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Asian FusionMidtown
Poor Calvin's in Midtown Atlanta opened 2010 with chef Calvin Phan's mash-up of Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese plates. Kitchen leans asian fusion.
OrderLobster pad Thai, the dish that put Calvin Phan on the city's map.
TipCash and card. Reservations on OpenTable; Saturday night books a week ahead. Casual atmosphere despite the price.
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SpanishDecatur
The Iberian Pig in downtown Decatur, Atlanta runs Spanish tapas and Iberico-leaning plates since 2009. At 121 Sycamore St. Booking recommended.
OrderThe pork belly cubano, bacon-wrapped Medjool dates and patatas bravas.
TipReservations on Resy. Buckhead and Glenwood Park sister locations stay open later than Decatur.
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JapaneseBuckhead
Umi in Buckhead's Charles H. Candler building, Atlanta runs a modern Japanese kitchen with sushi, robata and wagyu service since 2013. Priced at $$$$.
OrderSushi omakase at the counter; the miso black cod from the kitchen.
TipReservations on OpenTable. Dress smart casual; the room runs Buckhead-elegant.
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Modern Tasting MenuCandler Park
Chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips' Candler Park tasting room in Atlanta opened 2019, earned a Michelin Star in 2023 and runs an inventive prix-fixe menu.
OrderChef's tasting menu, with wine pairing.
TipReservations open 60 days out on Tock; the chef's counter seats six and books fastest.
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Contemporary AmericanBuckhead
Chef Christopher Grossman's St Regis Buckhead room in Atlanta opened 2015 and holds a Michelin Star since 2023 with a tasting menu and a wall.
OrderThe seasonal tasting menu, paired with the wine list at the bar.
TipThe art collection is the secondary draw: Picasso, Chagall and Warhol line the dining room. Reservations on the St Regis site.
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OmakaseWest Midtown
Chef Edward Lee Schubert's West Midtown sushi counter in Atlanta opened 2021 and earned a Michelin Star in 2023 for the city's most refined omakase service.
OrderThe chef's omakase: roughly two-hour, eighteen-course service.
TipTwo seatings nightly. Counter only; no a la carte. Drinks programme includes rare sake and an unusually deep Burgundy list.