eater.com
While the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the "it" places of the moment. Thus, there is the Eater Heatmap, which will change periodically to highlight where to eat now around Atlanta. Since this is a spotlight on what's happening right now, room must be made for what's fresh. Therefore, in this edition of the north-to-south guide, it’s time to say goodbye to Bar Americano, Muchacho, and C. Ellet’s and welcome Snackboxe Bistro, Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters, and Recess.
1 Noona
This steakhouse and oyster bar in Duluth’s Parsons Alley is influenced by the flavors of Korea. It’s the latest restaurant from Michael Lo and George Yu of Decatur’s Taiyo Ramenand Suzy Sui’s Baos at Krog Street Market. The menu includes everything from poke and kimchi fried rice to a pork and cabbage wrap, a variety of steaks, and, of course, oysters.
2 Snackboxe Bistro
Located in the Super H Mart plaza in Doraville, Snackboxe Bistro is metro Atlanta’s newest Laotian restaurant. The menu is a mix of traditional Laotian dishes and street foods including larb (meat salad), khao poon (spicy rice noodle soup), mok pha (steamed fish), fried spared ribs and wings, and drinks like Thai tea (sweetened condensed milk, black tea, and syrup served cold).
3 Chai Yo Modern Thai
Upscale Thai restaurant Chai Yo from Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft owner DeeDee Niyomkul opened in Buckhead in January. It offers up a lengthy menu of contemporary takes on classic Thai dishes like ped palow (braised duck leg and tofu), geah yang (barbecue lamb chop with jicama slaw), and pad thai with jumbo prawns and glass noodles. Timothy Faulkner (formerly of 8Arm, Octopus Bar, and Lusca) heads the beverage program which includes cocktails using Thai ingredients.
4 The Painted Duck
The Westside sibling to Buckhead’s The Painted Pin opened in December and features duckpin bowling, old school games like shuffleboard, dinner, and drinks. The menu focuses on snacks and small plates like loaded tater tots or peel and eat shrimp, while entrees include pulled pork sliders, an au poivre burger, and club sandwiches. A lengthy list of classic cocktails, local beers, and wine round out the bar. 21 and up, except on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
5 Recess
Newly opened in the former Spotted Trotter stall at Krog Street Market, the menu at Recess leans heavily vegetarian with some meat and seafood options available. Think grain bowls, a shiitake and crimini mushroom patty with Swiss cheese on rye, or a lamb sandwich with pea mash, ricotta, and pickled fennel on ciabatta. Beverages consist of cocktails (including the frozen variety), wine, beer, smoothies, and fresh juices. Breakfast is available on the weekends.
6 Mary Hoopa's House of Fried Chicken & Oysters
Located at the Hosea + 2nd complex in East Lake, Mary Hoopa’s serves three types of fried chicken (house fried, hot, and sweet) by the half or whole bird, raw and grilled oysters, a giant fried chicken sandwich, and snacks such as clam lettuce wraps, boiled peanuts, and chipotle and Serrano pepper wings. The beverage menu includes sparkling wine, champagne, beer, and cocktails.
7 Golden Eagle
Garlic knots, crab rangoon, and more retro eats await at Golden Eagle, the diner’s club-inspired spot from Michael Lennox, owner of Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall. The interior here is dark and clubby, and the food aims to be what Lennox calls “no-nonsense, throwback continental classics of yesteryear.” Golden Eagle’s interior is such a stone cold stunner, it won Eater Atlanta’s Design of the Year.
8 Grant Park Market
The market across from Oakland Cemetery comes to Grant Park from the team behind Candler Park Market. The cafe portion called GATHER headed by executive chef Christina Conde is bright and spacious offering both grab-and-go or counter-serve food options as well as beer and wine. The menu features tapas such as a cheese board or charcuterie, hot items like ravioli or pulled pork, salads, soups, a burger with caramelized onions and American cheese, and sandwiches such as a grilled cheese and chicken salad.
9 Lifting Noodles Ramen
We Suki Suki in East Atlanta Village serves as a restaurant incubator for its rotating list of food stalls. Lifting Noodles is the latest Global Collective darling. While there are the standard ramen choices such as traditional and spicy tonkotsu, give the spicy kimchi ramen a try. Make sure to add a couple of drops of hot chili sauce. Pair the bowl with a cold can of Ito En Oi Ocha green tea, too. Apparently, a secret menu is about to drop.
10 City Pharmacy
Downtown Convington’s newest restaurant is generating a lot of buzz both inside and outside the perimeter. Chef Christian Perez (a protege of chef Todd Richards) has filled her menu with riffs on Southern favorites like peppered pork belly, crab stuffed trout, and smoked catfish croquettes. The restaurant’s drinks menu was devised by former cocktail haunt H. Harper Station’s proprietors (and owners of forthcoming Athens restaurant The Expat) Jerry and Krista Slater. Can’t make it for dinner? Perez just rolled out lunch and weekend brunch.
