Saturday, June 17, 2017

Dive into Caribbean Specials at The Big Ketch – for a Limited Time Only

Need a tropical getaway but short on time and cash? Throw on the flip-flops, shades and some coconut-scented lotion and set sail for The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead or on Canton Street in Roswell. During the months of June and July, open the limited-time-only menu to a tasty treasure trove of Caribbean-themed fare. Lunch beaches coconut fried shrimp, butterflied with fresh coconut shavings and calypso sauce, served over a bed of mango-jicama slaw ($8.95); coconut shrimp po’boy with mango-jicama slaw and calypso sauce ($11.95); and Island lobster Cobb salad of chopped romaine, mango, goat cheese crumbles, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, island bean trio, Maine lobster tail and jerked ranch dressing ($19.95). In addition to coconut fried shrimp and the Island Lobster Cobb, dinner guests can savor jerked red snapper with Caribbean-style red beans and rice and calypso sauce ($24.95) and macadamia nut- and coconut-crusted grouper, pan-fried green beans, red peppers and onions served with mango-jicama slaw and jerked honey ($24.95). The regular menu still stands tsunami tall, but time’s fleeting on these cool Caribbean specials.

Friday, June 16, 2017

What’s New on Pinterest

Backyard chicken raisers and grocery egg gatherers alike, get cracking because the summer picnic season is prime time for perfecting the art of Deliciously Deviled Eggs. The church potluck table hasn’t seen yolks deviled like these: Parmesan pesto, crab Rangoon, Buffalo blue cheese, colorful beet and avocado, deep-fried, hummused or truffled. Need a pick-me-up? Sriracha-and-wasabi deviled eggs should do the trick.

Make Memories this Summer with Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

Need an excuse to throw a summer soirée? This month, Tin Lizzy's Cantina is offering 20 percent off catering for orders over $150! What more of an excuse do you need?! You provide the tables, chairs and décor, and Tin Lizzy’s Catering will handle the rest. From taco bars to margarita mix, host a party your friends will never forget.
Speaking of never forgetting, this summer Tin Lizzy’s is also encouraging fans to share their favorite TL memories for a chance to win a $100 gift card. To enter the contest, guests can go online and reminisce about their greatest nights at Tin Lizzy’s – you know, the infamous girls nights you barely remember, the awkward first dates, the tequila Tuesdays – nothing is off-limits, so share away! 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Appetizing Aperture

The Southern Gentleman pays homage to old-fashioned Southern summer staples in a modern green tomato and buttermilk tart. The refreshing play of tangy and crisp elements makes for a delightful “Small Plate” ($7) on the supper menu. At lunch, enjoy a slice paired with arugula salad on the “Salads & Such” menu ($9).

Taco Mac Triumphs in Atlanta Burger Wars and Earns Local Business Awards

Sure, folks flock to Taco Mac for wings, beer and sports, but its burgers and contributions to Atlanta-area neighborhoods also are winning praise. Recent recognitions -- grand-prize winner at the Atlanta Burger Wars, Best of Duluth Award, Best of Roswell Award and Best Creative Wing at the Brookhaven Slingin’ Wings Festival -- confirm the company soars as a place for quality food, true hospitality and best business practices.  Taco Mac’s BBQ Blues Burger Stax won both the Judge’s and People’s Choice Awards at the May 6 Atlanta Burger Wars at Atlanta Motor Speedway, meaning the burger is headed to the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama, in November. Lemon pepper dry rub earned Taco Mac first place for Best Creative Wing at the inaugural Brookhaven Slingin’ Wings Festival on May 20, and their medium sauce topped hot competition, coming in as runner-up for Best Buffalo Sauce. The month of May saw Taco Mac receive the 2017 Best of Duluth and Best of Roswell awards in the local business category for enhancing the positive image of small business through service to their customers and communities.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Say, “¡Hola!” to Beni’s Cubano Now Open at The Avenue East Cobb


Step back into the heyday of Havana by cruising to newly opened Beni’s Cubano in The Avenue East Cobb. Beni’s Cubano is the newest restaurant from Southern Proper Hospitality, the good-times team behind Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, Gypsy Kitchen, The Southern Gentleman, Smokebelly BBQ, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails and The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill. You’re on island time here, where colorfully painted shutters and vibe back a menu of Cuban favorites by chef Cesar Velazquez. Land here for a classic Cuban sandwich stuffed with mojo-roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese; seafood criollo, a sautéed shrimp and mahi mahi dish in a Cuban-Creole sauce with sofrito, tomato and olives; vaca frita, Velazquez’s rendition of an old favorite made with crispy short rib, grilled onions and peppers, mojo and lime; yucca fries with two dipping sauces; and beef picadillo empanadas, also served with a choice of two dipping sauces. Satisfy that sweet tooth with house-made bread pudding served with dulce de leche paired with a pot of Cuban coffee, espresso-style strong with sugar espuma. Enhance the experience sipping a tropical Cuban cocktail such as Cuba Libre made with Havana Club Añejo rum, sweet-spicy Havana Heat made from Flor de Caña 7-year rum or Beni’s mojito made with Havana Club Silver rum and house-made mint simple syrup. Beni’s Cubano opens at 11 a.m. to serve lunch and dinner daily.

The Stars Keep Shining at Atlanta Restaurants

Georgia’s booming film industry draws numerous celebrities to Atlanta so you never know who you might bump into at your favorite restaurant. Recent sightings include Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans, at Umi in Buckhead. Both are in town filming the latest “Avengers” movie and enjoyed chef Fuyuhiko Ito’s spicy tuna box, steak, otoro tartare and more. Uma Thurman also dined on Umi’s modern Japanese cuisine while in Atlanta ordering avocado salad, crispy rice and an assortment of sashimi. Repeat visitors, Johansson and Thurman have both been spotted at Umi on previous visits to the ATL. Across Peachtree Street, American Cut hosted an Atlanta Falcons team dinner on June 9 that included Matt Ryan and his wife, Levine Toilolo, D.J. Tialavea, Ricardo Allen, Ben Garland, Andre Roberts, De’Vondre Campbell along with general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn. Former Chicago Bulls player Scottie Pippen and actor Sebastian Stan, in Atlanta filming “Avengers: Infinity War,” were recently spotted at Johnny’s Hideaway

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

#Foodgram

Home is where the oven is for Edd Kimber, also known as The Boy Who Bakes. The food writer, stylist and host of “Stir the Pot” podcast is truly the upper crust of bakers -- he is the season one winner of “The Great British Bake Off.”

Free Margaritas and Fun Galore for Father’s Day, June 18

He’s king of the hill, top dog at the grill and ruler of the remote. Give Dad a break from kingly duties by whisking him away for a Father’s Day outing involving eating and drinking at Atlanta’s fun-loving and fancy restaurants. Specials are popping up all over town on Sunday, June 18.
 

Intown

Indulge Dad with an elegant 
prime rib dinner at American Cut. The upscale steakhouse in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta serves this Sunday special from 4-9 p.m. for $52 per person (excludes tax and gratuity). Dad can choose either the OG 1924 Hotel Caesar salad or Beeler’s Farm bacon to whet his appetite. For the second course, slice into a tender cut of 12-ounce dry-aged prime rib served with beef jus, horseradish sauce and a choice of one menu side dish. Lucky dad, Father’s Day falls on a Sunset Sunday, a monthly after-brunch party hosted by American Cut’s upstairs neighbor, The Regent Cocktail Club. On the third Sunday of each month from April through September, the rooftop cocktail lounge is open from 3-11 p.m. From 3-6 p.m. enjoy $35 mimosa carafes and $10 tequila cocktails. Just the place to let Dad know he’s “tops” in your book.

 
5Church Atlanta has a dad-friendly weekend brunch and à la carte dinner menu featuring hearty options such as the “60 second” prime New York strip, the bistro steak “a la brasa,” the 5Church lamb burger, Atlantic diver scallops (dinner only) and the A-5 Kagushima wagyu rib-eye (dinner only). For a more intimate option, Dad can share the 60-day dry-aged porterhouse for two with his special someone. Call 404-400-3669 or visit 5churchatlanta.com for reservations.

Dad’s well worth his salt, so
Jefe’s Tacos & Tequila in Brookhaven is treating Dad to one free margarita on Father's Day. He’ll enjoy the icy concoction while building a taco playlist from Jefe’s multitude of creative handfuls. Another margarita or favorite brew? There in a jiff, at Jefe’s.

Dad can sleep in and still make it to Sunday brunch at 
Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub. The Brookhaven eatery stands by its usual hours and menu with offerings such as Springer Mountain chicken wings, herb-crusted salmon, shrimp and grits, steak frites and, of course, the award-winning Kaleidoscope burger. Secure your Father’s Day reservation -- available all through brunch (versus the usual protocol of accepting reservations only for first 30 minutes of opening). Reservations: 404-474-9600.

Take Dad out to play in the backyard on his special day -- to 
Communion Cantina, the outdoor gathering spot behind Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur restaurant Revival. Dad’s assured a laid-back afternoon or evening flush with cold beer, cocktails, a small menu of Mexican food truck snacks and games such as cornhole. Open Sunday from 1-9 p.m. -- no reservations needed.

 
The Federal serves Sunday brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9 p.m., so you can treat that special man in your life to traditional American steakhouse favorites. The famous 50-day dry-aged steak is sure to compete with even his grill skills. Call 404-343-3857 for reservations.

Delight Dad with a delicacy from
Sublime Doughnuts on Father’s Day morning! Sublime will be rolling all his favorites into one delicious treat with their bourbon-glazed apple butter doughnut. Pick up this breakfast fit for a king at Sublime’s Georgia Tech location all day on June 18. Just in case Dad prefers sleeping in, they’re open 24 hours!   

 
Midtown Takorea & Ssam Bar on Juniper Street is a fun alternative for Sunday dining, open noon-10 p.m. Executive chef Tomas Lee’s BBQ pork sliders are a Korean spin on dad’s favorite backyard barbecue meal.

 
HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern is serving up their new Champion burger this Father’s Day weekend. Featuring pork belly, provolone, house-cured kimchi and served on a brioche bun with a side of house-cut french fries or seasonal veggies, this burger is sure to be a winner.
 

OTP

Dads who like to putz around in the garden will thrill to see Milton’s Acre, the backyard garden and a source of ingredients at 
Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails. The historic Crabapple restaurant offers a three-course Father’s Day brunch menu priced at $32 per person. Among the enticing offerings are sticky toffee pecan beignets, shrimp and grits, blackened Atlantic salmon, a truffle-salted petite filet mignon and maple-bacon bread pudding. Additionally, Milton’s will offer its regular menu and “Milton’s Prime” menu of prime cuts of signature steaks, including grass-fed Delmonico rib eye, served with a choice of three sauces. For reservations, call 770-817-0161.

Craving fresh seafood? 
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar features a fresh Maine lobster bar that will reel in dads from all over town. Call 770-635-7641 for reservations.

For all-day fun, go explore Vickery Creek Park, head over to Gate City Brewing to cool down and then finish it off with a patio dinner at The Big Ketch on Canton Street. For more information to plan Dad's perfect Father's Day in Historic Roswell, visit 
ExploreRoswell.com.

 
Multiple Locations

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill knows Dad is quite a fine catch, and they’re offering a Father’s Day feast in his honor. The $34.95 per-person haul features a crabcake, lobster tail and a skewer of grilled, blackened or jerk-style shrimp or scallops accompanied by two sides. Sail into either port, Buckhead or Canton Street in Roswell, to net this bounty.

Whether Dad’s a morning person, afternoon adventurer or night owl,
Ray’s Restaurants has Father’s Day meals covered. Dad can relax while looking out on the Chattahoochee River at Ray’s on the River (770-955-1187), serving Father’s Day brunch from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For $45.95 per adult or $22.95 per child (age 5-10), scope out generous buffets tailored to morning and afternoon/evening tastes. In Alpharetta, Ray’s at Killer Creek (770-649-0064) spreads a Father’s Day buffet from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for $39.95 for adults or $19.95 for kids (ages 5-10). Family favorites include peel-and-eat shrimp, rosemary-roasted leg of lamb and roasted prime rib. Families planning an in-town Father’s Day adventure can launch or cap the day with a special Father’s Day meal at Ray’s in the City (404-524-9224). Brunch, offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., is priced at $39.95 per adult and $19.95 for children (ages 5-10). Stations are waiting for guests offering carved beef steamship round and pork shoulder, sushi, smoked salmon, charcuterie, chopped beef brisket, herb-roasted chicken and a dessert and pastry bar. Each restaurant offers its own à la carte dinner menu from 5-9 p.m., with appetizing steak options.

 
Gift Idea

For the king of the grill, the
KUDU Safari Braai is the ideal gift for Dad this Father’s Day. He is sure to rule the backyard barbecue season with this portable grill boasting elevated grates providing a range of heat levels that can simultaneously sauté, sear, fry, boil, smoke and steam all over an open flame.

Want to see a KUDU in action and eat some great food? Come out to Yebo Beach House on Father's Day from 12:30 - 4 p.m. and join Atlanta restaurateur Justin Anthony and his father Derek Anthony as they combine forces for an exclusive KUDU Safari Braai Cookout! Tickets are $30, and you can buy them here!

Monday, June 12, 2017

What’s New on Pinterest: Keep it Crisp and Cool


When the mercury rises and weather app shows sun and 90s, the forecast calls for icy refreshers to Keep it Crisp and Cool. Have some summer fun with Swedish fish candies swimming in a sea of Fishbowl Punch vodka, Blue Curaçao liqueur, coconut rum and pineapple juice. Strawberry basil sangria, rosemary and gin sparkling lemonade, blackberry prosecco “popsicles” and strawberry watermelon cocktails make the most of summer fruits and herbs. Mojito chasing the heat-o? Make mine blueberry lemon lavender, mango or San Pellegrino blood orange, thank you very much.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

#Foodgram: Fog City Foodie


Aliza and Chloe Rosen are 20-something sisters eating and documenting their way through the Bay City, and frankly, around the world. Follow their eat-ventures on Fog City Foodie and wish you were there.