Atlanta area dining

[Radii]

So, I'm taking my girlfriend out for her birthday Saturday night. Suggestions for a nice place to go for romantic quiet dinner? If its a place that requires reservations or is exceptionally expensive, please say so when you make the suggestion ;) For reference I'm in the Dunwoody/Sandy Springs area.

[VPI97]

Italian = Maggiano's at Perimeter Mall
Chinese = P.F. Chang's off of Ashford Dunwoody
Steaks = Ruth's Chris Steak House - 285 & Roswell Road

[KWhit]

I really like Bacchanalia (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile?id=3011733).

Expensive, yes. Reservations, yes.

If you like wine, they sometimes do a "tasting menu" where each course includes some sort of cocktail/wine/liquer that is paired with the food. Awesome!

Oh! And you MUST get the Warm Valrona Chocolate cake for dessert. It is my favorite dessert of all time.

[Ben E Lou]

My wife LOVES the atmosphere and food at Nava. It requires reservations I believe. It isn't terribly expensive. I think most entrees are $15-$30. It is near the intersection of Peachtree and West Paces.

The nice, dark, candlelit atmosphere of Houston's up on Ashford-Dunwoody is good too, if you don't mind a chain. They usually have someone playing the grand piano there on weekends. The downside is that if you go after 6:30pm or so, expect a wait of 30 minutes or more, and they don't take reservations.

The 357th Fighter Group (I may not have gotten that number right) is good as well. It is near where Clairmont and Buford Highway come together. It is a neat out-of-the-way place with great food and atmosphere. I believe they take reservations.

If she likes Sushi, there's a GREAT place on Cheshire Bridge, near Piedmont, but the name of it is escaping me at the moment. They have GREAT sushi, and several ala carte Japanese items. The lemon-butter king crab leg is utterly amazing.

If you haven't been to Ruth's Chris, I wouldn't go there. It is terribly expensive (I think we spent $150+ there for just the two of us), and the steaks aren't that much better than, say, Longhorn or Outback.

[digamma]

I've been to Nava, and I liked it too.

Maggiano's is usually too loud and crowded for my tastes, but the food is always very, very good.

Is the Food Studio still around? It was actually in the GT area, and is a converted art studio. You can't beat the atmosphere, and the food was excellent. (I went 2 or 3 times during the summer of 2000.)

I also am a big fan of the Horseradish Grille, which is in the Chastain Park area. Perfect for a spring evening.

I've never been, but I've heard nothing but good things about Canoe (in the same area) and Fogo de Chao (which is a meat lover's feast).

[digamma]

Dola.

Here are some links of the places above:

Canoe (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/3030505/tips/?cslink=cs_restaurants_5_0)

Food Studio (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/3011750/)

Fogo de Chao (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/11465997/)

Horseradish Grill (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/3037867/)

And one more I forgot in Midtown-- The South City Kitchen (http://atlanta.citysearch.com/profile/3001276/)

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by digamma
I've never been, but I've heard nothing but good things about Canoe (in the same area) and Fogo de Chao (which is a meat lover's feast). Ah yes. The wife LOVES Canoe as well. Forgot about that one.

[ctmason]

Sorry I can't be of more help, but I live on the Southside and am not allowed in Midtown or Buckhead without a pass.

[Buzzbee]

If you are looking for something a little different, but very romantic, try The Melting Pot. They have 4 Atlanta locations. It is a little pricey, but you come away totally STUFFED! It is a fondue restaurant, so I like it as a date type evening since it is a little out of the ordinary. As for atmosphere, I have only been to the Collier Rd location so I can't speak for the others, but it is quiet, candlelit, very romantic with semi-secluded tables, and usually not terribly crowded. And the best thing, that your date will absolutely, positively LOVE (unless she's alergic to chocolate) is dessert. White or dark chocolate (I recommend the dark) with strawberries, pound cake, marshmallows and other sundries for dipping into that rich chocolate sauce. Mmmmm.

Here is a link to their website:

The Melting Pot Website (http://www.meltingpot.com/defaultS.asp)

{Edit - I believe you can make reservations and if so, it wouldn't hurt.}

If you like Benihana type places, there is one on Roswell Rd. just inside 285 called Kobe steaks. Excellent service, great food, and the price isn't TOOO bad. Of course you and your date will be sharing the meal with several other people, but just a thought.

If you like cajun/creole style cooking try Copeland's. My wife's birthday was Friday and I took her there to celebrate. She loved it. The food is wonderful and the prices are very good considering the amount of food you get. Prices are in the $10-$20 range. Here is a link:

Copeland's website (http://www.copelandsatlanta.com/index.htm)

If you want more information about any of these, let me know. Especially The Melting Pot since it is different than most other places.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by ctmason
Sorry I can't be of more help, but I live on the Southside and am not allowed in Midtown or Buckhead without a pass. Well, Ol' SkyDog avoids Midtown and Buckhead unless absolutely necessary. ;) Other than going out to eat with the wife, my only foray into either area was the OOTP5 release party.

Actually, truth be known, I refer to anything south of North Druid Hills and north of the airport as "downtown". ;)

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by VPI97
Italian = Maggiano's at Perimeter Mall
Chinese = P.F. Chang's off of Ashford Dunwoody
Steaks = Ruth's Chris Steak House - 285 & Roswell Road

Sounds like you are in the Perimeter Mall area? I work across the street from the mall and have eaten at Maggiano's and P.F. Chang's. Both are very good. As someone said, Maggiano's might be a little noisy for a date, but the food is very good. And if the weather is nice, sitting outside at P.F. Chang's is pretty cool with those huge statues.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
If you are looking for something a little different, but very romantic, try The Melting Pot. They have 4 Atlanta locations. It is a little pricey, but you come away totally STUFFED! It is a fondue restaurant, so I like it as a date type evening since it is a little out of the ordinary. As for atmosphere, I have only been to the Collier Rd location so I can't speak for the others, but it is quiet, candlelit, very romantic with semi-secluded tables, and usually not terribly crowded. And the best thing, that your date will absolutely, positively LOVE (unless she's alergic to chocolate) is dessert. White or dark chocolate (I recommend the dark) with strawberries, pound cake, marshmallows and other sundries for dipping into that rich chocolate sauce. Mmmmm.

Here is a link to their website:

The Melting Pot Website (http://www.meltingpot.com/defaultS.asp) I didn't know we had a Melting Pot in Atlanta!!! That's great info. SWMBO and I used to love to go there in her hometown.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by SkyDog
I didn't know we had a Melting Pot in Atlanta!!! That's great info. SWMBO and I used to love to go there in her hometown.

Yup! One on Satellite Blvd in Duluth would probably be the closest to you. The one on Collier Rd. has been there a while. I first ate there when I was at Tech. Damn, that was 11 years ago. Sheesh, I'm getting old. I've never eaten at the other locations, so I can't vouch for atmosphere/quality, but if they are anything like Collier Rd. you should go, SOON!

[VPI97]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Sounds like you are in the Perimeter Mall area? I work across the street from the mall and have eaten at Maggiano's and P.F. Chang's. Both are very good. As someone said, Maggiano's might be a little noisy for a date, but the food is very good. And if the weather is nice, sitting outside at P.F. Chang's is pretty cool with those huge statues. I used to work up there...by your description, I probably worked in the same complex as you.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by VPI97
I used to work up there...by your description, I probably worked in the same complex as you.

Probably so. I've worked in this area for about 3 years. I think SkyDog's wife works somewhere in the vicinity as well.

[VPI97]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Probably so. I've worked in this area for about 3 years. I think SkyDog's wife works somewhere in the vicinity as well. I worked in 3 Ravinia from 2000 until January. It was about an hour commute from home, but I didn't mind because I liked the area...a lot of good restaurants and shops I could check out at lunch.

[JPhillips]

I have a good friend that works for the owner of Daily's and City Grill. Daily's was very tasty, especially their fried yeast rolls! City Grill is damn expensive, but a real treat to a guy like me that doesn't get many oportunities to drop a couple hundred on a meal. ( Thank goodness my friend "took care" of the check)

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by VPI97
I worked in 3 Ravinia from 2000 until January. It was about an hour commute from home, but I didn't mind because I liked the area...a lot of good restaurants and shops I could check out at lunch.

An hour commute...sooo, you live about 5 miles away? :D :D Yeah, it's about an hour commute for me as well (South Cobb county). But it is still better than the 1 hour 40 minute cummute (one way) I had when I worked in John's Creek.

{Edit - Oh, and I work in the old Southern Company/Georgia Power building next door}

[VPI97]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Yeah, it's about an hour commute for me as well (South Cobb county). We must be the same person and just not know it...I'm in Southwest Cobb

[Buzzbee]

Back on topic, I forgot to mention that it is 57th Fighter Squadron and it just south (I think south) of the Peachtree/Dekalb Airport. It's been a few years since I was there, but the food was pretty good, moderately expensive, and had a pretty nice atmosphere. Personally, I think you can do better, but it isn't bad at all.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Back on topic, I forgot to mention that it is 57th Fighter Squadron and it just south (I think south) of the Peachtree/Dekalb Airport. It's been a few years since I was there, but the food was pretty good, moderately expensive, and had a pretty nice atmosphere. Personally, I think you can do better, but it isn't bad at all. YES. That's the one I was referring to in my post. I think I called it "357th Fighter Group" or something.

[Fritz]

I like Reggie's British Pub.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Back on topic, I forgot to mention that it is 57th Fighter Squadron and it just south (I think south) of the Peachtree/Dekalb Airport. It's been a few years since I was there, but the food was pretty good, moderately expensive, and had a pretty nice atmosphere. Personally, I think you can do better, but it isn't bad at all. YES. That's the one I was referring to in my post. I think I called it "357th Fighter Group" or something.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by VPI97
We must be the same person and just not know it...I'm in Southwest Cobb

Hmmm. Maybe we are the same person. Just don't tell my wife and kids. I'm not sure how they'd react.

The fog clears. He opens his eyes to the blinding realization. I think we've had this conversation before. Aren't you out near McEachern? I live near South Cobb H.S. and not too far from McEachern (and actually attend church and McEachern 1st Meth).

NOTE: Sorry for the threadjack Radii. Umm, The Abbey has GREAT atmosphere and service, and award winning wine cellar, and is considered one of the better restaurants in Atlanta. The cuisine is French and the Harp playing in a converted cathedral can be quite romantic. It is also pricey and reservations are required.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Probably so. I've worked in this area for about 3 years. I think SkyDog's wife works somewhere in the vicinity as well. Yes. She's right off of Chamblee-Dunwoody.

[Radii]

asdf


EDIT: Removed the part where I asked about one of the specific restaurants since I think I gave her the URL to a post here once. It's fine if she happens upon this and knows I'm asking for advice, but no knowing where I'm taking her ;)

[digamma]

Not coat and tie, but slacks and a nice shirt or sweater for you. I think my wife wore a dress when we went, but that is, of course, not required.

[Celeval]

Originally posted by SkyDog
I didn't know we had a Melting Pot in Atlanta!!! That's great info. SWMBO and I used to love to go there in her hometown.

There's at least two, and they're outstanding. :)

Kevin

[GrantDawg]

The only place we ever eat downtown is the Varsity. :) Actually, we go to the The New American Shakespeare Tavern (http://www.shakespearetavern.com/) once a month, but we generally don't eat there because the food is British pub. There is a reason the English are not known for their food.

[Ben E Lou]

Two questions:

What is the best steak for the value in Atlanta?

Where can one find the best BBQ ribs in town?
(and not those faggoty little baby back things--I'm talking about the real thing...St. Louis style or bigger dadgummit!)

I finally remembered the name of the sushi/hibachi place on Cheshire Bridge-->Nakato! It is excellent.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by SkyDog
What is the best steak for the value in Atlanta?

The one from the grill in your backyard.:D :D

As far as BBQ goes you weren't too far from a good place when you were doing Young Life at Osborne. Just down the road on Windy Hill is a place called Old South BBQ. I'm sure you've passed it. That is MY preferred BBQ joint. Of course different people like different styles of sauce and such, so you'll probably get a different place from each person. I don't know what particular "style" BBQ Old South has, but I do know it is good. Their sauce is thick, dark brown, and tangy. Mmmmm.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
The one from the grill in your backyard.:D :D Actually I agree with that statement 1000%. The Kroger in Tucker has a very nice meat department, and I can get a big ol' high-quality steak for $8-12 and cook it just the way I like it.... That being said, I DO have a wife, and she likes to go out from time to time. ;)

[Buzzbee]

I can't think of any one place that just jumps out at me as a great steak place. Usually if my family wants to go out for steak, we end up and Longhorn's or Outback (usually Longhorn). I've always heard Bones is good as well as Chops, but I've never eaten there and assume they are way overpriced. I don't know if you have any out your way, but there is a Steak and Ale near Cumberland Mall that is pretty good. They have a good prime rib and I think on certain days it is on special (like $8.99 on Tuesdays or something like that).

I had the opportunity to go to a steak house in Orlando that was supposed to be one of the top ten steak houses in the nation. To me, it tasted like a thick steak that had been marinated and grilled. It was tender, but no more than most any other place. Thankfully it was on the my former company's tab since it was so expensive. The fact that the waiters wore tuxedos didn't make it taste any better though.

[Ben E Lou]

Buzzbee:

I'm with you man. So far Longhorn is the best go-out-to-eat steak I've tasted in Atlanta (including Ruth's Chris----waaaaaayyyy too much money for what you get there imho). We have one a mile and a half from my house. I was just curious if y'all had found anything better, because when SWMBO wants atmosphere, Longhorn isn't gonna cut it. ;)

[digamma]

Here is a pretty good list of BBQ places in Georgia (though most are traditional pulled pork joints):

BBQ Recs (http://www.gojackets.com/bbq.shtml)

Fat Matt's has pretty good ribs. Don't know if you've ever been there. It is on the list.

Also, Dreamland opened a branch in Roswell. I haven't been, so I don't know if it compares to the original in Alabama--if you haven't been there, you get ribs and white bread, and that is pretty much it--but it sure is worth your trip.

If you like pulled pork, for my money, the best anywhere is at Fresh Air in Jackson, GA.

[Buzzbee]

Checked Steak and Ale's website. There is a location near you. Of course you probably already know that.

2150 North Lake Pkwy Tucker 30084 770-939-3582

I still want to know when y'all are going to Melting Pot.:D

[Radii]

I prefer Longhorns myself. I did always love the Prime Rib at Grady's when they were still around(Actually I think there's still one left in the Atlanta area but I forget where, I *think* somewhere near where 85 meets 285).

Also, for ribs and the like, it's a chain, but Smokey Bones is damn good. They took over all the old Grady's. I'm not a rib man myself, but the pulled pork and the like is very tasty.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Checked Steak and Ale's website. There is a location near you. Of course you probably already know that.

2150 North Lake Pkwy Tucker 30084 770-939-3582

I still want to know when y'all are going to Melting Pot.:D 1. Yeah. My Kiwanis club meetings used to be at that Steak and Ale, so I know it quite well. It, like the Longhorn, is also quite close to Chez Lewis. (Well, considering we live right smack-dab in the center of Tucker, which ain't that big to start with, EVERYTHING with a Tucker address is very close to our home...)

2. SWMBO has a conference for work in Michigan this week. She'll be flying in Saturday night on the early side of dinner time. If she's not too tired, I might just take her straight there from the airport.

[GrantDawg]

Steak: Longhorns
Pulled Pork: Fresh Air in Jackson
Ribs: About the best I have found (around here) that has real ribs is Sonny's. I have heard that Dreamland in Roswell just doesn't come close to the first one, but I haven't eaten at either so don't really know.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
Ribs: About the best I have found (around here) that has real ribs is Sonny's. I have heard that Dreamland in Roswell just doesn't come close to the first one, but I haven't eaten at either so don't really know. 1. What is it with all of us Atlanta-area dwellers??? Looks like several of us weigh in on Longhorn, and now G-dawg mentions Sonny's as the best ribs. They're the best I've had too, but I just figured there was some hole-in-the-wall rib joint somewhere that was better, but so far I haven't heard much.

2. I've heard that about the Dreamland in Roswell. I've been to the one in Tuscaloosa. mmmmmmmmmmm

[JonInMiddleGA]

Ribs -- I'm not much on ribs in general, but Fat Matt's is the one I hear recommended most

Steaks -- Interesting that several agree with me that Longhorn is probably about the best bang-for-the-buck steak in ATL. My wife says Chops is better than Bones, but agrees that neither is remotely worth the price.

BBQ -- Funny thing, I've been surrounded by some of the most highly regarded for years. I'm 20 mins (max) from Fresh-Air (in Jackson), I grew up about 10 mins from Two Brothers (in Ball Ground) and I'm a half hour or so from Fincher's in Macon. And where do I go for BBQ? Sonny's. It's a sauce thing with me, I like the "dark" sauce (about the color of Worchestshire) and don't care at all for the "red" sauce that's about the color of French dressing.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
It's a sauce thing with me, I like the "dark" sauce (about the color of Worchestshire) and don't care at all for the "red" sauce that's about the color of French dressing. I agree 100% with you there. I LOVE that sauce.

[VPI97]

Ribs - Dreamland in Birmingham is far better than the one in Roswell....Fat Matt's is great...but the most interesting place to get ribs is 'Abdullah the Butcher's House of Ribs and Chinese Food' near downtown Atlanta (Eastpoint?). Yes, it's that Abdullah the Butcher...the one who used to stick forks in his head during his pro wrestling days.

BBQ - The only two places I've liked the BBQ around Atlanta are close to home...Hiram Hickory House in Paulding County and Johnny's in Powder Springs.

[Buzzbee]

SkyDog, have you heard of Old South BBQ on Windy Hill? It's probably a bit too far for you to be a regular stop, but perhaps when the "Things You Know For Sure" tour kicks off, it might bring you over in the area. :D It is a hole in the wall rib joint (been around since the 60's). Having been to Osborne H.S. before, I'm a little suprised you don't remember it since it is not very far from the H.S.

Also, the company I work for had a lunch for the employees recently and used Smokey Bones to cater. It was pretty good. Don't know how the ribs are, but the pulled pork was pretty good.

Fresh Air is GOOD!! But a bit too far for me. I've also had Melear's before and it is almost as good, but not quite.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by VPI97
BBQ - The only two places I've liked the BBQ around Atlanta are close to home...Hiram Hickory House in Paulding County and Johnny's in Powder Springs.

I pass Johnny's all the time (used to be Donnie's, right?). I've never eaten there, but drive past it fairly frequently.

Another place that may not be too far from you is Wallace BBQ on Bankhead Hwy in Austell. I don't like it as much as I like Old South, but it is still pretty good. It is about a mile from the intersection of Bankhead Hwy and Thornton Rd, if you know where that is.

Also, since you are in Powder Springs, and since we are on the subject of food, have you ever eaten at Spike's brick oven pizzaria? It's pretty good.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by VPI97
Ribs - Dreamland in Birmingham is far better than the one in Roswell....Fat Matt's is great...but the most interesting place to get ribs is 'Abdullah the Butcher's House of Ribs and Chinese Food' near downtown Atlanta (Eastpoint?). Yes, it's that Abdullah the Butcher...the one who used to stick forks in his head during his pro wrestling days.

Ok. Now I know exactly where I'm going to eat next time I'm down town. Abdullah is alive and cooking ribs!!!

I agree about the dark sauce at Sonny's, but the best thing to do is combine it with the hot sauce. Hmmmmmmm....ribliciuos. I wonder if I can make it to Sonny's for all-you-can eat ribs before church tonight?

[Buzzbee]

Double dola


quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
It's a sauce thing with me, I like the "dark" sauce (about the color of Worchestshire) and don't care at all for the "red" sauce that's about the color of French dressing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree 100% with you there. I LOVE that sauce.

SD, if you love that kind of sauce, you would like Old South. Dark brown, thick, clingy, and tangy. Somewhere there is a joke in that last sentence, but I'm afraid it would come out as a racial slur. :( I also do not like the thin red BBQ sauce. It just ain't BBQ.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally posted by VPI97
...but the most interesting place to get ribs is 'Abdullah the Butcher's House of Ribs and Chinese Food' near downtown Atlanta (Eastpoint?).

Sounds like the perfect place to take the wife for dinner :D

I've been there once with some wrestling fan buddies & it's a kick just to be there. Last I heard, Abdullah himself still makes the occasional appearance. The food averages out to fair, some is good and other is pretty bad, but it's worth the trip & the price of the meal just to know you've done it.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
SkyDog, have you heard of Old South BBQ on Windy Hill? Yes, I've had it. I didn't like it as much as Sonny's though. When I was over there, I lived (among other places) in Savannah Park Apartments (I think it has a new name now...) which is RIGHT next to OHS on Favor Road.

OH!!!! Speaking of when I lived in Cobb County, you Atlanta guys will appreciate this bit of SkyDog trivia: if you recall the murder of Sarah Tokars, I lived in the house that the kids ran to right after she was killed. (I wasn't home at the time.) One of my room-mates (Mo) is the one who called the cops, and the other two (Jeremy and David) found the body. Of course they were interviewed and witnesses and everything else. If I recall, there were two different trials fairly soon after the murders (one for Curtis Rower and one for Eddie Lawrence), but Fred Tokars wasn't tried until a few years later.

Well, a few years after the murder, Mo bought a house over in DeKalb County, and I ended up living with him up until the time I got married. Jeremy, living in Nashville at the time, came to visit for the Olympics and stayed with us for a couple of weeks. At about 11:15pm one night there was a knock on the door, and a deputy was there. They knew our ex-roomie had come back to the state, so they decided to serve both of those guys a subpoena for the third and final trial at the same time. It was pretty surreal, since it had been like 3 years since the murder at that time, and of course it brought back up some pretty awful memories.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by SkyDog
Yes, I've had it. I didn't like it as much as Sonny's though. When I was over there, I lived (among other places) in Savannah Park Apartments (I think it has a new name now...) which is RIGHT next to OHS on Favor Road.

OH!!!! Speaking of when I lived in Cobb County, you Atlanta guys will appreciate this bit of SkyDog trivia: if you recall the murder of Sarah Tokars, I lived in the house that the kids ran to right after she was killed. (I wasn't home at the time.) One of my room-mates (Mo) is the one who called the cops, and the other two (Jeremy and David) found the body. Of course they were interviewed and witnesses and everything else. If I recall, there were two different trials fairly soon after the murders (one for Curtis Rower and one for Eddie Lawrence), but Fred Tokars wasn't tried until a few years later.

Well, a few years after the murder, Mo bought a house over in DeKalb County, and I ended up living with him up until the time I got married. Jeremy, living in Nashville at the time, came to visit for the Olympics and stayed with us for a couple of weeks. At about 11:15pm one night there was a knock on the door, and a deputy was there. They knew our ex-roomie had come back to the state, so they decided to serve both of those guys a subpoena for the third and final trial at the same time. It was pretty surreal, since it had been like 3 years since the murder at that time, and of course it brought back up some pretty awful memories.

For those not in Georgia, that was THE story for a long time around here. Wierd.

[VPI97]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
I pass Johnny's all the time (used to be Donnie's, right?). I've never eaten there, but drive past it fairly frequently. That's the one...it's just another 'hole in the wall' type place, but your food gets to you in less than 5 minutes and everything is good. My wife loves the Brunswick stew...my daughter eats ribs only if they are from there...and I like everything on the menu.

Also, since you are in Powder Springs, and since we are on the subject of food, have you ever eaten at Spike's brick oven pizzaria? It's pretty good.I've only eaten there once...it was a while ago. When it comes to pizza down here in the south, I have yet to find any place that I especially like.

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGALast I heard, Abdullah himself still makes the occasional appearance Yeah...When I worked downtown, a buddy and I used to go over there for lunch about once a month. One time, we walked in and there's Abdullah kicking back with about a half-dozen policemen just laughing and carrying on. I think he had more on his plate than all the cops combined.


Also - A very good Japanese Steak house/Sushi bar is Fuji Hana Sushi Bar & Grill located up around Town Center Mall.

[Buzzbee]

That's spooky about Tokars! When she was murdered I was working in the Cobb County Election office in the Absentee department. She had come in to vote a week or two before the murder and several of the people remembered her. It was really kind of surreal.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by JonInMiddleGA
I've been there once with some wrestling fan buddies & it's a kick just to be there. Last I heard, Abdullah himself still makes the occasional appearance. The food averages out to fair, some is good and other is pretty bad, but it's worth the trip & the price of the meal just to know you've done it. Definitely gotta check this one out. I remember his early days on the scene, when Gordon Solie called his elbow drop "The Sudanese Meat Cleaver."

[digamma]

Hey Radii, how did this go?

[Radii]

Originally posted by digamma
Hey Radii, how did this go?

Perfectly :) I made reservations at the Food Studio, I wouldn't tell her where we were going, turns out it was a place she had heard good things about but never been to. I *highly* recommend The Food Studio. Entree's are in the $18-$30 range(the menu is listed at www.thefoodstudio.com actually, w/ prices). The atmosphere was really great, we probably spent 10 minutes looking around and pointing out the walls, the stairs, the blinds, and saying "wow, this is really neat", the food was divine, I had the spring chicken thingy (listed on their website) and it was *really* really good, totally worth the price. It was also prom night so we were discussing all the little prom people too. The wait staff was great too, really the entire experience was perfect.

Thanks a ton for all the advice, this ended up working out better than I ever imagined ;)

Oh also I showed my gf this thread yesterday and she said to tell you guys that you all have pretty good taste ;)

[Buzzbee]

Radii - I just want to hear your monthly report after you try each of the suggestions listed here. :D

Mmmmm. What a fun challenge THAT would be. Take each of the restaurants listed in this thread and pick one to go to each month. Then report back the experience here at FOFC. You could even have your girlfriend put in her comments. You guys could be the FOFC Atlanta Food Critics. At the end of the year you could rank the restaurants.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Radii - I just want to hear your monthly report after you try each of the suggestions listed here. :D

Mmmmm. What a fun challenge THAT would be. Take each of the restaurants listed in this thread and pick one to go to each month. Then report back the experience here at FOFC. You could even have your girlfriend put in her comments. You guys could be the FOFC Atlanta Food Critics. At the end of the year you could rank the restaurants.

My dream is to get paid to do that, or least get free meals to do that. :)

[Ben E Lou]

Bump...we need more Atlanta food discussion. (Can you tell my wife is out of town this weekend and I'm feeding myself?)

[ISiddiqui]

Well if your feeding yourself, Doc Chey's in Emory Village is damn good eating :D.

[GrantDawg]

I ate at Dreamland BBQ in Alpharetta the other day. The ribs were good and they have very good sauce. Sonny's still better (have you seen that Sonny's are now caring baby-back ribs and serving beer? Baby-back ribs are just wrong).

[ISiddiqui]

Mmmmmm.... Dreamland BBQ... that place IS a dream. Love their sauce!!

Alpharetta has some good eats, especially by the mall up there (North Point?).

[cuervo72]

When my in-laws lived in Peachtree City, we'd go to the Du-Roc Cafe (Fayetteville) at least once every trip down there, they had pretty good BBQ. Far drive from Tucker, though.

[albionmoonlight]

YEN JING on the 5300 block of Buford Highway is great Korean Style Chinese food. The portions are HUGE, too. We would generally get 3 entrees to feed 5 of us (all college guys) and leave full.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by albionmoonlight
YEN JING on the 5300 block of Buford Highway is great Korean Style Chinese food. The portions are HUGE, too. We would generally get 3 entrees to feed 5 of us (all college guys) and leave full. Approximately where is the 5300 block? Inside or outside the Perimeter, and how far?

[albionmoonlight]

Originally posted by SkyDog
Approximately where is the 5300 block? Inside or outside the Perimeter, and how far?

It is inside the Perimeter. Here is a link that I googled that has the address and some more information.

http://web.li.gatech.edu/~rdrury/400/writing/d_sp2_2/yenjing_description.htm

You can mapquest with the address given in the link to see how far it is from you. It is in the "chinatown" area of Buford. It's a storfront in a complex (like everything in that neighborhood)--but if you know the address, you should be able to find it no problem.

I liked the Chef's Special Chicken (their version of General Tso's Chicken) and the hot braised shrimp (like General Tso's Chicken, but with jumbo shrimp). The Shan-Shan seafood noodle soup is also really good.

They also have free Kim Chee and unlimited rice refills if you ask.

The only caveat that I have is that I have not been in Atl. for years, so my info may be a little dated. Still, it was hands down my favorite place to eat in college.

[VPI97]

Originally posted by ISiddiqui
Alpharetta has some good eats, especially by the mall up there (North Point?). Yeah, North Point.

I'm working in Alpharetta now (betwen Old Milton and Windward) and went out to lunch last week to a place down by the mall called Razzoo's. They had the best cajun buffet I've experienced outside of New Orleans. It's not as fancy a place as say, Copeland's or Pappadeaux, but if anyone enjoys cajun, they should check it out.

[GrantDawg]

I thouhgt of this post when I saw this: They are opening a Dreamland in Conyers! It'll be great to break up Sonny's with some Dreamland every once in a while. :)

[cartman]

Well, sorry I couldn't meet up with any FOFCers when I was in Atlanta in August. However, I did eat very well.

I did like the Sundial restauraunt, on top of the Westin. Nice view, and quiet dining. Also I liked the Gordon Biersch downtown. But it does have a bit of the chain feel to it, since I used to go to the one in San Jose all the time when I lived there. Other than that, we also ate at Fogo de Chao's. Can't beat a good churrasacaria.

[VPI97]

Originally posted by cartman
we also ate at Fogo de Chao's I love that place...The wife and I went down there last month and stuffed ourselves full of South Brazilian goodness. I highly recommend it to anyone.

[Ben E Lou]

Too lazy to read this whole thread right now, but did anyone mention Tamarind, the Thai place in Midtown? SWMBO and I discovered it this summer, and we LOVE it.

[digamma]

Bump.

It looks like my wife and I will be back in Atlanta for President's Day weekend (which is also Valentine's Day weekend). Any newcomers to the Atlanta scene worthy of V-day meal consideration?

[albionmoonlight]

Bump.

It looks like my wife and I will be back in Atlanta for President's Day weekend (which is also Valentine's Day weekend). Any newcomers to the Atlanta scene worthy of V-day meal consideration?
Back in '96, I took my college girlfriend to Canoe for her birthday. The food and atmosphere were good. You may want to check with others for a more recent evaluation.

[Ben E Lou]

Back in '96, I took my college girlfriend to Canoe for her birthday. The food and atmosphere were good. You may want to check with others for a more recent evaluation.My wife LOVES Canoe, FWIW.

[Radii]

I would still highly recommend the Food Studio where we went last year. :) The girlfriend I was referencing in this thread last year is now the fiancee. We have reservations this Friday at the Melting Pot on Pleasant Hill Rd, we are celebrating v-day a week early and babysitting on Valentines Day for a friend of the fiancee.

[Ben E Lou]

SWMBO and I went to the Capital Grille last night to celebrate our anniversary. Pricey, but worth it. The first restaurant in this price range to which we'll return.

[cartman]

This is the thread that just won't die. It's been brought back from the dead at least 4 different times!

[GrantDawg]

This is the thread that just won't die. It's been brought back from the dead at least 4 different times!
It is a good thing, too, because us Georgia boys like to eat. :)

[cartman]

I must admit, I did eat well during the week I was in Atlanta last August. There's just sumptin bout good Southern cookin' :D

[Ben E Lou]

Two new entries into this thread for me....


1. Atlanta Fish Market--very good seafood place off of Peachtree, reasonable prices
2. The Imperial Fez--Moroccan cuisine, take off your shoes and sit on the floor, belly dancers...when we were there, "His Excellency, the Ambassador from Morocco" was sitting two tables over from us--very good food--a little on the pricey side, but not horrible for a special date night ($45 a head covers all courses)

[ISiddiqui]

Woot... the thread that will never die!

Since the last time I posted, I've eaten at a variety of restaurants. Some decent BBQ was "Smoky Bones" (yuuuuuum)and "Famous Daves", which frankly I thought was going to be baaad.

I also went to Loco's for the first time and really liked it.

There is also a Miller's Ale House up in Alpharetta on exit 8 on 400 (what's the road's name)... by the Sam's Club! WOW! That's some great eating! On Monday's they got King Crab for $10 and Tuesdays it's Lobster for $10... and it's GOOD... not crap seafood. Their wings are probably the best I've had in Atlanta as well. Mmmm... Ale House.

Nothing too fancy for me lately, entree's under $20 is good for a law student who doesn't have a lot of money ;).

[VPI97]

I don't know how common this place is, but my wife and I went out to Ted's Montana Grill (Ted Turner started it) a few weeks ago and it turned out to be an excellent place to dine. The food is good, but what really impressed me was the atmosphere and service. There's one in Austell (East-West Connector) that I pass on my commute, but we went to one near Marietta and had a great time.

[wbatl1]

1. Atlanta Fish Market--very good seafood place off of Peachtree, reasonable prices

I've heard good things about this one. I should have gone last summer when I rode the bus past it every single day, but I didn't. Oh well

[wbatl1]

I don't know how common this place is, but my wife and I went out to Ted's Montana Grill (Ted Turner started it) a few weeks ago and it turned out to be an excellent place to dine. The food is good, but what really impressed me was the atmosphere and service. There's one in Austell (East-West Connector) that I pass on my commute, but we went to one near Marietta and had a great time.

I agree. I know the midtown location has been around for a year and a half or so, and I've been a couple times. Good food, great atmostphere, and doesn't break the bank. They serve bison burgers.

[Buzzbee]

Third on Ted's. They have excellent service and a wide variety. If you go for steak it can be a little pricey, but they have burgers and chicken sandwiches that are very reasonably priced. We've been a few times and have enjoyed it every time.


Also, while I'm here, went to La Madeleine's this weekend and it was a very enjoyable experience. It is a chain but didn't quite have a chain feel. Prices were good and the food was excellent. If you are in the mood for french cuisine but don't want to pay through the nose at some fancy french restaurant, I think it is a good alternative. Would also be good for lunch as some of the menu items are available 'cafeteria style' and would allow a 'grab n go' (there are certain items prepared when you order.)

http://www.lamadeleine.com/Default.aspx

[digamma]

Two new entries into this thread for me....


1. Atlanta Fish Market--very good seafood place off of Peachtree, reasonable prices

I've been there a number of times. Very solid.

[Radii]

Ted's is definitely a favorite of mine. There is a location on Peachtree Parkway in Norcross in the Forum that we go to that is always very good.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I went old-school in Atlanta Saturday ... Steak & Ale baby.

[Radii]

April 2003:

So, I'm taking my girlfriend out for her birthday Saturday night.


Feb 2004:
The girlfriend I was referencing in this thread last year is now the fiancee.


Today:
Oliegirl - 532 posts.


Interesting timeline of my life the past few years in this thread :D

[ISiddiqui]

Hmmm... I've seen Ted's in Midtown (usually going to Tapas places in Midtown, like LocaLuna), but it always looked super expensive from the outside. Reading these posts, maybe it was priced cheaper than I thought.

[oliegirl]

April 2003:




Feb 2004:



Today:
Oliegirl - 532 posts.


Interesting timeline of my life the past few years in this thread :D


It's been very odd to browse this thread and see myself being referred to as girlfriend and fiancee...I am just getting used to being called his wife! :)

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm going to the Braves game Friday. I'll give everyone a review of Skip's and Pete's. :)

[JeeberD]

Some decent BBQ was "Smoky Bones" (yuuuuuum)

Which happens to be a Darden Restaurant and is therefore a sister restaurant to OG and Red Lobster.

Wow, who would have thunk that chain BBQ would be decent?

[larrymcg421]

There is no better BBQ than Williamson Bros.

[ISiddiqui]

Wow, who would have thunk that chain BBQ would be decent?
I already knew it was a chain. So is Sonny's, which Skydog seems to love (I think it is Skydog who extols the virtues). Dreamland has 3 locations, so would it be a chain ;).

[larrymcg421]

I already knew it was a chain. So is Sonny's, which Skydog seems to love (I think it is Skydog who extols the virtues). Dreamland has 3 locations, so would it be a chain ;).
Sonny's!!!!???? Sonny's!!!!???? The worst damn BBQ I've had! Yikes.

[Ben E Lou]

Sonny's!!!!???? Sonny's!!!!???? The worst damn BBQ I've had! Yikes.You're kidding me, right? I'm not the only one in this thread who seems to LOVE their center-cut ribs. I've gotten to the point where if I'm going to eat BBQ at all, it is going to be ribs. Their cooking style, combined with their dark sweet sauce, is definitely my favorite--by a long shot.

[JeeberD]

Do y'all have Spring Creek out in Georgia? If so, it's worth a visit. Whenever my parents come into town for a visit my dad makes sure we go there first so he can get some ribs...


Actually, after looking at their website it appears that Spring Creek is only a DFW chain, so nevermind... ;)

[Buzzbee]

You're kidding me, right? I'm not the only one in this thread who seems to LOVE their center-cut ribs. I've gotten to the point where if I'm going to eat BBQ at all, it is going to be ribs. Their cooking style, combined with their dark sweet sauce, is definitely my favorite--by a long shot.
And he's not the only one who doesn't care for Sonny's. Their food is okay, but the service (in several different locations that I have been to) has been pretty piss poor. Perhaps I just prefer a different style of BBQ, but I'll go several miles out of my way to NOT eat at Sonny's.

[HomerJSimpson]

You're kidding me, right? I'm not the only one in this thread who seems to LOVE their center-cut ribs. I've gotten to the point where if I'm going to eat BBQ at all, it is going to be ribs. Their cooking style, combined with their dark sweet sauce, is definitely my favorite--by a long shot.


I like Sonny's, but they are hit and miss. They sometimes over-cook their ribs to were they are dry. Recently they have had a streak of sub-par food/service to the point I haven't been back in 3-4 months.

[Ben E Lou]

I like Sonny's, but they are hit and miss. They sometimes over-cook their ribs to were they are dry.The key is to *ALWAYS* ask for center-cut ribs. They are meatier, and never too dry.

[HomerJSimpson]

The key is to *ALWAYS* ask for center-cut ribs. They are meatier, and never too dry.


I do, and they are, if not done properly. When the meat is burnt, it is burnt.

[Ben E Lou]

I do, and they are, if not done properly. When the meat is burnt, it is burnt.Guess I'm lucky then. I've gotten nothing but moist center cut ones from the Indian Trail Sonny's.

[HomerJSimpson]

Ok, on Skip and Pete's. It is good for ballpark fair, and the price isn't bad (decent size of rib portion, with slaw and beans for $8). My wife had the sandwich (it was big). The meat was decent, but could have used more flavour. The Peach BBQ sauce was excellent. The Texas sauce was baically ketchup, and the Carolina sauce wasn't even close to actual Carolina sauce, but the one I thought there was no way I would like was actually very good. The Peach compares favorable to a brown sugar based sweet sauce, with a hint of fruitiness.

[ISiddiqui]

Speaking of ballpark fair the big chilli-cheese hot dog in that area across from the Tooner Field area (you know what I mean) isn't half bad. Though the service sucked ass... what am I talking about, it was at a ballpark, what'd I expect ;).

Though I'm thinking some Smokey Bones tomorrow would be nice. Very good St. Louis ribs... mmm..

[larrymcg421]

Though I'm thinking some Smokey Bones tomorrow would be nice. Very good St. Louis ribs... mmm..
Smokey Bones does make some great St. Louis style ribs. However, the Baby Back ribs aren't tender enough and leave alot to be desired, especially for that price. When I eat Baby Backs, I want it where I pick up the bone and the meat stays on the plate.

[VPI97]

Saturday night, I took Nikki out to one of those Brazillian gaucho style steak houses in Marietta...Sal Grosso. It's a little pricy, but I have to say that it was one of the top 5 dining experiences that we've had since moving to Atlanta. Great atmosphere, great food...just a very good place to go out to.