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

Welcome to Greatest Dressed, an Eater sequence 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?

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The Restaurant: Breaker Breaker
Location: Reynoldstown
The Idea: An off-the-cuff seafood-centric spot with a energetic 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 in search of sunshine and seafood walked, scootered, and biked in droves to this sprawling indoor-outdoor restaurant adjoining to the Beltline Eastside Path, a bit of the town’s common 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 reminiscent of wooden paneling, midcentury pool tile, and turquoise-hued barstools.

Situated in a slender lot that when 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 an extended stroll or journey. On this afternoon, each the indoor-outdoor bar and the 100-seat patio shaded by an infinite metal cover had been prime spots for sipping on tropically impressed cocktails and eating on seafood. Teams of buddies, 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.

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

Eater: What introduced you to the restaurant in the present day?

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

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

Did you speak about 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 have now “cousin power” after we are collectively and vibe off one another intuitively, and I believe that interprets to our garments, too.

Kate: Brittany and I do have sturdy cousin power! We now have all the time had very completely different types, so I don’t assume we assist one another select appears to be like typically, however we’re sporting appears to be like that symbolize our personal particular person vibes. She all the time 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 in the present day? Is there something particularly you like?

Brittany: This document [on the T-shirt] is one in all my favourite albums, and I really like tulle, so I went with tulle.

Kate: This gown is a Farm Rio. I’m a Spanish instructor, 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 advanced through the years, particularly when going out to eat?

Brittany: My private model has in all probability devolved through the years since COVID. Working from handmade consolation take the entrance seat greater than earlier than, which says rather a lot since I’ve all the time been a tomboy. I suppose a part of that’s getting older, too, and caring much less about different individuals’s opinions.

Kate: Over time, I’ve steadily grown to put on primarily attire. For starters, it’s a lot simpler to only choose 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 may say that was our look in the present day additionally.

Kate: I didn’t know a lot about it, however Brittany advised me about it briefly after we handed it within the automotive someday, that they refurbished the house, and it has good music and is a pleasant place to take a seat exterior. I’m catching a flight in an hour so we simply wished someplace chill to take a seat exterior 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 primarily based 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: Once you need to give up, relaxation. To me the piece embodies that — she’s been in just a few battles and folks have tried to come back for her, however her stance continues to be highly effective and upward gazing. She might surrender however she’s simply taking a knee and occupied with the nice instances forward.

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Dan Raby, 35, media

Eater: How did you determine what to put on in the present day?

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

Have 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 need to be too overdressed for the event or location; however then once more, I don’t need to seem like a T-shirt and jorts man if I’m going someplace slightly fancier.

How has your private model advanced through the years?

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 largely wore band T-shirts to somebody who put not less than slightly little bit of thought into what I put on out to eat. It’s due to him that I attempt to get the fitting 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 individuals will deliver me again merch from eating places once they journey. I believe between the 2 of us, my husband and I’ve not less than 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 shiny and colourful that I needed to get it together with my rooster and biscuits.

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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 obtained 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 power right here.

How did you determine in your outfit in the present day?

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

Are there any items you need 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 quite a lot of sneakers?

I used to have quite a lot of sneakers means again within the day, however nowadays I’m often simply in a pair of Vans Genuine Classics, and that may in all probability be my present favourite pair. They simply go together with every thing I put on these days. I’ve been holding it easy, however rocking one merchandise that pulls the outfit collectively, or stands out with out clashing with the outfit.

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Quianah Upton, 41, retail and hospitality

Eater: What neighborhood do you reside in?

Quianah Upton: Historic Black Joyland in South Atlanta.

Why did you determine to come back to this restaurant in the present day?

I’ve been right here as soon as. And I really like chef Max. The meals is so good; we’ve carried out 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 buddies 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.

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Jacinda Rentrope, age withheld, media

Eater: Why did you select to come back to Breaker Breaker in the present day?

Jacinda Rentrope: I noticed one thing on Instagram about this place, and in the present day I assumed, It’s such a fantastic day, and I need 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 largely {couples} and had a good time. It’s okay to be single, as a result of should you don’t have someone to do something with, you are able to do it by your self.

How did you select what you wore in the present day?

I used to be going for consolation. I really like Nike, so I’m often all the time in one thing Nike, and you recognize, the solar is out, so I wished to be shiny and light-weight.

How do you are feeling like your model has advanced over the previous few years, particularly going via the pandemic?

I believe I’ve gotten much more relaxed. You understand, humorous sufficient, engaged on set, I used to put on heels, and that’s not the norm. I believe 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. After 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 are feeling undressed should you don’t have it on?

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

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Ali Robinson, 34, tech

Eater: Why did you determine to come back to this restaurant in the present day?

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

How did you determine what to put on in the present day?

I began with the scarf, and it was form of sizzling exterior, so the crop prime and the low-rise pants. I really 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 advanced over the previous few years?

I’d say I’ve turn out to be extra comfy, having grown up with “the tighter the higher,” and bodycon attire and issues like that. I’ve advanced to be a bit extra comfy, like these Tevas. My residence is a mile away, and I walked right here. Earlier than I used to be all the time in excessive heels.

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

Eater: What introduced you to Breaker Breaker in the present day?

Thomas: We wished to get out in the present day, for the reason that 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 perfect.

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 determine what to put on in the present day?

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 indicate that with the white.

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

Has your model modified as you’ve gotten older?

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

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Amber Goodwin, 43, actual property and hospitality

Eater: How did you determine what to put on right here in the present day?

Amber Goodwin: I purchased this outfit for Costa Rica; I’m getting in a few weeks, however it was so sizzling in the present day 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 complete factor. I grew up on the West Coast.

Do you are feeling such as you dressed appropriately for the restaurant?

Sure, you are 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 understanding extra these previous few years, and I’m sporting issues that intensify that. I really like skateboarding, strolling my canines, and enjoying basketball. I positively put on crop tops and lower-waisted stuff extra now. I really like tank tops and cute brief shorts.

Laura Scholz is an Atlanta-based author and editor who has coated meals, trend, 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 varied native and worldwide publications.