Monday, March 28, 2016

Inman Park Restaurant Week Menu at Parish

Inman Park Restaurant Week celebrates our community's exciting culinary scene. Join us at PARISH as we showcase what Inman Park has to offer! We will be serving a three-course $25 dinner menu for the event. See details below!

When: Wednesday, March 30 - Sunday, April 3, 2016

Price: $25 per person excluding tax & gratuity

First, choice of:

- Spring Lettuces, Almond Dressing, Smoked Cheese

- Porcini Mushroom Soup, Crème Fraiche, Brioche

- Eggplant Dip, Charred Flat bread, spicy tomato, pickled cauliflower

Second, choice of:

- Half Roasted Chicken, Salsa Verde, Wilted Greens

- Sunburst Trout, French Beans, Potato Puree, Almondine Sauce

- Tagliatelle, Fava Beans, Braised Lamb

Third, choice of:

- Warm Chocolate Stout Cake; Fleur de Sel Ice Cream, Caramel, Brown Butter Cocoa Crumbles

- Tiramisu; Espresso & Mascarpone Cream, Rum

-Soaked Lady Fingers

To make your reservations today, call 404.681.4434 or visit parishatl.com.

240 N.HIGHLAND AVENUE, ATLANTA GA, 30307

PH: 404.681.4434 FX:404.681.4435

Inman Park Restaurant Week March 28th – April 3rd

It's Inman Park Restaurant Week! Inman Park is a major culinary destination. Restaurant-rich, the area has more than 13 restaurants and pubs, offering American, Southern, European and ethnic cuisine. No wonder Inman Park has become an area with an increasingly sophisticated palate. Here are the participating restaurants below:

Participating Restaurants

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Zagat's 8 Totally Unique Bars in Atlanta

As a follow up to yesterday's Unique Zagat restaurants in Atlanta, we wanted to present this bar list. Agree with it? Have more to add? Let us know!

When you've been to one bar, you've been to them all, right? Not the case in Atlanta, where a number of nightlife spots don't focus their creativity on just the cocktails, but on the surroundings as well. These bars are curious, unique and sometimes just plain weird, but all worth a visit when you're looking for an interesting night out.

Photo by: Kurz Creative

Battle & Brew

This Sandy Springs pub brings new life to the concept of bar entertainment, making itself a mecca for gamers with video stations where guests battle it out on the latest computer and console video games. The bar and food programs are just as playful, mashing up nerd culture with foodie fantasies, and keeping plenty of craft brews and creative cocktails on hand whenever a player needs a power up.

What to Order: Go fully nerdy and order a glass of Pie ($7), an apple-juice-and-cider cocktail inspired by a cult drink found at the annual Dragon*Con convention.

5920 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs; 678-560-1500

Czar Ice Bar

At $400, the most city's most expensive cocktail (you get to keep the Swarovski crystal martini glass) can be found at this Buckhead oddity. While those looking for a bar built fully out of ice may be disappointed — try Vegas or Sweden for that — you'll still get the best you're likely to do in Georgia. Czar's 27-ft. bar is topped with a four-inch-thick slab of ice.

What to Order: The Sweet Georgia Peach ($12) combines both vodka and whiskey flavored with peach with OJ and cherry liqueur.

56 E. Andrews Dr. NW; 678-244-3610

Photo by: Sarah Dodge

Little Trouble

The cocktail pedigree of this Westside bar is impeccable (it's from the same team behind Victory Sandwich Bar and Paper Plane), as is its aesthetic vision. Nowhere else in town will you find a spot that dives so fully into its atmosphere — in this case, a neon-and-concrete lair reminiscent of futuristic neo-noir films like Blade Runner and Brazil.

What to Order: The Found Art ($12) made with rye, mezcal, Zucca rhubarb liqueur, mole bitters.

1170 Howell Mill Rd.; 404-500-4737

Studio No. 7

Along the western edge of Downtown where the Marietta Street corridor crosses Ivan Allen you'll find this spot that's unassuming on the outside but bustling with creativity within. The bar's somewhere between a globally inspired tapas bar, an art gallery, an event space and a general cool-kid hangout. Drinks and food change according to season and according to whatever art show's up in the space.

What to Order: My Other Studio is in Paris ($9), combining gin, honey syrup, lemon juice and sparkling wine

393 Marietta St.; 404-549-9839

Photo by: Sister Louisa's

Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room & Ping-Pong Emporium

Locals "praise the Lord" for this "unique" Sweet Auburn bar known just as Church that's loaded with with choir robes for wearing, church-organ karaoke and some of the city's most renowned Ping-Pong tables; "down-home hospitality," "drinks you can afford" and "kitschy" religious decor complete the picture.

What to Order: Mixed drinks and beers are the standard here, though pitchers of strong sangria sometimes surface.

466 Edgewood Ave. SE; 404-522-8275

El Bar

Fans of this "underground basement" club in Poncey-Highland say "shhhhh, don't let the yuppies find out" about the "wild, sweaty dance parties" going down beneath the Mexican restaurant El Ponce; sure, it may be a "cave" that's "about as big as your closet", but the DJs (mostly club and hip-hop) are "awesome", the drinks are "inexpensive" and it's got an "after-hours" "NYC feel"; P.S. open Thursday–Saturday.

What to Order: This isn't a craft cocktail kinda place — find your favorite beer and stick with it.

939 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE; 404-881-6040

Eleanor's

This speakeasy-style bar is located in Smyrna restaurant Muss & Turner's. Can't find it? Ask a member of the staff, or just head toward the back of the restaurant, to the right of the main counter, and open what looks like a giant walk-in refrigerator door. The exclusive feeling remains thanks to moody lighting and tucked-away nooks where guests dig into New American cuisine or just spend time over drinks.

What to Order: The bar specializes in featuring Georgia beers, and has a killer wine selection too.

1675 Cumberland Pkwy. SE, Smyrna; 770-434-1114

Photo by: Sundial

The Sun Dial

The iconic and recently renovated restaurant at the Downtown Westin rotates more than 70 stories above Atlanta. Elevated above the main dining area you'll find the bar — there's live jazz several nights a week — where you can sit, sip and take in the famous sights. A limited bar menu offers snacks and small plates.

What to Order: The Tallulah ($11), one of several champagne cocktails named after famous Georgia women, combines bubbly, limoncello and fresh raspberries.

210 Peachtree St. NE; 404-589-7506

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Zagat's 9 Totally Unique Restaurants in Atlanta

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." So goes some party-pooping bit of ancient cynicism. But while many restaurants these days can blend into samey-samey exposed-brick this, farm-to-table that, there are still some wonderfully weird places under that hot Georgian sun. These are some of ATL's more unique restaurants, all worth at least one visit.

After perusing this list of Atlanta's most idiosyncratic restaurants, check out the Zagat Atlanta look at Atlanta's most unique bars.

Photo by: Truett's Luau

Truett's Luau

Have you ever thought you love Chick-fil-A, but wanted the chicken chain to take more inspiration from its Polynesian dipping sauce? In one suburb south of Atlanta, that's exactly what happened. Named after Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy — and inspired by his love of South Pacific kitsch — this full-service restaurant serves chile-roasted shrimp, kalua pork and a burger topped with bacon and pineapple…all alongside an expanded Chick-fil-A menu (including off-the-wall dishes like a cream-drenched interpretation of a hot brown and a chicken pot pie made with Chick-fil-A nuggets).

Side note: On the other side of Fayetteville, you'll find Truett's Pizza Café — another Chick-fil-A spin-off. It was originally named Upscale Pizza, but was recently renamed in honor of its founder. The joint features a pizza buffet on Tuesdays and Saturdays and has a pizza called The Legacy topped with Chick-fil-A fried chicken and pickles.

600 W. Lanier Ave. #103, Fayetteville; 770-461-5828

Photo by: Angie Mosier

Gunshow

The ever-changing creative food at Top Chef fan fave Kevin Gillespie's Glenwood Park restaurant is top notch, but it's the experience that sets Gunshow apart. Executive chef Joey Ward, a Zagat 30 Under 30 honoree in 2014, and his team of culinary pros roam the restaurant with multiple dishes, offering just-cooked small plates from table to table, interacting with guests and discussing the food. It's personal, surprising, unpredictable and completely unlike any other spot in town.

924 Garrett St.; 404-380-1886

Auto Spa Bistro

Do you need a car wash? Do you also need a meal? Auto Spa Bistro in Home Park is just what you're looking for. The plush purple-velvet surroundings and glittery interior read like Tom Haverford's ideal "Treat Yo'self" way to run an errand. A full menu offers breakfast dishes named after cars, multiple burgers, a red-velvet waffle and globally inspired pub fare — plus, a breakfast cocktail beats a months-old copy of Golf Digest any day.

348 14th St.; 678-974-8187

Photo by: Instagram/thedi51

Abdullah the Butcher House of Ribs & Chinese Food

This no-frills West Atlanta spot's claim to fame comes courtesy its owner, '80s wrestling icon Abdullah the Butcher (aka Larry Shreve). The cuisine combines crowd-pleasing barbecue and ribs with populist American Chinese food. The ever-hospitable Abdullah roams the dining room charming tables, mugging for selfies and delivering his "It's Fork Time" catchphrase.

2387 Fairburn Rd SW; 404-629-2332

Photo by: Flickr/toorayray

The Vortex Bar & Grill

Ever since the Vortex drew the attention of Man vs. Food and other stunt-food TV shows, the Little Five Points restaurant had a line out the door. (The Midtown location's not as crowded, but doesn't sport a giant skull.) The burger spot's Triple Coronary Bypass Burger is a show-stopper, but the Vortex also deserves credit for being one of the first restaurants in Atlanta to think beyond the typical lettuce-cheese-tomato accoutrements for a burger. It's been drawing crowds since the '90s with creative toppings, and its 21+ policy and idiosyncratic house rules make for a unique environment.

438 Moreland Ave. NE; 404-688-1828

Photo by: Ben Rose

Polaris

Polaris isn't Atlanta's only rotating restaurant located atop a Downtown hotel (there's also theSun Dial), but it's the only one that looks like a retro-futuristic flying saucer. This resurrected, space-age Atlanta gem reopened after years of absence from the city's scene, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in a 360-degree space split into a lounge, bar and restaurant spinning around an open kitchen and great views.

265 Peachtree St. NE; 404-460-6425

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Inman Park: Wine Tasting, Tacos, and Tapas with VinoTeca

Fun outing in Inman Park at the new Vinoteca for only $29! Vinoteca is a cute little wine bar owned by the Barcelona/Bartaco folks. Prices are pretty reasonable and this deal gives you the benefit of the trifecta on North Highland.

The Springtime Trifecta: Wine Tasting, Tacos, and Tapas with VinoTeca

Springtime is when we throw our cares to the wind and head out for adventure every night of the week. Wednesdays are getting a lot of action with a wine tasting at VinoTeca and a mouthwatering wander around Inman Quarter for tacos at Bartaco and tapas at Barcelona.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Eight tastes of wines from around the world at VinoTeca in Inman Quarter
Small bites and wine-friendly snacks to nosh while sippin’ and samplin’
A token for a free taco next door at bartaco
A complimentary tapas token for Barcelona
A special rate on any wines purchased in store during the tasting

SCOUT NOTES

Ladies and gentlemen, we can feel it: the sunshine peeking through the clouds, the warm breezes, the packed Beltline, that feeling like we just need to get outside and breathe some fresh air. It can all only mean one thing: spring is about to bust up in here HARD. Yup, springtime is when we throw our cares to the wind and head out for adventure every night of the week. Our favorite night? Wine Wednesday, of course. And now VinoTeca in Inman Quarter is bringing together all our favorite parts of Wine Wednesday: wine (duh), tapas, and tacos.

VinoTeca, brought to you by the same folks behind Barcelona Wine Bar and bartaco, is a neighborhood wine shop with a worldly twist- they’re quite a destination for Spanish wines, as well as wines from around the world. Half of their around 650 bottle inventory is Spanish wine, and the rest, well, color us impressed. Popular wine producing countries like France and Italy are represented, as are lesser known countries like Austria, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Hungary, and even Lebanon. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of South American wines as well, heading all the way to places like Uruguay to find the most unique varietals and tastes. Now if this gets you thinking this is too much to handle, we feel you. Lots of wine can be overwhelming (take it from us, that wall of wine is a beast when you first walk in) but the staff can help you find what you want. And what better way to figure it all out than tasting them?

You’ll be tasting about eight wines at different stations around the handsomely appointed, airy store. Of course you’ll get your fill of Spanish wines, and a sampling of reds and white from other areas as well. Add to that small, wine-friendly bites and snacks, and your Wednesday just sprang into action. (See what we did there?) And it doesn’t end there- nope, you’ll also get a token for a free taco at bartaco next door, so you can nosh your way into the evening on tacos filled with pork belly, falafel, or even duck. Still hungry? We got you. Actually, Barcelona’s got you. Head across the street to Barcelona Wine Bar for a complimentary tapas. That’s right- you'll be tasting Spanish wines, so your best bet is to follow it with authentic tapas like albigondas, and manchego and jamon croquetas. Now, we get that this sounds like a lot of action for a Wednesday night. It is springtime after all. But if you want to save your tapas and tacos tokens for another night out, we can’t fault you for that. Next time you're on the Beltline, make your way to Inman Quarter for all the treats you can handle.

Buy tickets here

Monday, March 21, 2016

Radial Cafe Deal

Radial Cafe in Candler Park has sustainable, organic cuisine such as fresh seafood, grass-fed beef, organic vegetables from local producers and is served in a reclaimed warehouse. Groupon is featuring this deal as a "Best of Groupon" so is a good excuse to try it out.

Choose Between Two Options

$35 for a farm-to-table dinner for two (up to $62.96 value) $70 for a farm-to-table dinner for four (up to $125.92 value)

One appetizer per couple (up to a $8.99 value)
Two entrees per couple (up to a $15.99 value each)
One dessert per couple (up to a $5.99 value)
Two cocktail, beers, or wines per couple (up to a $8 value each)

Dinner options include Chorizo Fig Newtons ($9.99), Bacon-wrapped Dates & Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs ($8.29), Corn Fritters ($7.99), Mushrooms Risotto ($13.99), Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chop ($15.99), Georgia Trout ($14.99), Beef Brisket ($14.99), Caramel-Pecan Cake ($5.99) and Chocolate-Espresso Cake ($5.00).

Radial Café

It’s fitting that Radial Café, which is featured as a Best of Groupon for the third year in a row, is housed inside a reclaimed turn-of-the century dairy plant: the restaurant has been whipping up farm-to-table, sustainably-sourced meals since 1999. Under the guidance of owner and chef Frank Bragg, gourmet and frequently vegan-friendly and gluten-free dishes are made from local and sustainable ingredients. Walnut-lentil, jerk turkey, Brasstown beef, and black bean patties lay the foundation for build-your-own burgers that can be customized with toppings such as sunflower sprouts and pepper jack cheese. Breakfast specialties range from vegan hashes of marinated tofu and vegetables, to biscuits and rosemary gravy, a dish that earned praise from 10Best. Kids who can't overcome their suspicions about broccoli can order quesadillas, pancakes, and more from a menu lauded by Atlanta Parent.

Radial is critically-acclaimed and highly reviewed for its dedication to the local and sustainable efforts that extend beyond the kitchen. Bartenders craft organic cocktails and pour local beers and organic, biodynamic wines. And every month, the restaurant displays the work of local artists on their dining room's walls, rather than using them as untouchable placemats. Even the building itself maintains a small carbon footprint with strict recycling and composting practices.

View full deal here

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Graybill and Downs Candles

Made right here in Atlanta, Graybill and Downs is a delicious home fragrance line. Some of the candle scents are Sweet Magnolia & Fig, Tobacco & Orange Blossom, Dune Lily and Cumberland Island Sea Salt and my favorite Gardenia. Paul Byron Downs is the founder and moved back to Atlanta after a long stint in New York. When asked about why he moved back home to the South Paul said "I find that Atlanta has changed so much in the previous years and has become a great place to start a business. It is home now to so many entertainment studios and production houses and has major business players such as UPS, Coke, Home Depot and Delta. With so many Top Chefs living here, the Atlanta food scene has gotten noticed quite a bit as well." We agree!

To find some of these long burning candles, you can order or online here or visit one of these many retailers.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Great News for Inman Park Lunch Fans

The upstairs restaurant (The Brasserie) on North Highland Avenue is now open for lunch Wednesday through Friday. Great dine in when on The Beltline and great place for that next client lunch.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Yummy Healthy Snack- Tuna Dip

This is a great quick and easy to make recipe. Trader Joe's has a prepared chick pea salad called Baella in the salad section. Buy that and a can of tuna packed in olive oil. Combine the 2 ingredients well and serve up with some crackers. I have a picture of the pita bite crackers from Trader Joes I like. Publix also has a prepared chick pea salad if you do not have a Trader Joe's close by. You can eat off this for days or bring to a party. Hope you enjoy!