I will be in Atlanta on a business trip next week. We will probably be working the entire time, with no time even to go out to dinner. But if we do have time for dinner, what do you recommend in the Midtown area (we will not have a car)? I'm interested in regional cuisine, not too expensive but not too cheap either (expense account, but don't want to overdo it). Alternatively, if we don't make it out of the office until late, are there good midtown restaurants (regional cuisine) that we could order from that would deliver? Lastly, any good places to pick up a quick, light breakfast in the morning? Thanks

I live in Midtown and will assume you'll be working in one of the office buildings on Peachtree between 12th and 17th Streets.

If by regional cuisine, you mean southern, South City Kitchen is a good choice. It's in an old house in a small but popular restaurant/bar/club area on Crescent Street & 13th (one block off Peachtree). You'll get a mix of locals and expense account types. You can probably get the menu by doing a yahoo search.

Before I recommend other places, let me know exactly where you'll be located since you won't have a car.

If you're talking southern cooking one of the best would be Agnes and Muriel's on Monroe Dr. It's casual and and the decor is really interesting. It's crowded especially on the weekend so call ahead. If you want something a little classier try South City Kitchen which I think is located on Crescent Ave off of 14th St. Not too many restaurants deliver but there is a service called Takeout Taxi that delivers restaurant food in the Atlanta area. Their website is www.feedmefast.com .

As far as a light breakfast is concerned...good luck. Sunday Breakfast and Brunches are like 3 or 4 hour holidays here! If you want a quick breakfast you're stuck with McDonald's, the many coffeehouses, or Einstein bros. bagels. The nutritional prerequisite for a good southern breakfast is sugar, grease, salt, and booze. If you'd like a sit down, I suggest you try the Flying Biscuit on 10th (?) st. if you can get in, if not try Mary Mac's on Ponce de Leon.

Thank you both for the info.; what you've mentioned is the kind of thing I had in mind - I'm happy to hear any more restaurants (even non-Southern food) you'd care to recommend. I had seen a listing for South City Kitchen previously, and am glad to hear it's as good as it sounded. We're staying at the Sheraton Colony Square, and will be working at the law firm of Kilpatrick, Stockton, at 1100 Peachtree St.

In the unfortunate event we can't make it to dinner, I'm glad to hear about that taxi delivery service - better that than a bland late-night meal at the hotel.

I doubt we'll have time for more than a coffeehouse type of breakfast - any good ones in that area?

Afraid I can't help with breakfast, but your best bet is probably at the hotel or I think there's a little food court underneath the hotel.

For dinner, I'd also recommend Baronda, a new Italian pizzeria down near the Fox theater at 3rd and Peachtree - you can either take a cab or make the 11-block walk. This is real Italian pizza - thin crust cooked in a 1000 degree wood burning oven. They also do pastas, but the pizza is best. Reasonable prices for the neighborhood.

Since it's right down the street from the Fox theater, try to arrive after 8, as they'll be busy cleaning up after the before the show crowd.

Eno is another good choice (Italian with a focus on wine) at 5th and Peachtree, but more expensive.

Oh, and South City Kitchen is only about a 2 minute walk from your hotel.

Do a yahoo search for Atlanta take out taxi for menus.

If by some miracle you do have some downtime, a good place to enjoy a beer is the Prince of Wales, just 1 block East of your hotel at 14th and Piedmont, right across from the park. Authentic British pub with a great patio.

Good Luck.

Oh, sorry. For reference, your hotel is at the corner of Peachtree and 14th Street.

Thanks to Brian & Sharon for their suggestions - I was in Atlanta for 2 days last week on business, and the little I saw (due to work demands) was beautiful, and the people were incredibly friendly.

South City Kitchen was great - late in the evening, mid-week, it was still lively, and I was able to eat outside, a delicious modern-southern meal. The next night, also late, I ate at Front Page News, a New Orleans-style restaurant with outdoor seating. For a person from the North, it was delightful. Thanks for sharing your city!