This venerable restaurant in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood has been serving Atlanta for almost 30 years. Photo courtesy The Reynolds Group

YOUR PICKS

1. Murphy’s

You say, “The brunch there is outstanding, and every time I go on a Saturday or Sunday there’s a long line” and “Years ago I had a crabcakes benedict at Murphy’s. It was a special, not a regular brunch item. To this day, the best meal I ever had. Crabcake topped w/ poached egg, Canadian bacon and a jalapeno hollandaise. Unreal!!!”

2. Highland Bakery

3. Canoe

4. Thumbs Up Diner

5. West Egg

6. Rosebud

The riverside setting is just one of many reasons Canoe is our pick for best Atlanta-area brunch spot.

OUR PICKS

1. Canoe

Food and beverage writer Bob Townsend says, “Nestled along the banks of the Chattahoochee River near Vinings, Canoe offers a lovely natural setting to relax and enjoy chef Carvel Grant Gould’s sophisticated Southern-style cuisine. At brunch, that means the likes of Georgia pecan sticky buns, …

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Sound Tribe Sector Nine headlines at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta on Saturday. OutKast's Big Boi joins them for the show. Photo: C. Taylor Crothers

FRIDAY

Festival, food: The third annual Taste of Johns Creek offers food samples from more than 45 of the city’s restaurants, along with children’s activities and live musical entertainment. 6-9 p.m. Aug. 27 at Chattahoochee High School.

Stage: Newlywed Suzanna fixes her best friend Max up with her husband’s beautiful but odd co-worker in the Actor’s Express production of “Becky Shaw.” Previews Aug. 27-28, $15; gala opening Aug. 29. Through Sept. 25.

Music: Former 10,000 Maniacs vocalist Natalie Merchant brings her current solo tour to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre at 8 p.m. Aug. 27.

CANCELED: Guitarist Jonny Lang has canceled his performance  at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Refunds at point of purchase.

Comedy: John Caparulo, one of the regular comedians on the panel for TV’s  “Chelsea Lately,” will be …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: Aug. 27-29 »

Mama's Pizza in Alpharetta, established in 1979, has a large and loyal group of followers who turned out in force to support their beloved pizzeria. Many of Mama's fans got the word about the vote from the restaurant's website and Facebook page.

YOUR PICKS

1. Mama’s Pizza
You say, “Having traveled extensively throughout the U.S., I have sampled many of the best pizza joints available. As a charter member of one of the best informational sites available, pizzatherapy.com, I can state unequivocally that nothing in Atlanta compares to the likes of Pepe’s or Sally’s or Modern in New Haven, several in New York or a few others from D.C. to L.A.
I’ve eaten at several of those nominated herein, but my favorite continues to be Mama’s in Alpharetta. I’ve patronized Jimmy’s place for more than 20 years and have never once been disappointed. No frou-frou, just simple, plain adherence to the basics – great crust, sauce and cheese. And very generous toppings.
It’s somewhat remote for …

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Performers with Shen Yun Performing Arts, coming to the Cobb Energy Center for two shows on Saturday

FRIDAY

Visual art, festival: Folk Fest 2010 will host more than 100 exhibitors at the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross. Aug. 20-22. $15 for the weekend; $7 each day. Ages 16 and under free.

Festival: City of Kennesaw’s Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival celebrates a few of our favorite things. 5-11 p.m. Aug. 20; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 21 at Adams Park and the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw.

Music: The Budweiser Superfest brings together some stellar R&B talent: Anthony Hamilton, Kem, Jaheim and Raheem Devaughn. At 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Chastain Park Amphitheatre in Atlanta.

Art, music: The High Museum of Art’s monthly Friday Jazz comes around again. 5 p.m. Aug. 20. The event is free with museum admission.

Music: The Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra,  Northside Choral Jazz Ensemble and the Atlanta Percussion Trio are on hand for the summer’s final edition of Duluth’s Symphony …

Continue reading Weekend best bets: Aug. 20-22 »