Atlanta Recommendations

[seand442]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

I don't think you guys talking about the same place

Similar to the zoo. No touching or feeding.

[77T]

Originally Posted by austinp

I always try to get to Gladys Knights Chicken and Waffles. The best southern food.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

nyet - unsafe at any speed...
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atla...tion/464951222

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by FlyinM3

To those fellow Atlanta TRF residents,

If you had 1 full free day for sightseeing or other activities in the downtown area, what would be recommended?
Also can I get a few good restaurant recs as well?
Thanks!

Where are you staying?

If you like seafood, I've had a great meal at Lure (Midtown). Down by CNN is Legal Seafood, my wife likes Oceanaire (Midtown).

Other options:
Two Urban Licks
Rathbun's Steak
Ticonderoga Club

LOTS to choose from!

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

Here is your go to list: This is, as requested, a 1 day downtown type list.

Touristy stuff-World of Coke and the GA Aquarium are pretty good. I like Fernbank/Imax even better depending on what's current. Fernbank has a new Giant screen 4k theater opening this Saturday.

Food-I like Kevin Rathbun Steak over Bones but both are fantastic. Note-do NOT confuse Kevin Rathbun Steak with Rathbun's. They are very near each other (1/2 mile) and Uber drivers will usually drop you at Rathbun's by mistake if you do not specify.
Another great Steak option if you want to enjoy an old club/cougar vibe kind of thing - Hal's on Old Ivy. It's been my favorite for a long time.
Kevin Rathbun Steak is downtown and Bones/Hal's are both in Buckhead.
If you want fine dining - Bacchanalia and Restaurant Eugene are your can't miss places.
If you are interested in BBQ - Fatt Matt's Rib Shack. Anyone who instead suggests Fox Bros simply does not know of what they speak.
Burgers - The Vortex. Good lord - Skip the Varsity. That sh!t isn't edible.

And most important of all - skip the Clermont Lounge. That place is an absolute disaster. Better alternative - The Cheetah. It's like Rolex v a $10 plastic watch bought at a drugstore while you were stupid drunk.

If you want more suggestions, let me know!

Fat Matt's has better ribs but anything else there is almost inedible. Fox Bros has much better sides and everything else.

[cruise_bone]

Originally Posted by encarter13

I am appalled at all of the hate being thrown at The Varsity! I freaking love it. I don't eat it all that often, because I like being fit and I do not want to die of a heartache, but it is delicious! I have to visit a 2-3 times per year. Also, I think all ATL tourist should have a chili dog from The Varsity.

Bleh. Utterly disgusting.

[cruise_bone]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Fat Matt's has better ribs but anything else there is almost inedible. Fox Bros has much better sides and everything else.

Agree on the sides, but don't forget the exponentially better atmosphere and vibe at Fatt Matt's. Especially if a band is playing.

[cruise_bone]

Originally Posted by FlyinM3

Thanks for the 1-day go-around.
If I were to go to Kevin Rathbun for a steak dinner, what would you recommend for lunch to keep things somewhat light. For me it would be tough to enjoy both ribs /burger and steak in a single day.

OK, here are a few lighter options for Lunch.

There is a great place on Piedmont called Poor Calvin's. It's an Asian/Fusion, Southern hybrid type place. Really great!
http://www.poorcalvins.com/Pages/Menu.aspx?DeptID=6462

The best pizza in Atlanta is just W of Downtown right off the GaTech campus. Antico pizza. I'm from NY and DiFarra is my favorite and I can attest to Antico being fantastic pizza.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...antico_atl.pdf

If Asian or Pizza doesn't work, there is a great chicken place right next to Antico called Gio's. https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...2/gios_atl.pdf

Looking forward to hearing about your choices.

[FlyinM3]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

OK, here are a few lighter options for Lunch.

There is a great place on Piedmont called Poor Calvin's. It's an Asian/Fusion, Southern hybrid type place. Really great!
http://www.poorcalvins.com/Pages/Menu.aspx?DeptID=6462

The best pizza in Atlanta is just W of Downtown right off the GaTech campus. Antico pizza. I'm from NY and DiFarra is my favorite and I can attest to Antico being fantastic pizza.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...antico_atl.pdf

If Asian or Pizza doesn't work, there is a great chicken place right next to Antico called Gio's. https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...2/gios_atl.pdf

Looking forward to hearing about your choices.

Thanks for the recs!
I'm from NY as well so pizza sounds good.

I won't be visiting until early April, but would like to plan ahead of time.
As far as hotels, been thinking about the Westin unless you may be able to recommend a different hotel.
It's a quick 1-day trip before I head over to the Masters.

[psv]

Fatt Matt's Rib Shack.

Case closed.

[teqp]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

The best pizza in Atlanta is just W of Downtown right off the GaTech campus. Antico pizza. I'm from NY and DiFarra is my favorite and I can attest to Antico being fantastic pizza.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...antico_atl.pdf

I will second Antico. Went there when wife's cousins were graduating from Ga Tech. Very casual, laid back atmosphere with good food.

[Baco Noir]

Check out The Greater Good BBQ - they have 3 locations around Atlanta.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

The best pizza in Atlanta is just W of Downtown right off the GaTech campus. Antico pizza. I'm from NY and DiFarra is my favorite and I can attest to Antico being fantastic pizza.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...antico_atl.pdf

Best pizza? This place will be too far for the O.P., but Campania in Alpharetta is phenomenal.

[keithl]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

OK, here are a few lighter options for Lunch.

There is a great place on Piedmont called Poor Calvin's. It's an Asian/Fusion, Southern hybrid type place. Really great!
http://www.poorcalvins.com/Pages/Menu.aspx?DeptID=6462

The best pizza in Atlanta is just W of Downtown right off the GaTech campus. Antico pizza. I'm from NY and DiFarra is my favorite and I can attest to Antico being fantastic pizza.
https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...antico_atl.pdf

If Asian or Pizza doesn't work, there is a great chicken place right next to Antico called Gio's. https://static1.squarespace.com/stat...2/gios_atl.pdf

Looking forward to hearing about your choices.

I really like Gios, sometimes when I'm with a group we get Pizza from Antico and bring it into Gios and share. Same owner..kind of an Italian restaurant complex. Cement floors, family style seating.

[cruise_bone]

Originally Posted by returntorolex

Best pizza? This place will be too far for the O.P., but Campania in Alpharetta is phenomenal.

I've been, it's very good. I would put it third in Atlanta, behind Antico (#1) and Varuni Napoli (#2). Plus, who the f*ck wants to go out to suburban hell for pizza. I only went after a round of golf. Certainly not worth a special trip just for the pizza.
Same goes with steak. Pampas is ok but no where near Kevn Rathbun Steak, Hal's or Bones, plus it's way the hell out in the burbs. Not worth the trip. Good substitute if you must live way out there.

[cruise_bone]

Originally Posted by FlyinM3

Thanks for the recs!
I'm from NY as well so pizza sounds good.

I won't be visiting until early April, but would like to plan ahead of time.
As far as hotels, been thinking about the Westin unless you may be able to recommend a different hotel.
It's a quick 1-day trip before I head over to the Masters.

You mean the Westin downtown? The big tube? It's OK but the Ritz attached to the 191 building within a block or so, is so much nicer. If it's only for 1 night, splurge on the Ritz.
The Westin does have the revolving restaurant/bar at the top, but you can take an elevator to see that.

Have fun at The Masters. I've been a bunch and it is one of the only sporting events that truly lives up to the hype! Maybe I will see you there!

[FlyinM3]

Hey John,

Thanks for the feedback.
OK the Ritz -Carlton it is!
Actually, just looked at rates and this is more than reasonable...I guess I'm just used to the rates here in the NE.

The Masters is a first for me, so extremely excited for this!!!

[rolehex]

Yes, RUN THE GD BALL!!!!

[returntorolex]

Kevin Rathbun Steak....Dry Aged Steak for 2.

Simply incredible!

[Slippy Chips]

Originally Posted by cruise_bone

Here is your go to list: This is, as requested, a 1 day downtown type list.

Touristy stuff-World of Coke and the GA Aquarium are pretty good. I like Fernbank/Imax even better depending on what's current. Fernbank has a new Giant screen 4k theater opening this Saturday.

Food-I like Kevin Rathbun Steak over Bones but both are fantastic. Note-do NOT confuse Kevin Rathbun Steak with Rathbun's. They are very near each other (1/2 mile) and Uber drivers will usually drop you at Rathbun's by mistake if you do not specify.
Another great Steak option if you want to enjoy an old club/cougar vibe kind of thing - Hal's on Old Ivy. It's been my favorite for a long time.
Kevin Rathbun Steak is downtown and Bones/Hal's are both in Buckhead.
If you want fine dining - Bacchanalia and Restaurant Eugene are your can't miss places.
If you are interested in BBQ - Fatt Matt's Rib Shack. Anyone who instead suggests Fox Bros simply does not know of what they speak.
Burgers - The Vortex. Good lord - Skip the Varsity. That sh!t isn't edible.

And most important of all - skip the Clermont Lounge. That place is an absolute disaster. Better alternative - The Cheetah. It's like Rolex v a $10 plastic watch bought at a drugstore while you were stupid drunk.

If you want more suggestions, let me know!

I agree with pretty much everything written here. I, however, can not skip the Varsity. I realize there are better burgers. The Vortex is probably 10x better (to name just one). But the Varsity is just part of my DNA now. Whoever I've been traveling for a long time I have to have it on the way home from the airport. It's like a big "welcome home" hug that will probably take a year or two off my life. I think it's important to experience just because it's an Atlanta pillar more than it is a culinary experience. Same goes for Waffle House.

Also, my favorite hotel in Atlanta is the St Regis in Buckhead. It's not really downtown but Buckhead is a destination and is easily walkable.