AJC food editor Ligaya Figueras has packed an impressive amount into the month or so since she's started in her new position, including getting acclimated to Atlanta's food scene, bemoaning the departure of one of her food writing idols from the New York Times, traversing the Atlanta culinary landscape by bike and writing a comprehensive story on the sudden closing of 10 Here to Serve restaurants.

Now, Figueras is adding another task to her role -- food critic. Her first review for the paper, of the new Ford Fry steakhouse Marcel, runs online starting today. She'll be writing starred reviews every other week.

So what did she think of Marcel, which occupies the former Abbatoir space off of Howell Mill Road?

In a nutshell: "Marcel is an expensive restaurant. But it delivers on the key things I want as a diner: attentive service, high-quality food and an enjoyable atmosphere." But maybe the vegetarians should stay home for this one.

Get the latest Atlanta food news and restaurants reviews here.

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