What to Put on to an Indoor-Outside Restaurant in Atlanta

Welcome to Finest Dressed, an Eater collection the place restaurant diners present and inform what they’re sporting out to dinner, from the small particulars to the splashy items — and the way they approached getting dressed for every spot’s particular scene. How do we gown to exit nowadays?

The Restaurant: Breaker Breaker
Location: Reynoldstown
The Idea: An off-the-cuff seafood-centric spot with a vigorous all-day crowd
Menu Highlights: Cajun-style peel-and-eat shrimp, golden hush puppies with spiced honey butter, platters of fried fish, and crushable cocktails just like the Mucho Nada, made with White Claw mango vodka, mango puree, and a Tajín rim.

On a balmy Sunday afternoon this spring, Atlantans looking for sunshine and seafood walked, scootered, and biked in droves to this sprawling indoor-outdoor restaurant adjoining to the Beltline Eastside Path, a piece of the town’s widespread mixed-use pathway. The laid-back seafood shack with a menu from chef Maximilian Hines, additionally the founding father of Stolen Items, a collaborative of Black and brown cooks in Atlanta, brings Gulf Coast vibes to the landlocked metropolis, full with nostalgic and nautical design touches corresponding to wooden paneling, midcentury pool tile, and turquoise-hued barstools.

Situated in a slim lot that after housed a metal fabrication web site, the 9,000-square-foot house is a go-to on heat days for relaxed get-togethers, people-watching, or a fast respite from a protracted stroll or trip. On this afternoon, each the indoor-outdoor bar and the 100-seat patio shaded by an infinite metal cover have been prime spots for sipping on tropically impressed cocktails and eating on seafood. Teams of mates, cousins extending a birthday celebration, and solo diners matched the restaurant’s beach-casual vibe with relaxed clothes, assertion equipment, and pops of coloration worthy of the season’s first 80-degree day.

Kate Smith, 36, schooling and Brittany Misra, 38, tech

Eater: What introduced you to the restaurant at present?

Brittany: I stay in Cabbagetown, so I come right here usually.

Kate: It was her birthday yesterday, and I’m on the town visiting from Philly.

Did you discuss your outfits earlier than coming?

Brittany: We didn’t. We simply threw on random garments to seize a grouper sandwich. Katie and I joke that we’ve got “cousin vitality” once we are collectively and vibe off one another intuitively, and I feel that interprets to our garments, too.

Kate: Brittany and I do have robust cousin vitality! We now have at all times had very completely different types, so I don’t suppose we assist one another pick seems usually, however we’re sporting seems that characterize our personal particular person vibes. She at all times wears extra black and white with a pop of one thing enjoyable, and I are likely to put on colourful attire.

What are you sporting at present? Is there something specifically you like?

Brittany: This report [on the T-shirt] is certainly one of my favourite albums, and I like tulle, so I went with tulle.

Kate: This gown is a Farm Rio. I’m a Spanish trainer, and I went to Brazil final 12 months and have become obsessive about the model. I like all of the enjoyable colours and the lower, and the completely different prints.

How has your model developed over time, particularly when going out to eat?

Brittany: My private model has most likely devolved over time since COVID. Working from hand-crafted consolation take the entrance seat greater than earlier than, which says rather a lot since I’ve at all times been a tomboy. I suppose a part of that’s getting older, too, and caring much less about different folks’s opinions.

Kate: Over time, I’ve regularly grown to put on primarily attire. For starters, it’s a lot simpler to only decide one merchandise, however secondly, they make me really feel fairly, and I can transfer round simply. I like patterns that pop.

How did the restaurant affect what you determined to put on?

Brittany: The vibe is informal and enjoyable, and I suppose you might say that was our look at present additionally.

Kate: I didn’t know a lot about it, however Brittany instructed me about it briefly once we handed it within the automotive at some point, that they refurbished the house, and it has good music and is a pleasant place to take a seat outdoors. I’m catching a flight in an hour so we simply wished someplace chill to take a seat outdoors earlier than I left. I simply threw on the very last thing I hadn’t packed up to return house.

What’s the that means behind this tattoo?

Brittany: The tattoo was based mostly off a print I’ve from an area artist, Jonny Warren. I added the disco ball. I’ve a mantra that I repeat when issues get robust: Whenever you wish to give up, relaxation. To me the piece embodies that — she’s been in a couple of battles and other people have tried to come back for her, however her stance remains to be highly effective and upward gazing. She might quit however she’s simply taking a knee and desirous about the great instances forward.

Dan Raby, 35, media

Eater: How did you resolve what to put on at present?

Dan Raby: I’ve been ready to put on my jersey repping the Philadelphia diner Center Youngster for ages — it’s the closest I get to something sports-related — so after I noticed it was that candy spot for a patio grasp, I needed to seize it off the hanger instantly.

Had been you conscious of the final vibe of the restaurant earlier than you got here, and did that affect what you wore?

You may’t beat Breaker Breaker’s patio, and the place’s relaxed model requires a relaxed chill look proper again at it. I by no means wish to be too overdressed for the event or location; however then once more, I don’t wish to appear to be a T-shirt and jorts man if I’m going someplace slightly fancier.

How has your private model developed over time?

I’ve to credit score my husband for any makes an attempt at model that I’ve now. He turned me from an individual who by no means considered matching colours and principally wore band T-shirts to somebody who put a minimum of slightly little bit of thought into what I put on out to eat. It’s because of him that I attempt to get the best outfit to suit wherever we’re going. When he goes “Oh, you look nice!” I do know I’ve killed it.

Do you have got every other enjoyable restaurant-themed items in your wardrobe?

Restaurant merchandise is my kryptonite. I’ll return to a spot a number of instances in the event that they add a brand new T-shirt design or extra little bit of swag. I simply can’t assist myself. It’s gotten so dangerous that folks will deliver me again merch from eating places after they journey. I feel between the 2 of us, my husband and I’ve a minimum of eight Ticonderoga Membership hats and a handful of How Crispy and Midway Crooks T-shirts. My most up-to-date addition was a brand new hat from Leftie Lee’s — it was so vibrant and colourful that I needed to get it together with my rooster and biscuits.

Sean Fahie, 41, inventive

Eater: Do you reside round right here?

Seah Fahie: Sure, I stay in Cabbagetown.

How did you find yourself coming to this restaurant?

I bought an invitation from my pal Quianah Upton for lunch and to catch up. That is my first time right here, and the vibes are good. It’s very spring vitality right here.

How did you resolve in your outfit at present?

The solar is out, and I’m feeling very Caribbean at present. I’m initially from St. Croix within the Virgin Islands.

Are there any items you wish to particularly name out?

This shirt is Goal, yeah, this can be a Playboy hat, and naturally, I’ve the Nike Air Max’s.

Do you have got numerous sneakers?

I used to have numerous sneakers means again within the day, however nowadays I’m normally simply in a pair of Vans Genuine Classics, and that may most likely be my present favourite pair. They only go along with every thing I put on these days. I’ve been protecting it easy, however rocking one merchandise that pulls the outfit collectively, or stands out with out clashing with the outfit.

Quianah Upton, 41, retail and hospitality

Eater: What neighborhood do you reside in?

Quianah Upton: Historic Black Joyland in South Atlanta.

Why did you resolve to come back to this restaurant at present?

I’ve been right here as soon as. And I like chef Max. The meals is so good; we’ve completed occasions collectively, and I respect him.

Is there something you’re sporting you’d wish to name out?

My purse is Bimba y Lola, a model from South America. I’ve some mates who’re fashionistas, and so they gave it to me. And it’s inexperienced, which stands for cash, one thing I’m manifesting in my life.

Jacinda Rentrope, age withheld, media

Eater: Why did you select to come back to Breaker Breaker at present?

Jacinda Rentrope: I noticed one thing on Instagram about this place, and at present I believed, It’s such a wonderful day, and I wish to get out and take a stroll on the Beltline, and I figured I might strive it out.

Do you dine solo rather a lot?

I’ve been [out to restaurants by myself] on Friday and Saturday when there are principally {couples} and had a good time. It’s okay to be single, as a result of should you don’t have any individual to do something with, you are able to do it by your self.

How did you select what you wore at present?

I used to be going for consolation. I like Nike, so I’m normally at all times in one thing Nike, and , the solar is out, so I wished to be vibrant and light-weight.

How do you’re feeling like your model has developed over the previous few years, particularly going by way of the pandemic?

I feel I’ve gotten much more relaxed. You recognize, humorous sufficient, engaged on set, I used to put on heels, and that’s not the norm. I feel as time has passed by, I’ve realized my model is extra athletic-leisure, so I do a sneaker and a cute Nike or exercise outfit, however not on a regular basis. Once I gown up, I nonetheless put up my heels. I’m both tremendous informal or all the way in which dressy.

Is there one thing that makes you’re feeling undressed should you don’t have it on?

Earrings. Particularly having the bald head, I undoubtedly want earrings. I attempt to put on studs, however generally I put on hoops or one thing that dangles slightly bit.

Ali Robinson, 34, tech

Eater: Why did you resolve to come back to this restaurant at present?

Ali Robinson: We stay proper off the Beltline, so my fiance and I made a decision to stroll up.

How did you resolve what to put on at present?

I began with the scarf, and it was sort of sizzling outdoors, so the crop high and the low-rise pants. I like these pants as a result of they’re informal and have pockets, and I can put all of my issues in right here. The model nowadays is to put on a little bit of a baggier pant. And these sun shades are Savoir Faire, a Black-owned model, from the store at Ponce Metropolis Market.

How has your model developed over the previous few years?

I’d say I’ve grow to be extra snug, having grown up with “the tighter the higher,” and bodycon attire and issues like that. I’ve developed to be a bit extra snug, like these Tevas. My condominium is a mile away, and I walked right here. Earlier than I used to be at all times in excessive heels.

Sharif Colbert, 49, entrepreneur, and Thomas Colbert, 44, tech

Eater: What introduced you to Breaker Breaker at present?

Thomas: We wished to get out at present, because the climate’s good, and we noticed this on Instagram. We scootered right here [ed note: checks watch] 4.19 miles from downtown. The Beltline’s superior. If I can get someplace with out driving, it’s the very best.

Do you and your husband ever coordinate outfits?

Thomas: He hates that (laughs), and I actually don’t care.

Sharif: By no means!

How did you resolve what to put on at present?

Thomas: I picked out two outfits, and that is the one I selected. It’s sunny, and I’ve slightly little bit of coloration and the primary little little bit of a tan, so I wished to point out that with the white.

Sharif: I don’t wish to give away the place I get my garments, however I’m going for leisure, informal, and comfy.

Has your model modified as you’ve gotten older?

Thomas: I don’t just like the phrase midlife disaster, however I’m going by way of a midlife revolution. I like brighter and flowery issues that stand out. Residing within the metropolis, I wish to be slightly spicy.

Amber Goodwin, 43, actual property and hospitality

Eater: How did you resolve what to put on right here at present?

Amber Goodwin: I purchased this outfit for Costa Rica; I’m getting in a few weeks, nevertheless it was so sizzling at present and so good I wished to put on it out someplace. I heard about this place from Instagram, and I wished to put on one thing cute.

How would you describe your general model?

Truthfully similar to this: tropical, California surfer-skateboard-nerd, that entire factor. I grew up on the West Coast.

Do you’re feeling such as you dressed appropriately for the restaurant?

Sure, you’re feeling such as you’re on the seashore, and it’s one hundred pc the vibe right here. Lots of people did that.

How has your model modified over time?

I’ve began figuring out extra these previous few years, and I’m sporting issues that intensify that. I like skateboarding, strolling my canines, and enjoying basketball. I undoubtedly put on crop tops and lower-waisted stuff extra now. I like tank tops and cute brief shorts.

Laura Scholz is an Atlanta-based author and editor who has coated meals, vogue, and extra for the Atlanta Journal-Structure, Atlanta journal, Bon Appétit, InStyle, Individuals, and different publications.
Lynsey Weatherspoon is an Atlanta- and Birmingham, Alabama-based photographer and filmmaker who covers all issues Southern for numerous native and worldwide publications.