Oral Pleasures
There will come a day when what’s trendy now will be thought of as timeless. Timeless plasma-screen TVs. Timeless minimalist, throbbing music. Timeless stick-thin waitresses in teeny-tiny uniforms that wouldn’t pass dress code at most high schools.
OK, perhaps some of what’s trendy now will just one day become passé. But you can bet Atlanta’s restaurant scene will have moved on, and in the blink of an eye whatever is trendy in the future will be exactly what the city’s eateries are offering up.
Atlanta is a city of history and a city obsessed with trends. While Atlanta’s restaurants strive to become ever more modern and to-the-moment, they’re also embracing their Southern roots. And beyond barbecue and soul food, we’re a city with restaurants that embody the classic dining experience, from outstanding service to perfectionism in the kitchen.
In this year’s Oral Pleasures, we look at the trendy and the timeless and celebrate both. And for once, we celebrate where they meet in the middle — check out this year’s Best Trend winner to see a perfect example of the past and present colliding in the most pleasing fashion.
As always, we are exceedingly proud to live in a city with such a varied and exuberant dining scene. So whether you’re a trendsetter or a classicist, there’s plenty here to tempt your palate.
— Besha Rodell
Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt (Where to Eat Recommendation) Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce hasmore...
Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce has good spice and a hefty dose of vinegar, and isn’t too sweet. Ribs are a messy wonder. Who’s your daddy?
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Best Beer Selection BOA Award Winner
Brick Store Pub A great place for intense conversation and incredible libations — or vice versa — the BRICK STORE PUB has been a Decatur institution for the past decade. Former Athens denizens Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore have created a cozy sippin’ nook for true beer connoisseurs.more...
A great place for intense conversation and incredible libations — or vice versa — the BRICK STORE PUB has been a Decatur institution for the past decade. Former Athens denizens Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore have created a cozy sippin’ nook for true beer connoisseurs. Constructed for unobtrusive communication, the Store features a welcome escape from the sports-bar mentality of multiple TVs, raging jukeboxes, flat domestic beers and noisy, macho posturing. Here, the beer is the star, the customer is king and the attentive staff knows the pub’s brew list well. Intown, out-of-town and international beers are among the choices from more than 15 drafts and well in excess of 65 extraordinary bottled beers. If you like it strong, head upstairs to the delightful Belgian Beer Bar.
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Best Coffee BOA Award Winner
Counter Culture Coffee (Permanently Closed) There’s a new coffee company in town: COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they’ve opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly “cupping” (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Friday evenings that is open to themore...
There’s a new coffee company in town: COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they’ve opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly “cupping” (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Friday evenings that is open to the public. The company specializes in forging personal connections with coffee growers, and some of the best places in town, including Octane, are now devotees of Counter Culture’s beans.
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Best Indian BOA Award Winner
Madras Mantra (Featured) A vegetarian restaurant (where you won’t miss the meat), MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN is so popular that owner Narenda Patel opened a meat-serving restaurant at the opposite end of the shopping center in which MSB is located. The dosai, forearm-length rice-flour pancakes filled with spicy potatoesmore...
A vegetarian restaurant (where you won’t miss the meat), MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN is so popular that owner Narenda Patel opened a meat-serving restaurant at the opposite end of the shopping center in which MSB is located. The dosai, forearm-length rice-flour pancakes filled with spicy potatoes and other seasoned veggies, are the favorite here. In fact, the dosai get so huge you can order one that literally fills the table. We urge you to branch out and experiment with other dishes, including any of the curries (try the one made with eggplant) or the thali plate, which gives you a sampling of many dishes. The restaurant is currently undergoing renovations but will re-open at the end of this month.
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Best Italian BOA Award Winner
Sotto Sotto Restaurant Riccardo Ullio, the owner and executive chef of SOTTO SOTTO in Inman Park, is a perfectionist who hasn’t conceded to the Americanization of Italian cuisine. Specifically: The food is never drowned in sauces or piled up in belt-loosening quantities. Risottos are undoubtedly the best in the city.more...
Riccardo Ullio, the owner and executive chef of SOTTO SOTTO in Inman Park, is a perfectionist who hasn’t conceded to the Americanization of Italian cuisine. Specifically: The food is never drowned in sauces or piled up in belt-loosening quantities. Risottos are undoubtedly the best in the city. Taste rules and pasta dishes are straightforward, often featuring seasonal ingredients. The roasted fish, boned tableside, is a favorite with many. Fantastic desserts, such as the chocolate soup and the golden panna cotta, also win over hearts and mouths.
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Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina This is a difficult call every year because metro Atlanta has so many authentic Mexican restaurants. Most of them, however, are taquerias. In fact, ZOCALO operates a taqueria itself in Grant Park. But its Decatur and Midtown locations offer more substantial menus. The chili en nogada — a stuffedmore...
This is a difficult call every year because metro Atlanta has so many authentic Mexican restaurants. Most of them, however, are taquerias. In fact, ZOCALO operates a taqueria itself in Grant Park. But its Decatur and Midtown locations offer more substantial menus. The chili en nogada — a stuffed poblano pepper with walnut-cream sauce, garnished with pomegranate seeds — is a seasonal favorite. But you should also try anything with the restaurant’s homemade mole sauce.
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Best Middle Eastern BOA Award Winner
Mezza Lebanese Bistro (Permanently Closed) There is nothing more consoling than Lebanese comfort food. That’s exactly what you’ll find at MEZZA, located in a shopping strip on LaVista Road. Small plates of love emerge from the kitchen, and the deeply flavored meats are especially delicious. Don’t miss the tangy lambmore...
There is nothing more consoling than Lebanese comfort food. That’s exactly what you’ll find at MEZZA, located in a shopping strip on LaVista Road. Small plates of love emerge from the kitchen, and the deeply flavored meats are especially delicious. Don’t miss the tangy lamb cooked in vinegar or the addictive fried cauliflower. The selection of Lebanese wines is a plus as well.
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Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier’s inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the mealmore...
The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier’s inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the meal of a lifetime. Apart from the world-class cooking, highlights include the best cheese cart in town and a fabulous wine list that is 600 bottles strong. There’s only one restaurant in Atlanta that could compete head-to-head with the best establishments in New York and Paris, and this is it.
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Best Thai BOA Award Winner
Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro (Permanently Closed) It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don’t miss the silkymore...
It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don’t miss the silky soups, spicy meat salads and exquisite curries.
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Best Waitstaff BOA Award Winner
Quinones at Bacchanalia (Permanently Closed) Led by maitre d’ Rob Payne, the staff at QUINONES sets the standard for service in the city. Gracious, warm, pitch-perfect without ever being stiff or too formal, and yet gracefully adept at the precise dance that truly top-level service requires. Eating here is a delightful education in charm.more...
Led by maitre d’ Rob Payne, the staff at QUINONES sets the standard for service in the city. Gracious, warm, pitch-perfect without ever being stiff or too formal, and yet gracefully adept at the precise dance that truly top-level service requires. Eating here is a delightful education in charm.
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Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Java Jive 790 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-876-6161 Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there's always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro '50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemonmore...
790 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-876-6161 Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there's always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro '50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemon curd have long been the favorite here, although pancakes are good, too. And the biscuits have no peer. Are you getting the drift? Aim for the heavy carbs. The egg dishes are decent, but the kitchen is at its best carbing you up.
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Best Sunday Brunch BOA Award Winner
Shaun's (Permanently Closed) 1029 Edgewood Ave. 404-577-4358 http://www.shaunsrestaurant.com It's been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN'S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun'smore...
1029 Edgewood Ave. 404-577-4358 http://www.shaunsrestaurant.com It's been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN'S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun's caters to a real need in Atlanta - upscale neighborhood dining. Brunch is especially impressive, with deliciously refined takes on brunch classics. Try the trout over grits along with a mistral mimosa.
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Best Restaurant Trend BOA Award Winner
Southern Cooking It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city's soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they've been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene's Sunday suppers pay homagemore...
It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city's soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they've been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene's Sunday suppers pay homage to our regional tradition, and Quinones at Bacchanalia also features a Southern accent. All these restaurants endeavor to use local ingredients and, besides preparing traditional dishes, most also do creative riffs on the food of our mothers and fathers.
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Best Korean BOA Award Winner
Hae Woon Dae BBQ 5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or anymore...
5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or any other of the many meat dishes, an employee arrives with a bucket of thermonuclear-hot coals that he dumps in the grill in the middle of your table. Meanwhile, you're noshing on a vast array of complimentary pickled goodies and eyeballing the zillion athletic trophies decorating the restaurant. Sound surreal? Try it at 3 a.m.
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Best Margarita BOA Award Winner
Element 1051 W. Peachtree Road 404-745-3001 The margarita at ELEMENT would be cool if it were only what it appears to be on first look a Slurpee for grown-ups. But the liquid-nitrogen frozen cocktail works as more than a novelty when you take into consideration that the low temp of the scientific technique usedmore...
1051 W. Peachtree Road 404-745-3001 The margarita at ELEMENT would be cool if it were only what it appears to be on first look a Slurpee for grown-ups. But the liquid-nitrogen frozen cocktail works as more than a novelty when you take into consideration that the low temp of the scientific technique used to make it means no ice is required. Your frozen treat is made up entirely of tequila and Element
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Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier's inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, themore...
3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier's inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the meal of a lifetime. Apart from the world-class cooking, highlights include the best cheese cart in town and a fabulous wine list that is 600 bottles strong. There's only one restaurant in Atlanta that could compete head-to-head with the best establishments in New York and Paris, and this is it.
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Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Fritti 311 N. Highland Ave. 404-880-9559 http://www.sottosottorestaurant.com Atlanta's palate has been elevated by many new (and primarily suburban) pizza practitioners who've opened up shop in recent years. But no pie in town has our hearts and mouths so completely infatuated as FRITTI, which has us comingmore...
311 N. Highland Ave. 404-880-9559 http://www.sottosottorestaurant.com Atlanta's palate has been elevated by many new (and primarily suburban) pizza practitioners who've opened up shop in recent years. But no pie in town has our hearts and mouths so completely infatuated as FRITTI, which has us coming back over and over for the classic and authentically Italian regina margherita pizza, the height of delicious simplicity with sauce, bufala mozzarella and a scattering of fresh basil. Pizza perfection.
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Best Restaurant to Take Visitors BOA Award Winner
Watershed on Peachtree (Permanently Closed)
406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-378-4900 http://www.watershedrestaurant.com You've heard it countless times when visitors come to town "Where can I get a real taste of Atlanta?"
Best Sandwiches/Subs BOA Award Winner
Alon's
1394 N. Highland Ave. 404-872-6000 http://www.alons.com There are a lot of notable sandwiches in Atlanta, but during the last year one has outshined all othersthe bresaola panini with Parmesan and pepper sauce at ALON
Best Thai BOA Award Winner
Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro (Permanently Closed) 1197 Peachtree St. 404-873-4888 http://www.tamarindseed.com It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producingmore...
1197 Peachtree St. 404-873-4888 http://www.tamarindseed.com It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don't miss the silky soups, spicy meat salads and exquisite curries.
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Best Vietnamese BOA Award Winner
Co'm Vietnamese Grill (Permanently Closed) 4005-F Buford Highway 404-320-0405 http://www.comgrill.com We're still wholly enamored with COM VIETNAMESE GRILL more than two years after it opened and set foodie hearts ablaze with grilled meats, bold herbs and a swanker atmosphere than you'll find at the pho houses that populate the rest of Bufordmore...
4005-F Buford Highway 404-320-0405 http://www.comgrill.com We're still wholly enamored with COM VIETNAMESE GRILL more than two years after it opened and set foodie hearts ablaze with grilled meats, bold herbs and a swanker atmosphere than you'll find at the pho houses that populate the rest of Buford Highway. It's still the best in town at marrying home-style dishes with high-quality ingredients and friendly service. When you're in the mood for spice, mint, basil, charred meat and vermicelli, this is the place to go.
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Best Wine List BOA Award Winner
Ecco 40 Seventh St. 404-347-9555 http://www.ecco-atlanta.com It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn't rely toomore...
40 Seventh St. 404-347-9555 http://www.ecco-atlanta.com It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn't rely too heavily on dumbed-down easy sellers. That's why the list at ECCO is especially impressive, with wines helpfully organized into Old World and New World styles, and cool grapes and regions featured heavily. There's an assertive Italian presence, but California, France, Germany and Spain are all nicely represented. Prices range from reasonable to special-occasion (or just rich-guy) opulence.
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Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Java Jive Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there’s always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro ’50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemon curd have longmore...
Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there’s always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro ’50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemon curd have long been the favorite here, although pancakes are good, too. And the biscuits have no peer. Are you getting the drift? Aim for the heavy carbs. The egg dishes are decent, but the kitchen is at its best carbing you up.
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Best Coffeehouse BOA Award Winner
Octane Coffee (Permanently Closed) If you’re one of those coffee snobs who proclaims loudly that since your visit to Italy you simply can’t abide American cappuccino, then head over to the Westside’s OCTANE, where you’ll find a version pretty dang close to the real thing. It’s also a greatmore...
If you’re one of those coffee snobs who proclaims loudly that since your visit to Italy you simply can’t abide American cappuccino, then head over to the Westside’s OCTANE, where you’ll find a version pretty dang close to the real thing. It’s also a great place to work, eat or grab a beer after work. The staff has good taste in music, the art on the walls is local and vibrant, and they take their coffee seriously. Every neighborhood should be so lucky.
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Best Dim Sum BOA Award Winner
East Pearl Seafood Restaurant If eating gloppy rice soup with bits of pork and mushroom in a mountain chalet appeals to you, then EAST PEARL is your place. The soup is delicious, as are the dumplings and duck’s feet. East Pearl has a selection slightly less greasy than other dim sum places in town, and the huge tables ofmore...
If eating gloppy rice soup with bits of pork and mushroom in a mountain chalet appeals to you, then EAST PEARL is your place. The soup is delicious, as are the dumplings and duck’s feet. East Pearl has a selection slightly less greasy than other dim sum places in town, and the huge tables of Chinese families who flock there every weekend appreciate it. The mountain-lodge decor is still pleasingly surreal.
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Best Hamburger BOA Award Winner
The Earl (Featured) THE EARL is frequently praised for its bar food, partly because of the now-legendary Earl Burger, which this past year earned kudos in a much-cited Wall Street Journal piece about Atlanta as America’s burger capital. The unce patty of Black Angus beef is perfectly prepared to order over an openmore...
THE EARL is frequently praised for its bar food, partly because of the now-legendary Earl Burger, which this past year earned kudos in a much-cited Wall Street Journal piece about Atlanta as America’s burger capital. The unce patty of Black Angus beef is perfectly prepared to order over an open flame. It’s never greasy, features fresh and perfectly proportioned dressings (leafy green lettuce, red onions, tomato, pickles), and is served on a buttered and toasted sesame seed bun. The optional wasabi mayo offers a nice change of pace and displays an attention to detail that allows the Earl Burger to sizzle to the top.
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Best Mixologist BOA Award Winner
Greg Best Not to be confused with the bottle-juggling bartender, the mixologist works like a chef: sourcing fresh ingredients, rare liqueurs and forgotten recipes — and crafting cocktails designed more for complexity of taste than for raw potency. At Restaurant Eugene’s tiny bar, GREG BEST producesmore...
Not to be confused with the bottle-juggling bartender, the mixologist works like a chef: sourcing fresh ingredients, rare liqueurs and forgotten recipes — and crafting cocktails designed more for complexity of taste than for raw potency. At Restaurant Eugene’s tiny bar, GREG BEST produces some of the most sublime concoctions in the city, armed with an old-fashioned seltzer bottle, a near-encyclopedic knowledge of the spirit world and shelves stocked with a dizzying array of rye whiskeys, Dutch genevers and Czech herbal bitters. Perfectionist Best makes his own simple syrup, tonic water and even a lavender infusion that takes two weeks to steep. He has recently partnered with the folks who own Eugene to open a “public house” across the breezeway called Holeman & Finch. The restaurant is scheduled to open any day, with Best behind the bar. Be sure to save us a stool.
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Best Patio Dining BOA Award Winner
Canoe (Featured) There’s nothing on Earth like a majestic Southern river, and no place in the city to eat overlooking one as beautiful as the patio at CANOE. The view of the Chattahoochee is breathtaking, as are the incredible gardens that surround the restaurant. Sometimes in a big city it’s easy tomore...
There’s nothing on Earth like a majestic Southern river, and no place in the city to eat overlooking one as beautiful as the patio at CANOE. The view of the Chattahoochee is breathtaking, as are the incredible gardens that surround the restaurant. Sometimes in a big city it’s easy to forget the great outdoors, but Canoe gives us a reason to reconnect with nature.
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Best Soul Food BOA Award Winner
Son's Place (Permanently Closed) The corner of Hurt Street where SON’S PLACE has stood for 12 years may have become a lot trendier over time, but Son’s still serves the best honest, old-fashioned Southern soul food in town. The cheery, yellow-checkered tablecloths and the stellar collards, mac-n-cheese and baked chickenmore...
The corner of Hurt Street where SON’S PLACE has stood for 12 years may have become a lot trendier over time, but Son’s still serves the best honest, old-fashioned Southern soul food in town. The cheery, yellow-checkered tablecloths and the stellar collards, mac-n-cheese and baked chicken are all reasons to be glad to live in Atlanta. If you happen in when the ethereal squash casserole or the peach cobbler (from the peach tree out front) sre being served, you’ll know once and for all that living in the South is a true blessing.
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Best Sushi BOA Award Winner
MF Sushi Atlanta MF SUSHI is still king in Atlanta when it comes to raw fish. It’s possible to have a truly exquisite meal here, especially if you take the time to find out what special off-menu treats the chefs are hiding behind the sushi bar. Regular sashimi and nigiri are perfect. And if you’re curiousmore...
MF SUSHI is still king in Atlanta when it comes to raw fish. It’s possible to have a truly exquisite meal here, especially if you take the time to find out what special off-menu treats the chefs are hiding behind the sushi bar. Regular sashimi and nigiri are perfect. And if you’re curious about, say, monkfish liver, but have never trusted any place enough to give it a try, you’re in for a treat here. MF has a wonderful sake list as well.
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Best Tapas BOA Award Winner
Krog Bar (Permanently Closed) Even without a stove, the cooks over at KROG BAR are turning out tapas that best represent the true function of this type of food — small tastes to accompany wine. As such, the wine list at a tapas restaurant should be just as important as the food, and here, it is. A fantastic selection ofmore...
Even without a stove, the cooks over at KROG BAR are turning out tapas that best represent the true function of this type of food — small tastes to accompany wine. As such, the wine list at a tapas restaurant should be just as important as the food, and here, it is. A fantastic selection of Spanish and Italian wines complement the delicious meats, cheeses and small plates all accompanied by chewy, crusty, addictive bread.
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Best Wine List BOA Award Winner
Ecco Midtown It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn’t rely too heavily on dumbed-down easy sellers. That’smore...
It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn’t rely too heavily on dumbed-down easy sellers. That’s why the list at ECCO is especially impressive, with wines helpfully organized into Old World and New World styles, and cool grapes and regions featured heavily. There’s an assertive Italian presence, but California, France, Germany and Spain are all nicely represented. Prices range from reasonable to special-occasion (or just rich-guy) opulence.
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Timeless: Best Old-School Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Park 75 (Featured) With all the glitz and glamour in Hotlanta, some days you just want an excellent meal in a quiet, sophisticated room. When the micro-mini-wearing waitresses have got you down, when you’ve tired of the scenesters and Pan-Latin jazz-infused small plates, head to PARK 75 in the Four Seasons. Themore...
With all the glitz and glamour in Hotlanta, some days you just want an excellent meal in a quiet, sophisticated room. When the micro-mini-wearing waitresses have got you down, when you’ve tired of the scenesters and Pan-Latin jazz-infused small plates, head to PARK 75 in the Four Seasons. The old-style hotel service is impeccable, and chef Robert Gerstenecker’s dishes are classic and refined. The five-course, 12-dish tasting brunch is an especially indulgent luxury, but be sure to wear pearls and sensible heels. No one cares about your hipster credentials here.
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Best Old-School Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Park 75 (Featured) With all the glitz and glamour in Hotlanta, some days you just want an excellent meal in a quiet, sophisticated room. When the micro-mini-wearing waitresses have got you down, when you've tired of the scenesters and Pan-Latin jazz-infused small plates, head to PARK 75 in the Four Seasons. The old-stylemore...
With all the glitz and glamour in Hotlanta, some days you just want an excellent meal in a quiet, sophisticated room. When the micro-mini-wearing waitresses have got you down, when you've tired of the scenesters and Pan-Latin jazz-infused small plates, head to PARK 75 in the Four Seasons. The old-style hotel service is impeccable, and chef Robert Gerstenecker's dishes are classic and refined. The five-course, 12-dish tasting brunch is an especially indulgent luxury, but be sure to wear pearls and sensible heels. No one cares about your hipster credentials here.
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Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner
Daddy D'z 264 Memorial Drive SE 404-222-0206 http://www.daddydz.com Not only does DADDY D'Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork platemore...
264 Memorial Drive SE 404-222-0206 http://www.daddydz.com Not only does DADDY D'Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce has good spice and a hefty dose of vinegar, and isn't too sweet. Ribs are a messy wonder. Who's your daddy?
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Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Arnaud Berthelier 3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com ARNAUD BERTHELIER is deeply symbolic of the Ritz-Carlton's tradition of bringing Atlanta its best chefs (Guenter Seeger and Joel Antunes also once held the head chef position there). Berthelier is cooking some of the best food this city hasmore...
3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com ARNAUD BERTHELIER is deeply symbolic of the Ritz-Carlton's tradition of bringing Atlanta its best chefs (Guenter Seeger and Joel Antunes also once held the head chef position there). Berthelier is cooking some of the best food this city has ever seen, and his technique is both bold and delicate. Dishes such as chilled Parmesan and bean cream with pesto ice cream show his boundless creativity at creating luxury with unexpected components. Put your palate in his hands for a special occasion and prepare to be delighted.
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Best Coffee BOA Award Winner
Counter Culture Coffee 877 W. Marietta St. 678-358-6114 http://www.counterculturecoffee.com There's a new coffee company in town COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they've opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly "cupping" (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Fridaymore...
877 W. Marietta St. 678-358-6114 http://www.counterculturecoffee.com There's a new coffee company in town COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they've opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly "cupping" (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Friday evenings that is open to the public. The company specializes in forging personal connections with coffee growers, and some of the best places in town, including Octane, are now devotees of Counter Culture's beans.
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Best Local Brew BOA Award Winner
5 Seasons 5600 Roswell Road Suite 21 404-255-5911 http://www.5seasonsbrewing.com The beer selections rotate seasonally at 5 SEASONS, but there's no doubt these guys are brewing the best local beers around. In the past year we've especially enjoyed the Belgian-style beers on tap in Alpharetta, and the Dry Irishmore...
5600 Roswell Road Suite 21 404-255-5911 http://www.5seasonsbrewing.com The beer selections rotate seasonally at 5 SEASONS, but there's no doubt these guys are brewing the best local beers around. In the past year we've especially enjoyed the Belgian-style beers on tap in Alpharetta, and the Dry Irish Stout served at the Sandy Springs location. If you're into European-style beers, 5 Seasons won't disappoint.
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Best Restaurant for a First Date BOA Award Winner
Chocolate Bar (Permanently Closed) 201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-378-0630 http://www.thechocolatebardecatur.com There are enough aphrodisiacs on the menu at CHOCOLATE BAR to drive a hoard of potential lovers mad with lust. Between the oysters, creamy cheeses and multiple decadent chocolate creations (including a few that involve booze),more...
201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-378-0630 http://www.thechocolatebardecatur.com There are enough aphrodisiacs on the menu at CHOCOLATE BAR to drive a hoard of potential lovers mad with lust. Between the oysters, creamy cheeses and multiple decadent chocolate creations (including a few that involve booze), if your date isn't tearing your clothes off by the end of the evening, there is something seriously wrong with one of you.
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Best Restaurant for Late-Night Dining BOA Award Winner
Hae Woon Dae 5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or anymore...
5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or any other of the many meat dishes, an employee arrives with a bucket of thermonuclear-hot coals that he dumps in the grill in the middle of your table. Meanwhile, you're noshing on a vast array of complimentary pickled goodies and eyeballing the zillion athletic trophies decorating the restaurant. Sound surreal? Try it at 3 a.m.
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Best-Looking Waitstaff BOA Award Winner
Grant Central 1279 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-0007 There are plenty of restaurants in Atlanta where you have to provide a headshot when you apply for a job, and where the waitstaff uniform is some kind of microscopic miniskirt and super-high heels. That is so not hot. What is hot is the scruffy gaggle of servers and cooksmore...
1279 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-0007 There are plenty of restaurants in Atlanta where you have to provide a headshot when you apply for a job, and where the waitstaff uniform is some kind of microscopic miniskirt and super-high heels. That is so not hot. What is hot is the scruffy gaggle of servers and cooks at GRANT CENTRAL in East Atlanta. The tattoos, the dreadlocks, the sneers, the lopsided smiles, the crooked teeth, the spiky belts are all adorable, and even more so because the last thing they're going for is recognition of their hotness. Our hearts are aflutter.
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Best Bakery BOA Award Winner
Bread Garden (Permanently Closed) Not only does BREAD GARDEN provide bread to some of Atlanta’s best restaurants, it sells its perfect loaves directly to the public as well. The small shop in the Amsterdam Walk shopping center also sells sandwiches, pastries and amazing cookies. Now, if only owner Katharine Krasnow would startmore...
Not only does BREAD GARDEN provide bread to some of Atlanta’s best restaurants, it sells its perfect loaves directly to the public as well. The small shop in the Amsterdam Walk shopping center also sells sandwiches, pastries and amazing cookies. Now, if only owner Katharine Krasnow would start selling those incredible almond croissants to the public …
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Best Cheap Eats BOA Award Winner
Eats (Featured)http://www.flickr.com/photos/kajjers/2623824087/
It’s seriously hard to find a decent inexpensive meal in Atlanta these days. EATS has been around about 15 years — long enough that it was there before Ponce de Leon became the kind of place that would host a Home Depot and Whole Foods. The restaurant serves excellent jerk chicken, lemon-pepper chicken and pasta dishes. What’s more, the vegetables — especially the corn and collards — are terrific. The atmosphere is … well, they remodeled the men’s room this year. It looks great!
Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Arnaud Berthelier ARNAUD BERTHELIER is deeply symbolic of the Ritz-Carlton’s tradition of bringing Atlanta its best chefs (Guenter Seeger and Joel Antunes also once held the head chef position there). Berthelier is cooking some of the best food this city has ever seen, and his technique is both bold and delicate.more...
ARNAUD BERTHELIER is deeply symbolic of the Ritz-Carlton’s tradition of bringing Atlanta its best chefs (Guenter Seeger and Joel Antunes also once held the head chef position there). Berthelier is cooking some of the best food this city has ever seen, and his technique is both bold and delicate. Dishes such as chilled Parmesan and bean cream with pesto ice cream show his boundless creativity at creating luxury with unexpected components. Put your palate in his hands for a special occasion and prepare to be delighted.
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Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Hank's Ice Cream (Permanently Closed) The bad news is that HANK’S lost its lease in Grant Park. The good news is that the Houston-based company is looking for a location in Midtown. Meanwhile, a Hank’s has opened inside Wakefield Foods near the airport in College Park. Yes, it’s worth the drive to stock up. Themore...
The bad news is that HANK’S lost its lease in Grant Park. The good news is that the Houston-based company is looking for a location in Midtown. Meanwhile, a Hank’s has opened inside Wakefield Foods near the airport in College Park. Yes, it’s worth the drive to stock up. The butter pecan takes that classic to a new level. The black walnut is better than oral sex. When Valentine’s Day rolls around, Hank’s sells rose-flavored ice cream, maybe the most exotic flavor we’ve tasted outside the kitchen of a molecular gastronome.
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Best Restaurant to Take Visitors BOA Award Winner
Watershed on Peachtree (Permanently Closed) You’ve heard it countless times when visitors come to town: “Where can I get a real taste of Atlanta?” The answer is WATERSHED. Chef Scott Peacock’s cooking is classic Southern without the usual kitsch and without the excessive “updating” and fusion.more...
You’ve heard it countless times when visitors come to town: “Where can I get a real taste of Atlanta?” The answer is WATERSHED. Chef Scott Peacock’s cooking is classic Southern without the usual kitsch and without the excessive “updating” and fusion. The Tuesday-night fried chicken dinner is the quintessential Watershed experience, but the daily menu includes plenty of classics, too: salmon croquettes, okra pancakes, fried catfish and barbecued chicken. In fact, dishes like those earned Peacock a James Beard award as best chef in the Southeast this year.
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Best Restaurant Trend BOA Award Winner
Southern Cooking It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city’s soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they’ve been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene’smore...
It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city’s soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they’ve been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene’s Sunday suppers pay homage to our regional tradition, and Quinones at Bacchanalia also features a Southern accent. All these restaurants endeavor to use local ingredients and, besides preparing traditional dishes, most also do creative riffs on the food of our mothers and fathers.
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Best Sunday Brunch BOA Award Winner
Shaun's (Permanently Closed) It’s been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN’S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun’s caters to a real need in Atlanta —more...
It’s been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN’S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun’s caters to a real need in Atlanta — upscale neighborhood dining. Brunch is especially impressive, with deliciously refined takes on brunch classics. Try the trout over grits along with a mistral mimosa.
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Best Appetizers BOA Award Winner
Floataway Cafe 1123 Zonolite Road 404-892-1414 http://www.starprovisions.com Pure, fresh, simple - those are the guiding principles for the cuisine at FLOATAWAY CAFE. The appetizers are particularly exemplary of the style of cooking that has made chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison famous. Beets with avocadomore...
1123 Zonolite Road 404-892-1414 http://www.starprovisions.com Pure, fresh, simple - those are the guiding principles for the cuisine at FLOATAWAY CAFE. The appetizers are particularly exemplary of the style of cooking that has made chefs Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison famous. Beets with avocado and feta cheese offer a cooling, creamy, salty study in freshness. Grilled chicken livers are given a woodsy rosemary personality, countered by the sweetness of onion jam. Starters here are so good, it's perfectly smart to make a whole meal of them.
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Best Carryout Food BOA Award Winner
Doc Chey's Noodle HouseBest ice cream BOA Award Winner
Jake's Ice Cream and Muncheteria
Best business lunch BOA Award Winner
TroisBest pizza BOA Award Winner
Fellini's PizzaBest Southern BOA Award Winner
Mary Mac's Tea Room
Best chef BOA Award Winner
Kevin RathbunBest margarita BOA Award Winner
Agave
Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner
Daddy D'z BBQ Joynt (Where to Eat Recommendation) Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce hasmore...
Not only does DADDY D’Z have the best barbecue in town, it also has one of the most pleasingly grungy atmospheres, lovably attitudinal waitresses and delicious sides to boot. For a Sunday afternoon hangover meal, what can beat the pork plate with mac-n-cheese and collard greens? The sauce has good spice and a hefty dose of vinegar, and isn’t too sweet. Ribs are a messy wonder. Who’s your daddy?
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Best Beer Selection BOA Award Winner
Brick Store Pub A great place for intense conversation and incredible libations — or vice versa — the BRICK STORE PUB has been a Decatur institution for the past decade. Former Athens denizens Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore have created a cozy sippin’ nook for true beer connoisseurs.more...
A great place for intense conversation and incredible libations — or vice versa — the BRICK STORE PUB has been a Decatur institution for the past decade. Former Athens denizens Dave Blanchard, Mike Gallagher and Tom Moore have created a cozy sippin’ nook for true beer connoisseurs. Constructed for unobtrusive communication, the Store features a welcome escape from the sports-bar mentality of multiple TVs, raging jukeboxes, flat domestic beers and noisy, macho posturing. Here, the beer is the star, the customer is king and the attentive staff knows the pub’s brew list well. Intown, out-of-town and international beers are among the choices from more than 15 drafts and well in excess of 65 extraordinary bottled beers. If you like it strong, head upstairs to the delightful Belgian Beer Bar.
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Best Carryout Food BOA Award Winner
Doc Chey's Noodle HouseBest Coffee BOA Award Winner
Counter Culture Coffee (Permanently Closed) There’s a new coffee company in town: COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they’ve opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly “cupping” (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Friday evenings that is open to themore...
There’s a new coffee company in town: COUNTER CULTURE COFFEE. The owners are so devoted to java that they’ve opened a training center in the King Plow Arts Center and hold a weekly “cupping” (think wine tasting but with coffee) on Friday evenings that is open to the public. The company specializes in forging personal connections with coffee growers, and some of the best places in town, including Octane, are now devotees of Counter Culture’s beans.
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Best Indian BOA Award Winner
Madras Mantra (Featured) A vegetarian restaurant (where you won’t miss the meat), MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN is so popular that owner Narenda Patel opened a meat-serving restaurant at the opposite end of the shopping center in which MSB is located. The dosai, forearm-length rice-flour pancakes filled with spicy potatoesmore...
A vegetarian restaurant (where you won’t miss the meat), MADRAS SARAVANA BHAVAN is so popular that owner Narenda Patel opened a meat-serving restaurant at the opposite end of the shopping center in which MSB is located. The dosai, forearm-length rice-flour pancakes filled with spicy potatoes and other seasoned veggies, are the favorite here. In fact, the dosai get so huge you can order one that literally fills the table. We urge you to branch out and experiment with other dishes, including any of the curries (try the one made with eggplant) or the thali plate, which gives you a sampling of many dishes. The restaurant is currently undergoing renovations but will re-open at the end of this month.
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Best Italian BOA Award Winner
Sotto Sotto Restaurant Riccardo Ullio, the owner and executive chef of SOTTO SOTTO in Inman Park, is a perfectionist who hasn’t conceded to the Americanization of Italian cuisine. Specifically: The food is never drowned in sauces or piled up in belt-loosening quantities. Risottos are undoubtedly the best in the city.more...
Riccardo Ullio, the owner and executive chef of SOTTO SOTTO in Inman Park, is a perfectionist who hasn’t conceded to the Americanization of Italian cuisine. Specifically: The food is never drowned in sauces or piled up in belt-loosening quantities. Risottos are undoubtedly the best in the city. Taste rules and pasta dishes are straightforward, often featuring seasonal ingredients. The roasted fish, boned tableside, is a favorite with many. Fantastic desserts, such as the chocolate soup and the golden panna cotta, also win over hearts and mouths.
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Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Zocalo Mexican Kitchen & Cantina This is a difficult call every year because metro Atlanta has so many authentic Mexican restaurants. Most of them, however, are taquerias. In fact, ZOCALO operates a taqueria itself in Grant Park. But its Decatur and Midtown locations offer more substantial menus. The chili en nogada — a stuffedmore...
This is a difficult call every year because metro Atlanta has so many authentic Mexican restaurants. Most of them, however, are taquerias. In fact, ZOCALO operates a taqueria itself in Grant Park. But its Decatur and Midtown locations offer more substantial menus. The chili en nogada — a stuffed poblano pepper with walnut-cream sauce, garnished with pomegranate seeds — is a seasonal favorite. But you should also try anything with the restaurant’s homemade mole sauce.
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Best Middle Eastern BOA Award Winner
Mezza Lebanese Bistro (Permanently Closed) There is nothing more consoling than Lebanese comfort food. That’s exactly what you’ll find at MEZZA, located in a shopping strip on LaVista Road. Small plates of love emerge from the kitchen, and the deeply flavored meats are especially delicious. Don’t miss the tangy lambmore...
There is nothing more consoling than Lebanese comfort food. That’s exactly what you’ll find at MEZZA, located in a shopping strip on LaVista Road. Small plates of love emerge from the kitchen, and the deeply flavored meats are especially delicious. Don’t miss the tangy lamb cooked in vinegar or the addictive fried cauliflower. The selection of Lebanese wines is a plus as well.
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Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier’s inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the mealmore...
The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier’s inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the meal of a lifetime. Apart from the world-class cooking, highlights include the best cheese cart in town and a fabulous wine list that is 600 bottles strong. There’s only one restaurant in Atlanta that could compete head-to-head with the best establishments in New York and Paris, and this is it.
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Best Thai BOA Award Winner
Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro (Permanently Closed) It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don’t miss the silkymore...
It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don’t miss the silky soups, spicy meat salads and exquisite curries.
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Best Waitstaff BOA Award Winner
Quinones at Bacchanalia (Permanently Closed) Led by maitre d’ Rob Payne, the staff at QUINONES sets the standard for service in the city. Gracious, warm, pitch-perfect without ever being stiff or too formal, and yet gracefully adept at the precise dance that truly top-level service requires. Eating here is a delightful education in charm.more...
Led by maitre d’ Rob Payne, the staff at QUINONES sets the standard for service in the city. Gracious, warm, pitch-perfect without ever being stiff or too formal, and yet gracefully adept at the precise dance that truly top-level service requires. Eating here is a delightful education in charm.
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Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Java Jive 790 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-876-6161 Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there's always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro '50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemonmore...
790 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-876-6161 Open for more than 10 years now, JAVA JIVE is especially popular on weekends, when there's always a wait. The Midtown diner has a retro '50s feel with Formica tables and vinyl seating. The staff, like the coffee, is bracing but excellent. Gingerbread waffles with lemon curd have long been the favorite here, although pancakes are good, too. And the biscuits have no peer. Are you getting the drift? Aim for the heavy carbs. The egg dishes are decent, but the kitchen is at its best carbing you up.
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Best Sunday Brunch BOA Award Winner
Shaun's (Permanently Closed) 1029 Edgewood Ave. 404-577-4358 http://www.shaunsrestaurant.com It's been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN'S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun'smore...
1029 Edgewood Ave. 404-577-4358 http://www.shaunsrestaurant.com It's been a huge year in Atlanta for new restaurants, but none has captured our hearts quite like SHAUN'S, the Inman Park bistro from Shaun Doty. Serving clean, inspired New American food in a beautiful old street-front building, Shaun's caters to a real need in Atlanta - upscale neighborhood dining. Brunch is especially impressive, with deliciously refined takes on brunch classics. Try the trout over grits along with a mistral mimosa.
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Best Restaurant Trend BOA Award Winner
Southern Cooking It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city's soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they've been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene's Sunday suppers pay homagemore...
It seems absurd, but until the last year or two it was difficult to find good SOUTHERN COOKING outside the city's soul-food cafes. The exceptions were Watershed and Horseradish Grill, but they've been joined now by JCT Kitchen and Bar, Rare, and Sweet Lowdown. Restaurant Eugene's Sunday suppers pay homage to our regional tradition, and Quinones at Bacchanalia also features a Southern accent. All these restaurants endeavor to use local ingredients and, besides preparing traditional dishes, most also do creative riffs on the food of our mothers and fathers.
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Best Korean BOA Award Winner
Hae Woon Dae BBQ 5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or anymore...
5805 Buford Highway NE #5 770-458-6999 There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Atlanta, including those that specialize in tofu and soups, but HAE WOON DAE still soars to the top. Hae Woon Dae specializes - around the clock - in meats grilled at your table. Soon after you order bulgogi or any other of the many meat dishes, an employee arrives with a bucket of thermonuclear-hot coals that he dumps in the grill in the middle of your table. Meanwhile, you're noshing on a vast array of complimentary pickled goodies and eyeballing the zillion athletic trophies decorating the restaurant. Sound surreal? Try it at 3 a.m.
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Best Margarita BOA Award Winner
Element 1051 W. Peachtree Road 404-745-3001 The margarita at ELEMENT would be cool if it were only what it appears to be on first look a Slurpee for grown-ups. But the liquid-nitrogen frozen cocktail works as more than a novelty when you take into consideration that the low temp of the scientific technique usedmore...
1051 W. Peachtree Road 404-745-3001 The margarita at ELEMENT would be cool if it were only what it appears to be on first look a Slurpee for grown-ups. But the liquid-nitrogen frozen cocktail works as more than a novelty when you take into consideration that the low temp of the scientific technique used to make it means no ice is required. Your frozen treat is made up entirely of tequila and Element
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Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier's inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, themore...
3434 Peachtree Road 404-240-7035 http://www.ritzcarlton.com The best place in the city for a fine upscale meal is THE DINING ROOM AT THE RITZ-CARLTON BUCKHEAD. From the flawless service to chef Arnaud Berthelier's inspired menu, which successfully blends luxury ingredients with modern technique, the restaurant has found a formula that makes for the meal of a lifetime. Apart from the world-class cooking, highlights include the best cheese cart in town and a fabulous wine list that is 600 bottles strong. There's only one restaurant in Atlanta that could compete head-to-head with the best establishments in New York and Paris, and this is it.
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Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Fritti 311 N. Highland Ave. 404-880-9559 http://www.sottosottorestaurant.com Atlanta's palate has been elevated by many new (and primarily suburban) pizza practitioners who've opened up shop in recent years. But no pie in town has our hearts and mouths so completely infatuated as FRITTI, which has us comingmore...
311 N. Highland Ave. 404-880-9559 http://www.sottosottorestaurant.com Atlanta's palate has been elevated by many new (and primarily suburban) pizza practitioners who've opened up shop in recent years. But no pie in town has our hearts and mouths so completely infatuated as FRITTI, which has us coming back over and over for the classic and authentically Italian regina margherita pizza, the height of delicious simplicity with sauce, bufala mozzarella and a scattering of fresh basil. Pizza perfection.
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Best Restaurant to Take Visitors BOA Award Winner
Watershed on Peachtree (Permanently Closed)
406 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-378-4900 http://www.watershedrestaurant.com You've heard it countless times when visitors come to town "Where can I get a real taste of Atlanta?"
Best Sandwiches/Subs BOA Award Winner
Alon's
1394 N. Highland Ave. 404-872-6000 http://www.alons.com There are a lot of notable sandwiches in Atlanta, but during the last year one has outshined all othersthe bresaola panini with Parmesan and pepper sauce at ALON
Best Thai BOA Award Winner
Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro (Permanently Closed) 1197 Peachtree St. 404-873-4888 http://www.tamarindseed.com It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producingmore...
1197 Peachtree St. 404-873-4888 http://www.tamarindseed.com It was a sad farewell for Atlanta diners when Tamarind closed late last year. But now that TAMARIND SEED has opened in Colony Square, all is right with the world once more. Chef Nan Niyomkul creates hauntingly multilayered flavors, producing complex and beautiful dishes. Don't miss the silky soups, spicy meat salads and exquisite curries.
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Best Vietnamese BOA Award Winner
Co'm Vietnamese Grill (Permanently Closed) 4005-F Buford Highway 404-320-0405 http://www.comgrill.com We're still wholly enamored with COM VIETNAMESE GRILL more than two years after it opened and set foodie hearts ablaze with grilled meats, bold herbs and a swanker atmosphere than you'll find at the pho houses that populate the rest of Bufordmore...
4005-F Buford Highway 404-320-0405 http://www.comgrill.com We're still wholly enamored with COM VIETNAMESE GRILL more than two years after it opened and set foodie hearts ablaze with grilled meats, bold herbs and a swanker atmosphere than you'll find at the pho houses that populate the rest of Buford Highway. It's still the best in town at marrying home-style dishes with high-quality ingredients and friendly service. When you're in the mood for spice, mint, basil, charred meat and vermicelli, this is the place to go.
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Best Wine List BOA Award Winner
Ecco 40 Seventh St. 404-347-9555 http://www.ecco-atlanta.com It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn't rely toomore...
40 Seventh St. 404-347-9555 http://www.ecco-atlanta.com It takes a lot of time and knowledge to assemble those phonebook-like wine lists, but what is just as difficult in its own way (and actually more useful for a lot of people) is a short, smart, affordable and accessible list that doesn't rely too heavily on dumbed-down easy sellers. That's why the list at ECCO is especially impressive, with wines helpfully organized into Old World and New World styles, and cool grapes and regions featured heavily. There's an assertive Italian presence, but California, France, Germany and Spain are all nicely represented. Prices range from reasonable to special-occasion (or just rich-guy) opulence.
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Best ice cream BOA Award Winner
Jake's Ice Cream and Muncheteria
Best business lunch BOA Award Winner
TroisBest pizza BOA Award Winner
Fellini's PizzaBest Southern BOA Award Winner
Mary Mac's Tea Room
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