Thursday, March 20, 2008
Foodie heaven in Atlanta
Haven't been to Atlanta in a few months? Then you've missed about 87 new restaurants opening, and more than a couple that have closed.
OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much. This former railroad town, now home to the world's busiest airport and largest aquarium, is taking its place as one of the foremost restaurant cities in the country. Here are a just a few of our new favorites:
Downtown With certified Master Chef James Corwell in the kitchen, five bar areas and 70 TVs, Stats is not your ordinary sports bar. The main bar features tables with personal beer taps, while the dining room has three party tables with a pop-up beer system. (www.statsatl.com)
Located in the oh-so-hip new Twelve Centennial Park Hotel, Room at Twelve is an upscale steakhouse and sushi bar. Dine outside to enjoy a skyline view along with your big eye tuna and grilled rib eye. (www.roomattwelve.com)
Midtown If it's the flavors of the South you're searching for, JCT Kitchen & Bar is your place. Here you can get your fried chicken, Georgia trout or shrimp and grits and even a root beer float for dessert. Or sit at the bar and try the fried egg burger or deviled eggs with country ham. (www.jctkitchen.com)
A trendy place to hang out and dine affordably, Top Flr offers pizzas, appetizers, salads and entrees like hangar steak and salmon on its small menu, which is available until 1 a.m. (404.685.3110)
Buckhead Just down the famous Peachtree Road from the shopping mecca of Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza is the new Terminus, an office complex that houses five new restaurants. Get breakfast all the time, served with killer biscuits at the newest location for long-time ATL fave The Flying Biscuit, or try their Southern-inspired lunch and dinner entrees -- Coca-Cola glazed salmon, anyone? Sushi lovers have formed their own cult for the Kinjo brothers who own MF Sushibar in Midtown, and now MF Buckhead -- the MF stands for Magic Fingers, the nickname of brother Chris for his sushi-making skills. For a huge raw bar and walk-in water-encased wine tower, visit Aquaknox where fresh seafood is flown in daily. For comfortable, bistro-style dining, try BrickTops fish, burgers, sandwiches and signature deviled eggs. Enjoy a pizza or other Italian specialties along with your bellini at Lola's Bellini Bar or try one of the Lolitas "light" selections for a meal under 600 calories. (www.terminus-atlanta.com/dine.html)
-- McClatchy-Tribune
