Quick BItes

Dining Out for Life to benefit Open Hand Atlanta is set for April 20 at more than 100 restaurants around metro Atlanta. Participating restaurants will donate 25 percent of the customer’s bill for breakfast, lunch or dinner to Open Hand. Proceeds will help the organization and its thousands of volunteers continue to prepare, pack and deliver over 5,000 healthy meals every day to underserved, chronically ill individuals across 19 north Georgia counties. Participating restaurants range from local favorites who have participated for over 15 years, such as The Colonnade, Agavé, Taqueria del Sol, Eclipse di Luna and Nicola’s, to more recent additions to the restaurant lineup, including Table & Main, Century House Tavern and White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. For more information on Dining Out for Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, visit diningoutforoh.org and openhandatlanta.com.

Mark your calendars for The Tasting on April 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mason Fine Art Gallery, 415 Plasters Ave. Participating restaurants include 1KEPT, Aveune Catering Concepts, Buckhead Diner, Brezza Cucina, Food 101, Corso Coffee, Davio’s, Dolce Italain, Haven, La Grotto, Lure, Saltyard, Sotto Sotto, South City Kitchen and many more. There will also be wines from around the world. The event raises funds for the Zimmerman Horowitz Independent Living Program. Tickets are $100 in advance, $125 at the door. For more information, visit thetasting.org.

The 1st Atlanta Taco Festival will take place May 1 at Candler Park from 1 to 7 p.m. There will be local bands –Gringo Bingo, Salsa Dancing, Lucha Libre Wrestling – and food from Rio Bravo, El Myriachi, Yumbii, Willy’s, On the Border, bartaco, Pure and more. A donation will be made to CHRIS Kids with proceeds from the festival. For more information, visit atlantatacofestival.com.

Food & Wine magazine has put three Atlanta restaurants on its list of America’s gusto!, the fast-casual concept that started in Brookwood Hills, will open its second Atlanta location at 782 Ponce de Leon Ave. in early summer. gusto! has a three-step menu starting with a grilled protein (including vegetarian options), a base of mixed greens, brown rice or flatbread, and a “gusto”— bold flavor profiles created daily from the freshest ingredients.

Best Brunch Spots. Making the cut: Cakes & Ale in Decatur, Holeman & Finch Public House and One-Eared Stag However, we heard from the folks at Cakes & Ale that Food & Wine actually made a mistake since they don’t serve brunch. The brunch honor should have gone to Cakes & Ale Cafe, located next door at 151 Sycamore St.

Chris Edwards has been named executive chef of Restaurant Eugene Edwards was originally sous chef at the restaurant before leaving to helm the kitchen at Holeman & Finch Public House.