Atlanta - February 09, 2007

As Good As It Gets

Thrive Opens

There are few people you’d follow to the end of the earth. (Next week, they’ll be knee-deep in handmade cards telling them so.)

A menu designed by Ian Winslade (Bluepointe, Shout) and executed by exec chef Oscar Pinto. You’ll find both at Thrive, opening Saturday night.

Winslade’s worldly culinary background is clear from the soul-meets-sushi spread. Go from daytime to dinner with apps (sweet crab and artichoke fondue, spiced wok seared edamame) and high-end sandwiches like cornmeal-crusted grouper with fried green tomatoes and chile-glazed tuna steak with Asian slaw.

Late night, the inventive sushi menu includes lemonkani (snow crab, cucumber, smoked salmon, avocado, lemon slices), Philly, and spider rolls.

The layout is slick (courtesy of designer Bill Johnson), the staff is sleek (like cherubic manager A.D. Allushi), and the downtown address will delight 400-wary Midtowners.

You’d travel much farther for something like this.

Thrive, 101 Marietta Street, Downtown (404-389-1000 or thriveatl.com).