Exciting Dining Need Not Require a Second Mortgage
Welcome to Atlanta and the 158th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Those who attend the meeting will be visiting Atlanta at a time when the city is savoring a dramatic, decade-long improvement in its culinary reputation, promising ample rewards for those inclined to explore dining options beyond the limited range of choices in and around the downtown hotels.
Aria, Bacchanalia, the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, Joël, and Seeger's enjoy national reputations and are easy to learn about. If you're interested in any of these establishments, be sure to make a reservation well in advance. Interesting casual dining spots abound—you might want to consider Ria's Bluebird, Rolling Bones BBQ, lunch at Son's Place, Thumbs Up Diner, and the “World Famous Varsity” at Georgia Tech.
What follows, however, is a list of 10 moderately priced restaurants in several of Atlanta's thriving neighborhoods. Some have been around for awhile; others are quite new and promising. None of these options are typical convention- or tourist-oriented restaurants, and all are located out of the downtown area but can be reached easily by taxi or MARTA, Atlanta's subway system. Most of these restaurants offer outdoor dining and accept reservations.
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Agave: Jack Sobel's New Mexico roots show at this successful Southwestern venue on the edge of Atlanta's Cabbagetown district. Agave offers authentic, creative, fun, and quite reasonably priced Southwestern cuisine. Located across the street from Oakland Cemetery, the final resting place of numerous Georgia governors, along with author Margaret Mitchell and golfing legend Bobby Jones. (Note to golfers: An Atlanta tradition is to leave one of your golf balls on his gravesite.)
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Babette's Café: This restaurant is the old-timer of this group. Babette's changed location a few years ago and has maintained a solid reputation as a consistently pleasant dining experience. This is a rare exception in Atlanta's fast start/slow decline restaurant tradition.
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Floataway Café: This more casual Emory-area spinoff of Bacchanalia restaurant fills the bill with fresh, innovative dishes with an emphasis on organic ingredients. You will appreciate Floataway Café's airy décor and extensive wine list.
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Iris: Iris is a brave and determined effort in the seemingly constant transition of East Atlanta. Can a converted service station really have an appealing edgy feel? Yes, it certainly can and does. Iris's always good, sometimes great, food helps to achieve this objective. The restaurant is an urban pioneer that has become quite popular.
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Rathbun's: This eatery has become the hottest ticket in town and has gained national recognition. Kevin Rathbun, following his nomadic journey through the Buckhead Life Restaurant group, has flourished in his latest digs at the interface of the Inman Park and North Highland areas.
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Rustic Gourmet: Perhaps the least known of this list, Cynthia Holt's restaurant is hidden on an unusual commercial street, close to previously listed Floataway Café, in the Emory University area. It's hard to beat the ability to enjoy three tasty courses—usually soup, salad, and a choice of entrees—for about $25. It also boasts a reasonably priced and offbeat wine list. Rustic Gourmet is open only Wednesday through Saturday. When you arrive, be sure to request Drew, a waiter-extraordinaire.
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Sotto Sotto: Riccardo Ullio proves that Georgia Tech grads can build more than bridges, buildings, and computers. In this case, he built an authentic northern Italian outpost that has gained considerable buzz. At Sotto Sotto, you'll find high-quality pasta dishes, but also give serious consideration to the wood-fired-grill fish special and the Italian wines.
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Tierra: Nestled in the Midtown neighborhood, close to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, this casual and innovative Latin-fusion effort has made a mark on Atlanta's culinary front. Some wines are half price on Tuesdays.
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Watershed: Watershed has been a surprisingly successful venture in the close-in suburb of Decatur. Some southern influences are evident in the cooking, particularly with the Tuesday night fried chicken tradition. Emily Saliers of the rock group Indigo Girls is a co-owner. You can take a MARTA train to this restaurant and enjoy a stroll through “small-town” Decatur.
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Woodfire Grill: Echoes of California wine country are reflected in Michael Tuohy's effort, especially evident in his emphasis on whatever is freshest in the market that day. Fish dishes and Rocky the Free Range Chicken are good choices. Half price wines are offered on Sundays. ▪
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Published online: 4 March 2005
Published in print: March 4, 2005
Notes
While a handful of Atlanta's culinary stars has gained national reputations, there are abundant choices for those who are in the mood for something delicious, even adventurous, but less than luxe.
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