AJC Dining Guide 2015: AJC's list of top new restaurants

Asante

Chef Marvin Woods cooks what he calls “coastal soul cuisine of the African diaspora,” which is better in concept than execution, but fascinating nonetheless.

250 Park Ave. West, Atlanta. 404-893-0022, asanteatl.com

Atlas

The return of fine dining, with all the coddling service, finessed cuisine and gorgeous furnishing you could want, but with the comfortable vibe Atlantans love.

88 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-600-6471, atlasrestaurant.com

Bezoria

A sleek, fast-service falafel and shawarma spot in the heart of Midtown, answering the prayers of office workers.

903 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-464-5190, bezoria.com

The Cafe at Linton’s in the Garden

Linton Hopkins' Atlanta Botanical Garden cafe is under renovation and should be open again in May, 2016. Call or check the website.

1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-585-2061, lintonsinthegarden.com

The Cockentrice

Butcher Kevin Ouzts has opened the city’s most exciting restaurant — a wonderland of glorious meat like none other.

99 Krog St., Atlanta. 470-428-2733, thecockentrice.com

Cooks & Soldiers

This fun, sophisticated take on Basque cooking is the crowning achievement of the Castellucci family and one of the city’s hottest reservations.

691 14th St., Atlanta. 404-996-2623, cooksandsoldiers.com

Community Smith

Micah Willix shows off his great grilling skills at this latest restaurant, which inhabits the central if cavernous space inside the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.

866 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 678-412-2402, communitysmithatl.com

Dish Dive

This excellent, inexpensive and tiny BYOB is the kind of restaurant Atlanta has long needed.

2233 College Ave., Atlanta. 404-957-7918, dishdivekitchen.com

The El Felix

Ford Fry’s heartfelt Tex-Mex eatery dishes up fajitas, margaritas and puffy tacos that could make even non-Texans homesick.

1130 Avalon Blvd. No.1030, Alpharetta, 678-248-5239, theelfelix.com

Grain

The food at this terrific cocktail bar — including a daily selection of oysters — surpasses all expectations.

856 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-881-5377, grain-bar.com

Gypsy Kitchen

This cavernous restaurant, upstairs in Buckhead Atlanta, may not evoke an intimate Spanish tapas bar, but it’s good to know about when you just want salami and wine for dinner.

3035 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-939-9840, gypsykitchenatl.com

Ladybird Grove and Mess Hall

This Beltline restaurant promises the kind of campfire cooking that one-ups summer camp: Think hazelnut butter fluffernutters, Navajo fry bread and other treats.

684 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. 404-458-6838, ladybirdatlanta.com

Last Word

Despite some changes in the kitchen, this Lebanese small-plates restaurant continues to impress with its unique vision.

701 Highland Ave., Atlanta. 404-343-1274, lastwordatl.com

Le Bilboquet

Look for all the trappings and the classic fare of a real French brasserie, along with a deliriously happy Buckhead crowd.

3035 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-869-9944, lebilboquetatlanta.com

The Luminary

Eli Kirshtein’s French-Southern brasserie offers a chill respite from the madness that has become Krog Street Market.

99 Krog St., Atlanta. 404-600-6199, theluminaryatl.com

Made Kitchen & Cocktails

A smart, appealing menu distinguishes this new Spanish offering from Northside restaurant mogul Chris Sedgwick.

45 Roswell St., Alpharetta. 770-452-6233, madekc.com

Oak Steakhouse

Splurge on the dry-aged steaks at this satellite of a well loved Charleston cow palace.

950 3rd St., Alpharetta. 678-722-8333, oaksteakhouseatlanta.com

Paces & Vine

Tom Murphy and Ian Winslade bring the vibe of Virginia-Highland’s Murphy’s to this Vinings newcomer.

4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-205-8255, pacesandvine.com

The Pig and the Pearl

How about some ceviche, raw oysters and barbecue? Yes, please, and throw in a craft cocktail as well.

1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. 404-541-0930, thepigandthepearl.com

Superica

A near replica of the El Felix: lots of Tex, lots of Mex.

99 Krog St., Atlanta. 678-791-1310, supericaatl.com

Yalla

Todd Ginsberg and Layla Walk serve the Mediterranean food popular in Israel, including falafel, shawarma and loads of salads.

99 Krog St., Atlanta., 404-506-9999, yallaatl.com