First Looks at The Luminary, Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

In Creative Loafing, Brad Kaplan takes a first look at The Luminary, Top Chef alum Eli Kirshtein's brasserie that was the first Krog Street Market restaurant to open its doors. Kaplan finds a work in progress, but an authentic concept that shows potential:

While I'm all for keeping things fresh and new, maybe the Luminary can embrace the brasserie ideal a bit more and not try to get too clever with the classics. After all, the combination of a good beer list, simple standards done right, an air of casual formality, and a buzzing crowd has worked for centuries. It's a blueprint that, despite its classic-ness, still gets people excited. Krog Street Market and the Luminary both have just a bit more construction to do to fully live up to Atlanta's eager expectations.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Bob Townsend pays a visit to new BeltLine-adjacent restaurant Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and finds that it is already a popular destination:

On a recent Thursday evening, the crowd stood three-deep at the bar, while there was a wait for a coveted table outside. Lennox worked the room, and chef Kyle Schmidt, formerly of King + Duke and No. 246, worked the pass - showing off dishes such as a whole spatchcock chicken ($36), which serves four and comes with sides and accompaniments such as grilled tortillas and salsas.

THE ELSEWHERE AND THE BLOGS: Hot Dish Review enjoys "some of Atlanta's best barbecued meats," with an Asian twist, at Sweet Auburn Barbecue. Marie, Let's Eat visits Blind Pig BBQ in Jackson, the blog's 300th barbecue meal, and determines it's worth the road trip. Fried Chicken Lips takes in better-than-average Thai food at Thai Chili. Bella Vivere recommends getting to Parma Tavern as soon as possible. Atlanta Restaurant Blog has some of the best oysters ever at The Pig & The Pearl. Eat It, Atlanta enjoys lunch at Lusca, but says it's too expensive for regular midday visits.