We'll be entertaining friends in Atlanta during August. Looking for dining and shopping destinations.

Shopping: Phipps Plaza and Lenox Mall
Dining: Buckhead

You didn't mention if you live here or are familar with the area. I live North Georgia. I frequently take guests to Dahlongea to walk the shops and have lunch. The Outlet Mall is on the way to Dahlongea. Everyone enjoys that more so than I (not a shopper).

For dinner, if they havent been to one, it's fun to go to Buca di Beppa by North Point Mall or Buckhead Diner. Our favorite upscale dining is Aria in Buckhead and Sambuca Jazz Cafe afterwards.

Our guests also always enjoy a day on Lake Lanier boating or jet skiing.

Theresa

Haven't lived in Atlanta in a few years; but a catered dinner at a Chastain Park concert was always a hit. One out-of-town guest wanted to spend the day at Harry's in Gwinnett Co.! Besides the obvious Lenox and Phipps (I only went there when guests requested it), the Virginia Highland area was fun. Is Pano and Pauls still good? I still miss Harry's.

xxx: The chef at panos & pauls moved to Panama City (yep) and chastain is still fun. Lenox is still the best mall, Virginia-Highlands is not quite as fun as used to be.

Roger-I would argue with you on malls.I think,now,North Point is better than Lenox!

Do not go to Buca di Beppa -- it's a chain with lousy food.

Not enough info to help. Living here,and close to Northpoint,I find that most of these answers are very subjective. For instance,to say that Northpoint is better than Lenox is like saying a Honda is better than a Lexus. It all depends on what you are looking for and your life experiences.

Interior design shoppers may enjoy going to shops around the Howell Mill Road - Huff Road area; Forsyth Fabrics offers superb fabrics for upholstery/window treatments; also look at Lewis & Sharon Fabrics. A fun shop (reminds me of Tuesday Morning chain) is Finders Keepers. Do lunch at Taqueria del Sol- try the fish tacos. Foodies would enjoy shopping at Star Provisions, which is adjacent to Bacchanalia, an upscale restaurant.

Dining Recs: If you want upscale try ($$$)Bachanalia, Oscar's and Aria are among the best. If you want classic southern try the Collonade. Hope this helps.

Maggianos at the Perimeter Mall great italian, beautiful resturant also a great lunch cafe.

1) Virginia Highlands - quaint shops, good for a lunch stop

2) Marietta, GA- antiques, lunch stop, history

3) Lenox Mall, Phipps Mall - dinner eithre Dante's Down the Hatch across from Swissotel/Lenox Mall or Fago De Chao on Piedmont road (Landmarks take piedmont road south once hit Peachtreee Road and Piedmont)

4) Weird stuff, Little Five Points... try the cuban restaurant, you'll see it with the palm trees painted outside...

5) Vinings, very nice shopping... nice dining slightly upscale

Make a reservation (at least a week in advance) at Fogo de Chao for a really neat restaurant experience. It's a Brazilian steakhouse. One price, all you can eat. Amazing salad bar with all types of good stuff (from fresh buffalo mozzerella to proscuitto) and the food is amazing. They're on the web so you can check out the food. Sort of expensive, but worth it. If there are light eaters, they can just get the salad bar. The restaurant is on Piedmond road in Buckhead.

For casual but good cuban/mex, try La Fonda Latina.

Doc Chey's Noodle house in the Highlands is always a local favorite (and cheap too).

Of course, if you want to go somewhere special (and expensive), there's always Chops. Always good.

I would suggest a few hours strolling through Piedmont Park. Great for people watching.

For shopping, my favorites are Lenox Mall and the outlets up 400 in Dawsonville.

Virginia-Highlands is a great area to shop, eat and just walk around and people watch. Highland Tap has wonderful burgers, good sushi at Harry & Sons and a large porch at Neighbors. Close in proximity to Piedmont Park to walk around. If you are looking to do something other than shopping and eating, try to go to Whole World Theater, improv comedy...but it books up very fast. Another fun idea is to go to Martinis and Imax at the Fernbank Museum down in Druid Hills.

If you want another neighborhood area, visit Decatur, Taqueria del Sol just opened their new restaurant, the little downtown area is nice and starting in Sept on Saturday nights they are having live music in the Gazebo in the heart of downtown Decatur. Brick Store Pub is a fun place to hang out and Sage is a good restaurant to eat at.

If you want the mainstream, crowded places to shop...you always have Lenox/Phipps and Perimeter malls.

Have fun!