Panama City is certainly not the place I would choose for a vacation or weekend getaway, but Mr. ARB’s parents live down there, so we find ourselves in Panama City about once a year. We were down there last month, and I researched and selected about twenty restaurant possibilities, even though we were only gonna be there for like three days. Yeah, I’m kind of dorky like that. Funny thing is that we only ended up going to one Panama City restaurants on my list. There’s always next year.

Ditching an invite for cereal with the rents, we slept in and stopped in at Tony’s Taste of Ybor City for lunch. It wasn’t on my list, but Mr. ARB picked it and I’m always in the mood for some good Cuban. For a restaurant that boasts Cuban, Spanish and Italian, the menu was really small. We opted to share everything starting with the Ropa Vieja Empanada followed by the Cuban Sandwich. The Empanada was crispy and the filling was juicy and tender. It is served with a small salad, which was a little confusing as it isn’t really a starter but too small to be an entree. For the $4 they’d be better off to serve two of them as a starter. The Cuban sandwich was large, tasty with crunchy bread and sweet ham – plenty enough to fill us both up.

8100 S Thomas Dr
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
850 230 3840

Next we stopped in on a lazy Sunday at Liza’s for brunch. Liza’s is the top rated restaurant in Panama City Beach on UrbanSpoon, not that I based my decision to go there solely on this. The menu looked awesome. Poached eggs topped with Hollandaise sauce over fried eggplant? Yes, please. They don’t take reservations and the place is quite small. You place your order at the counter, pay, and shortly after it is brought to your table. I was worried we’d have a long wait to find a table, but we popped in at the perfect time, easily snagging a table. But by the time we got our food, the line was about 10 deep. We started off with Bloody Mary’s which were superb. They have half portions of some breakfast items but what’s the point? Mine wasn’t huge and I ordered the full portion. Mr. ARB’s Breakfast Burrito, on the other hand was quite substantial. I wouldn’t hesitate to order either breakfast again. They also serve sandwiches.

7328 Thomas Dr
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
850 233 9000
Liza’s Website

That same Sunday, having skipped lunch, we were pretty peckish by early evening. We’d already agreed not to eat the reheated fish Mr. ARB’s parents would no doubt drag out for like the third day in a row. So heading for a “walk on the beach” we made our escape to have a decent dinner. We stumbled upon a bar called Buckaloo’s which sounds like a tourist trap if I’ve ever heard of one, but the live music sounded good, so we thought we’d give it a try.

Starting with some popcorn shrimp with a tangy sauce, dinner was off to a good start. We then split the gigantic half bbq chicken. Tender and moist, served with onion rings we couldn’t have asked for more. Well, I guess a better beer selection if I had my druthers. We shared a $5 pitcher of Yuengling (the best beer available there) and I enjoyed a nice buzz. I felt like a teenager: sneaking out, drinking beer and then sneaking back in. Not a bad stop if you are seeking live music, decent food and cheap beer.

6628 Thomas Dr
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(850) 249-5270

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!

Chick-fil-A is offering free sandwiches when you sign up here. Last time they did this with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, reservations were full in the blink of an eye. But this week, there are still some available to try out the Spicy Chicken Biscuit. Make your reservation here.

However, if you can’t make it this week, Chick-fil-A did give me some coupons to try out the all new biscuit. Email me and I’ll get you one while they last.

TAP’s celebratory block party menu will feature an Independence Day Pig Roast served with all your favorite accompaniments as well as the best seat in the city to view the Peachtree Road Race! In honor of the nation’s birthday, TAP celebrates all day with festive treats, local beer and live entertainment.

1180 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309

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.
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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!
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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
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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