welcome to elaney!

Perhaps it is due to living in NYC, but nothing stresses us out like trying to pick a restaurant for a group of out of towners.  We just want it to be perfect!  The wine to be smooth, the food to be flavorful, and the atmosphere to be innovative and awe-inspiring.  You want to leave with everyone saying “Oh elaney, I just loooove your city, and your taste – just divine!”  Tonight, Readers ct, Mo, g-love, and Lucy will be gracing ATL with their presence, and we just cannot pick the restaurant.  Abattoir has too much meat and Woodfire Grille is booked, so it’s down to Wisteria and JCT.  Wisteria is Southern Gourmet (like that idea – so ATL) and JCT is the BEST atmosphere.  What do you think?!

Everyone knows that elaney has a penchant for a good restaurant.  Fancy, French, hole in the wall, Italian, Mexican, local favorite…It’s pretty hard to beat the combination of good food, good wine, and good conversation – no matter where you are.  ATL is no slouch when it comes to restaurants.  Two of our favorite restaurants in the ATL happen to be in two of our favorite neighborhoods (and coincidentally of the Southwest variety):

Buckhead:  Georgia Grille…you’d never notice this little jewel next to a dry cleaner in a shopping center on Peachtree unless you knew what your were looking for.  The Southwestern spot is famous for their lobster enchiladas, and the enchiladas meet expectations.  The flavors at Georgia Grille are American / Southwestwern and the combinations are innovative and yummy.  The surprise on the menu?  The mac and cheese stuffed poblano pepper (we stole it from our dinner companion when he wasn’t looking).  Georgia Grille is unassuming, but has a great atmosphere, and the food is amazing.  

Cabbage Town:  Agave…it’s a drive to South Atlanta to get there but as soon as you step into this eclectic spot, you’ll feel like you’ve driven to South Texas.  A classically Southwestern look, mixed with the subtle undertones of the hipster Cabbagetown neighborhood, Agave is very traditional Southwestern food done right.  Dim and warm, Agave can be a casual restaurant for two or a great spot for a group.

What are your favorite Buckhead / Cabbagetown spots?

We’ve long believed that Atlanta restaurants can go head to head with any other city in the US (save NYC and maybe San Fran).  Lately, a few developments have supported said premise: 

1.  Last night on the premiere of Top Chef (seriously – what did we do before Bravo reality shows), THREE Atlantans (Hector Santiago of Pura Vida, Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill  and Eli Kirshtein of Eno) made their debut (Sidebar: only one New Yorker – snap!).  For more about the contestants, check out the Creative Loafing article. 

2.  Jezebel Magazine recently released the list of Atlanta’s 2009 100 Best Restaurants.  It’s not online yet, but it is an EXCELLENT compilation of culinary establishments.  Check it out on newsstands.  Or borrow our office copy.

3.  Famed writer for magazine that must remain unnamed has asked the staff at elaney to pick the best brunch spot in Atlanta!!  We are lending an intern to put on a reporter cap and take some notes for article.  Said famed reporter is looking for the diner-esque, reasonably priced local spot.  We’ve picked Highland Bakery (their pancakes are sinful), but we wanted to check with our faithful readers.  What’s the best local breakfast in the ATL?

ATL Downtown is a special place.  It’s cool.  It’s crunk.  The Falcons are there.  And starting next week, it’s Atlanta Downtown Restaurant Week!  In the never-ending push / pull of loving the finer things and being really poor, we love when we get to go out to dinner and eat it too!  Ray’s, the Ritz, Social, and FAB are all participating.  Pre-fixe 3 course meal for $25.  July 27 – August 9.  For a full list, click here. 

Zoes Kitchen has long been one of our favorite lunch spots.  Started in Birmingham, AL (see bham locale below – not original spot) – it spread to Nashville, TN just in time for us to fall in love with the chicken roll ups and Greek salad with grilled chicken…and the chicken salad…and the pimento cheese…and the chocolate cake!  It’s all divine, and now it’s in our beloved Atlanta, Georgia!  Located in Peachtree Battle shopping center, Zoes is perfecto for a girlish lunch or a casual dinner (the ATL location has beer and wine too).  Bon appetite!

We love cities, and we like to occasionally highlight a restaurant or something to do in our of our favorite metropolises.  New restaurant has opened in Atlanta: The Social House, and it is a delightful little brunch spot.  The food is good (try the blueberry pancakes), and the ambiance is great.  Right on Howell Mill, it feels like a little spot in NYC’s West Village.  The service is horrible, but don’t be disuaded.  Just plan to be leisurely…check it out this fall.