ThomasColin

It's great to see all the Valentino's love in this forum. I've been going for about 5 years and every dinner was amazing. We've been so many times that they started putting us in the special wine rooms off to the side. Both the attention to detail and the service have always been outstanding. Most of the time when we are there it is not very busy and its always surprised me that it is not better known or rated higher. I know Savoy and Robuchon are the most expensive restaurants I've experienced in Vegas... but Valentino's is my personal favorite. I wonder why Chef Pellegrini is not involved in Uncork'd. The gnochhi would go over so well at the Grand Tasting.

Valentino's is very special to me. They usually take very good care of my wife and I when we are there. The dinner they put together for our wedding reception was amazing. The rabbit sausage gnocchi they had on the menu a few years ago......still one of the best dishes I've ever had. Good to know about Chef Savoy. I'm expecting a once in a lifetime dinner that I'll remember forever. You're not going to dance off some of these calories in the DJ party with Chef Keller? haha. I think we might need it after Tursday and Friday.

The best of Atlanta: Steakhouse= Rathbuns Steak Try the Tuna Poke App and a 12 Oz blue filet. Unreal quality and Chef Rathbun is almost always in the kitchen. Asian Fusion/Sushi= Miso Izakaya Best Ramon you could ever wish for. Great Sushi. Great fusion dishes like Asian Pork belly w/ Parmesan Grits. The service is not great but Chef Guy Wong is a superstar in the making. Southern Style Farm to Table= Empire State South or Bacchanalia Bach is a bit more fine dining than ESS but ESS is Chef Hugh Acheron's restaurant and Chef Ryan Smith is the executive. ESS is my go-to restaurant for an amazing lunch while Bacch is the top destination restaurant in Atlanta. Authentic Mexican Street Food- Bone Garden (Not fine dining but amazing authentic Mexican street food- Best in class type place). Drinks and Unusual Dishes- Holeman and Finch H&F has w/o a doubt the best Burger in Atlanta. They only serve the Burger Sunday Brunch or after 10:00 everyday to the first 24 people whom order it. If they had it on the menu everyday, it would be unfair to the rest of the dishes. Excellant bartenders. Brunch- Empire State South Best steak and Eggs I've ever had. Yummy shrimp and Grits.... True Southern Brunch. Coffee- Octane/ Little Tart Bakeshop Think warm buttery croissants almond or chocolate croissant w/ amazing pour-over coffee or cappuccino’s. Ask for Goose. He's the best Barista in the South. Best Overall Restaurant Eugene. Chef Hopkins is amazing. Atlanta has some wonderful restaurants but none have quite the attention to detail of Eugene. It's a farm to table restaurant done with elegance and precision. This restaurant would be a success in any city in America. Eugene is owned by the same group that owns Holeman and Finch. Many wonderful Atlanta Chefs got their start at either Eugene or Holeman and Finch. Honorable Mention I've heard Cakes and Ale is great but I've never been there. My wife's Pork Chop and Apples; My Mom's Chili; Bacon.

David, Which events are you going to this year? My wife and I just registered for the Guy Savoy dinner and also the Grand Tasting. We are super excited. Is there anything you would suggest as the "can't miss" event of the week? I've read your reviews for the past few yers and we are super-excited. We're going to be in town from Tuesday thru Monday. Tuesday night= Valentino's (We went there after I proposed to my wife...We had our wedding reception here and we came back on our honeymoon). Needless to say Valentino's is very high on my favorite list of restaurants. Wed= Something easy---- Pink's or maybe Mesa.... Thursday= Guy Savoy Dinner Friday= Grand Tasting Sat- ----------- Sun=----------- Monday Flying Home.... We thought we might just see which Chef table we enjoyed most at the Gand Tasting and then try to get reservations there on Sat. or Sunday. Have you been to any of the Poker events or the D.J. dance party event w/ Hubert Keller? Love the forum, thanks for all your efforts! Thomas Wooldridge