Hot Restaurants in Hotlanta

Locals attest to a vibrant Atlanta restaurant scene.

BY RENÉ LUTHE, SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Fortunately for those attending the American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting in Atlanta next month, Ophthalmology Management found three gastronomically savvy natives to hook them up to the best dining in town. Following are the top picks of George O. Waring III, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.Ophth., clinical professor of ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta; Trevor Woodhams, M.D., clinical associate professor of ophthalmology, surgical director at Woodhams Eye Clinic in Atlanta; and Dave Holland, Alimera Sciences' vice president of marketing. With an estimated 20,000 people in town for the convention, it's advisable to make reservations.

Dr. Waring's Picks

Blind Willie's
852 North Highland Ave.
Phone: (404) 873-2583
Web: www.blindwilliesblues.com
Service: Dinner

"For hardcore blues and some chicken wings," Dr. Waring recommends this 22-year-old establishment, a 1997 winner of the W.C. Handy Award for "Blues Club of the Year." The menu offers casual fare from Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. For a calendar of upcoming events, go to the Web site and click on "Entertainment." What can visitors expect? Well, the Web site's motto is "It ain't easy bein' sleazy." Hmm… The live music starts "no later than 9:30."

Atlanta Grill
181 Peachtree St., N.E.
Phone: (404) 659-0400
Web: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Atlanta
Service: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Brunch on Sundays)

Located in the Ritz Carlton Hotel, the Atlanta Grill offers French Mediterranean cuisine. Specially commissioned murals on the walls and a veranda with wrought-iron railings and gaslight-styled lanterns add to the special ambiance. Dr. Waring calls the Atlanta Grill the "number one ritzy restaurant" in the city.

Fat Matt's Rib Shack
1811 Piedmont Ave.
Phone: (404) 607-1622
Web: www.fatmattsribshack.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

Another must for music fans, it offers "great ribs and real blues," promises Dr. Waring. In addition to ribs, side dishes include roasted peanuts and sweet potato pie. The Web site features a band schedule.

The Floataway Café
1123 Zonolite Rd.
Phone: (404) 892-1414
Web: www.starprovisions.com
Service: Dinner

This "American bistro" is close to Emory University and is located in a renovated warehouse. Al fresco dining is available in the courtyard. The menu features seasonal foods with country French, Mediterranean and Italian influences.

The Imperial Fez
2285 Peachtree Rd.
Phone: (404) 351-0870
Web: www.imperialfez.com
Service: Dinner

Diners leave their shoes by the door and relax on plush pillows while enjoying a five-course Moroccan feast (a vegetarian version is available as well). The nightly belly-dancing performances and live music begin every evening at 7:30.

Kevin Rathbun Steak
154 Krog St. (corner of Irwin and Krog)
Phone: (404) 524-5600
Web: www.kevinrathbunsteak.com
Service: Dinner

Another must for red-meat lovers; Dr. Waring calls this restaurant "the best steakhouse, with big hunks of meat." The Porterhouse Steak for Two wins raves, as do the colorful side dishes — such as Jalapeño Creamed Corn and Elbow Mac & Cheese Tart. The dining room is located in a 100-year-old renovated wine cellar.

Pricci's
500 Pharr Rd.
Phone: (404) 237-2941
Web: www.buckheadrestaurants.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

Characterizing itself as a "contemporary Italian" style restaurant, Pricci's showcases the dishes of the various regions of Italy in a dramatic setting. The open kitchen features a wood-burning oven for pizza for more casual meals. Dr. Waring recommends reserving a private room if you are taking a group there.

Restaurant Eugene
2277 Peachtree Rd.
Phone: (404) 355-0321
Web: www.restauranteugene.com
Service: Dinner

Located in the Aramore Building, Restaurant Eugene offers a contemporary Southern menu with seasonal ingredients. Patrons say it manages to be both elegant and laid-back. Dr. Waring called it a favorite for intimate dining in an understated setting. The Sunday Supper is a three-course meal of various Southern favorites.

Dr. Woodhams' Picks

Bacchanalia
1198 Howell Mill Rd.
Phone: (404) 365-0410 ×22
Web: www.starprovisions.com
Service: Dinner

"Probably the best-known" restaurant in town, according to Dr. Woodhams, and a personal favorite. He's not alone in his high opinion of the place: The Zagat Guide ranked Bacchanalia as the number one restaurant in Atlanta for 11 years in a row. The menu is seasonal, relying on organic ingredients, many of which are sourced from the chef's farm.

Belleza
905 Juniper St.
Phone: (628) 904-4582
Web: www.cuernorestaurant.com
Service: Dinner

Sister restaurant to Cuerno (listed below), Belleza serves "healthy, tropical" Brazilian-style food, says its Web site. The emphasis is on raw fish, fruits and salads. The healthy and Brazilian themes extend to the bar, where cocktails are made with organic and tropical juices.

Bluepointe
3455 Peachtree Rd., N.E.
Phone: (404) 237-9070
Web: www.buckheadrestaurants.com
Service: Lunch (weekdays), Dinner

One of Atlanta's hippest restaurants, Dr. Woodhams says, and conveniently located close to the city's shopping meccas. The food is "an exciting blend of modern American cuisine with a splash of Asian flavor," according to the restaurant's Web site. Entrees include "Wok-Charred Rare Tuna Steak on a Crispy Somen Noodle Cake."

Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Rd., N.W.
Phone: (770) 432-2663
Web: www.canoe-atl.com
Service: Brunch (Sunday), Lunch, Dinner

It's a bit of a drive to this one, Dr. Woodhams warns, but Canoe offers riverfront dining — it was voted "Best View" by Atlanta Magazine. If the weather is pleasant, he suggests getting an outdoor table. Entrees include Georgia Mountain Trout and Sage Roasted Pheasant.

Cuerno
905 Juniper St.
Phone: (678) 904-4584
Web: www.cuernorestaurant.com
Service: Dinner

The Spanish sister of Belleza, Cuerno offers the authentic gastronomical experience, fans say. Choose from the tapas or a variety of paellas.

Pano's & Paul's
1232 W. Paces Ferry Rd., N.W.
Phone: (404) 261-3662
Web: www.buckheadrestaurants.com
Service: Dinner

Winner of several magazine honors, this popular restaurant serves Continental/European-style cuisine. Offerings include Fresh Genuine Dover Sole, Chef Gary's "39-Hour" Beef Short Rib and Wild Burgundy Escargots.

Straits Restaurant
793 Juniper St., N.E.
Phone: (404) 877-1283
Web: www.straitsrestaurant.com
Service: Dinner

Part of a small chain, Straits features Malaysian/Singaporean cuisine. And though it's co-owned by hip-hop singer Ludacris, it is "nevertheless safe for us over-40 types," Dr. Woodhams assures. Try the Banana Blossom Salad or the Origami Seabass.

South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave., N.E.
Phone: (404) 873-7358
Web: www.southcitykitchen.com
Service: Dinner

Offering "New South" cooking, this one is located right across from Piedmont Park. The restaurant is in a historic bungalow on Atlanta's famous Crescent Avenue. The "Southern cuisine with a contemporary twist" includes Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops with Stone-ground Grits, and Sweet Tea-Brined Pork Chops.

Ted's Montana Grill
133 Luckie St., N.W.
Phone: (404) 266-1344
Web: www.tedsmontanagrill.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

Co-founded by media mogul Ted Turner, his Montana Grill brings "made-from-scratch" dishes, Harris Ranch beef and National Bison-certified bison to Atlanta. Homey dishes such as meatloaf and burgers are also available. Additionally, the restaurant strives to be "eco-friendly" — according to the Web site, it tries to be 99% plastic free, and menus are printed on recycled paper.

According to Dave Holland

Rounding things off, Alimera Sciences' Dave Holland says the following eateries are worth checking out.

City Grill
50 Hurtz Plaza
Phone: (404) 524-2489
Web: www.citygrillatlanta.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

It's "über expensive," Holland warns, but a good place for a dinner meeting. According to its Web site, City Grill offers "American Food, Straight Up with a Twist" — entrees include New Zealand venison and center-cut rib-eye steak with three-cheese macaroni.

Maxim Prime
110 Marietta St., N.W.
Phone: (404) 469-0700
Web: www.glennhotel.com
Service: Brunch on weekends, Lunch, Dinner

Located in the Glenn Hotel, Maxim Prime is the "hot new steak place" in town, says Holland. Developed by Maxim Magazine, it's the first in an intended chain; one online reviewer described the ambiance as "strip club vibe." However, this "new twist on the traditional steakhouse" has won over critics. The popular rooftop bar overlooks Centennial Park.

Shout
1197 Peachtree St., N.E.
Phone: (404) 846-2000
Web: www.heretoserverestaurants.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

Holland bills Shout and its sister eatery, Twist, as fun and trendy. In addition to a sushi lounge, the menu offers tapas and pizza. With several bars and a rooftop lounge, Shout is also known as a hip venue for people-watching.

Twist
3500 Peachtree Rd., N.E.
Phone: (404) 869-1191
Web: www.heretoserverestaurants.com
Service: Lunch, Dinner

Describing its menu as "creative cuisine with an attitude," Twist features satays, tapas, wraps and sushi. A large patio overlooks Peachtree Road.