Sarah Gleim

Several new restaurants have recently opened in Atlanta that we're super excited about. Tastemaker Ford Fry launched his newest dining hot spot King + Duke in Buckhead in early May. The space is clean and contemporary, and includes a massive 24-foot hearth, open kitchen and large patio. The menu focuses on hearth-style cooking and includes dishes like wood-roasted chicken liver toast with onion marmalade; grilled beets and carrots, chermoula, Bulgarian feta and cress; and “the duke,” a burger with house-ground chuck and dry aged cuts, coal roasted onion and mushroom preserve.

In Decatur, MAR opens this weekend and will feature a menu of Spanish and Mexican fusion cuisine. Dishes like wood-roasted fish, lamb and steaks; coastal tacos and tostadas; ceviche; and oysters will pair with the restaurant's extensive tequila list and specialty cocktails (think mojitos, margaritas and micheladas).

Also back in Buckhead, Amura Buckhead Sushi opened in early April. The spacious restaurant has an expansive sushi bar, as well as a private dining space for seating up to 80 people. The menu features a variety of Japanese fare, including a mix of sushi dishes like the Chojang Yellowtail Chive Poppyseed Rayu and standbys like the spicy tuna roll and the California roll. The dinner menu includes a full selection of sushi, as well as variety of entrees like Waygu steak and Chilean sea bass.

Top Chef season 6 alum (and fan fave) Kevin Gillespie finally opened his restaurant Gunshow in East Atlanta’s Glenwood Park and it's his first executive chef position since he left Woodfire Grill late last year. The concept it totally new and Gillespie describes the experience as being similar to Brazilian churrascaria-style dining and Chinese dim sum — instead of ordering from a traditional menu, guests choose their dishes tableside from rolling carts and trays. This kind of service also encourages the casual and family-style experience Gillespie wants patrons to enjoy. The menu changes regularly, and weekly updates and specials are posted online every Sunday night so you’ll always be able to find out what’s available for the upcoming week. Dishes so far have included Southern favorites such as buttermilk dumplings and foraged mushrooms, Texas Hill Country-style smoked beef sausage and old-fashioned hot banana pudding.

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Several new restaurants have recently opened in Atlanta that we're super excited about. Tastemaker Ford Fry launched his newest dining hot spot King + Duke in Buckhead in early May. The space is clean and contemporary, and includes a massive 24-foot hearth, open kitchen and large patio. The menu focuses on hearth-style cooking and includes dishes like wood-roasted chicken liver toast with onion marmalade; grilled beets and carrots, chermoula, Bulgarian feta and cress; and “the duke,” a burger with house-ground chuck and dry aged cuts, coal roasted onion and mushroom preserve.

In Decatur, MAR opens this weekend and will feature a menu of Spanish and Mexican fusion cuisine. Dishes like wood-roasted fish, lamb and steaks; coastal tacos and tostadas; ceviche; and oysters will pair with the restaurant's extensive tequila list and specialty cocktails (think mojitos, margaritas and micheladas).

Also back in Buckhead, Amura Buckhead Sushi opened in early April. The spacious restaurant has an expansive sushi bar, as well as a private dining space for seating up to 80 people. The menu features a variety of Japanese fare, including a mix of sushi dishes like the Chojang Yellowtail Chive Poppyseed Rayu and standbys like the spicy tuna roll and the California roll. The dinner menu includes a full selection of sushi, as well as variety of entrees like Waygu steak and Chilean sea bass.

Top Chef season 6 alum (and fan fave) Kevin Gillespie finally opened his restaurant Gunshow in East Atlanta’s Glenwood Park and it's his first executive chef position since he left Woodfire Grill late last year. The concept it totally new and Gillespie describes the experience as being similar to Brazilian churrascaria-style dining and Chinese dim sum — instead of ordering from a traditional menu, guests choose their dishes tableside from rolling carts and trays. This kind of service also encourages the casual and family-style experience Gillespie wants patrons to enjoy. The menu changes regularly, and weekly updates and specials are posted online every Sunday night so you’ll always be able to find out what’s available for the upcoming week. Dishes so far have included Southern favorites such as buttermilk dumplings and foraged mushrooms, Texas Hill Country-style smoked beef sausage and old-fashioned hot banana pudding.

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Several new restaurants have recently opened in Atlanta that we're super excited about. Tastemaker Ford Fry launched his newest dining hot spot King + Duke in Buckhead in early May. The space is clean and contemporary, and includes a massive 24-foot hearth, open kitchen and large patio. The menu focuses on hearth-style cooking and includes dishes like wood-roasted chicken liver toast with onion marmalade; grilled beets and carrots, chermoula, Bulgarian feta and cress; and “the duke,” a burger with house-ground chuck and dry aged cuts, coal roasted onion and mushroom preserve.

In Decatur, MAR opens this weekend and will feature a menu of Spanish and Mexican fusion cuisine. Dishes like wood-roasted fish, lamb and steaks; coastal tacos and tostadas; ceviche; and oysters will pair with the restaurant's extensive tequila list and specialty cocktails (think mojitos, margaritas and micheladas).

Also back in Buckhead, Amura Buckhead Sushi opened in early April. The spacious restaurant has an expansive sushi bar, as well as a private dining space for seating up to 80 people. The menu features a variety of Japanese fare, including a mix of sushi dishes like the Chojang Yellowtail Chive Poppyseed Rayu and standbys like the spicy tuna roll and the California roll. The dinner menu includes a full selection of sushi, as well as variety of entrees like Waygu steak and Chilean sea bass.

Top Chef season 6 alum (and fan fave) Kevin Gillespie finally opened his restaurant Gunshow in East Atlanta’s Glenwood Park and it's his first executive chef position since he left Woodfire Grill late last year. The concept it totally new and Gillespie describes the experience as being similar to Brazilian churrascaria-style dining and Chinese dim sum — instead of ordering from a traditional menu, guests choose their dishes tableside from rolling carts and trays. This kind of service also encourages the casual and family-style experience Gillespie wants patrons to enjoy. The menu changes regularly, and weekly updates and specials are posted online every Sunday night so you’ll always be able to find out what’s available for the upcoming week. Dishes so far have included Southern favorites such as buttermilk dumplings and foraged mushrooms, Texas Hill Country-style smoked beef sausage and old-fashioned hot banana pudding.

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This weekend is the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival — a celebration of the very best in Southern food, beverages and traditions. The four-day festival will be held May 30 through June 2 in Midtown Atlanta. About 9,000 people are expected to wine and dine with some of the most respected chefs and mixologists from the South who will be hosting cooking and cocktail demos, seminars, tasting tents and panel discussions. Among them will be Chris Hastings and Frank Stitt of Birmingham, Ala.; John Besh of New Orleans; Mike Lata and The Lee Bros. of Charleston; Ashley Christenson and Scott Crawford from North Carolina; and a slew of local Atlanta talent — Asha Gomez, Duane Nutter, Gerry Klaskala, Greg Best, Kevin Gillespie, Shaun Doty and Steven Satterfield, to name just a few.

One of the best things about the AFWF is there are tons of events and classes during the weekend so you’re sure to find plenty to fill your dance card. Thursday night, check out the PIG OUT: Tailgate Style Party at JCT. Kitchen — it’s the AFWF’s signature party featuring some of the South’s best tailgating foods from chefs Ford Fry, Joe Schafer, Derek Emerson, Brandon McGlamery, Kelly English and Chris Shepherd. $65, May 30, 7 p.m., 1198 Howell Mill Road.

If you’d rather be somewhere with a party atmosphere, head to the Rathbun’s Watch List Party hosted by brothers and chefs Kent and Kevin Rathbun. They’ll be hosting 12 star Southern chefs and two mixologists “to watch” who’ll be serving up tasty treats and cocktails. These are the chefs the Rathbun brothers considers some of their favorite up and comers, so you know this is going to be a good time. $75, 7:30 p.m., 112 Krog St.

If you have to choose just one event to attend, make it the tasting tents. These are where you can wine and dine your way through more than 70-plus culinary stations from restaurants, chefs and mixologists throughout the South — each rotating in and out daily. Themed tasting “trails” ensure you’ll chow down on Southern favorites like fried chicken, craft beer, barbecue, pork and bourbon.

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This weekend is the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival — a celebration of the very best in Southern food, beverages and traditions. The four-day festival will be held May 30 through June 2 in Midtown Atlanta. About 9,000 people are expected to wine and dine with some of the most respected chefs and mixologists from the South who will be hosting cooking and cocktail demos, seminars, tasting tents and panel discussions. Among them will be Chris Hastings and Frank Stitt of Birmingham, Ala.; John Besh of New Orleans; Mike Lata and The Lee Bros. of Charleston; Ashley Christenson and Scott Crawford from North Carolina; and a slew of local Atlanta talent — Asha Gomez, Duane Nutter, Gerry Klaskala, Greg Best, Kevin Gillespie, Shaun Doty and Steven Satterfield, to name just a few.

One of the best things about the AFWF is there are tons of events and classes during the weekend so you’re sure to find plenty to fill your dance card. Thursday night, check out the PIG OUT: Tailgate Style Party at JCT. Kitchen — it’s the AFWF’s signature party featuring some of the South’s best tailgating foods from chefs Ford Fry, Joe Schafer, Derek Emerson, Brandon McGlamery, Kelly English and Chris Shepherd. $65, May 30, 7 p.m., 1198 Howell Mill Road.

If you’d rather be somewhere with a party atmosphere, head to the Rathbun’s Watch List Party hosted by brothers and chefs Kent and Kevin Rathbun. They’ll be hosting 12 star Southern chefs and two mixologists “to watch” who’ll be serving up tasty treats and cocktails. These are the chefs the Rathbun brothers considers some of their favorite up and comers, so you know this is going to be a good time. $75, 7:30 p.m., 112 Krog St.

If you have to choose just one event to attend, make it the tasting tents. These are where you can wine and dine your way through more than 70-plus culinary stations from restaurants, chefs and mixologists throughout the South — each rotating in and out daily. Themed tasting “trails” ensure you’ll chow down on Southern favorites like fried chicken, craft beer, barbecue, pork and bourbon.

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It's Memorial Day weekend and if you'll be in Atlanta, get over to The Optimist where Ford Fry and his team are celebrating the long weekend and the one-year anniversary of the popular seafood restaurant. The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. in West Midtown on Saturday, May 25, with a fish fry and live music from keyboardist Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes. Tanner will be performing with bands Belle Adair and The Bear. The party is just $15 per person.

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It's Memorial Day weekend and if you'll be in Atlanta, get over to The Optimist where Ford Fry and his team are celebrating the long weekend and the one-year anniversary of the popular seafood restaurant. The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. in West Midtown on Saturday, May 25, with a fish fry and live music from keyboardist Ben Tanner of Alabama Shakes. Tanner will be performing with bands Belle Adair and The Bear. The party is just $15 per person.

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