Chew with a View
The new Legal Sea Foods overlooks Centennial Olympic Park and features a wine bar where you can sample shellfish with their select vintages. Linger over seafood selections that change daily, as well as favorite dishes such as baked stuffed lobster and trout with cornbread stuffing.
There are also park views outside the two-story windows of Peasant Bistro . After a stroll through the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola , unwind over coq au vin, shrimp and grits, Kansas City strip, sweet potato ravioli and pan-seared scallops with risotto.
Nikolai's Roof is a longtime destination atop the Hilton Atlanta where red-jacketed wait staff offers lobster and Dover sole, herb-crusted rack of lamb, beef or boar tenderloin and roast pheasant. End the evening with selections from the cheese cart and a decadent dessert soufflé of the chef's creation.
Comfort Food
Food that will sate your palate and inner meat-lover await at 4th & Swift . The menu covers hearty flavors including cured meats, braised lamb, flatiron steak and homemade sausages. There are several seafood options and sides based on what's available at the local farmer's market.
More comfort awaits at JCT Kitchen . Start with a drink at the second-floor bar where the tall city buildings glow in the distance. Sit down to a dinner of Southern-inspired dishes: pork belly sliders, chicken and dumplings, and bacon-wrapped Georgia trout are paired with pole beans, field peas and collard greens.
There's an elegant Southern feel to the recently-opened Dogwood . Begin at the Grits Bar with daily choices such as shrimp, fried oysters, ham and pimento cheese. Warm up with roasted Vidalia onion soup followed by glazed pork chops with sweet corn soufflé; veal medallions with smashed potatoes; smoked short ribs with sweet potato cakes and grilled peaches; or chicken stuffed with crawfish, Gouda and spinach.
At La Grotta , indulge in the elegant ambience and luscious menu that has kept this institution in business for more than 30 years. The selection includes pastas, risottos, seafood and steaks, as well as two chops dishes — marinated lamb and grilled veal — that have become signatures.
Italian temptations are on hand at Allegro , a romantic spot at the end of a cul-de-sac in Midtown. Begin with classic white lasagna, papperdelle with rabbit or crab-filled cannelloni before savoring pork, veal, chicken and beef dishes. And, keep your resolution to cut back by ordering half-portions of most plates.
At Seasons 52 , the seasonally inspired menu is loaded with dishes designed to bring out natural goodness. Shrimp stuffed with crab, pork tenderloin and rack of lamb are paired with seasonal sides such as grilled asparagus, rustic roasted vegetables or fresh spinach. Don't hesitate to splurge on dessert: Key Lime Pie, carrot cake and German chocolate cake come in shot glass-sized portions that won't leave you feeling guilty.
adapted from Atlanta Now magazine November/December issue, by H.M. Cauley