Photos: Highly reviewed metro Atlanta restaurants of 2019

Atlanta Restaurants & Food

Photos: The most highly reviewed metro Atlanta restaurants of 2019

These are the restaurants that received high marks from AJC food and dining editor Ligaya Figueras and food writer Wendell Brock this year.

The best reason to drive to 7 Acre BarNgrill in Milton is the Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with potato puree, heirloom carrots and pan jus. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

The Five-Minute Egg Gold Rice at 8Arm comes with plenty of components to mix together. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Adalina serves a hearty, rustic version of braised lamb shank with chickpeas, tomatoes, olives and cabbage. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

At Aix, a duck egg is served alongside the duck confit crepe. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

A Pesto Gorgonzola pizza comes out of the oven at Ammazza. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

The braised lamb shank makes for a fine entree at Aziza. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Banshee’s braised duck leg is beautifully plated to show off the meat’s dark mahogany sheen. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

At the Brasserie at Bazati, an appetizer of wild mushrooms is rushed from the kitchen still sizzling in their skillet. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Though Bully Boy is a seafood shack at heart, it has notable meat options, such as the 60-Second Steak. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

The Cardinal cocktail has gin, dry vermouth, muscadine wine, and honey. CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

Casi Cielo’s striking enmoladas — chicken enchiladas covered in black mole sauce. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

The kinoko platter at Chirori is a dream come true for mushroom lovers. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

An order of plain fried chicken at Choong Man Chicken in Duluth is a great introduction to the Korean style of fried chicken. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

The Dry Aged Beef Tartare with Russian dressing and caraway vinegar is mixed tableside at Cold Beer. CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

The D+D cured salami platter always includes a cooked and cured item, as well as a terrine. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Breakfast burritos are generously filled, tightly rolled and spend quality time on the griddle. Among fillings, the chorizo y papas (pictured) — spicy pork chorizo, moist, fluffy scrambled eggs and potato — is satisfying. LIGAYA FIGUERAS / LFIGUERAS@AJC.COM

Barley risotto is a great vegetarian option at the Expat. CONTRIBUTED BY CHRIS HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

The vegan sampler at Feedel Bistro is served with teff injera (spongy, tangy flatbread) . CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

A full table at Fire Stone Chinese in Kennesaw. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Pastas at Forza Storico include Papalina (left; creamy fettuccine tossed with fat slivers of prosciutto cotto) and Sugo di Coda (rigatoni in tomato sauce with bone-in oxtail). CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Three sushi rolls at Fudo: (from top) the Tomahawk Chop Roll, Mono Roll and Devil Roll. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Full Commission’s duck and raclette sandwich with a side of Brussels sprouts. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Gocha’s Impossible Burger, a plant-based patty, comes with Parmesan truffle fries. CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

A stir-fry of kung pao lotus root is a special at Gu’s Kitchen on Buford Highway. CONTRIBUTED BY LIGAYA FIGUERAS

The Spicy Tofu with Fish Fillet at Hai Authentic Chinese in Decatur is like mapo tofu with flaky fish stirred in. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

In the Creamsicle from Lazy Betty, a vanilla semifreddo is encased in a white chocolate shell and placed over a narrow sweet biscuit, and it comes with blood orange sorbet and orbs of kumquat gelee. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Le Colonial captures Vietnamese cuisine well with its Pho Bo (Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup). CONTRIBUTED BY LE COLONIAL

The Juicy Smoked Turkey at Lickety Split in Hapeville is as juicy as the name promises. Smothered in turkey gravy and served with a scoop of a dressing, the plate is like a precursor to Thanksgiving. Yellow rice and mac and cheese (pictured at rear) are among numerous side dishes available at the Southern restaurant. LIGAYA FIGUERAS/LFIGUERAS@AJC.COM

A daily blue-plate special at LLoyd’s Restaurant and Lounge might include a delicious trout amandine, shown here with fries. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

MTH Pizza’s pies include the Jimmy Two Times (left), with tomato, fennel sausage, finocchiona and mozzarella; and the Hell Boy, with tomato, garlic, ‘nduja, Calabrian chile and basil. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Nina & Rafi’s Margherita in Detroit is a Detroit pie made as the Super Margherita. CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

The Dutch Baby pancake at Pancake Social is made with apples and Gruyere. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Vegetarian Spaetzle (left) and Slow-roasted Chicken Legs at Redbird. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

Root Baking Co.’s roasted chicken sandwich layers chicken salad, harissa-pickled carrots, and a lot of herbs on sorghum bread. CONTRIBUTED BY MIA YAKEL

Kashk badenjoon is one of the delicious eggplant dips at Taaj Kabob & Grill. The eggplant is fried, smashed, drizzled with whey and garnished with crispy fried onions and mint. CONTRIBUTED BY WENDELL BROCK

At Taquería La Costeñita, tacos come in hand-pressed corn tortillas. The thickness is perfect for bearing generous portions of (clockwise from top left) carne asada, tender, shredded barbacoa, shrimp with a sauteed mix of onions, tomatoes and peppers, or cecina, carne asada’s drier, more seasoned cousin. LIGAYA FIGUERAS / LFIGUERAS@AJC.COM

Oysters are a specialty of Watchman’s Seafood & Spirits, the new restaurant in Krog Street Market from the Kimball House team. Hatteras Salts oysters from North Carolina are pictured here. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

The Southern Bento Box at Watershed rotates with an offering of regional staples. Pictured are a drumstick of the restaurant’s iconic fried chicken, pulled pork, macaroni salad, deviled eggs and collard greens. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

A two-meat plate of St. Louis-style pork ribs and beef brisket with three sides and cornbread. The two-meat plate typically includes two sides. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

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The best reason to drive to 7 Acre BarNgrill in Milton is the Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with potato puree, heirloom carrots and pan jus. CONTRIBUTED BY HENRI HOLLIS

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