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At 22, Lizzy Bullock unexpectedly became a mother when she took custody of her nephew after her sister and brother-in-law were killed. To forge a relationship with him and remind him of his mother—who had loved to bake—Bullock began making chocolate chip cookies with the 3-year-old every Sunday. Years later, Bullock noticed the cookie renaissance happening in the chain world with shops like Crumble, Tiff’s Treats, Insomnia, and others opening locations nationwide. She tried Dirty Dough—a stuffed cookie company based in Arizona—and decided to invest.

Are there better cakes? Sure: They’re made in local bakeries or by cottage bakers with locally sourced dairy, heirloom flour, and fancy European-style buttercreams. But they’re expensive and require planning—it’s hard to beat $20 for an eight-inch round cake that can be picked up on a whim and still tastes great.

The team hired chef Jean-Louis Sangare, formerly of Le Bilboquet, who brings historic knowledge from his Ivory Coast heritage to the restaurant. From grilled meats to vegetables, menu items will reflect a taste of Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Senegal.

In recent years, omakase around these parts has morphed into something more like a prix fixe dinner, featuring a tasting menu with sometimes as many as 22 courses. Atlanta now has at least three dedicated omakase restaurants, all within striking distance from one another on or near Howell Mill Road. More are on the way.

For a while I turned it into a joke. “I’m a food critic who is diabetic and lactose intolerant,” I would say, explaining to some chef or another why I wasn’t going to try their cheesecake. Unfortunately, as I continue to evolve into my ultimate form as a cranky old lady, I keep adding new and exciting medical problems with new and very tiresome things I am not allowed to eat.

Chicheria MX Kitchen comes from the team behind Buena Vida Tapas & Sol, Juan Sebastian Calle and Adam Berlin. A Baja-inspired spot, it’s intended to bring a new style of Mexican food to the area, focusing on nutrient-rich, vegetable-laden items made in house. Top Chef alum Whitney Otawaka consulted on the menu, which executive chef Alejandro Tamez (Otawaka’s former sous chef) will implement.

"There are fewer than 20 pediatric ophthalmologists left in the state to serve a large population of children who need our help to see," says Shivani Sethi. "That means I’m busy, but I find it even more rewarding to work with children throughout my day. I’ve never met a pediatric ophthalmologist who isn’t happy doing their job. Every single day we help tiny babies see and experience the world."

Chef Jason Liang, the culinary mastermind behind Brush Sushi, Cuddlefish, Momonoki, and Momo Café, is adding another Asian-inspired restaurant to his ever-growing list. Lucky Star will open in January or February 2024 with two distinct spaces: a casual café and bar in the Star Metals lobby and a reservation-only back-room bar serving elevated cocktails designed by Kirk Gibson (the Giving Kitchen).

There’s no better small indulgence than a luxury fragrance or candle, and Atlanta is brimming with boutique scent experiences. While upscale fragrances like Jo Malone and Creed have always been available at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, a crop of up-and-comers have decided to take a chance on Atlanta’s retail scene.

The 1970s are back, and not just the rampant inflation. (Hey-o!) Also, crucially: the vibes. And the booze. In 2021, Colony Square welcomed the groovy disco-era cocktail lounge JoJo’s Beloved, and this year it’s joined in Midtown by the Waiting Room. The latter is from the folks behind the restaurant Bon Ton; in fact, it’s above Bon Ton, a second-floor redoubt in the eye-catching pink building on Myrtle Street. Decorated in red and pink shag, and boasting DJs and live music—even a piano—the Waiting Room was designed to have a warm, grown-up feel.