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The New Year is off to a busy food start. On Tuesday, diners will have to decide how to divide their time between two interesting events.

At 7 p.m., chef Ron Eyester of Food 101 in Morningside is preparing a dinner dedicated to soul singer James Brown. Inspiration for the food, drinks and music will come from Brown's career.

Bartram Nason/Special (ENLARGE)
With the one-year anniversary of James Brown's death near, Ron Eyester of Food 101 thought it would be a good time to do one of his musical dinners.
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"This will be six courses of my interpretation of soul food," Eyester said. "So we're doing red bean soup with corn bread; fried oysters with collard greens; twice-cooked lemon pepper chicken wings over grits; country-fried pork cutlet with cranberry, mac and cheese and black-eyed peas."

This isn't the first time Eyester has paired food with music. His other ventures have included events inspired by the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.

"People have asked me about doing more musical dinners," Eyester said. "And with James Brown being dead just about a year now, I thought this would be a good time to do one for him."

Reservations are $47, plus tax and tip. A separate cash cocktail menu will be offered. Food 101 is located at 1397 N. Highland Avenue; 404-347-9747.

At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, chefs at the Spotted Dog, 30 North Ave., will present a victory beer dinner. Consulting chef Shaun Doty (owner of Shaun's in Inman Park) is the creative force behind the five courses that will be paired with different brews. A reception starts at 7 p.m. Reservations are $35, plus tax and tip. 404-347-7337.

• Three chefs are teaming up to bring their recipes out of the pages of a cookbook and onto your plate. On Thursday, Gary Donlick of Pano's and Paul's, Pano I. Karatassos of Kyma and Doug Turbush of Bluepointe will be on hand at Bluepointe in Buckhead to create complimentary tastes from the new cookbook "Impress for Less." The tasty bites will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while author Hope Fox is on hand to sign her book, featuring recipes from each of the chef's restaurants. Bluepointe is located at 3455 Peachtree Road; 404-237-9070.

• More biscuits in the oven: The latest franchise of the Flying Biscuit has opened in the Terminus Building, the new complex at 3280 Peachtree Road in Buckhead that's become a magnet for eateries. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and complimentary parking is available. 404-477-0013.

• If one of your resolutions was to lay off the chocolate, you can skip this one ... or not. The Chocolate Bar in Decatur is now open every evening from 5:30 p.m. for your indulgence. The eatery that specializes in handmade chocolates also boasts delicious desserts, cheeses, snacks and drink specials. Mondays are dedicated to music and martinis, and there's live entertainment on the first and third Wednesday and second and fourth Sunday. The Bar is located at 201 W. Ponce De Leon Ave.; 404-378-0630.