There’s something about an old-school, red-checkered-tablecloth Italian restaurant that feels nostalgic to nearly every American, not just those with Italian heritage.
Rosso, the new, self-proclaimed “red sauce joint” from chef Pat Pascarella’s Porchetta Group, leans into that sense of shared affection for the type of restaurant portrayed in “The Sopranos,” “Rocky” or “Goodfellas.”
The menu is large, but not overwhelming, and the portions tend to be big, though the mozzarella stick is the only dish that reaches comical proportions. Many of the dishes are easily recognizable classics, with just enough of a creative twist to feel interesting.
As appealing as Rosso is, there’s also a sense that it could be run a little tighter. A few service delays and some cold dishes were blemishes on otherwise pleasant restaurant experiences.
This family-run restaurant doesn’t need to run like a Swiss watch, but a new concept from such an experienced restaurant group should operate with a touch more precision.
Rosso is a good restaurant that could reach another level with just a bit more refinement.
Have you checked out Midtown’s new “red sauce joint?” Read the full review at the link in our bio. 🍝🍸
🖋️ : Henri Hollis
🎥 : Abbey Edmonson / AJC
This four-Ingredient Blueberry Cinnamon Buckle is exactly the kind of recipe you make when you want something warm, sweet and comforting without spending all morning in the kitchen.
This recipe is especially good for a holiday breakfast, lazy brunches or those moments when you buy blueberries with good intentions and suddenly realize they need to be used immediately.
It comes from “The LORAfied Cookbook” (DK Books, $35), the debut cookbook from food personality and content creator Lora McLaughlin Peterson, known for her “fancy yet frugal” approach to home cooking.
Looking for things to do this weekend? Peterson will be in Atlanta for a book signing and meet-and-greet.
📅 : May 15
📍: Williams-Sonoma in Ponce City Market
Find more event details and recipe tips at the link in our bio! 🫐👩🍳
🖋️ : Monti Carlo
👩🍳 : @lorafied
📸 : Ivan Solis
The expansive former BrewDog space in the Krog District along the Eastside Beltline will soon house a temporary pop-up from a collective of Atlanta hospitality professionals that will feature live music, food and sports viewing parties.
The pop-up concept is called LikeMinds and it’s set to open later this spring, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
LikeMinds will be a new concept that “expands on the creative vision” of Westside Motor Lounge, according to a news release. The 3-acre complex in Atlanta’s English Avenue neighborhood is known for its indoor and outdoor spaces and the jazz kissa listening bar, Echo Room.
The pop-up will be open daily with programming developed by Beau Nolen of Smith’s Olde Bar, including live music, guest DJs, a vinyl program, billiards, bar games and sports viewing parties.
Come back to the link in our bio for developing updates.
🖋️ : Olivia Wakim
📸 : Arvin Temkar / AJC
Over the past decade, the Peach State has risen as one of the top producers of blueberries in the U.S.
By weight, Georgia now produces significantly more blueberries than peaches as counties like Bacon, Appling and Pierce have established deep blueberry roots in the sandy, acidic soil ubiquitous in southeast Georgia.
Last year, blueberries contributed $382.7 million to the state’s economy, according to the University of Georgia’s Farm Gate Value Report, and the state produced 116.7 million pounds of blueberries. By contrast, Washington and Oregon, the other top states ahead of Georgia, produced 192.4 million pounds and 173.3 million pounds, respectively.
The future of Georgia’s blueberry fields appears rosy, but its continued success hinges on finding new ways to keep blueberries profitable for the growers who invest in them and ensuring that consumers’ love for the superfruit remains strong.
Read more about Georgia’s popular crop at the link in our bio. 🫐🍑
🖋️ : Olivia Wakim
📸 : Hyosub Shin / AJC
Every evening, Lipi Begum prepares a dinner of traditional South Asian dishes for her family using her own spice blends, which she sells through her Snellville-based business, @jarmasala .
Begum marvels that, until becoming a mother, she never thought about cooking or understood the joy of feeding people and creating memories through food.
“I think about this often. I grew up feeling disconnected from my food culture, so connecting my children to their food culture is huge for me. They enjoy eating it, and I hope they will enjoy cooking it as they get older. And once they have kids, they can pass that along,” Begum said.
She now sells at a rotating list of farmers markets, including Marietta, Grant Park, Alpharetta, Athens, Cartersville, Suwanee and Chattanooga, as well as online.
Read more about her local business and how it got started at the link in our bio.
🖋️ : C.W. Cameron for the AJC
📸 : Jar Marsala
Listen, I’ve eaten a lot of burgers. I’m talking food festivals, backyard cookouts, white tablecloth restaurants, you name it.
But every now and then, I run into a burger that makes me pause midbite and just nod thinking, “Yeah, this is it.”
This lineup right here? They’re not just good — they’re experiences.
In honor of National Burger Month, here are @therealfoodstalker ’s top 8 best burgers in Atlanta.
Take a bite at the link in our bio. 🍔
🖋️ : Justin Brown / @therealfoodstalker
📸 : Henri Hollis / AJC | Justin Brown
Who’s really serving the best biscuit in Atlanta? The AJC put it to the test.
No butter. No hype. Just straight biscuit vs. biscuit.
We pulled together six of the top contenders from across Atlanta and put them through a blind taste test with one goal: crown the best of the best.
From cakey to crunchy, from fluffy to full-on “boyfriend material” … opinions got real, fast.
One biscuit ran away with it.
One sparked debate.
And yeah … y’all are definitely gonna have thoughts. Drop your pick below ⬇️
#AtlantaEats #atlfoodie #biscuts
The Eastside Trail is the most popular and mature segment of the Atlanta Beltline.
It’s anchored near either end by two of Atlanta’s most popular food halls: Ponce City Market to the north and Krog Street Market to the south. Both developments have paid parking and public restrooms, in addition to plenty of interesting and high-quality dining options.
For this guide, the Eastside Trail has been broken down into separate zones, making it easy to see groupings of restaurants that are truly close to each other.
Take a look at the curated recs from AJC Restaurant Critic Henri Hollis at the link in our bio!
🖋️ : Henri Hollis
📸 : Access Atlanta
Have you made plans for Mother’s Day yet?
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, and metro Atlanta restaurants are preparing for a rush of diners hoping to celebrate with special brunches, flower bars and mimosas.
For all the food-loving mothers out there, prepare to be pampered at these restaurants serving special menus.
👉 5Church
👉 The Americano
👉 Big Bad Breakfast
👉 Buena Vida Tapas Bar
👉 Carmel
👉 Dancing Stars for Humanity
👉 The Farmhouse at Serenbe
👉 Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
👉 Hartley Kitchen & Cocktails
👉 Il Premio
👉 Kitty Dare
👉 Lazy Betty
👉 Lingering Shade Social Club
👉 McKendrick’s Steak House
👉 TBB 122
👉 Park Tavern
👉 Petite Violette
👉 Serena Pastificio
Find details on our full running list of restaurants offering Mother’s Day specials around town at the link in our bio.
🖋️ : @oliviawakim
📸 : Big Bad Breakfast | Heidi Harris | Kathryn McCrary | Oliva Restaurant Group | Serenbe
It’s on, Atlanta!! This is THE MOST exclusive dinner I’ve ever done. It’s a preview of the James Beard Foundation dinner that I’m cooking in NYC for the launch of my new cookbook, Spanglish. It’s just 30 seats and it’s only for @ajcnews subscribers. I’ll be cooking shoulder to shoulder with one of the most talented chefs in Atlanta, in an open kitchen! Details coming soon! ❤️🙏🇵🇷
