A quaint little place attached to the Voodoo Restaurant, this is the place to go for traditional Japanese and the area's best sushi menu. The tropical-themed front patio is the best seat in the house if the sun is shining. On cooler afternoons, the intimate indoor setting features bamboo and etchings reminiscent of Japanese artisans. The full sushi menu is carefully and artistically prepared, and the best-selling California rolls are sublime. Asahi and other Asian beers are available, plus select dinner wines and, of course, sake.

If you have fond memories of a small French village, or even if you just like Gerard Depardieu movies, don't miss this out-of-the-way bistro. Anis serves Provencal fare in a converted house that offers a pleasant outside dining area as well. If you are lucky enough to arrive on a night when the Bouillabaisse is being served, don't pass it up. The wait staff is young, French-speaking, and well-educated on the variety of French wines proffered. The atmosphere remains quiet and elegant in its simplicity even on the busiest nights. See website for menu, wine list, and online reservations.

Made to resemble a log cabin, the Blue Ridge Grill offers updated Southern cuisine in a calm atmosphere reminiscent of the mountains. The dining room boasts a fireplace, wood pillars from a cotton mill, a pine ceiling and decorations that include antique canoes. Try Southern fusion dishes like pomegranate barbecued quail and crab cakes with hoisin ginger vinaigrette, or opt for the more traditional barbecued pork chops. A pleasant bar is also on site for quiet conversation. Choose Blue Ridge Grill for a business gathering.

Presented in a family dining setting, this north suburban spot is a diamond in the rough, though well-known among locals. The amazing variety of fish is fresh and served unadorned, allowing the full natural taste to really come through. A number of non-aquatic items like steaks and chicken are also offered, and are presented with similar no-nonsense simplicity. Reservations are not necessary, but even a half hour out of the city, the wait can be long on weekends. A nice bar is on hand for solace during the wait. See website for menu and calendar of events (including ping pong and charity golf tournaments).

One of the few family-run, reasonably priced restaurants in the city is Cafe Prego. Prego serves Italian food flavored with Greek and Hungarian influences to produce a consistently good menu dominated by pasta and veal dishes. The pasta is always prepared fresh, and the veal remains tender no matter what preparation you choose. The Caesar salad is not to be missed for its classic simplicity. Reservations are essential on the weekend because Prego is a clear favorite with area residents.

This cafeteria-style Midtown eatery is easy to spot from the street; it closely resembles a white box. The atmosphere inside isn't much more extravagant, resembling a school lunch room, but the largely college-aged lunch and dinner crowds don't seem to mind. There's plenty to choose from as you fill your tray. Fresh meats, pastas and salads can be grilled or arranged to order, or choose from a wide range of vegetarian alternatives. Try the jerk chicken or cheese tortellini with marinara sauce. Beer and wine available.

The delightful little find, tucked away amid antique shops, masquerades as a quiet cafe during the day, then serves some of Atlanta's best tapas when the sun goes down. At the Eclipse di Luna , the dining room is decidedly casual, decorated with metal trunks and chairs hanging from the ceiling. The prix fixe menu highlights the Spanish ribs with balsamic vinegar and Luna's own handmade mozzarella cheese. In true tapas fashion, you'll want to try a little of everything. Select from a great wine list to complement each phase of your meal. See website for menu, wine list, and events calendar.

Popular for Asian fusion at shoestring prices, this trendy spot blends elements from the cuisine of many Asian nations to produce a truly unique menu. The noodle soups and mixed Asian pastas are great, or try one of several cabbage wraps or the Chinese scallion pancakes as an appetizer. Don't let the crowd scare you away; the line moves quickly. The cozy interior features tiny tables arranged with little elbowroom. For more space, wait a few minutes for a seat on the elevated patio that looks out over Highland Avenue. See website for detailed menu, other locations and daily drink specials.

Considered by many to be Buckhead's finest restaurant, this brick Victorian cottage sets a romantic table. Elegance pervades every inch and corner of the stylish dining room. High-end seafood is the catch of the day, with memorable offerings from the dessert cart, such as Valrhona chocolate cake with vanilla bean ice cream. Chef Daniel Porubiansky's concoctions, the Nantucket Bay Scallops with cauliflower, artichokes glazed over with vinaigrette is a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece. This place boasts of a full bar and excellent wine list. The restaurant opens its doors for dinner from Mondays through Saturdays, 6p onwards.

A lively atmosphere pervades this enormous Marietta hotspot, from the margarita drinkers on the patio to the festive diners being serenaded by a four-piece Mariachi band inside. The house specialty is the steak and chicken fajita plate; you can either order for one, or else get it by the pound for sharing. Dozens of combination platters offer most traditional Mexican fare in invariably enormous portions. Try the fried ice cream to top off your meal, but be warned, it is big enough to share.