EAT in ATL
Return to this page frequently for updates, additions, and subtractions. This is my list of personal favorites from throughout Metro Atlanta, arranged in three categories:
Special Occasions - for celebrating something special and money is no option
Dependably Delicious - for a comfortable and satisfying escape from a hectic week
Casual Comfort - for consistent, delicious fare that won't break the bank
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
Aria is a restaurant that gets everything right - decor, atmosphere, service, and food. The gray/green dining room is subtle perfection and the food is always on point. (Try the confit duck salad!)
Bacchanalia is simply the best of everything - a beautiful dining room, attentive service, and impeccable food. The four-course prix fixe meal is priced at $125, but it is absolutely worth it. I still remember my first trip to Bacchanalia (back in 2007) - seared foie gras, pan-fried sweetbreads, tenderloin pot-au-feu, creamy goat cheese with pickled beets, and caramelized grapefruit petit fours.
Each spring, Mr. Plow and I have a March Madness bracket competition - the loser treats the winner to dinner at Bones! Bones is Atlanta's classic steakhouse - dark wood accents, red leather chairs, gentlemen waiters. Everything is divine - the steaks, of course, but also the mac-n-cheese, the grits fritters, the corn pudding, the French onion soup, and even the wedge salad! And try to save room for the dessert of all desserts - the mountain high pie! (Here's a reservations tip: ask for a table in the wine gallery - it's a bit more intimate than the main dining room.)
DEPENDABLY DELICIOUS
We can't just up and fly to Spain on a whim, but we can easily drive over to Decatur and get a taste of Spain at The Iberian Pig. Here's all you need to do: order a pitcher of the housemade sangria and then just start picking things from the menu! Everything is delicious, but here are a few recommendations: the bacon-wrapped dates, the coca de seta (a roasted mushroom flatbread), the patatas bravas (twice-fried potatoes with a smoky sauce), and the Ibérico mac-n-cheese (just what you think, but with a creamy garlic sauce).
The General Muir can soothe your soul any time of time - breakfast, lunch, or dinner! At breakfast, Mr. Plow always goes for the classic Avenue A bagel (cream cheese, lox, capers, red onions). At any time of day, I'm going for some variation on poutine - crispy fried potatoes, housemade pastrami, savory gravy, and, at breakfast, fried eggs! I also highly recommend any and all of the variations on the Bloody Mary - especially the green version! This is comfort food at its finest. The green-and-white tiled dining room is always a lovely room to spend an hour or so in.
La Tavola bills itself as Atlanta's best authentic Italian restaurant - and really who am I to argue with that claim? What I love about La Tavola is the warm coziness of the restaurant - a perfect spot to visit on a cold night when a perfect bowl of pasta is just what your soul needs. Mr. Plow is a fan of the spicy squid ink spaghetti while I tend toward a soothing plate of tagliatelle bolognese (I'm a fan of that meat sauce, yo!).
If for no other reason, go to Miller Union and order the farm egg baked in celery cream. Any meal at Miller Union should start with this dish; it's perfection. After that, you really can't go wrong with any of the dishes on Chef Steven Satterfield's menu of refined Southern classics. The highest praise for Miller Union might be the fact that this is one place in the city where I am always tempted to just order the seasonal vegetable plate - a platter full of fresh goodness.
CASUAL COMFORT
Food Terminal bills itself as a Malaysian food hall with a seemingly endless array of noodle and rice options. Thankfully, the magazine-style menu is divided into categories and includes plenty of full-color, glossy photographs. Now that we've become regulars, Mr. Plow and I have settled on a standing order: Szechuan Steam Wontons, Grandma Wonton BBQ Pork, and Thai Chili Pan Mee.
Yep, La Parrilla is a chain, but this chain offers consistently delicious Mexican food. At a Mexican restaurant, one always starts with drinks - a Texas margarita for Mr. Plow and a Negro Modelo draft for me. After that, the eating begins with a bowl of La Parrilla dip - creamy queso plus chicken, steak, and shrimp! Then it's on to the (huge!) entrees: steak tacos "tradicionales" with corn tortillas for Mr. Plow and the #13 (burrito, enchilada, and chile relleno - all with beef) for me.
Do you also remember childhood visits to classic cafeterias like Morrison's and Piccadilly? The Magnolia Room in Tucker is a nostalgic trip back to my childhood, grabbing a tray and going down the cafeteria line selecting little plates and bowls of delicious Southern classics. And it's super affordable - you get an entree, two sides, bread, and a drink for a fair price. (Of course, you'll end up spending a little bit more than that because you'll definitely want to grab a slice of pie!)
Ponko Chicken has become an obsession. Mr. Plow and I enjoy a Ponko-feast at least once a week. Seriously, the Japanese take on chicken fingers here is otherworldly - crispy, tender, tasty. You can't go wrong with the classic meal: five fingers plus your choice of two sides (we've settled on white rice and slaw as our favorite sides). Sometimes we mix it up and order the salad topped with five fingers chopped into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to end your meal with an equally tasty Betty cookie!
Taqueria del Sol is all about the timing. If it's mealtime AND we are near a Taqueria del Sol AND the line is still inside the building, then we have a rule that we must stop. (It's still a worthwhile stop even if you have to wait in a longer line!) We always get a pitcher of margaritas, some queso, and a salsa trio to get things started. Then come the tacos - fried fish, carnitas, fried chicken, brisket! All delicious!
