatre and next to Kohl's department store); 770-977-7747.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Gather up your girls for an amazing night out at Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant! That’s right ladies, Ladies 80’s Night at Fadó is back on Saturday, June 25. Pull out those leg warmers, slap bracelets and jelly shoes and dance the night away (well at least from 10 p.m. to close)! While the DJ’s spinning 80’s tunes all night, enjoy a classic 80’s cocktail like Long Island Iced Tea, Mai Tai or Blue Hawaiian. Fadó is also offering new beer-based cocktails and Guinness Mixers on their summer menu. Why not try a Black and Gold made with Guinness and Stella Artois? Or how about my new favorite, the fruity Sweet Hoe cocktail made with Smirnoff Raspberry Vodka, sour mix, strawberry purée and Hoegaarden over ice? Totally wicked.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Gerry Klaskala at the Peacthree Road Farmers Market

Two of my faves - Chef Gerry Klaskala and the Peachtree Road Farmers Market - come together on Saturday morning for a yummy and educational treat.Local blueberries, tomatoes, beans and more are spilling over the tables at the market. You know Gerry (owner/exec chef of Aria) will whip up something awesome. See what he's creating from summer's bounty when he demos at 10 a.m. this Saturday, June 25. The market opens at 8:30 a.m. so you can get a little shopping done before the heat sets in. By the way, Klaskala also is the defending champ of best-tasting tomato dishes at the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival on July 17. Get your tickets before the price goes up on July 1!

Peachtree Road Farmers Market: The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road, NW.

Ray's in the City Hosts Duckhorn Wine Tasting on June 30

It’s going to be another great night in the city! Next Thursday, June 30, Ray’s in the City is hosting a Duckhorn Wine Company wine tasting from 5 – 7 p.m. Founded in 1976, the Napa Valley winery has been crafting Bordeaux varietals for more than 30 years. The wine tasting features a selection from Duckhorn’s Decoy collection. Decoy wines have established a loyal following for their distinctive style, great quality and remarkable price. The event is $25 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres from Executive Chef Ugo Okpareke, a $20 credit toward dinner and a discount on wine purchased with dinner.

Please call the restaurant at 404-524-9224 for wine tasting reservations.

Ray's in the City: 240 Peachtree Street, NW; 404-524-9224

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Just In Time For Summer: Morelli's Is Open!


Morelli'sMorelli's Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts officially opened its doors in the Edgewood Shopping District on Saturday, June 18, no doubt leading kids to treat dads to the milkshake bar and sundae bar on Father's Day!(Did you hear the ice-screams of glee?)  Dads surely felt like kings perched on the ice cream sandwich banquette and ice cream cookie bar stools -- and you can, too.  

As does the original location on Moreland, the new Morelli's offers ice cream, gelato and sorbet flavors ($1.70 - $8.25) that change daily along with additional shakes and sundaes ($3.95-$6.99).  Three to four signature shakes, ice cream cakes ($39 and up), smoothies and juices ($5.49), frappés ($4.90) and ice cream to go by the pint ($8) or quart ($12.75) round out the Edgewood menu.  The menu also boasts seasonal shakes and sundaes created by Edgewood Morelli's Partner and Woodfire Grill Owner/Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie.  Look for the daily flavors on Twitter (@morellis).  The store is open from noon to 10 p.m. daily and offers complimentary Wi-Fi for guests.  

This Thursday Indulge in Chocolate! Without Feeling Guilty About It


On Thursday, June 23 from 6 – 10 p.m. at Opera in Midtown, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) will host their annual fundraiser, Chocolate! 2011. This event features chocolate tastings from many of Atlanta’s pastry chefs and restaurants. Woodfire Grill and Briza will join other bakers, vintners and caterers to bring you everything chocolate, including tapas, a chocolate lager tasting and a chocolate cappuccino tasting – because isn’t everything better in chocolate?!? Musical entertainment will be provided by DJay McCracken featuring American Idol’s Paris Bennett and a silent auction will also be taking place! With all you can eat chocolately goodness that supports a great cause, this is one event you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $75 in advance, $85 at the door and $125 for the VIP experience.

Opera Nightclub is located at 1150 Crescent Avenue, NE at Peachtree Street.

Three Cheers for Summer at Woodfire Grill

Summer officially begins today, and since the temperatures continue to rise, we thought we'd share one of our "chill out" secrets with you: Woodfire Grill's new summer cocktail menu. Created by bar manager and beverage genius Blake Morley, the new menu features seasonal cocktails like Bitter End with Goslings rum, Aperol, Cocchi Americano and Peychaud's bitters; Portland Spitfire, which adds citrus flavors to Ransom gin and Dolin dry vermouth; and The Nicky Q with Captain Morgan's rum, tart cherry liqueur, Cointreau, and lime. Other enticing concoctions include Farmer's Daughter (our favorite - pictured left), Dr. Ernest's Romanian Dragon Tonic, The Napier, New Amsterdam, Peruvian Kiss and The Three Amigos. If you just can't decide, order the Bartender's Choice, choose "white" or "brown" and let them craft a cocktail for you. Most cocktails are $10-$11, and there are plenty to keep you cool all summer long.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Get Your Tickets to The Third Annual JCT. Kitchen Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival Now!

Tomato season is finally here, and there’s less than a month until the big tomato showdown at JCT. Kitchen & Bar. Don’t forget to grab your tickets to the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival before Friday, July 1, when prices go up to $70 per ticket. You definitely don’t want to miss when tomato forces roll into JCT. on Sunday, July 17. There will be no tomato-fortified drink or dish left standing when the battle is over. JCT. Executive Chef/Owner Ford Fry is behind the shindig, hosting more than 40 of the Southeast's best chefs, farmers and mixologists to join forces to benefit Georgia Organics. The Spazmatics and local chef band Five Bone Rack will provide the live-music soundtrack to this summer epic.

Cost is $55 per person for Georgia Organics members and $60 for non-members until Thursday, June 30. Purchase tickets online. For more information, visit the festival's Facebook page.

JCT. Kitchen & Bar: In Atlanta's Westside Urban Market at 1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 18; 404-355-2252.