Where to eat in Atlanta?

[emilycat]

Oh, wow, what a loaded question! Where to start? Do you have any preferences that might help to narrow it down a bit? Atlanta has so many wonderful places to eat; I've made myself a list of all the ones I want to go to! (okay, so I'm a little OCD, too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )
Italian, French, Indian, Thai? How much money are you looking to spend? Do you want awesome ambience or just great food?

I know you said you didn't care, but then I could go on for hours! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

[LKingsford815]

Originally posted by emilycat:
Oh, wow, what a loaded question! Where to start? Do you have any preferences that might help to narrow it down a bit? Atlanta has so many wonderful places to eat; I've made myself a list of all the ones I want to go to! (okay, so I'm a little OCD, too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif )
Italian, French, Indian, Thai? How much money are you looking to spend? Do you want awesome ambience or just great food?

I know you said you didn't care, but then I could go on for hours! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Emily

Hi Emily! Thanks for getting back to me. My sister-in-law (my best friend too) take a girls trip every spring and try and do a little of everything. We want a really nice place for dinner one night (it can be relatively expensive), another place for the next night that is fun and kind of "bistro-like), something for lunch and maybe a great breakfast or brunch place too. Thought we might also like someplace to go for drinks before our "big" dinner out. One night dressed up and looking fine (LOL) and one night more casual and fun. We love French and Italian and just about anyplace with great atmosphere. Thanks much!

[LKingsford815]

Am planning a "girl's trip" for a long weekend to Altanta and want some really great food! Are there any "best kept secret" places that we should know about? Any "well known places" either? We don't care! We just want to shop and eat for an entire weekend!

[funnybone]

There have been a few threads posted on this already. You may want to do a search and read those over. Have Fun in Atlanta.

[iqueen]

For you expensive dress up night....Antica Posta on East Paces Ferry Road. Tuscan food, absolutely awesom. Tbe salad with Rabbit is to die for. The wine is expensive but the food is reasonable and absolutely fantasitc. For the casual night out there are hundreds. Have a great time here in our fair city.

[emilycat]

Okay, these are my suggestions --

For your more casual night, I'd suggest Ciao Bella -- it's right in the middle of Buckhead, kind of bistro-y and the food is wonderful. It's simplistic Italian at its best, unpretentious and reasonable. I love it, especially the fresh pasta.

Anis, which is nearby, is another delicious place, and although they describe themselves as a bistro, it's a little more romantic than that, so I'm not sure how well it could qualify as casual. It's this perfect little rustic/charming French place with wonderful ambience, and the food is outstanding.

I haven't been to Sotto Sotto, but I've heard numerous people who've been there say that everything is just awesome, and it's definitely a fun place to go; the atmosphere's really lively, and it's gotten so many good reviews from critics. It's in a fun neighborhood called Virginia-Highlands, and there are some neat bars around there, too, if you ended up going there for dinner. There are a couple of people on this board who've been there, too, and said it was great.

For your dress-up http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif night, I'd go to Veni Vidi Vici. They have a new chef, and he's excellent. The dishes are amazing, the wine list is really impressive, and I definitely think you all would have a wonderful time there. If you decide to go there, though, you'd really need to make the reservations in advance, since it's one of those 'must-go-to' restaurants.

In Vinings, Canoe is amazing. It sits on the Chattahoochee River, and it's surrounded by gardens and walkways and stuff lit by lanterns. Definitely the most atmospheric dinner I've ever had, and the dishes are really creative and well done.

For lunch, The Corner Bakery would be good, or you might try La Madeleine; the latter is great for brunch, too.

Oh, and by the way, if you're going to be doing much clothes shopping, make sure you go to Luna. They have the greatest stuff. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I hope this is enough! There are several women on the board who live in Atlanta, and I know they'll have some wonderful ideas.

Have a great time!

Emily

[Leanne]

So many restaraunts... So little time...

Atlanta has tons of great places. I agree with Emily on Anis & Canoe - love them both.

I have to disagree with her on one spot - Ciao Bella - it is cute & I used to go there, but the last couple of times it has not been good at all. Food was cold... flavorless... etc. None of my friends will go there anymore.

For brunch, we go to the Treehouse & R. Thomas. Both have atmosphere. The Treehouse is casual outdoor dining - they have a great deck. R Thomas is kind of funcky/health conscious. (I still get eggs benedict there!) Treehouse is good for drinks after work too, or a Saturday afternoon drink/lunch when it's nice outside. Get there early b/c it gets packed on the deck.

Good Italian - Alfredo's is fabulous. Expect to spend an evening there - the service is very European as well - i.e. SLOW, but on purpose, not b/c they're not paying attention to you. Great steaks & pasta - actually great everything.

Another favorite for great atmosphere & food (pricey, but not as much as a Veni Vedi Vicci, about the same as Canoe) is Old Vinings Inn. They also have a bar & small band upstairs on the weekend. It's in a house & with enough people (even a group as small as 6 or 8), you can get your own room.

Highland Tap is an almost cave-like bar in an interesting part of town - Virginia Highlands. It has great food - great steaks.

If you like seafood - Chops Lobster Bar is Yummy!! Expensive. Cool atmosphere too - Art Deco style. You take an elevator down under Chops restaraunt.

Another one of my favorites is Georgia Grill - southwestern food. Very good. Cool art on the walls.

There are seriously so many good places, I could go on & on.

Enjoy yourself!

I almost forgot - I have not been here - but it always gets great reviews - is Cote De Brasserie (I think). It's connected to Lenox Mall. It's supposed to be great French food.



[This message has been edited by Leanne (edited 04-02-2001).]

[Susann]

Emily made good calls with Canoe and Veni Vidi Vici. I personally love Nava, an upscale type restaurant with Southwestern cuisine (we go there every last day of school as a special treat for me!!).
For vegetarian, Cafe Sunflower is good. The Flying Biscuit is supposed to be great for brunch, but I have never been. If you are in the mood for casual pizza and beer, the place to go is Mellow Mushroom-I think I could live off of their artichoke, banana pepper, and sun dried tomato pizza!

One place I would *not* suggest is ESPN Zone (yes, you are probably thinking that no self respecting bb member would visit a place called ESPN Zone!!!). DH convinced me to go with him, and I am still recovering. There are like a bajillion tvs all over the place, so nice dinner conversation is difficult. (When we went, I wanted to ask the bartender to turn the tvs to foodtv, just to watch the ensuing riot!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ). It is touristy and, well, icky!!!

[emilycat]

Susann,

I'm so glad to hear that you like Cafe Sunflower -- I've been trying to go, but just haven't made it yet. I'll definitely keep it on my "list" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Also, ew, ew, ewwwww, I so agree! Do not go to ESPN zone! I guess it never ocurred to me, but yuck.

Leanne, I have heard that Ciao Bella can be sometimes hit or miss. I really liked my experience there, but then again, I've only been once. (so maybe I shouldn't have recommended it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif )

Anyway, there are so many great places in Atlanta to eat...if you still need ideas, www.atlanta.citysearch.com (http://www.atlanta.citysearch.com) , www.cln.com (http://www.cln.com) , and www.zagat.com (http://www.zagat.com) are all great sources.

Haven't I already posted on this topic? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Leanne]

The Flying Biscuit is good for brunch. I knew I was forgetting one. They have the best biscuits in the world!!

Susann - Mellow Mushroom is another one I thought of on the way home - I think the one on Pharr Rd is the best of the bunch.

Nava is great, Buckhead Diner, Bones, Chop Stix, Prime (even though it's in a mall), Food Studio - that's actually one of my favorites!!, Food 101, Annie's Thai Castle, Grappa (love this one too), Sotto Sotto, Sambuka (I've only been there for big events - but the food was great), ... the list seriously goes on & on.

Another one that is a hidden secret is Hal's on Old Ivy. They have great food & truly one of the best steaks in Atlanta. It's a neigborhood joint with some interesting atmosphere - it's kind-of a pick up joint for 60-year-old divorcees - you'll see some interesting outfits. But - the food is outstanding.

One last note - I've never been to Cafe Sunflower, but I've heard it's good. The reason we haven't gone is b/c they don't serve alcohol. (maybe they do now - I'm not sure.) Not that we're total alchys, but it's nice to have wine with dinner, or a drink while you wait.

A correction of a name in my first post - it's Brasserie de Cote - not the other way around.

[This message has been edited by Leanne (edited 04-04-2001).]