Atlanta restaurants: The best and worst of 2015

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The best and worst of 2015 Atlanta restaurant reviews

Photos: The best and worst of 2015 AJC restaurant reviews

There are so many restaurants in Atlanta worthy of review, it's hard to keep track of them all. Click through to see all the restaurants the AJC dining team reviewed in 2015, and visit the Atlanta Restaurants Blog for the latest dining reviews and restaurant news, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

JANUARY: Jon Watson wrote of Babylon Cafe in Atlanta, "Don’t expect to see modernized versions of Iraqi cuisine here, and that certainly isn’t a bad thing." Read the full review here. Pictured: Bamia w/Oxtail- A tomato based okra stew with Oxtail served with Sumak dusted basmati rice.(Beckysteinphotography.com)

JANUARY: Jon Watson writes of Bantu in Avalon in Alpharetta, "Not every dish here hits the high-water mark." Read the full review here. Pictured: Street Corn- Soy mayo, bacon, Sung. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

JANUARY: Wyatt Williams writes of Bocado Burger in Avalon in Alpharetta, "The restaurant has the makings of a chain prototype, starting with the crowd-pleaser of a menu." Read the full review here. Pictured: Bocado Burger Stack- American cheese, b&b pickles, mayo. Served with herb fries. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

JANUARY: Wyatt Williams writes of Purnima Bangladeshi Cuisine on Buford Highway, " Purnima serves warming food, full of the comforts of home, wherever that might be." Read the full review here. Pictured: Chicken wings Purnima style- marinated in Tandoori, grilled in the clay oven and topped with Chef's special sweet and sour curry sauce. Beef Korma- mildly spiced dish with turmeric, chopped garlic and ginger in a thick creamy sauce. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

FEBRUARY: John Kessler writes of Cooks and Soldiers in West Midtown, "This latest restaurant from the Castellucci Hospitality Group (the Iberian Pig) is their most mature and best effort yet." Read the full review here. Pictured: Ca–a Klasikoa- goat's milk cheese, roasted tomato, green pepper, shallot jam, pistachio. Pan Con Tomate- grilled bread, fresh tomato, raw garlic and Boquerones. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

FEBRUARY: John Kessler writes of Oak Steakhouse in Avalon in Alpharetta, "Once you move beyond steaks, Oak Steakhouse seems to be a good, rather than great, restaurant." Read the full review here. Pictured: 24 oz. dry aged cab prime bone-in ribeye with a cab prime 16 oz. Boneless Ribeye. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

The Charcuterie board at the Cockentrice at Krog Street Market includes Heirloom Prosciutto, Southern Smashed Salami, Pate, Second Stanza spreadable salami, B & B Pickles, Mexican gerkin, Mt. Tam cheese, apple butter and pickled alba mushrooms. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

FEBRUARY: Wyatt Williams writes of Northern China Eatery on Buford Highway, "The hundreds of options do contain some surprising delights." Read the full review here. Pictured: Fish in hot & spicy pot. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: John Kessler writes of Pijiu Belly in Midtown,"Pijiu Belly, with its dart board and picnic tables, feels more confident in its mission as a pub where you can taste the real flavors of Shou’s native Korea." Read the full review here. Pictured: The Pijiu Burger- fried egg, kim chi, cheese, beer-bbq sauce. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: Jon Watson wrote of Grain in Midtown, "If you bring more of an appetite with you, fear not. You still should leave full and happy." Read the full review here. Pictured: Fennel Sausage - baby fingerling potatoes, cerignola olives, calabrian chili rouille, roasted red peppers. Madam Ester- four roses bourbon, cayenne, red wine, lemon.(www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: Wendall Brock writes of Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, "Juicy as a slab of prime rib, it’s a 24-year saga of ambition, good timing and epic success." Read the full review here. Pictured: Fried shrimp, cheese grits, hushpuppies(www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: John Kessler writes of Atlas in Buckhead, "Here is a restaurant that invites you to dine well but not worship your food, and to relish your two hours in this cosseting environment (tablecloths! noise control!) where you’ll be as comfortable in jeans as in business attire." Read the full review here. Pictured: Cured hiramasa kingfish in pineapple consommé, with chili, pomegranate and crisp ringlets of fresh heart of palm. (Becky Stein / beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: John Kessler writes of Asante in downtown Atlanta, "There is much to cheer about Asante, which translates from Swahili as 'thankfulness.'" Read the full review here. Pictured: Fried Buttermilk Soaked Poussin, Mac n 3 Cheese, saute baby green beans.(www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

MARCH: Wyatt Williams writes of Dish Dive in Kirkwood, "Dish Dive is an object lesson in simple cool, a place nearly defined by what it doesn’t do." Read the full review here. Pictured: Shakashuka- stewed, peppers, tomato, okra, jalape–o, corn, sweet potato, feta, fried egg, flat bread. (Beckysteinphotography.com))

MARCH: Wyatt Williams writes of Dos Madres Cantina in Decatur, "I often thought about flavor during my meals at Dos Madres, the way one remembers a long lost friend." Read the full review here. Pictured: Dos Tacos with Mexican Rice and Black Beans- Baja style pescado, flash fried with chipotle lime creme, Mexican slaw & Queso Cotija. Carnitas with cilantro, onion and grilled pineapple. (www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

APRIL: Wyatt Williams writes of Community Smith in Midtown, "Unlike the dining room, the menu’s best moments are the comforting, casual pleasures." Read the full review here. Pictured: Steelhead Trout- radish, citronette, toasted almond. (www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

APRIL: John Kessler writes of Cafe at Linton's in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown, "It’s a great place to cool your heels after the orchid house, if not yet a destination on its own." Read the full review here. Pictured: Braised lamb shoulder, mushy peas, baby carrots, pickled beets, shaved radishes, lamb jus. (www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

APRIL: Wyatt Williams writes of Tava Indian Bistro in Decatur, " In general, the dishes at Tava come fierce with heat and a little indistinct in flavor." Read the full review here. Pictured: Lamb Pasanda- sliced lamb marinated in spices. (www.Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: Wyatt Williams wrote of Masterpiece in Duluth that it can "have a transformative effect on people." Read the full review here. Pictured: Dong Po Pork. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: Elizabeth Lenhard wrote of The Peach and the Pork Chop in Roswell, "In other words, this is a place that doesn’t know if it wants to be Horseradish Grill, Taco Mac or a Pittsburgh deli." Read the full review here. Pictured: Blackened Red Grouper- smoked corn, heirloom tomato faro, arugula pesto, lemon marscapone. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: Wyatt Williams wrote of Superica in Krog Street Market, "Superica reminds me of the Tex-Mex pleasures of my youth and, at times, surpasses them." Read the full review here. Pictured: Chili Con Queso with queso, guacamole and ground beef, served with chips and salsa. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: Wyatt Williams wrote of Bezoria in Midtown, "Let’s be clear: Bezoria is aiming directly at a concept that can only be described as “Chipotle, but with hummus.” Read the full review here. Pictured: Mediterranean Salad with romaine lettuce, chicken shawarma, kalamata olives, feta cheese, tomato and cucumber salad, spiced onions, pita crisps and Bezoria vinaigrette. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: John Kessler wrote of the service at Doraku in Buckhead, "There’s a lot of friendliness, but no hustle." Read the full review here. Pictured: Eggplant Miso with Asian eggplant grilled with miso, sesame seeds and garlic chips, and roasted beet salad with tender red and golden beets with rocket greens, pickled onions and miso. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

MAY: John Kessler writes of Tutto in Roswell, "You can have fun, particularly if you focus more on the small plates and starters." Read the full review here. Pictured: Rigatoni with Meatballs- veal meatballs with San Marzano pomodoro and a glass of house red wine. (Beckysteinphotography.com)

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There are so many restaurants in Atlanta worthy of review, it's hard to keep track of them all. Click through to see all the restaurants the AJC dining team reviewed in 2015, and visit the Atlanta Restaurants Blog for the latest dining reviews and restaurant news, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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