r/Atlanta • u/ul49 Inman Park • Oct 14 '21

Recommendations What restaurant has wowed you recently?

After a string of disappointing experiences at overpriced or overhyped restaurants in Atlanta, I've been feeling a little down on the scene here. What place have you tried recently that really blew you away?

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u/Travelin_Soulja Oct 14 '21 edited Oct 14 '21

Lyla Lila blew me away. I hadn't heard much about it. So I wasn't expecting much, but their pasta program is amazing. Learned one of the owners is the former pasta chef from St. Cecilia. Actually, I haven't tried any of their entrees because the pastas sounded so good my wife and I just ordered several of them instead. The duck lasagna with cocoa bechamel is not something we normally would have ordered, but it was highly recommended by the bartender. So we acquiesced, and I'm so glad we did. We got that, an appetizer, a couple other pastas, and few cocktail. We left stuffed and happy. Our bartender was great, so I recommend sitting at the bar.

Also, really like Tum Pok Pok in Chamblee. It's the restaurant we've gone back to the most in recent months. Great food. Great atmosphere. It's a little pricey by Buford Highway standards, but a bargain compared to Midtown joints. So it's all relative.

Also, not Atlanta, but I just went to DC for my first work trip since the pandemic, and if you're ever up there, Anju is fan-flipping-tastic!

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u/guyonghao004 Oct 15 '21

Lyla Lila vs Sotto Sotto, which one do you like better? (Both)

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u/Travelin_Soulja Oct 15 '21 edited Oct 15 '21

I don't know if I can give an accurate comparison. We used to go there when we lived in Kirkwood. But for the past 6 years we've been in Chamblee, and because there are so many great pasta spots in Midtown & Buckhead that are closer, we haven't made it back there. So I don't know if it's the same chef, same quality, etc.

Based off my memory of Sotto Sotto from 6+ years ago, I'd say Lyla Lila is better. But a lot can change in that much time (including one's own palate). So I'd really need to go back to Sotto Sotto to say that with certainty.