Sunday, September 27, 2009
Food, Atlanta
SP100: Food
Atlanta’s It List 2009
Courtesy of TRG
Anne Quatrano
Challah stuffed with peanut butter at Highland Bakery
Spark St. Jude
Heidi Geldhauser
Fried oyster eggs Benedict at Serpas
Courtesy of La Tavola
Get cozy at La Tavola.
SP Archives
Fresh breakfast offerings at Sun in my Belly
Spark St. Jude
Chef/owner Billy Allin of Cakes & AleANNE QUATRANO
WHY: For decades, Quatrano has wowed Atlantans with her gourmet dishes at Bacchanalia, Floataway Café, Quinones, Star Provisions and, most recently, Abattoir. As one of the top-rated chefs in the country, her dedication to perfection is hard to match.
WHERE: www.starprovisions.com.
BILLY ALLIN
WHY: You don’t have to get the Shakespearean reference to enjoy Allin’s Decatur restaurant. Recently named among the country’s best by Bon Appétit magazine, Cakes & Ale is the farm-to-table concept Allin envisioned as the kind of restaurant he’d like to patronize.
WHERE: 254 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-377-7994. www.cakesandalerestaurant.com.
JCT KITCHEN
WHY: What? You haven’t discovered this gem scrunched between Bacchanalia and the railroad tracks? Look harder! You’re missing out on the Benton’s bacon-wrapped tenderloin, corn- and goat-cheese pasta and the juicy lamb burger. The downtown views from the porch off the bar are pretty yummy as well.
WHERE: 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-355-2252. www.jctkitchen.com.
HOLEMAN & FINCH PUBLIC HOUSE
WHY: Pull up a pub table and share a platter of house-cured meats while waiting on one of the signature burgers. Sundays turn it into a crowded brunch spot, where the short menu features corned-beef hash, country ham and biscuits, and pastries.
WHERE: 2277 Peachtree Road. 404-948-1175. www.holeman-finch.com.
SERPAS
WHY: This Old Fourth Ward eatery is well-named for chef/owner Scott Serpas. Only an expert could turn out Texas crab toast and eggplant hush puppies that leave you craving more. Mix it up with two-patty burgers, pasta jambalaya and a range of old-fashioned desserts, including lemon poppy seed cake, chocolate bread pudding and fried apple pies.
WHERE: 659 Auburn Ave. 404-688-0040. www.serpasrestaurant.com.
CYPRESS STREET PINT & PLATE
WHY: OK, we’re letting the secret out. This cozy spot in the shadow of the Biltmore in Midtown is a gem for lunch, dinner or late night, and has one of the best patios in town: plenty of seats and chatter but none of the road noise.
WHERE: 817 W. Peachtree St. 404-815-9243. www.cypressstreetpintandplate.com.
LA TAVOLA
WHY: The charm of this Virginia-Highland restaurant is definitely its coziness, as everyone gets friendly at the elbow-close tables. It’s worth waiting for a table in one of the windows, where you can watch the sidewalk scene over dishes of baked manicotti, risotto with black mushrooms or grilled calamari.
WHERE: 992 Virginia Ave. 404-873-5430. www.latavolatrattoria.com.
THE VORTEX
WHY: Banging burgers and phenomenal beer selections. Did we mention the burgers? Featured on the Food Network for the unique Elvis Burger dripping with peanut butter and the whopping Double Bypass order that can give you one. Served up with attitude by the funky, tattooed wait staff. Don’t forget the tater tots.
WHERE: www.thevortexbarandgrill.com.
SUN IN MY BELLY
WHY: Pure deliciousness, that’s why. Situated in a renovated hardware store, this restaurant serves up belly-warming breakfast, lunch and brunch in a European café style with an enviable dedication to fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.
WHERE: 2161 College Ave. NE. 404-370-1088. www.suninmybelly.com.
HIGHLAND BAKERY
WHY: Tasting goodness in every bite might be reason enough to dine at this established Old Fourth Ward eatery. Owner Stacey Eames spreads sweet cheer through delectable and inventive dishes, while her partner in love and business, sugar artist Karen Portaleo, creates inspiring custom cakes and drool-worthy desserts.
WHERE: 655 Highland Ave. 404-586-0772. www.highlandbakery.com.