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2016 Index of Winners

Best Pho BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Pho Dai Loi
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Pizza BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Fellini’s Pizza (7 ATL Locations)
We’ve fallen in love with FELLINI’S pizza all over again. If you haven’t been in a while, skip the basics and indulge in a doubly thick Sicilian slice. That first plunge into fluffy, slightly crisped dough topped with glistening cheese is one of the best bites around. And other metro Atlanta locations.more...
We’ve fallen in love with FELLINI’S pizza all over again. If you haven’t been in a while, skip the basics and indulge in a doubly thick Sicilian slice. That first plunge into fluffy, slightly crisped dough topped with glistening cheese is one of the best bites around. And other metro Atlanta locations. less...

Best Pizza BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Antico Pizza Napoletana

Best Place for a First Date BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Gaja Korean Bar
What makes a place great for a first date? Engaging ambiance, strong drinks, and delicious food are clutch, and GAJA’s chill East Atlanta vibe covers all of the above. The raw industrial design scheme marked by concrete floors, elemental wood and stainless steel furnishings, and sparse décor keepmore...
What makes a place great for a first date? Engaging ambiance, strong drinks, and delicious food are clutch, and GAJA’s chill East Atlanta vibe covers all of the above. The raw industrial design scheme marked by concrete floors, elemental wood and stainless steel furnishings, and sparse décor keep the room from feeling too polished or precious. There are stylistic accents, such as vintage Korean film posters and food served on the quintessential Korean trays built to hold a plethora of small side dishes — or banchan. Gaja employs just enough Asian-hipster-foodie quirk to fuel conversation and ultimately foil any first-date awkwardness. Gaja’s playful East-meets-West dishes, such as a rice bowl topped with whatever veggies the kitchen has on hand, cucumber kimchi, and a hamburger patty proudly laced with M.S.G., and the addictive corn cheese (popcorn draped with shredded cheese) are conversation starters in their own right. Wash away any remaining nerves with shots of soju (potent Korean rice liquor) or a refreshing Hite beer imported from Seoul. less...

Best place to dine alone BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Grindhouse Killer Burgers - Piedmont
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Place to Fill Your Growler BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Hop City Craft Beer and Wine - The Krog District
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Under-rated Attraction BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Ponce City Market
“Life. Well spent.” is an old Sears slogan that could be used today to advertise PONCE CITY MARKET’S CENTRAL FOOD HALL. Inhabiting 300,000 square feet inside the renovated former Sears, Roebuck & Co. headquarters, the mix of dine-in and grab-n-go eateries is equipped to accommodate a vast rangemore...
“Life. Well spent.” is an old Sears slogan that could be used today to advertise PONCE CITY MARKET’S CENTRAL FOOD HALL. Inhabiting 300,000 square feet inside the renovated former Sears, Roebuck & Co. headquarters, the mix of dine-in and grab-n-go eateries is equipped to accommodate a vast range of food preferences, moods, and tastes. Four James Beard Award recipients chose the Old Fourth Ward food hall for their chef-driven, fast-casual concepts: Sean Brock’s Minero, Anne Quatrano’s W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, Linton Hopkins’ H+F Burger and Hop’s Chicken, and Hugh Acheson’s Spiller Park. A fanciful stroll around the hall feels like a walking tour of global cuisine, no passport required. There’s playful Indian street food at chef Meherwan Irani’s Botiwalla, steaming bowls of Japanese ramen at Guy Wong’s Ton Ton, savory Pan-Latin sandwiches at Hector Santiago’s El Super Pan, all the tongue-tingling Sichuan cuisine you can handle at Jia, and more. Grab an adult beverage at the Mercury, City Winery, or the Tap on Ponce. Sweet tooth? King of Pops, Honeysuckle Gelato, or Collier Candy Co. has got you covered. There’s nowhere more buzzy and diverting than Ponce City Market in Atlanta right now, which makes it an ideal destination for entertaining hungry out-of-towners. less...

Best Startup/Incubator BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
We Suki Suki A Global Grub Collective
Quynh “Q” Trinh’s GLOBAL GRUB COLLECTIVE tucked in an East Atlanta Village nook is an international food hall bustling with aspiring restaurants in start-up mode. Trinh sees the collective as an homage to her parents, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam as refugees with their eight children. A youngmore...
Quynh “Q” Trinh’s GLOBAL GRUB COLLECTIVE tucked in an East Atlanta Village nook is an international food hall bustling with aspiring restaurants in start-up mode. Trinh sees the collective as an homage to her parents, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam as refugees with their eight children. A young couple in their mid-20s hosted the family of 10 until they were able to move into their own home a year later. By offering the pop-ups a base of operations, the collective helps the small-business owners hone their crafts and work out kinks as they grow. Trinh provides initial support so her partners have the infrastructure, capital, and experience to open their own successful brick-and-mortar restaurants one day. Currently, the Collective houses more than a dozen concepts, most of which flip daily or weekly. Among them are the Midnight Marauder, a late-night concept serving Spotted Trotter dogs; Mamoune’s home-style Haitian cuisine, featuring chicken or vegetables with rice and spicy cabbage; Chop Chop Next, which serves street food mashups like fusion dumplings and kabobs; and the Sunday-only Cuban rice bowl concept La Parada Cubana. Say good-bye to the days of fighting over where to eat; the Collective has just about everything. 479-B Flat Shoals Ave. S.E. 404-430-7613. www.wesukisuki.com. less...

Best Ramen BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Hajime

Best Breakfast Dishes BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Breakfast tacos at Home grown
Two words: breakfast tacos. Home grown’s Reynoldstown dining room tends to remain full at breakfast time, but don’t let the crowd of people waiting for a table deter you. Your patience will be rewarded. Chorizo BREAKFAST TACOS AT HOME GROWN are an example of how simplicity and balance can transformmore...
Two words: breakfast tacos. Home grown’s Reynoldstown dining room tends to remain full at breakfast time, but don’t let the crowd of people waiting for a table deter you. Your patience will be rewarded. Chorizo BREAKFAST TACOS AT HOME GROWN are an example of how simplicity and balance can transform a handful of ingredients into a magical combination. Every point has a counterpoint. The spiciness from the ground sausage is mellowed out by dollops of silky sour cream. A sprinkling of fresh cilantro cuts through the fluffy, buttery eggs with a bright and herby pop. The warm corn tortillas tie everything together by adding some chewy heft and a whisper of sweetness to every bite. less...

Best Restaurant Design BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
BeetleCat

Best Restaurant Design BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Aria
Thanks to ARIA’s sexy new reboot, the seasoned Buckhead establishment is better looking than ever. It’s still a white tablecloth affair, but the new ambiance is softer and a touch more casual. Seiber Design made the Buckhead darling so fresh and so clean, clean. Soft gray walls, leather banquettes,more...
Thanks to ARIA’s sexy new reboot, the seasoned Buckhead establishment is better looking than ever. It’s still a white tablecloth affair, but the new ambiance is softer and a touch more casual. Seiber Design made the Buckhead darling so fresh and so clean, clean. Soft gray walls, leather banquettes, and buttery yellow curtains replace the main dining room’s previous stark white theme. The new color palette also extends to the formerly red bar area, which was remade to feel more open and less like a shadowy cave. But not everything’s brand-new. Despite the visual updates, Aria’s attentive service staff, chef Gerry Klaskala’s refined menu, and the distinctive dandelion-esque chandelier that twinkles in the dining room remain. less...

Best Place for a First Date BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Eclectic Bistro & Bar

Best Restaurant for Late-Night Dining BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Octopus Bar

Best Restaurant to Bring the Kids BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
YEAH! BURGER
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Restaurant to Take Visitors BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Imperial Fez Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge

Best Food Trend BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Farm to table

Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Bacchanalia

Best Sandwiches BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Victory Sandwich Bar
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Seafood BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
The Optimist

Best Wait Staff BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
BLT Steak

Best Chinese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Gu’s Dumplings

Best Soul Food BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Busy Bee Cafe

Best Soup BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Souper Jenny Westside

Best Southern BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Mary Mac’s Tea Room

Best Spanish/Tapas BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Barcelona Wine Bar

Best Steaks BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Kevin Rathbun Steak

Best Brunch BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
West Egg Cafe

Best Pop Up Food Event BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Eat Me Speak Me - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

Best Sushi BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Umi

Best Tacos BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
El Rey Del Taco
EL REY DEL TACO’s traditional fillings and ultra-fresh homemade tortillas still can’t be beat. Go for the melty slow-braised goat or fatty and crisp pork carnitas dressed simply with cilantro and onion. 5288 Buford Highway N.E., Doraville. 770-986-0032. www.elreydeltacoatl.com.

Best Tacos BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
bartaco - West Midtown
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Tex-Mex BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Superica

Best Thai BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Little Bangkok

Best Tiki Bar BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
The S.O.S. Tiki Bar
For those who like their drinks on fire in a cozy retro den filled with Polynesian vibes, S.O.S. TIKI BAR is the place. A short walk down an alley in Decatur leads you to an escapist environment dimply lit by topless, grass skirt-clad lady lamps. Banana leaf wallpaper, tropically attired servers andmore...
For those who like their drinks on fire in a cozy retro den filled with Polynesian vibes, S.O.S. TIKI BAR is the place. A short walk down an alley in Decatur leads you to an escapist environment dimply lit by topless, grass skirt-clad lady lamps. Banana leaf wallpaper, tropically attired servers and bartenders, and surfer tunes complete the time warp without feeling too over-the-top. Bobby Dudley and crew serve cocktails running the gamut from classics (Mai Tai!) to originals like the boozy Subtle Banana stirred with rye, cognac, Benedictine, and cinnamon and garnished with an orchid or plastic mermaid. The retro hangout also flaunts a fun menu of coconut shrimp, Polynesian spare ribs, and pu pu platters to complement the drinks and décor. It’s the kind of place where you might find yourself sitting next to a member of the National Swizzle Stick Society. less...

Best Under the Radar Restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Dish Dive

Best Cheap Eats BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
La Mei Zi
On the left side of the well-loved strip mall that is Asian Square sits LA MEI ZI, a Modern Taiwanese restaurant that’s quietly serving up some great Chinese food. Taiwanese and Sichuan specialties abound, including mapo tofu, crispy fried chicken legs, colossal typhoon shelter prawns, and more. Servicemore...
On the left side of the well-loved strip mall that is Asian Square sits LA MEI ZI, a Modern Taiwanese restaurant that’s quietly serving up some great Chinese food. Taiwanese and Sichuan specialties abound, including mapo tofu, crispy fried chicken legs, colossal typhoon shelter prawns, and more. Service is quick and friendly and the English is plentiful so don’t be scurred to explore and try something new for lunch. less...

Best Vegetarian/Vegan BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Cafe Sunflower Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Vegetarian/Vegan BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Cafe Sunflower Buckhead
And other metro Atlanta location.

Best Vegetarian/Vegan BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
The General Muir
For chef TODD GINSBERG, successful vegetarian cuisine needs to have plenty of texture and balance. The crave-worthy meatless dishes at Fred’s Meat & Bread and the General Muir are packed with both. The vegetarian banh mi sandwich at Fred’s, which was inspired by the chef’s travels around Vietnam,more...
For chef TODD GINSBERG, successful vegetarian cuisine needs to have plenty of texture and balance. The crave-worthy meatless dishes at Fred’s Meat & Bread and the General Muir are packed with both. The vegetarian banh mi sandwich at Fred’s, which was inspired by the chef’s travels around Vietnam, combines dense roasted cauliflower, creamy sliced eggplant, pickled carrots, jalapeño, and more for its gratifying heft, chew, and spice. For his vegetarian Reuben at the General Muir, Ginsberg kept the sandwich’s fundamental building blocks — sauerkraut, Russian dressing, rye bread — but employs fat slabs of smoky beets to replace corned beef’s meatiness. When it comes to vegetarian cooking, Ginsberg says there’s no precise formula that will yield perfect results every time, especially when diners naturally seem to crave protein. This can make cooking sans meat a challenge, but, for Ginsberg, it also makes creating veggie dishes that guests crave much more exciting. Fred’s Meat & Bread, 99 Krog St. N.E. 404-688-3733. www.fredsmeatandbread.com. less...

Best Veggie Burger BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Vietnamese BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Lee’s Bakery
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Weekly Dining Deal BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Grindhouse Killer Burgers (5 ATL Locations)
And other metro Atlanta locations.

Best Wine List BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Critics Pick
Empire State South
When Empire State South first opened back in 2010, “Head Wine Cheerleader” Steven Grubbs got the town’s wine geeks buzzing with his witty wine menus packed with rarities not often found on Atlanta lists. Somehow, he has managed to keep Empire State South’s wine menu as eclectic, charming, andmore...
When Empire State South first opened back in 2010, “Head Wine Cheerleader” Steven Grubbs got the town’s wine geeks buzzing with his witty wine menus packed with rarities not often found on Atlanta lists. Somehow, he has managed to keep Empire State South’s wine menu as eclectic, charming, and informational as ever. Sample footnote: “It is a mildly kept secret that some of the best drinking you can do for the money these days is Beaujolais ... There may be no better time to obtain and drink the wines of the true legends, the magical geniuses, like those of Marcel Lapierre.” So yes, you can get a Lapierre Morgon or simply sit back and be thankful that Grubbs has a thing for Burgundy and Champagne and German Riesling. If Grubbs says a wine is good, the wine is good. less...

Best Wine List BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Reader’s Pick
Barcelona Wine Bar

Best Restaurant BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Oral Pleasures » Trophy Case
The General Muir
For years, Atlanta’s deli-starved craved something like THE GENERAL MUIR. At breakfast there’s a strong cup of coffee with a nosh from the bakery or a bagel platter. At lunch, sandwiches stacked with homemade cured meats and burgers reign. At dinner, chef Todd Ginsberg’s French training makes anmore...
For years, Atlanta’s deli-starved craved something like THE GENERAL MUIR. At breakfast there’s a strong cup of coffee with a nosh from the bakery or a bagel platter. At lunch, sandwiches stacked with homemade cured meats and burgers reign. At dinner, chef Todd Ginsberg’s French training makes an appearance. The Emory Point deli/brasserie has become an Atlanta institution because who doesn’t love a bagel? less...

Best Arts Provocateur BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick
Pastiche Lumumba

Best Advocate for the Arts BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick
C4 and FUSE Arts Center

Best Art Exhibit in a Gallery BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick
Alan Avery Art Company

Best Art Exhibit in a Museum BOA Award Winner

Year » 2016
Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2016 » Poets, Artists, & Madmen » Readers Pick
High Museum of Art

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