Photograph by Martha Williams
Rwby
In the Midtown corner space that was once home to the Lawrence, now sits Rwby (pronounced like ruby), which opened its doors in October after an interior redesign. Under the same ownership as its predecessor—Eric Simpkins and Darren Carr, who also own Bon Ton and the Waiting Room—the restaurant bills itself as “New American with a Mediterranean accent.” Though the menu is really more wide-ranging than that implies (for example, it features a Châtel Farms beef burger and a Flemish stew), it’s those Mediterranean-influenced dishes that shine. The seared-halloumi salad, served with pickled fennel, olives, and orange zest, was bright and flavorful, and while the roasted salmon was tender, it was the accompanying green harissa potato salad that stood out as a fun twist on a classic (my dinner date and I fought over the last bites). In a Brussels sprout salad, kale was actually more prominent, but that didn’t stop the cruciferous dish from being a pleasingly crunchy delight, coated in a tahini Caesar dressing. The cocktails match the cuisine’s lighter tone, with hits like a classic Paloma and the more inventive Cherbourg’s Umbrella, a green-hued, sweet, and tangy tipple with gin, amaro, crème de violette, lemon, and absinthe. Artsy terra-cotta-colored decor makes Rwby a pleasant spot to enjoy a meal. Midtown
El Malo
Located in the Atlanta Dairies complex in Reynoldstown, El Malo brings a sexy, lush atmosphere to Memorial Drive. Think booths with red seats, flora-and-fauna wallpaper, a DJ booth wrapped in green tile, and plenty of black and neon-pink accents. Agave and rum star among the spirits here, in drinks like El Destino, with mezcal, Strega liqueur, ginger, lime, grapefruit soda, and vanilla. El Malo is a lounge first, but there is a limited food menu, which includes rock shrimp ceviche and a braised-pork sandwich. The real treats are desserts crafted by Claudia Martinez, who brings her signature…
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