February 7, 2024
Food & Drink,
Our guide to the best tasting menus in Atlanta—some you've heard of and others you need to know.
The Classics
BACCHANALIA
Bacchanalia has long deserved a MICHELIN star and got one this year! The well-earned reputation comes from the passion and discipline of Chefs/Owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison and a culinary team led by Kai Nalampoon. The seasonal menu featuring seasonal organic ingredients from the chef’s farm “Summerland” earned this special establishment a Green Star from the inspectors. A standout from this season’s tasting menu is the Nantucket Bay scallops, sunchoke and black truffle. Only available November through March, these pan-seared scallops are served with puree, preserved and crispy local sunchokes with black truffle vinaigrette. 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Ste. 1, starprovisions.com
Atlas’ “The Whole Bird” as part of the restaurant’s 8-course tasting menu. PHOTO BY LORENZO FRANCO
ATLAS
Renowned for its sophisticated ambiance and innovative cuisine, this gastronomic gem captures a modern approach to fine dining. Atlas’ menu, curated by visionary chefs, seamlessly blends seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to create exquisite dishes that tantalize the palate. The current tasting menu favorite is “The Whole Bird,” a dish that features squab from San Joaquin Valley prepared in a playful way. Each dish tells a story, and the menu is a journey that focuses on ingredients, provenance and texture, resulting in a powerful combination of excellent and memorable food. 490 E. Paces Ferry Road NE, atlasrestaurant.com
Chef Ron Hsu of Lazy Betty fame orchestrating in his kitchen PHOTO BY ANDREW THOMAS LEE
LAZY BETTY
Named after the Hsu siblings’ mother, Lazy Betty has a good spirit throughout the restaurant, from the environs to the menu. Chef Ron Hsu and chef Aaron Phillips oversee a contemporary tasting menu with clever flavor combinations highlighting regional ingredients. It was announced this summer that the pair will move their popular concept to Midtown this year! As for the upcoming tasting menu, we got the exclusive from Hsu. “Our tasting menu is constantly evolving. We always try to ensure that the new menu is even better than the last, has twists, fits seasonality and maintains its amazing flavor and intellectual property,” says Hsu. Working alongside chef de cuisine Austin Goetzman, Hsu and Phillips are sure to dream up something more than memorable. Don’t go asking for a caviar doughnut in March, but let’s just say that concepts like these are top of Hsu’s mind. 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE, Ste. f, lazybettyatl.com
In The Know
GEORGIA BOY
Hidden within Southern Belle, Georgia Boy is one one-part speakeasy, one-part fine dining experience. Chef Joey Ward seats a 16-course tasting menu available for booking four times a night, featuring dishes like seared diver scallops bathed in a chocolate-dark truffle and sunchoke sauce. 1043 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, georgiaboyatl.com
Decatur’s No. 246 seating in their main dining room. PHOTO BY ANDREW THOMAS LEE
LITTLE BEAR
From the mind of chef Jarrett Stieber, Little Bear throws fine dining stuffiness and pretension out the window opting for what Stieber likes to call “Michelin Tire Dining.” Funny enough, Little Bear was awarded two real-life Michelin awards this year—the Bib Gourmand and the Young Chef Award 2023! 71-A Georgia Ave. SE, littlebearatl.com
MARIA
Nestled within an unassuming cul-de-sac in Kennesaw, Maria might just be the most exclusive and rewarding supper club in Atlanta. Helmed by 21-year-old chef Trevor Shankman, Maria’s menu and excution is exceptional and, as a diner, you bare witness to the beginning of a chef’s career. A highlight from the menu is the Desde Florida Con Amor, a dulce de leche cremeux glazed with guava aspic shouldering a lightly steamed coconut custard, seasoned with dried rose petals and caramelized coconut. mariaatl.info
NO. 246
Chef Drew Belline and Ford Fry’s collaboration on this Decatur gem pays homage to the old-school Italian dining scenes of yesteryear. The concept’s chef’s counter features four seats and a custom five-course menu based on the season’s ingredients. 129 E. Ponce De Leon Ave., no246.com
HAYAKAWA
Owner and head chef Atsushi Hayakawa focuses on an highly elevated omakase dining experience where he sets the menu and interacts with his patrons—with the goal of presenting omakase in a way reminiscent of L.A. or New York. 1055 Howell Mill Road, hayakawaatl.com
THE ALDEN
This MICHELIN-recommended restaurant in Chamblee is directed by chef Jared A. Hucks and offers a seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings nightly at the chef’s counter. Inspired by his worldly travels, regional and seasonal ingredients and his time at both Noma and Arzak restaurants, these dishes are an experience. 5070 Peachtree Blvd., Ste. B-140, thealdenrestaurant.com
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