atlanta invasion, resaurant opinions needed

[Allifunn]

There are so many great resturants in Atlanta...it is like saying where is the best grain of sand in SoWal!
The only food I was never able to find was Cuban...but I am sure there was a good one somewhere...but Atlanta area is so HUGE that it is impossible to know!
I went to a Brazililan Resturant in Midtown once...YUM!!!!
Bacchanallia is, indeed, supposed to be excellent, $$$$ but most romantic! Also the Ritz always get high reviews in Gourmet and Bon Appetite
Most people can't leave Atlanta with out experiencing the Varsity! I used to eat at the one up in Alpharetta area, but to truly "experience" it you have to go into town!

 

[Beach Runner]

There are so many great resturants in Atlanta...it is like saying where is the best grain of sand in SoWal!
The only food I was never able to find was Cuban

Yes, and a lot of it is a matter of personal taste.

One Cuban, Las Palmeras on Fifth Street in Midtown, got a good review by Bob Townsend last summer in the Atlanta paper. I should try it since we're in the area a lot. I love Cuban sandwiches.
"Located on a Midtown residential street, in a hard-to-spot storefront that also houses a quirky bodega/gift shop, this friendly, budget Cuban offers a lot of bang for the buck. The homestyle menu features tasty and authentic renderings of all the classics, including empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, black beans and fried plantains. But some of the lesser known Cuban delicacies are even better. Masitas de puerco are perfectly fork-tender chunks of pork in a bright lemon sauce. Boliche, roasted eye of round stuffed with sausage, is equally tender and garlicky good. For dessert, look for mango pie ? a smooth and refreshing variation on Key Lime pie, made with mango puree in a graham cracker crust. "

 

[Sheila]

There are so many great resturants in Atlanta...it is like saying where is the best grain of sand in SoWal!
The only food I was never able to find was Cuban...but I am sure there was a good one somewhere...but Atlanta area is so HUGE that it is impossible to know!
I went to a Brazililan Resturant in Midtown once...YUM!!!!
Bacchanallia is, indeed, supposed to be excellent, $$$$ but most romantic! Also the Ritz always get high reviews in Gourmet and Bon Appetite
Most people can't leave Atlanta with out experiencing the Varsity! I used to eat at the one up in Alpharetta area, but to truly "experience" it you have to go into town!

I got your Cuban food right here! This place is sooooo good! It's been around for years! It's on Buford Hwy. south of North Druid Hills Rd.

http://www.havanasandwichshop.com/home.html

 

[Duchess]

Nuevo Laredo update....

Everyone has given such *great* ATL dining recommendations...just thought I'd put in my two cents. Nuevo Laredo still rocks, but took us 2 Saturday nights to get a table. Bagged it 2 Saturdays ago after being told it was a 1 hr 45 min wait at just before 7 pm. Made it this Saturday at 5:30 pm and was told only a 40 minute wait. Wait time was right on the money, amazing food, not really rushed. Braves games did not impact crowd. Try going on Monday or Tuesday; as always, 'cerrado' on Sunday. We knew we were going at tough times.

Wahoo Grill in Decatur is wonderful... but to mention a couple of different places I thought I'd toss Cafe Alsace in Decatur and Anis off Grandview in Buckhead for wonderful, authentic French food. Cafe Alsace is more intimate and has a bit 'heavier' cuisine (Alsatien). Anis has a great outdoor seating area and has never let me down. Can definitely be a wonderful respite after a busy day of handing over one's Visa card at Lenox/Phipps malls.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Kyma off Piedmont in Buckhead has incredible Greek seafood. Their grilled octopus is one of the best dishes in Atlanta, period.

Hope this helps, now I'm hungry, and I just go back from Apres Diem after Mamma Mia at the Fox. I must dance off the calories tomorrow!!

 

[laurawood]

appreciate everyone's insight. Atlanta is definitely a fast moving town..... Too scary for me to actually drive around there. I think a car w/ a driver will be required. oh, Phipps Plaza Mall is my absolute favorite, can be a little dangerous!!! I found lenox to be well, trashy.
!!everyone cant forget that waco got the gig at the 393 lounge friday night at 9pm!! (behind the gas station)

 

[Gypsea]

Horseradish Grill next to Chastain Park. Great for lunch or dinner!

I'm with ya, Bernster, on the Horseradish Grill!!! yummm!!!!

 

[Beach Runner]

I'm with ya, Bernster, on the Horseradish Grill!!! yummm!!!!

Different strokes for different folks. We've been to Horseradish Grill so many times, and it never floated our boats. Not that it's not good, but I think we're just not into Southern food (I OD'd on it as a child), however upscale it might be, except on Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Exception: I always order turnip greens at Taqueria del Sol since my husband is a "Yankee" and doesn't like them. Thus, I never prepare them at home other than New Year's Day, when I cook beans for him.

Nuevo Laredo - I've reviewed it elsewhere.

And the Havana Sandwich Shop did get a good "local" review by the AJC, for whatever that's worth. I don't always agree with them, but as I've said before, we all have our personal tastes.

BTW, laurawood, we've try to stay away from Lenox on Saturdays. It can get scary. There are a lot of people hanging out there with no money or intention of shopping, blocking the aisles for people who are there to shop. Like one of my favorite salespersons as Neiman's said, "Most of our good customers only come on weekdays." Of course, that's difficult when you live an hour away. When I go on Saturdays, I either just stay in Neiman's, or if I venture out of the wing where Neiman's is, I have my 6'8" 270 pound bodyguard (a.k.a. my husband) with me.

 

[katie blue]

I have another good intown recommendation. This is a true local find, might not be in your tour book, but it's the real deal. It's called the Roman Lily cafe, and it serves awesome southern-meets-tuscan dishes. It's run by an italian chef that helped found the Flying Biscuit. It reminds me a lot of the Bisciut, in fact, before they went "chain". It's another one of these destination bistros that'd be worth it for the funky intown/arty-cool atmosphere alone (if you're into that), but the food happens to be incredible. Big portions too. They have what reviewers call hands-down the best hot banana bread dessert in town. I had it a couple days ago, and they're right.

It's on North Highland near Inman Park/Old 4th ward. It's a stretch that used to be run down, and now is full of life with new condos, sushi bars, sidewalk cafes, etc. Great skyline view.

 

[Beach Runner]

I have another good intown recommendation. This is a true local find, might not be in your tour book, but it's the real deal. It's called the Roman Lily cafe, and it serves awesome southern-meets-tuscan dishes. It's run by an italian chef that helped found the Flying Biscuit. It reminds me a lot of the Bisciut, in fact, before they went "chain". It's another one of these destination bistros that'd be worth it for the funky intown/arty-cool atmosphere alone (if you're into that), but the food happens to be incredible. Big portions too. They have what reviewers call hands-down the best hot banana bread dessert in town. I had it a couple days ago, and they're right.

It's on North Highland near Inman Park/Old 4th ward. It's a stretch that used to be run down, and now is full of life with new condos, sushi bars, sidewalk cafes, etc. Great skyline view.

We love that part of town. We'll have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[tistheseason]

Eggplant Parmesan from Scalini's supposedly does the trick, too -- they claim within 48 hours of eating it, you'll go into labor... In the restaurant, there's a wall with pictures of all the 'eggplant babies'!

I can attest to Scalini's Eggplant Parmesan. Ate it a week before my due date with my first child -- and my water broke 8 hours later! My son's picture is up there with the eggplant babies -- the only one that's b&w (the picture, that is)