[B]REAL[/B] dinner in Atlanta
 

Spending five nights in downtown Atlanta, and though I feel like I 'live' (call that living????) in the airport, have never actually stayed in the city.

I'm being hosted by a company that loves taking folks to really wonderful dinners, and figured my Delta FT buddies were the best possible source of restaurant guidance. Thoughts? Prefer places iwth wonderful chefs, regardless of atmosphere, and if possible, solid but not ridiculously overpriced wine lists.

Suggestions welcome, here or by PM.

Thanks!

Lots of new restaurants in the Midtown area---

Two interesting ones are South City Kitchen and Spice.....

For a good steak and well stocked bar try Highland Tap. For nice views, but slightly overpriced entrees (I mean price/quality ratio) try Sun Dial Restaurant at the top of Westin hotel. And, if you are into meat extravaganza, definitely try Brazilian Fogo de Chao.

Big ^ for South City Kitchen (wonderful southern-inspired cooking), but I would have to steer you away from Spice. In my personal opinion, it's all show, with nothing to back it up. Just across the street from Spice (and down half a block or so) is Mitra, which I think far exceeds it.

Some other choices that aren't likely to disappoint and are in the general vicinity of downtown:

- Food Studio
- Bachanalia
- Floataway Cafe
- Sotto Sotto
- One Midtown Kitchen
- get some ice cream from Jake's Ice Cream (a few locations around town, closest in ones are at 10th Street and Juniper, and one in Inman park, near Sotto Sotto)

Those are my favorites that I can think of off the top of my head. Atlanta really does have a suprising number of good dining opportunities. I'd also have to say, if you haven't been to a Waffle House, give one a try ;) Zagat is also a pretty useful tool.

(edited to add that the previous poster is right about Highland Tap being a good choice, and it's right in my 'hood :D if you head that way, check out Noche next door to it, as well)

If you want to splurge one night, Bacchanalia is easily the best restaurant in Atlanta. You don't have to take my word for it--just check Zagats, local Atlanta reviews, etc.
Zagats gave it a 29 for food, and the setting and service is top-notch as well. A superb dining experience. Owner-chefs Clifford Harrison and Anne Quantrano were voted the James Beard Best Chef's in the Southeast for 2003. You would need a reservation--404-365-0410.

Others to consider would be Floataway Cafe (also owned by Harrison & Quantrano) 404-892-1414, Mezza--a Lebanese Bistro 404-633-8833, Little Bangkok 404-315-1530 (really good Thai food--family owned and run--on Cheshire Bridge). Another would be Woodfire Grill--also on Cheshire Bridge.

About thirty of us ate there for a DL do not long ago and I think everyone but Carnarsie* would agree that it was a great resturant and worth trying to find it. If you go, have the wood smoked, oven fired N GA trout. It was to die for. And the sweet taste of Cholula hot sauce really brings out the flavor. (You may want to bring your own bottle) ^

*he is very hard to please. :D

Eh, those OTP'ers (outside the perimeter)... they don't have good cuisine out there ;)

As one who spends far too much money eating out in Atlanta, I will second the notion, as if I need to, that Bacchanalia is far and away the best restaurant in Atlanta for those serious about food, not to mention wine and service. You must try it if you're interested in exploring the Atlanta restaurant scene. The other thing I would mention about Bacchanalia is that it serves a Saturday lunch -- something that no other great restaurant in Atlanta does.

Below that you have multiple options. Two other restaurants that are often mentioned by "foodies" are The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and Seegers. While both have their strong points, I think both are too stuffy and the food very good but not superb. Therefore, I would avoid them unless you're into very formal dining.

For a solid wine list in a nice upscale casual setting with contemporary American food, I would suggest you try Canoe. It sits up on the river and is a great lunch or dinner destination.

For Steak, my pick is Chops. The other perennial contender is Bones. My take is that the food is better at Chops, while the wine list and service is better at Bones.

For Italian, my pick is Pricci. Service can be spotty, and the wine list is almost all Italian (which can be good if you know what to look for), but the food is really good.

Unfortunately, Atlanta has no high end seafood establishment. In New York you have places like Oceana or rm or Le Benardin, but that does not exist in Atlanta.

I would suggest you look through the Zagat ratings and the reviews at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution website (ajc.com), then come back to us with questions about any restaurants that you're considering.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of restaurant experiences you'll have in Atlanta. Personally, I think Atlanta has surpassed Chicago and, dare I say it (but I'm going to!), San Francisco on the American restaurant scene. It is still not New York, yet I think you'll find Bacchanalia beats, or at least rivals, anything in New York.

I'll third it. Fantastic pre-fixe menu, wine pairings (if you choose) and a great cheese selection as well.

And while it isn't exactly a seafood restaurant, Kyma in buckhead serves fantastic greek food with whole fish as the specialty.

Robert, from previous FT posts and the ATL Meet dinner, I already knew you were a very discriminating diner. The fact that you, like me, appreciate the wonderful food at places like Bacchanalia and Float tells me that. But Robert, ol' buddy, there is no way that Atlanta has passed San Francisco in terms of a restaurant city. I totally agree that places like Bacchanalia, Float, etc could hold their own anywhere, but when you consider the breadth of cuisine in San Francisco, IMO, it is still the best restaurant city in the US (and that's not meant to denigrate Atlanta, which I agree has gotten better than many cities). And lots of these great places in the Bay Area are just casual neighborhood restuarants. My wife and I are there regularly and always drool well in advance of our visits. The vast array of incredible organic ingredients is far greater in California than elsewhere, which certainly helps.

But Steve007NY, please note that four of us have all recommended Bacchanalia.

Swan Oyster Depot
 

Just got back from San Fran and some of the neigborhood restaurants were incredible. Swan Oyster Depot had the freshest seafood and friendliest staff I've ever encountered.

But, Atlanta has it's great share of restaurants...

In the midtown area try a new place, Silk (off Peachtree and 9th st.) Pan-Asian cuisine with a good bar. Relatively new, so they're still working on the menu.

Vinocity off 12th St has a good wine list and some good seafood dishes. Cozy atmosphere and comfortable lounge area.

One Midtown has a great atmosphere, great lounge area and good service. Food Is 3.75 on a 5 scale.

I'll second the nomination for Canoe. Food and service are great, atmosphere is good.

If you want a cheap lunch or snack, definitely hit Taqueria Del Sol for their barbacoa or fish tacos or right next door, Figo, for some authentic Italian dishes.

Although it's not discussed frequently, I am partial to City Grill for client entertainment downtown.

http://www.citygrillatlanta.com/

A few of my personal favorites:

Eclipse dii Luna for great local scene and outstanding Tapas

Canoe for outstanding food preparation and presentation

CHOPS for that unforgettable meal (and unforgettable dinner bill)! Truly one of ATL's greatest restaurants

Just ate at Bacchanalia this past weekend and definitely would recommend it.

Many good suggestions here but one I would add is "La Grotta" on Peachtree between Midtown and Buckhead. Excellent Northern Italian food.

La Grotta - Buckhead

Enjoy.

In reference to the Floataway:

Canarsie has spoken for himself on this matter and there are some others who I will also let speak for themselves, but I was singularly unimpressed with the Floataway at the dinner last month.
It may be that Canarsie and I (and some others) had dined the previous evening at The Palm and Floataway's food just did not stand up to a comparison or it could be that Floataway has the failing common to restaurants that are just not that good, which that altho it puts out some splendid plates (see l4p above), is unable to put a consistently superior product on the table.