Oral Pleasures
In new age circles and among Law of Attraction devotees you often hear the phrase “Thoughts become things.” The implication is that things in the physical world started out as a figment of someone’s imagination. When traced back to its roots, every great dish, food business, or restaurant concept started out as a vision. That is, a maker, chef, or restaurateur was inspired, dreamt up some blueprints, and ultimately transformed a vision into something tangible.
The people, places, and things we named best this year encompass the visions that had the most staying power. Things that remained visible amid Atlanta’s massive change and growth. They were the dishes and restaurants that were too consistent and too inspiring to fade away or lose their shine.
Places like the newcomer Staplehouse, brought us more than thoughtfulness in the form of edible art. The restaurant’s heroic inception taught us about passion and resilience, and, as a result, that food can be as much about love and community as it is about entertainment. This year we fell in love with the simple Parisian-inspired pleasures of Billy Allin’s Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park. We were wowed by Ticonderoga Club chef David Bies’ return to Atlanta, and we rejoiced in the promise of more favorable Peach State beer legislation for our beloved local brewpubs.
Collectively, Atlanta dining culture is a patchwork of individual ideas that a group of passionate people were compelled to make real. As the dreamers continue turning inspired thoughts into things, the look and feel of this cultural quilt morphs and grows — and we’re grateful to be around to see it.
— Stephanie Dazey
Best Local Food Advocate BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Local Food Company BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Middle Eastern BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best mixologist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Nachos BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best OTP Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Oysters BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Patio Dining BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Pho BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best place to dine alone BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Place to Fill Your Growler BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Ramen BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant Design BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Place for a First Date BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant for Late-Night Dining BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant to Bring the Kids BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant to Take Visitors BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Food Trend BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Sandwiches BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Seafood BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Wait Staff BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Chinese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Soul Food BOA Award Winner
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Best Soup BOA Award Winner
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Best Southern BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Spanish/Tapas BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Steaks BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Brunch BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Pop Up Food Event BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Sushi BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Tacos BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Tex-Mex BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Thai BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Under the Radar Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Vegetarian/Vegan BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Vegetarian/Vegan BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Veggie Burger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Vietnamese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Weekly Dining Deal BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Wine List BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Bakery BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Desserts BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Biscuits BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best French Fries BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Fried Chicken BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Fried Chicken BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Fro Yo BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best gluten-free options BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Hamburger BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Neighborhood for Food Lovers BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Hotdog BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Ice Cream BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Indian BOA Award Winner
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Best Italian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Japanese BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best juice bar BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Korean BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Central/South American Food BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Lunch BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Local Brewery BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Local Farm BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Local Food Advocate BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Local Food Company BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Malaysian BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Mexican BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Middle Eastern BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best mixologist BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Nachos BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Atlanta Beer/Local Brew BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best New Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best OTP Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Overall Restaurant BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Oysters BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Oysters BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Patio Dining BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Pho BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Pizza BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Place for a First Date BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best place to dine alone BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Place to Fill Your Growler BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Under-rated Attraction BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Startup/Incubator BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Ramen BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Breakfast Dishes BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Restaurant Design BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant Design BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Best Place for a First Date BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Best Restaurant for Late-Night Dining BOA Award Winner
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick