11 minute read
Dining
Dining Al Fresco
The cool spring breeze invites guests to step outside and enjoy the warmer weather. Whether the time is right for a leisurely brunch or evening drinks with friends, Atlanta’s restaurants have a patio that fits the bill. BY LIESL MERKEL
Dos Bocas
DELLA-BE PHOTOGRAPHY
JCT. Kitchen & Bar
Bistro Niko
HEIDI GELDHAUS-HARRIS
ALMA COCINA BUCKHEAD
Step into the new Alma Cocina Buckhead and find authentic dishes reflecting contemporary Mexican and Latin cuisine. On a sunny day, settle into the secluded patio, perched on Peachtree Road but cloaked in greenery, perfect for viewing busy city life from a distance. Share small plates of seafood with refreshing Ahi Tuna covered in an unusual blend of watermelon, tomato, Marcona almonds, hibiscus and strawberry aguachile, only available at this Alma location. Molés are made in-house, and blistered shishitos and flaky empanadas make nice accompaniments to Alma’s Cantarito with el Jimador Reposado, fresh citrus juice and tajin. Another must-try patio beverage is the Herradura “Double Repasado” tequila, served with an iced cube of passion fruit, mango agave, blood orange and guajillo pepper. www.alma-atlanta.com
JCT. KITCHEN & BAR
Wander on the Westside to find JCT. Kitchen, situated in the industrial Westside Provisions District. The patio courtyard is perfect for an evening drink, and be sure to order a few dishes of the kitchen’s updated southern cuisine, like crispy JCT fried chicken with biscuits and braised greens. Linger for lunch and a lobster roll or try out JCT’s new weekend Continued on page 24
THE ONLY BURGER WORTHY OF THE NAME Legendary.
24 ATLANTA.NET brunch, complete with cider donuts, steaming hotcakes and shrimp with creamy Red Mule grits. Make a toast with Bloody Marys by day, classy crafted cocktails by night. www.jctkitchen.com Continued from page 23
BISTRO NIKO
Find yourself in a Parisian bistro in the middle of Buckhead at Bistro Niko. Grand ceilings and banquette booths are beautiful to explore in cooler weather but when the patio doors beckon, there are few better places to watch life go by. Share a delicate mushroom and cheese tarte flecked with gruyere and fontina, or try oysters on ice and charcuterie. During brunch, brioche French toast or a quiche Florentine can be paired with either French roast coffee or a festive champagne cocktail to toast the day. www.buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/ bistro-niko
NO MAS! CANTINA
Have the best of Mexico in Castleberry Hill at No Mas! Cantina. The expansive covered patio is a perfect setting to order carafes of margaritas and queso with a custom blend of melty cheeses. No Mas! will soon have you begging for more spicy corn bocados, freshly
made guacamole and platters of smoking hot fajitas for two or three. Try the plato Mexicano with a little bit of everything - chili relleno, chicken enchilada, carne asada, cheese quesadilla and refried beans and poblano rice. A bounty of seafood dishes, salads and combination plates round out the menu. www.nomascantina.com
DOS BOCAS
In downtown Atlanta, you’ll find an unusual menu of Tex-Mex and Cajun cuisine listed on the same menu. Bayou shrimp shares starter space with chili con queso, gulf coast oysters and guacamole. This patio, high above Centennial Olympic Park, offers sweeping views of the downtown skyline while guests decide between a taste of Texas or Louisiana, or both. It’s perfectly acceptable to pair a margarita with a po’ boy, and enchiladas with a Hurricane. Muffulettas are served with a bag of Zapp’s chips, and for all your taco needs, beef picadillo, chicken tinga and blackened shrimp top the choices. www.dosbocasatl.com
JOE’S ON JUNIPER
This Midtown mainstay is the perfect convivial stop before or after a trip to Piedmont Park, or any other place for that matter. Grab a table amidst beautiful oaks and Continued on page 26
Alma Cocina Buckhead
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Estrella Rooftop
feast on Thai chicken nachos and southern eggrolls. Or, guests can choose between the peanut butter bacon burger, tacos, flatbreads or wings, then wash it down with one of the most popular drinks: Long Islands made three ways. Draft cocktails include white peach sangria, mezcal lemonade and frozen drinks. Return customers wait all week for special themed nights, especially the Sunday Heifer Review Drag Show. www.joesonjuniper.com Continued from page 25
BRASSERIE AT BAZATI AND ESTRELLA ROOFTOP
Walk on the Atlanta BeltLine to this doubletreat dining destination and choose between French bistro cuisine or Latin American bites. On the bottom, you’ll find Brasserie at Bazati and up top, Estrella Rooftop. Brasserie at Bazati serves bistro food and wine, beer and cocktails on the beautiful expansive patio. Try sandwiches including the croque monsieur at lunchtime or a nice quiche du jour. At dinner, beef bourguignon, pan seared salmon and even a Bazati Burger with truffle fries make appearances.
Estrella Rooftop serves classic Latin cocktails along with sparkling wines. Watch the sun set over the BeltLine while Executive Chef Roberto Solis prepares a beautiful menu of shrimp and chorizo tostadas, ceviche, tacos and pollo frito. At brunch, savor the sunshine and nosh on brunch tacos - homemade corn tortillas filled with the chef’s choice of fillings, and huevos motuleños. www.thebrasserieatl.com www.estrellarooftop.com
Superica
PATIO DINING ON THE BELTLINE
Take a walk on the Atlanta BeltLine and find these al fresco options along the way.
New Realm Brewery: Raise a toast on the rooftop patio with incredible views. TWO Urban Licks: Travel to this fiery American restaurant with a killer brunch to boot.
Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall: Watch the world go by and share a backyard bbq board with a canned cider or local beer. Kevin Rathbun Steak: One of the first BeltLine patios has a fireplace, dry-aged steaks, cocktails and lobster fritters. Watchman’s: At Krog Street Market, find this hip seafood restaurant and cocktail bar. BeetleCat: The donut brunch is a can’tmiss experience. Superica: Take in some fiery Tex-Mex and sangria.
Bar Mercado: Dine on Spanish tapas or a hearty brunch.
Lean Draft House: Beer, tacos and Bocce on the Westside trail
BeetleCat
AWARD WINNING RESTAURANTS
Kyma
Buckhead Diner
Chops Lobster Bar
Corner Café Atlanta Fish Market
Bistro Niko
Pricci
Game On!
Can’t score a ticket to the big game or just want a cozy spot to cheer on your favorite team? Head to one of these popular places.
Braves All Star Grill: This downtown location loads the bases with a chef-inspired menu, signature house cocktails and massive video screens for game-day viewing.
Dantanna’s Downtown: Combines culinary excellence with sports entertainment and a wide variety of menu options.
Hudson Grille Downtown and Midtown: Features 50 draft beers, signature wings, award-winning burgers and cocktails.
STATS Brewpub: The expansive restaurant and brewpub is one of the only bars in the U.S. boasting a beer tap system allowing guests to pour their own beer.
28 ATLANTA.NET Marlow’s Tavern (Midtown): A neighborhood gathering spot serving American tavern fare and cocktails.
Twin Peaks Buckhead: This sports lodge offers barrel aged whiskey and comfort food satisfying enough for the appetite of an axe man.
Live! At the Battery Atlanta: Sports & Social: At this two-story sports bar and restaurant, one can find a golf simulator, a 30-foot television, wrap-around patio and bonfire pits.
PBR Atlanta: A Coors Banquet Bar: Cowboy cool meets urban chic with live music, a dance floor and the world’s meanest mechanical bull.
Terrapin Taproom at The Battery Atlanta: Beer, barbecue and sports are staples of the South, and Terrapin Taproom delivers with Terrapin beer (some brewed onsite).
STATS Brewpub
A CUT ABOVE THE REST.
Sizzling perfection from start to finish.
THIS IS HOW ATLANTA DINING IS DONE.
FOUR ATLANTA RESTAURANTS TO SERVE YOU Alpharetta · Buckhead · Kennesaw Downtown at Centennial Olympic Park
Harry Connick, Jr. comes to Cobb Energy Centre March 22
Where to hear LIVE
DOWNTOWN Tabernacle. A former church, now a multilevel music venue. The Cotton Club is located in the basement and presents local acts. www.tabernacleatl.com
Hard Rock Cafe. Rock bands hit the stage in Velvet Underground, an intimate venue connected to the restaurant. www.hardrock.com/cafes/atlanta
Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint. Brings the ultimate in Southern style, food and entertainment. www.sweetgeorgiasjukejoint.com
The Masquerade. Established in 1990 and recently relocated to Kenny’s Alley at Underground Atlanta, the venue features three levels showcasing indie rock, punk, metal and rockabilly. www.masqueradeatlanta.com
OLD FOURTH WARD City Winery. A fully functioning winery that presents intimate concerts. www.citywinery.com/atlanta
Venkman’s. Features rock ‘n’ roll, bluegrass, soul, salsa, country, swing and much more with a hip vibe. www.venkmans.com
room vibe featuring local bands, open mic nights and a monthly burlesque review. This all-ages venue offers a full menu and bar featuring an extensive craft beer selection. www.redlightcafe.com
The Drunken Unicorn. Located beneath Friends on Ponce, this venue is literally underground with punk, electronic and hip-hop acts. MJQ Concourse is an adjoining dance spot. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net
Center Stage. Center Stage Theater, The Loft and Vinyl serve three areas for national acts and smaller, local bands. www.centerstage-atlanta.com
Woodruff Arts Center. The Grammy award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra plays here. www.woodruffcenter.org
BUCKHEAD Buckhead Theatre. Intimate, historic space in the heart of Buckhead. www.thebuckheadtheatreatl.com
LITTLE FIVE POINTS The Variety Playhouse. Hosts rock, country, folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues and world music with tables, theater-style seats and standing areas. www.variety-playhouse.com
MUSIC
WESTSIDE Northside Tavern. With blues seven nights a week, this institution has been voted “best dive,” “best blues club” and various other accolades since 1972. www.northsidetavern.com
Terminal West. Found at the King Plow Arts Center, the 100-year-old iron and steel foundry now sports a beautiful space for bands, particularly electronic, mostly dubstep. www.terminalwestatl.com
VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND Blind Willie’s. Featuring great blues, booze and food from Memphis, Chicago and New Orleans. www.blindwilliesblues.com
EAST ATLANTA VILLAGE The Earl. Never mind that it serves a mean burger, The Earl is an alternative music haven and was voted one of Playboy’s 10 best rock clubs in the U.S. www.badearl.com
529. Dive bar where fans come to hear small bands in a cool atmosphere. www.529atlanta.com
The Basement. Located under The Graveyard Tavern and relatively new to the underground club scene. The Graveyard, incidentally, is called “a sunny place for shady people.” www.basementatl.com
DECATUR Eddie’s Attic. An intimate listening room for songwriters that has launched many local artists’ careers, including Shawn Mullins, Sugarland and John Mayer. www.eddiesattic.com
The Vista Room. A live music venue in the North Decatur area. www.thevistaroom.com
NORTH OF THE CITY Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. An open-air venue hosting top acts during the temperate months. www.livenation.com
Coca-Cola Roxy. Atlanta’s iconic music venue has been revived at The Battery Atlanta next to Truist Park. www.cocacolaroxy.com
SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN Wolf Creek Amphitheater. Outdoor amphitheater for live music concerts, plays, performances and festivals. www.wolfcreekamphitheater.com
NOW PLAYING Concert highlights of the performers appearing in Atlanta in March and April
Diana Ross March 1 Fox Theatre www.foxtheatre.org Erykah Badu March 13 State Farm Arena www.statefarmarena.com
Post Malone March 3 Infinite Energy Center www.infiniteenergycenter.com
Arlo Guthrie March 5 Variety Playhouse www.variety-playhouse.com
Big Head Todd & the Monsters March 7 Buckhead Theatre www.thebuckheadtheatreatl.com
Little Big Town March 7 Fox Theatre www.foxtheatre.org Macy Gray March 15 City Winery www.citywinery.com
March Madness Music Festival April 3-5 Centennial Olympic Park www.ncaa.com/ marchmadness/musicfest
Capital One Jamfest Featuring Taylor Swift April 5 Centennial Olympic Park www.gwcca.org/centennialolympic-park Dark Star Orchestra April 10 Tabernacle Atlanta www.tabernacleatl.com
Millennium Tour with Bow Wow, Omarion and Ashanti April 10 State Farm Arena www.statefarmarena.com
Styx with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra April 19 Ameris Bank Amphitheatre www.livenation.com
Crash Test Dummies with Elizabeth Moen April 27 City Winery www.citywinery.com
BRANDON NAGY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Legendary rock band Styx will perform with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra April 19
