ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CELEBRATION: Experience the best in jazz with performances Saturday, May 24 through Monday, May 26 from acclaimed local favorites! Taking place in Woodruff Park with artist vendors, fantastic festival food options and great jazz makes the Memorial Day Weekend festival a perfect event for the entire family! Visit http://www.atlantafestivals.com for the most updated schedule of performances and events.
WHAT YOU SHOULD LEAVE AT HOME:
•No Pets
•No Grills
•No Tents
•No Bicycles
•No Skating
•No Staking
FREE ADMISSION
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-May 26
2 PM TO 10 PM
Woodruff Park
Auburn Ave NE and Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mid-East Food Festival
Authentic Mid-Eastern cuisine, live music, folk dancing and the Dabke dance group will be some of the offerings at the St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church. Can you think of a better way to spend a day than enjoying good food and music with family and friends? The assortment of food and pastries will be available for purchase at prices ranging from $2 to $15. And, if I remember correctly they also offer some of the most delicious coffee you’ve ever tasted!
Mid-East Food Festival
St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church
1428 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.
Atlanta GA 30307
404-373-9522
Free Admission, food priced from $2 to $15, Sat – May 17 noon-9pm, and Sun – May 18 noon-4pm
Festival Food, Outdoor cafe, live music, folk dancing, and gift shop.
Marietta Greek Festival
Greek food and pasteries, live music, dancing, kids activities, and church tours will be some of the fun to be had at this festival. Over a dozen vendors will offer jewelry, gifts, cookbooks, greek fiction, and music CDs. And, the Marietta Hellenic Dance Program will showcase traditional Greek folk dancing through the days while modern and contemporary shows will be in the evening.
Marietta Greek Festival
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
3431 Trickum Road
Marietta, Georgia 30066
770-924-8080
www.mariettagreekfestival.org
Admission: $3.00 each or free for those 12 yrs old and younger
Fri – May 16 3:00pm-11:00pm, Sat – May 17 10:00am-11:00pm, and Sun – May 18 11:00am-7:00pm
Greek food and pastries, live music, traditional folk dance, modern dance, and over a dozen vendors offering gifts, jewelry and specialty items.
Celebrate Sandy Springs! (Black tie optional)
The Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce are putting on an event to celebrate 15 area restaurants. The chefs, live jazz, cocktails, food and auctions will be a part of the festivities to showcase area restaurants and what they’ve got to offer their city.
Celebrate Sandy Springs!
Art Institute of Atlanta
6600 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
100 Embassy Row
770-394-8300
www.sandysprings.org
Black tie Optional, May 17 8:00pm-11:30pm tickets $100 (VIP tickets $250)
Chocolate Chunk Pecan, Oatmeal Raisin, Double Chocolate Chunk, Almond Marble, or Peanut Butter Chocolate…. No matter what variety you choose, your taste buds will be rewarded. When you build a cookie on a base of high quality ingredients, you are rewarded with a stellar final product. And, these beauties never sit on shelf long enough to be anything but impeccably fresh.
Star of the Day: The Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies shine with rich dark chocolate flavor and they are chock full of dark chocolate bits.
Alon’s Dunwoody — 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Versailles… This sign beckons you. I don’t believe it’s possible to drive down Calle Ocho (8th Street) without stopping. It might just be for a cafe cubano. Or, it might be for a pressed sandwich or pastellito (a guava pastry with or without cheese). Or, if you’re lucky, you might just get to sample my personal favorite… the GIANT sugar cookie baked with a good sized circle of guava paste decorating it’s center. The delectable pink circle of goodness make this giant treat worth every calorie.
Setting: Large casual dining room with separate bakery. The simple tables and chairs somehow work with the numerous crystal chandeliers in this Miami institution. It is a decor that screams Old Miami. And, the bakery, which has its own seating (a number of cafe tables) also offers a takeout window for those in a hurry.
Staff: The staff is a mixture of Spanish and English speakers who are eager to help. But, if you’re headed to the bakery, it’s best to know what you need in advance. As, it’s likely to be jam packed full of hungry patrons.
The Food:
The Restaurant offers a full menu of classic Cuban cuisine… Lechon Asado (Roast Pork), Vaca Frita (Beef Roast shredded and fried), Boliche (Cuban Pot Roast), Picadillo (Ground beef braised in a thin tomato sauce), Masas De Puerco Fritas (Chunks of fried pork), Palomilla Steak (Thin beef steak sauteed with citrus juices, garlic and onions) and many others.
The Bakery houses their cakes, cookies, pastries, Cuban bread and sandwiches for pressing. In addition, a row of several espresso machines that they use to whip up their cafe cubanos and cafe con leches. A list of my favorites include their guava sugar cookies, tres leches, crema catalana (Cuban creme brulee), flan (several variations), pastellitos, arroz con leche (rice pudding), and bonatillo (sweet potato pudding).
The Stars of the Day: Lechon Asado, Vaca Frita, Maduros and Moros y Christianos AND guava sugar cookies, pastellitos and cafe cubanos for dessert.
Versailles
3555 S W Eighth Street
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 444-0240
One of my all time favorite restaurants in Florida has got to be Little Havana. Their Cuban food has the true ring of authenticity. Every visit to South Florida demands a visit. And, while it might not actually be located on Calle Ocho, their food will take you straight to Cuba.
Setting: The large dining room has the feel of Cuba. Huge wooden chairs upholstered with well-worn leather pair up with the white linen covered tables for a relaxed yet casually elegant feel.
Staff: Incredibly friendly and helpful to those who might need a bit of guidance. And, to those who want to linger over an addictive cafe cubano at the end of your meal, you will never be rushed!
The Food:
Roast Pork — Out of this World — Delicious and tender pork with a drizzle of pan juices and garnished with a wedge of crisp fried skin.
Ropa Vieja — Shredded beef and onions in a thin tomato sauce
Bistec Empanizado — A thin steak, breaded and fried, topped with garlic sauce and garnished with lime
Bistec de Pollo Empanizado — Fried breaded chicken with garlic sauce and garnished with lime
Palomilla Steak — Cuban steak with a light mojo marinade and garnished with lime
Picadillo — ground beef braised in a tangy tomato sauce with olives
Side items: fried yuca, fried ripe plantains, plantain chips, croquettes, and last but not least, boiled yuca with mojo
And, for dessert: cafe cubano and coconut flan
The Stars of the Day: Roast Pork with fried ripe plantains AND cafe cubano with coconut flan
Little Havana
12727 Biscayne Blvd.
North Miami, FL 33181
Phone: (305) 899-9069
A recent visit to Florida has refreshed my memories and awakened my cravings for Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor. For me, there is no ice cream parlor that will ever live up to it. Jaxson’s is Florida to me. No trip is complete without the mandatory visit… or two. Jaxson’s is the definition of indulgence. The sundaes are a heaping mound of ice cream that must be at least a pint of ice cream. And, that’s before they are finished off with one or more of their many toppings and sauces. This is not a dessert. It is a decadent meal.
Setting: A rustic ice cream parlor with wrought iron tables and chairs, wooden booths, vintage goods and antiques cover every available inch of wall space.
Staff: Friendly one and all.
The Food: A goblet of popcorn starts every meal. This is Jaxson’s and that goblet of popcorn will be the healthiest bit of food to touch your lips. Don’t even try to order anything other than one of their ice cream creations or you will need a crane to get out of your seat. Jaxson’s ice cream is the gold standard by which all other ice cream is compared. What flavor? Any flavor. They are all Amazing!
Vanilla ~ Chocolate ~ Strawberry ~ Rocky Road ~ Mocha Chip ~ Chewy Fudge ~ Fudge Ripple ~ Maple Walnut ~ Butter Pecan ~Butter Almond ~ Black Cherry ~ Chocolate Chip ~ Chocolate Almond ~ Mint Chocolate Chip ~ Double Chocolate Chip ~ Death By Chocolate ~ Tropical Coconut ~ Coffee ~ Blueberry ~ Rum Raisin ~ Praline Pecan ~ Oreo Cookie ~ Cappuccino ~ Pina Colada ~ Bubble Gum ~ Fresh Banana ~ Fresh Peach ~ Cherry Vanilla ~ Pistachio ~ Black Raspberry ~ Peppermint Candy ~ Crunchy Peanut Butter ~ Creme Caramel ~ Cookie Dough
Take your pick!!
Stars of the Day: Ice cream — While all the flavors are out of this world, my favorites are Creme Caramel, Death by Chocolate and Tropical Coconut. And, my favorite sundae is the Turtle Sundae with Creme Caramel ice cream.
 
 
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant
128 South Federal Hwy.
Dania Beach, FL 33004
954 923 4445
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q — BEST OVERALL BBQ — Outstanding ribs, brisket, brunswick stew, mac & cheese, and onion rings
1238 Dekalb Ave
Atlanta, Ga 30307
404 577 4030
Sam & Dave’s BBQ1 — Outstanding chicken and ribs, but, they only have about 5 tables
4944 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta, GA
770 977 3005
Swallow at the Hollow — Best setting — Outstanding ribs, cabin bread, mac & cheese and baked beans
1072 Green Street
Roswell, GA 30075
678 352 1975
KC Pit BBQ — Outstanding BBQ Chicken — Great Ribs, burnt ends, and sweet potato casserole
234 Hilderbrand Rd. NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404 459 6497
Daddy D’s — Outstanding Ribs, chicken and collard greens. Also, the BEST cornbread on the planet!!
264 Memorial Dr
Atlanta, GA 30312
404 222 0206
Maddy’s Rib & Blues Joint — Great ribs
1479 Scott Blvd
Decatur, GA 30030
Fat Matt’s — Great ribs
1811 Piedmont Ave
Atlanta, GA 30324
404 607 1622
Old South BBQ — Great ribs and hush puppies
601 Burbank Circle (Windy Hill Rd)
Smyrna , GA 30080
770 435 4215
Pig-n-Chik (original location) — Best Pulled Pork and potato salad
4920 Roswell Road (inside the Fountain Oaks Shopping Center)
Atlanta, GA 30342
404 255 6368
Setting: Casual restaurant with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating
Staff: Friendly, attentive and eager to offer suggestions
The Food:
BBQ Beef Brisket — moist, smoky, and full of flavor
BBQ Baby Back Ribs — The best I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting — spicy, moist, and fall-off-the-bone-tender
The spice blend, which is quite spicy to my taste, might just be the perfect blend. Paprika and pepper dominate the blend, but, there is just the right amount of sugar in the background to accent the smoky heat. The perfection of this blend becomes evident when you finish the last rib and realize you haven’t even touched the bbq sauce.
Brunswick Stew — rich, spicy and chock full of meat — A contender for the best in the city
Onion Rings — an amazingly generous amount as a side item — and — is that a beer batter? YUM!
Stars of the Day: While every bit of the meal was OUTSTANDING, the Baby Back Ribs and Brunswick Stew were my personal favorites.
Fox Bros Bar-B-Q
1238 Dekalb Ave
Atlanta Ga 30307
404.577.4030
Hours:
Mon – Thur: 11:30am – 10pm
Fri: 11:30am – 11pm
Sat : Noon -11pm
Sun: Noon – 9pm
This year the 72nd Atlanta Dogwood Festival will be held in the front parking lots of Lenox Square. This springtime tradition will still be filled with art, artists, live music, and family fun. But, it will have the unique views of the Lenox Square Mall and it’s surrounding buildings. Ah… how lovely. The birds are singing..the flowers are blooming… somewhere… but, not here. We’ll have to settle on the views of the artists and their artwork. This is an odd venue considering the fact that their won’t be a dogwood in sight. And, yet, I am sure that Atlanta residents will be out in force to support our local artists. Many of us will eagerly buy their beautiful works.
72nd Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Festival Hours:
Friday, April 4, 12:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, April 5, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, April 6, 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Is it:
The Rusty Nail Pub: Cajun burger with thickly cut fries
The Rusty Nail Pub might be the winner of this competition with a huge burger that includes a spice rubbed burger patty that is topped with nicely caramelized onions. Always cooked to perfection and served up with sizzling hot fries.
Outback Steakhouse: Mad Max Burger (bacon cheeseburger served up with their seasoned chips)
Outback serves up a very tasty entry with ground beef that includes tenderloin and sirloin in its grind. And, since it is a steakhouse, they reliably cook the burger to medium each and every time.
Chili’s Grill and Bar: Southern Smokehouse Big Mouth Burger (bacon cheddar cheese burger topped with onion straws and served with a side of bbq sauce and seasoned fries)
While the fries at Chili’s can be hit or miss, depending on their freshness, this might just be my favorite burger. The bacon is thick cut with a chili powder and brown sugar rub. The combination of brown sugar and chili powder give just the right amount of heat to this flavorful burger. There’s a lot going on with the cheddar, onion straws, bacon and bbq sauce. But, they work surprisingly well together. Only the smallest amount of bbq sauce is needed to complete this decadent combination. This burger hits all the right notes! (Even if it does require an extra hour in the gym)
The Cheesecake Factory: Kobe beef burger with caramelized onions and shoestring fries
This is another candidate for first place. The kobe beef is incredibly rich and meaty. And, the onions are perfectly caramelized every time we’ve orded this burger. No other condiments are needed, the combination of beef and sweet caramelized onions add all the flavor you need. The side of fries that accompany this burger are always crisp and hot… a nice bonus.
The winner: I’m just not sure. I think this requires another round of tastings… or two.
The Rusty Nail Pub: 2900 Buford Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: (404) 325-3326
Outback Steakhouse: www.outback.com
Chili’s Grill and Bar: www.chilis.com
The Cheesecake Factory: www.thecheesecakefactory.com
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