Jennifer Zyman Awards The Pig & The Pearl Two Stars

Creative Loafing's Jennifer Zyman reviews The Pig & The Pearl and awards the Atlantic Station smokehouse/raw bar two out of five stars. Zyman finds some highlights, particularly in the smoked meats, but says the restaurant is having a tough time finding its place in its location:

According to Shera, the restaurant hasn't received the traffic they anticipated and they are still trying to figure out an equation for success. I think much of that is due to the restaurant's struggle to find its place in Atlantic Station. Even I didn't know what to make of the restaurant after many visits. The restaurant has the same kind of neighborhood feel as The Shed, and that's the direction it should pursue. There are residents and plenty of people who want a useful restaurant to duck into for a post-shopping or pre-movie meal. And every community could use a neighborhood restaurant, even if that community is in an outdoor mall.

Creative Loafing's Cliff Bostock takes a first look at Last Word, which recently replaced P'cheen on North Highland Avenue. Bostock believes it's a game-changing restaurant for Atlanta:

It isn't often — to say the least — that I'm bowled over by a brand-new restaurant. But that's been the case after two visits to six-week-old Last Word. Co-owners Bernard Moussa and Matt Booth have transformed the dingy-hip ambiance of the former tenant, P'cheen, into a stunning runway for high-fashion food and cocktails, all without excessive frills or prices.

THE ELSEWHERE AND THE BLOGS: Fired Chicken Lips finds tasty, under-the-radar fried chicken at Fork in the Road Chicken & Tap. Weekend Eats ATL has a "pretty flawless" dinner of seafood and pasta at St. Cecilia. Hot Dish Review looks forward to many more memorable meals at BoccaLupo. Bella Vivere enjoys the regionally inspired barbecue at Twin Smokers, which recently opened Downtown. Friday Date Night says Marietta Fish Market is worth a visit, especially for the after-dinner cakes. Marie, Let's Eat dines on smoky, flavorful pork at Rooter's BBQ in Athens.