Share this page on

Your name Your e-mail Image Verification	Your friend's e-mail Optional message

WORDS BY TONY WARE

 

Quinones at Bacchanalia $$$$

1198 Howell Mill Rd, Westside. 404-365-0410 www.starprovisions.com/bacc

DRESSY

Named for James Quinones, the former Floataway Café general manager tragically killed in an accident, Quinones at Bacchanalia is the third venture of critically fêted restaurateurs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, owners/chefs of Floataway and Bacchanalia. Quinones furthers four-star Bacchanalia’s stellar reputation for emphasizing Georgia-grown organic produce in an even more intimate setting beside a courtyard beneath Bacchanalia’s Westside location. Offering a single seating of 36 patrons nightly in a stately room of cream and chocolate-brown hues, Quinones offers a prix-fixe menu of between eight and 10 deftly plated and wine-paired modern American courses that elate thoroughly but succeed most adroitly in their execution of exquisitely earthy cuisine.

BUCKHEAD/CHAMBLEE/ DUNWOODY

Café at Woodfire Grill $$

1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd. 404-347-9055 www.woodfiregrill.com

CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL

Café is a rustic, mustard stucco and bronzed patina conversion of the award-winning Woodfire Grill’s front room. The cozy Café complements the formal dining room’s philosophy, reflecting the fresh, seasonal and inspirational ingredients of the day in simple yet scintillating pizzas, paninis and pastas, house-made sausages, pastries and breads, as well as additional artisan carry out.

Penang $$

4897 Buford Hwy Ste 113. 770-220-0308 www.penangusa.com

CASUAL

A branch of the East Coast chain, this Malaysian restaurant is notable for more than just its kitschy tropical beach décor— though the vibe certainly is a trip. Novelty aside, what stands out is the variety and depth of racy dishes offered—meats of all varieties served in zippy sauces.

Goldfish $$$

4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. 770-671-0100 www.heretoserverestaurants.com

CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL

In case the name didn’t tip you off, fresh seafood and sushi are the things at Goldfish. Today’s catch is served alongside house favorites in deep, circular mahogany booths. The tastes are so fresh you’ll swear you can smell the salty sea air, and the flavors are as balanced as the presentation.

Canoe $$$$

4199 Paces Ferry Rd NW. 770-432-2663 www.canoeatl.com

DRESSY CASUAL/DRESSY

Renowned for its lodge-like setting on the lip of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe offers welcoming, pastoral surroundings bustling with patrons. Black-clad servers dart around amidst the exposed brick and wrought ironwork to deliver elegant northern Californian/Mediterranean cuisine featuring seasonal New American flavors, all smartly conceived in the lively open kitchen.

 

MIDTOWN/ANSLEY PARK

Shout $$

1197 Peachtree St NE. 404-846-2000

ANYTHING GOES

This funky, dynamic space—sister to Phipps Plaza’s Twist—again shows restaurateur/chef Tom Catherall’s ability to transport through décor and dishes alike. And shout is what you’re encouraged to do by the bold flourishes and menu of Asian and Mediterranean-styled sushi. Plates to share and entrées are presented as if fresh from the spice market. And the upstairs open-air cabana level is a feast for the eyes.

South City Kitchen $$$

1144 Crescent Ave. 404-873-7358 www.southcitykitchen.com

CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL

Atlanta’s Midtown is a swiftly developing quarter, but decade-old South City Kitchen still celebrates contemporary Southern cuisine in a ’20s bungalow conversion unhurried by the surrounding construction. The open interior plays host to sweet and soothing, moist and buttery regional cuisine. Honest, delicate and decadent flavors are executed with aplomb.

Spice $$$

793 Juniper St. 404-875-4242 www.spicerestaurant.com

DRESSY CASUAL/DRESSY

An extensively renovated Victorian building in Midtown, Spice is all about sweep. The two-story atrium of a restaurant is equally affecting in its arcing use of Asian influences. And with a bustling bar and complementary wine list, the setting and servings will satisfy those dining for business or pleasure alike.
ONE. Midtown Kitchen $$$

559 Dutch Valley Rd. 404-892-4111 www.onemidtownkitchen.com

FUNKY CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL A renovated warehouse nestling at the base of Piedmont Park, ONE. Midtown Kitchen is far from sterile or icy, despite the inky space being dotted with glowing icicles. It offers views of either the Atlanta skyline or the semi-circular open kitchen. Fresh seasonal ingredients served with clarity fare well in this urbane urban environment.

Baraonda $$

710 Peachtree Street NE. 404-879-9962 www.baraondaatlanta.com

FUNKY CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL Baraonda is famous for bringing the woodfire brick oven-style Neapolitan pizza to Midtown in 1999. It also offers pastas and entrées, but stick with the award-winning simple-but-savory pizza. Baraonda also introduced the romance and rowdiness of an Italian trattoria to the area, replete with loud world music, servers circulating like whirling dervishes, lacquered nooks for getting liquored and a breezy patio.

DOWNTOWN/WEST MIDTOWN/COLLEGE PARK

Sampan $$$

1198 Howell Mill Rd. 404-367-8333 www.sampanrestaurant.com

FUNKY CASUAL/

DRESSY CASUAL At Sampan, the primarily Chinese, Pan-Asian menu features juicy sauce-spiked meats and shines most in its zesty seafood dishes. The main dining room of this Westside warehouse conversion is all opulent black lacquer and gilt embroidery, and it uses mirrors to extend a space as sumptuous as the cuisine.

Osteria del Figo $

1210 Howell Mill Rd. 404-351-3700

ANYTHING GOES

This energetic, sunlit dining room dotted with decorative earthenware offers overflowing and zesty carb-packed plates for a steal. Pick one of the pastas and gooey sauces from the menu and it will be hurriedly served with delicious, doughy bread, and full of bracing flavor.

The Real Chow Baby $

1016 Howell Mill Rd Ste A. 404-815-4900 www.therealchowbaby.com

ANYTHING GOES/

FUNKY CASUAL A build-your-own stir-fry bar on the ground floor of a block of industrial-chic loft apartments, The Real Chow Baby takes have-it-your-way to new levels. Fill one bowl with vegetables and sauce, another with meats, give it to the kitchen and minutes later it’ll be delivered to your table piping hot. Repeat as many times as you like for one set price—a great deal if you know how to deal with spices.

Brake Pad $

3403 Main St. 404-766-1515

ANYTHING GOES

Having a layover doesn’t mean begging to have it over if you venture to this funkily gentrified joint near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. A rehabbed gas station with a relaxing patio, Brake Pad is great for fueling up on hefty burgers, quesadillas and a host of heaping appetizers. The tempura-battered onion rings shine.

VIRGINIA-HIGHLANDS/ INMAN PARK/PONCEY-HIGHLANDS

Noche $$

1000 Virginia Ave. 404-815-9155 www.heretoserverestaurants.com

CASUAL/FUNKY CASUAL

Part of the Here to Serve Restaurants group, Noche offers a kinetic and well-lubricated environment, with an emphasis on sharing. The menu is Spanish and Southwestern-influenced tapas. The crowd populating this narrow, convivial space is diverse and tasteful, as is the menu.

Atkins Park $$

794 North Highland Ave NE. 404-876-7249 www.atkinspark.com

CASUAL

Atlanta’s oldest continually licensed tavern (since 1922), Atkins Park is a study in classic character—all rich, dark wood and robust flavors. Serving until 2:30am, it offers lively libations with Andrew Smith’s upscale comfort food, which pulls together the crispiest and creamiest elements of Southeastern produce and tradition.

Murphy’s $$

997 Virginia Ave. 404-872-0904 www.murphysvh.com

CASUAL

At the crossroads of the Virginia-Highlands, Murphy’s is celebrating 25 years as a neighborhood favorite, especially for brunch. Simplicity reigns in the welcoming warm wood and exposed brick restaurant. The space and menu forego pretension and gimmicks for solid American food, helping make Murphy’s an unstuffy institution. Don’t pass by the dessert case without sampling.

GRANT PARK/ CABBAGETOWN

Agave $$

242 Boulevard SE. 404-588-0006 www.agaverestaurant.com

CASUAL/FUNKY CASUAL

Think Agave, think tequila, and you wouldn’t be wrong. But this eclectic hacienda at the edge of Cabbagetown offers more than just high-end tequila-dosed margaritas—voted best in the city—it also specializes in upscale Southwestern dishes that draw loyal fans from all over the city and suburbs.

Six Feet Under $$

415 Memorial Dr SE. 404-523-6664 www.sixfeetunderatlanta.com

ANYTHING GOES

Six Feet Under may be named partially from its location across from Oakland Cemetery, but it’s a lively joint nonetheless. And it may celebrate deep-frying our friends from beneath the waves, but it’s not beneath the radar. People crowd in for the Southern-fried seafood and vegetables, well-selected microbrews and Belgian ales.

EAST ATLANTA/DECATUR

Little Azio $

749 Moreland Ave SE. 404-624-0440 www.littleazio.com

ANYTHING GOES

Little Azio, an offshoot of Downtown’s more formal Italian bistro Azio, is committed to dining on a budget without sacrificing taste. The sleek space of the second Little Azio, located down Moreland outside the East Atlanta Village and closer to Ormewood, offers up pastas, panini sandwiches and thin-crust pizzas plump with meats and gushing with zesty sauces.

Sweet Devil Moon $

350 Mead Rd. 404-371-3999 www.sweetdevilmoon.com

CASUAL/DRESSY CASUAL

A narrow nook in charming Oakhurst, Sweet Devil Moon is a funky altar to Peru’s festive small-plates culture. With its blood-red walls, corrugated tin trimmings and religious-themed cantina curios, this tapas bar offers savory Latin flavors, especially seafood and marinated pork. Cocktails piquant with lime juice and tropical nectars are a must, and the Pisco Sour a signature.

Crescent Moon $

174 West Ponce De Leon Ave. 404-377-5623 www.crescentmooneatery.com

CASUAL

A narrow, sparkling space decked out in retro-contemporary space-age style, Crescent Moon is like the diner of the future, as envisioned in the ’50s. Apparently they loved a bountiful breakfast in the ’50s, and they still do, because that is what’s graciously offered in this bustling, sun-lit diner all day.

• Game Theory

  Business leaders look to video games as the future of management training.
  read more ›
  
  

• Bar Codes

  With hidden doorways and secret numbers, getting into speakeasies isn’t easy—until now. Here’s your guide to getting in.
  read more ›
  
  

• Beauty

  Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be time consuming or extravagant. The proof is in these products made for men on the go.
  read more ›
  
  

• Biz Bits

  Surf the web from practically anywhere with wireless routers specifically designed for mobility.
  read more ›
  
  

• Mission Control

  Creating a direct, powerful company mission statement can help your bottom line.
  read more ›