Rathbun's, Two Urban Licks, One Midtown Kitchen -- all excellent. Would also recommend TAP (gastropub) for causal. Vortex is awesome but kind of freaky if you're not expecting the tattoos. As for more upscale, Kyma, Buckhead Diner (yes, it's $$$/$$$$ and great), South City Kitchen for noveau Southern (I kind of liked and am VERY Northern). Dolce E Entoncia and Geisha House for trendy. That's what I've tried in the past 2 months of living here. PM me for more specific reviews, etc. Oh, to answer specifically about the Downtown area... I'm not sure what there is around there... I would head to Midtown or Buckhead for restaurants/nightlife. Just my 0.02