Staying here tomorrow night. Is Pacci (in the hotel) the place to eat or should we venture on out and eat elsewhere. The boys(pets) will be back at the hotel and we don't won't to leave them for very long. The party is two women so we may not want to venture very far.

Pacci should be good but if you want to walk somewhere within a couple of blocks -
Ecco - good (I think it's a favorite of LowCountryIslander's - either that or Eno, which is within 2 blocks but the menu has changed and I wasn't impressed)
Gordon Biersch - just about anything on the menu, all made from scratch and very good. MvK ate there last week and loved it
Silk or Steel if you want sushi or asian
Vortex - if you want a great burger or good bar food
across the street from the Vortex is a trio of restaurants that are inexpensive but good, the Bakeshop (good sandwiches and breakfasts), Little Azio's (Italian that you order at the counter) and a Noodle shop

Here's an article about Eno becoming the 5th Street Cafe -
http://www.atlantamagazine.com/blogs...tryID=10113913

Here's Ecco -
http://www.ecco-atlanta.com/

GB - http://www.gordonbiersch.com/locatio...own-atlanta-ga

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/

http://www.silkrestaurant.com/

http://www.steelatlanta.com/

http://www.littleazio.com/
http://www.noodlehouse.net/midtown.htm

http://www.bakeshopatl.com/bakerycafe/

There's a Starbuck's there too and if you are looking for breakfast, they have some great breakfast sandwiches. I'll be there picking up a couple around 8am on Sunday

Thanks for the recs and links. I don't think I have the clothing for The Vortex!!

Excited about staying at The Palomar, got a great rate on Priceline.

Jeans and tshirt or anything you want to wear is fine at the Vortex. Late at night the clubbers may dress up more, but it's the go-to place for burgers/bar food in the area. Very casual, very funky. Taco Mac is another option, but is another block away (making it 3 blocks). Great deal on the Palomar. Love those Kimpton hotels.

The clothing I was talking about at The Vortex were the fishnet stockings on the biker babe on the home page!!

My travelling companion likes the looks of the menu at Gordon Biersch. If we go for an early dinner, should it be a problem walking in that area or would a cab be the better option?

Yeah, the clubbers may be in fishnets but 90% of the rest of us are in regular ole clothes. Now, late at night it may be a different story

GB is a really good option. I've taken my boss out to some of the nicest restaurants in Atlanta and he really liked GB. MvK was looking for some options last week and they really liked it too. Their menu is varied, the food is cooked to order and everything we've ordered has been great there. The pear and gorgonzola salad is fabulous, the chicken dishes are good, as are the pastas. Good steaks too. It reminds me of a Houstons in that it has a wide range of menu options and everything is good.

The walk is just 2 blocks (up either 6th or 7th) to Peachtree. CVS is one on corner and Starbucks on the other. Midtown has become very residential in the last few years with all of the highrises that have gone up on Peachtree so there will be other folks out, walking dogs, going to dinner, etc. The walk is fine. If you decide to drive, there's valet parking next to GB (complimentary during the week but a few bucks on weekends). I doubt a cab will take you .2 miles, or if they do the charge will probably be the flat $10 Midtown rate. If you want to cab it somewhere, that widens the options of restaurants.

No concerns walking in that area at night. There will be plenty of folks out and about.