Clark & Schwenck’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
Buckhead Betties and the business set flock to BrickTop’s, an affordable link of a Nashville-based chain serving American classics made with local ingredients; set in the new Terminus Building, its dining room feels more like a living room with its red leather, cozy lamps and copper accents, while an expansive patio overlooks the busiest intersection in the state (3280 Peachtree St.; 404-841-2212).
Decatur denizens are on a sugar high thanks to The Chocolate Bar, a sophisticated sweet spot specializing in swoon-inducing multicourse desserts by Seeger's alumni paired with wines and cocktails (there’s charcuterie and cheese too, to balance things out); its tiny chocolate-toned space on the town’s main drag features a bar and patio dining that completes the sexy-cafe feel (201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur; 404-378-0630).
Clark & Schwenck’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, a modern yet timeless Vinings seafooder, is netting fans with its smooth service, classic cocktails and Continental dishes; dark wood and deep banquettes nestle diners in the narrow space, while a sparkling raw bar, warm lighting and a festive atmosphere attract a cocktail crowd to one of the most elegant strip-mall spaces in town (Riverview Village Shopping Center, 3300 Cobb Pkwy.; 770-272-0999).
Urbān, a midpriced New American with European influences, is already packing in Roswell residents looking for fine dining without the drive; pale blues and greens with chocolate accents and a glass-tile-lined bar make this strip-mall find a sophisticated retreat (580 E. Crossville Rd., Roswell; 678-461-9959).
Valenza, a charming Haven sib, lures the Brookhaven set with moderately priced Northern Italian fare and an all-Italian wine list; it’s located in the former M!X space, which now boasts wood beams and cozy grotto seating (1441 Dresden Dr., Ste. 100; 404-969-3233).