A few tickets remain for Ford Fry's Lobster Roast

DESCRIPTION

It’s time for a patio party - round two - at the Optimist! We’re fired up for a lobster and oyster grill-out on the lawn on Sunday, April 23, from 1 to 5 p.m., sponsored by Lexus. Catch some rays and chill out to the tunes of Atlanta's Wasted Potential Brass Band while playing putt putt, corn hole and giant Jenga. Tickets are $50 per person and include food and two complimentary beverages (wine + beer) plus valet parking.

$5 beer, wine and punch specials and a full bar will also be available for purchase.

What’s on the menu?

• half-roasted lobsters
• mini lobster rolls
• roasted oysters
• raw oysters on the half-shell
• baked oyster Rockefeller

DATE AND TIME
Sun, April 23, 2017
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

LOCATION
The Optimist
914 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, GA 30318

Tickets:  CLICK HERE

Patio Party and Crawfish Boil!

Bring on the sunshine, patio weather & putt-putt – the Optimist is throwing a crawfish boil and spring shindig. On Sunday, March 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. on the patio just outside the Oyster Bar, chefs Craig Richards and Pat Pascarella will be serving up a traditional crawfish boil to the live tunes of a Cajun-inspired band.


The boil will be available to enjoy on the patio for $20 per person, excluding tax and gratuity, alongside a variety of Fish House punch specials for $5 each, and a selection of $5 canned beers. Beginning at 3 p.m. when the Oyster Bar opens inside the restaurant, additional beverages and regular happy hour specials will be available for purchase.

914 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318

....And They're Off!

Another Derby Day party...this time at JCT this Saturday May 7th.  Looks like no charge for this one.  Make sure you wear your big hat!

Is Atlanta Becoming the South’s Cultural Capital?

Great Article from Vogue Magazine yesterday praising Atlanta's quest for culture:

Is Atlanta Becoming the South’s Cultural Capital?

by CHRIS BLACK

Though Atlanta is arguably the capital of the South, most people have only spent time in the hectic Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on a layover. But the city has so much more to offer. Recently, it’s become a place to stop, explore, and be charmed. A new guard of entrepreneurs and restaurateurs has helped reshape many downtown neighborhoods, creating hubs for a burgeoning creative class hungry for culture, community, and seriously ambitious food. And please note: Atlanta’s famed hospitality is real, and so is the politeness. Here, a list of spots that are making Atlanta a destination—not just a layover.

Photo: Courtesy of The BeltLine

The Beltline
The original idea for the Beltline came from a student who wrote a paper on how to develop the old railroad tracks that encircle much of the city. Expected to span 33 miles when it’s finally complete, the Beltline is the long-awaited green space Atlanta needed. The pathway features parks, great views, public art, and vast areas to run or cycle. It also connects some of the city’s best neighborhoods—Ansley Park, Virginia Highlands, Midtown, Inman Park, and the Old Fourth Ward. If you need a break, head to King of Pops for an Arnold Palmer Popsicle.

Photo: Courtesy of Kimball House

Kimball House
Housed in an old Decatur train depot built in 1891, Kimball House is a wise Southern restaurant with little pretense. The menu changes seasonally and features produce from the eatery’s on-site vegetable garden. People come back for the extensive raw bar, where the oyster list includes varieties from all over the South and West Coast. It also has a much-lauded cocktail program that highlights traditionally prepared absinthe. Make sure to order the onion rings.

View Rest of Article Here

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

Atlanta gets a few James Beard Awards and a NY Times mention:

I am going to basically repost this awesome New York Times Article but also if you haven't been yet to Staplehouse or Beetlecat you are missing out...

ATLANTA — Atlanta has long been considered the capital of the New South. It boasts the world’s busiest airport and 16 Fortune 500 companies. It is a black entertainment mecca. So many movies are shot here that people call it Y’allywood.

Getting traction as a great restaurant city has been harder. It has been tough to compete with neighbors like Charleston, S.C., New Orleans or that sexy food upstart, Nashville. As a national food contender, Atlanta never had the culinary firepower or customer base of New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. Diners made do with a parade of meals at local or national chains, punctuated by the occasional steak in a pretty room.

But now, as the nation’s infatuation with Southern food matures and Atlanta’s recession-battered economy recovers, a city that often looked over its shoulder for culinary validation and inspiration is coming into its own.

View full article here

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!)

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.

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!

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.