Welcome to Dining With the Stars, a feature in which Atlanta notables walk us through their dream food day in the metro area.
We recently met up with V-103 radio personality Frank Ski for lunch at The Palm in The Westin Buckhead, one of his favorite spots to celebrate a special occasion.
“We do that a lot, so I’m here about once a month,” Ski said.
Ski typically orders the sea bass or the lobster special, and as a wine enthusiast, he’s especially impressed with the restaurant’s selection.
“Wine is my big thing,” Ski said. “The Palm’s selection isn’t too big, but it has super high-end wines and entry-level wines. That’s how I judge a restaurant – depending on who I’m with, that’s how I’m going to order.”
He’s also a member of Vine Vault, a wine storage operation for serious wine collectors, where he also likes to hang out and have a drink. The former restaurateur offered an extensive wine list at Frank Ski’s, his south Buckhead eatery and nightclub that closed in 2015.
The Florida native, who’s lived in Atlanta for 20 years, shared some of his other favorite Atlanta spots for wining and dining.
Favorite place for breakfast: I normally work in the morning, but when I'm off I go to the Silver Skillet. I love sitting at the bar. It's like an old-school diner, and that's how they cook. I get the pork chop and eggs or the biscuits and gravy -- they're really Southern and really good. My favorite brunch is at the Four Seasons Hotel. They have the best pancakes in the city.
Silver Skillet, 200 14th St. NW, Atlanta. 404-874-1388, thesilverskillet.com/
Four Seasons Hotel, 75 14th St. NE, Atlanta. 404-881-9898, fourseasons.com/atlanta/
Favorite place for lunch: I love South City Kitchen in Midtown. I get the catfish sandwich, and I like the way do their trout. Not everybody can do a good trout -- the skin has to be crunchy and it has to sit upright on the plate. Don't laugh, but I also like Carraba's. I'm very basic, I get a piece of salmon and some pasta, and it's always perfect, and I love the bread. I also go to Pappadeux's. I get the crab claws when they have them in season, with the dirty rice. Getting off work at noon has its privileges.
South City Kitchen Midtown, 1144 Crescent Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-873-7358, midtown.southcitykitchen.com/
Carraba's Italian Grill, various locations. carrabbas.com
Pappadeux Seafood Kitchen, various locations. pappadeaux.com/home/
Favorite place for dinner: We go to Bhojanic a lot. I get the lamb or goat curry. I'm a big red meat eater, so I try to stay away from eating steaks all the time. I also like Steamhouse Lounge. I usually sit outside and get the crab leg special. The bartenders know your name and always have your drink ready.
Bhojanic, 3400 Around Lenox Road, Atlanta. 404-841-8472, bhojanic.com/
Steamhouse Lounge, 1051 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. 404-233-7980, steamhouselounge.com/
Favorite place for entertaining people: It depends on who I'm with. For business entertaining, I take people to places like The Palm, Fleming's and Capital Grill. If we're talking about 'creep spots' -- places where you can sneak in without being noticed -- I like Gio's. I was there the other day with Young Jeezy. There's a room behind the pastry shop with a long table that we like.
The Palm, 3391 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-814-1955, thepalm.com/menus/
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Bar, 4501 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta. 770-698-8112, flemingssteakhouse.com/
Capital Grille, 255 East Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, 404-262-1162 and 94 Perimeter Center West, Dunwoody, 770-730-8447. thecapitalgrille.com
Gio's Chicken Amalfitano, 1099 Hemphill Ave. NW, Atlanta. 404-347-3874, centrostorico.it/
Favorite place for date night: I really like Bacchanalia. And Aria -- that's a romantic spot that's also a creep spot.
Bacchanalia, 1460 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Atlanta. 404-365-0410, starprovisions.com/bacchanalia/
Aria, 490 East Paces Ferry Road NE, Atlanta. 404-233-7673, aria-atl.com
Favorite place for happy hour: Atlanta happy hours aren't what they used to be, but I love the atmosphere at Establishment and I like The Southern Gentleman.
Establishment, 1197 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta. 404-347- 5291, establishmentatlanta.com/
The Southern Gentleman, 3035 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-939-9845, thesoutherngentlemanatl.com/
Favorite places for a glass of wine: For wine, I really like American Cut. Antica Posta has great Italian wines. Barcelona has an interesting wine list, with stuff from different countries. Canoe has a great list, too.
American Cut, 3035 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 770-415-9766, americancutsteakhouse.com/buckheadatl
Antico Posta, 519 East Paces Ferry Road NE, Atlanta. 404-262-7112, anticaposta.com/
Barcelona, 240 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, 404-589-1010 and 1085 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-872-8000. barcelonawinebar.com
Canoe, 4199 Paces Ferry Road SE, Atlanta. 770-432-2663, canoeatl.com/
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