NEW RESTAURANT RADAR

Restaurateur Aaron Mattison from the team at Bar Vegan has opened a new pop-up bar called Excuse

My French inside Citizen Supply at Ponce City Market. Serving classic French cocktails plus wine and beer, the bar will soon add a variety of light bites to pair.

Fares Kargar, the owner of Inman Park restaurant Delbar, will open a new eatery called Bibi in Ponce City Market’s food hall this summer. The Persian menu will include grab-and-go bowls with kabobs over rice, dips, salads, freshly baked pastries, and sandwiches.

Tin Lizzy’s Cantina

415 Memorial Drive | tinlizzyscantina.com

Good tunes, an excellent menu, and one of the most unique vantage points in the city entice customers to flock to this Grant Park rooftop patio. Overlooking Oakland Cemetery, guests here can enjoy the Victorian beauty of the historic site and perhaps share a ghostly story or two at the same time. I recommend the TL Nachos ($14), a heaping platter of crunchy, salty chips smothered with jack cheese and creamy queso blanco, then topped with pico de gallo, jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, all paired with a side of salsa roja. You can add protein, and might I humbly suggest doing so. The fried chicken was such a delectable addition. The Sunset & Vinyl margarite ($11) – blanco tequila, mezcal, Poire liqueur, fresh cucumber, lime juice, and of course, jalapeño – was perfect to wash down the nachos.

Brassica, a brasserie-style French/ American Southern restaurant, is now open at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. http://www. brassicaatlanta.com/

Westside Motor Lounge is set to open at Echo Street West in June. The indoor-outdoor venue will offer a spacious courtyard, live music stage, food and beverage, beer garden, a cocktail lounge with a listening room, shuffleboard courts, fire pits, and private cabanas.

Twain’s Brewpub & Billiards

211 E. Trinity Place | twains.net

Twain’s is one of the most relaxed and family-friendly options on my list. Its location is both convenient to Decatur Square and significantly less difficult to navigate. A small, attached parking lot, extensive two-tier patio buffered by dense vegetation, and sunshades all make this an easy spot to pop in for a bite. Add to that the gaming opportunities inside – think shuffleboard, billiards, and darts – there is something fun for everyone here. The menu is also approachable and tasty, and their cocktails are quite delicious. I recommend grabbing a pretzel ($8.50), which is made in-house daily. Pair it with the rich, warm beer queso and tangy beer mustard, and you’ve got yourself a winner. Dang It, Bobby! ($12) – a line from “King of the Hill” – features Four Peel Gin, Ilegal Mezcal, grapefruit, lime, agave, and soda.

Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall

684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. | ladybirdatl. com

Clermont Rooftop

789 Ponce De Leon Ave.| hotelclermont.com

You really can’t go wrong with the Rooftop bar at the Clermont Hotel. Featuring some of the best skyline views in the city, the aesthetics here are on point, and you can enjoy kicking back with friends while snapping that perfect sunset selfie to post on your Instagram. While the bar doesn’t have a full-fledged kitchen, they do have food cart offerings on the weekends. I loved the Cabarian Chili Hummus ($8), a light and easy appetizer featuring vegetable crudites, grilled bread, and succulent grilled squash for dipping. I also indulged in Clermont Daiquiri ($13), a fresh and tangy treat made with rum, lime juice, and hibiscus.

◄Saint-Germain French Bakery & Café is now open at Buckhead Village offering the same beloved items as the original Ponce City Market location, like classic French pastries, morning croissants, chouquettes, macarons, artisan organic chocolates and more, plus a savory all day café menu, espresso bar and wine, rosé, and champagne offerings.

Situated adjacent to the BeltLine Eastside Trail, Ladybird boasts one of the largest and most delightful patio vibes in the city. A plethora of tables are shaded by cheerful yellow umbrellas, while casual seating can be found around the outer edge of the patio, with high tops perfect for people-watching and cozy lounge seating enclaves for intimate gatherings. The aesthetics here are on point, don’t miss the outside bar operating out of a converted airstream trailer. The BBQ Fries ($15) are topped with melty cheddar cheese, crispy pulled pork, and spicy jalapeño, drizzled with ranch. Be still my heart! For your cocktail, try the Life of Leisure ($12) featuring Ranco Alegre Blanco tequila, Fiero, Mahina Coconut, pineapple juice, lime, Japanese chili, and lime bitters combined to give this fruity drink a kick.

Chido & Padres

128 East Andrews Dr.| chidoandpadres.com

Chido & Padre’s is an absolute gem. Hands down, this is my favorite Buckhead restaurant. The contemporary Mexican restaurant offers a colorful atmosphere and a menu full of vibrant drinks and dishes. One of my favorites is South Georgia Esquites ($10), a bowl of sweet roasted corn topped with heirloom tomato pico and house crema is sweet, savory, and fresh. Pair it with a La Cuerva ($11), a light and summery cocktail is made with grapefruit, pamplemousse, Blue Nectar blanco tequila, and topped with Topo Chico for a little fizz.