Omnivore - Noodlepalooza of ramen

? Atlanta loves its ramen. Pop-ups from Guy Wong (Ton Ton soon to open in Ponce City Market), Mihoko Obunai (Ramen Freak at Sound Table), Jiyeon Lee (Sobban), Jerome Oh (Craft Izakaya), and Andy Tran (Ramen Crush at Ration and Dram) have us lining up for steaming bowls even when the thermostat reads 90 degrees. They are proven masters of the Japanese export. Additionally we have Buford Highway with a bevy of ramen houses worthy of adoration. The city also holds a crew of chefs ready to tackle the classic dish with their own interpretations. 
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? The noodlepalooza, hosted by Makan, goes down Wednesday, October 14, for the 2nd Annual Fall Ramen Fest. Due to popularity, the fest outgrew its original digs in the Decatur restaurant and will be held at Monday Night Brewing. More than a dozen of Atlanta’s top restaurants will take noodles and transform oodles of them- from sponsor Sun Noodles- into cups of (hopefully) tasty ramen. Some cups may be filled with classic miso, shoyu, or tonkotsu broth, and some with wacky versions, as combinations of the classic dish are endless and variations are continually created. Surprises last year included a spicy buffalo wing ramen from Decatur’s Kimball House. 
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? Tickets to this year’s event are $45 and include unlimited samples of ramen. That is, until noodles are gone. Slurping attendees vote to crown the winner of the ramen cup. This March, Melissa Allen of Victory/Paper Plane was crowned winner of the Spring Fest. Here are the competitors she has to beat to defend her crown with her Victory/Little Trouble team: Alma Cocina, Farm Burger, Field Dog Kitchen, Kimball House, Leon’s Full Service, Makan, Marcel, No. 246, Pine Street Market, Saltyard, Seven Lamps, Southbound, Steinbeck’s, Sweet Auburn BBQ, Twain’s Brewpub and Billiards, and Watershed on Peachtree. The First Annual Fall Ramen Fest 2014 winner, Craig Richards of St. Cecilia, will be defending also. 
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? Bonus with the new location is the chance for tours and tastings at Monday Night Brewing. Like last year, proceeds benefit The Giving Kitchen. ($6000 was raised at last year’s event.) Tickets are available here. Monday Night Brewing. Westside. 670 Trabert Ave NW. (404) 352-7703