Oral Pleasures
The last 12 months in Atlanta food could be described in one word: aspirational. Thanks to a rash of mega-mixed use developments in the works, dozens of new restaurants are headed our way. A handful of these will be flagship restaurants, such as Hannah Chung’s Simply Seoul Kitchen and the Cockentrice from the team behind the Spotted Trotter, our 2014 Readers Pick co-winners for Best farmers market food stall.
More common are side projects and sister restaurants from top dogs such as Bacchanalia chef Anne Quatrano’s Dub’s Fish Camp, Linton Hopkins’ H&F Burger in Ponce City Market, and Cakes & Ale owner chef Billy Allin’s Bread & Butterfly Café in Inman Park.
The mood has been anticipatory, we, the food obsessed, stuck in a holding pattern awaiting the onslaught of shiny and new. It’s easy to let a future as bright as Atlanta’s distract from the present, but there is so much worth celebrating here and now.
The success of chef Jarrett Stieber’s edgy Eat Me Speak Me pop-up (Critics Pick for Best pop-up) serves as a barometer for the city’s robust, food-friendly startup scene.
Kimball House, this year’s Critics Pick for Best new restaurant, wowed locals with its revolutionary cocktail and oyster programs, ultimately earning a spot on Bon Appétit magazine’s 5 Best New Cocktail Bars in America 2014 list.
The East meets South Decatur diner Sobban (Critics Pick for Best creative diner food) and Buckhead newcomer Lusca (Critics Pick for Best breath of fresh air) each had breakout years, winning praise locally and beyond for inventive, culture-crawling cuisines.
This year, we tried to pull the curtain back to shed light on where the wonderful food in front of us comes from and who put it there. We deconstructed the best, most impeccably sourced local vegetable plate in town — find out what makes Restaurant Eugene’s Seasonal Vegetable Tasting a triumph. We also caught up with expert knife sharpener Geoff Edges, who shares what it’s like to maintain one of a chef’s most beloved and important tools.
The future of Atlanta dining is bright. Here’s to all those working to give us something to look forward to.
— Stephanie Dazey
Best Bartender/Mixologist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Diner BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best food for a cause: Fresh-food-for-everyone advocates BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best food for a cause: Pace changers BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best food for a cause: Service industry support group BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Atlanta Food Instagrammer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Freedom Fighters BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Beer Festival BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Georgia Beer Development BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Hotel Bar BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Pop Up Food Event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Seafood BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Kitchen Tools BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Public Art Event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Atlanta Food Instagrammer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Atlanta Food Tweeter BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Bakery BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Bar Food BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Beer Selection BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Brew Pub BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Burrito BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cajun BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Caribbean BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cheap Eats BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chocolates BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cocktails BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Coffee House/Coffeeshop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Breakfast Dishes BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cuban BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cupcakes BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Deli BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Doughnut BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Ethiopian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Film Series BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Food Festival/Event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Food Truck BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best French BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best French Fries BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Fried Chicken BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Fro Yo BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best gluten-free options BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Bantam & Biddy
1544 Piedmont Ave., Suite 301. 404-907-3469; 1050 Crescent Ave. 404-835-6450. www.bantamandbiddy.com.
AND
Sally’s Gluten Free Bakery
5920 Roswell Road, Suite 108-A. 404-847-0211; 4390 Kimball Bridge Road, Suite B2. 470-226-7965. www.sallysglutenfreebakery.com.
Best Grits BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Hamburger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Hotdog BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Indian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Italian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Japanese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best juice bar BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Korean BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Local Brewery BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Local Farm BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Local Food Company BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Middle Eastern BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best mixologist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Atlanta Food Instagrammer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Atlanta Food Tweeter BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Bakery BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Barbecue BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Bar Food BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Bartender/Mixologist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Beer Selection BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Breakfast BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Brew Pub BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Burrito BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cajun BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Caribbean BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cheap Eats BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Chef BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chocolates BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cocktails BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Coffee House/Coffeeshop BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Diner BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Breakfast Dishes BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cuban BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Cupcakes BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Deli BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Doughnut BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Ethiopian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Film Series BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Food Festival/Event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best food for a cause: Fresh-food-for-everyone advocates BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Farmer’s Market BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best food for a cause: Pace changers BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best food for a cause: Service industry support group BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Atlanta Food Instagrammer BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Food Truck BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best French BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best French Fries BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Fried Chicken BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Fro Yo BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best gluten-free options BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Bantam & Biddy
1544 Piedmont Ave., Suite 301. 404-907-3469; 1050 Crescent Ave. 404-835-6450. www.bantamandbiddy.com.
AND
Sally’s Gluten Free Bakery
5920 Roswell Road, Suite 108-A. 404-847-0211; 4390 Kimball Bridge Road, Suite B2. 470-226-7965. www.sallysglutenfreebakery.com.
Best Grits BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Hamburger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Hotdog BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2014 » Oral Pleasures » Readers Pick
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