Amalfi Cucina & Mercato - Downtown Atlanta

"Massive half-circle leather booths scream date night as you can cozy up as much as your hearts desire or, you know, “to keep warm.” Although Amalfi is in the unsexy part of downtown Atlanta often forsaken by locals, giant windows that open to a painted brick foyer covered with canopy lights gives the impression that you’re dining in some Italian courtyard. Or at least the Venetian in Vegas. Start with the Amalfi Frosé and the fried zucchini blossoms before you start tearing slices of soft pizza. If you decide to order just one, make it the Margherita pizza Carnivale-style, in which dollops of ricotta are pinched into the corners of the dough." - nina reeder

"Amalfi’s massive high-back leather booths, which are even big enough for polyamorous relationships, set the mood for a romantic date night. Although Amalfi is in the unsexy part of downtown often forsaken by locals, its giant windows that open to a painted brick foyer covered with canopy lights helps trick your brain into thinking you’re in some Italian courtyard. Or at least the Venetian in Vegas. Plus, Amalfi’s fabulous star-shaped, stuffed-crust margherita is the pizza masterpiece that motivates us to pay $20 for parking, with its dollops of creamy ricotta tucked into the corners of the puffy Neapolitan dough." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder

"This quiet downtown Italian restaurant mostly serves a devoted corporate lunch crowd and a few tourists. But Amalfi’s fabulous carnival-style margherita is the under-the-radar masterpiece that motivates us to pay $20 for parking, since dollops of creamy ricotta tuck into the corners of their puffy, wood-fired Neapolitan dough. It’s like your childhood stuffed-crust dreams played out in a nicer, more sophisticated setting with way better ingredients." - nina reeder, demarco williams, juli horsford

"Amalfi’s massive high-back leather booths, which are even big enough for polyamorous relationships, set the mood for a romantic pre-concert date night. Although Amalfi is in the unsexy part of downtown often forsaken by locals, its giant windows that open to a painted brick foyer covered with canopy lights helps trick your brain into thinking you’re in some Italian courtyard. Or at least the Venetian in Vegas. Plus, Amalfi’s fabulous star-shaped, stuffed-crust margherita is the masterpiece that motivates us to pay $20 for parking, with its dollops of creamy ricotta tucked into the corners of the puffy Neapolitan dough." - demarco williams, juli horsford, nina reeder

"Amalfi Cucina & Mercato will expand into the space previously occupied by Saito Sushi. Known for its Italian menu from culinary director Robert Haynes, the restaurant offers chicken Parmesan, veal marsala, Neapolitan-style pizzas, and more. The takeover will allow the group to add a balcony over the entrance and a private dining room while remodeling the interiors to look like a scene from the Amalfi Coast." - Erin Perkins