19th May 2008

Dining Out - Let’s say on the Patio

With the weather getting better, it’s time to get outside. On the patio, that is, and enjoy dinner. Time for a new Smyrna Vinings poll and we want to know what your favorite outdoor spot is to dine. With the generally lovely weather we have in metro Atlanta, there should be a huge amount of options. But very few restaurants actually make it a key option for their diners.

Here are some great options for you to consider. If you’d like to vote, the poll is on the left sidebar. So be sure to check it out and place your vote. Consider this a nice warm-up for the election in November. Here are some of our favorite Smyrna Vinings outdoor dining spots.

Zucca Bar and Pizzeria

Atkins Park Tavern

Garrisons

NY Pizza Exchange

Mellow Mushroom

South City Kitchen

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19th May 2008

Blues, Brews & BBQ

June 20, 2008
6:00 pmto10:30 pm
June 21, 2008
6:00 pmto10:30 pm
June 22, 2008
6:00 pmto10:30 pm

Blues, Brews and BBQ at South City Kitchen in Smyrna Vinings

C’mon, what’s better than finger-licking BBQ, Sweetwater beer and live, toe-tappin’ blues? You can enjoy all three when you join us at South City Kitchen in Ivy Walk for Blues, Brews & BBQ–a three day celebration of all things Southern right here in Smyrna Vinings.

And as if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also be donating 10% of Sunday’s sales back to Camp Twin Lakes–a not-for-profit organization offering recreational, therapeutic and educational programs for seriously ill children facing physical, emotional and life challenges. So all this fun is for a good cause, too.

*Appetizers*
WATERMELON & TOMATO SALAD shaved red onions, aged goat cheese, extra virgin olive oil, cider vinegar sorghum reduction $7.50
GEORGIA GOUDA FRITTERS charred corn salad, BBQ aioli $6.95
SMOKED PORK SHOULDER corn flour cake, green mango slaw, chipotle BBQ sauce $7.95
SAUTEED GARLIC SHRIMP creamed corn, BBQ sweet onion $9.75

*Entrees*
14-HOUR SMOKED BEEF BRISKET SANDWICH pickled Vidalia onions, BBQ mustard mayo, side of garlic mustard greens $12
“SWEET TEA” SMOKE-ROASTED HALF CHICKEN oven-roasted Yukon potatoes, baby spinach, lemon jus $17.95
DEEP FRIED PORK RIBS WITH SPICY CRUST cider Creole mustard glaze, broccoli mac n’cheese $18.95
BBQ MAHI MAHI white cheddar grits, grilled corn and arugula salad, BBQ butter $21

SOUTH CITY KITCHEN VININGS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 20; 6-10:30pm - Electromatics
Saturday, June 21; 6-10:30pm - Chick Willis
Sunday, June 22; 6-10:30pm - Breeze Kings

To make reservations, call 770.435.0700 (Vinings) or visit fifthgroup.com today. Sit back, relax and enjoy the unique sounds and flavors as only the South can play ‘em.

South City Kitchen is located in the Ivy Walk center at the corner of Atlanta Road and Cumberland Parkway in Smyrna Vinings.

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19th May 2008

Stories from the Vinings Inn

June 9, 2008
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

Vinings Inn restaurant in Historic Vinings Village

An evening with Pat Ferguson Kinder and a special four-course dinner in historic Vinings

The Vinings Inn will host an evening with Pat Ferguson Kinder on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. Ms. Kinder’s family, the Ferguson’s, lived in the historic 1800s building that houses the Vinings Inn in the 1930s.

Guests will enjoy a four-course dinner of southern cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Victor Amato as Ms. Kinder recalls living at the Vinings Inn in the 1930s while her parents operated a gas station, post office and general store on the first floor. She will also share photos from that era of the building and the Vinings area.

The evening of storytelling and dinner is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 770-438-2282. Complimentary valet parking is available.

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15th May 2008

Zucca Bar and Pizzeria wins cooking challenge

Smyrna Vinings own Zucca Bar and Pizzeria, located at 2860 Atlanta Road in Smyrna Market Village can boast of serving up the best pizza in the Southeast.

Zucca won the Southeast Region of the 2008 International Pizza Challenge at the 2008 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, held April 1 through April 3.
The 70 contestants that participated in the contest were allowed no more than five toppings to make a traditional pizza. Zucca’s winning pie was a variation of the Pizza Margherita that executive chef Danny Arturo tosses at the restaurant.

Be sure to stop by, congratulate the guys and enjoy some pizza!!!

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21st April 2008

South City Kitchen Celebrates 15 Years

South City Kitchen in Ivy Walk

South City Kitchen is celebrating their 15th anniversary of the opening of the first South City Kitchen in Midtown and to everyone’s benefit, the sister restaurant in Ivy Walk is taking part.

So we decided to check it out on Friday night. Now through April 26th, South City Kitchen is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for $32.95. You can still order off the regular menu or order a la carte from the special anniversary menu, but where’s the fun in that.

Upon arriving, I noticed immediately what a big deal this anniversary celebration was going to be as a Hummer limo arrived filled with guests in fancy gowns and tuxedos. I certainly felt a little under dressed. But since these guests were probably 2 or 3 years old when the first South City Kitchen opened, I quickly came to the conclusion that young people just like to dress up (or perhaps there was a prom on Friday).

Anyway, we opted for a seat on the patio (and who wouldn’t with the fantastic weather this weekend). As we were presented with the anniversary menus, it included some interesting facts such as a gallon of gas cost $1.16, Jurrasic Park topped the movie charts and the World Wide Web was born, all in 2003. I also realized that I had the opportunity to dine at South City Kitchen in Midtown in 2003 while visiting Atlanta for the first time.

We opted to start round 1 with the Rock Shrimp & Scallion Beignets, served with a warm pepper jelly and the Vidalia Onion Tart which was served with a watercress salad, goat cheese and a spiced Georgia honey. The beignets were excellent, crisp on the outside, warm and delicate on the inside and the pepper jelly was the perfect accompaniment to the beignets. The Vidalia Onion Tart was very good as well, creamy and subtle in flavor which matched nicely with the salad.

Along the way, we also enjoyed the fresh corn bread and biscuits. Both absolutely fabulous as they just melt in your mouth. And best of all, it was was served with whipped butter. None of the rock hard frozen butter that so many restaurants serve and then you don’t know what to do with it since you certainly can’t spread it on anything. (Diner’s tip: I have found that if you hold frozen butter over a candle it does help to warm it up, but be careful as you can create a grease fire! Certainly not what you want to do while out on a date.)

For Round 2, we opted for the Pan-Seared Pork Chop served with mac and cheese, portobella mushroom fries and a red-pepper coulis along with South City Kitchen’s classic Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops over a bed of creamy stone-ground grits and garlic gravy. Round 2 was also a big winner. Can’t go wrong with the shrimp & grits and the pork chop was very well prepared. And the mac and cheese was superb, a true Southern comfort food.
The only disappointment was the portobella fries as they were so heavily battered, it wasn’t worth trying to get the to the portobella.

On to Round 3: dessert. We selected the Black Bottom Pie and the Lemon Chess Pie. The Black Bottom Pie provided just the chocolate fix my wife needed and I thoroughly enjoyed the Lemon Chess Pie as the fresh lemon taste was perfect.

I’d definitely recommend South City Kitchen. Go enjoy the special menu through Saturday, April 26th or stop by anytime to enjoy some excellent southern food. Also, be sure to ask for Andrew. He was our server for the evening and took great care of us. Always attentive, informative and funny. The three key attributes you want when out for a great dinner.

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17th April 2008

Taste of West Village

Taste of West Village in Smyrna Vinings

The Taste of West Village will be held this Saturday from 11-7pm. Don’t miss out on all of the fun.

  • Kids Activities from 11-1pm include Face Painters, Sand Art and Caricatures
  • Live Remote with Q100 from 1-3pm
  • Food Tasting from 3-7pm - sample dishes from West Village’s fabulous restaurants
  • Entertainment from 5-7pm - Dance to live music from the Aaron Thompson Band

Also, get a taste of the stylish boutiques while at West Village. Be one of the first 50 shoppers and receive a free gift from West Village and be entered to win a $550 shopping spree (see stores for details).

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16th April 2008

Bicycle Pub Crawl

April 17, 2008
6:30 pmto8:30 pm

A Trail of Wheels is proud to present the first Smyrna Vinings Bicycle Pub Crawl. Click here to learn more about the Bicycle Pub Crawl.

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16th April 2008

Bicycle Pub Crawl

A Trail of Wheels

A Trail of Wheels is excited to present Smyrna Vinings first Bicycle Pub Crawl. This is a 2.4 mile opportunity to visit local pubs and ride your bicycle at the same time!

They will be visiting:

The Vinings Grill
McCray’s West Village Tavern
Blue Moon Pizza

Specials available at each pub!

The Pub Crawl will begin on Thursday, April 17th 6:30pm at the Vinings Grill at 4480 S. Cobb Drive, Smyrna GA 30080 (Publix shopping center at corner of EW Connector and South Cobb Drive). The riders will travel between the bars via The Silver Comet Trail. The plan is for this to be a continuing event this summer on every third Thursday of the month, so we’ll keep you posted.

All riding levels welcome – It’s about the fun!

And if you bike needs repair first, the team at A Trail of Wheels is available to help. And don’t worry if you don’t have a bike – you can rent one from them!

Helmets, Bicycle lights and locks recommended!

Call 770-438-1150 if you have any questions. Otherwise, show up and have fun!

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9th April 2008

Dining with Dave at Lime in West Village

April 22, 2008
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

Dining with Dave at Lime in West Village

dave fm is pleased to bring you our March edition of “dining with dave” with restaurant partner Lime Taqueria at West Village in Smyrna.

Each month dave fm is teaming with a different restaurant and Partida Tequila to serve up a unique dining experience. Space is limited. Must be 21 or older to attend.

This month join dave fm, Mara Davis and Partida Tequila at Lime Taqueria. Enjoy a full evening of specialty cocktails prepared by Partida and a creatively prepared dishes by Lime Taqueria. Price is $55/person and seating is limited.

CALL LIME TAQUERIA NOW TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION! SAY YOU ARE CALLING FOR “DINING WITH DAVE FM.”

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 22
7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

WHERE:
Lime Taqueria
4600 West Village Place Suite 3007
Smyrna, GA 30080
678.309.1113

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15th March 2008

A Sight Never Before Seen…

As many of you know, I do enjoy getting out and trying local Smyrna Vinings restaurants and letting everyone here at SmyrnaVinings.com get a little more insight into the culinary delights to be found in the community.

Well, yesterday I was eating lunch at a local deli, which I will not name for fear that I would improperly incriminate them. You see, they really didn’t have anything to do with this most alarming food concoction that I observed. I was having lunch with a colleague, a fellow Smyrna Realtor. And to my alarm, I witnessed what you see below…

Culinary delight at Smyrna Vinings Deli

 

(It’s really helpful having a camera on my trusty Treo). Anyway, does anyone want to speculate at what was being eaten? I’ve had some people suggest lasagna, but if you’re paying attention, you would remember that this was a deli and delis don’t normally serve lasagna. Think side item…getting warmer.

Yes, that’s right. You’re looking at potato salad with ketchup on it. When asked about the concoction, my colleague mentioned that ketchup is good for you because it has lycopene in it. Well, I’m sure Heinz will be glad to know that someone reads the back of the ketchup bottle.

So maybe in addition to updating you on really bad real estate photos, I can start a new segment on really bizarre food.

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