The September Hit List: Palo Santo, Bon Ton, Breaker Breaker, and More

Santiago Gomez’s Miami-inspired dining loft opened a year ago and quickly became a fixture for Atlantans seeking a taste of posh treatments of Mexican food mixed with nightlife. Now that the restaurant and  its rooftop bar are on Resy, it’s more convenient than ever to visit for a downstairs dinner of inch-thick slices of hanger steak carne asada, served with a split bone marrow, wood-fired branzino, poblano rice with smoked scallops and other fine dishes. Enjoy sips from the roving mezcal cart, or have said spirit mixed into cocktails like the Madre Selva, with Aperol, spiced honey, pineapple and lime.

Fat cats will feast unabashedly thanks to the literal mascot — the owner’s 35-pound white/beige cat — of this Viet-Cajun restaurant where there’s a little bit of Gulf Coast beach fun wrapped in the unique culinary culture of Louisiana. Look no furthern that the boudin egg rolls for proof, but don’t stop there. Chili-lime blue crab claws, deviled eggs, roasted oysters with sambal chili butter, garlic and parm, and other yums are there for the trying, as well as Jell-O shots and slushy frozen cocktails. Barbecue lovers will swoon over the pork ribs, brisket, chili-brined chicken and smoked turkey breast, which come in combos with sides like corn with pepper cream, and vinegar-soaked collards.

See the menu at Gene’s website. 

The Cajun-Vietnamese chowhouse and bar have been rocking in Atlanta long enough to become a Midtown favorite, even though it feels authentically akin to being in one of New Orleans’ always-fun dives. The menu features tasty, spicy eats such as one-pound Cajun seafood boils (jumbo shrimp, snow crab, crawfish), platters of chicken bites and other fried goodness, and Leidenheimer Roll po’boys that lean into fusion, such as the “Buford Hwy hot-fried” oyster. Drinks like the blue Mardi Gras margarita and the bourbon mai tai make perfect matches for your meal, and its recent migration to Resy (along with its upstairs lounge The Waiting Room) give you even more reason to reserve your seats soon. 

Chef Max Hines has created a beautiful monster right off the Beltline with this indoor-outdoor hangout full of snackable eats and super-sippable drinks. The hushpuppies alone are enough to trigger a new addiction (especially when slathered with their Louisiana honey butter), but don’t eat so many that you can’t manage a cup of the gumbo, which is easily some of the best in Atlanta (and should be offered in a bowl because #moreplease). Their fried platters are fantastic, especially the redfish, which holds its crunch despite its pleasantly soft bite. And with all that, if you’re looking to have a great drink as BeltLiners usually do, try the Sleeper Cab, essentially a frozen negroni with watermelon liqueur. It’ll have you calling in for friendly backup.

See the full menu at Breaker Breaker’s website. 

Owner Nithidol Nithitanawut, aka Chef Terry, keeps it airy and free-flowing at Bangkok Station, where traditional Thai cuisine and vibrant cocktails make the wood-framed dining room feel like a casually fancy destination getaway. Get started with cold plates like spicy garlic-lime salmon carpaccio, or something from the extensive sushi list, such as the salmon truffle roll, which also features shrimp tempura, spicy crab and black truffle oil. Entrees range from classic Thai favorites like basil fried rice and pad see uw, to special plates like lightly battered Brazilian red snapper. Don’t miss the meatless options on the vegan menu, including red curry tofu and steamed veggie gyoza.

The ornate floor tile, wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows and bright burnt sienna chairs and booths tell you you’re not just in a place that calls itself a “cafe” but an actual, real-life café, – yes, with the accent. The all-day format means breakfast with an espresso bar and Italian pastries, paninis and sauteed egg dishes, while lunch and dinner offer spicy tomato spaghetti, ravioli Bolognese, chicken rigatoni ragu and more. Meaty main courses include grilled pork chops, Tuscan braised beef and balsamic hanger steak. Stick around on weekend evenings for espresso crème brûlée (yes, with the accents), chocolate mousse and other sweets.

See the full menu at Bar Ti Amo’s website.

When the weekend hits, pull up to Hop City at Lee + White, and step up to this dinner-party-esque residency from Alex Sher of HeroBovino (Hop City’s meat counter with the great sandwiches) and Gunshow alum Chris McCord. The tasting menu setup is always changing, but on recent runs they’ve featured mozzarella dumplings filled with pepperoni, anchovies and kimchi, confit potatoes cooked in beef fat, and rose water doughnuts. Make your reservations in advance and belly up to the chef’s counter for an unforgettable evening. 

From its origin story of raising funds through Kickstarter to opening early last month in a building named for Atlanta’s first Black real estate agent (Lottie Watkins in case you’re game for Googling), Portrait Coffee is the picture of waking up to the realization of a dream of Black food business ownership come true. There are 35 seats inside, 15 outside on the patio, and a range of coffee sure to satisfy unlimited lovers of java regardless of where they prefer their beans to come from: Brazil, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Kenya, Honduras and other places famous for the world’s best coffee are all represented here. You’ll also find pastries from Colette Bread & Bakeshop, and local art to appreciate as you caffeinate.

Learn more at Portrait.coffee.

Persian food in Atlanta finally started making its way into the city after years of being an OTP thing at popular spots like Rumi’s Kitchen in Sandy Springs. But you can still find outstanding Silk Road flavors far beyond Atlanta city limits, particularly at this romantic new-to-Resy establishment, with its tall vaulted ceilings and home-style decor. Stop in for lunch or dinner and get a taste of the spice-roasted shrimp with herbed basmati rice, gluten-free lamb stew with dried lime and kidney beans, and Springer Mountain saffron chicken kabobs. Beer, wine and cocktails are also available — the Persian Rose, made with Bombay Sapphire gin, sparkling wine, rose water, honey and spices (saffron and cardamom) is a one-of-a-kind standout sip. 

Replacing The Sound Table would be a tall task, which is why Edgewood Dynasty instead created its own vibe inside the space of the former music-themed restaurant and bar. Still very much a lounge environment (yes, there’s hookah!), ED takes its food seriously, whether you’re hungry for fried catfish sliders or jerk chicken linguini, or prefer brunch hours, where battered Texas French toast and more await, along with cocktails like the rum-heavy ATL punch.