Atlanta - April 29, 2009

Speaking in Tongues

Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex Rooftop Lounge Open

Repeat after us: Pacci prepares perfect pasta at the Hotel Palomar.

Good thing the new rustic Italian eatery is poised to leave you speechless. And full.

Chef Keira Moritz crafts modern classics (shrimp carbonara with house-made pancetta, fried egg, sweet peas and onion; halibut with fava beans in a sweet corn broth), and a bar menu featuring antipasti options like Vidalia onion soup and Kobe beef with tapenade, rucola and parmesan.

Starting Friday, head upstairs to AltoRex rooftop lounge, an outdoor space divided into three atmospheres — earth (with an indigenous plant and fresh herb garden), air (retreat to private cabanas), and fire (huddle around dramatic pits).

The current featured bevvie is the Porch Swing: iced tea and Knob Creek bourbon infused with peaches and crème de peche, courtesy of master mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout.

Totally worth getting tongue-tied.

Pacci Ristorante and AltoRex, 866 West Peachtree, Midtown (678-412-2402 or pacciatlanta.com).