Dont bypass these great restaurants just off the interstate.
Atlanta is known for great dining. But how do you find remarkable meals when crossing the city on your way elsewhere? On the north side of the Perimeter, take 1-285s Exit 25 to U.S. 19/Roswell Road to satisfy your cravings. At first glance, this exits choices overwhelm. Skip the big chains, and seek out these three favorites for one-of-a-kind fare.
Where French Pastries Meet Japanese Details
Turn south off the interstate, and go two blocks to an unassuming shopping center named The Prado. There youll find Joli Kobe, a delightful bakery and cafe run by a Japanese family for more than 20 years.
Its difficult to not eat dessert first here. Fruit tarts (from 95 cents to $26) line up in a glass case. All kinds of cookies and pastries tempt you for less than a dollar. But the piece de resistance is the selection of fresh-baked breads, from baguettes and whole wheat loaves to pain de campagne and red bean croissants. Continue article Advertisement
Try to put off your sweet tooth, however, and order a sandwich or salad. Choose from fresh almond-curry chicken salad, egg salad, and cold pasta selections atop green garden salads priced from $4.95 to $7.50. You wont be disappointed. Joli Kobe, 5600 Roswell Road; (404) 843-3257 or www.jolikobe.com. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Brewing Up Good Tastes
At the far end of The Prado lies one of the citys best eateries, 5 Seasons Brewing. Owners Dennis Lange and David Larkworthys commitment to excellence keeps repeat diners. With a logo that looks like Supermans in a beer glass, youd think 5 Seasons was a sports bar. Step inside to a masculine lodge design (all wood and glass) to find an ambitious menu accompanied by handcrafted beers. Plan on at least an hour and a half for a meal here.
The menu satisfies with the basics: good burgers and grilled pizzas, all with lots of pizzazz. Yet the inspired Little Plates (large orders of appetizers) and entrees shine brightest.
Everything is made fresh in-house-from the breads (which use the spent grains from the brewing) to the pomme frites and ice creams. They buy only organic veggies, and you can taste the difference. Go for the grilled ravioli with crawfish, andouille sausage, and asparagus in a Parmesan-cream sauce ($18). Youll also be happy with the smaller servings-a pair of yakitori lamb chops ($7) or fried blue crab fingers ($9). 5 Seasons Brewing, 5600 Roswell Road; (404) 255-5911 or www.5seasonsbrewing.com. Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Saturday, noon-midnight Sunday.
More Than Just Fast Food
When you want quality food fast, go north of 1-285 to The Loop Pizza Grill (drive three blocks, and turn left on Hammond Drive-its in the Kroger shopping center on the right). The bacon-Cheddar burger rivals the best in the city ($6.99). We really like the sausage-and-goat cheese pizza with pesto and Roma tomatoes for $5.99, as well as the tomato bisque soup ($2.69), served with a crusty slice of Asiago-topped French bread in the savory broth. The Loop Pizza Grill, 6017 Sandy Springs Circle, (404) 255-9111. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. ANNETTE THOMPSON
Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 2005 Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved