The May Hit List: Cold Beer, Saito, Little Spirit, and More

Chef Nick Melvin embarked on an ambitious challenge nearly a year ago: selling burritos from his driveway. Now, Poco Loco has officially opened a brick-and-mortar location in Kirkwood, open for pickup on Friday and Saturday. Here’s how it works: get on their email list for when preorders open on Wednesday morning, place your order and pickup on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Menus change weekly. Check their website for the week’s picks. 

The newest concept from Kevin Gillespie of “Top Chef” fame, Cold Beer is a tribute. As implied within the name, cold beer is an aspect to not be missed while dining here — a mixture of packaged beer and local beer on tap is ready for the choosing, but the food is worth your attention, too, with items such as a smoked catfish dip; confit wings paired alongside harissa and a tahini ranch dipping sauce; and passion fruit craquelin choux. 

Located along the ever-historic Auburn Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward, Guac y Margys bills itself as “Atlanta’s Margarita Bar and Taqueria on the Beltline.” Expect twists on margaritas from Strawberry Pineapple to Cool Hand Cuke (with cucumbers and jalapenos) and all the taqueria favorites —nachos, empanadas, and tacos galore.

Sleek and swanky upon first glance, Saito is a new spot where diners will find sushi, steaks, and carefully crafted cocktails. Master chef Saito Saito is at the helm of this downtown newcomer, partnering with Greg Grant and Stephen de Haan of Red Phone Booth. On the menu, look for Saito’s interpretation of omakase, plus playful sushi rolls and even a fried Twinkie for dessert. 

Replacing the beloved AMER in downton Inman Park, Little Spirit certainly has a lot to live up to. Since this a bar, the menu revolves around cocktails, but you’ll also find grilled cheese, ice cream sandwiches, warm chocolate chip cookies, and a southern take on charcuterie, complete with pimento cheese. Need something in a hurry? In April, Little Spirit started a to-go window for boozy shaved ice and hot dogs.

Memorial Drive is an arterial vein of the metro Atlanta area running all the way from the suburbs to deep within Atlanta’s city limits; Wonderkid in Reynoldstown sits on that very road, too. Found within the Atlanta Dairies complex, Wonderkid is a collaboration between Atlanta favorite King of Pops and Big Citizen restaurant group. Menu items of note include mushroom empanadas, a meatloaf melt, and lemon pepper ricotta ravioli.

Roswell’s bustling Canton Street is lined with bars and restaurants, including Uncle Jack’s. Owner William Jack Degel and executive chef Dylan Temple joined forces to cultivate a collection of classic American dishes with a touch of modernity. Menu highlights: Jack’s steak sandwich, porterhouse for two, naked crab and shrimp stack. 

Find Alpharetta’s own Carson Kitchen in the city center, literally in the midst of all that is to be done in this metro Atlanta suburb. With three total locations throughout the country, Carson Kitchen serves up New American eats like crispy chicken skins and hot honey; beet tartare toast; and jerk turkey burgers. Pro tip: The dessert move is glazed donut bread pudding.

A mainstay in the Braelinn area of Peachtree City, Big Shots Kitchen & Grill is one of few restaurants in the metro Atlanta area that boasts golf cart access. Menu items take on a South African flair, with dishes like peri-peri deviled eggs, peri-peri chicken and lamb curry.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The celebrity pair of Kandi Burruss and Todd Richards has added yet another restaurant to its roster: South Fulton’s Blaze Steak and Seafood. Named after their son, the restaurant hopes to provide an upscale steakhouse experience on the southside of Atlanta. Choose from charred oysters, seafood tacos, stuffed chicken, or the fried lobster tail.