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Atlanta Culinary Events

Hungry? Need to fill your culinary calendar? Here is where you will find all the restaurant and culinary happenings in Atlanta. We feature a calendar of special dinners, tasting menus, prix-fixe meals, food festivals and other culinary events, including regularly occurring food events as well as special one-time-only events featuring top chefs. Keep checking back so you can know all that's going on in the world of restaurant and food events in Atlanta.

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CULINARY EVENTS

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February 10 & March 24
Pura Vida Latino Tapas & Bar's chef-owner Hector Santiago, who recently competed on Bravo's "Top Chef," begins his 2010 cooking classes on February 10 at 7 p.m. with a study of empanadas. On March 24, Santiago will teach a class on ceviche. Cost is $95 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Seating is limited. For information and to make required advance reservations, call 404-870-9797. Pura Vida Latino Tapas & Bar, 656 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-870-9797.
 
March 4-7
Charleston is ready to showcase its culinary strength as a destination city for fine and regional dining at its upcoming fifth annual BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival, slated for March 4-7, 2010. Notwithstanding the focus on wine, beer gets its own moment in the sun at Cypress and at Carolina's on Sat., March 7. And bourbon gets paired with ‘cue at Jim ‘N Nick's. Proceeds benefit Louie's Kids and Slow Food Charleston, as well as other culinary-related charities. Tickets are priced per each event, and range from $50-$750. The latter sum admits the ticket holder to a penthouse dinner for 60 prepared by the vaunted Daniel Boulud. Top it all off with proper mint juleps at the Lowcountry Gospel Brunch on Sun. For tickets and more information, visit www.charlestonwineandfood.com.
 
March 4, April 1, May 6 & June 3
To show off some of the 50 or so tasty tequilas available at Holy Taco, the Pan Latin restaurant hosts the monthly Tequila Tasting Tapas Night. Held the first Thursday of each month from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., the tastings feature three tequilas paired with chef Robert Phalen's tapas created for each installment. Guests may enjoy the tasting trio at the bar or at individual tables. The first tasting will be Thursday, March 4, then April 1, May 6, and June 3. Cost is $20 per person for three tequila and tapas pairings plus tax and gratuity. No reservations required. Holy Taco, 1314 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, 404-230-6177.
 

ONGOING EVENTS

Tuesdays
Gilbert's Café and Bar announces happy hour every Tues. from 6 p.m.-8 p.m., when the popular Middle Eastern restaurant will offer complimentary hors d'oeuvres, both hot and cold, and pour generous, reasonably priced libations. Check out Gilbert's small plates for lunch at $5 each, a good introduction to the menu and cuisine. Gilbert's Cafe & Bar, 219 10th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-872-8012.
 
Tuesday-Friday
Babette's Café, one of Atlanta's most romantic restaurants, is launching "Good Food for Bad Times" as it offers affordable dining for patrons. "I want everyone to know that I am committed to offering a great meal at a very comfortable price," said chef-owner Marla Adams. "This has always been my mission." The restaurant now is offering a prix-fixe menu Tuesday-Friday throughout the evening. Choose from three appetizers and three entrées for $18 per person plus tax and tip. Each week's menu is posted on the restaurant's website on Sunday afternoon. Babette's CafĂ©, 573 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-523-9121.
 

First Tuesdays
Imperial Fez will continue its hands-on cooking classes with chef Rafih Benjelloun. Classes begin at 1 p.m. and will take students through the process of preparing their own five-course Moroccan meal. Cost is $60 per person and includes lunch. Reservations are required and class size is limited to six. Imperial Fez, 2285 Peachtree Rd. NE, Buckhead, Atlanta, 404-351-0870, www.imperialfez.com.



Third Thursdays
Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene holds his monthly cheese tasting series “Cheese Eugene,” selecting from the restaurant's 20-plus cheeses. Each sampling features cheeses from different regions of the world. The tastings are limited to 17 people. Five wines are paired with five cheeses for $35 per person plus tax and gratuity. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month. Restaurant Eugene, The Aramore, 2277 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, 404-355-0321.

Second & Fourth Thursdays
Fine dining tapas restaurant Pura Vida's Tango Nights are scheduled for the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Guests may enjoy tapas reflecting the world of Hispanic cooking and watch Argentinean tango dancers execute their precise rhythms and steps. Monday is for dominoes and mojitos priced at $5; on Friday nights, enjoy Pura Vida's DJ Sergio beginning at 9 p.m. with mambo and merengue. Pura Vida, 656 N. Highland Ave. NE, Poncey-Highland, Atlanta, 404-870-9797.

Fridays
Loca Luna has launched Fiesta Friday, for which patrons may "Dine Early–Drink Late!" Each Friday, Loca Luna features a combination of live Latin sounds by house band, Rua 6, along with a mix from the DJ. Loca Luna, 550C Amsterdam Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-875-4494.

Sundays
JCT Kitchen & Bar has started Sunday Suppers, served from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Executive chef Ford Fry has long been eager to start serving gourmet "meat and three" dinners, and here they are. The menu includes five fancy meats and nine home-style vegetables for the table to choose from. Also included are JCT's black-skillet cornbread, warm biscuits and "farm stand" salad, plus whatever pie or cake Fry has decided to make for the moment. Start your Sunday at 2 p.m. on the terrace with live music, drink specials from Bloody Mary's to hand-squeezed margaritas and sangría, cold-water oysters and Champagne or sparkling wine, then segue right into supper at 5 p.m. JCT Kitchen & Bar, Westside Urban Market, 1198 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Ste. 18, West Side, Atlanta, 404-355-2252.

Wine dinners & tastings at NovusVinum.com

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