Restaurants with atmosphere? (Atlanta, Roswell, Marietta: hardwood floors, credit card, home)

[Magnolias and Moonlight]

I love eating in restaurants that have a great atmosphere...something fun or different...hopefully with great food, too. Any suggestions for places in either Marietta or the metro Atlanta area?
BTW, Greenwoods on Green Street in Roswell is pretty neat. Their food is sort of home cooking/southern style. They have a nice flower garden out front and you can sit on their porch which overlooks other gardens, including their vegetable garden. Very relaxing. They are also know for their amazing home baked pies. I think they are closed a few days a week, so call before going. Also, they don't take credit cards...unless that has changed recently. Can't wait to hear everyone's suggestions!

[atlantagreg30127]

This isn't here, but next time you're taking a day trip North to the Chattanooga area: Check out "Big River Grille" across from the Chattanooga Aquarium. Large, with low light, hardwood large plank floors, exposed brick walls, exposed wood beams on the ceilings. VERY nice atmosphere and great food. If you want a drink, a nice car area as well. Outdoor seating is limited but in front of the place and right along the main drag and you can watch tourists, etc.

I live in West Cobb. Everything out here is cookie-cutter big chain crap, so I can't recommend anything local that has "atmosphere" that doesn't consist of baby strollers. LOL. When I want to escape the cookie cutter AND the traffic, I really do these days just head up to Chattanooga.

[sweettea1]

Oh, c'mon atlantagreg. If Atlanta has one thing going for it, it's incredible food and yes, even unique and eclectic atmospheres. Here are a few to try:

AVRA in Midtown for Greek Food
Mary Mac's Tearoom in Midtown for great old fashioned Southern Cuisine
Souper Jenny's in Buckhead for soups and salads
C'om on Buford Highway or Dunwoody for Vietnamese
Java Jive in Midtown for breakfast
Watershed in Decatur for unique spin on continental
Chocolate Pink in Midtown for dessert
Rathbuns in Inman Park for the best meal you'll ever eat in Atlanta
Sotto Sotto for Italian in Inman Park

i could go on...

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by sweettea1

Oh, c'mon atlantagreg. If Atlanta has one thing going for it, it's incredible food and yes, even unique and eclectic atmospheres. Here are a few to try:

AVRA in Midtown for Greek Food
..

Ok, yeah, AVRA is good. And I'll add "The Vortex" in Little Five Points if you like funky people with tattoos and body piercings (but damn good burgers and sandwiches).

Hey, like I said, I live in West Cobb now. I don't drive an hour to get into the city just to eat. LOL

[sweettea1]

You've got to get out more! It's not that far...

[Magnolias and Moonlight]

Thanks AtlantaGreg and Sweetea...can't wait to try the restaurants you suggested! If I think of a few more good ones today...I'll post them tonight when I get home from work. That's usually the way you find out about the best places...word of mouth.

[ready2move]

Like Atlantagregg, I don't like chains either. I am snobby when it comes to dining.

We ate a restaurant in downtown Woodstock. I think it was either Magnolia Thomas or Thomas Magnolia. Very quaint, hardwood floors, different rooms, nice atmosphere. And the food was excellent, very fresh.

We also found Fuscos (italian) in downtown Ackworth that was very good.

[JPD]

Trader Vic's downtown. The food is not outstanding, but it's a fun place to go for drinks from time to time.

[nrgpill]

Go hang out with foodies and chowhounds at atlantacuisine dot com forum. You'll figure out what restaurants exist on hype alone.

[DoveDiva]

I like Rare in Midtown...the tapas are so-so (the exception is the lobster macaroni and cheese), but the drinks are definitely worth noting.