Photos: A look at The Painted Pin and Brunswick's

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Photos: A look at The Painted Pin and Brunswick's

Photos: A look at The Painted Pin and Brunswick's

We seem to be entering a new era in entertainment-center fare. Dine-in movie theaters led the charge, improving food options in recent years. And now some metro Atlanta bowling alleys like The Painted Pin and Brunswick's are upping their game.

Start with classic and signature cocktail creations from The Painted Pin's mixologist Trip Sandifer, formerly of Restaurant Eugene and The Spence. It’s hard to resist his Moscow Mule slushie ($8) with vodka, lime and ginger beer. Nor can you go wrong with the cleverly named Pin’s Cup ($10), a mixture of Pimm’s, lemon and grilled pineapple soda.

At The Painted Pin, you may find it easier to order a slew of small plates for quick nibbles between turns launching the ball. The potent ranch-and-cheddar pork rinds make for a nice nosh, even if they necessitate a hand-swipe down the water glass for a pre-turn cleansing.

Heartier fare at The Painted Pin includes a half slab of hickory-smoked ribs served with an oily, tart slaw.

The Painted Pin's meatball queso fundido turn out to be more of a challenge, the weight of the heavy lasagna-like tomato sauce shattering each thin tortilla chip before it can be lifted from the bowl.

The Painted Pin's waffle dogs, another fun bite-and-bowl snack, come corn-dog-style on a stick with a sweet-scented malted batter around the greasy dog.

At The Painted Pin, try platters of the corn-tortilla tacos, which come with a variety of fillings like the fried chicken chunks with shredded kale and apples or the braised pork with mojo sauce.

The Painted Pin boasts two black-tiled, wood-burning ovens. The Brussels sprouts pizza sound so promising with pancetta, ricotta bechamel, garlic puree and pecorino cheese. Yet, the pale, stiff crust and flavorless toppings didn’t deliver. Just pick off the crisped sprout leaves.

Arrive at The Painted Pin early or else you’ll wait for others to complete their two-hour rentals on the twenty lanes. But hey, the wait could be worse. Hang at the bar or drag your buds to play a round of bocce ball, skee ball, basketball, skittles or darts.

: Brunswick’s, which bills itself as an “upscale bowling and entertainment center,” opened this concept at locations in Norcross and Marietta last summer. The lanes’ restaurant Tavern ’45 serves heavy pub fare to pair with its craft beer selection. Try the “bacon and eggs," which features four piped-filling, classic deviled eggs symmetrically placed on each side of a square dish with standing “pig candy.” This bacon, candied with brown sugar and black pepper, may be a touch wonky, but kudos to the kitchen for the effort.

At Brunswick's, a family-friendly spot, nibble on greasy pizza that hits the mark with the craft beer.

ry the decadent and completely gluttonous potato-chip-crusted Tavern mac & cheese with bacon, roasted tomatoes and a decadent cream sauce of smoked Gouda and white cheddar.

The grown-up bowling alley fare at Brunswick's includes comfort favorites like the housemade potato chips with a creamy fondue containing a hint of bleu cheese.

The Vietnamese pork belly tacos at Brunswick's are thick with sugary glaze and come with bahn mi veggies on corn tortillas.

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We seem to be entering a new era in entertainment-center fare. Dine-in movie theaters led the charge, improving food options in recent years. And now some metro Atlanta bowling alleys like The Painted Pin and Brunswick's are upping their game.

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