Atlanta Restaurants

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After we finished eating edamame, the rainbow roll my husband ordered was beautifully presented. He also had a broth with sudon noodles that he really liked. My son ordered his favorite: yakitori chicken with a side of rice. I would suggest this for any child who has not eaten Japanese food before. The chicken is lightly glazed in teriyaki sauce and served on a stick! A california roll (crab meat, avocado) is also a good choice for someone new to this type of cuisine.

For Japanese food, this restaurant proved to be very reasonable, too. With six diners (one of whom was a child), our tab was only $120. That was quite a bargain. My husband and I have easily spent that much by ourselves at other sushi bars eating unagi rolls and drinking sake!

I noticed Hashiguchi has another location though I have not eaten there. It is located at:
3000 Windy Hill Rd.
Suite A-5
Marietta, GA
770-955-2337

If you live in Cobb County, it might be easier to check that location out first. If the Atlanta location is any indication, I am sure the Cobb restaurant is also quite good.

The large globe lights hanging from the ceiling remind me of so many full moons. The mural of the wheat farmer to the back of the restaurant ties into the art in the bakery and suits the gray stone floor. Light floods through the windows as you dine at your café-style table or booth. While you might have to wait to be seated, you won't be rushed during your meal.

The menu? Order a mimosa for brunch. The waiters will keep your white saucer cup full of coffee. Have crème brûlée French toast, sliced smoked salmon, waffles with fruit, or a fried green tomato BLT and Eggs Benedict.

Don't forget to check out the chalkboard specials by the hostess stand. I had the creamiest, parmesean-cheese-laden grits with ham that I have ever indulged in at a restaurant at the Buckhead Bread Company. Even though I was full after my bowl was only half empty, I could not help but eat every delcious spoonful of this traditional Georgia meal. Few dining establishments cook grits correctly, but these came straight from a Southerner's kitchen.

You want to stop here later in the day for food? Try the grilled portobello mushrooms and veggies, roasted rosemary lamb, or a sandwich.

We took a seat and waited for our food. I had the Chicken Guisada. For $10, I got an amazing amount of food. My husband insisted three chicken breasts must have been cut up to give me so much meat. The chicken was served with white rice, all in a brown gravy, with tortillas on the side. It was really very yummy, but I couldn't finish it all. My husband had several fish tacos. He was a little disappointed, but he was rather spoiled when he was first introduced to fish tacos in Kauai. The fish at Taqueria del Sol was fried and placed with tartar in a soft tortilla. He wished he had tried the beef brisket taco that was listed as being served with red chile sauce, cilantro and onions. Yet the fish taco meal (with a side of refried beans) was filling and quite inexpensive. The cheese dip for the chips was good, too.

I'm not sure I would drive out of my way to eat at Taqueria del Sol, but if I lived in the Northside area of Atlanta, I would eat there often. This is a definite bang-for-the-buck kinda place with decent food that is popular with a lot of people.

Lunch
Monday-Friday 11-2
Saturday 12-3

Dinner
Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-9
Friday-Saturday 5:30-10

Pic to be added.

The atmosphere at the Food Studio is very trendy and eclectic. One dines surrounded by red brick walls or at a table in the open courtyard. The silver bar and waitstaff dressed in black gives the restaurant a modern feel: a perfect match for the creative American menu. Classic American fare meets with fine dining in each dish served. I greatly enjoyed an eggplant and pine nut dish that was a delicious but light entree. The wonderful tangy tastes blended nicely with my glass of Stella Pinot Grigio. My dining companion greatly enjoyed the Ribeye steak with just the right amount of pink left in the center.

Reservations are recommended though not required at this restaurant. If you don't make them, however, be prepared for either a long wait or to have dinner at the full service bar. This is especially true on Saturday nights.

TIP: When making dinner reservations at the Food Studio, don't forget to check the schedule of plays running at Actor's Express also located in the Kings Plow Arts Center. This is a good company with an intimate space, so I greatly suggest topping a good meal off with an evening of dramatic entertainment. (www.actorsexpress.com) What could be a nicer date than dinner coupled with a play?

I found as an adult that the Sun Dial is a very expensive way to get a great view of the city. Guests of the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and diners are able to ride to the top for free. For everyone else, there is a fee: $7.50 per adult, $4.00 per child.

After a look at the steak heavy menu, my family and I decided to order appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Without ordering a traditional dinner, we still managed to run up a bill topping $80. However, my son loved the revolving floor that rotated 360 degrees in less than an hour. The chocolate diet killer dessert was pretty yummy. While having fine dining prices, several families were enjoying meals; a childs' menu was available. And the Shirley Temples were still pretty darn good. Service was okay.

Bottom Line: The food here is pricey, but the view is memorable. I would say that this is a bit of a tourist trap, but even the local Atlantan will enjoy seeing the "city of trees" from a different perspective at least once.

The large dining room has hardwood floors and generous spacing between tables. A very tasteful and pretty wine rack separates the main dining area from a bar to one side of the restaurant. This is a nice place to take a date or a corporate client.

The menu is full of wonderful Italian fare. Your waiter or waitress will start you off by showing you a tray of possible appetizers to share at your table. We enjoyed a small pate plate sampler. All appetizers are freshly prepared each evening. With a nice glass of Italian wine, I also enjoyed an incrediable angel hair pasta dish that was not too heavy but very delicious. A chocolate truffle dessert topped off a wonderful meal.

The thing I liked most about Veni Vidi Vici was the wonderful service. We were seated at the time for which our reservation was made (fancy that in Atlanta!). Our waitress was both pleasant and efficient. Our reasonably priced food was served quickly, and we never once had to remind anyone to refill our water glasses.... I'm sure I will eat in this restaurant again. It was a very nice dining experience.

This restaurant is known as a late night hang-out getting crowded after 10 PM, but in the early evening, it is easy to find a seat at the bar, or (with a short wait---this IS Buckhead) get a table for dining.

The walls are dark, and the feel is artsy (There was a language tape playing as elevator music in the ladies bathroom. "Hello," says the man. "Hola," says the woman. Where else can you get a foreign language lesson while putting on your lipstick?), but not brooding.

As I believe everyone should be able to choose the cake he likes the best on his birthday, Cafe Intermezzo was especially well suited for my "surprise gathering" needs. Underneath the glass of a pastry counter, there are all sorts of scrumptious desserts that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. My husband got an excellent piece of key lime pie, and my son enjoyed a triple chocolate piece of cake that only a child's metabolism wouldn't find scary.

In addition to decadent desserts, Cafe Intermezzo has a very well stocked bar. The drink list is extensive, and it would be hard to not find a liqueur or wine or vodka to suit your tastes. And, of course, there are a plethora of coffees to choose from....

I would say this is an excellent place to go for dessert with a date or for drinks and dessert with a small group. I do not like crowds, so I prefer this restaurant earlier in the evening.

And then there's the food!

I enjoyed a wonderful stuffed pasta at Pricci's in December, 2001. Ricotta cheese and spinach blended for a perfect pasta entree. Walnuts in what I think was white wine and something slightly sweet were layered on top of the pasta. Absolutely delicious! And extremely filling. Executive chef Marc Sublette deserves a hand! My dining companion just had a Caesar Salad with fresh parmesean cheese and soup, but all of the menu looked quite appetizing. I chose Pricci's per a friend's recommendation, and I wasn't disappointed with anything---good service, good wine list, good food. There was no room left for dessert, but next time I'll be sure to try some.

To get to Pricci's, follow West Paces Ferry into East Paces Ferry until it dead-ends on Piedmont. Take a right. Take another right onto Pharr road (one block down in between the BP and the Waffle House). Pricci's will be another block or two on your right.

We saw a bachelorette party in full swing. A male stripper approached the bride-to-be during her meal and gave all the restaurant patrons an eyeful (though nothing indecent!). Several other large groups of people were obviously celebrating birthdays or special occassions. The bulk of the crowd was mid-twenties and up: singles and couples without children.

As for the food.... It is served tapas style. A Portuguese influence on the menu seems obvious. Choices include dishes such as patats bravas (spicy potatoes), brochette de galinha (marinated chicken and pineapple skeres), empanada (veggie stuffed pastries with salsa) and vegetais arco iris (seasoned and grilled fresh vegetables). Everything we tasted was excellent. I especially enjoyed the pan catalan (toasted bread with tomato and goat cheese), ensalada (salad with hearts of palm and tomato), and lula frita (fried calamari with pico de gallo).

Go to Loca Luna for a great time, but don't expect to have a quiet conversation. The portions are large, and the music is loud. From your first taste of Sangria, you'll feel as if you're part of a party! Enjoy!

Parking across the street is $5.

Travel Tip: The Atlanta History Center is just a few miles down West Paces Ferry in the direction of the Governor's Mansion. The OK is a good place to have breakfast or lunch before driving to the museum, which normally opens at 10am. Get to the restaurant a little before noon to avoid waiting. This is a popular eatery for locals on their lunch hour.

Once you've gotten you're meal, you'll feel like you're in the French Quarter as you peel bites of fluffy dough off your beignets. You'll have to stop yourself from licking powdered sugar off your finger tips when you finish one of these deep-fried confections. They're so good, you might find yourself stopping in for a late night sugar-fix and coffee after dancing in Buckhead.

Operating Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m.-5 a.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-5 a.m.
Sunday 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

Speaking of the food...

The American menu provides a broad range of choices. The Spinach, Crab and Lobster dip is a great starter, but my husband likes the beer-battered onion rings best. For your meal you may choose anything from a portobello mushroom sandwich to Atlantic Salmon with Georgia pecan rice to a fine cut of Angus beef. The Penne Pasta Florentine with shavings of Gouda cheese is always yummy, too.

The inside of the restaurant is a little more upscale than the patio with tablecloths and sparkling, tall windows. Weddings and other special events are often catered here, and the staff will go out of the way to help with larger groups---even lighting a fire in the stone fireplace outside to accommodate star gazers who want to keep warm in the winter. With that said, whether you dine inside or out, don't expect the service to be especially fast. They always seem a bit overwhelmed to me.

My best suggestion is to order a bottle of wine (or a pitcher some of the beers brewed on the premises) and gaze across the park while you wait for dinner. You'll be rewarded with a nice meal, nice atmosphere, and reasonable bill.

Enjoy!

Hours:
Mon-Fri 4:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

Granted, instead of 50's sockhop music, classical piano makes an undercurrent of soothing sound. Instead of just rootbeer-float-type drinks, the full service bar offers a fine selection of wines. Instead of polyester uniforms, the waitstaff wears polished shoes and ties. Black and white photos of many, many celebrity customers such as Muhammod Ali and Annie Potts line the hallway near the hostess stand.

As for the food....

The menu fits the atmosphere. My husband thinks the Diner can be a little too creative with some dishes---cranberries in a tuna melt?---but the food always proves delicious. (After he ordered the tuna melt, he had to admit the small slivers of cranberry gave it an interesting zip he hadn't tasted before.) You can order a full entree or sandwich: it's all what you'd get in a regular diner with an upscale twist. I most recently enjoyed an absolutely wonderful portobella mushroom on foccacia bread sandwich served with the diner's specialty chips. Kids will like the hamburgers and fries, but I wouldn't suggest this place for very small children.

Lunch for two without alcohol is gonna run you $20+, but you'll enjoy your meal! At least eat here once. It's an Atlanta mainstay.

I will say the last time I ate dessert here, the pudding was too thin, and I was disappointed. But I had to keep in mind that my grandmother's kitchen could be inconsistent, too. MOST of the time, everything is right on. And---keeping in mind, I'm from the South, so maybe that has something to do with it---I didn't mind it one bit when the staff (men and women alike) kept calling me "darlin'."

Open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Closed Sundays.

So, what is there to eat? All light fare--from veggie and steak sandwiches to Caesar salads to cheese plates to smoked salmon baguettes served with feta. The thing to concentrate on here is the wine. In fact, don't expect to find soda in the list of beverages. They don't serve it at The Grape!

How's the atmosphere? Very cool, modern chic with purple, red, and yellow lights hanging from the ceiling around the circular bar. There's also a patio for patrons to enjoy. Live, jazz-heavy entertainment is often featured Thursday-Saturday nights.

What's the wine store like? Operating from 10am-10pm every day of the week except Sundays, this is a fun store to peruse. The bottles on the wall aren't arranged according to region. Instead, The Grape uses a number system that lines labels up from light to fullest body. I had a great time selecting a new wine from Australia that I had not tried before called "The Four Sisters."

Not sure which bottle you'd like to buy? Stop in on Saturdays for a wine tasting (12pm-3pm).

Bottom line? This is a great place to stop if you're in love with the vine. Grab dinner in the café, then take your bottle of wine up to Splatter and Chatter--also in the Vinings Jubilee--and paint pottery with a loved one. Or how about the other way around?! How romantic of a date could that be?!?

Enjoy.

The first thing I noticed here were the black and white drawings of faithful old friends---canines---by the hostess stand that add a homey touch to the entrance. The second thing that couldn't be missed was the giant portrait of a gray rabbit in a suit hanging above the fireplace, the lighting done in such a way that his little, hare face appears to be glowing. Indian blankets hang over wooden beams near the ceiling to add color to the upscale country decor. Glass bottles stand in the windows accented by red cafe curtains. Stuffed fish with picture lights hung over them are scattered about on the walls. Red-jacketed waiters with their names sewn onto their breast pockets are johnny-on-the-spot as soon as you sit down.

We got settled at our small table for two and perused the restaurant's extensive wine list. With over 500 different labels to choose from, we knew we could find something to suit our tastes. Then came the menu.

Welcome to fine dining old Southern style. . .enjoy everything from lemon chicken to hickory grilled whole fish like Georgia trout. Don't make up your mind until you hear the specials though. They're bound to be tempting, too. However, if you're watching your wallet, be forewarned. When you get those crab cakes for $25.95, the entree isn't served with a single side or salad. Those you order separate. However, vegetable sides like the fresh asparagus ($7.95), which we especially liked, can be enjoyed by two or more people together.

After your meal don't forget to order one of the desserts. This was the highlight of our dinner by far. The desserts are made from scratch on the premises every day, and they are out of this world. We had bourbon pecan pie with coffee, and. . .well. . .I'm still thinking about it. Yum!!!

My bottom line? The service here was excellent. The food was good, too. It's traditional, conservative fine dining, and we enjoyed our meal. It's certainly pricey. The pecan pie (and the rabbit portrait) were what made it memorable for me.

We had reservations at 8:30 but arrived a few minutes early, so we took a seat at a small table near the bar. The mirrored wall behind the bartender was lined with fine liquors, a very nice selection (though not world class). We settled into a quiet conversation, and my husband ordered a 10-year-old Laphroig while I selected a glass of white wine. We both noticed the beautiful, huge sunflower arrangement behind the hostess stand that seemed like a replica of the flowers in Van Gogh's famous painting, which the restaurant reproduced on the cocktail napkins.

After a few minutes, we were glad to escape the large party of smokers at the bar as we were escorted to our table. The restaurant is separated into several small rooms, which lends an intimate feel to the atmosphere. Lots of Impressionist art hangs on the walls, and there are rich pecan wood accents in each room. I liked the windows by our table with a view of pine trees behind the building. Fresh rose buds were in a small silver vase on the white tablecloth.

After looking over the menu, we started our meal with lobster bisque and a goat cheese salad. Van Gogh's says their food is a "work of art" and one truly can't ignore the beautiful presentation. When our entrees came--a crabcake stuffed with Israeli cous cous, spinach, and lump crabmeat, and a finely prepared filet--the waitress brought two glasses of champagne on the house to help celebrate our special occassion. We had to laugh when we got the "Anniversary" dessert plate, however, because "Happy Birthday" was scribbled in chocolate on the glass.

Our tab for two was well over a hundred bucks, but we enjoyed every bite. My husband said his steak was one of the finest he had ever eaten. So I'd highly suggest Van Gogh's for a special occassion restaurant. For other times--maybe a nice afternoon out with friends--they also serve lunch.

Just like the menu, the interior of this restaurant is upscale Southwestern. There are paintings on the wall with blood red coyotes on a field of black. The ceiling looks like the ceiling of a log cabin, etched with geometric designs in bright colors, and the rooms are accented by iron.

The menu is no less creative. For a start, I had pork and portabello quesadillas -- a lot of spice! -- while my husband enjoyed an excellent roasted sweet corn cheddar. I normally don't order steak as an entree, but I wasn't disappointed by the grilled flank flavored with BBQ sauce that I was served. Other delectable choices include black bean enchiladas, lamb, and salmon. It's all good, and one of the things this restaurant does best is presentation. Portions aren't huge, but artfully displayed and filling. Talk about attention to detail, I even got a kick out of the horse-shaped bread basket made of wire put on our table!

TIP: Leave room for the banana enchiladas for dessert. They're small, so don't split between more than two people -- but drizzled in caramel and stuffed with a creme-brulee-like concoction. They'll leave a sweet impression you won't want to miss. Promise.

Service was excellent. I don't know how our waitress memorized all those nightly specials! The staff here definitely make you feel like you're important and that enhances any fine dining meal.

What's the atmosphere like?
To be honest, I did not know what to expect from Dante's. It's sorta a "theme" restaurant in that the interior is decorated like the inside of a Spanish galleon. I was frightened that the waiters would be wearing paper pirate hats! Fortunately, I listened to a friend's recommendation and decided to still check the place out. Instead of being hokey, it was fun yet upscale. We sat on the main deck of the "ship" (an extra $7/pp entertainment charge applies) so that we were right next to the jazz band. There are small rooms with booths in this area, and we were told the farther out you make your reservation, the better table you get. The piano, cello and drum players were all very good without being very loud. Even up close, my husband and I were still able to comfortably hear each other speaking.

How about the food?
This is a fondue restaurant. Start out with an appetizer of bread and apples to swirl around in a pot of melting Swiss cheese. Slowly progress to the main course as you enjoy a bottle of wine from the extensive list. (I had a half bottle of Louis Jadot, since my husband wasn't drinking.) I loved the shrimp. They were lightly breaded, and we cooked them in the provided oil for about thirty seconds each before eating them. My husband preferred the beef. We both liked the different sauces provided in which we dipped our food.

How was the service?
Outstanding.

Biggest draw?
This is a great date restaurant. Fondue takes a while to get through, and the jazz (and Georgia pecan pie) will make you want to linger.

Extra Details
Dante's doesn't open until 4pm Mon-Sat. (Sunday it opens at 5.) The band strikes up at 5pm daily. Dinner for two can easily run over $100 if you order drinks and dessert.

While you're waiting to be seated, check out the snapshots of famous people who've eaten in the restaurant. You'll find everyone from George (H.) Bush to Jimmy Carter.

Enjoy!

So what's on the menu?
Ray's is all about seafood. Order a lobster tail from Australia or fresh salmon from Canada. Seafood is flown in daily. I had an absolutely delicious shrimp fettuccine after whetting my appetite with a calamari appetizer. My husband enjoyed the seared tuna tataki dish before his Salmon Oscar entree. Angus steak is another alternative if you're just not in the mood for fish. Leave room for dessert. We had vanilla ice cream in a crunchy praline shell. Yum!

Tip:
If you don't want a full meal, stop by the restaurant for an early happy hour. The coconut shrimp appetizer they serve at this time is scrumptious. The bar is known for the Ray's martini, served dirty. As expected of any fine dining establishment in Atlanta, there is a very extensive wine list.

Anything else?
I actually don't know if they are ducks or geese or what, but there are some... um... turkey-like birds that live on the river and walk around Ray's. They are so funny because they are obviously used to people. One waddled up to us, and I swear it wagged its little tail feathers like it was a dog! Hilarious! Save some crackers to give to one of these quackers... It's impossible not to smile when you see them.

I pulled into the parking lot--the car entrance is actually two doors down, next to Huey's--on a brilliant January afternoon. I couldn't help but laugh when I was greeted by friendly whistles from talking parrots---yes, parrots---that were lined up in large cages against the building. With this little taste of the tropics setting the mood, I smiled wider at the explosion of color at the front door: wind chimes, painted whirley-gigs, a bubbling fountain, a ceramic bulldog....

Inside, vinyl tablecloths covered in flowers matched the green plastic chairs. Hot pink and blue lights seemed to just go with the hippy beads that hung from the ceiling and separated different sections of the porch.

A bit funky? Yes. Completely fun? Absolutely.

So how was the menu? From the name of the restaurant, I was expecting to eat in a sandwich/diner joint. I was way off. The first thing I noticed was the printed endorsement of a nutritionist! The owner is a big believer in healthy consumption, so you're getting organic food here.

Does that mean all vegetarian? No, but even vegans will find delicious options.

As for me, I'm a Southern girl through and through. I went for the Down Home, a "bowl" of collard greens, smashed potatoes, and corn casserole. Delicious! If my husband were with me, he might've opted for the fish tacos or the free-range beef entrée.

From all-day breakfast choices to dinners with a Southwestern flare, you're bound to find something that suits your tastes here. There's even a kid's menu!

The first thing you need to know is that Unforgedibles only serves lunch for in-restaurant dining. At this time, there is a sandwich and soup menu to enjoy at one of the small cafe tables. However, dinner is all take-out, and that's the place's real schtick.

When I walked to the counter to figure out exactly what I could take out, I was met with a smile and a quick explanation. Apparently all the food here is made fresh daily and then packaged into individual servings. I simply had to go to the glass cases and "build" the meal I wanted to take home by taking out entrees and side dishes. I was advised, "Our chicken parmesean is great today, and we have a family meatloaf... or maybe you'd prefer the pecan encrusted trout?"

Now, I don't know if the four women owners who were all bustling about in the kitchen behind the counter are actually from the South in a town with so many transplants, but they've got that Southern hospitality thing down cold. Introductions were quickly made as if I'd been invited to the restaurant, and one owner cut me a dandelion as she instructed another, "Please put her some of our cheese muffins into a bag to sample. We're famous for those, you know."

So, how did the food we picked turn out? I had a chicken and mushroom dish that was cooked in a white-wine sauce that I heated up at home. It was good. It was also large. I only needed one of these entrees at $7.95 to feed two people. The fish I got for my husband was also a generous helping. And those cheese muffins? Now they were the bomb. We went back and got a baker's dozen for $4.

Bottom line? This is a good place to go and grab the fixings for a more gourmet meal when you don't have the time to put one together from scratch. You're paying for the convenience, but the cost will still be less than it would cost to eat out. Catering is offered, and the new pastry chef puts out some great desserts to top off a meal. While not an every night thing, I'll certainly go to Unforgedibles again... probably tomorrow to pick up another bag of those muffins! Yum!

With absolutely no expectations, we were pleasantly surprised by Chipotle. While going through a service line to place my order, I took a look at the casual, modern atmosphere of the dining room that's a decided step above fast food. The tables are all polished steel, and there are pressed metal sculptures that serve as art. All is blonde wood with red and black accents. We noticed several college students in Georgia Tech shirts, and then we learned that GT attire can score you some free food on game nights during basketball season. (I'm guessing this particular franchise's owner didn't go to UGA!) The seats/booths are comfortable, and the easy rock music pumping into the restaurant sets a nice mood.

So how was the food? Apparently, Chipotle was first opened by a classically trained chef who had a thing for good burritos. You go through the line and point out what you like to eat. Soft shell? Hard shell? Black beans? Rice? Chicken? Beef? Fresh tomato salsa? How about the warmer roasted chili corn to spice things up? I had a yummy vegetarian burrito, and my sister-in-law told me if I had left off the cheese and guacamole, this dish would fit nicely into the Weight Watchers points program because it's basically a healthy entrée. Now, that's a bonus!

There isn't a "kid's menu," but the staff will build any kind of taco a child wants. Our table liked the crunchy tacos better than the soft burritos here, but that's certainly a matter of taste.

A $3 margarita complemented my meal while my husband had a beer from Mexico. We also liked reading all the funny facts on the paper soft drink cups. For instance, did you know cilantro is considered an aphrodisiac in China? (Who knew?)

Bottom line? Good, quick food that's kind to your budget. I'd eat here again.

Located in a charming house, the dining areas in this restaurant have small tables clustered near fireplaces and sparkling windows in a collection of small rooms. I met a friend for lunch here, and we went to a counter, behind which we could just peek into the kitchen. Homemade carrot cake cookies were on display to tempt us. (I ended up taking a half dozen of these home.) It took me a few minutes to choose what I wanted to eat.

What type of food is available? The lunch menu is sandwich-heavy: smoked turkey, smoked salmon, horseradish beef, reuben, fried green tomato, chicken salad... I opted for the Creole Cuban, a delicious creation of smoked ham and turkey, Swiss cheese, Cajun pickles, and Creole remoulade sauce on grilled sourdough. Delicious! Though my sandwich came with a side item, my friend and I also ordered a Fickle Pickle specialty, a full order of fried Cajun pickles served with Creole remoulade sauce, to share between us. These things are addictive. Sweet peach tea was the perfect beverage to wash it all down.

Bottom line? Casual with an upscale feel, this is the perfect lunch spot for the tennis-playing mom. In one word, my best description of the place? Cute.

Hours? The Fickle Pickle is open for lunch from 11am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. Dinner is offered from 5 to 8pm Tuesday through Thursday, and 5 to 9pm Friday and Saturday.

Area Notes:Roswell is a very historic little town. If you're visiting Atlanta, you might want to pop in here and see places like Bulloch Hall, the historic home in which Teddy Roosevelt's parents were married.

New on the Atlanta restaurant scene, Silk is the type of place I'd take my brother, who frequents restaurants in cosmopolitan New York City. With a hip, sleek feel, the decor here is upscale Asian. Think high ceilings, frosted glass panels, black chairs, and pale wood floors, rather than the typical American idea of Asian steakhouse motif. (There aren't any chefs throwing shrimp tails into their hats here!) After we were seated, two waiters introduced themselves to us. These charming young men would "tag team" our table throughout the evening, resulting in some of the best service I have ever experienced in Atlanta. They were absolutely top-rate.

So how was the food? While available, we got the impression during the presentation of the menu that sushi is not the main focus here. So we started with a small sampler of Pan-Asian tapas that included delectable chili jumbo shrimp, which were my favorite. Then I enjoyed the absolute best bowl of lobster bisque I've ever eaten! (Lobster is a specialty here.) My husband settled on the seared tuna for his entree ($22). He enjoyed this, but he did say he's had better for less... Per the recommendations of our waiters, I went out on a limb and tried the elk. I was very amused when I asked if this would taste like venison and was emphatically assured me that it would be nothing like that, no gamey flavor at all. (As a girl, I liked venison...) Anyway, the recommendation was for this dish to be served medium-rare. While it was certainly good--encrusted with a pepper-like coating that hinted at heat--I probably would have liked it a little less pink. However, this was my own fault for ordering it this way. I couldn't finish the generous portion.

Dessert? We opted for something light... sort of! We had an apple drizzled in white chocolate. Other choices like the pumpkin cheesecake looked good, too.

Bottom line? I enjoyed our meal. There were several other entrees like the chilean bass or the spicy basil vegetable tofu that looked interesting. I would also like to try their sushi. I would certainly recommend Silk to several people I know who like fine dining. With that said, since our bill reached $150 for two people after tip, I would consider this a more "special occasion" venue for me.

So what's the decor like? This is a diner straight from the ‘50s. Perhaps in a nod to this metro-Atlanta location, old Coca-Cola posters adorn the walls. Red booths are casual. The waiters wear bow ties. The waitresses have red bows tied in their ponytails. When Aretha Franklin started asking for R-E-S-P-E-C-T over the jukebox, the sizable wait staff got in a line in front of the dining room and sang along with her. Kids get a kick out of these impromptu performances complete with clapping and dancing. Apart from that, there's a constant stream of ‘50s "sha-la-la-la-la" music that sets a happy tone.

So how's the food? Think typical diner fare. I like the tuna salad on sourdough, but the menu offers everything from chili dogs to double hamburgers, which have patties made with a third pound of ground beef. They bake fresh apple pies here every day. (What could be more Americana than that right?)

Bottom line? I wouldn't want to eat here every day, but it's a good place to stop with family. You can check out johnnyrockets.com to see if there is a restaurant closer to where you are staying in Atlanta.

So what was the atmosphere like? Stepping out of the Georgia heat into the cool dining room, I immediately thought the pale peach walls made Persepolis feel like a type of oasis. Neoclassical columns and rounded arches lend an opulent touch to the decor. Some women dine with shawls upon their hair, but no one seems overly formal. We were quickly shown to a round table that suited our large party.

So how was the food? Fabulous! The waiter suggested I try the buffet, which is served Monday to Friday from 11:30am to 3pm, so that I could get a taste of a variety of dishes. This was a wonderful strategy. Here I relied heavily on my friends to suggest what I should get. They showed me the flat bread that I would need to dip into the variety of appetizers that seemed to have a yogurt base. The different types of rice were fabulous. The Persian split peas, shallots, marinated vegetables, sweet-and-sour pomegranate sauces, and lamb made for an explosion of interesting spices and textures in my mouth. Some of the food, such as the grape leaves, reminded me greatly of food that I would enjoy in Greece. Everything was excellent.

Extras: Persepolis is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:30am to 10pm and Friday to Saturday from 11:30am to 11pm. In the Sandy Springs area on the north side of Atlanta, the restaurant is nestled amidst several antique stores that are fun to poke through before or after lunch. If you want higher-end antiques, go across the street to Red Baron, where you'll find chandeliers for as much as $26,000 hanging in the store! Enjoy!

Per Moroccan custom, we had our hands bathed in warm water before we were given towels to drape over our shoulders. We were told to eat with our fingers and pieces of bread rather than with utensils before the first course of what became an over 2-hour long meal was served.

We found the food to be very good and very, very abundant. Our tab, with alcohol and gratuity, topped $100, but we also enjoyed the entertainment of belly dancers during our dessert.

One middle-aged diner who got his wife to get up and copy the dancers with him with wild abandon was as enjoyable to watch as the floor show! It all added up to a pretty memorable date.

The food is always good and very reasonably priced---especially at lunch---though there is nothing unique about the menu: sandwiches, pasta, and steak.

The arcade and virtual reality games one gets to play AFTER the meal are what make Dave & Busters fun. My son (and husband!) loves to ride on the motorcycles and experience Jedi Warfare in the Virtual Reality flight simulators. My personal favorite is the Lost World game where you travel through Jurassic Park trying to escape dinosaurs. I also like the fact that all the video games have ratings on them so that I can avoid any that are too graphic for my kid (like the House of the Dead game in which zombie guts actually explode across the screen).

There is a fully stocked bar available, and a group of adults can have fun racing cars, riding on Virtual Skateboards, and blowing off steam into the wee hours of the evening just as easily as any group of children can.

If you are traveling with kids, want a fun date, or are entertaining a group of people, Dave & Busters has something for just about everyone. Just don't forget your Visa! The food isn't expensive, but the entertainment quickly adds up!

Tip: This place is more family friendly early in the evening. Late at night, the smoke and a rowdy crowd will increase. (There is a bar here, after all.)

There is also a location up I-85 in Duluth-Gwinnett County.

With a mixture of Thai, Japanese, and Chinese noodles, rice and soup bowls, healthy eaters will be very satisfied. The Japanese Yakiudon Bowl with chicken, shrimp, and vegetables, tossed with Udon wheat noodles and tonkatsu sauce, is very good (Tonkatsu is sweet; udon noodles are thick and chewy). The atmosphere of the place is very relaxed; the bowls are very big. You go through a line to order your food, and a waitress brings it to you. There are large tables on the inside of Doc Chey's and a patio for nice days out.

You do need to know when traveling with your family that the kids' menu does not have the traditional chicken fingers on it. Instead, there is a choice of Chinese Chicken Soup with lots of egg noodles or an order of chicken, carrots, and broccoli served over rice for the little ones. My son happens to love broccoli and rice, so this is a great and healthy alternative to the kids' fare that is so common at other restaurants. AND there is a gumbo joint (Gumbo A Go-Go!) right around the corner of Doc Chey's that serves HUGE snowballs in a variety of flavors for $1 that are bound to please the children if they eat enough of their veggies to get dessert.

Just north of Hot-lanta's perimeter, Mittie's Tea Room and Cafe is located in Roswell's historic district near Bulloch Hall and The Smith Plantation. (These attractions are must-sees for any Georgia visitors who are interested in history and architecture. Bulloch Hall was actually owned by Teddy Roosevelt's mother's family.)

We walked into Mittie's expecting something a bit more... uh... frilly. However, it was a nice surprise to find Japanese paper lanterns hanging like full moons from the ceiling. There were no pink walls or tablecloths made of lace. Instead, the color scheme is more masculine - black and sleek. Bamboo shoots on the table further add to the Asian feel. We quickly learned that while "high tea" and the like can certainly be ordered and enjoyed here, Mittie's isn't going for an "English feel." Still, I did order a silver pot of mint tea to accompany a tuna fish salad quesadilla. (A lot of the menu here is organic.) I liked the fresh fruit that came as a side. A cup of lobster bisque was a nice appetizer. There are plenty of salads and the like, in addition to other sandwiches. Kids can order grilled cheese or a PB&J. The huge slice of carrot cake that topped off lunch was moist and delicious.

So how was service? Excellent.

Bottom line? Not at all Victorian, but still a very nice experience. After lunch, we also enjoyed walking next door to the new high-end art gallery to window-shop. It is a good lunch spot for girlfriends.

So what was it like? We pulled up to the restaurant, and a polite valet quickly parked our car. We had reservations for an early dinner at 6:30pm. When the host saw the 11-year-old who was in our party, we were escorted away from the main dining room to a side hallway with brick walls, wine cabinets, a portrait of a gray dog in a bow tie and a suit (!), red chairs, and only three tables. I loved the privacy.

(Note: This is NOT a restaurant I would suggest for most kids. ONLY take well behaved children who are old enough to appreciate a $30 steak. This is a two-hour-long dining experience.)

Our waiter, in his gray jacket, looked like a tall Noah Wylie. He had an affable smile, and he was quick and efficient. He explained that the al a carte vegetables were served family style. (One order of steamed broccoli can accommodate the entire party.) The grit fritters, fried cream cheese and grits served in mouth-size balls, are a specialty of the restaurant that my son especially enjoyed. The lobster bisque was good, too, and I liked the sauteed mushrooms with the garlic mashed potatoes. For our entrees we ordered a 2.5lb. lobster ($50), a 10oz. petite filet ($30), and a 14oz. filet mignon ($36.) All was wonderful. We had to take some home because we couldn't finish the large portions! Dessert was a delectable truffle cake that gushed chocolate when we cut into it. Yum!

Bottom line? This is an upscale steakhouse to the nth degree. Our tab for three people, with tip, was $250, but we really enjoyed our meal.