The Spence; Atlanta (Rest.)

*****
Inside a nautical-themed space, Top Chef: All-Stars winner Richard Blais mans an open kitchen, serving wood-fired dishes that fuse nostalgic elements (English muffin pizza) with mad-scientist showmanship (tableside smoke-infused pork belly). Blais also runs the popular casual burger joint Flip Burger Boutique and a hot dog spot called HD1, with a little help from molecular gastronomy: His addictive milk shakes, in flavors like Nutella and burnt marshmallow, are frozen with liquid nitrogen. http://thespenceatl.com