The verdict on 3 new restaurants in Atlanta: Ela, Mikata and The Reading Room

Photography by Martha Williams

Ela
On a cool spring evening, I warmed up by entering Ela’s energetic dining room amid lively dance music. Ela, Fifth Group Restaurants’ latest venture, resides in the former Original El Taco spot, bringing a more grown-up vibe, with dim lighting and minimalist decor, to the once-kitschy dining room. The design is almost too neutral – the dining room doesn’t scream “Mediterranean restaurant” – but it’s to better help you focus on the colorful dishes in front of you.

Ela means “come now” in Greek, but the menu spans the Mediterranean region and incorporates American touches such as Moroccan “hot chicken” with ras el hanout wing sauce. My meal began with the Spice Road cocktail, a zesty blend of tequila, mezcal, blood orange and sumac, which paired well with the crispy yet moist cauliflower falafels and charred baby eggplant garnished with pomegranate seeds and nuts. The skewers were the real highlights of the evening. We ordered the mushroom shawarma served with pistachio dukkah (a crunchy condiment of herbs, spices and nuts) and the date and tamarind pork with green tomato kosho (a chili condiment) , which was very spicy. The sweet-tart frozen Greek yogurt with a baklava crumble provided a refreshing respite at the end of the meal. While Atlanta is full of Mediterranean restaurants, Ela certainly deserves its place in the landscape with its creative offerings and lively atmosphere. However, when I return, it will be for a bite to eat on the covered terrace, where the sunny room and wicker baskets create a more Mediterranean ambiance. Virginia-Highland

Mikata
Mikata in Dunwoody opened in March, bringing a modern take on hibachi. Here, no grills at the table; The food is all prepared in the kitchen, but you’ll still find classic dishes like chicken, steak, and seafood served with homemade sauces. The stylish decor and clubby music may make you think you’ve found Miami in a Perimeter development, but Mikata lacks pretension, instead offering warm, friendly service. The sushi is the real draw here: the decadent rolls are presented in style, like the Mikata Tower, which is not a roll but a mound of sushi rice topped with spicy tuna, snow crab, avocado and d ‘a special sauce. Dunwoody

The reading room
From the ashes of what was once Java Monkey in downtown Decatur came the Reading Room. Designed by Mary Tveit and Kristin Radcliffe, this tastefully appointed spot shines with rattan light fixtures, a book-lined arcade, a soft pink banquette and plenty of plants. During the day, the sun streams through the skylights, making it a perfect destination to spend some time with your laptop (or, as the name suggests, a book). Don’t expect to find a full-service restaurant, but there is an excellent coffee program, with bean-based drinks from Little Waves, a women-owned roastery in Durham, North Carolina, and cocktails in evening. Food-wise, it’s limited to small bites, like pastries made by St. Germain Bakery, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards, but you’re in Decatur, with plenty of restaurants nearby. Decatur

This article appears in our June 2024 issue.

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