Dress? Check. Tickets? Check. Limo? Check. It’s prom season, and planning isn’t complete until you’ve booked dinner. Put on your best attire, grab your date or a group of friends and kick off one of high school’s most memorable evenings at one of our picks for dinner.
Since 1996, Dominick's has served home-style Italian fare reminiscent of your grandma's cooking. Take your limo here; shareable items in half size and full size, family-style portions are available. The menu features a variety of pastas such as "penne primavera" or the cheese-filled "Dominick's ravioli" and veal or seafood specialties. Reservations recommended. The restaurant has four locations north of the city in Buford, downtown Lawrenceville, Norcross and Watkinsville.
Dominick's of Buford, 22 Buford Village Way, Buford. 770-614-0019.
Dominick's of Lawrenceville, 197 W. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-277-8477.
Dominick's of Historic Norcross, 95 S. Peachtree St., Norcross. 770-449-1611.
Dominick's of Watkinsville, 1430 Capital Ave., Watkinsville. 706-769-6255.
Buckhead Atlanta's sushi bar takes a leaf from a Japanese gastropub to showcase a fusion of fun-colored sushi rolls and appetizers. The a la carte menu balances appetite-priming starters like "balsamic Teriyaki ribs" for $8.95, "firecracker shrimp" for $9.95 and "steak yakisoba noodle" for $8.50. Dessert rounds out with "brownie tempura"— a sweet take on the sushi's classic fried preparation. Reservations suggested. Large parties welcome.
267 East Paces Ferry Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-842-0005.
This is place to party. During warm weather evenings and weekends, the is Midtown restaurant is a hot spot, but avoid the hubbubby reserving a private room. For your fete, a custom menu can be created or you can opt for buffet style servings. A live jazz band performs from 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. For post-prom celebration, consider Sunday brunch, which is available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A DJ slides in with upbeat tunes beginning at noon.
1077 Juniper St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-876-7925.
Elevate your classic burger joint atmosphere — actually FLIP it — and add a few crazy burgers and toppings (raw tuna or steak tartar anyone?) That's FLIP Burger. Even if you opt for a beef burger, options are far from ordinary, such as the "butcher's cut" with caramelized onions, truffle vinaigrette and red wine jam. Instead of grab and go, burger service slows down, giving you plenty of time to mingle in between bites of a starter, like sweet potato tots. Group reservations are accepted at the Buckhead location.
Buckhead, 3655 Roswell Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-549-3298.
West Midtown, 1587 Howell Mill Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-343-1609.
Familiar favorites and a wide-spread menu touch on any appetite. Start out by dipping warm tortilla chips into the creamy "Chicago style spinach dip." For your main, options range from a light "Caesar salad" with rotisserie chicken to a hearty "rack of barbecue pork ribs." From 7-9 p.m. every night, the Lenox location hosts a live jazz band that will set the scene for the night of dancing that's sure to come. Reservations permitted for parties of four or less; parties over seven cannot be accommodated.
Lenox, 3321 Lenox Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-237-7534.
Peachtree, 2166 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-351-2442.
West Paces, 3539 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta. 404-262-7130.
It's not often that you have the chance to treat your date to a steakhouse meal. The dining room is classy enough for the special occasion, yet it doesn't feel stuffy. The $40 three-course, four-dish prix-fixe menu gives you a sampling of their classic menu items with two sides, an entrée selection and dessert. Walk-ins accepted, but reservations required for large private parties. Rooms are also available for private seating.
4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-512-8888.
Building conversation around a bubbling pot of fondue makes for a great icebreaker. Whether you're a couple or a group of friends, Melting Pot's dining experience encourages interaction. After your starter of cheese fondue and bread, you can pick from more than 10 proteins—chicken, Andouille sausage or vegetarian proteins to name a few—to dip into entrée sauces such as "gorgonzola port" or "curry." And you better not leave without chocolate fondue: dip in strawberries, blondies and marshmallow treats. Reservations recommended. Multiple Atlanta locations.
With the backdrop of the Chattahoochee River, it's hard to find a better spot for a scenic dinner and beautiful photo opportunities than Ray's on the River. Of course, if you prefer an in-town celebration, the other two locations, Ray's in the City and Ray's at Killer Creek offer great options too. For prom, all three locations are offering a $45 all-inclusive menu gives each guest a salad and choice of entrée such as "oven roasted chicken," "grilled Atlantic salmon" or "filet mignon." For vegetarians, the "pasta primavera" is a satisfying pasta studded with seasonal vegetables. Snag a seat on the patio to dine riverside. Reservations recommended.
Ray’s on the River, 6700 Powers Ferry Road N.W., Sandy Springs. 770-955-1187.
Ray's in the City, 240 Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-524-9224.
Ray's at Killer Creek, 1700 Mansell Road, Alpharetta. 770-649-0064.
This gastropub is abuzz with young folks on the weekends and the menu is budget-friendly for high schoolers. Classic comfort foods are the dishes to order here, and appetizers are easy to share. Pick a few to nibble on like "calamari," "Louisiana eggrolls," "margherita pizza," and Thai-beef lettuce wraps." In Roswell, you can dine on the patio. In Alpharetta, squeeze in a game of bocce ball after your meal. Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more.
952 Canton St., Roswell. 770-998-4850.
102 S Main St., Alpharetta. 770-752-1888.
8690 Main St., Woodstock. 678-903-6225.
Credit: Becky Stein
Credit: Becky Stein
With an outdoor patio, live performances several evenings each week, trivia night and large communal tables, this restaurant is ideal for groups who just want to have fun and eat.
740 Ralph McGill Blvd. N.E., Atlanta. 470-225-6162, venkman’s.com.
Another easy to satisfy menu stretches from American favorites such as "Tavern meatloaf," "Maryland-style crab cakes," or "Cajun seafood fettuccine." Share layered mozzarella and tomato "caprese" or "fresh fried potato chips" as you talk over plans for the rest of the night. The menu touches on classic cuisine in a comfortable upscale atmosphere. Reservations recommended.
11555 Rainwater Dr., Alpharetta. 770-777-6490.
A multi-room house makes up this restaurant's dining room, and the back glass-walled garden room offers a spot overlooking the restaurant's garden oasis. Plan to snap a few photos here before sitting down to a meal of sustainable seafood and local vegetables, such as the "Georgia trout," at peak this time of year; and the "Charleston shrimp & grits," served with spicy tomato sauce and creamy cheddar grits. Well-sized, balanced portions will keep you going all night long.
1042 West College Ave., Decatur. 404-373-3331.
