Fanoos Persian Cuisine, Atlanta

Colorful instruments erupt with sound as belly dancers twirl and shake their bejeweled torsos to the musical beats. As the dancers weave between tables, some diners remain enraptured by the show while others carry on intimate conversations with their companions. Along with belly dancing on Friday and Saturday night, Fanoos Persian Cuisine hosts flamenco music and dancing by performer Calo Gitano on the first Sunday of each month.

In the kitchen, cooks flit about with the same merriment as the dancers. The owners fondly remember the Persian flavors that highlighted their youth and commemorate these recollections with a menu replete with familiar and lesser-known Mediterranean dishes. Steaming platters of shish kebabs and veggie-rich stews served alongside beds of rice round out the menu and complement spirits and international bottles of wine. For special occasions, they also rent out their restaurant for events to entertain up to 400 guests.