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The 38 Essential Atlanta Restaurants, April '14

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It's time to update the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, "Can you recommend a restaurant?" This highly elite group covers the entire city (inside the perimeter, loosely), spans myriad cuisines, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs. Every couple of months, we'll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

This time around, after much reflecting and poring over reader emails and comments, the 38 bids adieu to Ecco, Local Three, Miso Izakaya, and Pho Dai Loi 2. New additions to the alphabetical list are Ammazza, Kimball House, Paper Plane, The Shed at Glenwood.

For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite restaurant isn't on the list, wouldn't it just be more productive to leave your thoughts in the comments? State your cases for (or against) restaurants below or in the tipline. And don't forget that newer restaurants can be found in the Eater Atlanta Heatmap, updated monthly.

March 2013: Added: Local Three, Woodfire Grill, Iberian Pig, Nick's Food to Go, Pho Dai Loi #2, Wrecking Bar Brewpub, Honey Pig.
July 2013: Added: Gu's Bistro, Rumi's Kitchen, Table & Main.
October 2013: Added: Abattoir, The General Muir.
January 2014: Added: BoccaLupo, Chai Pani, Gunshow, Victory Sandwich Bar.
April 2014: Added: Ammazza, Kimball House, Paper Plane, The Shed at Glenwood.


· All Eater 38 Coverage [-EATL-]

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4th & Swift

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4th & Swift was called the “au courant vision of Atlanta restaurant design” by Atlanta Magazine and has food to match the décor. On the menu are things like crispy Southern fried quail, local corn soup, pan-fried squash blossoms, Tybee Island shrimp ravioli.

Abattoir

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Local favorite Hector Santiago, previously of the well-loved Pura Vida, is now in the kitchen at Anne Quatrano's Abattoir. The chophouse-style restaurant serves small plates and meat-centric entrees; adventurous diners should ask for Santiago's secret butcher's menu, which offers dishes like blood sausage, chicken hearts, and even blood cake.

Ammazza

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There's more than one place for top-tier Neapolitan-style pizza in this town. Favorite pies include the Inferno with sopressata and peppers and the Ammazzare with Italian sausage and Vidalia onions; the caprese salad makes for perfect pre-pizza fare.

Antico Pizza Napoletana

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Antico's got certified authentic pizza and a local cult following. Plans for expansion are blazing away like the imported Acunto ovens that feed the masses— find Gio's Chicken Amalfitano and Caffe Gio right next door, with a limoncello bar and some Antico outposts coming soon.

Aria Restaurant

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The elegant cuisine at Gerry Klaskala's lovely Buckhead restaurant make it perfect for special occasions (go for the prix fixe). Desserts from talented pastry chef Kathryn King only add to the experience.

Bacchanalia

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Bacchanalia's five-course set menu is consistently called one of the best meals in Atlanta. The dinner is worth its price, but dishes can be ordered a la carte at the bar for those who just want a taste.

BoccaLupo

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Opened just one year ago, BoccaLupo quickly became both a neighborhood favorite and a destination restaurant. Head in for the pasta (the black spaghetti and the 20-yolk tagliatelle are popular choices), stay for the patio— and you can't go wrong with either wine or the craft cocktails. Chef Bruce Logue also offers a $40 pasta tasting if you're feeling crazy.

Cakes & Ale Restaurant

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There have been some recent changes, but Cakes & Ale continues to capture the local food-loving hearts of Atlantans who prefer substance and simplicity over style and status. The restaurant now offers Sunday brunch, and the pastries at the next door cafe are as good as ever.

Chai Pani

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Indian restaurants abound in Atlanta, but Chai Pani is the one to try: from the Decatur spot's signature street food dishes (some with local twists, like the kale pakoras) to the North Indian thalis and the chef specials, which range from well-researched historic dishes to contemporary comfort food favorites, the menu has something for everyone.

Empire State South

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This upscale Southern restaurant is Hugh Acheson’s first Atlanta project. The wine list, cocktails, and outdoor bocce court are worth a visit alone, but if you stay for dinner, do get the farm egg or the "in jars" appetizer to start, then move on to the seasonal entrees.

Floataway Cafe

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Though it has been through many a change, this semi-hidden Anne Quatrano joint remains a jewel in her crown. Looks for fresh oysters, Moscow Mule cocktails served in chilled metal cups, and the city’s only noteworthy steak frites.

Fox Bros Bar-B-Q

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It’s all about the gut-bombs at the icon that proved great barbecue is possible in Atlanta. Tater tots covered in chili and cheese, massive short ribs, and Frito pie are staples that make this the only spot you should go for the morning— okay, afternoon— after.

The General Muir

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This upscale Jewish deli concept from Ben and Jen Johnson of popular breakfast spot, West Egg, and executive chef Todd Ginsberg has been winning hearts since it opened in early 2013. The burger is one of the best in town, but other star dishes include the poutine fries, cheesecake, and sandwiches with reuben and turkey.

Gu's Bistro

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The Chinese Szechuan food at Gu's Bistro has developed a heavy following amongst Atlanta's food enthusiasts— so much so that an intown location is on the way. Favorites at this Buford Highway spot include the tea-smoked duck and the dry eggplant.

Gunshow

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Kevin Gillespie's innovative new restaurant Gunshow opened in May in Glenwood Park. The format is the first of its kind in Atlanta: You don't order from the menu, but by taking dishes off of a tray or cart that's passed around (sometimes) by the chef who cooked the food. The menu changes often and has had everything from pork skin risotto to an In-N-Out-esque "West Coast" burger so far, plus Swedish-inspired dishes unlike anything you'll find elsewhere in town. Pro tip: The bill adds up quickly, so go with a group.

Heirloom Market BBQ

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This barbecue spot has very limited seating, but the duo behind it, who also own new Korean-Southern diner Sobban bring more than enough flavor to compensate for the cramped quarters or a ride home in a to-go box. Look for Korean-inspired Southern ‘cue and pitch-perfect sides.

Holeman & Finch Public House

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This public house is so much more than the crafted specialty cocktails and cult burger. With the restaurant's local, seasonal offerings, keen attention to details, and fun atmosphere, it’s the place to take out of towners to show them what’s great about Atlanta. Try the carbonara, sweetbreads, and sticky toffee pudding if you miss the double stack.

The Iberian Pig

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Downtown Decatur tapas spot The Iberian Pig has great service and wine, but where it really shines is the carefully curated charcuterie and the small plates, which range from eggplant fries to pork cheek tacos.

JCT Kitchen

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Ford Fry calls JCT Kitchen’s style 'Southern farmstead.' The restaurant dishes out items that conjure up the South with a gourmet twist and serves them in an beautiful but industrial converted-warehouse space. Hit the upstairs bar for a pre-dinner drink, especially when the weather is nice.

Kimball House

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Kimball House's devotion to the way dining (and drinking) used to be shines through in its craft cocktail menu, oyster offerings, and three-course steak dinner.

The standard-bearer for upscale contemporary Greek food in the city, Kyma’s been bringing the bright flavors of Mediterranean seafood to life for a decade now. Look for show-stopping décor, fresh ingredients, good energy, and a nice wine list from this Buckhead Life Restaurant Group favorite.

Miller Union

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Steven Satterfield's farm-fresh, updated Southern cooking is simple and elegant. The farm egg baked in celery cream with grilled bread is a top ten Atlanta dish, the restaurant has one of the best vegetable plates in town, and the lunchtime-only ice cream sandwiches are the perfect after-meal treat.

Muss & Turner's

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This Smyrna spot serves enormous lunch sandwiches stuffed with all manner of homemade meats and fillings— with a side of pickles. The burger is definitely a top contender, the goat cheese cheesecake is phenomenal, and the beer list is a whopper. Don't miss the speakeasy behind the refrigerator door.

Nick's Food To Go

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Get a gyro at this takeout-only spot and you won't be sorry— unless, of course, you manage to annoy Nick, who can ask for your order and threaten to kick you out of the space in the same breath.

Octopus Bar

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Serving late-night only and catering to the industry crowd, Octopus Bar opens at 10:30 p.m. and serves cocktails and dishes like salt and pepper shrimp, lobster rolls, and daeji bulgogi. Find it inside and to the left of the space that's Vietnamese restaurant So Ba by day.

One Eared Stag

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This Inman Park restaurant is known for its bold menu, thanks to chef/owner Robert Phalen's inventiveness in the kitchen. You cant go wrong with lunch or dinner— or the chef's breakfast, served with a Schlitz, at brunch.

The Optimist

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Ford Fry's much-hyped fish camp and oyster bar in West Midtown opened in 2012 and has since been the recipient of praise galore. Don't be afraid to sit at the bar, and don't forget to leave some time for miniature golf.

Paper Plane

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Though the drinks at Paper Plane get plenty of attention, the food at this secluded Decatur Square spot is just as worthy. The hanger steak makes for the perfect complement to a Paul Calvert cocktail.

Rathbun's

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After a recent remodel and some menu changes, Kevin Rathbun's restaurant, Rathbun's, is back in full form. The food and the service are consistently great, and the Inman Park restaurant is conveniently located next to Krog Bar, where diners can stop in before or after a meal for a glass of wine and an appetizer or a nightcap.

Restaurant Eugene

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Restaurant Eugene’s Linton Hopkins won 2012's James Beard Award for Best Southeast Chef, and for good reason. This restaurant puts a definite emphasis on good food and an even bigger one on making sure everything is sourced locally. Order the tasting menu to make sure you don't miss a thing.

Rumi's Kitchen

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Last year, Rumi's Kitchen moved a few doors down from its first location into a new space. With it came an airier dining room and better parking along with the top-notch Persian food Atlantans have come to love from owner Ali Meshgali.

Sotto Sotto

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If one Atlanta Italian restaurant must be crowned supreme, this Inman Park favorite deserves the title. A long list of pastas made with care is the menu’s centerpiece and will ensure a successful night on any special occasion.

Star Provisions

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Order the sandwiches— especially the unorthodox Reuben and shrimp po’ boy— at Star Provisions. And after you eat, walk around the chef's market at peruse the fine home goods, chocolates, cheese, and meat.

Table & Main

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Roswell's Canton Street is a destination in and of itself, but even without a fancy address, Table & Main would be worth the trek into the suburbs. Ryan Pernice and chef Ted Lahey are doing everything right, from the Southern-inspired food and bourbon to the impeccable service.

The Shed at Glenwood

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The Shed at Glenwood sets the tone for the neighborhood with its farm-fresh, Southern-inspired bistro fare. Slider Night may be no more, but a variety of the mini-sandwiches still feature on the menu, alongside options like collard green pho and an extensive wine list.

Victory Sandwich Bar

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Victory Sandwich Bar is a lot of things. A purveyor of $4 sandwiches, Jack and Coke slushies, and fine cocktails, sure, but it's also fast become a neighborhood spot: somewhere people feel comfortable dining solo at the bar or in a large group, for a quick lunch, dinner and drinks, or a post-midnight snack. Don't miss the ping pong table or Paper Plane, the stellar bar around back, either.

Woodfire Grill

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Since Eater Atlanta 2012 and 2013 chef of the year Tyler Williams made the move to Woodfire Grill, the food has been pretty damn close to impeccable. Under his direction, the high-end offerings also see more playful twists.

Wrecking Bar Brewpub

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The food at Wrecking Bar has been unbeatable since executive chef Terry Koval (and his knowledge of local and sustainable food) came over from Farm Burger. Try the kale ale fondue or the three pigs skillet with its crispy pig ears to start.

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4th & Swift

4th & Swift was called the “au courant vision of Atlanta restaurant design” by Atlanta Magazine and has food to match the décor. On the menu are things like crispy Southern fried quail, local corn soup, pan-fried squash blossoms, Tybee Island shrimp ravioli.

Abattoir

Local favorite Hector Santiago, previously of the well-loved Pura Vida, is now in the kitchen at Anne Quatrano's Abattoir. The chophouse-style restaurant serves small plates and meat-centric entrees; adventurous diners should ask for Santiago's secret butcher's menu, which offers dishes like blood sausage, chicken hearts, and even blood cake.

Ammazza

There's more than one place for top-tier Neapolitan-style pizza in this town. Favorite pies include the Inferno with sopressata and peppers and the Ammazzare with Italian sausage and Vidalia onions; the caprese salad makes for perfect pre-pizza fare.

Antico Pizza Napoletana

Antico's got certified authentic pizza and a local cult following. Plans for expansion are blazing away like the imported Acunto ovens that feed the masses— find Gio's Chicken Amalfitano and Caffe Gio right next door, with a limoncello bar and some Antico outposts coming soon.

Aria Restaurant

The elegant cuisine at Gerry Klaskala's lovely Buckhead restaurant make it perfect for special occasions (go for the prix fixe). Desserts from talented pastry chef Kathryn King only add to the experience.

Bacchanalia

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