We are just back from our journey after enjoying a fantastic dinner experience with an eleven-course-menu in the Quinones Room at Bacchanalia. It was exactly what we wanted, no, it surpassed our highest expectations.

The cuisine was innovative, daring, even challenging and with a definitive Southern accent (foie gras with apple preserve and roasted pecans, pork belly with greens and turnips, kobe beef with spoon bread and collard greens, and - this was really challenging for the European palate - a root beer float as a pre-dessert).

We also enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the personalized service which is so rare in the U.S.

Thank you so much for all your informed advice.

Later on our journey we had another dinner at BluePointe in Atlanta. The food was also very good, but it was not such an once-in-a-lifetime experience, because they serve this kind of "world cuisine" which can also be enjoyed in London or Berlin.

But I must admit, while we paid in Bacchanalia in sum (for the menu, wine pairings, a most expensive champagne as apéritif and gratuity) 210$ per person (it was worth each penny), the corresponding amount at BluePointe was just 100$ which is a bargain compared to restaurants in California or Europe.

A disappointment was dining in New Orleans. Commander's Palace turned out to be a hurried eating-factory with country cooking - way below the quality level we enjoyed in Atlanta.

Again, thank you all for your tips and an unforgettable dining experience.

I am so glad you enjoyed Bacchanalia.

When we visited family in Alpharetta, we went to Stoney River Steakhouse in Roswell and had absolutely phenomenal meals. We've gone back every chance we get. Atmosphere and service are excellent. Not sure how far Roswell is from Buckhead, but my whole family raves about SR.

Although Stoney River is a good steakhouse chain, it is light years from a Bacchanalia dining experience.

I tell you what we had at Quinones at Bacchanalia:

1) Squash Custard, Brandade with Aioli, Fennel Soup
2) Venison Carpacchio with Spiced Port Aspic, Perigord Truffles and Local Mache
3) Terrine of Foie Gras with Apple Preserve and Spiced Pecans
4) Scallops with Celeriac Pilaw
5) Red Snapper with Lemon, Medjool Date and Brown Butter
6) Pork Belly with Braised Greens and Caramelized Baby Turnips
7) Kobe Beef Short Ribs with Spoon Bread, Braised Collard Greens and Oxtail Consommée
8) Etivaz and Sweet Onion Tart
9) Root Beer Float
10) Spiced Pumpkin Bar with Gingerbread and Buttermilk Ice Cream
11) Chocolates

Of course, very small portions of each and plenty of time. Wine pairings (full glasses) with each course. Our waitress had a doctorate degree in French. Only six tables in the spacious dining room. Mostly typical "southern" families and couples at the tables. This I mean with "dining experience" - not just the food, it was a celebration of a whole evening.

Being back in Europe, our friends didn't want to believe: "Those Americans eat nothing but junkfood - they have no dining culture" - well, we showed them the menu which we brought with us from Quinones.