"Fishmonger’s splashy debut in Poncey-Highland this spring brought the Gulf coast to Atlanta in a small but mighty seafood cafe and market. The city finally has a top-quality seafood spot that doesn’t require dressing up or a reservation. Notable dishes such as the grouper sandwich or the dazzling seasonal crudos will draw you in from the street for a first visit, but the cioppino will keep you coming back for more. Originating in San Francisco, cioppino was first created by Italian-American fishermen who threw whatever was left over from a day’s catch into a tomato-based fish stew. The base consists of garlic, onions, tomatoes, herbs, and wine. But it’s the fish stock that makes or breaks the deep umami flavor found in this broth, including in Fishmonger’s take, which comes served with a slice of garlic butter sourdough toast from Evergreen Butcher and Baker. A second location is now open at the Pratt Pullman District in Kirkwood and includes seating indoors as well as outside on a large patio, some of which is covered." - Sara Delgado