Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or trying to plan an ultra romantic evening, spice up your dining repertoire and spend a meal under the stars.

Canoe
4199 Paces Ferry Road N.W
770-432-2663
Dinner for two, before wine, about $90

For an unforgettable evening of dining in a delightfully romantic atmosphere, you can't do better than Canoe, a "special occasion," New American restaurant on the Chattahoochee River. Beautifully arranged gardens surround the rough-hewn but stylish dining room and outdoor terrace, and overall, the restaurant creates a warmly welcoming atmosphere. Inducted into Nation's Restaurant News 2005 Fine Dining Hall of Fame, the interior includes overstuffed booths, an exposed kitchen and furniture art created by Dwayne Thompson. The seasonal menu, created by Executive Chef Carvel Grant Gould, features fresh-caught fish and handpicked herbs and vegetables from an organic farm that make an appearance in dishes such as the African Squash or Vidalia Spring Onion Soup. Just a few of the notable entrees include New York Strip Steaks, Lamb Shank and Carolina Rabbit. Many types of delicious bread are available and offered often. The eclectic, and sometimes pricey, wine list includes more than 300 bottles and 40 wines by the glass. A special feature is the Chef's Market Menu, a four-course tasting menu that changes often but is available only to entire tables. Ask for details when you arrive.

One. midtown kitchen
559 Dutch Valley Road
404-892-4111
Dinner for two, before wine, about $70

Although it's jam packed and noisy every night, One. midtown kitchen is a happy dining experience. Its cutting-edge American food, intelligent approach to wine, cheery service, and delightful outdoor patio add up to one of Atlanta's best dining experiences. The drama begins as you enter the formerly nondescript warehouse next to Piedmont Park, pass through the heavy entry drape and encounter an ultra chic, high-design space with rather closely arranged tables, more generous banquettes, and a knockout circular bar. Ovens and grills are wood-fired, giving a perceptible smoky edge to many of the dishes. The menu includes a large selection of what might be considered small dishes, most around $11 and none more than $22. Menu highlights include small plates such as mussels with preserved lemon butter, shrimp with smoked cheddar grits custard and scallion pecan pesto, pork chop with Korean barbeque and watermelon star anise relish and bacon wrapped trout with horseradish whipped potatoes and summer squash salad. The 75-bottle award winning wine list all available by the glass and bottle, priced in five tiers at $20, $30, $40, $50 and $60.Reservations are essential, of course, but don't expect to be seated anywhere near the appointed time. One way to get around the crush is to come early, say at 7pm, as this is essentially a late-night spot. Also offers a large party menus, with several selections in each course at $50 or $60 per person.

Horseradish Grill
4320 Powers Ferry Road
404-255-7277
Dinner for two, without beverage, about $70

Any compendium of great dining in Atlanta must include the Horseradish Grill for its marvelous renditions of the foods that made Southern Cookin' a lip-smacking treat. Located in what was originally a horse barn, Horseradish Grill is Atlanta's oldest restaurant. The interior is a spare (for restaurants), clean-lined space with lots of windows. That fact and the beautiful outdoor patios set amidst lush greenery and seasonal plantings make this an especially delightful place for lunch, early dinner or Sunday brunch. Fresh regional ingredients, including vegetables from the restaurant's own garden, and a simple cooking style are what make Chef Tom McEachern's food so consistently outstanding. Nothing is "over the top;" this is a cooking style that brings out the natural goodness in every dish. You'll recognize this in McEachern's fried green tomatoes, a country dish that's brought to sophisticated heights with the addition of melted goat cheese and spiced pecans. Or try Jumbo Gulf Shrimp & Logan Turnpike Grits sautéed with fire-roasted red peppers and caramelized onions in a lightly
spiced sherry sauce. Main course standouts include grilled mountain trout, seared venison over braised and sweet potato mash with vanilla roasted plums, and the signature dish of skillet fried chicken. If possible, leave room for the Kentucky oatmeal spice cake with caramel ice cream. Wines are Californian, but with food such as this, you may very well want to stick with iced tea.

Dish
870 N. Highland Avenue
404-897-3463
Dinner for two, before beverage, about $65

Dish is located in an old gas station that's been converted into a trendy room without too much clutter - whitewashed brick walls hung with black-and-white photographs, institutional fixtures and furnishings, and lots of greenery - all very stylish. Best of all, there's a large covered patio, also enlivened with greenery, where windshields were once washed and tanks topped off. The American bistro menu is relatively brief, but well thought out with light, flavorful choices including several plates that will delight vegetarians; polenta with portobello mushroom, mozzarella, zucchini, and baby arugula is just one example. For heartier appetites there are choices such as lobster lasagna, grilled lamb tenderloin served with artichoke goat-cheese risotto, and pan-roasted skate wing with potato croutons, haricot vert, crisp capers and brown butter. Before getting into all this, however, be sure to nibble on the signature rosemary-pine nut popcorn and maybe also one or two of the delicious small starters, including a smoked salmon and baby arugula salad, or the panko-crusted scallops with rice noodles and snow peas. And from the dessert list - all American staples - go for the the local blueberry tart with house-made vanilla ice cream. The wine list, with selections fairly priced, also includes a group of reserve vintages that are worth their premium.

Sotto Sotto
313 N. Highland Avenue
404-523-6678
Dinner for two, before wine, about $70

Sotto Sotto is your quintessential neighborhood trattoria if you happen to live in New York's Little Italy or Boston's North End. The walls are brick and plaster, the bar is tucked away where it doesn't take up too much space, and the tables are as closely packed as they can be. Add these features to the fact that the restaurant is jammed beyond capacity every night, and you have one of the noisiest eating places you're likely to encounter anywhere, an irony considering the fact that "sotto" can mean softly, as in "sotto voce." But the crush and noise are worth putting up with for the kitchen's divine Northern Italian cooking. And if you're fortunate enough to be seated on the patio, consider it your lucky evening. The starter of seared Jumbo Sea Scallops, cannellini beans, wilted arugula and truffle oil is a surefire winner, after which you can choose from any of several house-made pastas, such as a knockout dish of eggplant and pinenut ravioli, lasagna Bolognese, or one of the risottos, especially the mantecato with caramelized onions. Other stellar main dishes include wood-roasted fish and meats, including an oak-roasted veal chop. Regardless of what you order, remember that the house's signature dessert of chocolate soup with sugared croutons and whipped cream is waiting for you. Wines are Italian and far more interesting than the tired, familiar assortment found in many neighborhood restaurants. Service is sometimes harried, but always cordial.