It’s back!!! If you’re looking for a fun time that includes great music, food and family activities, save the date for The Great Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off happening Stone Mountain! First prize nets your team $1,000 - are you up for the challenge?
Details: Saturday 9/29 10am-7pm at Stone Mountain Park - Coliseum Meadow (Events Area). $10 Adults/Kids under 12 are FREE! $10 parking pass for Stone Mountain
Around 300 teams from across the country will compete and provide free chili samples to attendees and 100% of the proceeds will go to Camp Twin Lakes. In addition to cooking, attendees can compete in the Master Hole Hitting Contest, the Jalapeno Eating Contest and Mullet Flop.
For more info, music line up (coming soon), and tix, go to the official site.
I’ve always been told I have a positive attitude, which some may say makes me an optimist. But when you’re talking about The Optimist in Atlanta, it only means one thing - a hot new seafood concept on the Westside.
We may be land-locked, but The Optimist by famed Atlanta chef and restauranteur Ford Fry (JCT Kitchen and No. 246) will make you think you’re sitting beach side. I’m just going to say it - I love everything about this restaurant.
Details: The Optimist & Oyster Bar at The Optimist - 914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA
First, I love the easy parking. That may seem odd, but I’ve gotten a bit tired lately of valets in tiny, packed lots, or worse, hard to find street parking. Nice sized lot off Howell Mill (big sign so you don’t miss it) and lots of parking off 8th Street.
Oyster Bar at The Optimist is the casual bar that I can see myself spending many a post-work early evening at sipping a cold beer or glass of white wine (highly recommend the Beach Ball) and indulging in some briny oysters or peel and eat shrimp.
Step into The Optimist proper and you will be amazed at the attention to detail, the great service, the fun little touches that don’t hit you over the head with a nautical theme and better still - the amazing food.
They start you with delicious house made rolls topped with maldon salt. Some of the dishes cry out for these rolls to sop up the savory broths, including the garlicky tiny clams & pork belly with hand-torn croutons dish - so save some for that or just order more. The fried clam roll with kimchi vinegar and house pickles was also a winner on a Holeman & Finch bun. They also feature of course, oysters on the half shell. East and West Coast oysters made you feel like you were seaside with various accompaniments including crackers, hot sauce, cocktail sauce and real horseradish.
While the restaurant features skirt steak, wood roasted half amish chicken, roasted heritage pork and lamb belly, the focus is definitely on seafood. We enjoyed the alaskan halibut, wood grilled hen of the wood with red wine fish bordelaise and the skate wing “schnitzel” with brown butter, charred lemon, and capers. So delicious!
The sides are also amazing - I wanted to try them all! Ended up with the potato gnocchi with lobster butter and corn and the sliced local heirloom tomatoes with louie dressing.I’ll be back to try the buttered spring onion potato puree and corn milk hushpuppies.
One of the cooler things I stumbled upon on the way to the restroom were two racks of old school hotel style keys. Puzzled, I thought maybe I needed one to open the restroom door, but the doors had no key locks. Chef Ford Fry happens by as I’m looking very confused about these bright orange keys and explains that they printed 1,000 of these keys and they are for the patrons to take. Score! I promptly scooped up #177. What I’m hoping is that eventually when all 1,000 keys are taken that those keyholders will be able to bring them back to ‘unlock’ a special plate on the menu. Appetizer, entree, dessert, doesn’t matter. Something secret…..think about it Ford!
I cannot forget dessert. I was leaning towards the fried pound cake with ice cream, fudge and fried peanuts, but went with the ice box cake of the day - lemon. Cool and refreshing! My boyfriend (a chef!) was a bit more adventurous and got the buttermilk doughnuts with sweet corn ice cream and hot pepper jam.
I mentioned earlier in this post that I loved everything about this restaurant and it’s true. An amazing experience from start to finish and a huge addition to the already great Westside food and bar scene.
Look on the bright side and go visit The Optimist.
If there is anything Atlantans love more than live music, it’s great food and beer to go along with live music! Yet another killer combination for this year’s annual Red Stripe Midsummer Music and Food Festival in Candler Park. Better still - the music is FREE!
Details: 6/15-16 - Candler Park. FREE!
790 The Zone is hosting a killer line-up of live music acts including G. Love & Special Sauce, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lefty Williams and more! Also just as amazing - and more delicious - the line-up of food trucks! Indulge in your local faves including: Banged Up & Mashed, Yumbii, Ibiza Bite, King of Pops, The Mobile Marlay, Tex’s Tacos, The Fry Guy, The Pup Truck and many more!
Great music, great food and now over 2 days! Love it!
Planning on a staycation for Memorial Day Weekend, but want some fun plans? Check out the Atlanta Zoo’s annual Brew at the Zoo event.
Details: Sat 5/26 5:30-9:30pm. $38+
Indulge in an unlimited number of tastes of wines and local beers as you wander and explore one of Atlanta’s top visited locations that happens to be the home of over 1,500 animals from around the world!
Arrested Development will be performing live and your ticket also includes free rides on the carousel and train. So take that staycation to the next level with this fun local event!
A group of friends I enjoy going out with to try the latest and greatest restaurants all convened to experience the nightly Supperclub at Sun in my Belly and it was a night to remember!
Details: Tues-Sunday Night - $35 four-course prix fixe menu. Bring your own beer/wine - $5 corkage fee.
The ambiance at Sun in my Belly is GREAT! Perfect spot for a group dining experience or some romantic one on one time. The space is very eclectic, comfortable and the food by Executive Chef Alison Lueker is out of this world. The menu changes, so you can go back again and again to try new things as Chef Alison plays with seasonal flavors.
The team at Sun in my Belly is offering a special experience as well through Scoutmob’s Hand-Picked Deals- Dinner for 2 and a bottle of N. GA’s Crane Creek Vineyards wine for just $48. It’s just another great excuse to come out and try this hidden gem. These deals get snapped up - so don’t wait!
I love all the local festivals around Atlanta and one you shouldn’t miss is the Virginia-Highland Summerfest! This neighborhood in Atlanta is home to some of my favorite restaurants and shops in town. Add to the mix great live music, artist booths and a kids area - you have a party!
Details: Saturday, June 2nd & Sunday, June 3rd 10am start. FREE!!
If you are a fan of the area or have never been before, this is the weekend for you! Summerfest features live music on the dave 92.9 fm stage all day Saturday (noon-8pm) and Sunday (noon-6pm). Full list of bands on the dave fm site (above) - headliners include Marc Broussard and The Fixx.
The artists market will have more than 200 vendors from across the country will be featured and is not to be missed! Dad’s day is coming up, or just get some early Christmas shopping done!
For the fit and families, there is a 5K run/walk on Saturday at 8am ($30 reg) and afterwards a Tot Trot ($10) for kids to walk/crawl/run/waddle their way to the finish at Inman Middle School. Advance registration required, sign up here.
There will also be a KidsFest at John Howell Park on Sat (10am-5pm) and Sun (noon-5pm). Lots of fun music and art activities - the theme this year is ‘Wild Animal Safari’.
Note: Parking is already tough in the VaHi area, so if you can take MARTA, that would be great, or be on the lookout for paid lots or approved street parking.
This event is a great excuse to explore the Virginia Highlands area - so mark the dates on your calendar for a fun, free, family friendly festival in the heart of Atlanta!
One of my favorite weekend escapes in Atlanta has to be a trip to Oakland Cemetery paired with friends, food and some tasty brews. Not just any cemetery, Oakland is a gorgeous historical space with lush landscaping and a great way to dive head first into Atlanta’s history. One of their new signature events is coming up that you will want to check out - Oakland’s 2nd Annual Tunes From The Tombs!
Details: Saturday, May 19th & Sunday, May 20th. 1pm-8pm (7pm on Sun) $10+.
This weekend-long event features five main stages that will host amplified artists, while buskers will perform on distinct vignette stages throughout the cemetery. All genres of music will be represented; rock, folk, Americana, jazz, classical, and everything in between. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and stretch out under the gorgeous trees in the park while you enjoy this special outdoor concert experience.
Tunes From The Tombs will feature bands and musicians from Atlanta, Georgia and beyond, just not the ‘great beyond’.
After the show, wander over the local fave Six Feet Under and indulge in some of their fantastic food and brews! A fantastic way to spend a Saturday and/or Sunday and all proceeds benefit the upkeep of this historical landmark.
Did you know that just south of Atlanta is a 1,000 acre community whose design is based on the traditional values and the principles of environmental sustainability? Welcome to Serenbe! This amazing community was developed with the idea that a community is a living part of its natural surroundings, not something to be built at nature’s expense.
It’s this innovative approach to community development that attracted HGTV - who have built an amazing Green Home that they are giving away! A sustainable Southern, modern-day farmhouse, the HGTV Green Home at Serenbe opens for public tours beginning Friday, 5/4. Tours will be held Tuesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. through 6/24. Proceeds from the $20 admission ticket will benefit the Serenbe Institute and the Chattahoochee Hills Charter School.
In addition to hosting iconic foodie events such as Field of Greens and A Day in the Country, Serenbe is also invested in supporting the arts as well. The Serenbe Playhouse 2012 season opens on June 1st with a very appropriate performance - Alice in Wonderland. Later in the season you can enjoy the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Time Between Us.
Another fantastic neighborhood festival is happening the weekend of 4/28 - Smyrna’s Spring Jonquil Festival! This free festival actually takes place twice a year, in the spring and fall in the Smyrna Village Green.
What is a Jonquil? It’s a flower that looks a lot like a daffodil and being a local favorite, Smyrna also calls itself ‘Jonquil City’. The 2-day festival features 175+ arts and crafts booths, food court, live music, puppets shows by Peter Hart, a book sale benefiting the Smyrna Public Library (great place to get cheap paperbacks for summer reading), and a huge area of kids activities.
The Jonquil Jog 5K Run/Walk takes place on Saturday 4/28 at 8am and Registration is free for tots 5 and under and up to $25 for timed racers/$20 for untimed adult racers.
While you’re at the fest, you can also wander over to the Smyrna Marketplace where the Smyrna location of Atkins Park is hosting their 10th Annual Crawfish Festival! Starting at 1pm on Sat 4/28 - enjoy live music, carnival games and great food all day long! $5+ admission, which benefits Team in Training.
So head OTP and enjoy a fun local festival in the heart of Jonquil City!
I’m really excited to be participating again in this year’s Atlanta Food Blogger Bake Sale, which benefits Share Our Strength! Whether you are a baker contributing goods or just love eating decadent desserts, this is an event not to be missed!!!
Date/Time: Saturday, April 28th 9am -1pm (or until we are out of treats!)
Location: The Cooks Warehouse - Ansley Mall
Reprising her role as our fearless leader is well-known ATL food blogger Tami from Running With Tweezers! Last year we raised over $4,000 and were recognized nationally! We’re hoping to beat that record this year and need your help (and your taste buds!).
Some of the best bakers, food bloggers and food enthusiasts (like me!) in Atlanta will be on hand to sell delicious treats that go toward an amazing cause - ending childhood hunger!
In addition to our 20+ bloggers, we have some pros participating this year including: Red Queen Tarts, Bear Maker Bakery and Davio’s.
Be sure not to miss the delectable desserts from the lovely Christina of Mele Cotte! Definitely one of the best bakers out there, her blog has tons of great recipes for any occasion.
IF you can’t make to the event on Sat 4/28, please consider making a donation on our ATL Team/Fundraising page! $1 can provide a child with 10 healthy meals, so please support this great cause!!
So come on out and buy some of the best baked goods in Atlanta and support an amazing cause to end childhood hunger.