Sunday, September 14, 2008 | News, Sports, A+E, Food, Life, In this Issue..., Style, Nightlife
SP The SP 100

Presenting the fourth annual SP 100: The Sunday Paper staff’s thoroughly researched, hotly debated and extremely opinionated list of Atlanta’s finest entertainers, restaurants, philanthropists, nightspots and more.


J.E. Kemp
Chocolate Pink


Courtesy of Nava
The patio at Nava


Spark St. Jude
Parish


TRG
STATS


Spark St. Jude
Straits


Courtesy of the Sun Dial
The Sun Dial


Spark St. Jude
Via Elisa

STRAITS RESTAURANT

WHY: OK, so Ludacris co-owns this hot-ticket Singaporean dining destination in Midtown, but we didn’t choose it for its celeb status, we swear. The real star at Straits is the fare, as it should be. We’re in love with the chicken lollipops, a sweet-and-sour succulent treat, and the smart cocktails are creatively concocted by a mixologist who knows a thing or two about getting us tipsy.
WHERE: 793 Juniper St., Atlanta. 404-877-1283. www.straitsrestaurants.com.

CHOCOLATE PINK CAFÉ

WHY: Pastries, chocolates and cakes, oh, my! Decadence and divinity coexist at this Midtown bakery, where Executive Pastry Chef  Christian Balbierer continues to satisfy our sweet tooth with gourmet confections. Not only is every treat that comes out of this shop to die for, they’re all picture-perfect. Our fave is the strawberry blossom, a blessed creation of shortbread cookie, raspberry marmalade, white chocolate pastry cream and fresh strawberries. Delish.
WHERE: 905 Juniper St., Atlanta. 404-745-9292. www.chocolatepinkcafe.com.

BRAKE PAD

WHY: With juicy burgers, heavenly white truffle chicken salad, interesting brews on tap, a great patio and a friendly staff, this cool converted gas station easily rates as one of our favorite hangouts. There’s no trivia or karaoke—a trend we wish would catch on at other restaurants. The hip crowd at the Brake Pad is made up of all ages, in keeping with the whole “we are family” community feel in College Park and neighboring East Point.
WHERE: 3403 Main St., College Park. 404-766-1515. www.brakepadatlanta.com.

SWEETWATER BREWING CO.

WHY: Everyone likes happy hour, and at SweetWater, the flowing beer samples and laid-back vibe keep young professionals coming back week after week. Homemade brews ESB, Blue, Exodus Porter, Festive, Sweet Georgia Brown and 420 Extra Pale Ale all sport distinctive tastes to soothe the soul after a long day at work.
WHERE: 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta. 404-691-2537. www.sweetwaterbrew.com.

THE OCEANAIRE SEAFOOD ROOM

WHY: The feel of a ’30s ocean liner, a dose of class and a dash of elegance, not to mention the abundance of fresh seafood, make the Oceanaire perfect for special occasions. Patrons can sip a Sidecar in the lounge, order from the oyster bar or slide into a roomy booth with friends and loved ones.
WHERE: 1100 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-475-2277. www.theoceanaire.com.

PARISH MARKET

WHY: A diverse crowd, delicious food and lively music in an up-and-coming, walkable area make Parish the newest place to eat and drink. Located on the lower level, the Market sells organic, housemade breads, po’ boys, espresso, juices, wines and more. Patrons can “grab & go,” or have a bite at the communal table or on the patio, meeting and mingling with those who share similar foodie interests.
WHERE: 240 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-681-4434. www.parishatl.com.

DRINKING AT THE SUN DIAL

WHY: Because even if the alcohol makes your head spin, you won’t be alone; the whole restaurant and bar is spinning! Offering a breathtaking, 360-degree view of Atlanta’s skyline, as well as a great selection of wine, champagne and martinis, the Sun Dial bar is a perfect spot for romance.
WHERE: 210 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-589-7506. www.sundialrestaurant.com.

STATS

WHY: It’s a restaurant, it’s a sports bar, it’s … STATS! Located within walking distance of Philips Arena and the CNN Center, STATS serves up game-day (and non-game-day) fun in the form of gourmet bar food and beer on tap, including the state-of-the-art personal taps, allowing guests to serve their own beer at select tables.
WHERE: 300 Marietta St., Atlanta. 404-885-1472. www.statsatl.com.

DEKALB FARMERS MARKET

WHY: This international market is a haven for connoisseurs of everything fresh, from produce and seafood to baked goods and cheeses. Flowers, nut butters and even books can be found at this 140,000-square-foot bazaar, which often offers much better deals than your standard grocery chain.
WHERE: 3000 East Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-377-6400. www.dekalbfarmersmarket.com.

VIA ELISA

WHY: It’s time to be open and honest—we really love carbs, and Via Elisa makes some of the best fresh pasta and ravioli to satisfy our gluten cravings. Additionally, chefs at local hotspots like Aria and Rathbun’s are hooked on Elisa Gambino’s 100 percent organic pasta, using it in some of their tastiest dishes. You can also find Via Elisa’s fabulous pasta at Atlanta-area Whole Foods stores.
WHERE: 1750C Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 4040605-0449. www.viaelisa.com.

SLOW FOOD ATLANTA

WHY: The Slow Food movement focuses on saving the heritage of food, and Atlanta’s Julie Shaffer is spearheading the celebration of locally produced cuisine. Slow Food Atlanta promotes good stewardship of the earth and land with projects such as a school garden in Decatur; campus chapters at Le Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute at Chattahoochee Technical College; the sustainable food initiative at Emory University; and the Georgia Restaurant Association’s local, sustainable and green coalition.
WHERE: www.slowfoodatlanta.org.

PAOLO’S GELATO

WHY: Lovers of Italian cuisine know the object of their affection can pack on the pounds, but gelato contains only half the fat of standard ice cream. Paolo’s gelato is a fine example of authenticity and popularity, proven by the long line of people winding outside the small shop in Virginia Highland on any given day or night. Offerings are inventive, like the gelato spaghetti shaped just like the entrée, and the flavors are endless, from the standards to the rare, like basil, rosemary, sangiovese and prosecco.
WHERE: 1025 Virginia Ave., Atlanta. 303-607-0055. www.paolosgelato.com.

NAVA

WHY: Lazily sipping Nava’s impressive cocktails at its fountainside patio is a quintessential Buckhead experience. The restaurant’s Southwestern cuisine is a sure-fire way to heat things up on a date. Don’t miss the Sonoma jack cheese fritters with red pepper jelly; pair them with the prickly pear margarita, a desert-friendly blend of prickly pear cactus syrup, tequila and house-made sour mix. On Wednesdays, shake your hips to live music from a Flamenco guitarist.
WHERE: 3060 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-240-1984. www.buckheadrestaurants.com.