Two Decatur Restaurants Make List Of 'Georgia's 100 Plates'

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Tourism Division (GDEcD) announced Thursday the release of the 2019-20 Explore Georgia Official State Culinary Guide. The fifth annual digest-sized guide features the nomination-based "Georgia's 100 Plates" list, and an Alpharetta restaurant made the list. The guide also has a feature on five noteworthy female chefs; a guide to the best places to sample peaches, barbecue, craft beer, international cuisine and Southern dishes; as well as an exceptional selection of the state's best food and drink festivals.

These dishes offered by two Decatur restaurants made the "Georgia's 100 Plates" list:

• Matchstick Okra Fries, Chai Pani. Four-time James Beard–nominated chef Meherwan Irani credits his mother for masterminding this addictive snack, in which julienned okra is fried crisp and tossed with salt, lime, and chaat masala seasoning.
• Oysters, Kimball House. The home of Atlanta’s best oyster selection — a tour of mostly small-batch farms from Washington to Maine, with thoughtful tasting notes to enhance your appreciation — also offers the best oyster happy hour: From 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, the raw bar is half price.

"One of the best ways to immerse yourself and truly experience Georgia is through our food," said Lisa Love, Interim Deputy Commissioner at Georgia Tourism. "The history and culture of our state is woven into the many flavors, ingredients, dishes and traditions that create an unforgettable dining experience. This issue of the Explore Georgia Culinary Guide is our best yet, as it focuses on sharing our distinctive food and dining offerings you can't find anywhere else."

Since the inaugural issue of the Explore Georgia Culinary Guide, Georgia Tourism has designated "Georgia's 100 Plates" as a way to provide visitors with locally sourced suggestions. Nominations from around the state are gathered via ExploreGeorgia.org as well as Georgia Tourism's social media channels and evaluated by a panel of judges who curate the list down to the final designees.

The list has been likened to recommendations that Georgians would share with family and friends, and it has received rave reviews from visitors as well as restaurant owners. View the full list of "Georgia's 100 Plates" online.

The Explore Georgia Culinary Guide is available for free at the 11 Visitor Information Centers across the state and on ExploreGeorgia.org. To learn more about Georgia's rich culinary experiences through videos, tours and more, visit ExploreGeorgia.org.

Patch Editor Kathleen Sturgeon contributed to this report.