Striving to bring fresh food back to the table and reduce the amount of processed ingredients used by American households, Lanz created The Fresh 20 as an online meal planning tool that gives you a 20-ingredient meal plan for five nights a week. Lanz, also released her first cookbook, out now, filled with more than 125 recipes, prep guides and fun family pictures; so you’ll always have a food plan for the family within arms reach!

We caught up with Lanz to find out how she does it all as a mom, wife and entrepreneur and how her fresh approach is changing the family dynamics around the table.

Tastemaker: What was your motivation behind starting The Fresh 20?

Melissa: “I have two boys that are seven and eight and you know how crazy it can get in a household. I started The Fresh 20 because I was in a corporate job working 14 hour days, traveling a lot and my kids were really young. Although my kids had a great diet, because the babysitter would feed them steamed vegetables and great fresh food, my diet was horrible. I’d eat bad food over the sink while sending someone an email. At that point I began to realize that my kids would see what my idea of  family food culture was and would start to make bad  food choices based on what my husband and I were eating. Sometimes as women we can get so caught up in the work that we are doing because we are results oriented. Often times we want to see results so we can see the fruits of our labor, but as a mom, the fruits of our labor are in front of  us everyday.”

Cucumber Carpaccio

Tastemaker: How did you get the nerve to transition from corporate professional to entrepreneur?

Melissa: “It’s interesting, because the topic of  ’am I happy in my job’  is coming up in our society more than ever–especially for women. There became a moment when I realized that I was so unhappy in my work and unhappy with what I was contributing to the world, that I had to make a change for my own personal survival. I encourage anyone who gets to that point, where everyday is miserable,to look at their life and figure out ways in which they can start to make strides to either go out on their own or find a career that is igniting them everyday instead of depleting them. It’s very hard to overcome the fear of  the uncertainty. I left a high paying job, but I literally got to the point where my happiness mattered more than money. My husband and I made the conscious decision that we wanted to take back some of our freedom. For me, the paycheck became a trap. I would never tell anyone to just leave their job. Make small changes in your lifestyle. Try creating boundaries in your work schedule; as you make small changes you start to have more flexibility.”

Tastemaker: What is your personal mission statement?

Melissa: ” I want to use what I have to help others get with they want.”

Skirt Steak

Tastemaker: How do you balance your work and family life as an entrepreneur?

Melissa: “I start my day an hour earlier than my family, because once they get up it’s on! It’s hard, but sometimes I have to even force myself to disconnect from my work so that I can spend two to three hours with my kids, because it’s all going to be there when I get back. Time is our most valuable resource. My family is a huge supporter of The Fresh 20, and my kids understand that sometimes when they come home from school, it’s quiet time while mom is working until 4:00 p.m. I set boundaries for my family so they can set expectations for our time together. 

Tastemaker: What are the top three things that make you happy?

Melissa: “For me it’s cooking, entertaining and mentoring other business women. I wanted to make sure any business that I started incorporated one or all three of these things. Fortunately for me, my business does just that.”

Tastemaker: Where did the idea for the title of your company and now book derive from?

Melissa: “I started playing around with the meal plans and tried to figure out a balance of  not having waste at the end of the week. If I put five recipes together there may be 80-ingredients on the list and then I’m not using everything. The fresh comes from wanting to make sure people knew that I was about unprocessed and fresh foods and reducing the consumption of processed foods for families all over the world; so that’s where ‘The Fresh’ part came in.  The 20 really came from the idea that you can do more with less. You don’t have to have an 80- ingredient shopping list to feed your family for a week. 20 just seemed to be the number that allowed me to have a good mix of vegetables, grains and proteins to mix and match so that I would get the right nutrients and calories. It was about efficiency, less waste and unprocessed foods.”

Vegetarian Nicoise Salad

Tastemaker: How do you stay connected with your 75,000+ subscribers?

Melissa: “As a business woman I respond to every email that I get and I make sure there is an open path to reach me or anyone on my team. I really want everyone that is part of The Fresh 20 community to realize that there is a team of people that are dedicated to making sure that they have kitchen success. So, whether it’s people tweeting us while they are cooking dinner, or emailing us while they are they at the grocery store, we want to be responsive and make sure that our community knows that we’re not some machine that isn’t listening. We are a team of people on the other end of the social platform that care about what our customers are doing.”

Tastemaker: Where do the ideas of each recipe come from?

Melissa: “We’ve grown to over 75,000 subscribers so now we have several different plans in the works and we have a recipe developer as well as a head chef that oversees the plans. So, it really comes from what’s available; they take their cues from what’s in season.”

 *Be sure to check out The Fresh 20 at www.thefresh20.com  and visit founder Melissa Lanz at www.melissalanz.com

Photos courtesy of The Fresh 20

The naysayers that arguably said that OWN TV couldn’t and likely would not make it, are basically eating their words and rushing to set their DVR’s as to not miss a beat of Oprah’s Next Chapter with some of the most intriguing people of our time. While some critics were trying to figure out how Oprah was going to make it work after leaving her powerful post as Queen of daytime talk, Oprah had her sights set on teaming up with her good friend, producer Tyler Perry.

Tyler Perry, was charged with creating original content that could possible take the two-year-old network to it’s next level. Tyler delivered. Debuting this month (May) OWN will debut two new scripted series, a first for the network. The one-hour ensemble drama “The Haves and Have Nots” is set to premiere Tuesday, May 28 at 9pm ET/PT and the sitcom “Love Thy Neighbor” will premiere Wednesday May 29th at 9 p.m. ET/PT with two back-to-back half-hour episodes.

We caught up with Tika Sumpter, Crystal Fox, Renee Lawless and Johnathan Schneider of “The Haves and Have Nots” and Kendra C. Johnson, Palmer Williams and Patrice Lovely of  ”Love Thy Neighbor” in Atlanta to find out about their part in such a groundbreaking experience for them as well as Perry and Winfrey.

Tika Sumpter on her role as Candace Reese:

“I’m excited to have people see me in this role because I’ve never played a so called bad girl. I feel like a lot of the times when I was reading the script that people will say ‘I Love You Tika, but I hate you at the same time.’ I’m excited to get some emotion from people. So, I’m  just excited to play something different in my career as an actress. Almost every major superstar has been on a soap opera. I was on One Life to Live like eight years ago and I didn’t realize how fast the scenes were going to be. I remember doing a script a day in soaps and you also had to get into character fast, so I kind of pulled from that.” 

Crystal Fox and Johnathan Schneider on their excitement about scripted TV:

Crystal: “I’m excited about scripted television like this, television that is delectably dysfunctional. When you finish watching it you have to check yourself. You will enjoy all of the mystery and murkiness and when it’s over you will talk it over with your friends and you will  say…’is that me’? So to do quality scripted work is what I’m excited about.”

Johnathan: I think Tyler has raised the bar but he’s also changed it. The Haves and Have Nots is scripted television but the dialogue is so wonderful that in a real way, from our stand point, it was like reality. The arguments were real, the problems were real. Much it I don’t remember doing cause we did it once and it was done. As an actor what a wonderful experience that is! 

Palmer Williams on having Tyler and Oprah as a boss:

“We have two phenomenally successful entertainment moguls that are actually representing us as we try to represent them in their investment of time, energy, money and faith in all  of us. With both of them being faith based people, how many people can say in a corporate situation that they can can pray before they start work.  It’s great to go to work and find someone that has a moral fiber, because these shows are talking about scandal and escorting and infidelity and things like that, but there is still a moral core to all of it. Even Though we act a plum fool, there is still a message. Even if you don’t go to church, you can watch any works that Tyler Perry has done and see that he is not ashamed to put the gospel of Jesus Christ in his shows. 

Are you single in the city and looking to mingle? You are not alone, the Census says there are ~150,000 singles right here in Atlanta. The great news is with numbers like those, there are enough single people to go around and events are a perfect place to meet them. This weekend is the perfect weekend to step out in the city and meet some new people. GreatDateDeals Top 3 Single Events are:

1.CHOCOLATE SINGLES ROYALE – CASINO & ALL WHITE PARTY

Chocolate Singles Royale Casino & All White Party is the#1 place you want to be tonight if you are single in Atlanta. There will 75 or more singles all in one place having a good time. Leave your ego and nervousness at the door, because you once you step  in the Biltmore the mixing and mingle will begin.

The event is taking place May 17th (tonight) at 8pm at the Biltmore Hotel, located in the heart of downtown. The venue space is spectacular, especially the balcony view at night, overlooking the city. Beyond the venue the event will be with games, great food and of course beverages to give you that “liquid courage” if need be.

Chocolate Singles is your host for the evening and boy to they have a lot to offer. ChocolateSingles.us provides an atmosphere for professional singles ages 30 and older to network in an online community. It is a springboard for the development of friendships and partnerships beyond the world of cyberspace. Through various online methods such as email, text messaging, video chat(coming soon), and instant messenger, relationships are formed and further solidified at offline events such as speed networking, mingles and mixers.ChocolateSingles.us allows one to sample the chocolate—online. The connections made as a result allows one to actually taste the chocolate—meeting at offline events.

Between the view, the interactive experience and sexy singles, you will definitely leave this event feeling like you hit JACKPOT ( Cha CHINGGG!)

2. 2013 A Taste of Highlands

Neighborhood tastings are a great way to not only meet new interesting people, but also learn about foods and different areas of town. With a fantastic lineup of neighborhood restaurants participating, Taste of the Highlands promises delicious food, creative beverages, live music and a great day in the park.  Enjoy bites from Rosebud, La Tavola, Woody’s Cheesesteaks, Atkins Park, D.B.A. BBQ and many more.

3. Centennial Olympic Park official 2013 Party in the Park

Centennial Olympic Park’s Party in The Park is taking place May 18th. The one day concert features: Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding and GroupLove. Tickets are going fast, so get yours today. Party starts at 4pm and goes until 11pm. Bring your blankets and your energy, because it guaranteed to be a fun day.

We love finding new places in the Atlanta, and although Sunny’s Hair and Wigs has been around for about six year’s this was the first time we had heard about the celebrity go-to boutique for all things hair! We were invited to a private event highlighting the season’s hottest beauty trends. You can only imagine the fun 50 of Atlanta’s most stylish Tastemaker’s had while instantly transforming our look with Sunny’s clip-in extensions and high-quality wigs.

CBS Better Mornings Atlanta co-host Tracye Hutchins

While we all mixed and mingled to the tunes of DJ Verse, we were treated to skinny cocktails by Sinless Margarita, fresh bites from Genki Noodles and Sushi and yummy cake pops courtesy of Candy Cake Company.

Candy Cake Company has the yummiest cake pops in Atlanta

Fresh Sushi anyone?
Sinless Margarita’s on deck!

The Spring mini-makeovers were provided by Master Stylist Max Sanchez and the expert staff at his new Buckhead mainstay, White Salon and Spa, while makeup artist Angel Bailey showed off the season’s hottest lip colors.

Master Stylist Max Sanchez gives a guest a smashing new look

Spa Sydell hooked my nails up with a creamy nude tone perfect for Spring and demonstrated their revolutionary Intraceuticals treatment on my face (see below), an innovative skincare system, that left my skin beaming throughout the weekend!

Editor-In-Chief of Tastemaker Magazine, Tiffini Gatlin

Can’t wait to return to Sunny’s. They told me they create custom wigs and being that I’ve never had a custom wig designed, I’m super excited about the opportunity! Stay tuned, I feel a major transformtion on the horizon!

Sunny’s is located at 1725 Peachtree Road NE, Suite L, Atlanta, GA 30309. Check out more pictures from Sunny’s Spring Fling event below.

Photos Courtesy of Caren West PR

  

Tickets are on sale now for Brew at the Zoo presented by Xfinity and AMC on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The signature Memorial Day weekend festival returns with more brews, more bubbly and more bands for Zoo-goers 21 and up.

Tickets include unlimited sampling of a variety of beers and wines, live music and deejays at venues throughout the Zoo, animal encounters, free train and carousel rides and more. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Zoo’s world-class primate collections.

Brew at the Zoo sold out in 2012; advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $35 for Zoo Atlanta Members and $43 for non-Members.

VIP tickets are $85 and include a Brew at the Zoo T-shirt; access to the air-conditioned VIP lounge; exclusive beer and wine tastings; express entry; private restrooms; and a special animal experience.

This event is for ages 21 and up only; guests under 21 will not be admitted. Visit www.zooatlanta.org/brew to purchase tickets and event details.

Brew at the Zoo takes place on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Zoo Atlanta 800 Cherokee Avenue Atlatna, GA 30315.

Photos: Courtesy of Tastemaker Magazine

Blogger collaborations are nothing new. Now it’s a matter of which blogger snags an amazing opportunity to work with a cutting edge brand that yields a product that slays!

Gabi Gregg is a popular style blogger that’s known for her plus-sized style dossier on Gabifresh.com. As if she doesn’t already garner public affection, she received nationwide attention on The Today Show last year for having the “guts” to bare almost all in what she called a ‘fatkini’, while vacationing in Las Vegas.

We’d venture to say that her blog post showing off her black and white chevron and stripe printed bikini, gave millions of women who were previously ashamed of showing their body, a healthy boost of confidence.

Gregg’s own confidence, caught the attention of plus-size swim giant swimsuitsForAll, and collaborated with Gregg to create a 5-piece capsule collection that will be made available for purchase on May 15th with prices ranging from $49-$99. We love affordable and cute! Gregg recounts her experience as cool.

“To go from a terrible sketch of what I wanted (and drew on the back of a hotel’s notepad–seen here) to what you see below was such a cool experience. I’m obsessed with the details, like the purple mesh cutouts and the adjustable straps above the cup.” said Gregg.

Photos: Courtesy of Lydia Hudgens/Gabifresh.com

Atlanta singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model Ciara bust out on the scene in 2004 with the release of her debut album Goodies.But, for the past few years Ciara’s career seemed to take a nose dive after being rumored to have been dropped from Jive Records and being frustrated with the lack of support from her label.

Since, Ciara has been noted for  being a bit of a Tastemaker and social-lite, showing up in photographs with the likes of Kim Kardashian, LaLa and Kelly Rowland. In an interview with Wendy Williams (May 9,2013), Ciara, who is known for being tight lipped about her personal life, opens up about her relationship with Atlanta rapper Future, friendship with Kim Kardashian, twitter beef with Rihanna and the next phase of her career and more.

Ciara on her relationship with Future:

Wendy: Your Relationship with Future isn’t new. You’ve been with him for a long time?

Ciara: “Yes a good bit of time.”

Wendy: How did you meet him?

Ciara: “We actually met working. We actually talked about working together several times on the phone. Then we finally got a chance to get in the studio. We did a good amount of songs together on the new album.”

Wendy: Are you all engaged?

[No response to that question from Ciara]

Wendy: Is that an ‘n’ or ‘z’ tattooed on your ring finger? Who is that?

Ciara: ”That’s an ‘N’. His name is Nayvadius. [Laugh]

Wendy: Does he have one of those on his finger with a ‘C’ on it?

Ciara: “He does.” [laugh]

Wendy: Are you pregnant?

Ciara: [laughs] “No.”

Wendy: But clearly you’re in love?

Ciara: “I’m very happy.”

Wendy: So you guys are eventually going to get married?

Ciara: “I don’t know” [laugh]

Wendy: What happens, God forbid, if you don’t get married to this guy, how are you going to explain that to the next man?

Ciara: “Okay this is what I feel. I’ve always been so reserved and to myself or more private and kinda like halfway about something when I speak about a relationship. In this point in my life, I’m so comfortable in my skin and I feel so good about where I am and I’m very comfortable and confident in the way he loves me. So, I say that to say I’m going to put in the universe positive things. I’m going to put in the universe that it’s only going to get better and better and better. That’s how I see it.”

Ciara on her career:

Wendy: It seemed like you had a hiccup in your career. Can you talk to us about that missing time?

Ciara: “From my eyes, when I look at people that I really admire and respect, it’s a journey. It’s not about the short term of it all. Everyone is going to hit a few bumps in the road you’re going to get punched a couple of times, you’re going to fall. But, most importantly it’s about getting back up. For me, I went through a phase where I was just trying different things in life. Whether it was meeting new people, friends–just trying new things. I think that’s what you have to do in life, you have to try things to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t.

Wendy: I understand you collaborated with Nicki Minaj. Are you all friends or was that a business thing?

Ciara: “You know what’s so funny. We don’t even talk everyday, but I feel like she and I have a really cool connection with each other. We talk a good bit about the records that we are doing, and every now and then we show love whether it’s a birthday shout out and stuff like that, but we have a really cool chemistry with each other.”

Wendy: Would you ever consider being of those judges like Mariah and Nicki?

Ciara: “I don’t know…let me say this. I don’t know so much on the singing shows, because I have some really cool things I’m working on right now that I can’t talk about, but you know what…I use to have a problem with the ideal of judging, because I know I am not perfect and who am I to tell someone how to do something. I feel like there are so many things I have to work on for myself. But, I think  if I were to do it, I would definitely be the nicer judge.”

Ciara on her “beef” with Rihanna:

Wendy: Rihanna is throwing bombs at you on twitter and you’re trying to be a lady…are you all okay today?

Ciara: [laugh] “I’m good. You know what, I’ve said all I need to say about her. I’m totally in a different space and it’s all positivity and love from my perspective and how I get down and I wish her well.”

Ciara’s beauty role-model:

Wendy: Do you have a beauty role model?

Ciara: “I do. I love Halle Berry. Ever since I was a little girl I’ve always loved her and thought she represents a black woman well. She does it with elegance and grace. 

Ciara on staying in shape:

Wendy: How do you stay so shapely?

Ciara: “Let me tell you. I’m trying something new. I normally train like literally four to five days a week, and I haven’t trained in almost two months. When I got ready to do the Body Parts video, I trained for like 10 days up until the video. I’m trying to not train as much, because I’m trying to do something different with my body. I don’t want to get too hard.”

Wendy: What restaurants do you love?

Ciara: “I always use to say Cheesecake Factory was my one. I’m a buffet eater, so when I go eat I have to order 10 different things to get a piece of everything I want–no seriously, I am so indecisive about the small things [when I eat]. I’ve been so on the Houston’s tip so much lately, I kid you not. I do the artichoke dip, a cheeseburger, add bacon take off the tomato, load with ketchup and mustard, french fries and then you have to do a little piece of the brownie and ice cream and then you’re good!” [laugh]

Ciara’s fifth album is currently available now.

Check out the entire interview with Ciara here:

The Fox Theatre kicks off the 2013 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival in June with six Oscar-winning films – the adventure classic Raiders of the Lost Ark, the 10^th Anniversary of Finding Nemo, two of this year’s “Best Picture” nominees Les Misérables and Django Unchained, the Director’s Cut of Lawrence of Arabia, and the romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Direct from movie theatres, the fantasy adventure, Oz the Great and Powerful, the story of Jackie Robinson 42, and the animated comedy adventure, The Croods  will all play on the Fox Theatre’s 26 feet high x 56’8 wide big screen. The Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival will also include the 50^th Anniversary of The Birds and the popular Saturday Morning Cartoons.  Additional blockbuster films will be announced at a later date.

In addition to seeing a movie on the biggest screen in Atlanta, the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival offers a magical pre-show experience that includes a sing-along with the Mighty Mo organ and a vintage cartoon.

Tickets, which go on sale this Friday, May 10, are available at the Fox Theatre Ticket Office and may be purchased online at www.foxatltix.com or 855-ATL-TIXX. All tickets are general admission. Adult tickets are $6 between May 10 and May 31, and $10 from June 1 through the movie date.  Kids under 12 and seniors (ages 65 and up) are only $5. All tickets for the Saturday morning cartoons are $5. Special $5 parking will be offered in select Lanier lots around the Fox Theatre, while spaces are available. For additional information on the movies or parking, please visit www.foxtheatre.org.

2013 Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival

June Schedule:

Raiders of the Lost Ark                                                   Friday, June 14 at 7:30 PM

Saturday Morning Cartoons                                       Saturday, June 15 at 10 AM

Oz the Great and Powerful                                          Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 PM

42                                                                                           Friday, June 21 at 7:30 PM

Finding Nemo (10^th Anniversary)                               Saturday, June 22 at 2 PM

Les Misérables                                                                  Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 PM

The Birds (50^th Anniversary)                                         Sunday, June 23 at 4 PM

July Schedule:

Django Unchained                                                          Friday, July 26 at 7:30 PM

The Croods                                                                         Saturday, July 27 at 2 PM

Lawrence of Arabia                                                         Sunday, July 28 at 4 PM

August Schedule:

TBA                                                                                        Friday, August 16 at 7:30 PM

Saturday Morning Cartoons                                       Saturday, August 17 at 10 AM

TBA                                                                                        Saturday, August 17 at 7:30 PM

Breakfast at Tiffany’s                                                    Sunday, August 18 at 4 PM

TBA                                                                                        Thursday, August 29 at 7:30 PM

Kristie and Kirstie Bronner

Identical twins Kirstie and Kristie Bronner are used to sharing monumental milestones in their lives, but the two just may have shared the most memorable experience to date. The Bronners have been named co-valedictorians for the Spelman College Class of 2013. With a 4.0 GPA, the Atlanta natives are the first twins to receive the designation in the history of Spelman College.

Downtown

Downtown’s Ray’s in the City serves Mother’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids ages 5-10. Kids 4 and under eat free. From 5 to 9 p.m. the regular dinner menu is offered. For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-524-9224. Tax and gratuity are not included in the price at each restaurant.  raysrestaurants.com

Midtown

STK Atlanta is doing it up swanky style and opening early for brunch (only day each year they are open for brunch/lunch). They will be serving up a special brunch menu designed by Executive Chef Jeremy Miller and each mom will get a $25 gift card to Exhale Spa. Families can pre-order flower arrangements from Adaptation that will be on the table when they arrive for their reservation. OMG Photo Booth will be on location for family portraits. For more information call 404-793-0144. http://togrp.com/togrp-stk-atlanta/about/

Bantam + Biddy, Midtown’s chicken eatery, hosts Mother’s Day with a special three-course menu. For $25, guests can choose from starters of tomato gazpacho or English pea salad with goat cheese. The second course offers options of chicken and dumplings or salmon with asparagus and caper egg vinaigrette. Assorted pies, cupcakes and cookies finish off the meal. Moms receive a bag of sweet treats as a parting gift. Tax and gratuity are not included. For more information, call 404-907-3469. bantamandbiddy.com.

Take mom to brunch at Olmsted on Mother’s Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to the regular menu, special menu features are served for the day. To make the day a little sweeter, all mothers receive complimentary flowers and chocolate covered strawberries. Families who want to remember the occasion can have portraits taken by an on-site photographer. Both indoor and patio seating are available. For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-443-8431. olmstedatl.com  

Bring your mom to Mother’s Day brunch at Cypress Street Pint and Plate in Midtown and she receives her brunch meal free! Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 .pm.  Remember: you have to be with your MOM to get the deal. For more information, call 404-815-9243. cypressbar.com

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant will keep moms happy with an extensive menu selection of more than 35 sushi, appetizer and tapas items on special, ranging from $2.25 to $7.25, plus a wide variety of beer, wine, sake and signature cocktails ranging from $3 to $7. Popular dishes any mom is sure to love include the Tootsy Maki, Rainbow Roll, Pineapple Cheese Wontons and the “RA”ckin’ Shrimp. Moms deserve to be treated to a cocktail and can choose from RA’s cocktail options, like the Absolut Asian Flirtation, Pinnacle Strawberry-Kiwi Saketini or Absolut Tokyo Peach. The Mother’s Day special is available from open to close for dine in orders only. For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-267-0114.RAsushi.com

Cucina Asellina will be serving up a delicious European inspired brunch on the patio, with bottomless mimosas, bellinis or their infamous Bacon Bloody Marys. Guests can pre-order flower arrangements from Adaptation and $25 Exhale Gift Cards will also be available for all moms. OMG Photo Booth will be on site to capture the day’s memories. For more information call 770-793-0141. http://togrp.com/togrp-cucina-asellina-atlanta/about/

Moms craving a Southern meal this Mother’s Day can head over to West Midtown’s JCT. Kitchen & Bar for a four-course Sunday supper. The regular Sunday supper menu plus special featured items of the day are offered for guests to enjoy. For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-355-2252. jctkitchen.com

Buckhead

Seven Lamps in Buckhead offers a special Mother’s Day brunch menu. Options from the a la carte menu include the citrus-cured salmon sammie, Seven Lamps eggs Benedict and Georgia shrimp with South Carolina grits. Special brunch cocktails, created just for theday, are served shaken or stirred for mother’s enjoyment. For more information, call 404-467-8950. sevenlampsatl.com

Little Cake Bakery  is baking up tasty treats for mom this Mother’s Day. On Saturday, May 11, the bake shop is carrying the usual daily cupcakes and sweetens up the weekend with three special flavors: strawberry champagne, pink lemonade and lemon lavender. To place an order for cupcakes or for more information, call 404-841-8856. littlecakebakery.com

Woodfire Grill is making moms feel special this Mother’s Day. The restaurant, typically closed on Sundays, is open for business serving matriarchs a four-course prix fix dinner for $58, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 404-347-9055. woodfiregrill.com

Bhojanic in Buckhead and Decatur are celebrating moms with a special North Indian Punjabi brunch. From noon to 4 p.m. fans of the home-style Indian restaurant can enjoy the one-of-a-kind brunch. For more information or to make reservations, call 404-841-8472 for the Buckhead location and 404-633-9233 for the Decatur location.  bhojanic.com

OTP

Moms in Roswell can enjoy a special brunch buffet at Aqua Blue this holiday with carving stations, made-to-order omelets, sushi, assorted desserts and more. Adults dine for $29.95 each, children ages 4-12 eat for $9.95 and children under 4 years old eat free. Adults of age can indulge in $15 bottomless mimosas and the restaurant’s famous bloody mary bar. The regular dinner menu is available from 5 to 9 p.m.  Tax and gratuity are not included. For more information or to make a reservation, call 770-643-8886. aquablueatl.com

Ray’s on the River in Sandy Springs is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering a buffet meal all day long. Adults eat for $39.95 each, kids ages 5-10 dine for $19.95 each and kids ages 4 and under eat free. For more information or to make a reservation, call 770-955-1187.

Ray’s on the Creek  in Alpharetta is serving brunch for $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for kids ages 5-10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids 4 and under eat free. The regular dinner menu is available from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 770-649-0064.

Information courtesy of Caren West PR and Melissa Libby & Associates