Creative Loafing: What to drink with Thanksgiving dinner – Part I

Make these cocktails or drink these local beers on Thanksgiving, because they said so.

Still at a loss for what to drink with your Thanksgiving turkey cake and cherumple on Thursday? We asked Atlanta beer, wine, and cocktail experts to share a few of their recommendations. If you’re in need of some turkey-friendly, boozy inspiration, today is your lucky day.

This series comes to you into three parts. Part I covers beer and spirits starting with thoughtful cocktail recipes from talented barkeeps Julian Goglia (the Pinewood), Andy Minchow (Ration & Dram), and Bradford Tolleson (Restaurant Eugene). CL’s resident beer guy Austin L. Ray also chipped in with three fall seasonals from Atlanta breweries that opened in 2014. In parts II and III, we tap into Advanced Sommelier Tim Willard’s near-encyclopedic body of wine knowledge and hear from southern wine geek extraordinaire Steven Grubbs, respectively.

Andy Minchow, Ration & Dram

The Plymouth Rocktail
1 ounce Plymouth gin
1 ounce Dolin Blanc (any sweet white vermouth will work)
1 barspoon of cranberry sauce(yes I did. That and the name are the cheesy parts)
2 barspoons of lemon juice
Shake and double strain into a champagne flute or wine glass.
Top with 3 ounces of dry sparkling wine(rose if you have it)
Garnish with an orange twist.

This can also be done as a punch over ice. I think it will be a nice cocktail to start the drinking off and look funny in the hands of any men watching football.

Read the full article here.

Eater: These Atlanta Restaurants Will Save You From Cooking on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving tends to entail a mountain of planning between inviting guests into your home and cooking food for all of the extended family. But, it doesn’t have to be that way: several heroic restaurants across Atlanta recognize these fears and plan to stay open on Thanksgiving Day in order to alleviate the potential burdens of holiday cooking. Ease the stress and take the family to one of these 11 restaurants for turkey meals or something a little more unorthodox this Thursday.

11 Ration and Dram

Ration & Dram will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight serving a limited food and drink menu ranging from $5 to $20. The menu includes options like a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce and a mashed potato bowl similar to the restaurant’s signature grits bowl.

See full article here.

About.com: Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in Atlanta

Ration & Dram is offering a no fuss, casual Thanksgiving dinner this year, so put on your comfiest, and head over to this Kirkwood neighborhood hotspot at 6 p.m. for a festive feast to remember. They’re offering a limited drink and food menu, where guest can choose from a turkey-cranberry sandwich with mayo and dressing, or a mashed potato bowl complete with bacon, cheeses, house-made crème fraiche and green onions.

No reservations required here – just community, good food and tasty libations.

Read the full article here.

The Crimson White: Six Things to do in Atlanta

It’s another lonely away-game weekend in Tuscaloosa, leaving many students hankering for a getaway. Tuscaloosa is situated in the middle of the South, making it easy to jump in the car for a road trip to any number of destinations. Birmingham, Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville and Atlanta are all in within five hours of T-Town. So if you’re not following the Crimson Tide to Starkville this weekend, plan a weekend trip to Atlanta, located just 2.5 hours away, and go beyond the malls, aquarium and the World of Coke to experience some of these local hot spots.

Sublime Donuts: College students get 15 percent off with their ID’s at this local donut sensation. Located in the heart of Atlanta, this restaurant offers a large collection of unique donut eats. Flavors range from s’mores to sweet potato cake and even maple bacon cheddar (only offered on Saturdays). They also offer specialty donut ice cream sandwiches, including flavors such as the Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Burger. Donut-lovers will rejoice at the chance to experience any of Sublime Donuts’ unusual flavors.

Ponce City Market: Located in the historic Sears, Roebuck & Co, building in Atlanta and developed by the owners of Chelsea Market in Manhattan, this lively market is perfect for checking out food and shopping. Locals love drinking and dining in the Central Food Hall, and PCM also includes Atlanta favorites such as Dancing Goats Coffee Bar and King of Pops. Visitors can also check out boutiques as well as popular shopping spots like Anthropologie and J. Crew.

The Beltline: The Atlanta Beltline is the perfect place to satisfy a need for outdoor adventure, and to explore the city at the same time. Twenty-two miles of pedestrian-friendly trails situated on an old railroad is the perfect way to see views of the city. Development of the Beltline is expected to continue until 2030, eventually connecting up to 45 Atlanta neighborhoods. But there is still much to enjoy as of now: shops and restaurants line the path, and bikes are also available for rental. Also along the way is Krog Street Market, which locals love for eats and beverages. For information about the Beltline, visit beltline.org.

Terminal West: Located on the West Side, this popular venue showcases music and acts almost every night of the week. The lineup for this weekend is as follows: Friday- Desert Dwellers; Saturday- The Electric Sons; Sunday- The English Beat. Restaurant Stationside is also located at Terminal West, serving refreshments during and after shows. For ticket information visit http://www.terminalwestatl.com/.

Little Trouble: Also located on the West Side is Little Trouble, a “Blade Runner” themed bar that greets visitors with neon lights and a lively atmosphere. Not only is it a bar, but it’s also a great place to grab snacks and appetizers. The menu offers a wide variety of cocktails, wine and beer, as well as Asian-inspired appetizers such as dumplings, buns, slaw and ramen. Be sure to try the $5 drink specials during happy hour, which is Monday-Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ration and Dram: Check out this local joint for its popular $1 oyster nights on Mondays, or stop by any time for a culinary experience. They serve local food, and they offer an extensive menu for vegans and vegetarians. Try their popular oysters or one the other customer favorites from the menu, including the southern classic, chicken and dumplings, French dip or pan-seared Georgia trout.

 Read article here.

AJC: Warm up with these 15 Atlanta comfort food dishes and drinks

When you’re looking to warm up, these cold-weather comfort food dishes and drinks around Atlanta will keep away the chill.

Ration & Dram’s Chicken & Dumplings is made from scratch using Darby Farms chicken, Southern Swiss Dairy milk made into cream and fluffy biscuit dumplings. The restaurant promises the dish “will make you feel like you’re at your grandmother’s house.” 130 Arizona Ave NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30307, 678-974-8380, www.rationanddram.com

See the full article here.

PUNCH: Suppressor #7. Low Proof Cocktail.

Andy Minchow, Ration & Dram | Atlanta

Ration & Dram’s Andy Minchow tackles the low-proof cocktail in his #7, which sees Pommeau de Normandie punched up by the herbaceous notes of Cynar and the fizz and acidity of sparkling wine—proving that less booze doesn’t mean less complexity.

INGREDIENTS

Serving: 1

  • 1 ounce Pommeau de Normandie
  • 1 ounce Cynar
  • 1 ounce sparkling wine

Garnish: lemon peel

DIRECTIONS
  1. Stir Cynar and Pommeau with ice and strain into a tulip glass.
  2. Top with Sparkling Wine and express and discard a lemon peel over the top of the drink.