Papouli's Mediterranean Cafe and Market

It’s not that Atlanta’s best date-night restaurants are lacking in the food department—the city's chefs make exquisite Italian, French, Persian, and Indian dishes. It’s just that the eateries’ romantic atmospheres do most of the work when it comes to setting the mood. Picturesque gardens inspire stolen kisses at La Grotta. An avant-garde chandelier and black-and-white decor ooze elegance at Aria. And the soft melodies emanating from the Chattahoochee River underscore quiet conversation at Canoe. Multiple Locations: Italian Gardens La Grotta | Multiple Locations At La Grotta’s two locations, breathtaking gardens serve as an enchanting backdrop for dates. In Buckhead, lush foliage rises from stone-lined flowerbeds in the courtyard, whereas at the Ravinia eatery, trickling waterfalls cut through the greenery. At both restaurants, chefs serve organic Italian fare—even custom dishes, if you call ahead. Buckhead Village: Painstakingly Staged Dinners Aria | 490 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE Dinner at Aria is more than just another meal; it’s the main event. Chefs spend all day preparing, often letting meats roast, simmer, or stew for hours. By the time guests gather under the avant-garde chandelier, chefs need only focus on putting the finishing touches on their expertly plated contemporary American fare. Downtown: 360 Skyline View Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View | 210 Peachtree St. NW Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View rotates throughout the day from its perch on the top floor of the Westin. That means guests get to see different pieces of Atlanta’s skyline during the course of their meal, or they can head to the observatory for a 360-degree view. North Atlanta: French Cuisine with Piano Accompaniment Violette | 2948 Clairmont Rd. NE Coq au vin, roasted duck breast, and chocolate mousse are among the most popular French dishes at Violette. But it’s not just the cuisine that makes it so romantic; the eatery resides in a secluded building 50 feet from the street, and hosts live piano music six times a week. Vinings: Romance on the River Canoe | 4199 Paces Ferry Rd. NW Set on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Canoe’s name couldn’t be more fitting. Riverside gardens and walkways are perfect for a post-dinner stroll, while in the dining room, iron vines, animal sculptures, and a canoe-inspired ceiling bring the outdoors in. This warm, rustic setting complements the seasonal cuisine. Buckhead: Sensual Surroundings Tantra Restaurant and Bar | 2285 Peachtree Rd. NE Once a week, Tantra Restaurant and Bar hosts “Sultry Jazz Thursdays,” when live musicians supply the mood music. But every night at Tantra could be considered sultry thanks to the risqué artwork on its walls and the spicy Persian and Indian cuisine served by its chefs. Downtown Decatur: Practice Your French Cafe Alsace | 121 E. Ponce De Leon Ave. Dinner here is the next best thing to a European vacation: every server speaks French, and the food—from pecan-stuffed chicken to sauerkraut with three sausages—exhibits the French and German influences of the restaurant's namesake region. Sandy Springs: Where the River Meets the Sea Ray's on the River | 6700 Powers Ferry Rd. NW Live Maine lobsters are flown in fresh every day to Ray's on the River, as is all of its certified-sustainable seafood. The fish has to be delicious to compete with Ray's other specialty: hearty Black Angus steaks, aged for a minimum of 21 days. Midtown: European Wines Ecco | 40 7th St. NE Rich, dark wood and leather give Ecco's dining room a laid-back feel. But peek inside the open kitchen and you’ll see chefs bustling to prepare small plates of seasonal European cuisine such as cured meats and cheeses, wood-fired octopus, and salt-roasted beets. The dishes complement Ecco's rare European wines. Poncey-Highland: Heat Up the Warehouse Two Urban Licks | 820 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE Two Urban Licks was once a warehouse and the industrial vibe lingers on in the dining room's enormous rotating rotisserie. There's also an entire 26-foot wall devoted to 72 barrels of wine, which pour via a gravity-powered system.

While Dallas’ pizza scene may not be mentioned in the same breath as New York slices or Chicago deep dish anytime soon, the area has nonetheless made great strides over the past decade to churn out fantastic pies. Whether you’re into authentic Neapolitan style or you like your pies topped with newfangled ingredients like chicken and ranch dressing, there’s a Dallas pizzeria out there for you. For slices with a wafer-thin, crackery crust and a robust, spicy tomato sauce, beloved dive bar Louie’s on Henderson Avenue in East Dallas is the place to go. The nondescript white building may look unassuming, but the pies have a loyal cult following that keeps the parking lot packed on a nightly basis, thanks in part to a coveted appearance on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Pitchers of beer and slightly surly service are a charming part of the Louie’s experience, as is the zippy Italian sausage that seems to top nearly every pizza that emerges from the pint-sized kitchen. If authentic pies from the motherland are what you seek, look no further than Olivella’s, a tiny but charming hole-in-the-wall located near Southern Methodist University. Owner Charlie Green brought in a Naples native to train the staff when he opened his pizzeria back in 2007, and it shows. The pies are about as real-deal Neapolitan as you can get, cooked quickly in a rocket-hot, wood-burning oven that gives the crust an irresistible char. There’s also a thin, crisp-crusted Roman-style pizza that’s served up in long rectangles. Customers can keep things traditional with the Margherita pizza, or order the fan favorite The Dream, made with housemade mozzarella, tangy gorgonzola, pancetta, chicken and jalapeños. Plenty of pizzerias in the city claim to be New York-style, but Zoli’s New York Pizza Tavern owner Jay Jerrier went the extra mile and brought in a consultant from a popular Brooklyn slice joint to help perfect the pies at his casual, counter-service Oak Cliff spot. Three different pizza categories are offered by the slice: the typical chewy-crusted New York-style, the thicker-crusted, slightly fluffy Grandma with sweet pomodoro sauce, and the extra-thick Sicilian with a robust, anchovy-laced finish. No need to feel bashful about asking for a side of ranch dressing here – Zoli’s makes its own jalapeño ranch in-house.

If you’re ever on the hunt for tasty barbecue and a fun place to watch the game with like-minded sports fans, look no further. DBA Barbecue has you covered. With an array of menu items that will leave you speechless, DBA Barbecue is one of the most talked about establishments in the Virginia Highlands. Meet Matt Coggin, the managing partner of DBA. Today he shares a little insight on how it all got started and some of the future plans for this delightful, local haunt. How did DBA Barbecue come about?   I have worked in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood for over 12 years.  At the time, I had been looking for a space for a couple of years when Vine, the former restaurant in our space, decided to call it quits. Although the recession was in full swing when I signed the lease in 2009, I jumped on the opportunity. I felt the neighborhood needed some great southern comfort food and barbecue at its foundation. Well that and butter. What are 3 menu items everyone must try when they come to DBA? I am really proud of our St. Louis ribs, grilled Texas creamed corn and our house-cured and smoked pastrami.  I think that our pastrami is the best in Atlanta; total meat candy! We’re also known for our smoked wings. Your battered and fried bacon is outstanding! How did you and your staff come up with this concept?   I was under the influence at 2 a.m. Just kidding. We can batter and fry anything! What separates DBA from other BBQ spots in Atlanta? For starters, we are not a dive.  We are a full-service, full bar, neighborhood joint.  Our ‘cue is a little on the sweeter side, and our house-made sides make us really special. In addition to always having great beer on draught, we also have an outstanding moonshine selection and quite a few creative cocktails — like our pickled moonshine martini. In the summertime we serve boozy moonshine slushies and homemade pudding pops…rolled in candied bacon. Of course, we also make all of our own sauces in-house and have found that we really hit a home run with our “Bryan’s Tangy Sauce”. Are there any new menu items in the works that you can give us a sneak peak on?   Chef Eric Guillot of Lake Charles, Lousiana just joined our team. He and I will be working together to add some new house-made sausage, gumbo and more nightly specials focusing on non-traditional barbecue (duck, lamb, tri-tip), as well as some Cajun specials. There are lots of new, exciting changes happening with D.B.A.’s menu in the coming months. Stay tuned!   We love that you have moonshine cocktails. Tell us about your favorite one.  I always loved the Pickled Moonshine Martini.  It's the one that started it all - 2.5 ounces of Junior Johnson Midnight Moon and a splash of pickle juice. It’s shaken vigorously and served up with a pickle!   How would you describe the atmosphere at DBA? D.B.A. is a casual, friendly neighborhood restaurant with a certain New Orleans vibe. Think Frenchman Street in New Orleans. Be sure to check out DBA Barbecue. With a great atmosphere, delicious cocktails and an ever-changing menu, DBA is sure to please! DBA Barbecue 1190 North Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (404) 249-5000