Happenings at Eclipse Di Luna

We popped by the Miami Circle in Buckhead location this weekend for lunch and learned a few great things:  1)  They allow dogs on the patio 2) They have painting classes on Sundays from 6-8 pm for $25 and 3) They have 1/2 off Tapas and Well Drinks Mondays-Thursdays from 4-6 pm.  I highly recommend these dishes we had for lunch:

• Estofado de col Rizada: Braised Kale with Sundried Tomatoes, White Beans, Manchego Cheese and Crispy Potato Shavings
• Ceviche de Pescado Blanco: Gulf Coast White Fish Ceviche in a Habañero and Orange Marinade with Cilantro and Avocado 
• Salmón a la Parrilla: Grilled Salmon with a Smoked Paprika Piquillo Pepper Relish and Kalamata Tapanade  

View menu here:  www.eclipsediluna.net

New Restaurant Opening in Inman Quarter- BeetleCat

BeetleCat, Ford Fry's long-planned "little sister to The Optimist," begins service on Monday, December 28, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Fry is behind The Optimist, Superica, Bar Margot and Marcel. Seafood and tiki drinks on the menu sounds like a good idea to me!

BeetleCat is situated at 299 Elizabeth Street, on the corner of North Highland Avenue. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 3 p.m. 10 p.m. Late-night dining will be offered Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.

UPDATE:

I highly recommend:

MOQUECA SOUP day boat fish, coconut, plantains, yucca, sticky rice, jalapeño, cilantro, cashews

SALMON lightly smoked roe, yogurt cheese, rye bread crumbles, dill

TUNA Thai herb salsa verde, green papaya, peanuts, jalapeño, crispy shallots

Menu available here: http://www.beetlecatatl.com/

Bar Margot

                       

We stopped by Ford Fry's restaurant within the Four Seasons Hotel last night to get the holiday week started off right. He's the guy behind Superica and The Optimist.  This was the first time I've checked it out. We had awesome blue cheese-stuffed olive martinis and some yummy bar snacks:  tuna tartare, the deviled eggs with Serrano ham and the crab fried rice.  Loved the decor and bar and will be back again for sure soon.  

Sample menu here:  http://barmargotatl.com/images/barmargot_menu.pdf

Great New Sushi Spot in West Midtown- O-Ku Sushi

This Charleston favorite just opened up shop in West Midtown.  Exposed brick walls, sexy bar and vibe makes this a great addition to the already burgeoning West Midtown food scene.  I can't wait to come back and sit at the bar for dinner.  We were able to get a sneak peek at the rooftop patio and its going to be phenomenal.  Very loungy and great view of downtown.  So on to the nitty gritty:  this is what we ordered and it was amazing!

HAMACHI CRISPY RICE  yellowtail, chili paste, scallion over crispy rice
GINDARA SAIKYOYAKI  miso marinated black cod, spinach, glass noodles
NEW SPIDER ROLL soft shell crab with avocado and salmon on top
SALMON SASHIMI delicious! 

Menu here:  http://www.o-kusushiatl.com/menus/menu_okuatl.pdf

Note:  Parking is behind the building and restaurant cannot be seen from the street (so your Uber driver knows!)

Some Events at Wisteria in Inman Park

Start your week off with these special events at our bar.    Mussels Mondays All you care to eat Mussels! Join Ryan at the bar on Mondays. $15 per person Check out our special wines by the glass on Mussels Mondays.     Tapas Tuesdays Enjoy our special small plates menu at the bar with Andrew, all tapas only $5. Small plates of wonderful southern goodness. We will have a special cocktail every Tuesday night for Tapas Tuesdays.     Wine on Wednesdays Half off all bottles of wine priced $70 and under when dining at the bar. Clifford can assist with answering your vigneron questions.     Fine Print:  Our promotional event and pricing is for those dining at the bar only. First come first serve as some inventory may sell out due to demand. Offer limited to the number of seats available at the bar. We do not take reservations for seating at the bar.

The Porter Beer Bar

                               

I love this little hidden gem in Little Five Points. On the outside it looks like a tiny bar but when you walk through it's actually a pretty big space with tables. They have over 800 beers so this is a beer lover's paradise. My friend had a beer that tasted like chocolate. I had the beer flight (pictured above) which was awesome.  We also had the hush puppies with apple sauce, which is almost like a dessert.  Check it out, I highly recommend it!

Full menu here:  http://www.theporterbeerbar.com

Best Place to see Santa in Atlanta

After going to a few malls around town I have to say I really like the Ponce City Market Santa setting.  There was no line, no cost and the Elves were really "giving it their all".   They stayed in character the whole time.  I like their retro makeup and lit up hover boards as well.   Stop by and check them out.  Another tip:  parking is free for 30 minutes in a designated spot.  

Wine Tasting in South Buckhead at Watershed

This could be fun for you wine lovers!  Watershed is doing a 20 for $20 Wine Tasting on on Tuesday, December 8.  For $20 you can try 20 tastes of various wines for only $20 (plus tax + gratuity) along with small bites from Executive Chef Zeb Stevenson. Be sure to RSVP for your spot:  rsvp@watershedrestaurant.com.

Repeal Day Brunch at Harper Street Station

An event that could be fun this Sunday is the Repeal Day Brunch in Reynoldstown from 12-4 pm.  It's located in Reynoldstown, right off the I-20 89B exit.  Details:

$20 entry includes:
2 cocktails featuring Old Forester bourbon selections
day-drinking brunch hors d'oeuvres and treats

dress code: keep it swanky, like it’s 1933;
Old Forester wants to give $150 to the most dapper amongst you.

Entertainment for the Afternoon: An Old Fashioned Bartender Competition!
Six Atlanta bartenders will compete for a $500 first prize, and
we will be choosing one of you at the door to join a panel of industry judges!

Bonus: 
Over the next two weeks we will be giving away VIP admission to the Bottled in Bond Tasting Room at the party, which includes a complimentary flight of Old Forester 1870, 1897, and this year's Birthday Bourbon.

Purchase of tickets in advance enters you for a chance to win.
  

Get your tickets now:Buy Tickets For Repeal Day Brunch

Last Word in Inman Park/ Old 4th Ward

                               

Last Word is a cute spot on the corner of Sampson and Highland Avenue that has cocktails and food with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences.  They have a yummy glass of Sancerre and a great tagliatelle pasta with mushrooms.  I also just realized they have a happy hour special, which is even more of a reason to stop by and see them:

Last Word Classic Cocktail Hour

Tuesday-Saturday 5:30-7pm

Last Word is excited to announce our new Classic Cocktail Hour, Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30pm to 7pm. We will offer a rotating menu of our favorite classic cocktails, along with an assortment of bar snacks from the kitchen to go with them. The cocktails will be priced at a very retro $6 apiece.

Website:  http://lastwordatl.com/

Love this Soup

Soup season is upon us and this one at Harry and Sons was a little discovered gem.  Harry and Sons is located in Virginia Highland and has Thai and Japanese (they have sushi!) food.  My friend who move here from LA said "Why is this so cheap?"  My answer is "Shhhhh!"  Try the Spicy Seafood Soup for $6.50:  Fresh squid, mussels, shrimp, scallions, and fresh ginger in a spicy broth.  So yummy.

$39 -- Sun In My Belly: Zagat-Praised Dinner for 2, 60% Off

I wrote about this restaurant in a previous post and just came across this great deal on Travelzoo that might be of interest:

Sun in My Belly earns a "very good to excellent" (23) rating on Zagat for its "fresh, tasty" American fare. Sit down to dinner and drinks and save more than 60%.

Why we love it

• Earns 4 stars from OpenTable, Yelp and TripAdvisor users
• USA Today says this "fun and kitschy" Kirkwood spot is "certainly worth the drive"
• Travelzoo members give it 96% thumbs-up, noting "incredible food" and "exceptional" service

When

Through Jan. 31, 2016

What's included

• For $39 (reg. $100), enjoy dinner for two with:
• Any two salads, such as The Lucy, with kale, red apple, toasted pumpkin seeds, avocado and lemon vinaigrette
• Any two entrees, such as miso-glazed grilled salmon with warm cilantro and shallot couscous or wild mushroom ravioli with truffled mushrooms in a brown-butter sauce
• Any shared dessert, such as panna cotta or creme brulee
• Two glasses of wine or craft beer and two soft drinks or coffee
• Dine with four people for $75 (reg. $200)

Travelzoo Tip: For larger parties, use up to two vouchers per table.  

Get deal by clicking here

Staplehouse

This new spot is a reservation only restaurant in the Edgewood area.  From their website:

Staplehouse is Atlanta's first restaurant on TOCK’s ticketing system. Making a reservation for dinner at Staplehouse is a lot like buying a concert ticket.

Staplehouse is a small space and we want to create an intimate environment for our guests. Ticketing allows us to anticipate who is coming in and to give our guests an all-encompassing experience at the best price possible.

When booking a table, you’ll be asked to select your party size, date and time, and pay in advance for your multi-course dinner.

We only take reservations for the dining room. If you’re joining us on the patio or at the bar, no need to purchase a ticket.

Still have questions, please click here

Atlanta Food & Drink Specials

After living in Southern California and then moving back home to Atlanta, I realized how much people love happy hour drinks on the East Coast.  There are so many social events that evolve around drinking here.  Why not take advantage of some of the drink specials around town then?  I broke down by day what I know of in town.  Some of this changes around from time to time.  Let me know if you have recommendations to add to this list:

Sunday's

• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Industry Tavern
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Parish starting at 5:30
• Bottomless mimosas at Venkman's
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Kyma 

Monday's

• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Barcelona Inman Park
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Poor Calvin's
• /2 off bottles of wine at Baraonda
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Einstein's
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Olive Bistro
• 1/2 off Classic Cocktails at The Mercury
• 1/2 off well drinks Eclipse di Luna

Tuesdays:

• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Venkman's
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Einstein's
• $3 glasses of sangria at Calle Latina in Decatur
• $3 margaritas at El Bandidos in L5P
• $3 select beers at Olive Bistro
• 1/2 off well drinks Eclipse di Luna
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Osteria 832 

Wednesday's

• 1/2 off Whiskey cocktails & $5 burgers (3-5 pm) at The Pinewood
• The Lawrence:  3 oysters and a cocktail for $10
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Gekko Sushi
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Wahoo Grill in Decatur
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Wisteria 
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Olive Bistro
• 1/2 off well drinks Eclipse di Luna
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Mediterranea in Grant Park
• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Campagnolo

Thursday's

• 1/2 off bottles of wine at Cypress Street
• 1/2 off cocktails at Poor Calvin's
• 1/2 off bottles of wine and sake 5-9 at Steel Restaurant
• 1/2 off well drinks Eclipse di Luna

(updated 6/28/17)

Bottomless Mimosas in Old Fourth Ward

Venkman's is a new place is right across from Bantam Pub and is owned by Yacht Rock Revue. They are an uber popular cover band in Atlanta.  They describe themselves as " a restaurant and music venue balancing comfort food, eclectic live music and drinkability in the heart of Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward."  All I know is they have live music and bottomless mimosas every Saturday and Sunday -I'm definitely going to check this out!

Oyster Happy Hours In Atlanta

                                   

Oysters are best in the "er" months so September, October, November and December are prime time oyster eating season.  This usually means they are bigger and more "juicy".  Some places like The Kimball House and One Eared Stag do not have saltines to go with them and prefer mignette sauce.  I guess saltines are passe' but I still find it much easier to load up my cocktail sauce and horseradish.   I am always a fan of a good deal so why not hit up an oyster happy hour around town.  Some of my favorites:

• One Eared Stag $1 oysters Monday-Friday 5-7 pm 
• The Pig and The Pearl $1 oysters 4-6 pm everyday!
• Steamhouse Lounge $7 for a dozen Wednesdays
• Fontaine's Oyster House $7 for a dozen on Tuesdays

Can you think of any others that we missed?  Let me know and I will add them!

Filed Under: Good Deal at One Eared Stag

The One Eared Stag is a favorite.  The menu is always changing and it's just a cute neighborhoody spot.  Saw this deal on Scout Mob and it sounds like a good one:

From the Sea or Sky: One Eared Stag's Exclusive Fall Dinner for Two ($75) :  This Inman Park eatery is a place where experimentation is encouraged, where elegance is mandatory, and where the curiosities are endless. And we’ve got an exclusive dinner for two showcasing the best of Chef Phalen’s local, seasonal fare.  Whether you take a seat belly up at the bar, or dine at a table facing the ever-humming kitchen, there’s not a bad seat in the house at this Inman Park eatery. The whitewashed, pristine interior, bedecked with bona fide taxidermy (from the noble Eastern Grey Squirrel to a giant boar head to – of course – the one eared stag himself) and vintage finds is certainly not lacking in charm. It’s a primo place to catch up with your favorite dining companion, hobnob with some friends, or really impress that special someone. (Works like a charm.)

WHAT TO EXPECT

·         Dinner for two from Chef Robert Phalen’s exclusive prixe fixe menu

·         A glass of wine or draft beer each

·         A specially-created appetizer to share

·         Choice of chicken or fish entree, created with local, seasonal ingredients and accompaniments

·          

THE NITTY GRITTY

Dine-in only. (Not valid for take out)

Valid on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only

Reservations recommended. Please call 404-525-4479 to make a reservation

Purchase here:  http://handpicked.scoutmob.com/atlanta/hand-picked/one-eared-stag-atlanta

Their website:  http://www.oneearedstagatl.com/

Best Pork Chop in Atlanta

I would venture to say the best Pork Chop in Atlanta is At Sun in my Belly in Kirkwood.  If you haven't yet checked out this eclectic spot it is great for brunch, lunch or dinner.  My friend had them cater her backyard party.  Occasionally they also have someone playing guitar and/or singing.  For the people who prefer veggies, they have an excellent kale salad and other options too. The Pork Chop is Brown Sugar & Chile Brined  ~ with diced sweet potato + honey-glazed bacon hash + citrus spinach saute  for $16.95 (very reasonable).  Check it out!

p.s. Has a small parking lot and they are not open Monday nights.

More info:  http://www.suninmybelly.com

Weekend Getaway: New York City Edition

We escaped the rainy Atlanta weekend for a quick NYC getaway and had some excellent dining adventures to share.  Check out these spots next time you are in The Big Apple:

The Whitney Museum:  Checked out the Frank Stella exhibit. and had a bite at the top floor restaurant.  They had a lot of toasts on the menu.  We loved the hummus and falafel toast with pickeled carrots

Balthazar:  This place in NoLita rocks.  We couldn't get reservations for lunch or dinner so stopped in there on a Friday around 3 pm.  They had a 1.5 hour wait!  That is how popular it is!  We were able to grab a spot at the bar.  I did notice a lot of places with a wait require you to check in with bartenders for a bar spot.  We lucked out.  We had the mussels frittes, ceviche and field greens salad.  Polished it off with a glass of Sancerre.  Excellent!

Cull & Pistol:  This is a place inside of Chelsea Market.  It reminds me of Ponce City Market and I believe the designer is one in the same.  Loved the decor (exposed brick wall, reclaimed wood booths, subway tile walls with beige grout).  We had AWESOME shrimp cocktail and some oysters. Great seafood.

The Standard Hotel:  This was a great spot on the bottom floor outside to have a drink, app and people watch.  We had wine and tuna tartar.  Highly recommend.  It is right on the HighLine in the Meatpacking District.

Freeman's:  This is a favorite spot in Bowery area.  Imagine dark, old timey, minimal taxidermy tucked away in an alleyway without a sign.  They do not take reservations but we were able to grab a a table.  We enjoyed the spicy sweet potato and pork belly appetizer and sea bass dinner special.

These were some of our favorites.  Next on the list in NYC and highly recommended:  Shuko, Carbone, ZZ Clam and Cosme.  Hope any of these rec's work out for you!

Freeman's

Atlanta Fun Events Happening This Weekend

Some great events In Town if the weather holds up!

Flux Night:  Formerly in Castleberry Hill, now in Old 4th Ward.  Saturday 7 pm-12 am.  "Atlanta’s largest outdoor public art gallery"

Chomp & Stomp:  Saturday 11 am.  Our Lucky 13th Year of Chili, Bluegrass, and Beer! All proceeds go to maintain our Cabbagetown parks and community center. Y'all come!

chompandstomp.com

Crafts & Drafts:  Sunday Candler Park 1 pm.  FREE! Creative Loafing's inaugural Crafts & Drafts is a curated exhibition and sale of local handmade arts and crafts. In addition to y'all's fancy crafts, the fest will also showcase a tasty selection of local craft beers. Oh yeah, and it's free. Oh yeah, and it's all ages, so bring the kids! We're also planning on having the Falcons' game on so you can't use that as an excuse not to make it out! http://clatl.com/craftsanddrafts

This year's fest features 50 local craft makers - from crayon art to doggie bowties - and 5 local breweries: Red Brick Brewing, Orpheus Brewing, Dry County Brewing Company, Reformation Brewery, and Second Self Beer Company. 16 oz of cold local brew means you'll need food, so we've gotJust Loaf'n Poboys & Snoballs Truck, Chill Factory, and Meatballerz for your sustenence needs. Bring the dogs, bring the kids!

***If it rains go to The High Museum then hit up the Lowe's salad bar at Saltwood.  Current exhibit:  Be among the first to see Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion—the High's first fashion exhibition and the first major U.S. exhibition of work by visionary Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen

What to order at Sweet Auburn BBQ in VA HI /Poncey Hi

This off shoot of Sweet Auburn Curb Market is located on Highland Avenue in the Virginia Highlands area.  I highly recommend their "Award Winning" wings.  We split the naked smoked wings as well as the buffalo and they were amazing.  I also like that they have bbq tacos on the menu. Great little bar.  Unfortunately parking is hard to find and hopefully that will be solved now that Cafe 640 has closed.  Would be nice for them to be able to use their old lot right there.

More info:  http://sweetauburnbbq.com/

Food and Technology: No Wait

No rez restaurants are feasible with "NoWait".  Text your name to the list and then show up when your table is ready.  They update you on the line and your progress.  You can also view the wait line from home.  Free for Android and iPhone users:  nowaitapp.com/dining

From Concentrics Restaurants:

This All Hallows' Eve, Saturday, October 31st let us treat you to 25% off your entire check! 

Offer is valid at ONE. midtown kitchen & The Brasserie and Neighborhood Café at PARISH 

Join us before you or after you get your trick-or-treat on to enjoy. Offer is valid one per person and cannot be combined with any other offers. For more information, visitconcentricsrestaurants.com

Saltwood at Lowe's Hotel in Midtown

I have been hearing lately about Saltwood at Lowe's Hotel in Midtown.  They have an amazing salad bar that is only about $12.  There is a great selection of olive oils, vinegars, charcuterie and pickled veggies as well.  I like this spot and the hotel lobby bar is close too.  This might even be cheaper than buying a salad at the Whole Foods down the street.  I am coming here next time I'm having a veggie craving.  Corner of 11th Street and Peachtree.  Tip:  If you valet they will validate parking.  Only with valet, not with the parking garage.

More info:  http://www.saltwoodatlanta.com/

Best Things to Order at Boccalupo

The website describes Boccalupo as:  "Tucked away in Atlanta’s historic Inman Park neighborhood is BoccaLupo, an Italian-American eatery owned by Atlanta-native chef, Bruce Logue. An intimate restaurant, BoccaLupo offers seating for 40 inside and patio dining for 18 guests. Currently focusing on extruded and rolled, hand-cut pastas, Logue and chef de cuisine Ben Clayton are crafting “new” classics."   If you can, grab a seat at the bar.  I am a big fan of the music they play here (indie rock mostly) as well as a big fan of the food.  My favorite dishes so far are:  

• Mixed lettuces, buffalo gorgonzola, radish, bing cherries (sometimes apples instead of cherries)
• Octopus & mortadella spiedino, field peas, bacon, marsala (pictured above)
• Bucatini, smoked bacon, red onion, thick pomodoro, pecorino

Order these dishes and you will not be sorry.  Everyone I have been with ends up eating the Bucatini off my plate.  Cheers! 

More info:  http://boccalupoatl.com/

Yalla- Tasty Middle Eastern Food in Atlanta

Yalla is a modern Middle Eastern food stall at Krog Street Market from Chef Todd Ginsberg, Shelley Sweet, and Jennifer & Ben Johnson, the team behind The General Muir and Fred’s Meat & Bread. In addition to favorites like falafel, shawarma, and kebabs, Yalla serves fresh, seasonal "salatim" (salads) and handcrafted, all natural, low sugar sodas.  My all time favorite dish is the Shwarma Bowl which is spit roasted chicken, hummus, baba ganoush, Israeli salad & pickles, fried eggplant, harissa, tahini, amba.  It is $13 and I have gotten it without chicken a few times.  Delicious!  Yalla Holla!

Yummy Indian Food at Bhojanic

This Northern Indian restaurant has 2 locations-one in Decatur (the original) and a relatively new one at the shops around Lenox.  The Lenox location is more sleek and modern.  Decatur (more like Emory area) has patio seating as well.  What I like about Bhojanic is that they have these great things called "thali's" which is a combo platter of sorts.  Indian food lovers know that you usually have to order everything usually a la carte which can be pricey and leave with you with a ton of leftovers.  I am a big fan of the samosas and all the veggie thali's.  Tip:  Monday's are 1/2 off bottles of wine and Wednesday's they have a jazz band at the Decatur location.  They once played jazzy Radiohead and I loved it!

More info:  http://www.bhojanic.com/

Best Deviled Eggs on the Planet?

JCT Kitchen never disappoints.  Located in West Midtown at White Provisions it is a great setting for a dining experience.  You can walk across the bridge to Ormsby's, Little Trouble or Marcel for a drink beforehand.  They even have live music and a cute inside/outside bar.  So many yummy Southern dishes on the menu.  Their deviled eggs are super tasty with extra virgin olive oil and ham, whipped to perfection.  Who has the best deviled eggs in your opinion?  Let us know!

The Festival on Ponce

Fall Festival: October 17-18, 2015

Festival Hours

Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday : 11 am – 6 pm

The Festival on Ponce is an Atlanta arts and crafts festival set in the historic park, Olmsted Linear Park. Visitors will enjoy the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted Sr. along with over 125 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk and “outsider art”. Arts, food, drinks.  
The Olmsted Linear Park Alliance has a $10 million capital improvement plan to protect these historic parks. These beautiful parks have lovely trees and paths and great visibility from one of Atlanta’s main traffic arteries between Atlanta and Decatur.

Filed Under: Good Deal

If you are a yoga or Pilates enthusiast and you live in town, this is a good deal.  $49 for unlimited Urban Body Studios Classes for a month.  Get the discount on Scout Mob.  They are located at 730 Ponce de Leon Place in Poncey Highlands off of the BeltLine.  Must activate within 90 days of purchase.

Click here for the deal

First Ever BeltLine Pub Crawl

**ON SALE FRIDAY, October 16th**

From Krog Street Market to Park Tavern, the East Side Trail on the Atlanta BeltLine connects some of the best restaurants and bars in town! Join us on Saturday, December 12th to try them all! 

Get into the festive holiday spirit, recruit your friends and come crawl along the Atlanta BeltLine! Enjoy a complimentary beverage at each location along the crawl in addition to some awesome food and drink specials. Bundle up, it’s the Beltline Pub Crawl!

Participating Bars and Restaurants (Additional Bars TBA!): Pure Taqueria Inman Park, Parish, Two Urban Licks, Park Tavern in Piedmont Park, and F.R.O.G.S. 

Ticket Information: 
Includes a Pub Crawl on the Beltline wrist band, 5 complimentary drinks along the pub crawl route, and a map of participating bars and specials.

Early Bird: $10 - Ends 10/23
Regular: $15 - Ends 11/27
Late: $20 - Ends 12/11
Door: $25 - If Available

Minero at Ponce City Market

Tried this yum Mexican place for lunch yesterday at Ponce City Market.  Just opened on Monday and they don't have their liquor license yet.  There was a wait of about 20 minutes.  We sat up at the bar immediately and loved our food and the experience.  I had the Green Chorizo Taco with Potatoes and Grilled Onions and the Fried Catfish Taco with pickled green tomato tartar, cabbage, red onion.  Both were tasty...especially the green chorizo.  I'll be back.  My friend had the veggie "Minero Burrito" and it was massive.  

Art on the 45

Art, food, silent auction and music at King Plow Arts Center this Friday the 16th from 6:30 to 11:30.  Tickets start at $45 which include open bar and hors o'doeuvres.  It celebrates public art that connects the 45 Atlanta Beltline neighborhoods.  

887 West Marietta St NW

More info here:  http://beltline.org/event/art-of-the-45/

Tacos Special at El Taco in Virginia Highland

This is on my "list"!:

Treat Yourself to Tacos: Highland Restaurant Week  

El Taco | October 17-25

While La Tavola is busy with Abbondanza, El Taco will be rocking down the street during Highland Restaurant Week. Enjoy a 3-course, shared meal for two for only $30. Fill your table with our salsa, guacamole, and queso trio, 5 tacos, rice, beans, and churros. Throw in some margaritas to have the ultimate date night or evening out with friends. 

Cocktail Workshop

Octane Coffee on the Westside is going to have a cocktail/barrending workshop which could be something new and fun to do! It's going to be on October 23. Details above.

1/2 off Thursdays at Cypress Street Pint and Plate

It's perfect patio weather right now and a really good place to meet up for a drink and some food is Cypress Street Pint and Plate in Midtown. They usually have tiki torches outside and sometimes a fire burning.  I'm a big fan of Thursdays because they have half off bottles of wine from 7 to 11 PM. Try the BBQ eggrolls. Filled with BBQ pork, collard greens and a Siracha ranch sauce on the side.  I had to feature a picture of the "Sublime Burger" below- a burger with bacon inside of a split doughnut.  I had to tell my visitor from Denver that not all Atlantans eat like this!

Here to Serve is Closing Shop

Restaurants owned by the Here to Serve group have suddenly ceased operations.  All of these include:   Coast Seafood and Raw Bar, Noche, Prime, Shucks, Smash, Strip, and Twist. The company previously closed Shout, Goldfish, and Aja in the last year.  This is apparently related to rental disputes with Phipps and Lenox.  Unfortunately hundreds are without jobs suddenly.  Restaurants around Atlanta are opening their doors to potential employees from Here to Serve. Many jobs are being posted on Twitter with the hashtag #H2S2WORK.

*Update 10/9/15 Former employees file lawsuit and get partial paycheck

Zagat's 10 Best Happy Hours and Drink Deals in Atlanta

This list from Zagat was published on Monday.  Pronounced "Za Gawt".  The Pinewood that was mentioned here yesterday made the list for their "Whiskey Wednesday's".  I think the Ra Sushi specials sound like a good deal and with so many people working in Midtown there should be a crowd.  3-7 every day but Sunday.  Can you think of any other good ones Zagat forgot?

Here's the list:  Zagat List

Neighborhood Discounts? Yay it's about time!

Mason Tavern is a new restaurant owned by Concentrics Group (The Folks behind  ONE. midtown kitchen, TWO urban licks, TAP, PARISH, The Spence, Lobby Bar & Bistro, ROOM at TWELVE located in Decatur.  It's not in Decatur Square but more Emory area by N. Decatur and Clairmont.  It's been on my list to try out and they also apparently have Trivia Night on Tuesday.  Love the 10% off for locals!

Pinewood's Whiskey Wednesday

Something worth checking out tomorrow is the Pinewood's Whiskey Wednesday.  Follow them on Instagram as well for yummy food and cocktail specials. This is an example of what some of their drinks are like for their whiskey Wednesday. The "Goonies Never Die" is phenomenal. Has a ginger candy in it!  I'm hoping that they still do their taco Tuesdays too because that was yum as well. I'll be here more now that it's getting cold out. Something about whiskey and that Bolognese. See you there.

More info:  www.pinewoodtr.com