Where to Eat in August: Aria, Mac’s Raw Bar, Cremalosa, and More

For 22 years, owner and chef Gerry Klaskala has made Aria, the infinitely romantic Atlanta dining institution, an outstanding example of service and quality. He’s been so successful that you don’t need a calendar to find the best day to visit (it’s always now). Yet, while most would say they visit for the crisped duck confit, spectacular pan-seared scallops or other elegantly indulgent main course items, those who’ve had the burger will tell you: “Get the burger.”

And lucky you; after a gangbusters limited-time window of offering their happy hour burger in 2021, they brought it back a few weeks ago, and the demand was high enough to put it back on the menu again at the top of this month. Visit the bar, lounge or patio from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m on those four days, and you’ll get to order their brioche-bunned burger, featuring two quarter-pound patties with hand-cut steak fries, for around $19, while they last. 

With this new fish camp and bar, Decatur Square continues to look less like a cube and more like the globe, thanks to a variety of coastal seafood dishes inspired by cuisines of Spain, Jamaica, Argentina and elsewhere. The surrounds give off a vibe of a industrial-chic beach hut, with hanging flower pots leaning against exposed original brick walls, bamboo sticks lining the bar’s shelves, and wood bench seating cushioned with sun-bleached blue and tan cloth.

Dinner starts with Galacian-style octopus with Spanish paprika, then can turn towards shareables like ceviche and sashimi tostadas, tuna carnitas tacos, or full-on “main hauls” of garlic diablo prawns in chile de árbol olive oil, a jerked half chicken. They’ve also got interesting cocktails like the Destello Verde, where sweet vermouth and sage meet reposado tequila and pineapple-infused Campari. While they don’t accept reservations, there’s a hack: The whole-roasted Zarandeado-style branzino, which is continuously basted with chile oil and spices, requires a week’s notice to reserve. And if you order it — which of course you should — they kinda have to seat you, right? 

Walk-ins only. Get more details here. 

Open late spring on Marietta Square, Mac’s is a laid-back seafood shack that’s colorful, comfy and contemporary — the latest endeavor of the McCray family who also own and operate nearby Mac’s Chophouse. Here, there are recurring shrimp boils and other special events, And the wine list might surprise you in its range; it features eight bubblies (five of which are available in both six- and nine-ounce pours), three pinks, and plenty of whites and reds, mostly on the lighter and crisper side, which is understandable if you’ve been familiar with 2022’s villainously high temperatures. There’s even a “captain’s” list with offerings like Puligny-Montrachet from Burgundy’s Olivier Leflaive. At $180 a bottle ($45 by the glass) it’s the priciest thing on the menu, and surely enhances the experience of Mac’s oysters (Beausolieil, Murder Point, Kumamoto, etc.), broiled Carolina black grouper, or an always-wise order of jumbo lump crab cakes. 

The brilliant folks behind Joystick Gamebar and Georgia Beer Garden opened this science-led cocktail bar at The Collective at CODA, which of course they did, because it’s in the middle of Georgia Tech. Bartender Ian Carlson, a former GM for Joystick and GBG, recently told Eater Atlanta he approaches his drinks with an end result first, then researches and experiments until he’s not only created something delicious and interesting, but repeatable. Take for example his “Git Up, Git Out” cocktail, which not only gives a nod to a classic southern hip-hop song from ATL’s legendary group Goodie Mob, but has fun mixing strawberry gin, a lemon-mint cordial and “H2CO3,” or carbonic acid for those of us who skipped science class. Visit today and learn a few things. 

See the full beverage menu here.

The lofty Lee + White gastropub has a new menu, introducing new burgers to the lineup such as the dry-aged “Strangers on a Train” burger sporting ale-glazed and roasted mushrooms, caramelized shallot jam, black garlic purée and Havarti. Also added is the hearty smoked pork tenderloin in peach-pecan mole with fire-roasted peaches, and access to lots of craft beer, including IPAs from heralded Virginia brewery The Veil, which only recently began distributing in Georgia. In more news, the seating for Boxcar has expanded downstairs into Hop City, its sister beer shop and draft pourhouse, in case you prefer to keep it at street level and closer to the Westside BeltLine Trail.

Takashi Otsuka’s zen-filled 14th Street robata grill, with its jade green and brown decor, sees itself first as a place for expert sake and other Japanese beverage pairings. They’ve got sake by the carafe and bottle, from junmai to nigori, plus kettles of makgeoilli (a Korean fermented rice drink with less than half the alcohol), and soju, in peach, cucumber, watermelon and other flavors. What you choose to eat with these can range from the creme brulee avocado with wasabi vinaigrette to miso-marinated cuts of black cod, shareable “pub” items like truffle-soy bulgogi, or the reservation-required Sunday omakase. It’s seven courses from crudo to seasonal dessert, with sashimi, nigiri, tartare, hot soup and a hot dish. Plan to show up as thirsty as you are hungry.

Leaving Atlanta’s Irwin Street Market last month for a new location inside Inner Voice Brewing (which has fantastic beers like Super Strata “Fuzzy” IPA, by the way), Glide fans should be thrilled to know that owner and pizzaiola Rob Birdsong took his pies to the east side. Glide’s popularity came from its ability to impressively replicate a New York slice, with a charred (but not overly crisped) crust, a balanced ratio of sauce and toppings, a somewhat ridiculous size, and consistency. The quality remains impressive, and you’ll never regret ordering a full 20-inch pizza, be it topped with one of their seven toppings (pepperoni, red onion, mushrooms, sausage, fresh jalapeno, garlic, capers), a mixture of several, or divided into halves.  

Order carryout from Glide’s online menu here.

Brookhaven has a new Caribbean-inspired dining destination right at the corner of Buford Highway and Corporate Blvd. Need a nearby landmark? Then yes, it’s next to Pink Pony, the beloved, rock-centric exotic dancing lounge. But let’s stay focused: Clutch isn’t where you buy post-hangover/-lapdance food with your leftover one-dollar bills. The vibe at the brightly lit bistro is intended to be far more modest than its neighbor — check the dress code before you visit. Also, according to owner Lemont Bradley (owner of famous ATL restaurant-slash-car-wash Auto Spa Bistro), the cauliflower bites starter, vegetarian rasta pasta and smothered pork chops are menu standouts. Also, Sunday brunch is an eight-hour affair between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., so if you’re unable to get in at some point it only means brunch is literally that good. 

Korean Wives Restaurant Group’s wide variety of efforts from the Asian continent continues with a recently added menu of sushi and other raw dishes. The chef’s choice nigiri plate includes six pieces, such as red snapper, albacore and scallop. There are also small plates of carpaccio, including jalapeño hamachi with micro cilantro, balsamic vinegar and sriracha, and specialty maki like fried and baked unagi with spicy tuna, serrano and cream cheese. Give it a try, and don’t forget about the bulgogi beef bibimbop, Korean fried or soy garlic chicken wings, and of course the spicy pork belly “hangover” ramen. P.S.: If that doesn’t cure any lingering post-drink ailments, you can always hair-of-the-dog it with the “TKO,” a bubbly mix of lychee, aperol, hibiscus, lemon and sparkling wine, allegedly named for an “undiscovered Korean boy band.”

The made-from-scratch gelato at Cremalosa, developed by pastry chef and Atlanta food writer Meridith Ford, mimics the cakes, candy bars and cookies she ate growing up in the South. The summer heat, which is kinda keeping us from our full potential greatness this month, makes August a good enough excuse to find out who has the best scoops in ATL. We won’t pick an ultimate winner, but Cremalosa is definitely top five. Drive over, or take the blue line MARTA train to the Avondale transit station, and stroll over to this courtyard creamery, where blueberry cheesecake, malted milk ball, chai latte and peach cobbler gelato is waiting to deliver cooler and sweeter energy. Also try revolving flavors of sorbetto, shakes like “The Elvis” (banana pudding gelato, whipped cream, bourbon, peanut butter and a slice of bacon), gelato cakes and pops, and assorted wine, beer and cocktails. 

Get the scoop at Cremalosa’s website.