By Taylor Dahl
Atlantans love to eat. And shop. And see shows at The Fox Theatre. Here’s a handy dining guide you can keep with you for reference when the mood strikes to indulge those passions.
Shop and nosh
For some reason, burning up credit cards works up a serious appetite. Luckily, no matter where you shop in Metro Atlanta, there’s a dining oasis near you.
Power malls Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd. NE) and Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd.) are the epitome of luxury shopping and eating. If you’re in a hurry at Lenox, head to California Pizza Kitchen (404-262-9221) or Panera Bread (404-848-9997). Feel like treating yourself? Prime (404-812-0555) serves steaks, sushi, seafood and salads. Need a place to relax at Phipps? Twist (404-869-1191) has seafood, sushi, tapas and wraps. Meet your friends at the bar for their signature drinks or people-watch on the patio. The Tavern at Phipps (404-814-9640) has one of the best bars in Atlanta, and is a great place for a power lunch or happy hour.
Restaurants and shops keep popping up at Atlantic Station. Lobby at Twelve (361 17th St., 404-961-7370) is a casual American bistro that highlights the best flavors of the season. STRIP (245 18th St., 404-385-2005) serves steak, seafood and sushi. Doc Green’s (264 19th St., 404-347-5216) is a quick way to satisfy a sandwich or salad craving.
If you’re near Perimeter Mall (4400 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd.), popular chains The Cheesecake Factory (678-320-0201) and Maggiano’s Little Italy (770-804-3313) are packed with tired shoppers nightly. Or try the funky seafood restaurant Goldfish, which serves complimentary hors d’oeuvres Monday-Friday 5-6:30 p.m. (770-671-0100). Across the street, Eclipse de Luna (4505 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Suite 11, 678-205-LUNA) has delicious and inexpensive tapas, and an even better drink list.
Boutique shopping? The Virginia Highland neighborhood has some of the best restaurants in the city. Murphy’s (997 Virginia Ave., 404-872-0904) has a great brunch menu to start your day. Noche (1000 Virginia Ave., 404-815-9155) serves Spanish-style tapas and delicious margaritas and mojitos. La Tavola (992 Virginia Ave., 404-873-5430) has savory Italian dishes and an affordable wine list.
Let’s make a date: dinner and a show
Forget dinner and a movie. Nothing beats dinner and a show. Here are some places within a stone’s throw of The Fox Theatre, where theater lovers can grab dinner, drinks or dessert.
Gordon Biersch
Enjoy a pint and unwind after the show. A seasonal menu complements a full menu of handcrafted beers. Patio dining’s available, as is a billiard room. 848 Peachtree St., NE; 404-870-0805; gordonbiersch.com.
Shout
The Atlanta hot spot serves up dishes from around the world, such as Mediterranean tapas, pizzas and sushi. The rooftop bar is an excellent place to dine or drink on crisp fall nights. Specials include $10 all you can eat tapas Mondays or $10 all you can eat pizza and salad Sundays. 1197 Peachtree St.; 404-846-2000; h2sr.com.
Two Urban Licks
Located in a funky warehouse, this American restaurant serves wood-fired meats and fish. Patrons dine al fresco in a courtyard that overlooks the downtown skyline. Live blues plays Tuesday-Saturday nights. 820 Ralph McGill Blvd.; 404-522-4622; twourbanlicks.com.
South City Kitchen
This DiRoNA restaurant serves contemporary Southern food, including buttermilk fried chicken, crab hash and banana pudding. Located in a historic bungalow off Crescent Ave., South City Kitchen serves barbecue every Sunday night (adults: $19.50, children 12 and under: $9.95). 1144 Crescent Ave. NE; 404-873-7358; southcitykitchen.com.
Savoy at the Georgian Terrace
The original lobby of the Georgian Terrace has been transformed into this fine-dining restaurant, where you can dine on the hotel’s terrace, overlooking the Fox. Patrons park for free, and you can’t beat the location for a pre- or post-show meal. 659 Peachtree St. NE; 404-897-1991; georgianterrace.com/dining.
New York Prime
Feast on USDA Grade prime beef. Enjoy live entertainment and fine cigars at the martini bar. 3424 Peachtree Rd. NE; 404-846-0644; centraarchy.com/newyorkprime.php.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Quality steaks and seafood in three convenient locations. Ruth’s Chris also offers pre-theater dining menus. 3285 Peachtree Rd. NE; 404-365-0660; ruthschris.com.
Veni Vidi Vici
Savor delectable Italian handmade pastas and rotisserie meats. This month, Veni Vidi Vici is participating in Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s “Ultimate Restaurant Week,” and will offer three course menus for $29 on select dates. 41 14th St.; 404-875-8424; buckheadrestaurants.com.
Melting Pot
Have fun with fondue at this popular chain. Personalize your dinner menu and cook the food to your tasting. Remember to leave room for dessert, you don’t want to miss the chocolate fondue platter! 754 Peachtree St. NE; 404-389-0099; meltingpot.com.
E Street Grille at the Ellis Hotel
E Street Grille serves up a light dinner of fine Southern food on its balcony overlooking Peachtree Street. The lounge has cocktails and after-dinner libations. 176 Peachtree St. NW; 404-523-5155; ellishotel.com/dining.
