Atlanta

Latin Trade, Feb, 2004

BEST BUSINESS RESTAURANT

The Dining Room, Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. If you've never dined in a restaurant where service is so exquisite that waiters replace your napkin every time you leave the table, here's your chance. The decor is a mixture of bright colors, Asian influences and contemporary Southern elegance, with silk upholstery and chandeliers. You'll hear no footsteps due to the thick carpet. Chef Bruno Menard specializes in classic French-Asian cuisine, with an accent on Japanese dishes and chocolate. (He earned his reputation as a chef in Japan, and he was raised in a family of chocolatiers.) House creations include French white asparagus soup, coffee coated lamb lion with sweet potato puree, and sea bass with fennel sauce. Desserts include Tanzanian chocolate mousse and apricot poached in lavender syrup. A favorite of the local power elite and high-profile visitors, there is a strict dress code and it is enforced. Unless you're a Coca-Cola executive, don't be late; reservations are held for only about 15 minutes. Phone [1] (404) 237-2700. www.retzcarlton.com

BEST HOTEL

The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. This opulent, 444-room hotel is resplendent in mahogany furniture, chandeliers and old-world antiques and art. Accommodations range from the 31-square-meter deluxe room to the 123-square-meter suite. Every room has high-speed Interact access, CD players and several phone jacks. Deluxe suites feature one king or two double beds and cost about US$235 per night on weekdays. Need space for an urgent project that popped up while you are in town? Each deluxe suite can serve as a corporate "war room," complete with Internet access, conference tables, desks, a copy machine and shredder. The business center offers secretarial and translation help, fax and copy machines, PCs and printing, courier and telex services. A "technology butler" is on call 24-7. Honor bars include black socks, pearl earrings and sterling silver. Meeting rooms accommodate groups of 10 to 700. Phone: [1] (404) 659-0400. www.ritzcarlton.com

BEST DAY OFF

Atlanta Braves baseball game. What's better than plunging headfirst into the United States' most inscrutable sport for foreigners? Why, cold beer, pizza, sausage hotdogs and ice cream on a sunny afternoon. Go with a friend who can explain tire mysteries of the infield fly rule and the stand-up double. Games April through October. Tickets phone: [1] (404) 249-6400 or [1] (800) 326-4000.

BEST HISTORICAL SITE

The Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site. One of Atlanta's most popular visitor destinations. Many foreigners who visit come away moved and inspired. The site, operated by the U.S. National Park Service, includes the home where King--the leader of the U.S. civil rights movement until his assassination in 1968--was born, which looks as it did when he was a boy. Visit his gravesite and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he preached and held civil rights strategy meetings. The church also was the site of his funeral. Nearby are other homes and buildings that were important to King in his youth. Stroll to the nearby Sweet Auburn neighborhood and chat with people who knew him. There are guided tours and films on King and the civil rights movement. Park rangers can answer any questions. The nearby King Center, which is operated by the preacher's family, is a separate non-profit organization that educates the public about King's nonviolent philosophy Phone: [1] (404) 331-5190. www.nps.gov/malu

BEST SOUTHERN BARBECUE

Fat Matt's Rib Shack. Often, the best barbecue is served at earthy restaurants with grease spots on the tables. That's exactly what you'll find in this small, old brick shrine to southern-style pork. Matt's dishes up large and juicy ribs so tender that it falls off the bone. Cooks paint the ribs with tangy sauce and serve them with beans baked in rum, coleslaw, with white bread on the side and pitchers of beer. Pork sandwiches and barbecue chicken also grace the limited menu. You can get barbecue sauce served on the side. Eat to the music of a live blues band that performs near a mural of blues legends. The long Formica tables seat many people, so you'll likely strike up conversations with locals. There is indoor sealing for about 30 and limited outdoor seating, so get there early. Phone: [1] (404) 607-1622.