Dining Suggestions

The following list represents a few of the restaurants that are within close proximity to the Hilton Atlanta and offer a range of prices and culinary options. Some of these will be chosen as destinations during the dinner outings planned on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings (September 8-10). As always, attendees may make their own plans as well.

Pacific Rim Bistro

A mere stone's throw from major downtown hotel & convention centers, Pacific Rim Bistro is an exciting lunchtime or dinner destination featuring floor-to-ceiling windows & a patio where folks of all ages enjoy the heartbeat of the city while indulging in the finest of sushi, sashimi, exotics from Mongolia, Thai, Chinese, and Hong Kong favorites. For the meat eaters in your party, Pacific Rim's rack of lamb will be memorable.

Morton's of Chicago

Morton's Steakhouse is a premium steak restaurant with over 70 restaurants worldwide and several locations in the Washington, DC area. Though best known for its steaks, Morton's menu includes a variety of seafood and salads as well. The restaurants are elegant and offer great food and service.

Hard Rock Café

We all know this one. We've been there or to one similar. This one provides food and entertainment in the heart of Atlanta.

Hsu's

Busy with the downtown crowd and travelers/conventioneers from nearby hotels, Hsu's is much more than a convenient location. Its husband-and-wife team capitalizes on their Asian heritage and love of food, and their passion shows in the celebrated cuisine. Szechuan and Hunan dishes are a specialty, and you'll find everything from Peking duck served in three courses to walnut shrimp, wok-charred beef medallions, and sea scallops in black pepper sauce. Another favorite is Spicy Anna's Seafood Noodle Soup.

Pittypat's Porch

An Atlanta tradition since 1967, this restaurant is pure Atlanta. From the Southern hospitality to the down-home decor to the diverse array of regular customers, Pittypat's offers local color at its best. Enjoy all of the Southern classics: mint juleps, venison pie, barbecued ribs, Savannah crab cakes and homemade bread. Staffers who look like they just stepped off the set of "Gone with the Wind" will make sure y'all come back again and again.

Note: This restaurant has been selected as part of the entertainment option for Thursday, September 9. Attendees, as always, are free to visit Pittypat's Porch on their own.

Trader Vic's

An institution within its own right and located on the lower level of the Hilton Atlanta, Trader Vic's' unique entryway festooned with tropical flora and tall wooden tikis welcomes guests into the captivating restaurant. The Polynesian-themed surroundings overwhelm with carved wooden masks, bamboo, batik, flowered carpeting, and the occasional turtle or blowfish dominating the decor. Huge barrel-like Chinese ovens sit in a glassed-in room, where a chef tends to pork, chicken, lamb, beef, and salmon.

Nikolai's Roof

This restaurant on the 30th floor of the downtown Hilton Atlanta offers marvelous views of the city skyline and unparalleled elegance. The menu focuses on French cuisine with a few Russian nuances here and there. Indeed, it's been Nikolai's trademark to utilize high-quality, fresh ingredients to create consistently innovative dishes. The upscale environment makes this a perfect choice for business celebrations or special occasion dinners, and the sommelier's hand-chosen selection of wines continues to be among the most impressive in town.

Food Court at CNN Center

A wide variety of eateries is available in the CNN Center complex.

Food Court in the Peachtree Center

While there are numerous places from which to choose, here is one of the many available:

Kameel's Café

Salads, hot plates, pizza, and hot sandwiches....The chicken salad is made with olive oil and fresh basil. It can't be beaten when you put it on greens with some of their own dressing. The prices are inexpensive considering the quality of the food. Not sure what to get? They love to give out samples. Don't forget to take a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie on your way out!