The snowmen are made. Now it's time to get out of the house. credit: Jenny Turknett

Whether you’ll remember it as Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, or any of the other nicknames given to our recent “snow event,” chances are you’ll remember being home-bound for the better part of five days. You’ve made the snowman, read by the fire and played the board games. And if you have stir-crazy kids who are on their fifth snow day (or even if you don’t), you’re likely craving an outing — preferably one involving food.

With the assumption that we will all be able to emerge from our forced hibernation this weekend, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions for conquering cabin fever in true foodie style.

The sitter has been scheduled and reservations have been made. I’m ready. What will you do this weekend? Use the comments section to add other ideas or restaurant specials for the long weekend.

Take a Tour:

Atlanta Culinary Tours – Inman Park/Old 4th Ward

While braving the elements may be the last thing on your mind, a walking tour with Atlanta Culinary Tours promises to be worth the sacrifice. This weekend’s tour is of Inman Park/Old 4th Ward. Learn the history of the neighborhood while visiting 4-6 restaurants such as Parish, P’cheen, Savi Urban Market, and Park’s Edge. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the website and include behind-the-scenes tours and/or tastings at each restaurant. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. $39.

High Road Craft Ice Creams & Sorbets Factory Store & Tour

After emptying your freezer over the past five days, it’s time to restock. Take a tour of this new start-up ice creamery and then grab some goods before you go. Check High Road’s Facebook page or Twitter feed for an announcement about which flavors will be available this weekend. Open 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, 2241 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 7, Dunwoody. 678-701-7623.

Take a Class:

For the kiddos:

New Year, New Vegetarian Recipes Cooking Class

The Cook’s Warehouse Decatur location is offering this hands-on cooking class for kids ages 10-17 featuring vegetarian recipes on Saturday. The menu will include red curry with vegetables, sesame rice cakes, garden-fresh paella, and green chile ravioli. 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15. 180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur. 404-377-4005, $45.

Jr. Chefs/Sr. Chefs do Iron Chef

At Young Chef’s Academy in Sandy Springs, your Junior Chefs (elementary aged) or Senior Chefs (middle and high school aged) can participate in an Iron Chef cooking experience. The secret ingredient for this weekend begins with the letter “c” and will be revealed at the beginning of class. 10:00-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. 220 Hammond Drive Northeast, Sandy Springs, 404-255-9263. $35.

For the adults:

Nature’s Bounty Cooking Class

You’ll have no trouble sticking to your new year’s resolution to eat healthy after taking this class at The Cook’s Warehouse Decatur location. Learn the secrets to preparing healthier food faster while making items such as bean and tomato bruschetta, sweet potato soup, and wild-caught herbed salmon. 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16. 180 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur. 404-377-4005, $45.

Make time for Tea:

Attend a TeaTasting at Zen Tea in Chamblee this weekend to learn about oolong “dieters” teas. Tastings include 5-6 samples of tea, dessert, and a lesson in tea. Saturday tastings include live music with no cover charge. Call for reservations. 6:30-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday. 5356 Peachtree Road, Chamblee. 678-547-0877, $12.

Taste some Wine:

Marietta Wine Market Tasting

Each Saturday, the Marietta Wine Market hosts a wine tasting to benefit a differet local charity. This weekend, they will feature Pinot Noirs from Oregon, California, New Zealand, and Chile. Light hors d’oeuvres are served with the wine tasting. A $10 donation is suggested and all proceeds will benefit the specified charity. 2-4 p.m. Saturday. 18 Powder Springs Street Southeast, Marietta. 770-919-1574.

Visit a Specialty Market:

Restock your pantry by visiting one of these specialty markets:

• Star Provisions - This is your one-stop shop for artisan cheeses, fresh-baked breads, grass-fed beef, wild fish, and free-range poultry. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-365-0410.
• Boudreaux’s Cajun Market - This Cajun market carries specialty Cajun items procured in Louisiana. 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. 3067A Main Street, Duluth, 770-814-8388.
• AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery - Visit this newly opened outlet store for free samples and great prices on their full line of yogurts and cheeses. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 6679 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, 678-240-4660.
• Pine Street Market - This market sells handmade artisan meats including bacon, sausage, pancetta, and coppa. 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday. 4A Pine Street, Avondale Estates, 404-296-9672.

Eat out:

• Try one of John Kessler’s top 5 best new restaurants.
• Have an impromptu progressive dinner party. Pick three restaurants and have one course at each.
• Try an Open Table 1000 point reservation.  Earn dining rewards faster at these restaurants. Tip: originate your reservation from the Open Table site.  If you make the reservation from the restaurant site you will not receive dining points.
• Try a spot in one of the Best of the Big A contests. Find lists of the best of everything in Atlanta from burgers and pizza to pimento cheese and fried chicken.
• Try a restaurant with a coupon:  Half Off Depot has coupons for restaurants including $20 for $50 gift certificate to 4th & Swift and $17 for $35 gift certificate to La Fourchette. Certificates are printable for immediate use. The Green Half also has similar deals for restaurants such as 5 Seasons Brewery, P’cheen, West Egg Cafe, The Sound Table, and The Shed at Glenwood.  But order these early because it can take a day for the certificate to be emailed to you.

Check out more ideas for curing cabin fever from the AJC Bargain Hunter, Lauren Davidson. She will tell you where to get half-off wine, free drinks, appetizer specials and more.

*Note: Many of the businesses listed have additional hours, but for the purpose of this article only the weekend hours are given.  Check the business websites for full listing of hours.

–by Jenny Turknett, Food & More blog

– Jenny Turknett writes about Southern and Neighborhood Fare for the AJC Dining Team. She also publishes her own blog, Going Low Carb.