Muss & Turner's

Located in the growing Vinings-Smyrna hinterlands, Muss & Turner's is a consistently packed neighborhood favorite that has made many Atlantans reconsider any reservations about dining outside the Perimeter. Though it has quickly gained popularity for serving inspired deli sandwiches and ready-to-make gourmet-takeout meals since opening in 2005, Muss & Turner's is now also a casual, contemporary restaurant and wine/beer bar by night. Chef Todd Mussman carefully crafts the menu using the finest ingredients, but there is not a shred of pretension in this dining room, where comfort is the operative philosophy. Cleverly named sandwiches such as the Reason to Reuben and the aptly titled "Are you Kidding me?" - fried chicken breast topped with country ham and horseradish slaw on an oversized buttermilk biscuit - are highlights of the lunch menu. The burger, made with organically raised beef from north Georgia and served with Grafton cheddar on an artisanal bun, is a local favorite. Dinner offerings periodically change but may include grilled pork tenderloin or roasted Alaskan halibut with an edamame purée, as well as the dinner sandwich favorite, Swifty's Dream, a barbecue pork sandwich topped with bacon. There is no dessert menu, but you won't fail to notice the display case full of delightful creations - house-made tagalong cookies, for one - from which to choose. The extensive beer list centers around microbrews, Belgians and hop-heavy favorites, while there are more than 20 wines available by the glass.

"Weeknights, the restaurant feels cozy and intimate. Weekends, the place turns into a scene that feels energizing to be a part of. Chicken liver mousse, beef tartar, standout desserts from the pastry case and an exceptional beer list may prove that dinner here is just what your hungry soul needs."

- Creative Loafing