Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Chef and Restaurateur Marc Taft Forms Southern Fried Hospitality


For more information:
 Emily Connolly or Morgan Lanier
Melissa Libby & Associates
404-816-3068
                                                                              morgan@melissalibbypr.com


CHEF AND RESTAURATEUR MARC TAFT FORMS SOUTHERN FRIED HOSPITALITY
Parent Company to Support Chicken and the Egg, Brine Seafood Shack, FEED – Fried Chicken & Such; CO-OP Community Table + Bar; Future Growth Includes Restaurant Development Services

ATLANTA (Jan. 31, 2017) – Executive chef and restaurateur Marc Taft has created a restaurant management company called Southern Fried Hospitality to provide management and development for his four restaurants - Chicken and the Egg, Brine Seafood Shack (debuting spring 2017 in Alpharetta’s Avalon), FEED – Fried Chicken & Such (scheduled to open late spring in The Battery Atlanta adjacent to SunTrust Park) and CO-OP Community Table + Bar (scheduled to open April 2018 in Forsyth County’s HALCYON Development). The company also plans to expand its consulting services to both restaurants and hotel F&B operations.

“Brine and FEED are two brands that we plan to grow, so it’s important to make sure guests know what they represent,” says Taft. “Chicken and the Egg evolved through customer feedback. I firmly believe that having solid teams in place to lead these restaurants, taking care of guests and evaluating how diners respond will determine our long term objectives.”

As president of the company, Taft is focused on concept development and growth in addition to the company’s culinary operations. Joining Taft is the company’s vice president of operations Tom Foust, formerly of Rathbun’s, Chicken and the Egg and McKendrick’s and director of operations Fran Kieffer, who has worked at Chicken and the Egg, Rio Bravo, The Tavern at Phipps and Einstein’s restaurant. Foust oversees the day-to-day operations, the beverage programs, as well as all aspects of guest service, while Kieffer is responsible for front-of-house operations in each restaurant and providing direction to all general managers. The three men have a history of working together, having all served in management positions for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants earlier in their careers. Now, their combined leadership experience allows them to establish a unique purpose driven corporate culture, exceptional service standards and memorable dining experiences.  

Although Taft grew up in Alabama and has been a proponent of Southern fare ever since he first tasted his grandmother’s fried chicken at the Sunday dinner table, he looks forward to spreading his wings and showcasing his other culinary abilities with the creation of new restaurants under the Southern Fried Hospitality umbrella.

“Our restaurants reflect the experiences I have had throughout my career,” he says. “Although guests will see the majority of our brands heavily influenced by Southern heritage, we will be branching out with other unique concepts.”

One aspect of Taft’s chef-driven restaurants that will remain consistent is the dedication to bringing only the finest sourced ingredients to guests, whether it is sustainable, Southern California-style seafood outlined by the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch at Brine, modern-farmstead fare at Chicken and the Egg, fast-casual fried chicken and Southern sides at FEED, or hyper-local ingredients at CO-OP.

Many of Taft’s longtime employees at Chicken and the Egg have moved up in the ranks to take on management roles in the new restaurants, and the growth has already been generating an air of excitement at the restaurant.

“Something that Tom, Fran and I all agree on is that we have to be progressive and attract talent from multiple generations,” Taft says of what Southern Fried’s formation is achieving for his restaurants and his employees. “We are putting a lot of focus on technology and people and creating a culture from the inside out that drives the guest experience, and our staff is already responding very positively to the changes.”


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Friday, January 27, 2017

Hojeij Branded Foods Names Atlanta Hospitality Icon Claude Guillaume Executive Vice President

For more information:
 Emily Connolly or Morgan Lanier
Melissa Libby & Associates
404-816-3068
                                                              morgan@melissalibbypr.com

HOJEIJ BRANDED FOODS NAMES ATLANTA HOSPITALITY ICON
CLAUDE GUILLAUME EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Mobil Five-Star Award Winner Brings Excellent Dining Experience
to Airport Full Service Restaurants and Bars

ATLANTA (Jan. 27, 2017) - After an esteemed 25-year career working in some of Atlanta’s finest restaurants, Claude Guillaume is using his impeccable hospitality skills as Hojeij Branded Foods’ (HBF) executive vice president of full service restaurants and bars. His focus on perfecting the guest experience across the HBF U.S. portfolio includes restaurants such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, LongHorn Steakhouse, Gordon Biersch, Plum Market, Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina, Atlanta Hawks Bar and Grill, TAP: A Gastropub, multiple piano bars and five of celebrity chef Cat Cora’s restaurants, just to name a few.

Guillaume joined HBF as vice president of guest experience in January 2016 to oversee guest experience at more than 75 restaurants. HBF’s CEO Regynald Washington says Guillaume brings to the company refinement, full service protocol expertise and a huge passion for the guest experience.

With a career that has included running the food and beverage operations at the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and opening the city’s best-reviewed restaurant with acclaimed chef Günter Seeger in Atlanta’s, Guillaume is an expert at world class operations. “The key is developing our talent to reflect HBF’s incomparable attention to service excellence,” he says. “It’s about learning and development, dedication, professionalism and listening to your instincts.”

About Hojeij Branded Foods
Hojeij Branded Foods is a Morgan Stanley Private Equity Portfolio Company founded by Wassim Hojeij, president of business development. HBF is an Atlanta-based company operating more than 75 restaurants and bars with over 40 widely known national, regional and local brands in its U.S. portfolio. For more information, visit www.hbfairports.com.


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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Fall In Love with These Valentine’s Day Specials

For more information:
Emily Connolly or Morgan Lanier
Melissa Libby & Associates
404-816-3068
emilyc@melissalibbypr.com
morgan@melissalibbypr.com


FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIALS
Atlanta-Area Restaurants Serve Up Swoon-Worthy Meals to Remember

ATLANTA (Jan. 24, 2017) – It’s that time of year once again: love is in the air, and finding just the right dining spot for Valentine’s Day is foremost in our thoughts. The following Atlanta-area restaurants offer the perfect mix of amorous atmosphere and delectable fare. Prices listed do not include tax and gratuity. Please call early for reservations.

Valentine's Weekend Specials

5Church Atlanta has a $65 three-course prix fixe menu with courses of crispy oyster, lobster and ricotta gnudi or arugula salad; the C.A.B. filet mignon, steelhead trout or bone-in pork chop; and coconut panna cotta, yuzu cake or dark chocolate mousse. $25 per-person wine pairings are also available. This special menu is available in addition to the regular à la carte menus Feb. 11-13. On Feb. 14, only the prix fixe menu will be served. 404-400-3669; 5churchatlanta.com.

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland features a delicious chef's menu Feb. 10-14.  Selections include seared scallops, lobster tail & filet mignon, and raspberry crème brûlée. 404-876-7249; atkinspark.com.

Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails promises prime steak features throughout the weekend and a three-course, $65 prix fixe menu on Valentine’s Day. 770-817-0161; miltonscuisine.com.

Ray's on the River (770-995-1187), Ray's at Killer Creek (770-649-0064), and Ray's in the City (404-524-9224) are showcasing prix fixe menus Feb. 11-13 alongside the regular dinner menu. Dinner on Feb. 14 begins at 3 p.m. and features the prix fixe menus only.  The coursed menus are $70 and $85 per person and feature treats such as braised short rib ravioli, horseradish-encrusted black grouper and twin lobster tails. raysrestaurants.com.

Storico Fresco Alimentari e Ristorante is featuring Valentine’s-themed dishes - heart-shaped pasta and lobster-filled pasta – in its specialty grocery store on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, and on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 13-14. The full-service bar and restaurant is also serving a special dinner menu on Feb. 14. 404-500-2181; storicofresco.com.
Valentine's Day Dining

American Cut has a hearty $78 three-course prix fixe menu. Choose from a 10-oz. filet, a 20-day dry-aged bone-in rib-eye or pan-roasted halibut along with salad and dessert while toasting to your love with a $100 bottle of Perrier Jouët Blason Rosé. 770-415-9766, americancutsteakhouse.com.

Enjoy chef/owner Gerry Klaskala's modern take on American cuisine at Aria, which features a newly redesigned, welcoming dining room and a special four-course menu from 5 to 9 p.m. for $95 per person. 404-233-7673; aria-atl.com.

Dolce Italian features a $75 prix fixe menu with a choice of entrées sure to impress your sweetie (tuna and salmon mosaic, risotto with lobster and filet Oscar), bookended by oysters with papaya relish and chocolate ganache cake with passion fruit ice cream. 678-686-2267, dolceitalianrestaurant.com.

Gunshow is extending its hours for the evening, opening at 5:30 p.m. and closing at 9:30 p.m. Kevin Gillespie’s acclaimed Glenwood Park outpost offers its regular dining experience, with chefs rotating selections (including some dishes inspired by the romantic day) tableside. 404-380-1886; gunshowatl.com.

Basque in the glow of special chef features at Gypsy Kitchen along with the regular à la carte menu of modern day Spanish cuisine. 404-939-9840; gk-atl.com.

In addition to its regular dinner menu, Midtown’s popular HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern offers a $49 special for couples, including a shared sampler platter; any two draft beers, glasses of wine or Champagne (1 per person, two total); and a shared peach cobbler for dessert. The restaurant is serving dinner until 11 p.m. for the occasion. 404-968-2288; hobnobatlanta.com.

Jefe's Tacos & Tequilas in Town Brookhaven is offering a Valentine's Day special Feb. 10-14 available a la carte or as a three-course meal for two for $35. Includes Jefe's sampler platter of taquitos with picante & creme, queso with green chiles, guacamole with tostada (not available a la carte); steak and lobster fajitas for two ($28 a la carte); and warm chocolate pudding with ice cream ($6 a la carte). Hear live music from a solo guitarist from 6-9 pm. 404-936-6205; jefestacos.com

Heads up, lovebirds! Marlow’s Tavern is serving up a three-course feast on Valentine’s Day. Make it a date night to remember at your favorite tavern for $35 per person. Some menus vary by neighborhood, and you can find full menus below:

·         Avalon
·         Duluth
·         Midtown
·         Kennesaw
·         Vinings
·         All other taverns

Fall in love with dishes such as Seared Jumbo Scallops, Grilled Center-Cut Ribeye, Marlow’s Steak Oscar, White Chocolate Raspberry Bread Pudding and Classic Crème Brûlée. Add wine pairings for $15 per person (excluding Avalon and Vinings taverns). For more information, visit Marlow's Tavern on Facebook.  

Revival, Kevin Gillespie’s Decatur spot for creative takes on classic Southern fare, has some, well, lovely specials planned, including oysters on the half shell with cocktail sauce, creamed shrimp over Savannah red rice, braised lamb osso buco and awesome chocolate cake. Guests can also take advantage of wine specials and enjoy splits of Champagne. 470-225-6770; revivaldecatur.com.

Doug Turbush’s Marietta hot spots Seed Kitchen & Bar, Stem Wine Bar and Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar are presenting $75 prix fixe menus with wine pairings available for an additional $25. Seed and Stem: 678-214-6888; eatatseed.com; stemwinebar.com. Drift: 770-635-7641; driftoysterbar.com.

Breckenridge Brewery is the February Beer of the Month at Taco Mac, which is tapping a special Breckenridge beer starting at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14. It's a whiskey barrel-aged Breckenridge 471 IPA dry-hopped with Citra. “Hop” in and give it a try – it is available at all Taco Mac locations except Philips Arena and Stockbridge. tacomac.com.

If what your sweetheart really craves is a beach getaway in the middle of February, The Big Ketch has just the ticket. Atlanta’s favorite beach house is offering special chef features in a casual setting without the formal feel of higher-end date options. Buckhead: 404-474-9508; Roswell: 770-993-5749; thebigketch.com.

Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere are cooking up a la carte perfection at The Federal inspired by their travels around the world, French cuisine and the traditional American steakhouse. 404-343-3857; thefederalatl.com.

The Southern Gentleman, Buckhead’s most beloved gastropub, is rolling out a four-course prix fixe menu for $75. Guests have the option of adding a wine and spirits pairing for a truly memorable experience. 404-939-9845; thesoutherngentlemanatl.com.
Give the gift of love at Willy’s Mexicana Grill. Bring a homemade or purchased Valentine’s Day card to any Willy’s on Feb. 14 and they’ll give a special offer to use on a return visit Feb. 15-28. Offer not available at the Atlanta Airport location. willys.com.      

Family Fun

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar in Virginia-Highland hosts a SPARK (Springdale Park Elementary) family focus night on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Bring the whole family to decorate Valentine’s Day cookies from 5 to 9 p.m. Participation is free. 404-876-7249; atkinspark.com.

A Little Something Different

Join host Neal Reddy for an evening of Blind Pig Comedy Sessions on Feb. 9 at 8:30 p.m. $12 gets you in the door for the comic stylings of Yohance Collins, Trey Dunn, Christy Kirkland, Samm Sevrin and nationally syndicated radio personality Special K, as seen on Kevin Hart’s LOL comedy special. The Blind Pig Parlour Bar is located behind Smokebelly BBQ at the unmarked black door. 678-705-7697; theblindpigparlourbar.com.

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Monday, January 23, 2017

Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill Announces New Location at Emory Point

For more information:
Emily Connolly or Morgan Lanier
Melissa Libby & Associates
404-816-3068
emilyc@melissalibbypr.com
morgan@melissalibbypr.com

PAPI’S CUBAN & CARIBBEAN GRILL ANNOUNCES NEW LOCATION AT EMORY POINT
Beloved Destination for Authentic, Delicious Cuban Fare Opening at Emory Point on Jan. 30

ATLANTA (Jan. 23, 2017) – Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill, Atlanta’s longtime favorite for the homestyle cuisine and vibrant culture of Cuba, announces the opening of its newest location in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta. Opening its doors on Monday, Jan. 30 in the Emory Point mixed-use development, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily and joins six other Papi’s locations throughout the metro Atlanta area.

“We look forward to bringing a true taste of Cuban food and heritage to the Druid Hills neighborhood,” says owner Reynaldo "Rey" Regalado. “People all across Atlanta know and love Papi’s for our delicious Cuban cooking, but the Papi’s experience is not only about food. We treat our guests like family providing genuine Cuban hospitality and serving them with love.”

Regalado, who immigrated from the Santiago de Cuba province almost 30 years ago, uses family recipes to create specialty dishes made with fresh, authentic ingredients, prepared the same way his family has made them for generations. Papi’s chicken is all-natural and hormone free, the beef is certified Angus and the plantains are sourced daily from the Atlanta market.

Favorites like pollo vaca frita (shredded chicken breast grilled with Spanish seasoning and green and red pepper), mofongo con camarones (stir-fried shrimp with red and green peppers) and arroz con pollo (a traditional Cuban dish of marinated chicken and rice) boast unique spices and sauces inspired by Regalado’s “Papi,” Rey Sr., vividly showcasing the flavors of Cuba and the Caribbean.

Papi’s signature menu item, the authentic Cuban sandwich, perfectly illustrates the care and attention to detail that goes into everything that comes out of the kitchen. Roast pork is marinated in Papi’s special seasoning for more than 24 hours and slow-roasted for another four hours, then served alongside juicy ham, melted Swiss cheese, dill pickles and a touch of mustard and mayonnaise.  It’s all stuffed into fresh baked Cuban bread and pressed to perfection.

The restaurant’s beverage menu perfectly complements the food with a colorful selection of hand-squeezed juices, traditional milkshakes, tropical smoothies and authentic Cuban coffee. Papi’s full bar serves signature mojitos prepared with all fresh juices and authentic Cuban rum then hand muddled with fresh mint, independent craft beers, wine by the glass and more.

The 4300-square foot Emory Point location creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere with Caribbean inspired colors and accents along with Cuban music playing in the background. The interior seats 140 in the dining room and at the bar, and the fully covered, all-seasons patio seats an additional 50 guests.

Papi’s Cuban & Caribbean Grill at Emory Point is located at 1540 Avenue Place, Suite B-240, and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Papi’s will serve coffee and pastries from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily. Papi’s operates six other Atlanta-area locations in Midtown, Stockbridge, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Tucker and at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For more information, visit papisgrill.com.

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Monday, January 9, 2017

Say “I Do” to Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners and Wedding Receptions at Atlanta Restaurants

Did ringing in the new year include bubbly and a sparkling engagement ring? Here come the bride and groom, family and friends looking for the perfect setting to celebrate impending nuptials or host a reception. Intimate? Grand? Elegant? Casual? Simply Southern? Start by giving these Atlanta restaurants a ring.

Midtown

Something old for something new? Check out Atlanta’s oldest continuously licensed tavern in Virginia-Highland. Lively Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar welcomes guests into an unpretentious environment where an upstairs room accommodates 30 guests for a sit-down dinner or 50 guests for a cocktail reception. Call 404-876-7249 for more information.

Peal into 5Church Atlanta when wedding bells are on the horizon. Sophisticated private and semi-private settings welcome intimate dinners or all-out galas for 250 guests or more. The rooftop patio overlooks Peachtree Street, providing an iconic Atlanta background. Inside, banquette seating hugs walls around The UFO Room. Large-scale artwork lends drama to The Buffalo Room, a generously proportioned space and flow option off The UFO Room. See samples of 5Church hors d’oeuvre and menu packages here, including multi-course menus such as the Saucier ($45 per guest), the Sous Chef ($57 per guest), the Chef de Cuisine ($65 per guest) and the Executive Chef ($75 per guest). Email Miranda Miranda, sales@5churchatlanta.com or give her a (phone) ring at 404-400-3669.

From rehearsal dinners, receptions and more, bank on The Federal, Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere’s newest restaurant that takes its name from the nearby Federal Reserve Bank. The restaurant can accommodate 50 for a seated dinner and 75 guests for a cocktail-style event. For more information, email info@thefederalatl.com.

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern walks the aisle to Midtown casual. Large groups can enjoy a mouthwatering menu of appetizers, gourmet pizzas, burgers, craft beers and cocktails in the laid-back dining room or on the heated and covered patio. Have it all with a buyout. To discuss your visions, fees and menus, call 404-968-2288.

An Ormsby’s party focuses on fun, craft beers and a menu of creative and classic gastropub favorites. Groups of all sizes will love socializing while playing a variety of games (shuffleboard, darts, bocce ball, board games and pool) at this Westside hideaway tucked away under the White Provisions building. Contact Leslie Battle, lbattle@ormsbysatlanta.com or 404-968-2033.

Buckhead

Nostalgic glamour and modern glitz marry at American Cut in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Three floors of top-notch party options work skyward from a private dining experience in the American Cut Bar & Lounge on street level, to small and large private dining rooms with seating capacities of 14 and 42 guests within the second floor main dining level, and on up to an airy indoor/outdoor rooftop experience overlooking Peachtree Street and the Atlanta skyline at The Regent Cocktail Club. Atlanta executive chef John Adamson’s bold take on American classics guides menus throughout. Handcrafted cocktails and lounge seating encourage conversation in The Regent Cocktail Club’s mid-century modern setting, and there’s space for a jazz trio or the like. Guests at American Cut and The Regent Cocktail Club enjoy three hours of complimentary covered and convenient deck parking. Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com.

A 1920s-inspired speakeasy, The Blind Pig Parlour Bar provides an intimate and sophisticated environment for dining and drinking for up to 80 guests. Think craft cocktails and small plates -- and there’s room for live entertainment in this smoke-free facility. Rent any day of the week. Contact sales and events manager April Pitman, april@sphospitality.com or 404-931-1251.

Setting off into happily ever after land calls for “la dolce vita” of Dolce Italian, where private and semi-private rooms accommodate small and large gatherings. Seat up to 110 guests in the mid-century dining room or opt for al fresco dining on the wrap-around, covered outdoor terrace overlooking The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Savor executive chef Paolo Dorigato’s handcrafted pastas, bold seafood specialties, Neapolitan-style pizzas and more…now that’s “amore!” Contact Nazy Gavahi at 404-536-5432 or ngavahi@ldvhospitality.com.

The Southern Gentleman celebrates relaxed, yet polished, Southern hospitality and offers a modern, locally sourced take on Southern cuisine from executive chef Matthew Ridgway along with handcrafted cocktails. Expansive space in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta restaurant accommodates up to 150 guests, and dinner menus begin at $35 per person. Think patio parties or plan a customized bourbon, rye or whiskey with friends or family. Contact events@tsg-atl.com or call the restaurant at 404-939-9845.

Gypsy Kitchen, in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, transports guests to a beautiful, out of the ordinary destination where Spanish cuisine mingles with foods inspired by the spice trade of India, Morocco and other countries. Executive chef Matthew Ridgway and staff can create tasting menus, elaborate spreads or passed appetizers matched by a bar program rich in Old World-style wines, craft cocktails and European beers. Contact events@gk-atl.com or call 404-939-9840.

The perfect couple deserves a perfect party. Enter Himitsu. The luxurious Japanese craft cocktail lounge located a few doors down from Umi masters the art of “omotenashi,” the beautiful Japanese concept of selfless hospitality. Located in the epicenter of Buckhead, Himitsu graciously accommodates buyouts (65 guests seated; 100 standing) and semi-private events (28 seated; 40 standing). Menus are created especially for the occasion, encompassing sake and signature craft cocktails alongside sister restaurant Umi’s trademark sushi rolls and small bites from executive chef Fuyuhiko Ito and pastry chef Lisa Ito. Call Umi at 404-841-0040 to discuss options.

Multiple Locations

Ray’s Restaurants corners the “best man” category, offering three settings synonymous with Atlanta hospitality, impeccable service and fine dining -- Ray’s in the City, Ray’s on the River and Ray’s at Killer Creek. Dedicated events managers at each Ray’s Restaurants location handle details so party planning when tying the knot needn’t tie nerves in knots. In the heart of downtown Atlanta, Ray's in the City courts wedding parties with private and semi-private rooms and areas glowing with rich woods and ambient lighting. Toast a full range of bar ideas and consider hosting breakfast or brunch buffets, lunch, pre-selected dinner menus or exciting dinner buffets with stations for stir-fry, pasta, salad, carving or made-to-order sushi. The flexible, semi-private Chef’s Area dining room seats up to 30 guests for an engagement or rehearsal dinner, and the Wine Cellar accommodates up to 10 guests for dinner. The Peachtree Room seats 75 guests and presents panoramic views of Peachtree Street. Contact sales and events manager Mandy Hall, mandy@raysrestaurants.com or 404-524-9224.

Ray's on the River exudes waterside wow alongside the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs. Host events “outside” at river’s edge in the Grand Pavilion, a covered, temperature-controlled environment accommodating up to 120 guests seated or 150 guests for cocktails, as well as a band or DJ and a dance floor for that special first dance and those to follow. Inside the restaurant, the Private Dining Room pleases up to 70 guests for a formal dinner or a cocktail/buffet reception, and the River Room seats up to 30 guests in a semi-private dining space. Opt for pre-selected lunch and dinner menus and consider appetizers, platters, hors d’oeuvre, full buffets and impressive chef-attended carving stations. Contact sales and events manager Nisha Khana and associate Corinne Zucallo at nisha@raysrestaurants.com or 770-952-4209.

Embrace Ray's at Killer Creek in Alpharetta where space options accommodate up to 70 guests. Seat up to 26 guests for dinner in the private Cellar with its warm woods, stone hearth and fireplace. The dividable Wine-Jordan room seats 60 amid towers of fine wines as well as opening into the private outdoor courtyard. For an outdoorsy feel, celebrate in the Creek Room, a covered and heated outdoor patio overlooking Foe’s Killer Creek and the Upper Chattahoochee Natural Forest Preserve, that easily serves up to 70 guests seated family style, formally at long tables or in smaller groupings. Contact Jessica Savant at 770-649-0064 or jessicasavant@raysrestaurants.com.

When terms of endearment lean toward casual fiestas and the sparkling salt rims of margarita glasses, lock into Ray’s Rio Bravo in Sandy Springs for a “Rio Fresh Rio Fun” Tex-Mex gathering place or catering. Call 770-612-2829.

Red Beard Restaurants -- Gunshow in Glenwood Park and Revival in Decatur – offer private and semi-private rooms to accommodate small and large groups. Consider buying out one of the restaurants for a sweetheart of a shindig. The expert staff fashions details to suit from customizable menus and bar packages to wines, beer, specialty cocktails and more. Both restaurants happily accommodate special requests including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and food sensitivity needs. Gunshow‘s open kitchen, shared dining room and family style menu flex for groups of 13-70 guests. The menu changes daily, and Gunshow executive chef Joey Ward will select eight savory and two dessert items from that night’s menu for guests to enjoy family style as chefs visit the tables with serving platters bearing their creations. Revival’s versatile floor plan morphs from seating lunch for 10, dinner for 25 or a cocktail party for 50. Family style menus for groups of 20-50 guests give a choice of soup or salad, entrée, chef-selected trimmings and a dessert. Laid back and loving it? Communion is for you. The backyard beer-garden-gone-Southern area at Revival has communal picnic tables, food truck snacks, games and session beers, wine and cocktails. Communion is closed during winter months. Red Beard Restaurants events manager JR Zincone comes through for you at both locations, JR@redbeardrestaurants.com.

Sublime Doughnuts, with locations in Midtown and North Druid Hills, answers when whispers of “sweet nothings” enter the picture. Chef Kamal Grant’s distinctive creations are absolutely at home on the menu any time of day or night (and both locations are open 24/7). Delight guests with platters of A-Town Cream, white chocolate peach fritters or ring-shaped deep dark chocolate doughnuts. Spread the love by handing out raspberry-filled heart doughnuts. For information, call the 10th Street store at 404-897-1801 or the North Druid Hills shop at 404-315-6899.

Outside the Perimeter

Beyond the Perimeter, fall in love with Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar in East Cobb for bridesmaid luncheon, rehearsal dinner and engagement cocktail party options – and oodles of free parking. At Seed, select from prix fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menu options or mix and match from the menus to suit groups of 15 guests or more. Invite up to 25 guests to gather in the private dining room or 10-25 guests in a semi-private room. Bow to the patio to accommodate 50 guests for a seated meal, more for a cocktail reception. Download Seed’s Event Planning Guide for more space details and a sample menu. Stem Wine Bar is a mighty vine option, whether for a private lunch event Monday through Saturday or a restaurant buyout reserving the entire space for groups of up to 40 seated or 60 for cocktails. Vow to read more in Stem’s Event Planning Guide. For events at Seed Kitchen & Bar or Stem Wine Bar, contact Chris McNeill, general manager, at cmcneill@eatatseed.com or 678-214-6888.

While only two share the honeymoon cruise, up to 50 guests – seafarers and landlubbers alike – can cruise to Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar at The Avenue in East Cobb to celebrate the big event. Seat up to eight guests in the Wine Room, Oyster Bar or at a Chef’s Table (hint, hint: a parent, bridesmaid or groomsman get-together). Groups of up to 20 guests can be seated at one table or 28 at multiple tables in the Shiplap Room. Outside, commandeer the covered patio area for up to 25 guests or up to 50 on the full patio. Sail this link to more information or call 770-635-7641.


Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails in historic Crabapple emits charm galore. Gatherings for parties of eight to 200 guests can be specially tailored by request. Download the Events and Catering Menu for a taste of what’s in store when hosting an event in the restored areas of the farmhouse including the Breezeway (16 guests), the Milton Room (40 guests), the Mayfield Room (24 guests), the Broadwell Room (12 guests), the Banquet Porch (40 seated) or the Bar (32-50 guests). Contact sales and events manager Jill Hayes, Jill@miltonscuisine.com or 678-431-8753.