Carolinas, Georgia & South Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Alex Leviton [96]
ONE. midtown kitchen
Loud and sexy tapas-style eatery in a refurbished warehouse that oozes urban cool. Sultry cocktails and dressed-up comfort food are the icing. 404-892-4111; 559 Dutch Valley Rd; mains $7-27; 5:30-11pm Mon-Thu, 5:30pm-midnight Fri & Sat, 5:30-10pm Sun
Parish
A speakeasy-like Cajun-Creole bistro anchored by a gorgeous walnut-and-zinc bar lit by Philippe Starck “Miss K” lamps. 404-681-4434; 240 N Highland Ave; mains $10-19; 7am-late Mon-Fri, 8am-late Sat & Sun
Rathbun’s
The hip industrial space plays second fiddle to the diverse menu – eggplant fries with confectioners sugar, crispy duck with Thai risotto – at this foodie stronghold. 404-524-8280; 112 Krog St; mains $16-40; 5:30-10:30pm Mon-Thu, 5:30-11pm Fri & Sat
Tap
This sexy Midtown gastropub draws legions to its outdoor patio for great burgers and buffalo-fried calamari, all chased by a strong beer list. 404-347-2220; 1180 Peachtree St; mains $12-16; 11am-midnight Mon-Thu, 11am-2am Fri & Sat, 10am-midnight Sun
Watershed
Everything at this hip regional Southern co-owned by Emily Saliers is addictive, especially the pimento and cheese. 404-378-4900; 406 W Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur; mains $8-25; 11am-10pm Mon-Sat, 10am-3pm Sun
DRINK
Atkins Park
It’s a simple formula: hardwood booths, a long, smoky bar and a decent selection of draft beer. Try the local Sweetwater 420. 404-876-7249; 794 N Highland Ave; mains $7-24; 11am-2:30pm Mon-Sat, 11am-midnight Sun
Manuel’s Tavern
The quintessential Atlanta bar and often named one of America’s best, serving suds and cheap burgers since 1956. 404-526-0733; 602 N Highland Ave; mains $6-15; 11am-2am Mon-Sat, 11am-midnight Sun
Park Tavern
People-watch the afternoon away with a microbrew on the patio of this popular watering hole overlooking Piedmont Park. 404-249-0001; cnr 10th St & Monroe; mains $7-19; 4:30pm-midnight Mon-Thu, 11:30am-2am Fri & Sat, 11:30am-midnight Sun
SLEEP
Atlanta International Hostel
International travelers are given priority over Americans at this hostel in a 1906 former brothel near Virginia-Highland. Sorry California backpackers! 404-875-9449; www.atlantahostel.com; 223 Ponce de Leon NE; r $24-69
Glenn
If you like your hotel lobbies doubling as painfully hip bars, the Glenn is for you, though service isn’t nearly as cool as it looks. 404-521-2250; www.theglennhotel.com; 110 Marietta St NW; r $189-240
Highland Inn
Excellently located and well-priced option with a vintage upscale hostel vibe. Many of the doubles are especially roomy – almost suites. 404-874-5756; www.thehighlandinn.com; 644 N Highland Ave; r from $109
Mansion on Peachtree
A distinguished newcomer drenched in luxurious creamy earth tones and understated elegance with a stylish, wine-driven spa and NYC-transplanted Craft restaurant. 404-995-7500; www.mansiononpeachtree.com; 3376 Peachtree Rd; r $495-550
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.atlanta.citysearch.com
www.atlanta.net
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LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP
3 Tracing Martin Luther King, Jr
27 Atlanta for Food Lovers
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Return to beginning of chapter
TRIP 27
Atlanta for Food Lovers
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WHY GO Atlanta is undeniably the mecca of Southern dining. Dizzied by the myriad flavors, we teamed up with chef and author Scott Peacock of foodie favorite Watershed (co-owned by Indigo Girl Emily Saliers) to help us discover the Holy Grails of Atlanta’s foodie scene.
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The line starts forming up to an hour before opening. There are eight stools at the counter. There is a list of 30-year-old rules. There is one woman in charge, Ms Ann, who meticulously prepares the most monstrous burger on earth – two fat, hand-slapped patties doused in paprika, deep-fried bacon, fried onions, chili, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, mustard and mayo. It takes 45 minutes to arrive. Behold: the Ghetto Burger. Welcome to Ann’s Snack Bar on Memorial Dr, home to what