World Cup parties and Poor Calvin's regulars

The regulars of Poor Calvin’s + World Cup parties

Tuesday, June 9 — Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the table.

In today’s “Family Meal,” you’ll meet the regulars of Midtown restaurant Poor Calvin’s. The Washingtons went on their first date here. Now married, Poor Calvin’s continues to be on regular rotation for the couple. Find out why.

Looking for restaurants hosting World Cup parties and events this summer? You can check out Rough Draft’s World Cup party guide below. And, I hope to see some of you at El Ponce tomorrow for a special happy hour benefiting the work Wholesome Wave Georgia does in our communities. You can read more about that below, too.

Finally, we’re continuing our World Cup recipes series. Through mid-July, expect recipes from local restaurants representing some of the countries playing at The Benz. This week, Ike’s Cafe & Grill shared its recipe for bofrot, or puff-puff, a popular West African dessert.

Cheers!
🍸 Beth

☀️ It’s patio season y’all! Support Wholesome Wave Georgia at El Ponce on Wed., June 10 from 5-7 pm. Tickets come with a welcome drink and light bites. Sangria, cocktails, beer for purchase. Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE

The Regulars: Poor Calvin’s

🌹 In 2012, one of Jamilah and Isaac Washington’s first dates was a leisurely weekday lunch at Poor Calvin’s, an Asian-meets-Southern restaurant on the edge of Midtown in Atlanta.

Both widowed, the now-married couple credit their two daughters – close childhood friends who attended the same dance school – with bringing them together.

“The kids really manifested this into a courtship,” said Isaac, a commercial banking executive who worked at nearby Atlantic Station at the time. He often met Jamilah, a beauty and real estate entrepreneur, at Poor Calvin’s during his lunch breaks.

That courtship continued at Poor Calvin’s, where the duo bonded over platters of lobster fried rice (Jamilah’s favorite) in the intimate dining room. They married in 2014 and have been regulars at the Piedmont Avenue restaurant ever since. Despite living in Stone Mountain, they stop by once or twice a week to sample chef-owner Calvin Phan’s daily specials or to grab a quick nightcap at the bar.

Southern Sips Happy Hour

🍅 Come say hello to Rough Draft tomorrow night (June 10) during a special 5-7 p.m. happy hour at El Ponce benefiting Wholesome Wave Georgia. The nonprofit helps fight food insecurity throughout the state by providing access to healthy foods through SNAP programs, farmers markets, and mobile markets like those you see at certain MARTA stations.

According to a report compiled by Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB), food insecurity is on the rise in our communities. ACFB alone has seen an 81% increase in need since the pandemic, with 27% of their clients considered first-time recipients. The work that Wholesome Wave Georgia and ACFB do is crucial for helping neighbors in need–many of whom are children and senior citizens–stay fed.

The $25 ticket for tomorrow’s Southern Sips happy hour includes complimentary snacks and a welcome drink at check-in. Every drink purchased after that will serve as a donation to Wholesome Wave Georgia.

👋 I plan to pop by Southern Sips to have a drink and greet folks at the Rough Draft table, which will include some of our coveted swag. Swing by, say hi, and enjoy happy hour for a good cause.

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World Cup Recipe: West African Bofrot

🍩 In honor of the World Cup matches taking place in Atlanta, we’re sharing recipes representing some of the countries playing in the tournament in June and July.

This week, Ike’s Cafe & Grill shared its recipe for bofrot, or puff-puff, a popular West African dessert. Bofrot is a street dessert similar to a doughnut. Historians believe it’s closely related to the beignet and likely came to West Africa through colonization.

✍️ Get the recipe here.

World Cup Party Guide

⚽ It’s hard to believe we are only two days away from the start of the World Cup – and less than a week away from the first match in Atlanta.

Rough Draft reporters have been covering all things World Cup for the better part of two years now, including highlighting restaurants with ties to countries playing here, providing recipes like the one above, and offering updates on restaurant openings centered around downtown Atlanta.

Today, I’m highlighting our guide to watch parties and restaurant events. This guide is geared toward locals who plan to gather with fellow fans to cheer on their favorite team, or just be part of the World Cup action in Atlanta. Those of us who were here in 1996 remember the energy surrounding the Olympics. Even if folks didn’t have tickets to the games, many Atlantans found themselves at restaurant watch parties or downtown partying with visitors from all over the world that summer.

🥳 Check out our World Cup party guide.

Ditch the screens, break bread with other RD fans

We’ve partnered with DNNR to host IRL dinners where you’ll be matched with five like-minded readers for thoughtful conversations and real community building.

And, your ticket directly supports local journalism.

🎫 Think of it as your favorite newsletter, but with better food and actual eye contact. Book your seat today for our inaugural dinners in Sandy Springs and Poncey-Highland.

➡️ Get double the Atlanta food and dining coverage with “Family Meal,” edited by Beth McKibben, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m., and “Side Dish,” edited by Sarra Sedghi, on Thursdays at noon. Subscribe to both here.

🍜 Regulars of Poor Calvin’s