by Eliza W » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:57 pm
Near downtown on the west side is Bacchanalia, one of the best restaurants in America. It is neither a steakhouse nor pulled pork (Atlanta isn't known for bbq). It's a chef-driven restaurant that uses lots of seasonal, local products. It's very pricy for Atlanta, and only prix fixe.
I went to Rathbun's once, and it's a great steak. Only the porterhouse is dry aged, but the other meat is top quality wet aged. Like Bacchanalia, also very expensive. Also near, but not in, downtown.
If you are willing to drive and at all like ethnic food, I highly recommend Buford Highway. It's a paradise for adventurous foodies. Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Peruvian...if you want it, they have it. Also, the Buford Highway farmer's market (this is a store, not a "farmer's market" as you might think), is will cause anyone who cooks to hyperventilate with awe and wonder.