Still don’t have plans for the 4th of July? Did you enter our contest yet? Atlanta Restaurant Blog is giving away a pair of tickets to the Georgia Aquarium’s Red, White and Brew 4th of July Barbecue celebration taking place on Monday, July 4th. The winner and his or her guest will enjoy dinner and the best seat in Atlanta for viewing of the Centennial Olympic Park fireworks celebration along with a beer fest highlighting various local and national brews. This is a $90 value!

This Independence day celebrate with food from Jim & Nick’s barbecue and live music provided by The Yacht Rock Revue. The celebration will take place on the top floor of the parking deck, offering spectacular views of Atlanta’s most magnificent fireworks display, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and tickets are $45 per person. To purchase tickets to the Aquarium’s Red, White and Brew event – click here.

When: Monday, July 4, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Where: Georgia Aquarium, parking deck rooftop
What: Fourth of July celebration with barbecue, beer, live music and a great view of the Centennial Olympic Park firework celebration
Who: Adults 21 and above

TO ENTER: Like Atlanta Restaurant Blog’s Facebook Page AND post on the wall your favorite exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium, or if you’ve never been, what you’re most interested in seeing. This could be the Ocean Voyager, which contains over six million gallons of water and houses sharks, stingrays and other giant fish. Or perhaps it is the Georgia Explorer with interactive touch pools. Or even the Tropical Diver of Living Coral Reefs.

SELECTION OF WINNER: The winner will be randomly selected by Atlanta Restaurant Blog, using the site Random.org, from all entries during the contest period from now until Sunday, June 26 at 11:59 pm. The winner will be announced on Monday, June 27, 2011.

CONTEST PERIOD: Dates of the Contest are Wednesday, June 15, 2011 to Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 11:59 PM (So hurry up and enter NOW!). Winner will be announced on June 27, 2011.

AWARDING & DELIVERY OF PRIZE: The winner will be notified by Facebook message on June 27, 2011 and will be emailed details for obtaining their tickets.

Rooftop view of Atlanta’s best fireworks? Check. Awesome barbecue to feast on? Check. Live music and specialty beers? Check. So, what are you waiting for? Enter today to win tickets to the Georgia Aquarium’s Red, White and Brew Celebration! Click on the link to Atlanta Restaurant Blog’s Facebook page and enter.

Good Luck!

Earlier this year, I was approached by a publishing company, Globe Pequot Press, and asked if I was interested in writing a Food Guide book for Atlanta. I practically jumped out of my skin, I was so excited that they picked me. My publisher just sent me the cover of the book (pictured above) and I wanted to share it with you.

I’ve had so much fun over the last several months visiting restaurants around Atlanta and talking to staff and chefs. It has been a wonderful experience writing the book and I definitely have a new appreciation and respect for both authors and editors.

As you are reading this, I’m down in Florida for a short break and celebrating finishing the book!

Cheers!

I’ve been on the hunt for a good Brazilian Steakhouse that won’t break the bank. It is nice that prices have come down enough that you don’t have to spend upwards of 40 bucks at Fogo de Chao or Sal Grosso, for some tasty Brazilian meats. True, you won’t have the fancy atmosphere or costumed waiters. But I’m willing to forgo those niceties and spend about 80 percent less.

I’d heard mixed reviews about Sabor Do Brazil in Marietta and checked them out on a recent Friday for lunch. I was expecting something similar to Picanha Steakhouse just up the street. But this is quite different – Sabor Do Brazil is much smaller than Picanha (about half the size) and there are no skewers roasting in an oven. The entire offering is buffet only. The salad fixings were fresh and the vegetables – plantains, yucca and zucchini were all extremely tasty.

But the “meat” offerings really disappointed me. There was sliced beef mixed with onions, chicken legs and fried Tilapia. All of them were extremely salty. I could only take one bite of the beef, which was the biggest offender. The chicken and fish had less salt, but were by no means very enjoyable. So, it is definitely a great place for vegetarians.

The restaurant seems to be frequented by many Brazilians, an indication to me that it is authentic. But, there was just way to much salt in the meats for me or my peeps to enjoy them. The price for the buffet is $7.99 per person, a couple dollars less than Picanha.

Driving home, we spotted yet another Brazilian Steakhouse, and took a peek inside. The smell wafting into the parking lot was beckoning us inside. This one had real skewers of meat roasting in the oven, a huge buffet including items like coconut cod fish. All for only a buck more than Sabor Do Brazil. “Damn, why didn’t we go here instead?”, was the consensus after our quick surveillance.

2800 Delk Rd SE
Marietta, GA 30067
770 541 2625

The idea is to get a mix of Buckhead businesses and restaurants as exhibitors. The setup is good if you are there to eat, but bad if you are there representing business. The restaurants are lined up along the walls of the rectangular room, while the businesses are in the center. So, if you’d like to avoid the businesses, all you have to do is walk around the perimeter of the room.

Parcipating restaurants included: Aja, Brio, Johnny Rockets, Joel Brasserie, Season’s 52, Saskatoon, Shula’s 347, Capital Grille, Eclipse di Luna, and newcomer Coast Seafood. I tried something from all of these guys with the exception of Johnny Rockets (they had milkshakes). Nothing personal, but I draw the line at 3 desserts.

Meat-centric restaurants Saskatoon, Shula’s and Captial Grille offered up their goodies like Elk (Saskatoon) and Shula’s and Captial Grille with roast beef. Saskatoon’s Elk was pretty delicious, and while it isn’t my favorite restaurant, I found the Elk to be pretty tasty. Shula’s might want to think about sending some other people next year. The chefs were pleasant, but the two women, didn’t do much other than stand in the way, and when I wanted to take a picture, one of the women seemed a little put off by it.

Both Eclipse di Luna and Aja had some sort of raw fish offering. I’m pretty sure they were both tuna, but I tasted so much that evening, my memory is a little hazy. I enjoyed the samples from both places, but neither made me want to rush right out to the restaurant either.

What I did love and what I heard others mention was the crab fritter from Coast Seafood. While I didn’t get a pic of the actual fritter, above are the two friendly Coast representatives. This is the restaurant that took over the space of the now defunct Home Restaurant. The outer shell was crispy and every bite was full of tasty crab. Kudos to them for offering something out of the ordinary.

I think the most bizarre offering of the evening was the duck rillettes from Joel. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and thought it was plant. Not sure if that was the intent but it definitely drew attention! It was certainly a change of pace from everything else offered at the Taste of Buckhead.

My other favorite of the evening were the desserts from Season’s 52. If you aren’t familiar with Season’s 52, they are big on portion control, boasting that no menu item has more than 475 calories and their desserts, or mini indulgences, as they call them are all served in shot glasses. So, it’s ok that I tried 3 right?

I tasted the banana pudding, carrot cake and key lime pie. The key lime pie blew the others away. I’m curious to know what the pecan pie tastes like….

Source: http://www.advancedmediawatch.blogspot.com

Atlanta Mother’s Day Weekend Deals

Aqua Blue Roswell
Brunch buffet served from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for $29.95 per person. Children under the age of 14 are $9.95, and children under four eat free. Menu items include carved strip steak and turkey, roasted pork tenderloin, omelets made-to-order, and assorted pastries and desserts. Bottomless mimosas will be served for $15 per person.
Website

Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Bouquets and Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This has got to be the best brunch offering in Atlanta. Not only is there a selection of chilled seafood, meats, cheeses, traditional breakfast favorites among tasty salads and divine desserts but the displays are a work of art. Mother’s Day Brunch includes a small flower bouquet for Mom and valet parking. The cost of Mother’s Brunch is $65 per adult, $40 per child (ages five to 12 years), exclusive of tax and gratuity.
Website

Ritz-Carlton, Downtown
Mom’s royal treatment begins with a complimentary glass of Champagne or a Diamond Tiara cocktail at Mother’s Day Brunch offered in the Grand Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Offerings include a selection of salads and appetizers, icy raw bar, caviar and sushi; traditional breakfast favorites; roasted meats and seafood; domestic and imported cheeses; an assortment of freshly baked breads, muffins and croissants; and a regal array of desserts. The cost of A Royal Mother’s Brunch is $59 per adult, $29 per child, exclusive of tax and gratuity. The price includes complimentary valet parking at the hotel.
Website

Chequers Seafood Grill Dunwoody
Mother’s Day brunch buffet all day from 9am-8pm. Adults $25.95, children 4-12 $12.95, under 4 free. Main buffet, chocolate fountain, omelets/ waffle/ and carving station.
Website

Ray’s Killer Creek and Ray’s in the City
Award winning brunch 10am-3pm, $29.95/adults.
Website

Old Vinings Inn Vinings
Mother’s Day Brunch – Three Course Menu – Adults $29.95 Children $14.95. Hours 10:30 til 5 – Dinner Menu 5 til 9.
Recommended for Mom: Shrimp and Grits
Website

Marlow’s Tavern
Looking to save a little green? Then give Marlow’s buffet a try. Priced at only $14.99 (plus tax and tip), Marlow’s buffet doesn’t skimp on offerings. On the buffet are crab cakes Benedict, and made-to-order omelettes plus lots of other goodies. And of course, there’s the bottomless Mimosa for $15. This is good at the Marlow’s in Kennesaw, Vinings, or Midtown.
Website

The Shed at Glenwood Downtown
Sunday Brunch with Mom – a full buffet of Brunch Favorites! $20/person or Sunday Supper & Enjoy a 3 Course Prix Fixe for $20!
Website

Mali Restaurant VA Highland
Looking for something a little different. What about thai food? Mali Restaurant in Virginia Highland is offering a $25/person 3-course prix fixe menu. Recommended for Mom: Seafood in the Clay Pot
Website

Fuengo Mundo Sandy Springs
Brunch de Mami from 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM. $14.99/pp, kids under 11 only $8.99.
Mimosas and Sangria will be flowing. Latin specialities include Arepas de Huevo (a Colombian Egg & Corn Tortilla specialty) and Arepas de Quesa (grilled Corn & Cheese Tortillas).

Cafe di Sol VA Highland
Mother’s Day brunch where Mom and Grandma get a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa.
Website

Pacci Ristorante Midtown
Executive Chef Keira Moritz whips up great offerings including deviled eggs, crab fondue, cheese grits, pesto squash casserole and an assortment of pastries. Pacci’s Mother’s Day brunch buffet is available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is priced at $22 for adults, $12 for kids ages 6 to 12 and free for children under the age of 6.
Website