AJC: The chicken and dumplings that a chilly Atlanta needs

Sometimes you just need to dive into a bowl of comfort. This is true whether the temps outside are dipping a little too low for your preference or you need to speak to some food about your emotions.

Chicken and dumplings is a perfect vehicle, and Atlanta is no stranger to the dish. These chicken and dumplings will give you a big ol’ bear hug of comfort.

Ration & Dram

130 Arizona Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307; 678-974-8380,  www.rationanddram.com

Ration & Dram is known for their cocktails. The menu is full of dark spirits that lend themselves to quiet conversations at the cozy bar. To keep those chats – not to mention those stiff drinks – going, you’ll need some equally comforting food. Look no further than the chicken and dumplings. They use Darby Farms chicken for both the meat and the stock. The dish is made creamy with Swiss Dairy milk and biscuit dumplings. It all comes together for a powerful hug on a chilly night.

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Culinary Local: Stir Up Your Year – Cocktail Classes at Ration and Dram

Nothing completes a meal or an evening quite so elegantly as a perfectly balanced cocktail. This February, Edgewood eatery Ration and Dram has launched “Shaken or Stirred,” an exciting series of classes devoted to the art and craft of cocktail making. The modern American spot is well known for its creative cocktail menu (for brunch as well as dinner), so it’s a great destination for anyone who wants to start mixing flavorful, interesting drinks at home.

At 4 PM on Saturday, February 27, Ration and Dram will host a starter class on cocktail fundamentals. But don’t worry if you won’t be able to catch it this weekend. In the months ahead, there will be five more cocktail classes to enjoy, each one focused on a particular base. March’s class will feature whiskey, April’s class brandy. Champagne and tropical drinks will take center stage during the summer. There’s no obligation to attend more than one class, but they will vary enough between months to make each one worth your while.

The talent behind “Shaken or Stirred” is impressive. Owner Andy Minchow, who established Ration and Dram in 2014, previously served as partner and bartender at Holeman and Finch Public House. Bar manager Kysha Cyrus has established herself as a sommelier and craft bartender at a variety of Atlanta spots and was named one of Atlanta’s Top 10 Bartenders by BlackBook Magazine. They will work together to demonstrate expert cocktail-making techniques behind the bar—and serve up some delicious samples of their work.

Minchow and Cyrus have wanted to offer a master class on cocktails for some time now. They get questions every night about how Ration and Dram’s unique drinks are crafted, and now, with this series, they will be able to share in-depth knowledge with the public. The small class format will allow participants to ask as many questions as they like and savor the sensory experiences of cocktail making, including the particular aromas and flavors of the ingredients.

The lineup for the following months is:

March 26: Whiskey
April 30: Brandy (including grappas and piscos)
May 28: Tiki cocktails
June 18: Champagne (and other summer appropriate) cocktails
July 23: Vermouth & Amari cocktails

Cocktail series like this one are still rare in Atlanta, so make your plans soon if you’d like to hone your skills. The February 27 class costs $50, which covers four drinks and hors d’oeuvres during the lesson. Call Ration and Dram for reservations.