Park 75 $$$-$$$$ Some of the food - spring pea soup poured over crab flan, truffled basmati rice with langoustines - is exceptional.

Nickiemoto's Midtown $$-$$$
Trendy spot dishes up a tantalizing mix of sushi and Asian fusion.

Surin of Thailand $$$
A favorite with the Virginia-Highland crowd even though the tables are so close together you feel like you are in a grade school cafeteria. Food is consistent.

Tamarind Thai Cuisine* $$$
Every aspect of this hidden Midtowner is a treat: The flavors are vibrant, the presentations lovely, the wait staff unerringly attentive and the decor filled with sophisticated and witty touches.

Las Palmeras $
When you get a hankering for black beans or a Cuban sandwich, this joint is always dependable.

Harvest $$-$$$
American with a Mediterranean accent: roasted peppers, balsamic vinegar and sun-dried tomatoes. Flavors such as this have made Harvest an Atlanta favorite. Not to mention portions as hefty as "A Man in Full."

Zocalo* $$-$$$
Regional Mexican specialties, funky atmosphere. Dine under a canopy of hanging straw baskets.

Sundown Cafe $$-$$$
Great tacos at lunch, inventive Southwestern stylings at dinner and mean margaritas at the bar.

Nino's $$$
As close to Little Italy as you can get - from the authentic antipasti and sauces to the cheesy paintings on the walls and red vinyl banquettes.

Pasta da Pulcinella $$
Creative, sensibly priced entrees come with good Italian bread.

Veni Vidi Vici $$$-$$$$
One of Atlanta's longtime favorites. Save your appetite for a luscious veal chop or a bowlful of silken pappardelle.

Agnes and Muriel's $-$$
Kitsch is rampant at this loud, crowded '50s-diner theme spot with updated classics. Menu boasts a wide array of choices such as turkey meatloaf, greens with sesame seeds and honey-battered fried chicken.

Bobby and June's Kountry Kitchen $
Great biscuits and fried chicken, fried okra and collards, some pretty fair barbecue and breakfast, too.

The Colonnade $$
Old folks and fun folks mix at this Atlanta institution for Southern classics like fried chicken and grilled trout.

South City Kitchen $$$
Updated Southern fare such as fried green tomatoes stuffed with goat cheese in a pool of red-pepper sauce.

Noche* $$$
This new restaurant pulsates with life and color. Plump mussels in lobster-chile broth and "sunburnt" tuna with yellow mole exemplify sophisticated Southwestern flavors.

Tierra $$-$$$
Pint-size bistro features Latin American fusion food, cool surroundings.

Loca Luna $$ Fun, sexy, hot. South American-style tapas and drinks with names unfit to print in a family newspaper. When the live Salsa band gets going, don't be surprised if a conga line snakes by your table.

Sotto Sotto* $$-$$$
The standard for Italian food in Atlanta, with flawless risotto, wood-roasted fish and panna cotta.

dish $$$
Hot, with a menu steeped in dramatic whimsy, from rosemary pine nut popcorn to hummus-stuffed salmon.

Floataway Cafe* $$$-$$$$ The atmosphere is hip and electric, yet the innovative food tastes hearty and real. Try the wood-grilled hanger steak with shoestring fries, sautéed turbot with corn.

Bacchanalia* $$$$

It's warm, it's romantic, and the fixed-price menu features the best of the season prepared with characteristic understatement.

The Righteous Room $
Besides the usual wings and burgers, you can get munchies that are downright hip - sunflower sprouts on a grilled cheese sandwich, hummus, etc.

Joe's on Juniper $-$$
Rollicking party atmosphere, wide beer selection and tasty tavern fare featuring top-notch burgers and spicy chili.

Manuel's Tavern $
Full of journalists and politicians. But if that doesn't scare you away, it's a great bar with great burgers. No reservations. On-site parking, 602 N. Highland Ave. N.E. 404-526-3447

Vortex $
Reliable, unpretentious pub food, including one of the biggest and best burgers in town. (Another location in Little Five Points.)

Java Jive $
There's always swing on the stereo in this hip, retro-decorated spot. The gingerbread waffle, served only on weekends, is divine.

Babette's Cafe $$$
Simple but immensely appealing menu of European-rooted dishes in a charming, country French-style room. Indulging in the Sunday brunch fare feels like getting pampered at a bed-and-breakfast.

Murphy's $$
Trendy restaurants come and go in Virginia-Highland, but Murphy's remains a neighborhood fave. Featuring fresh, simply prepared foods like roasted chicken or, for breakfast, a skillet of potatoes topped with eggs over easy and melted cheese.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe $-$$
Its biggest draws are black bean cakes, organic oatmeal pancakes, turkey meatloaf and those rich, fist-size biscuits.

Huey's $
Beignets are the calling card at this New Orleans-flavored cafe.

Mary Mac's Tea Room $ Legendary place, traditional Southern fare for locals and tourists alike.

The Varsity $
The Atlanta drive-in is full of grease, charming servers and, some swear, the best chili dogs and onion rings in the world.

The Majestic $
Need grease? There's plenty of it - and more - at this classic crusty diner.

Atkins Park
$-$$ Major burgers and sandwiches, loud music, smoky bar.

Vickery's
$-$$
American with Cuban influence, fun, funky and filling.

Gladys Knight and Ron Winans' Chicken & Waffles $-$$
Yeah, it sounds weird - but, trust us, try it. Especially good for sopping up too much beer. Open until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Abbey $$$-$$$$
The waiters' monk outfits are silly, but the setting - a decommissioned church - is magnificent.