Tag Archive for: drinks

ATLANTA FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL IS BACK FOR 2022 WITH NEW PROGRAMMING

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/7/22

Tasting tents return alongside brand new events and programming – Sliced & Cluck’d – celebrating Southern culinary talent and traditions

The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (AF&WF) returns for its 11th year from Thursday, September 15, through Sunday, September 18, with various programming throughout Atlanta and tickets will officially go on sale to the public Thursday, June 23 – with a limited amount of tickets available with early bird pricing through Thursday, June 30. A celebration of Southern culinary culture, attendees can prepare to revel in creations from an array of the finest chefs the South has to offer – from Texas through Georgia, and all the way to D.C. – with proceeds benefiting Children of Conservation’s school lunch program, providing nutrient-dense meals for children in Africa.

From June 23 to June 30 (or until allotments sell out), early bird tickets for the signature tasting tents start at $85 for general admission per day – including unlimited food, wine & cocktails, alongside live chef demos presented by Publix & interactive experiences – and $125 for VIP, which offers priority access to the tents. After June 30, prices will increase to $99 for general admission and $150 for VIP. Tickets for a curated selection of intimate brunches, dinners, master classes and personalized chef experiences & collaborations will be available “a-la-carte,” including those for two new signature events, coming to Midtown’s latest events destination, Guardian Works:

Sliced: AF&WF’s Party by The Slice – Thursday, September 15, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Sweet, savory & everything in between, because we all know the filling is the best part – introducing Sliced: the first-ever party by the slice at AF&WF! Enjoy nearly every creation served by the slice you can think of – from pizza, pie and quiche to brisket, bread and good ole chicken pot pie, there’s something for everyone to enjoy by the slice. Tickets include unlimited bites, sips & entertainment for $110 through June 30, increasing to $125 on July 1.

Cluck’d: A Chicken & Cocktail Soirée – Friday, September 16, from 7 to 10 p.m.

You can’t have a Southern food festival without the star of the show – chicken! Whether served roasted, battered, baked, barbecued, grilled, sautéed, braised or fried, prepare to indulge in a variety of the South’s best birds by 15 of the top chefs of the South paired with signature Southern cocktails. Dig into some classic yet out-of-the-box poultry dishes from some of the best chefs east of the Mason Dixon. Tickets include unlimited dishes, sips & entertainment for $110 through June 30, increasing to $125 on July 1.

Additional featured restaurant and chef collaborations – honoring both our local culinary scene and the region’s – will be announced this summer. To stay up-to-date on the latest and to purchase tickets, visit www.atlfoodandwinefestival.com and follow along at @atlfoodandwine.

ATLANTA DAIRIES ANNOUNCES RUM BAR AS NEWEST TENANT

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/11/22

Memorial Drive Historic Redevelopment Project Welcomes El Malo, Set to Open Late 2022

Paces Properties is pleased to share news of the newest tenant to join its Memorial Drive Atlanta Dairies redevelopment, El Malo. Anticipated to open in Q4 of 2022, El Malo is the brainchild of restaurateur Omar Ferrer (Supremo Taco, Pollo Supremo) and beverage director Gabe Bowen (formerly of Umi Sushi and Restaurant Eugene).

“We are happy to have El Malo join the Atlanta Dairies lineup,” said David Cochran, President and CEO of Paces Properties. “The innovative concept will be unlike any other experience in Atlanta, and it will be the perfect drinks-driven, nightlife accompaniment to our growing roster of retailers, restaurants, and of course, The Eastern.”

Discover more about El Malo below.

El Malo

Concept:
The new destination for music and cocktails, El Malo is a rum bar rooted in deep reverence for the history and culture surrounding sugar cane/agave-based spirits.

Vision:
Long absent on the Memorial strip, El Malo fills the void for post-dinner drinks in a sumptuously secluded environment – a refuge for the jewels of nightlife to fluoresce.

Stats Size:
5,444 SF Bar

Location:
Set in the interior of the property and adjacent to Atlanta Dairies retail shops.

The buildout for El Malo, which translates to “The Bad Guy,” will be led by Square Feet Studio. Guests can expect a versatile and stimulating interior complimented by an “express” window on the patio that will focus on frozen and bottled options to be enjoyed in The Yard of Atlanta Dairies.

El Malo joins seven additional tenants that are already open including City Champion, Dairies Coffeehouse and Cold Brew Bar, Paradiso Plant Shop, Proper Wax, Three Taverns Imaginarium, Wonderkid, YOUNG BLOOD, and The Eastern music venue, which most recently debuted with a fall opening last year.

THE VILLAGE TO HOST FIRST DUNWOODY GREEN EGGS AND KEGS FESTIVAL 2022

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/27/22

A Community Gathering in Support of the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Saturday, April 23rd

On Saturday, April 23, The Village at 5521 Chamblee Dunwoody Road will present Green Eggs & Kegs 2022, showcasing local hospitality owners, live music, beer, and spirits, as well as street performers. This ticketed event will be hosted throughout the Dunwoody Village courtyard and parking lot in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Green Eggs & Kegs is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with VIP ticket holders gaining exclusive entry at noon, an event t-shirt, and private restrooms. With multiple breweries and distilleries, two bands, and more than twenty restaurants including Bar{n}, NFA Burger, Breadwinner Cafe and Bakery, and Chupito’s Azteca Grille, cooking on donated Big Green Eggs, there will be fun for guests of all ages to eat, drink, and enjoy.

Sponsors that will help make what will become an annual event possible include Big Green Egg, United Distributors, and more to come. Other sponsors, performers and vendors will be announced prior to the event launch.

“Our first festival is about bringing the community together to support local, small business owners and enjoying food, and fun right in our own backyard” This is the first of many festivals for The Village,” said David Abes, owner of Dash Hospitality Group and the newly opened Bar{n}.

ABOUT THE VILLAGE DUNWOODY

The Village Dunwoody has quickly been established as the “center of gravity” for its city residents. It is the place for friends, neighbors, and family to gather, indoors and out. Where people can eat and drink and experience what their community has to offer. Creating this community gathering spot is the team’s mission. By 2023, our team will create five diverse yet intertwined experiences that will offer provide high-quality food and a sense of community in the heart of Dunwoody. Visit The Village Dunwoody to stay updated. Follow us @thevillagedunwoody

ABOUT JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION 

JDRF’s mission is to improve lives today and tomorrow by accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.2 billion in research funding since its inception. Built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, the JDRF collaborates with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. JDRF staff and volunteers throughout the United States and six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and their vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit JDRF or follow on Twitter @JDRF

EPICUREAN HOTEL, EPICUREAN THEATRE UPCOMING EVENTS 2021

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/15/21

Tickets here.

Holiday Baking: Brunch of Champions

Schedule: Sunday, December 12, 11.00 am – 1:00 pm

Price: $75

Around the holidays, family traditions and joyful memories often revolve around baking pastries and those sweet treats we love. From nutmeg to ginger to cranberry, it’s the time of year where we can let our favorite flavors shine. Who better to take a tip or two from, than Epicurean’s very own in-house pastry chef, Sabrina Coombs. You may recognize Sabrina as a contestant from Food Network’s hit tv show, Holiday Baking Championship! Featuring four courses of both sweet and savory pastry bites complete with brunch pairings, join us for a seasonal dive into holiday baking and enjoy a brunch of champions!

MENU

Cranberry Doughnuts

Savory Herb & Cheese Popover

Red Velvet Cinnamon Roll

Frozen Gingersnap Swiss Roll

*Paired with festive brunch cocktails.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Born in London, and raised in Atlanta, Sabrina Coombs has made it her mission to bring European techniques to the diverse flavors of modern southern baking. After training as a ballerina in performing arts school, Sabrina decided to take her creative outlet into the kitchen and hasn’t looked back. She trained at Le Cordon Bleu and has held positions at Atlas Buckhead and Four Seasons Atlanta, before recently finding her home at Epicurean Atlanta.

Sabrina’s pastry style is focused – she creates simple, elegant desserts that are full flavor. For Sabrina, food is passion, a sense of community and engagement that brings family and friends together.

When not whipping up sweets, you can find her doing outdoor activities taking her dog Lucky for hikes and yoga in the park. She spends a lot of her free time engaging with her three sisters and her sweet nephew, Noah. She’s loves laughing and having a good time with her loved ones and does the same with her Epicurean family!

PARKING

Complimentary 3-hour valet validation is provided.

Wine For Holiday Fare

Schedule: Saturday, December 18, 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Price: $125.00

ane Garvey (wine educator) & Ewart Wardhaugh (Epicurean Atlanta)
Everybody has different ideas about what makes a good traditional holiday meal. Staple foods and key dishes vary from one culture – and country – to another. From seafood in Spain, to kosher foods for Hanukkah, there is much to be explored in the realm of holiday fare. And when family gathers, there will likely be a variety of wine preferences, from dry to sweet, and from white to pink to red. In this wine and food pairing, we’ll explore a range of wines from a wide swath of wine regions that will pair well with a broad selection of holiday flavors. From classics to some novel ideas, there is nothing better during the holiday season than a good surprise.

MENU

Potato Latkes, Apple Sauce, Sour Cream

Festive Scallop Pork Belly Siu Mai

Basque Marmitako Salad, Fingerling Potatoes, Green Chili Sofrito Mojo

Egyptian Roast Leg of Lamb “Fattah” Pomegranate Eggplant, Tahini Labneh

Sweet Grass Griffin Grits Cheesecake

*Wine pairings provided to accompany each course

ABOUT THE TALENT

Jane F. Garvey

Jane F. Garvey holds a doctorate in Romance languages from the University of Georgia, and uses that skill set to visit wineries all over the world, from Europe to the United States and Canada, as well as the southern hemisphere. She has written about wine for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Wine Report, the newsletter for the Atlanta Wine School, and Lake Oconee Living magazine. She has taught wine classes for a variety of private clients. Currently, she is on the board of the Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Competition, which she co-founded with two colleagues, to recognize the quality of Georgia’s rapidly growing wine world, as well as meads, ciders and distilled spirits. Jane also writes regularly for Georgia magazine, published by Oglethorpe Power. She holds the Certified Specialist of Wine designation granted by the Society of Wine Educators. Glassware and serving temperature issues will also be presented.

Ewart Wardhaugh

With an innate passion for cooking, Wardhaugh’s interest took root at home where he grew up in a culinary household, helping host his family’s dinner parties. At 15, his first stint as a dishwasher sealed his fate in the industry and his life was soon engulfed by the culinary world. Throughout his career, Wardhaugh embarked on a world tour that led him to the Lanesborough Hotel in London, and the Raffles Hotel and Resort in Singapore. His first U.S. venture at the Bellagio in Las Vegas proved to be a major milestone, as he oversaw its 22 food and beverage outlets. Wardhaugh continued his upwards trajectory at prestigious hotels around the world, including Barbados, Australia, and Dubai.

Most recently, Wardhaugh acted as the regional executive chef for Wolfgang Puck Catering in Los Angeles, a multi-faceted company with catering, events, corporate dining, restaurants, and, most notably, the Oscars Governors Ball. With years under his belt, Wardhaugh was named a finalist in the Académie Culinaire de France’s Annual Award of Excellence, a Salon Culinaire winner, a semifinalist in the gourmet category of the Taste of Scotland Challenge, and a finalist for the “Young Scottish Chef of the Year” at age 20. With a hand in menu development, training implementation, menu tasting activities and global industry trends, Wardhaugh looks to create his place within the buzzing culinary scene of Atlanta as Executive Chef at Epicurean Atlanta.

PARKING

Complimentary 3-hour valet validation is provided.

DOWNTOWN WOODSTOCK RESTAURANTS CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH STAR SPANGLED PUB CRAWL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/1/21

Downtown Woodstock

Saturday, July 3rd at 2 pm

The Star Spangled Pub Crawl will take place in Downtown Woodstock on Saturday, July 3rd from 2 to 6 pm. Crawl-goers will enjoy festive food and beverage specials as they visit the participating bars and restaurants.

 

Participants include Copper Coin, The Daily Draft, Eden, Kai (formerly ICE Martini Bar), Madlife Grill, Pure Taqueria, Prime 120, Reel Seafood, Reformation Brewery, Rootstock, and Truck and Tap. Musicians will perform at select locations on a staggered schedule during the event.

 

When a crawl participant arrives at their first restaurant on the crawl, they will be given a stamp card. For each restaurant visited, they will receive a stamp on their card. Once they have received five stamps, they may turn in their card to any participating restaurant to be entered to win prizes.

 

Winners will be drawn from the entries and announced on Visit Woodstock GA social media in a live event on Tuesday, July 6th. Prizes include gift cards to participating restaurants. The grand prize is a Downtown Woodstock prize pack that includes a Downtown Dollars gift certificate.

 

Highlights from the featured food and beverage specials include Prime 120’s Happy Hour Smashburger (two beef patties topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, secret sauce, and shaved lettuce) with fries, Kai’s Star Spangled Beer & Boil, and the Bomb Pop Vodka Lemonade at The Daily Draft. All of the participating restaurants are offering dine in or carry out for crawl specials.

 

“The Star Spangled Pub Crawl is great way to celebrate with friends Independence Day weekend,” said Visit Woodstock GA Marketing and Communication Manager Stacy Brown. “The focus is on the delicious food and beverage features and there won’t be vendors on the sidewalks so people can move from one restaurant to the next easily.”

Find more information about the Star Spangled Pub Crawl at visitwoodstockga.com/crawl

NATIONALLY-TOURING SELTZERLAND COMING TO ATLANTA

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 3/5/21

Saturday, April 3rd

Fox Creek Golf Club

Cannonball Productions will hit the fairways for their safely socially distanced, nationally-touring hard seltzer celebration like no other, called Seltzerland. Attendees are invited to leisurely walk the course while safely sampling from 50+ flavors of hard seltzer on Saturday, April 3rd at the picturesque Fox Creek Golf Club (1501 Windy Hill Road) in the Greater Atlanta area of Smyrna, with no actual golfing involved. Tickets for this can’t miss event begin at $29, are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.seltzerland.com.

Seltzerland debuted at Chicago’s Cog Hill Golf Club on August 2020, before heading to golf courses in Minneapolis, Denver, Tampa, and Dallas. All five events sold out and ticket holders enjoyed a day packed with brands big and small like White Claw, Bud Light Seltzer, Bon V!V, and Cutwater Spirits. Seltzerland’s 2021 tour will include stops in Austin, Scottsdale, Tampa and now Atlanta for the first time.

Guests are able to socially distance in groups of 20 or less and spread out across each course’s fairways. The best hard seltzer brands in the land — from iconic national brands, to beloved local companies — will be on-site offering a variety of beverage samplings, and HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Bacon will provide mouthwatering brunch bites.

“These past 11 months have been incredibly trying, and one thing we know is that everyone needs something to look forward to, now more than ever. As the weather became nicer, I, as a consumer, just wanted to get outside and have a drink with my friends while being safe. What better place to do that than on an open, outdoor, sprawling, and gorgeous golf course? With courses around the country open to the public and tee times available to manage check-in, it is
the safest venue and structure for in-person events. We know this experience will provide a safe opportunity to have some much-needed fun and we’re so excited to bring Seltzerland to life,” said Cannonball Productions CEO & Founder Kate Levenstien.

Safety is a primary focus of this event. Here are some of the precautions attendees can expect:
● Vendors and staff must wear protective gloves and regularly hand-wash. The public is also encouraged to wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and wear a face mask while not sampling.
● Attendees within different time slots must maintain at least six feet of space between each other, and vendors will also be spaced out accordingly to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
● Restrooms will have a devoted porter to regularly clean in between uses.

When purchasing tickets online, attendees will sign up for a “tee-time”, which is available every 10 minutes, for a group of 20 or less for this 2.5-hour experience. There are two ways to experience Seltzerland with General Admission and VIP tickets offered. General Admission tickets begin at $29 and VIP tickets start at $49. VIP ticket holders will kick off the event with premier timeslots, a full-sized can of hard seltzer, a specialty cocktail, and complimentary food.
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.seltzerland.com/. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seltzerland/ Instagram: @seltzer_land

Ticketing inquiries can be directed to hello@cannonballproductions.com.

Atlanta Brunch Fest 2020

Date: Saturday, March 7th

Time:  Noon

About: 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. 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.

More Information:

https://www.bigtickets.com/events/atlantabeerfestivals/atlanta-brunch-festival-2020/

2019 Taste of Atlanta

Date: Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 20th

Time: Varies

About: Taste of Atlanta, the city’s award-winning food, craft beer, wine and spirits festival showcasing the local restaurant scene, announces this year’s festival programming and restaurant lineup here. Taking place over three days from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Historic Fourth Ward Park, the 18th annual festival will feature more than 100 restaurants throughout the weekend. Plus, there will be a Friday Opening Night Party, on-stage cooking demos, cooking classes and new this year, Food Districts, a more expansive VIP Tasting Experience and a Saturday night concert from one of Atlanta’s favorite local bands, Yacht Rock Revue.

More Information:

https://www.freshtix.com/events/taste-of-atlanta-2019

Haven Restaurant: BBQ Chips and Mustard Seeds

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/14/19

What do BBQ Chips and Mustard Seeds Have In Common? Find out here!

On a corner off Dresden, Haven Restaurant sits in the middle of the Brookhaven action. From their impeccable staff, to the fresh linens, well-priced offerings, and the warm ambiance, everything about Haven is inviting and welcoming. Their chef, Joe Macy, said that he wants his menu to reflect, “food that people could share and be social with, like their deviled eggs and brussels sprouts.” That’s how Haven feels, like a place you take your friends, your family, and share a meal. Come on in. Let’s share a meal together.

Cue the excitement, because we found them. We found our favorite deviled eggs in Atlanta to date! There are two reasons these deviled eggs stand out, first is the crumbled barbecue chips that give them a crunch and salt. Yes, crumbled BBQ chips! The second and thing that did it for us on top of that were the mustard seeds. They gave it a richer flavor and a pop at the end! It was like eating fish roe, which was his original idea, but with the added zing. Beyond that the filling was just egg, mayonnaise, lemon, tobacco, and Worcestershire for added zip and color. I (Liz) at them all, so now we must go back so John can get one. Darn.

We didn’t realize how egg-centric our brunch was until we ordered our entrees: Avocado Toast, Sunday Hash, and Steak and Eggs. Egg-celent! Puns aside, we really enjoyed each dish for an entirely different reason. Let’s start with the Avocado Toast. This healthy option may look healthy, but don’t think for a minute it is low on taste. Layered bread, guacamole, hard boiled eggs, and tomatoes, it was a good balance of creamy, crunch, and savory. The guacamole was creamy, bread had a good crunch to it, while the eggs were savory, and the tomato gave it acidity and balance. It also came it an arugula salad. It was slightly salty and peppery, so it made an amazing topping for the toast. Yes, we’d recommend putting it on your toast. It’s gives it a WOW factor!

If you’re looking for something savory and hearty, go with the Sunday Hash. From the potatoes to soak up all the flavors, sweet peppers and onions, savory short rib, and topped with a runny egg, there’s a lot of flavor in this dish. The savory short rib was tender with a slight char and all that good au jus from it seeped into the potatoes and vegetables and gave it a richer flavor. Then, the sweet peppers and onions gave it a balance. It was something you could sit by a roaring fire with and a good cup of coffee. If you get this, try getting all the ingredients on your fork in one bite for the best bite possible. OMG. Worth it! As far as the steak and eggs, it was John’s choice and the steak was tender and well-seasoned. It came with potatoes and eggs and was a good breakfast staple that anyone could enjoy. Especially steak connoisseurs like us!

What is a brunch without something to sip on? We’re always down for a mimosa, and we loved the size and balance of juice and champagne on this one! It was just right. We also tried the Brookhaven Botanical, which was cucumber vodka, mint, grapefruit (citrus) that rounds it out. When you first sip it, it’s cool and refreshing from the mint and cucumber flavor of the vodka, then has a little sweet from the fruit to balance it out. A good sipping drink!

We ended our time chatting with Chef Joe Macy for quite a while about all the above food, beer, and everything in between, we felt like he really cares about his food and his customers. This place feels like family. The seal of approval comes when you decide you’re going to take your mom there! Mom, are you ready?

SECOND ANNUAL ¡VIVA TEQUILA! FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/6/19

Small-Batch Tequilas and Bites from Atlanta’s Best Chefs Bring True Taste of
Mexico’s Culture to Piedmont Park

Promenade at Piedmont Park at Noon

ATLANTA  – On Saturday, Oct. 26, famed tequila importer and connoisseur Juan Bonilla and Atlanta event producer Sean O’Keefe are hosting the second annual ¡Viva Tequila! Festival, a one-of-a-kind tequila tasting experience and cultural extravaganza that pairs 25 top Atlanta restaurants with 25 of the world’s finest boutique tequilas. Attendees also will enjoy live music and other performances, plus local and imported artisan goods. The high-end and high-spirited festivities, which benefit the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, take place under the tents at The Promenade at Piedmont Park.

“Our goal is to give guests a completely different understanding of how the spirit works in a gastronomic context. Many people have bad experiences with tequila when they are younger, but we are trying to teach them to give tequila another chance,” says Bonilla. “The greatest reward is how people’s perceptions change once they realize how good quality tequila tastes and how well it pairs with different types of food.”

The tasting event begins at 12:00 p.m. and includes unlimited access to small bites and top-shelf tequila pairings until 5 p.m. Offering incredible value, general admission ($75) to the ¡Viva Tequila! Festival also includes a DJ, live entertainment from traditional Mexican dancers to Mariachi bands, and vendors showcasing paintings, artifacts, clothing and jewelry. For attendees who want to continue the fun and experience live music plus even more exceptional tequilas, VIP tickets ($150) include access to the ¡Viva Noche! After Party from 6-9 p.m. In its inaugural event in 2018, the festival hosted 2,000 attendees and expects closer to 5,000 this year.

A portion of the festival’s proceeds benefits the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and educating women, their families and the health care community about risks, symptoms and treatment of ovarian cancer leading to earlier detection. Bonilla feels strongly about serving high-quality products that won’t increase the risk for diseases, and GOCA’s cause is one that is close to his heart.

Participating restaurants include, Casa Cielo, Loca Luna, Eclipse di Luna, Cabo’s Mexican Grill, Santa Lucia Brizilian Steakhouse, Seven Tequilas Mexican Restaurant, HOLA! Taqueria and Bar, La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant, Zocalo Mexican Kitchen and Cantina and Doraku. Each is paired with premium tequila brands not widely available in the United States such as Don Nacho, Don Fernando, Mi Tierra, Padre Azul, Don Celso and Siempre tequilas.

Differentiating itself from the multitude of other food and beverage festivals throughout Atlanta, the ¡Viva Tequila! Festival is a sipping event that showcases tequila’s diversity and how the spirit can be elevated with specific food pairings from Atlanta chefs. Bonilla is encouraging his guests to try food with the tequila and seeks to separate the spirit from the “shots on Cinco de Mayo” stereotype.

“People in the United States don’t see tequila as something you eat with, it’s seen as more of a party drink, but the reality is it’s one of the most expensive spirits on the planet,” says Bonilla. “We’re trying to get people to recognize why it tastes so good and the cost behind it.”

Bonilla’s family owned a great deal of land in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Michoacán, where tequila is produced, and he became passionate about and highly involved in the tequila industry from a young age. With first-hand experience farming and cooking the agave plants to producing the tequila, he went on to serve as an ambassador for the spirit and has been a tequila and mezcal importer for the past decade. Bonilla also holds one of the largest collections (over 400 bottles) in the world. “It’s so much more than the spirit for me; tequila represents the culture of Mexico,” he says.

For Bonilla, educating consumers is a year-round initiative that doesn’t end with the ¡Viva Tequila! Festival. He also offers a more intimate tequila dinner series throughout the year at local Atlanta-area restaurants to increase awareness and enjoyment of tequila in a different setting, and leads small group trips to Mexico for travelers interested in visiting distilleries and learning how tequila is produced.

The Promenade is an open-air venue located on the Greensward Path in Piedmont Park. Tickets to the festival are available for purchase on Eventbrite. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend.