Little Sisters: Atlanta's Best Offshoot Restaurants

by Jonathan Baker - Citysearch Editor - 213 Reviews - 108 Lists

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Updated: July 10, 2009

Just because a guy won on Iron Chef America, has a super high-end restaurant and plenty of national acclaim doesn't mean you have to break the bank to sample his fine cuisine. A handful of our most famous restaurateurs have expensive namesake digs, but also have little-sister-like tapas bars, casual Mexican restaurants and gourmet pizza joints. Check out these five restaurants that have a big-time name, big-time grub, and none of the big-time price tags.

On this page:Riccardo Ullio--Fritti, Kevin Rathbun--Krog Bar, Linton Hopkins--Holeman and Finch, Shaun Doty--The Original El Taco, Anne Quatrano + Clifford Harrison--Floataway Cafe.

Riccardo Ullio--Fritti

  1. 1 3.5 Star Rating: Average Fritti
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    309 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 (map)

    While you won't find Sotto Sotto's creamy risotto or whole grilled fish, Ricardo Ullio's next door pizza den is a high-end Neapolitan dream. Perfectly charred pies come out of a wood-burning oven topped complex-yet-inhalable items like arugula, lamb, mint or white truffle oil. All the pizzas are under $15 and a Sotto Sotto-quality appetizer addition will make for a spot-on meal for two.

Kevin Rathbun--Krog Bar

  1. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Krog Bar Llc
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    112 Krog St, Atlanta, GA 30307 (map)

    The bone-in porterhouse for two at Kevin Rathbun Steak will run upwards of $70, and that doesn't include a side. While this might be the best (and most expensive) steak in Atlanta, you can still enjoy some of the big fella's premier meats just down the street at his tapas lounge, Krog Bar. This super-hip, Barcelona-style converted garage features cured pork shoulder, exotic cheeses and Spanish wines. Bonus points for their $5 finger-sandwiches.

Linton Hopkins--Holeman and Finch

  1. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Holman & Finch Public House
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    2277 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 (map)

    When Linton Hopkins built the elegant Restaurant Eugene, the old-money Buckhead blue-hairs instantly moseyed over for his Southern menu and expensive taste. For his second project, Holeman and Finch, he threw that Rolls-Royce in reverse. This next door gastropub is geared towards city-dwelling office youth, open super-late and serving up meat-heavy delicacies (steak tartar, sweetbreads) for tapas prices. Go just before 10pm and order the best burger in the city, but note--it sells out quickly.

Shaun Doty--The Original El Taco

  1. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended The Original El Taco
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    1186 N Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 (map)

    Uber-talented Shaun Doty made his mark on the Atlanta dining scene at Table 1280, then blew up with his namesake location, Shaun's. Teaming up with Fifth Group, Doty opened and designed the menu for the Original El Taco, a casual Mexican restaurant in Virginia Highland. But don't let the cheap cuisine fool you--it's damn good. Mexico City grilled corn and crispy pork belly tacos up the gourmand factor, and make it cool for both foodies and neighbors alike.

Anne Quatrano + Clifford Harrison--Floataway Cafe

  1. 5 4 Star Rating: Recommended Floatway Cafe
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    1123 Zonolite Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (map)

    What is widely regarded as the best restaurant in Atlanta, Bacchanalia is a $75 per head prix fixe dinner without booze included. So if you're looking to NOT spend $300 on dinner, but still want the brilliance of Quatrano/Harrison perfection, the Floataway Cafe is your spot. From its hip urban-warehouse location to the elegant (but reasonable) Euro-based menu, Floataway brings in the same fresh, local-obsessed philosophy that made Bacchanalia and Star Provisions shine.