We will be at the Grand Hyatt in the Buckhead area in early September and would love suggestions for an early dinner before a football game.As you can guess, we will be dressed casually but would love to hear your suggestions about where to go for a great meal. We don't mind driving if its a short distance. (Someone mentioned Canoe in Vinnings. Is that good?)

Buckhead Diner & Houstons are two favorites. Have not tried Canoe...maybe someone else can tell you about that restaurant. It used to get good reviews.

Houston's is a national chain you can find in lots of cities. Buckhead Diner is decent, but food is not worth a special trip IMO.
If you can swing it, I love Nava on Peachtree. Call ahead. Eat outdoors. Lots of very good choices, though. What type of cuisine would you prefer? Lets narrow it down that way.

Cindi-

From your address I gather you will be attending the Tech-FSU game. The above metioned restaurants are all good but too leisurely for a pre game meal when you will be pressed for time. If you want the REAL pre-Tech game dining experience the Varsity is the only place to go. It is one block from the stadium just across the freeway on North Ave. Afterwards you can get a late night snack and a beer to cry in at John Harvards or Three Dollar Cafe in Buckhead .

Buzz

i am always soooo embarrassed when someone tells a tourist to go to the varsity. IT IS GROSS!!!! i think the only people who like the varsity are the ones who grew up here and then it's just a sentimental thing i have to believe. the famous hotdogs are those red things that you have no idea what could be in them. everything else is just GREASY. if you like that fine. but you will be missing some very good restaurants in atlanta.

some of my favorites in the buckhead area are---

nava-already mentioned. very good. you need to make a reservation however.

braissere le coze---i think that's the name of it. a french restaurant at lenox mall--unfortunately it is in a mall but there is access to the restaurant outside the mall.

soliel and grappa--both on maple drive. small restaurants--very good.

just a few i can think of off the top of my head. look at accessatlanta.com. there maybe some others you can ask about with another post.

in the midtown area--

south city kitchen---very good.

vickery's--also good--a little more casual than south city.

in virginia highlands---

caramba cafe-mexican

indigo grill-in the same strip as caramba cafe--excellent.

in inman park area--

babbette's & sotto sotto.

again, i think you should look on accessatlanta.com and post another inquiry if you see something that sounds interesting.

Thanks to all who have made suggestions....even Buzz who wants this Noles fan to eat at the Varsity. I have tried to find info on Nava but to no avail. even on accessatlanta.com. Tell me about it. We need a place where kids can go too. There will be two, ages 5 & 9. We tried the Peachtree Cafe several years ago and it was good. Is it still good? What is your opinion of tu-tu tango? Near Buckhead? Appropriate for kids? Good food? Thanks for helping.

Cindi: go to zagat.com
restaurant details for all major cities in the US
you'll find more than you need there

One of my favorite places to eat is the Cheesecake Factory....and no, it doesn't just have cheesecake!! It's fun and friendly. It's in the Buckhead area.

i suppose cheesecake factory is okay but just so you know, in case you don't already---it's a chain restaurant. you will find one in most major american cities. the food is acceptable, but you might as well go to chili's, TGI Friday's, Houlihan's. If that's what your looking for fine. i thought they did have cheesecake, who knows, who cares.

A few years ago while in Atlanta we ate at a place called "THE fISH MARKET" (or something like that). It was excellent. It was not too far from Buckhead. Maybe someone else who lives in Atlanta will know which restaurant I am talking about.

oh yes, the fish market is good. can be very crowded though so be prepared. i'm not sure if they take reservations or not but you should definately call and make one if they do. it is definately in the heart of Buckhead. On Pharr Road.