Sunday, October 19, 2008
Food, Wine, Beer & Spirits, "Dish", Recipes

Trick or treat

Scaring up good drinks and eats this Halloween

Jesse Chamberlin
Eerie treats at Star Provisions

Marshburn Mash
2 pieces lemon
2-3 mint leaves
3/4 ounce simple syrup
1 1/2 ounce Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey
1 ounce water

By Kirsten Ott

TASTE OF DEATH

Skeletor’s got nothing on these sweet skulls. Star Provisions Pastry Chef Luis Vasquez prepares spooky sweets for trick-or-treaters this Halloween, and the eerily accurate dessert representations of Day of the Dead decorations are as delicious as they are scary. Celebrate All Hallows Eve with sugar skulls and chocolate skulls at Star Provisions, and take a piece of the freaky festivities home with skull candy molds. Star Provisions’ handmade creepy candy would make a holiday party dessert tray or gift basket to die for. Star Provisions is located at 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-365-0410. www.starprovisions.com.  

ALE BONDING

More than 100 wild and crazy characters—some cute and cuddly, others garish and gruesome—are hanging out at the Atlanta Botanical Garden for its sixth annual Scarecrows in the Garden. Local individuals, artists, designers, organizations and businesses are invited to create the scarecrows and compete for prizes in one of two categories: professional design and nonprofessional. The scarecrows are displayed throughout the garden, and on Thursday evenings, visitors can check them out under the glare of flashlights, which they’re asked to bring during Fest of Ale. Each week, the event, held from 5 to 10 p.m., features a different variety of fine specialty beers and lively musical entertainment. Halloween beers include Laughing Skull Bohemian Pilsner, Pete’s Wicked Ale, Blackened Voodoo Lager, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Scarecrow Ale, Hopdevil Ale, Six Witches Stout and Cutthroat Porter. For youngsters, harvest-themed craft activities are offered on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including pumpkin bowling and a cornucopia bean bag toss. And on Oct. 26, kids can don costumes for an afternoon of activities and treats during Goblins in the Garden from 1 to 4 p.m, during which time they’ll be able to partake in face painting, pony rides, train rides, storytelling and a costume parade. And for mom and dad goblins, a cash bar will be available. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.  

DEATH BECOMES YOU

While the Day of the Dead might not top some Americans’ list of holidays, the folks at new Latin American restaurant Holy Taco think it’s a great excuse to celebrate. Honor the dead at the inaugural Holy Taco Day of the Dead Party, held Sunday, Nov. 2 from 4 p.m. until the wee hours. Complete with a tattoo art show, sugar skulls, more than 50 tequilas to try and organic margaritas complemented by a delicious pan-Latin menu, this Day of the Dead fiesta provides the perfect antidote to the post-Halloween blues. Holy Taco is located at 1314 Glenwood Ave. SE. 404-230-6177. www.holy-taco.com.  

GRAVEYARD GULP

In honor of the Marshburn memorial at Historic Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park, Stella Neighborhood Trattoria has created a cocktail as an ode to the fallen hero. The memorial, visible from the patio at Stella, is the inspiration behind the delicious and refreshing Marshburn Mash, an old-fashioned whiskey drink that can be enjoyed while toasting Auld Lang Syne. Stella Neighborhood Trattoria is located at 563 Memorial Dr. 404-688-4238. www.stellaatlanta.com. SP
When she’s not checking out restaurants, interviewing chefs or nodding off after her fifth glass of wine, Life, Food & Style Editor Kirsten Ott dishes culinary and cocktail insights. E-mail her at kirstenott@sundaypaper.com.