eat & drink in atlanta
Belly General Store, Anna Wolf, May 2007
- Atlanta Restaurants
- Bella Cucina
- 1050 North Highland Avenue
(404) 347-6476 Alisa Barry is the powerhouse chef behind these scrumptious, Mediterranean-inspired take-home foods (she also sells through Neiman Marcus and Whole Foods Market). Round flatbread ($20) can be heated, then drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with aromatic salt (flavors include lemon and fennel as well as lavender and rosemary, $8 each) for a tasty cocktail-party snack.
- Belly General Store
- 772 North Highland Avenue
(404) 872-1003 We stopped here mostly because we liked the old Coca-Cola ad on the side of the building, but after tasting the homemade bagels (olive oil is the secret ingredient), we were obsessed. A former pharmacy/soda fountain—owners DJ Freed and Melanie Manning kept the original 1914-era marble countertop—Belly retains the warm feel of an old-time neighborhood hub but with ample modern flair. Excellent coffee, Georgia grits, fresh juices and those bagels—now this is a proper breakfast!
- Jct. Kitchen & Bar
- 1198 Howell Mill Road
Suite 18
(404) 355-2252 This new chic canteen has an unapologetically Southern menu, from an iceberg-wedge salad to fried apple pie (unfairly delicious!). At night, you can sit on the upstairs bar's deck and catch the sunset over the city. The staff is completely charming, as is pretty much everyone in Atlanta.
- Piece of Cake
- 3215 Roswell Road N.E.
(404) 351-2253 Although this place is known for its white chocolate and caramel cakes, locals say you can't go wrong with any of the distinctly Southern options. The pound cake comes in a red tin ($38.50, including shipping), making it a natural gift for the holidays, even if you don't live here.
- Star Provisions
- 1198 Howell Mill Road
Suite 100
(404) 365-0410 This is the hub of a mini-empire run by husband-and-wife team Clifford Harrison and Anne Quatrano. Their restaurants (Bacchanalia in the back; Quinones downstairs) are considered two of Atlanta's best, but it's the chef-worthy market in the front (deli/ bakery/wine cellar/artisanal cheese shop) that won us over. For a quick lunch, try the shrimp po' boy, then spoil yourself with lavender pound cake from the bakery.
- The Globe
- 75 Fifth Street N.W
(404) 541-1487 We're told this lounge/bar/ bistro is hopping at night, but at brunch it was serene, with light pouring in from the wall of windows, enhanced by Jasper Morrison's "Glo- Ball" fixtures. Our zucchini frittata, livened by lemon zest, was heavenly.
- Woody's
- 772 North Highland Avenue
(404) 872-1003 A neighborhood institution for 32 years, this charming roadside shack is home to an unlikely specialty: Philadelphia cheesesteaks (owner David Pastoria grew up near Philly). Other light—not!—fare includes Polish sausages and orange freezes (vanilla ice cream and Fanta). Woody's is packed at lunchtime, so pop in early or late, or order to go and sit in nearby Piedmont Park.
