Midtown Atlanta
Nov 10th, 1999 | 05:04 AM
#4
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Brian. I would be interested in knowing a good place to eat in the vicinity of the Woodruff Arts Center - High Museum.
We drive in about 7 or 8 times a year for ASO performances. (More this year because of the farewell concerts for Yoel Levi.) I am interested in something pre concert that is better than Houlihans but not quite up to Nikolai's Roof prices. (I think you know the Houlihans I mean -- in Colony Square fronting on Peachtree.)
We tried the South of France once, up I 85 near Lennox Road, but it was awful. (I swore then never again!!) So any suggestions for a place that is within easy striking distance of Symphony Hall would be appreciated.
(I have eaten at the Country Place (??) in Colony Square and was not bowled over impressed unless it has improved since the last time -- about 4 years ago.)
We drive in about 7 or 8 times a year for ASO performances. (More this year because of the farewell concerts for Yoel Levi.) I am interested in something pre concert that is better than Houlihans but not quite up to Nikolai's Roof prices. (I think you know the Houlihans I mean -- in Colony Square fronting on Peachtree.)
We tried the South of France once, up I 85 near Lennox Road, but it was awful. (I swore then never again!!) So any suggestions for a place that is within easy striking distance of Symphony Hall would be appreciated.
(I have eaten at the Country Place (??) in Colony Square and was not bowled over impressed unless it has improved since the last time -- about 4 years ago.)
Nov 10th, 1999 | 06:19 AM
#5
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OK, C.Clark, here are my favorites:
Tamarind: Upscale (but not expensive) Thai on 14th Street near Spring St. This is a gem on a very ugly street with professional service with very nice but not stuffy atmosphere. Many critics say this is the best Thai in town. Make reservations.
Pasta da Pulcinella (sp?) - hip pasta restaurant on Peachtree St near 11th. Order from the limited but very inventive menu of Italian pastas. Lots of candlelight, lots of beautiful people in a pretty, small place. It's very laid back - you order your meal at the counter, take your wine back to the table with you. This is the best value in town. Wonderful pastas start at $5.95. The atmosphere is more classy than it sounds like it would be. Call ahead, word is they are moving locations soon.
Loca Luna - brand new tapas restaurant/bar/club by local chef genious Paul Luna. The South American-style tapas are great (and a bargain at $3.25 per plate), the wine list is interesting (and priced well at $19.24 per bottle), and the place is absolutely electric. It's largely open-air and dressed up with very vivid colors. One critic described the decor as Carmen Miranda on acid. The location is on Juniper Ave near 6th Street and is wedged between Atlanta's 2 most popular gay bars, but the crowd is well mixed. This is a very fun place with a great bar and live salsa music most nights.
Zocalo: A great Mexican Taqueria on the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Ave. Very authentic menu - no nachos, chip and salsa or orange cheese. Great open-porch rustic atmosphere and wonderful food for a great price (entrees $9-$12). Highly recommended if you like real Mexican food.
Nickimodo's - right next door to Zocolo, super-hip sushi restaurant. I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I've only been once, but if you like sushi, this is supposedly good quality, and the atmosphere is pretty classy.
South City Kitchen - a little less casual and a bit more pricy (entrees $15-$22), but one of the best options to sample new Southern type cooking. In an old house on Crescent Street near 14th Street (there are a growing number of bars/restaurant/late night clubs on Crescent St.).
Las Palmeras - a gem hidden in the middle of the the residential part of Midtown. Hard to find (368 5th Street). Small, family run very authentic Cuban restaurant. Traditional Cuban can be a little dry to American palates, but if that doesn't bother you, you can have a wonderful and very afordable meal here. Bring you own spirits, or buy them at the tiny grocery store next door.
Tiera - now, I haven't been here yet, but the buzz about this new, very small, South American restaurant has been very good. We plan to go next week. Make reservations. I think entrees are around $15-$20). On Piedmont Ave, about a quarter mile South of Monroe Ave.
Cafe Diem - a short (3 mile) drive from Midtown (it's between Virginia Highlands and Little 5 Points). Very European cafe (the waitstaff is recruited from the international extended-stay hostel next door. Great casual atmosphere, great sandwiches, salads, pastas, beer list, desserts, coffees, etc. Amazingly cheap (watch the specials, though, they can be much more expensive than the rest of the menu). Good place for lunch or a late night snack.
I would generally avoid the restaurants near the Fox Theater - they are set up to serve tourists seeing a show and fall apart after the pre-theater crowd leaves.
Post back if you would like more info.
Tamarind: Upscale (but not expensive) Thai on 14th Street near Spring St. This is a gem on a very ugly street with professional service with very nice but not stuffy atmosphere. Many critics say this is the best Thai in town. Make reservations.
Pasta da Pulcinella (sp?) - hip pasta restaurant on Peachtree St near 11th. Order from the limited but very inventive menu of Italian pastas. Lots of candlelight, lots of beautiful people in a pretty, small place. It's very laid back - you order your meal at the counter, take your wine back to the table with you. This is the best value in town. Wonderful pastas start at $5.95. The atmosphere is more classy than it sounds like it would be. Call ahead, word is they are moving locations soon.
Loca Luna - brand new tapas restaurant/bar/club by local chef genious Paul Luna. The South American-style tapas are great (and a bargain at $3.25 per plate), the wine list is interesting (and priced well at $19.24 per bottle), and the place is absolutely electric. It's largely open-air and dressed up with very vivid colors. One critic described the decor as Carmen Miranda on acid. The location is on Juniper Ave near 6th Street and is wedged between Atlanta's 2 most popular gay bars, but the crowd is well mixed. This is a very fun place with a great bar and live salsa music most nights.
Zocalo: A great Mexican Taqueria on the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Ave. Very authentic menu - no nachos, chip and salsa or orange cheese. Great open-porch rustic atmosphere and wonderful food for a great price (entrees $9-$12). Highly recommended if you like real Mexican food.
Nickimodo's - right next door to Zocolo, super-hip sushi restaurant. I'm not a huge sushi fan, so I've only been once, but if you like sushi, this is supposedly good quality, and the atmosphere is pretty classy.
South City Kitchen - a little less casual and a bit more pricy (entrees $15-$22), but one of the best options to sample new Southern type cooking. In an old house on Crescent Street near 14th Street (there are a growing number of bars/restaurant/late night clubs on Crescent St.).
Las Palmeras - a gem hidden in the middle of the the residential part of Midtown. Hard to find (368 5th Street). Small, family run very authentic Cuban restaurant. Traditional Cuban can be a little dry to American palates, but if that doesn't bother you, you can have a wonderful and very afordable meal here. Bring you own spirits, or buy them at the tiny grocery store next door.
Tiera - now, I haven't been here yet, but the buzz about this new, very small, South American restaurant has been very good. We plan to go next week. Make reservations. I think entrees are around $15-$20). On Piedmont Ave, about a quarter mile South of Monroe Ave.
Cafe Diem - a short (3 mile) drive from Midtown (it's between Virginia Highlands and Little 5 Points). Very European cafe (the waitstaff is recruited from the international extended-stay hostel next door. Great casual atmosphere, great sandwiches, salads, pastas, beer list, desserts, coffees, etc. Amazingly cheap (watch the specials, though, they can be much more expensive than the rest of the menu). Good place for lunch or a late night snack.
I would generally avoid the restaurants near the Fox Theater - they are set up to serve tourists seeing a show and fall apart after the pre-theater crowd leaves.
Post back if you would like more info.
Nov 10th, 1999 | 06:46 AM
#6
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Bob, I haven't been to that Houlihans and hope to never have too. And thanks for the review of South of France - I'll strike that off my possibilities list. And I've only been to Nikoli's Roof once - when my Dad was picking up the tab.
If you like Thai, Tamarind (above) is close by (about a mile).
For French, there is a very good restaurant called Saint Amour on Piedmont just north of Monroe (next to Cowtipper's). It's in an old house, run by a French family and has received good reviews. I think I had Coquilles St. Jacque there, and enjoyed them, but can't compare them to the real thing (did you have some on your recent trip?). Entrees are about $15-$20. It's about a 5 minute drive from Woodruff.
There's a new restaurant in the process of opening on Peachtree and 5th called Eno. It's expected to be on the level of Veni Vedi Vici, so it may be a tad expensive, but the neighborhood's expecting big thing from it. I'll post back once I've tried it.
If you like Thai, Tamarind (above) is close by (about a mile).
For French, there is a very good restaurant called Saint Amour on Piedmont just north of Monroe (next to Cowtipper's). It's in an old house, run by a French family and has received good reviews. I think I had Coquilles St. Jacque there, and enjoyed them, but can't compare them to the real thing (did you have some on your recent trip?). Entrees are about $15-$20. It's about a 5 minute drive from Woodruff.
There's a new restaurant in the process of opening on Peachtree and 5th called Eno. It's expected to be on the level of Veni Vedi Vici, so it may be a tad expensive, but the neighborhood's expecting big thing from it. I'll post back once I've tried it.
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Nov 10th, 1999 | 09:27 AM
#8
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Thanks for the info, Brian.
Sorry, but the scallops were out to sea when we ate our "big treat" meal in Paris. Delayed shipment or something.
But I got something in the veal line that was incredible; and my wife had salmon that was unworldly. Can't face an Athens eatery since then. As far as I am concerned, its either home cooking or Wendy's chicken sandwich, or the faculty center cafeteria in a pinch. (Chef Wolfgang's is ok, if you can take German cooking.)
The South of France may have changed hands since I was last there. But I kid you not, it was bad enough to cry over.
My wife and I went there for our 38th anniversary as a special treat. So we were sadly disappointed.
And don't knock Houlihans -- the chicks there (not to be confused with anything involving chicken like in fried) must be quite nice because there are plenty of chick seekers knocking about the place in warm weather, drinking some of local booze. You know the scene: hairy chested men and leggy females posturing, posing, preening, gyrating, etc. Glad I don't need to play that game.
Sorry, but the scallops were out to sea when we ate our "big treat" meal in Paris. Delayed shipment or something.
But I got something in the veal line that was incredible; and my wife had salmon that was unworldly. Can't face an Athens eatery since then. As far as I am concerned, its either home cooking or Wendy's chicken sandwich, or the faculty center cafeteria in a pinch. (Chef Wolfgang's is ok, if you can take German cooking.)
The South of France may have changed hands since I was last there. But I kid you not, it was bad enough to cry over.
My wife and I went there for our 38th anniversary as a special treat. So we were sadly disappointed.
And don't knock Houlihans -- the chicks there (not to be confused with anything involving chicken like in fried) must be quite nice because there are plenty of chick seekers knocking about the place in warm weather, drinking some of local booze. You know the scene: hairy chested men and leggy females posturing, posing, preening, gyrating, etc. Glad I don't need to play that game.
