New on Resy: Banshee, Sotto Sotto, Gunshow

Two guys, two gals, and a combined vision of cherishing locally-sourced ingredients, employing sustainable practices, and creating a unique vibe, is the story of Banshee. The fare is creative, fun, and hard to define, but overwhelmingly delicious. From fry bread with pepperoni butter, sesame, and scallion to braised duck leg in mole negro accompanied by cilantro rice, kumquats, and pistachios, you simply can’t go wrong. It’s no wonder the chef, Nolan Wynn, just clinched a James Beard nom for Rising Star Chef of the Year.

Some of the city’s finest Italian offerings can be found at Sotto Sotto, a longstanding traditional eatery specializing in fresh-made pasta—think spaghetti alle vongole and lasagnette alla Bolognese—paired with an award-winning Italian wine list. Start with a selection of beautiful antipasti, and save room for a heartier main. There’s a lot to love about this institution, white tablecloths and all.

Dining at Gunshow is nothing less than a thrill. There’s practically no border between the kitchen and the boisterous dining room, where dishes are presented dim sum-style, with servers rolling carts and balancing serving trays as they make their way around. Offerings change constantly at this experimental spot, but expect plentiful and flavorsome fare like celeriac gnocchi and Szechuan-poached Maine lobster tail.

Inspired by Naples’ Di Matteo, a restaurant equal parts “pizzeria” and “friggitoria,” chef-owner Riccardo Ullio brought the special combination of pizzas baked in a wood-burning oven and fried snacks (“fritti”) to Atlanta. Master pizzaiolo Massimo Andreozzi oversees the pie program, which utilizes dough comprised of imported 00 flour and sea salt, hand-milled San Marzano tomatoes, fine meats like speck and salsiccia, and locally-produced fior di latte mozzarella. An array of salads, panini, spiedini, and grilled items round out the offerings at this sprawling Inman Park eatery, housed in a refashioned garage.

Lazy Betty is a brand-new sibling passion project from Howard, Anita, and Ron Hsu. Betty is the name of their gracious host of a mother, and the restaurant is a culmination of the family’s love of community and food. Ron, who honed his chops at New York’s three-Michelin-starred Le Bernardin, helms an intimate, open kitchen. Guests can choose from three tasting menus, ever-changing and crafted from of-the-moment ingredients.  

Italian in soul, Atlanta at heart, The White Bull is a farm-forward concept where burrata toast and agnolotti get the locavore treatment. The menu changes frequently, showcasing Georgia’s freshest ingredients at their peak. Currently, that means dishes spanning from root vegetables with torched citrus, yogurt, harissa, and honey to blue barley mafalde strewn with sausage, broccoli, calabrian chili, and mint.

Revival comes courtesy of Kevin Gillespie, a Southern boy reinterpreting the beloved family suppers he grew up eating at his grandmother’s house. Think of a heart-warming spread layered with farm-fresh ingredients and boasting refined culinary techniques in a homey atmosphere. Start with warm cheesy crab dip with ritz crackers and toasted devil egg ham sandwiches, then linger over entrees like pan-seared steelhead trout and house fried chicken, and finish with the luscious cinnamon roll bread pudding. Heaven.

Boxcar is an American restaurant at its core, splendidly crafted for today. Housed within West End’s shiny new Westside Beltline, it’s part of an innovative open-container district devoted to fermentation. Thus, Boxcar dishes out soft-baked pretzels, bison bleu cheese burgers, and yuzu fried chicken alongside neighbors like Monday Night Brewing, AWS Distillery, and Golda Kombucha.

A diverse array of influences inform the bold flavors put forward by Ba Bellies. The Asian-influenced menu includes highlights like fish sauce caramel wings, a pho sandwich with a side of pho broth, and bibimbap. Add to that comfort staples like mac & cheese and honey butter potato chips, plus a rotating array of delightful craft beers, and you’re in for a treat.

Cozy and down-to-earth with crowd-pleasing and eclectic fare, Wahoo! Grill is the ideal neighborhood joint. Exposed wood beams and brick walls serve as the backdrop for pimento cheese fritters, cider-brined pork chops, and other Southern-flecked dishes.

Publik is a bustling draft house with a warm environment and no shortage of entertainment. It’s a gathering place to enjoy simple, satisfying fare (think fried oysters, classic salads, and chicken pot pie) along with a cold beer on tap—or a hand-crafted cocktail—over showcases and performances by local artists and musicians.

At Baronda, delight in the kind of Italian food you crave: fried calamari, Caprese salad, lasagna structured with house-made pasta sheets and oozing with beef ragu and bechamel. The tavern-like environment, with simple decor and classy white tablecloths, makes your dining experience whole.

Over in Dunwoody, an airy dining room grounded by an action-packed open kitchen thrives at Novo Cucina. Artisanal pizzas (speck and arugula, cremini mushrooms and truffle oil) and handmade pastas, plenty of salads, and all of the gelato flavors your heart desires are on offer. Whether you’re piqued by the inventive banana pudding or a simple stracciatella gelato, you won’t want to skip dessert.

Hookah is a specialty of Cru, and the options for indulging are limitless—but the experience doesn’t end there. Exceptional cocktails and chef-driven small plates, like roasted corn quesadillas and lamb chop lollipops, add to the appeal of this festive locale.

A neighborhood bistro through and through, Ziba’s resides in a historical Grant Park home near to the Atlanta Zoo. Come for brunch, lunch, or dinner for fresh frittatas, satiating sandwiches, and a bowl of tasty mussels in your choice of sauce. For neighborhood folks and visitors alike, Ziba’s is a home away from home.