Restaurants
Experience some of the country’s best dining in Atlanta, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York.
words by > Tony Ware
Atlanta Shaun’s Social Club & Restaurant
1029 Edgewood Ave NE Inman Park | 404-577-4358 $$ | (New) American Brasserie
Celebrated chef Shaun Doty has never been one to be cornered. Following his tutelage under “modern classical” maestro Guenter Seeger, Doty created several destination dining hits, first with downtown’s Mumbo Jumbo and then in midtown with MidCity Cuisine and Table 1280—each more architecturally conceptual. From spot to glam spot, people trailed in Doty’s wake, eagerly anticipating his next Old World-meets-New menu. Doty’s lure is his ability to take exactingly sourced ingredients plus trans-Mediterranean influences and make distraction-free dishes that still manage to be detailed. As chef/owner of this eponymous, moderately priced quaint neighborhood eatery, Doty has conceived a setting and platings that are equally cozy and understated. Restraint is as common as rich, seasonal ingredients in earthy dishes, including butternut squash ravioli with ameretti, sage and pine nut foam; chicken liver fettuccini in marsala sauce; and white shrimp with grits served with Berkshire pork and poached egg. Splurge on a culinary cocktail and the trademark chickpea fries and toast honest cottage cuisine. www.shaunsrestaurant.com
DOLCE Enoteca e Ristorante
261 19th St Atlantic Station | 404-872-3902 $$ | Italian
Featuring a sable, sultry interior with a dust of iridescence, this Los Angeles-founded chain offers Italian sharing plates, glamorously presented as if headed for the Oscars. Succulent dishes such as truffle linguine with duck confit, risottos and osso buco prove the cuisine as equally glossy and velvety as its surroundings. The truly decadent can perch behind sheer curtains in the gleaming Bernini altar-like VIP section. www.dolceenoteca.com
Thrive
101 Marietta St Downtown | 404-389-1000 $$ | Asian-Inspired Café/Lounge
Ensconced in the newly thriving downtown scene, this bistro-by-day/boîte-by-night aims to offer a lounge-meets-café that’s stylish without being ostentatious. The contemporary, sleek restaurant offers everything from sushi to beef filet and baked potatoes. The final result is a modern mosaic of Southern civility and fashion-forward eatertainment anchoring the business district renaissance. www.thriveatl.com
JCT Kitchen and Bar
1198 Howell Mill Rd, Ste 18 West Midtown | 404-355-2252 $$ | Nouveau Southern
Located in the West Side area, where style meets substance, this buoyant, family-friendly tea room is decidedly urban. The “Southern farmstead cooking,” however, maintains comforts of the country—several countries, in fact. Chef Ford Fry of EatZi’s fame infuses mild hints of Provençal and the Mediterranean, including truffle-parmesan fries, butter bean bruschetta and pot roast-style short ribs. www.jctkitchen.com
Washington, DC
Central Michel Richard
1001 Pennsylvania Ave NW Penn Quarter | 202-626-0015 $$-$$$ | Modern Bistro
Years in the making, this honeyed, uncomplicated space offers an earth-toned stage for stellar flavors. The namesake venture of Georgetown landmark Citronelle’s Michel Richard, this casual, convivial bistro features clean lines and dishes. An exhibition kitchen bustles and puts forth whimsical takes on American classics such as burgers (tuna or lobster), short rib (sous-vide), and fried chicken with mustard sauce. www.centralmichelrichard.com
San Francisco
Perbacco
230 California St Financial District | 415-955-0663 $$ | Northern Italian
The exposed brick and match tip-red leather contrasts with polished marble and buttery hues in this nook-studded sliver of the Financial District. Inside, dine on creamy preparations of rustic, regional Italian. Begin with a delicious sampler of crudo (raw) or house-cured salami. Standouts such as milk-braised pork shoulder and polenta balance upscale with affable. www.perbaccosf.com
New York
BLT Steak
106 E 57th St Midtown | 212-752-7470 $$$ | Contemporary Steakhouse
BLT Steak—that’s Bistro Laurent Tourondel—is not your pappy’s power dining. The polished yet unpretentious modern steakhouse integrates elements of a cozy French bistro. BLT Steak marries meaty traditions with items like tuna tartare, broiled beef that’s a cut above and copious rich sides. Comfort and luxury reign supreme in the décor, with a deep chocolate brown palette, 23-foot zinc bar and golden ambient lighting. www.bltsteak.com
Las Vegas
Social House
Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd The Strip | 702-894-7777 $$$ | Sushi/Pan-Asian
This tri-level restaurant/lounge was cemented in Las Vegas’ socialite circuit in no time. Both the sake bar and 270-seat dining room offer fierce feng shui, impressing both the fashionista and foodie equally. A Nobu disciple, executive chef Joseph Elevado expertly executes Pan-Asian fusion throughout the sushi, sliders or small plates. www.socialhouselv.com