Ted's Montana Grill Real Deal Options

­The Ted's Montana Grill "Real Deal," a three-course meal at a great price, has been satisfying cravings for classic American food so well that the restaurant company now features two separate Real Deal menus, one for lunch and one for dinner. The Real Deal was first introduced in Ted's Montana Grill restaurants last November. In the current economic climate, The Real Deal lunch menu is tasty and affordable, priced at $12-$13 per person.

Ted's Montana Grill was co-founded in 2002 by George McKerrow Jr. and Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur, environmentalist and philanthropist. Authenticity is a way of life at Ted's ­ from the freshest quality food cooked to order, to a relaxed dining ambiance that evokes the feeling of being in a turn-of-the-century Montana grill and bar.

For more information, visit www.tedsmontanagrill.com

Ted's Montanta Grill Open for Thanksgiving Feast

Ted's Montana Grill is preparing a Thanksgiving feast for those who want to take a break from the kitchen this year. Participating restaurants will be open on Thursday, Nov. 27, serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal as well as the regular Ted's menu.

Restaurants will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Nov. 27, with reservations accepted at most locations. For a list of restaurants and telephone numbers, visit www.tedsmontanagrill.com.

The Ted's Montana Grill Thanksgiving meal, priced at $13.99 per person (prices may vary by restaurant), includes traditional Roast Turkey and Dressing served with garlic mashed potatoes, country-style green beans, cranberry sauce and a yeast roll. And for those who prefer less traditional Turkey Day fare, the restaurant is also cooking up other popular favorites such as Pot Roast, Bison Meatloaf, Classic-Cut Steaks, Fresh Cedar Plank Salmon, Pecan-Crusted Trout and "Beer Can" Chicken, as well as an assortment of Ted's World Famous beef and bison burgers. There'll be something for everyone at Ted's this Thanksgiving.

Based in Atlanta, Ted's Montana Grill was co-founded by media entrepreneur, philanthropist and environmentalist Ted Turner and award-winning restaurateur George McKerrow Jr. Driven by the common goal to preserve the American bison, Turner and McKerrow created Ted's Montana Grill in 2002 and today there are more than 50 restaurants nationwide. Each restaurant is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century Montana grill and bar, serving Classic American, fresh-made dishes in a warm setting of casual luxury. The company's deep commitment to the environment is evident in nearly every aspect of operations from its use of recycled paper, paper straws and recycling efforts to low-voltage lighting in its restaurants. For more information, visit www.tedsmontanagrill.com.

Altanta Legends to be Honored by a Roast

For the first time ever, four Atlanta restaurateurs Pano Karatassos, Bob Amick, Tom Catherall and George McKerrow will be roasted and toasted at 4 Legends of Atlanta Hospitality Roast on Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. They are all sure to feel the heat, but they know it's for a tremendous cause to support the hungry and the work of the Atlanta Community Food Bank this holiday season.

Following a cocktail reception, foodies, philanthropists, and socialites will be treated to a three course meal and dessert reception, prepared by four-star chefs Peter Kaiser, Kevin Rathbun, Gerry Klaskala and Jonathan St. Hilaire. Atlanta magazine restaurant critic Christiane Lauterbauch will provide the evening's introductions and Flavors magazine lifestyle editor Carolyn O'Neil will emcee the Roast.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank, located at 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, N.W. Atlanta, GA 30318, is both the beneficiary and host of the evening. The raw, industrial warehouse space will be transformed into a red-carpet environment through the artistic talents of A Legendary Event.

Tickets for the 4 Legends of Atlanta Hospitality Roast are $500 per person. For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit www.ACFB.org/ROAST or call (678)538-9000.

Green Restaurant Podcasts

Ted Turner, co-founder of Ted’s Montana Grill and a lifelong environmentalist and entrepreneur, knows a thing or two about firsts. 

In a new podcast – www.tedsmontanagrill.com/GreenRestaurantRevolution.html – Turner is featured talking with local restaurateurs about ways the industry can come together to do better for the environment.

Turner, along with his restaurant partner George McKerrow Jr., visited five cities – Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C. – to meet with restaurant owners and operators and discuss ways restaurants can be even greener in their daily operations. Celebrity chefs and journalists, such as Chef Todd English and Deborah Roberts of ABC News, interviewed Turner and McKerrow in each market in an intimate, question-and-answer format for guests. Turner and McKerrow also met with hospitality and culinary students in each city to talk and brainstorm about ways these future industry leaders can have a more positive impact on the planet.

Highlights of the tour, called “The Green Restaurant Revolution,” are featured on the podcast and direct viewers to the new National Restaurant Association Web site, www.conserve.restaurant.org , to learn more about environmental programs and products that can be implemented at the restaurant level. The Conserve Web site was funded in part through a grant from The Turner Foundation (www.turnerfoundation.org ).

“There are almost a million restaurants operating today in the United States alone,” McKerrow points out. “Imagine if each restaurant made only one small change to preserve resources what a huge impact we can make. We know we’re only a small part of the equation, but together we can make a big difference.”

Since its founding in 2002, Ted’s Montana Grill has been committed to being an environmentally friendly restaurant company. The restaurants recycle nearly all of their paper, plastic, aluminum and glass products. Menus are printed on recycled paper and soft drinks come in recyclable glass bottles. Instead of plastic, eco-friendly paper straws and wooden drink stirrers are used. To-go cups look like plastic but are actually made from corn starch. Even the to-go cutlery is made from potato starch. The restaurants also have low-voltage lighting in their guest areas. Other measures include restrooms with water-efficient toilets, waterless urinals and biodegradable powder Boraxo soap. Kitchens are equipped with griddle cooktops, which lower the level of grease particulates in the air, and all restaurants are non-smoking. www.tedsmontanagrill.com

Quick Drinks

Ted's Montana Grill locations around Atlanta are offering a selection of new summer drinks, including a Strawberry Margarita, Mountain Breeze (which has Finlandia Grapefruit-fusion vodka mixed with freshly squeezed lime and orange juices and topped with a splash of cranberry juice), Firewater (a new bourbon mixed with Coke) and a Double Espresso Martini, perfect for dessert. www.tedsmontanagrill.com.

Zaya, the new Mediteranean restaurant at 240 Highland Ave. on the ground floor of the Highland Steel Lofts, is offering $1 Ketel One Martinis all day, every day. Half-price appetizers are served Monday-Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.. www.zayarestaurant.com.

Enjoy the warm weather and fabulous wines at JOEL Restaurant on Monday, June 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sommelier, Perrine Prieur, has selected eight special wines featuring different styles, varietals and regions of Spain for guests to enjoy on the patio at JOEL Restaurant. The evening will include an exclusive lesson in Spanish wines, along with hors d'oeuvres prepared by Chef Cyrille Holota for $25 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For additional information or reservations call (404) 233-3500 or www.joelrestaurant.com.