Panahar

Panahar is a truly exceptional dining experience. From the second you enter this humble yet sophisaticated establishment, you will feel like a VIP. The management and waitstaff are so genuinely friendly and helpful that you'll think they've mistaken you for a celebrity.

Bangladeshi food, in case you've not yet had the pleasure of experiencing it, is very similar to Indian food, the most noticable difference being the absence of pork and the presence of beef (which makes sense, as Islam is the majority religion of Bangladesh). If you don't know what to order, Panahar's top-notch waitstaff will ask you a few questions to familiarize themselves with your tastes and then suggest a dish tailored precisely to them.

I had the opportunity to sample several of the chicken, lamb, and goat dishes (beware, the goat is superb but a little boney), all of which were delicious. The pakora (deep fried vegetable appetizer), bashmotee rice, and naan (bread) were lovely. The Halim (spicy lentil soup), though, was definitely the star of the show and is one of the most intensely pleasant and flavorful dishes I've tasted all year. This wonderful meal was only made better by the cooling presence of a classic mango lassi (velvety fruit and yogurt drink).

This place is a steal, especially for groups. My group of six was able to snag six entrees, rice, naan, soup, appetizers, and drinks for around $20 each. For a feast like we had, that's basically free.

Panahar does not sell alcohol, but you can bring your own beer or wine and they will gladly serve it to you free of charge. They'll keep it cold for you in the back, if you like, and refill your glass as needed.

This has become one of my very favorite eateries in Atlanta. Whether you're an Atlantan or are just passing through, you'll want to put Panahar near the top of your Must-Eat list.