Quick Bites: James Beard semifinalists announced and more

Atlanta on the rise! The official list of 2018 James Beard Award semifinalists has been announced and some of our local favorites made the cut, including Parnass Savang of Talat Market and Brian So of Spring for Rising Star Chef of the Year, Sarah O’Brien of Little Tart Bakeshop for Outstanding Baker, Kimball House for Outstanding Bar Program, Miller Union for Outstanding Wine Program, and Hugh Acheson of Athens’ Five & Ten for Outstanding Chef. Georgia cleaned up in the Best Chef: Southeast category with Ryan Smith of Staplehouse, Atsushi Hayakawa of Sushi House Hayakawa, Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani, Mashama Bailey of Savannah’s The Grey, Rui Liu of Duluth’s Masterpiece, and Matthew Raiford of Brunswick’s The Farmer & The Larder. Congrats y’all! Find the full list here, and stay tuned for the winners, which will be announced May 7 at the James Beard Awards Gala in Chicago.

Chef Benjamin Meyer will helm the kitchen at upcoming Chido + Padre’s in the former Smokebelly location (128 E. Andrews Dr.). A prepared statement said the Baja-style restaurant will “celebrate Mexico’s fresh, coastal cuisine and bring a fun, festive party to Buckhead.” 

The “Brunch Bill” is moving forward. Georgians may soon be able to purchase alcohol on Sunday mornings beginning at 11 a.m. The Senate voted in favor this week, although grocery sales will still be illegal until 12:30 p.m. Waiting on that House vote. 

Mark your calendars for B’s Cracklin BBQ next breakfast pop-up with Southern Souffle’s Erika Council this Sat., Feb. 17. Doors open at 9 a.m. Don’t miss the newest biscuit topped with Bryan Furman’s peach BBQ sauce. 

Womp womp. Boneheads on 2022 Paces Ferry Rd. closed last week. You can still get your fire-grilled fish with peri peri sauce at the remaining three locations in Atlanta. 

Marietta Doughnut shop Doughnut Dollies is expanding to Westside this summer, with a new location on Howell Mill Rd in Collier Hills. The original location opened in 2015. 

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Food 101 next Weds., Feb. 21. A special menu will be available alongside the regular menu with items like lobster scallion pancakes and shrimp toast. 

New Orleans comes to Atlanta today, Feb. 15. Pableaux Johnson returns to Kimball House with his Red Bean Road Show. It’s a fun, family-style shindig. 

Eat for a cause at Better Half in Westside. On Thurs., March 8, chef Zach Meloy invites Miller Union’s Steven Satterfield for a Better Halves six-course dinner with wine pairings. Proceeds from the pop-up benefit Direct Relief, a nonprofit providing assistance to those affected by poverty and emergency situations. 

Share the love through February with Farm Burger and Steel City Pops. Show your receipt from the Decatur pop shop and get 10 percent off your purchase at Farm Burger’s Decatur location.