I have a very good friend, single female - traveling to a meeting in Atlanta this weekend. She will be staying at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. She has asked me for dinner recommendations but I usually stay downtown Atlanta.

Can you help me with some ideas for her? She will be in meetings all day but on her own for dinner, she is not familiar with the area. And most importantly - she is concerned with safety. I have told her there are probably places within walking distance, but...

Please help.

loveyblue

It is a chain but I've always love Houston's.

The Ritz-Carlton is on a *very* busy corner next to Phipps Plaza and Lenox mall shopping centers. Both of the malls have several eating choices, and safety should not be problem. (Safety meaning crime, not traffic -- this is not a pedestrian-friendly area in general.)

At Phipps, I can recommend The Tavern and the Grape Wine Bar. Both moderately priced and very popular.

The Dining Room at the Ritz is also supposed to be fantastic, but I assume quite pricey.

Just to clarify my above comment: if your friend is staying at the Ritz-Carlton and wants to walk to restaurants, her biggest safety concern is going to be getting hit by a car. She will be crossing multi-lane thoroughfares on one of the city's busiest corners where pedestrians have been mowed down.

In terms of crime, she shouldn't have any worries. If she walks down to the Lenox MARTA stop (across the street from Houston's), though, there are frequently a lot of shifty characters hanging around but I think it's well patrolled and I wouldn't be too concerned.

Is she on expense account? I'll assume she is and list some of the pricier places.

Here's a link to the most recent Best of Atlanta restaurant list -

http://www.atlanta.creativeloafingbe...n=oid%3A394883

The Best Overall restaurant is right there at the Ritz. I'd eat right there. I do high end entertaining there at lunch - they have creatively themed buffets every day (but I don't think they have them on the weekend). Anyway, dinner at the Dining Room can't be beat.

Does she like steakhouses? Bones is the best and around the corner. Not to walk to, but I bet the Ritz will offer a car service for her. If not, it won't be an expensive cab ride.

My less pricey favorite is the Buckhead Diner. Neat place, good food (don't like "diner" fool you). Their lemon drops and maytag bleu cheese handmade potato chips appetizer is the reason I go. Every meal I've had there over the years has been good.

If she wants a moderate restaurant, then she could walk to Houston's. It is an Atlanta favorite with a wide ranging menu.

Maggiano's Italian is a favorite of some (not necessarily mine though). It is a chain with huge portions. But, if she likes Italian. I wouldn't walk it if I were here, but use the Ritz' shuttle service or a cab.

An Atlanta institution is down the street. If she likes fondue, she could try Dante's Down the Hatch. It really is unique

Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza are at the adjacent corners. Lots of options there. Casual options at Lenox are Panera Bread and California Pizza Kitchen if she's paying - and she could walk around the mall afterwards. At Phipps, she can't go wrong with Twist, especially if she like Sushi (they have other items too). The sister restaurants Shout and Strip are two of my favorites in Atlanta. The Sinatra roll is amazing. When it's time for me to pick a sushi restaurant, I always pick a Here to Serve restaurant with the Sinatra roll on the menu

GoTravel, cherylj & starrs - What great information you have given me....not only super restaurant information with a great variety of price range but traffic info as well. Great thing to know when visiting an unfamiliar part of the city.

I will pass along all of your good ideas and I do thank you for such prompt response.

loveyblue

I love Dante's Down The Hatch but haven't been since they rebuilt. It was like a Disney ride on crack.

Great fondue!

Good jazz too.