Don’t miss out on the 2011 Taste of Roswell, as this is the one event all year that gives you the opportunity to sample many of the restaurants that help make up Roswell. The Taste of Roswell will be held on October 15, 2011 in the Historic Roswell Town Square from noon – 5:30 p.m.

You can enjoy the cuisine served by Roswell’s outstanding restaurants like Aqua Blue, Brookwood Grill, Sugo, Mittie’s Tea Room, Brick House Pizza, Stoney River, Fickle Pickle and the Dogwood Cafe, to name a few. Admission to the event is free, and food tickets are only 50¢ each. The different participating restaurants will have different servings available for you to taste, and they will be priced from 50¢ to $3.

In addition to the exceptional food that you’ll be sampling, they have other fun activities that include: Hula Hoop Contest, The Twist Dance Contest, Bean Bag Toss, Hokie Pokie, Electric Slide and Line Dancing.

The Taste of Roswell is presented by the Roswell Visitors Center, Roswell Restaurant Marketing Council and Roswell Recreation & Parks Department.

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To the delight of many Roswell residents, Franco’s Italian Tavern opened its doors last month. One of the eatery’s specialties is their wood-fire pizza. The pizza dough is handmade and has only half the amount of gluten as the typical pizza pie. Also, Franco Negri, owner of Franco’s, purchases locally grown produce that is pesticide and hormone free and utilizes free-range meats. Every bite fills your mouth with fresh produce, and the quality ingredients really make a difference in the overall taste and appeal.

In addition to pizza, the Italian Tavern serves up handmade pasta and sauce, imported meats and cheeses, as well as polenta Bolognese, traditional Italian salads and gelato. Being an Italian restaurant, you can of course expect to find an extensive wine list. Currently, it includes 58 Italian wines that range in taste from light and sweet to red and hearty, and the list is continuing to grow.

So scratch your plans for dinner tonight and take the whole family to Franco’s, where you will be supporting local businesses on more than one level. Franco’s Italian Tavern is located in the Sweet Apple Village on Etris Road, and is open daily for dinner. On Saturdays and Sundays, the restaurants is also open for lunch and soon will be open for breakfast.

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When it comes to having a romantic date night on Valentine’s Day, Roswell residents do not lack for options. One of the classic dates, of course, is dining out. The only problem is deciding where to go. Well, it all depends on what you are looking for.

If you want a dining experience in which you and your significant other will spend a few hours in a dimly lit dining room, look no further than the Melting Pot. When it comes to romance, Melting Pot delivers, and they are even offering a special five-course Valentine’s Day menu. With each course, you can choose between two different options and it will be either $75 per person or $65 per person, depending on the entree course. They are even opening at noon on February 12th and 13th, giving you more opportunities to take advantage of the delectable menu. Call 770-518-4100 for reservations.

Aqua Blue is a Roswell favorite, included in many “Best of Atlanta” lists. Not only are they offering a special Valentine’s Day menu for $50 a person, but they also give you the option of adding a gift package of long stem roses and champagne. The four course menu features Maine lobster chowder or butter lettuce wedge, jumbo lump crab sushi roll, Aqua Blue surf and turf and warm chocolate cake for dessert. Call 770-643-8886 for reservations.

For something with a little character, look to one of the many exceptional restaurants in historic Roswell. There is Sugo for an unbelievable Italian dining experience; Pastis for fine French cuisine; Relish for a little Southern comfort; Indigo for upscale, fine dining; and many others. The important thing to remember is make your reservations ASAP. To make it even easier, most of these restaurants take reservations online through OpenTable.com.

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In a situation that we rarely ever see in metro-Atlanta, we have spent the past five days snowed in and basically unable to leave our houses. “Cabin Fever” hardly describes the angst we were all feeling to get out of the house. Luckily, the roads are clear and the temperatures are rising, and it’s time to get out and enjoy our fabulous, historic town. Here are a couple of suggestions on things to do now that we are free to leave the house:

• Put on some warm clothes and prepare to be spooked on a Roswell Ghost Tour
• Enjoy some of Roswell’s exceptional cuisine: Pastis, Taste and Aqua Blue were all named one of Jezebel Magazine’s top 100 restaurants of 2010
• Catch a Georgia Ensemble Theater performance of Tokens of Affection at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center (you can even get half off tickets by ordering them through HalfOffDepot.com)
• Enjoy some laughs at Atlanta’s premier comedy club, the Punchline
• Watch tonight’s Falcons game at one of Roswell’s exceptional sports bars – Coldbrews, Twisted Taco and Mazzy’s to name a few

Basically no matter how you like to spend your time, Roswell has a recreational outlet for you. These are just a few suggestions, but remember Roswell is also home to a myriad of parks, shops and other extraordinary restaurants. It’s great knowing that we do not have to head downtown in order to have a good time.

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One of Roswell’s newest restaurants is a personal-size pizza franchise called Your Pie. Originated by Drew French, who happens to be a North Fulton County local, Your Pie opened in Athens in 2008. The popularity of being able to purchase personal sized pizzas grew at an amazing rate, forcing Drew to expand into the Atlanta market. We love that he decided to pick Roswell for his first location.

Bob Townsend from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has written a fantastic review of the new restaurant, depicting the menu and overall appeal of the place. If you get a spare moment, you should read it in its entirety, but for those that want a brief overview, here’s Bob’s take on the place:

• The restaurant’s motto “Express your inner pizza” is evident in every aspect of the place: from the extensive list of toppings to the variety of pie crusts and the eight different types of sauce. It could take a lifetime to try every possible combination available.
• In addition to pizza, Your Pie offers sandwiches, calzones, salads and gelato.
• The price is perfect, considering you can get a full meal for under $10; plus they have weekly specials.

So, if you find yourself without dinner one night this week, head over to Your Pie and try Roswell’s newest pizza parlor. Be sure to bring the whole family along because the kids will undoubtedly be thrilled to find that they can finally get their own pizza and get only the toppings they want on it.

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Aqua Blue is one of Atlanta’s best restaurants, and one of the only fine dining restaurants in Roswell to consistently be named one of Jezebel Magazine’s top 100 Restaurants in Atlanta. The exceptional seafood cuisine has received many rave reviews and awards and become a favorite for many Atlantans. With such a tremendous reputation in the Atlanta area, it’s only natural that the restaurant will be hosting one big soiree to bring in 2011. For those that weren’t looking to head downtown and face big crowds for New Year’s Eve, a delectable dinner at Aqua Blue may be right up your alley.

Aqua Blue will host three different seatings on December 31, 2010 -  5:30, 7:30 and 9:30. Of course to be a part of the champagne toast and party favors at midnight, you’ll want to reserve a spot during the 9:30 seating. This is a great choice because a DJ will be spinning great music starting at 9:00. However, no matter what seating you are a part of, you will enjoy a special holiday three course menu that includes:

First Plate
New England Seafood Chowder
Maine Lobster, Mango & Avocado Salad with Coral Vinaigrette

Main Plate
Red Snapper Casalinga: Sweet Shrimp, White Wine, Tomato Concasse, Capers, Cappellini & Snap Peas
Veal Osso Bucco: Sweet Herb & Talleggio Polenta, White Truffle Demi
Pan Seared Mahi Mahi: Stone Crab Claws, Triple Potato & Shitake Hash, Chardonnay Buerre Blanc

Sweet Finish
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake:Fresh Berries & Madagascar Vanilla Bean Anglaise
Sorbet Trio

There will also be an a la carte menu available for other dining options. The price is only $59 per person, but you’ll want to call and make reservations now, as the restaurant is sure to fill up quickly. For reservations, call 770-643-8886.

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Historic Canton Street will be “alive” on Thursday, June 17 as the 2010 Alive After Five street party kicks off from 5-9 p.m in Roswell, Georgia. Live music, food, displays and shopping make this event a fun and family friendly break during the busy work week. Alive After Five occurs the third Thursday of every month from April-October. Trolley shuttles from the parking lot of City Hall are available free of charge.

Shops and restaurants offer discounts and specials, and live music plays throughout the district. A free trolley will transport participants to all event locations. A collaboration with the Historic Roswell Merchants’ Association. Here’s the list of musical performances.

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Sweet Apple Village, Roswell’s new premiere shopping destination, is hosting a fall festival that will be full of fun activities for the whole family. Come enjoy hay rides, jump houses, crafts, face painting, a fire truck and balloon creations in addition to give-aways galore and a farmers’ market. Sample food from Tera Humata, the area’s hottest Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, and The Village Slice, serving exceptional pizza and pasta.

Sweet Apple Village is located at the corner of Etris Road and Crabapple Road in Roswell, GA.  View directions to Sweet Apple Village.

Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact Joe Mediate for more information, 404-446-1225, joe@kookoobearkids.com

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I splurged a little this weekend and ate out quite a bit.  The last place I ate at was Coldbrew’s Sports Bar and Grill which is where Ray’s Brick Oven Pizza once resided.  First and foremost, I must confess that I was disappointed and quite surprised when I learned of Ray’s Brick Oven Pizza closing.  Being that I am from Chicago I think I have credentials as an expert pizza reviewer and I really felt that Ray’s offered some of the best pizza in all of Atlanta and most certainly the best in Roswell.  That being said, the place that took over in its place had a lot to live up to.

My friend and I arrived at Coldbrew’s just before Sunday’s NFL kickoffs began.  We were two out of about 15 people in the establishment…a small crowd for a sports bar for Sunday football.

The bartender greeted us and handed us our menus.  She appeared quite busy filling ice, chopping fruits, and doing a variety of other tasks.  When it came time to order food I took her recommendation and ordered the Diablo Burger which was her favorite…it was the burger I was eying…typically anything with the word Diablo in it peeks my interest.  I ordered it cooked medium rare.  In addition, I ordered some nachos for my friend and I.  I’m off the belief that you can judge a sports bar by the quality of their nachos.

While we waited for our food we ordered some alcoholic beverages.  Charlie ordered a Guiness which we were told they were out of so he ordered another beer instead (I don’t recall what).  I ordered a Bloody Mary.  She asked me if I liked my Bloody Mary’s spicy and I told her that I did and said Absolut Peppar is good.  Shortly after receiving the drinks I see a chalkboard on the wall that mentions “Everyday Drink Specials”.  I asked the bartender what the specials were and wouldn’t you know…a Bloody Mary was on special for $3…sweet!  Although, it wasn’t sweet, she informed me that is only for those that are made from “well vodka”.  Now, I understand that when she asked if I liked my Bloody Mary’s spicy I said that I did and suggested Absolut Peppar, but she should have countered back and informed me that if she used well vodka that Bloody Mary’s were on special for $3…instead I ended up paying $7 for my Bloody Mary.

Our food finally arrived.  After taking one bite I notice that my burger doesn’t seem to be cooked medium rare.  I take one more bite further into the beef patty to be sure that indeed I was not mistaken.  My burger was most certainly cooked “well done”.  I inform the bartender of this and she looks at it and agrees with me.  She informs the kitchen and a new burger is brought out to me 10-15 minutes later…by this time my friend had already finished his meal and I had finished the french fries that were originally served with the well done burger.

I bite into the medium rare burger, it’s cooked to perfection…great!  Unfortunately, the burger was nothing special whatsoever and I’m quite sure I’ve cooked tastier burgers myself.  This is a disappointment because a sports bar should be known for their burgers.  If they aren’t known for their burgers then they ought to be cheap…not priced near $10!

Finally, the end of the meal has come…20-30 minutes after my friend had already finished his meal.  I get the check and discover that the Absolut Peppar cost me an additional $4 and not that I expected it, but when similar situations have happened typically the burger would have been comped.  Rojo Taqueria didn’t do anything wrong and yet they acknowledged my unhappiness and turned an unhappy experience into a positive one.  All this being said, I don’t foresee myself setting foot inside of Coldbrew’s anytime in the near future.

880 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(678) 639-7297
www.coldbrewsgrill.com

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Although its address is technically Alpharetta, Rojo Taqueria is close enough to Roswell that I felt it was worth mentioning on this website.  Rojo Taqueria is located just off of Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta near TJs Sports Bar and in the space that previously housed Johnny’s Pizza.  After being recommended by several friends to go to this restaurant and after meeting one of it’s waiters at the East Roswell Dog Park, I decided to give this place a try over the weekend.  Overall it was a positive experience and I will likely go back.

I went with a friend on a Friday night…he has been there several times.  My friend suggested that of anything I order I must have the BBQ Taco.  I followed my friend’s advice and ordered the BBQ Taco, the Bartender (we sat at the bar to watch baseball playoffs) suggested the Fish Taco as well.  I ordered these two tacos and also the Buffalo Shrimp.  I had just been to Hooters a few days earlier and I LOVE their Buffalo Shrimp, so I figured I’d give Rojo Taqueria’s shrimp a try.

While our food was being prepared the bartender engaged us in conversation.  He was a very pleasant individual which made our dining, well…aside from the children running around and screaming (it was early on a Friday night), a very nice experience.

The food arrived rather quickly and I tried the tacos first.  Gourmet tacos…I now understand what is meant by that.  The tacos were excellent!  The Buffalo Shrimp came with french fries…a good thing too because the shrimp were small (about half that of Hooters shrimp).  The shrimp had too much breading and the sauce was nothing unique.  The fries saved the dish.  The bartender asked how I liked the Buffalo Shrimp and I was honest with him.  He informed me it was a offering they were trying out…he also agreed with me that Hooters has some of the best Buffalo Shrimp around.  He told me not to worry, the Buffalo Shrimp would cost me only $3, more than half the price listed on the menu.

I will most certainly visit Rojo Taqueria again…it was a great experience and the service was exceptional.  I would highly recommend this Mexican restaurant to anyone.  Take a look at their menu…prices aren’t bad either!

2850 Holcomb Bridge Rd
Alpharetta, GA 30022-1660
(678) 277-9000
Get directions

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