DINING IN FOR LIFE 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/9/20

Open Hand steps up to support restaurant partners with Dining In for Life, April 27-May 3

With the current challenges posed to the city’s food service industry, Open Hand is turning the tables on its annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser by encouraging locals to “Dine In” with restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery from April 27 – May 3. The change is not only to support Open Hand, but also a step to help support restaurant partners as they navigate the changes necessitated by the evolving COVID-19 developments.


“We find ourselves in uncertain and unprecedented times. Open Hand started 30 years ago serving those affected with HIV/AIDS, and we once again find ourselves advocating for the most vulnerable in our community. Our priority is to ensure our clients continue to receive meals they heavily rely on,” said Executive Director Matt Peiper. “A virtual Dining Out for Life event will provide Open Hand with vital funds to help sustain service to our clients while simultaneously supporting the restaurant partners who have remained steadfast proponents of the Open Hand mission over the years. Our current community crisis reminds us of the earliest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis when so little was known about the disease. Open Hand was a comforting force for our clients then – just as we must be now.”

 

Open Hand depends on funds raised by its signature events, such as Dining Out for Life, to continue to operate as one of the nation’s largest community-based providers of home-delivered meals and nutrition education. Open Hand staff and supporters will utilize online peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage their social networks to donate to their mission that Atlanta chefs and restaurant owners had hoped to help fulfill.

The organization has refocused its efforts on a virtual event in hopes to join the community together to “Dine In” and do good for the generous restaurant partners that have supported Open Hand over the last three decades. Many of the restaurants are currently open – offering take-out, curbside pick-up and delivery in various metro-Atlanta neighborhoods. Locals can find a full list of restaurant partners here. Open Hand encourages the community to support local restaurants by also purchasing giftcards or donating to online “tip jars” that support staff members and employee relief programs.

Open Hand continues to serve the community during this crisis by preparing, packing and delivering nutritious meals to the most vulnerable in our community empower neighbors to live healthier, more independent lives.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

  • Make a donation to Open Hand online at org/donate.
  • Connect with Open Hand via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share posts, information and more.
  • Enjoy restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery and “Dine In” from April 27 – May 3. Post about the experience using #dininginforoh.

For more information on Dining Out for Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, please visit the Dining Out for Life website at www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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FRONTLINE DINE INITIATIVE 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 4/9/20

TRUE STORY BRANDS LAUNCHES “FRONTLINE DINE” INITIATIVE WITH SPANX BY SARA BLAKELY FOUNDATION TO DELIVER MEALS TO WORKERS AT CHILDREN’S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA

Starting 4/10, Atlanta Hospitality Group will Cook & Deliver Thousands of Meals to Healthcare Workers 

With meal deliveries beginning this week, True Story Brands (10 Degrees South, Yebo Beach Haus, Biltong Bar) is set to deliver nearly 2,500 meals per week to workers of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as part of new “Frontline Dine” initiative. The initiative is funded by Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation, the charitable arm of Spanx that has donated millions of dollars to charities around the world since its inception in 2006.

The idea for Frontline Dine was born as a collaboration between longtime friends Justin Anthony, Founder of True Story Brands, Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx, and her entrepreneur husband Jesse Itzler, who see it as a way to help provide for two communities: the hospitality and healthcare industries. Over the course of two weeks, with hopes to continue longer, the initiative will be responsible for delivering nearly 2,500 meals a week to workers at three Children’s campuses (Scottish Rite, Egleston and Hughes Spalding) during shift change.

Prepared at Biltong Bar at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, the meals will feature traditional South African dishes like Savory and Sweet Curry with chicken or beef and Peri-Peri Chicken. Ideation and execution of the menu will derive from Anthony’s parents, Derek and Diane, who are also the Executive Chef team behind True Story Brands’ flagship restaurant 10 Degrees South. Derek and Diane Anthony, along with Biltong Bar’s Chef plan to serve a menu that honors the South African tradition of convivial, family-style dining while also supplying healthcare workers with hearty and nutritious meals to help get them through this challenging time. In March, Anthony’s young cousin was diagnosed with a severe case of coronavirus and was cared for by the staff at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. She is now on the road to recovery, but Anthony says his cousin’s experience at Scottish Rite played a large role in his decision to take action. He, along with staff from True Story Brands’ temporarily closed restaurants, will deliver meals to each Children’s campus.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to do our part to help the community and we’re so proud to announce this initiative in collaboration with the Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation,” says Anthony. “Not only will it help those on the frontlines battling COVID-19, but this will help provide work for True Story staff who have been temporarily furloughed because of the pandemic.”

GUSTO! LAUNCHES DINING BONDS TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR EMPLOYEES

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/24/20

Buy now and reap the rewards later. gusto! has found an innovative way to generate revenue for their employees by creating gusto! Dining Bonds. Purchase a $100 dining bond now and redeem it for $150 on July 1 or purchase a $200 dining bond now and redeem it for $350 on Sept. 1. Dining bonds help generate revenue now to pay gusto! team members while offering guests a great value on gusto! in the future. Guests can put their bond money towards catering when back in the office or as an excuse to celebrate the end of social distancing when they’re able! Visit gustobonds.com for details and to purchase.

GETTABITE APP LAUNCH TO-GO FEATURE!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/18/20

GettaBite App Pivots To Launch A New Feature
to Aid Atlanta Restaurants Amidst COVID-19 outbreak
Founders Evan Walker and Rain Li of the popular GettaBite app that was launched at the start of 2020, features thousands of Atlanta-area food deals each week. The team of two have pivoted the use of the free app to feature GettaBite To-Go! It’s the same app, but with a new option to keep Atlanta restaurant guests well-informed about which restaurants and food vendors are offering pick-up and delivery during this current time.
GettaBite To-Go! is offered to restaurants for free for a limited time. This is in an effort to help the Atlanta service industry get word out which is especially beneficial for those small business owners without public relations or marketing support.
The GettaBite duo is focused on helping those that have helped them. GettaBite Founder, Evan Walker, “We want to help get word out for restaurants and push sales for their industry in this downward market. We want to partner with Atlanta restaurants so we can help communicate to their guests which restaurants are open, which ones have shifted to take-out and delivery, and what people can expect to order from local restaurants at this time. Let’s keep Atlanta restaurants and diners connected!”
Users can expect the app to provide a self-guided experience. The deal feed will show several hours of deal information and pick-up/delivery information from surrounding restaurants in real time. Currently, GettaBite features hundreds of Atlanta restaurants and offers over 1,000 deals every week from popular names such as Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Hampton & Hudson, El Super Pan, Moe’s Southwest Grill, La Hacienda, Real Tacos, Fontaine’s Oyster House, Midtown Bowl, and many more with new restaurants added daily. The app is also a way for users to discover new restaurants by area and learn about new dishes in addition to the new featured launched today.
How It Works
Restaurants can email GettaBite at contact@gettabiteapp.com or send in their pick-up/delivery offering through the appitselfand GettaBite will post the offerings on the app for hungry Atlantans to see at no charge to the restaurant.
Evan Walker shared, “We founded GettaBite on the idea that restaurants and their diners need a strong communication channel. With many cities closing restaurants and only allowing take-out or delivery, we want to make sure communication between restaurants and their customers isn’t lost.”
Creators Evan Walker and Rain Li launched GettaBite in the summer of 2019. While studying at Auburn University, this young, entrepreneurial team felt the restaurant market lacked a focused food discovery tool. Students and younger generations wanted to know where to go to eat for the biggest bang for their buck. GettaBite is primarily a database of deals at a user’s fingertips. For restaurants, GettaBite is a free way to communicate deals and offerings quickly with a younger audience. The app is more than a food discovery app, it’s the missing link the market craves. GettaBite provides an affordable way to share an eating experience that is cultural and social with a younger generation.
  • Download on any smart phone at the App Store for free
  • GettaBite currently has a 5 out of 5 rating
  • Approaching 6,000 registered users
  • 300,000+ total deal views every month
  • 1,000+ restaurant deals featured weekly

GRANA IS OPEN, LAUNCHING CURBISDE PICK-UP!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/18/20

Starting Thursday, March 19th!

11:30 am – 8 pm

Call 404-231-9000
Pick-up inside or call us and we’ll run it out to you.
Available every single day!
Executive Chef Pasquale “Pat” Pascarella, known for The White Bull on Decatur Square, shared, “Our entire team has been very excited about this opening due to the buzz in the neighborhood surrounding Grana — we all talked about it and agreed that we should open the doors and offer daily, food pick-up during this current time. While this may not be our opening menu, we have a large offering of menu options and will make it easy for those who are currently at home and not going out.”
In addition to the menu below, guests may purchase pasta and tomato sauce complete with recipe cards from the Grana kitchen team.
Address:

1835 Piedmont Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

DRIFT FISH HOUSE & OYSTER BAR’S FOURTH ANNIVERSARY BLUEGRASS BIRTHDAY BASH

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/23/20

Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar

Tuesday, March 3

Oyster Roasts, Live Music and Exclusive Entrée Specials

To celebrate four successful years in East Cobb, Doug Turbush, chef and owner of Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, has teamed up with Gate City Brewing Company and The Jeff Mosier Ensemble for a fourth anniversary Bluegrass Birthday Bash on March 3.

Turbush has thoughtfully created three new and exclusive entrées for guests to try. Crab and lobster enthusiasts will be thrilled to devour the All of the Alaskan King Crab Platter or a whole Maine lobster. Guests also will enjoy live bluegrass music from The Jeff Mosier Ensemble and $4 Gate City drafts served on the patio (weather permitting) and at the main bar. Gate City beers pair exceptionally well with the evening’s James River oysters on the half shell and oyster roast specials.

Oyster Specials

  • One dozen James River oysters on the half shell with traditional accompaniments ($16.44)
  • Oyster Roast ($3.44 each or $13.44 for a flight of all four options)
    • Broiled oysters with Parmesan garlic and lemon
    • Broiled oysters with chili, garlic and lime
    • Oysters Bienville with shrimp, bacon and mushroom
    • Oyster Rockefeller with spinach, bacon and Pernod

Entrée Specials

  • Oak-grilled whole Florida sun shrimp with low country crab rice, tomato jam and shrimp à l’Américaine ($34)
  • Whole Maine lobster (1.25 pounds) served Bienville, Rockefeller, steamed or grilled with hush puppies, slaw, corn, potatoes, sausage and drawn butter ($44)
  • All of the Alaskan King Crab platter with crab salad, crab bisque, crab leg, crab roll, crab beignets and slaw ($54)

5TH ANNUAL ATLANTA BRUNCH FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/16/20

Saturday, March 7th at Noon

Atlantic Station

The 5th annual Atlanta Brunch Fest will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 12-4pm, with Early Entry ticket holders entering at 11am.

Over 60 restaurants will be participating in the event (10 more than last year!) and they will all bring their tastiest brunch items for the crowd to sample. Samples will all be priced at $3 and paid directly to the vendors. There will be Bloody Mary’s, mimosas, Brunch Punch, as well as a selection of beer, wine, cider and hard seltzer to choose from. A live band and everyone’s favorite DJ Q-Tip will get the crowd moving. The list of restaurants and menu items are continuously being added to the website. https://atlantabrunchfestival.com/menu/

Early Entry tickets include all of your drinks and four food tickets to be used for any food vendor sample. (Tickets must be used between 11am and 1pm.) Cost: $65; $70 after Feb 27th, $80 day of.

Bottomless Drink tickets include all of your drinks. (No food included.) Cost: $45; $50 after Feb 27th; $60 day of.

Buy tickets here.

DOS BOCAS MARDI GRAS PARDI 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/15/20

Dos Bocas, Downtown Atlanta

Tuesday, February 25th

Free to attend

Join us on Fat Tuesday for a celebration full of festive cocktails, Cajun food, live Zydeco music, and more! Enjoy a taste of Louisiana with our beignets, crawfish boil, bayou shrimp, po’boys, hurricane cocktails and other Cajun favorites! Check out our Facebook event for event details and updates! FREE to attend! Drinks and food are also available for purchase.

SERPAS TRUE FOOD CELEBRATES MARDI GRAS WITH A BIG FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/15/20

MARDI GRAS AT SERPAS TRUE FOOD
Fat Tuesday Is the Last Day to Party
Before Ushering in 40 Days of Good Behavior!
Tuesday, February 25
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Reservations are highly recommended
ABOUT
New Orleans native Chef Scott Serpas will offer a
traditional Louisiana influenced menu all night long!
Mardi Gras music, decor, masks, beads and
traditional hurricane drink specials at the bar.
Hang on until the end of the evening and
join the kitchen, staff, and guests
for the Second Line fun at the end of the evening!
MENU
(subject to change)
Jambalaya
Seafood Gumbo
Shrimp Po’boys
Plus …Beignets and King Cake

THE WHITE BULL SECOND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: POLENTA PARTY!

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/14/20

Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm

Go party with The White Bull in honor of their 2nd Anniversary and be ready to Grab. A. Fork.
The White Bull is the ONLY place in Atlanta that hosts The Polenta Party crafted by Chef/Owner Pasquale “Pat” Pascarella.
An interactive, table-top dining experience starts with fresh greens and to-die-for bread and butter then the magic happens.
The Polenta Table–
a generous serving of freshly-milled, piping-hot polenta
poured down the center of The White Bull’s extensive communal table.
Chef Pat then tops off the polenta with a variety proteins and locally-sourced veggies.
Final touches of fresh Pecorino Romano cheese and high-quality olive oil, accompany the polenta spread–all directly from Chef Pat’s Italian homeland.
Oh, and there’s dessert to top it off!
And the best part??
There aren’t any plates!
$65 per person
(excludes beverages, tax, gratuity)