Atlanta's Best Group Dining 2008

Fast-paced steakhouse brings the flavors of a Brazilian cookout to Buckhead.

Reviews:

• “Best all you can restaurant intown "
• “excellent”
• “THE BEST FOOD I’VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE”
• “The best brazilian steaks!!!”
• “Wonderful!!!!!!”

Tips: Sip on a fine South American wine from Argentina and Chile, which will nicely complement the meat selection or ask your server for a recommendation.

Fogo De Chao
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Elegant, upscale restaurant serving familiar bites with an innovative twist.

Reviews:

• “River Room”
• “great getaway”
• “Great First Impression "
• “We loved it!!”
• “Mediocre”

Tips: Check out the website to find out about current food and drink specials, such as $5 martinis.

River Room Restaurant & Tavern
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Buckhead tapas bar wins with top-notch flavors and cozy, colorful atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “Don’t Bother”
• “Great atmosphere…better food!!!”
• “Went for a Birthday and boy was it fun!”
• “When can I go back?!”
• “Reservations are not a gurantee but the food is good. "

Tips: Eclipse can be tricky to find. Follow Miami Circle to a cul de sac, then straight through a parking lot. Eclipse is on your left.

Eclipse di Luna

Stunning city views set this by-the-book steakhouse apart from the Buckhead pack.

Reviews:

• “Great experience.”
• “Great service and food from Valet to Coat Check”
• “HIgh expectations, very poor service”
• “Great Food & Service”
• “Very good food, Great ambiance”

Tips: If you want a front row seat of the panoramic view, request it when you call for reservations, or you may be peering over high-walled booths to get a glimpse.

The Capital Grille
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Northside fine dining pioneer dishes up polished atmosphere, dependable cuisine.

Reviews:

• “What are you waiting for?”
• “Wow!”
• “bad time lots of money”
• “Love the Update!”
• “Very Good Food! Great to take company for dinner or lunch during the week.”

Tips: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park

Bistro VG
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Central and South American flavors infuse traditional Spanish dishes in this quaint, stunning all-tapas bistro.

Reviews:

• “Love at first bite”
• “RE: Do not go for ‘just drinks’ "
• “Excellent Food and Atmosphere”
• “Do not go for ‘just drinks’”
• “Best meal I have had in a long time”

Tips: Visit on the second or fourth Thursday of the month, when Argentine dancers tango the night away.

Pura Vida

Ultra-trendy spot in Poncey Highland attracts the swank set with dramatic culinary creations and a feast for the senses.

Reviews:

• “Best time with my girlfriends in forever!!!”
• “I love this place”
• “Great hotspot for a group, most of the food was yummy, great service”
• “Exceptional atmosphere and food”
• “Still Has Attitude”

Tips: The restaurant is tucked away from the road. Follow Somerset until you pull all the way up to the valet platform.

Two Urban Licks
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Family-friendly restaurant serves up enormous portions of southern Italian favorites in a nostalgic setting.

Reviews:

• “Chipped Piece of Tooth Found in Tiramisu!!!”
• “Great restaurant for italian …”
• “Bad food, terrible service.”
• “Avoid lunchtime family style dining!”
• “Simply the best Italian you will find anywhere…”

Tips: Half-portions are a good bet; they’re still generous and considerably less expensive.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Shimmering space seduces with glitzy decor, sushi bar and urban fashionistas.

Reviews:

• “Best People Watching”
• “Very Trendy and Ecclectic”
• “Not worth it.”
• “Small portions”
• “Not like the pictures”

Tips: There are plenty of offerings on the menu, but you can also build your own pizza, salad or sandwich.

Shout

Spanakopita, baked stuffed calamari, and chicken al Sugo are some of the traditional dishes offered in this comfortable, casual Duluth restaurant.

Reviews:

• “It was either really awesome or wtf”
• “Best Service Ive EVER had!!!!”
• “All around spectacular spot”
• “Best Italian food I’ve ever had.”
• “Cool Food, Environmentally Sound”

Sugo
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Acclaimed chef pulls off modern American cuisine with flourish in a sleek Inman Park setting.

Reviews:

• “Good food didn’t make up for horrible service”
• “Dark and Crowded, but Delicious”
• “I’ve been to a good amount of restaurants in Atlanta and….”
• “Exceptional Food and Service”
• “Weird Location, but AMAZING food”

Tips: For a dessert sampler, order “Kirk’s picks” for a foursome from the pastry chef, which may feature an adorable mini-banana split.

Rathbun’s

Solid Italian specialties contend with deafening volume and confused service in a neighborhood trattoria.

Reviews:

• “I’m sorry, you must be confused…”
• “Scam, Bad food- need I go on?”
• “I Love Il Localino”
• “Spectacular food, service, and ambience.”
• “Amazing Food – Great Atmosphere – Impeccable Service!”

Tips: While the wine list is impressive, no visit to Il Localino is complete without one of the restaurant’s perfect pomegranate martinis.

Il Localino

It’s hip to dip at this cozy fondue-lover’s paradise.

Reviews:

• “The whole experience is wonderful”
• “THE BEST SPECIALTY / ROMANTIC RESTAURANT IN ATLANTA”
• “GREAT FUN”
• “Melting Pot”

Tips: Prime-time reservations often require several weeks’ notice.

The Melting Pot

Views overlooking Peachtree attract groups and businessmen alike to this all-you-can-stuff Brazialian meat palace.

Chima

Virginia-Highland hot spot changes course to serve small plates with big Southwestern flavors.

Reviews:

• “Hostess”
• “bad hostess”
• “Best Tapas in the Highlands”
• “Why would you put up with that?”
• “Best tapas in town!”

Tips: The breezy terrace in the back is in high demand. Call early and make reservations. If you’re not opposed to eating indoors, you can typically snag a table on weekday nights without a reservation.

Noche

Popular Midtown destination wows with a stunning design and stellar views.

Reviews:

• “Didn’t do it for me”
• “customer service lacking”
• “$25 Three-course”
• “My favorite place on Sundays!”
• “One of my top 10 dining experiences ever!”

Tips: If romance is in your sights, request table 30. A booth nestled in the back, it’s perfect for private time with your sweetheart.

One. Midtown Kitchen