Spotlight on California's Wine Country

Wine Country Restaurants

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Spotlight on Atlanta: Background

Atlanta Restaurants

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Starting this Wednesday:
Spotlight on Atlanta

Atlanta Restaurants

Indeed, the city's importance was confirmed - and destroyed - in the course of the American Civil War. Atlanta was a fairly unimportant transportation center until Confederate leaders saw its central location as desirable for munitions production. Unfortunately, Sherman also understood Atlanta's importance when he targeted its destruction as the final nail in the Confederacy's coffin.

No matter. The people of Atlanta rebuilt, spurred on by industrial giants like Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines (think non-stop!), and by local figureheads Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young, and entertainment magnate Ted Turner.

Modern-day Atlantans see their city as a nest of dichotomies, where flowering trees thrive alongside an atrocious traffic problem: the average citizen commutes almost 35 miles a day. Its citizens represent a neat slice of the diversity that everywhere characterizes America.Traffic, violent crime, and racial divisions all find a place on the 11 o'clock news.

That's the down side. The good news - especially for vegetarians - is that the city's turbulent history has inculcated a culture of progress and regeneration. Atlanta was the first major American city to elect a black mayor, Maynard Jackson, in 1974. Nearby Athens has been hailed as the birthplace of indie rock. Elton John even has a home here, citing Atlanta as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the US as a major attraction. Visitors will also find a plethora of hip, happenin neighborhoods, especially alternative Little Five Points to the east of Downtown, and Midtown, just north of the city center.

Enough already! Tell me where to eat!