SEPTEMBER 2011 ISSUE

September 2001 Issue

TRENDS, TASTES & FLAVORS

'Chef Series' continues, Party in 

the Kitchen, Beer & Whiskey Fest

•The summer ‘Chef Series’ continues at One.Midtown Kitchen as resident Chef Drew Van Leuvan welcomes area chefs for a five-course dinner paired with cocktails, wine or beer. Van Leuvan will prepare the appetizer and dessert portion of the menu while each guest chef will prepare courses two, three and four.  September 4, Joshua Hopkins of Abattoir cooks along side Van Leuvan, followed by Ron Eyeter of Rosebud & The Family Dog on September 28, Cost is $75 per dinner. Visit onemidtownkitchen.com or call 404.892.4111 for reservations.

•The 32nd annual Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off will be held in Stone Mountain on Saturday, Septemver 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  More than 300 culinary teams from across the country battle for chili bragging rights.  In addition to sampling chili, Brunswick stew and cornbread, guests of all ages are invited to enjoy live music from tribute bands and partake in games such as the Mullet Flop. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Camp Twin Lakes (since 2005, the Cook-Off has raised more than $380,000). Tickets are $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can only be purchased on site the day of the event, and will not sell out.  For more information, visit www.theatlantachilicookoff.com.

•Many of the city’s best chefs are coming together for the 8th annual Party in the Kitchen to benefit Open Hand, on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to attend, don their favorite white attire and enjoy cuisine from several of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants. The festivities will take place at Mason Murer Fine Art, located adjacent to the site of Open Hand’s future expanded campus.  Guests will also enjoy an evening of music, dancing, cocktails and a silent auction which will offer an assortment of items including travel and entertainment packages, fine dining experiences and high-end retailers.  Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on experiences which includes a private meal prepared for ten people in the winner’s home by host/chef Kevin Rathbun and friends.  Admission to the Main Event is $175 per ticket.  Patron tickets are $750, which includes admission for two to an exclusive Patron Reception at 6:30 p.m. and other special privileges. Tickets may be purchased at OpenHandAtlanta.org.

  •The 7th Annual Beer & Whiskey Fest will be held Labor Day weekend at Park Tavern located in the heart of Midtown overlooking Piedmont Park on Sunday, September 4th from 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.  This annual charity event features a  lineup of beers & whiskies, four rock tribute bands & a DJ along with food while helping raise money for the Atlanta Beltline (a 22-mile loop of historic rail corridor being transformed into a new pedestrian-friendly transit system linking over 1,200 new acres of greenspace and 33 miles of multi-use trail around Atlanta’s downtown core.) The festival will feature a silent auction & whiskey tasting from 5 - 7 p.m. with 100% of proceeds going to the charity along with a portion of proceeds from ticket sales.  Tickets for admission are $10 in advance  $15 at the gate. For more info visit www.beerandwhiskeyfest.com. 

•With strong drinks, loud music and a continuous party, The Family Dog on N. Highland Avenue offers more than a typical neighborhood bar. Combining passion for food and drink with the love of music, chef Ron Eyester offers guests live music and good times every weekend. On Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday the 4th, join in with live rock from The Charlie Wooton Project from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.; September 9:  Parker Smith and Mike Chesin 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.; September 10: Super Dynamite Express 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.; September 11: Jazz from The Jacob Deaton Quintet 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.; September 17: Swami Gone Bananas 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.; and September 24: Pioneer Chick’n Stand 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.   For more info, visit www.thefamilydogatlanta.com or call 404.249.0180.

•Taqueria del Sol’s second annual Hatch Chile Festival is here. On Sunday, Sept. 11, Taqueria del Sol celebrates the arrival of the annual shipment of chiles from New Mexico. Held at the Howell Mill location, the restaurant will host a block-party celebration spilling into the parking lot under tents from 5 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Chef Eddie Hernandez and the Taqueria del Sol team will craft an assortment of specialty dishes incorporating the spicy green peppers. Musician John Henry will return for a second year to provide live entertainment. Tickets are $18.25 per person and include entry and food stations. Beverages available for purchase. Two reservation times are available at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.  A portion of the proceeds benefits the Ossabaw Island Foundation. To purchase tickets, visit www.taqueriadelsol.com.

•The College Football Gods have spoken and it’s time for The Official SEC Kickoff Block Party.  This massive party is back and put on by the folks over at the oldest dive bars in Atlanta, Pool Hall and 5 Paces Inn on Friday, September 2nd. Once again, these bars are shutting down Irby Avenue in Buckhead for the party and here is even rumor of a Mash Potato and Hot Dog eating contest plus tons of give-aways including free game tickets. Don’t put it past these fools to have a Bikini Contest to see who has the hottest chicks, UGA or Boise State.  Gates open at 7 p.m. with free food til 9 p.m.  There will be four bars, a gigantic outdoor stage, music by 17th Floor and several DJs.  Admission is $15 at the door and $10 online at www.xorbia.com.

•Oktoberfest takes over the Luckie Marietta District this fall as Der Biergarten and STATS team up for the ultimate celebration of Germany’s famed beer festival.  The restaurants will transform into Munich-inspired eateries (both inside and on the patio) with each room offering a different German draft beer and themed with authentic décor.  Live bands will add to the atmosphere and reusable beer boots will be available for purchase.  Guests can bring back their boots for special pricing on refills during the Oktoberfest season, which kicks off September 17 at 12 p.m. and continues every weekend through October 30th. Der Biergarten will also showcase classic German cuisine – including brats, wursts, strudels, pretzels and mustards – and will debut its new rotisserie for fresh, authentic roasted meat. Visit www.derbiergarten.com or www.facebook.com/derbiergarten. 

New hours, eats, etc...

Brothers Jeff & Matt Bowman of Georgia Farm To Table have opened a produce market, Dewberry Market, at 112 10th Street in the former Jock’s & Jill’s space at the corner of 10th & Peachtree.  It will operate 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday - Saturday... Starting Thursday, Sept. 1, BLT Steak Atlanta (located in the W Hotel Downtown) will offer homage to the king of mollusks--pairing oysters and sparkling wine as part of the ongoing 5@5 specials. Weeknights from 5 to 7:00 p.m. for $20, guests enjoy East and West Coast oysters, which will vary from week to week, and sparkling wine with BLT’s sommelier, Dorine Buche. For more info, go to www.bltsteak.com/atlanta or call 404.577.7601... On Thursday, September 15, RA Sushi on Peachtree invites guests to a So Long Summer Party from 7 p.m. to close to bid farewell with specials all night long and music from DJ Krillz. For more details and to RSVP on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/RAsushiAtlanta... Continuing every Wednesday night at 8 p.m., pianists Ty Reynolds, Mike Renna and Mark Kovaly will play all the requests you can think of and will tickle the ivories with their own fancies as well at Atkins Park Tavern - Smyrna: Market Village, 2840 Atlanta Road, 770.435.1887... Newly opened No. 246 in Decatur, is serving up a weekly Spaghetti Supper every Monday night during dinner 5 - 10 p.m. Priced at $24 per person, the week’s four-course menu may include toast with two spreads -- wood oven-roasted eggplant with chilies and mint and cannellini beans with braised cavolo nero and Parmesan served family-style. Next follows a salad of local greens with lemony garlic vinaigrette, breadcrumbs, blue cheese and radish served family-style. The main course might offer a choice among three spaghetti combinations: clams, garlic, parsley and lemon; No. 246 meatballs with Parmesan, San Marzano tomatoes and basil; or carbonara with bacon, crispy farm egg and soft herbs. Dessert brings a choice of gelato -- vanilla, espresso or mint. Check out www.no246.com for weekly menus.

Tastes of...

Four ‘Tastes of...’ will be featured this month including:

•Inman Park Restaurant Week September 19th - 25th with participating restaurants offering $25 and $35 menus. Check out www.inmanparkrestaurantweek.com for more info.

•Midtown Restaurant Week through September 4th with midtown eateries showcasing special three-course menus for $25 or $35 per person.  Visit www.atlrestaurantweek.com for participating restaurants and details.

•The 4th Annual Taste of Johns Creek will be held on Sunday, September 25th, 4 -7 p.m. on the grounds of Chattahoochee High School on Taylor Road. The Taste of Johns Creek supports the High School football program, and competition cheerleading. Gourmet foods from over 50 restaurants will be in the spotlight. For additional info, visit www.tasteofjc.com or www.hoochfootball.net.

•The 4th Annual Taste of Chamblee will bring together local restaurants, arts, live entertainment, kids activities, a beer garden and more for the entire family. This free admission (food tickets are $1 each) one day outdoor festival will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m in Downtown Chamblee on Peachtree Road. Visit www.thetasteofchamblee.com