Thanksgiving Dining Out

Lauterbach's famed Knife & Fork newsletter mailed to subscribers.

where I come from, where we are the world champion of pessimism,” she says. “I’m an admirer of many things about the South but I still feel like I’m an odd duck at times.”

People here are mostly shocked by criticisms of anything, including some of her negative reviews of restaurants. She’s received death threats. But Lauterbach cannot write what years of experience in the global food scene has taught her.

“I can’t lie. I don’t lie,” she says.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who does what I do,” she says. “I have eaten more meals at more restaurants than anyone in Atlanta. The main concern nowadays has been the lack of opinion journalists — that nobody expresses strong opinion. It’s all descriptive.”

In the past several years, only two restaurants stand out to Lauterbach for their fine dining experiences: Lazy Betty in Candler Park; and Japanese restaurant Mujo in West Midtown, where she said she had her best meal in 20 years.

One of the terrible things about being a food critic, she says, is being only interested in the extremes. If a meal is very bad, food critics can have fun writing about the disaster. Peak experiences at a restaurant also help words flow.

“What’s happened in the middle is not all that fascinating to us,” she says.

“But I have to remind myself all the time that it is people’s real lives. I think whatever your critics or your customers say, it doesn’t matter all that much in terms of economics,” she says.

There are plenty of bad but incredibly successful restaurants there are many very good but not as successful restaurants, she says.

“Whatever my influence is … I say to the restauranteurs it is best to listen to your cash register.

“But I guess I am addicted to knowledge and to mastery,” she says. “Mastery is important. … I want people to know I am still looking out for their best interest.”

By Collin Kelley

While traditional turkey and dressing will be on many menus this Thanksgiving, the bird is not the last word. Why not try Japanese, Turkish, or French food? Many Atlanta restaurants will be open for the holiday offering something for all tastes. Be sure to check OpenTable.com or with your favorite restaurant to see what their plans are for Thanksgiving.

South City Kitchen Midtown: Turkey Day reservations are going fast, so get yours today at southcitykitchen.com. 5Church Midtown: A Thanksgiving Buffett is on the menu at 5church-atlanta. com. STK: The Midtown steakhouse will be serving up Thanksgiving in its dining room and for takeout and delivery. Visit stksteakhouse.com for details. Tiny Lou’s: Head to the Clermont Hotel for a taste of France on Turkey Day. Reservations are going fast at tinylous. com. Ray’s in the City: Seafood is on the menu at this Downtown eatery. Reservations at raysrestaurants.com. Truva: Virginia-Highland restaurant offers up Turkish food at truvahighland.com. Nakato: This Buckhead favorite will be firing up the hibachi for Thanksgiving. Visit nakatorestaurant.com. Hard Rock Café: The Downtown tourist favorite is cooking up a Thanksgiving at exploretock.com/hardrockcafeatlanta. The Sun Dial: Zoom to the top of the Westin Peachtree in Downtown for a special Thanksgiving dinner with a view. Reservations are required at sundialresaturant.com. HOBNOB: Head to Atlantic Station for a three-course Thanksgiving meal. Reservations at hobnobatlanta.com. Petite Violette: Dine out on turkey and all the trimmings. Reservations at petitevioletterestaurant.com. Star Provisions: A la carte Thanksgiving to go with all the fixins. To order, visit starprovisions.com.

Urban Hai is now open in the former BugerFi space on 12th Street with a full bar and a menu featuring Peking duck, dim sum, and mapo tofu. Info: urbanhai.com. Dorian Gray is now open in Buckhead serving continental cuisine and craft cocktails accompanied by a soundtrack of Deep House music. Info: @ doriangrayatlanta on IG. Cocktail bar Mambo Zombi is now open above Georgia Beer Garden on Edgewood Avenue. Info: @mambozombi on IG. Bubble milk tea store Rebel Teahouse is now at open on East Ponce de Leon in downtown Decataur. Info: rebelteahouse. com.