Athens This Weekend: February 1 - 3

What a wonderful weekend to be in Athens, Georgia! From grand re-opening celebrations to Athens' annual Wine Weekend festivities, there's no better place to be this weekend than the famous Classic City! 

Pints and Paints Grand Opening Celebration 

We love a good party, and this is one you don't want to miss! Pints and Paints is celebrating its two-year anniversary and newly expanded location on Friday, February 1. With that said, it's time to grab all of your closest friends and prepare to enjoy live jazz music along with delicious appetizers and drinks. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free! 

 Athens Wine Weekend

Athens Wine Weekend is finally upon us, and tickets for the Grand Tasting and Sunday Brunch are still available. Featuring hundreds of wines from around the world and a feast of breads, sweets and meats, these exciting festivities make for an extraordinary weekend to remember. Two of the events have already sold out, so be sure to purchase your tickets for the remaining Saturday and Sunday events in advance! 

Country Music Revue  

"I Love Rock n' Roll" is a song of the past as country music hits the Classic City scene. Savannah River Production kicks off its 2013 season at Morton Theatre with I Love Country: A Music Revue. This entertaining show features actors and actresses performing country classics from the Oakridge Boys, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and more. Sit back and enjoy the show on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. or Sunday at 3 p.m. 

More events...

Terrapin Brewery Tours - every Wed. - Sat., 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Friends First Friday, Fri. 9 - 10:30 a.m. 

Harriet Tubman Play, Fri. 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

UGA Gym Dogs vs. Alabama, Sat. 2 p.m. 

Want a complete list of all upcoming activities going on in Athens? Explore our event calendar at Visit Athens, Georgia. Join the mailing list to stay in the loop about exciting events going on in the Classic City! 

Athens This Weekend: June 22-24

The weekend of AthFest is here! This event is Athens, Georgia's most exciting music and arts festival. Enjoy a weekend packed full of great live music, food, arts & crafts, and more. We're certain you and your family will have a blast hanging out in Athens this weekend!

1. 16th Annual AthFest Music & Arts Festival

It's that time of year again! Starting Wednesday, June 20 and lasting until Sunday, June 24, AthFest is Athens, GA's biggest music and arts event. Experience over 150 bands on three different outdoor stages, as well as in Athens' famous music venues and clubs. Outdoor stage headliners include Atlas Sound, Reptar, Elf Power, The Glands, Yacht Rock Revue, and many more! Original art, music, local film screenings, and KidsFest activities provide entertainment for all ages. Shows on all outdoor stages are free, and wristbands for access to all club crawl shows are $20. Don't miss out on this great weekend event that the Southeast Tourism Society has named a Top 20 Event for the region!

2. Athens Music History Tours

The Athens Welcome Center and Classic City Tours will host Music History Tours of Athens, GA during AthFest. This year's tours will include a variety of walking and bus tours. Come out Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. for a 90-minute downtown walking tour that will include insider stops and sound checks at famous venues. Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. will be a 90-minute downtown walking tour, followed by a 30-minute bus tour that includes famous sites like Nuci's Space, Murmur Testle, and Weaver D's. Join in on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. for a bus tour covering broader music history spots and step-off points around Athens. The cost of a tour is $15 a person. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn about Athens, Georgia's rich musical history!

3. Upcycle Exhibit at Athica

This is the last weekend to enjoy the Upcycle Exhibit at Athica! The Athens Institute for Contemporary Art, Inc., in collaboration with the Athens-Clarke County Recycling Division and Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful have created this special exhibit that features art made from material that otherwise would have been thrown away, destined for a landfill, or even worse, for toxic pollution. Come enjoy the last weekend of this exhibit's uniquely creative art. Upcycle is open to viewers on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thursdays from 1-9 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays from 1-6 p.m., as well as by appointment.

Hopefully you've found a great way to get out and enjoy Athens, GA this weekend! For even more fun and exciting events, be sure to check out the Visit Athens, GA calendar! Happy AthFest everyone!

To stay in the know about what's coming up in Athens, join our mailing list!

Craving Cajun

Today's blog post comes from guest contributor Brooke Lane, an Athens Food Tours intern. She's given great ideas on how to satisfy a cajun craving in Athens, GA. Get your taste buds under control, because these locations promise to offer a delicious meal.

Brooke tells us all about it:

A visit to the colorful city of New Orleans is bound to leave one craving more of its unique culture; especially the food! The cuisine is nothing short of incredible blend of multicultural influences. Luckily for us Athenians, cravings can be satisfied at one of the authentic, New Orleans-inspired restaurants right here in town! The restaurants below serve up classics that are sure to please the palate of New Orleans natives and visitors alike.

Sisters Creole Market

Owned and run by three sisters from New Orleans, Sisters Creole Market has a menu featuring hearty staples such as Po Boys, jambalaya and shrimp etouffee -- just to name a few! Also available are specialty products such as creamy pralines and olive salad for muffaletta sandwiches. Be sure to stop by and get your King Cake for Mardi Gras! Oh, and they have sweet potato tater tots. Say that 5x fast!

http://www.sisterscreolemarket.com/

George's Lowcountry Table

Located on Milledge Avenue, George's menu includes a variety of New Orleans favorites like gumbo with chicken and andouille sausage, popcorn crawfish, chargrilled oysters and barbeque. Brunch is something you don't want to miss either -- added to the menu are egg dishes including lowcountry benedict and french toast casserole. Yum!

http://georgeslowcountryonline.com/index.html

Etienne

Most New Orleans dishes are a mix of French and other cultures, forming either Cajun or Creole cuisine. However, in the fancy restaurants of today's New Orleans', refined French food is very popular. In Athens, we find this refined French food on the corner of East Broad and North Jackson streets in Downtown Athens at Etienne Brasserie. Etienne opened in the summer of 2011 as a French restaurant serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Etienne stands as the only purely French restaurant in Athens; there are a few places that touch on French territory, but are not fully dedicated to it. The menu consists of very traditional, rustic French dishes such as coq au vin (marinated game hen, smoked bacon, onions and wild mushrooms), steak frites, duck confit, escargo, filet au poivre, hamburgers, baked pasta, homemade crepes, a meat and cheese plate, steak frites, poached salmon butter with a toasted baguette & salads. My personal favorite dish to rave about is the moules frites: made up of steamed mussles with white wine, garlic confit and fries to sop up the delicious juice. http://etienneathens.com

NONA                                                                                   As a downtown favorite, NONA offers all the quintessential New Orleans cuisine. Their menu has everything from Creole croque monsieur to traditional red beans and rice to eggplant pirogue. And for brunch, they offer beignets and bananas foster French toast among other satisfying selections such as the crab cakes benedict. NONA even has happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with $1 raw oysters and $1 beers! http://neworleansnathens.com/

Not only do all of these options serve delicious food,  but they each offer a unique atmosphere.These restaurants are sure to satisfy any craving. Be sure to check these local spots for some of your cajun favorites!

Favorite Athens Deals: Ethnic Food

Let's face it. We're all looking for ways to save money. It's usually a difficult task, particularly when revolving around the very vital process of keeping yourself fed. With all the delicious options of restaurants located in Athens GA, it can be hard sometimes to pass up a friend's invitation to eat out. However, my wallet just can't support my dining decisions, and I find myself following the typical college diet of ramen and fast food's dollar menus far too often.

After a few stomachaches too many, I decided to actively search for deals around Athens that would allow me to get away from the kitchen a few times each week (I have to confess - I abhor washing dishes). After asking my friends and spending a lot of time on Google and www.VisitAthensGA.com, I came up with a pretty substantial list of different places to try.

I can't say I've gotten to try even half the places on that list, but I did want to share with you some of the restaurants I have been to and thoroughly enjoyed. The topic of today's post? One of my favorite things to discuss -- ethnic food!

Now, when one thinks about eating on a budget, a restaurant specializing in sushi does not generally come to mind. However, Utage's lunch menu is the first steal I want to talk about. Because Japanese food is generally in the more pricey category, the lunch combination

option is a serious deal. You can choose two menu items from a given list (yes, sushi is on that list) which will be served with miso soup, salad, and rice, all for under $8! And don't worry if you can't stomach raw fish; they offer different meat dishes and noodles. They also have plenty of sushi rolls including only cooked protein. Of course, besides the awesome price, the food is tasty, fresh, and satisfying. On a side note - if you are a fan of tofu, I would highly recommend the agedashi tofu. This dish contains cubes of silky tofu encrusted with a delicately crispy layer sitting in a sauce that I dream about sometimes.

This next deal is so good, it has been solely responsible for the end of my dinnertime fast-food

runs. Many in the Athens community rejoiced when Maba Grill, a Vietnamese bistro, opened up

downtown. What's not to love? Big steaming bowls of chewy noodles and crunchy bean sprouts, delicious options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians, grilled meats sitting on top of beds of noodles or rice awaiting a sprinkle of fish sauce...all ready to be consumed! But what I really want to highlight here is my personal favorite to order - the banh-mi, or Vietnamese sandwich. You get an option of chicken, steak, mushroom, or tuna on your sandwich, which is comprised of a complex mixture of flavors and textures all contained within a crusty baguette. The best part? It's less than $4! With this low price, me and a couple of my friends have been known to purchase multiple sandwiches during a single visit in order to save some for later.

My last deal is an Athens favorite. I have been to the Latin American Cali N Tito's too many times to count, and I will continue adding on to that number until I am no longer within driving

distance of the place. This place has earned itself a permanent place on the Athens dining map

through its fun atmosphere, reasonable prices, and consistently great-tasting food. While dinner is inexpensive as well, the real deal comes during lunchtime. During lunch, you can get a combo

that includes an entree, a side, and a drink (try the limeade if they haven't run out of it!) for around $7. It's an enormous amount of food for a very small price, and the restaurant is a great place to go with your friends. As for any personal recommendations of mine....well, I seriously recommend that you go as many times as you can so you can try the whole menu. I am particularly fond of the sweet plantains, which are always very nicely caramelized, but honestly, all of the sides are equally as good.

I wish I could talk more about other places I have found, but if I didn't limit myself to three restaurants, I might never stop! Even though I condensed my list, though, doesn't mean you have to as well -- what are some of your favorite deals in Athens when it comes to ethnic foods? Have you been to the places I listed, and if so, what are your recommendations?

- Debbie

Athens' Vegetarian Hotspots

Those of you with vegetarian friends know the limited options vegetarians face in the restaurant scene. They are either stuck with the one entree on the menu that meets their dietary needs or forced to pick the salad. As a food lover myself, I feel as though the abundance of choices and delicious descriptions on page after page of a menu is half the adventure of dining out. With a thriving vegetarian population in Athens, GA, I have always wondered how they all survived on such limited options.

Well, last Wednesday I tasted veggie heaven. My vegetarian friend was ecstatic that our dinner crew let her pick the restaurant for the night. While we had all heard raving reviews, none of the meat-eaters in the group had ever been to The Grit. Feeling adventurous in our last year in college, we were excited to try something new. Little did we know how much we would all actually love it.

Surrounded by a relaxed, local vibe, the menu was endless. Noodle bowls, stir fry, falafel sandwiches, quesadillas, pita pizzas, loaded nachos - the list went on and on. After thinking long and hard about all of my options, I ordered the grilled cheese smelt, and I can guarantee you it was one of the best decisions of my day. With chips and vegetables on the side, the fresh thick and well-buttered bread oozed with delectable cheddar cheese. I pulled the two sandwich halves apart only to discover a sliver of crisp spinach and a bright red tomato just waiting to be savored. My friends' dishes filled the table with homemade macaroni and cheese, dusted with light brown bread crumbs and creamy golden cheese, a massive crunchy vegetable and cheese quesadilla, stuffed with flavorful peppers and onions, and a falafel pita, filled with chick pea fritters, veggies and lemon-tahini dressing. Needless to say, it didn't take any of us long to dig in and polish off the plate. The meal was refreshingly different than many of the Athens restaurants we have eaten at before, and the fresh ingredients and local touches left us with full stomachs and a new favorite restaurant.

Of course Athens has an abundance of other restaurants that provide its vegetarian crowd with meat-less options. While most of them are not exclusively vegetarian, their menus offer selections for stricter diets. Clocked for example, a quaint but retro small burger and sandwich joint, has great vegetarian options including a humus sandwich, a hot falafel sandwich, and their juicy veggieburgers that taste just as good as the flavorful burgers they're known for. Local favorite Mama's Boy is also vegetarian-friendly and will easily prepare menu items without meat upon request. With a menu designed exclusively for its Athenian diners, the Athens' Buffalo's Cafe location also provides vegetarian options that are unique to the franchise. An entire page of the menu is dedicated to garden burrito wraps, tortilla broccoli and penne pasta, spinach quesadillas, veggie fajitas, and so much more.

While I may never be a vegetarian myself, its exciting to know that the amazing assortment of Athens restaurants takes care of its vegetarian residents and visitors.

Do you have a favorite vegetarian spot to get your veggie fix? Let me know, so I can try it myself!

Bun Voyage: A Search for the Best Burger in Athens, Georgia

There are so many reasons why I have enjoyed college more than high school. Aside from the obvious (new-found independence, dining halls that are open 24/7, etc.), one of my favorite things about college is that I find, more often than not, that I actually enjoy my class assignments. Gone are the days of pulling my hair out over chemistry and calculus problems, and in their place: projects and assignments that I would actually describe as fun, and that I look forward to working on. Bun Voyage was one such assignment.

I took a social media seminar last semester, and one of our assignments was to keep a blog on any topic that we wanted. Because I had been blogging about my personal life for years now, I wanted to try something different. I wanted to take my readers on a journey, and also write about my love for food. After a little brainstorming, I came up with Bun Voyage, a journey to find the best burger in Athens, GA.

I spent all of my spring semester going out to eat at different Athens restaurants, eating burgers, and then writing about them and giving them a rating to help me determine just exactly what makes a great burger. My criteria included quality of the meat, freshness of ingredients, creativity, presentation, and then an overall rating.

Below are three of the best-rated burgers from my semester-long search:

1) Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Five Guys is about as traditional as a burger place can get. With a fairly simple menu of burgers and hot dogs, there's really no question on what you're going to get. I ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mustard and an order of Cajun fries.

The burger was cooked right there before my eyes and delivered hot to my table. The meat was extremely juicy (although it could have used a touch more salt), and the ingredients were all very fresh. The burger was huge, and way more than I could eat, but for only $5, that is hardly a problem.

For being ready in a flash, and for giving me a great value (and then some), I gave the burger at Five Guys an 8.5.

To read the full post, check out Party of Five.

2) Clocked
The burger that I had at Clocked in downtown Athens was on the other end of the spectrum when compared to Five Guys. I had heard tale of a Peanut Butter Bacon Burger at Clocked, and it had gotten rave reviews from my fellow burger fans, but I wouldn't believe it until I tried it for myself.

Seated outside the diner with a cream soda and a cool breeze, I waited eagerly for a burger with a topping I had previously only reserved for toast. When it arrived, I was shocked by how delicious it was. The meat was flavorful and juicy, and the peanut butter added the perfect sweet accompaniment to the crispy bacon. Not to mention the tater tots with the blue cheese dressing. I remember feeling like I needed a nap after this burger, but before it made me sleepy, I thoroughly enjoyed every single bite.

For introducing me to the unsuspecting harmony of peanut butter and meat, and for being off the wall in general, I gave the burger at Clocked a 9.5.

To read the full post, check out Rock Around the Clocked.

3) Farm 255
I have never been bashful about my adoration for this lovely farm-to-table restaurant, but I had never thought of it as the kind of place I would go for a burger. However, one night at dinner with friends, I decided to see what kind of spin Farm 255 would put on a burger. With locally sourced meat and vegetables from nearby farms, I was expecting a burger that would be sure to please. And please it did.

The meat had that wonderful grassy flavor that only comes from cows happily chewing cud on a local farm, and the caramelized onions and sharp Tillamook cheddar provided the perfect sweet and salty flavors. The rosemary french fries were delicious as well, and the homemade pickles on top of the burger really emphasized just how much effort was put into producing the humble hamburger.

For homemade toppings, locally sourced ingredients, and giving me thoughts of happy cows on a nearby farm, I gave the burger at Farm 255 a 9.5.

To read the full post, check out Down on the Farm.

If you visit any of these restaurants and try one of these burgers, let us know what you think! Or is there a delicious hamburger in Athens that we didn't mention? Tell us what you think we're missing!

The Soul of the City in the Stomach of the People: Athens, GA Soul Food

With a proud history and culture of fabulous and unique dining options, Athens, GA is the kind of place where choosing a restaurant for dinner might make the most challenging and rewarding part of a person's day. And there is no greater culinary history and no greater challenge of choice than amongst the Soul Food restaurants of Athens, GA. 

When I approach the delightful task of eating out in this town, I usually break the decision-making process up into a few steps. The initial task in the quest for a tasty meal out must begin by narrowing the options through personal preference by first choosing between food categories- Thai, Italian, Vegetarian, American and so on. The next step then includes a collaboration with dining partners on general price and seating preferences for the coming outing. Once all preferences have been discussed and accounted for, the perfect option should be relatively clear or at least reduced to a less daunting choice between 2 restaurants. My formula for efficient dining decision-making had worked flawlessly for me, that is until I was asked to choose between Athens Soul Food restaurants. 

Each holding a similar yet completely distinct quality of character, two very special soul food restaurants left me unable to move past my final step. Unable to quantify what made each so unique yet connected, I set out to discover what was so special about these two Athens soul food favorites: Weaver D's and Wilson's Soul Food. 

For all its fame and acclaim, Athens landmark and soul food restaurant, Weaver D's Delicious Fine Foods still sits somewhat unassumingly at the end of E. Broad Street despite the vibrance of the new lime green paint covering its aging cinder block facade. Customers rush from around the block and across the world to order a paper plate bending with the weight of fried chicken and whatever else is on that day's menu before the kitchen runs out and closes up shop. Since inspiring the name of R.E.M.'s Grammy-nominated album "Automatic For The People," Weaver D's has of course experienced a greatly increased wealth of recognition, business, and culinary celebrity, but you wouldn't know that by walking through the front door, chatting with kitchen staff, and sitting down next to someone on their lunch break. Serving up the same rich, starchy flavors of all the best soul foods since 1986, Weaver D's hasn't changed much over the years, even after gaining national attention and praise as a beloved character of Athens music and food culture. Awarded the title of "American Classic" by the James Beard Foundation in 2007 (see video below!), the history of this soul food restaurant continues to be written. The awards and articles of praise aren't what make Weaver D's so special though, what really solidifies the little soul food shack's reputation is its unaffected commitment to the simple, but meaningful task of providing warm, delicious food to the people of a community. Find them on Facebook.  

After over 30 years of change and progress taking place in the world outside its front doors, Wilson's Soul Food managed to stay frozen in time, serving up the same food to an ever-evolving, yet consistently loyal crowd of customers. Though it didn't have a hugely successful rock album named for it, Wilson's Soul Food still has an interesting history all its own. Centered smack in the middle of Athens' famous Hot Corner, an area of downtown known historically as an early conglomerate of many African-American owned businesses, Wilson's Soul Food opened second to Wilson's Styling Shop located directly next door and run by the same family. The Wilson family has been providing friendly services from their own little stretch of Hull St. since 1954. At the heart of the Wilson family business is just that, family, a warm greeting and a huge plate of comfort food for anyone who walks through the front door. The cafeteria-style buffet of steamy, heavy food may hard to choose from, but no one will rush you and as soon as you have a seat, all your worries in the world might just melt away with the perfect bite of mashed potatoes.

The rich food, history and sense of community encapsulated within Athens favorite soul food restaurants enrich the already diverse culture of this small Southern town. Without places like Weaver D's or Wilson's, Athens GA wouldn't be quite as magical as it is today. It's the long-standing commitment to place and community exemplified by these two great soul food restaurants that inspire and warm the creative soul of Athens, GA.

Though Weaver D's and Wilson's are the most famous soul food spots in Athens, GA, they are not the only and maybe not even the best- decide for yourself... visit the less talked about soul food restaurants in Athens, then tell us about it! Which one is the best and why? Other very worthy establishments include:

• Peaches Fine Foods
• Food For the Soul
• Five Star Day

Through A Veil of Hickory Smoke: BBQ in Athens, GA

If you haven't already this Summer, then I suggest you start exploring some of the Southern cuisine Athens, Ga has to offer- it's wood smoked, covered in sauce, and goes by the name barbeque. And like most things in Athens, GA, our BBQ selection is certainly original and even a little bit quirky.  

White Tiger Gourmet puts a hip twist on some down-home classics with BBQ options for carnivores and vegans alike. The White Tiger BBQ Sandwich is wood-smoked and covered in a homemade sauce that draws a crowd from far beyond its quaint location. Barbeque isn't exclusive to the meat-eater at White Tiger either as they feature a very popular (and very delicious) Tofu-Q Sandwich which is made up of smoked tofu, organic field greens, homemade coleslaw and BBQ sauce. In addition to their famous sandwiches and burgers, White Tiger offers specialty handmade chocolate and fresh, seasonally rotating sides, but the menu is only part of the reason people keep coming back to visit.

Located in the heart of the Boulevard Historic District, White Tiger operates out of a century-old building once home to a grocery store run by the current owner's grandfather. Christmas lights illuminate a picnic area outdoors and colorful artwork for sale by local artists cover the walls inside the screen front door of the whimsically adorned old building. With an unconventional and fun 'Bring Your Own Beverage' policy, White Tiger gained the attention and praise of Travel & Leisure Magazine as they were named one of "America's Best BYO Restaurants." Owned and operated by a youthful couple with culinary backgrounds in gourmet cooking, the family and community friendly White Tiger Gourmet is a fresh and unique BBQ dining experience and more than just Athens residents are starting to notice. For more information regarding menu, location, press, or contact options, visit their website.

Athens is also home to a far more traditional, but no less unique, barbeque experience provided by the highly acclaimed Jot Em Down BBQ. With a reputation for unforgettable food straight from its authentically country kitchen, Jot Em Down BBQ captures the taste of Southern dining in the hickory smoked flavor of its pulled pork. The homemade, vinegar-based sauces, which compliment instead of overpower, are one of the many reasons www.VisitSouth.com  named Jot Em Down BBQ “The Best BBQ in Athens, GA for college students and families alike.” The menu might not surprise you with itss strictly BBQ classic options, but the affordable prices and remarkable tastes certainly will. Jot Em Down BBQ is Athens' purest, most delectable form of traditional Southern barbeque. Visit their website for menu, location, and contact information.

To the delight of resident and visiting barbeque lovers, the many locally run BBQ restaurants in Athens, GA make worthy competitors out of each other.

·         Harry's Pig Shop includes some innovative menu items, like BBQ Nachos & Quesadillas, Fried Pork & Scallion Won Tons, and a Spicy Sausage Philly Cheese Sandwich, to set itself apart from the rest. Due to the high number of BBQ restaurant openings in Athens, contenders have to create something special in order to stick around permanently.

Other commendable and enticing BBQ options come from:

·          Dawg Gone Good BBQ,

 ·         Fresh Air Bar-B-Que, and

 ·         Hollis Famous Ribs.

We want to know what sets apart the best from the rest, so help us out, foodies, what is the best BBQ in Athens, Ga?

I guarantee investigating what makes Athens BBQ so special will be an undoubtedly enjoyable experience.
So go ahead and get your hands dirty, sample the tastes of local barbeque and let us know which one deserves to be called the best. If you are already an expert, tell us what makes your #1 Athens pick so much better than the rest.

We'll be waiting for your responses with moist towellets in hand!

June Delivers a Fantastic First Weekend!

Rejoice and welcome the glorious month of June in Athens, GA. With plenty of great options for the family or friends, this sunny weekend is in no short supply of exciting summer activities.

If it’s thrills you seek, then take a walk on the wild side, or at least the scientific side, at the 33rd annual Snake Day this Saturday at the Sandy Creek Nature Center. This beloved Athens event examines the anatomy and life of nature’s most infamous reptiles. Snake Day is packed full of slithery-fun crafts and games, but most importantly the event will center on hands-on, educational activities. Trained caretakers will be guides through the exciting world of snakes. Take advantage of the opportunity to get familiar with a wide assortment of snake variety, learn to identify them both venomous and non, and finally (gasp!) touch a scaly guy for yourself. So, don’t be shy, get acquainted with some serpentine friends this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information about this event, visit our calendar listing.

If the idea of a day of snakes still makes your hair stand on end, then brush it back and get your hands dirty with a ball of clay instead. Bring the family out to the Georgia Museum of Art this Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, to Go Figure!, the museum’s Family Day event. Get inspired by Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir’s installation, “Horizons”, in the Jane and Harry Wilson Sculpture Garden before heading inside to form a sculptural creation of your own. Admission and refreshments will be free thanks to Family Day sponsors. For more information about this event, visit our event listing.

Make some classic memories of these sweet summer nights the best way we know how in Athens, GA- with a drink, fantastic food and great music. Find these 3 essential ingredients for a classic Athens night out at the Melting Point this weekend. Start the month and your weekend off right this Friday night with Swingin’ Medalions, a timeless and well-respected group with an ear for tradition. And Saturday don’t miss a true veteran of the blues, the Nighthawks’ Jimmy Thackery will perform a musically emotional journey almost as heady as his career. Come enjoy food and drink around 6 p.m. until the artists take the stage at 8:30 p.m. For more information about who’s on stage at the Melting Point this June, visit our calendar listing.

Take on the Garden Geology adventure of examining the Georgia Piedmont rock types in the State Botanical Garden of Georiga this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Check out our weekend calendar listing for more great ideas and events happening in Athens, Ga this weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend in Athens - Great Deals & Events!

This Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a busy one for all Athens, GA, folks and friends! With a great lineup of options for fun and lots of savings, there is no excuse not to get out and enjoy this holiday weekend.

Maintaining the true spirit of Memorial Day, many Athens Businesses will offer special deals to our amazing men & women in uniform.

• Active Climbing is happy to offer a free climbing session to any and all holders of military I.D from 4-8 p.m. this Monday.
• Hotel Indigo will be running a Memorial Special, Friday through Monday, with rates of only $59 a night for members of the military. Be sure to mention the special when calling ahead to make a reservation.
• Hampton Inn is offering a rate of $80/night with military ID.
• At Sweet Peppers Deli this Memorial Day, all men and women in uniform will receive a free entrée of their choosing upon arrival. If your uniform is a bit more snug than it used to be, just bring along a jacket or article of insignia instead and enjoy your free lunch!

• Other Memorial Weekend hotel specials available to all visitors include:
• Candlewood Suites, $59/night, Thursday to Sunday
• Georgia Gameday Center, stay one night get one night 1/2 off
• Holiday Inn, $75/night, book here;
• Holiday Inn Express, rates starting at $69/night, book here; and

Come one, come all to the annual Memorial Day in Memorial Park celebration this Monday from noon to 3 p.m. If you are looking to stay true to Memorial Day tradition, then the Memorial Park celebration is sure to satisfy. Bring a blanket and the whole family out for a day of wholesome American fun. Have your face painted with the kids before sending them to bounce to their hearts content in the many inflatables provided for the celebration. Then indulge in your favorite concession food items as you relax in the grass and enjoy live music all afternoon. The weather will be warm and the company will be warmer. Keep in mind the park pool will not be open, but the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail certainly will be so don’t forget to say ‘Hello’ to these little cuties:

For more information on this event, visit our calender listing.

If you’re looking to get a little less traditional before your all-American Memorial Day or if you’re just looking to get a little culture, then don’t miss your chance to see ATHICA’s spring exhibit, The Way Things Work, in it’s closing weekend. The exhibit ends in celebration starting this Friday in a reprise of The Way Things Go 2, a video art experience, with outdoor screenings of short video artworks on the ATHICA porch from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Sunday, the closing ceremony will consist of an artist and curator discussion panel followed by a picnic on the porch provided by White Tiger and Trumps from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. With 12 artists from around the country and abroad, this highly stimulating exhibit includes artwork in forms ranging from large-scale installations to pencil drawings. The works featured focus around a theme of systems and norms within culture and society. With pieces like the one pictured below, Trivialities of Deportment by Will Pergl, this exhibit is sure to get you thinking! So try your hand at non-conformity and do something a little different this Memorial Day weekend!

For more information about this exhibit, visit out event listing.

Get fresh at the Athens Farmers Market this Saturday at Bishop Park from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Local foods, crafts, and works of arts from area farmers and volunteers will fill the park along with music from 2 very different groups of performers. Starting the day off right will be the all-female folk trio, Maiden Radio, performing at 8:00 a.m. Then prepare yourselves for a trip to the deep South when Maculele Capoeira take the stage in a traditional Brazilian performance of dance, martial arts, singing, and instrument playing. The Athens Farmers Market is always a great option for your weekend plans, as you’ll get to mingle with the community, enjoy the beautiful morning, and support local commerce.

Learn more about the Athens Farmers Market by visiting our event listing.

The city of Winterville will host Veteran Appreciation Day this Saturday. A complimentary BBQ lunch in Pittard Park will be provided for veterans and spouses following a ceremony at the Winterville United Methodist Church.

And in case you didn’t already have enough to choose from, here are a few other Memorial Day weekend options:

• ACC Library will be kicking off its new “Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine” exhibit this weekend with an opening reception on Sunday and a movie screening on Saturday. The travelling National Library of Medicine exhibit will explore the relationship between Harry Potter’s wizarding world and foundational Renaissance science and medicine.
• Get crafty at The Native America Gallery on Friday night with a beginner earrings class from 6-8 p.m.
• Enjoy the sounds of the city this Memorial Day weekend with fantastic musical acts happening around town. Big name artist, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, will be headlining at the 40 Watt Club this Friday night. Or catch the soon-to-be-big-name Athens’ band, Reptar, at Little Kings Shuffle Club this Saturday night before they embark on a summer tour at hot spots and festivals around the country.

Bring your family, bring your friends, it’s going to be a very exciting Memorial Day weekend in Athens, GA. Visit our calendar for even more information on Athens’ events this weekend and beyond! Have a great one, friends!

The FourCoursemen: the Underground Athens Supper Club

This past weekend I had the amazing pleasure of attending an evening with The FourCoursemen. For all of you who don't know who I'm talking about, The FourCoursemen are local chefs who run an underground supper club with a cult following—and they never make the same thing twice. The FourCoursemen was founded four years ago by Damien and Randy, two local web developers, who teamed up with a few of their very talented chef friends to start a supper club that would allow them to share their experiments— things like duck hot dogs and cuitlacoche (corn fungus) ravioli, with friends. Eventually they began making multicourse dinners for 24 guests, soliciting reservations online, and accepting donations for their hard work. They called it The FourCoursemen, and it has been a sensation ever since. The crew of the FourCoursemen includes Damien, Eddie (co-head chef at Farm255), Patrick (sous chef at The National), Matt (head chef at Farm255), Randy, and Nancy (their talented Sommelier), and they make beautiful music with food.


The FourCoursemen is an underground sensation with limited means, which translates to "really difficult to get in to." The reservation process is extremely difficult as they only do dinners twice a month, and the reservations typically sell out within a minute of their opening. Thankfully for me, I have been following these guys for a long time and was waiting with fingers ready as the clock struck 11:30 a.m. on the day the email list instructed me to log on. Just as I expected, the reservation window lasted under 60 seconds, and thankfully my name got on the list.


Since I made a reservation for 2, I invited my friend Mary (another local foodie who manages Transmetropolitan on Oglethorpe) to join me for an evening I was sure was to be full great food and great company. As instructed by the email, we arrived at the super secret location around 7:30 p.m. with wine in tow, completely unaware of the culinary journey we'd be taking that night. When we arrived at the house, we were greeting by their friendly hostess, Erin, who took care to keep everyone's glasses full and faces smiling throughout the night.


After pouring a glass of the Pinot Noir we brought for pre and post meal consumption, we mingled with the other guests who were just as excited as we were. Mary and I were by far the youngest attendees (both 22 year old recent college grads), and we enjoyed the eclectic group of people and interesting conversation. The crowd was mostly Athens locals between 22 and 60 years old, all with a passion for great food. One couple had trekked all the way from LaGrange for an evening they had apprently been waiting a long time to attend. As we we're instructed to take our seats around 8 p.m., our excitement built as our stomachs growled.


After the guys introduced themselves (Nancy was out of town), they introduced the first course: Chilled Vidalia Onion Soup with Roasted Tomato, Crisp Lardo (similar to bacon), and Basil Oil. It was paired with a Pinot Gris, and the combination was magical. I had never tried chilled onion soup before, and it was beyond divine. The wine was perfect, and the soup amazing.

As we all cleaned our bowls, they brought out the next course: a Watercress Salad with Housemade Ricotta, Local Green beans, Proscuitto, Tomato, and Lemon Chive Vinagrette. It was served with an interesting Savignon Blanc, and it was out of this world delicious.

Round three introduced me to a fish we were all unfamiliar with, yet very intrigued: Sablefish with Roasted Patty Pan Squash, Eggplant Puree, Curried Carrot Cream, and Shallot Rings. It was served with a Chardonnay, and the combination of flavors with surprising, interesting, and genious.

Our fourth course consisted of Quail Two Ways- Chicken Fried Breast & Leg Confit with Sweet Corn, Arugula, Fresh Plum, and Plum Sauce served with a delicious Pinot Noir. To me, this dish was perfect. The combination of sweet and savory paired with the variety of textures made for a dish whose ingredients married in the most wonderful way. Even Mary, who admitted to typically not preferring such gamey meats, was converted after this dish. Perfection.

Our meal culminated with a dessert course that pleased the palate, cooled us down, and settled our bellies. We enjoyed a Spiced Banana Chocolate Ice Cream bar with Coffee Dust, Oatmeal Cookie Fingers, and Fruit Coulis served alongside a delicious Corn Whisky, which was, as Damien said jokingly, diluted with simple syrup and mint to make sure everyone made it home safely. They described the dessert as a play on a Klondike bar, and it was awesome. Simple, cute, and delicious. The perfect ending.

After dinner everyone stayed and socialized for quite awhile, and we got the chance to chat with the chefs who had prepared us the delectable feast. They were all very interesting, friendly, and appreciative that others shared their passion for delicious, locally grown food. Although dinner was over around 10:30, we ended up sticking around till about 12:30 a.m., and we were among the first to leave. It was clear that the food was only half the reason The FourCoursemen are so successful, the other half being the generally great environment of the Saturday night feasts.

If you're from the Athens area and love great food, you need to try to get on the list for this amazing supper club that has been praised by the likes of Food & Wine Magazine. It was beyond worth the suggested $70 donation, and between the food and the great company it was truly one of the most memorable nights I've had in Athens over the last four years.

If you live in Atlanta or anywhere in North Georgia, it's worth the trek to Athens for a night. Click here to learn more about The FourCoursemen and see how to make a reservation.

(A big shout out to The FourCoursemen Facebook page, from where I got some of these photos)

Athens Food Tours

A few weeks ago I checked out a new attraction in Athens that should be especially tempting for foodies--Athens Food Tours. These walking tours are a great way to get to know some new people and neighborhoods and enjoy more food than is probably advisable. I detailed the experience in this video, but you should really check it out for yourself any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Athens This Weekend: June 10 - 12

This weekend in Athens is jam-packed with lots of fun events! There are several special events we think are really worth checking out, so clear your weekend calendar and head over to Athens!

Thursday: At 7 p.m., go to the inaugural screening for the Lyndon House Speakeasy Movie Club, where the legendary film Koyaanisqatsi will be presented in the LHAC Community Room. There is no admission charge, and refreshments will be available! This is the first of many films to be shown at the Lyndon House, so be sure to be there for this awesome, free event! There are also concerts going on at Go Bar, Caledonia, and Farm 255.

Friday: The Town and Gown Players bring Carousel, a Rogers and Hammerstein classic and Time magazine's Best Musical of the 20th century, to the Classic City this weekend! Come to the Athens Community Theater on Friday at 8 p.m. to enjoy a night of theatric fun! There is also a great show at the Melting Point on Friday, Sensational Sounds of Motown, so head on over there at 9 p.m. for some classic Motown beats. Tickets are only $12, so splurge on an appetizer and cocktail while you listen!

Saturday: The FIFA World Cup starts Saturday, so be sure you get up early, go to the Farmers Market, then head to a watering hole to watch the World Cup games! Games start at 10 a.m., and team USA takes on England at 8:30 p.m. I recommend going to either Farm 255, the Globe or Royal Peasant in Five Points to cheer our team on, but beware that places are sure to be full of plenty of rowdy football fans! If you’re not into soccer, be sure not to miss The Carolina Chocolate Drops live at the 40 Watt at 9 p.m.! The young string band plays in the centuries-old Piedmont banjo and fiddle musical tradition, and has been nominated for the Americana Music Award for Duo or Group of the Year. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the show. You can’t beat a venue like the 40 Watt, so it’s sure to be a great show.

If these suggestions can’t suffice, visit our calendar of events to see what else is going on this weekend!

Athens This Weekend: June 4 - 6

This weekend in Athens is jam-packed with lots of fun events! Get ready for a chance to support local farmers and artists, interact with nature, and hear great live music!

On Saturday, come celebrate treasures that are uniquely ours at the Athens Farmers Market. All sustainable food is grown in Athens soil by local farmers. All crafts are made in our homes by local artists. Live music, merriment, and memories are shared with the young and the old alike on Saturday mornings at Bishop Park! The Farmers Market starts at 8 a.m. and lasts until noon, and there will be live music throughout the morning. Click here for more info and to see what's for sale this weekend!

The 32nd Annual Snake Day is this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.! This popular annual event features a fun-filled afternoon exploring the misunderstood world of snakes! Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about venomous snakes and identification, touch a snake, explore the amazing diversity of snakes and enjoy snake-related crafts and games! Click here for more info!

On Sunday at 3 p.m., Dr. Arvin Scott, a multi-award winning percussion artist, will bring his World Beat Nu Jazz to the Athens-Clarke County Library & Heritage Room! This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Athens-Clarke County Library, and will be held in the Auditorium of the Athens-Clarke County Library! Click here for more info!

Other great events going on this weekend include:
The Legendary Leon Russell, Tommy Talton Band at the Melting Point
Athens Little Playhouse Performs "Cafe Murder"
Classic City Rollergirls vs. Soul City Sirens

Athens Food Tours On Sale

Here are three things you need to know.

One: DealMobs is an Athens-based company that offers one-day deals for local goods and services--provided enough people want in on the deal. For instance, since DealMobs has been operating, I've scored a typically $65-an-hour massage at Georgia Medical Massage for just $25 (it was GREAT, by the way), a normally $55-an-hour horseback riding lesson at Serenity Creek Equine Center for just $20 (haven't taken my lesson yet), and numerous vouchers for what is essentially half-price food at restaurants around town. With DealMobs you have to buy the deal on the day it is offered, but then you have a long window of time to use your voucher. You get your voucher if enough people buy in, but if they don't, the deal falls through. It's fun and saves money and is a great idea.

Two: Athens Food Tours is a really exciting new addition to the tour offerings in Athens. Run by Mary Charles Jordan, a UGA grad who conducted food tours in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, before returning to Athens to open her own company, Athens Food Tours does three regularly-scheduled neighborhood food tours (Downtown, Five Points, and Boulevard) which take participants through historic streets with stops at many restaurants to sample local and regional cuisine. I haven't been on a Food Tour yet, but I'm planning to go on one in the next couple of weeks--look for an update on my adventure soon.

And most importantly, THREE: Today only, you can get in on an Athens Food Tour for just $20 per person at DealMobs--that's $25 off the normal ticket price. They need five purchased to make the deal--three have already been bought. I might stockpile these for my out-of-town friends visiting soon. Get on it--and I'll see you on a food tour soon!