Food Fest!

By Collin Kelley

If you like some AM radio classics with your food, then be sure to put the 18th annual Taste of Atlanta on your menu Oct. 18-20. This year, Atlanta’s own Yacht Rock Revue will give a concert on Saturday at Historic Fourth Ward Park

Concert goers will dance the night away to the smooth-sailing sounds of the ‘70s and ‘80s – think Hall & Oates, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald and Toto – and a few Halloween tunes, too. Costumes are encouraged and there will be food trucks if you get hungry (no outside food or beverage is allowed).

But before the music starts, there’s a whole weekend of food, beer and wine to enjoy at the park, as well.

More than 100 of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants will show off their most famous dishes alongside live on-stage cooking demos from top chefs, hands-on cooking classes, a Friday Night Opening Party, a Saturday night concert and more.

Festival hours are 7:30 to 11 p.m. for the Opening Night Party, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Gates open for the concert at 7 p.m.

Individual tickets to Friday’s all-inclusive Opening Night Party are $75 in advance and $85 at the door. General Admission tickets for the weekend’s main tasting events include 10 Taste Points and cost $30 in advance and $40 at the door. VIP Experience tickets cost $80 in advance and $90 at the door and also include 10 taste points to use in the General Admission area. Tickets for Yacht Rock Revue are $40 general admission and $75 for VIP. All tickets are available at tasteofatlanta.com.

Quick Bites

Dos Bocas, serving up “Cajun Tex-Mex,” is expected to open Oct. 2 at 275 Baker St. in Downtown with a grand opening party from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit dosbocasatl.com for more information.

A new social club called 12 is now open for reservations in the tower at Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward. Located above RFD Social., beverage director Randy Hayden developed 12’s cocktail program and spirits selection featuring hard-to-find spirits, classic cocktails and unique creations that change nightly. The club also offers a small plate menu developed by Chef Jonathan McDowell. Menu items include goat cheese-stuffed peppadews and apricots, shrimp cocktail and foie gras pâté. For reservations and more information about 12 membership opportunities, visit rfdsocial.com/12club.

▲Sukoshi, a new casual counter-service sushi spot from the team behind O-ku, is now open at Colony Square in Midtown. Visit sukoshi.com for more.

Emily Chan, owner of JenChan’s Delivery Supper Club, has opened a brick and mortar location, JenChan’s, at 186 Carroll Street in Cabbagetown. The restaurant includes a market where guests can purchase frozen organic lasagnas, pizza rolls, egg rolls, potstickers, and other goodies made in house as well. Find out more at jenchans.com.

►Food writer Meredith Ford will open her own gelato shop, Cremalosa, at 2657 E. College Ave. in Decatur this fall. The shop will feature seasonally driven selection of made-from-scratch gelato and other sweet treats as well as serving as a hub for the business’ wholesale operations. Visit cremalosa.com for more details.

▼Wild Heaven West End Brewery & Gardens is now open on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail in the Lee + White development, 1010 White St. The 21,600 square foot building also features the restaurant FINA at Wild Heaven, a large taproom, and two private event spaces. Outside, overlooking the Westside Trail, is a 12,000 square foot patio and lawn area to be complemented by various gardens. For more information, visit wildheavenbeer.com.

“I’ve been involved with the community since 1960 and I was on the very first board here at Saint Anne’s Terrace. It’s a beautiful part of town and the best part about living here is the wonderful family atmosphere in which everyone gets along.” MARGY

Resident since 2006