Ever wonder where your favorite local chefs love to chow down? Us, too. Thus Eater Atlanta gives you its new Go-To Guide—your chef's guide to Atlanta, the southeast, and beyond.
Linton Hopkins. [Photo: Alex Lassiter]
In this edition, we take a look at where Linton Hopkins takes a bite and a sip when he's not busy empire building (Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House, H&F Bottle Shop, H&F Bread Co., burgers at the Ted) and shining his James Beard Award. He's a tastemaker with taste, so go ahead and bookmark this list.
Weekend brunch:
The General Muir is the best place right now. Todd Ginsberg is an amazing chef and his attention to detail is what sets this [restaurant] apart. Like me, he understands that toast is very important.
Quickie lunch:
Every time I head over to the Westside, [my wife] Gina and I seem to eat at Miller Union.
Casual dinner:
Most of the time it's casual dinner at home, but our most recent casual dinner was at Gunshow. Fun, quick, and delicious.
Ethnic restaurant(s):
We love Taka for sushi, and most recently we went to the new Bhojanic at Shops Around Lenox, which was great. Their samosa chaat is reason enough to go. Gu's Bistro is another favorite.
Late-night snacks and booze:
Holeman & Finch. It's why we built it. We wanted a place close to home with from-scratch food served late with great beverages.
Fancy night out:
If we are not at Eugene then invariably special nights out find us at Bacchanalia. Anne Q is a dear friend and Chef Andy Carson is the right guy for executing their shared vision of craveable fine dining. Gina always orders the caviar and I make sure to get the cheese cart.
Top five Atlanta restaurants not mentioned above:
Cakes & Ale
Bone's
Floataway Café
The Varsity (memories)
The last one is a secret.
Out-of-town fave (regional):
The Ordinary in Charleston. The seafood tower is extraordinary.
Out-of-town fave (national):
Animal in LA. Vinny and Jon are great friends and you wouldn't think it, but the vegetables are the star.
Out-of-the-whole-country fave:
L'Arpege, chef Alain Passard's homage to vegetables in Paris.
