A few days ago, I was asked to list some of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. The request was made by Betsy Smith, who’s writing the brochure for the next HOW conference. I enjoyed making the list and was—as you will see—pretty thorough, including everything from soul food to Thai, from flip flops to penguin suits, and from $ to $$$. I thought I’d share the list with you students. I realize you might have to wait for Mom and Dad to come to town with their wallets for some of these places. But not all of them. And I’m afraid that after so much Taco Bell and QT coffee, some of you have forgotten how to use a knife and fork.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Two Urban Licks: Food is upscale, urban to fiery American, to Nouveau Cuisine. The design of the restaurant alone is worth the trip. The only drawback is the bench seating—not comfortable.

The Inn at Serenbe: A little out of the way, but worth the trip. Chef Tony Seichrist is one of the breed of new chefs redefining Atlanta cuisine. In an old farmhouse just outside of Atlanta proper, in Palmetto, Serenbe is one of the most amazing new and recent developments in the city. It’s owned by Steve Nygren, long one of Atlanta’s premier restauranteurs and developers. Peach Magazine just did a story this month…

Haven: in Brookhaven area at the corner of Dresden Drive. American to Comfort food. Gotta try the ‘truffled potato hay’ when there.

South City Kitchen: A long-time favorite. Upscale low country delights… (low country refers to coastal areas of Ga. and So. Carolina where there is a shared culture and history, notably the Gullah influence and the European settlements in those areas). Excellent cheese grits and shrimp, but my favorite is the grilled tuna.

Georgia Grille: In the heart of lower buckhead; Southwest flavor, amazing. Karen Hilliard is the owner and chef, very cool lady. 2290 Peachtree Street… If I am taking you to dinner, there’s a good chance we are going to go here. Georgia O’Keefe paintings fill the walls, as do cow skulls, and Southwestern rugs. Great service. As Karen the owner says, smile and stay awhile.

No Mas Cantina: New in the Castleberry Hill redevelopment area of the City, behind the Ga. Dome. Has a cool store attached.

Chops: If you want a gazillion ounces of a best steak, in a boy’s club atmosphere all in heavy dark brown… this is your restaurant. The steak is to kill for. This is not for light eaters.

Ritz Carlton, The Dining Room: if you want to go really ‘4 star,’ this could be your place; definitely a sit-down, stay-awhile, seven-course dialogue.

Willy’s Mexicana Grill: Local burrito chain, sorta everywhere. Kids and grown-ups love it. For me, the taco salad is 4 out of 5 days a working lunch—just ask my staff.

Spice: Hip atmosphere and cool interior. Upscale. American to international food.

Jitlada: If you want Thai, this is my favorite for everyday enjoyment. Not real fancy, but very Thai. It is at the corner of LaVista and Cheshire Bridge Road. It is legitimate Thai, not Thai-for-Americans. I go all the time.

Fratelli di Napoli: My favorite Italian restaurant and would be good for a ‘gang,’ as it is all Italian family style… you can order and share. It’s right there in lower buckhead just off Bennett Street.

Gladys Knight and Ron Winan Restaurant: Atlanta downhome to Harlem; my suggestion is go a la carte, and get the fried chicken and collard greens + one other side… to die for. There are those who’d argue go for the famous chicken and waffles.

Mellow Mushroom: Great pizza forever. They’re all over the city; the one I go to most often is right off of Peachtree.

Fellini’s: Cool place to hang out, with great New York style pizza. I like the one just in B’head at 2800 Peachtree.

Portofino: Italian influenced, but with a little bit of everything. In B’head just off Paces Ferry Place. Especially nice for a group.

La Madeleine: Excellent omelets, and french country flavor. If you want to get up early and have a b’fast where you can talk, this is your place. In B’head, right off West Paces Ferry Road.

El Azteca: Buford Highway (Don’t go to just any El Azteca). Authentic and maybe the oldest Mexican restaurant in atlanta. Soooo not fancy, but great. 5800 Buford Highway.

City Grill: Downtown, very formal to biz. Fabulous, pricey, American food w/ impeccable service.

Benedetti’s: Totally a gem; hidden in a strip shopping mall, near Emory on North Decatur Road; locals (that’s me) have been going there for 30 years. Very NY-style.

Ecco: New and very trendy, but great. Neighborhood feeling, with Mediterranean food. Can hold larger groups. Down on 7th Street at the old fencing club.

The Varsity: A landmark in Atlanta forever. It has a vernacular of it’s own. Largest drive-in restaurant in the world.

Starbucks: On every corner… always wired, with the very best coffee. My drink: grande soy white chocolate mocha, add whip—with one less pump of the syrup.

Octane: New and cool; wired coffee house— great meeting place.

Mary Mac’s Tea Room: Church-hat-and-white-glove southern; sweet tea will make you slap your mama. Save room for banana pudding.

Havana Sandwich Shop: Perfect if you want Cuban… I don’t care for Cuban food that much, even in South Beach… but, these guys do it really well, inclusive of the traditional hot, pressed sandwiches.

Jalisco: Best salsa in Atlanta; authentic Mexican, right in the middle of Buckhead; inexpensive and you’re stuffed when you leave. They honor the siesta in the afternoons, so check to make sure they are open.

Harolds: Everyone’s got a favorite bar-b-cue… This is mine. Located on McDonough Blvd. Not fancy—far from it. Blue collar, so don’t go over there all smug in your black; they define what a bar-b-cue restaurant should be. I recommend the pork ribs with homemade cornbread and sweet tea.

The Majestic: Up on Ponce de Leon, you’ll meet all kinds in here… late night, all night, to early morning. You either have to be really be hungry to go here or have had a late, late night. Best to have a couple of folks with you when you go.

Einstein’s: I was just there with Chip Kidd a week ago. They serve till 11, so it is great if you’ve been busy and can’t get out till a little later. Innovative food. It has been around since the early 90’s. Easy access right off of Juniper Street in Midtown.

Murphy’s: In the Highlands. Another Atlanta landmark. Good American cuisine, great wine bar. Never disappoints.

The Fresh Market: Not a restaurant per se, but you can pick up the coolest food here… upscale pricing but there is ‘a difference,’ as everything from fruit, to sandwiches (a best buy anywhere, any sandwich is $4.49). When they say fresh, they mean it. You’ll go in for a sandwich and come out wondering how you just spent $50 bucks on all this amazing fresh food. Their merchandising is on target for designers. It’s on P’tree just down from Piedmont Hospital, 2099 Peachtree [in the old Blockbuster’s store location].

Trackback.