OT - Atlanta Local Chatter

[evildallas]

I was fortunate enough to try two new (well new to me) restaurants last week and wanted to share. I'm also interested if anyone else has any recommendations for things to do or try around Atlanta.

Restaurant #1: Real Chow Baby at the Cobb Galleria (they have another location down Howell Mill near Tech as well). It's a stir-fry bar which is a cute concept. I filled up a bowl with rice, noodles, veggies, spices, and sauces (left out the egg), and filled up another smaller bowl with meat (chicken, fish, etc). and gave them over to be cooked up (shrimp was extra). They brought it and it was quite tasty. $1 more turns it into unlimited trips to the stir-fry bar. Strongly recommend it, especially if you're hungry.

Restaurant #2: Figo Pasta in Vinings (they have 7 locations around Atlanta so another may be more convenient for you). Quaint little Italian place with excellent service (waiters were Hawks fans). Not the extensive variety of combinations as Real Chow Baby, but you do get to mix and match noodle with sauce to create your Italian dish. The appetizer I had was real good (fresh mozzarella fried inside a light bread pastry with marinara to dip in). My main dish was a tasty 6 cheese ravioli with bolognese sauce (not very adventurous, but it was my first trip). My coworker felt the lasagna rocked. I'll be going back soon to try a more exotic sauce.

I was very pleased with each experience to the point I can't wait to go back. Although it may be a little while as I don't go out to eat that much anymore.

If you have any restaurant, shopping, or night life recommendations, I would love to read them. Please respond to the thread. In particular I'm looking for a place that serves a good steam pot since my favorite place for that dish is out of business (Blue Ocean Seafood in Alpharetta). Sadly that fate has hit several good places in the last year or two.

[killbuckner]

One of my favorite restaurants is called Panahar and its on Buford Highway. Its Bangladeshi food which for all intents and purposes is Indian and the Owner is names Mirza who is incredibly friendly. If you have friends in town that are wine snobs its a GREAT place to take them because you bring your own wine and there is no corkage fee. I can't recommend this place enough.

Another buford highway favorite is little szechuan. I think most chinese food places are total crap but this one has amazing food.

Sports watching I'll put my vote in for Famous Pub near Emory. I am of course biased because they sponsor my tennis team and they cut us a big check twice a year but we always have a great time. I'll certainly be out there tomorrow night to watch the game.

I am a big fan of Oakhurst for drinking outside. Universal Joint has a phenomenal patio and Matador Cantina right around the corner is another personal favorite.

Evidently I spend a lot more time ITP than Dallas does!

[JoshB914]

^^^ +1 on Litte Szechuan. I was right about to recommend it myself. Incredible food, great service, you can't beat it. I hit Buford Highway a lot for chinese. Canton House on a Sunday morning is a great dim sum place.

Universal Joint is a cool place, too, it's great to see how Oakhurst has turned things around over the past ten years or so.

I'm going to check out Panahar. That sounds great.

[Hawk4Playoffs]

One of my favorite restaurants is called Panahar and its on Buford Highway. Its Bangladeshi food which for all intents and purposes is Indian and the Owner is names Mirza who is incredibly friendly. If you have friends in town that are wine snobs its a GREAT place to take them because you bring your own wine and there is no corkage fee. I can't recommend this place enough.

Another buford highway favorite is little szechuan. I think most chinese food places are total crap but this one has amazing food.

Sports watching I'll put my vote in for Famous Pub near Emory. I am of course biased because they sponsor my tennis team and they cut us a big check twice a year but we always have a great time. I'll certainly be out there tomorrow night to watch the game.

I am a big fan of Oakhurst for drinking outside. Universal Joint has a phenomenal patio and Matador Cantina right around the corner is another personal favorite.

Evidently I spend a lot more time ITP than Dallas does!

Famous Pub is great! I go there all the time!

[evildallas]

Well, definitely more time on the East side than me. I've lived on the West side and worked there for the 13+ years, so I don't get across the city as much anymore. I'll have to try the Buford highway places soon. Maybe I'll work them in with a stop at Follies. I tried to go to Canton House one night, but it was closed (kind of a night owl and got there too late).

My first post was just about new places I'd been that thrilled me. I'll throw out an old favorite of Little Bangkok on Cheshire Bridge. Parking is a pain, but it's my favorite Thai/Chinese fusion place. Also, let me add Rumi's Kitchen. It's a Persian place on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. Excellent kabobs and you should try varying the rice (try the Orange or Cherry) to get a more exotic flavor mix.

Still serious about that steam pot. I actually would drive from where I live ITP out there to get it, so I could use a replacement fix bad.

Let's keep the info coming. I have a GPS now, so no area of Atlanta is off limits.

[evildallas]

I've found 2 candidates for a Steam Pot (Shrimp, Oysters, Mussels, Crab Legs, Corn on the Cob and new potatoes steamed together although I like the more cajun version with sausage and crawfish added). Has anyone been to the Steamhouse Lounge on West Peachtree Rd or Six Feet Under in Grant Park?

[JoshB914]

Six Feet Under is fantastic, evil. I haven't been there for a while but they have great seafood and make a damn good burger, too. Although the alcohol prices were super high if I remember correctly.

[lunarblues]

i went to pampas in alpharetta awhile back and that place was like heaven. they had a steak that was one kilogram big! i dropped a pretty penny though. worth a stop if you wanna impress your lady.

[Hawk4Playoffs]

Top Spice is a great thai/malasian place on North Druid Hills Road in the Toco Hills shopping center. Its probably my favorite thai place. I suggest everybody should go there atleast once.

[theatlfan]

Hasn't been mentioned yet, but it deserves one. The Porter is a gaspub in little 5's. I've had 3 different brats and the Shrimp BLT (along with perhaps the best beer selection I've seen d'town). Every time I leave, I feel like I'm leaving heaven...