Omnivore - Best Bets: 5 places with Attack of the Killer Tomato dishes on the menu

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Suffering from FOMO after seeing pics of this year’s Attack of the Killer Tomato Fest? Ford Fry’s 8th annual celebration of summer’s quintessential vegetable fruit was a blast — chock full of creative dishes and drinks saluting the tomato. Some of the city’s top talent got creative in hopes of winning the coveted crown and more importantly, raising $100,000 for Georgia Organics. You might have missed out on the judges’ choice, Gunshow chef Joey Ward’s clever “tomato sandwich” macaron, but with our help, you can try a few dishes. Act fast! Here are our Best Bets for place with ATKTF dishes right now in Atlanta:
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We ventured out of the air conditioned insides of Park Tavern a couple of times seeking out Nick Leahy’s creamy and tangy panna cotta. The Saltyard chef served cup full of cool and jiggly heirloom tomato and basil panna cotta with a spicy lemon oil and crispy garlic chips. Head over to his Buckhead restaurant for small plates and a chance to try it (or relive the experience). 1820 Peachtree St NW. Buckhead. 404-382-8088. www.saltyardatlanta.com.

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Beetlecat’s table was a virtual oasis. In the distance, tomato seekers saw an iron tub brimming with shaved ice topped by freshly shucked Hama Hama oysters nestled in t he ice. Chef Andrew Isabella and team won People’s Choice for the shells topped with fermented tomato ice. Get over to Inman Park’s Beetlecat this week to try. 299 North Highland Ave. NE. Inman Park. 678-732-0360, www.beetlecatatl.com.

Before Bocado’s Brian Lewis could put his dish on a plate, eager fans (like us) reached for bo ssam- chef Adam Waller’s scrumptious lettuce packets filled with roasted tomato, tender, caramelized pork belly, green tomato kimchi, fried rice, and a garlic-scallion sauce. 887 Howell Mill Rd N.W. Westside. 404-815-1399. www.bocadoatlanta.com.

What’s better than a fried green tomato in the summer? It’s when chef Zeb Stevens shakes his creative magic on it. The Watershed on Peachtree menu features his green tomato escabeche with a green tomato marinated in coffee vinegar then fried in cornbread and served on a crispy potato “cracker” with shavings of cured egg yolk, chives, and red eye powder made from braised ham. It looked fancy and tasted like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house. 1820 Peachtree St NW. Buckhead. 404-809-3561. www.watershedrestaurant.com.

Save room for dessert and a cocktail! Venkman’s has a treat with two offerings from ATKTF. Chef Nick Melvin partnered with Honeysuckle Gelato to create a savory and sweet BLT inspired tomato gelato sandwich with tomato cheesecake gelato and sorrel jam housed between two bacon fat oatmeal cookies. Bartender Carl Gilbert’s nightcap is a $h!tfaced Tomato, which is a tomato pickled and infused with gin. It has a surprising burst of juice and gin when bitten into and is available for just $1 while supplies last.740 Ralph McGill Blvd N.E. Old Fourth Ward. 470-225-6162. www.venkmans.com