20th Anniversary Mural photo courtesy of Vortex Bar & Grill ©2012

While most visitors remark on the delectable menu and sleek skeletal décor, it's the attitude and ambiance of The Vortex Bar & Grill that has kept locals coming back for 20 years. Opened in 1992 on the cornerstones of “quality, consistency and attitude,” this family-owned brew- and eatery has become an Atlanta icon. As a self-lauded "Idiot-Free Zone", the Vortex keeps a strict "86 Policy" making this bar and grill a haven from the dinner-rush divas.

Celebrating 20 years of beef and booze is tons of fun, but it’s even better when you get a sweet deal. Launching Friday, April 20, diners can enjoy The Vortex 20th Anniversary “2 for $20” Deal - two award-winning Vortex burgers and two Laughing Skull beers for just 20 bucks! Other celebratory antics include:

The Super Stack Heart Attack Eating Contest
Wednesday, April 18
The Vortex Midtown
878 Peachtree Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30309

Cap’n Larry’s Pork & Poker Benefit Tournament
Wednesday, April 18
The Vortex in Little Five Points
438 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30307
All proceeds will benefit Cap’n Larry - the original Vortex burger master.

Pints & Pistons 2012: Cafe Racer Season 3 Premiere
Thursday, April 19
The Vortex in L5P

Photo Opp with the 20^th Anniversary Mural
Through April 30
The Vortex in L5P

Both locations will also enjoy a Midnight Champagne Toast on Thursday, April 19 at 12 a.m. as well as extended hours and menu specials all weekend long.

After dinner, don’t forget to check out the Laughing Skull Comedy Lounge at the Midtown location! As Atlanta's hottest comedy club, this intimate venue showcases the nation's funniest stand-up acts as well as hilarious locals. Featuring acts to rival LA's can't-miss shows, The Skull's "progressive comedy" has single-handedly launched Atlanta into the spotlight of the stand-up comedy scene. Tucked into the back room of Vortex Midtown, this comedic epicenter seats just 75 to ensure quality laughs every night.

Opening their 25th year with a hilarious new murder mystery, Agatha’s A Taste of Mystery serves up yet another must-see show. While most chose a coiffed and glamorous celebration for a silver anniversary, Agatha’s proudly presents Jekyllicious: Murder and Good Times at the Georgia Shore!

Jekyllicious: Murder and Good Times at the Georgia Shore
Through April 18th
Agatha’s A Taste of Mystery

Packed with beehive hairdo(n’ts) and bee-stung lips, this pop-culture spoof is a good-time show for all ages. Jump into the action as the casts from “Jerseylucious” and “Georgia Shore” battle it out in the Superstylist Competition - but beware, as the scissors and trash talk fly, something sinister is lurking around the Mystery Competition. Can Gayley and her devout accomplice take first place in the Trailer Park Chic showdown, or will the struggling salon owner succumb to an overdose of “intravenous tanning products?” Who poisoned the hairspray? Where can I order that “Possum Pink Blush?” Stop by for dinner and find answers to these questions and more.

As for that five-course meal, guests are greeted with hor d'oeuvres, served the soup of the day and a house salad. Next is your choice of one of five entrées - my favorites from the Jekyllicious run include succulent pork medallions stuffed with green apples and raisins as well as a blackened and Cajun-spiced Mahi-mahi. Each guest (21+ only) are served a glass of wine from their choice of three varietals and there’s a cash bar available during performance breaks. Finally, enjoy your decadent dessert with coffee or hot tea. (A note on the delicious dinner - all of Agatha’s food is prepared in-house. All the meats are hand-cut the day of the show and the veggies are delivered fresh throughout the week.)

Agatha’s A Taste of Mystery is Atlanta’s premiere dinner theatre. Featuring seasonal shows accompanied by a five-course meal, this original dining concept is a must-try for visitors and locals alike. Each original storyline is carried by two actors and the guests fill in the rest! Don’t worry about learning your lines - you’ll find your new identity and script tucked between the water glass and dessert spoon. While audience participation isn’t required, it’s great fun and offers that strange camaraderie that only comes from embarrassing yourself in front of strangers.

Ocean Prime  – Atlanta’s fresh take on seafood and steak – adds a splash of casual elegance to the heart of Buckhead. This latest addition to the nationally-acclaimed family of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants boasts the same superb service and decadent dishes found throughout the collection – yet you’d never guess it’s part of a chain. Pairing the freshest seafood and finest steaks with a from-scratch menu, the quality cuisine and creative cocktails make this one of the best meals in town.

Boasting “simple, pure and regional flavors,” Ocean Prime’s namesake seafood is selected daily, delicately seasoned then seared to perfection. My favorite fish dish was the season’s special: Blackened Snapper dusted with the house seasoning, topped with a jalapeño corn tartar and plated with tender spinach – spicy, palate-pleasing and oh so flaky! If you’re wanting for a heartier dish, try the tender, chargrilled Ribeye and a la carte sides (the jalapeño au gratin potatoes and caramelized brussels sprouts are delicious!) My other recommendations include the mouthwatering Surf ‘n Turf appetizer – buttery seared scallops topped with flaky, slow braised short ribs ­– and the decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – a sinful, sharable confection of ­ whipped peanut butter mouse coated in a bittersweet chocolate ganache.

Still unsure of where to start, given such a sumptuous dinner selection? Make a meal of Executive Chef Jason Shelley’s top-selling creations:

• Libation: the Berries and Bubbles, a vodka-based sipper, is cooled by a splash of dry ice and tickles your taste buds with bubbles and a berry-scented sweetness.
• Teaser: the tender Ahi Tuna Tartar and avocado slices plated with a spicy-sweet ginger ponzu.
• Starter: the House Salad is a crisp, refreshing blend of spinach and romaine lettuce, tossed with tart apple slices, goat cheese and caramelized walnuts then drizzled with a sherry mustard vinaigrette.
• Entrée: the flakey Chilean Sea Bass is lightly seasoned and seared, then plated with whipped potatoes and topped with a savory champagne truffle sauce.
• Dessert: the Ten Layer Carrot Cake is a succulent, sweet treat swiped with a citrus cream cheese icing and drizzled with pineapple syrup.   

First and foremost, however, you gotta pick your potion. The dining room offers a view of the 240-bottle wine list (a Wine Spectator winner, three years and running.) As for the cocktails, each are infused with Prohibition-era pizazz and mixed tableside, adding an unexpected flair to the already stellar service. My favorite was the Whiskey Clover, a fragrant concoction of Gentleman’s Jack shaken with honey water and a splash of lemon juice.

A perfect fit for Atlanta’s fascination with art of dining, Ocean Prime seamlessly blends boutique tastes with the heirloom hospitality of days gone by. Inside, the masculine mainstays of quilted leather, chiseled stone and rich woods are tempered with rosy lighting, white linen service and the supple curvature of hand-blown glass – all nods to the feminine influence typically missing from a steakhouse. Combined with live piano music, wrap-around bar and cozy firepits, this supper club offers a fabulous, lounge-like atmosphere that’s at once welcoming and aloof.

Put simply, I’m headed back – and soon!

P.S. Make reservations online and be sure to ask for Morgan. A master mixer and conversationalist, her conspiratorial grin and infectious laugh will have you lingering for “maybe just one more round.”

Atlanta sparkles with the lights of the holiday season and the cheer of the people who call the city home. In a city full of delectable dishes, the holidays are the perfect chance to highlight the best of Atlanta’s festive dining scene. Whether your family is continuing old holiday traditions or creating new ones, there are plenty of memorable meals to go around in Atlanta!

Holiday Afternoon Tea

St. Regis Hotel

Through Dec. 25

2-5 p.m.

Start your holiday season with this beloved Atlanta tradition. Through December 25, spend an afternoon relaxing with a cup of tea while indulging your sweet tooth with delectable holiday treats. Bring the little ones for Children’s Tea with Santa, where young visitors can meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus! (Don’t forget to make reservations before you arrive.)

Teddy Bear Brunch
Livingston Restaurant + Bar

Dec. 10 and 11, 17 and 18

11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Indulge in a delicious brunch before seeing The Nutcracker at the Fox Theater. On the two weekends before Christmas, all children 12 and under who bring in a 12” or larger stuffed animal to Livingston Restaurant will receive a free brunch. All bears will be donated to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals before Christmas. Make new friends, memories and traditions by spread holiday cheer to those in need this year!

Santa Sundays

Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

Sundays, Dec. 11, 18, 25

Travel back in time and meet the Santa of the 11th century! Appearing before each Sunday show, mix and mingle with jolly old St. Nicholas and learn about his presence in medieval culture. Afterward, grab your seats for the tournament and dig into a medieval feast – and remember, no forks allowed!

MetroFresh in the Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Enjoy delicious dishes and seasonal delights during “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.” After counting the million twinkling lights, warm up with soups, chili, casserole, pizza, hot spiced cider and frothy hot chocolate. Don’t let the family miss out on the s’mores kit to toast by the fire pits.

Holiday Sunday Brunch

The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead
Sundays, Dec. 11 and 18

11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The perfect place for merry-making with friends and family, visit the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and celebrate the season in style! Indulge with traditional breakfast favorites amidst carols sung by the Dickens Singers and luxurious Christmas décor.

The Original El Taco, tucked into the Morningside neighborhood of Virginia-Highland, is truly one of Atlanta's hidden gems. The perfect mix of chef-driven concept cuisines and neighborhood hang out, this quirky taquería boasts a seasonal menu of comfort dishes that just so happen to be good for you, too!

Warmly lit from hanging tin lanterns - as well as the waitstaff's smiles - The Original El Taco offers a convivial atmosphere. Glinting below an impressive stock of spirits, the rich wooden bar boasts 25 tequilas and a menu of specialty cocktails. Charming eclectic décor is found throughout, but the mixed media wall mural is guaranteed to spark conversations. Vibrant, and engaging with ethnic inspiration and a bit of urban flair, the wall was completed by local art students in just two days. Says Executive Chef Scott Keefer, "We told them to make it look like a viaduct wall in Mexico City that's been graffiti-ed for 25 years." What resulted is a "collage of paint, wood, paper and metal that features images of Mexican parodies ... mixed with one-of-a-kind drawings and other reclaimed items." From the communal tables and intimate booths to the heated, all-season patio, there's plenty of room for new neighbors!

As for the menus, The Original El Taco focuses on conceptual Mexican cuisine with a Tex-Mex twist. Skilled at teasing and pleasing the palate, Chef's seasonal menu is filled with delicious dishes. For you first trip, I suggest a FroMo (frozen mojito) or Original Margarita (house special with fresh lime and agave nectar) and a round of lime-salted corn chips with Queso Royale - melted Mexican cheese with jalapenos, housemade chorizo, chile rajas and charred onion, served in an iron skillet. For dinner, opt for Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas - corn tortillas stuffed with grilled corn, chicken and Monterey Jack cheese, and covered in a green chili sauce. The only catch is that you simply must add an egg to the top! (Weird I know, but it's such an intriguing mix of flavors, you'll fall in love with just one bite.)

My top picks from the Taco Truck include the savory Roasted Chicken Taco - a cilantro, crema, guacamole, fried jalapeno-filled flour tortilla - and the succulent Pork Carnitas Taco - corn tortillas filled with fresh cilantro, diced onion and flakey pulled pork. Though these are served a la carte, each taco is quite filling and two or three can make a meal. Just be sure to add a side of Mexico City grilled corn, served in a chili-lime mayo. Another foodie favorite is the self-serve salsa bar featuring 8 to 10 different entrée enhancements such as salsas, pickled vegetables and other fun add-ons.

Since much of the menu features roasted veggies and creamy housemade sauces, The Original El Taco is a very vegetarian-friendly. They also offer an entire gluten-free menu, a surprisingly large selection, including appetizers, cocktails, entrées and deserts.

Open seven days a week, you can enjoy dinner nightly and weekend lunches as well! As an extra-tasty bonus, the full menu is available for to-go orders, too.

While any local will have a list of fab and flavorful neighborhood spots, if you’re wanting to experience the bustle and urban ambience of Atlanta’s Downtown Dining District, look no further. Part of the Ray’s Restaurants trio, Ray’s in the City offers signature hand-cut steaks as well as sumptuous seafood and premier sushi. Prominently perched on Peachtree Street, Ray’s in the City has a casual elegance which Chef Okpareke translates seamlessly into fresh flavors and an award-winning wine list.

On my visit, the glittering candlelight, buttery leather upholstery and smiles from the staff warmed the rain-chilled evening. My decadent dinner began with two sushi classics – tender spicy tuna rolls and refreshing California rolls. These prime bites were so tasty that just a splash of soy sauce was needed to enliven the supple flavors. Next came the seafood samples. The parmesan-dusted sea scallops, sautéed with basil oil and a balsamic reduction then served over lobster risotto are sumptuous-yet-light – perfect alone or as a shared appetizer. For the main course, I recommend the Ginger Soy Tuna – Ahi tuna seared with a ginger and soy sauce glaze, then served atop baby bok choy and drizzled with shiitake mushroom jus. (All steaks are hand-cut, Black Angus beef, so if you’re in the mood for something a bit heartier, you can’t go wrong.) Tempting though it may be to eat even the garnishes, be sure to save room for dessert. Both deliciously chic twists on signature steakhouse decadence, the key lime chiffon pie with toasted macadamia nut crust or housemade praline basket filled with fresh ice cream and berries are guaranteed delights.

As an added bonus, you can enjoy cocktails and small plates in the stylish lounge. Part of Downtown’s Five After Five promotion, Ray’s in the City adds urban flair to classic cocktails and appetizers every week day from 5 p.m. ‘til closing. You can also enjoy live jazz every Thursday – Saturday from 6-10 p.m.

Lending a whole new meaning to destination dining, No Mas! Hacienda & Cantina incorporates the luxury of shopping for exotic furnishings and one-of-a-kind jewelry with the simple pleasures of delectable food. Born from a love of travel and the Mexican culture, this Castleberry Hill mainstay is a veritable treasure trove of delicious desires!

Greeted by rich woods and sumptuous textiles, you’ll see the No Mas! Hacienda to your right. Cheekily named, the original showroom was dubbed No Mas! Productions. Initially, “no mas” which translates to “no more,” was meant to indicate that once a product was sold, it was gone forever. The underlying, comical connotation is that the “gringo pronunciation – ‘no mass productions’ – served to reiterate the relative rarity and hand-made quality of the stock.” Now an 11,000 square-foot, two-story emporium of the eclectic, the Hacienda offers unique (and often made-to-order) works from more than 100 Mexican artisans. Filled from floor to ceiling with cultural tchotchkes and gleaming, gorgeous jewelry, as well as blown glass fixtures, hand-tooled leathers, pottery and intricately carved furnishings – many of which are made of recycled or reclaimed materials – it feels as though you’ve stepped off the street and into an other-world bazaar.

Just through the gate and across the courtyard is No Mas! Cantina. From drinks to dessert, the menus will tantalize your every sense. From the bar, the No Mas! Dulce Margarita is a must-try, made with Partida Blanco, fresh lime juice and agave nectar. For appetizers, I suggest the flash-fried Calamari Frito con Jalapeños with chipotle ranch and avocado cream dips and the Dos Favoritos – housemade guacamole and queso with fresh chips. Our favorite entrèes were the Camarónes Alambres - jumbo shrimp grilled on sugar cane skewers, served atop a homemade masa cake with sweet fried plantains and  tamarind sauce – and the chef’s spicy version of the Bistek Acapulco - grilled and seasoned skirt steak topped with baby shrimp, julienned carrots, jalapeños, veggies and cheese. For a quick bite, try the Tacos de Pescado - flaky Tilapia tacos wrapped with jicama coleslaw and topped with a creamy chipotle sauce. Be sure to save room for the decadent desserts! End the evening with a slice of the sinfully sweet, yet light and creamy, Cuatro Leches cake, topped with Kahlua frosting.

ADios Café Chocolate and Espresso Bar serves breakfast 8-11 a.m. every day, and offers a wide selection of authentic Mexican treats and after-dinner drinks until 10 p.m. For a bit of sweet heat, try the Mayan Mocha – a double shot of espresso blended with milk, dark chocolate and a splash of chili oil.

Insider info: For an even more authentic Mexican experience, head to No Mas! for the
Dia de los Muertos Fiesta
Wednesday, Nov. 2
7-10 p.m.
As it goes, the best things in life are free, including this fiesta! Inspired by the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead, come celebrate the good life with live music, a costume contest and more. Or, opt for the Special R.I.P. admission ($25) and enjoy a complimentary drink, Tarot card reading and sugar skull decorating. Be sure to stick around for demos and workshops on making papier-mâché figurines..

Oh, also - in addition to the regular menus, No Mas! Cantina offers a special brunch menu, each Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

As a bonafide comfort foodie, there are few things I love more than a restaurant whose food can rival my favorite family recipes. At JCT. Kitchen & Bar, I’ve found just that! From sumptuous Southern staples to new Southern nods and an enticing array of apéritifs and digestifs, this simple yet cozy restaurant offers decadent dishes just like Grandma used to make.

Now for the tasty, he ate/she ate portion:

We started our tasting tour of the lunch menu with Pimento Cheese “Fry Bread” - seared slices of bread smeared with housemade pimento cheese spread. In what is sure to be one of most strangely delicious combos, I paired JCT.’s signature Springer Mountain Fried Chicken - flakey, golden and seasoned to perfection - with a crisp mimosa. Plated with “garlicy green beans” and white cheddar macaroni, this is a great option for anyone looking for a true taste of the South. He paired the juicy Fried Egg Burger with a Bloody Mary - an excellent complement to the white cheddar and bacon toppings. Arguably, the dessert menu (which was preceded by two huge spoons) was the hardest choice. Splitting a glass of Remy Martin V.S.O.P. cognac and a carafe for two of Batdorf & Bronson coffee, I opted for Georgia Apple Fried Pies with a bacon-caramel drizzle and butter pecan ice cream; he chose the Chocolate Pudding topped with salted caramel and plated with chewy peanut butter cookies for dipping. (Speaking of Southern signatures, the pudding comes layered in an 8 o.z. Mason jar!) With these stick-to-your-ribs classics, JCT. Kitchen & Bar brings a taste of Southern comfort right to your table.

Lofted alongside the train tracks in the Westside Urban Market, JCT. Kitchen’s sunlit, simple décor is an absolute delight. Rich woods, white-washed walls and distressed, heirloom-inspired furnishings highlight coastal nods of cool blue, warm sand and silver accents. Southern staples such as brushed cotton napkins, Mason jars and Sears Catalogue-esque dinnerware spotlight the signature dishes. With such a cozy elegance about the place, there’s small wonder how it’s become a Midtown main-stay for casual dining.

Insider info: Be sure to check out what’s goin’ on upstairs! Wiener Wednesdays are coming soon, but you can enjoy live music, $1 oysters and punch specials during Thursdays on the Terrace.

Once again, Chef Zeb Stevenson’s tantalizing eats have rendered me all but speechless. The latest concept from Livingston Restaurant + Bar - Brunch Unplugged - offers a simple and succulent start to your Sunday. Each week, the small, seasonal menu of Summer staples and brunch classics is accompanied by Justin Borgman - one of Atlanta’s hottest acoustic talents. Borgman starts your Sunday on the right note with sets perhaps best described as an urban twist on “MTV Unplugged”. From soft rock to pop (and a bit of Britney just for kicks) Justin’s warm cocoa voice and relaxed refrains are a perfect pairing for the refined simplicity of Livingston’s cuisines.

While you can never go wrong with anything from the Livingston kitchen, my darling dining partner and I can’t stop raving about these menu must-trys! I started my Sunday with a Peachtree Manhattan - Maker’s Mark and Georgia peach bourbons, mixed with peach bitters - a soft, slightly sweet drink that feels as good as running barefoot through the early morning sun. For my entrée, I opted for the fluffy Mushroom Omelette with caramelized onions and Swiss (add some bacon, trust me!) roasted fingerling potatoes and a plate of fresh Summer fruits. Deceptively simple, the layers of flavor were the perfect compliment to the low-key afternoon.

He started with The Icon - Hendrick’s gin, dry vermouth and a cucumber slice - so crisp and refreshing. Opting for a heartier Southern staple, his Sunday entrée was Biscuits & Gravy with house-made sausage. Impressively, this buttery, savory dish is rich and filling without leaving you overstuffed. Oh, and those flakey, fluffy biscuits! I didn’t think anyone could top my Momma’s homemade biscuits, but Chef Zeb has - serving them with a sweet cream and roasted salt butter.

For dessert, try an espresso with a twist of lemon and the Peach “Bellini”. The poached peaches with raspberries, drizzled with a Prosecco sabayon and sprinkled with streusel were so juicy and delicious I all but licked the plate.

Brunch at Livingston Restaurant + Bar is served weekends from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and is accompanied by Justin Borgman each Sunday. Diners can enjoy complimentary valet parking for up to three hours. For reservations, call 404.897.1991 or book online.