Whether you are planning a date with your significant other, a night out on the town with friends or simply don’t want to cook, look no further! The following is a guide to several restaurants around metro Atlanta. For whatever the occasion, the following restaurants are sure to please!
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Café Intermezzo
This European coffee house in Buckhead is perfect for after dinner drinks. The assortment of desserts is so vast that it can seem almost overwhelming, but no need to fear: there are several “tour guides” to help guide you. I would suggest the cherry pie a la mode. They also have a good selection of small plates and appetizers. The dimly lit atmosphere with candles at every table provides a very romantic ambience – perfect for a date night!
1845 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 355-0411
www.cafeintermezzo.com
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The Chocolate Bar
The new establishment located in the downtown Decatur square is –just as the name suggests - any chocolate lovers dream. They have a full bar with several specialty drinks – you must try the Tiramisu martini! Check out the amazing three-course dessert menu with wine pairings. The fun, trendy atmosphere is great for a date night, or a girl’s night out – or of course, anyone who loves chocolate!
201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 378-0630
www.thechocolatebardecatur.com
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The Grape
This wine bar and retail shop with a handful of locations around Atlanta is a perfect haunt for wine enthusiasts and beginners alike. The wine list is broken down into ten descriptive categories, so that you can find something to suit your taste (or if you don’t know much about wine, you can pretend like you do ). Not only can you order wine by the glass and the bottle, you can order a “half-glass” which is perfect for sampling several types. The food is mostly small plates which are perfect for sharing. My personal favorite is the beef tenderloin quesadilla – yummy! The atmosphere is pretty casual, often featuring live music on the weekends. It is perfect for anything from a business dinner, or catching up with friends.
264 19th Street, Suite 2140, Atlanta, GA 30363
(404) 815-0090
www.yourgrape.com (for more locations, please visit the website)
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The Real Chow Baby
Located in Atlanta’s chic warehouse district, Chow Baby is a create-your-own stir-fry restaurant. As you travel down the buffet style line, you get a plate and fill it with your choice of rice or pasta, almost any vegetable you can imagine, any of 17 different sauces, and the meat or seafood of your choice. Then, the chefs prepare your creation for you on the 60 inch grill, and your server brings it out to you. For $11.99, you can create an unlimited number of combinations! Come hungry, and be prepared to wait – especially on the weekends. I must add that it is worth the wait!
1016 Howell Mill Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 815-4900
www.therealchowbaby.com
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Seasons 52
Seasons 52 restaurant features seasonally inspired dishes, prepared only with the freshest ingredients. The menu changes weekly and each entrée contains 475 calories or less. Yup, that’s right, 475 calories or less. Did I mention that the food is delicious? I would recommend the garlic chicken flatbread for a starter, caramelized sea scallops for an entrée, and an individual serving sized key lime pie for dessert. Whether you are health conscious or just want to try to a new place, I will assure you that Seasons 52 will not disappoint – you probably will forget that you are eating healthy! This restaurant is perfect for a quiet dinner with your significant other.
3050 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 846-1552
www.seasons52.com (for more locations, please visit the website)
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Tavern at Phipps
This restaurant and bar located in Phipps Plaza has an upscale appearance with a relaxed atmosphere. The Tavern at Phipps was named best happy hour, best looking staff, best singles scene, best patio, and best people watching by a Jezebel magazine reader’s poll in 2007- it’s clearly a local favorite. Sit back, unwind and enjoy a nice cold beer and their famous tavern chips – my pick is the barbecue chicken! This is a perfect spot for lunch, or meeting up with friends after a long day at work.
3500 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 814-9640
www.centraarchy.com/tavernatphipps/phipps-intro.html
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Twist
A member of the Tom Catherall’s Here to Serve family, Twist is a fusion restaurant featuring sushi, a raw bar, tapas, martinis and more. It has a fun bar and lounge area, as well as a large dining room. I would recommend the $5 “Peartini”, the sashimi combo for two (to share with a friend!), and the chocolate fondue for dessert. Twist is a great place to meet new people. This is the place to see and be seen in Atlanta!
3500 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 869-1191
www.heretoserverestaurants.com
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Written by Renee Fouquet
When you think of wine country, you probably think of Napa Valley, or even Tuscany. What you may not realize is that we have wine country in our very own backyard! Just head up to North Georgia and you will find ten incredible wineries. Many of them offer vineyard tours and wine tastings. Make a whole weekend trip out of it! 
