TODAY

It’s hard to resist the appeal of author and food celebrity ALTON BROWN, so you might as well stop trying. Just give in and head to the Variety Playhouse at 7 p.m. tonight as Brown signs copies of his latest book, “Feasting on Asphalt.” Admission is $29.50 and includes a copy of the book. Tickets are available through A Cappella Books.  www.variety-playhouse.com.

Whether you raise a glass or dip into an endless bowl of salsa, celebrating CINCO DE MAYO has become as American as TMZ and gas-guzzling SUVs. We’re not sure why a Mexican military victory over the French way back in 1862 has become an excuse to party hard, but whatever. We recommend joining the BLOCK PARTY in Virginia Highland, hosted by Pozole Nuevo Latino and Tequila Bar and Limerick Junction, featuring live music, a piñata-smashing contest, a hot-pepper-eating competition and more. The party starts at 4 p.m. behind the pub (enter from Greenwood Avenue west off North Highland). Admission is $5. www.atlantacincodemayo.com.

Looking for a little culinary inspiration? Stop by the 2008 METROPOLITAN COOKING & ENTERTAINING SHOW, featuring appearances by Southern hostess extraordinaire Paula Deen at 3 p.m. today and tomorrow, May 4. Paula’s sons Jamie and Bobby Deen will also be on hand at the event, which includes cooking demonstrations, food samples and wine and beer tastings. The show takes place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. www.metrocooking.com.

Wondering how to sample all the goods from Atlanta's top restaurants? Head to the Georgia Aquarium on Thursday, May 1, where more than 50 top chefs from the city will participate in Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, the first-ever culinary benefit in the country. The Atlanta event, one of 55 hosted throughout the United States and Canada, has raised nearly $6 million since its inception. Taste of the Nation Atlanta is dedicated to ending hunger in America, ensuring that no kid grows up hungry. This gourmet black-tie-optional food-and-wine event features specialty food samplings, live, silent and wine auctions, wine tastings and live entertainment. Ted Turner and his daughter Laura Turner Seydel co-chair. Tickets for Taste of the Nation Atlanta cost $250 per person for General Admission and $350 per person for VIP Admission. A VIP reception begins at 6:30 p.m. with general admission to the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.atlantataste.org or by calling 770-436-5151.

Do you enjoy ripping the tails off of crawfish to get to the tasty meat inside? If so, the ATKINS PARK CRAWFISH BOIL AND JAZZ FESTIVAL is just the experience you’ve been waiting for. The festivities start at 1 p.m. today and continue through 11 p.m. at the Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna. 770-435-1887. www.atkinspark.com.

Jousting knights and ravishing wenches, along with a host of other performers, have returned to our fair city. That’s right—the GEORGIA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL opens Saturday, April 12 and continues every weekend and Memorial Day through June 1. Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for senior citizens, $ 8.50 for ages 6 to 12 and free for those 5 and under. For directions and other information, call 770-964-8575 or visit www.garenfest.com.

You’ve been meaning to check out JCT Bar on the Westside for ages, but it’s hard to see past its neighbors like Star Provisions and Taqueria del Sol. But you’ll find it impossible to say no to THURSDAYS ON THE TERRACE, which features $5 drink specials and $1 oysters, deviled eggs and open-faced grilled cheeses starting at 6 p.m Thursday, April 10. There’s even live music from Ben Deignan. 404-355-2252. www.jctkitchen.com.

Expect many toasts during the High Museum of Art’s 16TH ANNUAL WINE AUCTION. The weekend-long event, a staple of the Atlanta social calendar, includes Winemakers Dinners, wine-tasting seminars at local restaurants, a gala event and the main event a live wine auction at Atlantic Station featuring dinners, trips and, of course, wine. For more information, call 404-733-5335 or visit

www.atlanta-wineauction.org.

Pairing’s not just for wine and cheese, folks. Just about every type of alcoholic beverage is jumping on the bandwagon to align culinary flavors with vino, vodka, beer and now tequila. Rich and delicious on its own, tequila has plenty to offer besides the traditional one tequila, two tequila, floor. You might be surprised what happens on your tongue when you sip on a premium tequila; it’s a lovely smoothness that’ll give any scotch or whiskey a run for its money. Put the college-drinking days behind you, my friends, and enjoy fine tequila served with gourmet fare at two of Atlanta’s restaurants.

Making introductions this Tuesday, March 25, are One Midtown Kitchen and Partida Tequila. Together, the brand and the restaurant present a four-course pairing menu for $75 from 7 to 9 p.m. Highlights from Chef Tom Harvey’s seasonal, high-energy American cuisine include masa griddle cakes with jicama and pomegranate seeds; jerk spiced duck breast; oysters on the half shell, cucumber, tequila-pink peppercorn mignonette; and rosemary-poppy seed pound cake, tequila-honey crème fraiche and lime
sorbet. All this innovative decadence is paired with refreshing tequila cocktails developed by world-class mixologists such as Jacques Bezuidenhout, Dale De Groff and Junior Merino. In the village of Amatitán, the birthplace of tequila, the Partida Estate produces four distinctive tequilas: Blanco (not aged), Reposado (aged six months), Añejo (aged 18 months) and the recently released Extra Añejo Elegante (aged 36 months). Reservations can be made on www.opentable.com. For more information on Partida Tequila, visit www.partidatequila.com. One Midtown Kitchen is located at 59 Dutch Valley Road. For more information, call 404-892-4111 or visit www.onemidtownkitchen.com.

On the same evening, Cabbagetown’s Agave restaurant and Corzo Tequila offer a tequila-paired four-course dinner as well—this one’s $60, plus tax and tip. Menu highlights include sashimi tuna ceviche with chile-rubbed jumbo scallops, tequila and chile seared jumbo Gulf shrimp with creamed baby spinach and white-bean and lobster-basil puree, tequila slow-cooked beer-braised short ribs in ginger lemongrass natural jus and a chocolate-pecan tort with caramel drizzle and honey-infused agave nectar. Corzo cocktails—concocted from the brand’s Blanco, Reposado and Añejo offerings—will accompany each course to maximize the Southwestern flavors served up by executive chef Richard Silvey. As a tradition, Agave follows its special-event dinners with a complimentary raffle for gift certificates for future visits, as well as bottles of whatever is being served that evening. Agave, which is housed in the historic Cotton Mill general store, didn’t sustain any severe damage from the recent tornado, but Boulevard (between Edgewood and Memorial) is blocked off due to the damage at the Fulton Cotton Mill Loft Apartments. To get to Agave, enter at the corner of Memorial and Boulevard into the parking lot of Blessens Tire Company. Complimentary valet service is provided. For more information on Corzo, visit www.corzo.com. To make dinner reservations, call Agave at 404-588-0006. 242 Boulevard SE. www.agaverestaurant.com.

Looking for one more way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Try the RAISING OF THE GREEN, which includes samples from Stone Mountain restaurants, as well as a silent auction and, of course, plenty of green beer. The party takes place at 6 p.m. at ART Station in Stone Mountain. Tickets are $20 in advance. 770-469-1105. www.artstation.org.