Photos courtesy of each dining destination. Clockwise from the top: Georgetown Cupcakes sweet treat temple; Doraku storefront;  a sampling of Georgetown Cupcakes’ 100 cupcake flavors; Gypsy Kitchen rendering; The Southern Gentleman rendering; Doraku’s seared tuna asian salad.

Foodie Journal: Buckhead Atlanta

By Kate Parham

Atlanta has no shortage of industrial, indie neighborhoods (did someone say Westside Provisions?); but until this month, Dogwood City had no Rodeo Drive, no Fifth Avenue. With the addition of Buckhead Atlanta, that’s all changing.

The ultra-luxe shopping and dining district is expected to begin rolling out this month, and it’s in a class all its own—high-end designers (Hermès and Christian Louboutin, to name a few), extravagant finishes (think granite sidewalks and marble buildings), concierge and valet services and nearly 400 lavish apartments make up the six-city-block-long magnificent mecca (did we mention it’s about as pedestrian-friendly as you can get in Atlanta?). And that’s before you even get to the restaurants, which are equally indulgent.

To wit, a guide to Buckhead Atlanta’s collection of decadent dining destinations:

• Follow in the Obamas’ footsteps and make a beeline to Georgetown Cupcake’s latest outpost—the 2,700-square-foot sweet treat temple, the brainchild of sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, stars of TLC’s “DC Cupcakes” and best-selling authors of The Cupcake Diaries and Sweet Celebrations, is expected to open its doors this month. Expect more than 100 cupcake flavors (we’re partial to Peaches & Cream, obviously) alongside a full espresso bar.

• Finally! The legendary Danny Meyer is bringing his beloved Shake Shack to the ATL this month. Queue up for those famous juicy burgers, flat-top hot dogs and twice-cooked, skin-on fries—and don’t leave without trying a handspun frozen custard (hint: several options are created using local products!).

• While most of Buckhead Atlanta’s restaurants are ancillary outposts of existing restaurants, you will find two Atlanta-only spots in the district, both from homegrown restaurant group Southern Proper Hospitality (you’ll recognize them from Smokebelly BBQ and Tin Lizzy’s). The first: an indoor-outdoor, Southern-inspired gastropub, The Southern Gentleman, dishing out farm-centric small plates from Executive Chef Randy Lewis, perfectly paired with barrel-aged cocktails and green chartreuse-on-tap. The latter: a mammoth Spanish-fusion eatery, Gypsy Kitchen, drawing on flavors from India, Morocco and the Mediterranean. Opt for a saffron-infused gin cocktail and a seat in the open-air lounge, where you’ll find sweeping 360-degree views of Peachtree Street and live music. Both expected to open this month.

• New York hotspot Le Bilboquet is opening their fifth location in Buckhead Atlanta—it will anchor the neighborhood when it opens in September, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect classic French bistro fare from Chef Julien Jouhannaud, such as tuna tartare and veal paillarde. Don’t miss the take-out café (buttery croissants and gelato anchor the menu) for breakfast and lunch—a first for the restaurant.

• Hailing from New York and Atlantic City, Iron Chef Marc Forgione’s American Cut, a 10,000-square-foot, tri-level modern American steakhouse opening in early 2015, will take up residence in Buckhead Atlanta—don’t miss the incredible seafood tasting, chockfull of chili lobster and yellowfin tuna, best devoured on the rooftop.

• Around the corner, American Cut’s sister restaurant Lugo Cucina Italiana will serve housemade pastas, complete with their exclusive line of Prosecco, Chianti and Pinot Grigio for lunch and dinner.

• After heaping bowls of rigatoni, head to Corso Coffee, a European-style coffeehouse from LDV Hospitality (the group behind American Cut and Lugo) opening in September, where you’ll find rich espresso-based beverages alongside paninis and wines by the quartino.

• Sushi lovers rejoice! There’s a new kid in town—Kevin Aoki, son of Benihana founder Rocky Aoki, is opening his sixth location of Doraku (you’ll find the others in Miami, Oahu and Vietnam) this November. Reminiscent of Japanese izakayas (pubs that serve small plates), the cozy spot is one you’ll want to revisit many times, especially after you get a taste of toro tartare.

• Doraku’s offspring, Qing Mu, serves up some of the city’s tastiest noodles in a fast-casual space evocative of Chinese street stalls. Even better? It’s the first location of the concept. Opening in November.

• Making its Atlanta debut all the way from Texas is American F+B, an enormous neighborhood tavern celebrating American cuisine (hence the name). Its sister restaurant, a pizzeria dubbed Thirteen Pies, will open down the road with wood-fired pizzas and hand-cut pastas galore.

Buckhead Atlanta
3035 Peachtree Road N.E. | Atlanta 30305
678.704.0900 | www.buckhead-atl.com