You’ve probably already heard about our Final Fork contest. It’s all over Twitter. But in case you need a refresher, here it is: We’re asking you to vote on your favorite restaurants in our snazzy bracket, divided into four categories (Gastropubs and Bars; High Rollers; Southern, Dressed Up or Down Home; and Global Eats). Each week, we’ll narrow down the list by determining the winners of each face-off. After doing that for a month and a half, we’ll have our winner: the best restaurant in Atlanta, as determined by our readers.
However, this is the most important week of all. You see, after this week, thirty-two whole restaurants will be cut. Which means if you love Grand Champion BBQ, Desta, or any other lesser-known venues, you need to vote for them now or forever hold your peace. Check out all your choices here.
Personally, my big stressor is a match in the High Rollers section between the Optimist and One Eared Stag. And I’m not the only one who found this battle to be a bit of a Sophie’s Choice. In my opinion, they’re both two of the best restaurants in the city, and each holds a special place in my heart. One finally made me love seafood; the other served as the setting for a very special date (and hosts a mean fried chicken night). I hate that only one can move on to the next round because I think they’re each worthy of achieving at least Round Three-status. But, thus is the world of the bracket. And they’re not the only pair that has some people wringing their hands that they’re each perfect in radically different ways.
Right now, nearly 1,000 Insiders have weighed in with their picks. So far, Holeman and Finch Public House has garnered the most votes in any category: 663. Kozmo Gastro Pub, its direct rival, the least: 150 (perhaps owing to its less central, OTP location; or perhaps owing to its stiff competition).
Plus, if you fill out our bracket, you’ll be entered to win a few nifty prizes, including a Big Green Egg, a bottle of Richland Rum, and a $100 gift certificate to the Final Fork restaurant of your choice. Learn more about the prizes here.
This oh-so-important Round One ends tonight at 11 p.m., so vote now! Vote like the fate of the dining scene depends on it.
